Active Wireless Receiver Signal Combining for Hitless Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave radio systems with 1+1 receiver configurations suffer from performance degradation during equipment failures and multi-path fading, as they are not hitless and require switching between active and standby receivers, leading to potential lapses in signal reception.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with multiple active wireless receivers that adjust the phase and gain of received signals to match each other, allowing for signal combining to enhance accuracy and dynamic range, thereby eliminating the need for standby modes and ensuring continuous performance even if one receiver fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a 1+1 receiver configuration with one main active receiver and one or more secondary backup receivers is used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the system is not hitless and requires switching between active and standby receivers causing performance lapses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple active receivers (at least two receivers) to simultaneously receive and process signals, merging their outputs to achieve hitless protection. This eliminates the need for standby receivers while maintaining continuous signal reception and processing, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex switching mechanisms between active and standby states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous signal reception and processing by keeping multiple receivers actively operating simultaneously. This continuity of useful action eliminates the interruptions and performance lapses that occur during switching between active and standby receivers in traditional 1+1 configurations, achieving hitless protection through uninterrupted signal processing.
2Reliability
If multiple active receivers are used to achieve hitless protection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to phase and gain matching requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through phase comparators that continuously monitor and compare the phase of signals from multiple receivers. This feedback enables automatic phase adjustment to ensure that signals from different receivers are properly aligned before combining, thereby managing the complexity of phase and gain matching through automated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts critical parameters (phase and gain) of receiver signals to ensure proper alignment before combining. By dynamically changing these parameters through phase adjusters and gain control, the system manages the complexity of multiple active receivers while maintaining signal integrity and achieving hitless protection.
3Productivity
If standby receivers are used in 1+1 configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to switching delays and potential signal reception lapses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capabilities of multiple active receivers to simultaneously process signals, eliminating the need for standby receivers. This architecture improves productivity by ensuring continuous signal reception without switching delays, as all receivers are actively processing signals at the same time rather than requiring transitions between active and standby states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by keeping all receivers actively receiving and processing signals simultaneously. This eliminates the interruptions and productivity losses associated with switching between active and standby receivers, ensuring uninterrupted signal processing while managing architectural complexity through integrated signal combining.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables hitless protection by maintaining continuous signal reception without performance lapses, as multiple active receivers can seamlessly take over without interrupting the signal, improving the overall reliability and accuracy of microwave communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
The phase comparator may be configured to mix the received signal and a downconverted signal to create a mixed signal, compare a phase of the mixed signal to a predetermined phase, and generate a phase control signal based on the comparison
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for combining signals from multiple active wireless receivers are discussed herein. An exemplary system comprises a first downconverter, a phase comparator, a phase adjuster, and a second downconverter. The first downconverter may be configured to downconvert a received signal from a first antenna to an intermediate frequency to create an intermediate frequency signal. The phase comparator may be configured to mix the received signal and a downconverted signal to create a mixed signal, compare a phase of the mixed signal to a predetermined phase, and generate a phase control signal based on the comparison, the downconverted signal being associated with the received signal from the first antenna. The phase adjuster may be configured to alter the phase of the intermediate frequency signal based on the phase control signal. The second downconverter may be configured to downconvert the phase-shifted intermediate frequency signal to create an output signal.