ADC Sampling Rate Control for Multi-Nyquist Signal Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) systems face challenges in simultaneously sampling multiple frequency channels due to limitations in analog to digital converters, often requiring analog techniques to select only a subset of channels, which can lead to interference issues.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes an analog to digital converter, a clock signal generator, and a processor to iteratively identify desired signals and determine interfering signals across multiple Nyquist bands by adjusting sampling rates, allowing for selective sampling to minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional analog mixing and filtering techniques are used to select a subset of DME channels, then the converter dynamic range requirements are reduced, but the system cannot simultaneously sample multiple frequency channels and may experience interference issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to simultaneously sample multiple frequency channelsVSAvoidsignal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the sampling rate of the ADC based on the desired signal frequency. By changing the sampling rate iteratively, the system can bring different DME channels into the first Nyquist band for simultaneous sampling, thereby enabling multi-channel reception while managing interference through digital signal processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the sampling rate parameter of the ADC to match different signal frequencies. By adjusting this parameter, the system can accommodate multiple frequency channels within the converter's dynamic range, allowing simultaneous sampling of multiple DME channels without requiring analog channel selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sampling rate is increased to capture higher frequency channels, then more DME channels can be sampled, but interfering signals may alias into the desired signal band

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of DME channelsVSAvoidsignal accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection to identify the presence and frequency of desired signals before final sampling. By first identifying the signal of interest and then adjusting the sampling rate accordingly, the system can avoid aliasing interference while capturing the desired channel, ensuring both coverage and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from signal detection to iteratively adjust the sampling rate. The processor detects desired signals, determines appropriate sampling rates, and adjusts the clock signal generator accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures that the sampling rate is optimized for each detected signal, preventing aliasing while maintaining accurate signal capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If conventional single channel receiver with analog mixing is used, then hardware complexity is reduced, but the system cannot process signals across multiple Nyquist bands simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal detection efficiencyVSAvoidreceiver architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces analog mixing and filtering hardware with digital signal processing. By using an ADC with adjustable sampling rates and performing channel selection and signal processing in the digital domain, the system achieves multi-channel capability without requiring complex analog receiver architectures, thereby improving productivity while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8064560B2Systems and methods for detecting a signal across multiple Nyquist bands

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for detecting a signal across multiple Nyquist bands. The systems include an analog to digital converter (ADC), a clock signal generator configured to output a sample clock signal to the ADC, and a processor configured to process sampled signals and control the clock signal generator. The processor is configured to iteratively identify a desired signal, determine whether a possible interfering signal exists at a next sampling rate, and instruct the clock signal generator to generate the next sampling rate if the processor determines that a possible interfering signal does not exist. The methods include sampling an input signal at a first sampling rate, processing the sampled signal to extract information from a desired signal, determining whether a possible interfering signal exists at a next sampling rate, and sampling at the next sampling rate if it is determined that a possible interfering signal does not exist.