Automatic Gain Control with Dynamic Target Adjustment Under Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face performance degradation due to undesired interference, which affects the automatic gain control (AGC) mechanism, leading to increased quantization noise and suboptimal receiver performance.
Innovation Solution
An AGC apparatus and method that utilizes a variable-gain circuit, gain adjustment circuit, and target value adjustment circuit to dynamically adjust the gain based on a control signal generated from monitoring the amplified signal's strength, effectively managing saturation probability to maintain optimal signal power levels despite interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the prior art uses total power comparison with threshold level to adjust signal power, then the AGC mechanism can operate within a reasonable received power range, but the received power level becomes deviated when mixed with undesired interference, generating quantization noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing by separating effective signal detection from interference. The detector selectively detects only the effective signal component rather than measuring total power, which includes both signal and interference. This segmentation allows accurate signal power measurement even when interference is present, resolving the contradiction between AGC reliability and measurement precision.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an additional interference detector is used to reduce interference effect, then the interference detection capability is improved, but the circuit cost increases and the detector might not work for undetectable interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing detector multi-functional by configuring it to selectively detect effective signals while ignoring interference. Rather than adding a separate interference detector, the existing detection mechanism is adapted to perform dual functions: detecting signal power for AGC purposes while inherently filtering out interference. This universal approach reduces circuit complexity while maintaining interference rejection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its existing detection capability to serve the dual purpose of signal detection and interference rejection. The detector automatically distinguishes between effective signal and interference based on its selective detection mechanism, without requiring additional dedicated interference detection circuits. This self-service approach eliminates the need for extra hardware while maintaining performance.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and an associated method for automatic gain control (AGC) are provided to improve the ability to lock effective signal power when interference exists, thereby upgrading the receiver performance of a communication system. The apparatus includes a variable-gain circuit for adjusting the power level of an input signal. The apparatus also includes a gain adjustment circuit and a target value adjustment circuit. The gain adjustment circuit is for adjusting the gain of the variable-gain circuit according to the adjusted input signal and a target value, while the target value adjustment is for dynamically adjusting the target value according to the strength of the adjusted input signal.