Agile Navigation RF Transmission with Tunable Multi-Band Amplifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are inflexible and require multiple hardware components for each signal, leading to increased size, weight, power consumption, and cost, as well as the need for up-converters for navigation signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
The Agile Navigation Transmission System (ANTS) generates and transmits navigation signals directly from a digital processor without up-conversion, using a digital-to-analog converter and tunable amplifiers to produce RF signals across a wide band, allowing for signal agility and flexibility in frequency and waveform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple fixed hardware systems are used for each GNSS signal, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but system size, weight, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate hardware systems into a single reconfigurable hardware system. The Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) can be programmed to generate different GNSS signals (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) as needed, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated hardware systems. This merging approach maintains signal transmission reliability while significantly reducing system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The FPGA serves as a universal signal generation platform that can produce multiple types of GNSS signals through software configuration. The single hardware system can be reprogrammed to generate different waveforms and frequencies for various satellite navigation systems, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each signal type.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate hardware architecture is implemented for each signal, then signal generation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic, reconfigurable hardware architecture using FPGA technology. Instead of fixed hardware for each signal, the system can be dynamically reprogrammed to generate different GNSS signals with precise waveforms and frequencies. This dynamic approach maintains signal generation precision while reducing hardware complexity by using a single adaptable platform rather than multiple fixed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The FPGA allows for software-defined changes in signal parameters such as frequency, waveform type, and modulation characteristics. By changing software parameters rather than physical hardware configuration, the system maintains precise signal generation for different GNSS constellations while avoiding the complexity of multiple dedicated hardware paths.
3Reliability
If up-converters are used for navigation signal transmission, then signal transmission capability is improved, but system size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the up-converter component from the traditional GNSS signal transmission chain. By using direct digital synthesis (DDS) through the FPGA, the system generates RF signals directly at the desired frequency without requiring intermediate frequency conversion stages. This removal of the up-converter reduces system volume and power consumption while maintaining signal transmission capability.
4Reliability
If multiple fixed signals are transmitted at multiple fixed frequencies, then navigation service coverage is improved, but signal agility and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The FPGA-based system provides universal signal generation capability that can produce multiple GNSS signals at multiple frequencies as required for comprehensive navigation coverage. Simultaneously, the reconfigurable nature of the FPGA allows dynamic adjustment of signal parameters, providing signal agility and flexibility to adapt to different operational requirements, interference conditions, and detection probability concerns.
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
ANTS enables the transmission of multiple navigation signals at varying frequencies and amplitudes within a single hardware path, reducing size, weight, and power consumption while providing signal agility, making it suitable for space and terrestrial applications without the need for up-converters.
Implementation Method 1
The splitter circuit is further configured to split and forward the RF signals having the f1 frequency to a first bandpass filter and the RF signals having the f2 frequency to a second bandpass filter
Implementation Method 2
The first tunable amplifier is further configured to amplify its RF signals across a first band centered around the frequency f1. The second tunable amplifier is further configured to amplify its RF signals across a second band centered around the frequency f2
Data Source
AI summary
A method and transmission system for amplifying and providing navigation signals. The system comprises a splitter circuit configured to receive a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals oscillating at at least two different frequencies f1 and f2. The splitter circuit is further configured to split and forward the RF signals having the f1 frequency to a first bandpass filter and the RF signals having the f2 frequency to a second bandpass filter. The system further comprises a first tunable amplifier configured to receive the RF signals from the first bandpass filter. The system further comprises a second tunable amplifier configured to receive the RF signals from the second bandpass filter at substantially the same time as the first tunable amplifier's receipt of the RF signals from the first bandpass filter. The first tunable amplifier is further configured to amplify its RF signals across a first band centered around the frequency f1. The second tunable amplifier is further configured to amplify its RF signals across a second band centered around the frequency f2. The amplified RF signals are fed substantially concurrently into a mixer circuit for transmission via an RF antenna to a navigation receiver.