Analog Signal Encoding for Single-ADC Multi-Channel Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Converting multiple streams of analog signals to digital signals using separate analog-to-digital converters is costly and inefficient in terms of power consumption, particularly in applications like beam forming for array antennas.
Innovation Solution
A system that encodes multiple analog signals with different binary codes, sums them, and converts the encoded signals using a single analog-to-digital converter, then forms digital data streams by correlating the output with the binary codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate analog-to-digital converters are used for each analog signal stream, then conversion reliability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate analog-to-digital converter functions are merged into a single converter by combining the analog signal streams through additive mixing after encoding. The single converter processes the combined signal, and digital signal processing separates the individual streams, achieving the same functional result as multiple converters with reduced hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A single analog-to-digital converter is designed to handle multiple encoded analog signal streams simultaneously. The converter performs the universal function of converting any linear combination of the encoded signals, and the system uses digital processing to extract individual streams, making the converter multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single stream.
2Measurement precision
If separate analog-to-digital converters are used for each analog signal stream, then conversion accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power consumption of multiple converters is reduced by merging their functions into a single converter. The combined analog signals are converted by one converter, and the digital processing required to separate the streams consumes less power than running multiple converters simultaneously, achieving energy efficiency while maintaining conversion accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of signal representation by encoding analog signals with orthogonal sequences before summation. This encoding transformation allows a single converter to capture information from multiple streams, and digital correlation processing recovers the original signals with maintained accuracy but reduced power consumption.
3Productivity
If multiple analog-to-digital converters are used, then signal processing capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing capability of multiple converters is merged into a single converter through additive mixing of encoded signals. The single converter maintains the processing capability to handle multiple streams by converting their linear combination, and digital signal processing separates the individual streams, reducing the quantity of converters needed while preserving processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Digital signal processing acts as an intermediary between the single analog-to-digital converter and the multiple output signal streams. The intermediary performs correlation processing to separate the combined converted signal back into individual streams, enabling a single converter to deliver the equivalent processing capability of multiple converters.
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 reduces the number of required analog-to-digital converters and power consumption, while maintaining effective data conversion and processing efficiency, as demonstrated in beam forming applications.
Implementation Method 1
a code generator including a plurality of serial digital code outputs, the code generator configured to produce, at the plurality of code outputs, a plurality of orthogonal binary codes
Implementation Method 2
analog encoder output signal by: multiplying the analog signal received at the analog encoder input by a first analog value when the binary encoder input signal has a first digital value, and multiplying the analog signal received at the analog encoder input by a second analog value when the binary encoder input signal has a second digital value
Implementation Method 3
a summing node having a plurality of analog summing inputs and an analog sum output, the summing node configured to produce a signal, at the analog sum output, equal to the sum of the signals at the analog summing inputs
Implementation Method 4
converted to digital form by an analog to digital converter
Implementation Method 5
Multiple digital data streams are then formed from the digital output stream produced by the analog to digital converter, by forming correlations of the digital output stream with each of the binary codes
Data Source
AI summary
A system for converting several analog signals to digital signals using a single analog to digital converter. Each of the analog signals is encoded, using multiplication, with a different binary code, and the encoded analog signals are summed, and converted to digital form by an analog to digital converter. Multiple digital data streams are then formed from the digital output stream produced by the analog to digital converter, by forming correlations of the digital output stream with each of the binary codes.