Analog Signal Sampling for Precise Timing and Phase Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital transmission systems lack the capability to determine the precise temporal position and phase of signals with higher accuracy than symbol or chip rates, leading to suboptimal synchronization and distance measurement, particularly in systems like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, without requiring additional hardware.
Innovation Solution
The method analyzes the actual waveform of the analog signal to determine the temporal position and phase of signals, utilizing existing hardware by increasing the sampling rate to at least twice the bandwidth of the signal, allowing for precise synchronization and distance measurement with improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sampling rate is increased to at least twice the bandwidth of the signal, then the accuracy of temporal position and phase determination is improved, but the hardware requirements and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing analog-to-digital converter and sampling hardware already present in the digital transmission system. The invention makes the existing hardware serve dual purposes: both for data transmission decoding and for precise temporal position/phase measurement, eliminating the need for separate dedicated measurement hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling hardware and analog-to-digital converter are made multi-functional, serving both the original data transmission function and the new function of precise temporal position and phase determination. This universal use of existing components resolves the contradiction by avoiding additional hardware while achieving high measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If threshold decision methods are used to decode information from signals, then the system is simple to operate, but the accuracy of signal position determination is limited by sampling rate and sample position
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter used for decoding from threshold-based digital decisions to utilizing the actual analog sample values and their precise waveform characteristics. By analyzing the actual waveform shape, amplitude, and timing of samples rather than simple threshold crossings, the system achieves much higher temporal position accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through software-based waveform analysis.
3Measurement precision
If additional hardware is deployed to improve synchronization accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing analog-to-digital converter and sampling infrastructure performs dual duty: both for standard data transmission functions and for high-precision synchronization measurements. The system makes its existing hardware serve the additional measurement function, achieving 2 to 16 times better synchronization accuracy without adding any dedicated measurement hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling hardware is made universal, handling both data transmission decoding and precise temporal/phase measurement tasks. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for separate synchronization hardware while achieving dramatically improved measurement precision through intelligent use of existing components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for improving propagation time and/or phase measurement and/or for synchronization in digital transmission systems. According to the invention, at least one first piece of information, in particular digital information, is encoded in at least one first analog signal and transmitted between two objects using the transmission system. At least one first sample of the at least one first analog signal is used to determine a temporal position and/or phase position. The at least one first sample lies on a rising or falling edge of the at least one first analog signal and/or the at least one first received analog signal, which can be determined, for example, from the sample itself and/or the behavior of adjacent samples.