CDMA Receiver Hardware-Software Split for Resource Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio receivers, particularly GNSS receivers, face challenges in efficiently utilizing resources due to the computational intensity of software receivers, which can make them expensive and unsuitable for integration with hosts, as they require significant RAM for acquisition and tracking, potentially interfering with host resources or necessitating more expensive hardware.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize both dedicated circuitry and a programmable processor system for communication channel acquisition, with dedicated circuitry handling tracking and signal processing after acquisition, allowing the processor system's resources to be released for other applications, optimizing resource usage and reducing computational burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software receivers are used to implement GNSS functions, then flexibility and adaptability to different navigation systems is improved, but computational resource requirements and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is divided into two functional segments: a dedicated RF engine for signal demodulation and a programmable processor system for measurement and positioning algorithms. This segmentation allows the computationally intensive signal processing to be handled by dedicated hardware while the programmable processor handles higher-level functions with flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A memory system acts as an intermediary between the RF engine and the programmable processor system. The RF engine demodulates signals and stores them in memory, which then supplies data to the programmable processor. This intermediary architecture allows the processor to access processed signals without requiring the RF engine to be continuously active, reducing overall computational burden.
2Productivity
If software receivers use significant RAM for acquisition and tracking, then processing capability is improved, but host system integration becomes difficult and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acquisition and tracking processing functions are extracted from the programmable processor system and implemented in dedicated receiver circuitry. This extraction removes the heavy computational burden and large RAM requirements from the processor, allowing it to function with reduced resources and making host system integration feasible without interfering with application resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated receiver circuitry implements hardware-based copies of the acquisition and tracking algorithms that were previously executed in software. These hardware implementations provide the same processing capability but with significantly reduced memory requirements and computational overhead, enabling integration with host systems that have limited resources.
3Productivity
If dedicated circuitry is used for all receiver functions, then processing efficiency is improved, but adaptability to different navigation systems and algorithms is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable processor system provides universal functionality for executing different measurement and positioning algorithms supporting multiple navigation systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc.). The dedicated RF engine provides universal signal demodulation capability. This multi-functionality is achieved through the programmable nature of the processor while maintaining efficient dedicated hardware for signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system architecture allows dynamic allocation of functions between dedicated circuitry and programmable processor based on operational requirements. The programmable processor can be reconfigured for different navigation systems and algorithms, while the dedicated RF engine provides consistent efficient signal processing. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction between fixed efficient hardware and adaptable software.
Data Source
AI summary
A method including: using both dedicated circuitry and a programmable processor system for acquisition of a communication channel; and using the dedicated circuitry for tracking the acquired communication channel while using the programmable processor system for hosting an application that uses information dependent upon data dependent on the acquired communication channel.