Common Signal Generating Subsystem for GPS Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS receivers require dedicated circuitry to process different signal frequencies, which complicates design and increases hardware requirements, especially with the introduction of new signals like L5, and existing solutions do not address the need for common signal processing across all GPS signals.
Innovation Solution
A common signal generating sub-system (CSGS) that includes a down converter section and a digitizer section, translating L1, L2, and L5 signals to a single intermediate frequency for common digital processing, using frequency mixing and critical sampling rates, allowing a single digital processing section to handle all signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated circuitry is used to process different signal frequencies (L1, L2, L5), then each signal can be processed independently, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal downconverter that can process multiple GPS signal frequencies (L1, L2, L5) by translating them to a common intermediate frequency. This single downconverter handles all signal types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuitry for each frequency, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining processing capability for all signals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the processing paths for different GPS frequencies by converting all signals to a common intermediate frequency before digital processing. This consolidation combines multiple signal processing paths into a unified architecture, reducing the number of separate hardware components needed while preserving the ability to process each signal independently through software
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional GPS signals (L5, new PRN sequences) are added, then signal processing capability is enhanced, but hardware circuitry requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic frequency translation where the downconverter can adaptively adjust its operation to handle different GPS signal frequencies (L1, L2, L5) and their various PRN sequences. This dynamic capability allows the same hardware to process multiple signal types without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each, enhancing versatility while controlling hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of incoming GPS signals through downconversion to a common intermediate frequency before digital processing. This parameter transformation allows the digital processing section to handle all different signal frequencies uniformly, enabling the system to accommodate new signals like L5 and new PRN sequences without adding hardware circuitry
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 simplifies receiver design by enabling a single digital processing section to handle multiple GPS signals, reducing hardware complexity and facilitating the integration of new signals like L5, while preserving signal spectra and bandwidth.
Implementation Method 1
The down converter section receives intermediate frequency (IF) signals and injection frequency signals from an RF/IF processing section of an RF receiver and translates the IF signals to analog intermediate frequency (IF) signals preserving the spectra thereof
Implementation Method 2
The digitizer section utilizes a locally generated sampling rate signal (LGSRS) and converts the analog in-phase IF signals and the analog quadrature IF signals to a common digital in-phase IF signal and a common digital quadrature IF signal
Data Source
AI summary
A common signal generating sub-system (CSGS) for a radio frequency (RF) receiver. The CSGS includes a down converter section and a digitizer section. The down converter section receives intermediate frequency (IF) signals and injection frequency signals from an RF/IF processing section of an RF receiver and translates the IF signals to analog intermediate frequency (IF) signals preserving the spectra thereof. The analog IF signals comprise analog in-phase IF signals and analog quadrature IF signals. The digitizer section utilizes a locally generated sampling rate signal (LGSRS) and converts the analog in-phase IF signals and the analog quadrature IF signals to a common digital in-phase IF signal and a common digital quadrature IF signal. The common digital IF signals can be subsequently processed by a digital processing section of the RF receiver. Implemented in a GPS system, by selecting the proper injection signals and A/D sampler rate, the L1, L2 and L5 signals can be converted to a single digital IF frequency for use with a common digital processing section.