Concurrent Signal Detection Using Time-Multiplexed Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in detecting multiple signals on multiple channels simultaneously due to the need for multiple receive paths, which are costly and inefficient, leading to missed signals and delayed responses.
Innovation Solution
The use of a single receiver with a local oscillator (LO) signal generator to convert multiple RF signals onto a single frequency, allowing for concurrent detection of signals across multiple channels without requiring separate receive paths for each channel, enabling efficient monitoring and rapid response to time-sensitive information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple receive paths are used to receive multiple transmitted signals, then the receiver can detect multiple signals simultaneously, but the cost and complexity of the receiver increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receive paths into a single receive path by using a time-division multiplexing approach where the single receive path sequentially processes signals from different channels. The receiver alternates between monitoring different channels within a scan window, effectively merging the functionality of multiple simultaneous receive paths into one time-multiplexed path.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver implements periodic scanning of different channels within a defined scan window. The receiver periodically switches between monitoring different channels in a cyclic manner, allowing it to detect multiple signals sequentially rather than simultaneously, thereby eliminating the need for multiple concurrent receive paths.
2Device complexity
If the number of receive paths is reduced to lower cost, then the receiver structure is simplified, but the ability to detect multiple signals simultaneously is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining scan windows and channel sequences before actual signal detection. The receiver prepares a predetermined scanning pattern that covers all relevant channels within a specific time window, ensuring that no potential signals are missed while maintaining a simple receiver structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver dynamically adjusts its operation by switching between different channels within the scan window based on predetermined patterns. The single receive path is dynamically allocated to different channels at different time instances, allowing the system to maintain signal detection reliability across multiple channels without requiring multiple static receive paths.
3Device complexity
If a single receive path is used to monitor multiple channels, then the receiver cost is reduced, but the response time to detect signals may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver uses periodic scanning within defined scan windows to monitor multiple channels sequentially. By optimizing the scan window duration and channel switching frequency, the system ensures that the periodic monitoring does not introduce excessive delays in detecting time-sensitive signals while maintaining a simple receiver structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as scan window duration, channel switching frequency, and monitoring intervals to optimize the trade-off between response time and receiver complexity. By adjusting these parameters, the receiver can achieve adequate signal detection speed with a single time-multiplexed receive path.
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 enables concurrent detection and response to multiple signals within a short period, such as hundreds of microseconds, improving the efficiency and reducing power consumption by eliminating the need for multiple receive paths.
Implementation Method 1
a mixer is configured to mix and combine the one or more components into a folded signal using a plurality of varied local oscillator (LO) signals
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for detection of multiple signals concurrently is disclosed. The arrangement includes a demodulator component, a mixer and a detector. The demodulator component is configured to demodulate or obtain one or more components from a received signal. The mixer is configured to mix the one or more components into a folded signal using a plurality of varied local oscillator (LO) signals. The detector is configured to identify a valid signal within the folded signal and to initiate a response for the identified valid signal.