Configurable ADC Multiband RF Signal Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multiband and multicarrier wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in power consumption and cost due to the need for expensive and power-hungry analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that struggle to keep pace with evolving wireless standards, especially when handling wideband analog RF signals across multiple RF bands.
Innovation Solution
The method and system focus on converting only the narrowband analog RF signals occupying distinct non-overlapping spectral bands within a wideband analog RF signal, using a configurable analog-to-digital conversion system with time-interleaved ADCs and down conversion techniques to efficiently sample and convert these signals, thereby reducing the overall sampling rate and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate transceivers are implemented for each RF band to accommodate multiband wireless communication standards, then the system can transmit and receive data in multiple RF bands, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple RF band handling capabilities into a single transceiver by using multiple ADCs that can be selectively enabled. Instead of implementing separate transceivers for each RF band, the system uses a unified transceiver architecture where the ADCs are configured to process signals from different RF bands through selective enabling, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining multiband capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of ADCs based on which RF bands are currently in use. The system selectively enables or disables specific ADCs depending on the active RF bands, allowing the transceiver to adapt its power consumption to the current operational requirements. This dynamic approach ensures that power is only consumed for the bands that are actively being used.
2Measurement precision
If high sampling rates are used in ADCs to accurately represent wideband RF signals, then signal accuracy is improved, but cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different sampling rates to different ADCs based on the specific RF band they process. Each ADC is configured with the minimum necessary sampling rate for its designated RF band, rather than using a uniformly high sampling rate for all bands. This localized optimization maintains signal accuracy for each band while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sampling rate parameter of ADCs dynamically based on the active RF bands. When certain RF bands are not in use, their corresponding ADCs are disabled or operated at lower sampling rates, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate signal accuracy for the active bands.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ADCs are used to handle multiple RF bands, then multiband support is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing ADCs that can handle multiple RF bands through selective enabling. Each ADC is capable of processing signals from different RF bands, and the system configures which ADCs are active based on the current multiband requirements. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for completely separate processing paths for each band, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If ADCs operate at high sampling rates to keep pace with evolving wireless standards, then future-proofing is achieved, but power consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability where the sampling rates of ADCs can be adjusted based on the current wireless standard requirements and active RF bands. This dynamic configuration allows the system to be future-proof by supporting evolving standards while consuming only the necessary power for the current operational mode, rather than always operating at maximum sampling rates.
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 a single RF transceiver to efficiently convert wideband analog RF signals to the digital domain, resulting in a smaller form factor, lower power consumption, and reduced manufacturing costs, while maintaining effective signal representation.
Implementation Method 1
to accurately represent that signal it must be sampled at a frequency between 2 to 5 times the bandwidth of the RF signal
Implementation Method 2
using a configurable analog-to-digital conversion system with time-interleaved ADCs and down conversion techniques to efficiently sample and convert these signals
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for converting wideband signals. In an example system, a wideband signal that includes one or more narrowband signals may be received and handled, with the handling may include selecting a subset of signal processing circuits, from a plurality of signal processing circuits in the system, with the number of selected signal processing circuits being less than the total number of signal processing circuits in the system. Only the selected signal processing circuits are then enabled, such that all remaining signal processing circuits are not enabled. Signal processing adjustment may then be applied, via the subset of signal processing circuits, only to the one or more narrowband signals, such that a remainder of the wideband signal is not adjusted. The handling of the received wideband signal may include separating the one or more narrowband signals from the wideband signal.