DBPSK Demodulation Using 1-Bit A/D Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current DBPSK demodulation techniques require complex and power-consuming A/D converters, especially at high data rates, making them unsuitable for low-cost or battery-powered systems due to the need for high resolution in phase difference determination.

Innovation Solution

A method involving separate 1-bit A/D conversion and demodulation processing for in-phase and quadrature-phase components, allowing for maximum likelihood decoding and checksum calculations using softbit values, which reduces circuit complexity and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high resolution A/D conversion is used for phase difference determination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase difference determination resolutionVSAvoidA/D converter complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the A/D conversion process into two separate 1-bit conversions for in-phase and quadrature components, rather than using a single high-resolution converter. This segmentation maintains measurement precision through subsequent processing while dramatically reducing the complexity of individual conversion stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage that combines the outputs of two 1-bit A/D converters and performs phase difference determination through software or logic circuitry. This intermediary layer enables high precision measurement without requiring high-resolution hardware converters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If high resolution A/D converter is used for DBPSK demodulation, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase difference determination resolutionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the conversion into two 1-bit operations rather than one high-resolution operation, the patent reduces the power consumption of each conversion stage while maintaining overall measurement precision through the combination and processing of both 1-bit results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inexpensive 1-bit A/D converters instead of expensive high-resolution converters. Although 1-bit converters have limited individual capability, their combined use with proper processing achieves the required precision at much lower cost and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If 1-bit A/D conversion is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveA/D converter complexityVSAvoidphase difference determination resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the outputs of two separate 1-bit A/D converters (in-phase and quadrature components) through a combination process that reconstructs the phase information. This merging of multiple low-precision signals achieves high-precision phase difference determination that neither converter could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional high-resolution measurement approach to a two-dimensional approach using in-phase and quadrature components. By measuring in two orthogonal dimensions with 1-bit resolution each, the system achieves equivalent or superior phase measurement precision to direct high-resolution measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Use of energy by stationary object

If 1-bit A/D conversion is used, then power consumption is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidphase difference determination resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the information from two 1-bit converted signals (in-phase and quadrature) to reconstruct phase difference information with sufficient precision. This merging process enables the system to achieve accurate phase measurement while consuming minimal power compared to using a single high-resolution converter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2328313B1Method and apparatus for demodulating differential binary phase shift keying modulated signals
Publication Date: 2014.08.20 IHP GMBH INNOVATIONS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE MICROELECTRONICS LEIBNIZ INSTITUT FÜR INNOVATIVE MIKROELEKTRONIK
  • EP2328313B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2328313B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2328313B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method, apparatus, and computer program product for demodulating a differential binary phase shift keying (DBPSK) signal, wherein an in-phase component and a quadrature-phase component are generated from the DBPSK signal, and the in-phase component and quadrature-phase component are separately processed by applying 1-bit analog-to-digital conversion and subsequent differential decoding. Then, a decision on the value of the DBPSK signal is based on a combined consideration of at least one of a maximum likelihood decoding and checksum calculation of the processed in-phase and quadrature-phase components.