All-Digital RF Modulator for Legacy Display Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing television sets require expensive analog RF modulators with discrete components to convert video signals into RF for display, limiting cost-effectiveness and flexibility, especially when interfacing with legacy displays that only support RF inputs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated all-digital RF modulator system that uses digital techniques to generate RF modulated signals, eliminating the need for additional boards with discrete components, and can be implemented in a single chip Set Top Box Integrated Circuit (STB IC) for compatibility with various display types, including legacy systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If analog RF modulators with discrete components are used, then RF modulation functionality is achieved for legacy displays, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analog mechanical/electronic RF modulator system with a fully digital RF modulator implemented in software on a general-purpose processor. This substitution eliminates the need for discrete analog components (mixers, filters, oscillators) and their associated circuit boards, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining RF modulation functionality for legacy displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter of the RF modulator from analog continuous signals to digital discrete signals. By implementing the modulator entirely in the digital domain using software algorithms on a processor, the system achieves the same RF modulation function without requiring expensive analog component assemblies, thus resolving the cost issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If discrete component boards are used for RF modulation, then compatibility with legacy displays is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RF modulation functionality into the main processing unit of the video processor by implementing it as software on a general-purpose processor. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate discrete component boards and integrates the modulation function directly into the existing digital signal processing architecture, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining compatibility with legacy displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the general-purpose processor perform multiple functions including video processing, audio processing, and RF modulation. By implementing the RF modulator as software on this universal processor, the system achieves legacy display compatibility without adding dedicated hardware circuits, thus reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
All digital RF modulator. An RF modulator, implemented using only digital techniques, obviates the need for an additional board, implemented using discrete analog components, to perform the necessary modulation to provide the RF output signal for use with a display device (television). Modern displays typically include functionality to support a number of input types beyond an RF input. However, older, legacy displays typically only support inputs that are RF in nature. A fully integrated solution that performs the RF modulation of the output signal that may be used in such legacy types systems is provided using digital techniques.