Direct RF Sampling Receiver for Simultaneous VHF Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft radio receivers have a single channel architecture, making them inefficient and costly to add more channels, especially for handling multiple communication and navigation signals in VHF bands, which is inadequate for modern networked communication needs.
Innovation Solution
A single receiver apparatus with a direct RF sampling front end, a single analog to digital converter, and a FPGA-based digital down-converter, along with a digital signal processor, capable of simultaneously processing navigation signals in the 108-118 MHz band and communication signals in the 118-137 MHz band, reducing size, weight, power consumption, and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional channels are added to receivers to handle multiple communication and navigation signals, then the number of signals that can be processed simultaneously increases, but the size, weight, power consumption, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal processing channels into a single receiver platform using direct RF sampling architecture. Multiple analog-to-digital converters process different frequency bands (108-118 MHz navigation and 118-137 MHz communication signals) simultaneously within one integrated system, eliminating the need for separate receiver units for each signal type.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is designed with universal functionality to handle both navigation signals (108-118 MHz) and communication signals (118-137 MHz) using the same basic receiver architecture. The direct RF sampling front end and digital signal processor can adaptively process multiple signal types, making the receiver multi-functional rather than requiring dedicated channels for each purpose.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional single channel architecture is used, then the receiver is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot handle multiple communication and navigation signals simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/analog frequency conversion circuits with direct RF sampling and digital signal processing. Instead of using analog mixers and local oscillators for each channel, the system uses a single digital signal processor to perform frequency conversion and signal separation in the digital domain, simplifying the overall architecture while enabling multi-signal processing.
3Productivity
If multiple channels are implemented to process navigation and communication signals, then signal processing capability improves, but the receiver size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal processing functions into a single integrated receiver unit. By combining navigation signal processing (108-118 MHz) and communication signal processing (118-137 MHz) in one receiver with shared analog-to-digital converters and digital signal processor, the overall weight is reduced compared to having separate receivers for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an apparatus and method for simultaneously processing multiple communication and navigation signals. An apparatus of the present invention may comprise a single receiver with a direct radio frequency (RF) sampling front end, a single analog to digital converter, a digital downconverter and a digital signal processor. In an embodiment of the invention, the receiver of the present invention may simultaneously process navigation signals in the 108-118 MHz band and communication signals in the 118-137 MHz band.