Diversity Receiver Synchronization Circuit for Seamless Video
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diversity receivers used in wireless communication systems, especially in environments with multipath signal interference, often cause discontinuities in video transmission when switching between signal paths due to the need for resynchronization, leading to potential video loss and latency issues, particularly in high-speed applications like drone racing.
Innovation Solution
A diversity receiver system that synchronizes and mixes multiple signals prior to switching, eliminating the need for post-switching resynchronization by demodulating, converting, synchronizing, and mixing signals based on Received Signal Strength Indicators (RSSI) to produce a continuous, uninterrupted video output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an analog switch is used to select the best signal path based on RSSI, then signal quality is improved, but video discontinuities occur during switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by synchronizing all incoming signal paths before the switching operation. The synchronization circuit pre-aligns the phase and timing of each signal path to a common reference, so that when the analog switch transitions between paths, the video signal remains continuous without discontinuities. This pre-synchronization ensures that the switching action occurs between already-aligned signals rather than creating misalignment.
2Reliability
If signal paths are switched based on RSSI, then robust link is improved, but latency increases due to resynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates post-switching resynchronization latency by performing synchronization as a preliminary action before switching. The synchronization circuit continuously maintains all signal paths in sync with a common reference, so that switching between paths based on RSSI does not require additional resynchronization time. This preliminary synchronization approach removes the time penalty that would otherwise occur after each switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous synchronization of all signal paths at all times, rather than interrupting the signal flow for resynchronization after switching. The synchronization circuit operates continuously in parallel with the switching operation, ensuring that the useful action of video transmission remains uninterrupted and latency-free during path transitions.
3Reliability
If multiple antennas are used for diversity, then multipath interference is mitigated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the synchronization function into a unified circuit that processes all signal paths simultaneously. Rather than implementing separate synchronization mechanisms for each antenna path, a single synchronization circuit receives all signals and aligns them to a common reference, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the benefits of multiple antennas for multipath mitigation.
Data Source
AI summary
A diversity receiver synchronizes and mixes multiple input signals. In one embodiment, the receiver demodulates the multiple input signals prior to synchronizing, converts the demodulated multiple input signals from analog signals to digital signals, synchronizes the demodulated digital signals, converts the synchronized demodulated digital signals to analog signals and mixes the synchronized demodulated analog signals based on a characteristic of the input signals existing prior to the demodulating.