DME Ground Station Pulse Waveform Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In distance measuring equipment (DME) ground station apparatus, unpredictable distortion of transmission pulse signals due to amplifier circuit characteristics necessitates labor-intensive manual adjustment of input waveforms to meet prescribed waveform specifications.

Innovation Solution

An automatic waveform adjustment system that utilizes an error amount evaluator and waveform controller to compare the output pulse waveform with an ideal waveform, applying corrections using a genetic algorithm to ensure the waveform falls within a prescribed error range, thereby reducing labor and achieving precise waveform shaping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of input waveform is performed to compensate for amplifier distortion, then waveform specification compliance is improved, but adjustment time and labor are significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaveform specification complianceVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automatic adjustment system that uses feedback from a waveform measurement unit to monitor the actual output waveform characteristics. The control unit receives this feedback and automatically adjusts the input waveform parameters to compensate for amplifier distortion, eliminating the need for manual observation and adjustment while ensuring waveform specification compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment through the automatic waveform adjustment mechanism. The control unit autonomously modifies the input waveform based on measured distortion characteristics without requiring external manual intervention, enabling the system to compensate for amplifier distortion automatically and reducing adjustment time significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual observation and adjustment of waveform parameters is performed, then waveform accuracy is improved, but operational complexity and labor requirements are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaveform accuracyVSAvoidadjustment operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic adjustment system incorporates a waveform measurement unit that continuously monitors output waveform characteristics and feeds this information back to the control unit. This automated feedback loop maintains high waveform accuracy by dynamically adjusting input parameters based on actual amplifier distortion, while eliminating the need for manual observation and adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process with an automated electronic control system. The control unit electronically adjusts waveform parameters based on measurement feedback, substituting the manual observation and adjustment process with automated electronic control, thereby maintaining accuracy while significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Power

If amplifier circuits with high output power are used to transmit pulse signals, then transmission capability is improved, but waveform distortion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput powerVSAvoidwaveform fidelity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by pre-distorting the input waveform in the opposite direction of the expected amplifier distortion. The control unit calculates the inverse of the measured distortion characteristics and applies this pre-correction to the input waveform, so that when the amplifier distorts the signal, the final output waveform achieves the desired fidelity despite the high power amplification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the input waveform parameters dynamically to compensate for amplifier distortion. The control unit adjusts parameters such as pulse width, amplitude, and timing of the input waveform based on measured distortion characteristics, enabling the system to maintain waveform fidelity while operating at high output power levels through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1956387B1Pulse signal transmitting apparatus, method of adjusting waveform of the same, and DME ground station apparatus
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP1956387B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP1956387B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1956387B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A transmitting apparatus comprises a generator (14) for generating a pulse signal having a waveform approximated to the Gaussian error function at a prescribed timing, a transmitter (15, 16) for power-amplifying a pulse signal generated by the generator, and transmitting the amplified pulse signal, an evaluator (17, 18) for extracting a pulse waveform part from the power-amplified pulse signal, comparing the extracted pulse waveform part with an ideal waveform so as to obtain an error amount between the pulse waveform part and the ideal waveform, and evaluating whether or not the error amount is within a prescribed error range, and a controller (19) for causing the generator (14) to subject the waveform of the pulse signal to correction in such a manner that the error amount becomes smaller each time an evaluation result of the evaluator (17, 18) is that the error amount is out of the prescribed error range.