Digital Signal Arrival Detector for RF Receiver False Trigger Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication receivers face challenges in accurately detecting signal arrival due to false triggers from co-channel continuous wave tones and noise patterns, leading to inefficient operation and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a digital signal arrival (DSA) detector in RF receivers, which includes a signal correlator, absolute and relative received signal strength indication (RSSI) detectors, and a frequency offset detector, coupled with a demodulator and synchronization word detector, to enhance signal detection accuracy and reduce false positives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a preamble detector is used to detect signal arrival, then the receiver can detect the beginning of a frame, but false triggers occur due to co-channel continuous wave tones and noise patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is divided into multiple specialized detectors: a preamble detector for initial frame detection, an absolute RSSI detector for signal strength validation, and a frequency offset detector for tone detection. Each detector handles a specific aspect of signal validation, and their combined output determines true signal arrival, preventing false triggers from single detector errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives and evaluates outputs from multiple detectors (preamble detector, absolute RSSI detector, frequency offset detector). It synthesizes their signals to make the final determination of true signal arrival, filtering out false positives that any single detector might generate.
2Reliability
If the receiver operates continuously to ensure no signal is missed, then detection coverage is maximized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The DSA detector periodically evaluates signal conditions using multiple detectors (preamble, absolute RSSI, frequency offset), and the receiver is activated only when valid signal conditions are confirmed. This periodic detection approach maintains coverage while significantly reducing power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary signal validation using the DSA detector and multiple detection mechanisms before fully activating the receiver. By pre-checking for valid signal conditions (preamble presence, appropriate signal strength, acceptable frequency offset), the system avoids unnecessary full receiver activation and reduces power consumption while ensuring no valid signals are missed.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detection mechanisms are added to reduce false triggers, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages the preamble detector, processes absolute RSSI measurements, evaluates frequency offset data, and makes the final signal arrival determination. By making the controller multi-functional, the patent adds detection capabilities without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the same control unit handles multiple detection tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detection functions (preamble detection, RSSI measurement, frequency offset analysis) are merged into a unified detection system managed by a single controller. The outputs of these different detection mechanisms are combined and evaluated together to make a comprehensive signal arrival determination, improving accuracy while managing complexity through integration.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver, which includes a digital signal arrival (DSA) detector to detect arrival of a transmitted signal. The DSA detector includes a signal correlator and at least one of (a) an absolute received signal strength indication (RSSI) detector; (b) a relative RSSI detector; and (c) a frequency offset detector). The RF receiver further includes a demodulator coupled to the DSA detector to demodulate a received signal and to provide a demodulated signal, and a synchronization word detector (SWD) coupled to the demodulator to receive the demodulated signal.