Dynamic Gain Control for Blocker Detection in Communication Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As devices and communication technologies become smaller and more complex, managing noise and interference in communication devices becomes increasingly difficult, with conventional techniques often conflicting with noise figure improvement.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for blocker detection and automatic gain control, which generates signal strength indications at various points in the communication device to determine the presence and strength of blocker signals, allowing for dynamic control of gain to prevent saturation and improve linearity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional interference mitigation techniques are used, then interference is reduced, but noise figure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain control that adjusts the gain of the low noise amplifier in real-time based on detected blocker signal strength. The system transitions from static gain settings to dynamic adjustment, allowing the gain to be reduced when blockers are detected and increased when they are not, thereby resolving the contradiction between interference mitigation and noise figure performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the gain parameter of the low noise amplifier dynamically based on the detected presence and strength of blocker signals. By monitoring signal strength at multiple points and adjusting the gain parameter accordingly, the system can mitigate interference from blockers while maintaining optimal noise figure performance under different operating conditions
2Illumination intensity
If gain is increased to improve signal strength, then signal strength improves, but saturation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors signal strength at multiple points in the signal path and uses this information to control the gain of the low noise amplifier. The feedback loop detects when signal strength indicates potential saturation and automatically adjusts gain to prevent saturation while maintaining optimal signal strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent takes preliminary action by detecting blocker signals and adjusting gain before saturation occurs. By monitoring signal strength at early stages and anticipating potential saturation conditions, the system proactively adjusts gain settings to prevent saturation while maintaining good signal strength
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of a method and system for integrated blocker detection and automatic gain control are provided. In this regard, a communication device may generate one or more first signal strength indications based on a strength of a received signal at a first point in the analog front-end of the communication device. The communication device may generate one or more second signal strength indications based on a strength of the received signal at a second point in a digital processing module of the communication device. The first point in the analog front-end may be an input or an output of a down-conversion mixer. The second point in the digital processing module may be an output of an analog-to-digital converter or an output of a channel selection filter. The communication device may control, utilizing the first signal strength indication(s) and the second signal strength indication(s), a gain of one or more components of the communication device.