Frequency-Stacked ADC Module for Legacy RF Cable Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) in electronic warfare systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing legacy RF cables, as they are difficult to replace and cannot handle varying enemy radar frequencies effectively, limiting the detection capability of multiple radar systems simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-Nyquist sampling approach with frequency-stacked ADCs operating at different sample rates, using splitters and filters to create overlapping Nyquist zones, allowing for increased bandwidth without replacing existing RF cables, and utilizing a quad-tuner configuration to enhance signal detection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single ADC is used to sample RF signals, then the system structure is simple, but the bandwidth utilization is limited and cannot detect multiple radar frequencies simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the RF signal path into multiple segments, each processed by a separate ADC. Multiple ADCs sample different frequency portions of the RF signal simultaneously, with each ADC handling a specific frequency range. This segmentation allows the system to detect multiple radar frequencies at once while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency stacking, where multiple ADCs operate at different sample rates and process different Nyquist zones. By adding the frequency dimension to the sampling process, the system expands its effective bandwidth capability without requiring a single high-speed ADC, thus improving bandwidth utilization while keeping individual ADC requirements moderate
2Adaptability or versatility
If legacy RF cables are replaced to increase bandwidth, then the bandwidth capacity increases, but the implementation cost and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing legacy RF cables serve multiple functions by processing multiple frequency ranges simultaneously through multiple ADCs. The same physical cable infrastructure is utilized, but its effective capacity is multiplied through parallel processing of different frequency portions, thereby increasing bandwidth capacity without requiring new cable installations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple digital copies of the RF signal path through parallel ADC processing. Instead of physically copying the cable infrastructure, the system creates virtual parallel channels by sampling different frequency portions of the same physical signal, effectively multiplying the bandwidth capacity of the existing cable without physical duplication
3Measurement precision
If filters are placed around the Nyquist region to block unwanted frequencies, then signal accuracy is improved, but the system cannot operate across multiple Nyquist regions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency processing by assigning different ADCs to different Nyquist zones with appropriate filtering for each. Each ADC-processing chain handles a specific frequency range with dedicated filtering, ensuring signal accuracy within each segment while the aggregate system covers multiple Nyquist regions simultaneously through parallel operation
Data Source
AI summary
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module includes a plurality of frequency stacked ADCs. A splitter splits channels into two segments to transmit the signal through respective low pass and high pass filters to send the analog signal to a low frequency ADC and a high frequency ADC along each channel. When using a quad-tuner having four channels, there are eight ADCs: four high frequency ADCs and four low frequency ADCs. Typically, there is one ADC associated with each channel. Thus, a quad-tuner would be used with an ADC module having four ADCs. However, by splitting and filtering each channel and increasing the number of ADCs in the ADC module, the system, assembly, and method in the present disclosure is able to increase the frequency bandwidth throughput along legacy radio frequency (RF) cables on a platform without the need of replacing any legacy hardware or the legacy RF cables.