Impulse Reception Time Measurement Using Distorted Reference Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in accurately measuring the reception times of at least partially superimposed pulses with high dynamic range due to non-linear transmission behavior and multiple reception channels with different sensitivities, leading to distortion and difficulty in determining precise time of reception, especially in high-precision applications like surveying and satellite navigation.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a memory storing reference signals of varying amplitudes and an evaluation device to compare received signals with superimposed reference signals, determining time offsets where comparison deviation is minimal, thereby improving accuracy by approximating the received signal with reference signals that account for the dynamic behavior of the receiving system, and interpolating for higher time resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If non-linear transmission behavior components are used in the reception channel to process high dynamic range signals, then the reception system can handle signals with large amplitude variations, but the pulse shape is distorted making exact time of reception determination difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing reference signals that have already been distorted by the non-linear reception channel in a memory device. These reference signals are obtained by feeding reference pulses through the same non-linear reception path and storing the resulting distorted waveforms. During measurement, the received signal is compared against these pre-distorted reference signals, allowing accurate time determination despite the non-linear distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating exact replicas of the distorted reference signals through the non-linear reception channel and storing them as reference waveforms. These copied distorted signals serve as templates for comparison with actual received signals, enabling precise time measurement that accounts for the specific non-linear characteristics of the reception system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parallel reception channels with different sensitivities are used to process pulses with high dynamic range, then the system can divide reception signals into individual dynamic ranges, but the pulse shape distortion increases making time of reception determination more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reception system into multiple parallel channels, each with different sensitivities and processing different dynamic ranges. Each channel's distorted reference signals are stored separately in the memory device. The evaluation device then compares the received signal with the appropriate channel-specific reference signals, allowing accurate time measurement for signals across the full dynamic range while accounting for each channel's specific distortion characteristics.
3Device complexity
If classic threshold value detection is used for pulse edge detection, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot achieve picosecond time resolution required for millimeter distance resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple threshold detection with a copying approach where the complete distorted waveform of the reference signal is copied and stored. The evaluation device then performs waveform comparison to determine time of reception, achieving picosecond resolution by matching the entire signal shape rather than relying on simple threshold crossing detection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If Gaussian decomposition is used to evaluate multi-target situations, then the method can handle superimposed pulses, but the reliability and accuracy are insufficient for practical applications with high dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves upon Gaussian decomposition by using actual copied waveforms from the non-linear reception channel as reference signals instead of idealized Gaussian functions. This allows the comparison method to account for the specific distortion characteristics of the reception system, significantly improving accuracy and reliability for multi-target evaluation with high dynamic range signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using reference signals that reflect the actual non-linear transmission behavior of the reception channel, rather than assuming ideal linear conditions. The stored reference signals incorporate real distortion parameters from the non-linear components, allowing accurate comparison and time determination even for superimposed pulses from multiple targets.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has a memory (28) in which a receiving signal of reference impulses of pre-determined different amplitudes exist as a reference signal related to a time scale. Evaluation devices (21) compare another receiving signal with another reference signal under varying time offset to determine the latter reference signal and time offset such that minimum comparison difference is achieved, where the latter reference signals overlap with each other. The varying time offset is provided as a receiving time point regarding the time scale. An independent claim is also included for a method for measuring a receiving time point of partial overlapping impulses in a receiving system.