Infrared Receiver Circuit Logic for Signal Fidelity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infrared receiver circuits face challenges in processing carrier-modulated infrared signals, particularly in suppressing interference and accurately reproducing control commands when multiple devices are controlled using a single universal remote control unit, especially in the presence of interference fields.

Innovation Solution

The IR receiver circuit incorporates a logic circuit that combines the pulse train signal from a comparator with the output signal of the demodulator to generate an additional output signal, which emulates the received infrared signal by using the pulse train signal only when a burst is detected, thereby enhancing signal fidelity and suppressing interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the pulse train signal from the comparator is used directly as output, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but the signal fidelity deteriorates due to interference from extraneous light and false bursts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit complexityVSAvoidsignal fidelity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pulse train signal from the comparator with the demodulated signal through a logical AND operation in the logic circuit. This merging of two signal processing paths allows the circuit to maintain simplicity while improving signal fidelity by requiring both signals to confirm the presence of a valid infrared burst, thereby suppressing false signals from extraneous light.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the comparator threshold is set low to detect all bursts, then the sensitivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to false detection of interference as valid signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidinterference from extraneous light
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The demodulator acts as an intermediary that processes the amplified signal separately and provides a second confirmation criterion. By introducing this intermediate processing stage, the system can use low comparator thresholds for sensitivity while the demodulator filters out false bursts caused by extraneous light, as genuine infrared signals will pass through both the comparator and demodulator stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a universal remote control function is implemented to control multiple devices, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates in interference-prone environments due to false command interpretation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniversal remote control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol command accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The logic circuit performs preliminary validation by requiring both the comparator pulse train signal and the demodulated signal to be present before generating an output. This preliminary action filters out false bursts from interference before they can be interpreted as control commands, ensuring that only valid infrared signals trigger device control actions, thus maintaining reliability in interference-prone environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for reliable reproduction of control commands and improved signal fidelity, even in interference-prone environments, enabling the IR receiver circuit to function effectively as a universal remote control unit for multiple devices.

Implementation Method 1

A photodiode is usually arranged on the respective device, the output of which is connected to an input of the mentioned infrared receiver circuit (IR receiver circuit). The photodiode converts the signal sent and received in the infrared spectral range into electrical signals (photocurrent).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2283594B1Infrared receiver circuit
Publication Date: 2012.03.07 VISHAY SEMICON GMBH
  • EP2283594B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2283594B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2283594B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an infrared receiver circuit for processing a carrier-modulated infrared signal, comprising an amplification circuit and a demodulator. A comparator is provided, which is designed to digitize the output signal of the amplification circuit or of a band pass filter connected downstream of the amplification circuit by comparison to a threshold value in order to create a pulse train signal. The receiver circuit comprises a logic circuit, which is designed to link the pulse train signal of the comparator and the output signal of the demodulator logically to each other in order to extract an additional output signal corresponding to the infrared signal from the pulse train signal.