MIMO Receiver Switching Between Superheterodyne and Direct Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MIMO signal receiving apparatuses face challenges with signal interference from adjacent out-of-band frequencies, particularly in mobile devices, and have limitations in manufacturing cost, power consumption, and size due to the need for additional devices in superheterodyne receivers.
Innovation Solution
A MIMO signal receiving apparatus incorporating a superheterodyne receiver and a direct conversion receiver, along with an antenna switching module that selectively directs RF signals based on signal quality, allowing for optimized performance by switching between receivers to manage interference and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a superheterodyne receiver is used to reject out-of-band jammers, then signal quality in interfered areas is improved, but manufacturing cost, power consumption, and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic receiver selection mechanism that switches between superheterodyne and direct conversion receivers based on detected jammer presence and signal conditions. The system includes a receiver selector that monitors signal quality metrics and automatically selects the most appropriate receiver type, allowing the device to adapt its complexity to the current operational environment rather than maintaining fixed high complexity architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between two distinct receiver architectures with different characteristics. The superheterodyne receiver is activated when high jammer power is detected, while the direct conversion receiver is used when signal conditions are favorable, thereby optimizing the balance between signal quality and device resource consumption based on real-time parameter assessment.
2Reliability
If a superheterodyne receiver is used to reject out-of-band jammers, then signal quality in interfered areas is improved, but manufacturing cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic receiver selection mechanism that switches between superheterodyne and direct conversion receivers based on detected jammer presence and signal conditions. The system includes a receiver selector that monitors signal quality metrics and automatically selects the most appropriate receiver type, allowing the device to adapt its complexity to the current operational environment rather than maintaining fixed high complexity architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a direct conversion receiver as a simpler, lower-power alternative that can be used in favorable signal conditions. This lighter-weight receiver architecture consumes less power and has lower manufacturing cost, serving as an efficient solution for normal operating conditions where full superheterodyne functionality is not required.
3Device complexity
If a direct conversion receiver is used, then manufacturing cost and power consumption are reduced, but susceptibility to out-of-band jammer interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different receiver architectures (direct conversion and superheterodyne) into a single integrated system. The receiver selector unit coordinates both receivers and their associated components, allowing the system to leverage the low-cost advantages of direct conversion while maintaining the anti-jammer capabilities of superheterodyne architecture when needed, thereby achieving a balance between cost and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver selector acts as an intermediary that manages the interaction between the two receiver types and the antenna system. It monitors signal conditions, determines jammer presence, and directs RF signals to the appropriate receiver, thereby protecting the simpler direct conversion receiver from harmful interference while maintaining system cost-effectiveness.
4Reliability
If two separate receivers are used for MIMO, then signal quality is improved, but device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different receiver architectures (direct conversion and superheterodyne) into a single integrated system. The receiver selector unit coordinates both receivers and their associated components, allowing the system to leverage the low-cost advantages of direct conversion while maintaining the anti-jammer capabilities of superheterodyne architecture when needed, thereby achieving a balance between cost and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic receiver selection mechanism that switches between superheterodyne and direct conversion receivers based on detected jammer presence and signal conditions. The system includes a receiver selector that monitors signal quality metrics and automatically selects the most appropriate receiver type, allowing the device to adapt its complexity to the current operational environment rather than maintaining fixed high complexity architecture.
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
The proposed solution reduces manufacturing costs, power consumption, and size while providing improved performance in interfered areas, enabling the apparatus to function where conventional systems fail, and offers diversity gains and power-efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a superheterodyne receiver configured to convert one or both of the first and second RF signals into at least one first analog signal
Implementation Method 2
a direct conversion receiver configured to convert one or both of the first and second RF signals into at least one second analog signal
Implementation Method 3
an antenna switching module configured to selectively direct the first and second RF signals to the superheterodyne receiver and/or the direct conversion receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple input multiple output signal receiving apparatus includes a first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal, a second antenna configured to receive a second RF signal, a superheterodyne receiver, a direct conversion receiver, and an antenna switching module. The superheterodyne receiver is configured to convert one or both of the first and second RF signals into at least one first analog signal. The direct conversion receiver is configured to convert one or both of the first and second RF signals into at least one second analog signal. The antenna switching module couples the first and second antennas to the superheterodyne receiver and the direct conversion receiver, and is configured to selectively direct the first and second RF signals to the superheterodyne receiver and/or the direct conversion receiver, depending on an antenna switch control signal indicating a signal quality derived from the first and second analog signals.