Mixer Output Difference Circuit for Correlated Signal Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic and optoelectronic mixers produce output signals with both correlated and uncorrelated signal portions, where uncorrelated components often dominate, restricting the dynamic range and preventing further processing of correlated signals.
Innovation Solution
A method and electronic circuit that form the pairwise difference between output signal streams of a mixer, effectively separating correlated from uncorrelated signal portions by converting one output signal into a differential signal, which is twice the correlated signal portion, allowing full utilization of the dynamic range for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mixer output signals are processed directly, then the full dynamic range is consumed by uncorrelated signal portions, but the correlated signal portions cannot be processed further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the correlated signal portions from the mixer output signals by forming pairwise differences between the signals. This separation removes the harmful uncorrelated portions while preserving the useful correlated portions, allowing the correlated signals to be processed further without dynamic range depletion.
2Quantity of substance
If uncorrelated signal portions are present in mixer outputs, then the dynamic range of downstream signal-processing units is restricted or depleted, but the correlated signal portions remain mixed together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of uncorrelated signal portions into a benefit by exploiting their statistical properties. By forming pairwise differences between mixer output signals, the uncorrelated portions (which are independent and identically distributed) tend to cancel out, while the correlated portions are enhanced. This transforms the presence of uncorrelated signals from a problem into a mechanism for separation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional signal processing methods are used, then uncorrelated and correlated signal portions cannot be separated, but the processing requires prior integration or multiple scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the pairwise difference between mixer output signals at the very first stage of processing, before any integration or multiple scanning operations. This preliminary difference formation immediately begins the separation of correlated and uncorrelated portions, enabling real-time processing without time delays associated with post-processing integration methods.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and an electronic circuit for processing at least two at least partially correlated output signal streams of a mixer, the mixer having at least two signal inputs and at least two electric signal outputs. In order to provide a method and a device or an electronic circuit which enables the correlated signal portions of the output signals of a mixer to be separated from the uncorrelated signal portions undelayed, it is proposed according to the invention that the difference of the output signal streams of the mixer is formed pairwise directly and during the readout of the signal streams and that the circuit has an apparatus for the instantaneous formation of the difference between the signal streams of two mixer outputs in each case.