Multi-Channel Receiver Using Single ADC for SoC Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional receivers require multiple independent ADCs for each channel, leading to increased die area and cost on System-on-a-Chip (SoC) due to the need for separate interfaces and ADCs for each channel, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A receiver apparatus and method that aggregates multiple channels into a composite signal, which is then converted by a single ADC within a SoC, reducing the number of ADCs and interfaces, and allowing channel extraction in the digital domain before demodulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent ADCs are used for each channel, then channel reception capability is improved, but die area and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel reception capabilityVSAvoiddie area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent ADCs into a single shared ADC that serves multiple channels. The combiner mechanism aggregates intermediate frequency signals from multiple tuners into a composite signal that is then converted to digital by one ADC, eliminating the need for separate ADCs per channel while maintaining multi-channel reception capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single ADC is designed to handle multiple channels universally. By using a combiner to aggregate signals and a digital domain extractor to separate channels after digital conversion, the ADC performs the conversion function for all channels, making it a multi-functional component that replaces multiple dedicated ADCs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent ADCs are used for each channel, then channel reception capability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel reception capabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent ADCs into a single shared ADC that serves multiple channels. The combiner mechanism aggregates intermediate frequency signals from multiple tuners into a composite signal that is then converted to digital by one ADC, eliminating the need for separate ADCs per channel while maintaining multi-channel reception capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single ADC is designed to handle multiple channels universally. By using a combiner to aggregate signals and a digital domain extractor to separate channels after digital conversion, the ADC performs the conversion function for all channels, making it a multi-functional component that replaces multiple dedicated ADCs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent ADCs are used for each channel, then channel reception capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel reception capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent ADCs into a single shared ADC that serves multiple channels. The combiner mechanism aggregates intermediate frequency signals from multiple tuners into a composite signal that is then converted to digital by one ADC, eliminating the need for separate ADCs per channel while maintaining multi-channel reception capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single ADC is designed to handle multiple channels universally. By using a combiner to aggregate signals and a digital domain extractor to separate channels after digital conversion, the ADC performs the conversion function for all channels, making it a multi-functional component that replaces multiple dedicated ADCs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent ADCs are used for each channel, then channel reception capability is improved, but number of interface pins increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel reception capabilityVSAvoidnumber of interface pins
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent ADCs into a single shared ADC that serves multiple channels. The combiner mechanism aggregates intermediate frequency signals from multiple tuners into a composite signal that is then converted to digital by one ADC, eliminating the need for separate ADCs per channel while maintaining multi-channel reception capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single ADC is designed to handle multiple channels universally. By using a combiner to aggregate signals and a digital domain extractor to separate channels after digital conversion, the ADC performs the conversion function for all channels, making it a multi-functional component that replaces multiple dedicated ADCs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8279355B2Method and apparatus to support multi-channel reception
Publication Date: 2012.10.02 APPLE INC
  • US8279355B2 patent drawing
  • US8279355B2 patent drawing
  • US8279355B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a method and apparatus for receiving multiple channels from a broadcast source and interfacing to multiple demodulators within a common silicon implementation is disclosed. A receiver apparatus is disclosed that may aggregate multiple channels output by multiple tuners into at least one composite signal. The at least one composite signal may be passed to a single ADC. The channels may then be extracted from the at least one composite signal in the digital domain prior to demodulation in separate demodulators.