Multiband Down-Converter Using Divided LO Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art multi-channel receiver devices require multiple dielectric resonant oscillators (DROs) for down-conversion, leading to spurious imperfections and increased complexity due to beat frequencies and image frequency issues, necessitating high-order filtering and discrete component construction.
Innovation Solution
A down-converter design utilizing a frequency divider to generate multiple local oscillator signals from a single oscillator, reducing interference and enabling integration on a single integrated circuit by using a heterodyne receive chain with multiple mixers and filters to process multiband radio frequency signals efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate DROs are used for down-conversion of multiband signals, then each band can be processed independently, but beat frequencies and harmonics cause spurious imperfections and increased device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate DROs into a single DRO that generates one local oscillator signal. This single signal is then distributed to multiple mixers, each processing different frequency bands. This merging eliminates the beat frequencies and harmonics that occur between multiple oscillators while maintaining independent band processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the single local oscillator signal into multiple divided local oscillator signals with different frequencies using a frequency divider. Each divided signal is assigned to a specific mixer for processing different frequency bands, allowing independent band processing from a unified oscillator source.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high-order filtering is used to address image frequency issues, then interference between bands is reduced, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameters of the local oscillator signals by dividing them into multiple frequencies. This frequency division creates sufficient separation between the wanted signal frequencies and image frequencies, allowing the use of lower-order filters while still achieving effective interference rejection.
3Reliability
If discrete components are used to avoid interference issues, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete oscillator components into a single integrated DRO circuit that can be implemented on one die. This integration maintains the interference avoidance benefits while reducing the overall device size, component count, and cost associated with multiple separate discrete components.
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 design reduces the need for bulky local oscillator components, minimizes interference between frequency bands, and allows for lower-order filtering, enabling efficient down-conversion of multiple bands on a single integrated circuit with reduced complexity and noise levels.
Implementation Method 1
a frequency divider configured to divide the local oscillator signal and provide a plurality of different divided local oscillator signals
Implementation Method 2
a heterodyne receive chain comprising: a first stage mixer configured to mix the multiband radio frequency signal and either the local oscillator signal or a divided local oscillator signal in order to generate a first intermediate frequency signal
Data Source
AI summary
A down-converter for receiving a multiband radio frequency signal (RF) and a local oscillator signal comprises a frequency divider and a heterodyne receive chain. The frequency divider is configured to divide the local oscillator signal and provide different divided local oscillator signals. The heterodyne receive chain comprises a first stage mixer and second stage mixers. The first stage mixer is configured to mix the multiband radio frequency signal and either the local oscillator signal or a divided local oscillator signal to generate a first intermediate frequency signal. Each second stage mixer is configured to mix the first intermediate signal and a divided local oscillator signal to generate second intermediate frequency signals that each represent a band from the multiband radio frequency signal. The frequency divider is configured to provide a different divided local oscillator signal to each of the second stage mixers.