Multi-band Radio Architecture with Tunable Receiver Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-band radio solutions require multiple receiver and transmitter chains, leading to increased size, cost, and complexity due to the need for hardware changes for each frequency band, making them inefficient and costly to construct and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A multi-band radio architecture that utilizes a switch and mixer configuration with a local oscillator and image filter to route and convert signals across frequency bands, leveraging natural gaps in standardized wireless communication bands to reduce hardware requirements and enable electronic tuning without physical changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receiver and transmitter chains are used to support multiple frequency bands, then the radio can operate across different bands, but the number of hardware components increases, leading to increased size, cost, and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal receiver and transmitter chain that can handle multiple frequency bands through electronic tuning. The single receiver chain includes a wideband low-noise amplifier and a tuner that can be electronically adjusted to different bands, while the single transmitter chain includes a wideband power amplifier and the same tuner. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate hardware chains for each frequency band, thereby reducing the number of hardware components while maintaining multi-band operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic electronic tuning mechanisms to adapt the receiver and transmitter chains to different frequency bands. The tuner component can be electronically adjusted to different resonant frequencies corresponding to different bands, and the local oscillator frequency can be dynamically changed. This dynamic adaptability allows a single hardware chain to replace multiple static chains, reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receiver and transmitter chains are used for each frequency band, then the radio can tune to any specific operating band, but the size and cost of the radio increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal receiver and transmitter chain that serves all frequency bands. The single receiver chain with wideband components and the single transmitter chain with wideband components can be electronically tuned to any band through the tuner and local oscillator, eliminating the need for multiple parallel chains. This significantly reduces the physical area required while maintaining the ability to tune to any specific operating band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple separate receiver and transmitter chains into single consolidated chains. By combining the low-noise amplifier, tuner, local oscillator, and signal processing components into one receiver chain, and similarly combining the power amplifier, tuner, and signal processing components into one transmitter chain, the overall radio size is reduced while preserving electronic tuning capability across all bands.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receiver and transmitter chains are implemented, then the radio can operate in multiple bands, but the construction and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal design where a single receiver chain and a single transmitter chain can operate across multiple frequency bands through electronic tuning. This reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained. Fewer components mean lower construction costs and reduced maintenance complexity, while still achieving multi-band support through the tunable architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for multiple redundant hardware chains by using a single set of components that can be reconfigured electronically. Instead of manufacturing and maintaining multiple separate chains, the system discards the redundant hardware and recovers functionality through electronic tuning and software control, thereby reducing construction and maintenance costs.
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 approach allows for efficient operation across multiple frequency bands with reduced hardware complexity and cost, enabling flexible frequency selection and minimizing the need for multiple receiver and transmitter chains, thus enhancing the radio's size, cost, and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A mixer in the receiver is positioned along the second path. The mixer in the receiver configured to convert a signal having a frequency within the second band of frequencies into a signal having a frequency within the first band of frequencies
Implementation Method 2
An local oscillator is operably connected to the mixer in the receiver. The local oscillator is configured to provide a signal at a selected frequency to the mixer in the receiver
Implementation Method 3
An image filter is positioned along the second receiver path before the mixer in the receiver. The image filter is configured to filter out noise and signals at frequencies within an image band of frequencies
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-band radio operates in a wireless network. The multi-band radio includes a receiver configured to receive a signal. A switch in the receiver is configured to route a signal having a frequency within a first band of frequencies to a first path and a second band of frequencies to a second path. A mixer in the receiver is positioned along the second path. The mixer in the receiver configured to convert a signal having a frequency within the second band of frequencies into a signal having an intermediate frequency within the first band of frequencies.