Multi-Band Receiver Architecture for Simultaneous Channel Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional television receiver architectures are unable to efficiently support multi-channel tuning due to complexity, signal quality degradation, and cost issues, particularly when attempting to receive multiple channels simultaneously, as they require multiple single-channel tuners and independent frequency synthesizers, leading to impractical solutions with significant noise and interference challenges.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel receiver design incorporating a single IC with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a multi-band selector circuit that splits the digital signal into sub-signals representing frequency domain content, allowing for hierarchical channel selection and reduced sampling rates, thereby mitigating electromagnetic compatibility issues and improving power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple single-channel tuners are used in parallel to achieve multi-channel reception, then the number of simultaneously received channels increases, but the system complexity, cost, and signal quality degradation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple single-channel tuner functions into a single integrated multi-channel receiver. The input signal is replicated and distributed to multiple receiver paths within one system, allowing simultaneous reception of multiple channels while sharing common components like the input amplifier and frequency synthesizer, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost compared to using completely separate tuners.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is segmented into multiple independent receiver paths (first receiver, second receiver, etc.), each capable of processing a specific channel. This segmentation allows each path to operate independently with its own demodulator and decoder, enabling flexible channel selection and simultaneous multi-channel reception while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RF signal is replicated to supply multiple receivers, then multi-channel reception is enabled, but signal quality degrades with no possibility to recover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signal replication function into a controlled internal distribution system with buffering and synchronization mechanisms. Instead of simple passive RF splitting, the system uses active signal distribution with buffers that can maintain signal integrity, and synchronization that ensures proper timing relationships are preserved across multiple receiver paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components between the input signal and multiple receivers, including buffers and synchronization circuits. These intermediaries act as mediators that preserve signal quality during distribution, preventing degradation by maintaining proper signal levels, timing, and integrity as the signal is distributed to multiple receiver paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent frequency synthesizers are used per tuner for channel selection, then each receiver can independently tune to any channel, but the cost and complexity become impractical for 16 or more channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple frequency synthesizer functions into a single shared frequency synthesizer that serves all receiver paths. This single synthesizer generates the necessary frequency references and is time-multiplexed or otherwise shared among multiple receivers, allowing each receiver to independently select channels while avoiding the need for multiple independent synthesizers, thereby dramatically reducing cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency synthesizer is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple receiver paths. It can generate frequency references for any channel and supply these references to multiple receivers as needed, making a single synthesizer perform the work of multiple synthesizers and enabling scalable multi-channel reception without proportional increases in synthesizer count.
4Reliability
If conventional analog tuner architecture is used, then high RF performance is achieved, but the tuner cannot be integrated into a larger SoC system and requires separate IC implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate analog tuner functions with digital signal processing functions into a single integrated receiver system. By combining the RF front-end, frequency synthesis, demodulation, and decoding in one integrated circuit or system-on-chip, the design achieves both high RF performance through optimized analog circuits and system-level integration benefits, eliminating the need for separate tuner IC and baseband IC implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or discrete component-based tuner architecture with an integrated electronic system. By using integrated circuits and electronic signal processing instead of separate discrete components and mechanical adjustments, the system achieves both high performance and integrability into modern SoC platforms, substituting older architectural approaches with modern integrated solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-channel receiver comprising an ADC and a multi-band, multi-channel selector. The ADC converts a broad-band multi-channel signal into a digital signal. The digital signal is then broken into sub-bands each containing a plurality of channels. A channel selector selects desired channels from the appropriate sub-band. The multi-channel receiver may deliver simultaneous channels equal to the number of channel selectors that have been implemented. The multi-channel receiver may be implemented on a single integrated circuit.