Multi-Channel Gain Calibration Using a Shared Programmable Amplifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-channel transmission systems face limitations in flexibly setting gains for individual channels, requiring multiple programmable gain amplifiers which are costly and restrict channel creation and disposal flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A device with a digital frontend for digitally modulating symbols across channels, combining them into a digital output signal, and an analog frontend with a programmable gain amplifier that applies an analog gain based on calibration data of the frequency response, allowing for flexible and accurate signal level setting for each channel using a single PGA.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an analog programmable gain amplifier is required for each channel, then the gain of each channel can be set accurately and with great flexibility, but the cost increases and the flexibility with which channels can be created or discarded is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple channel-specific gain control functions into a single shared analog programmable gain amplifier. By combining the digital signals of multiple channels before analog conversion and using one PGA for all channels, the system achieves accurate gain control without requiring separate amplifiers for each channel, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The single analog programmable gain amplifier is designed to serve multiple channels universally. The PGA can be dynamically configured to provide appropriate gain for different channel combinations through digital control, allowing the same hardware component to perform the function of multiple channel-specific amplifiers, thus reducing device complexity while preserving gain setting accuracy
2Adaptability or versatility
If an analog programmable gain amplifier is required for each channel, then the gain of each channel can be set accurately and with great flexibility, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple channel gain control functions into a single shared analog programmable gain amplifier. By merging the analog signal paths and using one PGA to serve all channels, the system reduces the quantity of amplifiers from multiple channel-specific units to a single multi-functional unit, thereby reducing cost while maintaining channel configuration flexibility through digital control
3Ease of operation
If individual analog gain amplifiers are used for each channel, then accurate gain control is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a digital signal combining stage as an intermediary between the digital channel signals and the single analog programmable gain amplifier. This digital intermediary allows multiple channel signals to be properly combined and prepared before analog conversion, enabling a single PGA to effectively control gain for multiple channels without requiring multiple amplifiers, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/apparatus-based solution of multiple physical amplifiers with a digitally-controlled single amplifier system. By using digital signal processing and digital control of the PGA, the system substitutes complex hardware provisioning with more manageable digital control logic, reducing device complexity while preserving gain control flexibility
Data Source
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AI summary
A device includes a digital frontend (961). The digital frontend is configured to digitally modulate symbols for digital signals (151-175) of a plurality of channels (121-125) according to a transmission protocol. Each channel is associated with at least one respective carrier frequency within a transmission bandwidth. The digital frontend is further configured to combine (131) the digital signals to obtain a digital output signal (181). The device further includes an analog frontend (962) having a digital-to-analog converter (132) configured to convert the digital output signal into an analog output signal. The analog frontend also includes a programmable gain amplifier (134) configured to apply an analog gain to the analog output signal. The device further includes a control logic configured to determine the analog gain based on calibration data indicative of the frequency response of the analog frontend (962) across a transmission bandwidth.