Multimode Waveguide Sampling for Artifact-Free Wideband Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analog to digital converters are inadequate for capturing wideband signals in real time, and conventional sampling systems introduce artifacts due to the transmission of strobe pulses, limiting bandwidth and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The use of sampler systems comprising strobe waveguides, sampler diodes, and pulse forming networks that selectively couple signals in different propagation modes to capture and process wideband signals efficiently, allowing for real-time upconversion and downconversion of electrical signals with improved bandwidth and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional sampling systems transmit strobe pulses along with signal samples, then signal acquisition is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to artifacts from strobe pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal and strobe pulse into separate waveguide paths. The signal propagates in a first waveguide mode while the strobe pulse propagates in a second waveguide mode, allowing them to be transmitted simultaneously without interference. This segmentation eliminates measurement artifacts while maintaining signal acquisition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of differentiation by using multiple waveguide modes. Instead of separating signals in time or space alone, it uses mode differentiation within the same waveguide structure, enabling the signal and strobe pulse to coexist without interaction and eliminating artifacts.
2Device complexity
If conventional samplers operate at low strobe rates with charge accumulation, then device complexity is reduced, but bandwidth and sensitivity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional charge accumulation mechanism with a waveguide-based signal routing system. Instead of using capacitors to store charge and process signals sequentially, the invention uses electromagnetic wave propagation in different waveguide modes to achieve high-speed sampling with improved bandwidth and sensitivity while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
3Productivity
If conventional analog to digital converters are used, then signal conversion is achieved, but real-time wideband signal capture is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic strobe pulses to sample the wideband signal in real-time. The strobe pulses are generated at high repetition rates and used to periodically gate the signal through the waveguide system, enabling real-time capture of wideband signals without requiring excessively high clock rates in conventional ADCs.
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
Enables the efficient translation of baseband signals from DC to 35 GHz into mm-wave frequencies, providing higher power levels and reducing artifacts, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional systems in signal acquisition and conversion.
Implementation Method 1
a first signal waveguide and a second signal waveguide, wherein the second signal waveguide is configured to capture a signal
Implementation Method 2
at least one sampler diode in communication with the strobe waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
Frequency converters include waveguides configured for a local oscillator (LO) signal, an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, and an RF signal. A multimode IF waveguide can be used for selectively coupling of an IF signal and to reduce signal contributions produced by the LO signal. Typically, the multimode waveguide is situated to that the IF signal and the LO signal propagate in different waveguide modes, and a selected one of these signals can be selectively attenuated. In some examples, a periodically stepped waveguide is used to enhance propagation of a selected waveguide mode or a lossy conductor is used to attenuate a selected waveguide mode.