Non-Uniform Sampling Apparatus for High-Band Signal Acquisition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sampling methods face complexity in signal processing due to the need for derivation of sampling functions and sequential calculations, and they often require increased circuit size or impose limitations on acquirable bandwidth, especially when dealing with high-band signals.
Innovation Solution
A sampling apparatus and method that samples signals at non-uniform intervals and cancels out unwanted replicas by inverting signal values at specific phases, allowing for efficient extraction of target replicas without the need for additional circuitry or bandwidth limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional sampling methods use uniform sampling timings, then the sampling process is simple, but the signal processing becomes complicated due to the need for derivation of sampling functions and sequential calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using non-uniform sampling intervals instead of uniform intervals. The sampling timings are deliberately asymmetrically distributed within each sampling cycle, which simplifies the signal processing by eliminating the need for complex sampling function derivations and sequential calculations required by conventional uniform sampling methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by sampling at non-uniform intervals rather than uniform intervals. This inversion of the sampling strategy fundamentally changes the signal processing requirements, making the processing simpler while maintaining the ability to recover the original signal through spectral replication and filtering
2Speed
If the interleave method is used to acquire high-band signals, then the sampling frequency is increased, but the data amount acquired per unit time increases and the circuit size of the memory circuit must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary data by using non-uniform sampling intervals that are optimized for the specific signal bandwidth requirements. This extraction approach acquires only the minimal data needed to represent the high-band signal, reducing the data amount stored in memory compared to the interleave method which acquires excessive data at high sampling frequencies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sampling interval parameter from uniform to non-uniform values. By optimizing these non-uniform intervals based on the signal characteristics, the method achieves high-band signal acquisition without requiring proportionally high sampling frequencies, thereby reducing the data volume that must be stored in memory circuits
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mixer method is used to acquire high-band signals, then the signal bandwidth is extended, but additional circuits such as local oscillator and filter must be provided, increasing the circuit size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical mixer system with a computational approach. Instead of using physical mixers, local oscillators, and filters to extend signal bandwidth, the method uses non-uniform sampling and digital signal processing to achieve the same bandwidth extension, thereby eliminating the need for additional analog circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The non-uniform sampling method serves multiple functions simultaneously: it extends the acquirable signal bandwidth while avoiding the need for separate mixer circuits, local oscillators, and filters. This multi-functional approach achieves bandwidth extension through a single sampling mechanism rather than requiring multiple specialized circuits
4Device complexity
If undersampling is used to acquire high-band signals, then the circuit size is reduced, but the acquirable bandwidth is limited and cannot cross multiples of (fs/2)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric non-uniform sampling intervals to overcome the bandwidth limitations of conventional undersampling. By deliberately placing sampling points at asymmetric, non-uniform intervals, the method creates spectral replicas that can be positioned to capture signal bands crossing multiples of fs/2, which is impossible with uniform undersampling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic flexibility by allowing the sampling intervals to be non-uniform and adaptable. This dynamic sampling strategy enables the system to adjust the effective sampling pattern to capture different bandwidth ranges and cross frequency boundaries, unlike static uniform undersampling which is constrained to fixed bandwidth limits
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sampling apparatus that samples a signal under measurement, including a sampling section that samples the signal under measurement with a plurality of sampling phases at non-uniform intervals for each sampling repetition cycle; and an inverting section that cancels out a replica that is not an observation target, from among the replicas in a sampling band of the signal under measurement and the replicas in the sampling band of a frequency component of the signal under measurement, by inverting signs of values of the signal under measurement sampled with at least one sampling phase from among the plurality of sampling phases.