Nyquist Folded Receiver Using Multiple Sampling Clocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RF sampling receivers face challenges in accurately identifying and separating signals from different Nyquist zones, especially in wideband and sparse environments, due to limitations in frequency resolution and hardware requirements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Nyquist folded receiver architecture that utilizes multiple simultaneous sampling clocks, including modulated and non-modulated clocks, to induce frequency modulations that allow signals from different Nyquist zones to be aliased together while maintaining the ability to separate and identify individual signals, thereby improving frequency estimates and reducing hardware and processing needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sampling clock is used in conventional RF sampling receivers, then the hardware complexity is low, but the frequency resolution and ability to separate signals from different Nyquist zones deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling process is segmented into multiple independent sampling operations, each using a different sampling clock signal. Multiple sampling clocks (including modulated and non-modulated clocks) are used to sample the same input signal, creating multiple projections that can be processed separately to achieve better frequency resolution and signal separation.
Solution Approach 2:
A single sampling circuit is designed to handle multiple sampling clock signals simultaneously. The sampling circuit can process different types of clock signals (modulated and non-modulated) and generate multiple projections from the same input signal, making the hardware multi-functional without requiring separate sampling paths for each clock type.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sampling clocks are used to improve frequency estimation, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sampling operations using different clock signals are merged into a single sampling circuit. The sampling circuit processes multiple clock signals simultaneously and combines their outputs to create multiple projections of the input signal, achieving improved frequency estimation without requiring separate hardware paths for each sampling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling process utilizes changes in clock signal parameters (frequency, modulation type) to create diverse projections of the same input signal. By varying the sampling clock characteristics, the system achieves better frequency resolution and signal separation while using the same hardware infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If multiple projections are achieved using separate receiver systems, then the frequency resolution improves, but the hardware requirements and processing needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single receiver system is designed to perform multiple sampling operations with different clock signals through a universal sampling circuit. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware to generate multiple projections that would traditionally require separate receiver systems, reducing the total quantity of hardware needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sampling operations that would traditionally require separate receiver systems are merged into a single integrated sampling circuit. The circuit processes multiple clock signals simultaneously and combines their outputs, achieving the functionality of multiple receivers with a single hardware platform.
Data Source
AI summary
RF sampling receivers are disclosed that employ multiple sampling clocks to produce multiple projections. In operation, a Nyquist folded receiver (NYFR) may be implemented that utilizes at least one modulated sampling clock in combination with one or more other modulated or non-modulated sampling clocks to identify received signals. In such an embodiment, one or more clock modulations may be used to induce frequency modulations that are Nyquist zone dependent, and multiple Nyquist zones may be aliased together while still allowing for signals from different Nyquist zones to be separated and identified.