Parallel Receiver Architecture for Low Signal Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software Defined Radio (SDR) nodes face limitations in reception sensitivity, preventing the reception of radio signals with low signal power, particularly from distant transmitters, due to insufficient signal strength and noise interference.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multiple, identically constructed receivers connected in parallel, which process and combine data independently to enhance signal strength while canceling out uncorrelated noise, thereby increasing the reception sensitivity and range of the radio node.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single receiver is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reception sensitivity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception sensitivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is divided into multiple identical receiver units (at least two receivers) that operate in parallel. Each receiver processes the same radio signal independently, and their outputs are subsequently combined through addition or correlation to achieve improved reception sensitivity while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple receiver outputs are merged through signal combination techniques (addition or correlation) to produce a composite signal with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio. The combining unit integrates the independent receiver results to achieve better reception sensitivity than any single receiver could provide alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple receivers are used in parallel, then the reception sensitivity is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception sensitivityVSAvoiduse of energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple receivers are activated periodically rather than continuously. The system can switch between receivers or activate them in alternating intervals, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining the ability to achieve improved reception sensitivity when needed through selective activation and signal combining

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Length of stationary object

If multiple receivers are used, then the reception range is extended, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception rangeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver system is segmented into multiple identical, independent receiver units that can be implemented as separate integrated circuits or modules. This modular segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently while achieving extended reception range through their combined operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing a single complex high-sensitivity receiver, the system uses multiple copies of a simpler, standardized receiver unit. Each receiver is an identical copy that processes signals independently, and their collective output through combining achieves the extended reception range with lower individual unit complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4277155A1Radio node and communication system
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 DIEHL METERING SYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP4277155A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4277155A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4277155A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

Radio node for use, particularly in an energy-autonomous, preferably in a long-term energy-autonomous environment, wherein the radio node receives data in the form of at least one data packet or a part thereof at a specific data rate and makes it available for further data processing, wherein the radio node comprises at least two receivers, each designed as an integrated circuit, in particular as an independent integrated circuit, but connected in parallel to each other, wherein each receiver is capable of receiving the data in the form of at least one data packet or a part thereof at a specific data rate and making it available for first data processing, the data made available for first data processing by the at least two receivers are combined, and the combined data are used for second data processing, in particular synchronization, decoding, or demodulation.be kept ready.