Parallel RF Carrier Amplification to Eliminate Intermodulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in signal amplification due to harmonic generation, intermodulation, and noise, which reduce signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal-to-noise and distortion (SINAD) performance, and are prone to single-point failures in multicarrier amplifiers, posing risks to communication reliability, especially for first responders.
Innovation Solution
Implementing high-efficiency amplifiers that amplify one RF carrier at a time, with parallel communication pathways to minimize intermodulation and noise, using digital signal processing to filter and separate frequencies, and individual analog-to-digital converters to optimize amplification, thereby reducing power consumption and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple frequencies are passed simultaneously through active components, then communication signals can be transmitted, but noise and intermodulation increase reducing SINAD performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signal processing into separate parallel pathways, with each pathway dedicated to a single frequency carrier. This segmentation prevents intermodulation between different frequencies by ensuring they never interact in non-linear active components, thereby eliminating the harmful effects while maintaining the ability to transmit multiple frequencies simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fiber as an intermediary medium to transport multiple frequency signals. By converting electrical RF signals to optical signals for transmission through fiber optic cables, the system avoids the intermodulation and noise problems associated with passing multiple frequencies through electrical active components, while still enabling simultaneous transmission of multiple carriers.
2Productivity
If multicarrier amplifiers are used to amplify multiple signals, then signal transmission is maintained, but power conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the amplification function into separate single-carrier amplifiers, each optimized for its specific frequency. This allows each amplifier to operate at peak efficiency for its designated carrier, avoiding the power conversion inefficiencies inherent in multicarrier amplifiers that must handle multiple frequencies simultaneously, thereby improving overall system power efficiency.
3Device complexity
If a single multicarrier amplifier is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the amplification function into multiple independent single-carrier amplifiers rather than using a single multicarrier amplifier. This segmentation creates redundancy and eliminates single points of failure, as each amplifier operates independently. If one amplifier fails, only its specific carrier is affected while other carriers continue to function, thereby improving system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from a single multicarrier amplifier handling multiple frequencies to multiple single-carrier amplifiers, each dedicated to a specific frequency. This parameter change transforms the system architecture to improve reliability through independence and redundancy, while the modular nature maintains manageable complexity.
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
This approach improves power efficiency, reduces noise and distortion, and ensures reliable communication by eliminating intermodulation and noise, while meeting regulatory standards for spurious signal emission, thus enhancing the overall performance and reliability of wireless communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each parallel transport pathway includes an optical transmitter that receives a separate signal and converts the signal to an optical signal, a fiber optic cable that receives the optical signal from the optical transmitter and transmits the optical signal to an optical receiver
Implementation Method 2
a fiber optic cable that receives the optical signal from the optical transmitter and transmits the optical signal to an optical receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for improving for amplifying a multi-frequency radio signal by using high efficiency amplifiers to amplify one radio frequency carrier at a time. The system further improves performance by providing parallel communication pathways throughout the entire transport and distribution chain. By creating parallel processing paths, both optically and electrically, the interaction of multiple signals are limited thereby avoiding unwanted intermodulation and noise.