Passive Coupling Devices for Accurate Time-of-Arrival Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transceiver systems face challenges in generating self-receive synchronization signals with precise timestamping and phase comparison, which is essential for accurate time synchronization and propagation delay estimation between nodes in a network, often requiring specialized and expensive hardware.
Innovation Solution
A transceiver system that includes a signal generator, signal processors, and passive coupling devices to generate self-receive signals with similar phase balance and group delay as receive signals, allowing for precise timestamping and phase comparison without the need for additional hardware, using a single antenna for both transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized hardware is used for generating self-receive synchronization signals, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-receive signal path that copies the transmit signal through passive coupling devices, allowing the system to generate reference signals using the existing transmit chain rather than requiring specialized hardware. This copying approach enables precise timestamping by comparing the copied signal against received signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the transmit chain serve multiple functions by using it to generate both the transmitted signal and the self-receive reference signal. The passive coupling devices enable the transmit chain to simultaneously feed the antenna and create a reference copy, eliminating the need for separate specialized hardware.
2Measurement precision
If phase balance between transmit and receive signals is improved, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase balance optimization locally at the coupling points where the transmit signal is divided. The passive coupling devices are designed with specific phase characteristics to ensure that the reference signal path maintains consistent phase relationships with the transmit signal, enabling accurate phase comparison without complex global signal processing.
3Device complexity
If a single antenna is used for both transmission and reception, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces passive coupling devices as intermediary components between the transmit chain and the antenna. These coupling devices create isolated signal paths that allow the system to simultaneously transmit and receive signals through a single antenna without direct interference, maintaining reliability while reducing overall system 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
Enables sub-nanosecond time bias and propagation delay characterization, facilitating precise localization and improved communication protocols across a mesh network, while reducing the complexity and cost of hardware requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a first passive coupling device back-coupling a transmitted signal generated by the signal generator to generate a self-receive signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for generating a self-receive signal includes: a signal generator; a first signal processor; a second signal processor; and an antenna. The system also includes a first passive coupling device: defining a first input port electromagnetically coupled to the signal generator; defining a first transmitted port; defining a first coupled port electromagnetically coupled to the first signal processor; and characterized by a first phase balance between the first transmitted port and the first coupled port. The system further includes a second passive coupling device: defining a second input port electromagnetically coupled to the antenna; defining a second transmitted port electromagnetically coupled to the first transmitted port; defining a second coupled port electromagnetically coupled to the second signal processor; and characterized by a second phase balance between the second transmitted port and the second coupled port substantially similar to the first phase balance.