Light Beam Receiver With Phase-Locked Loop Clocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light beam receivers are limited in their ability to handle both modulated and unmodulated light beams, with specialized devices lacking for combined performance, and previous solutions either require expensive component matching or have reduced dynamic range and reaction time due to narrow bandwidth and drifting modulation frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A light beam receiver with a phase-locked loop (PLL) arrangement for clocking analog-to-digital conversion, allowing variable converter frequency adjustment and data stream processing to handle modulated signals across a wide frequency range, enabling simultaneous detection of modulated and unmodulated light beams with improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduced production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a phase-locked loop arrangement is used for clocking analog-to-digital conversion to handle modulated signals across a wide frequency range, then adaptability to different modulation frequencies is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light beam receiver is designed with a phase-locked loop arrangement that can automatically adapt to different modulation frequencies, allowing the same device to handle both modulated and unmodulated light beams across a wide frequency range. This multi-functional capability eliminates the need for separate specialized devices for different operating modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter frequency is made dynamically adjustable through the phase-locked loop arrangement, which automatically synchronizes the clocking frequency to match the modulation frequency of the incoming light beam. This dynamic adaptation allows the receiver to maintain optimal performance across varying frequency conditions without manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If narrow detection bandwidths are used to achieve suitable ranges for modulated light beams, then measurement precision is improved, but the receiver can only handle a narrow modulation frequency range
Solution Approach 1:
The detection bandwidth is made dynamically adjustable through the phase-locked loop arrangement. When handling modulated light beams, the system automatically narrows the detection bandwidth around the synchronized frequency to maintain measurement precision, while the ability to shift the center frequency across a wide range ensures adaptability to different modulation frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the center frequency parameter of the detection bandwidth to match the modulation frequency of the incoming signal. This parameter adjustment allows the narrow bandwidth to track different frequencies while maintaining its precision benefits, effectively combining narrow bandwidth advantages with wide frequency range capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If low-cost RC oscillators are used for modulation, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but modulation frequency stability deteriorates due to drifting at fluctuating temperature and battery voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The phase-locked loop arrangement introduces a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the modulation frequency and automatically adjusts the converter clocking frequency to remain synchronized. This feedback system compensates for frequency drifts caused by temperature and battery voltage fluctuations, maintaining reliable operation despite the use of low-cost RC oscillators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the converter frequency parameter to track and compensate for drifts in the modulation frequency. By continuously adjusting this parameter based on the actual modulation frequency, the receiver maintains accurate synchronization even when the oscillator frequency varies due to environmental conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If broadband receivers are used to accept a wider range of modulation frequencies, then adaptability is improved, but receiver sensitivity and range are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver employs a dynamically adjustable detection bandwidth controlled by the phase-locked loop. When a modulated signal is detected, the system automatically narrows the bandwidth to the specific modulation frequency, maintaining high sensitivity. The ability to shift this narrow bandwidth across a wide frequency range provides both adaptability and sensitivity simultaneously.
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
The solution provides a high-performance, cost-effective light beam receiver capable of switching between operating modes, offering enhanced interference resistance and range, with the ability to adapt to different modulation frequencies and maintain accurate amplitude detection without significant component matching or amplitude reduction.
Implementation Method 1
the clocking means has a phase-locked loop arrangement (PLL, phase locked loop) with an input for light detection signals modulated corresponding to the light signal modulation and with an output for outputting a frequency multiple of the detected modulation frequency for clocking the data stream
Implementation Method 2
a light beam detector arrangement (2, 24) comprising at least one light beam detector element (24)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a receiving unit for light-based measurements/surveying using an analog-to-digital converter for the clocked analog-to-digital conversion of light detection signals and a clocking means for clocking the analog-to-digital converter. According to the invention, the clocking means has, for receiving modulated light signals, a phase-locked loop having an input for light detection signals modulated according to the light signal modulation and an output for outputting a frequency multiple of the detected modulation frequency for the analog-to-digital converter clocking.