Pseudo Random Code Signal Combiner for Single RF Stage Heading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite ranging systems require separate receivers for each antenna, leading to increased cost and complexity, and are susceptible to phase lock loss, which delays or interrupts heading calculations.
Innovation Solution
A pseudo random code modulated signal combiner and receiver assembly that uses a single RF downconversion stage and multiple channels to process signals from multiple antennas, allowing simultaneous signal processing and reducing complexity and cost, while maintaining accurate heading calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate receivers are used for each antenna, then signal processing reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna signals into a single receiver by multiplexing the RF signals from multiple antennas through a single LNA and mixer chain. The combiner circuit merges the signals while maintaining separate processing paths in the digital domain, reducing hardware complexity while preserving signal integrity and processing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the signal processing into separate digital channels after analog combining. Each antenna's signal is processed independently in the digital domain through separate correlation channels, maintaining the reliability of individual signal processing while sharing the expensive RF front-end hardware.
2Reliability
If separate receivers are used for each antenna, then signal processing reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antenna inputs into a single receiver architecture, sharing common components such as the low-noise amplifier, mixer, local oscillator, and ADC. This significantly reduces the bill of materials and manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to process multiple antenna signals independently through digital signal processing.
3Device complexity
If signals from multiple antennas are combined, then device complexity is reduced, but phase lock stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary delay adjustment to the combined signal path to synchronize arrival times from multiple antennas before correlation processing. This pre-synchronization prevents phase misalignment that would cause loss of phase lock, maintaining stability while enabling signal combining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms in the digital signal processing chain to continuously monitor and adjust phase alignment between multiple antenna signals. This feedback control maintains stable phase lock by compensating for any drift or misalignment that occurs during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit and associated method for determining the heading of a vehicle or device with a satellite ranging system receiver is provided. The circuit requires only a single front end RF stage. A single RF stage can be used because the incoming signal received at the first antenna is delayed with respect to the signal received at the second antenna and the two signals are merged together, to form a combined signal. The combined signal can be down converted and sampled in a single stage. The samples are then separately correlated to detect the data associated with the portion of the signal attributed to each antenna. The differences between the measured data are then used to calculate the relative orientation (heading and pitch) of the device upon which the two antennas are disposed.