Radio Receiver Detection Circuit for Digital Signal Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital radios in portable devices face excessive power consumption due to continuous operation of digital demodulators, which reduces battery life, especially when digital signals are not always available.
Innovation Solution
A radio receiver system with a detection circuit that enables signal processors only when a valid digital signal is present, using a pulse shaping function to detect peaks in filtered signals, allowing for efficient detection of digital radio signals without powering the demodulator, and enabling it only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the digital demodulator operates continuously to detect digital radio signals, then the signal detection reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a detection circuit that performs preliminary detection of digital signal presence before activating the power-consuming digital demodulator. The detection circuit processes downconverted signals and generates detection outputs that indicate whether a digital signal is present, allowing the system to prepare for demodulation only when necessary. This preliminary detection step avoids continuous operation of the full demodulation chain, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable signal detection.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the digital demodulator is enabled only when a signal is present, then the power consumption is reduced, but the detection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the signal processing function into two separate circuits: a detection circuit and a digital demodulator. The detection circuit is dedicated solely to detecting the presence of digital signals using downconverted signals from the receiver front end, while the demodulator handles actual signal demodulation. This segmentation allows the detection circuit to operate with lower power consumption and faster response time, while the demodulator remains idle unless triggered by a positive detection, thus reducing both power consumption and detection time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a detection circuit as a mediator between the receiver front end and the digital demodulator. The detection circuit processes downconverted signals and generates detection outputs that serve as trigger signals for the demodulator. This intermediary detection layer allows the system to quickly assess signal presence without committing the full demodulation resources, enabling fast detection responses while keeping the demodulator powered down until absolutely necessary.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple signal processors are used to handle different RF signals, then the system versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single receiver front end circuit that can process multiple RF signals and output downconverted signals suitable for different signal processors. The detection circuit is designed to work with downconverted signals from this universal front end, and the system can selectively enable different signal processors based on the type of signals detected. This universal approach allows the system to handle both analog and digital radio signals, as well as multiple digital channels, without requiring completely separate processing chains for each signal type, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a receiver front end circuit can receive and process multiple radio frequency (RF) signals and output downconverted signals corresponding to these signals. In turn, multiple signal processors can be coupled to this front end. Specifically, a first signal processor can receive and process the downconverted signals to output a first signal obtained from content of a first RF signal, and a second signal processor can receive and process the downconverted signals to output a second signal obtained from content of a second RF signal. In addition, the apparatus may include a detection circuit coupled to the receiver front end circuit to detect presence of at least the second signal and enable the second signal processor responsive to the detected presence.