Random Sampler Using Sawtooth Comparison for Sub-Nyquist Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional random samplers for one-dimension slow-varying signals face high hardware complexity and inefficiency due to frequency mixing, leading to increased signal complexity and unnecessary resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A random sampler comprising a signal preprocessing unit, a slope-controllable sawtooth wave signal generating unit, a signal comparing unit, a counting unit, and a signal outputting unit, which preprocesses the input signal, generates and compares a sawtooth wave signal, counts clock signals, and outputs the sampled data, reducing sampling frequency and hardware complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If frequency mixing is used to achieve random sampling below Nyquist rate, then sampling rate can be reduced, but hardware complexity and signal complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the frequency mixing function from the sampling system. Instead of mixing the input signal with a pseudo-random sequence, the invention directly compares the input signal with a sawtooth wave, eliminating the need for complex mixing hardware and reducing both hardware complexity and signal complexity while maintaining sub-Nyquist sampling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not mixing the signal down to a lower rate, but rather by directly comparing the original signal with a sawtooth wave to generate random sampling points. This inversion avoids the complexity of frequency mixing while achieving the same random sampling effect below Nyquist rate
2Adaptability or versatility
If pseudo-random sequence mixing is implemented, then random sampling is achieved, but storage space and hardware resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive, storage-intensive pseudo-random sequence with a simple, continuously generated sawtooth wave. The sawtooth wave is regenerated each period without requiring storage of large sequences, effectively using a 'disposable' time-limited waveform instead of stored data, thereby reducing storage space while maintaining random sampling capability
3Productivity
If conventional integral sampler is used after frequency mixing, then periodic sampling is performed, but the signal complexity increases due to prior mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the comparison between input signal and sawtooth wave before any sampling operation, directly generating the random sampling decision. This preliminary comparison action eliminates the need for subsequent frequency mixing operations, keeping the signal simple throughout the sampling process while enabling periodic sampling at reduced rates
Data Source
AI summary
A sampler adapted to a one-dimension slow-varying signal, including: a signal preprocessing unit configured to preprocess an input signal; a slope-controllable sawtooth wave signal generating unit configured to generate a slope-controllable sawtooth wave signal and perform zero-resetting; a signal comparing unit configured to compare the preprocessed input signal from the signal preprocessing unit with the sawtooth wave signal and to output a pulse signal to the generating unit and a signal outputting unit when the preprocessed input signal is equal to the sawtooth wave signal; a counting unit configured to count a number of clock signals while the sawtooth wave signal generating unit is generating the sawtooth wave signal and to transmit the counted number to the signal outputting unit; the signal outputting unit configured to, upon receipt of the pulse signal output from the signal comparing unit, output the number counted by the counting unit at the moment.