Receiver System Path Switching for Angle-of-Arrival Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receiver systems face challenges in accurately determining the angle-of-arrival of signals due to residual group delay mismatches between receive-paths, which can result in errors in Phase Difference of Arrival (PDoA) or Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA) measurements, especially across varying temperatures and the lifetime of the system.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a receiver system with a path-switching unit and a redirect-switching unit, controlled by a switch-control signal, allows for selective configuration of receive-paths to account for delay mismatches by processing signals through different paths, thereby reducing errors and improving the accuracy of angle-of-arrival calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signals are processed through fixed receive-paths, then the system structure is simple, but delay mismatches between receive-paths cause errors in angle-of-arrival measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic receive-path configuration by introducing switching units that can reconfigure the connections between receive-antennas and receive-paths based on operational requirements. This allows the system to adaptively select optimal path configurations to minimize delay mismatches while maintaining measurement precision across varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the connectivity parameters of the receive-path by using switching units to reconfigure which receive-antennas are connected to which receive-paths. This parameter change enables the system to compensate for delay mismatches by selecting different path configurations, thereby improving angle-of-arrival measurement accuracy without requiring complex hardware modifications.
2Reliability
If receive-paths are kept fixed, then the system is stable, but temperature variations and system aging cause delay mismatches that degrade measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The switching units enable the system to dynamically adjust receive-path configurations in response to environmental changes such as temperature variations and system aging. By reconfiguring the connections between receive-antennas and receive-paths, the system can compensate for drift in delay characteristics, maintaining reliable angle-of-arrival measurements under varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors measurement quality and adjusts receive-path configurations accordingly. This feedback loop allows the system to identify and correct delay mismatches caused by temperature variations and aging, ensuring consistent measurement reliability without requiring manual intervention or complex calibration procedures.
3Measurement precision
If multiple receive-path configurations are used, then delay mismatch errors are reduced, but the switching control and signal processing become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The switching units are designed to perform multiple functions: they can configure receive-paths for different antenna combinations, select optimal paths based on signal quality, and facilitate calibration procedures. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through multiple configurations without proportionally increasing operational complexity, as the same switching mechanism handles various operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically manages the complexity of switching between multiple receive-path configurations by implementing algorithms that select optimal configurations based on current operating conditions. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual switching control, allowing the system to benefit from multiple configurations for improved precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A receiver-system comprising a path-switching-unit, a redirect-switching-unit, a plurality of receive-paths, and a processor. The path-switching-unit has a plurality of path-switch-input-terminals that are each couplable to a receive-antenna. The redirect-switching-unit has a plurality of redirect-switch-output-terminals that are each associated with one of the plurality of path-switch-input-terminals in order to define a plurality of switch-terminal-pairs. The receive-paths are connected between a path-switch-output-terminal and a redirect-switch-input-terminal. The path-switching-unit and the redirect-switching-unit are configured to selectively connect each receive-path between different ones of the plurality of switch-terminal-pairs, based on a switch-control-signal. The processor can receive first-processor-input-signals from a first configuration of the plurality of receive paths selectively connected between the plurality of switch-terminal-pairs; receive further-processor-input-signals from one or more further configurations of the plurality of receive-paths selectively connected between the plurality of switch-terminal-pairs; and determine an angle-of-arrival associated with the input-signals based on the first-processor-input-signals and further-processor-input-signals.