Receiver Sampling Architecture for Dynamic Range via Waveform Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receiver solutions are large and expensive due to the need for RF filtering, IF filtering, and frequency translation, which can be costly and complex, and they struggle to achieve legacy performance levels while adding new capabilities such as improved dynamic range and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A receiver sampling system that duplicates RF input signals into parallel sampling paths with distinct initial sampling rates, resamples them to a common baseband modulated I/Q stream, evaluates signal quality, and selects the best demodulated signal for output, potentially eliminating the need for RF filtering and frequency translation by using digital signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RF filtering, IF filtering, and frequency translation are used to protect small signals from spurious components, then signal quality and dynamic range are improved, but receiver size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/analog filtering systems (RF filters, IF filters) with digital signal processing functions implemented through software algorithms and digital processors. The filtering operations are performed in the digital domain after analog-to-digital conversion, eliminating the need for physical filter components and reducing overall receiver hardware complexity while maintaining signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal digital signal processing platform that can perform multiple functions including filtering, frequency translation, and signal processing through software algorithms. This multi-functional approach replaces dedicated hardware components for each function, reducing receiver complexity while maintaining all necessary signal processing capabilities.
2Reliability
If RF filtering and frequency translation are implemented to achieve legacy performance levels, then sensitivity and dynamic range are maintained, but cost and size of receiver solutions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive analog filter hardware with cost-effective digital signal processing implementations. By performing filtering and signal processing operations in the digital domain using software algorithms on standard digital processors, the receiver achieves legacy performance levels at reduced cost without requiring expensive RF and IF filter components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters and processing domain from analog to digital. By converting signals to the digital domain early in the processing chain and performing all filtering and processing operations digitally, the system achieves cost reduction while maintaining performance through software-based parameter adjustment rather than fixed hardware parameters.
3Productivity
If sampling system intermodulation occurs between off-channel signals and sample clock, then spurious components are generated, but signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes spurious intermodulation products generated during sampling through digital signal processing operations. After the sampling process creates unwanted intermodulation components, the system uses digital filters and processing algorithms to identify and remove these spurious signals, separating them from the desired signal components and restoring signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful intermodulation products generated by high-speed sampling into manageable digital signals that can be processed and removed. By performing sampling at high rates and then using digital processing to eliminate the resulting spurious components, the system achieves the benefits of high-speed sampling while mitigating the harmful effects through software-based correction.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for selectable sampling of a received RF input spectrum copies the input signal into a set of equivalent input spectra, one for each of a set of parallel sampling paths. The sampled input spectra are converted to a common sampling rate (e.g., baseband I/Q stream) and demodulated into a digital signal for each current time window of a sequence of time windows based on the common rate and corresponding to the receiver output stream. For each current time window, evaluation blocks store the demodulated signals to memory and evaluate the signals for signal quality, distortion, and/or receiver sensitivity based on figures of merit (FOM) determined by the waveform. The highest quality demodulated signal is selected, retrieved from memory, and appended to the digital output stream, providing low distortion demodulated digital output based on the RF input signal in real time or near real time.