Reconfigurable Time-Interleaved ADC for Multi-Band Satellite Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing and aligning receivers for wireless signals are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly in handling multiple satellite inputs and bands.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable time-interleaved ADC system for direct conversion of K-band and L-band I/Q signals, which includes on-chip downconversion and handling of both unprocessed and pre-processed satellite signals, allowing for concurrent handling of multiple satellite feeds and minimizing installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional receiver installation and alignment methods are used, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but installation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver employs dynamic reconfigurability where the time-interleaved ADC structure can be dynamically adjusted to handle different satellite signal bands (K-band, L-band, C-band) and processing modes (raw, downconverted, pre-processed) without physical reconfiguration. This dynamic adaptability simplifies installation by eliminating the need for complex manual alignment and configuration procedures while maintaining high performance across multiple signal types.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple satellite signal bands and processing requirements through a single integrated platform. The reconfigurable time-interleaved ADC can process raw K-band signals, downconverted L-band signals, and pre-processed C-band signals simultaneously, replacing the need for multiple specialized receivers and eliminating complex installation procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple satellite inputs and bands are handled concurrently, then signal reception capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing architecture is segmented into distinct functional blocks: K-band processing path, L-band processing path, and C-band processing path. Each path handles specific signal types through dedicated circuitry, allowing concurrent multi-band reception while maintaining modular complexity that is easier to manage and configure during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time-interleaved dimension to the signal processing architecture, where multiple ADC converters operate at different time intervals to process different signal bands. This temporal segmentation allows concurrent handling of multiple satellite inputs without proportionally increasing spatial or architectural complexity, as the time-domain multiplexing consolidates processing resources.
3Productivity
If on-chip downconversion is implemented, then processing efficiency is improved, but chip area and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The on-chip downconversion functionality is implemented with local quality optimization, where the downconversion circuitry is integrated only in the K-band processing path where it provides the most benefit. The L-band and C-band paths utilize pre-processed signals that skip the downconversion stage, allowing efficient processing without requiring complete on-chip downconversion for all bands, thus reducing overall chip area and manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A signal receiver chip may be configured to receive a satellite signal, and when the satellite signal is partially-processed off-chip, to bypass at least a portion of processing functions applied in the signal receiver chip during processing of satellite signals. The bypassed processing functions may comprise or correspond to signal band conversions. The satellite signal chip may generate an output signal, corresponding to the satellite signal, with the output signal being configured for communication to a peer device (e.g., satellite STB). The output signal may be generated and/or configured such that to enable distributing content carried in the output signal to a plurality of client devices in a local network serviced by the peer device. The signal receiver chip may combine a plurality of portions, corresponding to a plurality of satellite signals, into the output signal.