Reconfigurable UWB Receiver Architecture for Multi-Channel Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UWB receivers are limited in their ability to operate across multiple frequency channels and bandwidths due to fixed mixing frequencies and complex architectures, making them unsuitable for pulsed UWB signals in low-power contexts and requiring multiple frequency synthesizers for channel switching.
Innovation Solution
A UWB receiver architecture with a first stage for quadrature mixing at a central frequency, a second stage with controllable frequency for orthogonal or half-period sinusoidal projection, and a fourth stage for combining integration results with configurable coefficients, allowing for flexible channel selection and operation in heterodyne or homodyne modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed mixing frequency is used in a UWB receiver, then the receiver architecture is simpler, but the receiver can only operate on a single frequency channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability by making the second mixing stage frequency-controllable. The second quadrature mixer can be tuned to different frequencies (e.g., 3.5 GHz, 4 GHz, 4.5 GHz) to receive different channels, while the first stage operates at a fixed central frequency (4 GHz). This dynamic frequency adjustment enables multi-channel operation without requiring multiple complete receiver chains, thus achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is divided into two functional stages: a first stage that performs fixed-frequency downconversion to an intermediate frequency, and a second stage that performs controllable-frequency downconversion to baseband. This segmentation allows the fixed first stage to handle the common task of initial frequency translation, while the reconfigurable second stage handles channel-specific frequency adjustments, distributing the complexity across modular functional blocks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple frequency synthesizers are used for channel switching, then multiple frequency channels can be received, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frequency synthesis function into a single controllable synthesizer that feeds both mixing stages. Instead of using separate synthesizers for each channel, one synthesizer generates the first mixing frequency (fixed at 4 GHz) and another generates the second mixing frequency (controllable for different channels). This consolidation reduces the total number of synthesizers from potentially multiple to just two, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining multi-channel capability.
3Speed
If a complex architecture with multiple synthesizers is used for fast channel hopping, then channel switching speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves fast channel switching by making the second mixing stage dynamically reconfigurable. When channel switching is required, only the second mixer's frequency needs to be adjusted, rather than reconfiguring the entire receiver chain. This dynamic adjustment of a single stage enables rapid channel hopping (switching) while keeping the overall architecture relatively simple, as the first stage remains fixed and other components stay unchanged.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient reception of pulsed UWB signals across various channels and bandwidths, reducing power consumption and complexity by allowing channel selection and projection configuration, improving signal detection and processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first stage, comprising a first quadrature mixer operating at a first frequency, intended to translate said signal, in baseband or at an intermediate frequency
Implementation Method 2
a second stage, comprising a second quadrature mixer on said in-phase channel and a second quadrature mixer on said quadrature channel, the second mixer operating at a second frequency and providing a first in-phase signal and a second quadrature signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The invention concerns a multi-channel pulsed UWB receiver (400). The receiver comprises a first stage (420) for translating the received signal to a baseband or intermediate frequency, a second stage (430) performing a quadrature mixing on the in-phase and quadrature channels of the first stage, a third stage (440) performing an integration, over a time window, of the signals from the second stage, and a fourth stage (450) combining the results of the integration of the third stage in order to provide the real part and the imaginary part of the modulation symbol. The receiver can be configured (figures 4A-4H) depending on the receiving channel and the type of treatment selected.