Periodic-Oscillation RF Receiver for Low-Emission Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard super-regenerative receivers are limited by spurious emissions and high energy consumption due to continuous operation of the local oscillator, and they require oversampling above the data rate for effective signal reception.
Innovation Solution
A receiver design that operates the oscillator and counter only during active periods, utilizing a state machine and correlator for direct digital evaluation of RF signals, reducing energy consumption and spurious emissions through controlled oscillation and threshold-based state value generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the local oscillator operates continuously in a super-regenerative receiver, then signal detection capability is maintained, but spurious emissions increase and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by operating the local oscillator only during active periods when signal detection is required, rather than continuously. The oscillator is activated in sync with incoming signal periods, allowing the receiver to maintain signal detection capability while minimizing spurious emissions during inactive periods. This periodic operation directly resolves the contradiction between maintaining detection capability and reducing harmful emissions.
2Reliability
If the local oscillator operates continuously in a super-regenerative receiver, then signal detection capability is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by gating the local oscillator operation to match the active periods of incoming signals. The oscillator operates only when signals are present, reducing energy consumption while maintaining signal detection capability during active periods. This directly addresses the contradiction between energy consumption and detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the oscillator operation adaptive and variable rather than static and continuous. The oscillator's operation is dynamically controlled based on the presence of incoming signals, allowing the system to adjust its state between active and inactive periods. This dynamic operation enables the system to maintain detection capability when needed while minimizing energy consumption during inactive periods.
3Measurement precision
If standard super-regenerative receivers operate at quench frequencies above the data rate, then time integration is accomplished, but the device complexity increases due to oversampling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating the local oscillator at the data rate frequency rather than at higher quench frequencies. This fundamental change in the operating parameter (oscillator frequency) eliminates the need for oversampling while still achieving effective time integration. The system integrates signals over the appropriate time periods using this lower frequency operation, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
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
This approach reduces energy consumption to sub-microampere levels, minimizes spurious emissions by 30 dB or more, and enables effective bit sequence decoding even in the presence of fading and interferers without adaptive gain-control, improving the overall efficiency and accuracy of RF signal reception.
Implementation Method 1
In the absence of an incoming signal, oscillations are initiated by thermal noise, build up to a critical amplitude and die out.
Implementation Method 2
Standard regenerative receivers comprise a detector with a positive or regenerative feedback from the output to the input. Thereby, the feedback maintains operation of the oscillator on the verge of oscillation.
Implementation Method 3
The counter is configured to provide a counter value describing threshold crossings of the oscillator signal for each of the active periods
Implementation Method 4
at least one correlator configured to correlate the output state values with a predefined bit sequence and to output a value representing the symbol dependent on the correlation
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver for receiving an RF signal transmitting a bit sequence representing a symbol is provided. The receiver includes an oscillator, a counter, at least one state machine and at least one correlator. The oscillator is configured to oscillate dependent on the received RF signal, wherein the oscillator signal is controlled to provide an oscillation signal based on the oscillation during a plurality of subsequent active periods. The counter is configured to provide a counter value describing threshold crossings of the oscillator signal for each of the active periods. The at least one state machine is connected to the counter and configured to output state values, each state value dependent on two subsequent counter values. The at least one correlator is configured to correlate the output state values with a predefined bit sequence and to output a value representing the symbol dependent on the correlation.