RF Receiver Module Splitter Unit for Intermodulation Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wideband receivers face challenges in achieving high detection probability while maintaining high linearity and instantaneous bandwidth, as they often struggle to suppress intermodulation products and second-order harmonics effectively.

Innovation Solution

The RF receiver module employs a splitter unit to split the RF signal into multiple branches, each equipped with a high-pass filter, a frequency-separating module, and anti-aliasing filters. This configuration allows for the effective suppression of unwanted frequencies and intermodulation products, enabling high detection probability across the entire relevant bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If common techniques are used in wideband receivers, then either high detection probability or high linearity can be achieved, but not both simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection probabilityVSAvoidintermodulation products and second-order harmonics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is divided into multiple parallel signal processing branches (at least two), each equipped with its own high-pass filter, frequency-separating module, and anti-aliasing filter. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each branch for different frequency sub-bands, enabling simultaneous high detection probability across the entire bandwidth while maintaining linearity through distributed processing that suppresses intermodulation products and second-order harmonics in each branch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the instantaneous bandwidth is increased to detect signals distributed over a large frequency band, then the detection probability improves, but the linearity deteriorates due to increased intermodulation products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection probabilityVSAvoidlinearity maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wide frequency band is segmented into multiple sub-bands processed in parallel by separate signal processing branches. Each branch handles a specific frequency range with dedicated filtering and frequency-separating modules, allowing the system to achieve high instantaneous bandwidth coverage while maintaining linearity in each individual branch, thus avoiding the linearity deterioration that would occur in a single wideband path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each signal processing branch is optimized with specific high-pass filter characteristics and frequency-separating module configurations tailored to its assigned frequency sub-band. This local optimization ensures that each branch operates with high linearity for its specific frequency range, while the aggregate system achieves high detection probability across the entire wide bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4531289A1Radio frequency receiver module and signal analysis device
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4531289A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4531289A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4531289A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A radio frequency (RF) receiver module (18) is described. The RF receiver module (18) comprises a signal input (22) being configured to receive an RF signal. The receiver module (18) further comprises a splitter unit (24), wherein the splitter unit (24) is connected to the signal input (22) so as to receive the RF signal. The splitter unit (24) comprises at least two signal outputs, wherein the splitter unit (24) is configured to split the RF signal such that the RF signal is forwarded to each signal output of the splitter unit (24). The receiver module (18) comprises at least two signal processing branches (26, 28) that are connected to one of the signal outputs, respectively. Each signal processing branch (26, 28) comprises a high-pass filter (30, 64) that is provided downstream of the respective signal output of the splitter unit (24). Each signal processing branch (26, 28) further comprises a frequency-separating module (32, 66) that is provided downstream of the respective high-pass filter (30, 64). The frequency-separating module (32, 66) is configured to split a received signal into a plurality of signals processed in different signal processing paths (40, 42, 44, 74, 76, 78). Each signal processing path comprises an anti-aliasing filter (58, 60, 62, 80, 82, 84) and an analog-to-digital converter (56). Further, a signal analysis device (14) is described.