Shared IF Up-Down Converter for Multi-Band RF Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional up-down converters require separate design and management for different frequency bands, leading to unnecessary expense and inconvenience in design, manufacturing, and operation due to distinct parameter settings for central frequency and bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
An up-down converter that includes a first mixer, an IF filter, a second mixer, a local oscillator, and RF filters to control the frequency of local signals based on the input RF signal, allowing operation across multiple frequency bands with shared components and simplified management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate up-down converters are used for different frequency bands, then each frequency band can be processed independently, but design expense and device complexity increase due to duplicate structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single up-down converter that can process multiple frequency bands (RB1, RB2, RB3) by dynamically adjusting the local oscillator frequency and filter parameters. The same converter structure serves universal functionality across different bands, eliminating the need for separate converters for each band while maintaining independent processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic parameter adjustment where the local oscillator frequency, filter central frequencies, and bandwidths are changed based on the input frequency band. This dynamic adaptation allows a single static structure to perform multiple frequency band conversions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and multi-band capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate up-down converters are used for different frequency bands, then each converter can be optimized for its specific band, but manufacturing expense and design time are wasted due to redundant structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal up-down converter design that can be manufactured once and used for multiple frequency bands. By making the converter adaptable through software-controlled parameter adjustment rather than hardware-specific design, manufacturing efficiency is improved while still achieving frequency band optimization through parameter configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes each frequency band by changing operational parameters (local oscillator frequency, filter central frequencies, bandwidths) rather than changing the physical structure. This allows manufacturing precision for each band while maintaining manufacturing efficiency, as the same hardware platform is optimized through parameter adjustment而非redesign.
3Ease of operation
If separate up-down converters are used for different frequency bands, then each converter can be managed independently, but management convenience decreases due to the need to manage multiple converters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves both management convenience and frequency band coverage by implementing a single universal converter that can be configured for different bands. The controller manages one converter unit while adjusting its operational parameters to handle different frequency bands, combining the benefits of simple management with versatile adaptability.
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 design and manufacturing of communication devices with multiband support, reducing complexity and increasing management convenience by adjusting local signal frequencies in response to input RF signals.
Implementation Method 1
a first mixer configured to convert an input radio frequency (RF) signal into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal using a first local signal
Implementation Method 2
a second mixer configured to convert the IF signal, which has been filtered by the IF filter, into an output RF signal using a second local signal
Implementation Method 3
an IF filter configured to filter the IF signal converted by the first mixer
Implementation Method 4
a local oscillator configured to control a frequency of the first local signal and the second local signal based on a frequency of the input RF signal
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, an up-down converter includes a first mixer configured to convert an input radio frequency (RF) signal into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal using a first local signal; an IF filter configured to filter the IF signal converted by the first mixer; a second mixer configured to convert the IF signal, which has been filtered by the IF filter, into an output RF signal using a second local signal; and a local oscillator configured to control a frequency of the first local signal and the second local signal based on a frequency of the input RF signal.