Shared Local Oscillator Receiver for Multi-Band GNSS Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GNSS receivers require separate frequency synthesizers for each frequency band, leading to high power consumption when tracking multiple satellite signals simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A system with a plurality of receivers that share a single local oscillator, switching between modes based on signal characteristics to conserve power, using discrete-time superheterodyne mixers to process multiple satellite bands concurrently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate frequency synthesizers are used for each frequency band, then signal tracking capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple receivers share a common local oscillator resource, merging what would otherwise be separate frequency synthesizers. This allows simultaneous tracking of multiple satellite bands while reducing power consumption by eliminating redundant oscillator circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The common local oscillator serves multiple receivers simultaneously, making a single resource universal across different frequency bands. Each receiver can access the shared oscillator through appropriate frequency division and signal routing.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a common local oscillator is shared among receivers, then power consumption is reduced, but signal quality and interference resistance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The local oscillator signal is segmented and distributed to multiple receivers through frequency division. Each receiver obtains the appropriate frequency component it needs, maintaining signal quality while sharing the common oscillator resource.
Solution Approach 2:
Frequency dividers and signal distribution circuits act as intermediaries between the common local oscillator and individual receivers. These intermediaries ensure that each receiver receives a clean, appropriately frequency-divided signal without direct interference from other receivers.
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
Reduces power consumption by sharing a local oscillator among receivers, while maintaining signal quality and reducing interference from harmonic blockers.
Implementation Method 1
a primary mixer configured to mix an input signal with a reference signal at a reference frequency to generate a first output signal
Implementation Method 2
a divider configured to divide the reference signal into a second reference signal at a second frequency
Implementation Method 3
a secondary mixer coupled to the primary mixer and configured to mix the first output signal and the second reference signal at the second frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provide a system comprising a plurality of receivers, each receiver comprising a local oscillator configured to generate a local oscillation signal, a primary mixer configured to mix an input signal with a reference signal at a reference frequency to generate a first output signal, a divider configured to divide the reference signal into a second reference signal at a second frequency and a secondary mixer coupled to the primary mixer and configured to mix the first output signal and the second reference signal at the second frequency. In a first mode, the reference signal for a first of a plurality of the receivers is the local oscillation signal from the first receiver and, in a second mode, the reference signal is the local oscillation signal from another of the plurality of receivers.