Flexible Multi-Channel Transmission with Calibrated Shared Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-channel transmission systems face limitations in flexibly setting gains for individual channels, leading to increased costs and reduced flexibility due to the need for multiple programmable gain amplifiers.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that digitally modulate symbols for multiple channels, apply digital gains, and convert them to an analog signal using a single programmable gain amplifier, determining the analog gain based on calibration data to ensure accurate signal levels across the transmission bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an analog programmable gain amplifier is required for each channel, then the gain of each channel can be set accurately and with great flexibility, but the cost increases and the flexibility with which channels can be created or discarded is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple channel-specific gain control functions into a single shared analog programmable gain amplifier. By combining the digital signals of multiple channels before analog conversion and using one PGA for all channels, the system reduces hardware complexity while maintaining flexible and accurate gain control through digital domain preprocessing and calibration-based compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional approach of using multiple analog gain control mechanisms (one PGA per channel) with a digital-domain solution. Digital signal processing techniques, including digital gain application and calibration-based frequency response compensation, substitute for multiple analog hardware components, achieving the same functional goals with reduced hardware complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple programmable gain amplifiers are provisioned for each channel, then individual channel gain control is achieved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single analog programmable gain amplifier universal by designing it to handle multiple channels through shared signal paths. The PGA is configured to process combined digital-to-analog converted signals from multiple channels, eliminating the need for dedicated amplifiers per channel while maintaining individual gain control capability through digital domain adjustments and calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple channel signals in the digital domain before analog conversion, allowing a single PGA to serve multiple channels. This merging approach reduces the total number of amplifiers required while preserving the ability to control gain for each channel individually through digital signal processing and calibration-based compensation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If channels are created or discarded frequently, then system flexibility is improved, but the use of multiple fixed hardware amplifiers restricts this flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic configurability to the system by using software-controlled digital signal processing and calibration data instead of fixed hardware configurations. Channels can be dynamically created, modified, or discarded by adjusting digital gain parameters and calibration settings, eliminating the need for physical hardware reconfiguration and enabling flexible adaptation to changing system requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces fixed hardware-based channel configuration with dynamic software-controlled digital signal processing. Instead of physically connecting or disconnecting hardware amplifiers, channel management is achieved through digital domain operations and calibration data adjustments, enabling rapid and flexible channel creation and discard without hardware reconfiguration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device includes a digital frontend. The digital frontend is configured to digitally modulate symbols for digital signals of a plurality of channels according to a transmission protocol. Each channel is associated with at least one respective carrier frequency within a transmission bandwidth. The digital frontend is further configured to combine the digital signals to obtain a digital output signal. The device further includes an analog frontend having a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the digital output signal into an analog output signal. The analog frontend also includes a programmable gain amplifier configured to apply an analog gain to the analog output signal. The device further includes a control logic configured to determine the analog gain based on calibration data indicative of the frequency response of the analog frontend across a transmission bandwidth.