Shared Tuner Signal Selector for Ground Wave and CATV Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional broadcast reception devices that incorporate tuners for both ground wave digital broadcasts and digital CATV broadcasts face challenges in size, power consumption, and cost due to the need for separate tuners, which also struggle with signal isolation and noise figure management across different frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized, low power consumption tuner design that includes a signal select circuit with switch and amplification circuits to isolate and amplify either ground wave digital or digital CATV signals based on program selection, using broadband amplifiers and switch circuits to manage impedance and noise, allowing for shared tuner operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate tuners are used for ground wave digital broadcasts and digital CATV broadcasts, then signal reception quality is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ground wave digital tuner and digital CATV tuner into a single integrated tuner unit that can selectively receive both types of signals. The tuner includes switching circuits that route either ground wave signals or CATV signals to the same tuning and demodulation circuits, eliminating the need for separate physical tuners while maintaining reception quality for both broadcast types.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated tuner is designed to perform multiple functions by selectively processing different signal types. It can function as a ground wave digital tuner when receiving antenna inputs, and as a digital CATV tuner when receiving cable inputs, using the same core tuning and demodulation infrastructure for both purposes.
2Reliability
If separate tuners are used for ground wave digital broadcasts and digital CATV broadcasts, then signal reception quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power-consuming tuning and demodulation circuits into a single shared infrastructure. Only one set of these circuits operates at any given time depending on whether ground wave or CATV signals are being received, thereby reducing total power consumption compared to having both tuners operating simultaneously or standing by.
Solution Approach 2:
The tuner employs switching mechanisms that periodically alternate between ground wave and CATV signal processing modes. The switching circuits activate or deactivate specific signal paths based on the selected broadcast type, ensuring that power is consumed only for the currently active reception mode rather than continuously for both modes.
3Reliability
If separate tuners are used for ground wave digital broadcasts and digital CATV broadcasts, then signal reception quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates ground wave and CATV tuning capabilities into a single tuner module, reducing the total component count and assembly complexity. This merging eliminates redundant circuits and reduces manufacturing steps, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining the ability to receive both signal types with high quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal tuner design allows manufacturers to produce a single standardized component that can handle both ground wave and CATV signals, simplifying the supply chain and reducing per-unit costs through economies of scale. The same core circuits serve dual purposes, reducing the overall bill of materials compared to producing separate specialized tuners.
4Volume of moving object
If a single tuner is used for both ground wave digital and digital CATV broadcasts, then device size is reduced, but signal isolation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces switching circuits as intermediary components between the signal inputs and the tuning circuits. These switches act as isolation mechanisms that completely disconnect one signal path when the other is active, preventing signal leakage and interference between ground wave and CATV signals while allowing both to share the same tuner infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tuner architecture is segmented into distinct signal path sections with switching control. The switching circuits divide the signal flow into separate controllable paths, allowing independent management of ground wave and CATV signals. This segmentation enables effective isolation while maintaining compact integration.
5Volume of moving object
If a single tuner is used for both ground wave digital and digital CATV broadcasts, then device size is reduced, but noise figure management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic switching control that adapts the signal path configuration based on the active reception mode. The switching circuits dynamically connect or disconnect specific components to optimize the noise figure for the currently selected signal type, allowing the single tuner to maintain optimal performance for both ground wave and CATV broadcasts despite different noise requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A signal selector selects one of a ground wave digital signal and a digital cable television signal in accordance with program selection information and transmits the selected signal to a shared tuner circuit. The shared tuner circuit selects only a signal of a desired channel from a signal output from the signal selector and converts the selected signal to an IF signal. An 8VSB and QAM demodulation circuit receives the IF signal from the shared tuner circuit and demodulate the signal in an 8VSB or QAM system to generate a transport stream. Thus a tuner for ground wave digital broadcasting and that for digital CATV broadcasting can be implemented as a shared tuner circuit surrounded by a single casing.