Signal Receiver with Integrated Synthesizer and Mixer Chips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite television signal receivers lack an efficient mechanism to condition and split signals for distribution to multiple indoor units, limiting their ability to process and demodulate signals effectively across multiple setup boxes.
Innovation Solution
A signal receiver configuration with integrated-circuit chips and components like synthesizers, mixers, switch matrices, and filters, which are integrated into single chips, allows for signal conditioning and splitting in the outdoor unit, enabling distribution to multiple indoor units for demodulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If signal processing components are distributed across multiple separate components on a circuit board, then the signal receiver can perform basic signal conditioning, but the system complexity increases and signal distribution efficiency to multiple indoor units decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal processing components (synthesizers, mixers, switch matrices, filters) into integrated-circuit chips. Specifically, the first synthesizer, first mixer, and first switch matrix are integrated into a first IC chip, while the second synthesizer, second mixer, and second switch matrix are integrated into a second IC chip. This merging reduces the number of discrete components on the circuit board, simplifies the system structure, and improves signal distribution efficiency to multiple indoor units while maintaining full signal processing functionality
2Ease of manufacture
If more components are integrated into single IC chips, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the integration density and component functionality requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing functionality into two distinct integrated-circuit chips rather than attempting to integrate all components into a single chip. The first IC chip contains the first synthesizer, first mixer, and first switch matrix, while the second IC chip contains the second synthesizer, second mixer, and second switch matrix. This segmentation approach balances integration density requirements with manufacturing simplicity, allowing each chip to be optimized for its specific functional load while reducing overall system complexity compared to discrete component implementations
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
This configuration enhances signal processing and distribution capabilities, allowing for efficient signal reception and demodulation across multiple indoor units, improving the overall satellite television system performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first synthesizer configured to generate an oscillating output
Implementation Method 2
a first mixer configured to mix its first input with its second input associated with the oscillating output of the first synthesizer into an output
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A signal receiver includes a first mixer configured to mix its first input with its second input associated with an oscillating output of a first synthesizer into an output; a first splitter configured to split its input associated with the output of the first mixer into a first output and a second output; a first switch matrix configured to switch its first input associated with the first output of the first splitter into a first output; a second switch matrix configured to switch its first input associated with the second output of the first splitter into a first output; a second mixer configured to mix its first input associated with the first output of the first switch matrix with its second input associated with an oscillating output of a second synthesizer into an output; and a third mixer configured to mix its first input associated with the first output of the second switch matrix with its second input associated with an oscillating output of a third synthesizer into an output.