Single ADC Radio Receiver Supporting Multiple Modulation Formats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio receivers supporting multiple modulation formats require multiple pairs of analog to digital converters (ADCs), leading to increased circuit complexity and cost due to the need for different sampling rates for various standards, as well as unnecessary power consumption when only one modulation format is active.
Innovation Solution
A radio receiver design that uses a single pair of ADCs with a rate converter and a power control module, allowing the receiver to support multiple modulation formats by converting data rates and controlling power usage based on the active signal, thereby eliminating the need for multiple ADC pairs and reducing circuit complexity and power waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pairs of ADCs are used to support different modulation formats with different sampling rates, then the receiver can handle multiple standards simultaneously, but the circuit complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single pair of ADCs that can serve multiple modulation formats (OFDM and DSSS/CCK) through software-based rate conversion. The baseband processing modules are made multi-functional, using rate converters to adapt the sampling rate to match different modulation requirements, eliminating the need for separate ADC pairs for each format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the sampling rate of the ADC output through rate converters. The system changes the data rate parameter of the digital signal to match the requirements of different modulation formats, allowing a single ADC pair to handle varying sampling rate requirements without hardware changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pairs of ADCs are used for different modulation formats, then all formats can be processed simultaneously, but power consumption increases unnecessarily when only one format is active
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the baseband processing modules dynamically activatable. A power control module selectively enables or disables specific baseband processing modules based on which modulation format is currently active, allowing the system to adjust its operational state in real-time and reduce power consumption when certain formats are not in use.
3Reliability
If multiple pairs of ADCs with different sampling rates are used, then each modulation format can be optimized for its specific rate, but the device area and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by using software-based rate converters that virtually replicate the functionality of multiple ADC pairs with different sampling rates. Instead of manufacturing separate hardware ADC pairs for each format, the system uses a single ADC pair combined with software algorithms that copy and adapt the signal to match different sampling rate requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio receiver has an ADC connected to an RF module. Baseband processing modules are connected to the ADC, and a power control module is connected to each of the baseband processing modules. Each of the baseband processing modules is capable of performing detection, demodulation, time and frequency synchronization, decoding, and de-scrambling of signals of a respective modulation format among numerous modulation formats. At least one of the baseband processing modules also has a rate converter connected to the ADC for converting a data rate of signals output from the ADC to a data rate of the corresponding modulation format of that baseband processing module. The power control module is connected to the baseband processing modules and controls power to the baseband processing modules according to signals received from the baseband processing modules.