SoC Telemetry Receiver with Dynamic Frequency Shifting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LPWAN systems face challenges with frequency misalignment between transmitters and receivers, leading to reduced spectral efficiency and communication distance in downlink data transmission, particularly with LoRa and SigFox standards, where narrow-band modulation is not used for downlink transmission.

Innovation Solution

A System-on-a-Chip (SoC) is designed to receive messages with a carrier frequency offset by selecting a predefined frequency, using forward error correction coding and processing signals through time and frequency shifting, allowing for accurate reception even when the carrier frequency has changed during transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If off-the-shelf transceivers with narrow-band filtering are used for downlink reception, then device complexity is reduced, but frequency misalignment causes reception failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransceiver complexityVSAvoidreception reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic frequency tuning capability in the receiver, allowing the local oscillator frequency to be adjusted based on the actual transmitted frequency. This dynamic adaptation enables the receiver to track frequency deviations caused by transmitter drift or intentional frequency hopping, resolving the contradiction between using simple off-the-shelf components and maintaining reliable reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the receiver by implementing a wider tuning range for the local oscillator and adjusting the intermediate frequency accordingly. This parameter flexibility allows the receiver to accommodate frequency variations while maintaining proper signal processing, thus resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and reception reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If spread spectrum modulation is used to handle frequency misalignment, then reception reliability is improved, but spectral efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereception reliabilityVSAvoidspectral efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency band into multiple discrete channels with predefined frequencies. Instead of using spread spectrum techniques that disperse energy across a wide band, the system divides the spectrum into distinct, non-overlapping channels. This segmentation allows for reliable reception through frequency selection while maintaining high spectral efficiency by avoiding the bandwidth expansion inherent in spread spectrum methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If narrow bandwidth is used for signal transmission, then spectral efficiency is improved, but communication distance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication distance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-functional receiver design that can operate across multiple frequency bands and bandwidth configurations. The system uses a wide-tuning-range local oscillator and flexible filtering architecture that allows it to adapt to different transmission conditions. This universality enables the receiver to maintain reliable communication over long distances while supporting narrow-band modulation for high spectral efficiency, as it can optimize its parameters based on the specific transmission scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The SoC effectively receives messages with carrier frequency offsets, improving spectral efficiency and communication distance by enabling accurate demodulation of signals across multiple spectrum sections, independent of time and frequency synchronization.

Implementation Method 1

at least one frequency synthesizer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency synthesis:

Implementation Method 2

at least one frequency mixer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency mixing:

Implementation Method 3

at least one low noise amplifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal amplification:

Implementation Method 4

at least one RF filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency filtering:

Implementation Method 5

at least one module for conversion of the signal from an analog form to a digital form

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnalog-to-digital conversion:

Implementation Method 6

at least one processor for executing time and frequency shifting of the signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime-frequency shifting:

Implementation Method 7

identify, within the signal, at least two spectrum sections

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpectral analysis:

Data Source

PatentUS10425122B1System-on-a-Chip for reception of telemetry messages over a radio frequency channel

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 WAVIOT INTEGRATED SYST LLC

AI summary

A System-on-a-Chip (SoC) for receiving telemetry messages over a radio-frequency (RF) channel is provided. The SoC comprises at least one RF module; at least one module for conversion of the signal from an analog form to a digital form; at least one input signal digital processing unit for filtering the signal from the RF module; and at least one memory unit. The SoC also comprises at least one processor for executing time shifting and frequency shifting of the signal. The processor is configured to process each time- and frequency-shifted signal by consecutive Fourier transforms, such that a first time element of each next transform is placed immediately after a last element of a previous transform. The processor is also configured to receive the signal, which signal was subjected to a carrier frequency change during transmission thereof, the signal having transmission frequencies that are within at least two processed spectrum sections.