Parallel SR Amplifier Tuning for Low-Power UWB Jam Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultra-wide band (UWB) receivers employing cascaded linear amplifiers face power consumption issues and are ineffective in rejecting both out-of-band and in-band jamming signals, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A super regenerative apparatus comprising multiple SR amplifiers tuned to distinct frequency bands, with isolation amplifiers to prevent injection locking and power leakage, and a circuit to disable amplifiers in the presence of jamming signals, effectively reducing both out-of-band and in-band jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If cascaded linear amplifiers are used in conventional UWB receivers, then the receiver can amplify signals across wide bandwidth, but power consumption increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wide bandwidth signal amplification task into multiple narrowband SR amplifiers, each tuned to a specific frequency band. This segmentation allows each amplifier to operate efficiently in its designated band while collectively covering the entire UWB spectrum, significantly reducing total power consumption compared to a single wideband linear amplifier.
Solution Approach 2:
The super regenerative amplifiers operate by periodically switching between amplification and regeneration modes using quenching signals. This periodic action enables the amplifiers to achieve high gain with lower power consumption by concentrating amplification effort only during active periods rather than continuous operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If band pass filter is added to reject out-of-band jamming signals, then jamming rejection improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each SR amplifier is tuned to a specific frequency band with optimized Q-factor, creating local frequency selectivity without requiring complex wideband filters. This local quality approach allows each amplifier to naturally reject out-of-band jamming signals in its designated band while maintaining simplicity in overall receiver structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of jamming signals into a beneficial selection mechanism by using the SR amplifiers' natural frequency selectivity and Q-factor characteristics to automatically attenuate jamming frequencies, transforming what would be harmful interference into a filtering mechanism that enhances receiver performance without adding complex filter hardware.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SR amplifiers are used to cover wide bandwidth, then frequency coverage improves, but mutual interference between amplifiers occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Isolation amplifiers are introduced as intermediary components between the parallel SR amplifiers. These isolation amplifiers prevent direct coupling and mutual interference between the frequency-tuned SR amplifiers, allowing each to operate independently in its designated band while maintaining overall system stability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic frequency tuning and Q-factor optimization for each SR amplifier based on the specific bandwidth requirements. By dynamically adjusting operational parameters, the system achieves optimal frequency coverage while minimizing spectral overlap and interference between adjacent amplifiers, maintaining reliable operation across the entire UWB spectrum.
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 solution reduces power consumption, enhances jamming signal rejection, and maintains minimal impact on the overall frequency response, making it suitable for low-power applications and improving the efficiency of UWB receivers.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of super regenerative (SR) amplifiers coupled in parallel, wherein the SR amplifiers are tuned to distinct frequency bands, respectively
Implementation Method 2
the first and second sets of isolation amplifiers isolate the SR amplifiers from each other to prevent injection lock of one amplifier to another
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, which may be configured as a receiver or transceiver, includes a plurality of super regenerative (SR) amplifiers coupled in parallel, wherein the SR amplifiers are tuned to distinct frequency bands, respectively. The apparatus may further include isolation amplifiers at the respective inputs and outputs of the SR amplifiers to prevent injection locking and reduce power leakage. The apparatus may include a circuit to reduce or substantially eliminate in-band jamming signals. The apparatus may form at least part of a wireless communications device adapted to receive signals from other wireless communications devices, adapted to transmit signal to other wireless communications devices, and adapted to both transmit and receive signals to and from other wireless communications devices.