Adjustable Time-Division Multiplexing Receiver for Satellite Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite signal receivers face high hardware complexity and power consumption due to the need for numerous correlators to try all possible combinations of satellite ID, Doppler frequency, and code phase hypotheses, especially in GNSS systems, which limits their speed and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable time-division multiplexing receiver that uses a clock signal with variable or fixed clock rate to control the speed of hypothesis testing across domains, allowing for adaptive correlation multiplexing to balance searching speed, tracking accuracy, and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple correlators are used to try all hypotheses simultaneously, then the hypothesis searching speed is improved, but the hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple correlator functions into a single correlator by implementing time-division multiplexing. The correlator sequentially processes different hypotheses (satellite ID, Doppler frequency, code phase) in time slots, eliminating the need for multiple parallel correlators while maintaining high searching speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The correlator operates in a periodic manner, cycling through different hypothesis domains (satellite ID, Doppler frequency, code phase) in sequential time slots. This periodic processing allows the single correlator to achieve the functionality of multiple correlators by systematically varying the processing focus over time.
2Device complexity
If the clock rate is increased to reduce correlator complexity, then the hardware complexity is reduced, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic clock rate adjustment based on the operational mode. During acquisition mode, the clock rate is set to a higher value to reduce complexity, while during tracking mode, the clock rate is reduced to lower power consumption. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between complexity and energy consumption based on actual needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the clock rate parameter adaptively based on operational requirements. By adjusting the clock rate between acquisition and tracking modes, the system achieves different operational characteristics without requiring hardware changes, thereby optimizing the balance between complexity and power consumption.
3Productivity
If the clock rate is increased to improve hypothesis searching speed, then the searching speed is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the clock rate based on the operational mode (acquisition vs. tracking). During acquisition, a higher clock rate is used to maximize searching speed, while during tracking, the clock rate is reduced to minimize power consumption. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between speed and energy consumption by making both parameters adaptable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically switches between acquisition and tracking modes, adjusting the clock rate accordingly. This periodic adaptation allows the system to achieve high speed when needed and low power consumption when not, optimizing the overall energy-performance trade-off through time-varying operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A satellite signal adjustable time-division multiplexing receiver for GNSS and a method for acquiring and tracking satellite signal used in the receiver. The present invention executes correlation in an adjustable time-division multiplexing and uses a clock signal with a clock rate to control speed of correlation. The clock rate can be fixed or variable. In the case that the clock rate is variable, when the speed is required to be fast (e.g. in satellite acquisition mode), the clock rate is set to be high clock rate; when the speed needs not be so fast (e.g. in signal tracking mode), the clock rate can be lower down to reduce power consumption. The adjustable time-division multiplexing is arranged for respective domains such as visible satellite, code phase, Doppler frequency and tracking accuracy according to the clock rate.