Transceiver Chip Sharing RF and Optical Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems typically use a single transmission medium for both transmitting and receiving data signals, limiting their ability to process signals from different media simultaneously and preventing full-duplex communication across various media, especially when the radiofrequency medium is disturbed.
Innovation Solution
A transceiver with an electronic chip that shares processing means for signals from different transmission media, utilizing a second frequency synthesizer for modulated low-frequency signals to enable full-duplex communication and allowing the same radiofrequency reception chain to demodulate signals from other media, such as optical or ultrasonic signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single transmission medium is used for both transmitting and receiving data signals, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to process signals from different media simultaneously is limited and full-duplex communication across various media is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal transceiver architecture where a single device can operate across multiple transmission media (radio frequency, optical, ultrasonic, acoustic) by sharing common processing resources including frequency synthesizers, modulators, and signal processing units. The transceiver includes multiple transmission modules (RF module 102, optical module 104, ultrasonic module 106, acoustic module 108) that can be selectively activated based on the desired transmission medium, allowing one device to perform multiple communication functions without requiring separate dedicated systems for each medium.
2Reliability
If the radio frequency medium is disturbed or saturated, then communication reliability deteriorates, but alternative transmission media are not available for full-duplex communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic switching between different transmission media by changing the operational parameters of the transceiver. When radio frequency communication experiences interference or saturation, the system can switch to alternative media such as optical, ultrasonic, or acoustic transmission. The frequency synthesizer can be reconfigured to generate appropriate frequencies for different media, and the modulator can adapt its modulation scheme based on the selected transmission medium, ensuring continuous reliable communication despite disturbances in any single medium.
3Productivity
If separate processing resources are allocated for different transmission media, then full-duplex communication is enabled, but device complexity and resource utilization increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing resources for different transmission media into a shared architecture. A single frequency synthesizer (36) serves all transmission modules, a single modulator (34) handles modulation for all media types, and a single processor (27) manages signal processing across all channels. This consolidation allows full-duplex communication capability while reducing overall device complexity and improving resource utilization compared to having completely separate processing chains for each transmission medium.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The transceiver (1) includes an electronic chip (2) having a radio frequency input and output terminal (10) for receiving and transmitting by an antenna (4) a radio frequency signal, an auxiliary input terminal (12) for receiving a signal from an optoelectronic or piezoelectric transducer, an auxiliary output terminal (14) for providing a modulated low frequency signal to a component (8) for emitting optical or sound waves or pressure waves.The electronic chip further includes a mixer (28) for frequency mixing a received radio frequency signal with an oscillating signal provided by a first frequency synthesizer (36) to produce a periodic signal at an intermediate frequency, a two-input switch (30) connected on one side to an output of the mixer and on the other to the auxiliary input terminal, a filtering and amplification stage (32) connected to the output of the switch, and a modulator-demodulator (34) connected to the output of the filtering and amplification stage. The first frequency synthesizer is connected between the output of the modulator-demodulator and the radio frequency input and output terminals, and configured to provide a frequency-modulated signal at the radio frequency input and output terminals.The electronic chip further includes a second frequency synthesizer (38) connected between the output of the modulator-demodulator and the auxiliary output terminal, and configured to synthesize a modulated low frequency signal supplied by the auxiliary output terminal, the center value of which is equal to the value of the intermediate frequency.