Adaptable Ultra-Narrowband Software Defined Radio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication technologies face limitations in efficiently utilizing the finite radio spectrum, particularly in the 220-222 MHz range, due to the need for specialty components and filters for each frequency band, leading to underutilization of available spectrum and high costs for users to adapt to changing regulations.
Innovation Solution
An adaptable ultra-narrowband software defined radio device and system that uses a computing element with a software defined radio to configure communication over multiple ultra-narrowband channels, eliminating the need for specialty components and allowing operation across a wide range of frequencies from 70 MHz to 6 GHz, enabling flexible spectrum use and reconfiguration via software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional radios with specialty components and filters are used for each frequency band, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal radio device that can operate across multiple frequency bands (70 MHz to 6 GHz) using a single superheterodyne architecture with programmable filters and software-defined radio techniques, eliminating the need for separate dedicated radios for each band while maintaining communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses programmable bandpass filters and software-controlled parameters to dynamically adjust the radio's operating characteristics for different frequency bands, allowing a single device to adapt its behavior to match the requirements of various bands without hardware changes
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional radios with fixed frequency bands are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to changing spectrum regulations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically reconfigurable radio system where software updates can change operating parameters, supported frequencies, and communication protocols, allowing the device to adapt to new spectrum regulations without hardware modifications or recalls
Solution Approach 2:
The universal architecture supports multiple frequency bands and communication modes within a single device, providing future-proof adaptability to regulatory changes while maintaining straightforward manufacturing of the base hardware platform
3Productivity
If ultra-narrowband channels (5 kHz) are used in the 220-222 MHz range, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to specialty components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses software-defined filtering and signal processing to achieve ultra-narrowband (5 kHz) channel operation, replacing specialty hardware filters with programmable digital signal processing that maintains spectrum efficiency while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical specialty filters and analog signal processing components with software-based filtering and digital signal processing, eliminating the need for complex hardware while achieving the required 5 kHz channel bandwidth efficiency
4Reliability
If stop bands are left unused due to limited bandwidth, then communication quality is maintained, but spectrum utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables communication across previously unused stop bands by implementing a universal radio platform that can operate in various frequency ranges including guard bands, thereby utilizing otherwise wasted spectrum resources while maintaining communication quality through adaptive signal processing
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods are described herein for communicating data using an adjustable software defined radio. In one aspect, an ultra-narrowband communication device may include a radio frequency (RF) element and a computing element communicatively coupled to the RF element. The computing element, which may include at least one processor and memory, may define a software defined radio. The memory of the computing element may store instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, configure the communication device to at least one of transmit or receive data over at least two different ultra-narrowband channels using a first communication protocol. The software defined radio may be adjustable to operate at any of a variety of different ultra-narrowband channels responsive to a frequency band selection or allocation.