UWB Emitter H-Bridge Architecture for Low Energy Consumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing UWB emitters face challenges with high energy consumption, complex architecture, and unpredictable spectral control due to parasitic capacitances and the need for multiple reference voltages, limiting their reconfigurability and compliance with spectral masks.

Innovation Solution

A UWB emitter architecture based on an 'H'-bridge structure with integrated baseband control of pulse envelope shape and amplitude, using separate control modules for envelope and amplitude control, operating at different frequency bands to reduce energy consumption and improve spectral purity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If digital buffers are used to amplify and shape UWB pulses at central frequency, then pulse generation capability is improved, but energy consumption increases and parasitic capacitances distort the waveform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulse generation capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the digital buffer-based mechanical/electronic system with an H-bridge architecture that uses analog switching. The H-bridge employs four switches arranged in two parallel branches that alternately connect to the antenna, eliminating the need for digital buffers and their associated parasitic capacitances. This substitution reduces energy consumption while maintaining pulse generation capability through analog control of the switching elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the pulse generation process into two independent control dimensions: envelope shape control through baseband signals and amplitude control through separate modulation. The H-bridge is divided into two parallel branches with independent switching control, allowing separate optimization of pulse shaping and amplitude modulation without the interference of digital buffer parasitics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If digital buffers are used for pulse amplification, then pulse generation is improved, but spectral control becomes unpredictable due to parasitic variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulse generation capabilityVSAvoidspectral control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces digital buffer amplification with H-bridge analog switching that directly controls the antenna impedance. By using ideal switches with minimal parasitic capacitance in the H-bridge configuration, the system eliminates the source of spectral distortion. The baseband-controlled switching enables precise control of the pulse envelope shape without introducing parasitic variations that would distort the spectrum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple reference voltages are used for amplitude control, then reconfigurability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereconfigurabilityVSAvoidarchitecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic amplitude control by modulating the switching characteristics of the H-bridge elements rather than using multiple fixed reference voltages. The baseband control signals dynamically adjust the envelope shape and amplitude of the pulses in real-time, providing reconfigurability without requiring multiple discrete reference voltage levels. This dynamic approach reduces architectural complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If H-bridge architecture is used with baseband control, then energy consumption is reduced, but control precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control function into two independent modules: envelope shape control through baseband signals and amplitude control through separate modulation. This segmentation allows each control dimension to be optimized independently, reducing the overall control precision requirements compared to a unified control system. The H-bridge switches respond to these separate control signals with minimal interaction, maintaining low energy consumption while achieving precise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12136943B2Very-low-consumption reconfigurable-waveform compact UWB emitter

Publication Date: 2024.11.05 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

AI summary

A UWB pulse emitter includes an H-bridge having first and second branches in parallel, a first end common to the branches being connected to a first amplitude control module to regulate a high voltage, a second end common to the branches being connected to a second amplitude control module to regulate a low voltage. A first envelope control module controls the shape of the positive portion of a UWB pulse and a second envelope control module controls the shape of the negative portion of this pulse. Each branch comprises first and second switches for respectively switching the high voltage to a first or second input of the first envelope control module and the low voltage to a first or second output of the second envelope control module. Centre taps of the branches, between which the UWB antenna is connected, connect the outputs and the inputs of the control modules.