Coherent UWB Receiver Passive Filter Correlator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultra-wideband receivers face challenges in reliably identifying incoming ultra-wideband pulses due to high hardware and calculation requirements, particularly in coherent receivers that need to determine cross-correlation values over time without prior knowledge of pulse positions, and non-coherent receivers that are less efficient.

Innovation Solution

A coherent ultra-wideband receiver design utilizing a passive filter as a correlator, which filters the received signal using only passive components to generate a cross-correlation signal as a function of time, eliminating the need for stored pattern pulses and complex calculations, and allowing continuous correlation determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an analog cross-correlator is used to determine cross-correlation values, then pulse detection accuracy is improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple independent circuit copies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse detection accuracyVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single analog cross-correlator circuit that can detect pulses at any time position within a frame period. Instead of requiring multiple independent circuit copies for different time positions, one universal circuit processes all possible pulse positions by continuously correlating the received signal with the pattern pulse, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity by making the analog cross-correlator operate continuously throughout the entire frame period rather than only at specific discrete time positions. The correlator continuously multiplies the received signal with the pattern pulse and integrates the product, generating cross-correlation values for all possible pulse positions in sequence, which enables detection of pulses arriving at any time without requiring multiple circuits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a digital correlator is used to determine cross-correlation values, then pulse detection flexibility is improved, but circuit complexity and sampling rate requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse position detection flexibilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the digital correlator system with an analog cross-correlator that uses continuous analog signal processing. Instead of digitizing the signal and performing discrete mathematical operations, the analog system uses continuous multiplication and integration of analog signals, thereby reducing circuit complexity and sampling rate requirements while maintaining the ability to detect pulses at any position through continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent circuit copies are used to detect pulses at different times, then detection coverage is improved, but hardware resources and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection time rangeVSAvoidhardware resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single analog cross-correlator circuit that can detect pulses at any time position within a frame period. Instead of requiring multiple independent circuit copies for different time positions, one universal circuit processes all possible pulse positions by continuously correlating the received signal with the pattern pulse, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple time-specific detection circuits into a single continuous cross-correlator. By combining the detection capability for all possible pulse positions into one unified circuit that operates continuously, the system reduces the total quantity of hardware resources required while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage across the entire frame period

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2992615B1Receiver, arrangement, and method for ultra-broadband transmission
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 IHP GMBH INNOVATIONS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE MICROELECTRONICS LEIBNIZ INSTITUT FÜR INNOVATIVE MIKROELEKTRONIK
  • EP2992615B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2992615B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP2992615B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a coherent ultra-broadband receiver for detecting ultra-broadband pulses in a received ultra-broadband signal, comprising the following: - a receiving unit which is designed to receive an ultra-broadband signal with a frequency bandwidth of at least 1 GHz via an air interface and convert said signal into a received signal; - a correlator in the form of a passive filter to which the received signal is fed and which is designed to filter the received signal using only passive components and to output the signal at the correlator output as a correspondingly filtered received signal, wherein the passive filter has a pulse response that has a) a Fourier transform with a squared quantity which does not exceed a specified spectral mask, in particular a spectral mask in accordance with FCC or ECC standards, as a function of the frequency, and b) a time-inverted pulse response which defines an ultra-broadband pulse shape that can be detected by the ultra-broadband receiver, - whereby the passive filter is designed to generate and output a cross-correlation signal as the filtered received signal as a function of time relative to a reference instant, said cross-correlation signal corresponding to a cross-correlation of the received signal with the detectable shape of the ultra-broadband pulse.