Vector Signal Analyzer Concurrent Spectrum and Demodulation Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vector signal analyzers can only perform either spectrum analysis or signal demodulation and analysis at a time due to a single receiver, requiring multiple instruments and devices to observe both spectrum conditions and signal quality, leading to inconvenience and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A vector signal analyzer with a radio frequency front end splitting module to split received signals into two, enabling concurrent spectrum analysis and signal demodulation and analysis through multiple radio frequency/microwave processing and analog-to-digital conversion sub-modules, using a shared clock source for synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single receiver is used in the vector signal analyzer, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates because only one function (spectrum analysis or signal demodulation) can be performed at a time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcurrent measurement capabilityVSAvoidreceiver structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is segmented into two independent functional paths: a spectrum analysis path and a signal demodulation path. Each path has its own signal processing chain, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously on the same input signal without interfering with each other, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The single receiver is designed to perform multiple functions concurrently by incorporating both spectrum analysis capability and signal demodulation capability within the same device. This multi-functionality allows the receiver to simultaneously measure spectrum conditions and analyze signal quality, eliminating the need for separate instruments.

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

2Ease of operation

If only one receiver is provided, then the device complexity is lowered, but the ease of operation deteriorates because spectrum measurement and signal demodulation must be performed sequentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcurrent operation capabilityVSAvoidsignal processing architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal processing architecture is segmented into distinct parallel paths for spectrum analysis and signal demodulation. This segmentation allows both operations to be performed simultaneously on the same input signal, improving ease of operation by enabling concurrent measurements without requiring complex time-division multiplexing or sequential switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If multiple instruments are used to perform both spectrum analysis and signal demodulation, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal analysis accuracyVSAvoidtest environment configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of a spectrum analyzer and a signal demodulator into a single integrated receiver. By combining these previously separate instruments into one unified device, the patent maintains high measurement precision for both spectrum analysis and signal demodulation while reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for multiple separate instruments and auxiliary devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver is designed as a universal instrument that can perform both spectrum analysis and signal demodulation functions with high precision. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized instruments, reducing the overall complexity of the test environment while maintaining the measurement accuracy of each individual function.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2782271B1Vector signal analyzer
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP2782271B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2782271B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed in the present invention is a vector signal analyzer, which relates to communication technology. The vector signal analyzer comprises: a radio frequency front end splitting module, for splitting the received signals to at least two signals; an analog signal processing module, for performing radio frequency/micro wave processing and analog-digital conversion for each signal separately; a digital signal processing module, for performing spectrum analyze and signal demodulation analyze separately for each digital signals, which are outputted from the analog signal processing module. With the present invention, the received signals are divided into at least two signals by the radio frequency front end splitting module, and radio frequency/micro wave processing and analog-digital conversion are performed for each signal separately, then spectrum analyze and signal demodulation analyze are performed by digital signal processing module separately for each signal, thereby spectrum measurement function and signal demodulation analyze function are realized simultaneity, and the synchronization of each of analyze results gets better, so that it is convenient to compare and analyze by operators.