Vehicle Radio Antenna Multiplexing for Single-Cable Reception

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle radio signal reception systems require multiple antennas and cables, leading to increased cost and weight due to the need for separate connections for each antenna, which complicates the system and increases complexity.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising an antenna farm unit with multiple antennas and amplifiers, a multiplexer or RF switch to combine signals, and a radio unit with tuners and a demultiplexer, all connected via a single transmission line, allowing for the reception of AM/FM and satellite radio signals with reduced cabling and improved efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are used to receive different radio signals, then the system can receive multiple types of radio signals (AM/FM, satellite radio), but the number of cables increases, leading to increased system weight and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to receive multiple types of radio signalsVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple antenna signals (AM/FM and satellite radio) into a single transmission line using a multiplexer. The multiplexer merges the output ports of multiple amplifiers connected to different antennas into one common transmission line, eliminating the need for separate cables for each antenna type. This directly reduces system weight while maintaining the ability to receive multiple radio signal types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission line is designed to serve multiple functions by carrying signals from different antenna types through a single cable. The system makes the transmission line universal by enabling it to handle both AM/FM and satellite radio signals simultaneously through frequency-division multiplexing, reducing the need for dedicated cables for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are used to receive different radio signals, then the system can receive multiple types of radio signals (AM/FM, satellite radio), but the number of cables increases, leading to increased system cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to receive multiple types of radio signalsVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple antenna signals (AM/FM and satellite radio) into a single transmission line using a multiplexer. The multiplexer merges the output ports of multiple amplifiers connected to different antennas into one common transmission line, eliminating the need for separate cables for each antenna type. This directly reduces system weight while maintaining the ability to receive multiple radio signal types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission line is designed to serve multiple functions by carrying signals from different antenna types through a single cable. The system makes the transmission line universal by enabling it to handle both AM/FM and satellite radio signals simultaneously through frequency-division multiplexing, reducing the need for dedicated cables for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If multiple cables are used to connect each antenna to the radio unit, then each antenna can be connected independently, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent antenna connectionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a multiplexer as an intermediary device between the antennas and the transmission line. The multiplexer acts as a mediator that combines multiple independent antenna connections into a single unified interface, reducing system complexity while preserving the independence of each antenna connection through its separate amplifier and input port.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12119855B2Single-cable radio antenna system for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A system for receiving radio signals for a vehicle includes an antenna farm unit including a plurality of antennas, a plurality of amplifiers, each of the plurality of amplifiers in electrical communication with one of the plurality of antennas, and a multiplexer in electrical communication with the output port of each of the plurality of amplifiers. The system also includes a radio unit including a plurality of tuners and a demultiplexer in electrical communication with the plurality of tuners. The system also includes a transmission line for connecting the antenna farm unit to the radio unit, where the transmission line has a first terminal and a second terminal, and where the first terminal of the transmission line is electrically connected to the multiplexer and the second terminal of the transmission line is electrically connected to the demultiplexer.