Wideband Receiver Downconversion Switching Under Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wideband receivers face a tradeoff between performance and power consumption due to the use of multiple downconversion paths, which may not be necessary when interference levels are low, leading to inefficient power usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an interferer detection block and path selection logic to dynamically switch between one or more downconversion paths based on detected interference levels, enabling multiple paths only when interference exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple downconversion paths are used in a wideband receiver, then receiver performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between single and multiple downconversion paths based on real-time interferer detection. The receiver transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one where the number of active downconversion paths changes according to interference conditions, resolving the contradiction by activating multiple paths only when necessary for performance while conserving power during low-interference periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the receiver (number of active downconversion paths) based on detected interference levels. When interferers exceed a threshold, the receiver switches to multiple downconversion paths to improve performance; when interference is low, it switches to a single path to reduce power consumption, thus adapting the system parameters to environmental conditions
2Device complexity
If multiple downconversion paths are used, then channel filter and rejection requirements are eased, but power consumption increases unnecessarily when interference is low
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver dynamically adjusts the number of active downconversion paths based on real-time interferer detection. When interference levels are high, multiple paths are activated to ease filter requirements and improve rejection; when interference is low, the system switches to a single path to avoid unnecessary power consumption, making the system adaptive to environmental conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Optimizes the tradeoff between receiver performance and power consumption by selectively enabling downconversion paths, reducing unnecessary power consumption when interference is low.
Implementation Method 1
the wideband receiver may utilize more than one downconversion path by mixing a received radio-frequency (RF) signal with a plurality of local oscillators (LO's) each having a distinct LO frequency
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for dynamically selecting a number of downconversion paths used in a variety of receiver, wideband receiver architectures, for example, zero-IF or low-IF. In an exemplary embodiment, a first downconversion path is configured to downconvert a signal derived from an RF signal using a first mixing frequency. A second downconversion path is further configured to downconvert a signal derived from the RF signal using a second mixing frequency distinct from the first mixing frequency. The second downconversion path may be selectively enabled or disabled based on a detected level of an interferer in the frequency spectrum. For example, if the interferer level is less than a predetermined threshold, a fewer number of downconversion paths, for example, one path, may be enabled. If the interferer level is greater than a predetermined threshold, then a greater number of downconversion paths, for example, two or more paths, may be enabled.