GNSS SUPERBAND ASIC WITH SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-FREQUENCY DOWN CONVERSION
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An integrated circuit (IC) for simultaneously down converting global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals in first and second signal frequency bands, which circuit comprises:
- first and second signal paths receiving GNSS signals corresponding to the first and second signal frequency bands respectively;
a common local oscillator/synthesizer (LO/Synth) connected to and driving each of said signal paths;
the LO/Synth including a common programmable divider providing a sample clock signal to each of said signal paths and adapted for simultaneously down converting said signals to a lower intermediate frequency (IF); and
first and second analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) each connected to said common programmable divider, each said ADC receiving a down-converted signal as an input and providing a digital signal as an output.
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Abstract
A multi-frequency down converter includes first and second signal paths. A common local oscillator/synthesizer drives both of the signal paths. Exemplary applications include GNSS systems operating across superbands. The down converter is adapted for use in a GNSS receiver system.
115 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit (IC) for simultaneously down converting global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals in first and second signal frequency bands, which circuit comprises:
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first and second signal paths receiving GNSS signals corresponding to the first and second signal frequency bands respectively; a common local oscillator/synthesizer (LO/Synth) connected to and driving each of said signal paths; the LO/Synth including a common programmable divider providing a sample clock signal to each of said signal paths and adapted for simultaneously down converting said signals to a lower intermediate frequency (IF); and first and second analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) each connected to said common programmable divider, each said ADC receiving a down-converted signal as an input and providing a digital signal as an output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A GNSS receiver system for multiple frequencies, which system includes:
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an integrated circuit (IC) for simultaneously down converting GNSS signals in first and second signal frequency bands; first and second signal paths receiving GNSS signals corresponding to the first and second signal frequency bands respectively; a common LO/Synth in said IC and connected to and driving each of said signal paths; the LO/Synth including a common programmable divider providing a sample clock signal to each of said signal paths and adapted for simultaneously down converting said signals to a lower IF; first and second ADCs in said IC and each connected to said common programmable divider, each said ADC receiving a down-converted signal as an input and providing a digital signal as an output; said IC adapted for connections with elements external to said IC; first and second LNAs located in said IC within said first and second signal paths respectively and each electrically connected to a respective multiplexer output; first and second first stage BPFs connected to said first and second signal paths respectively; first and second second stage BPFs connected to said first and second signal paths respectively; said first stage BPFs being connected to said first and second LNAs respectively; a serial peripheral programming interface (SPI) adapted for connection to a device located externally to said IC and adapted for controlling said SPI; and said frequency dividers in the IC being externally programmable via the SPI. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A GNSS receiver system for multiple frequencies, which system includes:
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an integrated circuit (IC) for simultaneously down converting GNSS signals in first and second signal frequency bands; first and second signal paths receiving GNSS signals corresponding to the first and second signal frequency bands respectively; a common LO/Synth in said IC and connected to and driving each of said signal paths; the LO/Synth including a common programmable divider providing a sample clock signal to each of said signal paths and adapted for simultaneously down converting said signals to a lower IF; first and second ADCs in said IC and each connected to said common programmable divider, each said ADC receiving a down-converted signal as an input and providing a digital signal as an output; said IC adapted for connections with elements external to said IC; first and second LNAs located in said IC within said first and second signal paths respectively and each electrically connected to a respective multiplexer output; first and second first stage BPFs connected to said first and second signal paths respectively; said first stage BPFs being connected to said first and second LNAs respectively; said first stage BPFs and said second stage BPFs being electrically connected to said first and second mixers respectively; a serial peripheral programming interface (SPI) adapted for connection to a device located externally to said IC and adapted for controlling said SPI; said frequency dividers in the IC being externally programmable via the SPI; matching components external to said IC connected to the RF input of said IC adapted for external connections, said external matching components adapted for matching signals to respective super bands; each said signal frequency band comprises a super band of frequencies associated with multiple GNSSs; said GNSSs are chosen from among the group comprising;
SBAS, GPS, GLONASS and Galileo;first and second mixers located within said first and second signal paths respectively and electrically connected to said first and second BPFs and said LO/Synth respectively; said first and second BPFs comprising first stage BPFs; a first second stage BPF and a second second stage BPF in said first and second signal paths respectively and electrically connected to said first and second mixers respectively; first and second VGAs in said first and second signal paths respectively and electrically connected to said second stage BPFs; first and second ADCs in said first and second signal paths respectively and electrically connected to said first and second VGAs respectively; each of said first and second ADCs receiving an analog signal input from a respective VGA and providing a digital signal output; each said LO/Synth, said SPI, said mixers, said VGAs and said ADCs being collectively contained in said IC; said BPFs being located externally to said IC; said sample clock signal supporting IF subsampling of the analog IF signals in said first and second signal paths; said sample clock signal being generated by dividing the LO/Synth output by an integer; an active antenna providing output to said IC; said IC providing input to a correlator application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); and a GNSS solution processor connected to and receiving output from said correlator ASIC.
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Specification