GNSS SUPERBAND ASIC AND METHOD WITH SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-FREQUENCY DOWN CONVERSION

• US 20130176171A1
• Filed: 07/10/2012
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hemisphere GNSS(USA) Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hemisphere GNSS(USA) Incorporated
• Inventors: Webber, Mark R., Badke, Bradley P., Feller, Walter J., Miller, Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US13/545,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20130176171A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.76
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/32 Multimode operation in a single same satellite system, e.g. GPS L1/L2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/33 Multimode operation in different systems which transmit time stamped messages, e.g. GPS/GLONASS
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 relating to the receiver frond end
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/37 Hardware or software details of the signal processing chain

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.

Claims

1. A method of simultaneously down-diverting global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals in multiple frequency bands, which method comprises the steps of:

providing an integrated circuit (IC) with multiple signal paths;

receiving GNSS signals corresponding to said frequency bands;

providing a common local oscillator/synthesizer (LO/Synth);

driving each of said signal paths with said LO/Synth;

receiving in said signal paths GNSS signals corresponding to said frequency bands associated with said signal paths respectively;

providing said LO/Synth with a common programmable divider;

simultaneously down-converting said signals to lower intermediate frequencies (IF) with said programmable divider;

providing a multiplexer with multiple out puts and located externally to said IC;

connecting each said signal path to and receiving input from said multiplexer;

providing multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and connecting each to said programmable divider;

each said ADC receiving a down-converted signal as an input and providing a digital signal as an output;

providing multiple low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) in said signal paths;

electrically connecting each said LNA to a respective multiplexer output;

providing first and second band pass filters located externally to said IC; and

connecting each said BPF to a respective LNA.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each said signal frequency band comprises a superband of frequencies associated with multiple GNSSs.

3. The method of claim 2, which includes the additional steps of:

providing multiple mixers;

electrically connecting each said mixer to said LO/Synth in a respective signal path; and

connecting each said mixer to a respective BPF.