Integrated multi-tuner satellite receiver architecture and associated method
First Claim
1. A method for tuning multiple channels with multi-tuner satellite receiver circuitry on a single integrated circuit, comprising:
- providing at least two tuners on a single integrated circuit comprising first receiver circuitry and second receiver circuitry, the first and second receiver circuitry configured to operate at the same time;
with the first receiver circuitry,receiving a first satellite signal spectrum including a plurality of transponder channels within a frequency range, each transponder channel including a plurality of program channels;
receiving a selection signal identifying a first transponder channel to be tuned;
mixing the first satellite signal spectrum with a first coarse-tune analog mixing signal to generate a first coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and
digitally processing the first coarsely tuned signal spectrum to fine tune the first desired transponder channel and to produce digital baseband signals representing the first desired transponder channel;
with the second receiver circuitry,receiving a second satellite signal spectrum including a plurality of transponder channels within a frequency range, each transponder channel including a plurality of program channels;
receiving a selection signal identifying a second transponder channel to be tuned;
mixing the second satellite signal spectrum with a second coarse-tune analog mixing signal to generate a second coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and
digitally processing the second coarsely tuned signal spectrum to fine tune the second desired transponder channel and to produce digital baseband signals representing the second desired transponder channel; and
concurrently providing the digital baseband signals for the first desired transponder channel and the digital baseband signals for the second desired transponder channel as outputs from the first and second receiver circuitry,wherein the digital processing step for the first and second receives each comprises using a wide-band analog-to-digital converter to convert the coarsely tuned signal spectrum to digital signals and using a tunable digital filter to tune the desired transponder channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Multi-tuner receiver architectures and associated methods are disclosed that provide initial analog coarse tuning of desired channels within a received signal spectrum, such as transponder channels within a set-top box signal spectrum for satellite communications. These multi-tuner satellite receiver architectures provide significant advantages over prior direct down-conversion (DDC) architectures and low intermediate-frequency (IF) architectures, particularly where two tuners are desired on the same integrated circuit. Rather than using a low-IF frequency or directly converting the desired channel frequency to DC, initial coarse tuning provided by analog coarse tuning circuitry allows for a conversion to a frequency range around DC. This coarse tuning circuitry can be implemented, for example, using a large-step local oscillator (LO) that provides a coarse tune analog mixing signal. Once mixed down, the desired channel may then be fine-tuned through digital processing, such as through the use of a wide-band analog-to-digital converter (ADC) or a narrow-band tunable bandpass ADC.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A method for tuning multiple channels with multi-tuner satellite receiver circuitry on a single integrated circuit, comprising:
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providing at least two tuners on a single integrated circuit comprising first receiver circuitry and second receiver circuitry, the first and second receiver circuitry configured to operate at the same time; with the first receiver circuitry, receiving a first satellite signal spectrum including a plurality of transponder channels within a frequency range, each transponder channel including a plurality of program channels; receiving a selection signal identifying a first transponder channel to be tuned; mixing the first satellite signal spectrum with a first coarse-tune analog mixing signal to generate a first coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and digitally processing the first coarsely tuned signal spectrum to fine tune the first desired transponder channel and to produce digital baseband signals representing the first desired transponder channel; with the second receiver circuitry, receiving a second satellite signal spectrum including a plurality of transponder channels within a frequency range, each transponder channel including a plurality of program channels; receiving a selection signal identifying a second transponder channel to be tuned; mixing the second satellite signal spectrum with a second coarse-tune analog mixing signal to generate a second coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and digitally processing the second coarsely tuned signal spectrum to fine tune the second desired transponder channel and to produce digital baseband signals representing the second desired transponder channel; and concurrently providing the digital baseband signals for the first desired transponder channel and the digital baseband signals for the second desired transponder channel as outputs from the first and second receiver circuitry, wherein the digital processing step for the first and second receives each comprises using a wide-band analog-to-digital converter to convert the coarsely tuned signal spectrum to digital signals and using a tunable digital filter to tune the desired transponder channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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5. A method for tuning multiple channels with multi-tuner satellite receiver circuitry on a single integrated circuit, comprising:
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providing at least two tuners on a single integrated circuit comprising first receiver circuitry and second receiver circuitry, the first and second receiver circuitry configured to operate at the same time; with the first receiver circuitry, receiving a first satellite signal spectrum including a plurality of transponder channels within a freciuency range, each transponder channel including a plurality of program channels; receiving a selection signal identifying a first transponder channel to be tuned; mixing the first satellite signal spectrum with a first coarse-tune analog mixing signal to generate a first coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and digitally processing the first coarsely tuned signal spectrum to fine tune the first desired transponder channel and to produce digital baseband signals representing the first desired transponder channel; with the second receiver circuitry. receiving a second satellite signal spectrum including a plurality of transponder channels within a frequency range, each transponder channel including a plurality of program channels; receiving a selection signal identifying a second transponder channel to be tuned; mixing the second satellite signal spectrum with a second coarse-tune analog mixing signal to generate a second coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and digitally processing the second coarsely tuned signal spectrum to fine tune the second desired transponder channel and to produce digital baseband signals representing the second desired transponder channel; and concurrently providing the digital baseband signals for the first desired transponder channel and the digital baseband signals for the second desired transponder channel as outputs from the first and second receiver circuitry; further comprising for each of the first and second receiver circuitry, separating the frequency range of the satellite signal spectrum into a plurality of frequency bins and associating at least one coarse-tune analog mixing signal with each frequency bin; further comprising for each of the first and second receiver circuitry, determining within which bin the desired channel falls and selecting the analog mixing signal associated with that bin; and further comprising sharing the first analog mixing signal if the first and second analog mixing signals will likely interfere with each other. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 11, 12)
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17. A method for tuning multiple channels with multi-tuner satellite receiver circuitry on a single integrated circuit, comprising:
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providing at least two tuners on a single integrated circuit comprising first receiver circuitry and second receiver circuitry, the first and second receiver circuitry configured to operate at the same time; with the first receiver circuitry, receiving a first signal spectrum including a plurality of channels within a frequency range; receiving a selection signal identifying a first channel to be tuned; mixing the first satellite signal spectrum with a first coarse-tune analog mixing signal to generate a first coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and digitally processing the first coarsely tuned signal spectrum to fine tune the first desired channel and to produce digital baseband signals representing the first desired channel; with the second receiver circuitry, receiving a second signal spectrum including a plurality of channels within a frequency range; receiving a selection signal identifying a second channel to be tuned; mixing the second signal spectrum with a second coarse-tune analog mixing signal to generate a second coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and digitally processing the second coarsely tuned signal spectrum to fine tune the second desired channel and to produce digital baseband signals representing the second desired channel; and concurrently providing the digital baseband signals for the first desired channel and the digital baseband signals for the second desired channel as outputs from the first and second receiver circuitry; wherein the digital processing steps for the first and second receivers each comprises using a wide-band analog-to-digital converter to convert the coarsely tuned signal spectrum to digital signals and using a tunable digital filter to tune the desired transponder channel. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28)
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21. A method for tuning multiple channels with multi-tuner satellite receiver circuitry on a single integrated circuit, comprising:
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providing at least two tuners on a single integrated circuit comprising first receiver circuitry and second receiver circuitry, the first and second receiver circuitry configured to operate at the same time; with the first receiver circuitry, receiving a first signal spectrum including a plurality of channels within a freciuency range; receiving a selection signal identifying a first channel to be tuned; mixing the first satellite signal spectrum with a first coarse-tune analog mixing signal to generate a first coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and digitally processing the first coarsely tuned signal spectrum to fine tune the first desired channel and to produce digital baseband signals representing the first desired channel; with the second receiver circuitry, receiving a second signal spectrum including a plurality of channels within a freciuency range; receiving a selection signal identifying a second channel to be tuned; mixing the second signal spectrum with a second coarse-tune analog mixing signal to generate a second coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and digitally processing the second coarsely tuned signal spectrum to fine tune the second desired channel and to produce digital baseband signals representing the second desired channel; and concurrently providing the digital baseband signals for the first desired channel and the digital baseband signals for the second desired channel as outputs from the first and second receiver circuitry; further comprising for each of the first and second receiver circuitry, separating the frequency range of the signal spectrum into a plurality of freciuency bins and associating at least one coarse-tune analog mixing signal with each frequency bin; further comprising for each of the first and second receiver circuitry, determining within which bin the desired channel falls and selecting the analog mixing signal associated with that bin; and further comprising sharing the first analog mixing signal if the first and second analog mixing signals will likely interfere with each other. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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29. A multi-tuner satellite receiver system for tuning multiple channels with multi-tuner satellite receiver circuitry on a single integrated circuit, comprising:
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first receiver circuitry within an integrated circuit, comprising; first local oscillator (LO) circuitry having a first channel selection signal as an input and having a first coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an output, the first output mixing signal being selected from a plurality of predetermined output mixing signals depending upon a first desired transponder channel to be tuned; first analog coarse tune circuitry having the first coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an input and having a first satellite signal spectrum as an input, the first satellite signal spectrum including a plurality of transponder channels within a frequency range, and the first analog coarse tune circuitry being configured to use the first coarse-tune analog mixing signal to output a first coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and first digital fine tune circuitry having the first coarsely tuned signal spectrum as an input and having as an output digital baseband signals for the first desired transponder channel; and second receiver circuitry within the same integrated circuit, comprising; second local oscillator (LO) circuitry having a second channel selection signal as an input and having a second coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an output, the second output mixing signal being selected from a plurality of predetermined output mixing signals depending upon a second desired transponder channel to be tuned; second analog coarse tune circuitry having the second coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an input and having a second satellite signal spectrum as an input, the second satellite signal spectrum including a plurality of transponder channels within a frequency range, and the second analog coarse tune circuitry being configured to use the second coarse-tune analog mixing signal to output a second coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and second digital fine tune circuitry having the second coarsely tuned signal spectrum as an input and having as an output digital baseband signals for the second desired transponder channel; wherein the first and second digital fine tune circuitry each comprises a wide-band analog-to-digital converter having the coarsely tuned signal spectrum as an input and having digital signals as an output, and also comprises a tunable digital filter configured to tune the desired transponder channel. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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33. A multi-tuner satellite receiver system for tuning multiple channels with multi-tuner satellite receiver circuitry on a single integrated circuit, comprising:
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first receiver circuitry within an integrated circuit, comprising; first local oscillator (LO) circuitry having a first channel selection signal as an input and having a first coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an output, the first output mixing signal being selected from a plurality of predetermined output mixing signals depending upon a first desired transponder channel to be tuned; first analog coarse tune circuitry having the first coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an input and having a first satellite signal spectrum as an input, the first satellite signal spectrum including a plurality of transponder channels within a frequency range, and the first analog coarse tune circuitry being configured to use the first coarse-tune analog mixing signal to output a first coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and first digital fine tune circuitry having the first coarsely tuned signal spectrum as an input and having as an output digital baseband signals for the first desired transponder channel; and second receiver circuitry within the same integrated circuit, comprising; second local oscillator (LO) circuitry having a second channel selection signal as an input and having a second coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an output, the second output mixing signal being selected from a plurality of predetermined output mixing signals depending upon a second desired transponder channel to be tuned; second analog coarse tune circuitry having the second coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an input and having a second satellite signal spectrum as an input, the second satellite signal spectrum including a plurality of transponder channels within a frequency range, and the second analog coarse tune circuitry being configured to use the second coarse-tune analog mixing signal to output a second coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and second digital fine tune circuitry having the second coarsely tuned signal spectrum as an input and having as an output digital baseband signals for the second desired transponder channel; wherein for each of the first and second receiver circuitry, the frequency range of the satellite signal spectrum is organized into a plurality of frequency bins and at least one coarse-tune analog mixing signal is associated with each frequency bin; wherein for each of the first and second receiver circuitry, the analog mixing signal selected for output by the LO circuitry is an analog mixing signal associated with the bin within which the desired transponder channel falls; and wherein the first analog mixing signal is shared by the second receiver circuitry if the first and second analog mixing signals will likely interfere with each other. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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45. A multi-tuner receiver system for tuning multiple channels with multi-tuner receiver circuitry on a single integrated circuit, comprising:
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first receiver circuitry within an integrated circuit, comprising; first local oscillator (LO) circuitry having a first channel selection signal as an input and having a first coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an output, the first output mixing signal being selected from a plurality of predetermined output mixing signals depending upon a first desired channel to be tuned; first analog coarse tune circuitry having the first coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an input and having a first signal spectrum as an input, the first signal spectrum including a plurality of channels within a frequency range, and the first analog coarse tune circuitry being configured to use the first coarse-tune analog mixing signal to output a first coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and first digital fine tune circuitry having the first coarsely tuned signal spectrum as an input and having as an output digital baseband signals for the first desired channel; and second receiver circuitry within the same integrated circuit, comprising; second local oscillator (LO) circuitry having a second channel selection signal as an input and having a second coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an output, the second output mixing signal being selected from a plurality of predetermined output mixing signals depending upon a second desired channel to be tuned; second analog coarse tune circuitry having the second coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an input and having a second signal spectrum as an input, the second signal spectrum including a plurality of channels within a frequency range, and the second analog coarse tune circuitry being configured to use the second coarse-tune analog mixing signal to output a second coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and second digital fine tune circuitry having the second coarsely tuned signal spectrum as an input and having as an output digital baseband signals for the second desired channel; wherein the first and second digital fine tune circuitry each comprises a wide-band analog-to-digital converter having the coarsely tuned signal spectrum as an input and having digital signals as an output, and also comprises a tunable digital filter configured to tune the desired channel. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 52)
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49. A multi-tuner receiver system for tuning multiple channels with multi-tuner receiver circuitry on a single integrated circuit, comprising:
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first receiver circuitry within an integrated circuit, comprising; first local oscillator (LO) circuitry having a first channel selection signal as an input and having a first coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an output, the first output mixing signal being selected from a plurality of predetermined output mixing signals depending upon a first desired channel to be tuned; first analog coarse tune circuitry having the first coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an input and having a first signal spectrum as an input, the first signal spectrum including a plurality of channels within a freciuency range, and the first analog coarse tune circuitry being configured to use the first coarse-tune analog mixing signal to output a first coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and first digital fine tune circuitry having the first coarsely tuned signal spectrum as an input and having as an output digital baseband signals for the first desired channel; and second receiver circuitry within the same integrated circuit, comprising; second local oscillator (LO) circuitry having a second channel selection signal as an input and having a second coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an output, the second output mixing signal being selected from a plurality of predetermined output mixing signals depending upon a second desired channel to be tuned; second analog coarse tune circuitry having the second coarse-tune analog mixing signal as an input and having a second signal spectrum as an input, the second signal spectrum including a plurality of channels within a freciuency range, and the second analog coarse tune circuitry being configured to use the second coarse-tune analog mixing signal to output a second coarsely tuned signal spectrum; and second digital fine tune circuitry having the second coarsely tuned signal spectrum as an input and having as an output digital baseband signals for the second desired channel; wherein for each of the first and second receiver circuitry, the freciuency range of the signal spectrum is organized into a plurality of freciuency bins and at least one coarse-tune analog mixing signal is associated with each freciuency bin; wherein for each of the first and second receiver circuitry, the analog mixing signal selected for output by the LO circuitry is an analog mixing signal associated with the bin within which the desired channel falls; and wherein the first analog mixing signal is shared by the second receiver circuitry if the first and second analog mixing signals will likely interfere with each other. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51)
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Specification