US-20260128761-A1 - OPEN SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE TACTICAL RADIO INTERFERENCE IMPROVEMENT

US20260128761A1US 20260128761 A1US20260128761 A1US 20260128761A1US-20260128761-A1

Abstract

A multi-band filtering transceiver includes a multi-band antenna, a transceiver switch, transmission circuitry, receive circuitry, a multiplexer coupled to the transmission circuitry and the receive circuitry. The multiplexer outputs a signal of interest in accordance with an open standard protocol. The receive circuitry includes a bandpass filter coupled to the receiving port of the transceiver switch, a low noise amplifier having an input coupled to the bandpass filter, a band separation circuit coupled to an output of the low noise amplifier. The band separation circuit is operative to output a full spectrum signal corresponding to the entire frequency band and a first sub-band signal corresponding to a first portion of the entire frequency band. A full band circuit to receive the full spectrum signal and a first sub-band circuit first sub-band signal. The full spectrum signal and the first sub-band signal are simultaneously transmitted to the multiplexer for downstream processing.

Inventors

Jeffrey D. Grundmeyer
John V. Thommana

Assignees

ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241104

Claims (20)

1 . A multi-band filtering transceiver comprising: a multi-band antenna; a transceiver switch having a first end coupled to the multi-band antenna, a transmission port, and a receiving port; transmission circuitry coupled to the transmission port; receive circuitry operative to receive an entire frequency band, coupled to the receiving port, the receive circuitry including, a bandpass filter coupled to the receiving port of the transceiver switch, a low noise amplifier having an input coupled to the bandpass filter, a band separation circuit coupled to an output of the low noise amplifier, operative to output a full spectrum signal corresponding to the entire frequency band and a first sub-band signal corresponding to a first portion the entire frequency band, a full band circuit, coupled to the band separation circuit, operative to receive the full spectrum signal, and a first sub-band circuit, coupled to the band separation circuit, operative to receive the first sub-band signal; and a multiplexer coupled to the transmission circuitry and the receive circuitry, operative to output a signal of interest in accordance with an open standard protocol.
2 . The multi-band filtering transceiver of claim 1 , wherein the band separation circuit is a replicating splitter filter having a first output to provide the full spectrum signal and a second output to provide the first sub-band signal.
3 . The multi-band filtering transceiver of claim 2 , the first sub-band circuit comprising: a bandpass filter coupled to the band separation circuit, operative to pass the first sub-band signal; an automatic gain control circuit coupled to the bandpass filter, operative to amplify the first sub-band signal; and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the automatic gain control circuit and the multiplexer.
4 . The multi-band filtering transceiver of claim 1 , the bandpass separation circuit further comprising: a diplexer coupled to the low noise amplifier, operative to output the first portion of the entire frequency band and a second portion of the entire frequency band; a first replicating splitter, coupled to the diplexer, having a first output to provide the first sub-band signal and a second output to provide a signal at a frequency within the first portion; and a second replicating splitter coupled to the diplexer, having a first output to provide a second sub-band signal at the second portion and a second output to provide a signal at a frequency within the second portion.
5 . The multi-band filtering transceiver of claim 2 , comprising: the first sub-band circuit including, a first bandpass filter coupled to the band separation circuit, operative to pass the first sub-band signal, a first automatic gain control circuit coupled to the bandpass filter, operative to amplify the first sub-band signal, and a first analog-to-digital converter coupled to the automatic gain control circuit and the multiplexer; and a second sub-band circuit including, a second bandpass filter coupled to the bandpass separation circuit, operative to pass the second sub-band signal, a second automatic gain control circuit coupled to the second bandpass filter, operative to amplify the second sub-band signal, and a second analog-to-digital converter coupled to the second automatic gain control circuit and the multiplexer.
6 . The multi-band filtering transceiver of claim 5 , wherein the multi-band antenna is a tri-band antenna that enables four simultaneous communication bands.
7 . The multi-band filtering transceiver of claim 6 , wherein the four simultaneous communication bands are VHF (30-174 MHz), UHF (225-450 MHz or 470-941 MHz), L-Band (1250-1850 MHz), S-Band (2050-2700 MHz).
8 . The multi-band filtering transceiver of claim 5 , wherein the first sub-band range is the L-Band and the second sub-band range is the S-Band.
9 . The multi-band filtering transceiver of claim 1 wherein the open standard protocol is selected from a group consisting of VITA 49.2 and MORA 2.5.
10 . A co-sited transceiver system comprising: N transceivers, wherein N>1, at least one of the N transceivers including, a multi-band antenna; a transceiver switch having a first end coupled to the multi-band antenna, a transmission port, and a receiving port; transmission circuitry coupled to the transmission port; receive circuitry operative to receive an entire frequency band, coupled to the receiving port, the receive circuitry including, a bandpass filter coupled to the receiving port of the transceiver switch, a low noise amplifier having an input coupled to the bandpass filter, a band separation circuit coupled to an output of the low noise amplifier, operative to output a full spectrum signal corresponding to the entire frequency band and a first sub-band signal corresponding to a first portion the entire frequency band, a full band circuit, coupled to the band separation circuit, operative to receive the full spectrum signal, and a first sub-band circuit, coupled to the band separation circuit, operative to receive the first sub-band signal; a multiplexer coupled to the transmission circuitry and the receive circuitry, operative to output a signal of interest in accordance with an open standard protocol; a switch coupled to the multiplexer, operative to switch between transmission circuitry and receive circuitry; and a multi-function processor coupled to the switch, the full band circuit, and the first sub-band circuit, operative to alter signal strength of the full spectrum signal and the first sub-band signal.
11 . The co-sited antenna system of claim 10 , wherein the band separation circuit is a replicating splitter filter having a first output to provide the full spectrum signal and a second output to provide the first sub-band signal.
12 . The co-sited antenna system of claim 10 , the first sub-band circuit comprising: a bandpass filter coupled to the band separation circuit, operative to pass the first sub-band signal; an automatic gain control circuit coupled to the bandpass filter, operative to amplify the first sub-band signal; and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the automatic gain control circuit and the multiplexer.
13 . The co-sited antenna system of claim 12 , the bandpass separation circuit further comprising: a diplexer coupled to the low noise amplifier, operative to output the first portion of the entire frequency band and a second portion of the entire frequency band; a first replicating splitter, coupled to the diplexer, having a first output to provide the first sub-band signal and a second output to provide a signal at a frequency within the first portion; and a second replicating splitter coupled to the diplexer, having a first output to provide a second sub-band signal at the second portion and a second output to provide a signal at a frequency within the second portion.
14 . The co-sited antenna system of claim 13 , comprising: the first sub-band circuit including, a first bandpass filter coupled to the band separation circuit, operative to pass the first sub-band signal, a first automatic gain control circuit coupled to the bandpass filter, operative to amplify the first sub-band signal, and a first analog-to-digital converter coupled to the automatic gain control circuit and the multiplexer; and a second sub-band circuit including, a second bandpass filter coupled to the bandpass separation circuit, operative to pass the second sub-band signal, a second automatic gain control circuit coupled to the second bandpass filter, operative to amplify the second sub-band signal, and a second analog-to-digital converter coupled to the second automatic gain control circuit and the multiplexer.
15 . The co-sited antenna system of claim 10 , wherein the multi-band antenna is a tri-band antenna that enables four simultaneous communication bands, wherein the four simultaneous band are VHF (30-174 MHz), UHF (225-450 MHz or 470-941 MHz), L-Band (1250-1850 MHz), S-Band (2050-2700 MHz).
16 . The co-sited antenna system of claim 15 , wherein the first sub-band range is the L-Band and the second sub-band range is the S-Band.
17 . A receiving method for a transceiver comprising: receiving a full band signal corresponding to an entire frequency band; separating the full band signal to provide a full spectrum signal corresponding to the entire frequency band and a first sub-band signal corresponding to a first portion the entire frequency band; and simultaneously transmitting the full spectrum signal and the first sub-band signal to a multi-function processor; wherein the transceiver is operative to output a signal of interest in accordance with an open standard protocol.
18 . The receiving method for a transceiver of claim 17 , separating the full band signal comprising: producing the first portion band signal that corresponds to a first portion of the entire frequency band; producing the first sub-band signal that corresponds to a band within the first portion of the frequency band; simultaneously transmitting the first portion band signal and the first sub-band signal; producing a second portion band signal that corresponds to a second portion of the entire frequency band; producing the second sub-band signal that corresponds to a band within the second portion of the frequency band; and simultaneously transmitting the second portion band signal and the second sub-band signal.
19 . The receiving method for a transceiver of claim 18 , wherein: the multi-band antenna is a tri-band antenna that enables four simultaneous communication bands; and the four simultaneous communication bands are VHF (30-174 MHz), UHF (225-450 MHz or 470-941 MHz), L-Band (1250-1850 MHz), S-Band (2050-2700 MHz).
20 . The receiving method for a transceiver of claim 19 , wherein the first sub-band range is the L-Band and the second sub-band range is the S-Band.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The subject matter disclosed herein relates to radio communication and, in particular, to cosited antenna communication. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wideband receivers used in Open Systems Architecture (OSA) Multi-functional Apertures (MFA) for tactical radio waveforms provide tremendous flexibility to operate different waveforms and multiple channels simultaneously in comparison to traditional narrowband receivers in legacy radios. However, they lack the same receiver selectivity performance that legacy receivers have in hardware implementations such as superheterodyne receiver designs. The receiver performance is restricted by the dynamic range of currently available analog to digital converter devices. This issue severely limits the MFA from operating at full sensitivity when operating in a dense cosite environment such as multiple channels operating on a single vehicle or aircraft. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure is directed, in a first aspect, to a multi-band filtering transceiver that includes a multi-band antenna, a transceiver switch, transmission circuitry, receive circuitry, a multiplexer coupled to the transmission circuitry and the receive circuitry, operative to output a signal of interest in accordance with an open standard protocol. In particular, the receive circuitry is coupled to the transceiver switch and is operative to receive an entire frequency band. The receive circuitry includes a bandpass filter coupled to the receiving port of the transceiver switch, a low noise amplifier having an input coupled to the bandpass filter, a band separation circuit coupled to an output of the low noise amplifier. The band separation circuit is operative to output a full spectrum signal corresponding to the entire frequency band and a first sub-band signal corresponding to a first portion the entire frequency band. A full band circuit to receive the full spectrum signal and a first sub-band circuit first sub-band signal. The full spectrum signal and the first sub-band signal are simultaneously transmitted to the multiplexer for downstream processing. In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a cosited transceiver system having N transceivers, wherein N>1. At least one of the N transceivers includes a multi-band antenna, a transceiver switch, transmission circuitry, receive circuitry, a multiplexer coupled to the transmission circuitry and the receive circuitry, operative to output a signal of interest in accordance with an open standard protocol. In particular, the receive circuitry is coupled to the transceiver switch and is operative to receive an entire frequency band. The receive circuitry includes a bandpass filter coupled to the receiving port of the transceiver switch, a low noise amplifier having an input coupled to the bandpass filter, a band separation circuit coupled to an output of the low noise amplifier. The band separation circuit is operative to output a full spectrum signal corresponding to the entire frequency band and a first sub-band signal corresponding to a first portion of the entire frequency band. A full band circuit to receive the full spectrum signal and a first sub-band circuit first sub-band signal. The full spectrum signal and the first sub-band signal are simultaneously transmitted to the multiplexer for downstream processing. In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a receiving method for a transceiver. A full band signal corresponding to an entire frequency band received by the transceiver. Next, the full band signal is separated to provide a full spectrum signal corresponding to the entire frequency band and a first sub-band signal corresponding to a first portion of the entire frequency band. Next, the full spectrum signal and the first sub-band signal are simultaneously transmitted. In accordance with an open standard protocol, a signal of interest is produced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES The features of the disclosure believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The disclosure itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, can best be understood by reference to the description of the preferred embodiment(s) which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates the antennas available on a fighting vehicle according to the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 2 illustrates the isolation between the four antennas as seen by the radio according to the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 3 illustrates a VHF direct sampling MFA in the presence of a large interfering signal according to the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 4 illustrates when the MFA of FIG. 3 encounters a strong nearby signal that is present in-band according to the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 5 illustrates an MFA solution opera