Abstract:
An RF receiver 100 includes a variable gain device in the form of a low noise amplifier 105 for receiving an input RF signal, mixers 107/109 and baseband channels 115/117 which include analogue to digital converters 128 and 138. The receiver includes off-channel signal detectors 103 and 106 and an AGC controller 141. Operation of the AGC loop 130 is characterized (fig.2) in that the off-channel detector detects (i) a first condition when an off-channel signal has a level not less than a first detection threshold, and (ii) a second condition in which, during operation of the AGC loop, an off-channel signal has been attenuated by the variable gain device to a level not greater than a second detection threshold; wherein, on receiving indication (i) the AGC controller activates the loop using a set AGC threshold, and, on receiving indication (ii) the controller dynamically adjusts the AGC threshold to achieve a wanted level of on-channel signal. Keywords: TETRA, TEDS, adjacent channel, desensitize, IP2, intermodulation
Abstract:
A strong off channel signal can cause compression in the receiver amplifier of a mobile TETRA terminal, thereby distorting on-channel signals and reducing dynamic range. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise figure are reduced because the gain for on-channel signals falls. To counteract these effects the bias current is increased when compression is sensed trough a fall in the bias node voltage VB (figure 2). For example, where the device 101 is an NPN bipolar transistor, a strong RF signal at node 103 leads to a fall in the DC voltage at the base node. The comparator 137, which may have hysteresis, responds to a fall in VB by signalling the current controller 131 to supply more bias current to the amplifying device 101.
Abstract:
A wireless communication device is provided, comprising a microphone and loudspeaker. The device is operable to communicate wirelessly via direct radio link and/or via a base station. The wireless communication device also comprises a reversibly switchable coupling means, in use in a first switching state operably coupling said microphone to said loudspeaker via an amplifier, and in use in a second switching state operably decoupling said microphone from said loudspeaker. This arrangement advantageously combines the functions of a wireless communications device and a megaphone, so reducing the number of items of equipment a user carries.
Abstract:
A remote unit (103) for a cellular radio communication system (100) comprises a receiver (203) which in idle mode monitors for idle mode messages, such as paging messages, transmitted from a base station (101). The remote unit (103) has no information of when idle mode messages specifically addressed to the remote unit (103) are transmitted within the idle mode message channel. The receiver (203) is coupled to a redundancy characteristic processor (205) which determines a redundancy characteristic associated with a downlink idle mode message operation. The redundancy characteristic may for example be an indication of a number of times a given idle mode message is repeated by the base station (101). The remote unit (103) further comprises an idle mode controller (207) which is operable to switch between a plurality of idle operation modes in response to the redundancy characteristic. The idle operation modes include a reduced operation idle mode which preferably includes powering down the receiver (203) when repeat idle mode messages may be transmitted.
Abstract:
An RF receiver (100) includes a variable gain device (105) for receiving an input RF signal, a mixer (107) for converting a signal produced by the variable gain device to a baseband signal, a baseband receiver channel (115) for processing the baseband signal, an AGC loop (130) coupled from the baseband channel to the variable gain device to provide AGC of the variable gain device, an AGC controller (141) to select an AGC threshold for use in the AGC loop, and an off-channel detector arrangement (103, 106) coupled to the AGC controller for detecting and indicating to the AGC controller: (i) a first condition when an off-channel signal has a level not less than a first detection threshold; and (ii) a second condition which during operation of the AGC loop is reached when an off-channel signal has been attenuated by the variable gain device to a level not greater than a second detection threshold, the AGC controller being operable upon receiving indication of the first condition to activate the AGC loop using a set AGC threshold and upon receiving indication of the second condition to dynamically adjust the AGC threshold to give a wanted level of a wanted on-channel signal.