KR20070020489A - Apparatus and method for processing signals in a multi-channel receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

Signal processing apparatus 100/200 suitable for performing front-end signal processing in a multi-channel receiving device, such as a multi-channel television signal receiver, uses a cost-effective and scalable architecture. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the signal processing apparatus 100/200 is configured to generate first and second RF signals in response to user channel selections 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45). The first IF generator 50, 60, 70, 80 is operative to generate a first IF signal corresponding to the first RF signal in response to user channel selection. The second IF generators 55, 65, 75, 85 are operative to generate a second IF signal corresponding to the second RF signal in response to user channel selection. The first IF signal exhibits a predetermined frequency relationship with respect to the second IF signal.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING SIGNALS IN A MULTI-CHANNEL RECEIVER}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to signal processing in a multi-channel receiving device, such as a multi-channel television signal receiver, and more particularly to an apparatus for performing signal processing in a multi-channel receiving device using a cost-effective and scalable architecture. And to a method.

Devices such as television signal receivers may be designed to provide one or multiple channel reception capabilities. Through certain applications, one channel reception performance may be sufficient. For example, if cost is a major issue for a particular signal reception application, it may be desirable to provide only one channel reception performance. Alternatively, there may be signal reception applications where multiple channel reception capabilities are required. For example, multiple channel reception capabilities may be desirable, such that multiple broadcast channels may be received simultaneously. This function, for example, allows a consumer to watch one channel at the same time and record another channel.

Current multi-channel receiving devices often have an architecture with a dedicated processing component for each received channel. For example, a particular device may include a dedicated tuner, analog / digital (A / D) converter, demodulator, and / or other components for each received channel. Devices with such an architecture will be expensive to produce, as dedicated components are needed for each received channel and fewer component shares (if any) are used. This relatively expensive production cost, in turn, makes such devices more expensive to consumers.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method for performing signal processing in a multi-channel receiving device, such as a multi-channel television signal receiver that uses a cost-effective and still scalable architecture. The present invention solves these and / or other problems.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a signal processing apparatus is disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, such signal processing apparatus includes an RF signal source for generating first and second RF signals in response to user channel selection. The first IF generating means generates a first IF signal corresponding to the first RF signal in response to the user channel selection. The second IF generating means generates a second IF signal corresponding to the second RF signal in response to the user channel selection. The first IF signal exhibits a predetermined frequency relationship for the second IF signal.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of performing signal processing in a multi-channel receiver is disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises generating first and second RF signals in response to user channel selection and generating a first IF signal corresponding to the first RF signal in response to user channel selection. And generating a second IF signal corresponding to the second RF signal in response to the user channel selection, wherein the first IF signal exhibits a predetermined frequency relationship for the second IF signal.

According to another aspect of the invention, a television signal receiver is disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver includes an RF signal source operative to generate first and second RF signals in response to user channel selection. The first IF generator is operative to generate a first IF signal corresponding to the first RF signal in response to the user channel selection. The second IF generator is operative to generate a second IF signal corresponding to the second RF signal in response to the user channel selection. The first IF signal exhibits a predetermined frequency relationship for the second IF signal.

With reference to the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention and the manner in which these features and advantages are achieved will become more apparent, and Will be better understood.

1 is a block diagram of a signal processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a signal processing device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flow diagram illustrating steps in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The examples set forth herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar elements.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a signal processing apparatus 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The signal processing apparatus 100 may represent the front-end processing circuit of a multi-channel receiving device such as, for example, a multi-channel television signal receiver and / or another device. As shown in FIG. 1, the signal processing device 100 includes a signal splitter 15, an input filter 20 and 25, an automatic gain control (AGC) amplifier 30 and 35, and an output filter 40 and 45. Same radio frequency (RF) signal source, signal mixers 50 and 55, local oscillators (LO) 60 and 65, phase locked loops (PLL) 70 and

75) and intermediate frequency (IF) generating means such as filters / diplexers 80 and 85, signal amplifying means such as amplifier 90, and A / D such as A / D converter 95. Converting means. Although many of these preceding elements of FIG. 1 may be implemented using integrated circuits (ICs), some elements may be included, for example, on one or more ICs. For purposes of clarity, certain conventional elements associated with signal processing apparatus 100, such as specific control signals, power signals, and / or other elements, may not be shown in FIG.

The signal splitter 15 operates to receive a radio frequency (RF) input signal and to divide the received RF signal into a plurality of RF signals, the plurality of RF signals comprising content substantially the same as the received RF input signal. do. According to an exemplary embodiment, the RF input signal received by the signal splitter 15 may include audio, video and / or data content and may be one such as terrestrial, cable, satellite, internet and / or other signal sources. It can be provided from the above signal source.

For purposes of example and description, the signal processing apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 shows an RF input signal that is being split into two RF signals by the signal splitter 15, which two RF signals are in different processing paths. Each is handled separately. In accordance with the present invention, each signal processing path performs signal processing for one channel. In particular, in FIG. 1, the input filter 20, the AGC amplifier 30, the output filter 40, the signal mixer 50, the LO 60, the PLL 70 and the filter / diplexer 80 are removed. A first processing path for performing signal processing for one channel is shown. Similarly, input filter 25, AGC amplifier 35, output filter 45, signal mixer 55, LO 65, PLL 75 and filter / diplexer 85 are connected to the second channel. A second processing path for performing signal processing for the signal is shown. However, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the RF input signal may also be divided into more than two RF signals. As such, the architecture of the signal processing apparatus 100 is scalable and can be modified to include a number of different processing paths corresponding to the number of RF signals provided by the signal divider 15. In this manner, the signal processing apparatus 100 may include N different processing paths to perform signal processing for N channels.

The input filters 20 and 25 operate to filter the RF signal provided from the signal divider 15, thereby generating a first set of filtered RF signals in response to user channel selection. AGC amplifiers 30 and 35 operate to amplify the filtered RF signal provided from input filters 20 and 25 in response to gain control signals RF AGC 1 and RF AGC 2 respectively, thereby generating a gain controlled RF signal. do. Output filters 40 and 45 operate to filter the gain controlled RF signals provided from AGC amplifiers 30 and 35, thereby generating a second set of filtered RF signals in response to user channel selection. In general, the filtering operation of the input filters 20 and 25 and the output filters 40 and 45 separates the signal in response to user channel selection and prevents unwanted signals from interfering with the desired signal within the selected channel (s). prevent. However, depending on the design of the signal processing apparatus 100, the input filters 20 and 25 and the output filters 40 and 45 may be optional elements. In the manner described above, signal divider 15, input filters 20 and 25, AGC amplifiers 30 and 35, and output filters 40 and 45 generate RF signals in response to user channel selection.

The signal mixers 50 and 55 operate to mix the filtered RF signal provided from the output filters 40 and 45 with the LO signal provided from the LOs 60 and 65, respectively, thereby generating a frequency converted signal. LOs 60 and 65 operate to generate the LO signals used by signal mixers 50 and 55 in response to user channel selection and PLL signals provided from PLLs 70 and 75, respectively. PLLs 70 and 75 operate to generate a PLL signal used by LOs 60 and 65 respectively in response to a reference frequency. In the manner described above, the signal mixer 50, the LO 60 and the PLL 70 operate as the first tuning means, and the signal mixer 55, the LO 65 and the PLL 75 serve as the second tuning means. It works. As will be described later herein, these first and second tuning means operate independently of each other and can perform frequency up-conversion or down-conversion operations.

Filter / diplexers 80 and 85 operate to filter and diplex the frequency converted signal provided from signal mixers 50 and 55, respectively, thereby generating an IF signal. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the filters / diplexers 80 and 85 filter the frequency converted signals such that the resulting IF signal has a guard band between the two and is located adjacent to each other in frequency. Each IF signal may, for example, comprise a plurality of virtual or sub-channels. Further details regarding this aspect of the invention will be provided later herein.

Amplifier 90 operates to amplify the IF signal provided from filter / diplexers 80 and 85, thereby generating an amplified IF signal. According to an exemplary embodiment, the bandwidth occupied by the amplified IF signal provided from the amplifier 90 depends on the number of IF signals generated by the signal processing apparatus 100.

The A / D converter 95 is operative to convert the amplified IF signal provided from the amplifier 90 into a digital signal in accordance with a clock CLK signal. According to an exemplary embodiment, A / D converter 95 performs equivalent frequency conversion, thereby operating in conjunction with signal mixers 50 and 55 to effect two-stage frequency conversion. As indicated in FIG. 1, the digital signal generated by the A / D converter 95 may be provided for further processing (eg, demodulation, transmission processing, decoding, etc.) and ultimately audio and / or visual output. . Accordingly, the signal processing apparatus 100 advantageously uses one A / D converter 95 and a demodulator (not shown) for all received channels.

2, there is shown a signal processing apparatus 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Like the signal processing apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, the signal processing apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 may also represent front-end processing circuitry of a multi-channel receiving device, such as a multi-channel television signal receiver and / or other devices. have. For purposes of example and description, the signal processing apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 also includes two different processing paths for the two channels, but is resizable and can be modified to accommodate more than two channels. The signal processing device 200 of FIG. 2 also includes many of the same elements as the signal processing device 100 of FIG. 1, and such common elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIGS. 1 and 2. For clarity, these common elements will not be described again, and reference may be made to the description of these elements provided earlier. However, the signal processing apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 indicates that the signal processing apparatus 100 and the apparatus 200 of FIG. 1 include the first antenna 10 and the second antenna 12 instead of the signal splitter 15. It differs in that point. The exemplary embodiment of the signal processing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2 may be used to simultaneously receive a plurality of terrestrial broadcast channels, for example.

In order to better understand the present invention, one example will now be provided. 3, a flow diagram 300 illustrating steps in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. For purposes of example and description, the steps of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to elements of the signal processing apparatus 100 and 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The steps in FIG. 3 are merely exemplary and will not limit the invention in any way.

In step 310, signal channel selection for the signal processing apparatus 100/200 is performed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the user may, in step 310, input a user input device (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) such as a hand-held remote control device, a wired and / or wireless keyboard, a keypad and / or other input device / element. Channel selection may be performed by generating one or more inputs to the signal processing apparatus 100/200. 1 and 2, the user can select up to two different channels in step 310, for example, an in-picture (PIP) function, such as another channel. Recording function, such as watching one channel during recording, and / or other functions. However, as previously indicated herein, the signal processing apparatus 100/200 is resizable and may be changed such that more than two channels can be selected in step 310.

In operation 320, the signal processing apparatus 100/200 generates an RF signal in response to the user channel selection of operation 310. According to an exemplary embodiment, the input filter 20, the AGC amplifier 30 and the output filter 40 may be connected to the signal splitter 15 (the embodiment of FIG. 1) or the first antenna 10 (the embodiment of FIG. 2). Processing the RF input signal provided by the control panel to generate a first RF signal corresponding to the first channel in step 320 in response to the user channel selection in step 310. Similarly, the input filter 25, AGC amplifier 35 and output filter 45 may be provided with an RF provided from the signal divider 15 (the embodiment of FIG. 1) or the second antenna 12 (the embodiment of FIG. 2). The input signal is processed to generate a second RF signal corresponding to the second channel in step 320 in response to the user channel selection in step 310. As such, the first and second RF signals exhibit a frequency relationship based on the user channel selection in step 310. As will be described later herein, the first and second channels may be different channels or the same channel. The RF input signal may include audio, video and / or data content and may be provided from the same signal source or from different signal sources such as cable, satellite, internet and / or other signal sources. The bandwidth of the RF input signal can vary depending on the signal source. According to an exemplary embodiment, the RF input signal may include a plurality of 6 MHz physical channels, each of which may include a plurality of virtual or sub-channels.

In operation 330, the signal processing apparatus 100/200 generates a signal that is frequency converted from the RF signal generated in operation 320. According to an exemplary embodiment, the signal mixer 50, LO 60 and PLL 70 operate as first tuning means for generating a first frequency converted signal, and the signal mixer 55, LO 65. And PLL 75 act as second tuning means to generate a second frequency converted signal at step 330.

As an example, assume that the user has selected two different channels in step 310, channel 7 with a center frequency of 177 MHz and channel 13 with a center frequency of 213 MHz. Each channel has a 6 MHz bandwidth. The signal mixers 50 and 55 receive the 177 MHz and 213 MHz signals from the output filters 40 and 45, and mix the received signals with the LO signals provided from the LOs 60 and 65 in step 330 to obtain the first and second signals. Generate each of the two frequency-converted signals. According to this example, LO 60 provides an LO signal with a frequency of 1097 MHz, and LO 65 provides an LO signal with a frequency of 1153 MHz. The signal mixer 50 mixes the 177 MHz signal provided from the output filter 40 with the 1097 MHz signal provided from the LO 60, thereby producing a first frequency converted signal having a center frequency of 920 MHz. The signal mixer 55 mixes the 213 MHz signal provided from the output filter 45 with the 1153 MHz signal provided from the LO 65, thereby producing a second frequency converted signal having a center frequency of 940 MHz. In this example, frequency upconversion was performed on 177 MHz and 213 MHz signals. However, frequency downconversion can also be performed in accordance with the present invention. According to an exemplary embodiment, the 177 MHz and 213 MHz signals are frequency upconverted to 920 MHz and 940 MHz, respectively, to facilitate the IF stack arrangement according to the present invention, which will be described later in more detail.

As another example, assume that the user has selected at step 310 only one channel, that is, channel 13 with a center frequency of 213 MHz and a 6 MHz bandwidth. In this case, input filters 20 and 25 and output filters 40 and 45 provide the same 213 MHz signal in response to the user channel selection of step 310. To facilitate the IF stack arrangement of the present invention, LOs 60 and 65 provide LO signals of different frequencies. According to this example, LO 60 provides an LO signal with a frequency of 1133 MHz, and LO 65 provides an LO signal with a frequency of 1153 MHz. The signal mixer 50 mixes the 213 MHz signal provided from the output filter 40 with the 1133 MHz signal provided from the LO 60, thereby generating a first frequency converted signal having a center frequency of 920 MHz. The signal mixer 55 mixes the 213 MHz signal provided from the output filter 45 with the 1153 MHz signal provided from the LO 65 to thereby generate a second frequency converted signal having a center frequency of 940 MHz. Note that some phase compensation may be needed when the user selects only one channel in step 310.

In operation 340, the signal processing apparatus 100/200 generates an IF signal from the frequency-converted signal generated in operation 330. According to an exemplary embodiment, the filters / diplexers 80 and 85 filter the first and second frequency converted signals provided from the signal mixers 50 and 55, thereby filtering the first and second in a defined frequency stack arrangement. Generate each of the second IF signals. According to the previous example, the filter / diplexer 80 may provide a 6 MHz passband for the 920 MHz signal, thereby generating a first IF signal from 917 MHz to 923 MHz. Filter / diplexer 85 also provides a 6 MHz passband for the 940 MHz signal, thereby generating a second IF signal from 937 MHz to 943 MHz. With this example, guard bands will exist between 923 MHz and 937 MHz. In this way, filter / diplexer 80 generates a first IF signal that occupies a first frequency band (eg, 917 MHz to 923 MHz), and filter / diplexer 85 generates a second frequency band (eg, Generate a second IF signal occupying 937 MHz to 943 MHz, and a guard band (eg, 923 MHz to 937 MHz) exists between the two bands and is adjacent to the first and second frequency bands. As such, the first and second IF signals generated in step 340 are frequency-laminated with guard bands therebetween. If the architecture of the signal processing apparatus 100/200 is extended, more than two frequency-stacked IF signals may be generated at step 340 in accordance with the present invention. The frequency relationship between the first and second RF signals generated in step 320 is governed by the user channel selection in step 310 and, therefore, between the first and second IF signals generated in step 340. It should be noted that is independent of the predetermined frequency-laminated relationship of.

In operation 350, the signal processing apparatus 100/200 generates an IF signal amplified from the IF signal generated in operation 340. According to an exemplary embodiment, the amplifier 90 amplifies the IF signals provided from the filters / diplexers 80 and 85, thereby generating an amplified IF signal. The bandwidth occupied by the amplified IF signal provided from the amplifier 90 depends on the number of IF signals generated by the signal processing device 100. According to the previous example, the amplified IF signal provided from amplifier 90 has a 26 MHz bandwidth from 917 MHz to 943 MHz, with 923 MHz to 937 MHz representing a guard band. Of course, both the frequency and the frequency band referred to herein are exemplary only, and other frequencies and / or frequency bands may also be used in accordance with the present invention.

In operation 360, the signal processing apparatus 100/200 generates a digital signal from the amplified IF signal generated in operation 350. According to an exemplary embodiment, the A / D converter 95 converts the amplified IF signal provided from the amplifier 90 into a digital signal in accordance with a clock CLK signal. According to the previous example, the clock (CLK) signal must show a frequency above 52 MHz to satisfy the Nyquist criterion for the 26 MHz bandwidth composite IF signal. For example, a clock frequency of 53.9 MHz or 63 MHz can be used. The A / D converter 95 performs equivalent frequency conversion, thereby operating in conjunction with the signal mixers 50 and 55 to perform two-stage frequency conversion. In accordance with the present invention, the digital signal generated by the A / D converter 95 may be provided for further processing (eg, demodulation, transmission processing, decoding, etc.) and ultimately for auditory and / or visual output.

As described herein, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing signal processing in a multi-channel receiving device such as a multi-channel television signal receiver using a cost-effective and scalable architecture. The present invention can be applied to various apparatuses with or without a display device. Accordingly, the phrase "signal processing apparatus" or "television signal receiver" as used herein refers to television sets, computers or monitors containing display devices, set top boxes that may not include displays, video cassette recorders (VCRs), It may refer to a system or device, including but not limited to a system or device, such as a digital versatile disc (DVD) player, a video game box, a personal video recorder (PVR), a computer or other device. The invention may also be applied to applications such as cellular and / or wireless telephone applications. For example, the signal processing apparatus disclosed herein may be used in cellular telephone base stations and / or other applications.

Although the present invention has been described as having a preferred embodiment, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The present application should therefore include any modification, use or adaptation of the invention using the general principles of the invention. Further, this application will include departures from this disclosure as are within the known or customary practice area of the prior art to which the invention pertains and which is within the scope of the appended claims.

As described above, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for performing signal processing in a multi-channel receiving device such as a multi-channel television signal receiver and in a multi-channel receiving device using a cost-effective and scalable architecture. Is used.

Claims (30)

As the signal processing apparatus 100/200, RF signal sources (10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45) for generating first and second RF signals in response to user channel selection; First IF generating means (50, 60, 70, 80) for generating a first IF signal corresponding to the first RF signal in response to the user channel selection; Second IF generating means (55, 65, 75, 85) for generating a second IF signal corresponding to the second RF signal in response to the user channel selection; And the first IF signal exhibits a predetermined frequency relationship to the second IF signal. 2. The RF signal source of claim 1, wherein the RF signal sources 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divide the received RF signal to be able to generate the first and second RF signals. And a signal divider (15). The method of claim 1, wherein the RF signal source (10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45) is: A first antenna (10) for receiving a first signal corresponding to the first RF signal; And a second antenna (12) for receiving a second signal corresponding to the second RF signal. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first IF signal occupies a first frequency band; The second IF signal occupies a second frequency band; And a guard band exists between the two bands and is adjacent to the first and second frequency bands. The method of claim 1, wherein the first IF generating means (50, 60, 70, 80) is: First tuning means (50, 60, 70) for frequency upconverting the first RF signal to produce a first frequency converted signal; And first filtering means (80) for filtering the first frequency converted signal to produce the first IF signal. The method of claim 5, wherein the second IF generating means (55, 65, 75, 85) is: Second tuning means (55, 65, 75) for frequency upconverting the second RF signal to produce a second frequency converted signal; And second filtering means (85) for filtering said second frequency converted signal to produce said second IF signal. The method of claim 1, wherein the first IF generating means (50, 60, 70, 80) is: First tuning means (50, 60, 70) for frequency downconverting the first RF signal to produce a first frequency converted signal; And first filtering means (80) for filtering the first frequency converted signal to produce the first IF signal. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second IF generating means 55, 65, 75, 85 are: Second tuning means (55, 65, 75) for frequency downconverting the second RF signal to produce a second frequency converted signal; And second filtering means (85) for filtering said second frequency converted signal to produce said second IF signal. A signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising A / D conversion means (95) for generating digital signals corresponding to the first and second IF signals. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second RF signals exhibit a frequency relationship based on the user channel selection; And the frequency relationship between the first and second RF signals is independent of the predetermined frequency relationship between the first and second IF signals. A method 300 of performing signal processing in a multi-channel receiver, Generating (320) first and second RF signals in response to user channel selection; Generating (330, 340) a first IF signal corresponding to the first RF signal in response to the user channel selection; Generating (330, 340) a second IF signal corresponding to the second RF signal in response to the user channel selection; Wherein the first IF signal exhibits a predetermined frequency relationship for the second IF signal,  A method of performing signal processing in a multi-channel receiver. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising dividing a received RF signal to generate the first and second RF signals. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving a first signal corresponding to the first RF signal through a first antenna; Receiving via the second antenna a second signal corresponding to the second RF signal. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the first IF signal occupies a first frequency band; The second IF signal occupies a second frequency band; And a guard band exists between said two bands and is adjacent to said first and second frequency bands. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein generating the first IF signal comprises: Frequency upconverting (330) the first RF signal to produce a first frequency converted signal; Filtering (340) the first frequency converted signal to produce the first IF signal. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the second IF signal comprises: Frequency upconverting (330) the second RF signal to produce a second frequency converted signal; Filtering (340) the second frequency converted signal to produce the second IF signal. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein generating the first IF signal comprises: Frequency downconverting (330) the first RF signal to produce a first frequency converted signal; Filtering (340) the first frequency converted signal to produce the first IF signal. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein generating the second IF signal comprises: Frequency downconverting (330) the second RF signal to produce a second frequency converted signal; Filtering (340) the second frequency converted signal to produce the second IF signal. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating (360) digital signals corresponding to the first and second IF signals. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second RF signals exhibit a frequency relationship based on the user channel selection; And the frequency relationship between the first and second RF signals is independent of the predetermined frequency relationship between the first and second IF signals. As a television signal receiver 100/200, RF signal sources (10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45) operative to generate first and second RF signals in response to user channel selection; A first IF generator (50, 60, 70, 80) operative to generate a first IF signal corresponding to the first RF signal in response to the user channel selection; A second IF generator (55, 65, 75, 85) operative to generate a second IF signal corresponding to the second RF signal in response to the user channel selection; Wherein the first IF signal exhibits a predetermined frequency relationship for the second IF signal, Television signal receiver. 22. The RF signal source of claim 21, wherein the RF signal sources 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 divide the received RF signal to be able to generate the first and second RF signals. A signal splitter (15). The method of claim 21, wherein the RF signal sources 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 are: A first antenna (10) for receiving a first signal corresponding to the first RF signal; And a second antenna (12) for receiving a second signal corresponding to said second RF signal. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: the first IF signal occupies a first frequency band; The second IF signal occupies a second frequency band; And a guard band exists between said two bands and is adjacent to said first and second frequency bands. The method of claim 21, wherein the first IF generator 50, 60, 70, 80 is: A first tuner (50, 60, 70) operative to frequency upconvert the first RF signal to produce a first frequency converted signal; And a first filter (80) operative to filter the first frequency converted signal to produce the first IF signal. 27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the second IF generators 55, 65, 75, 85 are: A second tuner (55, 65, 75) operative to frequency upconvert the second RF signal to produce a second frequency converted signal; And a second filter (85) operative to filter the second frequency converted signal to produce the second IF signal. The method of claim 21, wherein the first IF generator 50, 60, 70, 80 is: A first tuner (50, 60, 70) operative to frequency downconvert the first RF signal to produce a first frequency converted signal; And a first filter (80) operative to filter the first frequency converted signal to produce the first IF signal. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second IF generators 55, 65, 75, 85 are: A second tuner (55, 65, 75) operative to frequency downconvert the second RF signal to produce a second frequency converted signal; And a second filter (85) operative to filter the second frequency converted signal to produce the second IF signal. 22. The television signal receiver of claim 21, further comprising an A / D converter (95) operative to generate digital signals corresponding to the first and second IF signals. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first and second RF signals exhibit a frequency relationship based on the user channel selection; The frequency relationship between the first and second RF signals is independent of the predetermined frequency relationship between the first and second IF signals.

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