KR20100013152A - System for tuner in broadcasting receiver and method for controlling tuner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A tuner system in a broadcasting receiver and a method for controlling a tuner are provided to separately design a circuit operating with high power, thereby increasing design efficiency and obtaining superior SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio) performance. CONSTITUTION: A plurality of tuners(110,130) selects broadcast signals to filter and amplify. A microprocessor(170) determines operational power mode of the tuner according to strength of a signal obtained through an operating tuner. The microprocessor selectively controls to operate one tuner corresponding to the determined operational power mode.

Description

Tuner system and tuner control method of broadcasting receiver {SYSTEM FOR TUNER IN BROADCASTING RECEIVER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TUNER}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tuner system. In particular, a tuner system and tuner of a broadcast receiver capable of obtaining a constant signal to noise ratio (SNR) while optimizing power consumption in a broadcast signal having a large number of interferences over a wide bandwidth. It relates to a control method.

In the broadcast signal receiving environment, the tuner circuit processing the signal requires a wide dynamic range and high linearity due to the presence of a large number of interference signals over a wide bandwidth. Noise characteristics are also required.

In the case of terrestrial digital broadcasting, a signal environment in which a large number of interference signals exist over a wide band is required. In an environment in which interference signals are strong, a high linearity circuit is required for the desired signal quality, thereby increasing power consumption of the circuit. When the interference signal is weak, the low linearity circuit can be used to obtain the desired signal quality, thereby reducing the power consumption of the circuit. That is, if the linearity of the circuit is controlled according to the reception environment of the interference signal, the power consumption of the tuner system can be optimized.

1 schematically illustrates a conventional tuner system, which includes a tuner 10, an analog-to-digital converter 30 (ADC), and a microprocessor 50.

The tuner 10 selects, filters, and amplifies a broadcast signal of a predetermined channel among the RF signals induced by the antenna, and the analog-to-digital converter 30 converts the analog broadcast signal input from the tuner into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal. .

The microprocessor 50 is configured to adjust the power consumption by controlling the current bias of each of the detailed components of the tuner according to the strength of the signal received through the tuner.

An example of a detailed configuration of the tuner 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 illustrates a structure capable of controlling power consumption of individual circuits of the tuner 10.

The tuner 10 includes a low noise amplifier 11, a level detector 12, a band pass filter 13, a mixer 15, and an analog signal processor 16.

The low noise amplifier 11 operates according to the control signal of the microprocessor 50, but is configured to minimize noise and amplify the signal among the RF signals received through the antenna.

The level detector 12 is configured to detect the intensity of the received signal output from the low noise amplifier 11, and adjust the gain so that the output of the low noise amplifier becomes a certain size according to the detected intensity of the received signal.

The filter 13 is composed of a band pass filter such as an LC filter or an SAW filter that passes an RF signal in its filtering band among the signals input from the low noise amplifier.

The mixer 15 is configured to mix the RF signal input from the bandpass filter with the local signal of a predetermined frequency input from the local signal generation unit 14 to downconvert to a predetermined frequency.

The analog signal processor 16 is configured to amplify, filter, and output an analog signal of a predetermined frequency input through the mixer.

The current bias of each of the detailed circuits 11 to 16 of the tuner 10 configured as described above is controlled by the microprocessor 50. The microprocessor 50 controls the strength of the received signal input from the level detector 12. The strength of the interference signal is estimated by using the desired signal (RSSI) obtained through the analog-to-digital converter 30, and the current bias of each detailed configuration of the tuner is satisfied to satisfy the linearity of the tuner according to the estimated signal strength. By controlling collectively, the power consumption of the tuner is adjusted.

In the conventional tuner system configured as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in order to control the linearity of the circuit according to the environment of the received signal, the linearity of the circuit is proportional to the power consumption of the circuit. It is a control method based on what is needed.

In the reception environment where the interference signal is strong, the power consumption is increased to obtain high linearity of each detailed configuration. In the reception environment where the interference signal is weak, the power consumption can be reduced because each detailed configuration does not have to have high linearity.

The strength of the interference signal is the strength of the received signal detected by the level detector 12 (which is the sum of the strengths of the interference signals and the desired signal) and the desired signal strength obtained from the signal passed through the analog signal processor 16. Can be estimated from The intensity information of the received signal detected by the level detector 12 is required for gain control of the RF receiver (including the low noise amplifier 11 and the mixer 15) except for the analog signal processor 16, and a desired signal. The intensity information of is required for gain control of the analog signal processor 16.

The power consumption of each detailed configuration 11 to 16 of the tuner 10 can be collectively adjusted by the microprocessor 50 by controlling the current bias of each detailed configuration as shown in FIG.

The low noise amplifier 11, the mixer 15, and the analog signal processor 16, which are detailed components of the tuner, generally have a proportional relationship between the third input intercept point (IIP3) and the power consumption, but the performance of the circuit is different. Noise figure (NF) and gain are also affected by power consumption. In other words, if the current bias is adjusted within the same circuit, the power consumption is changed and the characteristics of the circuit's IIP3, noise figure, and gain all change, so a kind of trade-off between IIP3, noise figure, gain, and power consumption is required. -off) is required. As a result, even if the desired IIP3 and power consumption requirements are satisfied, the performance of the noise figure and the gain is not satisfied, and thus the excellent SNR required by the system cannot be obtained.

Therefore, as in the tuner of FIG. 2, adjusting the power consumption by collectively controlling the current bias for the IIP3 performance required in the same circuit according to the reception environment of the interference signal may result in different performance degradation of the same circuit, thereby reducing the SNR of the system. From the point of view, there is a problem that optimization becomes difficult.

An object of the present invention is to design a circuit that operates at low power in a weak interference signal reception environment and a circuit that operates at a high power in a strong interference signal reception environment in the tuner, thereby improving design efficiency and improving power consumption regardless of change in power consumption. The present invention provides a tuner system and a tuner control method of a broadcast receiver capable of securing signal to noise ratio (SNR) performance.

Another object of the present invention is to process the received signal with the optimal power consumption according to the interference signal and the strength of the desired signal in the reception environment of the interference signal, the detailed configuration of the tuner with the power consumption optimized according to the strength of the received signal The present invention provides a tuner system and tuner control method of a broadcast receiver capable of optimizing power consumption and optimizing power consumption while obtaining a constant SNR.

Technical means of the present invention for achieving the above object is a plurality of tuners that are selectively operated according to a control signal to select, filter and amplify a broadcast signal of a predetermined channel of the RF signal induced in the antenna; And a microprocessor configured to determine an operating power mode of the tuner according to the strength of the signal acquired through the operating tuner, and to selectively control the tuner to operate according to the determined operating power mode among the plurality of tuners. do.

In detail, the plurality of tuners may include at least two tuners having different power consumptions, and the microprocessor may interfere with each other by using the strength of a received signal and a desired signal obtained through an operating tuner. The signal strength is estimated, and the operating power mode of the tuner is determined according to the estimated interference signal and the desired signal strength.

The strength of the received signal is an intensity of a signal obtained by adding interference signals and a desired signal, and the microprocessor compares the estimated interference signal and a desired signal strength with each preset reference power level. Each of the levels may be determined, and an operation power mode mapped to the determined corresponding power level may be selected and determined. The first reference power level to be compared with the strength of the interference signal and the second reference power level to be compared with the desired signal is set differently, characterized in that the first reference power level is set higher than the second reference power level. .

The plurality of tuners may be a direct conversion, a low IF, or a super heterodyne scheme, and the plurality of tuners may be configured to determine whether to supply a power voltage according to a selection control signal output from a microprocessor.

Another technical means of achieving the above object is a plurality of low-noise amplifiers selectively operated according to a control signal to minimize noise and amplify the signal of the RF signal received through the antenna; An RF receiver for filtering the RF signal input from the low noise amplifier in operation and down converting and amplifying the filtered RF signal according to the input local signal; And a microcomputer configured to determine an operating power mode of the low noise amplifier according to the strength of the signal obtained through the low noise amplifier and the RF receiver in operation, and to selectively control the low noise amplifier corresponding to the determined operating power mode among the plurality of low noise amplifiers. It characterized in that it comprises a processor.

In detail, the plurality of low noise amplifiers may include at least two LNAs having different power consumptions, and the microprocessor may acquire the received signal strength and the RF receiver through the low noise amplifier in operation. The strength of the interference signal is estimated using the strength of the desired signal, and the operating power mode of the low noise amplifier is determined according to the estimated interference signal and the strength of the desired signal.

In addition, the strength of the received signal is characterized in that the strength of the signal summed the interference signal and the desired signal, the microprocessor compares the estimated interference signal and the desired signal strength with each of the predetermined reference power level Each of the power levels is determined, and an operation power mode mapped to the determined power level is selected.

The first reference power level compared with the strength of the interference signal and the second reference power level compared with the strength of the desired signal are set differently, and the first reference power level is set higher than the second reference power level. do.

Another technical means of the present invention for achieving the above object is a plurality of low-noise amplifiers selectively operated according to the control signal to minimize noise and amplify the signal of the RF signal received through the antenna; An RF receiver for filtering the RF signal input from the low noise amplifier in operation and down converting the filtered RF signal according to the input local signal; A plurality of analog signal processing units selectively operated according to a control signal to amplify and filter an analog signal of a predetermined frequency input from the RF receiver; And determine operating power modes of the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processor, respectively, according to the strengths of the signals obtained through the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processor, and corresponding to the operation power modes determined among the plurality of low noise amplifiers and the analog signal processor. And a microprocessor for selectively controlling the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processor to operate.

Specifically, the plurality of low noise amplifiers and the plurality of analog signal processing units are each configured with at least two power consumptions different from each other, the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processing unit is characterized in that the same number.

In addition, the microprocessor estimates the strength of the interference signal using the strength of the received signal acquired through the low noise amplifier in operation and the strength of the desired signal obtained through the analog signal processor, and estimates the interference signal and the desired signal. Determine an operating power mode of the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processor according to the strength, and compare the estimated interference signal with the desired signal strength with each preset reference power level to determine the power level, respectively. And selecting and determining an operating power mode mapped to the determined corresponding power level.

The technical method of the present invention for achieving the above object is, in a plurality of tuners of different power consumption, the first step of measuring the strength of the signal received through the operating tuner and the strength of the desired signal from which the interference signal is removed, respectively ; A second step of estimating the strength of the interference signal using the measured strength of the received signal and the desired signal, and determining an operating power mode of the tuner according to the estimated strength of the interference signal and the desired signal; And a third step of selectively operating any one of a plurality of tuners in which power consumption is set differently according to the determined operating power mode.

Specifically, the second step may include estimating the strength of the interference signal using the measured strength of the received signal and the desired signal; Determining a power level by comparing the estimated interference signal and a desired signal strength with each preset reference power level; And selecting and determining an operating power mode mapped to the determined corresponding power level.

As described above, the present invention is designed by separately designing a circuit operating at low power in a weak interference signal reception environment and a circuit operating at high power in a strong interference signal reception environment, thereby reducing power consumption and IIP3, gain, and NF performance of individual circuits. There is an advantage in that design freedom is increased in the trade-off, and design time can be shortened by design requirements being relaxed.

In addition, it is possible to process the received signal with the optimal power consumption according to the interference signal and the desired signal strength in the receiving environment of the interference signal, and reconfigure the detailed configuration of the tuner with the optimized power consumption according to the strength of the received signal. By doing so, there is an advantage in that power consumption can be optimized and excellent SNR can be secured while optimizing power consumption.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a diagram illustrating a tuner system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and includes a first tuner 110, a second tuner 130, an analog-to-digital converter 150, and a microprocessor 170.

The first tuner 110 and the second tuner 130 are selectively operated according to a control signal to select, filter, and amplify a broadcast signal of a predetermined channel among RF signals induced in the antenna.

The analog-to-digital converter 150 converts the analog broadcast signal input from the first tuner 110 or the second tuner 130 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal.

The microprocessor 170 determines the operating power mode of the tuner according to the strength of the signal received through the first tuner 110 or the second tuner 130 in operation, and then the first or second corresponding to the determined operating power mode. The tuners 110 and 130 are configured to selectively control.

In the above, the first tuner 110 and the second tuner 130 are selectively operated according to the selection control signal of the microprocessor 170. The first tuner 110 and the second tuner 130 are set to different power consumption, for example, the first tuner 110 is a low power mode circuit with low power consumption and optimized performance of detailed configuration. The second tuner 130 is composed of a circuit of a high power mode in which power consumption is large and the performance of detailed configuration is optimized. That is, although the first tuner 110 and the second tuner 130 have the same circuit configuration, they are basically designed with different sizes and bias current amounts of transistors constituting the circuit, and thus consume different power.

4 is a circuit block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the tuner of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the structure capable of controlling the operation of the detailed configuration of the first tuner 110 or the second tuner 130 It is shown.

The first tuner 110 includes a low noise amplifier 111, a level detector 112, a band pass filter 113, a mixer 115, and an analog signal processor 116.

The low noise amplifier 111 operates according to a control signal of the microprocessor 170, but is configured to minimize noise and amplify the signal among the RF signals received through the antenna.

The level detector 112 detects the intensity of the received signal output from the low noise amplifier 111 and provides it to the microprocessor 170, and the output of the low noise amplifier 111 has a predetermined size according to the detected intensity of the received signal. Configured to adjust the gain as much as possible.

The filter 113 is input from a low pass amplifier 111 or a band pass filter such as an LC filter, a SAW filter, and a ceramic filter, which pass an RF signal in its filtering band among the signals input from the low noise amplifier 111. It consists of an Image Reject Filter that removes the image frequency and the spurious frequency among the signals.

The mixer 115 is configured to synthesize the RF signal input from the band pass filter 113 with the local signal LO of the predetermined frequency input from the local signal generator 114 to downconvert to a predetermined frequency. The local signal generator 114 includes a phase locked loop (PLL; not shown) and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO; not shown). The phase locked loop has an error frequency output from the microprocessor 170. Is tuned to the corresponding frequency according to the corrected local control signal and the frequency of the tuned local signal is fixed so as not to be shaken. The voltage controlled oscillator is coupled to the voltage control signal of the phase locked loop for synthesis with the RF signal. Accordingly, the local signal LO is generated and supplied to the mixer 115, but the frequency of the generated local signal LO of the specific frequency is fixed by the phase locked loop.

The analog signal processor 116 is configured to amplify, filter, and output an analog signal of a predetermined frequency input from the mixer 115.

The second tuner 130 is composed of the same circuit as the first tuner 110, but the size of the active device such as a transistor and a diode in each of the detailed circuits of the second tuner 130 is the first tuner. It is implemented differently from the active elements of (110). In the present invention, since the first tuner 110 is a low-power mode circuit and the second tuner 130 is a high-power mode circuit, the size of the active element configured in the second tuner 130 is larger than that of the first tuner 110. It is larger than the active element.

For example, FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two receiving environments according to the strength of a desired signal and an interference signal. As shown in FIG. low noise amplifier 111 having high gain, low noise figure (NF) performance, and low IIP3, high gain and high NF performance in a receiving environment where the desired signal is slightly stronger than the interference signal as shown in FIG. Eggplant low noise amplifier 111 is required.

That is, the microprocessor 170 estimates the strength of the interference signal using the strength information of the received signal input from the level detector 112 and the strength information of the desired signal obtained through the analog-digital converter 150. Since the strength of the received signal is the size of the signal in which the interference signals and the desired signal are combined, it is possible to estimate the strength of the interference signal through the strength of the received signal and the desired signal. In addition, the microprocessor 170 compares the strength of the estimated interference signal and the desired signal with a predetermined reference power level, respectively, and determines whether the power level is a low power level or a high power level. One of the first tuner 110 and the second tuner 130 in the high power mode is selected and a selection control signal is generated by the selected tuner.

In FIG. 4, unlike FIG. 2, the selection control signal for selecting the detailed circuit configuration of the first or second tuners 110 and 130 can be configured with 1 bit. The microprocessor 170 operates or deactivates each detailed configuration. Outputs a selection control signal. According to the selection control signal, the power supply voltage Vdd applied to each circuit of the first or second tuners 110 and 130 is supplied or cut off, or the bias voltage Vg of the transistor is supplied or cut off to operate the circuit. Whether or not is determined.

In addition, in the case of Figure 4, the tuner structure is a direct-conversion (direct-conversion) method for outputting a zero-IF signal, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention may also be applied to a super heterodyne method such as double conversion or a low IF. In the case of the mixer 115, a harmonic rejection mixer, an IQ mixer, or the like can be used. In addition, in the case of the detailed circuit constituting the tuner, it is natural that various modifications may be made according to the structure of the tuner and the type of mixer.

In addition, in FIG. 3, only the configuration of the first tuner 110 in the low power mode and the second tuner 130 in the high power mode is shown. However, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of tuners may be used according to the power level consumed by the tuner. 130) can be configured. For example, it is possible to subdivide the tuner 110 in the low power mode, the tuner 120 in the medium power mode and the tuner 130 in the high power mode. Of course, it is also possible to further divide the tuner into four or more according to the power level consumed by the tuner.

In the case of FIG. 6, the strength of the interference signal is estimated using the strength of the received signal and the desired signal obtained through the tuners 110, 120, or 130 operating in the microprocessor 170, and the estimated interference signal When comparing the desired signal strength with the reference power level, not only the low power and the high power level should be determined, but also the medium power level should be determined. Therefore, the power level determination criteria should be further subdivided compared to FIG. 3. . That is, the microprocessor 170 estimates the strength of the interference signal using the strength information of the received signal and the desired signal strength inputted through the tuner in operation, and pre-estimates the strength of the estimated interference signal and the desired signal. The first tuner 110 in the low power mode and the second tuner 130 in the medium power mode to determine whether the low power level, the medium power level or the high power level are respectively compared with the set reference power level, respectively. And a selection control signal for selecting any one of the third tuners in the high power mode.

In addition, in the tuner system of the present invention, a tuner operated during initial operation of a plurality of tuners must be designated in advance, and the strength of the received signal is detected through the designated tuner.

7 is a diagram illustrating a tuner system according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a first RF receiver 210 and a second RF receiver 230, an analog signal processor 240, an analog-to-digital converter 250, and a microcomputer are provided. It includes a processor 270.

In FIG. 7, unlike in FIG. 3, the RF receivers 210 and 230 including the low noise amplifier and the mixer are divided into low power mode and high power mode, and the analog signal processor is shared.

That is, the first RF receiver 210 and the second RF receiver 230 are selectively operated according to a control signal to select a broadcast signal of a predetermined channel from the RF signals induced in the antenna.

The analog signal processor 240 is configured to amplify, filter, and output an analog signal having a predetermined frequency input from the first RF receiver 210 or the second RF receiver 230.

The analog-to-digital converter 250 converts the analog broadcast signal input from the first RF receiver 210 or the second RF receiver 230 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal.

The microprocessor 270 determines the operating power mode according to the strength information of the received signal obtained through the first RF receiver 210 or the second RF receiver 230 and the analog-digital converter 250 that are operating, and then determines the operating power. It is configured to selectively control the first or second RF receiver 210, 230 corresponding to the mode.

In the above, the first RF receiver 210 and the second RF receiver 230 are selectively operated according to the selection control signal of the microprocessor 270. The first RF receiver 210 and the second RF receiver 230 are set to different power consumption, for example, the first RF receiver 210 is a low power mode with low power consumption and optimized performance of detailed configuration The second RF receiver 230 is composed of a circuit of a high power mode with high power consumption and optimized performance of detailed configuration. That is, the first RF receiver 210 and the second RF receiver 230 have the same circuit configuration, but they are basically different sizes and bias current amounts of the transistors constituting the circuit, so that power consumption is different.

FIG. 8 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the RF receiver of FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and controls whether detailed circuit configurations of the first RF receiver 210 or the second RF receiver 230 operate. It shows a structure that can be.

The first RF receiver 210 includes a low noise amplifier 211, a level detector 212, a filter 213, and a mixer 215.

The low noise amplifier 211 operates according to the control signal of the microprocessor 270, but is configured to minimize noise and amplify the signal among the RF signals received through the antenna.

The level detector 212 detects the strength of the received signal output from the low noise amplifier 211 and provides it to the microprocessor 270, and the output of the low noise amplifier 211 has a predetermined magnitude according to the detected strength of the received signal. Configured to adjust the gain as much as possible.

The filter 213 is composed of an LC filter for passing an RF signal in its filtering band among the signals input from the low noise amplifier 211, a band pass filter such as an SAW filter and a ceramic filter, or an image removing filter.

The mixer 215 is configured to synthesize the RF signal input from the band pass filter 213 with a local signal of a predetermined frequency input from the local signal generation unit 214 and downconvert to a predetermined frequency.

The second RF receiver 230 is configured of the same circuit as the first RF receiver 210, but the size of active elements such as transistors and diodes configured in the respective circuits of the second RF receiver 230 is different. It is implemented differently from the active elements of the first RF receiver 210. In the present invention, since the first RF receiver 210 is a circuit in a low power mode, and the second RF receiver 230 is a circuit in a high power mode, the size of the active element configured in the second RF receiver 230 is the first RF receiver ( Larger than the active element of 210).

Accordingly, the microprocessor 270 estimates the strength of the interference signal using the intensity information of the received signal input from the level detector 212 and the desired intensity information of the desired signal obtained from the analog-digital converter 250, and estimates the estimated interference. The signal strength and the desired signal strength are compared with a predetermined reference power level, respectively, to determine whether it is a low power level or a high power level, and according to the determined power level, the first RF receiver 210 of the low power mode and the first power of the high power mode. 2 Select any one of the RF receiver 230 and generate a selection control signal to the selected corresponding RF receiver 210.

7 illustrates only the configuration of the first RF receiver 210 and the second RF receiver 230 in the high power mode in FIG. 7, the RF receiver according to the power level consumed by the RF receiver as shown in FIG. 9. It is possible to configure by dividing into a plurality of (210 ~ 230).

For example, the RF receiver 210 in the low power mode, the RF receiver 220 in the medium power mode, and the RF receiver 230 in the high power mode may be subdivided. Of course, it is also possible to further divide the RF receiver into four or more according to the power level consumed by the RF receiver.

In the case of FIG. 9, when the interference signal estimated by the microprocessor 270 and the intensity of the desired signal are compared with the reference power level, not only the low power and the high power level are determined but also the medium power level is medium. Since it is necessary to determine, the power level criteria should be further refined than in FIG. 7. That is, the microprocessor 270 uses the strength information of the received signal input through the operating RF receivers 210 to 230 and the intensity information of the desired signal obtained through the analog-digital converter 150 to determine the strength of the interference signal. Estimate the intensity of the interference signal and the intensity of the desired signal with a predetermined reference power level, respectively, and determine whether the power level is a low power level, a medium power level, or a high power level. A selection control signal for selecting one of the first RF receiver 210, the second RF receiver 220 in the medium power mode, and the third RF receiver 230 in the high power mode is generated.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a tuner system according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a first low noise amplifier 310 and a second low noise amplifier 320, a level detector 330, an RF receiver 340, and an analog-digital system are shown. Converter 350 and microprocessor 370.

Referring to FIG. 4, the RF receiver 340 may include a filter, a mixer, and an analog signal processor.

In the case of FIG. 10, the low noise amplifier is divided into a low power mode 310 and a high power mode 320 among detailed configurations of the tuner. For example, the RF receiver 340 including a filter, a mixer, and an analog signal processor includes a low power mode. It is configured to share in high power mode.

The first low noise amplifier 310 operates under the control of the microprocessor 370, but is configured as a circuit of a low power mode that minimizes noise and amplifies the signal among the RF signals received through the antenna.

The second low noise amplifier 320 is not operated under the control of the microprocessor 370 and is composed of a circuit of a high power mode that minimizes noise and amplifies the signal among the RF signals received through the antenna.

The level detector 330 detects the strength of the received signal output from the first or second low noise amplifiers 310 and 320 and provides it to the microprocessor 370, and outputs the low noise amplifier according to the detected strength of the received signal. It is configured to adjust the gain to be a certain amount.

Although not shown in detail, the RF receiver 340 may include a band pass filter, a mixer, and an analog signal processor, and filters the RF signals input from the first or second low noise amplifiers 310 and 320. It is configured to synthesize the filtered RF signal with a local signal of a predetermined frequency input from the local signal generation unit, downconvert to a predetermined frequency, and then amplify it.

The analog to digital converter 350 converts the analog broadcast signal input from the RF receiver 340 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal.

The microprocessor 370 estimates the strength of the interference signal using the strength of the received signal and the desired signal obtained through the first or second low noise amplifiers 310 and 320 and the analog-digital converter 350 in operation, respectively. After that, the operating power mode of the low noise amplifier is determined according to the estimated interference signal strength and the desired signal strength, and then an operation control selection control signal is output to the first or second low noise amplifiers 310 and 320 corresponding to the determined power mode. It is configured to.

The first low noise amplifier 310 is configured of the same circuit as the second low noise amplifier 320, but the size of the active elements such as transistors and diodes of the second low noise amplifier 320 is the first low noise amplifier ( It is implemented differently from the active elements of 310). In the present invention, since the first low noise amplifier 310 is a circuit in a low power mode, and the second low noise amplifier 320 is a circuit in a high power mode, the size of the active element configured in the second low noise amplifier 320 is the first low noise amplifier ( Larger than the active element of 310).

Accordingly, the microprocessor 370 estimates the strength of the interference signal using the intensity information of the received signal input from the level detector 330 and the desired intensity information of the desired signal obtained from the analog-digital converter 350, and estimates the interference. The signal strength and the desired signal strength are compared with a predetermined reference power level, respectively, to determine whether it is a low power level or a high power level, and according to the determined power level, the first low noise amplifier 310 of the low power mode and the first power of the high power mode are determined. 2 Select any one of the low noise amplifier 320 and generate a selection control signal with the selected low noise amplifier.

11 is a diagram illustrating a tuner system according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a first low noise amplifier 410 and a second low noise amplifier 420, a level detector 430, an RF receiver 440, and a first receiver are provided. An analog signal processor 441, a second analog signal processor 445, an analog-digital converter 450, and a microprocessor 470 are included.

Referring to FIG. 4, the RF receiver 440 may include a filter, a mixer, and an analog signal processor.

In the case of FIG. 11, the low noise amplifiers 410 and 420 and the analog signal processing units 441 and 445 are divided into a low power mode and a high power mode, and the RF receiver 340 includes a filter and a mixer. Is configured to share in low and high power modes.

The first low noise amplifier 410 is operated under the control of the microprocessor 470, but is composed of a low power mode circuit that minimizes noise and amplifies the signal among the RF signals received through the antenna.

The second low noise amplifier 420 is operated under the control of the microprocessor 470, but is composed of a high power mode circuit that minimizes noise and amplifies the signal among the RF signals received through the antenna.

The level detector 430 detects the strength of the received signal output from the first or second low noise amplifiers 410 and 420 and provides it to the microprocessor 470, and outputs the low noise amplifier according to the detected strength of the received signal. It is configured to adjust the gain to be a certain amount.

Although not shown in detail, the RF receiver 440 may include a band pass filter and a mixer, and may filter the RF signals input from the first or second low noise amplifiers 410 and 420 and filter the filtered RF signals. It is configured to down-convert to a predetermined frequency by combining with a local signal of a predetermined frequency inputted from the local signal generator.

The first analog signal processor 441 is configured of a low power mode circuit for amplifying, filtering, and outputting an analog signal of a predetermined frequency input from the RF receiver 440.

The second analog signal processor 445 is configured of a high power mode circuit for amplifying, filtering, and outputting an analog signal of a predetermined frequency input from the RF receiver 440.

The analog-to-digital converter 450 converts the analog broadcast signal input from the first or second analog signal processing units 441 and 445 into digital signals and outputs the digital signals.

The microprocessor 470 estimates the strength of the interference signal using the strength of the received signal and the desired signal obtained through the first or second low noise amplifiers 410 and 420 and the analog-digital converter 450, respectively. After determining the operating power mode of the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processor according to the estimated interference signal strength and the desired signal strength, the first or second low noise amplifiers 410 and 420 corresponding to the determined power mode and the first or second signal are determined. And outputs a selection control signal for operation control to the second analog signal processing units 441 and 445.

Therefore, the microprocessor 470 of the tuner system estimates the strength of the interference signal using the strength information of the received signal input from the level detector 430 and the desired signal strength information obtained from the analog-digital converter 450, After comparing the estimated interference signal strength and the desired signal strength with a predetermined reference power level, it is determined whether the power level is a low power level or a high power level, and according to the determined power level, the first low noise amplifier 410 and the first power amplifier 410 in the low power mode. 1 Select a device of an appropriate power mode among the analog signal processor 441 and the second low noise amplifier 420 and the second analog signal processor 445 in the high power mode, and select the corresponding low noise amplifier 410 or 420 and the analog signal processor ( 441 or 445 to generate a selection control signal.

The tuner system configured as described above can be configured in various ways according to each embodiment (FIGS. 3, 7, 10, and 11). However, the present invention basically controls the tuner to be operated in a high power mode in a reception environment where the strength of the interference signal is strong, and operates in a low power mode in a reception environment in which the strength of the interference signal is weaker than the desired signal strength. Can be controlled.

In other words, in the reception environment where the interference signal is strong, the system requirements are increased in terms of IIP3 and NF. Therefore, the microprocessor selects the high power design details and reconfigures the tuner, and in the reception environment where the interference signal is weak. In terms of IIP3 and NF, the requirements of the system are alleviated, so the low power design details are selected to reconfigure the tuner. As a result, the SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) performance of the tuner system can be kept constant regardless of the change in power consumption according to the interference signal reception environment.

Next, a general operation process of the tuner system according to the present invention will be described using the flowchart as shown in FIG. 12.

First, the RF signals received through the antenna are minimized by the low noise amplifier of the tuner and the signal is amplified and output.

Then, the level detector detects the received signal output through the low noise amplifier in operation, measures the strength of the received signal, and provides the measured value to the microprocessor. The strength of the received signal measured by the level detector is the strength of the signal summed with the desired signal and the interference signals.

The RF signal output through the low noise amplifier is passed through the analog signal processing unit of the tuner, and the interference signal is removed and only the desired signal remains. In this way, the microprocessor detects the signal output through the analog-digital converter and the desired signal. Measure the strength of. In this case, the microprocessor may detect a signal output through the analog signal processor as needed to measure a desired signal intensity (S1).

Then, the microprocessor estimates the strength of the interference signal using the strength of the received signal transmitted from the level detector and the desired signal obtained through the analog-digital converter. Since the strength of the received signal is the sum of the desired signal and the interference signals, the strength of the interference signal can be calculated by knowing the strength of the received signal and the desired signal (S2).

The microprocessor compares the intensity of the estimated interference signal and the desired signal with each reference power level preset in a memory (not shown) to determine whether the strength of the interference signal and the desired signal are low power levels or high power levels. It is determined (S3).

In general, a desired signal and an interference signal are mixed in the RF signal output through the low noise amplifier. However, the strength of the desired signal and the interference signal is different depending on the reception environment. For convenience of description, when the power level is divided into 'low' and 'high', approximately four cases (Case1 to Case4) may occur as shown in Table 1 below.

The intensity of the desired signal and the interference signal for the four cases shown in Table 1 are shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D, respectively. FIG. 13A shows the case of Case1 of Table 1, FIG. 13B shows the case of Case2 of Table 1, FIG. 13C shows the case of Case3 of Table 1, and FIG. 13D shows the case of Case4 of Table 1 It was.

However, basically, the reference power level for determining 'low' and 'high' of the desired signal strength and the interference signal strength is different. For example, the reference power level of the desired signal may be -30 dBm, and the reference power level of the interference signal may be -25 dBm. When the intensity of the desired signal and the interference signal are all measured equal to -27dBm, it is determined to be high since the power level of the desired signal is measured higher than the reference power level of -30dBm, and the power level of the interference signal is the reference power level. Since it is measured lower than -25dBm, it is judged as Low and becomes as Case3 in Table 1 below.

In general, since the intensity of the interference signal is greater than that of the desired signal, it is preferable to set the reference power level of the interference signal higher than the reference power level of the desired signal.

Wanted signal Power Interference Power Low noise amplifier mode Case1 Low Low High power mode Case2 Low High High power mode Case3 High Low Low power mode Case4 High High Low power mode

After determining the power level for the desired signal and the interference signal as described above, the microprocessor determines an operating power mode for each detailed configuration of the tuner mapped to the corresponding power level according to the preset lookup table shown in Table 1 above. The operation of the circuit is controlled by outputting a selection control signal in each detailed configuration of the tuner according to the operating power mode (S4 and S5).

For example, in the tuner system of FIG. 10, when the desired signal strength and the interference signal strength are respectively determined as 'high' and 'low' as in Case 3, the microprocessor 370 may adjust the low noise amplifier of the tuner as set in Table 1 below. The microprocessor 370 outputs a selection control signal to the first low noise amplifier 310 so that the first low noise amplifier 310 is operated. Of course, at this time, the microprocessor 370 outputs an operation cutoff control signal to the second low noise amplifier 320 to stop the operation of the second low noise amplifier 320.

Table 2 below shows a control example according to the desired signal strength and the interference signal strength in the tuner system of FIG. That is, according to the relative strength of the interference signal with respect to the desired signal, it is possible to determine whether to select the low power or high power operating power mode of the detailed configurations of the tuner.

Wanted signal Power Interference Power Low noise amplifier mode Analog signal processor mode Case1 Low Low High power mode Low power mode Case2 Low High High power mode High power mode Case3 High Low Low power mode Low power mode Case4 High High Low power mode High power mode

That is, in the tuner system of FIG. 11, when the desired signal strength and the interference signal strength are determined as 'Low' and 'High', respectively, as shown in Case 2 of Table 2, the microprocessor 470 determines the corresponding power according to the preset lookup table. The operating power mode for each detail of the tuner mapped with the level will be determined.

For example, when the intensity of the desired signal and the intensity of the interference signal are 'Low' and 'High', respectively, the microprocessor 470 determines to operate both the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processor in the high power mode as set in Table 2. Accordingly, the microprocessor 470 outputs the selection control signal to the second low noise amplifier 420 and the second analog signal processing unit 445, respectively, to the second low noise amplifier 420 and the second analog signal processing unit 445. To work. Of course, at this time, the microprocessor 470 outputs an operation cutoff control signal to the first low noise amplifier 410 and the first analog signal processor 441 so that the microprocessor 470 of the first low noise amplifier 410 and the first analog signal processor 441 is provided. It will stop the operation.

That is, in the present invention, when the desired signal strength is small, a high power low noise amplifier must be used in terms of the tuner's NF, and when the interference signal is large, a high power analog signal processor is used in view of the tuner's linearity. To this end, the microprocessor estimates the strength of the interference signal using the measured strength of the received signal and the desired signal strength information, and details such as a low noise amplifier and an analog signal processor according to the estimated interference signal strength and the desired signal strength. Select and control the power mode of the configuration.

When the power consumption of the tuner is controlled according to the digital broadcast signal reception environment, the design freedom is increased and the requirements are alleviated in the trade-off between individual power consumption and IIP3, gain, and NF performance, thereby reducing design time. You can do it.

In addition, the SNR performance of the tuner system can be kept constant regardless of power consumption control according to the digital broadcast signal reception environment.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed for purposes of illustration, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, such modifications, changes and additions should be determined not only by the claims below, but also by equivalents to those claims.

1 is a view schematically showing a conventional tuner system.

2 is a view showing a detailed configuration of a tuner according to an example of the prior art.

3 illustrates a tuner system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a circuit block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the tuner of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the strength of a received signal and the strength of a desired signal, respectively.

6 is a view showing another tuner system of FIG. 3 according to the present invention.

7 illustrates a tuner system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a circuit block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the RF receiver of FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a view showing another tuner system of FIG. 7 according to the present invention.

10 is a view showing a tuner system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a view showing a tuner system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation of the tuner system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

13A to 13D generally illustrate the strength of a received signal and a desired signal, respectively.

Claims (24)

A plurality of tuners selectively operated according to a control signal to select, filter and amplify a broadcast signal of a predetermined channel among RF signals induced in the antenna; And A microprocessor configured to determine an operating power mode of the tuner according to the strength of a signal acquired through an operating tuner among the plurality of tuners, and to selectively control any one tuner corresponding to the determined operating power mode to be operated. Tuner system of the receiver. The method according to claim 1, And the plurality of tuners comprises at least two tuners having different power consumptions. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The microprocessor estimates the strength of the interference signal using the strength of the received signal and the desired signal obtained through the operating tuner, and determines the operating power mode of the tuner according to the estimated interference signal and the desired signal strength. Tuner system of a broadcast receiver, characterized in that. The method according to claim 3, The strength of the received signal is a tuner system of the broadcast receiver, characterized in that the strength of the signal summed the interference signal and the desired signal. The method according to claim 3, The microprocessor, Comparing the estimated interference signal and the desired signal strength with each preset reference power level, the power level is determined, and the operating power mode mapped to the determined power level is selected. Tuner system. The method according to claim 5, The first reference power level compared with the strength of the interference signal and the second reference power level compared with the strength of the desired signal are set differently, and the first reference power level is set higher than the second reference power level. Tuner system of a broadcast receiver. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The tuner is a tuner system of a broadcast receiver, characterized in that the direct conversion, low IF or super heterodyne scheme. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the plurality of tuners are configured to determine whether to supply a power voltage according to a selection control signal output from a microprocessor. A plurality of low noise amplifiers selectively operated according to a control signal to minimize noise and amplify a signal among the RF signals received through the antenna; An RF receiver for filtering the RF signal input from the low noise amplifier in operation and down converting and amplifying the filtered RF signal according to the input local signal; And The microprocessor determines the operating power mode of the low noise amplifier according to the strength of the signal obtained through the low noise amplifier and the RF receiver in operation, and selectively controls the low noise amplifier corresponding to the determined operating power mode among the plurality of low noise amplifiers to be operated. Tuner system of a broadcast receiver comprising a. The method according to claim 9, And said plurality of low noise amplifiers comprise at least two low noise amplifiers having different power consumptions. The method according to claim 9 or 10, The microprocessor estimates the strength of the interference signal using the strength of the received signal acquired through the low noise amplifier in operation and the desired signal strength acquired through the RF receiver, and estimates the strength of the interference signal according to the estimated interference signal and the desired signal strength. A tuner system for a broadcast receiver, characterized by determining an operating power mode of a low noise amplifier. The method according to claim 11, The strength of the received signal is a tuner system of the broadcast receiver, characterized in that the strength of the signal summed the interference signal and the desired signal. The method according to claim 11, The microprocessor, Comparing the estimated interference signal and the desired signal strength with each preset reference power level, the power level is determined, and the operating power mode mapped to the determined power level is selected. Tuner system. The method according to claim 13, The first reference power level compared with the strength of the interference signal and the second reference power level compared with the strength of the desired signal are set differently, and the first reference power level is set higher than the second reference power level. Tuner system of a broadcast receiver. A plurality of low noise amplifiers selectively operated according to a control signal to minimize noise and amplify a signal among the RF signals received through the antenna; An RF receiver for filtering the RF signal input from the low noise amplifier in operation and down converting the filtered RF signal according to the input local signal; A plurality of analog signal processing units selectively operated according to a control signal to amplify and filter an analog signal of a predetermined frequency input from the RF receiver; And The operating power modes of the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processor are determined according to the strengths of the signals obtained through the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processor, respectively, and corresponding to the operating power modes determined from the plurality of low noise amplifiers and the analog signal processor. And a microprocessor for selectively controlling the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processor to operate. The method according to claim 15, And the plurality of low noise amplifiers and the plurality of analog signal processing units are each configured with at least two or more power consumptions different from each other, and the low noise amplifiers and the analog signal processing units have the same number. The method according to claim 15 or 16, The microprocessor estimates the strength of the interference signal using the strength of the received signal acquired through the low noise amplifier in operation and the strength of the desired signal acquired through the analog signal processor, and estimates the strength of the interference signal. And a tuner system of a broadcast receiver, characterized in that for determining an operating power mode of the low noise amplifier and the analog signal processor. The method according to claim 17, The strength of the received signal is a tuner system of the broadcast receiver, characterized in that the strength of the signal summed the interference signal and the desired signal. The method according to claim 17, The microprocessor, Comparing the estimated interference signal and the desired signal strength with each preset reference power level, the power level is determined, and the operating power mode mapped to the determined power level is selected. Tuner system. The method according to claim 19, The first reference power level compared with the strength of the interference signal and the second reference power level compared with the strength of the desired signal are set differently, and the first reference power level is set higher than the second reference power level. Tuner system of a broadcast receiver. Measuring a strength of a signal received through an operating tuner and a desired signal strength from which an interference signal is removed, in a plurality of tuners having different power consumptions; A second step of estimating the strength of the interference signal using the measured strength of the received signal and the desired signal, and determining the operating power mode of the tuner according to the estimated strength of the interference signal and the desired signal; And And a third step of selectively operating any one of a plurality of tuners in which power consumption is set differently according to the determined operation power mode. The method according to claim 21, The second step may include estimating the strength of the interference signal using the measured strength of the received signal and the desired signal; Determining a power level by comparing the estimated interference signal and a desired signal strength with each preset reference power level; And selecting and determining an operating power mode mapped to the determined corresponding power level. The method according to claim 21 or 22, The strength of the received signal is a tuner control method of the broadcast receiver, characterized in that the strength of the signal summed with the interference signal and the desired signal. The method according to claim 22, The first reference power level compared with the strength of the interference signal and the second reference power level compared with the strength of the desired signal are set differently, and the first reference power level is set higher than the second reference power level. Tuner control method of the broadcast receiver.

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