The Need

A radio frequency signal may typically consist of a single frequency carrier signal, modulated with some information signal. The purpose of a receiver is to extract the information signal from the carrier. This is commonly accomplished by mixing the received signal with one or more local reference signals generated within the receiver by an oscillator. The frequency of these reference signals must correspond with the received carrier frequency in a predetermined way, requiring a prior knowledge of the carrier signal frequency. Simultaneously, the generation and distribution of reference signals is challenging, and can have unintended effects on the information signal. A radio receiver that does not need prior knowledge of the incident signal frequency and does not need an oscillator would significantly simplify receiver design, lower cost, and reduce unintnended effects on the information signal as a result of simultaneously generating and distributing reference signals.

The Technology

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a reference-less and frequency independent radio receiver, which operates without prior knowledge of the incident signal frequency and without a need for a local reference signal. Specifically, this invention is a receiver architecture comprising a passive circuit to extract the information signal into an intermediate, baseband signal, and a demodulation technique for recovering the information signal from the intermediate signal.

Commercial Applications

• Radio Communications

Benefits/Advantages

• Receiver simplification
• Lower costs
• A reference-less receiver is easier to realize at higher frequencies