Methods and Apparatus for Array-Based Compressed Sensing

Radio signal processing, the field in which an array-based compressed receiver architecture (ACRA) is applied, is crucial in various sectors like telecommunications, astronomy, and military sciences. However, accurately sensing, decoding, and utilizing these signals present considerable challenges. There is a need for a technology like ACRA to simplify and make the signal processing more efficient. One of the critical issues with current approaches is the requirement for high sampling rates that match or exceed the Nyquist rate. This approach is resource-intensive, creating trade-offs between computational demands and accuracy. Furthermore, conventional methods often struggle to handle multiple types and characteristics of incoming signals, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies.

Technology Description

The array-based compressed sensing receiver architecture (ACRA) comprises multiple antennas linked to two or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). These ADCs are clocked at varying sampling rates below the Nyquist rate of the incoming signals. This technology creates individual aliased outputs from the ADCs, which can be compared to estimate characteristics of the signal components, such as the signal bandwidth, center frequency, and direction-of-arrival (DoA). What sets ACRA apart is the ability to use different digital signal processing techniques, like the sparse fast Fourier transform, to detect or estimate signal characteristics on the basis of the signal type. This flexibility in the processing approach offers more accurate and efficient estimations. ACRA's strength lies in its versatility in handling multiple signals and signal characteristics.