IP Library Granted Patent US 11,973,492
Granted Patent B2
US 11,973,492 · App. 17/943,785 · Granted Apr 30, 2024

Universal automatic frequency control for multi-channel receivers

Inventors: Carl Scarpa (Plainsboro, NJ); Robert Joseph Topper (Montgomery, PA)
Assignee: Sirius XM Radio Inc.
H03J7/047H03J1/0008
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,973,492
App. No.
17/943,785
Granted
Apr 30, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for performing automatic frequency control are provided. Instead of relying on individual frequency tuners for each channel of a multi-channel receiver system, the present subject matter uses a single frequency tuner for receiving each channel of the multi-channel receiver system. A locked demodulator may be designated as a reference demodulator and frequency offset values associated with the reference demodulator may be applied to other demodulators of the multi-channel receiver. These frequency offset values may be used by individual demodulators of each channel for correcting corresponding frequency offsets.

Claims (12)

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a tuner, a first and a second signal;

demodulating, by a first demodulator coupled to the tuner, the first signal;

demodulating, by a second demodulator coupled to the tuner, the second signal; and

determining, by at least one processor coupled to the first and second demodulators, a first frequency offset for the first demodulator;

wherein, when the second demodulator is unable to lock to the second signal, the at least one processor applies the first frequency offset to the second demodulator.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second demodulator demodulates the second signal based on the first frequency offset.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least one processor triggers an update signal for updating unlocked demodulators coupled to the tuner if the first demodulator has drifted.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein when the second demodulator is locked to the second signal, the at least one processor determines that a frequency drift of the second demodulator is greater than a predetermined frequency drift threshold.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one processor calculates a sample frequency offset based on the frequency drift of the second demodulator.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor updates phase and an interpolation ratio for the second demodulator based on the sample frequency offset and the first frequency offset.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor resets the front end bulk search and timing of second order loops.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 26, 2025
From: SIRIUS XM RADIO LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 073716/0226 →
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Sep 9, 2024
From: SIRIUS XM RADIO INC.
To: SIRIUS XM RADIO LLC
Reel/Frame 068894/0257 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 7, 2023
From: SCARPA, CARL; TOPPER, ROBERT JOSEPH
To: SIRIUS XM RADIO INC.
Reel/Frame 063879/0501 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,537,513