IP Library Granted Patent US 12,537,513
Granted Patent B2
US 12,537,513 · App. 18/650,884 · Granted Jan 27, 2026

Universal automatic frequency control for multi-channel receivers

Inventors: Carl Scarpa (Plainsboro, NJ); Robert Joseph Topper (Hatboro, PA)
Assignee: Sirius XM Radio Inc.
H03J7/047H03J1/0008
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,537,513
App. No.
18/650,884
Granted
Jan 27, 2026
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 (16)

1 . A system comprising:

a tuner;

a first demodulator coupled to the tuner;

a second demodulator couple to the tuner; and

at least one processor coupled to the first and second demodulators;

wherein the tuner receives a first and a second signal;

wherein the first demodulator demodulates the first signal;

wherein the second demodulator demodulates the second signal;

wherein the at least one processor determines a first frequency offset for the first demodulator; and

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

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

3 . The system 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 system of claim 1 , wherein 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 system 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 system 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 system of claim 1 , wherein at least one processor reset the front end bulk search and timing of second order loops.

Assignments (2)
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 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17943785 · Sep 13, 2022
Continuation 16907885 · Jun 22, 2020
Continuation 16655890 · Oct 17, 2019
Related Publication 20250105824A1 · Mar 27, 2025
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