Method and system for performing complex sampling of signals by using two or more sampling channels and for calculating time delays between these channels

摘要

A method and system for performing complex sampling of signals using two or more sampling channels and calculating time delays between these channels. The system and method are operable to enable complex sampling of a signal in a frequency-domain by predefined-order sampling, including utilizing a sampling channel for converting an analog signal to a corresponding substantially non-delayed digital signal; and transforming the digital signal into a plurality of corresponding frequency-domain substantially non-delayed discrete components; providing additional sampling channels enabling to perform a predefined-order sampling, the predefined-order depending on a number of the additional sampling channels, each additional sampling channel configured to perform a number of stage, giving rise to the multiplied frequency-domain delayed discrete components; and combining the multiplied frequency-domain delayed discrete components with the corresponding frequency-domain substantially non-delayed discrete components, giving rise to an output frequency-domain complex signal.

主权项

1. A method of calculating a time delay between two or more sampling channels in a signal processing system, said method comprising:
a) providing a first sampling channel for enabling sampling of a substantially non-delayed signal; and b) providing one or more additional sampling channels, each sampling channel providing a predefined delay τ to said signal, giving rise to a delayed signal, and then enabling sampling of said delayed signal, wherein said predefined delay τ is calculated by using the relationship between said delay τ and a phase difference Δφ of said delayed signal; c) defining the relationship between the time delay τ and the phase difference Δφ by means of at least one of the following:
a) 2·π·f1·τ=Δφ1+2·π·N; andb) 2·π·(f1+Δf)·τ=Δφ2+2·π·(N+M),wherein Δφ1 is a phase difference of a first delayed signal having a first predefined frequency f1, Δφ2 is a phase difference of a second delayed signal having a second predefined frequency f2 , Δf is a difference between said second and first predefined frequencies, thereby f2=f1+Δf, and M and N are integers; d) determining a bound of integer M by using the following relationship:M=τ·Δ⁢⁢f-Δ⁢⁢ϕ2-Δ⁢⁢ϕ12⁢π; e) measuring frequency differences Δf12 and Δf13 between the first predefined frequency f1, the second predefined frequency f2 and a third predefined frequency f3, giving rise to frequency differences Δf12=f2−f1 and Δf13=f3−f1;and f) calculating the time delay τ approximation by using the one or more of the following:τ=Δ⁢⁢ϕ2-Δ⁢⁢ϕ12⁢π·Δ⁢⁢f12+M1Δ⁢⁢f12;anda)τ=Δ⁢⁢ϕ3-Δ⁢⁢ϕ12⁢π·Δ⁢⁢f13+M2Δ⁢⁢f13,b) wherein Δφ3, is a phase difference of a third delayed signal having the third predefined frequency f3 , and M1 and M2 are integers.