Radio-synchronous signal receiver for adjusting a time base, and method for activating the receiver

Abstract

The receiver () is for receiving radio-synchronous signals for adjusting the time base of a timepiece. The receiver includes an antenna () for receiving radio-synchronous signals, a low noise amplifier (), connected to the antenna, a frequency conversion unit () for converting the frequency of the filtered and amplified incoming signals from the amplifier, and a processing unit () receiving data signals (data_out) from the conversion unit for adjusting the time base. The conversion unit includes a local oscillator stage () with a quartz () for supplying oscillating signals (Sm) at a determined frequency, a mixer unit () for mixing the incoming signals with the oscillating signals from the oscillator stage to generate intermediate signals (IF), a bandpass filter () for filtering the intermediate signals (IF), and a demodulator () receiving the filtered intermediate signals and supplying the data signals. The local oscillator stage is configured automatically by a control signal (Cm) from the processing unit to adapt the frequency of the oscillating signals (Sm) in accordance with the incoming radio-synchronous signal frequency, so that the intermediate signal (IF) frequency is within the frequency band of the bandpass filter.