A novel enhanced-performance low-cost receiver and modified modulation scheme for WWVB

The development of a greatly enhanced receiver for the WWVB signal is targeted, as well as possible modifications in the transmitted signal, which would both offer significant improvements in its effective coverage. This is to be achieved while allowing the replacement of the bulky, expensive, ferrite-based antenna, commonly used in the receiver, with a novel lower-cost antenna. Furthermore, the proposed receiver architecture, leveraging on today’s technologies for integrated receivers and on newly proposed schemes, would allow for the elimination of the commonly used high-cost crystal filter, while improving selectivity and robustness to interference. The proposed modification to the transmitted signal is designed to maintain backwards-compatibility and therefore would not affect its reception by the existing devices, while offering a significant advantage in its reception by the newly proposed receivers.