Electronic device in wireless communication system and method of the electronic device

Abstract

A method and apparatus capable of adjusting a signal level in a wireless communication system are provided. The electronic device comprises: an oscillator configured to output a local oscillation (LO) signal; a mixer configured to convert a frequency band of a first signal based on the LO signal and output a second signal; and a feedback circuit configured to output a feedback signal for adjusting the amplitude of the LO signal, wherein the mixer is further configured to adjust the amplitude of the LO signal based on the feedback signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for sensing changes in signal levels and regulating them. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the increased demand for wireless data services after the commercialization of the fourth generation (4G) communication system, efforts have been made to develop an improved fifth generation (5G) communication system or pre-5G communication system. Therefore, the 5G communication system or pre-5G communication system is called a super 4G network communication system or a post-long term evolution (LTE) system. In order to achieve high data transmission rates, the implementation of the 5G communication system in the mmWave frequency band (e.g., the 60GHz frequency band) is being considered. In the 5G communication system, technologies such as beamforming, massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO), full-size MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and large antennas are being discussed as a means to mitigate the propagation path loss in the mmWave frequency band and increase the propagation transmission distance. In addition, the 5G communication system has developed technologies such as evolved small cells, advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (RAN), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device communication (D2D), wireless backhaul, mobile networks, cooperative communications, coordinated multi-point (CoMP), and reception interference elimination to improve the system network. In addition, 5G systems have also developed advanced coding modulation (ACM) schemes such as hybrid frequency shift keying (FSK), frequency quadrature amplitude (QAM) modulation (FQAM), and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC), as well as advanced access technologies such as filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA).

[0003] Meanwhile, the Internet has evolved from a human-centered connected network where humans generate and consume information to the Internet of Things (IoT) in which distributed components such as things exchange or process information. The Internet of Everything (IoE), which combines big data processing technology with IoT technology through connection with cloud servers, has emerged. In order to realize IOT, technical elements such as sensing technology, wired / wireless communication, network infrastructure, service interface technology, and security technology are required. Recently, sensor networks for connection between objects, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), etc. have been studied.

[0004] In the IoT environment, a smart Internet technology (IT) service can be provided that collects and analyzes data generated by connected objects and creates new value in people's lives. Through the integration of IT with various industries, IoT can be applied to fields such as smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars, connected cars, smart grids, healthcare, smart appliances or high-tech medical services.

[0005] When wireless communication is performed in a high frequency band as in a 5G system, the importance of technology for processing the transmitted / received wireless signals is increasing. An example thereof may be a technology for converting a wireless signal received via a high frequency band into a low frequency band signal or converting a low frequency band signal into a high frequency band signal for transmission.

[0006] For electronic devices, in order to convert the frequency band of a signal, a predetermined local oscillation (LO) signal may be applied to the signal to convert the frequency band. Due to process-related variations that may occur, or due to the influence of the supplied voltage or temperature, the signal level of the LO signal may change suddenly. This may cause considerable errors in the process of processing the signal whose frequency band is to be converted.

[0007] Technology for reducing this error has been able to adjust the signal level based only on direct current (DC) through structures such as mirror circuits, but has limited application in adjusting the signal level that changes suddenly. Especially in the case of systems using high-frequency bands (e.g., 5G), serious problems may occur in signal processing and communication results. Therefore, there is an increasing need for more precise adjustment of the LO signal level that changes suddenly.

[0008] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with understanding the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above may be used as prior art with respect to the present disclosure. Summary of the invention

[0009] Aspects of the present disclosure will address at least the above problems and / or disadvantages and provide at least the advantages described below. Therefore, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for more accurately adjusting the level of a varying local oscillator (LO) signal.

[0010] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device in a wireless communication system is provided. The electronic device includes: a mixer, wherein a first signal is input to the mixer; an oscillating unit, the oscillating unit is configured to output a second signal for converting the frequency band of the first signal to the mixer; and a signal level control unit located between the oscillating unit and the mixer, the signal level control unit is configured to extract the second signal output from the oscillating unit, and output a control signal for adjusting the signal level of the extracted second signal to the oscillating unit, wherein the mixer is configured to: if a third signal adjusted according to the second signal is received from the oscillating unit, a fourth signal converted from the input first signal is generated based on the third signal.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of an electronic device in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes: inputting a first signal; outputting a second signal for converting the frequency band of the first signal; extracting the output second signal from the transmission path of the second signal; outputting a control signal for adjusting the signal level of the extracted second signal; and if a third signal adjusted according to the second signal is output, generating a fourth signal converted from the input first signal based on the third signal.

[0013] An advantage of an embodiment is that errors that may occur during signal conversion may be reduced by more accurately adjusting for variations in LO signal levels caused by process, voltage, and temperature (PVT).

[0014] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a mixer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 2 is a diagram showing process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) conditions affecting a local oscillation (LO) signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C is a diagram showing a change in LO signal level according to a PVT state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device configured to adjust a signal level according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C is a flow chart illustrating a method for adjusting a signal level according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B is a diagram showing PVT states affecting a mixer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Fig. 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 7C is a diagram showing how mixer performance varies according to PVT conditions according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device configured to adjust a signal level according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining a range of a signal level according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Fig.10 is a diagram showing an example of a lookup table enumerating ranges of signal levels related to respective PVT states according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Fig.11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device configured to perform a signal level adjustment operation according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in understanding, but these specific details are considered to be exemplary only. Therefore, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and brevity.

[0029] The terms and words used in the following specification and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0030] It should be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

[0031] In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the main content of the present disclosure can also be applied to other communication systems with similar technical backgrounds and with minor changes within the scope that does not greatly exceed the scope of the present disclosure. This is possible by identifying people with skilled technical knowledge in the technical field of the present disclosure.

[0032] By referring to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the advantages and features of the present disclosure and the modes for achieving them will become apparent. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments set forth below, but can be implemented in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided only to fully disclose the present disclosure and inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is limited only by the scope of the appended claims. Throughout the specification, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements.

[0033] Here, it will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustration and the combination of blocks in the flowchart illustration can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device create a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowchart blocks.

[0034] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-usable or computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-usable or computer-readable memory can produce a product including instruction means for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowchart blocks.

[0035] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowchart blocks.

[0036] Each frame of the flowchart diagram may represent a module, a segment or a portion of a code including one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified one or more logical functions. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions indicated in the frame may not occur in order. For example, depending on the functions involved, two frames shown in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or sometimes the frames may be executed in reverse order.

[0037] As used herein, a "unit" refers to a software element or a hardware element that performs a predetermined function, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). However, a "unit" does not always have a meaning limited to software or hardware. The "unit" may be configured to be stored in an addressable storage medium or to execute one or more processors.

[0038] Therefore, "unit" includes, for example, software element, object-oriented software element, class element or task element, process, function, attribute, program, subroutine, program code segment, driver, firmware, microcode, circuit, data, database, data structure, table, array, and parameter. The element and function that "unit" provides can be combined into less number of components or "unit" or can be further divided into more number of components or "unit". In addition, element and "unit" can be implemented as one or more central processing units (CPU) in reproduction device or secure multimedia card.

[0039] Hereinafter, a method and apparatus for adjusting a level of a signal according to embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a mixer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] refer to Figure 1 A mixer is a circuit configured to obtain an output signal from at least two input signals. For example, the mixer may perform the following operations: applying an input second signal to an input first signal so that the first signal is converted into a signal of a higher frequency band and then output, or converting the first signal into a signal of a lower frequency band and then output.

[0042] refer to Figure 1 , two signals can be input to the mixer 100. Figure 1In the embodiment, for example, a radio frequency (RF) signal and a local oscillation (LO) signal may be input to the mixer 100. In an embodiment, the LO signal may be applied to another signal input to the mixer and thus used to generate an output signal.

[0043] That is, if the RF signal and LO signal are input to Figure 1 In the mixer 100 in FIG. 1 , the mixer 100 can apply the LO signal to the RF signal so that the RF signal in the high frequency band is converted into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal in the lower frequency band, and the IF signal can be output. Figure 1 The mixer 100 is shown in FIG. 1 , but based on a case where a wireless signal has been received so that an RF signal is input thereto and an IF signal is output therefrom, the same applies to a reverse case where an IF signal is input thereto and an RF signal is output therefrom.

[0044] As described above, the mixer applies the LO signal to the input signal in order to generate the output signal. In order to obtain the desired output signal, an ideal LO signal needs to be applied to the input signal. The ideal LO signal is in the shape of a square wave, but because the influence of elements such as gates or capacitors cannot be ignored in the case of actual circuits, a sine wave with a high amplitude level can be used. However, such LO signals may have sudden changes in signal level under various environments. In particular, when applied to a signal in a high frequency band, the signal may change more sensitively to various environments.

[0045] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) conditions that affect an LO signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C is a diagram showing that a LO signal level varies according to a PVT state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] refer to Figure 2 The above LO signal may be generated by the oscillation unit 210 according to the embodiment, and the oscillation unit 210 may include a local oscillator 211 and a buffer 212. In addition, the oscillation unit 210 may output the generated LO signal to the mixer, such as Figure 2 shown.

[0048] The local oscillator 211 according to the embodiment is configured to generate a local oscillation signal for signal frequency conversion, and the buffer 212 is configured to amplify the local oscillation signal so as to have a voltage value optimized for frequency conversion. In addition, the local oscillation signal amplified by the buffer 212 is input to the mixer as an LO signal and is applied to the frequency of another signal input to the mixer.

[0049] At the same time, the signal level of the LO signal generated in this manner may change suddenly under various conditions. For example, the LO signal may change sensitively to changes, voltage, and temperature that may occur in connection with the manufacturing process. For ease of description, the factors that may affect the change in the LO signal level are referred to as PVT below.

[0050] refer to Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C , such a sudden change in the LO signal level may affect the performance of the mixer that has received it as input. Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it can be confirmed to what extent the performance of the mixer will change with the change of the LO signal level. As the degree of change of the LO signal level increases, the amount of current consumed by the mixer will be as follows: Figure 3A As shown in , the value of the third-order intercept point (IM3) will be Figure 3B As shown in , the mixer gain will be Figure 3C Change as shown in .

[0051] Therefore, if the LO signal level changes suddenly, the signal level is adjusted so that a desired signal can be output from the mixer.

[0052] Hereinafter, a method for sensing a change in the LO signal level and adjusting the tool according to an embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0053] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device configured to adjust a signal level according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] refer to Figure 4 , the electronic device according to the embodiment may include a mixer 400 , an oscillation unit 410 , and a signal level control unit 420 .

[0055] As reference Figure 1 As described, the mixer 400 according to the embodiment can receive at least two signals as inputs and can generate output signals using these signals. For example, the two input signals can be the LO signal input from the oscillation unit 410 and the RF signal received through wireless communication. For ease of description, the other signal input to the mixer is referred to as the first signal, and the LO signal is referred to as the second signal.

[0056] As reference Figure 2As described, the oscillation unit 410 according to the embodiment may include a local oscillator 411 and a buffer 412 , may generate a second signal according to the embodiment, and may output the second signal to the mixer 400 .

[0057] As described above, in order to obtain the signal to be finally outputted by the mixer, the electronic device proposed in the present disclosure may further include a signal level control unit 420 for adjusting the level of the second signal between the mixer 400 and the oscillation unit 410, such as Figure 4 The signal level control unit 420 may connect the oscillating unit 410 and the mixer 400 on the transmission path of the second signal from the oscillating unit 410 to the mixer 400. The signal level control unit 420 according to the embodiment may include a coupler 421, an envelope detection unit 422, a signal adjustment unit 423, and the like.

[0058] More specifically, the coupler 421 according to the embodiment can extract the second signal that has been output from the buffer 412 of the oscillation unit 410 to the mixer 400 on the transmission path of the second signal. The second signal extracted by the coupler 421 in this way can be transmitted to the envelope detection unit 422 to sense whether the level of the second signal changes.

[0059] The envelope detection unit 422 according to the embodiment may be connected to the output end of the oscillation unit 410 through the coupler 421. The envelope detection unit 422 may detect an envelope for sensing a signal level range from the second signal transmitted by the coupler 421. In the example shown in the diagram, the envelope detection unit 422 according to the present disclosure may convert the detected envelope into a suitable format more stably through an inverter 424 and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 425 connected thereto, and may transmit it to the signal conditioning unit 423.

[0060] The signal adjustment unit 423 according to the embodiment may check the level range of the second signal according to the detected envelope. In addition, the signal adjustment unit 423 may compare the checked second signal level range with the preconfigured signal level range, and may generate an adjustment signal for adjusting the changed second signal level. The adjustment signal generated by the signal adjustment unit 423 may be input to the buffer 412 of the oscillation unit 410. Figure 5B The generation and output of the control signal according to the embodiment is described in more detail later.

[0061] According to an embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 426 may be further included between the signal adjustment unit 423 and the buffer 412 of the oscillation unit 410 to convert the adjustment signal into bits of a control signal for adjusting the level of the second signal.

[0062] If a control signal is received from the signal adjustment unit 423, the oscillation unit 410 may adjust the level of the second signal based on the control signal. If the third signal is determined by appropriately adjusting the level of the second signal in this way, the oscillation unit 410 may output the third signal to the mixer 400. If a signal fully adjusted according to the second signal is received from the oscillation unit 410, the mixer 400 may apply the fully adjusted signal to the already input first signal, thereby generating and outputting the signal to be originally output. For ease of description, hereinafter, the signal fully adjusted according to the second signal is referred to as the third signal, and the signal to be originally output by the mixer is referred to as the fourth signal.

[0063] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 4 , Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C The process of adjusting the level of a signal according to the first embodiment is described in detail.

[0064] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C is a flow chart illustrating a method for adjusting a signal level according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0065] refer to Figure 5A In operation S510, a first signal may be input. According to an embodiment, the first signal may be a signal input to the mixer 400 for frequency band conversion.

[0066] In addition, in operation S520, a second signal for converting the frequency band of the first signal may be output The second signal may be an LO signal generated by the oscillation unit 410 according to an embodiment and output to the mixer 400 to convert the frequency band of the first signal.

[0067] If the second signal is output, the output second signal may be extracted from the transmission path of the second signal in operation S530. For example, if the second signal is output from the oscillation unit 410 to the mixer 400, the coupler 421 included in the signal level control unit 420 according to the embodiment may extract the output second signal from the transmission path between the oscillation unit 410 and the mixer 400.

[0068] Based on the second signal extracted in this manner, a control signal for adjusting the signal level of the change of the second signal may be generated and output in operation S540. Figure 5B Describes the detailed process regarding the generation and output of control signals.

[0069] refer to Figure 5B, in operation S541, an envelope may be detected from the extracted second signal. For example, the second signal extracted from the coupler 421 according to the embodiment may be transmitted to the envelope detection unit 422 so that an envelope for sensing a range of the second signal level may be detected. If the range of the second signal level is checked based on the detected envelope, an adjustment signal for adjusting the changed second signal level may be generated.

[0070] More specifically, in operation S542, the range of the second signal level based on the detected envelope can be compared with the range of the preconfigured signal level. For example, the signal adjustment unit 423 according to the embodiment can check the maximum and minimum values ​​of the second signal amplitude by using the detected envelope, from which the range of the second signal level can be checked, and it can be confirmed in operation S543 whether the checked range of the second signal level is included in the range of the preconfigured signal level.

[0071] If the range of the second signal level is included in the range of the preconfigured signal level, in operation S544, a control signal may be output to output the third signal for generating the fourth signal.

[0072] More specifically, if the range of the second signal level is included in the range of the preconfigured signal level, the signal adjustment unit 423 according to the embodiment can confirm that the second signal level has not changed. In this case, the signal adjustment unit 423 can output a control signal for controlling the oscillation unit 410 so as to output the third signal that has been fully adjusted according to the second signal to the mixer 400.

[0073] On the other hand, if the range of the second signal level is not included in the preconfigured range of the signal level, a control signal for adjusting the second signal may be output in operation S545.

[0074] More specifically, if the range of the second signal level is not included in the range of the preconfigured signal level, the signal adjustment unit 423 according to the embodiment may generate a control signal so that the range of the second signal level after the change is included in the range of the preconfigured signal level. In addition, the signal adjustment unit 423 may output the generated control signal to the oscillation unit 410. The oscillation unit 410 according to the embodiment may receive the control signal and may adjust the second signal by using the control signal.

[0075] return Figure 5A , the oscillation unit 410 according to the embodiment may determine a third signal completely adjusted according to the second signal based on the control signal received from the signal level control unit 420, and may output the third signal to the mixer.

[0076] If the third signal completely adjusted according to the second signal is output in this manner, a fourth signal converted from the first signal may be generated based on the third signal in operation S550. That is, if the oscillation unit 410 according to the embodiment outputs the third signal completely adjusted according to the second signal to the mixer, the mixer may apply the third signal to the first signal that has been input, thereby generating a fourth signal converted from the first signal through a frequency band.

[0077] As described above, the embodiment is advantageous in that, since an element capable of controlling a varying LO signal level is provided on the transmission path of the LO signal, an LO signal suitable for generating a desired output signal can be input to the mixer even if the level of the LO signal is changed due to a change in PVT.

[0078] Meanwhile, if the second signal adjusted based on the control signal is output from the oscillation unit 410, the signal level control unit 420 according to the embodiment may confirm whether the second signal has been properly adjusted. This is because, if the signal level control unit 420 confirms that the second signal has been properly adjusted, it is necessary to generate a control signal so that the third signal is output from the oscillation unit to the mixer, but if it is determined that the second signal is not properly adjusted, it is necessary to generate a control signal for re-adjusting the adjusted second signal.

[0079] refer to Figure 5C , in operation S501, a first control signal for adjusting the second signal may be first output.

[0080] The signal level control unit 420 according to the embodiment may output the first signal to the oscillation unit 410 according to the embodiment, and the oscillation unit 410 may adjust the second signal based on the first control signal. In addition, the oscillation unit 410 according to the embodiment may output the adjusted second signal.

[0081] Thereafter, the adjusted second signal may be received in response to the output of the first control signal in operation S502. For example, the adjusted second signal may be extracted from the coupler 421 included in the signal level control unit 420 according to the embodiment and may be transmitted to the signal adjustment unit 423. If the adjusted second signal is received, the signal level control unit 420 may determine whether the adjusted second signal needs to be re-adjusted.

[0082] More specifically, in operation S503, it may be confirmed whether the adjusted range of the second signal level is included in the range of the preconfigured signal level.

[0083] If the range of the adjusted second signal level is included in the range of the preconfigured signal level, the signal level control unit 420 according to the embodiment needs to control the oscillation unit 410 so that the adjusted second signal is output as the third signal from the oscillation unit 410 to the mixer 400. For example, in operation S504, the signal level control unit 420 according to the embodiment may output a first control signal to the oscillation unit 410 so that the adjusted second signal is output as the third signal from the oscillation unit 410, and the first control signal is the same as the first control signal that has been previously output for adjusting the second signal.

[0084] In this case, if a control signal is received from the signal level control unit 420 in response to the output of the adjusted second signal, the oscillation unit 410 according to the embodiment may determine whether the control signal is equal to the previously received control signal. If a control signal identical to the previously received first control signal is received, the oscillation unit 410 according to the embodiment may determine the second signal as the third signal and may output the third signal to the mixer 400.

[0085] On the other hand, if the range of the adjusted second signal is not included in the range of the preconfigured signal level, the signal level control unit 420 according to the embodiment needs to control the oscillation unit 410 so that the adjusted second signal is re-adjusted. For example, the signal level control unit 420 according to the embodiment may generate a second control signal for re-adjusting the adjusted second signal so that the range of the adjusted second signal level is included in the range of the preconfigured signal level. In addition, in operation S505, the signal level control unit 420 according to the embodiment may output the generated second control signal to the oscillation unit 410.

[0086] In this case, if a control signal is received from the signal level control unit 420 in response to the output of the adjusted second signal, the oscillation unit 410 according to the embodiment may determine whether the control signal is equal to the previously received control signal. If a second control signal different from the previously received first control signal is received, the oscillation unit 410 according to the embodiment may re-adjust the adjusted second signal based on the second control signal. The re-adjusted second control signal may be output from the oscillation unit 410 again.

[0087] As described above, the embodiment has the advantage that even if an adjusted signal is output from the oscillation unit, it is possible to confirm again whether the adjusted signal has been properly adjusted and readjust the adjusted signal, thereby making it possible to more precisely and accurately adjust a suddenly changing LO signal level.

[0088] Meanwhile, the PVT state not only affects the LO signal level but also may affect the performance of the mixer. Hereinafter, a method of adjusting the LO signal level in consideration of a change in mixer performance based on the PVT state will be described.

[0089] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B is a diagram illustrating PVT states affecting a mixer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0090] 7A to 7C is a diagram showing how mixer performance varies according to PVT conditions according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0091] refer to Fig. 6A The performance of the mixer 600 according to the embodiment may vary according to possible process-related variations, supplied voltage, and temperature. For example, the mixer 600 according to the embodiment may be as follows: Figure 6B Configuration shown.

[0092] For example, the mixer according to the embodiment may be as follows Figure 6B The double-balanced active mixer shown in FIG. has the advantage that when a signal is processed in a high frequency band as in a 5G system, leakage of the LO signal can be prevented and its loss can be reduced. However, the elements (e.g., switching transistors, etc.) included in the mixer may experience changes in their unique characteristics due to the PVT state.

[0093] refer to Fig. 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 7C Various results can be derived regarding the performance of the mixer depending on changes in the LO signal level, depending on the PVT state. Fig. 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 7C In each curve graph, the thickness of the line can represent different temperatures, and the type of the line can represent different process types.

[0094] For example, Fig. 7A As shown in FIG. 1 , as the degree of change in the LO signal level increases, the degree of increase in the amount of current consumed by the mixer can be derived differently depending on the process type or temperature. Similarly, it can be understood that Figure 7B and Figure 7C In FIG. 1 , different results regarding IM3 or gain depending on the change in LO signal level can be derived with changes in process type and temperature.

[0095] In this way, the PVT state not only affects the change of the LO signal level itself, but also changes the characteristics of the elements constituting the mixer, and thus may bring about a problem of changing the mixer performance. Therefore, a method according to another embodiment capable of more appropriately adjusting the LO signal level by additionally considering the change of the mixer performance depending on the PVT state will be described.

[0096] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device configured to adjust a signal level according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining a range of a signal level according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lookup table enumerating ranges of signal levels related to respective PVT states according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A repeated description of the same elements as those described above will be omitted herein.

[0099] refer to Figure 8 In order to adjust the signal level, the electronic device according to the embodiment may include: a mixer 800, an oscillation unit 810, and a signal level control unit 820. The signal level control unit 820 according to the embodiment may also include: a PVT sensing unit 827, which can sense the PVT state of the mixer 800.

[0100] The PVT sensing unit 827 according to the embodiment can sense the PVT state of the mixer and can provide the information to the signal conditioning unit 823 so that the changed mixer performance is reflected in the adjustment of the LO signal level accordingly. As used herein, the information may refer to information related to the range of the signal level, which is used as a reference for the signal conditioning unit 823 to confirm whether the LO signal level has changed. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Describe in more detail.

[0101] The PVT sensing unit 827 according to the embodiment may further include a PVT sensor 827a and a state determination unit 827b. The PVT sensor 827a according to the embodiment may include at least one sensor for sensing a PVT state regarding the mixer 800. For example, the PVT sensor 827a according to the embodiment may include a process sensor for sensing a process-related change that may occur, a temperature sensor capable of sensing the temperature of the mixer, a sensor capable of measuring a provided voltage, and the like.

[0102] If the PVT sensor 827a senses the PVT state about the mixer in this manner, the sensed PVT state may be transmitted to the state determination unit 827b. The state determination unit 827b according to an embodiment may provide information about the range of the reference signal level corresponding to the performance and state of the mixer to the signal adjustment unit 823, so that the mixer performance changed according to the PVT state may be used to adjust the LO signal level.

[0103] refer to Fig. 9 , in operation S910, a PVT state regarding performance of a mixer is sensed, and if the sensed PVT state is transmitted, a range of a signal level corresponding to the PVT state regarding the mixer may be determined in operation S920.

[0104] For example, a range of signal levels corresponding to the PVT state of the mixer may be determined based on a lookup table. Fig.10 As shown, the sensed PVT states can be respectively mapped to information about the range of signal levels reflecting the mixer performance depending thereon, thereby constituting a lookup table. The state determination unit 827b according to the embodiment can check the signal level range information corresponding to the PVT state acquired from the PVT sensor 827a based on the lookup table.

[0105] If the signal level range corresponding to the PVT state is determined in this manner, information about the determined signal level range may be transmitted from the state determination unit 827b to the signal adjustment unit 823. Thereafter, the signal adjustment unit 823 may confirm whether the level of the second signal changes using the signal level range information received from the state determination unit 827b.

[0106] That is, in operation S930, the preconfigured signal level range may be determined based on the signal level range information. If the second signal is extracted from the oscillation unit 810, the range of the extracted second signal may be compared with the determined signal level range, thereby outputting a control signal for adjusting the second signal.

[0107] For example, the signal adjustment unit 823 according to the embodiment may adjust the second signal with reference to the preconfigured range of the first signal level. If the mixer performance changes due to the PVT state, the PVT sensing unit 827 according to the embodiment may provide information about the range of the second signal level reflecting the changed mixer performance to the signal adjustment unit 823. Thereafter, the signal adjustment unit 823 may change the first signal level range to the second signal level range based on the information provided from the PVT sensing unit 827, and may adjust the second signal using the second signal level range.

[0108] Therefore, the embodiment has the advantage that not only the situation that the LO signal itself is changed due to the PVT state is taken into account, but also the change in the mixer performance can be taken into account, so that the LO signal level can be adjusted more accurately.

[0109] Fig.11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device configured to perform a signal level adjustment operation according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0110] refer to Fig.11 , an electronic device is shown, and the electronic device may be any device capable of performing a signal level adjustment operation according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device may include a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), an eNodeB (or a base station), a transmission / reception device, a radar, etc. capable of transmitting / receiving a wireless signal through an external device in a wireless communication system.

[0111] The electronic device according to the embodiment may include a transceiver 1110 , a controller 1120 , and a memory 1130 .

[0112] The transceiver 1110 according to the embodiment can transmit / receive wireless signals through an external device. To this end, the transceiver 1110 may include: an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of the signal to be transmitted; an RF receiver for low-noise amplifying the received signal and down-converting the frequency, etc. The transceiver 1110 according to the embodiment also includes a mixer, an oscillation unit, and a signal level control unit for signal level control.

[0113] The controller 1120 according to the embodiment may control a series of processes for operating the electronic device. For example, the controller 1120 may control the transceiver 1110 so that a wireless signal is transmitted / received through the transceiver 1110.

[0114] The memory 1130 according to an embodiment may store a default program, application program, configuration information, data, etc. for operating the electronic device according to an embodiment. For example, the memory 1130 according to an embodiment may store a lookup table for determining a range of a signal level.

[0115] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure can be implemented in another specific form without changing the technical ideas or essential features of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary only and are not limited. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims described later rather than by detailed description. Therefore, it should be understood that all modifications or changes derived from the meaning and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents are included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0116] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electronic device in a wireless communication system, the electronic device comprising: an oscillator configured to output a local oscillation signal; a mixer configured to convert a frequency band of a first signal based on the local oscillation signal and output a second signal; as well as a signal level controller coupled between the oscillator and the mixer, Wherein, the signal level controller includes process, voltage and temperature PVT sensors, and the signal level controller is configured as follows: Using the PVT sensor to sense the state of the mixer, identifying a first PVT state corresponding to a state of the mixer among a plurality of PVT states in a lookup table based on first information about a process of the mixer, second information about a temperature of the mixer, and third information about a voltage of the mixer, determining a range of signal levels corresponding to the first PVT state based on the lookup table, wherein the lookup table includes ranges of signal levels corresponding to the plurality of PVT states, identifying a level change of the local oscillation signal based on a second PVT state of the local oscillation signal, and Based on the identified level change of the local oscillation signal, a feedback signal is output to the oscillator to adjust the amplitude of the local oscillation signal to be within the range of the signal level determined to correspond to the first PVT state.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The signal level controller further comprises: a coupler, the coupler being connected between the oscillator and the mixer and being used for extracting the local oscillation signal; an envelope detector configured to detect an envelope based on a second PVT state of the local oscillation signal; and A signal control circuit is configured to determine an amplitude of the local oscillation signal based on the envelope, and to generate the feedback signal based on the envelope and the determined range of the signal level.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: The signal level controller further comprises: a first converter connected between the envelope detector and the signal control circuit; and A second converter is connected between the signal control circuit and the oscillator.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The signal level controller is further configured to: outputting the feedback signal for adjusting the local oscillation signal, and If an adjusted local oscillator signal is received from the oscillator in response to the feedback signal, it is determined whether to adjust the feedback signal to re-adjust the local oscillator signal.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: When the range of the adjusted local oscillation signal is within a preconfigured signal level, the signal level controller is further configured to ignore the output of the feedback signal.

6. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: The signal level controller is further configured to output the feedback signal to the oscillator when the range of the adjusted local oscillation signal is outside a preconfigured signal level. 7 . The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a buffer configured to amplify the local oscillation signal.

8. A method of an electronic device in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: generating a local oscillation signal; sensing a state of a mixer of the electronic device using a process, voltage and temperature (PVT) sensor; identifying a first PVT state corresponding to a state of the mixer among a plurality of PVT states in a lookup table based on first information about a process of the mixer, second information about a temperature of the mixer, and third information about a voltage of the mixer; determining a range of signal levels corresponding to the first PVT state based on the lookup table, wherein the lookup table includes ranges of signal levels corresponding to the plurality of PVT states; Based on a second PVT state of the local oscillation signal, identifying a level change of the local oscillation signal; Based on the identified level change of the local oscillation signal, output a feedback signal to the oscillator to adjust the amplitude of the local oscillation signal so that it is within the range of the signal level determined to correspond to the first PVT state; converting a frequency band of the first signal based on the local oscillation signal and the output feedback signal; and A second signal corresponding to the first signal is output, the second signal having a converted frequency band.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: Use a coupler to extract the coupled local oscillation signal. Wherein, outputting the feedback signal further comprises: a second PVT state detection envelope based on the local oscillation signal, determining a level change of the local oscillation signal based on the envelope, and The feedback signal is generated based on the envelope and the determined range of the signal levels.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: converting the envelope into digital samples; as well as The digital samples are converted into the feedback signal.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: Outputting the feedback signal for adjusting the local oscillation signal; as well as If a local oscillating signal is received in response to the feedback signal, it is determined whether to adjust the feedback signal to re-adjust the local oscillating signal.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: determining whether the local oscillator signal is adjusted to within a predetermined range based on inference from the coupled local oscillator signal; as well as When the local oscillation signal is within the predetermined range, the output of the feedback signal is ignored to maintain the amplitude of the local oscillation signal.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: determining whether the local oscillator signal is adjusted to within a predetermined range based on inference from the coupled local oscillator signal; as well as When the local oscillation signal is outside the predetermined range, the feedback signal is output to adjust the amplitude of the local oscillation signal.

14. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: The local oscillation signal is amplified.

15. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: converting the local oscillation signal into a differential local oscillation signal, The coupler is configured to electromagnetically sense a single signal of the differential local oscillation signal to generate a coupled local oscillation signal.

16. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: converting the envelope into digital samples; transforming the digital samples based on process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) conditions of the mixer; as well as After transforming the digital samples, the digital samples are converted into the feedback signal.

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