Millimeter wave band transceiver

The millimeter wave band transceiver addresses heat management and performance issues by using an array antenna and power control mechanisms, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and prolonged operational lifespan.

WO2025037666A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-02-20LG ELECTRONICS INC
View PDF 5 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/KR2023/012478
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-08-14
Filing Date
2023-08-23
Publication Date
2025-02-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Millimeter wave band transceivers face challenges in controlling heat generation and performance deterioration due to high power density and peak-to-average power ratio, which can lead to aging and reduced operational lifespan.

Method used

The transceiver includes an array antenna with multiple antenna elements, power amplifiers, and power detectors. A processor controls the power amplifiers to adjust the number of antenna elements used and reduce output power when necessary, thereby managing heat generation and maintaining performance.

Benefits of technology

This solution effectively monitors and controls heat generation, reduces performance deterioration, and minimizes the aging effect by accurately detecting output power and adjusting operational parameters without increasing fan speed.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure KR2023012478_20022025_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure KR2023012478_20022025_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A millimeter wave transceiver includes: an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements; a plurality of power amplifiers coupled with the plurality of antenna elements, respectively; a plurality of power detectors disposed in respective paths between the plurality of antenna elements and the plurality of power amplifiers, and configured to detect outputs of power amplifiers in operation; and a processor configured to control the plurality of power amplifiers to differently select antenna elements to be used or increase a number of the antenna elements to be used, based on the output power detected by the respective power detectors.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

MILLIMETER WAVE BAND TRANSCEIVER

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a millimeter wave band transceiver. One particular implementation relates to an electronic device having a millimeter wave band transceiver.

[0002] As functions of electronic devices diversify, the electronic devices can be implemented as image display devices such as multimedia players having complex functions, for example, playing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcasts, and the like.

[0003] An image display device is a device for reproducing (playing) image contents. Image display devices receive images (videos) from various sources and reproduce the received images. Image display devices are implemented as various devices such as PCs (Personal Computers), smart phones, tablet PCs, laptop computers, TV sets, and the like. An image display device such as a smart TV may provide an application for providing web contents, such as web browsers.

[0004] An electronic device such as the image display device may be configured to receive wireless (radio) AV data from other adjacent electronic devices or servers. A WiFi radio interface may be considered as an interface for a communication service between electronic devices. When using such a WiFi radio interface, a millimeter wave (mmWave) band may be used for high-speed data transmission between the electronic devices. In particular, the high-speed data transmission between the electronic devices is achieved using a radio interface such as 802.11ay.

[0005] When an electronic device is configured to receive wireless AV data from other adjacent electronic devices or servers, synchronization and data transmission need to be performed for communication between modules / blocks / chips inside the electronic device.

[0006] In this regard, an electronic device may include a millimeter wave band (mmWave) transceiver that is capable of performing wireless communication in a millimeter wave band. Electronic components included in the millimeter wave band transceiver may generate heat during operation, and aging that operation characteristics of the electronic components are deteriorated due to the generated heat, may occur.

[0007] In this regard, a way to control aging is to use a safe operating area simulation for a device and then keep an environment within limits. This approach has a disadvantage in view of having to reserve overhead for each parameter to secure safety. In mmWave designs, device performance is very limited and it is difficult to guarantee that an operation will be carried out within safe operating area (SOA) limits. This is especially true for transmitters using higher-order modulation because a peak-to-average power ratio (PAR) is high and limits might be exceeded during peak.

[0008] Another special aspect of higher-order modulation millimeter wave transmitters is their high power density. Linearity requirements for modulation combined with very high frequencies make linearization techniques difficult, and the popular solution for the linearity is to consume more current. This may lead to higher temperature which may also increase the risk of aging. This may traditionally be overcome by using heatsinks and fans to lower the temperature.

[0009] However, there is a problem in that a fan speed control method in an electronic device is not recommended due to noise caused by high fan speed.

[0010] The present disclosure is directed to solving the aforementioned problems and other drawbacks.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure is to monitor performance of a millimeter wave band (mmWave) transceiver and control heat generation of electronic components when the performance deteriorates.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to minimize performance deterioration by controlling heat generation of an electronic component without increasing speed of a heat dissipation fan and lowering an operating temperature of the electronic component.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to minimize performance deterioration by reducing maximum output power of individual transmitters and lowering operating temperatures of electronic components when there is a headroom in radio link performance.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to reduce an aging effect before an occurrence of actual performance loss by performing a significantly accurate detection of performance degradation of an electronic component.

[0015] In order to achieve those aspects and other advantages, a millimeter wave band transceiver according to the present disclosure may include: an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements; a plurality of power amplifiers coupled with the plurality of antenna elements, respectively; a plurality of power detectors disposed in respective paths between the plurality of antenna elements and the plurality of power amplifiers, and configured to detect outputs of power amplifiers in operation; and a processor configured to control the plurality of power amplifiers to differently select antenna elements to be used or increase a number of the antenna elements to be used, based on the output power detected by the respective power detectors.

[0016] According to an embodiment, a number of the plurality of antenna elements may be set to 32, and a number of the plurality of power detectors may be set to 32. The number of the power amplifiers in operation may be set to 8, 16, 24, or 32.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the processor may measure the output of each of the plurality of power amplifiers for each path. The processor may lower a target temperature by reducing power consumption of the plurality of power amplifiers when at least one of the respective outputs is smaller than a preset value and a maximum number of power amplifiers are used.

[0018] According to an embodiment, when the outputs of the plurality of power amplifiers for the respective 32 paths are equal to or greater than the preset value, the processor may control a first beam in a first direction to a fourth beam in a fourth direction to be formed through a first group of 8 antennas to a fourth group of 8 antennas. The processor may select at least one of the first direction to the fourth direction based on information fed back from a receiving device or a signal detected through a receiver connected to the plurality of antenna elements. The processor may perform single transmission through the 32 antenna elements when the selected direction is one. The processor may perform multi-input and Multi-output (MIMO) transmission through the 16 antenna elements of the first and second groups and the remaining 16 elements of the third and fourth groups when the selected direction is two.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the processor may differently select the antenna elements to be used when at least one of the respective outputs is smaller than the preset value and a number of the power amplifiers used is smaller than the maximum number.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the processor may measure second outputs of the power amplifiers connected to the differently selected antenna elements, respectively. The processor may lower a target temperature by further reducing power consumption of the power amplifiers when at least one of the second outputs is smaller than the preset value.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the processor may control the number of antenna elements to be used and a number of power amplifiers to be used to be increased when the respective outputs are smaller than the preset value and a number of the power amplifiers used is smaller than the maximum number.

[0022] According to an embodiment, first radiation power may be radiated through all antenna elements connected to the power amplifiers in operation. The processor may control input power to the power amplifiers to be used to be reduced. The processor may control the outputs of the antenna elements to be used to be reduced, and second radiation power, which is to be radiated through all the antenna elements to be used, to be maintained equal to the first radiation power.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the processor may control 16 power amplifiers to operate when at least one of outputs of 8 power amplifiers in operation is smaller than the preset value. The processor may control the 16 power amplifiers so that the output of each of the 16 power amplifiers has a predetermined range based on 6 dB. The processor may radiate a beamforming radio signal through 16 antenna elements connected to the 16 power amplifiers.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the processor may control 32 power amplifiers to operate when at least one of the outputs of the 16 power amplifiers in operation is smaller than the preset value. The processor may control the 32 power amplifiers so that the output of each of the 32 power amplifiers has a predetermined range based on 6 dB. The processor may radiate a beamforming radio signal through 32 antenna elements connected to the 32 power amplifiers.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the processor may perform a diversity operation by forming a first beam in a first direction through 8 antenna elements of the 16 antenna elements and a second beam in a second direction through the remaining 8 antenna elements.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the processor may select one of the first beam in the first direction and the second beam in the second direction based on information fed back from a receiving device or a signal detected through a receiver connected to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the processor may form a third beam in the first direction through the 16 antenna elements when a radio communication link is established with the receiving device through the first beam in the first direction. The third beam may have a beam width narrower than a beam width of the first beam.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the millimeter wave band transceiver may further include: first driver amplifiers configured to combine two adjacent power amplifiers into a pair, among the 32 power amplifiers; and second driver amplifiers configured to combine four adjacent first driver amplifiers among the first driver amplifiers. The millimeter wave band transceiver may further include third driver amplifiers configured to combine four adjacent second driver amplifiers among the second driver. The processor may control input power to the power amplifiers to be used to be reduced by 6 dB in a manner of reducing outputs of the first driver amplifiers by 6 dB.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the millimeter wave band transceiver may further include: an internal signal generator configured to generate a signal of a specific frequency; and an up-converter coupled to an output of the internal signal generator and an input of the third driver amplifier, and configured to output a radio frequency (RF) signal by receiving a baseband signal or an intermediate frequency (IF) signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal.

[0030] Technical effects of a millimeter wave band transceiver and an electronic device including the same will be described as follows, but are not limited thereto.

[0031] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, performance of the millimeter wave band transceiver may be monitored through power detectors, and heat generation of electronic components may be controlled when the performance is deteriorated.

[0032] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an operating temperature of an electronic component may be lowered by controlling heat generation according to outputs of power amplifiers without increasing speed of a heat dissipation fan, thereby decreasing deterioration of performance.

[0033] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, maximum output power of discrete transmitters can be reduced when a headroom is present in radio link performance, so as to lower an operating temperature of an electronic component, thereby reducing deterioration of performance.

[0034] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of antenna elements to be used may increase while decreasing maximum output power of discrete transmitters, to thus maintain total radiation power, thereby enabling heat generation control while maintaining radio link performance.

[0035] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, detection of output power of power amplifiers associated with performance degradation of an electronic component can be performed sufficiently accurately, thereby reducing an aging effect before an occurrence of actual performance loss.

[0036] Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the foregoing detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, such as the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various modifications and alternations within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining a configuration of a wireless display system according to the present embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating detailed configurations of a communication device and an electronic device.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a millimeter wave band (mmWave) transceiver performing power control.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a millimeter wave band transceiver having a plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of power amplifiers of FIG. 4.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a plurality of antenna elements configured by group in the millimeter wave band transceiver of FIG. 5.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a power control method performed by a millimeter wave band transceiver according to an embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a power control method performed by a millimeter wave band transceiver according to another embodiment.

[0045] A description will now be given in detail of specific embodiments of the present disclosure, together with drawings.

[0046] Hereinafter, a description will be given in more detail of embodiments related to the present disclosure, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, a suffix such as "module" and "unit" may be used to refer to elements or components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the suffix itself is not intended to give any special meaning or function.

[0047] A video / audio (hereinafter referred to as A / V) transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is, for example, an intelligent device in which a computer support function is added to a broadcast receiving function, may have an easier-to-use interface such as a handwriting input device, a touchscreen, or a spatial remote controller as an Internet function is added thereto while thoroughly performing the broadcast receiving function.

[0048] Furthermore, the A / V transmitting device may be connected to the Internet and a computer with the support of a wired or wireless Internet function to perform functions such as e-mailing, web browsing, banking, or gaming. A standard general-purpose OS may be used to perform these various functions.

[0049] Accordingly, various applications may be freely added to or deleted from a general-purpose OS kernel, for example, thereby allowing the A / V transmitting device described therein to perform various user-friendly functions.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining a configuration of a wireless display system according to the present embodiment.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication device 100 and an electronic device 200.

[0052] The wireless display system 1 may be a system in which the communication device 100 wirelessly transmits A / V data to the electronic device 200 and the electronic device 200 outputs the A / V data.

[0053] The communication device 100 may be a device capable of encoding video and audio and wirelessly transmitting the encoded video and audio content.

[0054] An example of the communication device 100 may be an all-in-one (AIO) box capable of transmitting data, and may be, for example, a set-top box.

[0055] Another example of the communication device 100 may be connected to an external device such as a set-top box or a USB memory. The communication device 100 may transmit a video signal or an audio signal received from an external device connected thereto to the electronic device 200.

[0056] The electronic device 200 may be a display device capable of wirelessly receiving the encoded video and audio, and decoding the received video and audio.

[0057] The communication device 100 and the electronic device 200 may constitute a video wall display system.

[0058] In a video wall, a display having a thin bezel plays an important role in the visualization of video content. In order to efficiently implement a thin bezel, it is efficient to provide only components that can play a minimal role in the display, and to perform circuits or components for major functions in a separate device.

[0059] The communication device 100 may determine a type of video content and determine a compression rate of the video content based on the determined type. The compression rate of the video content may be defined as a ratio between a size of video data before encoding and a size of video data after encoding.

[0060] The type of video content may include a still image type, a general video type, and a game video type. The communication device 100 may compress the video content according to the determined compression rate, and wirelessly transmit the compressed video content to the electronic device 200.

[0061] The electronic device 200, which may be, for example, a display device, may restore the compressed video content received from the communication device 100, and display the restored video content on a display.

[0062] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating detailed configurations of a communication device and an electronic device. Referring to FIG. 2, the communication device 100 may include a microphone 110, a Wi-Fi module 120, a Bluetooth module 130, a memory 140, an RF transmitting module 150, and a processor 190.

[0063] The microphone 110 may receive an audio signal and transfer the audio signal to the processor 190. The microphone 110 may receive a voice uttered by a user.

[0064] The Wi-Fi module 120 may perform wireless communication through the Wi-Fi standard. The Wi-Fi module 120 may perform wireless communication with an external device or the electronic device 200 through the Wi-Fi standard.

[0065] The Bluetooth module 130 may perform wireless communication through the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard. The Bluetooth module 130 may perform wireless communication with an external device such as a remote controller or the electronic device 200 through the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard.

[0066] The memory 140 may store a program for signal processing and control, and may store signal-processed video, audio, or data signals. The memory 140 may perform a function for temporarily storing video, audio, or data signals received from the outside, and may store information on a predetermined image through a channel storage function.

[0067] The RF transmitting module 150 may transmit an A / V signal to the RF receiving module 240 of the electronic device 200 through Radio Frequency (RF) communication. The RF transmitting module 150 may transmit an A / V signal compressed in a digital form to the RF receiving module 240. The RF transmitting module 150 may transmit the A / V signal to the RF receiving module 240 through one or more channels.

[0068] The processor 190 may control an overall operation of the communication device 100. The processor 190 may be configured in the form of a system-on-chip (SoC). The processors 190 may be provided in plurality. The processor 190 may compress a video signal or an audio signal received from the outside, and transfer the compressed signal to the RF transmitting module 150.

[0069] The processor 190 may include an encoder for compressing a video signal or an audio signal. The processor 190 may be referred to as a main SoC. The processor 190 may have one or more interfaces for connection with external devices. For example, the processor 190 may have one or more HDMI ports, and one or more USB ports. The processor 190 may include a tuner that receives broadcast signals.

[0070] The electronic device 200 may include a Wi-Fi module 210, a Bluetooth module 220, an IR module 230, an RF receiving module 240, a memory 250, a display panel 260, and a processor 290.

[0071] The Wi-Fi module 210 may perform wireless communication through the Wi-Fi standard. The Wi-Fi module 120 may perform wireless communication with an external device or the communication device 100 through the Wi-Fi standard.

[0072] The Bluetooth module 220 may perform wireless communication through the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard. The Bluetooth module 220 may perform wireless communication with an external device such as a remote controller or the A / V transmitting device 200 through the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard.

[0073] The IR module 230 may receive a signal from a remote controller (not shown) through infrared (IR) communication.

[0074] The RF receiving module 240 may receive an A / V signal from the RF transmitting module 150. The RF receiving module 240 may include a plurality of antennas. The RF receiving module 240 may be disposed below the display panel 260.

[0075] An example of the RF receiving module 240 may include a first antenna module and a second antenna module. Each of the first antenna module and the second antenna module may include a plurality of antennas.

[0076] Another example of the RF receiving module 240 may include one antenna module, and the antenna module may include a plurality of antennas. The RF receiving module 240 may receive an A / V signal compressed in a digital form from the RF transmitting module 150, and transfer the received A / V signal to the processor 290.

[0077] The memory 250 may store a program for signal processing and control, and may store signal-processed video, audio, or data signals.

[0078] The display panel 260 may be a display panel 260 capable of displaying a video signal received from the processor 290. An example of the display panel 260 may be an LED panel. The display panel 260 may display a video signal according to the driving of a timing controller (not shown).

[0079] The processor 290 may control an overall operation of the electronic device 200. The processor 290 may restore the compressed A / V signal received by the RF receiving module 240. To this end, the processor 290 may include a decoder.

[0080] Hereinafter, the electronic device 200, which may be a display device, will be described with the same reference numerals as those of the A / V receiving device.

[0081] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] The electronic device 200 may include a display panel 260, a first antenna module 300, and a second antenna module 310. The electronic device 200 may perform wireless communication with the communication device 100 disposed apart therefrom by a predetermined distance L2 in a direction of a specific angle α.

[0083] Each of the first antenna module 300 and the second antenna module 310 may include 32 antennas, but this is merely an example. Monopole antennas 306, 308 may be disposed on both side surfaces of the first antenna module 300 and the second antenna module 310. A monopole antenna 316 may be disposed at a bottom portion of the first antenna module 300. A second monopole antenna 318 may be disposed at a bottom portion of the second antenna module 310.

[0084] The first antenna module 300 and the second antenna module 310 may be disposed below the display panel 260.

[0085] In the first antenna module 300, a plurality of first antenna patches 304, a plurality of monopole antennas 306, and a plurality of dipole antennas 308 may be disposed on a first substrate 302.

[0086] The first substrate 302 may be vertically disposed. A length of the first substrate 302 in a left-right direction X may be larger than that in a top-down direction Y. A front surface of the first substrate 302 may face forward, similar to a front surface of the display panel 260.

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the plurality of first antenna patches 304 may be arranged in a row in a horizontal direction, and may be arranged in a plurality of rows in a top-down direction Y.

[0088] The plurality of first antenna patches 304 may be arranged on a front surface of the first substrate 302.

[0089] The plurality of monopole antennas 306 may include a plurality of left monopole antennas disposed at a left side end of the first substrate 302 and a plurality of right monopole antennas disposed at a right side end of the first substrate 302. The plurality of dipole antennas 308 may include a plurality of lower dipole antennas disposed at a lower end of the first substrate 302.

[0090] The first antenna module 300 may be closer to one side end 262 between the one side end 262 and the other side end 264 of the display panel 260. The first antenna module 300 may be a right antenna module closer to a right side end between a left side end and the right side end of the display panel 260. The first antenna module 300 may be disposed to be biased toward the right of the display device 20.

[0091] The first antenna module 300 may further include a first cover 201 in FIG. 4, which covers the first substrate 302, the plurality of first antenna patches 304, the plurality of monopole antennas 306, and the plurality of dipole antennas 308. The first substrate 302, the plurality of first antenna patches 304, and the plurality of monopole antennas 306 may be located inside the first cover 201, and may be protected by the first cover 201.

[0092] At least one antenna included in the second antenna module 310 may have a vertically polarized characteristic in which an electric field is formed in a Y-axis direction, which is a top-down direction Y corresponding to a width of the second substrate 312. In the second antenna module 310, a plurality of first antenna patches 314, a plurality of monopole antennas 316, and a plurality of dipole antennas 318 may be disposed on the second substrate 312. The plurality of second monopole antennas 318 may have vertical polarization characteristics in which an electric field is formed in the Y-axis direction, which is the top-down direction Y.

[0093] The second substrate 312 may be vertically disposed. A length of the second substrate 312 in a left-right direction X may be larger than that in a top-down direction Y. A front surface of the second substrate 312 may face forward, similar to a front surface of the display panel 260.

[0094] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the plurality of second antenna patches 314 may be arranged in a row in a horizontal direction, and may be arranged in a plurality of rows in a top-down direction Y.

[0095] The plurality of second antenna patches 314 may be arranged on a front surface of the second substrate 312.

[0096] The monopole antenna 316 is an antenna having a vertical straight or spiral conductor that operates as a half of a dipole antenna.

[0097] A plurality of monopole antennas 316 may be provided on the second substrate 312.

[0098] The plurality of monopole antennas 316 may be disposed closer to an edge between the center and the edge of the second substrate 312.

[0099] The plurality of monopole antennas 316 may include a plurality of left dipole antennas disposed at a left side end of the second substrate 312 and a plurality of right monopole antennas disposed at a right side end of the second substrate 312. The plurality of monopole antennas 318 may include a plurality of lower monopole antennas disposed at a lower end of the second substrate 312.

[0100] The second antenna module 310 may be closer to the other side end 264 between the one side end 262 and the other side end 264 of the display panel 260. The second antenna module 310 may be a left antenna module closer to a left side end between the left side end and the right side end of the display panel 260. The second antenna module 310 may be disposed to be biased toward the left of the display device 20.

[0101] The second antenna module 310 may further include a second cover 202 in FIG. 4, which covers the second substrate 312, the plurality of second antenna patches 314, the plurality of monopole antennas 316, and the plurality of monopole antennas 318. The second substrate 312, the plurality of second antenna patches 314, and the plurality of monopole antennas 316 may be located inside the second cover 202, and may be protected by the second cover 202.

[0102] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a space may be formed between the first antenna module 300 and the second antenna module 310. The IR module 230 (see FIG. 2) may be disposed in a space between the first antenna module 300 and the second antenna module 310. An extension line L1 of a center line dividing the display panel 260 into left and right sides may pass between the first antenna module 300 and the second antenna module 310.

[0103] The first antenna module 300 and the second antenna module 310 may be spaced apart from each other by a set distance D1 in a left-right direction Y.

[0104] The first antenna module 300 including a plurality of antenna elements and / or the second antenna module 310 including a plurality of antenna elements may constitute a millimeter wave band (mmWave) transceiver. Hereinafter, a millimeter wave band transceiver performing power control according to the present disclosure will be described.

[0105] One aspect of the present disclosure is to monitor performance of a millimeter wave band (mmWave) transceiver and control heat generation of electronic components when the performance deteriorates.

[0106] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to minimize performance deterioration by controlling heat generation of an electronic component without increasing speed of a heat dissipation fan and lowering an operating temperature of the electronic component.

[0107] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to minimize performance deterioration by reducing maximum output power of discrete transmitters and lowering operating temperatures of electronic components when there is a headroom in radio link performance.

[0108] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to reduce an aging effect before an occurrence of actual performance loss by performing a significantly accurate detection of performance degradation of an electronic component.

[0109] A millimeter wave band transceiver according to the present disclosure has a self-test function based on parameters sensitive to performance deterioration and aging. Since the best parameter for the self-test of the transmitter is gain, a self-test result of each transmitter path gain may be monitored. When a considerable gain decrease occurs, corrective actions may be initiated. It is expected that there will be differences in degradation and aging of electronic components depending on usage temperatures, usage profiles and discrete sample variations. Accordingly, better wireless communication performance and user experience can be obtained by processing each sample at a lower temperature, instead of individually processing each sample based on the worst sample and usage profile at the maximum temperature.

[0110] In relation to this, FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a millimeter wave band (mmWave) transceiver performing power control. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the millimeter wave band transceiver having a plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of power amplifiers of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a plurality of antenna elements configured by group in the millimeter wave band transceiver of FIG. 5.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device 200 as a transmitting device may perform wireless communication with a first electronic device 100 as a receiving device. The electronic device 200 may operate as a receiving device while operating as a transmitting device. The first electronic device 100 may also operate as a transmitting device while operating as a receiving device. In this regard, the millimeter wave band transceiver 1000 may be provided in each of the first electronic device 100 and the electronic device 200.

[0112] The millimeter wave band transceiver 1000 may include an array antenna 1100, a transmitter 1200a, a processor 1400, and a receiver 1500. The array antenna 1100 may be configured to form a beamforming radio signal through a plurality of antenna elements. The transmitter 1200a may be operably coupled. The transmitter 1200a may be disposed between the array antenna 1100 and the processor 1400. The transmitter 1200a may be configured to transmit an amplified transmission signal to the array antenna 1100. The transmitter 1200a may be configured to include power amplifiers and driver amplifiers.

[0113] The receiver 1500 may be disposed between the array antenna 1100 and the processor 1400. The receiver 1500 may be configured to amplify a reception signal received from the array antenna 1100. The receiver 1500 may include low-noise amplifiers.

[0114] Hereinafter, a millimeter wave band transceiver including a plurality of antenna elements will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. The millimeter wave band transceiver 1000 may include an array antenna 1100, a power amplifier module 1200, a plurality of power detectors PD1 to PD32, and a processor 1400. In this regard, the first antenna module 300 or the second antenna module 310 of FIG. 3 may correspond to the millimeter wave band transceiver 1000 of FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0115] The array antenna 1100 may include a plurality of antenna elements AE1 to AE32, and radiate a beam-forming radio signal of a millimeter wave band through the plurality of antenna elements AE1 to AE32.

[0116] The power amplifier module 1200 may include a plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 and transmit an amplified signal to the plurality of antenna elements AE1 to AE32. The plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 may be coupled to the plurality of antenna elements AE1 to AE32, respectively.

[0117] The plurality of power detectors PD1 to PD32 may be disposed on respective paths between the plurality of antenna elements AE1 to AE32 and the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32. The plurality of power detectors PD1 to PD32 may be disposed on paths through which respective RF signals are transmitted. The plurality of power detectors PD1 to PD32 may be configured to detect outputs of power amplifiers in operation, among the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32.

[0118] The plurality of power detectors PD1 to PD32 may be added to the outputs of the respective paths of the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32. Meanwhile, an internal signal generator 1410 may be added to a chip such as an RFIC. A gain of each RF signal path may be measured and stored. A temperature value may also be stored to compensate for an effect of temperature on the gain. During a lifespan of a product, the product may perform periodic self-tests and determine whether the gain has started to decrease. When the gain of the transmitter decreases, a target internal temperature of the product may be lowered. When the gain value drops below a threshold value, switching to another transmitter path may be carried out, an additional path may be activated, or transmitter power may be reduced.

[0119] It is not easy to accurately determine in advance whether the internal temperature of the product is sufficiently low. The internal temperature of the millimeter wave band transceiver and / or electronic components included therein may be inferred by considering various external parameters such as transmitter output power, sample variation, usage profile, and the like as. Meanwhile, if the internal temperature of the millimeter wave band transceiver and / or electronic components included therein is set to a very low target temperature, fan speed may increase and thus noise may increase. Accordingly, it is necessary to minimize unnecessary overhead such as an increase in size and noise of a heat dissipation fan while maintaining wireless communication performance of the millimeter wave band transceiver. To this end, performance deterioration and aging of the millimeter wave band transceiver must be properly controlled.

[0120] In order to appropriately control performance degradation and aging, the processor 1400 of the transceiver may be operably coupled with the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 of the power amplifier module 1200. The processor 1400 may differently select antenna elements to be used based on output power detected in each of power amplifiers which are in operation. Accordingly, the processor 1400 may control the power amplifiers connected to the selected antenna elements. The processor 1400 may be implemented as a radio frequency integrated chip (RFIC) or as a baseband processor such as a modem.

[0121] The processor 1400 may control the plurality of power amplifiers to increase the number of antenna elements to be used, based on output power detected in each of the power amplifiers in operation. Accordingly, the processor 1400 can control the power amplifiers connected to the selected antenna elements to increase the number of antenna elements to be used.

[0122] A number of the plurality of antenna elements AE1 to AE32 may be set to 32. A number of the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 may be set to 32. A number of the plurality of power detectors PD1 to PD32 may be set to 32. A number of the power amplifiers in operation may be set to 8, 16, 24 or 32.

[0123] Meanwhile, the power control method performed by the millimeter wave band transceiver according to the present disclosure may be performed by detecting power output for each RF signal path. In relation to this, FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a power control method performed by a millimeter wave band transceiver according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a power control method performed by a millimeter wave band transceiver according to another embodiment.

[0124] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the power control method may be performed by the processor 1400 of the millimeter wave band transceiver 1000. The power control method may include a process of activating an internal signal generator (S100), a process of activating a transmission signal path (S200), a process of measuring output power (S300), a process of determining measurement completion (S350), and a process of comparing measurement results (S400).

[0125] The power control method may further include a process of comparing the number of power amplifiers (S450), a process of lowering a target temperature (S500), a process of selecting antennas (S600), and a process of lowering a target temperature (S650).

[0126] In the process of activating the internal signal generator (S100), the processor 1400 may activate an internal signal generator 1410 and control the internal signal generator 1410 to generate a signal of a specific frequency. In the process of activating the transmission signal path (S200), the processor 1400 may activate a plurality of power amplifiers connected to a plurality of antenna elements to control an RF signal to be transmitted through each transmission signal path.

[0127] In the process of measuring the output power (S300), output power output from each of the plurality of power amplifiers may be measured by the power detectors. In the process of determining the measurement completion (S350), it may be determined whether the output power has been measured for all the transmission signal paths. In this regard, the output power measurement may be carried out for all the 32 power amplifiers PA1 to PA32. As another example, the output power measurement may be carried out for a group of 8 or 16 power amplifiers connected to a selected number of antennas.

[0128] In the process of comparing the measurement results (S400), the output power values for the respective transmission signal paths are compared with a preset (and stored) value. In the process of comparing the measurement results (S400), when all the output power values are greater than or equal to the stored value, the corresponding process ends. On the other hand, when at least one of the output power values is smaller than the stored value in the process of comparing the measurement results (S400), the process of comparing the number of power amplifiers (S450) is performed.

[0129] In the process of comparing the number of power amplifiers (S450), it may be determined whether the maximum number (e.g.: 32) of power amplifiers are used. When the maximum number (e.g., 32) of power amplifiers are used, a target temperature associated with power consumption of the 32 power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 may be lowered in the process of lowering the target temperature (S500). The target temperatures may be lowered by reducing the power consumption for the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32. To this end, power or a gain value input to the 32 power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 may be controlled to decrease.

[0130] In the process or selecting antennas (S600), different antenna elements may be selected on a transmission signal path different from a transmission signal path of an electronic component, which has been deteriorated in performance or damaged, so as to replace the deteriorated or damaged electronic component. In the process of lowering the target temperature (S650), power consumption for specific power amplifiers connected to the selected different antenna elements may be reduced, thereby lowering the target temperature. To this end, the processor 1400 may control power or a gain value input to the specific power amplifiers to be lowered.

[0131] Hereinafter, a method of controlling power by increasing the number of antenna elements to be used will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIG. 8. The power control method may include a process of activating an internal signal generator (S100), a process of activating a transmission signal path (S200), a process of measuring output power (S300), a process of determining measurement completion (S350), and a process of comparing measurement results (S400). In this regard, since the process of activating the internal signal generator (S100) to the process of comparing the measurement results (S400) correspond to the processes described in FIG. 7, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0132] The power control method may further include a process of comparing the number of power amplifiers (S450), a process of lowering a target temperature (S500), a process of increasing the number of antennas to be used (S600b), and a process of reducing input power (S650b).

[0133] In the process of comparing the number of power amplifiers (S450), it may be determined whether the maximum number (e.g.: 32) of power amplifiers are used. When the maximum number (e.g., 32) of power amplifiers are used, a target temperature may be lowered by reducing power consumption of the 32 power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 in the process of lowering the target temperature (S500). To this end, power or a gain value input to the 32 power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 may be controlled to decrease.

[0134] In the process of increasing the number of antennas (S600b), antenna elements may be selected to increase the number of antenna elements to be used. For example, when 8 antenna elements are used and output power of a path connected to at least one antenna element is lower than a preset value, 16 antenna elements may be selected through the process of increasing the number of antennas (S600b).

[0135] A specific transmission signal path whose output power is limited through the process of increasing the number of antennas (S600b) may also be used as a transmission signal path through a low output operation. For example, among 8 power amplifiers PA1 to PA8 connected to the 8 antenna elements AE1 to AE8, specific transmission signal paths of specific power amplifiers PA3 and PA5 for which output power is limited may still be utilized. 16 antenna elements AE1 to AE16 connected to 16 power amplifiers PA1 to PA16 may be used while reducing the output power.

[0136] In the process of reducing the input power (S650b), input power to the power amplifiers connected to the antenna elements selected may be controlled to be reduced to increase the number of antenna elements and simultaneously power radiated through the array antenna may be controlled to be maintained. In the process of reducing the input power (S650b), the power radiated through the array antenna may be maintained, but power for each antenna may be reduced.

[0137] For example, input power to the 16 power amplifiers connected to the 16 antenna elements may be reduced through the process of reducing the input power (S650b). Second input power to each of the 16 power amplifiers may be reduced by 6 dB from first input power to each of the 8 power amplifiers. The number of power amplifiers may be increased by two times, so that a total gain value can be increased by 3 dB. Also, the number of antenna elements used may be increased by two times, so that an antenna combining gain value can be increased by 3 dB. Therefore, even if the output power of each of the 16 power amplifiers is reduced by 6 dB, total radiated power can be maintained equally. This can improve heat generation characteristics while equally maintaining the total radiated power, thereby enhancing wireless communication stability.

[0138] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the millimeter wave band transceiver performing power control according to the present disclosure will be described. The processor 1400 of the millimeter wave band transceiver 1000 may control the plurality of power detectors PD1 to PD32 for power detection and monitoring.

[0139] The processor 1400 may measure outputs of the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 through the plurality of power detectors PD1 to PD32 for the RF signal paths, respectively. The processor 1400 may determine whether at least one of the outputs of the plurality of power detectors PD1 to PD32 is smaller than a preset value and the maximum number of power amplifiers are used. Accordingly, the processor 1400 may reduce power consumption so that the outputs of the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 are reduced. This can lower a target temperature raised by heat generated by electronic components included in the millimeter wave band transceiver 1000. Through the power control, deterioration of wireless communication performance of the millimeter wave band transceiver 1000, which is caused due to heat generated in the electronic components, can be suppressed without increasing the fan speed of the heat dissipation fan.

[0140] Meanwhile, when the maximum number of power amplifiers are used and the outputs are maintained normally, the millimeter wave band transceiver performing the power control according to the present disclosure may perform wireless communication with the corresponding settings. In this regard, the processor 1400 may determine whether the respective outputs of the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 are equal to or greater than a preset value for each of 32 paths.

[0141] When the output of each of the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 is equal to or greater than the preset value, the processor 1400 may form a plurality of beams. The processor 1400 may control a first beam in a first direction to a fourth beam in a fourth direction to be formed through a first group 1110 of 8 antennas to a fourth group 1140 of 8 antennas, respectively.

[0142] The antenna elements in the first group 1110 of 8 antennas may be combined with the power amplifiers within a first group 1210 of 8 power amplifiers, respectively, through the corresponding paths. The antenna elements in the second group 1120 of 8 antennas may be combined with the power amplifiers within a second group 1220 of 8 power amplifiers, respectively, through the corresponding paths. The antenna elements in the third group 1130 of 8 antennas may be combined with the power amplifiers within a third group 1230 of 8 power amplifiers, respectively, through the corresponding paths. The antenna elements in the fourth group 1140 of 8 antennas may be combined with the power amplifiers within a fourth group 1240 of 8 power amplifiers, respectively, through the corresponding paths.

[0143] The first beam in the first direction may be formed through the first group 1110 of 8 antennas, and a first beamforming radio signal may be transmitted. The second beam in the second direction may be formed through the second group 1120 of 8 antennas, and a second beamforming radio signal may be transmitted. The third beam in the third direction may be formed through the third group 1130 of 8 antennas, and a third beamforming radio signal may be transmitted. The fourth beam in the fourth direction may be formed through the fourth group 1140 of 8 antennas, and a fourth beamforming radio signal may be transmitted. The first to fourth beams may be formed with the same first beam width BW1 or within a predetermined range based on the first beam width BW1.

[0144] The processor 1400 may determine a final direction in which a radio signal is to be transmitted, on the basis of information fed back from the second electronic device 200 as the receiving device or a signal detected through the receiver 1500 connected to the plurality of antenna elements AE1 to AE32. The processor 1400 may select at least one of the first to fourth directions.

[0145] When one direction is selected, the processor 1400 may perform single transmission through the 32 antenna elements AE1 to AE32. When two directions are selected, the processor 1400 may double an amount of data to be transmitted by performing multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transmission. The processor 1400 may perform the MIMO transmission through the 16 antenna elements of the first and second groups 1110 and 1120 and the remaining 16 antenna elements of the third and fourth groups 1130 and 1140.

[0146] Meanwhile, the millimeter wave band transceiver performing the power control according to the present disclosure may use some power amplifiers and then change a combination of power amplifiers (and antenna elements connected thereto) to be used later. In this regard, the processor 1400 may determine whether at least one of the outputs of the plurality of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 is smaller than a preset value and the number of power amplifiers used is smaller than the maximum number of power amplifiers. Accordingly, the processor 1400 may differently select antenna elements to be used.

[0147] In this regard, among the outputs of the power amplifiers PA1 to PA5 connected to the 8 antenna elements AE1 to AE8, outputs below a threshold value may be detected in specific power amplifiers PA3 and PA5. Accordingly, except for the specific power amplifiers PA3 and PA5, the power amplifiers PA9 to PA16 of another group and the antenna elements AE9 to AE16 connected thereto may be selected. As another example, except for the specific power amplifiers PA3 and PA5, the power amplifiers PA7 to PA14 of the same or different groups and the antenna elements AE7 to AE14 connected thereto may be selected.

[0148] Antenna elements used to prevent a grating lobe from being formed when a beamforming radio signal formed through the array antenna 1100 is beamformed in a predetermined angular range may be successively selected. As another example, when an output of only one RF signal path within a specific group is smaller than or equal to the threshold value, antenna elements connected to the corresponding RF signal path may be merely excluded.

[0149] The processor 1400 may measure second outputs of the power amplifiers connected to the differently selected antenna elements, respectively. For example, the processor 1400 may measure the second outputs of the power amplifiers PA9 to PA16 connected to the differently selected antenna elements AE9 to AE16, respectively. As another example, the processor 1400 may measure the second outputs of the power amplifiers PA7 to PA14 connected to the differently selected antenna elements AE7 to AE14, respectively.

[0150] When at least one of the second outputs is smaller than a preset value, the processor 1400 may lower the target temperature by further reducing power consumption of the power amplifiers PA9 to PA16 or PA7 to PA14.

[0151] Meanwhile, the millimeter wave band transceiver according to the present disclosure may perform the power control by increasing the number of antenna elements to be used. In this regard, the processor 1400 may determine whether the outputs of the respective RF signal paths are smaller than a preset value and the number of power amplifiers used is smaller than the maximum number. Accordingly, the processor 1400 may control the number of antenna elements to be used and the number of power amplifiers to be used to increase.

[0152] For example, when at least one of the outputs of the 8 power amplifiers PA1 to PA8 in operation is smaller than a preset value, the processor 1400 may control the 16 power amplifiers PA1 to PA16 to operate. The processor 1400 may control the 16 power amplifiers PA1 to PA16 so that the outputs of the respective 16 power amplifiers PA1 to PA16 have a predetermined range based on 6 dB. The processor 1400 may radiate the beamforming radio signal through the 16 antenna elements AE1 to AE16 connected to the 16 power amplifiers PA1 to PA16.

[0153] In this regard, first radiation power may be radiated through all the antenna elements connected to the power amplifiers PA1 to PA8 in operation. The processor 1400 may control input powers of the power amplifiers PA1 to PA16 to be used to be reduced. The processor 1400 may perform power control such that the output of each of the power amplifiers PA1 to PA16 to be used is reduced and second radiation power radiated through all the antenna elements AE1 to AE16 to be used is maintained to be equal to the first radiation power.

[0154] Meanwhile, the millimeter wave band transceiver according to the present disclosure may implement transmission diversity while performing the power control by increasing the number of antenna elements to be used. In this regard, the 16 antenna elements AE1 to AE16 may be used due to output power below a threshold value during radio link establishment through the 8 antenna elements AE1 to AE8. After the radio link is established using the 16 antenna elements AE1 to AE16, the transmission diversity or MIMO operation may be performed.

[0155] In this regard, the processor 1400 may perform the diversity operation by forming the first beam in the first direction through the 8 antenna elements AE1 to AE8 among the 16 antenna elements and forming the second beam in the second direction through the remaining 8 elements AE9 to AE16. The processor 1400 may select a specific beam based on information fed back from the receiving device 200 or a signal detected through the receiver 1500 connected to the plurality of antenna elements. In this regard, the processor 1400 may select one of the first beam in the first direction and the second beam in the second direction.

[0156] When a radio communication link is established with the receiving device 200 through the first beam in the first direction, the processor 1400 may control a third beam in the first direction to be formed through the 16 antenna elements AE1 to AE16. A beam width BW3 of the third beam may be narrower than the beam width BW1 of the first beam. Accordingly, the output power of the 16 power amplifiers PA1 to PA16 connected to the 16 antenna elements AE1 to AE16 can be reduced by 6 dB, thereby reducing heat generation and thus improving radio communication stability.

[0157] Meanwhile, the millimeter wave band transceiver performing the power control according to the present disclosure may include a plurality of driver amplifiers and electronic components. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the millimeter wave band transceiver 1000 may include first driver amplifiers 1310, second driver amplifiers 1320, and third driver amplifiers 1330. In this regard, the first driver amplifiers 1310 and the second driver amplifiers 1320 may be implemented as power combiners (or power dividers) that combine or divide signals without having amplifiers.

[0158] The first driver amplifiers 1310 may be configured to combine two power amplifiers adjacent to each other into a pair, among the 32 power amplifiers PA1 to PA32. Accordingly, the number of power amplifiers PA1 to PA32 may be set to 32 and the number of first driver amplifiers 1310 may be set to 16.

[0159] The second driver amplifiers 1320 may be configured to combine four adjacent first driver amplifiers, among the first driver amplifiers 1310. Accordingly, the number of first driver amplifiers 1310 may be set to 16, and the number of second driver amplifiers 1320 may be set to four. The third driver amplifiers 1330 may be configured to combine four adjacent second driver amplifiers, among the second driving amplifiers 1320.

[0160] The millimeter wave band transceiver 1000 may further include an internal signal generator 1410, an up-converter 1420, and a phased lock loop (PLL) 1430. The internal signal generator 1410 may be configured to generate a signal of a specific frequency. The internal signal generator 1410 may generate a sine wave signal of a specific frequency, but may alternatively generate signals of other waveforms depending on applications.

[0161] The up-converter 1420 may be coupled to an output of the internal signal generator 1410 and an input of the third driver amplifier 1330. The up-converter 1420 may be configured to output an RF signal by receiving a baseband signal or an intermediate frequency (IF) signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal. In this regard, the RF signal may be generated by up-converting a first signal transferred through an input of the processor 1400 and a second signal output from the internal signal generator 1410. The first signal may be a baseband signal or an IF signal and the second signal may be an LO signal. The PLL 1430 may be configured to adjust a phase of a clock signal to match a phase of an input reference signal.

[0162] So far, a millimeter wave band transceiver performing power control and an electronic device having the same have been described. Technical effects of the millimeter wave band transceiver performing the power control and the electronic device including the same will be described as follows, but are not limited thereto.

[0163] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, performance of the millimeter wave band transceiver may be monitored through power detectors, and heat generation of electronic components may be controlled when the performance is deteriorated.

[0164] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an operating temperature of an electronic component may be lowered by controlling heat generation according to outputs of power amplifiers without increasing speed of a heat dissipation fan, thereby decreasing deterioration of performance.

[0165] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, maximum output power of discrete transmitters can be reduced when a headroom is present in radio link performance, so as to lower an operating temperature of an electronic component, thereby reducing deterioration of performance.

[0166] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of antenna elements to be used may increase while decreasing maximum output power of discrete transmitters, to thus maintain total radiation power, thereby enabling heat generation control while maintaining radio link performance.

[0167] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, detection of output power of power amplifiers associated with performance degradation of an electronic component can be performed sufficiently accurately, thereby reducing an aging effect before an occurrence of actual performance loss.

[0168] Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, such as the preferred implementation of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0169] In relation to the foregoing description, the power control operation of the millimeter wave band transceiver may be implemented by software, firmware, or a combination thereof. Meanwhile, the configuration of performing the control operation for the millimeter wave band transceiver can be implemented as computer-readable codes in a program-recorded medium. The computer-readable medium may include all types of recording devices each storing data readable by a computer system.

[0170] Examples of such computer-readable media may include hard disk drive (HDD), solid status disk (SSD), silicon disk drive (SDD), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage element and the like. Also, the computer-readable medium may also be implemented as a format of carrier wave (e.g., transmission via an Internet). The computer may also include a controller of a terminal or vehicle, namely, a processor. Therefore, the detailed description should not be limitedly construed in all of the aspects, and should be understood to be illustrative. Therefore, all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

1.A millimeter wave band transceiver comprising:an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements;a plurality of power amplifiers coupled with the plurality of antenna elements, respectively;a plurality of power detectors disposed in respective paths between the plurality of antenna elements and the plurality of power amplifiers, and configured to detect outputs of power amplifiers in operation; anda processor configured to control the plurality of power amplifiers to differently select antenna elements to be used or increase a number of the antenna elements to be used, based on the output power detected by the respective power detectors.2.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 1, wherein a number of the plurality of antenna elements is set to 32,a number of the plurality of power detectors is set to 32, anda number of the power amplifiers in operation is set to 8, 16, 24, or 32.3.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 2, wherein the processor measures the output of each of the plurality of power amplifiers for each path, andlowers a target temperature by reducing power consumption of the plurality of power amplifiers when at least one of the respective outputs is smaller than a preset value and a maximum number of power amplifiers are used.4.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 2, wherein the processor, when the outputs of the plurality of power amplifiers for respective 32 paths are equal to or greater than the preset value, controls a first beam in a first direction to a fourth beam in a fourth direction to be formed through a first group of 8 antennas to a fourth group of 8 antennas,selects at least one of the first direction to the fourth direction based on information fed back from a receiving device or a signal detected through a receiver connected to the plurality of antenna elements,performs single transmission through the 32 antenna elements when the selected direction is one, andperforms multi-input and Multi-output (MIMO) transmission through the 16 antenna elements of the first and second groups and the remaining 16 elements of the third and fourth groups when the selected direction is two.5.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 3, wherein the processor differently selects the antenna elements to be used when at least one of the respective outputs is smaller than the preset value and a number of the power amplifiers used is smaller than the maximum number.6.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 5, wherein the processor measures second outputs of the power amplifiers, respectively, connected to the differently selected antenna elements, andlowers a target temperature by further reducing power consumption of the power amplifiers when at least one of the second outputs is smaller than the preset value.7.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 3, wherein the processor controls the number of antenna elements to be used and a number of power amplifiers to be used to be increased when the respective outputs are smaller than the preset value and a number of the power amplifiers used is smaller than the maximum number.8.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 7, wherein first radiation power is radiated through all antenna elements connected to the power amplifiers in operation,the processor controls input power to the power amplifiers to be used to be reduced, andcontrols the outputs of the antenna elements to be used to be reduced and second radiation power, which is to be radiated through all the antenna elements to be used, to be maintained equal to the first radiation power.9.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 2, wherein the processor controls 16 power amplifiers when at least one of outputs of 8 power amplifiers in operation is smaller than the preset value, andcontrols the 16 power amplifiers so that the output of each of the 16 power amplifiers has a predetermined range based on 6 dB, andradiates a beamforming radio signal through 16 antenna elements connected to the 16 power amplifiers.10.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 9, wherein the processor controls 32 power amplifiers when at least one of the outputs of the 16 power amplifiers in operation is smaller than the preset value, andcontrols the 32 power amplifiers so that the output of each of the 32 power amplifiers has a predetermined range based on 6 dB, andradiates a beamforming radio signal through 32 antenna elements connected to the 32 power amplifiers.11.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 9, wherein the processor performs a diversity operation by forming a first beam in a first direction through 8 antenna elements of the 16 antenna elements and a second beam in a second direction through the remaining 8 antenna elements.12.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 11, wherein the processor selects one of the first beam in the first direction and the second beam in the second direction based on information fed back from a receiving device or a signal detected through a receiver connected to the plurality of antenna elements.13.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 12, wherein the processor forms a third beam in the first direction through the 16 antenna elements when a radio communication link is established with the receiving device through the first beam in the first direction, andthe third beam has a beam width narrower than a beam width of the first beam.14.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 7, further comprising:first driver amplifiers configured to combine two adjacent power amplifiers into a pair, among the 32 power amplifiers;second driver amplifiers configured to combine four adjacent first driver amplifiers among the first driver amplifiers; andthird driver amplifiers configured to combine four adjacent second driver amplifiers among the second driver amplifiers,wherein the processor controls input power to the power amplifiers to be used to be reduced by 6 dB in a manner of reducing outputs of the first driver amplifiers by 6 dB.15.The millimeter wave band transceiver of claim 14, further comprising:an internal signal generator configured to generate a signal of a specific frequency; andan up-converter coupled to an output of the internal signal generator and an input of the third driver amplifier, and configured to output a radio frequency (RF) signal by receiving a baseband signal or an intermediate frequency (IF) signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Low power very high-data rate device

    US20070224951A1

  • Variable gain multistage amplifier and receiver

    US20150249437A1

  • Method and apparatus to control the gain of a millimeter wave phased array system

    US20160233580A1

  • Simultaneous Linearization Of Multiple Power Amplifiers With Independent Power

    US20170163217A1

  • Electronic device including a temperature sensor connected to a power amplifier and a controller to control an input power based on a temperature of the power amplifier detected by the temperature sensor

    US20210067191A1