Active Single-Ended to Differential LNA Without Baluns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless transceivers face challenges in achieving maximum band coverage and compatibility with various wireless standards and geographic areas, leading to increased costs and noise interference, particularly due to the need for passive components like baluns that increase size, cost, and noise figure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a complementary low noise amplifier with active single-ended to differential signal conversion using a common-gate common-source connection, eliminating the need for passive components and achieving improved impedance matching, noise figure, and transconductance, thereby reducing noise and signal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If passive components like baluns are used for single-ended to differential conversion, then signal conversion is achieved, but noise figure increases and area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes passive balun components from the circuit architecture and replaces them with active transistor-based conversion stages. This extraction of harmful passive elements directly reduces noise figure while the compact active circuit implementation achieves area savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes passive mechanical/electrical components (baluns) with active electronic transistor circuits. The common-gate/common-source transistor configuration performs the single-ended to differential conversion that previously required passive balun components, achieving both noise reduction and area efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If passive components are used for signal conversion, then signal conversion is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts passive balun components from the design, eliminating their associated costs and noise contributions. The active transistor implementation reduces both manufacturing complexity and noise interference simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters by using active transistor biasing and gain control instead of passive component ratios. This allows for lower cost implementation while providing active noise cancellation and signal enhancement capabilities.
3Area of stationary object
If active devices are used for single-ended to differential conversion, then area is reduced, but power consumption may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate stages (impedance matching, signal conversion, and amplification) into an integrated active circuit configuration. This consolidation reduces total area while the efficient transistor biasing schemes minimize power consumption compared to cascaded passive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The active transistor circuit performs multiple functions simultaneously: impedance transformation, single-ended to differential conversion, and signal amplification. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and area while maintaining low power operation through efficient biasing.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing single-ended to differential signal conversion are described. A single-ended voltage signal may be received from an input of a low noise amplifier. The single-ended voltage signal may be coupled to a first input stage to match a source impedance of the single-ended voltage signal to a predetermined output impedance. The single-ended voltage signal with the predetermined output impedance may be output as a first voltage signal to a first converting stage. An input bias voltage may be provided to the first converting stage to bias the first voltage signal. The biased first voltage signal may be output as a first differential-ended current signal to an output of the low noise amplifier.