Active Phase Shifter Circuit With Constant-Current Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active phase shifters in phased-array systems have high power consumption, which is undesirable for millimeter-wave applications, and passive phase shifters have high insertion loss and large chip sizes, making them unsuitable for compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A compact active phase shifter with a variable gain amplifier that reduces power consumption by 30% through the use of transconductor circuits with positive and negative coefficient transistors, and amplifying transistors, allowing for precise control of current flow based on binary codes, enabling efficient phase shifting with reduced common-mode current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If active phase shifters are used, then chip size is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shifter is divided into multiple independent transconductor circuits, each handling specific phase shift increments. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary circuits for the desired phase shift, rather than maintaining all circuits in active state, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining compact chip size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic switching of transconductor circuits based on the required phase shift value. By periodically activating specific transconductor circuits according to the phase shift demand, the system reduces average power consumption compared to continuously active circuits, while still achieving the required phase shifting functionality in a compact form.
2Use of energy by moving object
If passive phase shifters are used, then power consumption is reduced, but insertion loss increases and chip size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional passive mechanical phase shifting mechanisms with active transconductor circuits that use electronic current control. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky passive components like inductors and capacitors, reducing chip size while maintaining low power consumption through selective circuit activation. The electronic control mechanism achieves phase shifting without the high insertion loss associated with passive components.
3Measurement precision
If more transconductor circuits are added for precise phase control, then phase shifting precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of transconductor circuits where the activation state of each circuit changes based on the required phase shift value. This dynamic switching allows the system to maintain high phase shifting precision through multiple available circuits while consuming power only when specific circuits are activated, rather than maintaining constant power consumption across all circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
Different transconductor circuits are designed with specific local characteristics optimized for particular phase shift ranges. By activating only the locally optimized circuits needed for the current phase shift requirement, the system achieves precise phase control while minimizing power consumption by avoiding activation of unnecessary circuits with different local characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact active phase shifter with reduced power consumption and constant current consumption across all phase states, suitable for 5G mmWave phase array systems, achieving precise phase shifts while minimizing power usage and maintaining constant input impedance.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of positive coefficient transistors coupled to the first output terminal and configured to selectively conduct current in response to a first binary code; a plurality of negative coefficient transistors coupled to the second output terminal and configured to selectively conduct current in response to a second binary code
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of amplifying transistors, each having a gate electrode coupled to the first input terminal, a first electrode coupled to a ground reference, and a second electrode coupled to a pair of coefficient transistors
Data Source
AI summary
A variable gain amplifier includes a first transconductor circuit coupled to a first input terminal, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal of the variable gain amplifier, the first transconductor circuit including: a plurality of positive coefficient transistors coupled to the first output terminal and configured to selectively conduct current in response to a first binary code, a plurality of negative coefficient transistors coupled to the second output terminal and configured to selectively conduct current in response to a second binary code, and a plurality of amplifying transistors, each having a gate electrode coupled to the first input terminal, a first electrode coupled to a ground reference, and a second electrode coupled to a pair of coefficient transistors including one of the plurality of positive coefficient transistors and one of the plurality of negative coefficient transistors.