Balanced Amplifiers Cancel Parasitic Interaction in Phased Array Transmitters

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Solution Overview

Problem

In RF communication systems, especially in phased array MmWave transmitters, parasitic interactions between antenna elements cause intermodulation distortion (IMD), which is difficult to correct and leads to impaired transmission.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency (RF) front-end system with a parasitic signal removal unit, including a phase conversion unit that converts back-injected parasitic signals into phase-shifted versions, which are then cancelled out at the output terminals, reducing parasitic interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If transceivers are closely arranged to transmit RF signals at the same frequency to a phased array Mm wave antenna, then space restrictions in the terminal are satisfied, but parasitic signals from one transceiver enter the transmit path of another transceiver and cause intermodulation distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal sizeVSAvoidparasitic signal interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent captures the harmful parasitic signals that would otherwise cause intermodulation distortion and redirects them through hybrid couplers to cancellation circuits. These same parasitic signals are processed and inverted to create cancellation signals that actively neutralize the distortion, converting the harmful interaction into a beneficial cancellation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces hybrid couplers and cancellation circuits as intermediary components between the closely-spaced transceivers. These intermediaries capture, process, and neutralize the parasitic signals before they can cause harmful intermodulation distortion in the receive paths of other transceivers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If band pass filters are used to remove parasitic signals, then frequency separation is achieved, but they cannot remove parasitic signals of the same frequency from closely arranged transceivers operating in the same band

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparasitic signal interferenceVSAvoidfrequency band flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to filter out parasitic signals of the same frequency (which band pass filters cannot do), the patent captures these same-frequency parasitic signals and converts them into cancellation signals through phase inversion, transforming the harmful same-frequency interference into a beneficial cancellation mechanism that works regardless of frequency separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If complex calibrations are performed to correct intermodulation distortion, then transmission quality can be improved, but the system complexity and calibration requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission qualityVSAvoidcalibration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by capturing and processing parasitic signals before they cause intermodulation distortion. The cancellation circuits pre-generate neutralizing signals that are injected into the receive paths in advance, preventing the distortion from occurring rather than requiring complex post-calibration to correct it

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 proposed solution effectively reduces parasitic interactions and IMD in RF front-end systems, improving transmission quality and reducing the need for complex calibrations.

Implementation Method 1

a phase conversion unit configured to convert the second RF reception signal into a phase-shifted version of the second RF reception signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shift:

Data Source

PatentUS20250158646A1Balanced amplifiers for reduced parasitic interaction between antenna elements in phased array millimeter-wave transmitters

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A radio frequency front end system with an antenna system including a first antenna. A transmit and receive system includes at least a first transmit and receive module having a transmit unit transmits a first radio frequency transmission signal to the at least one first antenna. A receive unit receives a first radio frequency reception signal from the at least one first antenna. A parasitic signal removal unit removes a second radio frequency reception signal received at the at least one first antenna and back-injected into the transmit unit of the first transmit and receive module.