Beamforming Low-Noise Amplifier With Variable Capacitance Phase Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase shifters face challenges in integration within integrated phased array systems due to large size and high insertion loss, while active type phase shifters require additional low-noise amplifiers, increasing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A low-noise amplifier with reduced insertion loss and size, incorporating a variable capacitance circuit to selectively change the phase of output signals, and a phase shifter to maintain consistent amplification gain across phase shifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a phase shifter composed of passive elements is used, then the phase can be changed while maintaining linearity, but the insertion loss is relatively large and the size is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase shifter and low-noise amplifier into a single integrated device. The amplifier's transistors are configured to provide both signal amplification and phase shifting functionality, eliminating the need for separate passive phase shifting elements and reducing overall insertion loss while maintaining linearity.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-noise amplifier is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: signal amplification, phase shifting, and beam-forming. By making the amplifier universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated phase shifter components, thereby reducing insertion loss and device size while maintaining the required linearity performance.
2Reliability
If a phase shifter composed of passive elements is used, then the phase can be changed while maintaining linearity, but the size is large making integration difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the phase shifting function into the low-noise amplifier circuitry itself. The transistors are configured to provide both amplification and phase control, eliminating the need for separate large-sized passive phase shifter components and enabling compact integration on a chip.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-noise amplifier is designed as a multi-functional device that performs amplification, phase shifting, and beam-forming operations. This universality eliminates the need for separate dedicated phase shifter components, thereby reducing the overall device size and enabling integration within a chip while maintaining linearity.
3Device complexity
If an active type phase shifter is used, then gain and accuracy are satisfactory and integration level is high, but additional low-noise amplifiers are required increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase shifter and low-noise amplifier functions into a single integrated device. The amplifier's transistors are configured to provide both signal amplification and phase shifting functionality, eliminating the need for separate additional amplifiers and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high integration level.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-noise amplifier is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: signal amplification, phase shifting, and beam-forming. By making the amplifier universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated phase shifter and additional amplifier components, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining satisfactory gain, accuracy, and integration level.
4Power
If conventional amplifiers are used, then amplification is provided, but the size of RF chip is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the phase shifter and low-noise amplifier into a single integrated device. The amplifier's transistors are configured to provide both signal amplification and phase shifting functionality, reducing the overall number of components and enabling compact integration that reduces RF chip size while maintaining required amplification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-noise amplifier is designed as a multi-functional device that performs amplification, phase shifting, and beam-forming operations. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing the overall RF chip size while maintaining the required amplification performance.
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 reduces the size of RF chips and maintains stable amplification gain, enabling efficient beam-forming functions with reduced power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The variable capacitance circuit may selectively change its capacitance to cause a corresponding phase change in the output signal
Data Source
AI summary
A low-noise amplifier in a receiver supporting a beam forming function may selectively change a phase shift for beam steering. The low-noise amplifier may include first and second transistors and a variable capacitance circuit connected to a gate of the second transistor. The variable capacitance circuit may selectively change capacitance thereof based on a capacitance control signal applied thereto according to beam-forming information, where the changed capacitance correspondingly causes a phase change in an output signal of the low-noise amplifier. A similar scheme may be employed for amplifiers in transmit signal paths to steer a transmit beam.