Bi-directional Active Phase Shifter for 5G Antenna Arrays

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Designing a phase shifter that conserves space within electronic devices without introducing additional signal losses, especially as the number of antenna elements increases, is challenging, as existing passive phase shifters can degrade signal-to-noise performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a bi-directional active phase shifter with a quadrature coupling circuit shared between transmit and receive paths, which includes variable gain amplifiers to enhance accuracy and support wideband communications, thereby reducing the need for additional gain buffers and conserving space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If passive phase shifters are used to conserve space, then the quantity of phase shifters increases, but signal-to-noise performance degrades due to additional signal losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupied by phase shiftersVSAvoidsignal loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the transmit phase shifter and receive phase shifter into a single bi-directional active phase shifter unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate passive phase shifters in each path, reducing total component quantity and space occupation while maintaining signal integrity through active amplification that compensates for losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bi-directional active phase shifter is designed to perform both transmit and receive phase shifting functions within a single device. This multi-functionality allows one component to replace what would traditionally require two separate components, conserving space while providing active signal compensation to mitigate losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If individual active phase shifters are disposed in both transmit and receive paths, then signal-to-noise performance improves, but space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise performanceVSAvoidspace occupied by phase shifters

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges separate transmit and receive phase shifters into a single bi-directional unit that serves both paths. This consolidation maintains the signal-to-noise performance benefits of active phase shifting while reducing the total space required by eliminating redundant components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the quantity of antenna elements is increased to improve spatial coverage, then spatial diversity capability improves, but the quantity of phase shifters required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial diversity capabilityVSAvoidquantity of phase shifters

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging transmit and receive phase shifters into bi-directional units, the patent reduces the total quantity of phase shifters needed. This allows systems to increase antenna elements for improved spatial diversity without proportionally increasing phase shifter complexity or space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10886612B2Bi-directional active phase shifting

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

An apparatus is disclosed for bi-directional active phase shifting. In an example aspect, the apparatus includes a wireless transceiver. The wireless transceiver includes at least one transmit path and at least one receive path. The wireless transceiver also includes at least one active phase shifter disposed in both the transmit path and the receive path.