BLE Transceiver RF Port Switching With Adjustable Capacitors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultra-low-power (ULP) wireless transceivers for IoT applications, such as Bluetooth low energy (BLE), face challenges in reducing power consumption and system cost while maintaining performance, as high-power RX subsystems from cellular markets are not suitable for IoT due to energy efficiency and performance trade-offs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an all-digital and digitally intensive architecture for the frequency synthesizer, transmitter, and receiver, using a time-to-digital converter in an all-digital PLL, discrete-time passive switched capacitor circuits, and a digitally controlled power amplifier with a transformer-based matching network to achieve full system integration and low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-performance RX subsystems from cellular market are used, then performance is improved, but power dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the RX subsystem by implementing a direct-conversion architecture with digitally controlled gain stages and noise figure optimization, transitioning from analog-heavy cellular designs to a digitally-intensive IoT-optimized design that achieves ultra-low power consumption while maintaining performance
2Use of energy by moving object
If ULP architecture is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frequency synthesizer, transmitter, and receiver into a highly integrated transceiver chip with full system integration, combining multiple subsystems that would traditionally require separate components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ULP operation
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver is designed with multi-functionality to handle both receiving and transmitting operations with integrated frequency synthesis and power amplification, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits and reducing overall system complexity
3Area of stationary object
If full system integration is achieved, then die area is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transceiver into distinct functional blocks (frequency synthesizer, transmitter, receiver, T/R switch) that can be independently optimized and manufactured, then integrated together, allowing for modular manufacturing processes that reduce precision requirements while achieving full system integration
Data Source
AI summary
A transceiving device includes: a signal port, arranged to relay an RF input signal during a first mode, and to relay an RF output signal during a second mode different from the first mode; a receiver, coupled to the signal port; a transmitter, coupled to the signal port; and a first adjustable capacitor, coupled to the signal port. The second adjustable capacitor is arranged to have a first capacitance during the first mode such that the RF input signal is received by the receiver, and the second adjustable capacitor is arranged to have a second capacitance during the second mode such that the RF output signal is transmitted to the signal port.