Programmable Radio Transceiver Using Bondwire Inductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication devices face challenges in being cost-effective, compact, and flexible to operate across multiple frequency bands and protocols due to the limitations of spiral inductors and existing frequency synthesis technologies, which are inflexible and require multiple chipsets.
Innovation Solution
A programmable mixed-signal radio transceiver with a low-cost RFIC that eliminates spiral inductors, featuring a wideband programmable local oscillator and a built-in test and evaluation module, allowing dynamic adjustment of parameters to support multiple frequency bands and protocols, from 70 MHz to 6 GHz, using bondwire inductors and programmable capacitive elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If spiral inductors are used in resonant circuits, then magnetic energy can be stored, but the device size increases and cannot scale with technology node size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical implementation parameters of inductors from traditional spiral geometries to bondwire-based structures. This parameter change enables inductance to be achieved through three-dimensional wire configurations rather than planar spiral patterns, allowing better scaling with technology nodes and reduced chip area while maintaining the required magnetic energy storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar spiral inductors to three-dimensional bondwire inductor structures. By utilizing the vertical dimension and spatial configuration of bondwires connecting to the chip, the design achieves inductance without occupying excessive planar chip area, thus resolving the contradiction between inductance storage and chip area.
2Quantity of substance
If spiral inductors are used in resonant circuits, then magnetic energy can be stored, but conductor losses increase and quality factor decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inductor function from the planar spiral inductor implementation and relocates it to bondwire structures. This separation allows the inductor to be formed by the bonding wires themselves rather than requiring additional spiral metal traces on the chip, thereby reducing conductor path length and associated resistive losses while maintaining inductance storage capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple chipsets are used to support multiple frequency bands and protocols, then functionality is achieved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal reconfigurable transceiver architecture that can operate across multiple frequency bands and protocols using a single integrated chip. The bondwire-based resonant circuits and programmable frequency synthesis engine provide multi-functionality, eliminating the need for separate chipsets for different standards while reducing device size and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple frequency band handling capabilities into a single reconfigurable transceiver chip. By combining the resonant circuitry, frequency synthesis, and protocol processing into one integrated device with bondwire-based inductors, it consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate chipsets, thereby reducing overall device size and component count.
4Speed
If traditional frequency synthesis is used, then frequency generation is achieved, but flexibility and adaptability to different protocols are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic and reconfigurable frequency synthesis engine that can adapt its operation based on the selected protocol and frequency band. The programmable dividers, phase detectors, and bondwire resonant circuits can be dynamically reconfigured to support different standards, providing both high-speed frequency generation and protocol flexibility simultaneously.
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
Enables a compact, cost-effective, and highly flexible radio transceiver that can seamlessly switch between various frequency bands and protocols, reducing component count and size while maintaining high performance across a wide frequency range.
Implementation Method 1
a resonant LC circuit
Implementation Method 2
The use of bondwires, or other transmission lines, in place of planar, spiral inductors in resonance circuits
Implementation Method 3
The inductor may be formed from a transmission line, such as a bondwire, microstrip line, or coplanar waveguide line
Data Source
AI summary
A fully integrated, programmable mixed-signal transceiver comprising a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) which is frequency and protocol agnostic with digital inputs and outputs, the transceiver being programmable and configurable for multiple radio frequency bands and standards and being capable of connecting to many networks and service providers. The RFIC does not use spiral inductors and instead includes transmission line inductors allowing for improved scalability. Components of the transceiver are programmable to allow the transceiver to switch between different frequency bands of operating. Frequency switching can be accomplished though the content of digital registers coupled to the components.