Bootstrap Follower Mixer Circuit for Low-Power Signal Up-Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal mixing technologies in communication networks consume significant power due to the use of active components, particularly in power amplification and signal mixing, which is a constraint in low-power transmitter applications.
Innovation Solution
A mixer design incorporating a buffer, follower, and switch, along with a bootstrap circuit, that reduces power consumption by using passive components and optimizing signal mixing through a bootstrap mechanism, allowing for efficient up-conversion and power amplification with reduced DC current dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If active components (transistors) are used for signal mixing, then signal mixing function is achieved, but power consumption increases due to DC current dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the DC current dissipation problem from the signal mixing function by separating the mixing operation into two parts: a passive switching mechanism controlled by the LO signal, and a buffered input signal path. The follower circuit extracts the signal following function while the switch handles the mixing operation without DC current flow through the mixing path, thus eliminating the power consumption issue while preserving signal mixing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a buffer circuit as an intermediary between the input signal source and the follower circuit. This buffer mediator provides the necessary driving current to the follower without requiring DC current to flow through the signal mixing path itself, thus enabling the mixing function while minimizing power consumption in the critical signal path
2Use of energy by moving object
If a passive mixer with switch transistor is used, then power consumption is reduced, but the DAC requires current sources which drain large DC current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic switching action controlled by the LO signal to achieve signal mixing. The switch transistor operates as a time-varying switch that periodically connects and disconnects the input signal path based on the LO signal phase, enabling frequency multiplication and mixing without requiring continuous DC current flow. This periodic action replaces the need for continuous current sources in the DAC, reducing overall DC current dissipation while maintaining effective signal mixing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the traditional active mixing mechanism (which relies on continuous current flow through transistors) with a passive switching mechanism. Instead of using active components to continuously process the signal, the system uses a time-varying passive switch controlled by the LO signal to achieve the same mixing function, thereby eliminating the need for large DC current sources in the DAC and reducing overall power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A mixer for providing a mixed signal by mixing an input signal and an oscillation signal, comprising a follower and a switch. The follower is arranged to conduct a driving contribution from a bias terminal to an output terminal following a signal at an input terminal, wherein the input terminal and the bias terminal are respectively coupled to the input signal and the oscillation signal, and the output terminal is arranged to output the mixed signal. The switch is arranged to selectively conduct the output terminal to a reference level in response to alternating of the oscillation signal. An associated signal circuit is also disclosed.