Broadband Signal Source Using Parallel Harmonic Signal Paths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current integrated circuit (IC) technologies face challenges in generating broadband signals with high power and accuracy over a wide frequency range, particularly at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths, due to limitations in output power and phase noise associated with on-chip passive component losses.
Innovation Solution
A broadband signal source architecture comprising multiple signal paths with programmable phase shifter, amplifier, and harmonic generation circuitry, which phase shifts and amplifies input signals to produce harmonics, and a combiner circuitry to combine these signals, resulting in an output signal with a center frequency greater than the input signal fundamental frequency and a bandwidth exceeding the input signal bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ICs are used to generate signals over a wide frequency range, then the bandwidth is improved, but the output power and gain are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The signal generation system is divided into multiple independent signal paths, each operating at a lower frequency with sufficient power capability. Each path processes a portion of the total bandwidth and combines them through combiner circuitry to achieve wide overall bandwidth while maintaining high output power at each individual path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tuning is performed over a wide bandwidth on chip, then the bandwidth is improved, but phase noise increases due to passive component losses
Solution Approach 1:
The wide bandwidth tuning range is segmented into multiple narrower bandwidth paths, each with controlled phase noise performance. By distributing the tuning range across multiple paths with lower individual bandwidth requirements, phase noise is reduced while achieving wide overall coverage through combination.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of achieving wide bandwidth through a single wide-bandwidth path with high phase noise, the system uses multiple narrow-bandwidth paths in parallel. The combiner circuitry combines these paths to achieve wide overall bandwidth, effectively trading a single-dimension approach for a multi-dimensional parallel architecture that reduces phase noise.
3Speed
If ICs operate at maximum operating frequency, then the center frequency is improved, but output power capability and gain are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The high-frequency operation is segmented into multiple lower-frequency paths that each operate within their optimal power capability range. The combiner circuitry combines these lower-frequency high-power signals to achieve the desired high center frequency with maintained output power capability.
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
This approach enhances the output signal bandwidth by up to three times the input signal bandwidth, achieving improved power and frequency generation capabilities suitable for applications like rotational spectroscopy, while maintaining a lower fractional bandwidth and amplifier requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The programmable phase shifter circuitry is configured to phase shift a path input signal by a respective phase angle, θi
Implementation Method 2
The amplifier circuitry is configured to amplify the phase shifted path input signal
Implementation Method 3
The harmonic generation circuitry is configured to generate a path output signal including a plurality of harmonics of the amplified phase shifted path input signal
Implementation Method 4
The combiner circuitry is configured to combine the number, n, path output signals to produce a broadband output signal having an output signal center frequency greater than the input signal fundamental frequency and an output signal bandwidth greater than the input signal bandwidth
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a broadband signal source. The broadband signal source includes a number, n, signal paths and a combiner circuitry. Each signal path, i, includes a programmable phase shifter circuitry, an amplifier circuitry and a harmonic generation circuitry. The programmable phase shifter circuitry is configured to phase shift a path input signal by a respective phase angle, θi. The path input signal corresponds to a source input signal having a fundamental frequency, f, and an input signal bandwidth. The amplifier circuitry is configured to amplify the phase shifted path input signal. The harmonic generation circuitry is configured to generate a path output signal including a plurality of harmonics of the amplified phase shifted path input signal. The combiner circuitry is configured to combine the number, n, path output signals to produce a broadband output signal having an output signal center frequency greater than the input signal fundamental frequency and an output signal bandwidth greater than the input signal bandwidth.