Clock Buffer Phase Control for Multi-Channel RF Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital beam forming in RF applications requires expensive or power-intensive integrated circuits for fine delay control, while analog beam forming lacks the necessary precision for phase shifts across multiple channels, making it challenging to achieve cost-effective and efficient phase or delay control in multi-channel RF systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel RF system utilizing a clock buffer circuit for phase or delay control, which generates phase-adjusted reference frequency signals to steer beams electronically, allowing for fine delay adjustments and independent phase management across multiple channels without the need for phase shifters on each radiating element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital beam forming is used for fine delay control, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex digital integrated circuits with a simpler analog delay line circuit that uses voltage-controlled delay elements. This substitution maintains fine delay control precision while significantly reducing device complexity and cost by using analog circuitry instead of digital processing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from digital signal processing to analog voltage control of delay lines. By using voltage-controlled delay elements where the delay time is directly proportional to the control voltage, the system achieves fine delay adjustment without requiring complex digital integrated circuits.
2Device complexity
If analog beam forming is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the delay control into multiple independent voltage-controlled delay lines, each handling a specific channel. This segmentation allows precise phase control for each channel while keeping the overall circuit structure simple and modular, avoiding the need for complex integrated circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voltage-controlled delay lines as intermediary elements between the signal source and the beam forming network. These delay lines act as mediators that provide precise phase control through analog voltage adjustment, bridging the gap between simple analog circuitry and the need for fine delay precision.
3Measurement precision
If phase shifters are added to each radiating element, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single voltage-controlled delay line circuit serve multiple channels simultaneously through signal distribution. This multi-functional approach provides precise phase control for all channels using one shared circuit, eliminating the need for individual phase shifters at each radiating element and significantly reducing power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling phase or delay in multi-channel radio frequency applications. The system includes a local oscillator, a frequency generator, a clock buffer, a plurality of mixers and a plurality of filters. The frequency generator generates an intermediate frequency output signal which can be received by the clock buffer. The clock buffer creates multiple phase-adjusted reference frequency signals that are each different in phase. A local oscillator generates a plurality of local oscillator signals having the same frequency and phase. A plurality of mixers produce a plurality of RF signals based at least in part on the plurality of local oscillator signals and the plurality of phase-shifted reference frequency signals.