CMOS UWB Pulse Generator With H-Bridge Pulse Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultra-wide band (UWB) pulse generators face challenges in achieving high amplitude pulses with adaptability in shape and frequency, while being compact, low in electrical consumption, and cost-effective, especially beyond 5 GHz, and are limited by the use of passive circuits and Step Recovery diodes which are not easily integratable in standard CMOS technology.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of consecutive elementary pulses with adjustable durations and amplitudes, combined in an H-bridge circuit to produce waveforms with alternating positive and negative pulses, allowing for flexible pulse shaping and amplification, enabling operation across wide frequency bands and compensating for manufacturing and environmental variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If passive circuits and transformers are used to generate UWB pulses, then pulse generation is achieved, but integration rate is limited and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive mechanical/electrical circuits (transformers, inductors, SRD diodes) with an all-digital logic circuit implementation. The pulse generation is achieved through digital logic operations (AND, OR, NOT gates) and digital delay elements, eliminating the need for passive components and transformers, thereby enabling high integration rate in standard CMOS technology while reducing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital logic circuit is designed to be reconfigurable through control signals that can adjust pulse duration, amplitude, and frequency. The same circuit structure can generate different UWB pulse waveforms by changing digital control parameters, providing universal functionality across multiple applications and frequency bands without requiring hardware changes.
2Manufacturing precision
If Step Recovery diodes are used for pulse generation, then pulse shaping is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and integration is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces Step Recovery diodes (SRD), which are difficult to manufacture and integrate, with digital logic circuits implemented in standard CMOS technology. The pulse shaping function is achieved through digital delay elements and logic gate combinations, which can be manufactured with high precision using standard semiconductor fabrication processes, significantly reducing cost and enabling high integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves pulse shaping by digitally controlling parameters such as delay times, logic gate selection, and signal combination ratios. These parameters can be precisely adjusted through digital control signals, providing accurate pulse shaping without requiring specialized components like SRD diodes, thereby enabling cost-effective manufacturing in standard CMOS processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If local oscillator and mixer are used for variable pulse generation, then frequency adaptability is achieved, but power consumption increases and amplitude is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analog frequency conversion approach (local oscillator and mixer) with a all-digital implementation. Frequency adaptability is achieved by digitally controlling the oscillation frequency of internal digital oscillators and the timing of logic operations. This digital approach consumes significantly less power than analog mixing while enabling generation of variable frequency UWB pulses through software-controlled parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamically reconfigurable pulse generation where digital control signals can adjust pulse duration, amplitude, and frequency in real-time. The logic circuit can be reconfigured through control inputs to adapt to different frequency bands and application requirements, providing dynamic adaptability without the power consumption penalties of analog frequency conversion circuits.
4Ease of manufacture
If digital pulse generators are used, then integration rate is improved, but amplitude and frequency are limited by circuit rapidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pulse generation process into multiple independent digital stages: a first digital oscillator generates high-frequency cycles, a second oscillator generates lower-frequency envelope pulses, and logic gates combine these signals. This segmentation allows each stage to operate within its optimal frequency range, enabling the generation of high-amplitude, high-frequency UWB pulses that exceed the capabilities of single-stage digital generators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the outputs of multiple digital oscillators and logic circuit stages to produce the final UWB pulse signal. By combining high-frequency carrier generation with lower-frequency envelope modulation through digital logic operations, the system achieves pulse amplitudes and frequencies that are limited in conventional single-stage digital generators, while maintaining high integration capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for generating UWB waveforms, each comprising a sequence of pulses, the method comprising: generating consecutive elementary pulses having durations corresponding to setpoint durations and a constant amplitude, amplifying each elementary pulse separately as a function of a respective setpoint amplitude, and combining the amplified elementary pulses to obtain a waveform successively comprising each of the amplified alternately positive and negative, elementary pulses.