Common Pin Mapping for Transceiver Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Radio transceivers in RF communication systems require a large number of pins for configuring multiple transmit and receive channels, leading to routing congestion and increased pin count, which hinders efficient operation and functionality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a semiconductor die with a group of common pins that control both transmitters and receivers through a mapping circuit, reducing the number of pins needed and allowing for shared pin usage across multiple channels, thereby alleviating congestion and enabling enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a one-to-one correspondence between pins and transmitter/receiver settings is used, then each setting can be independently controlled, but the pin count increases and routing congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making common pins serve multiple functions - they control settings for both transmitters and receivers through a mapping mechanism. Instead of dedicating separate pins to each transmitter and receiver setting, the same set of common pins is reused across multiple channels and device types, thereby reducing the total pin count while maintaining independent control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mapping circuit as an intermediary between the common pins and the transmitter/receiver settings. This mapping circuit translates the signals from the common pins into appropriate control signals for the specific transmitter or receiver channels, enabling the pins to control multiple settings without direct one-to-one connections
2Ease of operation
If a one-to-one correspondence between pins and transmitter/receiver settings is used, then each setting can be independently controlled, but routing congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By making pins universal and reusable across multiple transmitters and receivers, the number of routing paths is significantly reduced. The same physical pins can be routed to control multiple channels through the mapping circuit, eliminating the need for separate routing paths for each dedicated pin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control paths for multiple transmitters and receivers into a single shared path through the common pins and mapping circuit. This consolidation of control signals into shared routing paths reduces routing congestion and simplifies the overall interconnect structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If more pins are used for enhanced functionality, then additional features can be implemented, but routing congestion increases and pin count rises
Solution Approach 1:
The common pins are designed to provide enhanced functionality by controlling multiple transmitters and receivers with different settings (enable, frequency, gain). This multi-functional approach allows the same pins to support various features and configurations without requiring additional pins for each function
4Adaptability or versatility
If more pins are used for enhanced functionality, then additional features can be implemented, but routing congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal common pins reduce routing complexity by consolidating multiple control paths into shared routes. The mapping circuit intelligently directs signals to the appropriate destinations, enabling enhanced functionality without proportionally increasing routing congestion
Data Source
AI summary
Radio transceiver control interfaces are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a semiconductor die includes a group of transmitters and a group of receivers that operate as a transceiver. Additionally, a group of common pins are used to control settings of both the transmitters and receivers. In one example, data received on the common pins can be used to establish enable settings for each of the transmitters and receivers. Thus, rather than using a one-to-one correspondence between a pin and the setting of a particular transmitter or receiver, a mapping is used between the common pins and the settings of the transmitters and receivers.