Configurable Mixer Switching Between Linearity and Low Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication devices face challenges in maintaining power efficiency and signal processing performance, especially in the presence of signal jammers or interferers, due to the need for high linearity in mixers which increases power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A configurable mixer with a first transistor pair and a second transistor pair, along with switches that selectively couple gate terminals to ground potential based on operating mode, allowing for adjustable linearity and power consumption, including a low-power operating mode that reduces power usage by disabling components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mixer with high linearity is used to correctly demodulate signals in the presence of jammers or interferers, then signal processing performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer is designed with configurable linearity through control signals that dynamically adjust the operating state of transistor pairs. The linearity configuration module receives control signals and configures the mixer to operate in different linearity modes, allowing the system to adapt between high linearity (for jammer resistance) and low power consumption based on operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the mixer by adjusting the biasing and configuration of transistor pairs through control signals. By modifying parameters such as transistor operating points and circuit configuration, the mixer can switch between high linearity mode (better for signal processing in presence of interferers) and lower power mode, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption
2Measurement precision
If a mixer with high linearity is used to reject signal jammers or interferers, then demodulation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer is designed as a multi-functional device that can operate in different linearity modes using the same physical hardware. The linearity configuration module enables a single mixer structure to provide both high linearity operation (for accurate demodulation in presence of interferers) and lower power operation, eliminating the need for separate mixer circuits for different operating conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed for a configurable mixer capable of operating in a linear, a legacy, and a low-power mode. In the linear mode, the configurable mixer is configured to operate as a double-balanced mixer to multiply a first differential signal by a second differential signal. In the legacy mode, the configurable mixer is configured to as a double-balanced mixer to multiply a differential signal by a single-ended signal. In the low-power mode, the configurable mixer is configured to operate as a single-balanced mixer to multiply a differential signal by a single-ended signal. The operating mode of the configurable mixer may be based, at least in part, on a mode control signal. In some embodiments, the configurable mixer may be included in an analog front end of a wireless communication device.