Coupled Inductor Oscillator Circuit for Wide Frequency Coverage

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing frequency coverage requirements in wireless communication devices lead to higher power consumption and noise in oscillator circuits, necessitating multiple oscillators in phase-locked loops (PLLs), which occupy significant chip area and increase costs.

Innovation Solution

An oscillator circuit with a switch matrix that controls the coupling coefficient between inductor elements, allowing the circuit to operate at different frequencies by changing the relative current directions, thereby reducing the number of oscillators needed and maintaining a high quality factor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the frequency coverage area of the oscillator expands, then the frequency range covered increases, but power consumption increases and noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dual-oscillator architecture where a first oscillator and a second oscillator share common circuit resources including a current source, load, and output buffer. This multi-functional design allows a single integrated circuit to provide multiple oscillation frequencies through selective coupling, reducing the need for completely separate oscillator circuits for different frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges two oscillator circuits by sharing common components (current source, load, output buffer) and introduces a coupling mechanism through inductors and switches. This combining approach allows both oscillators to coexist in a single integrated circuit, expanding frequency coverage without proportionally increasing power consumption compared to fully independent oscillator designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple oscillators are integrated in a PLL to meet frequency coverage and noise requirements, then noise performance improves, but chip area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise performanceVSAvoidchip area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two oscillator circuits by sharing common components (current source, load, output buffer) and introduces a coupling mechanism through inductors and switches. This combining approach allows both oscillators to coexist in a single integrated circuit, expanding frequency coverage without proportionally increasing power consumption compared to fully independent oscillator designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dual-oscillator architecture where a first oscillator and a second oscillator share common circuit resources including a current source, load, and output buffer. This multi-functional design allows a single integrated circuit to provide multiple oscillation frequencies through selective coupling, reducing the need for completely separate oscillator circuits for different frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple oscillators are integrated in a PLL to support multiple communication modes, then adaptability improves, but chip area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication mode supportVSAvoidchip area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dual-oscillator architecture where a first oscillator and a second oscillator share common circuit resources including a current source, load, and output buffer. This multi-functional design allows a single integrated circuit to provide multiple oscillation frequencies through selective coupling, reducing the need for completely separate oscillator circuits for different frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic switching capability through a coupling module containing switches that can selectively connect or disconnect the first oscillator and second oscillator based on communication mode requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same hardware to adapt to different communication standards and frequency requirements without physical changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11973465B2Oscillator circuit

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An oscillator circuit is provided. The oscillator circuit includes a first oscillator, a second oscillator, and a switch matrix. The first oscillator includes a first transconductance amplifier, a second transconductance amplifier, and a first resonator. The second oscillator includes a third transconductance amplifier, a fourth transconductance amplifier, and a second resonator. The first resonator includes a first capacitor element and a first inductor element. The second resonator includes a second capacitor element and a second inductor element. The first inductor element is coupled to the second inductor element. The switch matrix includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch.