Cryogenic 5G Low-Noise Amplifier Front-End for Noise and Return Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low noise amplifiers face challenges in adequately mitigating noise and providing consistent gain over a range of frequencies, especially in high-frequency applications like 5G cellular networks, where they suffer from high levels of noise, noise factor, and return loss.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an apparatus that cools amplifier circuits using a cold portion of a cooling device, such as a Stirling cryocooler, and arranges field effect transistors (FETs) in a parallel configuration to reduce noise and improve signal-to-noise ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional low noise amplifiers are used in high-frequency applications, then they can provide signal amplification, but they suffer from high levels of noise, noise factor, and return loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter by cooling the amplifier circuit to cryogenic temperatures (e.g., 4K using liquid helium or 77K using liquid nitrogen). This temperature parameter change fundamentally reduces thermal noise in the amplifier components, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio and reducing noise factor in high-frequency 5G applications
2Power
If amplifier gain is increased to serve useful purpose, then signal amplification is improved, but negative side effects such as signal distortion, increased noise, and reduced signal to noise ratio are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the temperature parameter to cryogenic levels, the amplifier can achieve high gain while suppressing thermal noise generation. This allows the amplifier to provide strong signal amplification without the usual penalty of increased noise and distortion that occurs at room temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cryogenic cooling media (liquid helium or liquid nitrogen) that can be periodically replenished. These cooling agents enable the amplifier to operate in a low-noise state during each cooling cycle, effectively managing noise accumulation over time through periodic resetting of the thermal state
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional amplifiers operate at room temperature, then they are easier to manufacture and operate, but they cannot adequately mitigate noise in high-frequency applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the temperature operating parameter from room temperature to cryogenic temperatures. This parameter change enables adequate noise mitigation in high-frequency applications while maintaining amplifier functionality through specialized cryogenic-compatible component design and thermal management systems
4Reliability
If amplifier circuits are cooled to reduce noise, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but additional cooling infrastructure and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses consumable cryogenic cooling media (liquid helium or liquid nitrogen) that can be periodically replenished. This approach simplifies the cooling infrastructure compared to continuous mechanical refrigeration systems, as it relies on passive thermal storage and periodic refilling rather than complex active cooling mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a cryogenic inert environment using liquid helium or liquid nitrogen that isolates the amplifier circuit from ambient thermal noise. This inert cold environment suppresses thermal agitation in the amplifier components, fundamentally reducing noise generation while the vacuum or insulated enclosure protects the cryogenic system from external heat infiltration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces noise and improves the signal-to-noise ratio, enabling amplifiers to operate efficiently at high frequencies, thus enhancing the performance of 5G cellular networks by increasing range and reducing transmitter power requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an amplifier circuit assembly physically connected to the cold portion of the cooling device
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to apparatus and method that extends a useful operation range of an amplifier circuit to accelerate the deployment and functionality of fifth generation (5G) cellular networks and subsequent generations of cellular technology. Amplifiers and packaging of the present disclosure will help improve cellular companies' ability to deploy amplifiers needed to transmit and receive signals of frequencies above twenty gigahertz while reducing noise/noise factor and return loss commonly associated with amplifiers that amplify such high frequency signals. By combining new amplifier designs and fabrication techniques with advanced packaging technology, the performance of amplifiers deployed in cellular networks will meet operational specifications that are required to provide functionality currently being promoted by the major cellular providers. Amplifiers of the present disclosure may be incorporated into coolers that cool amplifier components to temperatures less than minus one hundred degrees Celsius.