Current-Mode Wireless Receiver for Low-Voltage Linear Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless receivers, particularly voltage-mode and hybrid systems, face high power consumption and reduced linearity due to the need for high supply voltages, making them unsuitable for low supply voltage operations, especially in portable electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A current-mode wireless receiver design comprising a pre-processor, a mixer, and an amplifier, where the pre-processor converts voltage-mode signals to current-mode signals, the mixer performs frequency down-conversion, and the amplifier amplifies the down-converted signals, all operating without a supply voltage, thereby reducing energy consumption and enhancing linearity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage-mode wireless receiver is used, then output signal quality is maintained, but power consumption increases and linearity deteriorates due to high supply voltage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating mode parameter from voltage-mode to current-mode throughout the signal processing chain (pre-processor, mixer, amplifier). This parameter change enables the system to operate at lower supply voltages while maintaining signal quality, thereby reducing power consumption without sacrificing output signal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the conventional voltage-mode approach, the patent inverts the approach by using current-mode signal processing. The pre-processor converts voltage-mode input signals to current-mode signals, and all subsequent processing remains in current-mode, fundamentally inverting the traditional voltage-mode architecture to achieve lower power consumption
2Power
If high gain is achieved using voltage-mode amplifier with series transistors, then amplification is sufficient, but linearity of output signal is reduced and low frequency noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the amplifier operating mode from voltage-mode to current-mode. The current-mode amplifier achieves the required gain through current amplification rather than voltage amplification with series transistors. This parameter change maintains signal linearity and reduces low-frequency noise while providing sufficient amplification gain
3Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid wireless receiving system is used, then signal processing flexibility is improved, but non-linear components are generated and high supply voltage is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the signal mode parameter from hybrid (voltage-mode and current-mode mixed) to purely current-mode. By maintaining current-mode throughout the entire signal processing chain, the system eliminates non-linear components generated at voltage-mode/current-mode interfaces while preserving signal processing flexibility through current-mode circuit design
Data Source
AI summary
A current-mode wireless receiver includes a pre-processor to receive a voltage-mode input signal and output a current-mode pre-processed signal corresponding to the voltage-mode input signal, a mixer to perform frequency down-conversion upon the current-mode pre-processed signal to generate a current-mode frequency down-converted signal, and an amplifier to amplify the current-mode frequency down-converted signal to generate a current-mode output signal. A method of wireless reception is also disclosed.