Differential Millimeter-Wave Front End Without PLL for OOK Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional superheterodyne modulated RF front ends in wireless communication devices are complex, consume high power, and are costly due to the need for a Local Oscillator (LO) and Phase Locked Loop (PLL) for signal modulation and processing, which complicates millimeter wave communication.
Innovation Solution
A compact, low-power differential millimeter wave communication architecture that uses OOK modulation and eliminates the need for a PLL by employing an oscillator, frequency multiplier, differential transformers, and a power amplifier with a signal switch, simplifying the circuit design and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional superheterodyne modulated RF front end is used, then signal modulation and processing can be achieved, but device complexity increases due to the need for LO and PLL components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the PLL (Phase Locked Loop) component from the traditional RF front end architecture. By using direct OOK modulation with a simple oscillator instead of PLL-based frequency synthesis, the design eliminates complex phase locking circuits while maintaining the ability to generate modulated signals at the desired frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified oscillator circuit that directly generates the carrier frequency without copying or synthesizing it through PLL. The oscillator output is directly used for OOK modulation, avoiding the need for complex frequency synthesis circuits that would otherwise be required
2Reliability
If traditional superheterodyne modulated RF front end is used, then signal processing can be performed, but power consumption increases due to multiple active components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the PLL component which is a major power consumer in traditional RF front ends. The simple oscillator requires minimal power compared to PLL circuits, and the direct OOK modulation approach eliminates the need for complex mixing and frequency conversion operations that consume significant power
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs OOK (On-Off Keying) modulation which uses periodic switching of the carrier signal rather than continuous complex modulation. This periodic action approach simplifies the power amplification requirements and reduces overall power consumption compared to traditional continuous wave modulation schemes
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional superheterodyne modulated RF front end is used, then communication functionality is achieved, but chip area increases due to multiple circuit components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the PLL circuitry, mixers, and associated filtering components from the chip. The simplified architecture uses only an oscillator, modulator, and power amplifier, dramatically reducing the required chip area while maintaining millimeter wave communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the oscillator and modulation functions into a unified OOK modulation approach. Instead of separate frequency synthesis and modulation circuits, the system directly modulates the oscillator output, merging multiple functions into a single streamlined path that reduces component count and chip area
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 solution simplifies the millimeter wave front-end circuit, reduces power consumption, and achieves low chip area while enabling high-data-volume short-distance wireless communication by leveraging the high bandwidth of the millimeter wave band and OOK modulation, avoiding the need for complex LO and PLL components.
Implementation Method 1
frequency multiplication of the baseband signal to the millimeter wave frequency band via the frequency multiplier
Implementation Method 2
The harmonics generated by the frequency multiplier and un-desired harmonics are canceled by the first differential transformer, which also provides high-frequency impedance conversion
Implementation Method 3
outputting the baseband signal via the oscillator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a differential millimeter wave communication architecture and an electronic device, comprising a transmission apparatus, wherein the transmission apparatus comprises an oscillator, a frequency multiplier, a first differential transformer, at least one driving amplification circuit and a power amplification circuit which are connected in sequence; the driving amplification circuit comprises a driving amplifier and a second differential transformer connected in sequence; the power amplification circuit comprises a power amplifier and a third differential transformer connected in sequence; and the power amplifier comprises a signal switch connected to an on-off keying signal input end. The present invention can achieve a millimeter wave front-end circuit with low power consumption and small area.