Digital Interface for Millimeter-Wave RF Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed serial bus implementations in wireless communications devices for mm-wave RF bands face issues such as increased power requirements, higher costs, latency, and adverse effects on radio frequency circuitry, particularly in battery-operated devices.
Innovation Solution
A digital interface and control module with a multi-function, low pin-count digital bus that connects a MAC-PHY SoC to a multi-gigabit RFIC, supporting dynamic antenna configuration, programmable antenna lookup tables, and various operational modes without continuous clocking, reducing noise and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a high-speed serial bus is used for RFIC control path, then control speed and data transmission rate are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous clocking only when needed for active communications, suspending it during idle periods. This periodic activation of the clock reduces power consumption while maintaining high-speed control capability when required, directly addressing the contradiction between speed and power usage.
2Speed
If a high-speed serial bus is used for RFIC control path, then control speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single unified digital bus interface that handles multiple functions including antenna control, gain adjustment, and beamforming operations. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each control function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high-speed control through the universal bus.
3Speed
If continuous clocking is used for high-speed control, then control speed is improved, but noise and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous clocking only when needed for active communications, suspending it during idle periods. This periodic activation of the clock reduces power consumption while maintaining high-speed control capability when required, directly addressing the contradiction between speed and power usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital interface and control module and a multi-function digital bus for use in a wireless radio frequency receiver, transmitter, or transceiver that communicates over a millimeter-wave band at multi-gigabit speeds. The control module provides a low power, low cost, small form factor, and low pin-count solution for high-speed control of a multi-gigabit radio frequency circuitry. The control module may be used to steer an antenna array for beamforming including selecting different antennas and different phases in compliance with IEEE 802.11ad/WiGig specifications. The control module may also be used for individually controlling variable gain amplifiers and low noise amplifiers and for phase shift controls, gain settings, and other controls.