Discrete Digital RF Receiver Using Sample-and-Hold Baseband Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices face challenges in integrating advanced RF transceiver technologies due to the need for discrete components like SAW filters, power amplifiers, and duplexers, which are costly and difficult to scale with evolving IC fabrication processes, especially in redesigning analog circuitry for newer processes.
Innovation Solution
A discrete digital RF transceiver architecture that includes a bandpass filter module, sample and hold module, discrete time filter module, and conversion module, utilizing baseband impedance units and switching networks for frequency translation, along with a clock generation circuit to manage sampling and conversion of inbound wireless signals into baseband signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete components like SAW filters, power amplifiers, and duplexers are used in RF transceiver design, then performance requirements are met, but manufacturing cost increases and scalability to newer IC fabrication processes becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously discrete RF components (SAW filters, power amplifiers, duplexers, mixers) into a single integrated transceiver IC. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple discrete components, reducing bill of materials costs and simplifying assembly while maintaining required performance through careful integration of analog and digital circuitry on the same chip
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated transceiver IC performs multiple functions that previously required separate discrete components. The single chip incorporates filtering, amplification, signal mixing, modulation/demodulation, and data recovery functions, making the system more scalable to different IC fabrication processes without requiring redesign of multiple discrete components
2Reliability
If discrete components are used in RF transceiver design, then performance requirements are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple discrete RF components into a single integrated transceiver IC, reducing the overall component count in the wireless communication device. This integration simplifies the device architecture by eliminating the need for separate SAW filters, power amplifiers, duplexers, and mixers, while maintaining all necessary functions through integrated circuit design
3Adaptability or versatility
If analog circuitry is redesigned for newer IC fabrication processes, then scalability is achieved, but redesign effort and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional analog RF circuitry with a hybrid architecture that uses digital signal processing techniques. By implementing sampling, filtering, and signal processing in the digital domain rather than requiring complex analog circuitry, the design becomes more scalable to different IC fabrication processes without requiring extensive analog redesign effort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters and architecture of the RF transceiver by introducing sampling at the RF stage and processing signals in the digital domain. This parameter change from traditional continuous analog processing to sampled digital processing enables better scalability to newer fabrication processes while reducing the complexity of analog circuit redesign
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A receiver includes a bandpass filter module, a sample and hold module, a discrete time filter module, and a conversion module. The bandpass filter module is operable to filter an inbound wireless signal to produce a filtered inbound wireless signal having a bandwidth. The sample and hold module is operable to sample and hold, at a rate corresponding to a multiple of the bandwidth of the filtered inbound wireless signal, the filtered inbound wireless signal to produce a frequency domain sample pulse train. The discrete time filter module is operable to filter the frequency domain sample pulse train to produce a filtered sample pulse. The conversion module is operable to convert the filtered sample pulse into an inbound baseband signal.