Distributed Millimeter Band Transceiver Architecture for Short-Range Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current millimeter band transmitting/receiving systems are costly and not versatile, particularly for short-range applications, due to their large-surface and complex architecture, which is optimized for long-range communications and not suitable for cheaper integrated circuit chips or new applications.
Innovation Solution
A contactless millimeter band transmitting/receiving system with a common processing circuit and multiple identical transmitting/receiving integrated circuits, each with a phase-locked loop oscillator, controllable phase shift circuits, and power amplifiers, where the clock signal is common and phase shifters operate in the baseband, eliminating the need for power splitters and combiners, and allowing for calibration of phase shifts to ensure coherent beam formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a beam-forming architecture with N antennas and centralized power splitters/combiners is used for long-range communication, then transmission range is improved, but integrated circuit surface area and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized beam-forming architecture into distributed units. Each antenna is paired with its own integrated circuit containing local power splitter, combiner, and phase shifter components. This segmentation eliminates the need for large centralized circuits while maintaining beam-forming capability across multiple antennas, thereby reducing the required integrated circuit surface area for short-range applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar integration of all beam-forming components on a single large chip to a three-dimensional distributed architecture where multiple smaller integrated circuits are stacked or arranged vertically. This dimensional change allows each antenna to have its own compact circuit while maintaining overall system functionality, effectively reducing the footprint on any single plane.
2Length of stationary object
If a centralized beam-forming architecture is used, then long-range transmission is achieved, but adaptability to different applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal modular architecture where each antenna-integrated circuit unit can be independently configured for different applications. The standardized interface and identical circuit design across all units allow the system to adapt to various ranges and applications by simply changing the number of units or their configuration, rather than designing specialized systems for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability through independent phase shifters in each integrated circuit unit. These phase shifters can be dynamically adjusted to change beam direction, width, and focus in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to different application requirements such as short-range high-speed data transmission or longer-range communications without hardware changes.
3Ease of operation
If power splitters and combiners are used in the signal path, then signal distribution to multiple antennas is achieved, but phase shift calibration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the phase shifter function from the centralized signal path and places it locally within each antenna-integrated circuit unit. This extraction eliminates the need for complex centralized phase management and calibration, as each unit independently controls its own phase without interfering with others, significantly simplifying the overall calibration process.
Solution Approach 2:
Each integrated circuit unit performs self-calibration of its phase shifter using local reference signals and feedback mechanisms. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external calibration equipment and procedures, allowing each unit to automatically adjust its phase alignment, thereby reducing overall system calibration complexity.
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 architecture reduces design and implementation costs, enables efficient high-speed data transmission for short-range applications, and optimizes power consumption by allowing individual control of transmission and reception channels, while ensuring accurate phase shift calibration for coherent beam formation.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillator locked with the clock signal to produce a carrier frequency which is a multiple of the clock signal
Implementation Method 2
a first controllable phase shift circuit, a first circuit for frequency transposition to the carrier frequency
Implementation Method 3
a power amplifier
Implementation Method 4
a low noise amplifier, a second circuit for frequency transposition from the carrier frequency
Implementation Method 5
a second controllable phase shift circuit
Data Source
AI summary
In the field of millimeter band transmitting/receiving systems for a high-speed contactless transmission, an architecture is provided with a common processing circuit supplying modulation signals and a plurality of transmitting/receiving integrated circuits, all identical to one another, receiving these signals, and also a common clock. The transmitting/receiving integrated circuits each comprise: an oscillator locked with the clock signal to produce a carrier frequency, a transmit channel comprising a first controllable phase shift circuit, a frequency transposition to the carrier frequency, and a power amplifier, a receive channel comprising a low noise amplifier, a frequency transposition from the carrier frequency, and a second controllable phase shift circuit. An antenna is associated with each transmitting/receiving circuit.