Distributed Transceiver Frequency Conversion for 60 GHz Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency communication systems, particularly those operating in the 60 GHz band, face challenges due to high attenuation caused by oxygen absorption, making it difficult to generate local oscillator signals for demodulation and requiring efficient frequency translation methods to achieve high data rates and support multiple communication standards.
Innovation Solution
A distributed transceiver system using a cascade configuration of conversion stages to frequency-translate signals, employing local oscillator frequencies and fractional local oscillator signals generated by frequency dividers, allowing for efficient downconversion and upconversion of radio frequency signals to baseband or intermediate frequencies, thereby overcoming the limitations of high-frequency signal handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-frequency signals (60 GHz) are used for communication, then data transmission rate is improved, but signal attenuation increases due to oxygen absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frequency conversion process into multiple conversion stages, each operating at lower frequency increments. Instead of a single high-frequency conversion step, the system uses cascaded conversion stages that progressively translate the 60 GHz signal to baseband, reducing the burden on individual stages and improving overall system reliability while maintaining high data rate capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If local oscillator signals are distributed throughout the system, then frequency translation capability is improved, but system complexity and signal distribution requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency translation function across multiple distributed conversion stages, where each stage performs a portion of the total frequency conversion. This eliminates the need for a single high-frequency local oscillator distribution network, as each stage uses lower-frequency oscillators that are easier to distribute and synchronize
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate frequency stages as mediators between the high-frequency 60 GHz signal and baseband. These intermediate stages perform partial frequency translation, acting as stepping stones that reduce the frequency gap in manageable increments and simplify the local oscillator requirements for each stage
3Device complexity
If single-stage frequency conversion is used, then device complexity is reduced, but conversion efficiency and signal quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frequency conversion into multiple stages, with each stage performing a manageable portion of the total conversion. This segmentation improves signal quality by reducing the frequency translation burden on each individual stage, thereby maintaining better signal integrity and conversion efficiency throughout the process
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
Enables efficient demodulation and modulation of high-frequency signals, supporting high data rates and multiple communication standards, while reducing the need for high-frequency local oscillator distribution and mitigating attenuation issues, thus enhancing communication system performance.
Implementation Method 1
A distributed transceiver system using a cascade configuration of conversion stages to frequency-translate signals, employing local oscillator frequencies and fractional local oscillator signals generated by frequency dividers
Implementation Method 2
generating a second signal from a first signal by frequency-translating the first signal via a plurality of conversion stages. Each of the plurality of conversion stages may frequency-translate a corresponding input signal by a local oscillator frequency or by a fraction of said local oscillator frequency
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of a method and system for a distributed transceiver for high frequency applications may include generating a second signal from a first signal by frequency-translating the first signal via a plurality of conversion stages. Each of the plurality of conversion stages may frequency-translate a corresponding input signal by a local oscillator frequency or by a fraction of said local oscillator frequency. The first signal may be the corresponding input signal to an initial stage of a the plurality of conversion stages, an output signal of a previous one of the plurality of conversion stages may be the corresponding input signal to a subsequent one of the plurality of conversion stages, and the second signal may be an output signal of a final stage of the plurality of conversion stages.