Doherty transceiver interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phased array antenna systems face challenges in achieving low-loss coupling between transmit and receive circuitry and antennas while providing multiple power levels and good receive noise figure performance, particularly in millimeter-wave integrated circuits, which are area and cost-intensive due to splitter and combiner circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable Doherty output network efficiently couples Doherty power amplifiers and low noise amplifiers to antenna ports, reducing capacitance and area consumption, and includes a magnetic circuit with transformers to minimize parasitics and improve noise figure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional splitter and combiner circuitry is used in phased array systems, then multiple power levels and good receive noise figure performance can be achieved, but chip area and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the splitter and combiner functions into a single reconfigurable output network that shares common circuitry between transmit and receive paths. The magnetic circuits and switching mechanism are shared resources that perform both signal splitting during transmit and signal combining during receive, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The reconfigurable output network performs multiple functions: it acts as a splitter during transmit mode to distribute signals to multiple amplifiers, serves as a combiner during receive mode to aggregate signals from antennas, and provides switching between different power levels. This multi-functional design replaces traditional separate dedicated circuits.
2Area of stationary object
If reconfigurable Doherty output network is implemented, then chip area is reduced, but circuit complexity increases due to magnetic circuits and switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The output network is designed to be reconfigurable, dynamically switching between different operational modes (transmit/receive, different power levels) based on system requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single circuit structure to adapt to multiple functions, reducing the need for separate static circuits for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
Magnetic circuits are introduced as intermediary elements that facilitate efficient signal coupling between the switching mechanism and the amplifiers/antennas. These magnetic circuits act as mediators that minimize parasitic effects and improve signal integrity while enabling the reconfigurable functionality.
3Use of energy by moving object
If Doherty power amplifiers are used for multiple power levels, then power efficiency is improved, but additional amplifier paths increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The Doherty amplifier architecture merges a main amplifier path and an auxiliary amplifier path into a single integrated power amplification system. The main path handles high-power operations while the auxiliary path supplements at lower power levels, and both paths share common input/output circuitry and control mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity compared to completely separate amplifier systems.
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
The solution enables efficient power level management and low noise figure performance with reduced chip area and cost, enhancing the functionality of phased array elements in millimeter-wave integrated circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetic circuit having a primary coil and a secondary coil
Implementation Method 2
a low noise amplifier (LNA) coupled to the tertiary coil of the second magnetic circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A transceiver interface for a phased array element includes a first magnetic circuit having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a second magnetic circuit having a primary coil, a secondary coil and a tertiary coil, a main amplifier path and an auxiliary amplifier path, the main amplifier path coupled to the primary coil of the second magnetic circuit and configured to receive a quadrature signal, the main amplifier path configured to provide a quadrature output signal, the auxiliary amplifier path coupled to the primary coil of the first magnetic circuit and configured to receive an in-phase signal, the auxiliary amplifier path configured to provide an in-phase output signal, a selectable output circuit configured to selectively combine the in-phase output signal and the quadrature output signal, and a low noise amplifier (LNA) coupled to the tertiary coil of the second magnetic circuit.