Dual-Mode Mixer Phase Shifter for Noise-Accuracy Trade-Offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In radar systems, phase shifters contribute significantly to transmitter noise power, degrading receiver noise figure due to limited isolation between transmitter and receiver, and existing solutions either compromise on phase accuracy or increase silicon area.
Innovation Solution
A flexible phase shifter circuitry that operates in both voltage and current modes, allowing trade-offs between phase accuracy and noise power, using switching circuitry and a controller to manage the mixer stage and digital-to-analogue converter operations, enabling the same mixer to be used in both modes and reducing component duplication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a phase shifter operates in voltage mode to improve phase accuracy, then phase shifting accuracy is increased, but transmitted noise power increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shifter dynamically switches between voltage mode and current mode operation based on the functional requirements. The controller selectively enables the transconductance stage to convert between voltage and current signals, allowing the system to adapt its operating mode in real-time to optimize performance for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter of the phase shifter by switching between voltage-mode and current-mode operation. This parameter change allows the same hardware circuitry to exhibit different noise and accuracy characteristics, enabling optimization for specific test or operational conditions without requiring duplicate hardware.
2Reliability
If dual phase shifter solutions are used to optimize both accuracy and noise performance, then performance is improved, but silicon area increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single phase shifter circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by operating in different modes. The same mixer and transconductance stage serve both voltage-mode operation (for accuracy-critical applications) and current-mode operation (for noise-critical applications), eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function and reducing overall silicon area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of what would traditionally require separate voltage-mode and current-mode phase shifters into a single integrated circuit. By combining the transconductance stage with the mixer and using switching circuitry to select operating modes, the design consolidates multiple functions into one unit, reducing component count and silicon footprint.
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 approach optimizes phase accuracy for built-in self-test mode while reducing transmitted noise power in normal mode, thereby improving receiver sensitivity and reducing silicon area compared to dual phase shifter solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a mixer stage configured to mix an oscillator signal with an analogue signal to provide a phase shifted signal
Implementation Method 2
The mixer stage may comprise a mixer and a transconductance stage
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a phase shifter having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, the phase shifter comprising a mixer stage configured to mix an oscillator signal with an analog signal to provide a phase shifted signal, switching circuitry and a controller arranged to provide the analog signal to the mixer stage as a voltage in the first mode of operation and as a current in the second mode of operation.