Dual-Path Radio Receiver for Carrier Aggregation and Dynamic Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio receiver circuits face challenges in efficiently operating in both carrier-aggregation and single carrier scenarios, particularly in non-contiguous carrier aggregation modes, where the dynamic range needs to be enhanced for weak signals or interference, and signal measurements require broader input power handling.
Innovation Solution
A radio receiver circuit design with two receive paths and a control unit that can switch between carrier-aggregation and single carrier modes, where both paths receive the same single carrier in non-aggregation mode to increase dynamic range, and can selectively disable one path for power savings, using shared or distinct local oscillator signals and processing circuitry to combine or separately process signals for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single receive path is used for non-CA operation, then device complexity and power consumption are reduced, but dynamic range and signal measurement capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver circuit dynamically switches between single-path and dual-path configurations based on operational mode (non-CA or CA). In non-CA mode, only one receive path is active to reduce complexity and power consumption. In CA mode, both receive paths are activated to handle multiple component carriers, thereby adapting the system complexity to the actual operational requirements while maintaining adequate dynamic range when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver circuit is designed with universal receive paths that can function in both non-CA and CA modes. The same receive path hardware is reused across different operational modes, with the control unit configuring the paths appropriately. This multi-functionality allows the circuit to maintain adequate dynamic range and measurement capability in non-CA mode while being capable of handling CA operations when required.
2Reliability
If both receive paths are activated in non-CA mode, then dynamic range is enhanced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically controls the activation state of receive paths based on the operational mode. In non-CA mode, only one receive path is activated to minimize power consumption, while in CA mode, both paths are activated to handle multiple component carriers. This dynamic power management ensures adequate dynamic range is maintained when needed without unnecessary power consumption during normal operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If receiver circuit is optimized for CA operation, then multi-carrier reception capability is improved, but performance in single carrier mode is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver circuit employs universal receive paths that are designed to function effectively in both CA and non-CA modes. The same hardware infrastructure supports both operational modes, with the control unit configuring the receive paths appropriately for each mode. This ensures that the circuit maintains adequate performance in single carrier mode while being fully capable of handling carrier aggregation operations when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver circuit dynamically reconfigures its operation based on the detected mode (CA or non-CA). The control unit adjusts the configuration of receive paths, LO signals, and processing circuits to optimize performance for the current operational mode, thereby maintaining high reliability in both single carrier and multi-carrier scenarios.
Data Source
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AI summary
A radio receiver circuit (10) comprises a first direct conversion receiver (30) and a second direct conversion receiver (40) arranged to be operatively connected to the same antenna (15). In a first mode of operation, a first LO signal of the first direct conversion receiver (30) and a second LO signal of the second direct conversion receiver (40) have different frequencies, whereby the first direct conversion receiver (30) and the second direct conversion receiver (40) are operable to receive different radio frequency carriers. In a second mode of operation, wherein the first and second LO signals have the same frequency, whereby the first direct conversion receiver (30) and the second direct conversion receiver (40) are operable to receive the same radio frequency carrier.