Dual-band Concurrent Transceiver Shared Aperture Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G millimeter wave transceivers face design complexity and space constraints in achieving simultaneous beamforming across multiple frequency bands, such as 37 GHz and 39 GHz, while maintaining low power consumption and high efficiency, due to the need for separate transmitters and different propagation environments.
Innovation Solution
A dual-band concurrent millimeter wave transceiver architecture that uses a shared antenna aperture with independent phase shifters for simultaneous beamforming across multiple frequency bands, configuring separate beams for each frequency to synchronize communication and enable simultaneous transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate transmitters are used for each frequency band, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple frequency band transmitters into a single shared transmitter architecture. The baseband processor generates signals for multiple bands, which are then upconverted by a shared RF chain using different local oscillator frequencies. This merging reduces the number of separate transmitters while maintaining the ability to communicate reliably across multiple bands through frequency-selective beamforming.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared transmitter is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting multiple frequency bands through a universal RF chain. The same power amplifier, mixer, and antenna aperture serve all frequency bands, with the ability to dynamically switch and tune across different frequencies using programmable phase shifters and local oscillators controlled by the baseband processor.
2Reliability
If multiple antenna apertures are used for each frequency band, then beamforming performance is improved, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antenna apertures for different frequency bands into a single shared aperture. The same physical antenna elements are used for both 37 GHz and 39 GHz bands, with each element capable of operating at both frequencies. This sharing reduces the total antenna area required while maintaining beamforming capability through frequency-specific phase and amplitude control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming control where the phase shifters and amplitude controllers can be reconfigured in real-time to optimize beam patterns for different frequency bands. The system dynamically adjusts the electrical characteristics of the antenna elements to maintain optimal beamforming performance across frequency transitions, allowing a single static aperture to provide dynamic multi-band beamforming capability.
3Productivity
If separate RF chains are used for each frequency band, then communication efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RF chains for multiple frequency bands into a single shared RF path. The same mixer, power amplifier, and antenna interface are used for both 37 GHz and 39 GHz communications. The baseband processor dynamically activates only the necessary frequency band for each transmission, reducing the power consumed by idle RF components while maintaining efficient communication when active.
4Speed
If frequency bands are transmitted simultaneously without coordination, then communication speed is improved, but interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary beam configuration where the baseband processor pre-calculates and configures the optimal beamforming weights and phase shifts for each frequency band before transmission begins. This preliminary setup ensures that beams for different bands are properly oriented and isolated, preventing interference while enabling simultaneous high-speed transmission on multiple bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the baseband processor monitors the communication quality on each frequency band and dynamically adjusts the beamforming parameters, power levels, and frequency selection. This closed-loop control detects and mitigates interference between bands in real-time, allowing the system to maintain high communication speeds while actively managing and reducing harmful interference effects.
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 allows for efficient simultaneous communication across multiple frequency bands, reducing power consumption and improving link budget while minimizing handset temperature, by using a single antenna aperture for both frequencies and coordinating beam switching to prevent interference.
Implementation Method 1
configuring separate beams for each frequency to synchronize communication
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency (RF) architecture performs simultaneous beamforming to two different gigabit node Bs (gNBs) using an independent set of phase shifters. The beamforming process includes simultaneously communicating across a shared antenna aperture in a first frequency and a second frequency. The beamforming process also includes configuring a first beam for the first frequency and a second beam for the second frequency before communicating with the first frequency and/or the second frequency to synchronize communication between the first frequency and the second frequency across the shared antenna aperture.