Frequency-Agile Predistorted Transmitter With Programmable Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pre-distorted transmitters are limited to a single frequency band and require redesigning to operate across a wide range of frequencies, leading to increased costs and complexity in supporting multiple frequency bands.

Innovation Solution

A frequency-agile pre-distorted transmitter is developed, utilizing programmable digital up- and down-converters to maintain high-quality feedback signals across multiple frequency bands, allowing for efficient operation over a wide range of frequencies without the need for retuning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If pre-distorted transmitters are designed with tuned circuits and limited range components to operate in a single frequency band, then linearization performance is improved, but frequency adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinearization performanceVSAvoidfrequency band adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the transmitter components programmable and reconfigurable. The digital up-converter and down-converter are programmed to change their operating parameters dynamically, allowing the same hardware to be tuned to different frequency bands on demand, thus achieving both good linearization performance and frequency adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the transmitter components through programming. By modifying the frequency parameters, gain settings, and filter characteristics in software, the transmitter can adapt to different frequency bands without physical redesign, resolving the contradiction between optimized performance for a single band and adaptability to multiple bands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If pre-distorted transmitters use narrow band filters and limited range oscillators for single band operation, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity increases when supporting multiple bands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a single transmitter platform that can perform multiple frequency band operations. The programmable digital up-converter and down-converter serve multiple functions across different bands, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware for each band and thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining signal quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses digital signal processing to create virtual copies of the tuned circuit behavior through software. Instead of physical narrow band filters for each band, the system uses programmable digital filtering that replicates the desired frequency response characteristics, maintaining signal quality without the complexity of multiple physical filter banks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pre-distorted transmitters are deployed to support different frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but manufacturing and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing and operational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal transmitter design that can operate across multiple frequency bands through software programming. This single platform replaces the need for multiple dedicated transmitters for different bands, significantly reducing manufacturing costs, inventory requirements, and operational complexity while maintaining comprehensive frequency coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple band-specific transmitters into a single multi-functional device. By combining the frequency synthesis, modulation, and pre-distortion capabilities into one programmable platform, the system achieves broad frequency coverage without the cost and complexity of deploying separate transmitter units for each band

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3534582B1Method and frequency agile pre-distorted transmitter using programmable digital up and down conversion
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3534582B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3534582B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3534582B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Pre-distorted transmitters operable over a wide range of frequencies including a plurality of predetermined frequency bands are provided. The transmitters include a programmable digital up-converter and a programmable digital down-converter, an ADC, a DAC, a power amplifier and at least one analog filter arranged along a transmit signal path and a feedback signal path.