Frequency-Agile Transceiver Architecture for Single-Chip Multi-Band Radios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems requiring multiple frequency bands often necessitate separate chips and modules for each band, leading to high costs and complexity, as they typically rely on switching between different frequency bands or standards.
Innovation Solution
A frequency-agile transmitter and receiver architecture that uses a single chipset to support multiple frequency bands by employing a low frequency mixing stage, transmit/receive elements with signal controllers, and dual-resonance antennas to switch between low and high frequency signals, along with digital phase shifters and variable gain amplifiers for beamforming capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate chips and modules are used to support multiple frequency bands, then communication versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal transmitter and receiver architecture that can operate across multiple frequency bands (FR1 and FR2) using a single chipset. The common mixing stage, signal controller, and dual-resonance antenna serve multiple functions by dynamically configuring operating parameters and resonance frequencies, eliminating the need for separate dedicated radios for each band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate low-band and high-band transmission paths into a unified architecture. The common mixing stage combines signal processing functions, while the dual-resonance antenna integrates multiple resonance capabilities in a single component, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining multi-band support.
2Reliability
If dedicated radios are used for each frequency band, then communication reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter and receiver are designed as universal multi-functional units that can reliably communicate across FR1 and FR2 bands. The signal controller dynamically configures the common mixing stage and dual-resonance antenna to maintain optimal performance for each band, ensuring communication reliability without requiring separate dedicated radios for each frequency range.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequency band switching is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but signal transmission continuity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic configuration capabilities where the signal controller continuously adjusts the common mixing stage and dual-resonance antenna parameters based on the selected frequency band. This dynamic adaptation allows seamless transitions between FR1 and FR2 bands while maintaining signal transmission continuity and optimizing performance for each operating condition.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective communication across multiple frequency bands without the need for multiple chipsets, reducing hardware complexity and cost while maintaining high data rates and range flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one antenna has dual-resonance and can simultaneously transmit the high frequency signal and the low-frequency signal
Implementation Method 2
a low frequency mixing stage for combining at least two input signals encoding input data, the at least two input signals being further combined with a local oscillator signal
Implementation Method 3
the high frequency mixing stage up-converts the output from the low frequency mixing stage with a local oscillator signal when transmitting the high frequency signal
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of digital phase shifters for adjusting the phase of the at least two outputs
Implementation Method 5
a plurality of variable gain amplifiers, each of the plurality of variable gain amplifiers operating on one of the at least two outputs
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a frequency-agile transmitter for transmitting either a low or a high frequency signal. The transmitter comprises a low frequency mixing stage for combining at least two input signals encoding input data, the at least two input signals being further combined with a local oscillator signal when transmitting the low frequency signal. The transmitter also includes a transmit element for receiving output from the low frequency mixing stage. The transmit element includes a signal controller for selectively sending the output from the low frequency mixing stage to one of a low frequency transmission path, to transmit the low frequency signal, and a high frequency mixing stage, wherein the high frequency mixing stage up-converts the output from the low frequency mixing stage with a local oscillator signal when transmitting the high frequency signal along the high frequency transmission path. The transmit element also includes at least one antenna for outputting one of the low frequency signal and the high frequency signal.