Frequency Divider Circuit with Switchable LO Duty Cycles

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing frequency dividers can only generate fixed duty-cycle LO signals, requiring multiple separate circuits for different duty cycles, leading to increased silicon die area, power consumption, and complexity in transceivers.

Innovation Solution

A single frequency divider circuit with a feedback loop and controllable regenerative cells allows for adjustable duty cycles, enabling generation of multiple duty-cycle LO signals, such as 25% and 50%, using a single circuit architecture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate frequency divider circuits are implemented to provide different duty cycles (25% and 50%), then both suppression of unwanted even harmonics and higher sensitivity can be achieved, but silicon die area and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduty cycle flexibilityVSAvoidsilicon die area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency divider circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by generating different duty cycle outputs (25% and 50%) from a single circuit architecture. The circuit uses controllable regenerative cells that can be selectively activated to produce different duty cycles, eliminating the need for separate dedicated divider circuits for each duty cycle requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The frequency divider circuit incorporates dynamic control capability through controllable regenerative cells that can be selectively activated or deactivated. This allows the circuit to dynamically switch between different duty cycle modes (25% for receiver sensitivity, 50% for transmitter harmonic suppression) based on operational requirements, making the circuit adaptable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate frequency divider circuits are implemented to provide different duty cycles, then both suppression of unwanted even harmonics and higher sensitivity can be achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduty cycle flexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency divider circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by generating different duty cycle outputs (25% and 50%) from a single circuit architecture. The circuit uses controllable regenerative cells that can be selectively activated to produce different duty cycles, eliminating the need for separate dedicated divider circuits for each duty cycle requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit merges the functionality of multiple frequency dividers into a single integrated circuit by combining controllable regenerative cells within one divider architecture. This consolidation reduces the total power consumption compared to operating multiple separate divider circuits, while still providing the capability to generate different duty cycles as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate frequency divider circuits are implemented to provide different duty cycles, then both suppression of unwanted even harmonics and higher sensitivity can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduty cycle flexibilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency divider circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by generating different duty cycle outputs (25% and 50%) from a single circuit architecture. The circuit uses controllable regenerative cells that can be selectively activated to produce different duty cycles, eliminating the need for separate dedicated divider circuits for each duty cycle requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The frequency divider circuit incorporates dynamic control capability through controllable regenerative cells that can be selectively activated or deactivated. This allows the circuit to dynamically switch between different duty cycle modes (25% for receiver sensitivity, 50% for transmitter harmonic suppression) based on operational requirements, making the circuit adaptable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10979036B1Divider circuit

Publication Date: 2021.04.13 DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR BV

AI summary

A frequency divider is provided which uses common circuitry to switch between different duty cycle outputs. The divider has one or more memory elements with a feedback loop and which are controllable to adjust a duty cycle of an output signal. Each memory element has a first regenerative cell and a second regenerative cell, and where one of the regenerative cells is a controllable regenerative cell which can be controlled to vary the duty cycle of an output of the frequency divider circuit. The controllable regenerative cell can be selectively activated so that in a first configuration where the controllable regenerative cell is activated an output of the frequency divider circuit has a first duty cycle and in a second configuration where the controllable regenerative cell is deactivated an output of the frequency divider circuit has a second duty cycle.