Hybrid RF Mixer Phasing for CIM2 Distortion and Power Tradeoffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio frequency systems, particularly in wireless communication devices, suffer from second-order counter intermodulation (CIM2) distortions that interfere with performance and require improved methods to reduce these distortions and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hybrid mixer system with both three-phase and six-phase operating modes, where the six-phase mode reduces distortions and the three-phase mode conserves power, using mixers coupled with single-ended and differential power amplifiers, and employing digital pre-distortion algorithms to mitigate CIM2 interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a three-phase transmitter/receiver is used, then power consumption is reduced, but second-order counter intermodulation (CIM2) distortions remain and may become dominant
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter is divided into multiple independent phases (three-phase or six-phase operation) with separate signal paths. Each phase processes signals independently and combines them at the output, allowing selective cancellation of distortion components while maintaining power efficiency through phased operation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric phase configurations where phases are deliberately offset by specific angles (e.g., 120 degrees in three-phase, 60 degrees in six-phase modes). This asymmetric phase distribution creates destructive interference for specific distortion frequencies (particularly second-order intermodulation products) while preserving the desired signal, thereby reducing CIM2 distortions without requiring full power consumption of symmetric multi-phase systems.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a six-phase transmitter/receiver is used, then CIM2 distortions are reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between three-phase and six-phase operating modes based on signal conditions, distortion requirements, and power constraints. The phase configuration is not fixed but adapts in real-time, allowing the transmitter to use six-phase mode when low distortion is critical and three-phase mode when power efficiency is prioritized, thereby resolving the contradiction between distortion reduction and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the mixer phases, specifically the number of active phases and their phase offsets. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can optimize the balance between distortion cancellation effectiveness and power consumption, using six-phase configuration for maximum distortion reduction when needed and three-phase for lower power consumption during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing distortions of a radio frequency (RF) system includes configuring a plurality of mixers to convert between a plurality of phase signals and a plurality of RF signals, configuring a first mixer of the plurality of mixers to operate in a six-phase operating mode to reduce the distortions of the RF system, and configuring a second mixer of the plurality of mixers to operate in a three-phase operating mode to reduce power consumption of the RF system.