Aggressor IC Frequency Coordination for Victim Spur Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic devices with multiple integrated circuits (ICs), spurs generated by one IC can interfere with the operation of another IC, leading to degradation of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and mixing of undesirable noise into signals.

Innovation Solution

A first IC identifies frequencies to be protected and sends protection information to a second IC, which configures its operations to avoid generating spurs that interfere with these protected frequencies. The second IC prioritizes frequencies based on importance to the functional performance of the first IC if not all frequencies can be protected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ICs operate in close proximity with multiple operating frequencies, then functional versatility and integration are improved, but spur interference between ICs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidspur interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The victim IC proactively identifies frequencies to be protected and communicates this information to the aggressor IC before interference occurs. The aggressor IC then pre-configures its operating frequencies to avoid generating spurs that would interfere with the protected frequencies, preventing interference rather than mitigating it after the fact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism is established where the victim IC monitors its operating status and communicates protection information back to the aggressor IC. This creates a closed-loop system where the aggressor IC adjusts its operation based on feedback from the victim IC, enabling dynamic coordination to avoid spur interference while maintaining functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If aggressor IC operates at fixed frequencies, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but adaptability to avoid interfering with victim IC frequencies deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidfrequency adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The aggressor IC transitions from fixed frequency operation to dynamic frequency selection. Based on protection information received from the victim IC, the aggressor IC dynamically configures its operating frequencies to avoid generating harmful spurs. This dynamic adaptation maintains reliability by ensuring the aggressor IC operates at valid frequencies while adapting to different victim IC configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The aggressor IC changes its operating frequency parameters based on protection information from the victim IC. By adjusting the frequency parameter dynamically, the aggressor IC can maintain stable operation (reliability) while adapting to different frequency requirements of the victim IC, resolving the contradiction between fixed operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If victim IC protects all frequencies, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity and communication overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidprotection mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The victim IC applies partial protection by identifying and communicating only the specific frequencies that require protection, rather than protecting all frequencies. This selective approach maintains signal quality for critical frequencies while reducing the complexity of the protection mechanism and minimizing communication overhead compared to a comprehensive protection approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12278635B2Configuration of aggressor integrated circuit to prevent spur interference at victim integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 APPLE INC

AI summary

Embodiments relate to identifying frequencies to be protected at a victim integrated circuit (IC) and sending protection information including the identified frequencies to an aggressor IC. The aggressor IC configures its subsystems or circuits to operate using operating frequencies that prevents spurs that may interfere with the frequencies identified in the protection information. If not all of the frequencies in the protection information can be protected, the aggressor IC selects a subset of the frequencies to be protected. Then, the aggressor IC configures the operating frequencies of its subsystems or circuits so that spurs that they generate do not interfere with the selected frequencies.