Injection-Locked Receiver Circuit for Low-Power WLAN Demodulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless LAN devices face challenges in downsizing and low-power consumption due to their complex structures, including multiple mixers, filters, and voltage-controlled oscillators, which limit their versatility and efficiency in various applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless communication device using a first and second injection locked oscillator, a phase difference detecting unit, and a baseband processing unit to extract receiving frames and perform medium access control, eliminating the need for traditional components like mixers, filters, and voltage-controlled oscillators, thereby simplifying the receiving circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct conversion method or sliding IF method is used with traditional components (VCO, mixers, filters), then the receiver can achieve stable frequency conversion and signal processing, but the device size increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of frequency conversion and signal processing into a single integrated circuit that directly converts RF signals to baseband without requiring separate VCO, mixer, and filter components. This merging of functions eliminates the need for multiple discrete components, thereby reducing device size while maintaining frequency conversion stability through the unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated receiving circuit performs multiple functions (frequency conversion, signal processing, and demodulation) within a single device, making it universally applicable without requiring additional specialized components. This multi-functionality approach reduces the overall device size while maintaining the reliability of frequency conversion operations.
2Reliability
If a direct conversion method or sliding IF method is used with traditional components (VCO, mixers, filters), then the receiver can achieve stable frequency conversion and signal processing, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges frequency conversion and signal processing functions into one integrated circuit, eliminating the power consumption overhead of multiple separate components (VCO, mixers, filters). The unified architecture reduces total power consumption while maintaining frequency conversion stability through coordinated internal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components (such as separate VCO and mixer stages) from the traditional receiving chain, keeping only the essential frequency conversion functionality integrated with signal processing. This extraction of redundant components directly reduces power consumption while preserving conversion stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mixers, filters, and voltage-controlled oscillators are used, then the receiver can process multiple signal frequencies and modulation types, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated receiving circuit is designed to handle multiple signal frequencies and modulation types within a single unified architecture, eliminating the need for multiple specialized mixers and filters. This universal design maintains adaptability while significantly reducing circuit complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the signal processing function into discrete digital processing stages within the integrated circuit, allowing flexible handling of different modulation types without requiring additional analog components. This segmentation enables versatile signal processing while maintaining a simple, unified circuit structure.
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
This approach enables extreme downsizing and low-power consumption, allowing for versatile wireless communication systems that can be easily integrated into devices like radio control toys and sport analysis systems, while maintaining high-speed data communication capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first injection locked oscillator which inputs a received signal and has a free-running frequency obtained by offsetting a frequency on a plus side relative to a half frequency of a frequency of the received signal; a second injection locked oscillator which inputs the received signal and has a free-running frequency obtained by offsetting a frequency on a minus side relative to the half frequency of a frequency of the received signal
Implementation Method 2
a phase difference detecting unit that detects a phase difference between an output signal output from the first injection locked oscillator and an output signal output from the second injection locked oscillator
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device includes a first injection locked oscillator that inputs a received signal and includes a free-running frequency obtained by offsetting a frequency on a plus side relative to a half frequency of a frequency of the received signal; a second injection locked oscillator that inputs the received signal and includes a free-running frequency obtained by offsetting a frequency on a minus side relative to the half frequency of a frequency of the received signal; a phase difference detecting unit that detects a phase difference between an output signal output from the first injection locked oscillator and an output signal output from the second injection locked oscillator; a baseband processing unit that extracts a receiving frame based on the detected phase difference; and an access controlling unit that performs a medium access control based on the receiving frame.