Integrated Beam-Forming Circuit for 5G Radar Gain and Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beam-forming circuits for 5G mobile communication and radar face challenges with size, power consumption, and efficiency due to the need for multiple components like phase shifters, variable gain amplifiers, and attenuators, which increase insertion loss and reduce dynamic range.
Innovation Solution
A beam-forming circuit incorporating a multi-mode power amplifier, variable gain low noise amplifier, and variable gain phase shifter, along with switch circuits and embedded impedance matching circuits, to enable efficient gain and phase adjustment in both transmission and reception modes, reducing the need for separate VGA or attenuators and minimizing size and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a passive phase shifter is used for phase adjustment, then phase control is achieved, but insertion loss increases and size/power consumption increase due to the need for a gain amplifier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase shifter and variable gain amplifier into a single integrated circuit block. The phase shifter includes phase adjustment units and gain compensation units that work together to provide both phase control and gain compensation simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing insertion loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase shifter is designed to perform multiple functions: phase adjustment, gain compensation, and dynamic range control. By making the phase shifter multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate VGA or attenuator components, reducing overall circuit complexity and energy loss.
2Power
If a VGA or attenuator is added to compensate for insertion loss, then gain control is improved, but device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The variable gain amplifier function is merged into the phase shifter circuit. The gain compensation units within the phase shifter provide the necessary gain control, eliminating the need for separate VGA components and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase shifter is designed to simultaneously provide phase adjustment and gain control functions. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the beam-forming circuit, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full gain control capability.
3Power
If an attenuator is used for gain adjustment, then gain control is achieved, but insertion loss increases and high resolution is difficult to represent
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuator function is merged into the phase shifter's gain compensation units. These units use active circuitry rather than passive attenuation, providing gain control without the high insertion loss and resolution limitations of traditional attenuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase shifter provides both phase adjustment and precise gain control through its integrated gain compensation units. This eliminates the need for separate attenuator components and achieves high-resolution gain control through the phase shifter's inherent design.
4Ease of operation
If gain control is dependent only on VGA or attenuator, then gain adjustment is simplified, but overall efficiency and linearity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple gain control mechanisms within the phase shifter, including gain compensation units that work together with the phase adjustment units. This distributed approach to gain control improves linearity and efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through unified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase shifter serves as a universal control element that handles both phase and gain adjustments. This multi-functionality allows for coordinated control of multiple parameters through a single component, improving overall system efficiency and linearity while maintaining operational simplicity.
5Adaptability or versatility
If one antenna and one beam-forming circuit are required for each channel, then beam-forming functionality is achieved, but total chip size and total power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions (phase shifting, gain control, amplification) into a single beam-forming circuit module. This consolidation reduces the total chip size required while maintaining full beam-forming capability across multiple channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam-forming circuit is designed as a universal module that can be replicated across channels with reduced size. Each module performs multiple functions simultaneously, allowing for scalable deployment without linearly increasing total chip size or power consumption.
6Adaptability or versatility
If one antenna and one beam-forming circuit are required for each channel, then beam-forming functionality is achieved, but total power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple energy-consuming functions (phase control, gain control, amplification) into a single integrated circuit that shares common components and control logic. This reduces redundant power consumption while maintaining full beam-forming capability across multiple channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam-forming circuit is designed as a universal module with efficient power management. By making each module multi-functional and optimizing power distribution across channels, the total power consumption is reduced while maintaining adaptability and versatility for beam-forming operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A beam-forming circuit includes a multi mode power amplifier, a variable gain low noise amplifier, a variable gain phase shifter and a first switch circuit. The multi mode power amplifier amplifies a first RF intermediate signal generated based on a first RF input signal to generate a first RF output signal and performs a first transmission gain adjustment function based on a first control signal in a transmission mode. The variable gain low noise amplifier amplifies a second RF input signal to generate a second RF intermediate signal and performs a first reception gain adjustment function based on a second control signal in a reception mode. The variable gain phase shifter controls a gain and a phase of the first RF input signal at one time to generate the first RF intermediate signal and performs a second transmission gain adjustment function and a transmission phase adjustment function at one time based on a third control signal in the transmission mode, and controls a gain and a phase of the second RF intermediate signal at one time to generate a second RF output signal and performs a second reception gain adjustment function and a reception phase adjustment function at one time based on the third control signal in the reception mode. The first switch circuit receives the first RF input signal in the transmission mode, and outputs the second RF output signal in the reception mode.