Integrated RF Receiver Inductors for Low-Cost On-Chip Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio frequency (RF) receivers, particularly television receivers, face challenges in achieving high quality and low cost due to the need for discrete components like inductors and varactors, which are expensive and bulky, while silicon-based tuners do not perform well and require external components, limiting the cost benefits of integrated circuit technology.
Innovation Solution
The use of a tracking bandpass filter with integrated inductors on the same chip as the mixer, implemented in a multi-chip module (MCM) or fully integrated on-chip inductors, reduces the need for external components and varactors, enabling high-quality filtering at a lower cost by sharing RF filtering between tracking bandpass and lowpass filters and using switched capacitors for tuning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete components (inductors, varactors, capacitors) are used to build RF receivers, then high quality performance is achieved, but cost and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete components (inductors, varactors, capacitors, mixers, filters) into a single integrated circuit chip. The receiver architecture integrates the RF front-end, intermediate frequency processing, and baseband processing on one chip, eliminating the need for multiple discrete components while maintaining high-quality performance through precise control of integrated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated receiver chip performs multiple functions within a single device: RF signal reception, frequency conversion, filtering, amplification, and baseband processing. This multi-functional integration replaces what traditionally required separate discrete components for each function, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If discrete components are used in RF receivers, then high performance is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates all receiver components onto a single chip, enabling mass production through standard semiconductor manufacturing processes. This consolidation eliminates the need for manual assembly of discrete components, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining high performance through precise integrated circuit design.
3Ease of manufacture
If silicon-based integrated circuit technology is used for television tuners, then cost is reduced, but performance deteriorates and external components are still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves full integration of all tuner and receiver components on a single silicon chip, eliminating the requirement for external discrete components. This complete integration maintains high performance through optimized on-chip component design while fully realizing the cost benefits of semiconductor manufacturing.
4Ease of manufacture
If integrated circuit technology is used without full integration, then some cost reduction is achieved, but external discrete components are still needed, limiting cost benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves complete integration of all previously external components (inductors, varactors, capacitors, filters, amplifiers) onto a single chip. This full integration eliminates the need for any external discrete components, maximizing cost reduction benefits while simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
In one form, an integrated receiver includes a tracking bandpass filter, a tunable lowpass filter, and a mixer formed on a single integrated circuit chip. The tracking bandpass filter has an input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) input signal, and an output, and comprises a variable capacitor having a capacitance that varies in response to a bandpass frequency control signal, in parallel with an integrated inductor. The integrated inductor comprises a plurality of windings formed in a plurality of metal layers. The tunable lowpass filter has an input coupled to the output of the tracking bandpass filter, and an output and having a tuning input for receiving a cutoff frequency signal. The mixer has a signal input coupled to the output of the tunable lowpass filter, a local oscillator input for receiving a local oscillator signal, and a signal output for providing a converted RF signal.