Inter-Stage Capacitance Tuning to Mitigate DCO Pulling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional schemes for mitigating the digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) pulling effect in communication devices are complex, power-intensive, and unable to provide real-time solutions, primarily due to inductive or electromagnetic crosstalk affecting the frequency and phase generated by the DCO.

Innovation Solution

A control circuit comprising a digital phase-locked loop (DPLL), an inter-stage circuit, and a calibration module that dynamically adjusts the equivalent capacitance of the inter-stage circuit to mitigate the DCO pulling effect, using a processing circuit to generate phase modulation signals and calibrate the circuit components to minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional schemes are used to mitigate the DCO pulling effect, then the DCO pulling effect can be reduced, but the circuit complexity increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDCO pulling effect mitigationVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An inter-stage circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the power amplifier and the DCO. This circuit includes adjustable capacitance elements that act as a buffer to isolate the DCO from electromagnetic crosstalk generated by the power amplifier, thereby mitigating the DCO pulling effect without requiring complex compensation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitance values in the inter-stage circuit are dynamically adjusted based on operating conditions. By changing the capacitance parameters in real-time, the circuit optimally mitigates the DCO pulling effect across different power amplifier output levels and frequency conditions, maintaining effectiveness without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional schemes are used to mitigate the DCO pulling effect, then the DCO pulling effect can be reduced, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDCO pulling effect mitigationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The inter-stage circuit serves as a passive or lightly-active buffer that blocks electromagnetic crosstalk from reaching the DCO. By placing this intermediary circuit in the signal path, the system achieves DCO pulling effect mitigation without requiring high-power active compensation circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitance values are adjusted according to operating conditions to optimize mitigation effectiveness. This parameter adjustment allows the circuit to maintain low power consumption while adapting to different operational states, avoiding the need for continuously high-power compensation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional schemes are used to mitigate the DCO pulling effect, then the DCO pulling effect can be reduced, but the real-time mitigation capability is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDCO pulling effect mitigationVSAvoidreal-time mitigation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The inter-stage circuit incorporates dynamically adjustable capacitance elements that can change their values in real-time based on the operating conditions of the power amplifier and DCO. This dynamic adjustment enables the circuit to continuously adapt to changing electromagnetic interference levels, achieving real-time mitigation of the DCO pulling effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors the operating state of the power amplifier and DCO, and uses this feedback information to adjust the capacitance values in the inter-stage circuit. This closed-loop control ensures that the mitigation effectiveness is maintained in real-time across different operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If conventional schemes are used to mitigate the DCO pulling effect, then the DCO pulling effect can be reduced, but the size of circuit components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDCO pulling effect mitigationVSAvoidcircuit component size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The inter-stage circuit uses compact capacitor elements as the primary mitigation mechanism. By utilizing readily available small-sized capacitor components arranged in adjustable configurations, the circuit achieves effective DCO pulling effect mitigation without occupying large board space or requiring bulky inductors and transformers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10447284B1Mechanism for adjusting characteristics of inter-stage circuit to mitigate or reduce DCO pulling effect

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 AIROHA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

AI summary

A method of a control circuit of a communication device comprises: receiving a data signal to generate a phase data signal to a digital phase-locked loop (DPLL); using the DPLL to receive the phase data signal, to dynamically lock a particular clock, and to generate a phase modulation signal based on the phase data signal; and determining or adjusting an equivalent capacitance of an inter-stage circuit which is coupled between the DPLL and a power amplifier and configured for processing the phase modulation signal and generating a processed phase modulation signal to the power amplifier.