Ka-Band Multi-Chip Modulator With Direct High-Frequency Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical high frequency multi-chip modulators require complex circuitry and significant power for modulation before frequency upconversion, leading to increased size, weight, power consumption, and potential failures, as well as signal spurs due to local oscillator generation.
Innovation Solution
A Ka band multi-chip modulator design that uses a multiplier to directly modulate the high frequency output signal, reducing component complexity and power consumption, and incorporates a hermetically sealed waveguide channel with getters to suppress waveguide mode propagation and protect against environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a mixer is used to convert low frequency input signal to high frequency output signal, then frequency conversion is achieved, but power consumption and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mixer component from the traditional frequency conversion architecture. Instead of using a mixer to convert low frequency input to high frequency output, the invention directly generates the high frequency signal through a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) tuned to the desired Ka band frequency, thereby removing the mixer and associated local oscillator components that consume power and occupy space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not converting up from low frequency, but rather generating the high frequency signal directly. The modulation is applied to the VCO output directly at the high frequency, reversing the traditional sequence of modulation then frequency conversion, which eliminates the need for high-frequency modulation circuitry and mixers.
2Reliability
If modulation is carried out before mixing to high frequency, then signal modulation is achieved, but complex circuitry and signal spurs are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex high-frequency modulation circuitry and local oscillator generation stages from the system. By using a VCO that is directly tuned to the desired high frequency and applying modulation to its output, the invention extracts away the sources of signal spurs and circuit complexity associated with traditional pre-modulation approaches.
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
The design achieves reduced size, power consumption, and complexity, enhancing reliability and enabling deployment in harsh environments with lower signal spurs and improved durability.
Implementation Method 1
a hermetically sealable case including a waveguide channel configured to suppress waveguide mode propagation
Implementation Method 2
a hermetically sealable case including a waveguide channel configured to suppress waveguide mode propagation, and an internal cover sealing the wave guide channel
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-chip module is provided including a multiplier configured to multiply a frequency of an input signal into a predetermined Ka-band frequency center channel, a modulator configured to modulate the center channel, and an amplifier configured to amplify a modulated signal for output.