Wide-Range LO Generator With Dynamic Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication transceivers face challenges in supporting wideband communication while minimizing power consumption, particularly in portable devices where both bandwidth support and low power usage are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A local oscillator (LO) generator is designed with an input buffer, frequency dividing circuit, and output buffer, where each component receives independent power voltage, and a controller adjusts the frequency and power voltage based on the carrier frequency to optimize LO signal generation and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a transceiver supports wideband communication with a wide range of frequencies, then the frequency tuning range is expanded, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power voltage adjustment where the controller selectively applies different power voltages to the input buffer and frequency dividing circuit based on the operating frequency range. At lower frequencies, reduced power voltages are applied to minimize power consumption while maintaining adequate signal generation capability. This dynamic adaptation allows the transceiver to support wide frequency ranges without continuously consuming high power across all operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power voltage parameter dynamically based on the required frequency range. The controller adjusts the power voltage levels applied to different circuit components (input buffer, frequency dividing circuit, output buffer) according to the operating frequency. This parameter change enables the system to optimize between power consumption and frequency tuning range, supporting wideband communication when needed while consuming less power during lower frequency operations.
2Use of energy by moving object
If independent power voltage control is implemented for each circuit component, then power consumption is reduced through selective activation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply control by applying independent power voltages to different functional blocks: the input buffer, frequency dividing circuit, and output buffer each receive independently controllable power voltages. This segmentation allows the controller to selectively power down or reduce power to specific components based on operating conditions, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to support wide frequency ranges when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages frequency division ratios, selects power voltage levels, and coordinates the operation of different circuit components. By making the controller multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate control circuits for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while still achieving independent power voltage control for power optimization.
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 solution enables efficient generation of LO signals with a wide range of frequencies, reducing power consumption and expanding the frequency tuning range, thus enhancing the operational efficiency of wireless communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
a frequency divider configured to divide a frequency of an oscillator signal of an oscillator may include an injection-locked oscillator
Implementation Method 2
The injection-locked oscillator may include a plurality of gated inverter. The injection-locked oscillator may include a sequence of stages, each stage including at least two gated inverters
Implementation Method 3
Each gated inverter of the plurality of gated inverters may include first and second PMOS transistors and first and second NMOS transistors which are each a fin field-effect transistor (FinFET)
Data Source
AI summary
A local oscillator generator (LO generator) may be configured to transmit an LO signal to a mixer. The LO generator may include an input buffer configured to generate a first internal oscillator signal based on the input oscillator signal. The LO generator may include a frequency dividing circuit configured to generate a second internal oscillator signal based on dividing a frequency of the first internal oscillator signal. The LO generator may include an output buffer configured to generate the LO signal based on the second internal oscillator signal. The input buffer and the frequency dividing circuit may each be configured to receive a power voltage independently of the output buffer.