MM-Wave MIMO Amplifier Biasing for Flexible Signal Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mm-wave power splitter and combiner technologies are not adjustable and suffer from inefficiencies due to impedance mismatches when ports are disabled, leading to loss of transfer efficiency in mm-wave signal distribution and combination applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of split-steer, combine-steer, and multi-input multi-output amplifier circuits that utilize transistors with adjustable biasing to enable selective coupling of input and output ports, maintaining impedance matching and efficiency across various coupling arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Wilkinson power coupler is used to redistribute mm-wave signal power, then power splitting/combining function is provided, but transfer efficiency is lost when ports are disabled due to impedance mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the amplifier circuit adjustable and reconfigurable through bias control. The amplifier can dynamically switch between different operating modes (power splitter, power combiner, or disabled state) by adjusting the bias current, allowing the system to adapt to different port configurations while maintaining impedance matching and transfer efficiency in each mode.
2Adaptability or versatility
If single-pole-multiple-throw switch is used to route mm-wave power, then routing flexibility is provided, but transfer efficiency is lost when multiple ports are coupled due to impedance mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the bias current of the amplifier to change its operating state. By varying the bias current, the amplifier can be tuned to maintain optimal impedance matching across different port configurations, thereby preserving transfer efficiency while enabling flexible routing between multiple ports.
3Reliability
If active power splitter with impedance matching is used, then impedance matching and port-to-port isolation are provided, but power distribution is fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power distribution ratio adjustable through bias control. The amplifier can dynamically change its power distribution characteristics by adjusting the bias current, allowing the system to transition between fixed and variable power splitting modes while maintaining impedance matching and reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multi-stage active splitter is used to provide multiple reception unit support, then multiple input/output capability is provided, but power consumption and losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the amplifier into multiple independent transistor stages (input transistors and output transistors for each port). Each transistor can be independently controlled through its own bias current, allowing the system to activate only the necessary stages for the current operating mode, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining multiple reception unit support.
Data Source
AI summary
A MIMO amplifier circuit operable to couple one or more selectable input ports to one or more selectable output ports. The circuit includes N input transistors and M output transistors. Each input transistor has its base coupled to a respective input port node, its emitter coupled to ground, and its collector connected to an intermediate node. Each output transistor has its base coupled to a bias node, its emitter connected to the intermediate node, and its collector coupled to a respective output port nodes. Each input transistor enables the respective input port node when its base is biased. Each output transistor enables the respective output port node when its bias node is asserted. The base of the input transistor for each enabled port is biased to provide a quiescent current I0*m/n through that input transistor, where m is the number of enabled output ports and n is the number of enabled input ports.