Millimeter Wave Receiver Segmentation for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication systems face high costs and complexity when transitioning to newer millimeter wave frequency bands like Q-band, V-band, and W-band, due to the need for expensive and difficult-to-produce transceivers with small, tightly tolerance waveguides, and high-capacity digital processing units.
Innovation Solution
A broadband transceiver design that splits incoming signals into smaller bandwidth chunks, processed by a digital processing unit capable of handling 500 MHz signals, and uses shared local oscillators to minimize hardware requirements and spur generation, allowing for cost-effective operation across these higher frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transceivers with small waveguides are used for millimeter wave frequency bands, then signal transmission capability is improved, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase due to tight tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband transceiver divides the millimeter wave frequency band into multiple smaller sub-bands, with each sub-band handled by a separate receiver channel. This segmentation allows each channel to use less demanding waveguide dimensions and tolerances while collectively covering the full broadband range, thereby reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining signal transmission capability.
2Productivity
If high-capacity digital processing units are used, then signal processing capability is improved, but cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The digital processing workload is segmented across multiple receiver channels, each handling a specific sub-band with a dedicated but modest-capacity digital processing unit. This approach avoids the need for a single high-capacity processor, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining total system signal processing capability through parallel processing of divided bandwidths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple local oscillators are used for frequency conversion, then frequency coverage is improved, but hardware complexity and spur generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each local oscillator is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the mixing frequency for its designated sub-band and also generates harmonic frequencies that serve as local oscillators for adjacent sub-bands. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of local oscillators required, simplifying hardware while maintaining comprehensive frequency coverage across the entire millimeter wave band.
Solution Approach 2:
Harmonic frequencies generated by each local oscillator act as intermediaries that enable frequency conversion for multiple sub-bands. Instead of requiring separate local oscillators for each sub-band, the harmonic components serve as intermediary frequencies that facilitate mixing and frequency conversion across the broadband range, reducing hardware complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If broadband transceivers are designed for millimeter wave bands, then frequency band capability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband transceiver architecture segments the millimeter wave band into multiple narrower sub-bands, allowing each receiver channel to be designed with less stringent specifications. This segmentation enables the use of lower-cost components and simpler waveguide structures for each channel, reducing overall production cost while maintaining the ability to operate across the full millimeter wave frequency range through the combined capability of all channels.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective processing and transmission of signals in Q, V, and W bands by reusing existing hardware, reducing the need for new digital processing units and minimizing spurs, thus maintaining signal quality while lowering production costs.
Implementation Method 1
mixing at a first frequency conversion stage said uplink signal (RF) with said first local oscillator signal (LO1) to generate an intermediate signal (MF)
Data Source
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AI summary
A low cost millimeter wave receiver and method for operating same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving the first signal, converting the first signal of the first bandwidth into an intermediate frequency band, splitting the converted first signal into N of intermediate signals, each having a bandwidth less than the digital processor bandwidth, wherein N is an integer greater than one, downconverting each of the N intermediate signals to the second frequency band, processing the downconverted plurality of signals with the digital processor to generate N processed signals, upconverting each of the N processed signals to the intermediate frequency band, converting the upconverted signals to the third frequency band, and transmitting the converted signals.