Millimeter-Wave Phased Array Routing for CA/MIMO Timing Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G mmW communication systems face challenges in maintaining synchronicity and preventing interference between transmit and receive modes, particularly due to stringent maximum receive timing differences (MRTD) and extreme wideband channel bandwidths, which affect signal processing and performance.
Innovation Solution
A phased array architecture with quadrants, each having sub array structures with mixers, phased array elements, LNAs, and phase shifters, and an amplifier array that selectively routes RF signals to intermediate frequency (IF) ports, enabling carrier aggregation (CA) and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple RF signals are processed simultaneously in a wideband channel, then carrier aggregation and MIMO operations are enabled, but timing synchronization and interference prevention become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The phased array is divided into multiple quadrants, each quadrant containing separate sub-arrays for different carriers. This segmentation allows independent beam management for each carrier while maintaining overall system coordination, resolving the timing synchronization challenge in wideband carrier aggregation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between transmit and receive modes with configurable guard periods. The guard time can be adjusted as an integer number of symbols to provide isolation between transmit and receive events, enabling reliable TDD operation in mmW carrier aggregation systems
2Reliability
If guard periods are used to prevent interference between transmit and receive modes, then timing isolation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phased array architecture is designed to handle multiple functions including carrier aggregation, MIMO operations, and TDD mode switching through a unified structure. The same phased array elements and beam management mechanisms serve both spatial signal processing and timing isolation functions, reducing overall system complexity
3Productivity
If independent beam management is implemented for each sub array, then signal processing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phased array is segmented into quadrants with separate sub-arrays for different carriers, allowing independent beam management for each carrier. This segmentation enables parallel beamforming operations without requiring complex coordinated control across the entire array, improving signal processing efficiency while managing complexity through modular architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A receive system for performing carrier aggregation (CA) and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation at millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies includes a phased array having a plurality of groupings, each grouping having a pair of sub array structures, each sub array structure having a mixer and a plurality of phased array elements, each phased array element associated with an antenna element, each phased array element having an amplifier (LNA) and a phase shift circuitry, and an amplifier array associated with each grouping, the amplifier array having two pairs of amplifiers, wherein a first amplifier of each pair is coupled to a first port and a second amplifier of each pair is coupled to a second port, the amplifier array configured to selectively route an output from any of the sub array structures of a grouping to either of the first and second ports.