Millimeter Wave Wireless Interconnect Asynchronous Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

On-chip interconnects for multi-processor chips and network-on-a-chip face limitations in bandwidth, power, and latency, and existing wireless data transmission methods using on-chip antennas are complex and power-consuming due to the need for phase and frequency synchronous modulation schemes.

Innovation Solution

A millimeter wave wireless interconnect using asynchronous modulation and differential signaling, which allows for high data rate capability and eliminates the need for power-hungry components like phase lock loops, by employing on-chip or bond-wire dipole antennas for short-range communication, enabling multiple parallel communication links and reducing antenna size and design complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If phase and frequency synchronous modulation schemes (e.g., BPSK) are used for wireless data transmission, then data transmission capability is achieved, but architecture complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidarchitecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the modulation parameter from synchronous schemes (BPSK requiring phase and frequency locking) to asynchronous amplitude shift keying (ASK). This parameter change eliminates the need for complex phase lock loops and frequency synchronization circuits, thereby reducing architecture complexity while maintaining data transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the power-hungry synchronous modulation components (phase lock loops, frequency synthesizers) from the system by adopting asynchronous modulation. This leaves only the essential amplitude modulation/detection circuits, significantly simplifying the architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If phase lock loops and synchronous modulation circuits are used, then coherent demodulation is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoherent demodulation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the power-consuming phase lock loop and frequency synchronization circuits by adopting asynchronous amplitude shift keying. The system achieves sufficient demodulation accuracy through simple envelope detection or peak detection circuits that consume minimal power compared to synchronous modulation schemes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive and power-hungry synchronous modulation components with simple, low-cost amplitude modulation circuits. The trade-off accepts reduced modulation complexity in exchange for dramatically lower power consumption, suitable for short-range interconnect applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If millimeter wave frequencies are used for wireless communication, then data rate increases to tens of Gbps, but antenna size and design complexity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidantenna design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating frequency parameter to millimeter wave range (30-300 GHz), which provides sufficient bandwidth to achieve tens of Gbps data rates. At these frequencies, the wavelength is short enough that simple on-chip or bond-wire dipole antennas become practical, reducing antenna design complexity compared to lower frequency implementations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution achieves high data rates of tens of Gbps with low power consumption and scalability, as it eliminates the need for carrier regeneration and PLL circuitry, while providing a manufacturable and cost-effective solution for short-reach wireless communication links.

Implementation Method 1

a carrier signal at specified frequencies, which are millimeter-wave frequencies, is modulated with an input data stream to generate a modulated carrier signal that is transmitted wirelessly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The receiver receives the radiated carrier signal, amplifies the received carrier signal, and converts the amplified carrier signal by demodulation to a base-band signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2441313B1Milli-meter-wave-wireless-interconnect (m2w2 - interconnect) method for short-range communications with ultra-high data rate capability
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA
  • EP2441313B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2441313B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2441313B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A millimeter wave wireless (M2W2) interconnect is used for transmitting and receiving signals at millimeter-wave frequencies for short-range wireless communication with high data rate capability. The transmitter and receiver antennae may comprise an on-chip differential dipole antenna or a bond wire differential dipole antenna. The bond wire differential dipole antenna is comprised of a pair of bond wires connecting between a pair of pads on an integrated circuit (IC) die and a pair of floating pads on a printed circuit board (PCB).