Portable Millimeter-Wave Module With Down-Conversion Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in meeting the growing demand for bandwidth due to exponential data traffic, particularly in providing efficient millimeter-wave wireless communication capabilities in portable devices without degrading existing infrastructure or increasing out-of-band emissions.
Innovation Solution
A portable millimeter-wave wireless communications device module that incorporates millimeter-wave antennas, low-noise amplifiers, and a down-conversion circuit to convert millimeter-wave signals to sub-6 GHz signals, allowing for efficient communication using existing hardware for uplinks and dedicated circuitry for downlinks, while minimizing out-of-band emissions through switching and coupling mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If millimeter-wave communication capability is added to portable devices, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested architecture where the millimeter-wave communication module is integrated within the portable device's existing structure. The module includes millimeter-wave antennas, LNAs, and down-conversion circuits that are nested within the device housing, utilizing the protective encapsulating case as part of the module structure. This nesting approach allows millimeter-wave functionality to be added without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct functional modules: millimeter-wave receive module with antennas and LNAs, down-conversion circuitry, and coupling to existing sub-6 GHz antennas. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and integrated systematically, managing the overall complexity of adding millimeter-wave capability to portable devices.
2Reliability
If dedicated millimeter-wave circuitry is used for downlinks, then communication performance is improved, but out-of-band emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces coupling antennas as intermediary elements between the down-conversion circuit and the existing sub-6 GHz antennas. These coupling antennas facilitate the transfer of down-converted signals while incorporating switching mechanisms that control signal routing. The intermediary coupling structure helps manage out-of-band emissions by providing controlled coupling rather than direct connection, allowing dedicated millimeter-wave circuitry to operate while minimizing harmful emissions.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing hardware is used for uplinks, then device cost is reduced, but communication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality where existing sub-6 GHz antennas and processing circuits serve dual purposes: handling uplink communications directly and receiving down-converted signals from the millimeter-wave downlink. The coupling antennas and switching mechanisms enable the existing hardware to efficiently handle both uplink and down-converted downlink signals, maintaining communication efficiency while leveraging existing hardware resources.
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 millimeter-wave communication in portable devices by leveraging existing hardware for uplinks and dedicated circuitry for downlinks, effectively addressing bandwidth demands while reducing out-of-band emissions and maintaining performance without degrading existing wireless network infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
a down-conversion circuit configured to down-convert the amplified millimeter-wave signals to sub-6 GHz signals
Implementation Method 2
at least one low-noise amplifier (LNA) configured to amplify the received millimeter-wave signals
Data Source
AI summary
A portable millimeter-wave wireless communications device relies on millimeter-wave spectrum for wireless communications. The millimeter-wave device may be a smart-phone, a laptop computer or a tablet computer. The millimeter-wave device may be a module that is added to an existing portable device such as a smart-phone, a laptop computer or a tablet computer to provide millimeter-wave communications capability. The module may be incorporated into a protective encapsulating case of such portable devices.