Millimeter-Wave TDD Beam Steering With Multi-Channel Receive Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steerable transmitter and receiver systems face challenges in efficiently managing power distribution and steering accuracy, particularly in time division duplex (TDD) communications at millimeter-wave frequency bands, where previous systems have high power consumption and limited steering capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The development of a frequency converter integrated circuit and front-end circuit designs that include low-noise amplifiers, high-performance power amplifiers, and controllable phase shifters, allowing for efficient power management and precise beam steering by switching between transmit and receive modes, and utilizing multiple receive channels for each transmit channel to enhance steering accuracy and power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional phased-array systems are used for millimeter-wave communications, then beam steering capability is achieved, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the communication channel into multiple receive channels (first receive channel, second receive channel, etc.) for each transmit channel. Each receive channel has its own mixer and signal processing path, allowing independent optimization of power consumption and steering accuracy for different functional requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses time division duplex (TDD) operation where the transceiver alternates between transmit mode and receive mode. During receive mode, multiple receive channels process signals simultaneously, and during transmit mode, the same hardware is used for transmission, achieving beam steering with periodic activation of high-power components
2Measurement precision
If single-channel systems are used, then power distribution is simplified, but steering accuracy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the receive function into multiple parallel receive channels, each with its own mixer and signal processing chain. This segmentation enables independent phase and amplitude control for each channel, improving steering accuracy through spatial diversity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The same hardware components (mixers, amplifiers, signal processing circuits) are used for both transmit and receive operations in TDD mode. The first receive channel and second receive channel share common infrastructure with the transmit channel, reducing overall system complexity while providing multi-channel receive capability for enhanced steering accuracy
3Measurement precision
If multi-channel AESA systems are used, then steering accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates multiple receive channels periodically during receive mode in TDD operation, rather than continuously. During transmit mode, the receive channels are inactive, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining steering accuracy when needed for signal reception and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the multi-channel receive function into independent first receive channel and second receive channel, each with its own mixer and processing path. This segmentation allows selective activation and independent power management of each channel, achieving improved steering accuracy through spatial diversity while controlling power consumption by activating only necessary channels
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed herein enable steerable, time division duplex (“TDD”) communications channels at millimeter-wave frequency bands. Among other things, embodiments disclosed herein provide improved steering accuracy and power distribution, lower power consumption, and potentially longer service life than previous transceiver systems.