Multi-Antenna Transceiver Frequency Generation for Low-Interference Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-antenna transceiver systems face challenges in efficiently providing conversion frequencies, particularly at high frequencies, due to issues such as interference and power dissipation during signal transfer between the frequency generator and transceiver chips.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a reference frequency generator to provide a lower reference frequency to each transceiver chip, which then uses a chip-associated frequency generator to produce a higher conversion frequency for on-chip frequency conversion. This approach reduces interference and power dissipation by minimizing high-frequency signal transfer between chips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single frequency generator provides conversion frequency to all transceiver chips, then device complexity is reduced, but interference and power dissipation increase at high frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frequency generation function into two segments: a central reference frequency generator that provides a low-frequency reference signal to all transceiver chips, and individual on-chip frequency generators that locally convert this reference to the required high-frequency conversion signals. This segmentation keeps the reference frequency transfer low-frequency (reducing interference and power dissipation) while maintaining the necessary high-frequency conversion capability on each chip.
2Ease of operation
If conversion frequency is transferred between frequency generator and transceiver chips, then frequency conversion is enabled, but interference and power dissipation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a low-frequency reference signal as an intermediary between the central frequency generator and the on-chip frequency generators. Instead of directly transferring the high-frequency conversion signal across the system, the low-frequency reference signal serves as a mediator that can be efficiently distributed to all chips with minimal power loss and interference, while each chip independently generates its own high-frequency conversion signals from this reference.
3Reliability
If on-chip frequency generators are used for each transceiver chip, then phase shift compensation is enabled for coherent combining, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the baseband processor estimates the phase shifts introduced by each on-chip frequency generator and uses this information to control and adjust the frequency generators. This feedback loop enables coherent signal combining by compensating for phase differences, while the centralized control from the baseband processor manages the complexity of coordinating multiple on-chip frequency generators.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-antenna transceiver system including a group of transceiver chips, and a reference frequency generator configured to provide a reference frequency for each transceiver chip. Each transceiver chip has a respective chip-associated (e.g., on-chip) frequency generator configured to provide a respective conversion frequency based on the reference frequency, wherein each respective conversion frequency is higher than the reference frequency. Each transceiver chip is configured to use the respective conversion frequency for on-chip frequency conversion of a transceiver signal. The reference frequency may be provided directly to each transceiver chip of the group or may be provided directly to a first transceiver chip of the group and to a second transceiver chip of the group via the first transceiver chip. The multi-antenna transceiver system may also include baseband processing circuitry configured to process transceiver signals for the transceiver chips, wherein the baseband processing circuitry may be further configured to estimate a first respective phase shift of each respective chip-associated frequency generator, and compensate the transceiver signals based on the first respective phase shifts.