Multi-Mixer Receiver Filtering for Multi-Standard Band Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receiver technologies face challenges in supporting multiple communication standards like GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, and LTE due to differences in signal bandwidth and out-of-band blocker tolerance, requiring a programmable frequency conversion interface.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mixer system with a filter module is developed, where each mixer is selectively enabled to mix input signals with corresponding oscillation signals, and the filter module provides different frequency responses for output signals from multiple mixers, connected to different internal nodes, allowing for flexible frequency conversion across various standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate receiver systems are used to support different communication standards, then each standard can be processed with optimized performance, but the device complexity and chip area increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal receiver architecture where a single set of RF front-end components, mixers, and filters can process multiple communication standards (GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc.) by reconfiguring the local oscillator frequencies and filter characteristics. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate receiver systems for each standard, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability across different bandwidth requirements and blocker tolerance specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration of the receiver system through voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) and tunable filters that can adjust their operating parameters in real-time. The local oscillator frequencies and filter center frequencies are dynamically changed based on the detected standard and desired frequency band, allowing a single static hardware structure to perform multiple functions without requiring physical reconfiguration or multiple fixed systems.
2Reliability
If separate receiver systems are implemented for each communication standard, then optimal performance for each standard is achieved, but the chip area and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple separate receiver systems into a single integrated receiver architecture. By combining the RF amplifiers, mixers, frequency synthesizers, and filter banks into one shared infrastructure that serves all communication standards, the chip area is dramatically reduced. The merging is achieved through common operational amplifiers, shared local oscillator resources, and unified filter modules that can be dynamically configured for different standards rather than duplicating entire receiver chains.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed frequency conversion interface is used, then the design is simpler, but it cannot adapt to different bandwidth requirements and blocker tolerance of various standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed frequency conversion interface into a dynamic, reconfigurable system using voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) and tunable filters. The local oscillator frequencies can be programmatically adjusted to match the specific frequency plans of different standards (GSM, WCDMA, LTE), and the filter characteristics (center frequency, bandwidth, Q-factor) can be dynamically changed based on the active standard and detected frequency band. This dynamic approach maintains relatively simple hardware while achieving high adaptability through software-controlled parameter adjustment.
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 enables the receiver to efficiently support multiple standards by adjusting filter responses based on the active mixers, simplifying design and reducing chip area, while maintaining effective signal processing for diverse frequency bands and blocker tolerance.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the mixers is selectively enabled to mix an input signal with a corresponding oscillation signal to generate an output signal
Implementation Method 2
the filter module provides different frequency responses for the output signals from at least two of the output nodes of the mixers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A multi-mixer system (100) comprising a plurality of mixers (122_1 -1 22_M) and a filter module (1 24) is provided. Each of the mixers (122_1-122_M) is selectively enabled to mix an input signal with a corresponding oscillation signal to generate an output signal at an output node; and the filter module (124) provides different frequency responses for the output signals from at least two of the output nodes of the mixers (122_1-122_M), wherein the at least two of the output nodes of the mixers (122_1-122_M) are connected to different internal nodes of the filter module (124).