Multi-RAT Power Head Circuit for mmWave Signal Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G-NR capable mobile communication devices face signal attenuation and interference due to interconnect mediums, and existing solutions require additional hardware, increasing size, power consumption, and cost when supporting 5G-NR technology alongside 3G and 4G.
Innovation Solution
A multi-RAT circuit that includes a power head circuit capable of generating a local oscillation signal without a synthesizer, modulating RF signals to a carrier band for transmission in the mmWave spectrum, thereby minimizing attenuation and interference, and allowing sharing of interconnect mediums with existing 3G and 4G technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a synthesizer is used to generate LO signal for 5G-NR mmWave transmission, then the LO signal can be generated, but the device size, power consumption, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LO signal generation function from the traditional synthesizer and relocates it to the power head circuit. This is achieved by using a frequency multiplier that receives a lower frequency LO pilot signal and multiplies it to generate the required mmWave LO signal, thereby eliminating the need for a separate synthesizer and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary frequency approach where a lower frequency LO pilot signal is transmitted through the interconnect medium and then multiplied to the target frequency. This intermediary approach allows the system to avoid direct transmission of high-frequency mmWave signals through lossy interconnects while still achieving the required output frequency
2Productivity
If mmWave RF signals are transmitted through interconnect mediums, then 5G-NR transmission is enabled, but signal attenuation and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal transmission path by separating the low-frequency LO pilot signal transmission from the high-frequency mmWave signal generation. The LO pilot is transmitted through the interconnect medium at lower frequencies where attenuation is minimal, then locally multiplied to generate the mmWave signal at the power head, avoiding direct transmission of high-frequency signals through lossy interconnects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by transmitting the LO pilot signal through the interconnect medium before the actual mmWave transmission is needed. This allows the system to establish the carrier signal path in advance at frequencies where the interconnect medium has acceptable loss characteristics, then use this pre-established path to generate the final mmWave signal locally
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate hardware is added to support 5G-NR alongside 3G and 4G, then 5G-NR functionality is achieved, but size, power, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the power head circuit universal by enabling it to handle multiple RATs (3G, 4G, and 5G-NR) through a single infrastructure. The interconnect medium carries both traditional RF signals and LO pilot signals, and the power head circuit can generate LO signals for different frequency bands using the same frequency multiplication approach, eliminating the need for separate hardware for each RAT
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 approach reduces signal attenuation and interference, and enables efficient coexistence with existing technologies, minimizing size, power, and cost impacts associated with supporting 5G-NR, while maintaining high data rates and reduced latency.
Implementation Method 1
The power head circuit can be configured to generate an LO signal based on the LO pilot without requiring a synthesizer
Implementation Method 2
Accordingly, the power head circuit modulates the RF signal to a carrier band based on the LO signal for transmission in the mmWave spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-radio access technology (RAT) circuit is provided. The multi-RAT circuit includes a radio frequency (RF) circuit(s) coupled to an interconnect medium(s). The RF circuit(s) includes a power head circuit configured to receive a local oscillation (LO) pilot and an RF signal via the interconnect medium(s). The power head circuit generates an LO signal based on the LO pilot without requiring a synthesizer. Accordingly, the power head circuit modulates the RF signal to a carrier band based on the LO signal for transmission in a millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum. By generating the LO signal and modulating the RF signal to the carrier band in the power head circuit, it may be possible to minimize attenuation and/or interference to the RF signal. Further, it may also be possible to share the interconnect medium(s) with existing RATs, thus helping to reduce size, power, and cost impacts associated with supporting an mmWave RAT.