Concurrent Multi-RAT Receiver with LO Divider Ratio Interference Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices face challenges in efficiently supporting concurrent communication with multiple wireless systems of different radio access technologies (RATs) due to interference and frequency management issues.
Innovation Solution
The design includes first and second receivers that operate concurrently, with the second receiver being broadband and supporting carrier aggregation, along with dedicated LO generators and transmitters to manage frequencies and mitigate interference through selective divider ratios, enabling simultaneous communication with multiple RATs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate receivers are used to support concurrent communication with different RATs, then communication capability with multiple RATs is improved, but device complexity and interference management become worse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receiver functions into a single receiver that can concurrently process multiple RATs. The receiver includes multiple downconverters that can simultaneously downconvert signals from different frequency bands to a common intermediate frequency, eliminating the need for multiple separate receivers and reducing device complexity while maintaining multi-RAT communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can handle multiple RATs (e.g., WCDMA, LTE, GSM) through configurable downconverters. Each downconverter can be programmed to operate at different frequency offsets to support different RATs, making the receiver adaptable to various communication standards without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each RAT.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receivers operate concurrently to receive signals from different frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but interference between receivers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a common intermediate frequency as an intermediary stage between the RF input and baseband processing. All downconverters convert their respective frequency bands to this common intermediate frequency, which then feeds into a single signal processor. This intermediary approach allows concurrent reception of multiple frequency bands while avoiding direct interference between receivers, as the mixing occurs at the intermediate frequency stage rather than at baseband.
3Device complexity
If a single receiver is used to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to concurrently receive multiple frequency bands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single receiver is segmented into multiple functional downconverters, each capable of independently downconverting a specific frequency band. This segmentation allows the receiver to concurrently process multiple frequency bands by dividing the reception task across parallel downconversion paths, maintaining productivity while avoiding the complexity of multiple complete receiver chains.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If frequency offsets are used to separate concurrent signals, then interference is reduced, but frequency management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the form of configurable frequency offsets for each downconverter. By dynamically adjusting the frequency offset parameter of each downconverter based on the target RAT and frequency band, the system can separate concurrent signals in the frequency domain while minimizing interference. The frequency offsets are calculated and applied automatically, reducing the need for manual frequency management despite the increased number of parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless device supporting concurrent communication with multiple wireless systems of different radio access technologies (RATs) are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes first and second receivers supporting concurrent signal reception from wireless systems of different RATs. The first receiver receives a first downlink signal from a first wireless system of a first RAT. The second receiver receives a second downlink signal from a second wireless system of a second RAT, which is different from the first RAT. The first and second receivers may operate concurrently. The second receiver may be broadband and/or may support carrier aggregation. The apparatus may further include first and second local oscillator (LO) generators to generate LO signals for the first and second receivers, respectively, based on different divider ratios in order to mitigate voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) pulling.