Reconfigurable Multicore LC Oscillator for Phase Noise and EMI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multicore oscillators face challenges in optimizing phase noise and electromagnetic interference (EMI) characteristics, as existing designs lack flexibility to adjust these traits post-manufacturing, leading to performance discrepancies due to manufacturing variations and modeling inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A method for reconfiguring multicore LC oscillators by selectively enabling or disabling oscillator cores and adjusting magnetic flux polarities, allowing for dynamic adjustment of phase noise and EMI characteristics through reconfigurable selection circuitry, enabling a subset of cores while disabling others and controlling magnetic flux polarities to optimize output signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple oscillator cores are coupled in-phase to improve phase noise, then phase noise is reduced by 10*log10(N) dB, but electromagnetic interference increases due to multiple inductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring oscillator cores with alternating magnetic flux polarities (first polarity, second polarity, first polarity, etc.) rather than uniform in-phase coupling. This asymmetric polarity arrangement causes electromagnetic interference from adjacent inductors to cancel out, reducing overall EMI while maintaining phase noise benefits through constructive signal addition at the output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful electromagnetic interference generated by multiple inductors into a beneficial effect by exploiting magnetic flux cancellation. The alternating polarity configuration causes EMI fields from adjacent cores to destructively interfere, transforming the potential harm into reduced electromagnetic interference while preserving the phase noise improvement from multiple cores.
2Power
If all oscillator cores are enabled to maximize output power, then oscillation power increases by factor of N, but power consumption increases and phase noise optimization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the oscillator core configuration reconfigurable through selection circuitry. The magnetic flux polarities and enabled/disabled states of individual cores can be dynamically adjusted based on operating conditions, allowing optimization of phase noise, EMI, and power consumption for different applications rather than being fixed at manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the system to modify the magnetic flux polarity configuration and the number of enabled cores. The selection circuitry enables changing parameters such as which cores are active and their polarity assignments, providing adaptability to optimize performance metrics like phase noise and power consumption for different operating scenarios.
3Speed
If fixed capacitor and varactor are used for frequency tuning, then frequency can be adjusted, but manufacturing variations cause performance discrepancies that cannot be corrected post-manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple oscillator cores with alternating magnetic flux polarities and providing selection circuitry that can compensate for manufacturing variations. The reconfigurable architecture allows preliminary optimization of the configuration to account for expected variations, and the selection circuitry enables post-manufacturing adjustment to achieve consistent performance across different devices.
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 allows for real-time adjustment of phase noise and EMI characteristics, improving the multicore oscillator's performance by matching oscillation amplitudes and frequencies, reducing overall phase noise, and minimizing EMI, while also reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
each having an LC resonance tank
Implementation Method 2
a voltage-tunable variable capacitor, or varactor 152, the capacitance of which is determined by an input control voltage
Implementation Method 3
configuring each oscillator core of the enabled subset of oscillator cores with one of a first magnetic flux polarity and a second magnetic flux polarity opposite to the first magnetic flux polarity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a reconfigurable multicore inductor capacitor (LC) oscillator comprising a plurality of oscillator cores. The oscillator may be configured at run-time, at manufacturing, or at production, which may allow for the tailoring of operating characteristics of the oscillator, such as phase noise, electromagnetic interference, or power consumption, for a specific application after production. The cores are coupled through an interconnect network to a common electrical signal output. A subset of the cores may be selectively enabled while the remainder of the cores is disabled. The ability to enable only a subset of the cores allows the total number of enabled cores to be reconfigurable. Furthermore, the direction in which oscillation current flows through the inductor of the cores may be configured. Reconfiguring the number of enabled cores and/or the oscillation current direction in the cores allow operating characteristics of the oscillator to be tailored after production.