Programmable Multi-Phase Frequency Divider for Low-Noise Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio circuits operating at higher frequencies face challenges in achieving low phase noise, programmable phase, and efficient power consumption, especially in multi-band and beamforming applications, where stringent phase noise requirements and high power consumption are concerns.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit comprising a first and second frequency divider, latch circuits, a multiplexer, and a control circuit that provides control signals based on a divide ratio to output an oscillating signal at a frequency relation, enabling programmable phase and frequency division with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radio circuits operate at higher frequencies to support multi-band and beamforming applications, then the system capacity and range are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency divider is divided into multiple stages: a first frequency divider that divides the input frequency by a first value, and a second frequency divider that divides by a second value. This segmentation allows the circuit to achieve high frequency division ratios (supporting multi-band operation) while each stage operates at manageable frequencies, reducing overall power consumption compared to a single high-ratio divider stage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If radio circuits operate at higher frequencies to support beamforming applications, then the directional characteristic is improved, but phase noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-stage frequency division approach breaks down the frequency division into smaller steps, which helps maintain signal integrity and reduces phase noise accumulation that would occur in a single high-ratio division stage. This enables beamforming applications to achieve desired directional characteristics with lower phase noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The first frequency divider acts as an intermediary stage between the high-frequency input signal and the second frequency divider. This intermediate stage prepares the signal for further division while maintaining signal quality, thereby reducing phase noise in the final output used for beamforming.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequency dividers are used to synthesize signals of desired frequency and phase in multi-band radio circuits, then the frequency programmability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency division function is segmented into two independent divider stages with separate control signals. This modular structure provides frequency programmability through different control signal combinations while keeping each individual divider stage relatively simple, thus managing overall circuit complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments include an electronic frequency-divider circuit comprising a multi-phase generator circuit configured to: receive an oscillating input signal having a frequency f; determine an integer divide ratio Q based on a first control signal input; and based on the oscillating input signal, generate an N-phase output signal having a frequency f-divided-by-M, wherein M is an integer and adjacent phases of the N-phase output signal are separated by 360-divided-by-(M-times-Q) degrees. The divider circuit can also include a control circuit configured to receive a control input and, based on the control input: provide the first control signal to the multi-phase generator circuit; and select a particular phase of the N-phase output signal. Exemplary embodiments also include a phase-locked loop circuits, transceiver circuits, radio stations, and methods of frequency-dividing an oscillating signal.