Multiplexed Transmission Interfaces for Beamforming Module Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of module interfaces and PCB trace routing in millimeter-wave communication systems, particularly in beamforming and multi-mode operations, leads to increased substrate thickness and limited flexibility, necessitating a novel transmission interface for efficient signal transfer.
Innovation Solution
A transmission interface that integrates multiple signals into multiplexed formats using a shared reference clock signal, with a minimum of N interconnections for rank-N MIMO scenarios, reducing power consumption and design complexity while enabling easier control timing synchronization and extensibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control signals are transmitted between different modules for multi-mode operation and beamforming, then the functionality and performance are improved, but the substrate thickness increases and PCB trace routing becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control signals (I/Q control signals and reference clock signals) into a single multiplexed signal that is transmitted over one physical interconnection between modules. This merging approach reduces the number of separate interconnections needed, simplifying the module interface and PCB trace routing while maintaining full multi-mode operation and beamforming functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single physical interconnection is designed to carry multiple types of signals simultaneously (I control, Q control, and reference clock), making it a multi-functional transmission medium. This universal interconnection serves multiple purposes: controlling beamforming parameters, supporting multi-mode operations, and providing clock synchronization, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple separate interconnections are used for transmitting control signals and reference clock, then signal integrity is maintained, but power consumption increases and design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple signal types (I control, Q control, and reference clock) are merged into a single multiplexed signal transmitted over one physical interconnection. This reduces the total number of interconnections, thereby lowering power consumption associated with signal transmission while maintaining signal integrity through proper multiplexing and demultiplexing techniques.
3Productivity
If more physical transmission mediums are used for signal transmission, then signal transmission capacity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and substrate thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal transmission functions into a single physical interconnection by implementing signal multiplexing. This approach maintains high signal transmission capacity (supporting multiple control channels and clock signals) while reducing the number of physical transmission mediums required, thereby simplifying PCB trace routing and substrate fabrication processes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transmission interface between at least a master module and a slave module is proposed. The transmission interface includes a predetermined number of physical transmission medium(s). Each physical transmission medium is arranged to carry a multiplexed signal in which at least two signals are integrated, and the predetermined number is not smaller than a number of intermediate frequency (IF) stream(s) to be transmitted.