On-Chip Multi-Band Equalizer With Tunable LC Resonators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-band filter solutions for wireless communication devices are inflexible, costly, and introduce noise due to off-chip components and signal combination, requiring high power consumption and additional dynamic range in ADCs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-band equalizer using series-connected LC resonators with programmable capacitors and inductive or capacitive tapping, allowing independent tuning of center frequency and gain, integrated on-chip to adjust signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If off-chip multi-band filters with fixed frequencies are used, then signal strength equalization is achieved, but flexibility and adaptability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically tunable resonators where the resonant frequency can be adjusted by changing the effective capacitance or inductance values. This allows the equalizer to adapt to different frequency bands and signal conditions, replacing the fixed-frequency filters with a flexible, reconfigurable system that maintains signal equalization performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (capacitance and inductance values) of the resonators to achieve frequency tuning and signal equalization. By varying these parameters, the system can adapt to different operating conditions and frequency bands while maintaining the equalization function.
2Reliability
If off-chip multi-band filters and multiple VGAs are used, then signal equalization is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate components (multi-band filter and multiple VGAs) into a single integrated on-chip equalizer structure. The series-connected resonators provide both filtering and equalization in one unit, eliminating the need for separate off-chip filters and multiple amplifiers, thereby reducing device complexity and integration cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal equalizer that can handle multiple frequency bands and signal conditions with a single device. The tunable resonators provide multi-functional capability, replacing several specialized components with one versatile unit that performs filtering, equalization, and adaptation across different bands.
3Reliability
If signal paths go off-chip and on-chip with multiple channels, then signal equalization is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal processing functions into a single on-chip structure, eliminating the need for off-chip connections and multiple separate channels. This integration reduces the number of interconnections and assembly steps, thereby lowering manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining equalization performance.
4Reliability
If multiple VGAs are used for different filter channels, then signal equalization is achieved, but noise performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the equalization function from multiple noisy VGA components and implements it using passive tunable resonators. By removing the active amplification stages that generate noise and replacing them with passive LC resonators, the system achieves signal equalization without introducing additional noise, thereby improving noise performance.
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
The solution provides flexible, low-cost, and low-noise signal strength adjustment with high dynamic range and low power consumption, reducing intermodulation distortion and ADC requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Each resonator comprises an inductor connected between the first and second terminals and two programmable capacitors connected in series between the first terminal and second terminal
Data Source
AI summary
On-chip multi-band equalizers for adjusting signal strength for a receiver receiving multi-band frequency signals are provided. An example multi-band equalizer comprises multiple series connected tapped LC resonators. The tapped LC resonator may be capacitive tapping or inductive tapping, where both frequency and gain of the frequency bands of interest may be programmed by tuning the capacitances of the programmable capacitors and/or selecting the tapped-out terminals of the inductors. The multi-band equalizer may be connected to a signal node, for instance between two amplifiers in the receiver.