Oscillator Bias Switching for RF Power and Frequency Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently operating oscillator circuits, particularly in miniaturized RF transceivers where power consumption and frequency stability are critical, especially in applications like medical implants and IoT devices.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication apparatus with a bias generator circuit that adjusts bias voltages to reconfigure the operation region of transistors in the oscillator circuit, allowing the circuit to operate in different modes (class A, B, AB, or C) based on enable signals, thereby optimizing power efficiency and frequency stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the transistor operates in deep triode region to enable transmission mode, then power efficiency is improved, but frequency stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidfrequency stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the bias voltage adjustable and time-dependent. The bias generator circuit dynamically changes the bias voltage applied to the transistor based on the transmission signal characteristics, allowing the transistor to operate in different regions (deep triode for power efficiency, saturation for frequency stability) at different times during the transmission cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bias voltage parameter to control the transistor's operating region. By adjusting the bias voltage level, the system can transition the transistor between deep triode region (for high power efficiency during signal transmission) and saturation region (for frequency stability during idle or reception modes), thus resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and frequency stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the transistor operates in saturation region for frequency stability, then frequency stability is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency stabilityVSAvoidpower efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the bias voltage based on operational requirements. During transmission when high power efficiency is needed, the transistor operates in deep triode region. During reception or idle states when frequency stability is paramount, the transistor operates in saturation region. This dynamic operation resolves the contradiction by allowing both operating modes to be utilized at appropriate times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic switching between different bias voltage levels corresponding to different transmission signal states. The bias voltage is periodically adjusted to match the transmission signal's active and idle phases, enabling the transistor to alternate between deep triode region (during active transmission for power efficiency) and saturation region (during idle phases for frequency stability).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Volume of moving object

If miniaturization is applied to reduce transceiver size, then device compactness is improved, but oscillator circuit performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransceiver sizeVSAvoidoscillator circuit performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes (bias voltage adjustment) to optimize the transistor's operating characteristics in the miniaturized oscillator circuit. By carefully controlling the bias voltage, the system maintains frequency stability and power efficiency despite the reduced circuit dimensions, thus preserving oscillator performance in the miniaturized transceiver design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing specific parameters (bias voltage) of the transistor in the miniaturized oscillator circuit. Instead of uniformly scaling all parameters, the system locally adjusts the bias voltage to maintain optimal performance in the reduced-size circuit, compensating for the effects of miniaturization on oscillator performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3393046B1Wireless communication apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3393046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3393046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3393046B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communication apparatus includes an oscillator circuit configured to generate an oscillation signal corresponding to an oscillation frequency determined by an antenna; and a bias generator circuit configured to reconfigure an operation region mode of a transistor included in the oscillator circuit by adjusting a bias signal in response to an enable signal.