Parallel Digital Transmitter Architecture for High-Speed Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wireless communication transmitters require large area footprints and multiple calibrations, especially with the addition of multiple radios, and they rely on analog implementations which are complex and power-consuming, whereas digital transmitters face challenges in meeting high-speed requirements with standard cell libraries.
Innovation Solution
A digital transmitter architecture with a minimal area footprint, utilizing high-speed digital delta-sigma modulators (DSMs) running at 4.8 GHz, partitioned into simpler components to meet timing with standard cell libraries, and implemented with parallel architectures to reduce power consumption and eliminate the need for extensive analog calibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If analog implementations are used in traditional transmitters, then optimal performance can be achieved, but large area footprint and multiple calibrations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analog implementation with a fully digital transmitter architecture. The digital transmitter uses digital signal processing and digital modulation techniques to achieve the same transmission function without analog components, thereby eliminating the need for large area footprints and multiple calibrations while maintaining optimal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from analog continuous signals to digital discrete signals. By operating in the digital domain with specific bit depths and sampling rates, the transmitter achieves precise control and optimal performance without requiring physical analog tuning and calibration procedures
2Reliability
If analog implementations are used in traditional transmitters, then optimal performance can be achieved, but multiple calibrations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog calibration procedures with digital signal processing techniques. Digital filters, digital gain control, and digital modulation parameters can be precisely set and adjusted through software without requiring physical calibration hardware or multiple calibration steps, thereby maintaining optimal performance while eliminating calibration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The digital transmitter architecture includes built-in digital signal processing that automatically maintains optimal performance through digital feedback loops and adaptive algorithms, eliminating the need for external calibration procedures and manual adjustments
3Ease of manufacture
If digital transmitters use standard cell libraries, then design time and resource usage are reduced, but high-speed requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the digital transmitter architecture into multiple parallel processing channels or pipelines. By dividing the high-speed data stream into parallel lower-speed processing paths that can be handled by standard cell libraries, the system achieves high overall transmission speed while using readily available standard digital components, thereby reducing design time and resource usage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single high-speed serial processing dimension to a parallel multi-dimensional processing architecture. By distributing data across multiple parallel processing dimensions that operate at lower individual speeds but collectively achieve high throughput, standard cell libraries can be used effectively while meeting high-speed transmission requirements
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radios are added to wireless devices, then communication versatility is improved, but area footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal digital transmitter architecture that can handle multiple radio communication protocols and standards through software configuration and digital signal processing. A single digital transmitter core can be programmed to support Bluetooth, WiFi, and other wireless standards, eliminating the need for separate analog transmitter hardware for each protocol and thereby maintaining communication versatility while minimizing area footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple radio transmission functions into a single integrated digital transmitter unit. By combining the digital signal processing and modulation capabilities for multiple protocols into one shared digital hardware platform, the system achieves multi-protocol support without proportionally increasing the area footprint, as the digital components can be time-multiplexed and shared across different radio functions
Data Source
AI summary
A high-speed digital transmitter for wireless communication systems includes a plurality of transmitter chain circuits configured to respectively receive incoming component signals having a first frequency and to produce outgoing transmission signals having a second frequency greater than the first frequency in a first domain. In some aspects, the incoming component signals are up-sampled to the second frequency using a plurality of streams processed concurrently at a predetermined sample rate over a predetermined number of interpolation filter stages in each of the plurality of transmitter chain circuits. The high-speed digital transmitter also includes a serializer configured to combine the outgoing transmission signals from the plurality of transmitter chain circuits into a serialized transmission signal having a third frequency greater than the second frequency in a second domain different from the first domain.