Frequency Doubler Using Passive Mixer for Millimeter Wave Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frequency doublers for millimeter wave devices are hindered by large size, high power consumption, and significant output phase noise, particularly in systems-on-chip designs such as vehicular radar and 5G communication devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a frequency doubler using passive mixers with back gate biasing of transistors, which allows for tuning of the on-resistance and output voltage, reducing size and phase noise through the use of AC coupled capacitors, inverters, and feedback resistors, and adjusting the back gate voltage to achieve optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional frequency doublers using transformers and inductors are used, then frequency doubling function is achieved, but device size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/physical components (transformers and inductors) with an electronic circuit implementation using passive mixers, transistors, and resistors. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky magnetic components while achieving the same frequency doubling function through electronic signal processing, directly resolving the contradiction between device size and functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters and circuit topology from traditional transformer-based architecture to a passive mixer-based architecture with specific transistor configurations. By modifying the circuit parameters (using resistors instead of inductors, implementing passive mixing instead of magnetic coupling), the design achieves frequency doubling with significantly reduced size while maintaining reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional frequency doublers with transformers and inductors are used, then frequency doubling function is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The replacement of power-hungry transformer and inductor-based circuits with a passive mixer implementation using transistors and resistors reduces overall power consumption. The passive mixer architecture eliminates the need for active magnetic components that require significant power for magnetic field generation and maintenance, thereby resolving the contradiction between power consumption and performance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive mixer circuit is designed to operate with minimal external power assistance, utilizing the input signal itself to drive the mixing process. The circuit leverages the inherent properties of the transistors and resistors to achieve frequency doubling without requiring additional power-intensive active components, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining functional reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional frequency doublers are used, then frequency doubling function is achieved, but output phase noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substitution of transformer-based frequency doubling with a passive mixer approach fundamentally changes the noise generation mechanism. By using resistive and capacitive elements instead of magnetic components, the circuit avoids magnetic noise and associated phase noise issues, thereby reducing output phase noise while maintaining frequency doubling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive mixer acts as an intermediary stage that processes the input signal through a different mechanism, avoiding the direct coupling and magnetic field interactions that generate phase noise in traditional designs. The mixer translates the input frequency through a controlled nonlinear process, producing the doubled frequency with reduced phase noise while preserving signal integrity.
4Reliability
If traditional frequency doublers are used in SOC designs, then frequency doubling function is achieved, but pulling issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The passive mixer implementation replaces complex magnetic coupling mechanisms with simpler electronic switching and resistive networks that are more amenable to SOC integration. This substitution reduces the complexity of layout and interconnection while improving frequency stability by eliminating magnetic interference and coupling issues that cause pulling effects in traditional designs.
Data Source
AI summary
We disclose frequency doublers for use in millimeter-wave devices. One such frequency doubler comprises at least one passive mixer comprising at least one of the following: at least one transistor configured to receive a back gate voltage; at least one first input driver circuit; and two second input driver circuits. We also disclose a method comprising determining a target output voltage of a frequency doubler comprising at least one passive mixer comprising at least one transistor configured to receive a back gate voltage; determining an output voltage of the frequency doubler; increasing a back gate voltage of the at least one transistor, in response to determining that the output voltage is below the target output voltage; and decreasing the back gate voltage of the at least one transistor, in response to determining that the output voltage is above the target output voltage.