Passive Millimeter-Wave Receiver Eliminates Feeding Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication networks, particularly in mmW receivers, there is a challenge in configuring power networks for remotely-located receivers and synchronizing multiple receivers, leading to high losses and increased complexity due to the need for internal AC and DC sources and complex feeding networks.
Innovation Solution
A passive mmW receiver circuit that eliminates the need for internal AC or DC sources and feeding networks, utilizing a planar antenna array with quasi-optical mixers and six-port demodulators to perform direction of arrival estimation without active circuitry, using a common LO signal for synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If internal AC and DC sources are used in mmW receivers, then the receiver can operate independently, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the internal AC and DC power sources from the receiver system. Instead of having self-contained power supplies, the receiver is designed to be externally powered through wireless energy transfer, eliminating the complex feeding networks and power management circuits that would otherwise be required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a universal LO signal that serves multiple receivers simultaneously. This single LO source can synchronize and provide local oscillation signals to multiple receiver units, replacing the need for individual AC power sources in each receiver and reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If feeding networks are provided for each receiver, then receivers can be synchronized, but the loss at high frequencies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary LO signal that is wirelessly transmitted to receivers. This intermediary signal acts as a mediator for synchronization, replacing the direct physical feeding networks that cause high-frequency losses. The LO signal serves as a common reference that enables synchronization without requiring lossy physical connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical feeding network system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless transmission system. Instead of using physical cables and connectors that incur high-frequency losses, the synchronization signal is transmitted through free space using electromagnetic waves, eliminating the lossy mechanical connection infrastructure
3Adaptability or versatility
If internal power sources are included in receivers, then receivers can be deployed remotely, but the energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from the receiver unit itself and places it externally. By removing the internal batteries or power supplies, the receiver becomes an energy-efficient passive device that receives power wirelessly, eliminating the energy losses associated with internal power conversion and battery inefficiencies
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is designed to harvest its operating energy from the incoming LO signal itself. The same electromagnetic signal that carries the synchronization information also provides the energy needed for the receiver to operate, creating a self-sustaining system that maximizes energy efficiency by eliminating separate power consumption pathways
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
This solution achieves high energy efficiency and simplifies the receiver design, enabling accurate direction of arrival estimation and reducing costs by eliminating the need for complex feeding networks and internal power sources, making it suitable for large-scale communication networks.
Implementation Method 1
Each antenna is coupled to a respective quasi-optical mixer, each quasi-optical mixer including only passive components and outputting a respective intermediate frequency (IF) signal
Implementation Method 2
Each six-port demodulator receiving a respective different pair of IF signals as input and outputting signals representing baseband power of the respective pair of IF signals
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver includes a planar antenna array including at least three antennas. Each antenna simultaneous receives a local oscillator (LO) signal from a near field region and a radio frequency (RF) signal from a far field region. Each antenna is coupled to a respective quasi-optical mixer. Each quasi-optical mixer includes only passive components and outputs a respective intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The receiver includes two six-port demodulators. Each six-port demodulator receives a different pair of IF signals as input and outputs signals representing baseband power of the pair of IF signals. Each six-port demodulator includes only passive components. The receiver also includes a processor to calculate direction of arrival (DoA) for the LO signal and the RF signal using the output from the six-port demodulators.