Integrated Phase Shifter With Frequency Multiplication for mm-Wave Radar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase shifters face limitations such as reduced phase error accuracy in mm-wave range, limited robustness to PVT variations, increased silicon area occupation, and non-negligible power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter with embedded frequency multiplier functionality that operates at a fraction of the frequency to counter frequency pulling from the power amplifier, allowing for simultaneous phase shifting and frequency multiplication, independent of input voltage amplitude and supply voltage, thereby extending circuit robustness over PVT variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional phase shifters are used in mm-wave radar systems, then phase shifting functionality is provided, but silicon area occupation increases and power consumption becomes non-negligible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines frequency multiplication and phase shifting functionalities into a single integrated circuit block. The frequency multiplier circuit receives an input signal at frequency f0 and simultaneously performs frequency multiplication to produce an output signal at frequency N×f0 while applying phase shifting controlled by control signals. This integration eliminates the need for separate phase shifter circuits, thereby reducing silicon area occupation while maintaining phase shifting accuracy for beam-scanning resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency multiplier circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: frequency multiplication (generating N×f0 from f0) and phase shifting (controlling beam direction). By making the circuit universal, it replaces multiple dedicated circuits with a single multi-functional block, reducing overall silicon area while preserving the reliability of phase shifting operations in mm-wave radar systems.
2Reliability
If conventional phase shifters are used in mm-wave radar systems, then phase shifting is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges frequency multiplication and phase shifting into one circuit, eliminating redundant functional blocks. The frequency multiplier circuit performs both frequency conversion and phase modulation using shared circuitry, reducing the total power consumption compared to having separate phase shifter and frequency multiplier circuits operating independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional frequency multiplier circuit reduces power consumption by avoiding duplicate circuit operations. Instead of powering separate phase shifter and frequency multiplier circuits, a single universal circuit performs both tasks, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the reliability needed for accurate beam scanning in radar applications.
3Measurement precision
If phase shifters operate at high frequencies in mm-wave range, then beam-scanning resolution is improved, but robustness to PVT variations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary frequency multiplication to generate the high-frequency output signal before phase shifting is applied. By pre-multiplying the frequency to N×f0 and then applying phase shifts to this already-multiplied signal, the circuit achieves high beam-scanning resolution while operating the phase-shifting mechanism at a more stable frequency point, improving robustness to PVT variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency multiplication process acts as an intermediary step between the low-frequency input signal and the high-frequency phase-shifted output. This intermediary frequency multiplication stage allows the phase shifter to operate with better stability characteristics while still achieving the required high-frequency output for improved beam-scanning resolution, thereby enhancing robustness to PVT variations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If frequency multiplication is performed separately from phase shifting, then both functions are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frequency multiplication circuit and phase shifter circuit into a single integrated frequency multiplier circuit. This unified circuit receives an input signal at frequency f0 and simultaneously performs frequency multiplication to generate N×f0 while applying phase shifting through control signals. The merged structure reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate circuits and their interconnections, while maintaining full adaptability for both frequency multiplication and phase shifting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency multiplier circuit is designed as a universal block that handles both frequency conversion and phase modulation functions. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall device architecture by replacing multiple specialized circuits with one versatile circuit, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving the adaptability needed for various radar operating modes and frequency requirements.
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 proposed phase shifter reduces silicon area occupation and power consumption while achieving accurate phase shifting and frequency multiplication, enhancing robustness against PVT variations and improving beam-scanning resolution in radar systems.
Implementation Method 1
a frequency multiplier circuitry configured to multiply a frequency of the input signal to provide an output signal having an output signal frequency based on the input signal frequency
Data Source
AI summary
First signal processing is applied to a first input signal oscillating at an input frequency and a first set of control signals to generate a first output signal oscillating at a multiple of the input frequency with an amplitude controlled by a control signal in the first set of control signals. Second signal processing is applied to a second input signal oscillating in quadrature at the input frequency and a second set of control signals to generate a second output signal that oscillates at the multiple of the input frequency with an amplitude controlled by a control signal in the second set of control signals. A further output signal, generated in response to the first and second output signals, oscillates at the multiple of the input frequency with a phase shift controlled by a ratio of control signal amplitudes for the first and second sets of control signals.