Photodiode-CGA Antenna Sharing for >100 GHz Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in supporting high data rates for wireless communications due to limitations in wireless circuitry, particularly at frequencies above 100 GHz, which require significant space and resources for separate transmission and reception antennas.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating wireless circuitry with photodiodes and a common gate amplifier that can switch between transmit and receive modes, utilizing optical local oscillator signals to generate antenna currents, and integrating antennas into phased arrays for efficient power boosting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate transmission and reception antennas are used for high frequency wireless communications, then wireless performance is improved, but device area and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transmission and reception functions into a single antenna system. The antenna is configured to operate in both transmit and receive modes by switching between different circuit configurations, thereby eliminating the need for separate antennas and reducing device area while maintaining wireless performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is designed with multi-functionality to perform both transmission and reception operations. Through mode switching circuitry, the same antenna structure serves dual purposes, reducing the overall number of components and device footprint while preserving communication reliability.
2Productivity
If higher frequency radio-frequency signals are used, then data rate is improved, but wireless circuitry performance and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional radio-frequency circuitry with optical circuitry for signal processing. Optical signals are used to drive the antenna, which converts them to radio-frequency signals for transmission. This substitution allows operation at higher frequencies with improved reliability because optical systems are not subject to the same parasitic effects and signal integrity issues that plague RF circuits at millimeter-wave and higher frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical signal as an intermediary between the baseband processing and the antenna transmission. The optical local oscillator signal modulates the optical carrier, which then drives the antenna through a photodiode. This intermediary approach enables precise frequency control and signal generation at very high frequencies while maintaining signal integrity and circuit reliability.
3Area of stationary object
If a single antenna is used for both transmission and reception, then device area is reduced, but power handling capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between transmission and reception modes in the antenna system. The mode switching circuitry allows the antenna to be configured optimally for its current function, with transmit modes providing high power handling capability and receive modes providing high sensitivity. This dynamic reconfiguration enables a single antenna to achieve both high power and high gain performance at different times, effectively resolving the contradiction between area reduction and power handling capability.
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 configuration enables efficient use of space and resources by allowing a single antenna to transmit and receive at high frequencies, enhancing data rates and reducing the physical footprint of wireless communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
The photodiodes may receive the antenna current and may convert the antenna current to intermediate frequencies signals or optical signals
Implementation Method 2
The common gate amplifier may exhibit a wide bandwidth, performs impedance matching between the antenna resonating element and the photodiodes
Implementation Method 3
The antenna resonating element may transmit wireless signals corresponding to the amplified antenna current
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An electronic device (10) may include wireless circuitry (24) with light sources, a set of photodiodes (42), a resonating element (36), and a common gate amplifier, CGA (96). In a transmit mode, the photodiodes (42) may use optical local oscillators to generate equal portions of an antenna current amplified by the CGA (96) for transmission by the resonating element (36). In a receive mode, the resonating element (36) may generate an antenna current which is amplified by the amplifier (96) and passed to the photodiodes (42). Including multiple photodiodes coupled to the amplifier in a current sharing configuration may serve to boost power. The amplifier may exhibit a wide bandwidth, may perform impedance matching between the resonating element and the photodiodes, and may isolate the photodiodes from antenna mismatch. The antenna may be integrated into a phased antenna array to further boost power.