Wideband Polar Receiver Using Harmonic Injection-Locked Phase Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polar receiver architectures face poor performance and high bit error rates due to deficiencies in signal processing and architecture, particularly in recovering phase-modulated signals without carrier recovery circuitry.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an injection-locked oscillator with multiple injection points corresponding to different harmonics, along with band-specific amplifiers and phase detection circuitry, allows for selective injection and frequency multiplication of input signals to generate an amplitude-limited replica, enabling effective phase and amplitude detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a polar receiver architecture without carrier recovery circuitry is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of phase detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier recovery circuitryVSAvoidphase detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

An injection-locked oscillator is introduced as an intermediary component that locks to the phase-modulated input signal and generates a local oscillator signal. This mediator enables phase detection without requiring complex carrier recovery circuitry, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the oscillator's phase-locking mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical carrier recovery system with a phase-locked loop-based injection-locked oscillator system. This substitution uses feedback control and frequency multiplication to achieve carrier recovery functionality with simplified circuitry, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a single injection point is used in the injection-locked oscillator, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different signal frequencies deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection points configurationVSAvoidlocking range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The injection-locked oscillator is segmented into multiple injection points distributed across different stages of the oscillator circuit. Each injection point can be selectively activated based on the input signal frequency, enabling the system to adapt to a wide range of frequencies without increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects which injection points to activate based on the detected input signal frequency. This dynamic configuration allows the injection-locked oscillator to maintain optimal locking performance across a wide frequency range, enhancing adaptability without requiring a fixed complex structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If frequency multiplication is performed to generate amplitude-limited replica, then measurement precision of phase detection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase detection accuracyVSAvoidfrequency multiplication circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency multiplication function is merged into the injection-locked oscillator itself rather than being implemented as a separate circuit stage. The oscillator naturally generates harmonics that are used for frequency multiplication, thereby improving phase detection precision while minimizing additional device complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach improves the locking range and accuracy of phase detection, reducing bit error rates and enhancing the overall performance of polar receivers in decoding phase-modulated signals.

Implementation Method 1

an injection-locked oscillator is provided. The injection-locked oscillator includes at least a first set of injection points and a second set of injection points, each set of injection points corresponding to a different harmonic of the injection-locked oscillator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInjection locking:

Implementation Method 2

each set of injection points corresponding to a different harmonic of the injection-locked oscillator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHarmonic generation:

Implementation Method 3

The phase of the oscillator output signal is measured to determine the phase of the modulated input signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase detection:

Data Source

PatentUS10320403B2Wideband polar receiver architecture and signal processing methods

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 INNOPHASE INC

AI summary

Wideband polar receivers and method of operation are described. A phase-modulated input signal is received at a polar receiver that includes an injection-locked oscillator. The injection-locked oscillator includes a plurality of injection points. Based on the frequency of the input signal, a particular Nth harmonic is selected, and the input signal is injected at the set of injection points corresponding to the selected Nth harmonic. The injection-locked oscillator generates an oscillator output signal, and the phase of the input signal is determined from the phase of the oscillator output signal. In some embodiments, the oscillator output signal is frequency-multiplied by N, mixed with the input signal, and filtered for use in amplitude detection. The input signal is decoded based on the phase and amplitude information.