Wireless Receiver Gain Control With Multi-Curve Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gain control circuits in wireless receivers face challenges in achieving optimal linearity during gain regulation, as analog gain control can lead to non-linear operation and digital gain control results in intense transient responses, affecting signal demodulation quality.
Innovation Solution
A gain control circuit that combines analog and digital gain control processes, using multi-level gain curves determined by a digital gain control circuit, which operates within specific voltage sections to reduce the number of comparators and prevent intense transient responses by gradual switching of gain curves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If analog gain control process is used to regulate amplifier gain, then transient response is reduced, but linearity deteriorates causing non-linear operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines analog gain control and digital gain control processes in a unified gain control circuit. The analog gain control regulates post-amplifiers while the digital gain control regulates the pre-amplifier, merging both approaches to achieve optimal linearity and transient response performance simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different gain control methods to different amplifier stages based on their specific RF specifications. The pre-amplifier uses digital gain control while post-amplifiers use analog gain control, optimizing each stage's performance characteristics according to its local requirements
2Manufacturing precision
If digital gain control process is used to improve gain linearity, then linearity is improved, but intense transient response occurs affecting signal demodulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gain control function across multiple amplifier stages with different control methods. The digital gain control is applied to the pre-amplifier stage while analog gain control is applied to post-amplifier stages, dividing the overall gain control task to balance linearity and transient response
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter type for different amplifier stages - using digital parameters for the pre-amplifier and analog parameters for post-amplifiers. This parameter differentiation allows each stage to operate optimally without causing harmful effects to other stages
3Stability of the object's composition
If analog gain control switches gain slowly to reduce transient response, then transient response is reduced, but gain magnitude requirement cannot be reached quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gain control function across multiple amplifier stages, allowing different switching speeds for different stages. The digital gain control can switch rapidly while the analog gain control provides smooth transitions, segmenting the speed requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A gain control circuit of the wireless receiver comprises a plurality of stages-amplifier, an analog gain control circuit, and a digital gain control circuit, wherein the analog gain control circuit generates an analog controlling voltage for regulating the gain of the post-amplifier by an analog gain controlling process, and the digital gain control circuit is used for determining a plurality of gain curves for the pre-amplifier, and the gain curves are all operating between the first default voltage and second default voltage. While the analog controlling voltage is over the first default voltage or second default voltage, the gain curve will be switched, thereby, the analog gain controlling process can be with the digital gain controlling process therein for improving the linearity of the gain regulation and reducing the transient response during the gain switching process.