Resistor-Network Phase Signal Circuit for Linear Digital Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase shifters for phased array antenna apparatuses in wireless communication systems require larger circuit sizes and higher power consumption, lack tolerance to process, voltage, and temperature variations, and are not digitally controllable with linear control characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A signal generation circuit utilizing resistor networks and folding circuits to generate control and reference voltages, implemented with differential amplifiers and impedance conversion circuits, to produce output signals with predetermined phases for phase shifters, reducing circuit size and power consumption while maintaining digital controllability and linear control characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gains and bias voltages are stored from a storage device and processed through four differential variable gain amplifiers, then phase control capability is achieved, but circuit size and power consumption are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the storage device and four differential variable gain amplifiers from the phase shifter circuit, replacing them with a simplified architecture using only two differential variable gain amplifiers. This removal of unnecessary components directly reduces circuit size while preserving phase control capability through the remaining amplifiers and folding circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple components into a more compact architecture. By combining the voltage generation and phase control functions into two differential variable gain amplifiers with a folding circuit, the design achieves the same phase control capability with fewer components, thereby reducing overall circuit size.
2Measurement precision
If gains and bias voltages are stored from a storage device and processed through four differential variable gain amplifiers, then phase control capability is achieved, but power consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the storage device and reduces the number of differential variable gain amplifiers from four to two, directly reducing the number of active components that consume power. This extraction of unnecessary components lowers overall power consumption while maintaining phase control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging multiple functions into fewer components, the invention reduces the total power consumption. The two differential variable gain amplifiers and folding circuit perform the same phase control tasks as the original four amplifiers plus storage device, but with lower energy consumption due to fewer active elements.
3Measurement precision
If a conventional phase shifter design is used, then basic phase shifting is achieved, but tolerance to PVT variations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The folding circuit in the invention provides a feedback mechanism that compensates for PVT variations. By folding the gain control voltages and comparing them against reference voltages, the circuit automatically adjusts to maintain accurate phase shifting despite process, voltage, or temperature changes, thereby improving tolerance to PVT variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the differential variable gain amplifiers by introducing folded gain control voltages and reference voltages. This parameter transformation allows the circuit to operate more stably across varying conditions, improving tolerance to PVT variations while maintaining phase shifting accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If a conventional phase shifter design is used, then basic phase shifting is achieved, but linear control characteristics are not obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The folding circuit implements feedback that linearizes the control characteristics of the phase shifter. By folding the gain control voltages and comparing them with reference voltages, the circuit produces a linear relationship between the control input and phase output, making the device easier to control with predictable behavior across the full phase range.
Data Source
AI summary
An N-tap resistor network circuit is provided with a plurality of first resistors and a plurality of first taps, and generates a control voltage having one of a plurality of predetermined voltage values by selecting one of the plurality of first taps in accordance with an inputted digital control signal. An M-tap resistor network circuit is provided with a plurality of second resistors and a plurality of second taps, and generates a plurality of predetermined reference voltages at the plurality of second taps. Each of folding circuits generates an output signal based on differences between the control voltage and the plurality of reference voltages, the output signal having a signal level corresponding to a predetermined phase of a sine wave or a cosine wave.