Frequency-Selective Attenuator for RF Blocker Desensitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collocated wireless RF transceivers, particularly low-power systems, face communication interference and performance degradation due to proximity with high-power transceivers operating on the same or overlapping frequency ranges, leading to signal distortion and desensitization.
Innovation Solution
A wireless transceiver with a tunable notch filter is implemented, featuring a receiver circuit, a radio frequency transceiver node, and a controller that programs the tunable notch filter to selectively attenuate blocker signals by using a variable capacitor and inductor configuration, enabling or disabling the filter based on receive state and gain control to optimize RF coexistence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a low-power wireless transceiver operates in close proximity to a high-power wireless transceiver on the same or overlapping frequencies, then the high-power transceiver provides strong transmission capability, but the low-power transceiver experiences signal distortion, compression, and de-sensitization due to the high-power blocker signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing a frequency-selective attenuator that selectively attenuates signals at specific blocker frequencies while leaving other frequencies unaffected. This allows the receiver to maintain high sensitivity for desired signals while locally suppressing interfering blocker signals through frequency-selective filtering, thereby resolving the contradiction between high-power transmission and reliable low-power reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency-selective attenuator acts as an intermediary component between the antenna and the receiver circuitry. It mediates the conflicting signals by introducing frequency-selective attenuation, allowing the receiver to coexist with high-power transmitters by filtering out blocker frequencies before the signals reach the sensitive receiver components.
2Reliability
If a frequency-selective attenuator is added to a wireless transceiver to attenuate blocker signals, then reception sensitivity is improved in the presence of high-power blockers, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tunable frequency-selective attenuator with dynamically adjustable filtering characteristics. The filter can be reconfigured to attenuate different blocker frequencies based on the operational requirements, allowing a single device to adapt to various interference scenarios. This dynamic capability reduces the need for multiple fixed-frequency filters, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining reception sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency-selective attenuator utilizes variable capacitors or adjustable filtering parameters to change its operational characteristics. By modifying the capacitance values or filter tuning parameters, the device can adapt to different blocker frequencies without requiring complete hardware redesign, thus managing complexity while improving reception sensitivity across various operating conditions.
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 solution effectively attenuates blocker signals, allowing low-power victim transceivers to coexist with high-power aggressor transceivers, enhancing reception sensitivity and reducing interference, thereby improving communication performance in shared frequency environments.
Implementation Method 1
a tunable notch filter coupled between the radio frequency transceiver node and a reference node, and a controller that programs the tunable notch filter with a selected blocker frequency and that selectively enables the tunable notch filter to attenuate at least one blocker signal
Implementation Method 2
The tunable notch filter may include a variable capacitor and an inductor coupled in series between the radio frequency transceiver node and ground
Implementation Method 3
The variable capacitor may be configured as a digitally programmable capacitor that is programmed by a digital value provided by the controller
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless transceiver including a receiver circuit coupled to an RF transceiver node, a tunable notch filter coupled between the RF transceiver node and a reference node, and a controller that programs the tunable notch filter with a selected blocker frequency and that selectively enables the tunable notch filter to attenuate at least one blocker signal. The tunable notch filter may include a variable capacitor and an inductor coupled in series between the RF transceiver node and ground. The inductor of the tunable notch filter may include a bondwire coupled between a semiconductor die and a semiconductor package. The inductance may include a physical inductor mounted on the package or a printed circuit board. The tunable notch filter may be enabled by a switch selectively coupling the filter to either the RF transceiver node or ground. The variable capacitor may be digitally programmed with digital values stored in a memory.