RF Doubler Circuit With DC-Balanced Differential Outputs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiofrequency doublers and triplers face challenges in efficiently doubling or tripling high-frequency signals, often requiring complex configurations, such as polyphase filters and Phase Locked Loops, which introduce losses and are difficult to implement at high frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A radiofrequency doubler and tripler circuit design featuring transistors connected in parallel with a current source and a feedback loop to equalize DC components, using operational amplifiers and capacitors to control voltages, allowing for balanced differential outputs without the need for complex phase locking or polyphase filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If polyphase filters and Phase Locked Loops are used to double or triple radiofrequency signals, then frequency multiplication is achieved, but the system complexity increases and losses are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex polyphase filters and Phase Locked Loops from the frequency multiplication circuit, replacing them with a simplified transistor-based architecture that achieves the same frequency doubling or tripling function without the associated complexity and losses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/complex control systems (Phase Locked Loops) with a simpler electronic transistor switching mechanism that achieves frequency multiplication through controlled signal switching and combining, eliminating the need for complex feedback control circuits
2Productivity
If polyphase filters and Phase Locked Loops are used for frequency multiplication, then frequency doubling or tripling is achieved, but significant losses are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple transistor switching elements that can operate at high frequencies without the signal losses associated with polyphase filters, achieving efficient frequency multiplication through direct transistor control rather than filter-based approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching of transistors synchronized with the input radiofrequency signal to achieve frequency multiplication, using timed switching actions rather than continuous filter processing, which reduces energy losses
3Productivity
If complex phase locking and polyphase filters are implemented, then frequency multiplication is achieved, but implementation difficulty increases at high frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using transistor switching frequencies and timing that are well-suited for high-frequency operation, avoiding the frequency limitations and implementation difficulties associated with polyphase filters and Phase Locked Loops at frequencies above 1 GHz
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment a radiofrequency doubler includes a first transistor and a second transistor connected in parallel between a first differential output and a first terminal of a current source configured to provide a bias current, a second terminal of the current source being connected to a first supply potential, a third transistor connected between the first terminal of the current source and a second differential output, a circuit configured to apply an AC component of a first differential input and a first DC voltage to a gate of the first transistor, apply an AC component of a second differential input and the first DC voltage to a gate of the second transistor and apply a second DC voltage to a gate of the third transistor, and a feedback loop configured to control the first voltage or the second voltage from a difference between DC components of the first and second differential outputs so as to equalize the DC components.