RF Front-End Module With Full-Band 5 GHz Digital Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF front-end modules (FEMs) face complexity and inefficiency in handling variable bandwidths, requiring multiple FEMs per antenna and complex tuners, with challenges in envelope tracking and gain calibration, especially in high-data-rate applications like Wi-Fi systems operating in the 5 GHz band.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-channel gigabit ADC and DAC circuit within the FEM for digital signal processing, allowing for digital domain processing of RF signals across the entire 5 GHz band, reducing the need for analog baseband replication and enabling full-band digital pre-distortion, envelope tracking, and dynamic frequency selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple FEMs per antenna are used to handle variable bandwidths, then the bandwidth coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single FEM that can operate across the entire 5 GHz band (4.8-5.9 GHz) by integrating multi-channel ADC/DAC circuits and digital signal processing capabilities, allowing one FEM to perform multiple bandwidth handling functions that previously required separate FEMs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces analog baseband replication and switching mechanisms with digital signal processing in the digital domain, using ADC to convert analog RF signals to digital signals for processing, eliminating the need for multiple analog FEM paths and reducing hardware complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex tuners are implemented to support variable bandwidths, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex analog tuner architectures with digital signal processing operations performed on digitally converted signals, enabling variable bandwidth support through software-defined radio techniques rather than hardware switching and filtering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic bandwidth adjustment by changing digital processing parameters such as FFT size, filter bandwidth, and sampling rate in the digital domain, allowing flexible bandwidth adaptation without hardware reconfiguration
3Productivity
If digital signal processing is implemented for full-band processing, then the spectrum efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements gain calibration mechanisms that use feedback from known test signals to measure and adjust the gain of each channel, compensating for manufacturing variations and ensuring accurate full-band processing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital signal processing to compensate for analog imperfections by applying correction factors and calibration data in the digital domain, allowing tolerance for broader manufacturing variations while maintaining high spectrum efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to front end modules for use in communication systems. In one example aspect, a front end module can include a receive path. The receive path can include a low noise amplifier. The receive path can include an analog to digital converter (ADC) circuit operable to receive an analog signal from the low noise amplifier and convert the analog signal to a digital RF receive signal. The receive path can include an ADC post processing circuit operable to process the digital RF receive signal in the digital domain. The front end module can include a transmit path. The transmit path can include a digital to analog converter circuit operable to convert the digital RF transmit signal to an analog RF transmit signal. The transmit path can include a power amplifier.