RF Mixer Impedance Tuning for Wide Gain Control Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RF circuits face challenges in expanding the gain control range without degrading performance, particularly in achieving the required dynamic range for RF transmission chains like those in cellular communication protocols, where a wide gain control range is necessary to maintain signal quality and reduce leakage components.

Innovation Solution

An RF circuit with an impedance tuner circuit that adjusts the conversion gain of a mixer by varying impedance, allowing for a wider dynamic range and reduced leakage components, thereby optimizing performance across different power modes without the need for separate DC Offset Cancellation calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the gain control range is expanded through gain control in each block, then the dynamic range requirement is met, but the performance of each block degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegain control rangeVSAvoidperformance of each block

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the impedance parameter of the mixer to control conversion gain. By adjusting the impedance of the impedance tuning circuit, the conversion gain of the mixer is controlled, thereby expanding the gain control range without degrading block performance. This resolves the contradiction by using parameter change (impedance) instead of traditional gain control in each block.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conversion gain of the mixer is controlled by impedance tuning, then the dynamic range is expanded, but the circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic rangeVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The impedance tuning circuit serves multiple functions: it controls the conversion gain of the mixer, expands the dynamic range, and eliminates the need for separate DC offset cancellation calibration circuits. By making the impedance tuning circuit multi-functional, the patent expands dynamic range without proportionally increasing circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the dynamic range is expanded to 80 dB or more, then the communication protocol requirements are met, but the leakage components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic rangeVSAvoidleakage components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the impedance tuning circuit continuously adjusts the mixer's conversion gain based on signal conditions. This feedback control allows the system to maintain the required dynamic range while minimizing leakage components by optimizing the impedance matching in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250023528A1RF circuit and operation method therefor

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an RF circuit, which includes a mixer that converts a first signal into a second signal using a local oscillator (LO) signal, an amplifier that amplifies the second signal, and an impedance tuner circuit connected between the mixer and an input terminal of the amplifier, and that adjusts a conversion gain of the mixer by presenting a variable impedance.