RF Transmitter Phase Shifting for Pushing and Pulling Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

RF transmitters face performance deterioration due to pushing and pulling effects, which result in modulation quality issues such as Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) and spectral regrowth, and accurate prediction of pulling is difficult.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a phase shifter module between the phase-locked loop and the power amplifier to introduce a phase shift between the oscillator carrier and the power amplifier current, reducing frequency shifts caused by pushing and pulling, and using a computing unit to optimize the phase shift during calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the PA power is increased to improve transmission performance, then the transmitted signal strength is improved, but the oscillator frequency is shifted away from the wanted value due to pushing and pulling effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmitted signal strengthVSAvoidoscillator frequency accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a phase shifter that pre-compensates for the frequency shift caused by pushing and pulling effects. The phase shifter is configured to introduce a phase shift that is equal and opposite to the expected frequency deviation, thereby counteracting the harmful effect before it degrades the oscillator frequency accuracy. This allows the system to maintain high PA power while preserving frequency precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If the PLL correction speed is increased to track frequency shifts, then the frequency tracking performance is improved, but the system complexity and response time limitations prevent effective correction of fast frequency deviations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency tracking performanceVSAvoidPLL correction mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by proactively compensating for frequency shifts using a phase shifter that is controlled based on predicted or measured pushing and pulling effects. Instead of waiting for the PLL to detect and correct frequency deviations, the system preemptively adjusts the phase to prevent frequency drift, thereby improving reliability without increasing PLL complexity or response requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If magnetic coupling between the PA and oscillator is increased to improve efficiency, then the power transfer efficiency is improved, but the pulling effect is intensified causing larger frequency shifts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidfrequency stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful pulling effect into a beneficial control mechanism by using the phase shifter to deliberately introduce controlled phase shifts. The system exploits the existing magnetic coupling and pushing-pulling effects rather than trying to eliminate them, using the phase shifter to transform these effects into a controllable parameter that can be adjusted to maintain frequency stability while preserving efficient power transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Significantly improves modulation quality metrics by reducing frequency shifts, thereby enhancing EVM and reducing spectral regrowth, while allowing for efficient alleviation of pushing and pulling effects.

Implementation Method 1

a phase shifter module between the phase-locked loop and the power amplifier, arranged to introduce a phase shift between the oscillator carrier and a harmonic of the power amplifier current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase shift:

Data Source

PatentEP4369608A1RF receiver
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA
  • EP4369608A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4369608A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4369608A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention concerns a RF transmitter (1) comprising: - a phase-locked loop (20), comprising an oscillator arranged to output an oscillator carrier, - a power amplifier (40), arranged to conduct a power amplifier current, characterised in that the RF transmitter comprises: - a phase shifter module (10) between the phase-locked loop (20) and the power amplifier (40), arranged to introduce a phase shift between the oscillator carrier and a harmonic of the power amplifier current, in order reduce a frequency shift of the oscillator carrier due to pushing and/or pulling.