RFIC Local Oscillator Voltage Control for Phase Noise and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFICs face challenges in optimizing driving voltage for local oscillators to minimize power consumption and phase noise, often requiring high driving voltage to reduce phase noise but resulting in increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The RFIC employs a voltage selector and voltage regulator to determine and provide a minimum driving voltage to local oscillators based on allowable phase noise values, using information from the modem about transmission power and blocker levels, optimizing power consumption and phase noise levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the driving voltage of the local oscillator is increased to reduce phase noise, then the phase noise is reduced, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the driving voltage to the local oscillator based on real-time communication conditions. The voltage controller receives information about transmission power and blocker levels, then dynamically selects appropriate voltage levels (e.g., first voltage for high transmission power or high blocker levels, second voltage for low transmission power or low blocker levels). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing high voltage only when necessary to suppress phase noise, and reducing voltage when phase noise suppression is less critical, thereby minimizing overall power consumption while maintaining acceptable phase noise performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving voltage parameter of the local oscillator based on communication environment parameters (transmission power level, blocker level). By adjusting this key parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a fixed high voltage, the system achieves optimal phase noise reduction only when required, significantly reducing unnecessary power consumption during conditions where lower phase noise is not critical.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the driving voltage is reduced to decrease power consumption, then the power consumption is reduced, but the phase noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the driving voltage based on communication conditions, switching between a first voltage level (for high transmission power or high blocker levels requiring low phase noise) and a second voltage level (for low transmission power or low blocker levels where phase noise is less critical). This dynamic control ensures that the voltage is reduced to save power only when communication conditions permit, thereby resolving the contradiction between power consumption and phase noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving voltage parameter is changed adaptively based on transmission power information and blocker level information. When these parameters indicate favorable communication conditions, the voltage is reduced to minimize power consumption. When conditions deteriorate, the voltage is increased to maintain acceptable phase noise levels, thus resolving the trade-off between power consumption and phase noise performance.
3Reliability
If a fixed high driving voltage is used to ensure low phase noise in all conditions, then the phase noise is consistently low, but the power consumption increases in all conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed high voltage approach with a dynamic voltage control system that adapts to communication conditions. The voltage controller adjusts the driving voltage based on transmission power levels and blocker levels, providing high voltage only when communication conditions require low phase noise (high transmission power or high blocker levels), and reducing voltage when conditions are favorable. This dynamic approach maintains reliable phase noise performance when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the driving voltage parameter adaptively based on communication environment parameters rather than maintaining a fixed high voltage. This parameter adaptation ensures that phase noise performance requirements are met only when communication conditions demand them, eliminating unnecessary power consumption during conditions where high phase noise performance is not critical.
Data Source
AI summary
In an operating method of a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) including a transmission circuit and a reception circuit, the operating method includes receiving, from a modem, first information for setting transmission power of the transmission circuit or second information about a blocker which is a frequency signal unused by the RFIC, obtaining an allowable value of phase noise of a local oscillator included in the transmission circuit, using the first information, obtaining an allowable value of phase noise of a local oscillator included in the reception circuit, using the second information, determining a level of a driving voltage, using the obtained allowable values of the phase noises, and providing the driving voltage to the local oscillators.