Multi-Stage Ring Oscillator for Low-Noise Multi-Phase RF Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless interfaces designed for 4G and WLAN standards are inadequate for 5G and future WLAN standards, which require handling higher frequencies and stricter technical specifications, posing challenges for wireless communications, especially in terms of phase noise and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An oscillator with a ring structure formed from multiple oscillation stages, each with an inductive-capacitive (LC) tank and a transconductance amplifier, producing oscillation signals at multiple phases with reduced phase noise and power consumption, using coupling capacitors and silicon-on-insulator metal-oxide-semiconductor (SOI MOS) devices to stabilize frequency and adjust phase offsets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing wireless interfaces designed for 4G and WLAN standards are used, then device compatibility and ease of operation are maintained, but they cannot meet the higher frequency requirements and stricter phase noise specifications of 5G and future WLAN standards
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator is divided into multiple oscillation stages (first, second, third stages) with each stage contributing to the overall phase shift. This segmentation allows precise control over phase noise at each stage while achieving the required frequency multiplication and phase distribution for 5G and WLAN standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the oscillation stages by using different LC tank configurations and coupling capacitor values to optimize phase noise performance at higher frequencies. The coupling capacitors (C1, C2, C3) are specifically designed to control the coupling strength between stages, enabling precise parameter adjustment for meeting 5G phase noise specifications
2Speed
If higher frequencies are used to enable 5G and future WLAN standards, then bandwidth and data transmission capability are improved, but phase noise increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillation stages are continuously coupled through capacitors to maintain uninterrupted signal flow and phase relationship. This continuous coupling ensures that the oscillator operates efficiently at higher frequencies without requiring excessive power to maintain signal integrity across the frequency range needed for 5G and WLAN
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms within each oscillation stage through the LC tank configurations and coupling capacitors. This feedback stabilizes the oscillation at higher frequencies, reducing the power required to maintain stable operation while achieving the bandwidth necessary for high-speed data transmission
3Speed
If higher frequencies are used to enable 5G and future WLAN standards, then bandwidth and data transmission capability are improved, but phase noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the oscillation into multiple stages, each stage generates a controlled phase shift (e.g., 60 degrees per stage for three stages). This segmentation distributes the phase noise generation across multiple lower-noise stages rather than one high-frequency stage, reducing overall phase noise while maintaining the required bandwidth for high-speed transmission
Solution Approach 2:
Coupling capacitors (C1, C2, C3) are introduced as intermediary elements between oscillation stages. These capacitors act as mediators that transfer signals between stages while filtering out high-frequency noise components, thereby reducing phase noise accumulation while preserving the bandwidth necessary for 5G and WLAN data transmission rates
4Reliability
If multiple oscillation stages are used to produce multiple phases, then phase noise is reduced and power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple oscillation stages are merged into a single integrated oscillator circuit with shared power supply, common grounding, and compact LC tank configurations. This merging reduces the overall device complexity compared to using separate oscillators for each phase, while still achieving reduced phase noise and power consumption through the multi-stage architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Each oscillation stage is designed to perform multiple functions: generating a specific phase shift, providing frequency multiplication, and contributing to overall noise reduction. The coupling capacitors serve universal purposes of signal coupling, impedance matching, and noise filtering across all stages, reducing the need for additional dedicated components and simplifying the overall device structure
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
The solution enables efficient production of oscillation signals with multiple phases, meeting stringent phase noise specifications and reducing power consumption, thus facilitating wireless communications in 5G and future WLAN standards.
Implementation Method 1
Each oscillation stage includes a core oscillator having an inductive-capacitive (LC) tank that at least partially determines an oscillation frequency
Implementation Method 2
Each oscillation stage also includes a transconductance amplifier (e.g., a Gm unit) that couples a preceding oscillation stage to a core oscillator of the respective oscillation stage
Implementation Method 3
The coupling means may comprise means for converting at least one voltage from the preceding oscillation stage to at least one current for the core oscillator
Implementation Method 4
silicon-on-insulator metal-oxide-semiconductor (SOI MOS) devices to stabilize frequency and adjust phase offsets
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for radio-frequency (RF) oscillation signal production is disclosed. In example implementations, an apparatus includes an oscillator. The oscillator includes multiple oscillation stages that are coupled together in series into a ring. A respective oscillation stage of the multiple oscillation stages includes a transconductance amplifier and a core oscillator. The transconductance amplifier is coupled to a preceding oscillation stage. The core oscillator is coupled to the transconductance amplifier and to a succeeding oscillation stage, with the core oscillator including at least one output node configured to provide a respective output signal. In some implementations, at least one capacitor is coupled across at least the transconductance amplifier. In some aspects, at least one transistor of the transconductance amplifier is implemented with a silicon-on-insulator metal-oxide-semiconductor (SOI MOS) device that includes at least one back-gate terminal.