Rotating Harmonic Rejection Mixer for Low-Power RF Signal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional harmonic rejection mixers face challenges in effectively rejecting harmonic frequencies introduced by non-sinusoidal local oscillator signals due to device mismatches and phase deviations, leading to performance degradation and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A rotating harmonic rejection mixer design that cyclically rotates the mixed signal through multiple gain stages, using a master clock signal to weight and combine outputs, thereby reducing harmonic rejection issues while minimizing power consumption and device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple mixers with predetermined scaling factors are used to achieve harmonic rejection, then harmonic rejection performance is improved, but device size and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control by making the scaling factors adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the scaling factors of multiple mixers based on operating conditions to optimize harmonic rejection. This allows the system to achieve high harmonic rejection performance while consuming less power by adapting the number and strength of active mixer stages rather than always operating all mixers at full power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the mixing system by making scaling factors variable. Instead of using fixed predetermined scaling factors, the system dynamically modifies the scaling factors applied to each mixer output. This parameter adjustment enables the system to achieve the required harmonic rejection level with fewer or lower-power mixer stages, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
2Reliability
If multiple mixers with predetermined scaling factors are used to achieve harmonic rejection, then harmonic rejection performance is improved, but device area increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control by making the scaling factors adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the scaling factors of multiple mixers based on operating conditions to optimize harmonic rejection. This allows the system to achieve high harmonic rejection performance while consuming less power by adapting the number and strength of active mixer stages rather than always operating all mixers at full power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the mixing system by making scaling factors variable. Instead of using fixed predetermined scaling factors, the system dynamically modifies the scaling factors applied to each mixer output. This parameter adjustment enables the system to achieve the required harmonic rejection level with fewer or lower-power mixer stages, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If device sizes are increased to reduce random mismatches, then device matching precision is improved, but power consumption and area increase by a factor of 4
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a controller that monitors the output of the mixing system and adjusts the scaling factors accordingly. This closed-loop control compensates for device mismatches dynamically, allowing smaller devices to achieve the same effective matching precision that would otherwise require much larger devices. The feedback mechanism corrects for random mismatches without requiring oversized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the mixing system by making scaling factors variable. Instead of using fixed predetermined scaling factors, the system dynamically modifies the scaling factors applied to each mixer output. This parameter adjustment enables the system to achieve the required harmonic rejection level with fewer or lower-power mixer stages, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
4Manufacturing precision
If device sizes are increased to reduce random mismatches, then device matching precision is improved, but device area increases by a factor of 4
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a controller that monitors the output of the mixing system and adjusts the scaling factors accordingly. This closed-loop control compensates for device mismatches dynamically, allowing smaller devices to achieve the same effective matching precision that would otherwise require much larger devices. The feedback mechanism corrects for random mismatches without requiring oversized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the mixing system by making scaling factors variable. Instead of using fixed predetermined scaling factors, the system dynamically modifies the scaling factors applied to each mixer output. This parameter adjustment enables the system to achieve the required harmonic rejection level with fewer or lower-power mixer stages, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
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 achieves improved harmonic rejection with reduced power and area consumption by shifting device matching problems to lower frequency components, allowing for dynamic control of harmonic rejection based on incoming signal frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
the mixer typically multiplies the incoming wireless signal with a local oscillator signal to produce a signal that has spectral energy that is distributed at sums and differences of the local oscillator and incoming signal's frequencies
Implementation Method 2
a switch stage coupled to an output of the mixer circuit to rotatingly switch the mixed signal to multiple gain stages coupled to the switch stage
Implementation Method 3
a combiner to combine an output of the gain stages
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal and mixing the RF signal with a master clock to obtain a mixed signal, cyclically rotating the mixed signal to each of N gain stages for at least one cycle of the master clock, and summing the outputs of the N gain stages to provide an output signal.