SAW-Less Receiver With IF-Translated BPF for Integrated RF Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication devices require expensive discrete components like SAW filters, duplexers, and inductors to meet performance standards for 2G and 3G protocols, which are not easily scalable with advancements in IC fabrication, leading to inefficiencies in redesigning analog circuitry.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a SAW-less receiver and transmitter architecture within a system on a chip (SoC) that incorporates frequency translated bandpass filters (FTBPF) and power amplifiers, eliminating the need for discrete components by incorporating their functionality into the front-end module (FEM) on a single die.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete SAW filters, duplexers, and inductors are used to meet performance standards, then filtering and signal processing performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple discrete components (SAW filter, duplexer, inductors) into a single integrated circuit that combines RF front-end functionality with baseband processing. This merging eliminates the need for separate discrete components while maintaining the required filtering and signal processing performance through synthesized filter structures implemented in standard CMOS technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit performs multiple functions that previously required separate discrete components: it provides RF filtering, frequency translation, amplification, and baseband processing all within a single device. The synthesized filter structures can be configured to provide different filtering characteristics for various wireless communication standards, making the device universally applicable across multiple protocols.
2Reliability
If discrete components are used to meet 2G and 3G protocol standards, then performance requirements are satisfied, but scalability with IC fabrication advancements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/discrete component-based filtering systems with software-configurable synthesized filter structures implemented in standard CMOS logic. This substitution allows the filter characteristics to be modified through digital control signals rather than physical component changes, enabling seamless adaptation to new wireless standards and frequency bands as IC fabrication technology evolves.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit incorporates dynamically reconfigurable filter structures that can change their characteristics (frequency, bandwidth, Q-factor) through digital control. This dynamic capability allows the same hardware to comply with different 2G and 3G protocol requirements and adapt to future standards without requiring physical redesign or new discrete components.
3Manufacturing precision
If analog circuitry is redesigned for each IC fabrication process, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but productivity and development time decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional analog filter circuitry with synthesized filter structures built from standard CMOS digital logic components. This approach eliminates the need for painstaking analog redesign for each fabrication process, as the filter performance is determined by digital control parameters rather than physical analog component values, significantly improving productivity while maintaining precision through digital calibration.
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
This solution reduces the need for external discrete components, enhances scalability with IC advancements, and optimizes performance across multiple wireless communication standards by concurrently supporting various frequency bands and protocols.
Implementation Method 1
The frequency translated bandpass filter (FTBPF) may be used to filter an RF signal and simultaneously translate a frequency of the RF signal to produce an IF signal
Implementation Method 2
The low noise amplifier receives inbound RF signals via the antenna and amplifies then
Implementation Method 3
The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the amplified RF signals with one or more local oscillations to convert the amplified RF signal into baseband signals or intermediate frequency (IF) signals
Implementation Method 4
The filtering stage filters the baseband signals or the IF signals to attenuate unwanted out of band signals to produce filtered signals
Data Source
AI summary
A SAW-less receiver includes an FEM interface module, an RF to IF receiver section, and a receiver IF to baseband section. The RF to IF receiver section includes a mixing module, a mixed buffer section, and a frequency translated BPF (FTBPF) circuit module. The mixing module converts an inbound RF signal into an in-phase (I) mixed signal and a quadrature (Q) mixed signal. The mixed buffer section filters and buffers the I mixed signal and filter and buffer the Q mixed signal. The FTBPF circuit module frequency translates a baseband filter response to an IF filter response such that the FTBPF circuit module filters undesired signal components of the IF I signal and the IF Q signal to produce an inbound IF signal. The receiver IF to baseband section converts the inbound IF signal into one or more inbound symbol streams.