Shared Amplifier Gain Control for Multi-Band Wireless Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless receivers face challenges in achieving optimal gain control for signals from different frequency ranges, particularly in non-contiguous carrier aggregation modes, leading to suboptimal signal processing and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method for gain control in wireless receivers involving a common amplifier module and two receiver chains, where target gain levels are determined based on power and signal quality measurements, allowing for optimized gain settings within predetermined operating ranges to maintain signal quality and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common amplifier module is used for both receiver chains to reduce hardware complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but gain control precision deteriorates because a single gain setting cannot optimize both frequency ranges simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gain control into two independent parts: a common amplifier gain (GA) that applies to both receiver chains, and individual receiver chain gains (GRx1, GRx2) that can be adjusted separately. This segmentation allows the system to maintain hardware simplicity while achieving precise gain control for each frequency range by combining the common gain effect with chain-specific gain adjustments.
2Reliability
If independent gain control is applied to each receiver chain to achieve optimal signal quality, then signal processing quality is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the common amplifier module to be shared by both receiver chains, reducing hardware complexity. Combined with this merging is the implementation of independent digital gain control for each chain, allowing optimal signal quality to be achieved through software/control rather than hardware duplication.
3Reliability
If higher gain is applied to improve sensitivity for weak signals, then signal quality is improved, but signal clipping occurs for strong signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain control where the system continuously monitors signal strength and automatically adjusts the gain settings (GA, GRx1, GRx2) to maintain optimal signal levels. This dynamic adjustment prevents clipping of strong signals while ensuring adequate amplification of weak signals, adapting to varying signal conditions in real-time.
4Manufacturing precision
If separate amplifier modules are used for each receiver chain to optimize gain control, then gain control precision is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The common amplifier module is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides amplification for both receiver chains simultaneously, reducing the total number of amplifier modules needed. This multi-functionality reduces power consumption compared to having separate dedicated amplifiers for each chain, while the independent gain control mechanisms ensure that precision is maintained for each frequency range.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a method for gain control in a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver comprises a first receiver chain adapted to receive a first signal in a first frequency range, a second receiver chain adapted to receive a second signal in a second frequency range, and a common amplifier module operatively connected to the first receiver chain and the second receiver chain. The method comprises determining a first target gain level for a first path comprising the common amplifier module and the first receiver chain, and determining a second target gain level for a second path comprising the common amplifier module and the second receiver chain. The method comprises setting a gain GA of the common amplifier module and a gain GRx1 in the first receiver chain and a gain GRx2 in the second receiver chain based on the first target gain level and the second target gain level.