Shared Multi-Band Mixer Architecture for Lower RF Chip Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-band wireless communication devices require separate transmit and receive signal path circuits for each frequency band, leading to increased cost, complexity, and power consumption due to the need for parallel circuits for widely separated frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shared mixer and power amplifier configuration that allows for simultaneous operation across multiple bands using a single mixer and power amplifier, with switches and tunable components to adjust for different frequency bands, reducing the required chip area and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate transmit and receive signal path circuits are used for each frequency band, then functionality across multiple frequency bands is maintained, but device complexity and chip area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate transmit and receive signal path circuits into a single shared circuit that can operate across multiple frequency bands. The shared circuit includes common components such as mixers, amplifiers, and filters that are dynamically configured through switching mechanisms to handle both transmit and receive functions across different bands, thereby reducing overall circuit complexity while maintaining multi-band functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal circuit components that can perform multiple functions across different frequency bands. The shared signal path circuit is designed with tunable parameters and reconfigurable topology, allowing the same circuit to serve as both transmit and receive path, and to operate across multiple frequency bands, eliminating the need for dedicated separate circuits for each function and band.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate transmit and receive signal path circuits are used for each frequency band, then multi-band operation is supported, but chip area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate transmit and receive signal path circuits into a shared circuit structure, significantly reducing the total chip area required. By consolidating common components such as mixers, amplifiers, and filters into shared units that are dynamically allocated to different functions and bands, the patent reduces redundant circuitry and minimizes the overall footprint while maintaining full multi-band operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic switching mechanisms and reconfigurable circuit topology that allow the same physical circuit components to be dynamically assigned to different frequency bands and signal paths. This dynamic reconfiguration enables a single set of components to replace what would traditionally require multiple static circuits, thereby reducing chip area while maintaining adaptability across multiple bands.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate transmit and receive signal path circuits are used for each frequency band, then frequency band coverage is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate transmit and receive signal path circuits into shared circuits, reducing the total number of active components that consume power. The shared architecture allows power-efficient operation by enabling circuits to be put into low-power or sleep modes when not actively used for a particular function or band, while maintaining the capability to quickly switch to different configurations when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power management through reconfigurable circuit topology and switching mechanisms. The system can dynamically activate or deactivate specific circuit paths based on the current operating band and transmit/receive mode, ensuring that only the necessary components are powered at any given time. This dynamic configuration reduces overall power consumption while maintaining full frequency band coverage capability.
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 approach reduces the complexity and size of the chip, decreases power requirements, and maintains functionality across multiple frequency bands, thereby lowering costs and enhancing chip density.
Implementation Method 1
The up-converted signal is generated by mixing a baseband or low-intermediate frequency (IF) transmit (TX) signal with a transmitter local oscillator (LO) signal in a mixer
Data Source
AI summary
A communications transceiver includes a shared multi-band mixer. Various configurations of the shared multi-band mixer include using suitable hardware/software in the form of circuitry, logic gates, and/or code functions to combine multi-band processing of RF signal conversion within a single shared mixer. Various configurations include separate or shared tuning and/or amplification of up-converted (mixed) multi-band communication bands. The communications transceiver processes each band separately within the single shared mixer.