Shared RF Chain MIMO Receiver Using Time-Division Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing MIMO systems require multiple RF chains and antennas, leading to increased power consumption, larger RFIC die size, and higher chip costs, particularly in 4×4 MIMO systems, due to the need for independent RF chains and antennas to separate and restore data streams effectively.
Innovation Solution
A simplified RF chain structure in a MIMO system using a shared RF chain and ADC, with a clock generation/delay compensation unit for temporal signal division and antenna switching, allowing signals to be converted into baseband and digital signals, thereby reducing the number of RF chains and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple independent RF chains are used in MIMO system, then signal separation and restoration capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple RF chains into a single shared RF chain by implementing time-division multiplexing of antenna switching. The switch alternately connects the single RF chain to different antennas in a time-divided manner, allowing the system to process signals from multiple antennas using one RF chain instead of requiring multiple independent chains, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining signal separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single RF chain is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially processing signals from different antennas through time-division switching. The same RF chain handles receiving, amplifying, and converting signals from multiple antennas at different time intervals, making the RF chain universal and multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single antenna.
2Reliability
If multiple independent RF chains are used in MIMO system, then signal separation and restoration capability is improved, but RFIC die size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple RF chains into one shared RF chain using time-division multiplexing architecture. By switching the single RF chain between multiple antennas in time-division mode, the system eliminates the need for multiple separate RF chain circuits on the RFIC, significantly reducing the overall die size while preserving the ability to separate and restore signals from multiple antennas.
3Productivity
If multiple independent RF chains are used in MIMO system, then data stream processing capability is improved, but chip cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple expensive RF chain components into a single shared RF chain through time-division switching architecture. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs and chip complexity while the time-division multiplexing maintains the system's ability to process multiple data streams effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiving apparatus and method of a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system are provided. The receiving apparatus includes a clock generation/delay compensation unit for generating a clock, an antenna switching unit for temporally dividing signals received through multiple antennas by performing switching according to the clock, a radio frequency (RF) chain to be shared for converting the temporally divided signals into baseband signals, and an analog to digital converter (ADC) to be shared for converting the converted signals into digital signals and for outputting the converted signals according to the clock. Accordingly, the number of RF chains used to implement a MIMO RFIC is reduced.