Shared RF/IF Amplifier Path for Low-Complexity Radio Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superheterodyne receiver architectures have a high active component count, leading to large, expensive, and power-hungry circuits.
Innovation Solution
A radio receiver front-end design with a shared amplification path for both radio frequency (RF) and intermediate frequency (IF) signals, utilizing a first N-plexer for frequency multiplexing and a second N-plexer for demultiplexing, along with a mixer and controllable attenuator to amplify and filter signals efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional superheterodyne receiver architecture is used, then signal reception and processing can be achieved, but the active component count is high resulting in large circuit size, high cost, and high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate amplification paths for RF and IF signals into a single shared amplification path. The amplifier processes both RF signals directly from the antenna and IF signals from the mixer, eliminating the need for separate amplifiers and reducing the active component count while maintaining signal reception capability
Solution Approach 2:
The shared amplifier is designed to handle multiple signal types (both RF and IF signals) through a single component. This multi-functional approach allows one amplifier to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized amplifiers, reducing complexity without sacrificing reception performance
2Device complexity
If separate amplification paths are used for RF and IF signals, then signal processing can be optimized for each frequency band, but the circuit size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate amplification circuits into a single shared amplification path that processes both RF and IF signals. This consolidation reduces the total circuit size and the number of power-consuming components while maintaining the ability to process different frequency bands
Solution Approach 2:
The shared amplifier is designed with universal functionality to amplify both RF and IF signals, eliminating the need for multiple specialized amplifiers. This reduces overall power consumption by having one efficient multi-functional component instead of multiple single-functional components
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 design reduces circuit size, cost, and power consumption while maintaining effective signal amplification and filtering, suitable for various applications including GPS and cellular telephony.
Implementation Method 1
a first N-plexer arranged to perform frequency multiplexing
Implementation Method 2
the shared amplification path comprising: a first amplifier; and a controllable attenuator arranged in series with the first amplifier; wherein the shared amplification path is configured to amplify at least both RF signals and IF signals
Implementation Method 3
a second N-plexer arranged to perform frequency demultiplexing
Implementation Method 4
a mixer configured to multiply a local oscillator (LO) signal with signal(s) comprising the one or more amplified signals of the RF band to generate a plurality of signals including the one or more signals of the IF band
Implementation Method 5
an IF filter arranged in a signal path between an output of the mixer and the second port of the first N-plexer, wherein the IF filter is configured to filter the plurality of signals to extract the one or more signals of the IF band
Data Source
AI summary
A radio receiver has a front end having a shared amplification path for both radio frequency signals and intermediate frequency signals. In one example, the shared amplification path can include a low noise amplifier and an attenuator. By amplifying both radio frequency (RF) signals and intermediate frequency (IF) signals with the same shared amplification path, gains in power efficiency, and reductions in cost and circuit size can be achieved.