Shared RF Processing for Simultaneous Multi-Standard Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional receiver circuit designs require separate local oscillators and complete receive paths for each RF signal, leading to significant chip area and power consumption, especially in deep-submicron processes, due to the need for high-Q inductors and separate frequency synthesizer circuitry for simultaneous multiple signal reception and transmission.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism for simultaneous multiple signal reception and transmission using frequency multiplexing and shared processing, where multiple RF signals are combined into a single IF signal and processed using shared local oscillators, analog to digital converters, and digital baseband processing, allowing for a single local oscillator to be used for both reception and transmission, and reducing hardware and power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate local oscillators and complete receive paths are used for each RF signal, then simultaneous multiple signal reception capability is achieved, but chip area and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receive paths into a shared processing architecture where multiple RF signals are downconverted to a common intermediate frequency (IF) and then processed by shared digital signal processing resources. This merging of previously separate components (local oscillators, ADCs, and baseband processors) into shared resources directly reduces chip area while maintaining the capability to simultaneously process multiple RF signals from different wireless standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal shared processing resources that can handle multiple wireless standards (GSM, WCDMA, CDMA2000, etc.) simultaneously. The shared IF processing path and digital baseband processor are designed to be multi-functional, capable of processing different signal types and standards through a single unified architecture, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated separate processing paths for each standard and reducing overall chip area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate local oscillators and complete receive paths are used for each RF signal, then simultaneous multiple signal reception capability is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power-consuming components (local oscillators, ADCs, and digital baseband processors) into shared resources that serve multiple RF signals simultaneously. By consolidating these components, the total power consumption is reduced compared to having separate dedicated instances for each RF signal, while still maintaining the capability to process multiple signals at the same time through the shared processing path.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared processing resources are designed with universal functionality to handle multiple wireless standards and signal types. This multi-functionality allows a single set of processing components to serve multiple purposes and process multiple RF signals, thereby reducing the total power consumption that would otherwise be required to run separate dedicated processing paths for each signal and standard.
3Productivity
If separate local oscillators are used for transmitter and receiver circuits, then simultaneous transmit and receive operations are achieved, but frequency pulling occurs between oscillators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmitter and receiver local oscillators into a single shared local oscillator that serves both transmit and receive functions. This eliminates the frequency pulling problem that occurs between separate oscillators by having only one oscillator source. The shared oscillator provides frequency stability while simultaneously supporting both transmit and receive operations through proper frequency management and signal routing.
4Reliability
If high-Q inductors and frequency synthesizer circuitry are used in deep-submicron processes, then local oscillator performance is improved, but chip area and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for large high-Q inductors and complex frequency synthesizer circuitry from the deep-submicron implementation by using a shared local oscillator architecture. The design removes these area-intensive components while maintaining oscillator performance through alternative implementation approaches that are more suitable for integrated circuit fabrication in deep-submicron processes, thereby reducing chip area without sacrificing local oscillator performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A novel mechanism for simultaneous multiple signal reception and transmission using frequency multiplexing and shared processing. Multiple RF signals, which may be of various wireless standards, are received using one or more shared processing blocks thereby significantly reducing chip space and power requirements. Shared components include local oscillators, analog to digital converters, digital RX processing and digital baseband processing. In operation, multiple RX front end circuits, one for each desired wireless signal, generate a plurality of IF signals that are frequency multiplexed and combined to create a single combined IF signal. The combined IF signal is processed by a shared processing block. Digital baseband processing is performed on each receive signal to generate respective data outputs. Further, simultaneous full-duplex transmission and reception is performed using a single local oscillator. The phase/frequency modulation of the frequency synthesizer used in the TX is removed from the local oscillator signal for use in the receiver.