Single Balanced Mixing Receiver Circuit for 77 GHz Radar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phased-array receiver circuits for radar systems, particularly in automotive applications, face challenges in power consumption and complexity due to the use of double balanced mixing circuits, which can be cumbersome and power-intensive, especially at high frequencies like 77 GHz.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of single balanced mixing circuits within the receiver circuit, which reduces the number of components and layout complexity, allowing for a more compact and power-efficient design by using fewer switching devices and simpler circuit structures, while maintaining signal quality through appropriate component choices and capacitive coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If double balanced mixing circuits are used in the receiver circuit, then signal quality and noise performance are maintained, but power consumption increases and circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes one of the two balanced mixing circuits from the traditional I-Q receiver architecture, transitioning from double balanced mixing to single balanced mixing. This extraction eliminates redundant components and reduces power consumption while maintaining the essential signal processing functionality through alternative circuit design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mixing circuit configuration parameter from double balanced to single balanced, fundamentally altering the circuit topology. This parameter change reduces the number of switching devices and power consumption while achieving acceptable noise performance through optimized circuit design and component selection.
2Reliability
If double balanced mixing circuits are used in the receiver circuit, then signal processing capability is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes one balanced mixing circuit from the traditional architecture, reducing the number of components, interconnections, and layout requirements. This extraction simplifies the overall device complexity while preserving the core signal processing capability through the remaining single balanced mixing circuit and associated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single balanced mixing circuit design that can be replicated or adapted for both I and Q signal paths, rather than requiring two separate double balanced circuits. This approach reduces device complexity while maintaining signal processing capability through unified circuit design.
3Use of energy by moving object
If single balanced mixing circuits are used, then power consumption is reduced and circuit size is reduced, but noise performance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes parameters of the single balanced mixing circuit, including component values, biasing conditions, and circuit topology, to achieve acceptable noise performance. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the design compensates for the inherent noise characteristics of single balanced mixing while maintaining reduced power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional components or circuit stages as intermediaries to compensate for potential noise performance degradation. These intermediary elements help maintain signal integrity and noise performance while allowing the use of power-efficient single balanced mixing circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver circuit, comprises an input balun circuit comprising a balanced balun output and being capable of receiving RF signals, an input amplification circuit comprising a balanced amplifier input and a balanced amplifier output, a single balanced in-phase mixing circuit comprising a first unbalanced RF mixer input and a balanced in-phase mixing frequency input, and a single balanced quadrature mixing circuit comprising a second unbalanced RF mixer input and a balanced quadrature mixing frequency input. The balanced amplifier input is connected to the balanced balun output, a first terminal of the balanced amplifier output is connected to provide an amplified RF signal to the first unbalanced RF mixer input and a second terminal of the balanced amplifier output is connected to provide a phase-shifted amplified RF signal to the second unbalanced RF mixer input.