Single Oscillator Transceiver TTC Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transceivers require a dedicated additional oscillator for tune, test, and calibration (TTC) functions, which increases silicon area, cost, and peak power consumption due to the need for a high-quality RF signal, even though this additional circuitry is only used during TTC and not during normal operation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a single precision oscillator to supply RF drive to both the transmitter and receiver paths, applying an amplitude-modulation waveform to produce a baseband signal suitable for processing by the receiver digital block, allowing for TTC without the need for a dedicated oscillator, by converting the sideband of the amplitude-modulated signal to a baseband frequency for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional oscillator is used to generate RF signal for TTC functions, then the transceiver can perform tune, test, and calibration operations, but the silicon area increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing precision oscillator is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both normal transceiver operation and TTC functions. The oscillator generates RF signals for both transmit/receive paths during normal operation and generates test tones for TTC operations when needed, eliminating the need for a dedicated second oscillator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of two separate oscillators into one by merging the normal operation RF signal generation and TTC test tone generation into the single precision oscillator. The output of this oscillator is routed to both the transmit path and the TTC test tone generator through switching circuitry.
2Reliability
If an additional oscillator is used to generate RF signal for TTC functions, then the transceiver can perform tune, test, and calibration operations, but the peak power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The precision oscillator is designed to fulfill dual roles: generating RF signals during normal transceiver operation and generating high-quality test tones during TTC operations. This eliminates the need for a second oscillator that would consume additional peak power during TTC functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing precision oscillator serves itself by directly generating both the normal operation signals and the TTC test tones without requiring external assistance from a second oscillator. The single oscillator self-adapts to different operational modes through control circuitry.
3Reliability
If an additional oscillator is used to generate RF signal for TTC functions, then the transceiver can perform tune, test, and calibration operations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal oscillator architecture where a single precision oscillator serves both normal transceiver functions and TTC functions. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for a second oscillator and its associated phase-locked loop circuits, control logic, and support infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the oscillator subsystems by combining the normal operation RF signal generation and TTC test tone generation into a single oscillator unit, reducing the overall number of components and simplifying the device architecture.
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 eliminates the requirement for an additional oscillator, reducing silicon area, cost, and peak power consumption, while enabling effective TTC by reusing the existing oscillator, thus optimizing transceiver design for both TTC and normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 114 of the PLL/frequency modulator 110 generates an RF signal 416
Implementation Method 2
applying an amplitude-modulation waveform to produce a baseband signal
Implementation Method 3
A phase-locked loop (PLL) 110/frequency modulator block controls the VCO 114, locking the VCO 114 to a multiple of a precision reference 430
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and various structures provide for loopback tuning, testing, and calibrating of a transceiver, including: supplying RF drive to both a transmitter and a receiver of the transceiver from one oscillator; applying a modulation waveform to a transceiver block of the transceiver to produce an amplitude-modulated signal; converting a sideband of the amplitude-modulated signal to a baseband signal having a frequency suitable for processing by a receiver digital block, where processing the baseband signal produces a digital output; and performing tuning, testing, and calibrating of the transceiver block, based at least in part on the digital output.