Three-Mode RF Receiver Architecture With Shared Mixers and ADCs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiofrequency devices that operate in terminal unit, tag detection, and card emulation modes have high complexity, area, and power consumption due to the need for distinct circuits for each mode.
Innovation Solution
A radiofrequency device with a mixer configuration that mixes received signals with periodic signals in different modes, gain controllable amplifiers, and reconfigurable filters to adapt to each operating mode, sharing analog-to-digital converters and digital filters to reduce complexity and consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distinct circuits are used for each operating mode (terminal unit, tag detection, card emulation), then the device can reliably perform all three modes, but the device complexity, area, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal signal processing architecture where a single set of mixers, analog-to-digital converters, and digital filters serves all three operating modes (terminal unit, tag detection, and card emulation). The system uses mode-selective switching to route received signals through common processing paths, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each mode while maintaining full operational capability across all modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate signal processing circuits into a unified architecture. Specifically, it combines the terminal unit processing path, tag detection path, and card emulation path into a single shared processing core, where components like the I/Q mixers, ADCs, and digital signal processing blocks handle all three modes through selective activation and configuration
2Reliability
If distinct circuits are used for each operating mode, then each mode can be optimized independently, but the device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal signal processing blocks that can be dynamically configured for different modes. The same I/Q mixer architecture, ADCs, and digital filters are used across all three operating modes, with mode-specific optimization achieved through software-controlled parameter adjustment and selective circuit activation rather than through dedicated hardware for each mode
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic reconfiguration of the signal processing path based on the active operating mode. Switches and control logic dynamically route signals through appropriate processing stages, allowing the same physical hardware to adapt its behavior and parameters for optimal performance in terminal unit mode, tag detection mode, or card emulation mode as needed
3Reliability
If distinct circuits are used for each operating mode, then each mode can operate independently, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic mode-specific processing only when needed. The system uses a control mechanism that activates specific signal processing paths based on the current operating mode, ensuring that components such as mixers, ADCs, and digital filters are powered and active only during their required mode of operation, thereby reducing overall power consumption compared to having all circuits continuously active or dedicated circuits for each mode
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the power consumption burdens of three separate circuit implementations into a single shared architecture, the system achieves lower overall power usage. The common signal processing blocks consume power only when actively processing signals for the current mode, eliminating the redundant power consumption that would result from having separate always-on or frequently-switching dedicated circuits for each operating mode
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
The solution reduces complexity, area, and power consumption by allowing shared components across modes, enabling efficient data extraction and detection in all operating modes.
Implementation Method 1
a first mixer configured, in first and second operating modes, to mix a received radiofrequency signal with a first periodic signal having a frequency equal to a frequency of a carrier of the received radiofrequency signal; a second mixer configured, in the first and second operating modes, to mix the received radiofrequency signal with a second periodic signal having a frequency equal to the frequency of the carrier and being in quadrature with first periodic signal
Implementation Method 2
a gain controllable amplifier configured, in a third operating mode, to provide an amplified signal of the received radiofrequency signal
Implementation Method 3
a third mixer configured, in the third operating mode, to mix the amplified signal with itself
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a radiofrequency device (4) comprising an IQ downconverter (304, 306) configured, in first and second operating modes, to mix a received radiofrequency signal (sigRF) with a first periodic signal (LOI) having a frequency equal to a carrier frequency of the received signal (sigRF) and with a second periodic signal (LOQ) in quadrature with the first periodic signal (LOI). The radiofrequency device further comprises a gain controllable amplifier (602) configured, in a third operating mode, to provide an amplified signal (sigA) of the received radiofrequency signal (sigRF), and a mixer (604) configured, in the third operating mode, to mix the amplified signal (sigA) with itself.