Transmit Diversity Architecture Optimizing Power and Area for UMTS LTE

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in providing transmit diversity while optimizing power consumption and silicon area, especially for UMTS and LTE systems, as multiple transmit chains require inefficient use of resources and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a MIMO network apparatus with two digital-to-analog converters, two transmit paths, low pass filters, mixers, pre-power amplifiers, and switches to manage power allocation and signal processing, allowing for efficient transmit diversity with reduced silicon area and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple transmit chains are implemented using multiple transmit chips, then transmit diversity capability is improved, but silicon area efficiency deteriorates and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmit diversity capabilityVSAvoidsilicon area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple transmit chains onto a single chip, integrating what were previously separate transmit chips into one unified device. This consolidation provides transmit diversity capability while improving silicon area efficiency by eliminating the need for multiple discrete chips and their associated duplicate synthesizers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single chip is designed to perform multiple transmit functions simultaneously, supporting both legacy single-transmit modes and MIMO transmit diversity modes. The chip includes multiple transmit paths and shared resources that can be dynamically configured, allowing one chip to replace multiple specialized chips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple transmit chains are implemented on the same chip, then silicon area efficiency is improved, but chip area grows dramatically and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmit diversity capabilityVSAvoidchip area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple transmit chains onto a single chip, integrating what were previously separate transmit chips into one unified device. This consolidation provides transmit diversity capability while improving silicon area efficiency by eliminating the need for multiple discrete chips and their associated duplicate synthesizers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chip employs dynamic switching mechanisms that allow it to adapt between different transmit modes (legacy single-transmit and MIMO transmit diversity). Switches can dynamically connect different transmit paths based on operational requirements, enabling the chip to optimize its resource usage and manage complexity through configurable connectivity rather than fixed dedicated paths for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If duplicate synthesizers are used for multiple transmit chips, then each chip can operate independently, but power consumption and area efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmit independenceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The chip includes a single synthesizer that serves multiple transmit paths through dynamic switching. This universal synthesizer can be selectively connected to different transmit chains based on which transmit mode is active, eliminating the need for duplicate synthesizers while maintaining the ability to independently control each transmit path when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The chip employs dynamic switching mechanisms that allow it to adapt between different transmit modes (legacy single-transmit and MIMO transmit diversity). Switches can dynamically connect different transmit paths based on operational requirements, enabling the chip to optimize its resource usage and manage complexity through configurable connectivity rather than fixed dedicated paths for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9031158B2Transmit diversity architecture with optimized power consumption and area for UMTS and LTE systems

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for providing total power from one transmit path. The method provides the steps of: selecting a transmit path and closing a first switch, located after a digital to analog converter. A second switch between the two transmit paths is then closed in order to provide for the use of at least one low-pass filter in each transmit path. The signal is then processed through the at least one low pass filter in each transmit path. The signal is then processed through at least one mixer in each transmit path. After the mixer, the signal is then processed through at least one driver amplifier in each transmit path, and one-half of the total power is allocated to each of two transmission paths. A third switch is then closed after the at least one power amplifier in each transmit path to force the half-power from one transmit path into one output.