Unified RFIC Interface for Multi-RAT Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems require separate hardware blocks for each radio access technology (RAT), leading to complex and power-intensive hardware, and increasing costs due to the need for specialized components for each standard.
Innovation Solution
A unified wireless architecture that uses a single radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) interface to simultaneously transmit and receive signals from different radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G NR, 4G LTE, and Wi-Fi, by aggregating and disaggregating signals using a programmable baseband and multiple antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate hardware blocks are provided for each radio access technology, then each standard can be processed with specialized components, but the hardware becomes large and complex and consumes more power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified RFIC interface that can handle multiple radio access technologies (5G NR, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi) through a single hardware platform. The programmable baseband processor dynamically configures the RFIC to operate with different RATs, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware blocks for each standard while maintaining full signal processing capability for each technology
2Reliability
If separate hardware blocks are provided for each radio access technology, then specialized processing is enabled, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified RFIC interface and programmable baseband processor provide a single hardware solution that replaces multiple separate hardware blocks, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to process different radio access technologies with standard-specific algorithms through software configuration
3Reliability
If separate hardware blocks are provided for each radio access technology, then dedicated processing resources are available, but power efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified RFIC interface consolidates multiple dedicated hardware blocks into a single shared platform, reducing the total power consumption by eliminating redundant components. The programmable baseband processor dynamically allocates processing resources based on the current operational RAT, ensuring power-efficient operation while maintaining full processing capability for each technology
4Device complexity
If a single hardware platform is used for multiple radio access technologies, then hardware complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to simultaneously process different standards is challenged
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable baseband processor dynamically reconfigures the unified RFIC interface according to the current operational requirements, enabling the system to adapt between different radio access technologies in real-time. This dynamic reconfiguration allows simultaneous processing of multiple RATs while maintaining hardware simplicity through a single unified platform
5Device complexity
If a single hardware platform is used for multiple radio access technologies, then system cost and complexity are reduced, but processing power efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable baseband processor dynamically adjusts processing resource allocation and RFIC configuration based on the current RAT and operational conditions, optimizing power efficiency while maintaining hardware simplicity. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the unified platform achieves comparable or superior power efficiency compared to multiple dedicated hardware blocks
Data Source
AI summary
With advanced compute capabilities and growing convergence of wireless standards, it is desirable to run multiple wireless standards, e.g., 4G, 5G NR, and Wi-Fi, on a single signal processing system, e.g., a system on a chip (SoC). Such an implementation may require simultaneously receiving and transmitting signals corresponding to each wireless standard and also signal processing according to respective requirements. Typical solutions involve providing separate hardware blocks specific to each wireless standard, which in turn requires more area on the SoC and consumes more power. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a unified hardware that may process signals across different standards in both a transmitting direction and a receiving direction simultaneously.