Variable Gain Power Divider for Scalable RF Transceiver Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power dividers require redesigning the circuit layout and increased initial local oscillation signal power when the number of up/down converters increases, leading to complex integration and potential issues with IF signal line routing.
Innovation Solution
A power divider comprising a variable gain amplifier, power dividing circuit, power detection circuit, and comparison circuit, which adjusts the gain and power distribution to ensure sufficient local oscillation signals for up/down converters without needing high initial power, allowing for easy scaling with the number of converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of output ports of the power divider is increased to match the number of up/down converters, then the power divider can drive more converters, but the circuit layout must be redesigned and IF signal lines have to extend across internal lines
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the power distribution function into multiple independent power divider modules. Each power divider has a fixed number of output ports (e.g., 2 or 4), and multiple modules are cascaded or parallel-connected to serve a variable number of up/down converters. This segmentation allows the system to scale without redesigning the internal circuit layout of individual power dividers.
Solution Approach 2:
The power divider is designed with a universal interface and standardized internal layout that can be replicated and combined in different configurations. The same power divider module can serve 2, 4, or more converters by changing the interconnection topology rather than redesigning the module itself, making the module universally applicable across different system scales.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of up/down converters is increased, then more converters can be driven, but the circuit layout of the power divider must be redesigned
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system is segmented into modular power divider units, each with a fixed, optimized circuit layout. When the number of up/down converters increases, additional modular units are added to the system rather than redesigning the existing layout. These modules can be interconnected through standardized interfaces, maintaining ease of manufacture while increasing system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple power divider modules are nested or cascaded in a hierarchical structure where smaller modules are combined to form larger distribution networks. This nesting approach allows the system to scale from 2 to 4 to 8 or more converters by systematically combining standardized modules, avoiding the need to redesign the entire circuit layout at each scale.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention discloses a power divider, a radio frequency transceiver and a multi-stage power divider, the power divider comprises a variable gain amplifier, a power dividing circuit, a power detection circuit and a comparison circuit. The variable gain amplifier comprises a first input terminal, a control terminal and a first output terminal, the first input terminal is configured to receive a first local oscillation signal, and the first output terminal outputs a variable output signal to the power dividing circuit. The power dividing circuit outputs a second local oscillation signal to a next stage power divider and outputs a third local oscillation signal to an up/down converter. The power detection circuit outputs a detection voltage. The comparison circuit receives a reference voltage and the detection voltage and compares the reference voltage with the detection voltage and outputs a bias voltage to the power terminal based on a comparison result.