Reconfigurable Wideband Receiver for DC Offset and Flicker Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wireless communication systems are limited by their design for specific standards, struggling to efficiently handle different carrier frequencies and suffer from issues like DC offset and flicker noise, especially when dealing with narrowband signals.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable wideband receiver that can switch between direct-conversion and low-IF modes using cross-coupled filters and feedback circuits, allowing it to function as either a low-pass or band-pass filter, thereby accommodating various wireless communication standards like GSM, W-CDMA, and LTE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a receiver is designed for a specific standard with fixed carrier frequency, then it achieves optimal performance for that standard, but it cannot efficiently handle different carrier frequencies and standards
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver employs dynamic reconfiguration of its filtering mechanism between low-pass filter (LPF) and band-pass filter (BPF) modes through feedback circuit switching. This allows the receiver to adapt its characteristics to match different wireless standards and signal types, transforming a static receiver into a dynamic, multi-standard capable system without requiring multiple dedicated receivers for each standard
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single receiver architecture to support multiple wireless standards (GSM, W-CDMA, LTE, etc.) through reconfigurable filtering. The feedback circuit mechanism allows the same hardware to function in different modes (direct-conversion or low-IF), eliminating the need for separate dedicated receivers for each standard while maintaining optimal performance across all supported standards
2Device complexity
If a direct-conversion receiver architecture is used, then the receiver structure is simple, but it suffers from DC offset and flicker noise issues especially with narrowband signals
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver dynamically switches between direct-conversion mode (using LPF) and low-IF mode (using BPF) based on the wireless standard and signal characteristics. When narrowband signals are detected, the system transitions to low-IF mode with BPF configuration, which effectively rejects DC offset and flicker noise while maintaining the simplicity advantage of direct-conversion architecture for wideband signals
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering mechanism changes its key parameter (filter type) from low-pass to band-pass based on operating conditions. By switching the feedback circuit state, the receiver transforms the filtering characteristics to match the requirements of different standards, using LPF for direct-conversion mode and BPF for low-IF mode, thereby adapting to different noise and signal conditions
3Reliability
If separate receivers are designed for different wireless standards, then each receiver is optimized for its specific standard, but manufacturing costs increase and device size grows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal receiver architecture that can be manufactured as a single standardized design supporting multiple wireless standards through software-controlled reconfiguration. The feedback circuit mechanism enables the same hardware platform to serve GSM, W-CDMA, LTE and other standards, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining standard-specific optimization through appropriate filter configuration selection
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than manufacturing different hardware designs for each standard, the system uses dynamic reconfiguration of the filtering mechanism to adapt to different standards. This allows a single manufactured receiver design to provide standard-specific performance by switching between LPF and BPF modes, significantly reducing manufacturing variety and associated costs
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention provides a receiver for wireless communication. The receiver includes a demodulator and at least one filtering mechanism coupled to the demodulator, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the filtering mechanism. The filtering mechanism can be configured to function as a low-pass filter (LPF) or a band-pass filter (BPF), thereby enabling the receiver to function as a direct-conversion receiver or a low-intermediate frequency (low-IF) receiver.