Switchable Winding Inductor Topology for Multi-Band LC Resonators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio transceivers face challenges in efficiently supporting multiple frequency bands due to the difficulty in tuning LC resonators beyond one octave, leading to increased chip space consumption and costs, especially when carrier aggregation is involved.
Innovation Solution
A tunable inductor arrangement with a switch-based configuration that allows for selective series connections of winding parts, optimizing magnetic field alignment and electro-magnetic coupling to achieve high Q-value and flexible frequency operation, reducing insertion loss and enabling operation across a wide frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LC resonators are used to support wide frequency range, then frequency coverage is improved, but chip space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal resonator structure that can operate across multiple frequency bands (700 MHz to 3800 MHz) by dynamically reconfiguring the inductor circuit. Instead of using separate dedicated resonators for each frequency band, a single resonator is designed with tunable inductance capability, allowing it to serve multiple frequency coverage functions. The inductor includes multiple winding parts that can be selectively connected in series or parallel configurations to achieve different inductance values, enabling one resonator to replace multiple frequency-specific resonators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration of the inductor circuit through switch elements that can change the connection topology of winding parts based on the desired operating frequency. The switch arrangement allows the inductor to transition between different states (series connection for high inductance, parallel connection for low inductance), enabling the resonator to adapt its characteristics in real-time to support different frequency bands and carrier aggregation scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple resonators are used for carrier aggregation, then multi-band operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal resonator that can handle multiple frequency bands and carrier aggregation scenarios through a single reconfigurable unit. The resonator structure includes an inductor with multiple winding parts and switch elements that enable it to function across different frequency ranges (low band, high band, mid band) and support simultaneous multi-carrier operation, thereby replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate resonators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the resonator characteristics through switch elements that can reconfigure the inductor circuit topology. The switch arrangement enables the resonator to adapt its inductance value and Q-factor according to the operating frequency and bandwidth requirements, allowing a single resonator to dynamically serve multiple functions that would otherwise require multiple static resonators.
3Reliability
If inductor Q-value is increased for high-frequency modes, then signal quality is improved, but insertion loss increases in low-inductance state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the inductor design by carefully controlling the Q-value parameter across different operating states. The inductor is designed to achieve Q-values greater than 10 at high-frequency modes (3.5 GHz and above) while maintaining acceptable Q-values (greater than 5) in low-inductance state. This parameter optimization balances signal quality requirements with insertion loss constraints, ensuring the resonator performs adequately across all operating conditions.
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 provides a flexible and efficient multi-band receiver/transceiver configuration, allowing for constant absolute resonator bandwidth and reduced current consumption, enabling operation across various frequency bands without dedicated paths for low or high bands.
Implementation Method 1
The first and third winding parts are arranged on the chip or substrate such that magnetic fields of the first and third winding parts are essentially common
Implementation Method 2
the second and fourth winding parts are arranged to cancel electro-magnetic coupling with the first and third winding parts
Data Source
AI summary
A tunable inductor arrangement includes a first winding part connected at one end to a first input of the inductor arrangement, a second winding part connected at one end to the other end of the first winding part, a third winding part connected at one end to a second input of the inductor arrangement, and a fourth winding part connected at one end to the other end of the third winding part. For tuning, the inductor arrangement includes a switch arrangement switchable between a first setting series-connecting the first and third winding parts between the inputs, and a second setting series-connecting the first, second, fourth and third winding parts between the inputs. The first and third winding parts are arranged on a chip or substrate with essentially common magnetic fields, and the second and fourth winding parts are arranged to cancel electro-magnetic coupling with the first and third winding parts.