Wireless Receiver AGC Using ADC Reference Voltage Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The size of automatic gain control (AGC) circuits in wireless receivers is relatively large due to the inclusion of programmable gain amplifier (PGA) circuits, which complicates the design and increases current consumption.
Innovation Solution
The AGC circuit is simplified by using a charge pump (CP) to control the reference voltages of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), eliminating the need for a PGA and reducing the overall size and current consumption by dynamically adjusting the reference voltages based on the digital signal from the ADC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) circuit is used in the AGC circuit, then the amplitude adjustment capability is improved, but the circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from direct gain control of the amplifier to control of the reference voltage of the ADC. By adjusting the reference voltage parameter, the system achieves amplitude adjustment capability without requiring a PGA circuit, thus reducing circuit size while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the PGA circuit from the AGC system, replacing it with a simpler reference voltage control mechanism. This extraction eliminates the need for complex programmable gain amplification while retaining the essential amplitude control function through ADC reference voltage adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) circuit is used in the AGC circuit, then the amplitude adjustment capability is improved, but the current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from controlling amplifier gain (which requires high current) to controlling ADC reference voltage (which consumes less current). This parameter change maintains amplitude adjustment capability while significantly reducing the current consumption of the AGC circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
By removing the PGA circuit from the system, the patent eliminates the high current consumption associated with programmable gain amplification. The replacement reference voltage control mechanism achieves the same functional goal with much lower power requirements.
3Measurement precision
If a variable gain amplifier (VGA) circuit and programmable gain amplifier (PGA) circuit are both used, then the amplitude control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the AGC circuit by changing from dual-amplifier control (VGA+PGA) to single-reference-voltage control. This parameter change approach maintains amplitude control precision by focusing control effort on the ADC reference voltage, eliminating the need for complex multi-stage amplifier control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the PGA circuit from the AGC system, retaining only the essential VGA and ADC components. This extraction reduces device complexity while maintaining sufficient amplitude control precision through the simplified reference voltage control mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless receiver includes an analog-to-digital converter that converts a signal corresponding to a received signal into a digital signal on the basis of multiple reference voltages and outputs the digital signal. The wireless receiver also includes a control circuit that controls at least one of the multiple reference voltages on the basis of the digital signal that is output from the analog-to-digital converter.