KR20210025044A - Broadband millimeter-wave front-end integrated circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a millimeter-wave front-end integrated circuit comprises an array of mm-wave transceivers, wherein each of the mm-wave transceivers is a coherent mm- Transmit and receive wave signals. The mm-wave front-end IC chip further includes a wideband frequency synthesizer coupled to the mm-wave transceivers. A full-band or wideband frequency synthesizer generates a local oscillator (LO) signal and provides it to each of the mm-wave transceivers, allowing the mm-wave transceiver to mix, modulate, and/or demodulate mm-wave signals. . An array of mm-wave wideband transceivers and a wideband frequency synthesizer can be implemented in a single IC chip as a single mm-wave front-end IC chip or package.

Description

Broadband millimeter-wave front-end integrated circuit

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to mobile devices. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a millimeter-wave front end module of a mobile device.

[0002] As wireless communication technologies advance, multi-mode or multi-band wireless systems are routinely available. Such systems can divide different functions into different integrated circuit (IC) devices. For example, the wireless system may include a modem or baseband processor, a transceiver, a control circuit, a receive circuit, a transmit circuit, and the like. Many such IC devices are sometimes inconvenient and cost inefficient.

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation, in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements.
1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an RF front-end integrated circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an RF front-end integrated circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an RF front-end integrated circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an RF front-end integrated circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Various embodiments and aspects of the inventions will be described with reference to the details discussed below, and the accompanying drawings will illustrate the various embodiments. The following description and drawings illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details have not been described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments of the inventions.

[0012] Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in this specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0013] According to some embodiments, a millimeter-wave front end IC device includes an array of one or more mm-wave transceivers. Each of the mm-wave transceivers transmit and receive coherent mm-wave signals with variable amplitudes and phase shifts. The mm-wave front-end IC chip further includes a wideband frequency synthesizer coupled to the mm-wave transceivers. A full-band or wideband frequency synthesizer generates a local oscillator (LO) signal and provides it to each of the mm-wave transceivers, allowing the mm-wave transceiver to mix, modulate, and/or demodulate mm-wave signals. . An array of mm-wave wideband transceivers and a wideband frequency synthesizer can be implemented in a single IC chip as a single mm-wave front-end IC chip or package.

[0014] A wideband frequency synthesizer includes a phase-lock loop (PLL) circuit or block for generating an LO signal based on a clock reference signal that may be provided by a local oscillator. Each mm-wave transceiver has a full-band or wideband transmitter for transmitting mm-wave signals within a frequency band (e.g., in the range of approximately 24 to 43 gigahertz or GHz) and a full-band transmitter for receiving the mm-wave signal. A band or wideband receiver, and a transmitter and a transmitting and receiving (T/R) switch coupled to the receiver. The T/R switch is for coupling the mm-wave antenna to the transmitter or receiver at a given point in time.

[0015] According to an aspect of the present invention, the RF front-end IC device transmits and receives RF signals associated with a first RF channel according to a first amplitude and phase shift setting within a predetermined frequency band. And a first transceiver for. The RF front-end IC device further includes a second transceiver for transmitting and receiving RF signals associated with the second RF channel according to a second amplitude and phase shift setting within a predetermined frequency band. The second amplitude and phase shift setting may be different from the first amplitude and phase shift setting. The RF front-end IC device further includes a frequency synthesizer coupled to the first transceiver and the second transceiver to perform frequency synchronization in a wide frequency spectrum. The frequency synthesizer generates LO signals for the first and second transceivers to enable the first and second transceivers to transmit and receive RF signals associated with the first and second RF channels, respectively. do. The first transceiver, the second transceiver, and the frequency synthesizer are embedded in a single IC chip.

[0016] According to one embodiment, RF signals associated with the first RF channel will be transmitted and received via a first antenna configured to radiate and receive according to a first amplitude and phase shift setting. RF signals associated with the second RF channel will be transmitted and received via a second antenna configured to radiate and receive according to a second amplitude and phase shift setting.

[0017] In one embodiment, each of the first transceiver and the second transceiver includes a transmitter for transmitting a first RF signal to a first remote device, a receiver for receiving a second RF signal from a second remote device, and a transmitter and a receiver. Includes a coupled switch. The switch is configured to couple the transmitter or receiver to an antenna associated with the transceiver at a given point in time.

[0018] In one embodiment, the transmitter is a first IF IQ generator (IFIQ generator) for generating an IFIQ (intermediate frequency) IQ (in-phase and quadrature) signal based on an IF signal received from a modem or a baseband processor ). The transmitter further includes a first LO IQ (LOIQ) generator for generating a LOIQ signal based on the LO signal received from the frequency synthesizer. The transmitter further includes a first IFIQ generator and a first mixer coupled to the first LOIQ generator to generate a first RF signal based on the IFIQ signal and the LOIQ signal.

[0019] In one embodiment, each transceiver further comprises a first IFIQ generator and a first IF amplifier coupled to the first mixer. The first IF amplifier is configured to amplify the IFIQ signal and provide the amplified IFIQ signal to the first mixer. Each transceiver further includes a first wideband amplifier (also referred to as RF amplifier) coupled to the first mixer to amplify a first RF signal received from the first mixer.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first IF amplifier includes a second IF amplifier for receiving and amplifying an in-phase IF signal derived from an IFIQ signal. The in-phase IF signal is mixed with the in-phase LO signal derived from the LOIQ signal. The first IF amplifier further includes a third IF amplifier for receiving and amplifying a quadrature IF signal derived from the IFIQ signal. The quadrature IF signal is mixed with the quadrature LO signal derived from the LOIQ signal.

[0021] In one embodiment, the receiver includes a second wideband/RF amplifier configured to receive a second RF signal, a second LOIQ generator for generating an LOIQ signal based on the LO signal received from the frequency synthesizer, and a second wideband amplifier and And a second mixer coupled to a second LOIQ generator. The second mixer is configured to generate an IFIQ signal based on the amplified second RF signal and the LOIQ signal. The receiver further includes a fourth IF amplifier coupled to the second mixer for receiving and amplifying the IFIQ signal from the second mixer. The receiver further includes an IFIQ combiner coupled to the fourth IF amplifier to generate a combined IF signal based on the IFIQ signal.

[0022] In one embodiment, the fourth IF amplifier includes a fifth IF amplifier for receiving and amplifying an in-phase IF signal derived from an IFIQ signal and a sixth IF amplifier for receiving and amplifying a right-angled phase IF signal derived from the IFIQ signal. Includes. The IFIQ combiner is configured to combine an in-phase IF signal and a quadrature IF signal to produce a combined IF signal.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, an RF front-end IC device includes an array of transceivers, each of the transceivers corresponding to one of the RF channels. Each of the RF channels includes a phase shifter configured to transmit and receive RF signals according to an individual phase shift setting within a predetermined frequency band, including shifting or compensating the phase of the RF signals according to an individual phase shift setting. Includes. The RF front-end IC device further includes a frequency synthesizer coupled to each of the transceivers to perform frequency synchronization over a wide frequency spectrum. The frequency synthesizer generates a LO signal for each of the transceivers to enable each of the transceivers to transmit and receive RF signals within its respective RF channel. The RF front-end IC device further includes an up-converter coupled to each of the transceivers and the frequency synthesizer. The up-converter is configured to up-convert the first IF (intermediate frequency) signal to a first RF signal to be transmitted by the transceivers based on the LO signal. The RF front-end IC device further includes a down-converter coupled to each of the transceivers and the frequency synthesizer. The down-converter is configured to down-convert the second RF signal received from the transceivers into a second IF signal based on the LO signal. The array of transceivers, frequency synthesizer, up-converter, and down-converter are embedded within a single IC chip.

[0024] In one embodiment, the up-converter includes an IFIQ generator for receiving a first IF signal, an LOIQ generator for receiving an LO signal from a frequency synthesizer to generate an LOIQ signal based on the LO signal, and an IFIQ generator and an LOIQ generator. And an up-conversion mixer coupled to. The up-conversion mixer is configured to generate a first RF signal based on the first IF signal and the LOIQ signal. In one embodiment, the up-converter further comprises an IF amplifier coupled between the IFIQ generator and the up-conversion mixer to amplify the first IF signal. The up-converter further comprises a power divider coupled to the up-conversion mixer to divide the first RF signal into a plurality of first RF sub-signals. Each first RF sub-signal is provided to one of the transceivers to be transmitted.

[0025] In one embodiment, the down-converter includes a LOIQ generator for receiving an LO signal from a frequency synthesizer to generate an LOIQ signal based on the LO signal, and a down-conversion mixer coupled to the LOIQ generator. The down-conversion mixer is configured to generate an IFIQ signal based on the second RF signal and the LOIQ signal received from the transceivers. The down-converter further includes an IFIQ combiner for generating a second IF signal based on the IFIQ signal received from the down-conversion mixer. In one embodiment, the down-converter further comprises a power combiner coupled between the down-conversion mixer and the transceivers. The power combiner is configured to combine second RF sub-signals received from the transceivers to generate a second RF signal, each second RF sub-signal corresponding to one of the transceivers. The down-converter further comprises an IF amplifier coupled between the IFIQ combiner and the down-conversion mixer to amplify the IFIQ signal.

[0026] In one embodiment, each of the transceivers includes a transmitter for transmitting RF signals to a first remote device, a receiver for receiving RF signals from a second remote device, and coupling the transmitter or receiver to one of the antennas at a given point in time. And a switch configured to ring, wherein each of the antennas corresponds to one of the transceivers.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, the RF front-end IC device comprises: a frequency synthesizer having a PLL circuit and an LO buffer to generate an LO signal based on a clock signal, a modem or a baseband processor to generate the first IFIQ signal. An IFIQ generator for receiving a first IF signal from, and an IFIQ combiner for generating a second IF signal based on the second IFIQ signal. The second IF signal will be processed by the modem or baseband processor. The RF front-end IC device further includes a plurality of transceivers coupled to the frequency synthesizer. Each of the transceivers is associated with one of the RF channels configured to transmit and receive RF signals according to one of an amplitude and phase shift setting within a predetermined frequency band.

[0028] In one embodiment, each of the transceivers includes a transmitter coupled to a frequency synthesizer to up-convert a first IFIQ signal to a first RF signal to be transmitted to a first remote device using an LO signal. Each transceiver further includes a receiver coupled to the frequency synthesizer to down-convert the second RF signal received from the second remote device to a second IFIQ signal using the LO signal. The transceivers, frequency synthesizer, IFIQ generator, and IFIQ combiner are embedded within a single IC chip.

[0029] In one embodiment, the transmitter receives the LO signal from the frequency synthesizer and generates a LOIQ signal based on a phase shifter for shifting the LO signal according to a predetermined shifted phase, and the phase shifted LO signal. And an up-conversion mixer for generating a first RF signal based on a first IF (intermediate frequency) signal and an LOIQ signal received from a modem or a baseband processor.

[0030] In one embodiment, the receiver includes a phase shifter for receiving the LO signal from the frequency synthesizer and transitioning the LO signal according to a predetermined transition phase, an LOIQ generator for generating the LOIQ signal based on the phase shifted LO signal, And a down-conversion mixer for generating a second IFIQ signal based on the second RF signal and the LOIQ signal. In one embodiment, each of the transceivers further comprises a switch coupled to the transmitter and receiver. The switch is configured to couple the transmitter or receiver to an antenna associated with a corresponding transceiver at a given point in time.

[0031] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless communication device 100, also simply referred to as a wireless device, includes, among other things, a mm-wave front-end module 101 (also simply referred to as an RF front-end module) and a modem or baseband. It includes a processor 102. The modem may include an IF-to-baseband frequency (IF/BF) down-converter, a BF/IF up-converter, and a baseband processor (eg, a digital processing processor or DSP). The wireless device 100 may be any kind of wireless communication devices, such as, for example, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, network appliance devices (eg, Internet of Things or IOT appliance devices), and the like. Alternatively, the wireless device 100 may represent a base station or cellular tower, or the like.

[0032] In a radio receiver circuit, the RF front end, such as the mm-wave RF front end, is a generic term for all circuits between the mixer stage and the antenna. It consists of all the components in the receiver that process signals of the original incoming RF frequency before they are converted to a lower intermediate frequency. In microwave and satellite receivers, it is often referred to as a low-noise block (LNB) or low-noise downconverter (LND), and is usually located at or near the antenna, so that the signals from the antenna are more easily processed. It can be delivered to the rest of the receiver at an intermediate frequency. The baseband processor is a device (chip or part of a chip) of a network interface that manages all radio functions (all functions that require an antenna).

[0033] In one embodiment, the RF frontend module 101 includes an array of RF transceivers (eg, mm-wave RF transceivers). Each of the RF transceivers is capable of coherent RF signals (e.g., mm-wave) within a specific frequency band (e.g., a specific range of frequencies such as non-overlapping frequency ranges) via one of a plurality of mm-wave antennas. Signals). In mm-wave technology, MM waves occupy a frequency spectrum in the range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. The front-end IC chip 101 further includes a full-band or wideband frequency synthesizer coupled to RF transceivers. A wideband frequency synthesizer generates a local oscillator (LO) signal and provides it to each of the RF transceivers, allowing the RF transceiver to mix, modulate, and/or demodulate RF signals within a wide frequency band (e.g., 24-43 GHz). Let it be. The array of RF transceivers and the wideband frequency synthesizer can be integrated into a single IC chip as a single RF front-end IC chip or package.

[0034] Note that for purposes of illustration only, the mm-wave front-end module is utilized as an example of an RF front-end module. Similarly, mm-wave transceivers are utilized as examples of RF transceivers. However, the techniques described throughout this application may also be applicable to other frequency spectrums or other RF circuits in frequency bands.

[0035] 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an RF front-end integrated circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The RF front-end IC device 101 may be a mm-wave front-end IC device. Referring to FIG. 2, the RF front end 101 includes, among other things, a wideband or full-band frequency synthesizer 200 coupled to an array of RF transceivers 211-213. Each of the RF transceivers 211-213 is configured to transmit and receive coherent RF signals such as mm-wave signals having variable amplitudes and phase shifts through one of the mm-wave antennas 221-223. do. By providing appropriate amplitude and phase shift settings for each of the transceivers 221-223, the entire transceiver array can be configured with one or multiple beams in the desired directions (referred to as beam directions or radiation angles or radiation directions). Can steer them. In one embodiment, each of the transceivers 211-213 is configured to receive an LO signal from the wideband frequency synthesizer 200. The LO signal is generated for a specific frequency band (eg, 24-43 GHz band). The LO signal is used for mixing, modulating, and demodulating by each of the transceivers 221-223 for the purpose of transmitting and receiving mm-wave signals within a corresponding frequency band.

[0036] Alternatively, each of the RF transceivers 221-223 may be associated with a different frequency band, such as non-overlapping or minimally overlapped frequency ranges. Each transceiver is configured to transmit and receive RF signals within a corresponding frequency band using a specific LO signal for a corresponding frequency band generated by frequency synthesizer 200.

[0037] 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an RF front-end integrated circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The RF front-end IC device 300 may represent the RF front-end IC device 101 of FIG. 2. 3, in one embodiment, the RF front-end IC device 300 includes a frequency synthesizer 200, and an array of RF transceivers 301A-301B collectively referred to as transceiver(s) 301. Includes. Although two RF transceivers 301A-301B are shown, more RF transceivers may be included. The frequency synthesizer 200 is configured to enable each transceiver to modulate RF signals onto a carrier frequency signal to be transmitted to a remote device or to demodulate RF signals from a carrier frequency signal to be received from a remote device. 301 is configured to generate an LO signal for each. Each of the transceivers 301 is associated with an antenna, such as antennas 302A-302B (collectively referred to as antenna(s) 302). Antennas 302 may be located at different locations of a mobile device capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals according to a specific beam direction or angle.

[0038] In this embodiment, the RF front-end IC device 300 includes a first transceiver 301A for transmitting and receiving RF signals associated with the first RF channel according to the first RF amplitude and phase shift setting within a predetermined frequency band. Includes. The RF front-end IC device 300 further includes a second transceiver 301B for transmitting and receiving RF signals associated with the second RF channel according to a second RF amplitude and phase shift setting within a predetermined frequency band. The second RF amplitude and phase shift setting may be different from the first RF amplitude and phase shift setting. The RF front-end IC device 300 further includes a frequency synthesizer 200 coupled to the first transceiver 301A and the second transceiver 301B to perform frequency synchronization in a wide frequency spectrum. The frequency synthesizer 200, in order to enable the first transceiver 301A and the second transceiver 301B to transmit and receive RF signals associated with the first RF channel and the second RF channel, respectively, a first transceiver ( 301A) and the second transceiver 301B. The first transceiver 301A, the second transceiver 301B, and the frequency synthesizer 200 are embedded in a single IC chip 300.

[0039] According to one embodiment, RF signals associated with the first RF channel will be transmitted and received via a first antenna 302A configured to radiate and receive according to a first RF amplitude and phase shift setting, and associated with the second RF channel. The RF signals will be transmitted and received via a second antenna 302B configured to radiate and receive according to a second RF amplitude and phase shift setting. Note that the antennas 302 may not be part of the RF frontend IC device 300.

[0040] In one embodiment, each of the first transceiver 301A and the second transceiver 301B is a transmitter for transmitting a first RF signal to a first remote device (e.g., collectively referred to as transmitter(s) 303). Transmitters 303A-303B), a receiver for receiving a second RF signal from a second remote device (e.g., receivers 304A-304B collectively referred to as receiver(s) 304), and And a switch coupled to the transmitter and receiver (eg, switches 306A-306B collectively referred to as switch(s) 306). The switch is configured to couple the transmitter or receiver to an antenna associated with the transceiver at a given point in time. That is, at any given point in time, only one of the transmitter or receiver may be coupled to the corresponding antenna.

[0041] In one embodiment, each of the transmitters 303 includes a first IFIQ generator, such as IFIQ generators 311A-311B, for generating an IFIQ signal based on an IF signal received from a modem or a baseband processor. . Each transmitter further includes a first LOIQ generator (eg, LOIQ generators 314A-314B) for generating an LOIQ signal based on the LO signal received from the frequency synthesizer 200. Each transmitter includes a first mixer (e.g., collectively up-conversion mixer(s)) coupled to a first IFIQ generator and a first LOIQ generator to generate a first RF signal based on the IFIQ signal and the LOIQ signal. Mixers 313A-313B, referred to as 313) are further included.

[0042] In one embodiment, each of the transceivers 301 includes a first IFIQ generator and a first IF amplifier coupled to the first mixer (e.g., IF amplifiers collectively referred to as IF amplifiers or amplifier 312 ( 312A-312B)). The first IF amplifier is configured to amplify the IFIQ signal and provide the amplified IFIQ signal to the first mixer. Each of the transceivers 301 is a first broadband amplifier coupled to the first mixer to amplify the first RF signal received from the first mixer (e.g., collectively to broadband or RF amplifiers or amplifier 315). It further includes broadband or RF amplifiers 315A-315B as referred to.

[0043] In one embodiment, each of the receivers 304 includes a second broadband amplifier (e.g., RF amplifiers 321A-321B collectively referred to as RF amplifiers or amplifier 321) configured to receive a second RF signal. ). Each receiver is a second LOIQ generator (e.g., collectively referred to as LOIQ generator(s) 323) for generating an LOIQ signal based on the LO signal received from the frequency synthesizer 200. -323B)). Each receiver further includes a second wideband amplifier and a second mixer coupled to a second LOIQ generator (e.g., mixers 322A-322B collectively referred to as down-conversion mixer(s) 322). Includes. The second mixer is configured to generate an IFIQ signal based on the amplified second RF signal and the LOIQ signal. Each receiver includes a fourth IF amplifier coupled to the second mixer (e.g., IF amplifiers 324A collectively referred to as IF amplifiers or amplifier 324) to receive and amplify the IFIQ signal from the second mixer. -324B)). Each receiver includes IFIQ combiners (e.g., IFIQ combiners collectively referred to as IFIQ combiner(s) 325) coupled to a fourth IF amplifier to generate a combined IF signal based on the IFIQ signal. 325A-325B)).

[0044] In one embodiment, the frequency synthesizer 200 includes a phase lock loop (PLL) circuit 231 for generating an LO signal associated with a predetermined frequency band based on a clock reference signal, and a first LO derived from the LO signal. And a LO buffering device 232 coupled to the PLL circuit for buffering the signal and a second LO signal and providing each to the first and second transceivers.

[0045] The PLL is a control system that generates an output signal, and the phase of the output signal is related to the phase of the input signal. There are several different types, but initially it is easy to visualize as an electronic circuit composed of a variable frequency oscillator and a phase detector. The oscillator generates a periodic signal, and the phase detector compares the phase of the signal to the phase of the input periodic signal and adjusts the oscillator to maintain matched phases. Returning the output signal towards the input signal for comparison is referred to as a feedback loop because the output “feeds back” towards the input to form a loop. Keeping the input and output phases in a fixed step also implies keeping the input and output frequencies the same. Consequently, in addition to synchronizing the signals, the phase-locked loop can track the input frequency, or generate a frequency that is a multiple of the input frequency. These characteristics are used for computer clock synchronization, demodulation, and frequency synthesis. Phase-locked loops are widely used in radio, telecommunications, computers and other electronic applications. They demodulate a signal, restore a signal from a noisy communication channel, generate a stable frequency in multiples of the input frequency (frequency synthesis), or precisely timed clocks in digital logic circuits such as microprocessors. It can be used to distribute pulses.

[0046] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a transmitter according to an embodiment. Transmitter 400 may represent any of the transmitters of any of the transceivers as described above, such as transmitters 303 of FIG. 3. 4, the transmitter 400 includes an IFIQ generator 411, an IF amplifier 412 having an IF amplifier 412A and an IF amplifier 412B, a mixer 413, a LOIQ generator 414, an RF amplifier ( 415), and a phase rotator(s) or phase shifter(s) 420.

[0047] In one embodiment, the IF amplifier 412 may represent IF amplifiers 312 including a second IF amplifier 412A and a third IF amplifier 412B. The IFIQ generator 411 is configured to generate an in-phase (also referred to as I-path) IF signal and a quadrature (also referred to as Q-path) IF signal. The I-path IF signal and Q-path IF signal are then amplified by individual IF amplifiers, such as IF amplifiers 412A-412B. In one embodiment, the LOIQ generator 414 is configured to generate an I-path LO signal and a Q-path LO signal.

[0048] The I-path LO signal and the Q-path LO signal may be phase shifted by the phase rotator 420. The phase rotator 420 may include a first phase rotator for shifting the phase of the I-path LO signal and a second phase rotator for shifting the phase of the Q-path LO signal. In one embodiment, the I-path IF signal and Q-path IF signal are mixed with the I-path LO signal and Q-path LO signal, respectively, and are up-converted from IF to RF by an up-conversion mixer 413. Generate an RF signal. The RF signal can then be amplified by an RF amplifier 415 and transmitted to a remote device via an associated antenna.

[0049] 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a receiver according to an embodiment. Receiver 500 may represent any of the receivers of any of the transceivers as described above, such as receivers 304 of FIG. 3. 5, in one embodiment, the receiver 500 is a phase rotator or shifter 520, an RF amplifier 521, a down-conversion mixer 522, a LOIQ generator 523, an IF amplifier 524A. And an IF amplifier 524 with an IF amplifier 524B, and an IFIQ combiner 525.

[0050] In one embodiment, the LOIQ generator 523 generates or divides the LO signal received from the frequency synthesizer (eg, frequency synthesizer 200) into an I-path LO signal and a Q-path LO signal. The I-path LO signal and the Q-path LO signal may be phase shifted or rotated by a phase rotator or phase shifter 520. The phase rotator 520 may include a first phase rotator for transitioning the I-path LO signal and a second phase rotator for transitioning the Q-path LO signal. The RF signal received from the antenna is amplified by the RF amplifier 521, mixed with the transitioned I-path LO signal and the transitioned Q-path LO signal, and down-converted from RF to IF by the down-conversion mixer 522. -Can be converted to generate an I-path IF signal and a Q-path IF signal. Then, the I-path IF signal and the Q-path IF signal are amplified by IF amplifiers 524A-524B, respectively. The amplified I-path IF signal and Q-path IF signal are then combined by an IFIQ combiner 525 to produce an IF signal to be processed by a modem or baseband processor, where the IF signal is the in-phase components. And both rectangular phase components.

[0051] Referring again to Fig. 3, in this embodiment, each of the transceivers 301 is configured to transmit and receive RF signals within the same frequency or within the same frequency band. However, each of the transceivers 301 is configured to transmit and receive RF signals with different amplitude and phase shift settings. Each of the antennas 302 is connected to one RF transceiver to transmit or receive RF signals in a predetermined beam direction.

[0052] In this embodiment, each of the transceivers 301 includes its own IFIQ generator/combiner, an up/down conversion mixer, and a LOIQ generator. In particular, each transmitter of each transceiver includes its own IFIQ generator, up-conversion mixer, and LOIQ generator. Each receiver of each transceiver includes its own IFIQ combiner, down-conversion mixer, and LOIQ generator. The streams of IF signals downconverted and processed by the receivers are then processed by a modem or baseband processor, eg in the digital domain. IF signals of different amplitudes and phases can be further down-converted to BF signals, which are then digital processor by combining the BF signals with amplitude and phase compensation to boost the strength or amplitude of the BF signals. Can be processed by Alternatively, amplitude and phase compensation can be performed at the IF level before the IF signals are downconverted to BF signals.

[0053] 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an RF front-end IC device according to another embodiment. The RF front-end IC device 600 may represent the RF front-end IC device 101 as described above. In one embodiment, the RF front-end IC device 600 includes an array of transceivers 301, each of the transceivers 301 corresponding to one of the RF channels. Each of the RF transceivers 301 includes a phase shifter configured to transmit and receive RF signals according to individual beam directions within a predetermined frequency band. The RF front-end IC device further includes a frequency synthesizer 200 coupled to each of the transceivers 301 to perform frequency synchronization over a wide frequency spectrum. The frequency synthesizer 200 generates an LO signal for each of the transceivers 301 to enable each of the transceivers 301 to transmit and receive RF signals within its respective RF channel.

[0054] The RF front-end IC device 600 further includes a frequency synthesizer 200 and an up-converter 601 coupled to each of the transceivers 301. The up-converter 601 is configured to up-convert the first IF signal to a first RF signal to be transmitted by the transceivers 301 based on the LO signal. The RF frontend IC device 600 further includes a frequency synthesizer 200 and a down-converter 602 coupled to each of the transceivers 301. The down-converter 602 is configured to down-convert the second RF signal received from the transceivers 301 into a second IF signal based on the LO signal. The array of transceivers 301, frequency synthesizer 200, up-converter 601, and down-converter 602 are embedded within a single IC chip.

[0055] In one embodiment, the up-converter 601 is an IFIQ generator 311 for receiving a first IF signal, for receiving an LO signal from the frequency synthesizer 200 to generate an LOIQ signal based on the LO signal. A LOIQ generator 314, and an IFIQ generator 311 and an up-conversion mixer 313 coupled to the LOIQ generator 314. The up-conversion mixer 313 is configured to generate a first RF signal based on the first IF signal and the LOIQ signal. In one embodiment, the up-converter 601 further includes an IF amplifier 312 coupled between the IFIQ generator 311 and the up-conversion mixer 313 to amplify the first IF signal. The up-converter 601 further comprises a power divider 603 coupled to the up-conversion mixer 313 to divide the first RF signal into a plurality of first RF sub-signals, wherein each The first RF sub-signal is provided to one of the transceivers 301 to be transmitted.

[0056] In one embodiment, the down-converter 602 couples to the LOIQ generator 323 and the LOIQ generator 323 for receiving the LO signal from the frequency synthesizer 200 to generate the LOIQ signal based on the LO signal. Includes a ringed down-conversion mixer 322. The down-conversion mixer 322 is configured to generate an IFIQ signal based on the second RF signal and the LOIQ signal received from the transceivers 301. The down-converter 602 further includes an IFIQ combiner 325 for generating a second IF signal based on the IFIQ signal received from the down-conversion mixer 323. In one embodiment, the down-converter 602 further includes a power combiner 604 coupled between the down-conversion mixer 322 and the transceivers 301. The power combiner 604 is configured to combine the second RF sub-signals received from the transceivers 301 to generate a second RF signal, each second RF sub-signal being one of the transceivers 301 Corresponds to. The down-converter 602 further includes an IF amplifier 324 coupled between the IFIQ combiner 325 and the down-conversion mixer 322 to amplify the IFIQ signal.

[0057] In one embodiment, each of the transceivers 301 includes a transmitter (e.g., transmitters 303) for transmitting RF signals to a first remote device, a receiver (e.g., receiver) for receiving RF signals from a second remote device. S 304, and a switch (eg, switches 306) configured to couple the transmitter or receiver to one of the antennas 302 at a given point in time. Each of the antennas corresponds to one of the transceivers 301.

[0058] According to one embodiment, similar to the RF front-end IC device 300 of FIG. 3, the RF front-end IC device 600 includes a wideband frequency synthesizer 200 coupled to an array of transceivers 301A-301B. Includes. Each of the transceivers 301 includes a transmitter (eg, transmitters 303) and a receiver (eg, receivers 304). However, in this embodiment, IFIQ generators/combiners, up/down conversion mixers, and LOIQ generators are removed from the transmitters 303 or receivers 304 of the transceivers 301. In one embodiment, up-converter 601 and down-converter 602 are utilized and shared by both transceivers 301. The up-converter 601 includes an IFIQ generator, an up-conversion mixer, and an LOIQ generator, and their functions and/or operations are the same or similar to those described above. The down-converter 602 includes a LOIQ generator, a down-conversion mixer, and an IFIQ combiner, whose functions and/or operations are the same or similar to those described above.

[0059] In one embodiment, on the transmission path, the up-converter 601 includes an IFIQ generator 311, an IF amplifier 312, an up-conversion mixer 313, and an LOIQ generator 314 as described above. . In addition, the up-converter 601 further includes a power divider 603 (N-way power divider in this example). The power divider 603 receives the RF signal from the mixer 313 and converts the RF signal to a lower power (e.g. 1/N of the original signal power received from the mixer 313, where N is the number of transmitters 313). Is configured to divide into a plurality of RF signals (referred to as RF sub-signals). The RF sub-signals are then supplied to transmitters 303 for processing.

[0060] According to one embodiment, each of the transmitters 303 includes a phase shifter (eg, phase shifters 611A-611B collectively referred to as phase shifter(s) 611). Similar to the phase rotators 420 and 520 of Figs. 4-5, the phase shifter is configured to shift the signal, such as such that an RF beam is generated in a desired direction. In addition, each of the transmitters 303 may include a variable gain amplifier (eg, variable gain amplifiers 612A-612B collectively referred to as variable gain amplifier(s) 612). The variable gain amplifier 612 is configured to compensate for amplitude fluctuations due to the phase shifting operation by the phase shifter 611. In one embodiment, in response to a specific shifted phase, the variable gain amplifier 612 is based on the shifted phase to obtain a gain value and adjust the gain of the variable gain amplifier 612 for amplitude compensation. Thus, it is configured to look up in a lookup table (not shown).

[0061] In one embodiment, on the receive path, the down-converter 602 includes a down-conversion mixer 322, an LOIQ generator 323, an IF amplifier 324, and an IFIQ combiner 325. The functions and operations of the down-conversion mixer 322, LOIQ generator 323, IF amplifier 324, and IFIQ combiner 325 are the same or similar to those described above. In addition, the down converter 602 includes a power combiner 604. In this embodiment, the power combiner 604 is configured to combine the RF signals from all receivers 304, such as by adding the power of the RF signals all together to increase the signal strength.

[0062] According to one embodiment, each of the receivers 304 includes a phase shifter (eg, phase shifters 613A-613B collectively referred to as phase shifter(s) 613). The functions of the operations of the phase shifters 613 are the same as or similar to the phase shifters 611. Each of the receivers 304 may further include a variable gain amplifier (eg, variable gain amplifiers 614A-614B collectively referred to as variable gain amplifier(s) 614). The functions or operations of variable gain amplifiers 614 are the same as or similar to variable gain amplifiers 612.

[0063] In this embodiment, since the functions of the up-converter 601 and down-converter 602 have been removed from the transceivers 301 and shared by all the transceivers 301, the configuration as shown in FIG. In comparison, the physical size and DC power consumption of the RF front-end IC device can be reduced. However, the lookup operations performed by the variable gain amplifier 612 may introduce latency that may affect the beam switching performance of the RF front-end IC device depending on certain circumstances. In addition, the configuration shown in FIG. 3 can transmit or receive multiple beams at the same time in the digital domain (multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) operation), whereas the configuration shown in FIG. Only the beam can be transmitted or received.

[0064] 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an RF front-end IC device according to another embodiment. The RF front end IC device 700 may represent the RF front end IC device 101. According to an embodiment, the RF front-end IC device 700 includes a frequency synthesizer 200 having a PLL circuit and an LO buffer to generate an LO signal based on a clock signal, a modem or a An IFIQ generator 311 for receiving a first IF signal from the baseband processor, and an IFIQ combiner 325 for generating a second IF signal based on the second IFIQ signal, and the second IF signal is a modem or It will be processed by the baseband processor. The RF front end IC device 700 further includes a plurality of transceivers 301 coupled to the frequency synthesizer 200. Each of the transceivers 301 is associated with one of the RF channels configured to transmit and receive RF signals according to one of amplitude and phase shift settings within a predetermined frequency band (eg, 24-43 GHz).

[0065] In one embodiment, each of the transceivers 301 is a transmitter coupled to the frequency synthesizer 200 to up-convert the first IFIQ signal to a first RF signal to be transmitted to the first remote device using the LO signal. (E.g., transmitters 303), and a receiver coupled to the frequency synthesizer 200 to down-convert the second RF signal received from the second remote device to a second IFIQ signal using the LO signal (e.g. , Receivers (304). The transceivers 301, frequency synthesizer 200, IFIQ generator 311, and IFIQ combiner 325 may be embedded within a single IC chip.

[0066] In one embodiment, the transmitter 303 receives the LO signal from the frequency synthesizer 200 and a phase shifter 611 for transitioning the LO signal according to a predetermined transition phase, based on the phase shifted LO signal. A LOIQ generator 314 for generating an LOIQ signal, and an up-conversion mixer 313 for generating a first RF signal based on a first IF (intermediate frequency) signal and an LOIQ signal received from a modem or a baseband processor. Includes.

[0067] In one embodiment, the receiver 304 receives the LO signal from the frequency synthesizer 200 and uses a phase shifter 613 for transitioning the LO signal according to a predetermined transition phase, based on the phase shifted LO signal. A LOIQ generator 323 for generating an LOIQ signal, and a down-conversion mixer 322 for generating a second IFIQ signal based on the second RF signal and the LOIQ signal.

[0068] In this embodiment, in general the conversion gain of mixers 313 and 322 is less affected by the LO signal amplitude if the LO signal is large enough, so the gain variation of the phase shifters 611 and 613 is less than that of the mixers ( 313 and 322) may not affect the conversion gain. Consequently, variable gain amplifiers 612 and 614 may be optional. However, on the other hand, since each of the transmitters 303 and receivers 304 includes a mixer, the power consumption of each transmitter and receiver may be higher compared to the configuration of FIG. 6.

[0069] Thus, depending on the specific applications and/or IC layout limitations, different embodiments as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-7 may be utilized. The RF front-end IC device 300 as shown in FIG. 3 may have the best flexibility among all. It also supports multiple beams simultaneously by processing the IF signal of each transceiver channel in the digital domain. However, the RF front-end IC device 300 may require the largest footprint or size and DC power consumption. The RF front-end IC device 600 as shown in FIG. 6 may have the smallest footprint or chip size and DC power consumption. However, this may require a two-dimensional calibration of amplitude and phase shift settings when forming a beam in a particular direction, which can lead to high latency during beam switching. The RF front-end IC device 700 as shown in FIG. 7 is between the RF front-end IC device 300 and the RF front-end IC device 600 in terms of DC power consumption and the size of the IC chip.

[0070] In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent that various modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims (20)

As a radio frequency (RF) front-end integrated circuit (IC) device,
A first transceiver for transmitting and receiving RF signals associated with the first RF channel according to a first amplitude and phase shift setting within a predetermined frequency band;
A second transceiver for transmitting and receiving RF signals associated with a second RF channel according to a second amplitude and phase shift setting within the predetermined frequency band.- The second amplitude and phase shift setting is the first amplitude and phase shift setting. Different from setting ―; And
A frequency synthesizer coupled to the first transceiver and the second transceiver to perform frequency synchronization in a wide frequency spectrum,
The frequency synthesizer, in order to enable the first transceiver and the second transceiver to transmit and receive RF signals respectively associated with the first RF channel and the second RF channel, the first transceiver and the second Generate a local oscillator (LO) signal for the transceiver, and
The first transceiver, the second transceiver, and the frequency synthesizer are embedded in a single IC chip,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 1,
RF signals associated with the first RF channel are transmitted and received through a first antenna configured to radiate and receive according to the first amplitude and phase shift setting, and the RF signals associated with the second RF channel are the second amplitude And transmitted and received through a second antenna configured to radiate and receive according to a phase shift setting.
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 1,
Each of the first transceiver and the second transceiver,
A transmitter for transmitting a first RF signal to a first remote device;
A receiver for receiving a second RF signal from a second remote device; And
And a switch coupled to the transmitter and the receiver,
The switch is configured to couple the transmitter or the receiver to an antenna associated with the transceiver at a given point in time,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 3,
The transmitter,
A first IF IQ generator (IFIQ generator) for generating an IFIQ (intermediate frequency) IQ (in-phase and quadrature) signal based on an IF signal received from a modem or a baseband processor;
A first LO IQ (LOIQ) generator for generating an LOIQ signal based on the LO signal received from the frequency synthesizer; And
Including a first mixer coupled to the first IFIQ generator and the first LOIQ generator to generate the first RF signal based on the IFIQ signal and the LOIQ signal,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 4,
Each of the first transceiver and the second transceiver,
A first IF amplifier coupled to the first IFIQ generator and the first mixer, the first IF amplifier configured to amplify the IFIQ signal and provide the amplified IFIQ signal to the first mixer; And
Further comprising a first wideband amplifier coupled to the first mixer to amplify the first RF signal received from the first mixer,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 5,
The first IF amplifier,
A second IF amplifier for receiving and amplifying an in-phase IF signal derived from the IFIQ signal, wherein the in-phase IF signal is mixed with an in-phase LO signal derived from the LOIQ signal; And
And a third IF amplifier for receiving and amplifying a quadrature IF signal derived from the IFIQ signal,
The quadrature IF signal is mixed with a quadrature LO signal derived from the LOIQ signal,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 3,
The receiver,
A second broadband amplifier configured to receive the second RF signal;
A second LOIQ generator for generating an LOIQ signal based on the LO signal received from the frequency synthesizer; And
A second mixer coupled to the second broadband amplifier and the second LOIQ generator,
The second mixer is configured to generate an IFIQ signal based on the amplified second RF signal and the LOIQ signal,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 7,
The receiver,
A fourth IF amplifier coupled to the second mixer to receive and amplify the IFIQ signal from the second mixer; And
Based on the IFIQ signal, further comprising an IFIQ combiner coupled to the fourth IF amplifier to generate a combined IF signal,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 8,
The fourth IF amplifier,
A fifth IF amplifier for receiving and amplifying an in-phase IF signal derived from the IFIQ signal; And
And a sixth IF amplifier for receiving and amplifying a quadrature IF signal derived from the IFIQ signal,
The IFIQ combiner is configured to combine the in-phase IF signal and the quadrature IF signal to generate the combined IF signal,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 1,
The frequency synthesizer,
A phase lock loop (PLL) circuit for generating the LO signal associated with the predetermined frequency band based on a clock reference signal; And
A LO buffering device coupled to the PLL circuit for buffering a first LO signal and a second LO signal derived from the LO signal and providing each to the first and second transceivers,
RF front-end IC device. As a radio frequency (RF) front-end integrated circuit (IC) device,
Array of transceivers-Each of the transceivers corresponds to one of a plurality of RF channels, each of the RF channels, including shifting or compensating the phase of the RF signals according to the respective phase shift setting, a predetermined frequency A phase shifter configured to transmit and receive the RF signals in accordance with the respective phase shift settings within a band;
A frequency synthesizer coupled to each of the transceivers to perform frequency synchronization in a wide frequency spectrum-the frequency synthesizer enables each of the transceivers to transmit and receive RF signals within its individual RF channel. To generate a local oscillator (LO) signal for each of the transceivers;
Each of the transceivers and an up-converter coupled to the frequency synthesizer-The up-converter uplinks a first IF (intermediate frequency) signal to a first RF signal to be transmitted by the transceivers based on the LO signal. Configured to convert -; And
A down-converter coupled to each of the transceivers and the frequency synthesizer,
The down-converter is configured to down-convert the second RF signal received from the transceivers into a second IF signal based on the LO signal,
The array of transceivers, the frequency synthesizer, the up-converter, and the down-converter are embedded within a single IC chip,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 11,
The up-converter,
An IF IQ generator (IFIQ generator) for generating an IFIQ (IF in-phase and quadrature) signal based on the first IF signal;
An LOIQ generator for receiving the LO signal from the frequency synthesizer to generate an LOIQ signal based on the LO signal; And
An up-conversion mixer coupled to the IFIQ generator and the LOIQ generator,
The up-conversion mixer is configured to generate the first RF signal based on the IFIQ signal and the LOIQ signal,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 12,
The up-converter,
An IF amplifier coupled between the IFIQ generator and the up-conversion mixer to amplify the first IF signal; And
Further comprising a power divider coupled to the up-conversion mixer to divide the first RF signal into a plurality of first RF sub-signals,
Each first RF sub-signal is provided to one of the transceivers to be transmitted,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 11,
The down-converter,
An LOIQ generator for receiving the LO signal from the frequency synthesizer to generate an LOIQ signal based on the LO signal;
A down-conversion mixer coupled to the LOIQ generator, the down-conversion mixer configured to generate an IFIQ signal based on the second RF signal and the LOIQ signal received from the transceivers; And
Including an IFIQ combiner for generating the second IF signal based on the IFIQ signal received from the down-conversion mixer,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 14,
The down-converter,
A power combiner coupled between the down-conversion mixer and the transceivers, the power combiner configured to combine a plurality of second RF sub-signals received from the transceivers to generate the second RF signal, Each second RF sub-signal corresponds to one of the transceivers -; And
Further comprising an IF amplifier coupled between the IFIQ combiner and the down-conversion mixer to amplify the IFIQ signal,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 11,
Each of the transceivers,
A transmitter for transmitting RF signals to a first remote device;
A receiver for receiving RF signals from a second remote device; And
A switch configured to couple the transmitter or the receiver to one of a plurality of antennas at a given point in time,
Each of the antennas corresponds to one of the transceivers,
RF front-end IC device. As a radio frequency (RF) front-end integrated circuit (IC) device,
A frequency synthesizer having a phase-lock loop (PLL) and a local oscillator (LO) buffer to generate an LO signal based on the clock signal;
An IF IQ generator (IFIQ generator) for receiving a first IF signal from a modem or baseband processor to generate a first IFIQ (IF in-phase and quadrature) signal;
An IFIQ combiner for generating a second IF signal based on a second IFIQ signal, the second IF signal being processed by the modem or baseband processor; And
Comprising a plurality of transceivers coupled to the frequency synthesizer,
Each of the transceivers is associated with one of a plurality of RF channels configured to transmit and receive RF signals according to one of a plurality of amplitude and phase shift settings within a predetermined frequency band,
Each of the transceivers,
A transmitter coupled to the frequency synthesizer to up-convert the first IFIQ signal to a first RF signal to be transmitted to a first remote device using the LO signal, and
A receiver coupled to the frequency synthesizer to down-convert a second RF signal received from a second remote device to the second IFIQ signal using the LO signal,
The plurality of transceivers, the frequency synthesizer, the IFIQ generator, and the IFIQ combiner are embedded in a single IC chip.
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 17,
The transmitter,
A phase shifter for receiving the LO signal from the frequency synthesizer and for shifting the LO signal according to a predetermined shifted phase;
An LO IQ generator (LOIQ generator) for generating a LOIQ (in-phase and quadrature) signal based on the phase-shifted LO signal; And
Comprising an up-conversion mixer for generating the first RF signal based on the first IF (intermediate frequency) signal and the LOIQ signal received from a modem or a baseband processor,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 17,
The receiver,
A phase shifter for receiving the LO signal from the frequency synthesizer and transitioning the LO signal according to a predetermined transition phase;
An LO IQ generator (LOIQ generator) for generating a LOIQ (in-phase and quadrature) signal based on the phase-shifted LO signal; And
Comprising a down-conversion mixer for generating the second IFIQ signal based on the second RF signal and the LOIQ signal,
RF front-end IC device. The method of claim 17,
Each of the transceivers includes a switch coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, the switch being configured to couple the transmitter or the receiver to an antenna associated with a corresponding transceiver at a given point in time.
RF front-end IC device.

Images