Linearizing beam-forming transmission system
AssigneepSemi Corporation
InventorsDavid Watling, John Birkbeck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Beamforming transceiver system architectures and methods that enable linearizing beamforming transmissions. In a first embodiment, a transmit-side signal of a first polarity is sampled and provided through a feedback path utilizing sections of the second polarity receive-side circuitry to a single node for subsequent analysis. Analysis circuitry may set parameter values within a digital pre-distortion circuit and/or control signals for directing the control of various weights and parameter values, including voltages for the power rails of a beamforming transceiver IC, adjustments to individual power amplifier drain current and/or cascode gate bias voltage, adjustment of beam weights, adjustment of various other controls within the IC.
Claims18
A beamforming transceiver system including:
- (a) a first bidirectional signal port configured to convey a signal having a first polarization;
- (b) a first signal splitter coupled to the first bidirectional signal port;
- (c) a first phase-and-gain control element coupled to the first signal splitter;
- (d) a first amplifier having an input coupled to the first phase-and-gain control element, and an output;
- (e) a directional coupler having an input port coupled to the output of the first amplifier, an output port configured to be selectably coupled to a first terminal of an antenna, and a coupled port;
- (f) a second bidirectional signal port configured to normally convey a signal having a second polarization;
- (g) a second signal splitter coupled to the second bidirectional signal port;
- (h) a second phase-and-gain control element coupled to the second signal splitter;
- (i) a second amplifier having an output coupled to the second phase-and-gain control element, and an input configured to be selectably coupled to a second terminal of the antenna;
- and
- (j) a signal feedback path coupled between the coupled port of the directional coupler and any portion of a circuit path from the input of the second amplifier to the output of the second amplifier;
- wherein a feedback signal generated through the coupled port of the directional coupler and having the first polarization is coupled through the second phase-and-gain control element and through the second signal splitter, functioning as a signal combiner, to the second bidirectional signal port.
A beamforming transceiver system including:
- (a) a first signal port configured to convey a signal having a first polarization;
- (b) a first signal splitter coupled to the first signal port;
- (c) a first phase-and-gain control element coupled to the first signal splitter;
- (d) a first amplifier having an input coupled to the first phase-and-gain control element, and an output;
- (e) a directional coupler having an input port coupled to the output of the first power amplifier, an output port configured to be selectably coupled to a first terminal of an antenna, and a coupled port;
- (f) a second signal port configured to normally convey a signal having a second polarization;
- (g) a second signal splitter coupled to the second signal port;
- (h) a second phase-and-gain control element coupled to the second signal splitter;
- (i) a second amplifier having an output coupled to the second phase-and-gain control element, and an input configured to be selectably coupled to a second terminal of the antenna;
- (j) a signal feedback path coupled between the coupled port of the directional coupler and any portion of a circuit path from the input of the second amplifier to the output of the second amplifier;
- (k) a multilane bus;
- (l) a switch matrix coupled to the multilane bus and configured to reduce the number of lanes to no more than two output lanes;
- and
- (m) a switch having an input terminal coupled to the coupled port of the directional coupler, a first output terminal coupled to the signal feedback path, and a second output terminal coupled to a lane of the multilane bus;
- wherein a feedback signal generated through the coupled port of the directional coupler and having the first polarization is coupled through the second phase-and-gain control element and through the second signal splitter, functioning as a signal combiner, to the second signal port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.