Split chaining for large phase array systems

A method comprising:

• generating a first data signal and a second data signal;
• generating a control data and clock data for the first data signal and the second data signal;
• merging, by an intermediate frequency (IF) transceiver, the control data and the first data signal to generate a merged control and data signal;
• merging, by the IF transceiver, the clock data and the second data signal to generate a merged clock and data signal;
• and
• communicating the first data signal and the second data signal between the IF transceiver and a target mmW transceiver via a daisy chain routing, wherein the daisy chain routing comprises at least a first mmW transceiver in the daisy chain routing between the IF transceiver and the target mmW transceiver.

A wireless communication apparatus, comprising:

• a first millimeter wave (mmW) transceiver;
• and
• a second mmW transceiver coupled to the first mmW transceiver via a daisy chain routing path;
• the first mmW transceiver comprising:
• a plurality of intermediate frequency (IF) transceiver connection ports;
• one or more antenna elements;
• and
• switching circuitry configured to select between connecting the plurality of IF transceiver connection ports to the one or more antenna elements and connecting the plurality of IF transceiver connection ports to the second mmW transceiver via the daisy chain routing path.