|Publication number||US7890064 B1|
|Application number||US 11/648,745|
|Publication date||Feb 15, 2011|
|Priority date||Dec 30, 2006|
|Also published as||US20110021138|
|Publication number||11648745, 648745, US 7890064 B1, US 7890064B1, US-B1-7890064, US7890064 B1, US7890064B1|
|Inventors||Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran|
|Original Assignee||Broadcom Corporation|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (13), Referenced by (4), Classifications (8), Legal Events (4)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to wireless communications and, more particularly, to circuitry for wireless communications.
2. Related Art
Communication systems are known to support wireless and wire lined communications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices. Such communication systems range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-home wireless networks. Each type of communication system is constructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or more communication standards. For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordance with one or more standards, including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variations thereof.
Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptop computer, home entertainment equipment, etc., communicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communication devices. For direct communications (also known as point-to-point communications), the participating wireless communication devices tune their receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g., one of a plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wireless communication system) and communicate over that channel(s). For indirect wireless communications, each wireless communication device communicates directly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services) and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-building wireless network) via an assigned channel. To complete a communication connection between the wireless communication devices, the associated base stations and/or associated access points communicate with each other directly, via a system controller, via a public switch telephone network (PSTN), via the Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.
Each wireless communication device includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiver and transmitter) or is coupled to an associated radio transceiver (e.g., a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communication networks. RF modem, etc.). As is known, the transmitter includes a data modulation stage, one or more intermediate frequency stages, and a power amplifier stage. The data modulation stage converts raw data into baseband signals in accordance with the particular wireless communication standard. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the baseband signals with one or more local oscillations to produce RF signals. The power amplifier stage amplifies the RF signals prior to transmission via an antenna.
Typically, the data modulation stage is implemented on a baseband processor chip, while the intermediate frequency (IF) stages and power amplifier stage are implemented on a separate radio processor chip. Historically, radio integrated circuits have been designed using bi-polar circuitry, allowing for large signal swings and linear transmitter component behavior. Therefore, many legacy baseband processors employ analog interfaces that communicate analog signals to and from the radio processor.
As integrated circuit die decrease in size while the number of circuit components increases, chip layout becomes increasingly difficult and challenging. Amongst other known problems, there is increasingly greater demand for output pins to a die even though the die size is decreasing. Similarly, within the die itself, the challenge of developing internal buses and traces to support high data rate communications becomes very challenging. A need exists, therefore, for solutions that support the high data rate communications and reduce the need for pin-outs and for circuit traces within the bare die. Moreover, advancements in communication between ICs collocated within a common device or upon a common printed circuit board is needed to adequately support the forth-coming improvements in IC fabrication. Therefore, a need exists for an integrated circuit antenna structure and wireless communication applications thereof.
The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operation that are further described in the following Brief Description of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered with the following drawings, in which:
The base stations or APs 12-16 are operably coupled to the network hardware component 34 via local area network (LAN) connections 36, 38 and 40. The network hardware component 34, which may be a router, switch, bridge, modem, system controller, etc., provides a wide area network (WAN) connection 42 for the communication system 10 to an external network element such as WAN 44. Each of the base stations or access points 12-16 has an associated antenna or antenna array to communicate with the wireless communication devices in its area. Typically, the wireless communication devices 18-32 register with the particular base station or access points 12-16 to receive services from the communication system 10. For direct connections (i.e., point-to-point communications), wireless communication devices communicate directly via an allocated channel.
Typically, base stations are used for cellular telephone systems and like-type systems, while access points are used for in-home or in-building wireless networks. Regardless of the particular type of communication system, each wireless communication device includes a built-in radio and/or is coupled to a radio. For purposes of the present specification, each wireless communication device of
As illustrated, the host device 18-32 includes a processing module 50, memory 52, radio interface 54, input interface 58 and output interface 56. The processing module 50 and memory 52 execute the corresponding instructions that are typically done by the host device. For example, for a cellular telephone host device, the processing module 50 performs the corresponding communication functions in accordance with a particular cellular telephone standard.
The radio interface 54 allows data to be received from and sent to the radio 60. For data received from the radio 60 (e.g., inbound data), the radio interface 54 provides the data to the processing module 50 for further processing and/or routing to the output interface 56. The output interface 56 provides connectivity to an output display device such as a display, monitor, speakers, etc., such that the received data may be displayed. The radio interface 54 also provides data from the processing module 50 to the radio 60. The processing module 50 may receive the outbound data from an input device such as a keyboard, keypad, microphone, etc., via the input interface 58 or generate the data itself. For data received via the input interface 58, the processing module 50 may perform a corresponding host function on the data and/or route it to the radio 60 via the radio interface 54.
Radio 60 includes a host interface 62, a baseband processing module 100, memory 65, a plurality of radio frequency (RF) transmitters 106-110, a transmit/receive (T/R) module 114, a plurality of antennas 81-85, a plurality of RF receivers 118-120, and a local oscillation module 74. The baseband processing module 100, in combination with operational instructions stored in memory 65, executes digital receiver functions and digital transmitter functions, respectively. The digital receiver functions include, but are not limited to, digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, constellation demapping, decoding, de-interleaving, fast Fourier transform, cyclic prefix removal, space and time decoding, and/or descrambling. The digital transmitter functions include, but are not limited to, scrambling, encoding, interleaving, constellation mapping, modulation, inverse fast Fourier transform, cyclic prefix addition, space and time encoding, and digital baseband to IF conversion. The baseband processing module 100 may be implemented using one or more processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memory 65 may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when the baseband processing module 100 implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructions is embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.
In operation, the radio 60 receives outbound data 94 from the host device via the host interface 62. The baseband processing module 100 receives the outbound data 94 and, based on a mode selection signal 102, produces one or more outbound symbol streams 104. The mode selection signal 102 will indicate a particular mode of operation that is compliant with one or more specific modes of the various IEEE 802.11 standards. For example, the mode selection signal 102 may indicate a frequency band of 2.4 GHz, a channel bandwidth of 20 or 22 MHz and a maximum bit rate of 54 megabits-per-second. In this general category, the mode selection signal will further indicate a particular rate ranging from 1 megabit-per-second to 54 megabits-per-second. In addition, the mode selection signal will indicate a particular type of modulation, which includes, but is not limited to, Barker Code Modulation, BPSK, QPSK, CCK, 16 QAM and/or 64 QAM. The mode selection signal 102 may also include a code rate, a number of coded bits per subcarrier (NBPSC), coded bits per OFDM symbol (NCBPS), and/or data bits per OFDM symbol (NDBPS). The mode selection signal 102 may also indicate a particular channelization for the corresponding mode that provides a channel number and corresponding center frequency. The mode selection signal 102 may further indicate a power spectral density mask value and a number of antennas to be initially used for a MIMO communication.
The baseband processing module 100, based on the mode selection signal 102 produces one or more outbound symbol streams 104 from the outbound data 94. For example, if the mode selection signal 102 indicates that a single transmit antenna is being utilized for the particular mode that has been selected, the baseband processing module 100 will produce a single outbound symbol stream 104. Alternatively, if the mode selection signal 102 indicates 2, 3 or 4 antennas, the baseband processing module 100 will produce 2, 3 or 4 outbound symbol streams 104 from the outbound data 94.
Depending on the number of outbound symbol streams 104 produced by the baseband processing module 100, a corresponding number of the RF transmitters 106-110 will be enabled to convert the outbound symbol streams 104 into outbound RF signals 112. In general, each of the RF transmitters 106-110 includes a digital filter and upsampling module, a digital-to-analog conversion module, an analog filter module, a frequency up conversion module, a power amplifier, and a radio frequency bandpass filter. The RF transmitters 106-110 provide the outbound RF signals 112 to the transmit/receive module 114, which provides each outbound RF signal to a corresponding antenna 81-85.
When the radio 60 is in the receive mode, the transmit/receive module 114 receives one or more inbound RF signals 116 via the antennas 81-85 and provides them to one or more RF receivers 118-122. The RF receiver 118-122 converts the inbound RF signals 116 into a corresponding number of inbound symbol streams 124. The number of inbound symbol streams 124 will correspond to the particular mode in which the data was received. The baseband processing module 100 converts the inbound symbol streams 124 into inbound data 92, which is provided to the host device 18-32 via the host interface 62.
As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the wireless communication device of
It is generally known that an inverse relationship exists between frequency and signal wavelength. Because antennas for radiating radio frequency signals are a function of a signal wavelength, increasing frequencies result in decreasing wavelengths which therefore result in decreasing antenna lengths to support such communications. In future generations of radio frequency transceivers, the carrier frequency will exceed or be equal to at least 10 GHz, thereby requiring a relatively small monopole antenna or dipole antenna. A monopole antenna will typically be equal to a size that is equal to a one-half wavelength, while a dipole antenna will be equal to a one-quarter wavelength in size. At 60 GHz, for example, a full wavelength is 5 millimeters, thus a monopole antenna size will be approximately equal to 2.5 millimeters and dipole antenna size will be approximately equal to 1.25 millimeters. With such a small size, the antenna may be implemented on the printed circuit board of the package and/or on the die itself. As such, the embodiments of the invention include utilizing such high frequency RF signals to allow the incorporation of such small antenna either on a die or on a printed circuit board.
Printed circuit boards and die often have different layers. With respect to printed circuit boards, the different layers have different thickness and different metallization. Within the layers, dielectric areas may be created for use as electromagnetic wave guides for high frequency RF signals. Use of such wave guides provides an added benefit that the signal is isolated from outside of the printed circuit board. Further, transmission power requirements are reduced since the radio frequency signals are conducted through the dielectric in the wave guide and not through air. Thus, the embodiments of the present invention include very high frequency RF circuitry, for example, 60 GHz RF circuitry, which are mounted either on the printed circuit board or on the die to facilitate corresponding communications.
In the described embodiment of the invention, transceiver 154 is communicatively coupled to antenna 166, while transceiver 158 is communicatively coupled to antenna 170. The first and second substrate antennas 166 and 170, respectively, are operably disposed to transmit and receive radio frequency communication signals through the substrate region 162 which, in the described embodiment, is a dielectric substrate region. As may be seen, antenna 166 is operably disposed upon a top surface of dielectric substrate 162, while antenna 170 is operably disposed to penetrate into dielectric substrate 162. Each of these antenna configurations exemplifies different embodiments for substrate antennas that are for radiating and receiving radio frequency signals transmitted through dielectric substrate 162. As may further be seen from examining
In operation, transceiver 154 is a very high frequency transceiver that generates electromagnetic signals having a frequency that is greater than or equal to 10 GHz. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the electromagnetic signals are characterized by a 60 GHz (+/−5 GHz) radio frequency. One corresponding factor to using such high frequency electromagnetic signals is that short antenna lengths may be utilized that are sized small enough to be placed on or within a substrate whether that substrate is a printed circuit board or a bare die. Thus, transceiver 154 is operable to radiate through dielectric substrate 162 through antenna 166 for reception by antenna 170 for substrate transceiver 158. These transceivers are specifically named substrate transceivers herein to refer to transceivers that have been designed to communicate through a dielectric substrate, such as that shown in
It should be noted that dielectric substrate 162 is defined by a bound volume, regardless of whether metal layers 174 are included, and is the equivalent of an electromagnetic wave guide and shall be referenced herein as such. In general terms, it is expected that dielectric substrate 162 will have a reasonably uniform fabrication to reduce interference within the dielectric substrate 162. For example, metal components, or other components within the dielectric substrate, will tend to create multi-path interference and/or absorb the electromagnetic signals thereby reducing the effectiveness of the transmission. With a reasonably uniform or consistent dielectric substrate, however, low power signal transmissions may be utilized for such short range communications.
Substrate transceivers 188 and 192 are operably disposed within the dielectric substrate 184, as is each of their antennas 196 and 198, respectively, and are operable to transmit the very high frequency electromagnetic signals through the wave guide, which is formed by dielectric substrate 184. As described in relation to
Generally, while the metal layer is not required either on the top or bottom layer of the substrate, the metal is helpful to isolate the electromagnetic signals contained within the wave guide to reduce interference of those signals with external circuitry or the signals from external circuitry to interfere with the electromagnetic signals transmitted through the wave guide. The boundary of the dielectric substrate reflects the radio frequency of electromagnetic signals to keep the signals within the dielectric substrate 184 and therefore minimize interference with external circuitry and devices on top of or within the dielectric. The substrate antennas are sized and placed to radiate only through the dielectric substrate 184.
The electromagnetic signals are transmitted from transceivers 204 and 208 through the substrate antennas 212 and 216 to radiate through a dielectric substrate 220. In the embodiment shown, dielectric substrate 220 is bounded by metal layers 222 which further shield the electromagnetic signals transmitted through the wave guide that is formed by dielectric substrate 220. The dielectric substrate 220 is surrounded, as may be seen, by IC modules 224, 228 and 232. In the specific embodiment of substrate 200, one typical application would be a printed circuit board in which the dielectric substrate is formed within the printed circuit board which is then layered with metal layer 222 and operably supports ICs 224, 228 and 232. The metal layer 222 not only is operable as a shield, but may also be used to conduct signals in support of IC modules 224, 228 and 232. For exemplary purposes, transceiver 208 is operable to support communications for IC module 224 while transceiver 204 is operable to support communications for IC module 228.
Some other noteworthy configurations may also be noticed. For example, a wave guide 268 supports transmissions from transceiver 252 to transceivers 258 and 260. Alternatively, each of the transceivers 258 and 260 may transmit only to transmitter 252 through wave guide 268 because of the shape of wave guide 268. An additional configuration according to one embodiment of the invention, may be seen with wave guides 270 and 272. As may be seen, wave guide 270 overlaps wave guide 272 wherein wave guide 270 supports communications between transceivers 260 and 256, while wave guide 272 supports communications between transceivers 254 and 262. At least in this example, the wave guides 270 and 272 are overlapping but isolated from each other to prevent the electromagnetic radiation therein from interfering with electromagnetic radiation of the other wave guide.
In general, it may be seen that the wave guides shown within substrate 250 support a plurality of directional communications between associated transceivers. In the embodiment of
In an alternate embodiment, the isolating boundary is merely a different type of dielectric or other material that generates a boundary to operably reflect electromagnetic radiation away from the dielectric substrate surface containing the electromagnetic signal. As such, the isolating boundaries within the dielectric, here within dielectric substrate 308, are used to define the volume of dielectric substrate illustrated as dielectric substrate 316 to create a wave guide between substrate transceiver 304 and substrate transceiver 312. In yet another alternate embodiment, rather than creating isolated wave guides within the primary dielectric substrate, here dielectric substrate 308, directional antennas may be used to reduce or eliminate interference between signals going to different substrate transceivers. For example, if each substrate transceiver shown utilized directional antennas, then, with proper placement and alignment of substrate antennas, interference may be substantially reduced thereby avoiding the need for the creation of isolating boundaries that define a plurality of wave guides within a dielectric substrate.
Continuing to examine
In one embodiment, a low efficiency antenna may be used for communications between local intra-device transceivers and between substrate transceivers. Because the required transmission distance is very minimal since the transmissions are to local transceivers located on the same board, integrated circuit or device, local low efficient antenna structures may be utilized. Moreover by using a very high radio frequency that is at least 10 GHz, and, in one embodiment, by utilizing a frequency band of approximately 55 GHz to 65 GHz, such low efficiency antenna structures have electromagnetic properties that support operation within the desired high frequency band.
Remote communication transceiver 324, on the other hand, is for communicating with remote transceivers external to the device that houses substrate 300. Thus, for example, if intra-device transceiver 328 were to receive a short range wireless communication from another local intra-device transceiver, intra-device transceiver 328 could operably conduct the received signals to substrate transceiver 312 which would then be operable to conduct the signals through dielectric substrate 316 to substrate transceiver 304 which, in turn, could radiate the signals to substrate transceiver 302 for delivery to remote communication transceiver 324. Network/Device transceiver 324 could then transmit the communication signals in the form of electromagnetic radiation to a remote wireless transceiver.
It should be understood that the described operation herein is but one exemplary embodiment that corresponds to the block diagram of
More generally, as may be seen, the block diagram of
As may be seen, each die is separated from an adjacent die by a spacer. As such, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of four die are included, which four die are operably separated by three spacers. Each of the four die includes two substrate transceivers that are operable to communicate through a dielectric substrate operable as a wave guide. Additionally, at least one substrate transceiver is communicatively coupled to an intra-device transceiver for radiating wireless communication signals through space to another intra-device local transceiver within the multi-chip module of
In one embodiment of the invention, at least one intra-device local transceiver is operable to generate transmission signals at a power level sufficient to reach another intra-device transceiver within a device, but not outside of the multi-chip module. The antennas for the substrate transceivers are not shown for simplicity but they may be formed as described elsewhere here in this specification.
As may further be seen, each of the intra-device local transceivers includes a shown antenna for the local wireless transmissions through space. In the described embodiment of the invention, the wireless communications within the multi-chip module of
Continuing to refer to
In operation, for exemplary purposes, one substrate transceiver of a die may use the substrate to generate communication signals to another substrate transceiver for delivery to an intra-device local transceiver for subsequent radiation through space to yet another substrate and, more specifically, to an intra-device local transceiver operably disposed upon another substrate. As will be described in greater detail below, a specific addressing scheme may be used to direct communications to a specific intra-device local transceiver for further processing. For example, if a communication signal is intended to be transmitted to a remote device, such communication signal processing will occur to result in a remote transceiver receiving the communication signals by way of one or more substrates, substrate transceivers, and intra-device local transceivers.
Continuing to refer to
In one embodiment of the invention, at least one die is a flash memory chip that is collocated within the same device that a processor. The intra-device transceivers are operable to establish a high data rate communication channel to function as a memory bus. As such, no traces or lines are required to be routed from the flash memory die to the processor die. Thus, the leads shown in
One aspect of the embodiment of
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first, second and third RF signals are generated at different frequency ranges. For example, the first radio frequency signals may be generated at 60 GHz, while the second RF signals are generated at 30 GHz, while the third RF signals are generated at 2.4 GHz. Alternatively, in one embodiment of the invention, the first, second and third RF signals are all generated at a very high and substantially similar frequency. For example, each might be generated as a 60 GHz (+/−5 GHz) signal. It is understood that these frequencies refer to the carrier frequency and may be adjusted slightly to define specific channels of communication using frequency division multiple access-type techniques. More generally, however, at least the first and second RF signals are generated at a frequency that is at least as high as 10 GHz.
More specifically, it may be seen that transceiver 354 is within a peak area of its own transmissions, which peak area is shown generally at 374. Additionally, a peak area may be seen at 378. Null areas are shown at 382 and 386. Peak areas 374 and 378 and null areas 382 and 386 are in relation to transceiver 354. Each transceiver, of course, has its own relative peak and null areas that form about its transmission antenna. One aspect of the illustration of
One aspect of the embodiment of
Thus, if transceiver 354 wishes to communicate with transceiver 366 (which is in a null region for the frequency that generates the null and peak patterns shown in
Wave guide 390 couples communications between transceivers 362 and 370. While the corresponding multi-path peaks and nulls of
The method also includes generating wireless transmissions to a second local transceiver through either the same or a different and isolated wave guide (step 408). Optionally, the method of
As stated before, board 454 may be a board such as a printed circuit board that includes a dielectric substrate operable as a wave guide, or may be an integrated circuit that includes a dielectric wave guide for conducting the electromagnetic radiation. Alternatively, the transceivers 470, 474, and 478, may communicate by way of intra-device local transceivers that transmit through space but only for short distances. In one embodiment of the invention, the local intra-device transceivers are 60 GHz transceivers having very short wavelength and very short range, especially when a low power is used for the transmission. In the embodiment shown, power would be selected that would be adequate for the electromagnetic radiation to cover the desired distances but not necessarily to expand a significant distance beyond.
As may also be seen, transceiver 470 is operable to communicate with a transceiver 482 that is operably disposed on board 458 and with a transceiver 486 that is operably disposed on board 458. In this case, local intra-device wireless transceivers for transmitting through space are required since transceivers 482 and 486 are placed on a different or integrated circuit die. Similarly, transceiver 478 is operable to communicate with transceiver 490 that is operably disposed on board 466. As before, transceiver 478 and transceiver 490 communicate utilizing local intra-device wireless transceivers. As may also be seen, a local intra-device transceiver 494 on board 462 is operable to communicate with a local intra-device transceiver 498 that further includes an associated remote transceiver 502 for communicating with remote devices. As may be seen, remote transceiver 502 and local transceiver 498 are operatively coupled. Thus, it is through transceiver 502 that device 450 communicates with external remote devices.
In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the boards 454, 458, 462, and 466, are substantially leadless boards that primarily provide structural support for bare die and integrated circuits. In this embodiment, the chip-to-chip communications occur through wave guides that are operably disposed between the various integrated circuit or bare die, or through space through local wireless intra-device transceivers. Alternatively, if each board 454-466 represents a printed circuit board, then the wireless communications, whether through a substrate or through space, augment and supplement any communications that occur through traces and lead lines on the printed circuit board.
One aspect of the embodiment of device 450 shown in
Another aspect of the topology of
As described before in this specification, the substrate transceivers are operable to conduct wireless transmissions through a substrate forming a wave guide to couple to circuit portions. Thus, referring back to
Generally, in the frequency plan that is utilized for the embodiment of
A carrier frequency is assigned for each communication link between a specified pair of transceivers. As described in relation to
Referring back to
One aspect of such a system design is that the wireless transmissions may be utilized for higher bandwidth communications within a device. For example, for such short range wireless transmissions where interference is less of a problem, higher order modulation techniques and types may be utilized. Thus, referring back to
Substrate 606 includes transceivers 618 and 622, while substrate 610 includes transceivers 626 and 630 disposed thereon. Finally, substrate 614 includes transceivers 634 and 638 disposed thereon. Operationally, there are many aspects that are noteworthy in the embodiments of
As may also be seen, transceiver 590 of substrate 570 and transceiver 578 of substrate 562 are operable to communicate over a wireless communication link radiated through space (as opposed to through a substrate). On the other hand, substrate 562 and substrate 566 each include substrate transceivers 598 and 602 that are operable to communicate through substrate 554. As such, layered substrate communications may be seen in addition to wireless localized communications through space. As may also be seen, transceiver 578 of substrate 562 is operable to communicate with transceiver 634 of substrate 614 which is disposed on top of substrate 558. Similarly, transceiver 634 is operable to wirelessly communicate by radiating electromagnetic signals through space with transceiver 622 which is operably disposed on substrate 606. Transceivers 622 and 618 are operable to communicate through substrate 606, while transceivers 626 and 630 are operable to communicate through substrate 610. Finally, transceiver 634 is operable to communicate through substrate 614 with transceiver 638.
While not shown herein, it is understood that any one of these transceivers may communicate with the other transceivers and may include or be replaced by a remote transceiver for communicating with other remote devices through traditional wireless communication links. With respect to a frequency plan, as may be seen, a frequency f1 is assigned for the communication link between transceivers 578 and 634, while carrier frequency f2 is assigned for transmissions between transceivers 574 and 578. Carrier frequency f3 is assigned for transmissions between transceivers 578 and 590, as well as 622 and 634. Here, space diversity, as well as assigned power levels, is used to keep the two assignments of carrier frequency f3 from interfering with each other and creating collisions.
As another aspect of the present embodiment of the invention, the carrier frequencies may also be assigned dynamically. Such a dynamic assignment may be done by evaluating and detecting existing carrier frequencies and then assigning new and unused carrier frequencies. Such an approach may include, for example, frequency detection reporting amongst the various transceivers to enable the logic for any associated transceiver to determine what frequency to dynamically assign for a pending communication. The considerations associated with making such dynamic frequency assignments includes the power level of the transmission, whether the transmission is with a local intra-device transceiver or with a remote transceiver, and whether the detected signal is from another local intra-device transceiver or from a remote transceiver.
References to local transceivers are specifically to transceivers that are operably disposed within the same integrated circuit, printed circuit board or device. As such, the communication signals utilizing the frequency diversity are signals that are specifically intended for local transceivers and are, in most embodiments, low power high frequency radio frequency signals. Typical frequencies for these local communications are at least 10 GHz. In one specific embodiment, the signals are characterized by a 60 GHz carrier frequency.
These high frequency wireless transmissions may comprise electromagnetic radiations through space or through a substrate, and more particularly, through a wave guide formed by a dielectric substrate formed within a die of an integrated circuit or within a board (including but not limited to printed circuit boards). Thus, the method further includes transmitting from a fourth local transceiver operably coupled to the first local transceiver through a wave guide formed within the substrate to a fifth local transceiver operably disposed to communicate through the substrate (step 658).
In one embodiment of the invention, the fourth local transceiver utilizes a permanently assigned carrier frequency for the transmissions through the wave guide. In a different embodiment of the invention, the fourth local transceiver utilizes a determined carrier frequency for the transmissions through the wave guide, wherein the determined carrier frequency is chosen to match a carrier frequency being transmitted by the first local transceiver. This approach advantageously reduces a frequency conversion step.
With respect to the carrier frequencies for the electromagnetic radiations to other local transceivers through space, the first and second carrier frequencies are statically and permanently assigned in one embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the first and second carrier frequencies are dynamically assigned based upon detected carrier frequencies. Utilizing dynamically assigned carrier frequencies is advantageous in that interference may further be reduced or eliminated by using frequency diversity to reduce the likelihood of collisions or interference. A disadvantage, however, is that more overhead is required in that this embodiment includes logic for the transmission of identified carrier frequencies or channels amongst the local transceivers to coordinate frequency selection.
The collision avoidance scheme is utilized for communications comprising very high radio frequency signals equal to or greater than 10 GHz in frequency for local transceiver communications amongst local transceivers operably disposed within the same device and even within the same supporting substrate. Referring to
In addition to the example of
For exemplary purposes, the embodiment of
At least one intra-device local transceiver is formed upon each of the first, second, third and fourth radio transceiver integrated circuit die 708-720 and is operable to support wireless communications with at least one other of the intra-device local transceivers formed upon the first, second, third and fourth radio transceiver integrated circuit die 708-720.
The first and second intra-device local transceivers are operable to wirelessly communicate with intra-device local transceivers utilizing a specified collision avoidance scheme. More specifically, in the embodiment of
As another aspect of the embodiment of
In the example of
As may also be seen, a local transceiver 744 is operable to detect clear-to-send signal 736 and to forward the clear-to-send signal 736 to each local transceiver on the same die 720 by way of local transceivers. In the example shown, local transceiver 744 sends clear-to-send signal 736 to a transceiver 748 by way of substrate transceivers within die 720.
In one embodiment, the request-to-send signal is only generated for data packets that exceed a specified size. As another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, any local transceiver that detects a clear-to-send signal response sets a timer and delays any transmissions on the channel used to transmit the clear-to-send signal for a specified period. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a local transceiver merely listens for activity on a specified channel and transmits if no communications are detected.
The collision avoidance scheme in a different embodiment is a master/slave scheme similar to that used in personal area networks including Bluetooth™ protocol or standard devices. As such, a local transceiver is operable to control a communication as a master or to participate as directed in the role of a slave in the master/slave protocol communications. Further, the local transceiver is operable to operate as a master for one communication while operating as a slave in a different but concurrent communication.
While the primary collision avoidance scheme shown here in
For example, a master/slave scheme is used for intra-device transceivers while a carrier sense scheme is used to avoid collisions within integrated circuit 776. Moreover, such schemes may be assigned for other communications including board-to-board (a local intra-device transceiver on a first board to a local intra-device transceiver on a second board). Moreover, any known collision avoidance scheme may also be used by remote communications transceiver 778 for remote communications (communications with remote devices). Use of carrier sense and master/slave schemes are particularly advantageous for communications that are not separated through frequency diversity (FDMA transmissions), space diversity (directional antennas), or even code diversity if a code division multiple access (CDMA) scheme is utilized to avoid collisions between intra-device local transceivers.
In one embodiment of the invention, the step of transmitting the request-to-send signal occurs only when the data packet to be transmitted exceeds a specified size. Finally, the method includes receiving a clear-to-send signal from a third local transceiver and determining to delay any further transmissions for a specified period (step 812). Generally, the method described in relation to
The plurality of local transceivers of
A given local transceiver of
Each local transceiver, for example, the first and second local transceivers, is operable to select a downstream local transceiver for receiving a communication based upon loading. Loading is evaluated for at least one of an integrated circuit or a communication link. Each originating local transceiver is further operable to specify a final destination address for a communication and to make transmission decisions based upon the final destination address in addition to specifying a destination address for a next destination of a communication (the next hop) and to make transmission decisions based upon a final destination address. Finally, it should be noted that the mesh communication paths may be determined statically or dynamically. Thus, evaluating loading condition is one embodiment in which the routing is determined dynamically. In an alternate embodiment, however, communication routing may also be determined statically on a permanent basis.
Within each of the devices 904-912, intra-device local transceivers 920 communicate with each other at very high radio frequencies that are at least 10 GHz to provide access to a specific circuit module within the device. For example, intra-device local transceivers 920 may be utilized to provide access to memory 924 or processor 928 of device 904, to processors 932 and 936 of device 908, or to processor 940 and sensor 944 of device 912. Additionally, where available, access may also be provide through substrate communications using substrate transceivers 948. In the described embodiments, the substrate processors operate at very high radio frequencies of at least 10 GHz.
Within each device, the frequencies used may be statically or dynamically assigned as described herein this specification. Further, mesh networking concepts described herein this specification may be used to conduct communications through out a device to provide access to a specified circuit module. Additionally, the described collision avoidance techniques may be utilized including use of a clear-to-send approach or a master/slave approach to reduce interference and collisions.
As one application of all of the described embodiments, a tester may access any given circuit block or element using any combination of the remote communication transceivers 916, the intra-device local transceivers 920 or the substrate transceivers 948. As another application, such inter-device and intra-device communications may be used for resource sharing. Thus, for example, a large memory device may be placed in one location while a specialty application device and a computing device are placed in other locations. Such wireless communications thus support remote access to computing power of the computing device, to memory of the memory device or to the specific sensor of the specialty application device. While
As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the term “substantially” or “approximately”, as may be used herein, provides an industry-accepted tolerance to its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to twenty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As one of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate, the term “operably coupled”, as may be used herein, includes direct coupling and indirect coupling via another component, element, circuit, or module where, for indirect coupling, the intervening component, element, circuit, or module does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As one of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as “operably coupled”.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Moreover, the various embodiments illustrated in the Figures may be partially combined to create embodiments not specifically described but considered to be part of the invention. For example, specific aspects of any one embodiment may be combined with another aspect of another embodiment or even with another embodiment in its entirety to create a new embodiment that is a part of the inventive concepts disclosed herein this specification. As may be seen, the described embodiments may be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope or teachings of the invention.
|Cited Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US5754948 *||Dec 29, 1995||May 19, 1998||University Of North Carolina At Charlotte||Millimeter-wave wireless interconnection of electronic components|
|US6263193 *||Mar 20, 1998||Jul 17, 2001||Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba||Microwave transmitter/receiver module|
|US6542720 *||Mar 1, 1999||Apr 1, 2003||Micron Technology, Inc.||Microelectronic devices, methods of operating microelectronic devices, and methods of providing microelectronic devices|
|US6856788 *||Apr 20, 2001||Feb 15, 2005||Mastek International||Wireless IC interconnection method and system|
|US6942157 *||Sep 11, 2002||Sep 13, 2005||International Business Machines Corporation||Data processing system and data processing method|
|US7126151 *||Jan 6, 2003||Oct 24, 2006||The Regents Of The University Of Colorado, A Body Corporate||Interconnected high speed electron tunneling devices|
|US7177515 *||May 6, 2002||Feb 13, 2007||The Regents Of The University Of Colorado||Surface plasmon devices|
|US7330702 *||Jan 31, 2005||Feb 12, 2008||Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.||Method and apparatus for inter-chip wireless communication|
|US7379713 *||Jun 29, 2004||May 27, 2008||Infineon Technologies Ag||Method for wireless data interchange between circuit units within a package, and circuit arrangement for performing the method|
|US7590397 *||Sep 9, 2004||Sep 15, 2009||Sony Corporation||Signal processing apparatus and signal processing method, program, and recording medium|
|US7617342 *||Nov 10, 2009||Broadcom Corporation||Universal serial bus dongle device with wireless telephony transceiver and system for use therewith|
|US20040105476 *||Aug 19, 2003||Jun 3, 2004||Wasserbauer John G.||Planar waveguide surface emitting laser and photonic integrated circuit|
|US20090125746 *||Jan 12, 2009||May 14, 2009||Broadcom Corporation||Integrated circuit with intra-chip clock interface and methods for use therewith|
|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US8212727 *||Apr 21, 2009||Jul 3, 2012||Ralink Technology Corporation||Antenna and wireless transceiver using the same|
|US8688153 *||Sep 8, 2011||Apr 1, 2014||Sony Corporation||Signal transmission apparatus, electronic device, and signal transmission method|
|US20100265141 *||Oct 21, 2010||Ralink Technology Corporation||Antenna and wireless transceiver using the same|
|US20120094614 *||Sep 8, 2011||Apr 19, 2012||Sony Corporation||Signal transmission apparatus, electronic device, and signal transmission method|
|U.S. Classification||455/84, 455/79, 257/723, 455/90.1, 235/492|
|Jun 22, 2007||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: BROADCOM CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ROFOUGARAN, AHMADREZA (REZA);REEL/FRAME:019468/0957
Effective date: 20061229
|Sep 3, 2014||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4
|Sep 3, 2014||SULP||Surcharge for late payment|
|Feb 11, 2016||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NORTH
Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:BROADCOM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:037806/0001
Effective date: 20160201