A low complexity multi standard dual band CMOS polar transmitter for smart utility networks

Abstract

A low complexity low power transmitter architecture for narrow band applications is presented, consisting of two single polar transmitters for the 900 MHz and the 2.4 GHz band, respectively. Only a single 1.8 GHz local oscillator signal is used employing self-upmixing for the 2.4 GHz output. The transmitter supports arbitrary IQ modulation schemes and OFDM to fulfill the Bluetooth 4.0 "Smart", IEEE 802.15.4/Zigbee, IEEE 802.15.4g "SUN" (Smart Metering Utility Networks), and IEEE 802.11ah Sub-GHz WLAN standards. Special emphasis is placed on keeping the digital signal processing power efficient while preserving enough flexibility to fulfill all mentioned standards. The low complexity polar transmitter frontends are also described in detail. The intended output power is 24 dBm for the lower band and 13 dBm for the upper band to achieve high ranges even without additional external power amplifiers. The transmitter is used in a system-on-a-chip RF transceiver for smart utility networks and the internet of things. It has been fabricated in a 130-nm CMOS technology.

A design methodology of transformer-based class-E power amplifier

“…PA is one of the most critical and power-consuming components in the transmitter architecture. The PA as a component has different topologies such as differential PA [16,17], cascade PA, [18,19] and cascode PA [20,21], to name a few. The PA does come with design trade-offs between different electrical parameters such as efficiency, power, gain, and linearity.…”