Nanoelectronics research centre imec, along with the Holst Centre, has developed a novel phase-tracking receiver which is said to bring further power and cost reduction for next generation Bluetooth and IEEE802.15.4 chips.
According to the partners, the digital-style receiver is three times smaller than current devices and supports supplies as low as 0.85V, while consuming less than 1.6mW peak. It also features a low power antenna impedance detection technique to enhance radio performance, particularly in wearables or implantable devices.
Imec’s receiver concept is said to consume less than 1nJ/bit, while maintaining an RX sensitivity similar to that of leading devices. Digital phase-tracking translates the RF input directly to demodulated digital data, while digitally controlled oscillator is used instead of a phase locked loop. The receiver, implemented in 40nm CMOS, occupies 0.3mm2, is claimed to allow cost efficient manufacturing.
An integrated, sub mW impedance detection technique for ultra-low power radios enables tunable matching between the antenna and the radio front-end. This approach can be implemented in an adaptive radio front-end to improve receiver sensitivity and transmitter efficiency in the presence of antenna impedance variations.
“This innovative receiver concept will not only serve the new Bluetooth 5 devices, but also provide our industrial partners with a long term competitive advantage for multiple new generations of Bluetooth and 802.15.4 radios,” said Kathleen Philips, director of the imec/Holst Centre Perceptive Systems programme. “This achievement is a confirmation of our continuous efforts to push the technology limits toward ever higher performance, lower power consumption and smaller form factor, which are essential features for IoT radio solutions.”
Author
Graham Pitcher
Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk