GSM transceiver with time division duplexed operations for receiving data, monitoring signal strength and transmitting data during a single time frame

• US 6,757,261 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2000
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation (Texas Instruments, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation (Texas Instruments, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yeung, Steve, Olgaard, Christian Volf
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HANH N
• Application Number:
  US09/643,275
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 370/347, 370/314, 370/276, 370/277, 370/278, 370/280, 370/282, 370/458, 370/294, 370/329, 370/336, 370/337, 370/442, 370/468, 370/470, 370/473, 370/281, 370/345, 370/350, 370/509, 370/510, 370/478, 455/450, 455/70, 455/68, 455/69, 455/118
• US Class Current: 370/280
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/364 Arrangements for overcoming imperfections in the modulator, e.g. quadrature error or unbalanced I and Q levels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0245 according to signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A Global System for Mobile (GSM) cellular system transceiver with time division duplexed operations for receiving a data signal, monitoring received signal strength and transmitting a data signal during a single time frame. Multiple data registers are used to store the phase lock loop (PLL) frequency control data, e.g., during the last time slot (slot 7) of the prior time frame (or elsewhere in the prior time frame where time permits). Also during slot 7 of the prior time frame, the PLL is programmed using the first data set for the data reception operation to be performed during one or more of the initial time slots (e.g., time slots 0-3) of the present time frame. During the next time slot (e.g., slot 4), the PLL is programmed using the second data set for the signal strength monitoring operation to be performed during that same time slot. During the next time slot (e.g., slot 5), the PLL is programmed using the third data set for the data transmission operation to be performed beginning in that same time slot. By prestoring all three PLL frequency control data sets, such data sets are immediately available when later programming the PLL, thereby reducing the PLL setup time needed prior to each use. Consequently, an integer PLL can be used instead of a fractional PLL while still achieving a sufficiently fast combined setup and lock time, thereby minimizing integrated circuit area and power requirements.

Claims

1. An apparatus including a GSM transceiver with time division duplexed operations for receiving a data signal and transmitting a data signal during a single time frame, comprising:

a receiver stage configured to receive a local signal and in accordance therewith receive and frequency convert an incoming data signal during a first portion of a plurality of time slots within a present time frame and in accordance therewith provide a frequency converted incoming data signal;

a transmitter stage configured to receive said local signal and in accordance therewith receive and frequency convert an outgoing data signal during a second portion of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame and in accordance therewith provide a frequency converted outgoing data signal;

a signal generator stage, coupled to said receiver and transmitter stages, configured to receive first and second sets of control data and in accordance therewith provide said local signal at first and second signal frequencies during said first and second portions, respectively, of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame; and

a controller stage, coupled to said signal generator stage, configured to receive and store said first and second sets of control data during a prior time frame and to provide to said signal generator stage one of said first and second sets of control data during a first time interval between said first and second portions of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiver stage comprises:

a frequency conversion stage configured to frequency convert said incoming data signal and in accordance therewith provide said frequency converted incoming data signal; and

a quadrature mixer stage, coupled to said frequency conversion stage, configured to receive and convert said frequency converted incoming data signal to a quadrature baseband data signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transmitter stage comprises:

a quadrature mixer stage configured to receive and convert said outgoing data signal to a quadrature data signal; and

a frequency conversion stage, coupled to said quadrature mixer stage, configured to receive said local signal and in accordance therewith receive and frequency convert said quadrature data signal and in accordance therewith provide said frequency converted outgoing data signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said signal generator stage comprises an integer phase lock loop circuit.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said controller stage comprises:

a first data register configured to store said first set of control data; and

a second data register configured to store said second set of control data.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first time interval has a duration which is less than one of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller stage comprises:

a first data register configured to store said first set of control data; and

a second data register configured to store said second set of control data.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first time interval has a duration which is less than one of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said receiver stage is further configured to monitor another incoming signal during a third portion of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame and in accordance therewith provide an indication of a signal strength of said another incoming signal;

said signal generator stage is further configured to receive a third set of control data and in accordance therewith provide said local signal at a third signal frequency during said third portion of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame; and

said controller stage is further configured to receive and store said third set of control data during said prior time frame and to provide to said signal generator stage another of said first, second and third sets of control data during a second time interval between said first and third portions of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said controller stage comprises:

a first data register configured to store said first set of control data;

a second data register configured to store said second set of control data; and

a third data register configured to store said third set of control data.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of said first and second time intervals has a duration which is less than one of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

12. An apparatus including a GSM transceiver with time division duplexed operations for receiving a data signal and transmitting a data signal during a single time frame, comprising:

receiver means for receiving a local signal and in accordance therewith receiving and frequency converting an incoming data signal during a first portion of a plurality of time slots within a present time frame and in accordance therewith providing a frequency converted incoming data signal;

transmitter means for receiving said local signal and in accordance therewith receiving and frequency converting an outgoing data signal during a second portion of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame and in accordance therewith providing a frequency converted outgoing data signal;

signal generator means for receiving first and second sets of control data and in accordance therewith providing said local signal at first and second signal frequencies during said first and second portions, respectively, of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame; and

controller means for receiving and storing said first and second sets of control data during a prior time frame and for providing to said signal generator stage one of said first and second sets of control data during a first time interval between said first and second portions of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said receiver means comprises:

frequency conversion means for frequency converting said incoming data signal and in accordance therewith providing said frequency converted incoming data signal; and

quadrature mixer means for receiving and converting said frequency converted incoming data signal to a quadrature baseband data signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said transmitter means comprises:

quadrature mixer means for receiving and converting said outgoing data signal to a quadrature data signal; and

frequency conversion means for receiving said local signal and in accordance therewith receiving and frequency converting said quadrature data signal and in accordance therewith providing said frequency converted outgoing data signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said signal generator means comprises integer phase lock loop means.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said controller means comprises:

first data storage means for storing said first set of control data; and

second data storage means for storing said second set of control data.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first time interval has a duration which is less than one of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said controller means comprises:

first data storage means for storing said first set of control data; and

second data storage means for storing said second set of control data.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first time interval has a duration which is less than one of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

said receiver means is further for receiving said local signal and in accordance therewith monitoring another incoming signal during a third portion of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame and in accordance therewith providing an indication of a signal strength of said another incoming signal;

said signal generator means is further for receiving a third set of control data and in accordance therewith providing said local signal at a third signal frequency during said third portion of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame; and

said controller means is further for receiving and storing said third set of control data during said prior time frame and for providing to said signal generator stage another of said first, second and third sets of control data during a second time interval between said first and third portions of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said controller means comprises:

first data storage means for storing said first set of control data;

second data storage means for storing said second set of control data; and

third data storage means for storing said third set of control data.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of said first and second time intervals has a duration which is less than one of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

23. A method for time division duplexing operations within a GSM transceiver for receiving a data signal and transmitting a data signal during a single time frame, comprising the steps of:

storing first and second sets of frequency control data during a prior time frame;

reading said first set of frequency control data during a first time interval and in accordance therewith generating a local signal at a first frequency;

receiving and frequency converting an incoming data signal in accordance with said local signal at said first frequency during a first portion of a plurality of time slots within a present time frame and in accordance therewith generating a frequency converted incoming data signal;

reading said second set of frequency control data during a second time interval and in accordance therewith generating said local signal at a second frequency; and

receiving and frequency converting an outgoing data signal in accordance with said local signal at said second frequency during a second portion of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame and in accordance therewith generating a frequency converted outgoing data signal;

wherein one of said first and second time intervals is between said first and second portions of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of receiving and frequency converting an incoming data signal in accordance with said local signal at said first frequency during a first portion of a plurality of time slots within a present time frame and in accordance therewith generating a frequency converted incoming data signal comprises:

frequency converting said incoming data signal and in accordance therewith providing said frequency converted incoming data signal; and

converting said frequency converted incoming data signal to a quadrature baseband data signal.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of receiving and frequency converting an outgoing data signal in accordance with said local signal at said second frequency during a second portion of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame and in accordance therewith generating a frequency converted outgoing data signal comprises:

converting said outgoing data signal to a quadrature data signal; and

receiving said local signal and in accordance therewith receiving and frequency converting said quadrature data signal and in accordance therewith providing said frequency converted outgoing data signal.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said steps of reading said first, second and third sets of frequency control data during said first, second and third time intervals and in accordance therewith generating said local signal at said first, second and third frequencies, respectively comprise generating said local signal at said first, second and third frequencies with an integer phase lock loop.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of storing first and second sets of frequency control data during a prior time frame comprises storing said first and second sets of frequency control data in first and second data registers.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said one of said first and second time intervals has a duration which is less than one of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of storing first and second sets of frequency control data during a prior time frame comprises storing said first and second sets of frequency control data in first and second data registers.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein said one of said first and second time intervals has a duration which is less than one of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

storing a third set of frequency control data during said prior time frame;

reading said third set of frequency control data during a third time interval and in accordance therewith generating said local signal at a third frequency; and

monitoring another incoming signal in accordance with said local signal at said third frequency during a third portion of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame;

wherein another of said first, second and third time intervals is between said first and third portions of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said steps of storing first, second and third sets of frequency control data during a prior time frame comprises storing said first, second and third sets of frequency control data in first, second and third data registers.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein said one and said another of said first, second and third time intervals each has a duration which is less than one of said plurality of time slots within said present time frame.