Method and system for frequency-shift based chip-to-chip communications

• US 8,090,313 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rofougaran, Ahmadreza
• Primary Examiner(s): PHU, SANH D
• Application Number:
  US12/056,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20090247213A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 455/20, 455/550.1, 455/14, 455/15, 455/21
• US Class Current: 455/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/155 Ground-based stations H04B7/204 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2027/0083 Signalling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/20 Repeater circuits; Relay circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/0014 Carrier regulation of chaotic carriers H04L27/001; for multicarrier receivers H04L27/2657
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/16 Frequency regulation arrangements

Abstract

Aspects of a method and system for frequency-shift based chip-to-chip communications may include receiving and/or generating modulation control information and demodulation control information within a chip comprising one or more receivers and one or more transmitters. One or more modulation frequencies may be adjusted and utilized to generate transmit signals by the one or more transmitters based on the received modulation control information, wherein the one or more modulation frequencies may be distinct. One or more demodulation frequencies may be adjusted and utilized to generate intermediate frequency signals by the one or more receivers based on the received demodulation control information wherein the one or more demodulation frequencies may be distinct. The modulation control information and the demodulation control information may be received via a communication device comprising said chip.

Claims

1. A method for processing communication signals, the method comprising:

in a communication device comprising a plurality of chips;

receiving control information within a first one of said plurality of chips comprising one or more receivers and one or more transmitters;

adjusting a frequency of a local oscillator signal in said first chip based on said received control information;

demodulating, utilizing said local oscillator signal, a first RF signal having a first center frequency to generate one or more first intermediate frequency signals, said first RF signal having been received wirelessly from a second chip of said communication device;

modulating, utilizing said local oscillator signal, said one or more first intermediate frequency signals to generate a second RF signal centered at a second frequency; and

transmitting said second RF signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising receiving said control information from a device external to said communication device.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising receiving said control information on a link operating in a frequency band different from said first frequency and said second frequency.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said frequency band of said link is a Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN link.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first frequency and second frequency are in the 60 GHz band.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising combining said one or more first intermediate frequency signals with one or more second intermediate frequency signals, wherein said one or more first intermediate frequency signals are generated from one or more signals received via a first antenna of said first chip and said one or more second intermediate frequency signals are generated from one or more signals received via a second antenna of said first chip.

7. The method according to claim 1, comprising generating intermediate frequency signals for one or more transmitters of said first chip in accordance with multiple antenna transmission protocols.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising reducing radio frequency interference during said adjustment of said local oscillator frequency.

9. A system for processing communication signals, the system comprising:

one or more circuits in a communication device, said one or more circuits comprising a plurality of chips, and said one or more circuits being operable to;

receive control information within a first one of said plurality of chips comprising one or more receivers and one or more transmitters;

adjust a frequency of a local oscillator signal in said first chip based on said received control information;

demodulate, utilizing said local oscillator signal, a first RF signal having a first center frequency to generate one or more intermediate frequency signals, said first RF signal having been received wirelessly from a second chip of said communication device;

modulate, utilizing said local oscillator signal, said one or more intermediate frequency signals to generate a second RF signal centered at a second frequency; and

transmit said second RF signal.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said one or more circuits receive said control information from a device external to said communication device.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein said one or more circuits receive said control information on a link operating in a frequency band different from said first frequency and said second frequency.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said frequency band of said link is a Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN link.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein said first frequency and second frequency are in the 60 GHz band.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein said one or more circuits combine said one or more first intermediate frequency signals with one or more second intermediate frequency signals, wherein said first one or more intermediate frequency signals are generated from one or more signals received via a first antenna of said first chip and said one or more second intermediate frequency signals are generated from one or more signals received via a second antenna of said first chip.

15. The system according to claim 9, wherein said one or more circuits generate intermediate frequency signals for one or more transmitters of said first chip in accordance with multiple antenna transmission protocols.

16. The system according to claim 9, wherein said one or more circuits reduce radio frequency interference during said adjustment of said local oscillator frequency.