Circuit coupling
View Patent ↗An apparatus for coupling a baseband integrated circuit that uses a first signalling standard to a radio frequency integrated circuit that uses a second signalling standard includes a buffer coupled to the baseband integrated circuit and a resistor network coupled between the buffer and the radio frequency integrated circuit. The resistor network implements a voltage divider so as to convert a first voltage used by the baseband integrated circuit to a second voltage used by the radio frequency integrated circuit. The apparatus may be used in a mobile telecommunications device.
1. Apparatus for coupling a baseband integrated circuit that uses a first signaling standard to a radio frequency integrated circuit that uses a second signaling standard, the apparatus comprising:
a buffer, disposed along a transmission line between the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit; and
a resistor network coupled between the buffer and the radio frequency integrated circuit, the resistor network implementing a voltage divider so as to convert a first voltage used by the baseband integrated circuit to a second voltage used by the radio frequency integrated circuit;
wherein the buffer operates to isolate an impedance at an input to the buffer from the resistor network.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the baseband integrated circuit uses a Low-Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) standard and the radio frequency integrated circuit uses a Scalable Low-Voltage Signaling (SLVS) standard.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the resistor network comprises:
a first resistor coupled between a voltage source and a first node, the first node being coupled to an output of the buffer;
a second resistor coupled between the first node and a second node, the second node being coupled to an input of the radio frequency integrated circuit; and
a third resistor coupled between the second node and ground.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , comprising a coupling capacitor coupled between the voltage source and the first resistor.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus forms part of one of two signaling lines in a differential signaling system, the differential signaling system coupling the baseband integrated circuit to the radio frequency integrated circuit;
and wherein the buffer operates to relax requirements of the first signaling standard concerning outputs from the baseband integrated circuit.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein resistance values of a plurality of resistors in the resistor network are selected to match a line impedance of the coupling between the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit.
7. Apparatus for coupling a baseband integrated circuit that uses a first signaling standard to a radio frequency integrated circuit that uses a second signaling standard, the apparatus comprising:
a buffer disposed along a transmission line between the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit;
a resistor network coupled between the buffer and the radio frequency integrated circuit, the resistor network implementing a voltage divider so as to convert a first voltage used by the baseband integrated circuit to a second voltage used by the radio frequency integrated circuit, the resistor network comprising:
a first resistor coupled between a voltage source and a first node, the first node being arranged to receive a signal from the baseband integrated circuit;
a second resistor coupled between the first node and a second node, the second node being coupled to an input of the second integrated circuit; and
a third resistor coupled between the second node and ground; and
a coupling capacitor coupled between the voltage source and the first resistor, performing impedance matching for low-voltage differential signaling;
wherein the buffer operates to isolate an impedance at an input to the buffer from the resistor network.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the baseband integrated circuit uses a Low-Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) standard and the radio frequency integrated circuit uses a Scalable Low-Voltage Signaling (SLVS) standard.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the apparatus forms part of one of two signaling lines in a differential signaling system, the differential signalling signaling system coupling the baseband integrated circuit to the radio frequency integrated circuit;
and wherein the buffer operates to relax requirements of the first signaling standard concerning outputs from the baseband integrated circuit.
10. A mobile communications device comprising:
a baseband integrated circuit for performing baseband processing of a signal, the baseband integrated circuit using a first signaling standard;
a radio frequency integrated circuit for performing radio frequency processing of a signal, the radio frequency integrated circuit using a second signaling standard; and
an interface for coupling the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit, the interface comprising:
a buffer disposed along a transmission line between the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit; and
a resistor network coupled to the output of the buffer, the resistor network implementing a voltage divider so as to convert a first voltage used by one of the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit to a second voltage used by the other of the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit;
wherein the buffer operates to isolate an impedance at an input to the buffer from the resistor network.
11. The mobile communications device of claim 10 , comprising a voltage source coupled to the resistor network via a coupling capacitor.
12. The mobile communications device of claim 10 , wherein the buffer and resistor network form part of a first differential transmission line, a second differential transmission line comprising a further buffer and a further resistor network.
13. The mobile communications device of claim 10 , wherein the baseband integrated circuit uses a Low-Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) standard and the radio frequency integrated circuit uses a Scalable Low-Voltage Signaling (SLVS) standard.
14. A method for communicating a data signal between a baseband integrated circuit that uses a first signaling standard and a radio frequency integrated circuit that uses a second signaling standard comprising:
receiving a data signal output from one of the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit;
buffering the data signal using a buffer disposed along a transmission line between the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit while isolating an impedance seen at an input to the buffer from an output of the buffer;
adjusting a voltage of the buffered data signal from a first voltage used by said one of the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit to a second voltage used by the other of the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit; and
passing the data signal to an input of said other of the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit.
15. The method of claim 14 , comprising:
applying a voltage source to the resistor network via a coupling capacitor.
16. Apparatus for coupling a baseband integrated circuit that uses a first signaling standard to a radio frequency integrated circuit that uses a second signaling standard, the apparatus comprising: a buffer disposed along a transmission line between the baseband integrated circuit and the radio frequency integrated circuit, the buffer being arranged to adjust a voltage of the data signal from a first voltage specified by the second signaling standard to a second voltage specified by the first signaling standard, and the buffer being arranged to isolate an impedance seen at an input to the buffer from an impedance seen at an output of the buffer.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the baseband integrated circuit uses a Low-Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) standard and the radio frequency integrated circuit uses a Scalable Low-Voltage Signaling (SLVS) standard.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the method is performed on one of two signaling lines in a differential signaling system, the differential signaling system coupling the baseband integrated circuit to the radio frequency integrated circuit;
and wherein buffering the data signal while isolating the impedance is performed by a buffer that operates to relax requirements of the first signaling standard concerning outputs from the baseband integrated circuit.
19. The mobile communications device according to claim 10 , wherein the interface forms part of one of two signaling lines in a differential signaling system, the differential signaling system coupling the baseband integrated circuit to the radio frequency integrated circuit;
and wherein the buffer operates to relax requirements of the first signaling standard concerning outputs from the baseband integrated circuit.