Public defence in Micro- and Nanoelectronic Circuit Design, M.Sc.(Tech.) Tze Cheung

The title of the thesis: Time-Based Frequency Synthesis Solutions For Integrated Radio Transceivers

Thesis defender: Tze Cheung
Opponent: Prof. Ilkka Nissinen, University of Oulu, Finland
Custos: Prof. Jussi Ryynänen, Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering

Modern communication technologies have facilitated extensive connectivity within society, providing access to the global internet and enabling interpersonal communication through a robust wireless infrastructure. Wireless internet access plays a pivotal role in empowering mobile devices to access the vast knowledge and functionalities offered by the web. The advent of fifth-generation and beyond communication necessitates innovations in transceiver performance, and specifically for this thesis, in frequency synthesis, driving the need to discover new methods of meeting the stringent requirements of future applications.

In this doctoral dissertation, advanced frequency synthesis methods focusing on open-loop fractional frequency dividers are enhanced with quantization error compensation. The thesis presents novel applications of phase modulation-based quantization error compensation techniques for radio frequency transceivers and for extending the frequency range of frequency synthesizers. The thesis explores the dual application of time-based phase modulation techniques both for mitigating quantization errors to achieve cleaner synthesized signals and for functioning as phase modulators in upcoming wireless communication systems.

In this thesis work, three different prototype chips have been designed and thoroughly analyzed for their suitability for frequency synthesis. The first and second prototypes include open-loop fractional frequency dividers with quantization error compensation (QEC) circuits in the form of phase interpolators (PI) and phase modulators (PM). Custom printed circuit boards were designed alongside the prototypes in order to fully characterize their performance and suitability for frequency range extension. Finally, a third prototype chip was designed, which included a time-based wide-range tuneable phase modulator. The main goal and result of the third prototype was to find alternative use cases for phase modulators outside the frequency synthesis sphere.

With these prototypes, it has been shown that time-based quantization error compensation techniques in the form of phase modulation can be used to improve the performance of existing frequency synthesis systems by extending their operable frequency range while ensuring high signal quality.

Key words: Phase Modulator, Phase Interpolator, Quantization Error Compensation, Frequency Synthesis, Transceiver

Thesis available for public display 7 days prior to the defence at Aalto University's public display page.

Contact: 
E-mail: tze.cheung@aalto.fi