A 20-Mb/s Pulse Harmonic Modulation Transceiver for Wideband Near-Field Data Transmission

This brief presents a fully integrated low-power transceiver for wideband near-field data transmission across inductive telemetry links based on pulse harmonic modulation (PHM). This PHM transceiver uses two narrow pulses with specific amplitudes and timing at the transmitter (Tx) to suppress intersymbol interference (ISI) at the receiver (Rx) high-Q LC tank to achieve high data rates (DRs) without reducing the inductive link quality factor to extend its bandwidth. This method significantly improves the range and selectivity of the link. The PHM Rx architecture is based on noncoherent energy detection utilizing a novel pulse-based automatic gain control circuit, which significantly reduces the power consumption (46%) and ISI at short coupling distances. The PHM transceiver was fabricated in a 0.35- μm standard CMOS process and achieved a measured DR of 20 Mb/s with a bit error rate of 8.7×10^-8 at a 10-mm distance using planar figure-8 coils. The PHM Tx and Rx power consumptions were 180 and 12.15 pJ/bit, respectively, at a 1.8-V supply voltage.