Radio frequency (RF) blocking detection in RF front-end circuits

Abstract

Radio frequency (RF) blocking detection in a radio frequency (RF) front-end circuit is provided. In embodiments disclosed herein, the RF front-end circuit includes a plurality of detector circuits configured to measure intensities of received RF signals at a plurality of measurement points of an RF receive path and report the measured intensities at each of the measurement points to a congestion detection circuit. Based on the measured intensities at the respective measurement points, the blocking detection circuit can determine the presence and location of an RF blocking inside or outside the signal passband of the received RF signal. Thus, the blocking detection circuit can take a corrective action locally and / or report detected RF blocking to the transceiver circuit to trigger an appropriate corrective action in the transceiver circuit. Thus, RF blocking around the signal passband can be blocked or suppressed to help improve receiver sensitivity of the RF receive path.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 393,565, filed on July 29, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The disclosed technology generally relates to detecting radio frequency (RF) blocking bands and / or signals in RF front-end circuits. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication devices have become increasingly ubiquitous in today's society. The popularity of these wireless communication devices is driven in part by the many features now enabled on such devices. Increased processing power in such devices has meant that wireless communication devices have evolved from being mere communication tools to mobile multimedia centers capable of enhancing the user experience.

[0005] Wireless communication devices in the prior art generally support multiple wireless communication systems for implementing multiple wireless communication applications. For example, in addition to supporting the fifth generation (5G) and / or 5G new radio (5G-NR) for long-range wireless communication, wireless communication devices also need to support short-range wireless communication based on multiple alternative wireless communication technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband (UWB), ZigBee, etc.

[0006] Due to the scarcity of radio frequency (RF) spectrum suitable for wireless communication, many long-range and short-range wireless communication systems are forced to share the radio spectrum. For example, some 5G / 5G-NR bands (such as Band 41) may overlap with the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) bands that are already shared between Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee. At this point, any RF signal transmitted in or near the shared RF spectrum may become an RF blocker, thereby hindering the ability of a radio receiver to correctly receive RF signals in or near the shared RF spectrum. Thus, it is desirable to detect RF blockers around the shared RF spectrum to help avoid or mitigate potential desensitization in the RF receiver. Summary of the invention

[0007] Various aspects disclosed in the detailed description include radio frequency (RF) blockage detection in an RF front-end circuit. In various embodiments disclosed herein, the RF front-end circuit includes a plurality of detector circuits configured to measure the strength of a received RF signal at a plurality of measurement points of an RF receive path, and report the measured strength at each of the measurement points to a blockage detection circuit. Based on the measured strength at each measurement point, the blockage detection circuit can determine the presence and location of RF blockages inside or outside the signal passband of the received RF signal. Therefore, the blockage detection circuit can take corrective action locally and / or report the detected RF blockage to the transceiver circuit to trigger appropriate corrective action in the transceiver circuit. Therefore, RF blockages around the signal passband can be blocked or contained to help improve the receiver sensitivity of the RF receive path.

[0008] In one aspect, an RF front-end circuit is provided. The RF front-end circuit includes at least one RF receiving path. The at least one RF receiving path is configured to receive an RF signal in a signal passband. The RF front-end circuit also includes a plurality of detector circuits. Each of the plurality of detector circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of measurement points in the RF receiving path. Each of the plurality of detector circuits is configured to report a corresponding one of a plurality of measurement strengths of an RF signal detected at a corresponding one of a plurality of measurement points. The RF front-end circuit also includes a blocking detection circuit. The blocking detection circuit is coupled to the plurality of detector circuits. The blocking detection circuit is configured to determine whether one or more RF blockages exist relative to the signal passband based on a plurality of measurement strengths of the RF signal.

[0009] In another aspect, a method for detecting RF blockages in a signal passband is provided. The method includes receiving an RF signal in the signal passband. The method also includes reporting a plurality of measured strengths of the RF signal detected at a plurality of measurement points, respectively. The method also includes determining whether one or more RF blockages are present relative to the signal passband based on the plurality of measured strengths of the RF signal.

[0010] Those skilled in the art will understand the scope of the present disclosure and recognize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG1 is a schematic diagram providing an exemplary illustration of various radio frequency (RF) blockers that may interfere with a desired signal received in a signal passband;

[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary RF front-end circuit configured to detect the RF blocker of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Provides information about Figure 2 An exemplary illustration of how an RF front end circuit of an embodiment of the present invention can detect an in-band RF blocker;

[0015] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Provides information about Figure 2 How can the RF front-end circuit detect the Figure 3A and Figure 3B An exemplary illustration of the location of an in-band RF blocker detected in FIG.

[0016] Figure 5 It is established that Figure 2 an exemplary blockage detection table of a set of rules for detecting one or more out-of-band RF blockers by an RF front-end circuit;

[0017] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Provides information about Figure 2 An exemplary illustration of how an RF front end circuit of the invention may detect one or more out-of-band RF blockers at a notch frequency;

[0018] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B Provides information about Figure 2 An exemplary description of how an RF front end circuit of the invention can detect one or more out-of-band RF blockers in a suppressed frequency band of a band stop filter;

[0019] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary RF front-end circuit configured to simultaneously detect the RF blocker of FIG. 1 in multiple RF signals according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary RF front-end circuit configured to simultaneously detect the RF blocker of FIG. 1 in multiple RF signals across multiple RF frequency bands according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary user element, in which a Figure 2 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 RF front-end circuitry; and

[0022] Fig.11 yes Figure 2 FIG1 is a flow chart of an exemplary process by which an RF front end circuit may detect an RF blocker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The embodiments set forth below represent information necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and to illustrate the best mode for practicing the embodiments. After reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the present disclosure and will appreciate the applications of these concepts not specifically set forth herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications are within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims.

[0024] It will be appreciated that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish different elements. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more items in the associated listed items.

[0025] It should be understood that when an element such as a layer, a region or a substrate is referred to as "on another element" or "extending onto another element", it can be directly on another element or directly extend onto another element, or there can also be an intermediate element. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly on another element" or "directly extending onto another element", there is no intermediate element. Similarly, it should be understood that when an element such as a layer, a region or a substrate is referred to as "above another element" or "extending above another element", it can be directly above another element or directly extend above another element, or there can also be an intermediate element. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly above another element" or "extending directly above another element", there is no intermediate element. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to another element, or there can be an intermediate element. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there is no intermediate element.

[0026] Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element, layer or region to another element, layer or region as shown in the figures. It should be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

[0027] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "said" are also intended to include the plural forms. It should also be understood that when used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", and / or "including" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that, unless expressly defined herein, the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0029] Various aspects disclosed in the detailed description include radio frequency (RF) blockage detection in an RF front-end circuit. In various embodiments disclosed herein, the RF front-end circuit includes a plurality of detector circuits configured to measure the strength of a received RF signal at a plurality of measurement points of an RF receive path, and report the measured strength at each of the measurement points to a blockage detection circuit. Based on the measured strength at each measurement point, the blockage detection circuit can determine the presence and location of RF blockages inside or outside the signal passband of the received RF signal. Therefore, the blockage detection circuit can take corrective action locally and / or report the detected RF blockage to the transceiver circuit to trigger appropriate corrective action in the transceiver circuit. Therefore, RF blockages around the signal passband can be blocked or contained to help improve the receiver sensitivity of the RF receive path.

[0030] Before discussing the RF front-end circuit of the present disclosure, Figure 2 Beginning at the beginning, reference is first made to FIG. 1 to provide a brief overview of various RF blockers that can be detected via an RF front-end circuit.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that provides exemplary illustrations of various RF blockers 10, 12, 14, 16 that may interfere with a desired signal 18 received in a signal passband 20. In this document, the RF blocker 10 falls within the signal passband 20, or overlaps with the signal passband, and is therefore referred to as an "in-band RF blocker" hereinafter. The RF blockers 12, 14, and 16 are all located outside the signal passband 20 (also referred to as not overlapping with the signal passband), and are therefore referred to as "out-of-band RF blockers" hereinafter. Among the RF blockers 12, 14, and 16, the RF blocker 12 is further referred to as a "near out-of-band RF blocker", the RF blocker 14 is further referred to as a "middle out-of-band RF blocker", and the RF blocker 16 is further referred to as a "far out-of-band RF blocker". As illustrated, the near out-of-band RF blocker is closer to the signal passband 20 but does not overlap with the signal passband, the middle out-of-band RF blocker 14 is further from the signal passband 20 than the near out-of-band RF blocker 12, and the far out-of-band RF blocker 16 is further from the signal passband 20 than the middle out-of-band RF blocker 14.

[0032] Among the RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16, the in-band RF blockers 10 and the nearby out-of-band RF blockers 12 are particularly harmful to the desired signal 18 in the signal passband 20. Specifically, the in-band RF blockers 10 may not be completely contained by the bandpass filters adjusted to pass the desired signal 18 to the signal passband 20, and thus may become too strong to overwhelm the desired signal 18 in the signal passband 20. On the other hand, the nearby out-of-band RF blockers 12 may form intermodulation products that fall inside or overlap the signal passband 20. Thus, it is desirable to detect the RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 and take appropriate corrective actions accordingly to protect the desired signal 18 in the signal passband 20.

[0033] Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary RF front-end circuit 22 configured to detect the RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 in FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The RF front-end circuit 22 includes an RF receive path 24 coupled to an antenna circuit 26 to receive an RF signal 28. Herein, the RF front-end circuit 22 is configured to measure the respective strengths of the RF signal 28 at a plurality of measurement points, such as received signal power, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR). As described in detail below, the RF front-end circuit 22 can then determine the presence or absence of some or all of the RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 based on the measured strengths of the RF signal 28 at the different measurement points.

[0034] The RF front end circuit 22 includes at least a first detector circuit 30(1) and a second detector circuit 30(2). The first detector circuit 30(1) is coupled to a first measurement point 32(1) in the RF receive path 24 to report a first measured strength DET of the RF signal 28 at the first measurement point 32(1). 1 Likewise, the second detector circuit 30(2) is coupled to a second measurement point 32(2) in the RF receive path 24 to report a second measured strength DET of the RF signal 28 at the second measurement point 32(2). 2 .

[0035] The RF front-end circuit 22 may optionally include additional detector circuits to measure the strength of the RF signal 28 at additional measurement points in the RF receive path 24. In a non-limiting example, the RF front-end circuit 22 may also include any combination of a third detector circuit 30(3), a fourth detector circuit 30(4), a fifth detector circuit 30(5), and a sixth detector circuit 30(6). The third detector circuit 30(3), the fourth detector circuit 30(4), the fifth detector circuit 30(5), and the sixth detector circuit 30(6) are respectively coupled to a third measurement point 32(3), a fourth measurement point 32(4), a fifth measurement point 32(5), and a sixth measurement point 32(6) in the RF receive path 24 to measure the strength of the RF signal 28 at the measurement points. Therefore, the third detector circuit 30(3), the fourth detector circuit 30(4), the fifth detector circuit 30(5), and the sixth detector circuit 30(6) may respectively report a third measurement strength DET 3 , the fourth measurement intensity DET 4 , the fifth measurement intensity DET 5 and the sixth measured intensity DET 6 It is worth noting that the third measurement intensity DET 3 , the fourth measurement intensity DET 4 , the fifth measurement intensity DET 5 and the sixth measured intensity DET 6 Indications of the strength of the RF signal 28 measured at the third measurement point 32 ( 3 ), the fourth measurement point 32 ( 4 ), the fifth measurement point 32 ( 5 ), and the sixth measurement point 32 ( 6 ) in the RF receive path 24 will be provided, respectively.

[0036] As an example, the RF front-end circuit 22 also includes a blocking detection circuit 34, which can be a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The blocking detection circuit 34 is coupled to the first detector circuit 30 (1), the second detector circuit 30 (2), and optionally coupled to the third detector circuit 30 (3), the fourth detector circuit 30 (4), the fifth detector circuit 30 (5) and the sixth detector circuit 30 (6). Thus, the blocking detection circuit 34 can receive the first measurement intensity DET 1 , the second measurement intensity DET 2 , and optionally receiving a third measured intensity DET 3 , the fourth measurement intensity DET 4 , the fifth measurement intensity signal DET 5 and the sixth measured intensity DET 6 .

[0037] As described in further detail below, the blocker detection circuit 34 may analyze the respective strengths of the RF signal 28 as measured at different measurement points in the RF receive path 24 to determine the presence or absence of any of the RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 illustrated in FIG1 . In response to determining the presence of any of the RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16, the blocker detection circuit 34 may report the detected RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 to the transceiver circuit (not shown), which will determine and instruct the blocker detection circuit 34 to take appropriate corrective action to mitigate the potential effects of the detected RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16. In addition to or in lieu of reporting the detected RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 to the transceiver circuit, the blocker detection circuit 34 may also autonomously determine and cause local corrective action to be taken within the RF front end circuit 22 to counteract the detected RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16. Therefore, by detecting RF blockers 10 , 12 , 14 , and 16 in the RF front end circuit 22 , it may be possible to block or contain the RF blockers 10 , 12 , 14 , and 16 around the signal passband of the RF signal 28 to help improve the receiver sensitivity of the RF receive path 24 .

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the RF receive path 24 includes a harmonic rejection filter (HRF) 36 coupled to the antenna circuit 26. The RF receive path 24 also includes a band select filter (BSF) 38 coupled to the HRF 36. The RF receive path 24 also includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) 40 coupled to the BSF 38. The RF receive path 24 also includes a post-LNA tunable filter 42 coupled to an output 44 of the LNA 40. In a non-limiting example, the HRF 36 may be a notch filter or a band stop filter configured to suppress harmonic components associated with the RF signal 28 received via the antenna circuit 26. In another non-limiting example, the BSF 38 may be a sharp filter configured to select a signal passband of the RF signal 28. In another non-limiting example, the post-LNA tunable filter may be an adjustable blocking rejection filter to help eliminate any intermodulation products that may fall within or overlap the signal passband.

[0039] In addition, the RF receive path 24 may also include an antenna switching circuit 46, a matching circuit 48, a pre-LNA tunable filter 50, and an attenuation circuit 52. Herein, the antenna switching circuit 46 is coupled between the HRF 36 and the BSF 38. The matching circuit 48 and the pre-LNA tunable filter 50 are coupled in series between the BSF 38 and an input 54 of the LNA 40. The attenuation circuit 52 is configured to couple the post-LNA tunable filter 42 to a transceiver circuit (not shown).

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first measurement point 32(1) is located at the input 56 of the post-LNA tunable filter 42, and the second measurement point 32(2) is located at the output 58 of the post-LNA tunable filter 42. Therefore, the first measurement intensity DET 1 The measured strength of the RF signal 28 at the input 56 of the post-LNA tunable filter 42 may be indicated, and the second measured strength DET 2 The measured strength of the RF signal 28 at the output 58 of the post-LNA tunable filter 42 may be indicated. Figure 3A and Figure 3B As discussed in , the blocker detection circuit 34 may determine whether an in-band RF blocker 10 is present in the signal passband based on the measured strength of the RF signal 28 at the input 56 and output 58 of the post-LNA tunable filter 42 .

[0041] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Provides information about Figure 2 1 is an exemplary illustration of how the blocker detection circuit 34 in FIG. 1 can detect the in-band RF blocker 10 in FIG. 1 based on the measured strength of the RF signal 28 at the input 56 and output 58 of the post-LNA tunable filter 42. FIG. Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B Common elements between are shown in these figures with common element numbers and will not be re-described herein.

[0042] Figure 3A A blocking detection table 60 is shown that establishes a set of rules for detecting in-band RF blocking 10. Specifically, if the first measured strength DET 1 and the second measured intensity DET 2 If both measured strengths DET are below the established threshold or both measured strengths DET are above the established threshold, the blocker detection circuit 34 may conclude that the in-band RF blocker 10 does not exist or is too weak to interfere with the RF signal 28 in the signal passband. 1 is above the established threshold, and the second measured intensity DET 2 is below the established threshold, the blocker detection circuit 34 may conclude that an in-band RF blocker 10 exists within the signal passband, thereby potentially interfering with the RF signal 28. However, if the first measured strength DET 1 below the established threshold, and the second measured intensity DET 2 Above the established threshold, the blocker detection circuit 34 will not be able to conclusively determine whether an in-band RF blocker 10 is present in the signal passband.

[0043] like Figure 3B As shown in FIG. 1 , the in-band RF blocker 10 (if present) may be located at the lower boundary 62 and / or the upper boundary 64 of the signal passband. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C As described in , the blocker detection circuit 34 can also determine the exact location of the in-band RF blocker 10.

[0044] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Provides information about Figure 2 How can the blocking detection circuit 34 in the Figure 3A and Figure 3B An exemplary illustration of the location of an in-band RF blocker 10 detected in FIG. Figure 2 , Figure 3A , Figure 3B and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Common elements between are shown in these figures with common element numbers and will not be re-described herein.

[0045] Figure 4A A blockage location detection table 66 is shown that establishes a set of rules for detecting the location of an in-band RF blocker 10 . Figure 4B An exemplary description is provided regarding how the blocker detection circuit 34 may determine that the in-band RF blocker 10 is located at or near the upper boundary 64 of the RF signal 28 of the signal passband 20 . Figure 4CAn exemplary description is provided regarding how the blocker detection circuit 34 may determine that the in-band RF blocker 10 is located at or near the lower boundary 62 of the RF signal 28 of the signal passband 20 .

[0046] according to Figure 4B , the blocking detection circuit 34 is configured to shift the post-LNA tunable filter 42 to the right toward the upper boundary 64 of the signal passband. The blocking detection circuit 34 will then recheck the first measured strength DET 1 and the second measured intensity DET 2 According to the rules set in the blocking position detection table 66, if the first measured intensity DET 1 and the second measured intensity DET 2 If both are above the established threshold, the blocker detection circuit 34 may determine that the in-band RF blocker 10 is located at or near the upper boundary 64 of the signal passband.

[0047] according to Figure 4C , the blocking detection circuit 34 is configured to shift the post-LNA tunable filter 42 to the left toward the lower boundary 62 of the signal passband. The blocking detection circuit 34 will then recheck the first measured strength DET 1 and the second measured intensity DET 2 According to the rules set in the blocking position detection table 66, if the first measured intensity DET 1 and the second measured intensity DET 2 If both are above the established threshold, the blocker detection circuit 34 may determine that the in-band RF blocker 10 is located at or near the lower boundary 62 of the signal passband 20.

[0048] Return to reference Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third measurement point 32(3) may be located at the input 68 of the HRF 36, the fourth measurement point 32(4) may be located at the output 70 of the HRF 36, the fifth measurement point 32(5) may be located at the input 72 of the BSF 38, and the sixth measurement point 32(6) may be located at the input 74 of the pre-LNA tunable filter 50. Thus, the third detector circuit 30(3) may report a third measured intensity DET 3 , the fourth detector circuit 30(4) may report a fourth measured intensity DET 4 , the fifth detector circuit 30(5) may report a fifth measured intensity DET 5 , and the sixth detector circuit 30(6) may report a sixth measured intensity DET 6 In this paper, the third measurement intensity DET 3 Indicative of a measured strength of the RF signal 28 at the input 68 of the HRF 36, the fourth measured strength DET 4Indicative of the measured strength of the RF signal 28 at the output 70 of the HRF 36, the fifth measured strength DET 4 indicates a measured strength of the RF signal 28 at the input 72 of the BSF 38, and a sixth measured strength DET 6 indicates the measured strength of RF signal 28 at input 72 of pre-LNA tunable filter 50. As discussed below, blocker detection circuit 34 may further determine the presence or absence of out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and 16 of FIG. 1 based on additional measured strengths of RF signal 28 reported by detector circuits 30(3) through 30(6).

[0049] Figure 5 It is established that Figure 2 1. The blocking detection circuit in FIG. 1 is used to detect an exemplary blocking detection table 76 of a set of rules for detecting out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and 16 in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 5 Common elements between are shown in these figures with common element numbers and will not be re-described herein.

[0050] In an embodiment, the blocking detection circuit 34 may first establish a set of thresholds. In a non-limiting example, the blocking detection circuit 34 may establish a lower threshold, an intermediate threshold above the lower threshold, and an upper threshold above the intermediate threshold. In this context, the blocking detection circuit 34 is configured to detect the first measured intensity DET based on at least 1 , the second measurement intensity DET 2 and the third measured intensity DET 3 The presence or absence of out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and / or 16 is determined in conjunction with the established thresholds.

[0051] According to the blocking detection table 76, at the first measurement intensity DET 1 and the second measured intensity DET 2 is equal to the middle threshold and the third measured intensity DET 3 When the value is equal to the middle threshold or the upper threshold, the blocker detection circuit 34 can conclude that there is a nearby out-of-band RF blocker 12 outside the signal passband 20.

[0052] In addition, according to the blocking detection table 76, at the first measurement intensity DET 1 Equal to the middle threshold, the second measured intensity DET 2 is equal to the lower threshold and the third measured intensity DET 3 In the case where the intermediate threshold is equal to the upper threshold, the blocker detection circuit 34 may conclude that a far out-of-band RF blocker 16 exists outside the signal passband 20 .

[0053] Further according to the blocking detection table 76, at the first measurement intensity DET1 and the second measured intensity DET 2 are equal to the lower threshold and the third measured intensity DET 3 When φ is equal to the upper threshold, the blocker detection circuit 34 may conclude that an intermediate out-of-band RF blocker 14 exists outside the signal passband.

[0054] However, if the first measured intensity DET 1 , the second measurement intensity DET 2 and the third measured intensity DET 3 are all equal to the lower threshold, the blocking detection circuit 34 may not be able to finally determine the presence or absence of the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and 16. In this regard, the blocking detection circuit 34 may further include a fourth measurement strength DET 4 To further improve the detectability of the nearby out-of-band RF blocker 12, the intermediate out-of-band RF blocker 14, and the far out-of-band RF blocker 16. As an example, the blocking detection circuit 34 can further check the third measurement strength DET 3 and the fourth measured intensity DET 4 To detect far out-of-band RF blockers 16.

[0055] In an embodiment, the HRF 36 may be a notch filter. In this regard, the blocker detection circuit 34 may determine whether any of the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and 16 are present at the notch frequency of the HRF 36. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Provides information about Figure 2 How can the blocking detection circuit 34 in the notch frequency f NOTCH 1. FIG. 1, FIG. 1, FIG. Figure 2 , Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Common elements between are shown in these figures with common element numbers and will not be re-described herein.

[0056] In an embodiment, the blocking detection circuit 34 may be based on the third measured intensity DET 3 and the fourth measured intensity DET 4 To determine the notch frequency f NOTCH Whether any of the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14 and 16 exists at the location. Fig. 6A The blocking detection circuit 34 can be used to determine the notch frequency f NOTCH A blocking detection table 78 of a set of rules for determining whether any of the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and 16 exist.

[0057] According to the blocking detection table 78, if the third measured intensity DET3 is equal to the upper threshold and the fourth measured intensity DET 4 is equal to the lower threshold, the blocking detection circuit 34 can determine that at the notch frequency f NOTCH There is one or more out-of-band RF blockers among the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14 and 16. In addition, according to the blocking detection table 78, when the third measurement strength DET 3 and the fourth measured intensity DET 4 When both are equal to the lower threshold or the upper threshold, the blocking detection circuit 34 can conclude that the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14 and 16 may not exist or are too weak to be of concern. 3 is equal to the lower threshold and the fourth measured intensity DET 4 When the blocking detection circuit 34 is equal to the upper threshold, it may not be possible to finally determine that the notch frequency f NOTCH The controller 100 may determine whether any of the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and 16 are present or absent.

[0058] In another embodiment, the HRF 36 may be a band stop filter. In this regard, the blocker detection circuit 34 may determine if any of the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and 16 are present at the rejection band frequency of the HRF 36. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B Provides information about Figure 2 1 , and 16. FIG. 1 , and 2 , are exemplary illustrations of how the blocking detection circuit 34 in FIG. 1 can detect the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and 16 in the rejection band of the HRF 36. Figure 2 , Fig. 7A and Figure 7B Common elements between are shown in these figures with common element numbers and will not be re-described herein.

[0059] In an embodiment, the blocking detection circuit 34 may be based on the third measured intensity DET 3 and the fourth measured intensity DET 4 To determine whether any of the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14 and 16 exists in the suppression band. Fig. 7A A blockage detection table 80 is shown that establishes a set of rules that blockage detection circuit 34 may use to determine if any of out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and 16 are present in the rejection band.

[0060] According to the blocking detection table 78, if the third measured intensity DET 3 is equal to the upper threshold and the fourth measured intensity DET 4If the third measurement strength DET is equal to the lower threshold, the blocking detection circuit 34 can determine that one or more of the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14 and 16 exist in the suppression band. 3 and the fourth measured intensity DET 4 When both are equal to the lower threshold or the upper threshold, the blocking detection circuit 34 can conclude that the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14 and 16 may not exist or are too weak to be of concern. 3 is equal to the lower threshold and the fourth measured intensity DET 4 Equal to the upper threshold, the blocker detection circuit 34 may not conclusively determine whether any of the out-of-band RF blockers 12, 14, and 16 are present or absent in the rejection band.

[0061] RF front end circuit 22 may be adapted to simultaneously detect RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 in FIG. 1 among multiple RF signals. In this regard, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary RF front end circuit 82 configured to simultaneously detect RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 of FIG. 1 in a plurality of RF signals 84(1) through 84(M) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 and Figure 8 Common elements between the embodiments are shown here with common element numbers and will not be re-described herein.

[0062] The RF front end circuit 82 may include a band-specific RF receive circuit 86 that can simultaneously receive RF signals 84(1)-84(M) in a specific RF band, such as in the case of carrier aggregation (CA). The band-specific RF receive circuit 86 may include a plurality of RF receive paths 88(1)-88(M). Each of the RF receive paths 88(1)-88(M) is coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of antenna circuits 90(1)-90(M) to receive a corresponding one of the RF signals 84(1)-84(M).

[0063] In this context, each of the RF receive paths 88(1) to 88(M) is associated with Figure 2 The blocking detection circuit 34 can thus be used in the same manner as in Figure 2 RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 associated with any of the RF signals 84(1) to 84(M) are detected in the same manner in the RF front end circuit 22 of the embodiment.

[0064] The RF front end circuit 22 may also be adapted to simultaneously detect RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 in FIG. 1 in multiple RF signals and across multiple RF frequency bands. In this regard, Fig. 9 is configured to span multiple RF frequency bands (bands) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure 1 To frequency band N ) is a schematic diagram of an exemplary RF front end circuit 92 for simultaneously detecting the RF blockers 10, 12, 14 and 16 of Figure 1 in multiple RF signals 94(1) to 94(M). Figure 2 and Fig. 9 Common elements between the embodiments are shown here with common element numbers and will not be re-described herein.

[0065] The RF front end circuit 92 may include a plurality of band-specific RF receive circuits 96(1) to 96(N). Each of the band-specific RF receive circuits 96(1) to 96(M) is coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of antenna circuits 98(1) to 98(M) to receive signals in an RF band (band). 1 To frequency band N ) receives a corresponding one of the RF signals 94(1) to 94(M) in a corresponding one of the RF frequency bands.

[0066] In this context, each of the band-specific RF receiving circuits 96(1) to 96(N) is associated with Figure 8 In this regard, each of the RF signals 94(1) to 94(N) may be equivalent to the RF signals 84(1) to 84(M), and each of the antenna circuits 98(1) to 98(N) may be equivalent to the antenna circuits 90(1) to 90(M). Thus, the blocking detection circuit 34 may be used in the same manner as in Figure 2 The RF front end circuit 22 or in Figure 8 RF blockers 10, 12, 14, and 16 associated with any of the RF signals 84(1) to 84(M) are detected in the same manner in the RF front end circuit 82 of FIG.

[0067] Can be provided in user components Figure 2 RF front-end circuit 22, Figure 8 The RF front-end circuit 82 and Fig. 9 The RF front-end circuit 92 is used to implement bandwidth adaptation according to the above-mentioned embodiment. In this regard, Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary user element 100, in which a Figure 2 RF front-end circuit 22, Figure 8 The RF front-end circuit 82 and Fig. 9 RF front end circuit 92.

[0068] Herein, user element 100 can be any type of user element, such as a mobile terminal, smart watch, tablet computer, computer, navigation device, access point and similar wireless communication device supporting wireless communication, such as cellular, wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth and near field communication. User element 100 will generally include control system 102, baseband processor 104, transmission circuit system 106, receiving circuit system 108, antenna switching circuit system 110, multiple antennas 112 and user interface circuit system 114. In a non-limiting example, for example, control system 102 can be a field programmable gate array (FPGA). In this regard, control system 102 can include at least a microprocessor, an embedded memory circuit and a communication bus interface. Receive circuit system 108 receives radio frequency signals from one or more base stations via antenna 112 and through antenna switching circuit system 110. Low noise amplifier and filter cooperate to amplify and eliminate broadband interference from received signals for processing. Downconversion and digitization circuitry (not shown) then downconverts the filtered, received signal to an intermediate or baseband frequency signal, which is then digitized into one or more digital streams using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

[0069] The baseband processor 104 processes the digitized received signal to extract the information or data bits transmitted in the received signal. Such processing typically includes demodulation, decoding, and error correction operations, which will be discussed in more detail below. The baseband processor 104 is typically implemented in one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0070] For transmission, the baseband processor 104 receives digitized data, which may represent voice, data, or control information, from the control system 102, and encodes the digitized data for transmission. The encoded data is output to the transmit circuitry 106, where a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) converts the digitally encoded data into an analog signal, and a modulator modulates the analog signal onto a carrier signal at the desired transmit frequency or frequencies. A power amplifier amplifies the modulated carrier signal to a level suitable for transmission, and the modulated carrier signal is passed to an antenna 112 via an antenna switching circuitry 110. Multiple antennas 112 and duplicate transmit circuitry 106 and receive circuitry 108 may provide spatial diversity. Those skilled in the art will understand the modulation and processing details.

[0071] Figure 2 The RF front end circuit 22 can be configured to detect RF blockers 10, 12, 14 and / or 16 based on a process. In this regard, Fig.11 yes Figure 21 . Flowchart of an exemplary process 200 by which the RF front end circuitry 22 of the embodiment of the present invention may detect the RF blockers 10 , 12 , 14 , and / or 16 of FIG. 1 .

[0072] Herein, the RF receive path 24 receives the RF signal 28 in the signal passband 20 (step 202). The detector circuits 30(1) to 30(6) are configured to report the measured strengths DET of the RF signal 28 detected at the measurement points 32(1) to 32(6), respectively. 1 To DET 6 (Step 204). Thus, the blocking detection circuit 34 may detect the measured strength DET of the RF signal 28 based on the measured strength DET of the RF signal 28. 1 -DET 6 A determination is made as to whether an RF blocker 10, 12, 14 and / or 16 exists relative to the signal passband 20 (step 206).

[0073] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims below.

Claims

1. A radio frequency (RF) front-end circuit (22), comprising: at least one RF receive path (24) configured to receive an RF signal (28) in a signal passband (20); a plurality of detector circuits (30(1) to 30(6)), each coupled to a respective one of a plurality of measurement points (32(1) to 32(6)) in the at least one RF receive path (22) and configured to report a respective one of a plurality of measurement strengths (DET1 to DET6) of the RF signal (28) detected at a respective one of the plurality of measurement points (32(1) to 32(6)); as well as A blockage detection circuit (34) is coupled to the plurality of detector circuits (30(1) to 30(6)) and is configured to determine whether one or more RF blockers (10, 12, 14, 16) are present relative to the signal passband (20) based on the plurality of measured strengths (DET1 to DET6) of the RF signal (28).

2. The RF front-end circuit according to claim 1, wherein: The blocker detection circuit is further configured to report one or more detected RF blockers to a transceiver circuit coupled to the RF front end circuit in response to determining the presence of the one or more RF blockers.

3. The RF front-end circuit according to claim 1, wherein: The blocker detection circuit is further configured to cause corrective action to be taken in the RF front end circuit to mitigate the one or more detected RF blockers in response to determining the presence of the one or more RF blockers.

4. The RF front-end circuit (22) of claim 1, wherein: The at least one RF receive path (24) comprises: a harmonic rejection filter (36) coupled to the antenna circuit (26); a band selection filter (38) coupled to the harmonic rejection filter (36); a low noise amplifier LNA (40) coupled to the band select filter (38); and A post-LNA tunable filter (42) is coupled to an output of the LNA (40).

5. The RF front-end circuit (22) of claim 4, wherein: The plurality of detector circuits (30(1) to 30(6)) include: a first detector circuit (30(1)) coupled to a first measurement point (32(1)) of the plurality of measurement points (32(1) to 32(6)) located at an input (56) of the post-LNA tunable filter (42) and configured to report a first measurement strength (DET1) of the plurality of measurement strengths (DET1 to DET6) of the RF signal (28) as detected at the input (56) of the post-LNA tunable filter (42); and A second detector circuit (32(2)) coupled to a second measurement point (32(2)) of the plurality of measurement points (32(1) to 32(6)) located at an output (58) of the post-LNA tunable filter (42) and configured to report a second measurement strength (DET2) of the plurality of measurement strengths (DET1 to DET6) of the RF signal (28) as detected at the output (58) of the post-LNA tunable filter (42).

6. The RF front-end circuit according to claim 5, wherein: The blocker detection circuit is further configured to determine that at least one in-band RF blocker exists within the signal passband in response to the first measured strength being above an established threshold and the second measured strength being below an established threshold.

7. The RF front-end circuit according to claim 6, wherein: The blocker detection circuit is further configured to determine a location of the at least one in-band RF blocker relative to the signal passband.

8. The RF front end circuit (22) of claim 5, wherein: The plurality of detector circuits (30(1) to 30(6)) include a third detector circuit (30(3)) coupled to a third measurement point (32(3)) of the plurality of measurement points (32(1) to 32(6)) located at an input end (68) of the harmonic suppression filter (36) and configured to report a third measurement strength (DET3) of the plurality of measurement strengths (DET1 to DET6) of the RF signal (28) as detected at the input end (68) of the harmonic suppression filter (36).

9. The RF front-end circuit according to claim 8, wherein: The blockage detection circuit is further configured to determine the presence of a nearby out-of-band RF blockage, an intermediate out-of-band RF blockage, or a far out-of-band RF blockage based on a lower threshold, an intermediate threshold above the lower threshold, and an upper threshold above the intermediate threshold.

10. The RF front-end circuit according to claim 9, wherein: The blocker detection circuit is further configured to determine that at least one nearby out-of-band RF blocker is present outside the signal passband in response to: The first measured intensity and the second measured intensity are equal to the intermediate threshold; and The third measured intensity is equal to one of the middle threshold and the upper threshold.

11. The RF front-end circuit according to claim 9, wherein: The blocker detection circuit is further configured to determine that at least one far out-of-band RF blocker is present outside the signal passband in response to: The first measured intensity is equal to the intermediate threshold; the second measured intensity being equal to the lower threshold; and The third measured intensity is equal to one of the middle threshold and the upper threshold.

12. The RF front-end circuit according to claim 9, wherein: The blocker detection circuit is further configured to determine that at least one intermediate out-of-band RF blocker is present outside the signal passband in response to: The first measured intensity and the second measured intensity are equal to the lower threshold; and The third measured strength is equal to the upper threshold.

13. The RF front end circuit (22) of claim 8, wherein: The plurality of detector circuits (30(1) to 30(6)) include a fourth detector circuit (30(4)) coupled to a fourth measurement point (32(4)) of the plurality of measurement points (32(1) to 32(6)) located at an output end (70) of the harmonic suppression filter (36) and configured to report a fourth measurement strength (DET4) of the plurality of measurement strengths (DET1 to DET6) of the RF signal (28) as detected at the output end (70) of the harmonic suppression filter (36).

14. The RF front end circuit (22) of claim 13, wherein: The plurality of detector circuits (30(1) to 30(6)) include a fifth detector circuit (30(6)), which is coupled to a fifth measurement point (32(6)) among the plurality of measurement points (32(1) to 32(6)) located at an input end (72) of the band selection filter (38), and is configured to report a fifth measurement strength (DET5) among the plurality of measurement strengths (DET1 to DET6) of the RF signal (28) as detected at the input end (72) of the band selection filter (38).

15. The RF front end circuit (22) of claim 14, wherein: The at least one RF receive path further includes: a pre-LNA tunable filter (50) coupled to an input (54) of the LNA (40); and The plurality of detector circuits (30(1) to 30(6)) include a sixth detector circuit (30(6)) coupled to a sixth measurement point (32(6)) of the plurality of measurement points (32(1) to 32(6)) located at an input end (74) of the pre-LNA tunable filter (50) and configured to report a sixth measurement strength (DET6) of the plurality of measurement strengths (DET1 to DET6) of the RF signal (28) as detected at the input end (74) of the pre-LNA tunable filter (50).

16. A method for detecting a radio frequency (RF) blocker in a signal passband (20), comprising: receiving an RF signal (28) in the signal passband (20); reporting a plurality of measured strengths (DET1 to DET6) of the RF signal (28) detected at a plurality of measurement points (32(1) to 32(6)), respectively; and A determination is made based on the plurality of measured strengths (DET1 to DET6) of the RF signal (28) whether one or more RF blockers exist relative to the signal passband (20).

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: The presence of at least one in-band RF blocker within the signal passband is determined in response to a first measured strength among the plurality of measured strengths being above an established threshold and a second measured strength among the plurality of measured strengths being below the established threshold.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: The location of the at least one in-band RF blocker relative to the signal passband is determined.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: The presence of a nearby out-of-band RF blocker, an intermediate out-of-band RF blocker, or a far out-of-band RF blocker is determined based on a lower threshold, an intermediate threshold above the lower threshold, and an upper threshold above the intermediate threshold.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: One or more detected RF blockers are reported to the transceiver circuit in response to determining the presence of the one or more RF blockers.

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