Electrically balanced duplexer

By installing a dual-transformer EBD on different or opposite sides of the device, and utilizing the differential-mode transmission of the transformer windings and amplifiers, the problems of isolation and insertion loss in EBD are solved, achieving efficient antenna isolation and improved communication capacity, making it suitable for compact devices.

CN121970255APending Publication Date: 2026-05-01TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
Filing Date
2023-10-11
Publication Date
2026-05-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing balanced duplexers (EBDs) suffer from a 3dB basic insertion loss and antenna design complexity when achieving isolation between the transmitter and receiver. They also require precise tuning of the dummy load to achieve good isolation, and polarization alignment requirements limit communication capacity.

Method used

The EBD with a dual transformer structure avoids dummy load tuning by installing two antennas on different or opposite sides of the device, utilizing the series connection of the transformer windings and the differential mode transmission of the amplifier, achieving electrical isolation between the antennas, and allowing the use of different polarizations.

Benefits of technology

It achieves isolation with no 3dB insertion loss, improves communication capacity, simplifies antenna design, and does not require polarization alignment, making it suitable for compact devices such as repeaters and VR headsets.

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Abstract

Provided in an example is an electrically balanced duplexer (EBD) comprising: a first transformer comprising at least a first portion of a transformer winding and at least a second portion of the transformer winding; and a second transformer comprising at least a third portion of the transformer winding and at least a fourth portion of the transformer winding, where at least the first portion of the transformer winding is connected in series with the at least third portion of the transformer winding. The EBD further comprises: a first amplifier, the output of which is connected to at least a first portion of the transformer winding and / or at least a third portion of the transformer winding; and a second amplifier whose input is connected to a node between at least a second portion of the transformer winding and at least a fourth portion of the transformer winding. At least a second portion of the transformer winding and at least a fourth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series between a first antenna node for connection to a first antenna and a second antenna node for connection to a second antenna.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] Examples of this disclosure relate to, for example, an electrically balanced duplexer (EBD) in a transceiver or wireless communication device. Background Technology

[0002] In simultaneous full-duplex (IBFD) solutions where transmission and reception occur on the same frequency channel, self-interference (SI) occurs due to a strong transmit signal at the antenna when receiving a weak receive signal. Successful IBDFD relies on SI cancellation in multiple steps. These include antenna transmitter and receiver isolation, radio frequency (RF) and analog front-end (AFE) cancellation, and cancellation in the digital back-end (DBE).

[0003] There are four well-known transmitter and receiver isolation techniques. These are: 1) separation of the transmit (Tx) antenna and the receive (Rx) antenna; 2) use of a circulator; 3) use of an electrically balanced duplexer (EBD); and 4) separation of Tx polarization and Rx polarization. All four methods have disadvantages as explained below.

[0004] Transmitter and receiver isolation (also referred to herein as Tx-Rx isolation) is the first step in SI cancellation and reduces the level of the transmitter signal at the receiver input. This necessitates reducing the linearity requirements of the low-noise amplifier (LNA) in the receiver and avoiding compression of the LNA and other parts of the receiver chain before the next stage of SI cancellation. Furthermore, Tx-Rx isolation also alleviates the requirements for subsequent cancellation in RF, AFE, and DBE.

[0005] Due to the increased physical size of the device on which the antenna is mounted, achieving good isolation by separating the Tx antenna and the Rx antenna is not very attractive.

[0006] External circulators are typically large and bulky, and require non-reciprocal paths using magnetic materials, thus preventing on-chip integration. Recent advances have demonstrated integrated circulators using non-reciprocal n-path filters; however, these present challenging design tasks and are severely limited in terms of power handling, bandwidth, and isolation. Furthermore, to achieve high Tx-Rx isolation using circulators, antenna impedance must be well-matched.

[0007] The separation of TX and RX polarizations for two co-located antennas provides limited isolation and restricts the transceiver to using only one polarization in each direction, which limits the achievable link capacity. Another problem is that polarization alignment is required between the two units communicating, and misalignment will result in signal loss.

[0008] EBDs are easy to integrate, especially for high-frequency transmissions, and provide very good isolation between transmitter and receiver circuitry, but require accurately tuned dummy loads that track antenna impedance to achieve good isolation. They also have a basic 3 dB insertion loss (IL) for both transmitted and received signals, which circuit parasites will add further losses to. Katanbaf et al.'s "Two-Way Traffic Ahead," IEEE Microwave Journal (February 2019), pp. 22-35, provides an overview of methods for Tx self-interference cancellation in full-duplex integrated radios.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram of an example EBD 100. The EBD 100 includes a balanced power amplifier (PA) 102. A first winding 104 of a first transformer 106 and a first winding 108 of a second transformer 110 are connected in series between the outputs of the PA 102. A node 112 between the first windings 104 and 108 is connected to ground.

[0010] The second winding 114 of the first transformer 106, the second winding 116 of the second transformer 110, and the matching impedance 118 are connected between the antenna (represented by the impedance 120 connected to ground) and ground. Impedance 118 is related to the antenna impedance (R0). antenna A tuned dummy load is matched to 120. Node 122 between the second windings 114 and 116 is connected to the input of LNA 124. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Some examples of this disclosure can alleviate one or more of the problems pointed out above. For example, examples of this disclosure can avoid a basic insertion loss of 3dB while achieving good isolation between the transmitted and received signals.

[0012] One aspect of this disclosure provides an electrically balanced duplexer (EBD). The EBD includes: a first transformer comprising at least a first portion and at least a second portion of a transformer winding; and a second transformer comprising at least a third portion and at least a fourth portion of a transformer winding, wherein the at least first portion and the at least third portion of the transformer winding are connected in series. The EBD also includes: a first amplifier whose output is connected to the at least first portion and / or the at least third portion of the transformer winding; and a second amplifier whose input is connected to a node between the at least second portion and the at least fourth portion of the transformer winding. The at least second portion and the at least fourth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series between a first antenna node and a second antenna node, wherein the first antenna node is for connecting to a first antenna, and the second antenna node is for connecting to a second antenna.

[0013] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an electrically balanced duplexer (EBD). The EBD includes: a first transformer comprising at least a first portion and at least a second portion of a transformer winding; and a second transformer comprising at least a third portion and at least a fourth portion of a transformer winding, wherein the at least first portion and the at least third portion of the transformer winding are connected in series. The EBD also includes: a first amplifier whose output is connected to a node between the at least second portion and the at least fourth portion of the transformer winding; and a second amplifier whose input is connected to the at least first portion and / or the at least third portion of the transformer winding. The at least second portion and the at least fourth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series between a first antenna node and a second antenna node, wherein the first antenna node is for connection to a first antenna, and the second antenna node is for connection to a second antenna.

[0014] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus that includes an electrical balancing duplexer (EBD) comprising any one of the foregoing aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To better understand the embodiments of this disclosure and to show how it can be implemented, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram of an example of EBD;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram of an example of an EBD according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 3 An example of the device is shown, in which the antenna is mounted on a surface on the opposite side of the device;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram of another example of an EBD according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0020] Figure 5 This is a circuit diagram of another example of an EBD according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Specific details, such as particular embodiments or examples, are set forth below for illustrative purposes and not for limitation. Those skilled in the art will understand that other examples may be used in addition to these specific details. In some instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods, nodes, interfaces, circuits, and devices have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring details. Those skilled in the art will understand that the described functionality can be implemented in one or more nodes using hardware circuitry (e.g., analog and / or discrete logic gates interconnected to perform specific functions, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.) and / or using software programs and data in conjunction with one or more digital microprocessors or general-purpose computers. Nodes communicating using an air interface also have suitable radio communication circuitry. Furthermore, where appropriate, portions of the technology may additionally be considered to be entirely embodied in any form of computer-readable storage, such as solid-state memory, disk, or optical disk, containing a suitable set of computer instructions that will cause a processor to execute the technology described herein.

[0022] Examples of this disclosure provide an electrically balanced duplexer (EBD) and a device (such as a communication device) incorporating the EBD. Instead of a tuned dummy load matching the antenna impedance, a second antenna, electrically isolated from the first antenna, is connected. In some examples, the two antennas can be oriented to radiate in different directions with limited overlap (such as located on different or opposite sides of the device). The two antennas can have the same or different polarizations. This effectively avoids the basic 3dB insertion loss of prior art EBD arrangements because there is no power dissipation in the dummy load for either the Tx or Rx signal.

[0023] However, in some examples where two antennas radiate in different directions, half of the transmit power will be sent in one direction and the other half in the other. In Rx mode, for example, half the power will be received from one direction and half from the other. As with prior art EBD, the Rx and Tx signals are in differential and common mode at the two antennas, respectively. If the antennas are omnidirectional, their combined radiation pattern will be very different in Rx and Tx; however, if the antenna patterns have different orientations and a small overlap between the directions, the combined radiation pattern will be similar in Rx and Tx. This may be desirable, for example, for communication with a single device (e.g., base station, access point, relay, wireless communication equipment, radio unit, user equipment (UE), etc.) in both Rx and Tx. Furthermore, in non-line-of-sight conditions, signals transmitted through an object in different directions can be combined in some examples.

[0024] Compared to directly applying Tx and Rx at each antenna separated by polarization, the examples of this disclosure can achieve improved Tx-Rx isolation. The examples of this disclosure can also use two polarizations for higher communication capacity, for example, using one EBD for each polarization, thus eliminating the need for polarization alignment between devices. For example, the examples of this disclosure may be particularly advantageous for devices or scenarios where a compact solution and low latency achieved through full-duplex communication would be significant benefits, such as repeaters or virtual reality (VR) headsets. In the case of VR headsets, for example, one antenna can be placed on one side of the headset, and another antenna can be placed on the other side.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram of an example of an electrical balanced duplexer (EBD) 200 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In some examples, the EBD may be included in a device, such as a wireless communication device. The EBD 200 includes: a first transformer 202, which includes at least a first portion 204 and at least a second portion 206 of a transformer winding; and a second transformer 208, which includes at least a third portion 210 and at least a fourth portion 212 of a transformer winding.

[0026] At least a first portion 204 of the transformer winding is connected in series with at least a third portion 210 of the transformer winding. In some examples, the first transformer 202 and the second transformer 208 may be a single transformer, or at least a first portion 204 of the transformer winding and at least a third portion 210 of the transformer winding may be a single transformer winding (e.g., two halves of a single winding).

[0027] EBD 200 includes a first amplifier 214, the output of which is connected to at least a first portion 204 and / or at least a third portion 210 of a transformer winding. For example, in the illustrated example, the first amplifier 214 is a balanced power amplifier (PA), whereby at least the first portion 204 and at least the third portion 210 of the transformer winding, connected in series, are connected between the balanced outputs of PA 214. In some examples, a node 216 between at least the first portion 204 and at least the third portion 210 of the transformer winding is connected to a reference voltage (which may be ground or a positive operating voltage in the examples of this disclosure). In examples where at least the first portion 204 and at least the third portion 210 of the transformer winding are part of the same winding, node 216 may be, for example, a center tap.

[0028] In other examples, the first amplifier 214 may have a single unbalanced output, which may be connected to, for example, node 216. In such an example, at least a first portion 204 and at least a third portion 210 of the transformer winding may be connected in series between the same node (e.g., a reference voltage or ground). The first transformer 202 may then have a coupling polarity opposite to that of the second transformer 208. Alternatively, for example, at least a first portion 204 and at least a third portion 210 of the transformer winding may be connected in series between the PA output and the reference voltage or ground. In any of these examples, the ground connection to node 216 may be omitted.

[0029] The EBD 200 also includes a second amplifier 218, the input of which is connected to node 220 between at least a second portion and at least a fourth portion of the transformer winding. Figure 2 In the example shown, the second amplifier is a low-noise amplifier (LNA). At least a second portion 206 and at least a fourth portion 212 of the transformer winding are connected in series between a first antenna node 222 and a second antenna node 224, wherein the first antenna node is used to connect to a first antenna and the second antenna node is used to connect to a second antenna. Figure 2 In the example shown, first antenna node 222 is connected to the first antenna (represented by impedance 226 connected to ground), and second antenna node 224 is connected to the second antenna (represented by impedance 228 connected to ground). In some examples, first antenna 226 and second antenna 228 have matched impedances.

[0030] In some examples, at least the second portion 206 and at least the fourth portion 212 of the transformer winding can be a single transformer winding (e.g., two halves of a single winding). For example, the first transformer 202 and the second transformer 208 can be a single transformer, in which case node 220 can be a center tap.

[0031] In some examples, the coverage pattern (also referred to herein as the radiation pattern) of the first antenna 226 differs from that of the second antenna 228. For example, the coverage pattern of the first antenna 226 may partially overlap with, or not overlap with, the coverage pattern of the second antenna 228. Therefore, in some examples, the signal received at the device including EBD 200 is not canceled or is only partially canceled at node 220. In some examples, the first antenna 226 and the second antenna 228 are mounted on different surfaces of the device, or on surfaces opposite to each other on the device. Figure 3An example of a device 300 (such as a wireless communication device) is shown, wherein antennas are mounted on surfaces opposite to each other on the device 300. Specifically, a first antenna 302 (which may correspond, for example, to a first antenna 226) is mounted on a first surface 304 of the device 300, while a second antenna 306 (which may correspond, for example, to a second antenna 228) is mounted on a second surface 308 of the device 300, wherein the second surface 308 is on the side of the device 300 opposite to the first surface 304.

[0032] In some examples, the positions of PA and LNA can be reversed. Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram illustrating another example of this arrangement of the EBD 400. The EBD 400 includes... Figure 2 The components shown are similar to some other components, and the same reference numerals are given to similar components. However, EBD 400 omits... Figure 2 PA 214 and LNA 218 are shown. In contrast, EBD 400 includes a single-ended PA 402, the output of which is connected to node 220 between at least the second portion 206 of the transformer winding and at least the fourth portion 212 of the transformer winding.

[0033] Therefore, in some examples, EBD 400 may include: a first transformer 202 comprising at least a first portion 204 and at least a second portion 206 of a transformer winding; and a second transformer 208 comprising at least a third portion 210 and at least a fourth portion 212 of a transformer winding. The at least first portion 204 of the transformer winding is connected in series with the at least third portion 210 of the transformer winding. EBD 400 also includes: a first amplifier 402, the output of which is connected to node 220 between the at least second portion 206 and the at least fourth portion 212 of the transformer winding; and a second amplifier 404, the input of which is connected to the at least first portion 204 and / or the at least third portion 210 of the transformer winding. The at least second portion 206 and the at least fourth portion 212 of the transformer winding are connected in series between a first antenna node 222 and a second antenna node 224, wherein the first antenna node 222 is used to connect to a first antenna, and the second antenna node 224 is used to connect to a second antenna.

[0034] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, the second amplifier (LNA) 404 is a balanced input amplifier. Therefore, at least a first portion 204 of the transformer winding and at least a third portion 210 of the transformer winding are connected in series between the balanced input terminals of the LNA 404, and the node 216 between at least a first portion 204 of the transformer winding and at least a third portion 210 of the transformer winding is connected to a reference voltage or ground.

[0035] The two antennas of the EBD described in this article may have the same or different polarizations. When the polarizations are different, they may or may not be orthogonal. For example, the antennas may be two vertically polarized antennas, two horizontally polarized antennas, or one vertically polarized antenna and one horizontally polarized antenna.

[0036] In practice, in some examples, refer to Figure 2 Taking EBD 200 as an example (with connected antennas), transmission using the signal provided to PA 214 occurs as follows: half of the transmitted signal +Tx / 2 is transmitted from the first antenna 226, and half of the transmitted signal -Tx / 2 is transmitted from the second antenna 228. The opposite notation indicates differential mode transmission. On the other hand, reception occurs as follows: assuming the same received signal is received at both antennas, half of the received signal +Rx / 2 is received at the first antenna 226, and half of the received signal +Rx / 2 is received at the second antenna (this may not be the case, for example, if the antennas are located on opposite sides of the device or have different radiation patterns). The same notation indicates common mode reception. Figure 4 The EBD 400 operates in a similar manner, wherein, using the same assumptions, the transmission of the signal provided to PA 402 occurs as follows: half of the transmitted signal +Tx / 2 is transmitted from the first antenna 226, and half of the transmitted signal Tx / 2 is transmitted from the second antenna 228; and half of the received signal +Rx / 2 is received at the first antenna 226, and half of the received signal -Rx / 2 is received at the second antenna.

[0037] exist Figure 2In some examples of the EBD 200, the LNA 218 can be designed to provide an input impedance that matches two antennas 226 and 228, which appear to be connected in parallel to the LNA input, each in series with an inductor from a transformer winding (i.e., at least a portion 206 of the winding and at least a portion 212 of the winding). Thus, in some examples, the LNA 218 can present approximately half the real part of the antenna impedance and a capacitive imaginary part. The power of the incoming common-mode signal will then be absorbed by the LNA input, which has low reflection or other losses. In embodiments of this disclosure, the additional 3dB loss present in known EBDs will not occur for common-mode signals. However, if the signal is received by only one antenna (e.g., if it is in the main lobe direction of that antenna but in the null direction of the other antenna), this can be considered, for example, a combination of common-mode and differential-mode excitation, where each mode has half the signal energy. The differential mode will not produce any input to the LNA and will therefore be rejected, resulting in a 3dB loss. This means a 3dB reduction in sensitivity compared to using a single antenna and a matched LNA. However, for a receiver covering the same beam pattern, an antenna with 3dB less gain would be needed to cover the same angular range as the two antennas for the EBD described herein. Since embodiments of this disclosure can use an antenna with 3dB more gain, the net sensitivity will be the same, and there will be no loss in reception performance.

[0038] for Figure 4 In some examples, the LNA 404 can be an LNA with matched impedance. For example, each input of the LNA 404 can have an input impedance equal to the impedance of antennas 226 and / or 228; that is, the differential input impedance can be twice the antenna impedance. This can be used, for example, for transformers that do not transform impedance. In some examples, transformers 202 and 208 can be designed to have different numbers of turns in their primary and secondary windings (i.e., in windings 206 and 204, and in windings 212 and 210) and different coupling factors, thus transforming the impedance between their primary and secondary windings. The differential LNA input impedance can then be, for example, twice the transformed antenna impedance.

[0039] If the EBD circuitry is perfectly matched, the signal transmitted from the PA will have zero voltage at the input of LNA 218. If the PA has good differential signal balance, if the two transformers 202 and 208 are well matched, and if the two antennas 226 and 228 and their feed networks are well matched, there will be very low Tx signal leakage at the LAN input. All signal power transmitted by PA 214, except for losses in transformers 202 and 208, will therefore be transmitted by the two antennas 226 and 228. Therefore, with Figure 1 The 3dB transmission loss associated with the loss in the matching resistor 118 will not occur for embodiments of this disclosure.

[0040] Signal coupling between antennas is reciprocal, and if the two antennas are matched, this can be achieved, for example, by connecting the ports of the two antennas (e.g., ...). Figure 2 The impedance Z of nodes 222 and 224 (shown) is used to simulate this. This impedance will not affect the symmetry of EBD, and therefore, the coupling between the two antennas will not reduce the Tx-Rx isolation.

[0041] In some examples, the EBD according to the examples of this disclosure may include additional components to transmit or receive signals on other polarizations. For example, the EBD may effectively include a second EBD for a polarization different from that of the first EBD.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a circuit diagram of another example of an EBD 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The EBD 500 includes a first EBD (typically designated 502) and a second EBD (typically designated 504). In this example, the first EBD 502 and the second EBD 504 each include… Figure 2 The EBD 200 shown is used; however, in other examples, each EBD can be any EBD according to this disclosure, such as Figure 4 The EBD 400 shown, one of each EBD 200 and 400, or any variant thereof.

[0043] A first EBD 502 is connected to two antennas 506 and 508, and a second EBD 504 is connected to two antennas 510 and 512. Any suitable variations in the antenna polarization and / or radiation patterns are contemplated. For example, antennas 506 and 508 may have the same or different (e.g., orthogonal) polarizations, and antennas 510 and 512 may have the same or different (e.g., orthogonal) polarizations. In a particular example, antennas 506 and 508 have the same polarization orthogonal to the polarizations of antennas 510 and 512, antennas 506 and 510 have the same polarization orthogonal to the polarizations of antennas 508 and 512, or antennas 506 and 512 have the same polarization orthogonal to the polarizations of antennas 508 and 510.

[0044] Therefore, in some examples, EBD according to embodiments of this disclosure (e.g., Figure 2 EBD 200 or shown Figure 4 The EBD 400 shown may further include: a third transformer comprising at least a seventh portion and at least an eighth portion of a transformer winding; and a fourth transformer comprising at least a ninth portion and at least a tenth portion of a transformer winding, wherein the at least seventh portion and the at least ninth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series. The EBD may also further include: a third amplifier whose output is connected to the at least seventh portion and / or the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding; and a fourth amplifier whose input is connected to a node between the at least eighth portion and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding. The at least eighth portion and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding may be connected in series between a third antenna node and a fourth antenna node, wherein the third antenna node is for connecting to a third antenna, and the fourth antenna node is for connecting to a fourth antenna. In some examples, the third amplifier may be a balanced output amplifier, wherein the at least seventh portion and the at least ninth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series between a first output terminal and a second output terminal of the third amplifier.

[0045] Alternatively, in some examples, EBD according to embodiments of this disclosure (e.g., Figure 2 EBD 200 or shown Figure 4 The EBD 400 shown may further include: a third transformer comprising at least a seventh portion and at least an eighth portion of a transformer winding; and a fourth transformer comprising at least a ninth portion and at least a tenth portion of a transformer winding, wherein the at least seventh portion and the at least ninth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series. The EBD may also further include: a third amplifier whose output is connected to a node between the at least eighth portion and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding; and a fourth amplifier whose input is connected to the at least seventh portion and / or the at least ninth portion of the transformer winding. The at least eighth portion and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding may be connected in series between a third antenna node and a fourth antenna node, wherein the third antenna node is for connecting to a third antenna, and the fourth antenna node is for connecting to a fourth antenna. In some examples, the fourth amplifier may be a balanced input amplifier, wherein the at least seventh portion and the at least ninth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series between a first input terminal and a second input terminal of the fourth amplifier.

[0046] In any of these examples, the EBD may further include a third antenna connected to a third antenna node and a fourth antenna connected to a fourth antenna node. The coverage pattern of the third antenna differs from that of the fourth antenna; for example, the coverage pattern of the third antenna may partially overlap with or not overlap with that of the fourth antenna. In some examples, the third and fourth antennas are mounted on different surfaces of the device, or on surfaces opposite to each other. The third and fourth antennas have matched impedances.

[0047] In some examples, the third and fourth transformers may be portions of the second single transformer. For instance, the second single transformer may include an eleventh transformer winding comprising at least a seventh portion and at least a ninth portion of the transformer winding, and may also include a twelfth transformer winding comprising at least an eighth portion and at least a tenth portion of the transformer winding. The node between the at least eighth portion and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding may be the center tap of the twelfth transformer winding.

[0048] In the examples disclosed herein, the input of the first amplifier (e.g., PA) may be connected to, or may be part of, a transmitter chain. Similarly, the output of the second amplifier (LNA) may be connected to, or may be part of, a receiver chain.

[0049] Any embodiment of this disclosure may have one or more of the following advantages:

[0050] • Avoid 3dB basic insertion loss;

[0051] • They have similar radiation patterns in Rx and Tx;

[0052] • By using antennas on different or opposite sides of the device, antennas isolated in different directions can be used directly;

[0053] • Tx-Rx isolation is limited by EBD suppression, which is typically much greater (10-100x) than the isolation between polarizations of adjacent antennas; and / or

[0054] • The symmetry of the antenna design and feed results in an inherent match between the antenna port impedances, thus eliminating the need for tuning the load impedance.

[0055] To provide some understanding of the isolation levels that may be suitable for some examples of this disclosure, it is assumed that the two antennas of the EBD radiate in opposite directions, such as, for example, Figure 3As shown, on opposite sides of the device. If each antenna radiates -20dB in the back lobe direction, the difference between the combined transmitted signals will be + / -0.8dB if the signals are added constructively or destructively. Some other back lobe levels and their constructive and destructive combinations are shown in the table below:

[0056]

[0057] An approximately -20 dB back lobe level, or isolation between antenna patterns, is sufficient to provide a small difference in the combined radiation patterns, since the difference between constructive and destructive combinations is + / - 0.8 dB = 1.6 dB. If the Tx signal undergoes constructive combination, the Rx signal will undergo destructive combination, and vice versa. Therefore, a small difference between the two combined modes is expected. As can be seen in the table above, a 6 dB isolation between antenna patterns would be insufficient, as the difference between modes can reach almost 10 dB.

[0058] It should be noted that the examples mentioned above are illustrative and not limiting of the invention, and those skilled in the art will be able to devise many alternative examples without departing from the scope of the appended statements. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in the claims, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, and a single processor or other unit may perform the functions of the plurality of units recited in the following statements. In the use of the terms "first," "second," etc., they should only be understood as convenient labels for identifying a particular feature. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, they should not be construed as describing the first or second of a plurality of such features (i.e., the first or second of such features appearing in time or space). Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the steps in the methods disclosed herein may be performed in any order. Any reference numerals in the statements should not be construed as limiting their scope.

Claims

1. An electrical balancing duplexer EBD (200, 500), comprising: The first transformer (202) includes at least a first portion (204) of the transformer winding and at least a second portion (206) of the transformer winding. The second transformer (208) includes at least a third part (210) of a transformer winding and at least a fourth part (212) of a transformer winding, wherein the at least first part of the transformer winding is connected in series with the at least third part of the transformer winding; A first amplifier (214), the output of which is connected to at least the first portion and / or the at least third portion of the transformer winding; and The second amplifier (218) has its input connected to a node (220) between the at least second portion and the at least fourth portion of the transformer winding. The at least second part of the transformer winding and the at least fourth part of the transformer winding are connected in series between the first antenna node (222) and the second antenna node (224), wherein the first antenna node is used to connect to the first antenna (226, 302, 506) and the second antenna node is used to connect to the second antenna (228, 304, 508).

2. An electrical balancing duplexer EBD (400, 500), comprising: The first transformer (202) includes at least a first portion (204) of the transformer winding and at least a second portion (206) of the transformer winding. The second transformer (208) includes at least a third part (210) of a transformer winding and at least a fourth part (212) of a transformer winding, wherein the at least first part of the transformer winding is connected in series with the at least third part of the transformer winding; A first amplifier (402) has its output connected to a node (220) between the at least second portion and the at least fourth portion of the transformer winding; and A second amplifier (404) has its input connected to at least the first portion and / or the at least the third portion of the transformer winding; The at least second part of the transformer winding and the at least fourth part of the transformer winding are connected in series between the first antenna node (222) and the second antenna node (224), wherein the first antenna node is used to connect to the first antenna (226, 302, 506) and the second antenna node is used to connect to the second antenna (228, 304, 508).

3. The EBD according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The first antenna (226, 302, 506) is connected to the first antenna node (222); as well as The second antenna (228, 304, 508) is connected to the second antenna node (224).

4. The EBD according to claim 3, wherein, The coverage pattern of the first antenna (226, 302, 506) is different from that of the second antenna (228, 304, 508).

5. The EBD according to claim 4, wherein, The coverage pattern of the first antenna (226, 302, 506) partially overlaps with the coverage pattern of the second antenna (228, 304, 508), or does not overlap with the coverage pattern of the second antenna.

6. The EBD according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, The first antenna (226, 302, 506) and the second antenna (228, 304, 508) are mounted on different surfaces of the device (300), or on surfaces opposite to each other of the device.

7. The EBD according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, The first antenna (226, 302, 506) and the second antenna (228, 304, 508) have matched impedances.

8. The EBD according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The first transformer (202) and the second transformer (208) are part of the first single transformer.

9. The EBD according to claim 8, wherein, The first single transformer includes: The fifth transformer winding includes the at least first portion (204) and the at least third portion (210) of the transformer winding; and The sixth transformer winding includes the at least second portion (206) of the transformer winding and the at least fourth portion (212) of the transformer winding.

10. The EBD according to claim 9, wherein, The node (220) between the at least second portion (206) of the transformer winding and the at least fourth portion (212) of the transformer winding includes the center tap of the sixth transformer winding.

11. The EBD according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, when subordinate to claim 1, The first amplifier (214) is a balanced output amplifier, and wherein at least the first portion (204) of the transformer winding and at least the third portion (210) of the transformer winding are connected in series between the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the first amplifier.

12. The EBD according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein, when subordinate to claim 2, The second amplifier (404) is a balanced input amplifier, wherein at least the first portion (204) of the transformer winding and at least the third portion (210) of the transformer winding are connected in series between the first input terminal and the second input terminal of the second amplifier.

13. The EBD according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: The third transformer includes at least a seventh portion and at least an eighth portion of the transformer winding; The fourth transformer includes at least a ninth portion and at least a tenth portion of a transformer winding, wherein the at least seventh portion of the transformer winding is connected in series with the at least ninth portion of the transformer winding; A third amplifier, the output of which is connected to at least the seventh portion and / or the at least the ninth portion of the transformer winding; A fourth amplifier, the input of which is connected to a node between the at least eighth portion and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding; The at least eighth portion of the transformer winding and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series between the third antenna node and the fourth antenna node, wherein the third antenna node is used to connect to the third antenna (510) and the fourth antenna node is used to connect to the fourth antenna (512).

14. The EBD according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: The third transformer includes at least a seventh portion and at least an eighth portion of the transformer winding; The fourth transformer includes at least a ninth portion and at least a tenth portion of a transformer winding, wherein the at least seventh portion of the transformer winding is connected in series with the at least ninth portion of the transformer winding; A third amplifier, the output of which is connected to a node between the at least eighth portion and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding; A fourth amplifier, the input of which is connected to at least the seventh portion and / or the at least the ninth portion of the transformer winding; The at least eighth portion of the transformer winding and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series between the third antenna node and the fourth antenna node, wherein the third antenna node is used to connect to the third antenna (510) and the fourth antenna node is used to connect to the fourth antenna (512).

15. The EBD according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The first antenna (226, 302, 506) has the same polarization as the third antenna (510), and the second antenna (228, 304, 508) has the same polarization as the fourth antenna (512) and a different polarization from the first and third antennas; or The first antenna has the same polarization as the second antenna, and the third antenna has the same polarization as the fourth antenna and a different polarization than the first and second antennas.

16. The EBD according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising: The third antenna (510) is connected to the third antenna node. as well as The fourth antenna (512) is connected to the fourth antenna node.

17. The EBD according to claim 16, wherein, The coverage pattern of the third antenna (510) is different from that of the fourth antenna (512).

18. The EBD according to claim 17, wherein, The coverage pattern of the third antenna (510) partially overlaps with the coverage pattern of the fourth antenna (512), or does not overlap with the coverage pattern of the fourth antenna.

19. The EBD according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein, The third antenna (510) and the fourth antenna (512) are mounted on different surfaces of the device, or on surfaces opposite to each other of the device.

20. The EBD according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein, The third antenna (510) and the fourth antenna (512) have matched impedances.

21. The EBD according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein, The third transformer and the fourth transformer are part of the second single transformer.

22. The EBD according to claim 21, wherein, The second single transformer includes: The eleventh transformer winding includes the at least seventh portion and the at least ninth portion of the transformer winding; and The twelfth transformer winding includes the at least eighth portion of the transformer winding and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding.

23. The EBD according to claim 22, wherein, The node between the at least eighth portion of the transformer winding and the at least tenth portion of the transformer winding includes the center tap of the twelfth transformer winding.

24. The EBD according to any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein, when subordinate to claim 13, The third amplifier is a balanced output amplifier, wherein at least the seventh portion of the transformer winding and at least the ninth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series between the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the third amplifier.

25. The EBD according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein, when subordinate to claim 14, The fourth amplifier is a balanced input amplifier, wherein at least the seventh portion of the transformer winding and at least the ninth portion of the transformer winding are connected in series between the first input terminal and the second input terminal of the fourth amplifier.

26. An apparatus (300) comprising an electrical balancing duplexer (EBD) (200, 400, 500) according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein, The device includes a transceiver or a wireless communication device.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising: The first antenna (226, 302, 506) is connected to the first antenna node (222); as well as The second antenna (228, 304, 508) is connected to the second antenna node (224).

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein, The coverage pattern of the first antenna (226, 302, 506) is different from that of the second antenna (228, 304, 508).

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein, The coverage pattern of the first antenna (226, 302, 506) partially overlaps with the coverage pattern of the second antenna (228, 304, 508), or does not overlap with the coverage pattern of the second antenna.

31. The device according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein, The first antenna (226, 302, 506) and the second antenna (228, 304, 508) are mounted on different surfaces of the device, or on surfaces opposite to each other of the device.