Multiband radio system and method with dual triplexer and single front-back end coaxial connector cable

Abstract

An AM / FM / DAB radio system with dual RF / DC trippers and a single front-end and rear-end coaxial connector cable is presented, along with a method for manufacturing / using such a radio system and a carrier equipped with such a radio system. The AM / FM / DAB radio system includes a tuner antenna module (TAM) containing a DAB front-end module (FEM) and an AM / FM FEM, and a radio receiver module (RRM) containing a DAB receiver module (RXM) and an AM / FM RXM. A single coaxial cable connects the TAM and RRM, transmitting RF signals and DC power between them. The tripper unit is located inside the TAM and includes an FE coaxial node connected to the single coaxial cable, an AM / FM RF node connected to the AM / FM FEM to receive AM / FM RF signals, and a DAB RF node connected to the DAB FEM to receive DAB RF signals. The tripper unit combines AM / FM / DAB RF signals for transmission across the single coaxial cable to the RRM.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to amplitude / frequency (AM / FM) radio systems. More specifically, aspects of this disclosure relate to multi-band AM / FM / digital audio broadcasting (DAB) radio systems for mobile vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Modern vehicles, such as modern automobiles, are natively equipped with networks of onboard controllers and wireless communication devices, enabling a wide range of vehicle services, such as navigation assistance, multimedia entertainment, and cellular connectivity. For example, to provide occupants with telecommunications and information technology capabilities, many vehicle passenger compartments now feature a center-stack telematics unit, which operates as both a human-machine interface (HMI) and an onboard computing device for the vehicle occupants. The telematics unit can wirelessly connect to cellular networks and satellite services for purposes such as real-time navigation, customer support, vehicle diagnostics, traffic data, and satellite radio services. Generally, the telematics unit functions as a two-way radio transceiver capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving data in the form of network data packets. Data packets can be transmitted from the cell tower to the cellular-enabled vehicle via downlink (or download) transmission using UHF, SHF, and / or EHF radio signals, and conversely, from the vehicle to the cell tower via uplink (or upload) transmission. In addition to cellular communications, many telematics units also receive data via radio frequency (RF) channels, which provide analog “modulated” radio stations and digital “broadband” radio stations. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This paper presents a multi-band AM / FM / DAB radio system with dual RF / DC trippers and a single front and rear connector cable, a method for manufacturing such a radio system, a method for operating such a radio system, and a vehicle equipped with such a radio system. For example, an automotive radio system may comprise an AM / FM tuner module (RXM) with an AM / FM front-end module (FEM) and a DAB RXM with a DAB FEM. Both the AM / FM tuner module (RXM) and the DAB RXM have individual antennas for receiving AM, FM, and DAB RF signals. Existing vehicle radio systems use dedicated RF coaxial cables to connect the AM / FM antenna and the FEM with a low-noise amplifier (LNA) to an AM / FM receiver with an LNA, separate dedicated RF coaxial cables to connect the DAB antenna and the FEM with an LNA to the DAB receiver and LNA, and discrete accessory cables to power the front and rear modules. These wiring harnesses, along with all the associated connection points and electrical hardware, increase system complexity and cost, vehicle gross vehicle weight (GVW), and packaging requirements.

[0004] The disclosed AM / FM / DAB radio system architecture employs a front-end RF duplexer and a back-end RF duplexer. The front-end RF duplexer combines two FEM antenna line signals for transmission across a single coaxial cable, while the back-end RF duplexer separates the signals for conversion of the selected carrier frequency by their respective receivers. Each duplexer can be integrated into a corresponding RF / DC tripper unit, which swaps the DC voltage signal transmitted from the back-end radio receiver module (RRM) power supply across the coaxial connector cable to power the LNA in the front-end tuner antenna module (TAM). Using this design, some system architectures can employ a single multi-band antenna for receiving both AM and FM signals, a single multi-band antenna for receiving both FM and DAB signals, or a single multi-band antenna for receiving AM, FM, and DAB signals. This system design eliminates redundant coaxial and DC power cables while reducing the number of RF connectors. In addition to reducing system complexity, vehicle weight, and packaging constraints, the disclosed radio system design can also help reduce RF signal degradation for improved performance and customer experience.

[0005] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to a multiband radio system having a dual RF duplexer and a single front-end and rear-end connector cable. In an example, the multiband radio system includes: a tuner antenna module (TAM) unit comprising a DAB front-end module (FEM) and an AM / FM FEM, the DAB front-end module (FEM) having a DAB antenna configured to receive DAB radio frequency (RF) signals, and the AM / FM FEM having an AM antenna configured to receive AM RF signals and an FM antenna configured to receive FM RF signals (note: AM, FM, and / or DAB antennas can be combined into a single or dual antenna array); and a radio receiver module (RRM) unit comprising a DAB receiver module (RXM) and an AM / FM RXM, the DAB receiver module (RXM) being configured to receive DAB RF signals and convert them into DAB audio signals, and the AM / FM RXM being configured to receive AM RF signals and FM signals. The system includes an RF signal and its conversion into an AM / FM audio signal; a single coaxial cable connecting the TAM unit and the RRM unit for transmitting the RF signal between them; and a front-end (FE) tripod unit located within the TAM unit, comprising an FE coaxial node connected to the single coaxial cable, an FE AM / FM RF node connected to the AM / FM FEM to receive AM and FM RF signals from it, and an FE DAB RF node connected to the DAB FEM to receive DAB RF signals from it. The FE tripod unit is configured to combine AM, FM, and DAB RF signals for transmission across the single coaxial cable to the RRM unit.

[0006] A single coaxial cable can also be configured to transmit direct current (DC) power from the RRM unit to the TAM unit, and the FE tripper unit can also include a first FE DC output node and a second FE DC output node electrically connected to the AM / FM FEM and DAB FEM, respectively, to transmit DC power to them, with the FE coaxial node electrically connecting the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node to the single coaxial cable.

[0007] The FE tripper unit may also include a voltage divider line (SVL) circuit, which is inserted between the FE coaxial node and the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node and electrically connects them. The SVL circuit is configured to separate the DC power from the single coaxial cable and, as needed, progressively reduce the DC power to the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage.

[0008] The SVL circuit may include a main SVL line connected in series with the first SVL branch line, the second SVL branch line, and the FE coaxial node, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter on the main SVL line, and a DC-DC buck converter and / or low dropout (LDO) regulator on the second SVL branch line.

[0009] The FE tripper unit may also include a bias-Tee circuit that is inserted between and electrically connects the FE coaxial node and the SVL circuit, the FE AM / FM RF node, and the FE DAB RF node. The bias-Tee circuit is configured to separate the DC power from the RF signal transmitted across a single coaxial cable.

[0010] The multiband radio system may also include a back-end (BE) triage unit located within the RRM unit and comprising a BE coaxial node connected to a single coaxial cable, a BE AM / FM RF node connected to an AM / FM RXM to transmit AM and FM RF signals thereto, and a BE DAB RF node connected to a DAB RXM to transmit DAB RF signals thereto. The BE triage unit is configured to separate the AM, FM, and DAB RF signals transmitted from the TAM unit across a single coaxial cable to the RRM unit.

[0011] A single coaxial cable can also be configured to transfer direct current (DC) power from the RRM unit to the TAM unit, and the BE tripper unit can also include a BE DC input node configured to be electrically connected to a power source to receive DC power from it, the BE coaxial node electrically connecting the BE DC input node to the single coaxial cable.

[0012] The BE tripper unit may also include a bias T circuit that is inserted between and electrically connects the BE coaxial node and the BE DC input node, the BE AM / FM RF node and the BE DAB RF node, the bias T circuit being configured to combine DC power with RF signals transmitted across a single coaxial cable.

[0013] The FE triplet unit may also include an FE elliptical RF duplexer having an FE AM / FM filter circuit connected to an AM / FM FEM, an FE DAB filter circuit connected to a DAB FEM, and an FE matching filter circuit connecting the FE coaxial node to the FE AM / FM filter circuit and the DAB AM / FM filter circuit.

[0014] The FE matching filter circuit may include a first inductor that is connected in series with the first capacitor, the FE coaxial node, and ground.

[0015] The FE AM / FM filter circuit may include a second inductor, a third inductor, and a fourth inductor connected in series with the FE coaxial node and the FE AM / FM RF node, and a second capacitor, a third capacitor, and a fourth capacitor electrically interleaved with the second inductor, the third inductor, and the fourth inductor and the FE AM / FM RF node on the respective branch lines.

[0016] The FE DAB filter circuit may include a fifth capacitor, a sixth capacitor, and a seventh capacitor connected in series with the FE coaxial node and the FE DAB RF node, and a fifth inductor, a sixth inductor, and a seventh inductor electrically interleaved with the fifth capacitor, the sixth capacitor, the seventh capacitor, and the FE DAB RF node on the respective branch lines.

[0017] The FE DAB filter circuit may also include an eighth and a ninth capacitor connected in parallel to each other and connected in series with the fifth inductor and ground, and a tenth and an eleventh capacitor connected in parallel to each other and connected in series with the sixth inductor and ground.

[0018] The different filters in each RF duplexer and bias T circuit can take a wide variety of different form factors, including large lumped components with high Q values ​​for low frequencies, such as “0805” packages for inductors / capacitors, “0603” packages for inductors / capacitors, and / or “0402” packages for inductors / capacitors.

[0019] Additional aspects of this disclosure relate to motor vehicles equipped with a multi-band radio system comprising a dual RF duplexer and a single front and rear connector cable. As used herein, the terms “vehicle” and “motor vehicle” are used interchangeably and synonymously include any relevant vehicle platform, such as passenger cars, commercial vehicles, industrial vehicles, off-road and all-terrain vehicles, tracked vehicles, agricultural equipment, motorcycles, boats, aircraft, spacecraft, etc. In examples, a motor vehicle includes: a body including a passenger cabin; a plurality of road wheels attached to the body; a prime mover attached to the body and configured to drive one or more of the road wheels, thereby propelling the motor vehicle; and an AM, FM, and Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) multi-band radio system attached to the body.

[0020] Continuing the discussion of the previous example, the multi-band radio system of the motor vehicle includes: a tuner antenna module (TAM) unit, mounted on the vehicle body and comprising a DAB front-end module (FEM) and an AM / FM FEM. The DAB front-end module (FEM) has a DAB antenna configured to receive DAB RF signals in the DAB radio frequency (RF) range, and the AM / FM FEM has an AM antenna configured to receive AM RF signals in the AM RF range and an FM antenna configured to receive FM RF signals in the FM RF range; and a radio receiver module (RRM) unit, located in the passenger cabin and comprising a DAB receiver module (RXM) and an AM / FM RXM. The DAB receiver module is configured to receive DAB RF signals and convert them into DAB audio signals, and the AM / FM RXM is configured to receive AM RF signals and FM... The system includes: an RF signal converter that converts it into an AM / FM audio signal; a single coaxial cable connecting the TAM unit and the RRM unit to transmit the RF signal and DC power between them; a front-end (FE) triplexer unit located within the TAM unit and comprising an FE coaxial node connected to the single coaxial cable, a first FE DC output node and a second FE DC output node connected to the AM / FM FEM and DAB FEM respectively to transmit DC power to them, an FE AM / FM RF node connected to the AM / FM FEM to receive AM and FM RF signals from it, and an FE DAB RF node connected to the DAB FEM to receive DAB RF signals from it. The FE triplexer unit is configured to combine AM, FM, and DAB RF signals for transmission across the single coaxial cable to the RRM unit; and a back-end (BE) triplexer unit located within the RRM unit and comprising a BE coaxial node connected to the single coaxial cable, a BE DC input node connected to a power source to receive DC power from it, and a BE DC input node connected to the AM / FM RXM to transmit AM RF signals to it. The BE AM / FM RF node for RF and FM signals, and the BE DAB RF node connected to the DAB RF M to transmit DAB RF signals, the BE trippet unit is configured to separate AM, FM and DAB RF signals and transmit the combined signal across a single coaxial cable to the RRM unit.

[0021] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to methods for manufacturing and for using any of the multi-band radio systems and / or mobile vehicles described herein. As an example, a method for manufacturing an AM / FM / DAB multi-band radio system is proposed. This representative method includes, in any order and in any combination with the options and features disclosed above and below, the following: assembling a TAM unit comprising a DAB FEM and an AM / FM FEM, the DAB FEM having a DAB antenna configured to receive DAB RF signals, and the AM / FM FEM having an AM antenna configured to receive AM RF signals and an FM antenna configured to receive FM RF signals; assembling an RRM unit having a DAB RXM and an AM / FM RXM, the DAB RXM being configured to receive DAB RF signals and convert them into DAB audio signals, and the AM / FM RXM being configured to receive AM RF signals and FM RF signals and convert them into AM / FM audio signals; connecting the TAM unit and the RRM unit using only a single coaxial cable to transmit RF signals between the TAM unit and the RRM unit; and positioning an FE tripper unit within the TAM unit, the FE tripper unit comprising an FE coaxial node, an FE AM / FM RF node, and an FE DAB. The RF node, the FE tripod unit, is configured to combine AM, FM, and DAB RF signals and transmit them across a single coaxial cable; connect the FE coaxial node to the single coaxial cable; connect the FE AM / FM RF node to the AM / FM FEM to receive AM and FM RF signals from it; and connect the FEDAB RF node to the DAB FEM to receive DAB RF signals from it.

[0022] A single coaxial cable can also be configured to transmit direct current (DC) power from the RRM unit to the TAM unit, and the FE tripper unit can also include a first FE DC output node and a second FE DC output node. The method can also include electrically connecting the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node to the AM / FM FEM and DAB FEM, respectively, to transmit DC power to them, and electrically connecting the FE coaxial node to the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node.

[0023] The FE tripper unit may also include a voltage divider line (SVL) circuit that is inserted between the FE coaxial node and the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node and electrically connects them. The SVL circuit is configured to separate the DC power from the single coaxial cable and optionally progressively reduce it to the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage.

[0024] The FE tripper unit may also include a bias T circuit that is inserted between and electrically connects the FE coaxial node and the SVL circuit, the FE AM / FM RF node, and the FE DAB RF node. The bias T circuit is configured to separate the DC power from the RF signal transmitted across a single coaxial cable.

[0025] The method may further include: locating a back-end (BE) triplexer unit in the RRM unit, the BE triplexer unit including a BE coaxial node, a BE AM / FM RF node, and a BE DAB RF node, the BE triplexer unit being configured to separate AM, FM, and DAB RF signals transmitted from the TAM unit across a single coaxial cable to the RRM unit; connecting the BE coaxial node to the single coaxial cable; connecting the BE AM / FM RF node to an AM / FM RXM to transmit AM and FM RF signals thereto; and connecting the BE DAB RF node to a DAB RXM to transmit DAB RF signals thereto.

[0026] The FE triplet unit may also include an FE elliptic RF duplexer having an FE AM / FM filter circuit connected to the AM / FM FEM, an FE DAB filter circuit connected to the DAB FEM, and an FE matching filter circuit connecting the FE coaxial node to the FE AM / FM filter circuit and the DAB AM / FM filter circuit.

[0027] This invention includes the following technical solutions:

[0028] 1. A multi-band radio system for amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and digital audio broadcasting (DAB), said multi-band radio system comprising:

[0029] A tuner antenna module (TAM) unit includes a DAB front-end module (FEM) and an AM / FM FEM, wherein the DAB front-end module has a DAB antenna configured to receive DAB radio frequency (RF) signals, and the AM / FM FEM has an AM antenna configured to receive AMRF signals and an FM antenna configured to receive FM RF signals.

[0030] A radio receiver module (RRM) unit includes a DAB receiver module (RXM) and an AM / FM RXM, wherein the DAB receiver module (RXM) is configured to receive a DAB RF signal and convert the DAB RF signal into a DAB audio signal, and the AM / FM RXM is configured to receive the AM RF signal and the FM RF signal and convert the AM RF signal and the FM RF signal into an AM / FM audio signal;

[0031] A single coaxial cable connecting the TAM unit and the RRM unit to transmit RF signals therebetween; and

[0032] A front-end (FE) triplexer unit, located within the TAM unit, includes an FE coaxial node connected to a single coaxial cable, an FE AM / FM RF node connected to the AM / FM FEM to receive the AM RF and FM RF signals therefrom, and an FE DAB RF node connected to the DAB FEM to receive the DAB RF signals therefrom. The FE triplexer unit is configured to combine the AM RF, FM RF, and DAB RF signals for transmission across the single coaxial cable to the RRM unit.

[0033] 2. The multiband radio system according to claim 1, wherein the single coaxial cable is further configured to transmit direct current (DC) power from the RRM unit to the TAM unit, and wherein the FE tripper unit further includes a first FE DC output node and a second FE DC output node electrically connected to the AM / FM FEM and the DAB FEM, respectively, to transmit the DC power thereto, the FE coaxial node electrically connecting the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node to the single coaxial cable.

[0034] 3. The multiband radio system according to claim 2, wherein the FE tripper unit further includes a voltage divider line (SVL) circuit, the voltage divider line circuit being inserted between the FE coaxial node and the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node and electrically connecting the FE coaxial node to the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node, the SVL circuit being configured to divide the DC power from the single coaxial cable into a first DC voltage and a second DC voltage.

[0035] 4. The multiband radio system according to Scheme 3, wherein the SVL circuit includes a main SVL line connected in series with the first SVL branch line, the second SVL branch line, and the FE coaxial node, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter on the main SVL line, and a DC-DC buck converter and / or low dropout (LDO) regulator on the second SVL branch line.

[0036] 5. The multiband radio system according to claim 3, wherein the FE tripper unit further includes a bias T circuit, the bias T circuit being inserted between the FE coaxial node and the SVL circuit, the FE AM / FM RF node and the FE DAB RF node and electrically connecting the FE coaxial node to the SVL circuit, the FE AM / FM RF node and the FE DAB RF node, the bias T circuit being configured to separate the DC power from the RF signal transmitted across the single coaxial cable.

[0037] 6. The multiband radio system according to claim 1 further includes a back-end (BE) triage unit located in the RRM unit and comprising a BE coaxial node connected to the single coaxial cable, a BE AM / FM RF node connected to the AM / FM RXM to transmit the AM RF signal and FM RF signal thereto, and a BE DAB RF node connected to the DAB RXM to transmit the DAB RF signal thereto, the BE triage unit being configured to separate the AM RF signal, FM RF signal and DAB RF signal transmitted from the TAM unit across the single coaxial cable to the RRM unit.

[0038] 7. The multiband radio system according to claim 6, wherein the single coaxial cable is further configured to transmit direct current (DC) power from the RRM unit to the TAM unit, and wherein the BE tripper unit further includes a BE DC input node configured to be electrically connected to a power source to receive the DC power therefrom, the BE coaxial node electrically connecting the BE DC input node to the single coaxial cable.

[0039] 8. The multiband radio system according to claim 7, wherein the BE tripper unit further includes a bias T circuit inserted between the BE coaxial node and the BE DC input node, the BE AM / FM RF node and the BE DAB RF node, and electrically connecting the BE coaxial node to the BE DC input node, the BE AM / FM RF node and the BE DAB RF node, the bias T circuit being configured to combine the DC power with the RF signal transmitted across the single coaxial cable.

[0040] 9. The multiband radio system according to claim 1, wherein the FE triplet unit further includes an FE elliptic RF duplexer having an FE AM / FM filter circuit connected to the AM / FM FEM, an FE DAB filter circuit connected to the DAB FEM, and an FE matching filter circuit connecting the FE coaxial node to the FE AM / FM filter circuit and the DAB AM / FM filter circuit.

[0041] 10. The multi-band radio system according to claim 9, wherein the FE matching filter circuit includes a first inductor connected in series with a first capacitor, the FE coaxial node, and ground.

[0042] 11. The multi-band radio system according to claim 10, wherein the FE AM / FM filter circuit includes a second inductor, a third inductor, and a fourth inductor connected in series with the FE coaxial node and the FE AM / FM RF node, and a second capacitor, a third capacitor, and a fourth capacitor electrically interleaved with the second inductor, the third inductor, and the fourth inductor and the FE AM / FM RF node on corresponding branch lines.

[0043] 12. The multiband radio system according to Scheme 11, wherein the FE DAB filter circuit includes a fifth capacitor, a sixth capacitor, and a seventh capacitor connected in series with the FE coaxial node and the FE DAB RF node, and a fifth inductor, a sixth inductor, and a seventh inductor electrically interleaved with the fifth capacitor, the sixth capacitor, the seventh capacitor, and the FE DAB RF node on corresponding branch lines.

[0044] 13. The multiband radio system according to claim 12, wherein the FE DAB filter circuit further includes an eighth and a ninth capacitor connected in parallel to each other and connected in series with the fifth inductor and the ground, and a tenth and an eleventh capacitor connected in parallel to each other and connected in series with the sixth inductor and the ground.

[0045] 14. A motorized vehicle, comprising:

[0046] The vehicle body, including the passenger cabin;

[0047] Multiple road wheels are attached to the vehicle body;

[0048] Prime mover, which is attached to the vehicle body and configured to drive one or more of the road wheels, thereby propelling the motor vehicle; and

[0049] Multiband radio systems including amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and digital audio broadcasting (DAB), including:

[0050] A tuner antenna module (TAM) unit is mounted on the vehicle body and includes a DAB front-end module (FEM) and an AM / FM FEM. The DAB front-end module has a DAB antenna configured to receive DAB RF signals in the DAB radio frequency (RF) range, and the AM / FM FEM has an AM antenna configured to receive AM RF signals in the AM RF range and an FM antenna configured to receive FM RF signals in the FM RF range.

[0051] A radio receiver module (RRM) unit, located in the cabin, includes a DAB receiver module (RXM) and an AM / FM RXM. The DAB receiver module (RXM) is configured to receive the DAB RF signal and convert the DAB RF signal into a DAB audio signal. The AM / FM RXM is configured to receive the AM RF signal and the FM RF signal and convert the AM RF signal and the FM RF signal into an AM / FM audio signal.

[0052] A single coaxial cable connects the TAM unit and the RRM unit to transmit RF signals and DC power therebetween.

[0053] A front-end (FE) triplexer unit, located within the TAM unit, includes an FE coaxial node connected to a single coaxial cable, a first FEDC output node and a second FE DC output node connected to the AM / FM FEM and the DAB FEM respectively to transmit DC power to them, an FE AM / FM RF node connected to the AM / FM FEM to receive AM RF and FM RF signals from it, and an FE DAB RF node connected to the DAB FEM to receive DAB RF signals from it. The FE triplexer unit is configured to combine the AM RF, FM RF, and DAB RF signals for transmission across the single coaxial cable to the RRM unit; and

[0054] A back-end (BE) triplexer unit, located within the RRM unit, includes a BE coaxial node connected to the single coaxial cable, a BE DC input node connected to a power source to receive DC power from it, a BE AM / FM RF node connected to the AM / FM RXM to transmit the AM RF and FM RF signals thereto, and a BE DAB RF node connected to the DAB RXM to transmit the DAB RF signal thereto. The BE triplexer unit is configured to separate the AM RF signal, FM RF signal, and DAB RF signal and transmit the combined signal across the single coaxial cable to the RRM unit.

[0055] 15. A method for manufacturing an amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and digital audio broadcasting (DAB) multiband radio system, the method comprising:

[0056] Assemble a tuner antenna module (TAM) unit, the tuner antenna module (TAM) unit including a DAB front-end module (FEM) and an AM / FM FEM, the DAB front-end module (FEM) having a DAB antenna configured to receive DAB radio frequency (RF) signals, and the AM / FM FEM having an AM antenna configured to receive AM RF signals and an FM antenna configured to receive FM RF signals;

[0057] Assemble a radio receiver module (RRM) unit having a DAB receiver module (RXM) and an AM / FM RXM, wherein the DAB receiver module (RXM) is configured to receive the DAB RF signal and convert the DAB RF signal into a DAB audio signal, and the AM / FM RXM is configured to receive the AM RF signal and the FM RF signal and convert the AM RF signal and the FM RF signal into an AM / FM audio signal;

[0058] The TAM unit and the RRM unit are connected using only a single coaxial cable, thereby transmitting RF signals between the TAM unit and the RRM unit; and

[0059] A front-end (FE) tripper unit is located in the TAM unit. The FE tripper unit includes an FE coaxial node, an FE AM / FM RF node, and an FE DAB RF node. The FE tripper unit is configured to combine the AM RF signal, FM RF signal, and DAB RF signal and transmit the AM RF signal, FM RF signal, and DAB RF signal across a single coaxial cable.

[0060] Connect the FE coaxial node to the single coaxial cable;

[0061] Connect the FE AM / FM RF node to the AM / FM FEM to receive the AM RF signal and FMRF signal from it; and

[0062] Connect the FE DAB RF node to the DAB FEM to receive the DAB RF signal from it.

[0063] 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the single coaxial cable is further configured to transmit direct current (DC) power from the RRM unit to the TAM unit, and wherein the FE tripper unit further includes a first FEDC output node and a second FEDC output node, the method further comprising:

[0064] The first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node are electrically connected to the AM / FM FEM and the DAB FEM, respectively, to transmit the DC power to them; and

[0065] The FE coaxial node is electrically connected to the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node.

[0066] 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the FE tripod unit further includes a voltage divider line (SVL) circuit, the voltage divider line circuit being inserted between the FE coaxial node and the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node and electrically connecting the FE coaxial node to the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node, the SVL circuit being configured to divide the DC power from the single coaxial cable into a first DC voltage and a second DC voltage.

[0067] 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the FE tripod unit further includes a bias T circuit inserted between the FE coaxial node and the SVL circuit, the FE AM / FM RF node and the FE DAB RF node and electrically connecting the FE coaxial node to the SVL circuit, the FE AM / FM RF node and the FEDAB RF node, the bias T circuit being configured to separate the RF signal transmitted across the single coaxial cable from the DC power.

[0068] 19. The method according to claim 15 further includes:

[0069] A back-end (BE) triplet unit is located in the RRM unit. The BE triplet unit includes a BE coaxial node, a BE AM / FM RF node, and a BE DAB RF node. The BE triplet unit is configured to separate the AM RF signal, FM RF signal, and DAB RF signal transmitted from the TAM unit across the single coaxial cable to the RRM unit.

[0070] Connect the BE coaxial node to the single coaxial cable;

[0071] Connect the BE AM / FM RF node to the AM / FM RXM to transmit the AM RF signal and FMRF signal to it; and

[0072] Connect the BE DAB RF node to the DAB RXM to transmit the DAB RF signal to it.

[0073] 20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the FE triplet unit further includes an FE elliptic RF duplexer having an FE AM / FM filter circuit connected to the AM / FM FEM, an FE DAB filter circuit connected to the DAB FEM, and an FE matching filter circuit connecting the FE coaxial node to the FE AM / FM filter circuit and the DAB AM / FM filter circuit.

[0074] The foregoing summary does not represent every embodiment or aspect of this disclosure. Rather, it provides only a summary of some of the novel concepts and features set forth herein. The foregoing features and advantages, as well as other features and accompanying advantages, will become apparent when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims, based on the following detailed description of illustrative examples and representative modes for implementing this disclosure. Furthermore, this disclosure expressly includes any and all combinations and sub-combinations of the elements and features presented above and below. Attached Figure Description

[0075] Figure 1 The present disclosure is a partial schematic side view of a representative motor vehicle having a network of onboard controllers, sensors, communication equipment and a central control telematics unit having a multi-band radio triac system.

[0076] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a representative AM / FM / DAB radio system with dual RF / DC trippers and a single front and rear coaxial connector cable, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0077] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a representative AM / FM / DAB RF duplexer unit based on various aspects of this disclosure, which can be incorporated into... Figure 2 The front-end and back-end RF / DC triplexers.

[0078] Figure 4 It is based on the various aspects of this disclosure for use in Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a representative bias T circuit in the front-end and back-end RF / DC triplexer that combines or isolates RF and DC signals.

[0079] Figure 5 It is based on the various aspects of this disclosure for the purpose of separation and gradual reduction Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a representative branch voltage circuit for the DC input signal voltage level in the front-end RF / DC triplexer.

[0080] Figure 6 It is based on the various aspects of this disclosure for the purpose of separation and gradual reduction Figure 2 A schematic diagram of another representative branch voltage circuit for the voltage level of the DC input signal in the front-end RF / DC triplexer.

[0081] This disclosure may have various modifications and alternatives, and some representative embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the novel aspects of this disclosure are not limited to the specific forms illustrated in the drawings listed above. Rather, this disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, combinations, arrangements, groupings, and alternatives that fall within the scope of this disclosure as covered, for example, by the appended claims. Detailed Implementation

[0082] This disclosure allows for numerous different embodiments. Representative embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and these representative embodiments will be described in detail herein. It is to be understood that these embodiments are provided as examples of the principles disclosed and not as limitations on the broad aspects of this disclosure. Therefore, elements and limitations described, for example, in the abstract, background, summary, description of the drawings, and detailed description sections, but not expressly set forth in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims individually or collectively by implication, inference, or otherwise. Furthermore, the use of terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the specification or claims is not in itself intended to establish a sequence or numerical limitation; unless specifically stated otherwise, these designations may be used for convenient reference to similar features in the specification and drawings and to distinguish similar elements in the claims.

[0083] For the purposes of this disclosure, unless specifically denied, the following shall apply: the singular includes the plural, and vice versa (e.g., the indefinite articles “a” and “one” shall generally be interpreted as meaning “one or more”); the words “and” and “or” shall be both conjunctions and disjunctive words; the words “any” and “all” shall both mean “any and all”; and the words “including,” “containing,” “comprising,” “having,” etc., shall each mean “including but not limited to.” Furthermore, approximate words such as “approximately,” “almost,” “substantially,” “generally,” “approximately,” etc., may each be used herein as examples such as “within, near, or close to,” or “within 0-5%,” or “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances,” or any logical combination thereof. Finally, directional adjectives and adverbs such as forward, aft, inboard, outboard, starboard, nodal, vertical, horizontal, up, down, forward, aft, left, right, etc., may be relative to the motor vehicle, such as the forward driving direction of the motor vehicle when it is operatively oriented on a horizontal driving surface.

[0084] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, which run through several views, similar reference numerals refer to similar features, in Figure 1 A representative motor vehicle is illustrated herein, generally designated at point 10, and depicted herein as a car-type electric vehicle for purposes of discussion. The illustrated vehicle 10 (also referred to herein as a “motor vehicle” or simply a “vehicle”) is merely an exemplary application that can be utilized to practice the novel aspects of this disclosure. Similarly, incorporating the concept into the specific multiband radio system architecture presented in the accompanying drawings should be understood as a non-limiting implementation of the disclosed features. Thus, it will be understood that the novel features of this disclosure can be incorporated into other radio system architectures, can be used in any logically related type of motor vehicle, and can be used equally for both vehicle and non-vehicle applications. Furthermore, only selected components of the motor vehicle and multiband radio system are shown and described in detail herein. However, the vehicle and radio system discussed below may include numerous additional and alternative features, as well as other available peripheral hardware, for implementing the various methods and functions of this disclosure.

[0085] Figure 1 The representative vehicle 10 is originally equipped with a vehicle telecommunications and informatics (“telematics processing”) unit 14, which connects to a remotely located cloud computing host service 24 (e.g., via a cellular network, satellite service, wireless-enabled modem, etc.) Wireless communication. As a non-limiting example, Figure 1Some of the other vehicle hardware components 16 generally shown include an electronic video display device 18, a microphone 28, one or more audio speakers 30, and a variety of user input controls 32 (e.g., buttons, knobs, switches, touchpads, touchscreens, etc.). These hardware components 16 function in part as a human-machine interface (HMI), enabling users to communicate with the telematics unit 14 and other components residing in and remote from the vehicle 10. For example, the microphone 28 provides the occupants with a means of inputting verbal commands; the vehicle 10 may be equipped with an embedded voice processing unit with audio filtering, editing, and analysis modules. Conversely, the speakers 30 provide auditory output to the vehicle occupants and may be a separate speaker dedicated to the telematics unit 14 or part of the in-cabin audio system 22. The audio system 22 is connected to a network connection interface 34 and an audio bus 20 to receive analog and digital information and reproduce it as sound via one or more speaker components.

[0086] Network interface 34 is communicatively coupled to telematics unit 14. Suitable examples of network interface 34 include twisted-pair / fiber Ethernet switches, parallel / serial communication buses, local area network (LAN) interfaces, controller area network (CAN) interfaces, etc. Network interface 34 enables vehicle hardware 16 to send and receive signals to and from each other and to various on-board and off-board systems of vehicle body 12. This allows vehicle 10 to perform a wide variety of vehicle functions, such as modulating powertrain output, activating friction and regenerative braking systems, controlling vehicle steering, and other automated functions. For example, telematics unit 14 can exchange signals with powertrain control module (PCM) 52, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) module 54, brake system control module (BSCM) 56, body control module (BCM) 58, sensor system interface module (SSIM) 60, and various other vehicle ECUs (such as transmission control module (TCM), sensing and diagnostic module (SDM), motor control module (MCM), etc.).

[0087] Continue to refer to Figure 1The telematics unit 14 is an onboard computing device that provides hybrid services, both independently and through communication with other networked devices. The telematics unit 14 may generally consist of one or more processors 40, each of which may be embodied as a discrete microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or dedicated control module. The vehicle 10 may provide centralized vehicle control via a central processing unit (CPU) 36, which is operatively coupled to a real-time clock (RTC) 42 and one or more electronic storage devices 38, each of which may take the form of a CD-ROM, disk, IC device, solid-state drive (SSD) memory, hard disk drive (HDD) memory, phase-change memory, flash memory, semiconductor memory (e.g., various types of RAM or ROM), etc.

[0088] Long-range communication (LRC) capability with remote, non-vehicle-mounted devices can be provided via one or more of the following: cellular chip sets / components, navigation and positioning chip sets / components (e.g., GPS transceivers), wireless modems, or mobile hotspots, all of which are collectively represented at 44. Short-range wireless connectivity can be provided via short-range communication (SRC) devices 46 (e.g., The communication device described above can provide data exchange as part of periodic broadcasts in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, such as vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-device (V2D), and vehicle-to-cloud (V2C) communication systems.

[0089] CPU 36 receives sensor data from one or more sensing devices that use technologies such as photoelectric detection, radar, laser, ultrasound, optics, infrared, or other suitable techniques, including short-range communication technologies (e.g., DSRC) or ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology, to perform controller automation (AV / ADAS) driving operations or vehicle navigation services. According to the illustrated example, vehicle 10 may be equipped with one or more digital cameras 62, one or more range sensors 64, one or more vehicle speed sensors 66, one or more vehicle dynamic sensors 68, and any necessary filtering, classification, fusion, and analysis hardware and software for processing the raw sensor data. The type, placement, quantity, and interoperability of the distributed onboard sensor array can be individually or collectively adapted to a given vehicle platform to achieve the desired level of automated vehicle operation.

[0090] To propel the vehicle 10, the vehicle powertrain is operable to generate traction torque and transmit it to one or more of the vehicle's drive wheels 26. The powertrain in Figure 1 The image shows an electric traction motor (M) 78, which is operatively connected to a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) that may have the characteristics of a traction battery pack 70 mounted on a chassis. The traction battery pack 70 generally consists of one or more battery modules 72, each containing a cluster of battery cells 74, such as pouch-type, prismatic, or cylindrical lithium, zinc, nickel, or silicone cells. One or more prime movers, such as a traction motor / generator (M) unit 78, draw power from the battery pack 70 and optionally supply power to it. A power inverter module (PIM) 80 electrically connects the battery pack 70 to the motor(s) 78 and modulates the current transfer therebetween. The battery pack 70 may include integrated electronic packages, such as a wireless-enabled cell monitoring unit (CMU) 76, which enables on-module management, cell sensing, etc.

[0091] Many commercially available automotive communication systems include multi-band radio systems supporting numerous radio frequency bands, including AM radio in the 540–1700 kHz range, FM radio in the 88–108 MHz range, and broadband DAB radio in the 174–240 MHz (Band III) or 1.45–1.49 GHz (L-band) range. These multi-band radio systems can use two separate RF coaxial cable lines combined with separate phantom DC voltage lines to route the in-cabin AM / FM and DAB tuner modules to their respective top-mounted antenna modules. These radio wiring harnesses, including all their associated connection points and compatible electrical hardware, increase system complexity and cost, vehicle weight, and packaging requirements.

[0092] The following discussion concerns a multiband AM / FM / DAB radio system with dual RF / DC trippers, which are routed together via separate front and rear coaxial cables that operatively connect the front-end tuner antenna module (TAM) to the rear-end radio receiver module (RRM). Each tripper unit may contain an elliptic filter-type RF duplexer with low-pass, high-pass, and matched network filters that cooperatively combine (at the front end) or separate (at the rear end) the AM / FM RF signal with the DAB RF signal transmitted across the coaxial connector cable. A bias T circuit may be placed at the exit (front end) or inlet (rear end) of each tripper to separate (front end) or combine (rear end) the DC voltage signal transmitted by the RRM across a single coaxial cable to the TAM. This DC signal can be used to provide the appropriate voltage to each radio FEM low-noise amplifier. In multiband radio systems with very small frequency separation between AM / FM and DAB frequencies, the use of elliptic filter-type duplexers helps eliminate signal reflections and provides exceptional signal isolation. Ideally, all filters in an RF duplexer should use large 0805, 0603, or 0402 inductor / capacitor (LC) components with high Q values ​​to help maintain low losses at low frequencies.

[0093] Figure 2 An example of a multi-band radio system 100 is presented, which has dual RF / DC trippers 118 and 132 and a single front-end / rear-end connector cable 106 for providing AM / FM analog radio service and DAB digital radio service. The multi-band AM / FM / DAB radio system 100 is depicted as having a three-part architecture, which can be represented by a front-end tuner antenna module unit 102, a radio receiver module unit 104, and a single coaxial cable 106 inserted between and connecting the TAM unit 102 and the RRM unit 104 to transmit both DC voltage signals and RF antenna line signals therebetween. The front-end TAM unit 102 can be mounted on an external surface of the host vehicle (e.g., Figure 1 The RRM unit 104 can be encapsulated inside the main vehicle (e.g., integrated into the telematics unit 14 inside the vehicle cabin 11), and the coaxial cable 106 can be routed upwards from behind the dashboard through the front screen (A) pillar and through a feed hole in the roof to the antenna housing. Although not shown, it should be understood that... Figure 2The radio system 100 may include additional acoustic hardware such as a multi-channel amplifier, grounding block, fuse box, and a collection of high, mid, and low-range speaker assemblies. Conversely, the AM / FM / DAB radio system 100 may be characterized by the absence of more than one cable connecting the in-cabin radio tuner to an antenna module mounted on the vehicle body.

[0094] The front-end TAM unit 102 comprises three main components: a DAB front-end module 108 with a DAB antenna 110, an AM / FM front-end module 112 with an AM antenna 114 and an FM antenna 116, and a front-end (FE) triplexer unit 118 with an integrated FE RF duplexer 120', a voltage divider line (SVL) circuit 122, and a bias T circuit 124'. During system use, the DAB antenna 110 can receive DAB radio frequency signals in the DAB RF range, the AM antenna 114 can receive AM RF signals in the AM RF range, and the FM antenna 116 can receive FM RF signals in the FM RF range, as described above, where the AM, FM, and DAB RD ranges are mutually exclusive. Each FEM 108, 112 may include: a corresponding bandpass filter (BPF) for receiving electromagnetic waves from the antenna and removing image frequencies and out-of-band signals; a low-noise amplifier (LNA) for amplifying weak antenna signals without adding noise; and a variable gain amplifier (VGA) or local oscillator and mixer for signal pre-conditioning. In at least some applications, the entire front-end TAM unit 102 is encapsulated within a rigid and protective antenna housing, which is mounted on a vehicle roof, trunk lid, liftgate, etc.

[0095] The back-end RRM unit 104 may include four main components: a DAB receiver module 126, an AM / FM receiver module 128, a radio central computing unit (CCU) 130, and a back-end (BE) triplet unit 132 with an integrated BE RF duplexer 120” and a bias T circuit 124”. During system use, the DAB RXM 126 receives pre-processed radio signals from the DAB FEM 108 and converts the received DAB RF signals into DAB audio signals, while the AM / FM RXM 128 receives pre-processed radio signals from the AM / FM FEM 112 and converts the AM RF signals and FM RF signals into AM / FM audio signals. Each RXM 126, 128 may include a frequency amplifier for increasing the signal strength of the selected signal, and a stage detector for recovering data from the RF signal and generating the sound data initially applied to the carrier. RRM unit 104 can be integrated into the cabin stereo host unit, which provides the occupant with an HMI for operating the radio system 100, including a tuner for selecting a specific signal of a desired radio station, volume controls for selecting a desired volume, and other available features.

[0096] Continue to refer to Figure 2 The front-end tripper unit 118 generally functions to: (1) combine the FM, AM, and DAB radio lines output from FEMs 108 and 112 into a unified RF line that can be transmitted across a single coaxial cable 106; and (2) separate a DC voltage signal from the unified RF line, which is transmitted from the BE tripper unit 132 across a single coaxial cable 106. According to the illustrated example, the FE tripper unit 118 has an FE coaxial node 134 connected to the coaxial cable 106, an FE AM / FM RF node 136 connected to the AM / FM FEM 112 to receive AM and FM RF signals from it, and an FE DAB RF node 138 connected to the DAB FEM 108 to receive DAB RF signals from it. The FE tripper unit 118 can combine AM, FM, and DAB line signals via the FE RF duplexer 120' for transmission across the coaxial cable 106 to the RRM unit 104. The FE tripper unit 118 may also include a pair (first and second) FE DC output nodes 139 and 140, each electrically connected to a corresponding one of the FEMs 108, 112 to transmit DC power from the coaxial cable 106. For this purpose, the two FE DC output nodes 139, 140 are electrically connected to a single coaxial cable 106 via SVL circuit 122, bias T circuit 124', and FE coaxial node 134.

[0097] Presented as a partial mirror counterpart of FE tripper unit 118, BE tripper unit 132 generally functions to: (1) separate the unified RF line transmitted from TAM 102 across a single coaxial cable 106 into separate FM / AM and DAB wireless lines; and (2) combine a DC voltage signal with the unified RF line for transmission across coaxial cable 106 to FE tripper unit 118. As shown, BE tripper unit 132 has a BE coaxial node 142 connected to the single coaxial cable 106, a BE AM / FM RF node 144 connected to AM / FM RXM 128 to transmit AM / FM RF signals thereto, and a BE DAB RF node 146 connected to DAB RXM 126 to transmit DAB RF signals thereto. The AM, FM, and DAB RF signals transmitted from the TAM unit 102 across a single coaxial cable 106 can be separated via the BE RF duplexer 120” and the BE triplexer unit 132. The BE triplexer unit 132 may also include a BE DC input node 148, which is electrically connected to a low-voltage power supply 150 (e.g., a 12V, 8.5V, or 5V battery) to receive DC power signals from it. For this purpose, the DC input node 148 can be electrically connected to the single coaxial cable 106 via the bias T circuit 124’ and the coaxial node 142. Although shown externally to the RRM 104, the power supply 150 can be routed to the bias T 124’ via the CCU 130 of the RRM 104 or other suitable electrical connection nodes.

[0098] As described above, the voltage divider circuit 122 can be inserted between the FE coaxial node 134 and the bias T circuit 124', and can be electrically connected to the two FE DC output nodes 139, 140 and FEMs 108, 112. This SVL circuit 122 can be designed to receive DC power (e.g., V0) from a single coaxial cable. in A DC signal of 12V or 8V is gradually reduced and divided into different (first and second) DC voltages (e.g., V1 = 12V or 8V and V2 = 3V or 5V). As a non-limiting example, Figure 5The example presents a representative SVL circuit 422, which has a main SVL line 460 connected in series with the FE coaxial node 134 and a pair of (first and second) SVL branch lines 462 and 464, each of which is connected to a corresponding DC output node 139, 140. In this example, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter 466 is located on the main SVL line 460, and a low dropout (LDO) regulator 468 is located on the second SVL branch line 464 upstream of the DC output node 139 and the AM / FM FEM 112. In another example, a representative SVL circuit 522 is... Figure 6 Presented in the diagram, an EMI filter 466 is located on the main SVL line 460, and a DC-DC buck converter 570, a second EMI filter 566, and an LDO regulator 468 are connected in series on a second SVL branch line 464 upstream of the FE DC output node 139 and the AM / FM FEM 112. Each SVL branch line 462 and 464 can transmit the corresponding output voltages V1, V2 to one of the FEMs 108, 112 to feed the internal low-noise amplifier (LNA) assembly within the module.

[0099] Refer again Figure 2 The FE bias T circuit 124' can be integrated into the FE triplet 118, inserted between the FE coaxial node 134 and the SVL circuit 122, electrically connecting the FE coaxial node 134 to the SVL circuit 122, and thus electrically connecting to the two DC output nodes 139, 140. Similarly, the BE bias T circuit 124" can be integrated into the BE RF duplexer 120", inserted between the BE coaxial node 142 and the triplet's DC input node 148, electrically connecting the BE coaxial node 142 to the triplet's DC input node 148, and thus electrically connecting to the voltage supply 150. As previously described, each bias T circuit 124', 124" combines (back end) or separates (front end) the DC voltage signal with a unified AM / FM / DAB signal transmitted across a single coaxial cable 106. As a non-limiting example, Figure 4The diagram presents a representative bias T(BT) circuit 324, which has a main BT line 360 ​​connected in series with coaxial nodes 134 and 142, and a pair of (first and second) BT branch lines 362 and 364. A BT resistor 372 is located on the first BT branch line 362 and is connected in series with coaxial nodes 134 and 142 and either the SVL circuit 122 (front end) or the DC input node 148 (rear end). A BT capacitor 374 is located on the second BT branch line 364 and is connected in series with coaxial nodes 134 and 142 and either the FE RF duplexer 120' (in TAM 102) or the BE RF duplexer 120' (in RRM 104). For simplified design and manufacturing, it is desirable to... Figure 2 The arrangement and components of the two bias T circuits 124' and 124" are essentially the same.

[0100] Each of the RF / DC triplexer units 118, 132 may contain a corresponding elliptic filter-type RF duplexer 120', 120', having low-pass, high-pass, and matched network filters that cooperatively combine (at the front end) or separate (at the back end) the AM / FM / RF signal with the DAB RF signal transmitted across a single coaxial cable 106. Inside the FE triplexer 118, the FERF duplexer 120' includes a FE AM / FM filter circuit 152' connected to the AM / FM FEM 112 via RF node 136, a FE DAB filter circuit 154' connected to the DAB FEM 108 via RF node 138, and a FE coaxial node 134 inserted between the FE AM / FM filter circuit 152' and the FE DAB filter circuit 154', electrically connecting the FE coaxial node 134 to the FE AM / FM filter circuit 152' and the FE DAB filter circuit 154'. FE matching network (MN) filter circuit 156' of DAB filter circuit 154'. For BE triplet 132, BE RF duplexer 120' includes BE AM / FM filter circuit 152" connected to AM / FM RXM 128 via RF node 144, BE DAB filter circuit 154" connected to DAB RXM 126 via RF node 146, and BE MN filter circuit 156" inserted between BE coaxial node 142 and BE AM / FM filter circuit 152" and BE DAB filter circuit 154" and electrically connecting BE coaxial node 142 to BE AM / FM filter circuit 152" and BE DAB filter circuit 154". According to the illustrated example, coaxial cable 106 serves as an isolated umbilical connector between the two RF duplexers 120', 120"

[0101] Figure 2 The front-end RF duplexer 120' and the back-end RF duplexer 120" can be mirror counterparts of each other, providing opposite functions: the former merges FM, AM, and DAB radio lines into a unified RF line, while the latter divides the unified RF line into separate FM, AM, and DAB radio lines. For the sake of simplified design and manufacturing, it is desirable that the arrangement and components of the two duplexers 120' and 120" are substantially identical. For example, Figure 3 The image shows a representative RF duplexer unit 220, which can be incorporated into... Figure 2 The RF / DC trippers 118 and 132. Like duplexers 120' and 120”, the RF duplexer unit 220 contains three interconnected filters: (1) an MN filter circuit 256, which is electrically connected in series with a single coaxial cable 106 via coaxial nodes 134 and 142; (2) an AM / FM filter circuit 252, which is electrically connected in series with bias T circuits 124' and 124” and AM / FM FEM 112 or RXM 128 via nodes 136 and 144; and (3) a DAB filter circuit 254, which is electrically connected in series with bias T circuits 124' and 124” and DAB FEM 108 or RXM 126 via nodes 138 and 146. Figure 3 The MN filter circuit 256 can be composed of a first inductor L1 connected in series with a first capacitor C1. The inductor L1 and capacitor C1 of the MN filter are inserted between the ground block GND and the FE / BE bias T circuits 124', 124" and connected in series with them.

[0102] Continue to refer to Figure 3 The AM / FM filter circuit 252 includes a second inductor L2, a third inductor L3, and a fourth inductor L4, which are connected in series with each other and in series with coaxial nodes 134 and 142 and AM / FM RF nodes 136 and 144. A second capacitor C2, a third capacitor C3, and a fourth capacitor C4 are located on corresponding branches of the circuit interleaved with the second inductor L2, the third inductor L3, and the fourth inductor L4 and AM / FM RF nodes 136 and 144 (i.e., inductor-capacitor-inductor-capacitor-inductor-capacitor-node). Each of these three capacitors C2, C3, and C4 is directly connected in series with ground GND. Furthermore, a twelfth capacitor C12 is connected in parallel with the third inductor L3, and a thirteenth capacitor C13 is connected in parallel with the fourth inductor L4.

[0103] Figure 2The DAB filter circuit 254 includes a fifth capacitor C5, a sixth capacitor C6, and a seventh capacitor C7, which are connected in series with each other and in series with coaxial nodes 134 and 142 and DAB RF nodes 138 and 146, respectively. The fifth inductor L5, the sixth inductor L6, and the seventh inductor L7 are located on corresponding branches of the circuit interleaved with the fifth capacitor C5, the sixth capacitor C6, and the seventh capacitor C7 and DAB RF nodes 138 and 146 (i.e., capacitor-inductor-capacitor-inductor-capacitor-inductor-node). The seventh inductor L7 is directly connected in series with ground GND. Conversely, the eighth capacitor C8 and the ninth capacitor C9 are connected in parallel with each other and in series with the fifth inductor C5 and ground GND, such that the two capacitors C8 and C9 are electrically inserted between the inductor C5 and ground GND. The tenth capacitor C10 and the eleventh capacitor C11 are connected in parallel to each other and in series with the sixth inductor L6 and the ground block GND, so that the two capacitors C10 and C11 are electrically inserted between the inductor C6 and the ground GND.

[0104] Various aspects of this disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments; however, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is not limited to the precise constructions and compositions disclosed herein; any and all modifications, alterations, and variations apparent from the foregoing description are within the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, this concept expressly includes any and all combinations and sub-combinations of the foregoing elements and features.

Claims

1. A multi-band radio system for amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and digital audio broadcasting (DAB), said multi-band radio system comprising: A tuner antenna module (TAM) unit includes a DAB front-end module (FEM) and an AM / FM FEM, wherein the DAB front-end module has a DAB antenna configured to receive DAB radio frequency (RF) signals, and the AM / FM FEM has an AM antenna configured to receive AM RF signals and an FM antenna configured to receive FM RF signals. A radio receiver module (RRM) unit includes a DAB receiver module (RXM) and an AM / FM RXM, wherein the DAB receiver module (RXM) is configured to receive a DAB RF signal and convert the DAB RF signal into a DAB audio signal, and the AM / FM RXM is configured to receive the AM RF signal and the FM RF signal and convert the AM RF signal and the FM RF signal into an AM / FM audio signal; A single coaxial cable connects the TAM unit and the RRM unit to transmit RF signals therebetween; as well as A front-end (FE) triplexer unit, located within the TAM unit, includes an FE coaxial node connected to a single coaxial cable, an FE AM / FM RF node connected to the AM / FM FEM to receive the AM RF and FM RF signals therefrom, and an FE DAB RF node connected to the DAB FEM to receive the DAB RF signals therefrom. The FE triplexer unit is configured to combine the AM RF, FM RF, and DAB RF signals for transmission across the single coaxial cable to the RRM unit.

2. The multi-band radio system of claim 1, wherein, The single coaxial cable is further configured to transmit direct current (DC) power from the RRM unit to the TAM unit, and wherein the FE tripper unit further includes a first FE DC output node and a second FE DC output node electrically connected to the AM / FM FEM and the DAB FEM, respectively, to transmit the DC power thereto, the FE coaxial node electrically connecting the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node to the single coaxial cable.

3. The multi-band radio system of claim 2, wherein, The FE tripod unit further includes a voltage divider line (SVL) circuit, which is inserted between the FE coaxial node and the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node and electrically connects the FE coaxial node to the first FE DC output node and the second FE DC output node. The SVL circuit is configured to divide the DC power from the single coaxial cable into a first DC voltage and a second DC voltage.

4. The multi-band radio system of claim 3, wherein, The SVL circuit includes a main SVL line connected in series with the first SVL branch line, the second SVL branch line, and the FE coaxial node; an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter on the main SVL line; and a DC-DC buck converter and / or low dropout (LDO) regulator on the second SVL branch line.

5. The multi-band radio system of claim 3, wherein, The FE tripod unit further includes a bias T circuit that is inserted between the FE coaxial node and the SVL circuit, the FE AM / FM RF node and the FE DAB RF node, and electrically connects the FE coaxial node to the SVL circuit, the FE AM / FM RF node and the FE DAB RF node. The bias T circuit is configured to separate the DC power from the RF signal transmitted across the single coaxial cable.

6. The multiband radio system of claim 1, further comprising a back-end (BE) triage unit located within the RRM unit and including a BE coaxial node connected to the single coaxial cable, a BE AM / FM RF node connected to the AM / FM RXM to transmit the AM RF signal and FM RF signal thereto, and a BE DAB RF node connected to the DAB RXM to transmit the DAB RF signal thereto, the BE triage unit being configured to separate the AM RF signal, FM RF signal, and DAB RF signal transmitted from the TAM unit across the single coaxial cable to the RRM unit.

7. The multi-band radio system of claim 6, wherein, The single coaxial cable is further configured to transmit direct current (DC) power from the RRM unit to the TAM unit, and the BE tripper unit further includes a BE DC input node configured to be electrically connected to a power source to receive the DC power therefrom, the BE coaxial node electrically connecting the BE DC input node to the single coaxial cable.

8. The multi-band radio system according to claim 7, wherein, The BE tripper unit further includes a bias T circuit inserted between the BE coaxial node and the BE DC input node, the BE AM / FM RF node, and the BE DAB RF node, and electrically connecting the BE coaxial node to the BE DC input node, the BE AM / FM RF node, and the BE DAB RF node. The bias T circuit is configured to combine the DC power with the RF signal transmitted across the single coaxial cable.

9. The multi-band radio system of claim 1, wherein, The FE triplet unit further includes an FE elliptic RF duplexer having an FE AM / FM filter circuit connected to the AM / FM FEM, an FE DAB filter circuit connected to the DAB FEM, and an FE matching filter circuit connecting the FE coaxial node to the FE AM / FM filter circuit and the DAB AM / FM filter circuit.

10. The multi-band radio system of claim 9, wherein, The FE matching filter circuit includes a first inductor that is connected in series with the first capacitor, the FE coaxial node, and ground.

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