Systems, devices and methods relating to diversity recipients

Abstract

A radio frequency (RF) receiving system comprising: a control device configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system; a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier; and at least two features from the group of a first feature, a second feature, a third feature, a fourth feature, a fifth feature, and a sixth feature implemented for the RF receiving system, the first feature comprising a plurality of bandpass filters, each bandpass filter of the first plurality of bandpass filters being arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to an associated frequency band, and at least some of the plurality of amplifiers being variable gain amplifiers, VGAs, each VGA of the plurality of VGAs being configured to amplify the corresponding signal with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the control device, the second feature comprising a plurality of phase shift components,in which each phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and is designed to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component, of which the third feature comprises a plurality of impedance matching components, in which each impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and is designed to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the corresponding path of the plurality of paths, of which the fourth feature comprises a plurality of bandpass filters connected downstream of the amplifiers,in which each bandpass filter of the plurality of bandpass filters connected downstream of the amplifiers is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and is designed to filter a signal to an associated frequency band, the fifth feature of which comprises a switch network having one or more single-pole single-throw switches, each of which couples two of the plurality of paths, and which is designed to be controlled by the control device on the basis of the band selection signal, and the sixth feature of which comprises an input multiplexer designed to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and to output each of the one or more RF signals for propagation along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs,and an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagated along one or more corresponding paths of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 727,739, filed June 1, 2015, and entitled DIVERSITY FRONTEND SYSTEM WITH VARIABLE GAIN AMPLIFIERS, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,043, filed October 31, 2014, and entitled DIVERSITY RECEIVER FRONTEND SYSTEM, both disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference in this application in their entirety.

[0002] This application is a divisional application of U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 734,759, filed June 9, 2015, and entitled Diversity Front-End System with Phase Shift Components, which claims priority from three U.S. Provisional Applications No. 62 / 073,043, filed October 31, 2014, and entitled Diversity Receiver Front-End System, No. 62 / 073,040, filed October 31, 2014, and entitled Carrier Bundling Employing Phase Matching After an LNA, and No. 62 / 073,039, filed October 31, 2014, and entitled Out-of-Band Impedance Matching Before an LNA for Carrier Bundling Operation claimed, the entire disclosure of which is explicitly incorporated in this application by reference in its entirety.

[0003] This application is a divisional application of U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 734,775 filed on June 9, 2015 and entitled Diversity Front-End System with Impedance Matching Components, which claims priority from three U.S. Provisional Applications No. 62 / 073,043 filed on October 31, 2014 and entitled Diversity Receiver Front-End System, No. 62 / 073,040 filed on October 31, 2014 and entitled Carrier Bundling Employing Phase Matching After an LNA, and No. 62 / 073,039 filed on October 31, 2014 and entitled Out-of-Band Impedance Matching Before an LNA for Carrier Bundling Operation claimed, the entire disclosure of which is explicitly incorporated in this application by reference in its entirety.

[0004] This application is a divisional application of U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 735,482 filed June 10, 2015 and entitled DIVERSITY RECEIVER FRONT-END SYSTEM WITH POST-AMPLIFIER FILTERS, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,043 filed October 31, 2014 and entitled DIVERSITY RECEIVER FRONT-END SYSTEM, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 077,894 filed November 10, 2014 and entitled DIVERSITY RECEIVER ARCHITECTURE WITH LNA PRE- AND POST-FILTERING TO SUPPORT CARRIER BUNDLING, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

[0005] This application is a divisional application of U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 734,746 filed June 9, 2015, and entitled DIVERSITY RECEIVER IN A FRONTEND SYSTEM WITH SWITCHED NETWORK, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,043 filed October 31, 2014, and entitled DIVERSITY RECEIVER FRONTEND SYSTEM, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,041 filed October 31, 2014, and entitled ADAPTIVE MULTI-BAND LNA FOR CARRIER BUNDLING, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0006] This application is a divisional application of U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 836,575 filed August 26, 2015 and entitled DIVERSITY RECEIVER FRONT END SYSTEM WITH ADAPTABLE BAND SIGNAL ROUTE, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,043 filed October 31, 2014 and entitled DIVERSITY RECEIVER FRONT END SYSTEM, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,042 filed October 31, 2014 and entitled ADAPTABLE MULTI-ANTENNA MULTI-BAND RECEIVER MODULE, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. BACKGROUND area

[0007] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication systems having one or more diversity receive antennas. Description of known technology

[0008] In wireless communication applications, space, cost, and performance are examples of factors that can be considered important for a particular product. For example, wireless components that enhance performance, such as a diversity receive antenna and associated circuitry, are becoming increasingly popular.

[0009] In many radio frequency (RF) applications, a diversity receive antenna is placed far away from a primary antenna. When both antennas are used simultaneously, a transceiver can process signals from both antennas to increase data throughput. The document US 7 729 674 B2 describes a receiver with several selectable reception paths, filters and amplifiers. SUMMARY

[0010] According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) receiving system having a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The RF receiving system further comprises a plurality of amplifiers, each of which is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The RF receiving system further comprises two or more features from the group of a first feature, a second feature, a third feature, a fourth feature, a fifth feature, and a sixth feature, all configured for the RF receiving system.

[0011] The first feature includes a plurality of bandpass filters, each arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to a respective frequency band. At least some of the plurality of amplifiers are configured as a plurality of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs), each configured to amplify the respective signal with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the controller.

[0012] The second feature includes a plurality of phase shift components, each disposed along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component.

[0013] The third feature includes a plurality of impedance matching components, each disposed along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the respective one of the plurality of paths.

[0014] The fourth feature comprises a plurality of amplifier-downstream bandpass filters, each of which is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and is configured to filter a signal to an associated frequency band.

[0015] The fifth feature includes a switch network having one or more single-pole single-throw switches, each of which couples two of the plurality of paths together. The switch network is configured to be controlled by the controller based on a band selection signal.

[0016] The sixth feature includes an input multiplexer configured to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more RF signals at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs so that they each propagate along a corresponding one or more of the plurality of paths, and an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagating along the corresponding one or more of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs.

[0017] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature and the second feature.

[0018] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature and the third feature.

[0019] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature and the fourth feature.

[0020] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature and the third feature.

[0021] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature and the fourth feature.

[0022] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the third feature and the fourth feature.

[0023] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, and the third feature.

[0024] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, and the fourth feature.

[0025] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the third feature, and the fourth feature.

[0026] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the third feature, and the fourth feature.

[0027] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, and the fourth feature.

[0028] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, and the fifth feature.

[0029] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the third feature, and the fifth feature.

[0030] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature.

[0031] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the third feature, and the fifth feature.

[0032] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature.

[0033] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the third feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature.

[0034] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, and the fifth feature.

[0035] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature.

[0036] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature.

[0037] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature.

[0038] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature.

[0039] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, and the sixth feature.

[0040] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the third feature, and the sixth feature.

[0041] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0042] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the third feature, and the sixth feature.

[0043] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0044] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the third feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0045] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, and the sixth feature.

[0046] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0047] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0048] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0049] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0050] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0051] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the third feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0052] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0053] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the third feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0054] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0055] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the third feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0056] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0057] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0058] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0059] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0060] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0061] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature and the fifth feature.

[0062] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature and the fifth feature.

[0063] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the third feature and the fifth feature.

[0064] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the fourth feature and the fifth feature.

[0065] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature and the sixth feature.

[0066] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature and the sixth feature.

[0067] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the third feature and the sixth feature.

[0068] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the fourth feature and the sixth feature.

[0069] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the fifth feature and the sixth feature.

[0070] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the first feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0071] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the second feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0072] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the third feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0073] In some embodiments, the RF receiving system may include the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature.

[0074] In a number of embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) module comprising a package substrate configured to receive a plurality of components and a receiving system implemented on the package substrate. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system, and a plurality of amplifiers, each of which is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier.The receiving system further comprises two or more features from the group of a first feature, a second feature, a third feature, a fourth feature, a fifth feature and a sixth feature, all of which are configured for the RF receiving system.

[0075] The first feature includes a plurality of bandpass filters, each arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to a respective frequency band. At least some of the plurality of amplifiers are configured as a plurality of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs), each configured to amplify the respective signal with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the controller.

[0076] The second feature includes a plurality of phase shift components, each disposed along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component.

[0077] The third feature includes a plurality of impedance matching components, each disposed along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the respective one of the plurality of paths.

[0078] The fourth feature comprises a plurality of amplifier-downstream bandpass filters, each of which is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and is configured to filter a signal to an associated frequency band.

[0079] The fifth feature includes a switch network having one or more single-pole single-throw switches, each of which couples two of the plurality of paths together. The switch network is configured to be controlled by the controller based on a band selection signal.

[0080] The sixth feature includes an input multiplexer configured to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more RF signals at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs so that they each propagate along a corresponding one or more of the plurality of paths, and an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagating along the corresponding one or more of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs.

[0081] In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receiver front-end module (FEM).

[0082] According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device having a first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal and a first front-end module (FEM) in communicative connection with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a package substrate configured to house a plurality of components. The first FEM further includes a receive system implemented on the package substrate. The receive system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receive system and an output of the receive system, and a plurality of amplifiers, each of which is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier.The receiving system further comprises two or more features from the group of a first feature, a second feature, a third feature, a fourth feature, a fifth feature, and a sixth feature, all configured for the RF receiving system. The wireless device further comprises a transceiver configured to receive a processed version of the one or more RF signals from the receiving system and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the one or more RF signals.

[0083] The first feature includes a plurality of bandpass filters, each arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to a respective frequency band. At least some of the plurality of amplifiers are configured as a plurality of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs), each configured to amplify the respective signal with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the controller.

[0084] The second feature includes a plurality of phase shift components, each disposed along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component.

[0085] The third feature includes a plurality of impedance matching components, each disposed along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the respective one of the plurality of paths.

[0086] The fourth feature comprises a plurality of amplifier-downstream bandpass filters, each of which is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and is configured to filter a signal to an associated frequency band.

[0087] The fifth feature includes a switch network having one or more single-pole single-throw switches, each of which couples two of the plurality of paths together. The switch network is configured to be controlled by the controller based on a band selection signal.The sixth feature includes an input multiplexer configured to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more RF signals at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs so that they each propagate along a corresponding one or more of the plurality of paths, and an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagating along the corresponding one or more of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs.

[0088] In some embodiments, the wireless device may be a mobile phone.

[0089] For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the inventions are described herein. It should be understood that not all such advantages will necessarily be achieved with respect to individual embodiments of the invention. Therefore, the invention may be designed or practiced in a manner that achieves or optimizes any one or more of the advantages recited herein without necessarily achieving any other advantages taught or suggested herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a wireless device with a communication module coupled to a primary antenna and a diversity antenna. Fig. 2 shows a configuration of a diversity receiver (DRx) with a DRx front-end module (FEM). Fig. 3 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration may include a DRx module with multiple paths associated with multiple frequency bands. Fig. Figure 4 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a diversity RF module with fewer amplifiers than a diversity receiver (DRx) module. Fig. Figure 5 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module coupled to an external filter. Fig. Figure 6 shows that in some embodiments, the gain of a variable gain amplifier may be bypassable. Fig. Figure 7 shows that in some embodiments, the gain of a variable gain amplifier may be adjustable in steps or continuously. Fig. Figure 8 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with tunable matching circuits. Fig. Figure 9 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include multiple antennas. Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of a process flow diagram of a method for processing an RF signal. Fig. Figure 11 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components. Fig. Figure 12 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components and two-stage amplifiers. Fig. Figure 13 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components and an amplifier connected after a combiner. Fig. Figure 14 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with tunable phase shift components. Fig. Figure 15 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with one or more impedance matching components. Fig. Figure 16 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with tunable impedance matching components. Fig. Figure 17 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with tunable impedance matching components disposed at the input and output. Fig. Figure 18 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with multiple tunable components. Fig. 19 shows an embodiment of a process flow diagram of a method for processing an RF signal. Fig. Figure 20 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a diversity receiver (DRx) module having a plurality of bandpass filters arranged at the outputs of a plurality of amplifiers. Fig. Figure 21 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a diversity RF module with fewer amplifiers than a diversity receiver (DRx) module. Fig. Figure 22 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module coupled to an off-module filter. Fig. Figure 23 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with tunable matching circuits. Fig. Figure 24 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with a single-pole single-throw switch. Fig. Figure 25 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with tunable phase shift components. Fig. 26 shows an embodiment of a process flow diagram of a method for processing an RF signal. Fig. Figure 27 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with tunable matching circuits. Fig. Figure 28 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include multiple transmission lines. Fig. Figure 29 shows an embodiment of an output multiplexer that can be used for dynamic forwarding. Fig. Figure 30 shows another embodiment of an output multiplexer that can be used for dynamic forwarding. Fig. Figure 31 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include multiple antennas. Fig. Figure 32 shows an embodiment of an input multiplexer that can be used for dynamic forwarding. Fig. Figure 33 shows another embodiment of an input multiplexer that can be used for dynamic forwarding. Fig. 34 to 39 show different design variants of a DRx module with dynamic input and / or output signal routing. Fig. 40 shows an embodiment of a process flow diagram of a method for processing an RF signal. Fig. 41A and Fig. 41B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein and one or more features of Example B described herein. Fig. 42A and Fig. 42B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein and one or more features of Example C described herein. Fig. 43A and Fig. 43B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein and one or more features of Example D described herein. Fig. 44A and Fig. 44B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein and one or more features of Example C described herein. Fig. 45A and Fig. 45B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein and one or more features of Example D described herein. Fig. 46A and Fig. 46B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example C described herein and one or more features of Example D described herein. Fig. 47A and Fig. 47B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, and one or more features of Example C described herein. Fig. 48A and Fig. 48B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, and one or more features of Example D described herein. Fig. 49A and Fig. 49B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example D described herein. Fig. 50A and Fig. 50B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example D described herein. Fig. 51A and Fig. 51B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example D described herein. Fig. 52A and Fig. 52B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 53A and Fig. 53B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 54A and Fig. 54B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 55A and Fig. 55B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 56A and Fig. 56B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 57A and Fig. 57B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 58A and Fig. 58B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 59A and Fig. 59B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 60A and Fig. 60B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 61A and Fig. 61B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 62A and Fig. 62B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 63 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 64 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 65 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 66 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 67 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 68 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 69 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 70 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 71 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 72 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 73 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 74 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 75 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 76 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 77 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 78 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 79 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 80 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 81 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 82 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 83 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 84 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 85A and Fig. 85B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 86A and Fig. 86B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 87A and Fig. 87B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example C described herein and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 88A and Fig. 88B show that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example D described herein and one or more features of Example E described herein. Fig. 89 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 90 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 91 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example C described herein and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 92 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example D described herein and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 93 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example E described herein and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 94 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 95 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 96 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. 97 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration may include one or more features of Example D described herein, one or more features of Example E described herein, and one or more features of Example F described herein. Fig. Figure 98 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration having one or more of the features described herein may be implemented in a module such as a diversity receive (DRx) module. Fig. 99 shows a diversity receiver architecture having one or more of the features described herein. Fig. 100 shows a wireless device having one or more of the features described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0090] The headings used herein, if any, are for convenience only and do not necessarily limit the scope or meaning of the claimed invention. Introduction

[0091] Fig. 1 shows a wireless device 100 with a communications module 110 coupled to a primary antenna 130 and a diversity antenna 140. The communications module 110 (and its components) may be controlled by a controller 120. The communications module 110 includes a transceiver 112 configured to convert between analog radio frequency (RF) signals and digital data signals. For this purpose, the transceiver 112 may include a digital-to-analog converter, an analog-to-digital converter, a local oscillator for modulating and demodulating an analog baseband signal to or from a carrier frequency, a baseband processor that converts between digital values ​​and data bits (e.g., voice or other types of data), or other components.

[0092] The communications module 110 further includes an RF module 114 coupled between the primary antenna 130 and the transceiver 112. Since the RF module 114 may be located in close proximity to the primary antenna to reduce attenuation due to cable loss, the RF module 114 may be referred to as a front-end module (FEM). The RF module 114 may process an analog signal received from the primary antenna 130 for the transceiver 112 or from the transceiver 112 for transmission by the primary antenna 130. To this end, the RF module 114 may include filters, power amplifiers, band selectors, matching circuits, and other components. Similarly, the communication module 110 may include a diversity RF module 116 coupled between the diversity antenna 140 and the transceiver 112 and performing similar processing steps.

[0093] When a signal is transmitted to the wireless device, the signal may be received at both the primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140. The primary antenna 140 and the diversity antenna 140 may be spatially separated from each other, such that the signal is received at the primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140 with different characteristics. For example, in one embodiment, the primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140 may receive the signal with different attenuation, noise, frequency response, or phase shift. The transceiver 112 may use both signals with their different characteristics to determine data bits corresponding to the signal. In some implementations, the transceiver 112 may select between the primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140 based on characteristics, such as the antenna with the highest signal-to-noise ratio.In some implementations, the transceiver 112 may combine the signals from the primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140 to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the combined signal. In some implementations, the transceiver 112 processes the signals to perform multiple-input / multiple-output (MIMO) communication.

[0094] Because the diversity antenna 140 is spatially spaced from the primary antenna 130, the diversity antenna 140 is connected to the communication module 110 via a transmission line 135, such as a cable or a trace on a printed circuit board (PCB). In some implementations, the transmission line 135 is lossy and attenuates the signal received at the diversity antenna 140 before it reaches the communication module 110. Therefore, as described below with respect to some implementations, amplification is applied to the signal received at the diversity antenna 140. The amplification (as well as analog processing steps such as filtering) may be performed by a diversity receiver module. Because such a diversity receiver module is spatially located close to the diversity antenna 140, it may be referred to as a diversity front-end module.

[0095] Fig. 2 shows a configuration of a diversity receiver (DRx) 200 with a DRx front-end module (FEM) 210. The DRx configuration 200 includes a diversity antenna 140 configured to receive a diversity signal and transmit it to the DRx FEM 210. The DRx FEM 210 is configured to process the diversity signal received by the diversity antenna 140. For example, the DRx FEM 210 may be configured to filter the diversity signal to one or more active frequency bands, as specified by the controller 120. In another example, the DRx FEM 210 may be configured to amplify the diversity signal. To this end, the DRx FEM 210 may include filters, power amplifiers, band selection switches, matching circuits, and other components.

[0096] The DRx FEM 210 transmits the processed diversity signal via a transmission line 135 to the diversity RF module (D-RF module) 116, which feeds a further processed diversity signal to the transceiver 112. The D-RF module 116 (and in some implementations, the transceiver) is controlled by the controller 120. In some implementations, the controller 120 may be implemented within the transceiver 112.

[0097] Fig. 3 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration 300 may include a DRx module 310 having multiple paths associated with multiple frequency bands. The DRx configuration 300 includes a diversity antenna 140 configured to receive a diversity signal. In some implementations, the diversity signal may include a single-band signal with data modulated onto a single frequency band. In some implementations, the diversity signal may include a multi-band signal (also referred to as an inter-band carrier multiplier signal) with data modulated onto multiple frequency bands.

[0098] The DRx module 310 has an input that receives the diversity signal from the diversity antenna 140 and an output that provides a processed diversity signal to the transceiver 330 (via the transmission line 135 and the D-RF module 320). The input of the DRx module 310 feeds an input of a first multiplexer 311. The first multiplexer (MUX) 311 includes a plurality of multiplexer outputs, each associated with a path between the input and output of the DRx module 310. Each of the paths may be associated with a corresponding frequency band. The output of the DRx module 310 is formed by the output of a second multiplexer 312. The second multiplexer 312 includes a plurality of multiplexer inputs, each associated with one of the paths between the input and output of the DRx module 310.

[0099] The frequency bands may, for example, be mobile radio bands, such as UMTS ("Universal Mobile Telecommunications System") bands. For example, a first frequency band may be a UMTS downlink band ("downlink") or "Rx" Band 2 between 1930 megahertz (MHz) and 1990 MHz, and a second frequency band may be a UMTS downlink band or "Rx" Band 5 between 869 MHz and 894 MHz. Other downlink frequency bands may also be used, such as those described below in Table 1 or other non-UMTS frequency bands.

[0100] In some implementations, the DRx module 310 includes a DRx controller 302 that receives signals from the controller 120 (also referred to as a communication controller) and, based on the received signals, selectively activates one or more of the paths between the input and the output. In some implementations, the DRx module 310 does not include a DRx controller 302, and the controller 120 selectively activates the one or more of the paths directly.

[0101] As noted above, in some implementations, the diversity signal is a single-band signal. Therefore, in some implementations, the first multiplexer 311 is a single-pole multi-throw (SPMT) switch that routes the diversity signal to one of the plurality of paths associated with the frequency band of the single-band signal based on a signal received from the DRx controller 302. The DRx controller 302 may generate the signal based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller 302 from the communication controller 120. Similarly, in some implementations, the second multiplexer 312 may be an SPMT switch that routes the signal from the one of the plurality of paths associated with the frequency band of the single-band signal based on a band selection signal received from the DRx controller 302.

[0102] As noted above, in some implementations, the diversity signal is a multi-band signal. Therefore, in some implementations, the first multiplexer 311 is a signal splitter that divides the diversity signal into two or more paths of the plurality of paths associated with the two or more frequency bands of the multi-band signal based on a splitter control signal received from the DRx controller 302. The function of the signal splitter can be implemented as an SPMT switch, a two-way crossover filter (diplexer), or a combination thereof. Similarly, in some implementations, the second multiplexer 312 is a signal combiner that combines the signals from two or more paths of the plurality of paths associated with the two or more frequency bands of the multi-band signal based on a combiner control signal received from the DRx controller 302.The signal combiner function can be implemented as an SPMT switch, a two-way crossover filter (diplexer), or a combination thereof. The DRx controller 302 can generate the divider control signal and the combiner control signal based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller 302 from the communication controller 120.

[0103] Therefore, in some implementations, the DRx controller 302 may be configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller 302 (e.g., from the communication controller 120). In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths by transmitting a splitter control signal to a signal splitter and a combiner control signal to a signal combiner.

[0104] The DRx module 310 includes a plurality of bandpass filters 313a to 313d. Each of the bandpass filters 313a to 313d is arranged along a respective associated path of the plurality of paths and is configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to the respective frequency band of the respective associated path of the plurality of paths. In some implementations, the bandpass filters 313a to 313d are further configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to a downlink frequency subband of the respective frequency band of the respective associated path of the plurality of paths. The DRx module 310 includes a plurality of amplifiers 314a to 314d. Each of the amplifiers 314a to 314d is arranged along a respective associated path of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier.

[0105] In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are narrowband amplifiers configured to amplify a signal within the respective frequency band of the path in which the amplifier is disposed. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are controllable by DRx controller 302. For example, in some implementations, each of amplifiers 314a-314d includes an enable / disable input and is enabled (or disabled) based on an amplifier enable signal received at the enable / disable input. The amplifier enable signal may be transmitted by DRx controller 302.Therefore, in some implementations, the DRx controller 302 may be configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths by transmitting an amplifier activation signal to one or more of the amplifiers 314a-314d, each arranged along the one or more of the plurality of paths. In such implementations, without control by the DRx controller 302, the first multiplexer 311 may be a signal splitter that forwards the diversity signal to each of the plurality of paths, and the second multiplexer 312 may be a signal combiner that combines the signals from each of the plurality of paths. However, in implementations where the DRx controller 302 controls the first multiplexer 311 and the second multiplexer 312, the DRx controller 302 may also activate (or deactivate) specific amplifiers 314a-314d, e.g., to conserve battery power.

[0106] In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are variable gain amplifiers (VGAs). Therefore, in some implementations, DRx module 301 may include a plurality of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs), each of which is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify a signal received at the VGA with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from DRx controller 302.

[0107] The gain of a VGA can be bypassable, stepwise variable, or continuously variable. In some implementations, at least one of the VGAs can include a constant gain amplifier and a bypass switch controllable by the amplifier control signal. The bypass switch can (in a first switch position) close a line from an input of the constant gain amplifier to an output of the constant gain amplifier, allowing a signal to bypass the constant gain amplifier. The bypass switch can (in a second switch position) open the line between the input and the output, requiring a signal to pass through the constant gain amplifier.In some designs, when the bypass switch is in the first position, the constant gain amplifier is disabled or otherwise reconfigured to enable bypass operation.

[0108] In some embodiments, at least one of the VGAs includes a stepwise variable gain amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the VGA with a gain corresponding to one of a plurality of predefined amounts specified by the amplifier control signal. In some implementations, at least one of the VGAs includes a continuously variable gain amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the VGA with a gain proportional to the amplifier control signal.

[0109] In some implementations, amplifiers 314a through 314d are variable-current amplifiers (VCAs). The current drawn by a VCA may be bypassable, stepwise variable, or continuously variable. In some implementations, at least one of the VCAs includes a constant current amplifier and a bypass switch controllable by the amplifier control signal. The bypass switch may (in a first switch position) close a line between an input of the constant current amplifier and an output of the constant current amplifier, allowing a signal to bypass the constant current amplifier. The bypass switch may (in a second switch position) open the line between the input and the output, requiring a signal to pass through the constant current amplifier.In some designs, when the bypass switch is in the first position, the constant current amplifier is disabled or otherwise reconfigured to enable bypass operation.

[0110] In some embodiments, at least one of the VCAs includes a stepwise variable current amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the VCA by receiving a current corresponding to one of a plurality of predefined amounts specified by the amplifier control signal. In some embodiments, at least one of the VCAs includes a continuously variable current amplifier configured to amplify a signal received at the VCA by receiving a current proportional to the amplifier control signal.

[0111] In some implementations, amplifiers 314a through 314d are constant gain, constant current amplifiers. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a through 314d are constant gain, variable current amplifiers. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a through 314d are variable gain, constant current amplifiers. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a through 314d are variable gain, variable current amplifiers.

[0112] In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates the amplifier control signal(s) based on a quality of service (QoS) metric of an input signal received at the input. In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates the amplifier control signal(s) based on a signal received from the communication controller 120, which in turn may be based on a quality of service (QoS) metric of the received signal. The QoS metric of the received signal may be based at least in part on the diversity signal received at the diversity antenna 140 (e.g., an input signal received at the input). The QoS metric of the received signal may further be based on a signal received at the primary antenna. In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates the amplifier control signal(s) based on a quality of service (QoS) metric of an input signal received at the input.the amplifier control signals based on a QoS metric of the diversity signal without receiving a signal from the communication controller 120.

[0113] In some implementations, the QoS metric includes signal strength. As another example, the QoS metric may include bit error rate (BER), data throughput, transmission delay, or any other QoS metric.

[0114] As mentioned above, the DRx module 310 has an input that receives the diversity signal from the diversity antenna 140 and an output that outputs a processed diversity signal to the transceiver 330 (via the transmission line 135 and the diversity RF module 320). The diversity RF module 320 receives the processed diversity signal via the transmission line 135 and performs further processing steps. Specifically, the processed diversity signal is split or routed by a diversity RF multiplexer 321 into one or more paths, where the split or routed signal is filtered by respective bandpass filters 323a through 323d and amplified by respective amplifiers 324a through 324d. The output signals of each of the amplifiers 324a through 324d are fed to the transceiver 330.

[0115] The diversity RF multiplexer 321 can be controlled by the controller 120 (either directly or via an on-chip diversity RF controller) to selectively activate one or more of the paths. Similarly, each of the amplifiers 324a-324d can be controlled by the controller 120. For example, in some implementations, each of the amplifiers 324a-324d can have an enable / disable input via which the amplifier can be enabled (or disabled) using an amplifier enable signal. In some implementations, the amplifiers 324a-324d are variable gain amplifiers (VGAs) that amplify a signal received at the VGA with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the controller 120 (or an on-chip diversity RF controller controlled by the controller 120).In some versions, the amplifiers 324a to 324d are variable current amplifiers (VCAs).

[0116] By adding the DRx module 310 to the receiver chain, which already includes the diversity RF module 320, the number of bandpass filters in the DRx configuration 300 doubles. Therefore, in some implementations, the bandpass filters 323a to 323d are not included in the diversity RF module 320. Instead, the bandpass filters 313a to 313d of the DRx module 310 are used to reduce the strength of out-of-band blockers. In addition, the automatic gain control (AGC) table of the diversity RF module 320 may be modified to reduce the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 324a through 324d of the diversity RF module 320 by the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 314a through 314d of the DRx module 310.

[0117] For example, the diversity RF module 320 will see a sensitivity of -85 dBm if the gain of the DRx module is 15 dB and the receiver sensitivity is -100 dBm. If the AGC feedback of the diversity RF module 320 is active, the gain of the diversity RF module 320 will automatically decrease by 15 dB. However, both signal components and out-of-band blockers will be received with 15 dB of gain. Therefore, decreasing the gain of the diversity RF module 320 by 15 dB will be accompanied by a 15 dB increase in the linearity of the diversity RF module 320. In particular, the amplifiers 324a through 324d of the diversity RF module 320 can be designed such that the linearity of the amplifiers increases with decreased gain (or increased current consumption).

[0118] In some implementations, the controller 120 controls the gain (and / or current) of the amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310 and the amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320. As in the example above, the controller 120 may decrease the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320 in return for increasing the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310.Therefore, in some implementations, the controller 120 may be configured to generate a downstream amplifier control signal (for amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320) based on the amplifier control signal (for amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310) to control the gain of one or more of the downstream amplifiers 324a-324d coupled to the output (of the DRx module 310) via the transmission line 135. In some implementations, the controller 120 also controls the gain of other components of the wireless device, such as amplifiers in the front-end module (FEM), based on the amplifier control signal.

[0119] As noted above, in some embodiments, the bandpass filters 323a through 323d are not included. Therefore, at least one of the downstream amplifiers 324a through 324d is coupled to the output (of the DRx module 310) via the transmission line 135 without passing through a downstream bandpass filter.

[0120] Fig. 4 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver 400 configuration may include a diversity RF module 420 having fewer amplifiers than a diversity receiver (DRx) module 310. The diversity receiver 400 configuration includes a diversity antenna 140 and DRx module 310 as described above with respect to Fig. 3. The output of the DRx module 310 is connected via a transmission line 135 to a diversity RF module 420, which is separate from the diversity RF module 320 of the Fig. 3 in that the diversity RF module 420 of the Fig. 4 fewer amplifiers than the DRx module 310.

[0121] As noted above, in some implementations, the diversity RF module 420 does not include bandpass filters. Therefore, in some implementations, the one or more amplifiers 424 of the diversity RF module 420 may not necessarily be band-specific. In particular, the diversity RF module 420 may include one or more paths, each with an amplifier 424, that are not mapped on a one-to-one basis to the paths of the DRx module 310. Such mapping of paths (or the corresponding amplifiers) may be stored in the controller 120.

[0122] Compared to the DRx module 310, which has a number of paths corresponding to the number of frequency bands, the diversity RF module 420 can accordingly have one or more paths that are not assigned to a single frequency band.

[0123] In some versions (as in Fig. 4), diversity RF module 420 includes a single wideband or tunable amplifier 424 that amplifies the signal received over transmission line 135 and outputs an amplified signal to a multiplexer 421. Multiplexer 421 includes a plurality of multiplexer outputs, each associated with a respective frequency band. In some implementations, diversity RF module 420 includes no amplifiers at all.

[0124] In some implementations, the diversity signal is a single-band signal. Therefore, in some implementations, the multiplexer 421 is a single-pole multi-throw (SPMT) switch that routes the diversity signal to one of the plurality of outputs associated with the frequency band of the single-band signal based on a signal received from the controller 120. In some implementations, the diversity signal is a multi-band signal. Therefore, in some implementations, the multiplexer 421 is a signal splitter that splits the diversity signal between two or more of the plurality of outputs associated with the two or more frequency bands of the multi-band signal based on a splitter control signal received from the controller 120. In some implementations, the diversity RF module 420 can be combined with the transceiver 330 into a single module.

[0125] In some implementations, the diversity RF module 420 includes multiple amplifiers, each associated with a set of frequency bands. The signal from the transmission line 135 may be fed into a band splitter, which delivers high frequencies along a first path to a high-frequency amplifier and low frequencies along a second path to a low-frequency amplifier. The output of each of the amplifiers may be connected to the multiplexer 421, which in turn is configured to route the signal to the corresponding inputs of the transceiver 330.

[0126] Fig. Figure 5 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver 500 may include a DRx module 510 coupled to a filter 513 external to the module. The DRx module 510 may include a package substrate 501 configured to house a plurality of components and a receiving system implemented on the package substrate 501. The DRx module 510 may include one or more signal paths routed out of the DRx module 510 and made available to a system integrator, designer, or manufacturer to support a filter for each desired band.

[0127] The DRx module 510 includes a number of paths between the input and the output of the DRx module 510. The DRx module 510 includes a bypass path between the input and the output, which is activated by a bypass switch 519 controlled by the DRx controller 502. Although Fig. 5 discloses a single bypass switch 519, in some embodiments, the bypass switch 519 may comprise multiple switches (e.g., a first switch in proximity to the input and a second switch in proximity to the output). As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the bypass path does not include a filter or amplifier.

[0128] The DRx module 510 includes a number of multiplexer paths, which include a first multiplexer 511 and a second multiplexer 512. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-side paths, which include the first multiplexer 511, a bandpass filter 313a to 313d implemented on the package substrate 501, an amplifier 314a to 314d implemented on the package substrate 501, and the second multiplexer 512. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-external paths, which include the first multiplexer 511, a bandpass filter 513 implemented outside the package substrate 501s, an amplifier 514, and the second multiplexer 512. The amplifier 514 may be a broadband amplifier, which may be implemented on the package substrate 501 or outside the package substrate 501. As described above, amplifiers 314a through 314d, 514 may be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

[0129] The DRx controller 502 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In some implementations, the DRx controller 502 may be configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller 502 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller 502 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by opening or closing the bypass switch 519, by activating or deactivating the amplifiers 314a to 314d, 514, by controlling the multiplexers 511, 512, or using other techniques. For example, the DRx controller 502 may open or close switches along the path (e.g., between the filters 313a to 313d, 513 and the amplifiers 314a to 314d, 514) or set the gain of the amplifiers 314a to 314d, 514 to near zero. Example A: Amplifier with variable gain

[0130] As described herein, amplifiers for processing received signals may be variable gain amplifiers (VGAs). Therefore, in some implementations, a DRx module may include a plurality of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs), each of which is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the VGA with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from a DRx controller.

[0131] The gain of a VGA may be bypassable, stepwise variable, or continuously variable in some embodiments. Fig. 6 shows that, in some embodiments, a variable gain amplifier A350 may be bypassable. The VGA A350 includes a constant gain amplifier A351 and a bypass switch A352 controllable by an amplifier control signal generated by a DRx controller A302. The bypass switch A352 may (in a first switching position) close a line from an input of the constant gain amplifier A351 to an output of the constant gain amplifier A351, allowing a signal to bypass the constant gain amplifier A351. The bypass switch A352 may (in a second switching position) open the line between the input of the constant gain amplifier A351 and the output of the constant gain amplifier A351, requiring a signal to pass through the constant gain amplifier A351.In some implementations, when the bypass switch is in the first position, the constant-gain amplifier is disabled or otherwise reconfigured to enable bypass operation. Referring to the example of the . Fig. 3, at least one of the amplifiers 314a to 314d may comprise a constant gain amplifier and a bypass switch controllable by the amplifier control signal.

[0132] Fig. 7 shows that, in some embodiments, the gain of a variable gain amplifier A360 may be stepwise variable or continuously variable. In some implementations, the VGA A360 may be stepwise variable and amplify the signal received at the input of the VGA A360 in response to a digital amplifier control signal generated by the DRx controller A302 with a gain corresponding to an amount specified by the digital signal among a plurality of predefined amounts. In some implementations, the VGA A360 may be continuously variable and amplify the signal received at the input of the VGA A360 in response to an analog amplifier control signal generated by the DRx controller A302 with a gain proportional to a parameter (e.g., a voltage or a duty cycle) of the analog signal. Referring to the example of Fig. 3, in some embodiments, at least one of the VGAs 314a to 314d may include a stepwise variable gain amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the VGA with a gain corresponding to one of a plurality of predefined amounts specified by the amplifier control signal. In some embodiments, at least one of the VGAs 314a to 314d of the Fig. 3 a continuously variable gain amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the VGA with a gain proportional to the amplifier control signal.

[0133] In some implementations, amplifiers 314a through 314d are variable-current amplifiers (VCAs). The current drawn by a VCA may be bypassable, stepwise variable, or continuously variable. In some implementations, at least one of the VCAs includes a constant current amplifier and a bypass switch controllable by the amplifier control signal. The bypass switch may (in a first switch position) close a line between an input of the constant current amplifier and an output of the constant current amplifier, allowing a signal to bypass the constant current amplifier. The bypass switch may (in a second switch position) open the line between the input and the output, requiring a signal to pass through the constant current amplifier.In some designs, when the bypass switch is in the first position, the constant current amplifier is disabled or otherwise reconfigured to enable bypass operation.

[0134] In some embodiments, at least one of the VCAs includes a stepwise variable current amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the VCA by receiving a current corresponding to one of a plurality of predefined amounts specified by the amplifier control signal. In some embodiments, at least one of the VCAs includes a continuously variable current amplifier configured to amplify a signal received at the VCA by receiving a current proportional to the amplifier control signal.

[0135] In some implementations, amplifiers 314a through 314d are constant gain, constant current amplifiers. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a through 314d are constant gain, variable current amplifiers. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a through 314d are variable gain, constant current amplifiers. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a through 314d are variable gain, variable current amplifiers.

[0136] In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates the amplifier control signal(s) based on a quality of service (QoS) metric of an input signal received at the input. In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates the amplifier control signal(s) based on a signal received from the communication controller 120, which in turn may be based on a quality of service (QoS) metric of the received signal. The QoS metric of the received signal may be based at least in part on the diversity signal received at the diversity antenna 140 (e.g., an input signal received at the input). The QoS metric of the received signal may further be based on a signal received at the primary antenna. In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates the amplifier control signal(s) based on a quality of service (QoS) metric of an input signal received at the input.the amplifier control signals based on a QoS metric of the diversity signal without receiving a signal from the communication controller 120.

[0137] In some implementations, the QoS metric includes signal strength. As another example, the QoS metric may include bit error rate (BER), data throughput, transmission delay, or any other QoS metric.

[0138] As mentioned above, the DRx module 310 has an input that receives the diversity signal from the diversity antenna 140 and an output that outputs a processed diversity signal to the transceiver 330 (via the transmission line 135 and the diversity RF module 320). The diversity RF module 320 receives the processed diversity signal via the transmission line 135 and performs further processing steps. Specifically, the processed diversity signal is split or routed by a diversity RF multiplexer 321 into one or more paths, where the split or routed signal is filtered by respective bandpass filters 323a through 323d and amplified by respective amplifiers 324a through 324d. The output signals of each of the amplifiers 324a through 324d are fed to the transceiver 330.

[0139] The diversity RF multiplexer 321 can be controlled by the controller 120 (either directly or via an on-chip diversity RF controller) to selectively activate one or more of the paths. Similarly, each of the amplifiers 324a-324d can be controlled by the controller 120. For example, in some implementations, each of the amplifiers 324a-324d can have an enable / disable input via which the amplifier can be enabled (or disabled) using an amplifier enable signal. In some implementations, the amplifiers 324a-324d are variable gain amplifiers (VGAs) that amplify a signal received at the VGA with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the controller 120 (or an on-chip diversity RF controller controlled by the controller 120).In some versions, the amplifiers 324a to 324d are variable current amplifiers (VCAs).

[0140] By adding the DRx module 310 to the receiver chain, which already includes the diversity RF module 320, the number of bandpass filters in the DRx configuration 300 doubles. Therefore, in some implementations, the bandpass filters 323a to 323d are not included in the diversity RF module 320. Instead, the bandpass filters 313a to 313d of the DRx module 310 are used to reduce the strength of out-of-band blockers. In addition, the automatic gain control (AGC) table of the diversity RF module 320 may be modified to reduce the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 324a through 324d of the diversity RF module 320 by the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 314a through 314d of the DRx module 310.

[0141] For example, the diversity RF module 320 will see a sensitivity of -85 dBm if the gain of the DRx module is 15 dB and the receiver sensitivity is -100 dBm. If the AGC feedback of the diversity RF module 320 is active, the gain of the diversity RF module 320 will automatically decrease by 15 dB. However, both signal components and out-of-band blockers will be received with 15 dB of gain. Therefore, decreasing the gain of the diversity RF module 320 by 15 dB will be accompanied by a 15 dB increase in the linearity of the diversity RF module 320. In particular, the amplifiers 324a through 324d of the diversity RF module 320 can be designed such that the linearity of the amplifiers increases with decreased gain (or increased current consumption).

[0142] In some implementations, the controller 120 controls the gain (and / or current) of the amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310 and the amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320. As in the example above, the controller 120 may decrease the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320 in return for increasing the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310.Therefore, in some implementations, the controller 120 may be configured to generate a downstream amplifier control signal (for amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320) based on the amplifier control signal (for amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310) to control the gain of one or more of the downstream amplifiers 324a-324d coupled to the output (of the DRx module 310) via the transmission line 135. In some implementations, the controller 120 also controls the gain of other components of the wireless device, such as amplifiers in the front-end module (FEM), based on the amplifier control signal.

[0143] As noted above, in some implementations, the bandpass filters 323a through 323d are not included. Therefore, at least one of the downstream amplifiers 324a through 324d is coupled to the output (of the DRx module 310) via the transmission line 135 without passing through a downstream bandpass filter. Examples of such implementations are described herein with respect to Fig. 4 described.

[0144] Fig. Figure 8 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver A600 may include a DRx module A610 with tunable matching circuits. Specifically, the DRx module A610 may include one or more tunable matching circuits disposed at one or more of the input and output of the DRx module A610.

[0145] It is unlikely that ideal impedance matching will occur for different frequency bands all received at the same diversity antenna 140. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable input matching circuit A616 can be implemented at the input of the DRx module A610 and controlled by the DRx controller A602 (e.g., based on a band selection signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller A602 can tune the tunable input matching circuit A616 based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) are assigned tuning parameters. The tunable input matching circuit A616 can comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit.In particular, the tunable input matching circuit A616 may include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, or capacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel or in series and may be connected between the input of the DRx module A610 and the input of the first multiplexer A311, or between the input of the DRx module A610 and a ground potential.

[0146] Similarly, with only one transmission line 135 (or at least a few cables) carrying signals of many frequency bands, it cannot be expected that different frequency bands will all experience ideal impedance matching. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable output matching circuit A617 can be implemented at the output of the DRx module A610 and controlled by the DRx controller A602 (e.g., based on a band selection signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller A602 can tune the tunable output matching circuit A617 based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) are assigned tuning parameters. The tunable output matching circuit A617 can comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI-circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit.In particular, the tunable output matching circuit A617 may include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, or capacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel or in series and may be connected between the output of the DRx module A610 and the output of the second multiplexer A312, or between the output of the DRx module A610 and a ground potential.

[0147] Fig. 9 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration A700 may include multiple antennas. Although Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment with two antennas A740a to A740b and one transmission line 135, aspects described herein may be implemented in embodiments with more than one antenna and / or two or more cables.

[0148] The configuration for a diversity receiver A700 includes a DRx module A710 coupled to a first antenna A740a and a second antenna A740b. In some implementations, the first antenna A740a is a high-band antenna configured to receive signals transmitted at higher frequencies, and the second antenna A740b is a low-band antenna configured to receive signals transmitted at lower frequencies.

[0149] The DRx module A710 includes a first tunable input matching circuit A716a at a first input of the DRx module A710 and a second tunable input matching circuit A716b at a second input of the DRx module A710. The DRx module A710 further includes a tunable output matching circuit A717 at the output of the DRx module A710. The DRx controller A702 can tune each of the tunable matching circuits A716a to A716b and A717 based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) are associated with tuning parameters. Each of the tunable matching circuits A716a to A716b and A717 can comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI-circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit.

[0150] The DRx module A710 includes a number of paths between the inputs (the first input coupled to the first antenna A740a and the second input coupled to the second antenna A740b) and the output of the DRx module A710 (coupled to the transmission line 135). In some implementations, the DRx module A710 includes one or more bypass paths (not shown) between the inputs and the output, which are activated by one or more bypass switches under the control of the DRx controller A702.

[0151] The DRx module A710 includes a number of multiplexer paths, with either a first input multiplexer A711a or a second input multiplexer A711b and an output multiplexer A712. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-side paths (shown) that include one of the tunable input matching circuits A716a to A716b, one of the input multiplexers A711a to A711b, a bandpass filter A713a to A713h, an amplifier A714a to A714h, the output multiplexer A712, and the output matching circuit A717. The multiplexer paths include one or more paths (not shown) external to the module as described above. As also described above, the amplifiers A714a to A714h may be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

[0152] The DRx controller A702 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In some implementations, the DRx controller A702 may be configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller A702 (e.g., from a communications controller). In some implementations, the DRx controller A702 may be configured to tune the tunable matching circuits A716a to A716b, A717 based on the band selection signal. The DRx controller A702 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by activating or deactivating the amplifiers A714a to A714h, controlling the multiplexers A711a to A711b, A712, or by other means described above.

[0153] Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of a method flow diagram of a method for processing an RF signal. In some embodiments (and as explained below by way of example), method A800 is performed by a controller, such as the DRx controller 302 of Fig. 3 or the communication control device 120 of the Fig. 3. In some implementations, method A800 is performed by processing logic including hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, method A800 is performed by a processor executing process instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory). Briefly, method A800 includes receiving a band select signal and passing a received RF signal along one or more gain-controlled paths to process the received RF signal.

[0154] The method A800 begins at block A810 with the controller receiving a band selection signal. The controller may receive the band selection signal from another controller, a cellular base station, or another external source. The band selection signal may indicate one or more frequency bands over which a wireless device is to transmit and receive RF signals. In some implementations, the band selection signal identifies a set of frequency bands for carrier-aggregated communication.

[0155] In some embodiments, the controller tunes one or more tunable matching circuits based on the received band selection signal. For example, the controller may tune the tunable matching circuits based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) designated by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters.

[0156] At block A820, the controller selectively activates one or more paths of a diversity receiver (DRx) module based on the band select signal. As described above, a DRx module may include a number of paths between one or more inputs (coupled to one or more antennas) and one or more outputs (coupled to one or more cables) of the DRx module. The paths may include bypass paths and multiplexer paths. The multiplexer paths may include module-side and module-extramodule paths (i.e., paths outside the module).

[0157] The controller may selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths, for example, by opening or closing one or more bypass switches, by activating or deactivating amplifiers along the paths using an amplifier control signal, by controlling one or more multiplexers using a divider control signal and / or a combiner control signal, or by other means. For example, the controller may open or close switches arranged along the paths or set the gain of the amplifiers arranged along the paths to near zero.

[0158] At block A830, the controller sends an amplifier control signal to one or more amplifiers, each arranged along the one or more of the activated paths. The amplifier control signal controls the gain (or current draw) of the amplifier to which it is sent. In one embodiment, the amplifier includes a constant-gain amplifier and a bypass switch controllable by the amplifier control signal. Therefore, in one embodiment, the amplifier control signal indicates whether the bypass switch should be opened or closed.

[0159] In one embodiment, the amplifier comprises a stepwise variable gain amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier with a gain corresponding to one of a plurality of predefined amounts specified by the amplifier control signal. Therefore, in one embodiment, the amplifier control signal indicates one of a plurality of predefined amounts.

[0160] In one embodiment, the amplifier comprises a continuously variable gain amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier with a gain proportional to the amplifier control signal. Therefore, in one embodiment, the amplifier control signal indicates a proportional gain amount.

[0161] In some implementations, the controller generates the amplifier control signal(s) based on a quality of service (QoS) metric of an input signal received at the input. In some implementations, the controller generates the amplifier control signal(s) based on a signal received from another controller, which in turn may be based on a QoS metric of the received signal. The QoS metric may be based at least in part on the diversity signal received at the diversity antenna (e.g., an input signal received at the input). The QoS metric of the received signal may further be based on a signal received at the primary antenna. In some implementations, the controller generates the amplifier control signal(s) based on a QoS metric of the diversity signal without receiving a signal from another controller.For example, the QoS metric may include signal strength. According to other examples, the QoS metric may include bit error rate (BER), data throughput, transmission delay, or any other QoS metric.

[0162] In some implementations, the controller also transmits a downstream amplifier control signal based on the amplifier control signal in block A830 to control the gain of one or more downstream amplifiers connected to the output by one or more cables.

[0163] Among other things, the above-mentioned example A can be summarized as follows with respect to variable gain amplifiers.

[0164] According to some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a receiving system having a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of a first multiplexer and an output of a second multiplexer. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of bandpass filters. Each of the plurality of bandpass filters is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter in a respective band. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs). Each of the plurality of VGAs is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the VGA with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the controller.

[0165] In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the controller. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths by transmitting a splitter control signal to the first multiplexer and a combiner control signal to the second multiplexer. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths by transmitting an amplifier activation signal to one or more of the plurality of VGAs, each arranged along an associated one of the plurality of paths.

[0166] In some embodiments, at least one of the VGAs may include a constant-gain amplifier and a bypass switch controllable by the amplifier control signal. In some embodiments, at least one of the VGAs may include a stepwise voltage-controlled amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the VGA with a gain whose magnitude corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined magnitudes specified by the amplifier control signal, or a continuously voltage-controlled amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the VGA with a gain proportional to the amplifier control signal.In some embodiments, at least one of the VGAs may include a variable current amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier by receiving a current controlled by the amplifier control signal.

[0167] In some embodiments, the amplifier control signal may be based on a quality of service metric of an input signal received at the input of the first multiplexer.

[0168] In some embodiments, at least one of the VGAs may include a low noise amplifier.

[0169] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise one or more tunable matching circuits arranged at one or more of the inputs and outputs of the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer.

[0170] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a transmission line coupled to the output of the second multiplexer and to a downstream module, which also includes one or more downstream amplifiers. In some embodiments, the controller may further be configured to generate a downstream amplifier control signal based on the amplifier control signal to control the gain of one or more downstream amplifiers. In some embodiments, at least one of the downstream amplifiers may be coupled to the transmission line without passing through a downstream bandpass filter. In some embodiments, a number of the one or more downstream amplifiers may be less than the number of VGAs.

[0171] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) module having a package substrate configured to house a plurality of components. The RF module further comprises a receiving system implemented on the package substrate. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of a first multiplexer and an output of a second multiplexer (e.g., an input of the RF module and an output of the RF module). The receiving system further comprises a plurality of bandpass filters. Each of the plurality of bandpass filters is arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter in a respective band.The receiving system further includes a plurality of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs). Each of the plurality of VGAs is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify a signal received at the VGA with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the controller.

[0172] In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receiver front-end module (FEM).

[0173] In some embodiments, the plurality of paths may include an off-module path. The off-module path may include an off-module bandpass filter and one of the plurality of VGAs.

[0174] According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device having a first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal. The wireless device further includes a first front-end module (FEM) in communicative connection with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a package substrate configured to house a plurality of components. The first FEM further includes a receive system implemented on the package substrate. The receive system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of a first multiplexer and an output of a second multiplexer (e.g., an input of the RF module and an output of the RF module). The receive system further includes a plurality of bandpass filters.Each of the plurality of bandpass filters is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter in a respective band. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs). Each of the plurality of VGAs is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the VGA with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the controller. The wireless device further comprises a communication module configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal via a cable from the output and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal.

[0175] In some embodiments, the wireless device further comprises a second antenna configured to receive a second radio frequency (RF) signal and a second FEM communicatively coupled to the second antenna. The communication module may be configured to receive a processed version of the second RF signal from the output of the second FEM and generate data bits based on the processed version of the second RF signal.

[0176] In some embodiments, the wireless device includes a communication controller configured to control the first FEM and a gain of one or more downstream amplifiers of the communication module. Example B: Phase shift components

[0177] Fig. 11 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver B600 may include a DRx module B610 with one or more phase matching components B624a through B624b. The DRx module B610 includes two paths from an input of the DRx module B610 coupled to an antenna 140 and an output of the DRx module B610 coupled to a transmission line 135.

[0178] In the DRx module B610 of the Fig. 11, the signal splitter and the bandpass filters are implemented as a diplexer B611. The diplexer B611 includes an input coupled to the antenna 140, a first output coupled to a first amplifier 314a, and a second output coupled to a second amplifier 314b. At the first output, the diplexer B611 outputs a signal received at the input (e.g., from the antenna 140) that is filtered to a first frequency band. At the second output, the diplexer B611 outputs a signal received at the input that is filtered to a second frequency band. In some embodiments, the diplexer B611 may be replaced by a triplexer, quadplexer, or any other multiplexer configured to split a signal received at the input of the DRx module B610 into a plurality of signals at a corresponding plurality of frequency bands that propagate along a plurality of paths.

[0179] As described above, each of the amplifiers 314a to 314b is arranged along a corresponding one of the paths and is configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The outputs of the amplifiers 314a to 314b are passed through a corresponding phase shift component B624a to B624b before being combined by a signal combiner B612.

[0180] The signal combiner B612 includes a first input coupled to the first phase-shifting component B624a, a second input coupled to the second phase-shifting component B624b, and an output coupled to the output of the DRx module B610. The signal at the output of the signal combiner corresponds to the sum of the signals at the first and second inputs. Therefore, the signal combiner is configured to combine signals propagating along the plurality of paths.

[0181] When a signal is received by antenna 140, it is filtered to a first frequency band by diplexer B611 and propagated along the first path through first amplifier 314a. The filtered and amplified signal is phase shifted by first phase shift component B624a and fed to the first input of signal combiner B612. In some embodiments, signal combiner B612 or second amplifier 314b do not prevent the signal from traveling through signal combiner B612 along the second path in the reverse direction. Therefore, the signal propagates through second phase shift component B624b and through second amplifier 314b, where it is reflected off diplexer B611. The reflected signal propagates through second amplifier 314b and second phase shift component B624b until it reaches the second input of signal combiner B612.

[0182] If the initial signal (at the first input of signal combiner B612) and the reflected signal (at the second input of signal combiner B612) are not in phase, the summation of signal combiner B612 results in an attenuated signal at the output of signal combiner B612. Similarly, if the initial signal and the reflected signal are in phase, the summation of signal combiner B612 results in an amplified signal at the output of signal combiner B612. Therefore, in some embodiments, the second phase shift component B624b is configured to phase shift the signal (at least in the first frequency band) such that the initial signal and the reflected signal are at least partially in phase.In particular, the second phase shift component B624b is arranged to phase shift the signal (at least in the first frequency band) such that the amplitude of the sum of the initial signal and the reflected signal is greater than the amplitude of the initial signal.

[0183] For example, the second phase shift component B624b may be configured to phase shift a signal passing through the second phase shift component B624b by -0.5 times the phase shift caused by the reverse propagation through the second amplifier 314b, the reflection at the diplexer B611, and the forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b. In another example, the second phase shift component B624b may be configured to phase shift a signal passing through the second phase shift component B624b by half the difference between 360° and the phase shift caused by the reverse propagation through the second amplifier 314b, the reflection at the diplexer B611, and the forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b.Generally speaking, the second phase shift component B624b may be configured to phase shift a signal passing through the second phase shift component B624b such that the initial signal and the reflected signal have a phase difference corresponding to an integer multiple (including zero) of 360°.

[0184] For example, the initial signal may be at 0° (or any other reference phase), and reverse propagation through second amplifier 314b, reflection at diplexer B611, and forward propagation through second amplifier 314b may cause a phase shift of 140°. Therefore, in some implementations, second phase shift component B624b may be configured to phase shift a signal passing through second phase shift component B624b by -70°. Thus, the initial signal is phase shifted by -70° by second phase shift component B624b, 140° to 70° by reverse propagation through second amplifier 314b, reflection at diplexer B611, and forward propagation through second amplifier 314b, and back to 0° by second phase shift component B624b.

[0185] In some implementations, the second phase shift component B624b may be configured to phase shift a signal passing through the second phase shift component B624b by 110°. Thus, the initial signal is phase shifted by 110° by the second phase shift component B624b, to 250° by reverse propagation through the second amplifier 314b, reflection at the diplexer B611, and forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b, and further to 360° by the second phase shift component B624b.

[0186] At the same time, the signal received by antenna 140 is filtered to a second frequency band by diplexer B611 and propagates along the second path through second amplifier 314b. The filtered and amplified signal is phase-shifted by second phase-shift component B624b and fed to the second input of signal combiner B612. In some embodiments, signal combiner B612 or first amplifier 314a do not prevent the signal from traveling through signal combiner B612 along the first path in the reverse direction. Therefore, the signal propagates through first phase-shift component B624a and through first amplifier 314a, where it is reflected by diplexer B611. The reflected signal propagates through first amplifier 314a and first phase-shift component B624a until it reaches the first input of signal combiner B612.

[0187] If the initial signal (at the second input of the signal combiner B612) and the reflected signal (at the first input of the signal combiner B612) are not in phase, the summation of the signal combiner B612 results in an attenuated signal at the output of the signal combiner B612, and if the initial signal and the reflected signal are in phase, the summation of the signal combiner B612 results in an amplified signal at the output of the signal combiner B612. Therefore, in some embodiments, the first phase shift component B624a is configured to phase shift the signal (at least in the second frequency band) such that the initial signal and the reflected signal are at least partially in phase.

[0188] For example, the first phase shift component B624a may be configured to phase shift a signal passing through the first phase shift component B624a by -0.5 times the phase shift caused by the reverse propagation through the first amplifier 314a, the reflection at the diplexer B611, and the forward propagation through the first amplifier 314a. In another example, the first phase shift component B624a may be configured to phase shift a signal passing through the first phase shift component B624a by half the difference between 360° and the phase shift caused by the reverse propagation through the first amplifier 314a, the reflection at the diplexer B611, and the forward propagation through the first amplifier 314a.Generally speaking, the first phase shift component B624a may be configured to phase shift a signal passing through the first phase shift component B624a such that the initial signal and the reflected signal have a phase difference corresponding to an integer multiple (including zero) of 360°.

[0189] The phase-shifting components B624a to B624b can be implemented as passive circuits. In particular, the phase-shifting components B624a to B624b can be implemented as LC circuits and include one or more passive components, such as inductors and / or capacitors. The passive components can be implemented in parallel and / or in series and can be connected between the outputs of the amplifiers 314a to 314b and the inputs of the signal combiner B612 or between the outputs of the amplifiers 314a to 314b and a ground potential. In some implementations, the phase-shifting components B624a to B624b are integrated into the same chip or in the same package as the amplifiers 314a to 314b.

[0190] In some versions (such as Fig. 11), the phase-shift components B624a to B624b are arranged along the paths after the amplifiers 314a to 314b. Therefore, any signal attenuation caused by the phase-shift components B624a to B624b does not affect the performance of the module B610, e.g., the signal-to-noise ratio of the output signal. However, in some implementations, the phase-shift components B624a to B624b are arranged along the paths before the amplifiers 314a to 314b. For example, the phase-shift components B624a to B624b can be integrated into an impedance matching component arranged between the diplexer B611 and the amplifiers 314a to 314b.

[0191] Fig. Figure 12 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver B640 configuration may include a DRx module B641 with one or more phase matching or phase shifting components B624a to B624b and two-stage amplifiers B614a to B614b. The DRx module B641 of Fig. 12 is basically constructed like the DRx module B610 of the Fig. 11, except that the amplifiers 314a to 314b of the DRx module B610 of the Fig. 11 by the two-stage amplifiers B614a to B614b in the DRx module B641 of the Fig. 12 have been replaced.

[0192] Fig. Figure 13 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver B680 configuration may include a DRx module B681 with one or more phase matching components or phase shifting components B624a to B624b and an amplifier B615 arranged after the signal combiner. The DRx module B681 of Fig. 13 is basically constructed like the DRx module B610 of the Fig. 11, except that the DRx module B681 of the Fig. 13 includes a post-signal combiner amplifier B615 between the output of signal combiner B612 and the output of DRx module B681. Like amplifiers 314a through 314b, post-signal combiner amplifier B615 may be a variable gain amplifier and / or variable current amplifier controlled by a DRx controller (not shown).

[0193] Fig. 14 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver B700 may include a DRx module B710 having one or more tunable phase shift components B724a to B724d. Each of the tunable phase shift components B724a to B724d may be configured to phase shift a signal passing through the tunable phase shift component by an amount adjusted by a phase shift tuning signal received from a DRx controller B702.

[0194] The configuration of a diversity receiver B700 includes a DRx module B710 having an input coupled to an antenna 140 and an output coupled to a transmission line 135. The DRx module B710 includes a number of paths between the input and the output of the DRx module B710. In some implementations, the DRx module B710 includes one or more bypass paths (not shown) between the input and the output, which are activated by one or more bypass switches controlled by the DRx controller B702.

[0195] The DRx module B710 includes a number of multiplexer paths comprising an input multiplexer B311 and an output multiplexer B312. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-side paths (shown) including the input multiplexer B311, a bandpass filter B313a to B313d, an amplifier B314a to B314d, a tunable phase shift component B724a to B724d, the output multiplexer B312, and a post-signal combiner amplifier B615. The multiplexer paths may include a number of module-external paths (not shown), as described above. As also described above, the amplifiers B314a to B314d (including the post-signal combiner amplifier B615) may be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

[0196] The tunable phase shift components B724a to B724d may include one or more variable components, such as inductors and / or capacitors. The variable components may be implemented in parallel and / or series and may be connected between the outputs of amplifiers B314a to B314d and the inputs of output multiplexer B312, or between the outputs of amplifiers B314a to B314d and a ground potential.

[0197] The DRx controller B702 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In some implementations, the DRx controller B702 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller B702 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller B702 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by activating or deactivating the amplifiers B314a to B314d, by controlling the multiplexers B311, B312, or using other techniques as described above.

[0198] In some implementations, the DRx controller B702 is configured to tune the tunable phase shift components B724a to B724d. In some implementations, the DRx controller B702 tunes the tunable phase shift components B724a to B724d based on the band selection signal. For example, the DRx controller B702 may tune the tunable phase shift components B724a to B724d based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) indicated by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters. Accordingly, upon receiving a band selection signal, the DRx controller B702 may send a phase shift tuning signal to the tunable phase shift component B724a to B724d of each active path to tune the tunable phase shift component (or its variable components) according to the tuning parameters.

[0199] The DRx controller B702 may be configured to tune tunable phase shift components B724a to B724d such that the out-of-band reflected signals are in phase at the output multiplexer B312 with the out-of-band initial signals. For example, if the band select signal indicates that the first path (passing through the first amplifier B314a) associated with a first frequency band, the second path (passing through the second amplifier B314b) associated with a second frequency band, and the third path (passing through the third amplifier B314c) are to be activated, the DRx controller B702 may tune the first tunable phase shift component B724a such that (1) for a signal propagating along the second path (in the second frequency band), the initial signal is aligned with a reflected signal propagating inversely along the first path,is reflected at the bandpass filter B313a and propagates in the forward direction through the first path, is in phase, and (2) for a signal propagating along the third path (in the third frequency band), the initial signal is in phase with a reflected signal propagating inversely along the first path, is reflected at the bandpass filter B313a and propagates in the forward direction through the first path.

[0200] The DRx controller B702 may tune the first tunable phase shift component B724a to phase shift the second frequency band by an amount that is different from the amount for the third frequency band. For example, if the signal in the second frequency band is phase shifted by 140°, and the third frequency band is phase shifted by 130° due to the reverse propagation by the first amplifier B314a, the reflection at the bandpass filter 313a, and the forward propagation by the first amplifier B314a, the DRx controller B702 may tune the first tunable phase shift component B724a to phase shift the second frequency band by -70° (or 110°) and the third frequency band by -65° (or 115°).

[0201] The DRx controller B702 may tune the second tunable phase shift component B724b and the third tunable phase shift component B724c in an analogous manner.

[0202] In another example, if the band select signal indicates that the first path, the second path, and the fourth path (passing through the fourth amplifier B314d) should be activated, the DRx controller B702 may tune the first tunable phase shift component B724a such that (1) for a signal propagating along the second path (in the second frequency band), the initial signal is in phase with a reflected signal that propagates inversely along the first path, is reflected at the bandpass filter B313a, and propagates forwardly through the first path, and (2) for a signal propagating along the fourth path (in the fourth frequency band), the initial signal is in phase with a reflected signal that propagates inversely along the first path, is reflected at the bandpass filter B313a, and propagates forwardly through the first path.

[0203] The DRx controller B702 can tune the variable components of the tunable phase shift components B724a to B724d to assume different values ​​for different groups of frequency bands.

[0204] In some implementations, the tunable phase shift components B724a to B724d are replaced by constant phase shift components that are neither tunable nor controllable by the DRx controller B702. Each of the phase shift components arranged along a respective path associated with a frequency band may be configured to phase shift each of the other frequency bands such that an initial signal along a respective other path is in phase with a reflected signal propagating in the reverse direction along the path, reflected by the respective bandpass filter, and propagating in the forward direction through one of the paths.

[0205] For example, the third phase shift component B724c may be constant and configured to (1) phase shift the first frequency band such that the initial signal at the first frequency band (propagating along the first path) is in phase with a reflected signal that propagates inversely along the third path, is reflected at the third bandpass filter B313c, and propagates forward through the third path, (2) phase shift the second frequency band such that the initial signal at the second frequency band (propagating along the second path) is in phase with a reflected signal that propagates inversely along the third path, is reflected at the third bandpass filter B313c, and propagates forward through the third path, and (3) phase shift the fourth frequency band such thatthat the initial signal at the fourth frequency band (propagating along the fourth path) is in phase with a reflected signal propagating inversely along the third path, reflected at the third bandpass filter B313c, and propagating forward through the third path. The other phase shift components may be similarly constant and arranged.

[0206] Therefore, the DRx module B710 may include a DRx controller B702 configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the DRx module B710 and an output of the DRx module B710. The DRx module B710 further includes a plurality of amplifiers B314a to B314d, each of the plurality of amplifiers B314a to B314d being arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and being configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The DRx module B710 further includes a plurality of phase shift components B724a to B724d being arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and being configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first phase shift component B724a is arranged along a first path of the plurality of paths associated with a first frequency band (e.g., the frequency band of the first bandpass filter B313a) and is configured to phase shift a second frequency band (e.g., the frequency band of the second bandpass filter B313b) of a signal passing through the first phase shift component B724a such that an initial signal propagating along a second path associated with the second frequency band and a reflected signal propagating along the first path are at least partially in phase.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first phase shift component B724a is further configured to phase shift a third frequency band (e.g., the frequency band of the third bandpass filter B313c) of a signal passing through the first phase shift component B724a such that an initial signal propagating along a third path associated with the third frequency band and a reflected signal propagating along the first path are at least partially in phase.

[0209] Analogously, in some embodiments, the second phase shift component B724b arranged along the second path may be configured to phase shift the first frequency band of a signal passing through the second phase shift component B724b such that an initial signal propagating along the first path and a reflected signal propagating along the second path are at least partially in phase.

[0210] Fig. 17 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver BC1000 may include a DRx module BC1010 with tunable impedance matching components arranged at the input and the output. The DRx module BC1010 may include one or more tunable impedance matching components arranged at one or more of the input and the output of the DRx module BC1010. In particular, the DRx module BC1010 may include a tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 arranged at an input of the DRx module BC1010 and / or a tunable output impedance matching component BC1017 arranged at an output of the DRx module BC1010.

[0211] It is unlikely that ideal impedance matching will be achieved for different frequency bands all received at the same diversity antenna 140. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 can be implemented at the input of the DRx module BC1010 and controlled by the DRx controller BC1002 (e.g., based on a band selection signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller BC1002 can tune the tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) specified by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters.Accordingly, upon receiving a band selection signal, the DRx controller BC1002 may send an input impedance tuning signal to the tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 to tune the tunable input impedance matching component (or its variable components) according to the tuning parameters.

[0212] The tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 may comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. In particular, the tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 may include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, or capacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel or in series and connected between the input of the DRx module BC1010 and the input of the first multiplexer BC311, or between the input of the DRx module BC1010 and a ground potential.

[0213] Similarly, with only one transmission line 135 (or at least a few transmission lines) carrying signals on different frequency bands, it is unlikely to achieve ideal impedance matching for different frequency bands. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable output impedance matching component BC1017 can be implemented at the output of the DRx module BC1010 and controlled by the DRx controller BC1002 (e.g., based on a band selection signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller BC1002 can tune the tunable output impedance matching component BC1017, for example, based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) indicated by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters.Accordingly, upon receiving a band selection signal, the DRx controller BC1002 may send an output impedance tuning signal to the tunable output impedance matching component BC1017 to tune the tunable output impedance matching component (or its variable components) according to the tuning parameters.

[0214] The tunable output impedance matching component BC1017 may comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. In particular, the tunable output impedance matching component BC1017 may include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, or capacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel or in series and connected between the output of the second multiplexer BC312 and the output of the DRx module BC1010, or between the output of the second multiplexer BC312 and a ground potential.

[0215] Fig. 18 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration BC1100 may include a DRx module BC1110 having multiple tunable components. The diversity receiver configuration BC1100 includes a DRx module BC1110 having an input coupled to an antenna 140 and an output coupled to a transmission line 135. The DRx module BC1110 includes a number of paths between the input and the output of the DRx module BC1110. In some implementations, the DRx module BC1110 includes one or more bypass paths (not shown) between the input and the output, which are controlled by the DRx controller BC1102 via one or more bypass switches.

[0216] The DRx module BC1110 includes a number of multiplexer paths, including an input multiplexer BC311 and an output multiplexer BC312. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-side paths (shown) including a tunable input impedance matching component BC1016, the input multiplexer BC311, a bandpass filter BC313a to BC313d, a tunable impedance matching component BC934a to BC934d, an amplifier BC314a to BC314d, a tunable phase shift matching component BC724a to BC724d, the output multiplexer BC312, and a tunable output impedance matching component BC1017. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-external paths (not shown) as described above. As also described above, the BC314a to BC314d amplifiers can be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

[0217] The DRx controller BC1102 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In some implementations, the DRx controller BC1102 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller BC1102 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller BC1102 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by activating or deactivating the amplifiers BC314a to BC314d, controlling the multiplexers BC311, BC312, or by other mechanisms as described above. In some implementations, the DRx controller BC1102 is configured to send an amplifier control signal to one or more of the amplifiers BC314a to BC314d arranged along the one or more of the activated paths.The amplifier control signal controls the gain (or current consumption) of the amplifier to which it is sent.

[0218] The DRx controller BC1102 is configured to tune the tunable input impedance matching component BC1016, the tunable impedance matching components BC934a to BC934d, the tunable phase shift matching components BC724a to BC724d, and / or the tunable output impedance matching component BC1017. For example, the DRx controller BC1102 may tune the tunable components based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) specified by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters. Accordingly, upon receiving a band selection signal, the DRx controller BC1102 may send a tuning signal to the tunable component (of the active paths) to tune the tunable component (or its variable components) according to the tuning parameters.In some implementations, the DRx controller BC1102 tunes the tunable components at least partially based on amplifier control signals transmitted to control the gain and / or current consumption of the amplifiers BC314 through BC314d. In various implementations, one or more of the tunable components may be replaced by constant components that are not controlled by the DRx controller BC1102.

[0219] It should be noted that tuning one of the tunable components may affect the tuning of another of the tunable components. Therefore, the tuning parameters stored in a lookup table for a first tunable component may be based on the tuning parameters for a second tunable component. For example, the tuning parameters for the tunable phase shift matching components BC724a through BC724d may be based on the tuning parameters for the tunable impedance matching components BC934a through BC934d. In another example, the tuning parameters for the tunable impedance matching components BC934a through BC934d may be based on the tuning parameters for the tunable input impedance matching component BC1016.

[0220] Fig. 19 shows an embodiment of a method flow diagram of a method for processing an RF signal. In some embodiments (and as explained below by way of example), the method BC1200 is performed by a controller, such as the DRx controller BC1102 of Fig. 18. In some implementations, the BC1200 method is performed by processing logic including hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the BC1200 method is performed by a processor executing process instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory). Briefly, the BC1200 method includes receiving a band select signal and passing a received RF signal along one or more gain-controlled paths to process the received RF signal.

[0221] The method BC1200 begins at block BC1210 with the controller receiving a band selection signal. The controller may receive the band selection signal from another controller, a cellular base station, or another external source. The band selection signal may designate one or more frequency bands over which a wireless device is to transmit and receive RF signals. In some implementations, the band selection signal designates a set of frequency bands for carrier-aggregated communication.

[0222] At block BC1220, the controller selectively activates one or more paths of a diversity receiver (DRx) module based on the band select signal. As described above, the DRx module may include a number of paths between one or more inputs (coupled to one or more antennas) and one or more outputs (coupled to one or more transmission lines) of the DRx module. The paths may include bypass paths and multiplexer paths. The multiplexer paths may include module-side and module-external paths.

[0223] The controller may control the one or more paths, for example, by opening or closing one or more bypass switches, by enabling or disabling one or more amplifiers arranged along the paths via an amplifier enable signal, by controlling one or more multiplexers via a divider control signal and / or a combiner control signal, or by other means. For example, the controller may open or close switches arranged along the paths or set the gain of the amplifiers arranged along the paths to near zero.

[0224] At block BC1230, the controller sends a tuning signal to one or more tunable components arranged along the one or more activated paths. The tunable components may include a tunable input impedance matching component arranged at an input of the DRx module, a plurality of tunable impedance matching components arranged along the plurality of paths, a plurality of tunable phase shifting components arranged along the plurality of paths, and / or a tunable output impedance matching component arranged at an output of the DRx module.

[0225] The controller may tune the tunable components based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) indicated by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters. Accordingly, upon receipt of a band selection signal, the DRx controller may send a tuning signal to the tunable components (of the active paths) to tune the tunable components according to the tuning parameters. In some implementations, the controller tunes the tunable components based at least in part on amplifier control signals transmitted to adjust the gain and / or current consumption of one or more along corresponding ones of the one or more activated paths.

[0226] Among other things, Example B explained above can be summarized as follows with respect to phase shift components.

[0227] According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a receiving system having a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of amplifiers. Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of phase shift components. Each phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components is arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component.

[0228] In some embodiments, a first phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components arranged along a first path of the plurality of paths associated with a first frequency band may be further configured to phase shift a second frequency band of a signal passing through the first phase shift component such that a second initial signal propagating along a second path of the plurality of paths associated with the second frequency band and a second reflected signal propagating along the first path are at least partially in phase.

[0229] In some embodiments, a second phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components arranged along the second path may be configured to phase shift the first frequency band of a signal passing through the second phase shift component such that a first initial signal propagating along the first path and a first reflected signal propagating along the second path are at least partially in phase.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first phase shift component may be further configured to phase shift a third frequency band of a signal passing through the first phase shift component such that a third initial signal propagating along a third path of the plurality of paths associated with the third frequency band and a third reflected signal propagating along the first path are at least partially in phase.

[0231] In some embodiments, the first phase shift component may be configured to phase shift the second frequency band of a signal passing through the first phase shift component such that the second initial signal and the second reflected signal have a phase difference corresponding to an integer multiple of 360 degrees.

[0232] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a multiplexer configured to split an input signal received at the input into a plurality of signals on a corresponding plurality of frequency bands propagated along the plurality of paths. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a signal combiner configured to combine signals propagated along the plurality of paths. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise an amplifier downstream of the signal combiner, arranged between the signal combiner and the output and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier downstream of the signal combiner.In some embodiments, each of the plurality of phase-shifting components may be disposed between the signal combiner and a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers. In some embodiments, at least one of the amplifiers may comprise a two-stage amplifier.

[0233] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of phase-shifting components may be a passive circuit. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of phase-shifting components may be an LC circuit.

[0234] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of phase shift components may include a tunable phase shift component configured to phase shift a signal passing through the tunable phase shift component by an amount controlled by a phase shift tuning signal received from the controller.

[0235] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a plurality of impedance matching components, each impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the respective one of the plurality of paths.

[0236] In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) module having a package substrate configured to receive a plurality of components. The RF module further includes a receiving system implemented on the package substrate. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of phase shifting components.Each phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components is arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and is configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component.

[0237] In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receiver front-end module, FEM.

[0238] In some embodiments, a first phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components arranged along a first path of the plurality of paths associated with a first frequency band may be further configured to phase shift a second frequency band of a signal passing through the first phase shift component such that a second initial signal propagating along a second path of the plurality of paths associated with the second frequency band and a second reflected signal propagating along the first path are at least partially in phase.

[0239] According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device comprising a first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal. The wireless device further comprises a first front-end module, FEM, in communicative connection with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a package substrate configured to house a plurality of components. The first FEM further includes a receive system implemented on the package substrate. The receive system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receive system and an output of the receive system. The receive system further includes a plurality of amplifiers.Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of phase shift components. Each phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components is arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and is configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component. The wireless device further comprises a transceiver configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output via a transmission line and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal.

[0240] In some embodiments, the wireless device further comprises a second antenna configured to receive a second RF signal and a second FEM communicatively coupled to the second antenna. The transceiver is configured to receive a processed version of the second RF signal from the output of the second FEM and generate data bits based on the processed version of the second RF signal.

[0241] In some embodiments, a first phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components arranged along a first path of the plurality of paths associated with a first frequency band may be further configured to phase shift a second frequency band of a signal passing through the first phase shift component such that a second initial signal propagating along a second path of the plurality of paths associated with the second frequency band and a second reflected signal propagating along the first path are at least partially in phase. Example C: Impedance matching components

[0242] Fig. 15 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver C800 may include a DRx module C810 with one or more impedance matching components C834a through C834b. The DRx module C810 includes two paths from an input of the DRx module C810 coupled to an antenna 140 and an output of the DRx module C810 coupled to a transmission line 135.

[0243] In the DRx module C810 of the Fig. 15 (just like in the DRx module BC610 of the Fig. 11), the signal splitter and the bandpass filters are implemented as a diplexer C611. The diplexer C611 includes an input coupled to the antenna, a first output coupled to a first impedance matching component C834a, and a second output coupled to a second impedance matching component C834b. At the first output, the diplexer C611 outputs a signal received at the input (e.g., from the antenna 140) that is filtered to a first frequency band. At the second output, the diplexer C611 outputs a signal received at the input that is filtered to a second frequency band.

[0244] Each of the impedance matching components C834a to C834b is arranged between the diplexer C611 and an amplifier C314a to C314b. As described above, each of the amplifiers C314a to C314b is arranged along a corresponding one of the paths and is configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The outputs of the amplifiers C314a to C314b are fed to a signal combiner C612.

[0245] The signal combiner C612 includes a first input coupled to the first amplifier C314a, a second input coupled to the second amplifier C314b, and an output coupled to the output of the DRx module C810. The signal at the output of the signal combiner corresponds to the sum of the signals at the first and second inputs.

[0246] When a signal is received by antenna 140, it is filtered to a first frequency band by diplexer C611 and propagated along the first path through first amplifier C314a. Similarly, the signal is filtered to a second frequency band by diplexer C611 and propagated along a second path through second amplifier C314b.

[0247] Each of the paths can be characterized by a noise figure and a gain. The noise figure of each path reflects the degree of degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) caused by the amplifier and impedance matching components arranged along the path. Specifically, the noise figure for each path can be expressed as the difference in decibels (dB) between the SNR at the input of the impedance matching components C834a to C834b and the SNR at the output of the amplifiers C314a to C314b. Therefore, the noise figure is a measure of the difference between the noise input of the amplifier and the noise input of an "ideal" amplifier (which produces no noise) with the same gain. Analogously, the gain for each path is a measure of the gain produced by the amplifier and the impedance matching components arranged along the path.

[0248] The noise figure and gain of each path can be different for different frequency bands. For example, the first path can have a band-specific noise figure and gain for the first frequency band and an out-of-band noise figure and gain for the second frequency band. Similarly, the second path can have a band-specific noise figure and gain for the second frequency band and an out-of-band noise figure and gain for the first frequency band.

[0249] The C810 DRx module can therefore be characterized by a noise figure and gain that differ for different frequency bands. Specifically, the noise figure for the C810 DRx module can be the difference in dB between the SNR at the C810 DRx module's input and the SNR at the C810 DRx module's output.

[0250] The noise figure and gain (at each frequency band) may depend at least in part on the impedance (at each frequency band) of the impedance matching components C834a to C834b. Accordingly, it may be advantageous if the impedance of the impedance matching components C834a to C834b is selected to minimize the in-band noise figure of each path and / or maximize the in-band gain of each path. Therefore, in some implementations, each of the impedance matching components C834a to C834b may be configured to reduce the in-band noise figure of its associated path and / or increase the in-band gain of its associated path (in contrast to a DRx module that does not include such impedance matching components C834a to C834b).

[0251] Because the signal propagating along the two paths is combined by the signal combiner C612, out-of-band noise generated or amplified by an amplifier can negatively impact the combined signal. For example, out-of-band noise generated or amplified by the first amplifier C314a can increase the noise figure of the DRx module C810 in the second frequency band. Accordingly, it may be advantageous if the impedance of the impedance matching components C834a to C834b is selected to minimize the out-of-band noise figure of each path and / or to minimize the out-of-band gain of each path.Therefore, in some implementations, each of the impedance matching components C834a to C834b may be configured to reduce the out-of-band noise figure of its associated path and / or reduce the out-of-band gain of its associated path (as opposed to a DRx module which does not include such impedance matching components C834a to C834b).

[0252] The impedance matching components C834a to C834b can be implemented as passive circuits. In particular, the impedance matching components C834a to C834b can be implemented as RLC circuits and include one or more passive components, such as resistors, inductors, and / or capacitors. The passive components can be implemented in parallel and / or in series and can be connected between the outputs of the diplexer C611 and the inputs of the amplifiers C314a to C314b or between the outputs of the diplexer C611 and a ground potential. In some implementations, the impedance matching components C834a to C834b are integrated into the same chip or in the same package as the amplifiers C314a to C314b.

[0253] As noted above, it may be advantageous for a particular path if the impedance of the impedance matching components C834a to C834b is chosen to minimize the in-band noise figure, maximize the band gain, minimize the out-of-band noise figure, and minimize the out-of-band gain. Designing an impedance matching component C834a to C834b that achieves all four of these goals with only two degrees of freedom (e.g., the impedance at the first frequency band and the impedance at the second frequency band) or under various constraints (e.g., component count, cost, chip area) can be challenging. Accordingly, in some implementations, a band-related metric of the in-band noise figure less the band gain is minimized, and an out-of-band metric of the out-of-band noise figure plus the out-of-band gain is minimized.Designing an impedance matching component C834a to C834b that achieves both of these objectives under different constraints can still be challenging. Therefore, in some implementations, the band-related metric is minimized subject to a set of constraints, and the out-of-band metric is minimized subject to this set of constraints, with a further constraint requiring that the band-related metric be increased by no more than a threshold amount (e.g., 0.1 dB, 0.2 dB, 0.5 dB, or any other arbitrary value). Accordingly, the impedance matching component is designed to limit a band-related metric of the in-band noise figure less the in-band gain to a band-related threshold of a band-related minimum, e.g., a minimum achievable subject to any constraints.The impedance matching component is further configured to reduce an out-of-band metric of the out-of-band noise figure plus the out-of-band gain to an out-of-band minimum limited by the band membership, e.g., an achievable minimum for the out-of-band metric, taking into account the additional constraint that the in-band metric is not increased by more than a threshold amount. In some implementations, a mixed in-band metric (weighted by a band membership factor) plus the out-of-band metric (weighted by an out-of-band factor) can be minimized under any constraints.

[0254] Therefore, in some implementations, each of the impedance matching components C834a to C834b may be configured to reduce the in-band metric (the in-band noise figure minus the in-band gain) of its associated path (e.g., by reducing the in-band noise figure, increasing the in-band gain, or both). In some implementations, each of the impedance matching components C834a to C834b may be further configured to reduce the out-of-band metric (the out-of-band noise figure plus the out-of-band gain) of its associated path (e.g., by reducing the out-of-band noise figure, reducing the out-of-band gain, or both).

[0255] In some implementations, the impedance matching components C834a to C834b can reduce the noise figure of the C810 DRx module at one or more of the frequency bands by reducing the out-of-band metrics without significantly increasing the noise figures at other frequency bands.

[0256] Fig. 16 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver C900 may include a DRx module C910 with one or more tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d. Each of the tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d may be configured to represent an impedance adjusted by an impedance tuning signal received from a DRx controller C902.

[0257] The configuration of a diversity receiver C900 includes a DRx module C910 having an input coupled to an antenna 140 and an output coupled to a transmission line 135. The DRx module C910 includes a number of paths between the input and the output of the DRx module C910. In some implementations, the DRx module C910 includes one or more bypass paths (not shown) between the input and the output, which are activated by one or more bypass switches controlled by the DRx controller C902.

[0258] The DRx module C910 includes a number of multiplexer paths comprising an input multiplexer C311 and an output multiplexer C312. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-side paths (shown) including the input multiplexer C311, a bandpass filter C313a to C313d, a tunable impedance matching component C934a to C934d, an amplifier C314a to C314d, and the output multiplexer C312. The multiplexer paths may include a number of module-external paths (not shown), as described above. As also described above, the amplifiers C314a to C314d may be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

[0259] The tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d can be a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI circuit, or any other type of tunable matching circuit. The tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d can include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, and / or capacitors. The variable components can be implemented in parallel and / or in series and can be connected between the outputs of the input multiplexer C311 and the inputs of the amplifiers C314a to C314d or between the outputs of the input multiplexer C311 and a ground potential.

[0260] The DRx controller C902 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In some implementations, the DRx controller C902 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller C902 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller C902 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by activating or deactivating the amplifiers C314a through C314d, by controlling the multiplexers C311, C312, or using other techniques as described above.

[0261] In some implementations, the DRx controller C902 is configured to tune the tunable impedance matching components C934a through C934d. In some implementations, the DRx controller C902 tunes the tunable impedance matching components C934a through C934d based on the band selection signal. For example, the DRx controller C902 may tune the tunable impedance matching components C934a through C934d based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) indicated by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters. Accordingly, upon receiving a band selection signal, the DRx controller C902 may send an impedance tuning signal to the tunable impedance matching component C934a to C934d of each active path to tune the tunable impedance matching component (or its variable components) according to the tuning parameters.

[0262] In some implementations, the DRx controller C902 tunes the tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d based at least in part on the amplifier control signals transmitted thereto to control the gain and / or current consumption of the amplifiers C314a to C314d.

[0263] In some implementations, the DRx controller C902 is configured to tune the tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d of each active path to minimize (or decrease) the in-band noise figure, maximize (or increase) the in-band gain, minimize (or decrease) the out-of-band noise figure for each other active path, and minimize (or decrease) the out-of-band gain for each other active path.

[0264] In some implementations, the DRx controller C902 is configured to tune the tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d of each active path to minimize (or reduce) the in-band metric (the in-band noise figure less the in-band gain) and minimize (or reduce) the out-of-band metric (the out-of-band noise figure plus the out-of-band gain) of each other active path.

[0265] In some implementations, the DRx controller C902 is configured to tune the tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d of each active path to minimize (or decrease) the in-band metric subject to the set of constraints and to minimize (or decrease) the out-of-band metric for each of the other active paths subject to the set of constraints, with a further constraint requiring that the in-band metric be increased by no more than a threshold amount (e.g., 0.1 dB, 0.2 dB, 0.5 dB, or any other arbitrary value).

[0266] Therefore, in some embodiments, the DRx controller C902 is configured to tune the tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d of each active path such that the tunable impedance matching component limits a band-related metric of the band-associated noise figure less the band-associated gain to a band-associated threshold of a band-associated minimum, e.g., a minimum achievable taking into account any boundary conditions. The DRx controller C902 may further be configured to tune the tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d of each active path such that the tunable impedance matching component reduces an out-of-band metric of the out-of-band noise figure plus the out-of-band gain to an out-of-band minimum limited by the band association, e.g.,a minimum achievable for the out-of-band metric, taking into account the additional constraint that the in-band metric is not increased by more than a threshold amount.

[0267] In some implementations, the DRx controller C902 is configured to tune the tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d of each active path to minimize a mixed in-band metric (weighted by an in-band factor) plus the out-of-band metric (weighted by an out-of-band factor) under any constraints.

[0268] The DRx controller C902 can tune the tunable impedance matching components C934a to C934d to different values ​​for different groups of frequency bands.

[0269] In some implementations, the tunable impedance matching components C934a through C934d may be replaced by constant impedance matching components that are neither tunable nor controllable by the DRx controller C902. Each of the impedance matching components arranged along a respective path associated with a respective frequency band may be configured to reduce (or minimize) the in-band metric for that frequency band and reduce (or minimize) the out-of-band metric for one or more of the other frequency bands (e.g., each of the other frequency bands).

[0270] For example, the third impedance matching component C934c may be constant and configured to (1) decrease the in-band metric for the third frequency band, (2) decrease the out-of-band metric for the first frequency band, (3) decrease the out-of-band metric for the second frequency band, and / or (4) decrease the out-of-band metric for the fourth frequency band. The other impedance matching components may be constant and configured in a similar manner.

[0271] Therefore, the DRx module C910 includes a DRx controller C902 configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the DRx module C910 and an output of the DRx module C910. The DRx module C910 further includes a plurality of amplifiers C314a to C314d, each of the plurality of amplifiers C314a to C314d being arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier.The DRx module C910 further includes a plurality of impedance matching components C934a to C934d, each of the plurality of impedance matching components C934a to C934d being arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and being configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the respective one of the plurality of paths.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component C934a, which is arranged along a first path associated with a first frequency band (e.g., the frequency band of the first bandpass filter C313a), may be configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain for a second frequency band associated with a second path (e.g., the frequency band of the second bandpass filter C313b).

[0273] In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component C934a may be further configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain for a third frequency band associated with a third path (e.g., the frequency band of the third bandpass filter C313c).

[0274] Similarly, in some embodiments, the second impedance matching component C934b disposed along the second path may be configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain for the first frequency band.

[0275] Fig. 17 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver BC1000 may include a DRx module BC1010 with tunable impedance matching components arranged at the input and the output. The DRx module BC1010 may include one or more tunable impedance matching components arranged at one or more of the input and the output of the DRx module BC1010. In particular, the DRx module BC1010 may include a tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 arranged at an input of the DRx module BC1010 and / or a tunable output impedance matching component BC1017 arranged at an output of the DRx module BC1010.

[0276] It is unlikely that ideal impedance matching will be achieved for different frequency bands all received at the same diversity antenna 140. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 can be implemented at the input of the DRx module BC1010 and controlled by the DRx controller BC1002 (e.g., based on a band selection signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller BC1002 can tune the tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) specified by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters.Accordingly, upon receiving a band selection signal, the DRx controller BC1002 may send an input impedance tuning signal to the tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 to tune the tunable input impedance matching component (or its variable components) according to the tuning parameters.

[0277] The tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 may comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. In particular, the tunable input impedance matching component BC1016 may include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, or capacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel or in series and connected between the input of the DRx module BC1010 and the input of the first multiplexer BC311, or between the input of the DRx module BC1010 and a ground potential.

[0278] Similarly, with only one transmission line 135 (or at least a few transmission lines) carrying signals on different frequency bands, it is unlikely to achieve ideal impedance matching for different frequency bands. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable output impedance matching component BC1017 can be implemented at the output of the DRx module BC1010 and controlled by the DRx controller BC1002 (e.g., based on a band selection signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller BC1002 can tune the tunable output impedance matching component BC1017, for example, based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) indicated by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters.Accordingly, upon receiving a band selection signal, the DRx controller BC1002 may send an output impedance tuning signal to the tunable output impedance matching component BC1017 to tune the tunable output impedance matching component (or its variable components) according to the tuning parameters.

[0279] The tunable output impedance matching component BC1017 may comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. In particular, the tunable output impedance matching component BC1017 may include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, or capacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel or in series and connected between the output of the second multiplexer BC312 and the output of the DRx module BC1010, or between the output of the second multiplexer BC312 and a ground potential.

[0280] Fig. 18 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration BC1100 may include a DRx module BC1110 having multiple tunable components. The diversity receiver configuration BC1100 includes a DRx module BC1110 having an input coupled to an antenna 140 and an output coupled to a transmission line 135. The DRx module BC1110 includes a number of paths between the input and the output of the DRx module BC1110. In some implementations, the DRx module BC1110 includes one or more bypass paths (not shown) between the input and the output, which are controlled by the DRx controller BC1102 via one or more bypass switches.

[0281] The DRx module BC1110 includes a number of multiplexer paths, including an input multiplexer BC311 and an output multiplexer BC312. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-side paths (shown) including a tunable input impedance matching component BC1016, the input multiplexer BC311, a bandpass filter BC313a to BC313d, a tunable impedance matching component BC934a to BC934d, an amplifier BC314a to BC314d, a tunable phase shift matching component BC724a to BC724d, the output multiplexer BC312, and a tunable output impedance matching component BC1017. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-external paths (not shown) as described above. As also described above, the BC314a to BC314d amplifiers can be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

[0282] The DRx controller BC1102 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In some implementations, the DRx controller BC1102 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller BC1102 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller BC1102 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by activating or deactivating the amplifiers BC314a to BC314d, controlling the multiplexers BC311, BC312, or by other mechanisms as described above. In some implementations, the DRx controller BC1102 is configured to send an amplifier control signal to one or more of the amplifiers BC314a to BC314d arranged along the one or more of the activated paths.The amplifier control signal controls the gain (or current consumption) of the amplifier to which it is sent.

[0283] The DRx controller BC1102 is configured to tune the tunable input impedance matching component BC1016, the tunable impedance matching components BC934a to BC934d, the tunable phase shift matching components BC724a to BC724d, and / or the tunable output impedance matching component BC1017. For example, the DRx controller BC1102 may tune the tunable components based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) specified by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters. Accordingly, upon receiving a band selection signal, the DRx controller BC1102 may send a tuning signal to the tunable component (of the active paths) to tune the tunable component (or its variable components) according to the tuning parameters.In some implementations, the DRx controller BC1102 tunes the tunable components at least partially based on amplifier control signals transmitted to control the gain and / or current consumption of the amplifiers BC314 through BC314d. In various implementations, one or more of the tunable components may be replaced by constant components that are not controlled by the DRx controller BC1102.

[0284] It should be noted that tuning one of the tunable components may affect the tuning of another of the tunable components. Therefore, the tuning parameters stored in a lookup table for a first tunable component may be based on the tuning parameters for a second tunable component. For example, the tuning parameters for the tunable phase shift matching components BC724a through BC724d may be based on the tuning parameters for the tunable impedance matching components BC934a through BC934d. In another example, the tuning parameters for the tunable impedance matching components BC934a through BC934d may be based on the tuning parameters for the tunable input impedance matching component BC1016.

[0285] Fig. 19 shows an embodiment of a method flow diagram of a method for processing an RF signal. In some embodiments (and as explained below by way of example), the method BC1200 is performed by a controller, such as the DRx controller BC1102 of Fig. 18. In some implementations, the BC1200 method is performed by processing logic including hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the BC1200 method is performed by a processor executing process instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory). Briefly, the BC1200 method includes receiving a band select signal and passing a received RF signal along one or more gain-controlled paths to process the received RF signal.

[0286] The method BC1200 begins at block BC1210 with the controller receiving a band selection signal. The controller may receive the band selection signal from another controller, a cellular base station, or another external source. The band selection signal may designate one or more frequency bands over which a wireless device is to transmit and receive RF signals. In some implementations, the band selection signal designates a set of frequency bands for carrier-aggregated communication.

[0287] At block BC1220, the controller selectively activates one or more paths of a diversity receiver (DRx) module based on the band select signal. As described above, the DRx module may include a number of paths between one or more inputs (coupled to one or more antennas) and one or more outputs (coupled to one or more transmission lines) of the DRx module. The paths may include bypass paths and multiplexer paths. The multiplexer paths may include module-side and module-external paths.

[0288] The controller may control the one or more paths, for example, by opening or closing one or more bypass switches, by enabling or disabling one or more amplifiers arranged along the paths via an amplifier enable signal, by controlling one or more multiplexers via a divider control signal and / or a combiner control signal, or by other means. For example, the controller may open or close switches arranged along the paths or set the gain of the amplifiers arranged along the paths to near zero.

[0289] At block BC1230, the controller sends a tuning signal to one or more tunable components arranged along the one or more activated paths. The tunable components may include a tunable input impedance matching component arranged at an input of the DRx module, a plurality of tunable impedance matching components arranged along the plurality of paths, a plurality of tunable phase shifting components arranged along the plurality of paths, and / or a tunable output impedance matching component arranged at an output of the DRx module.

[0290] The controller may tune the tunable components based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) indicated by the band selection signal are associated with tuning parameters. Accordingly, upon receipt of a band selection signal, the DRx controller may send a tuning signal to the tunable components (of the active paths) to tune the tunable components according to the tuning parameters. In some implementations, the controller tunes the tunable components based at least in part on amplifier control signals transmitted to adjust the gain and / or current consumption of one or more along corresponding ones of the one or more activated paths.

[0291] Among other things, Example C explained above can be summarized as follows with regard to impedance matching components.

[0292] According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a receiving system having a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of amplifiers. Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of impedance matching components. Each impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the corresponding path of the plurality of paths.

[0293] In some embodiments, a first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components arranged along a first path of the plurality of paths associated with a first frequency band may be configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain for a second frequency band associated with a second path of the plurality of paths.

[0294] In some embodiments, a second impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components arranged along the second path may be configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain for the first frequency band. In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component may be further configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain for a third frequency band associated with a third path of the plurality of paths.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component may be further configured to reduce one or both of an in-band noise figure and a band gain for the first frequency band. In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component may be further configured to reduce an in-band metric of the in-band noise figure less the in-band gain below a threshold amount of a minimum of the in-band metric. In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component may be further configured to reduce an out-of-band metric of the out-of-band noise figure plus the out-of-band gain to an out-of-band minimum limited by the band membership.

[0296] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a multiplexer configured to divide an input signal received at the input into a plurality of signals across a corresponding plurality of frequency bands propagated along the plurality of paths. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of impedance matching components may be disposed between the multiplexer and a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a signal combiner configured to combine signals propagated along the plurality of paths.

[0297] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components may be a passive circuit. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components may be an RLC circuit.

[0298] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components may include a tunable impedance matching component configured to represent an impedance controlled by an impedance tuning signal received from the controller.

[0299] In some embodiments, a first impedance matching component arranged along a first path of the plurality of paths associated with a first frequency band may be further configured to phase-shift the second frequency band of a signal passing through the first impedance matching component such that an initial signal propagating along a second path of the plurality of paths associated with the second frequency band and a reflected signal propagating along the first path are at least partially in phase.

[0300] In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency module, RF module, comprising a package substrate configured to receive a plurality of components. The RF module further comprises a receiving system implemented on the package substrate. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of amplifiers. Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of impedance matching components.Each impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and is configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the corresponding path of the plurality of paths. In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receiver front-end module (FEM).

[0301] In some embodiments, a first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components arranged along a first path of the plurality of paths associated with a first frequency band may be configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain for a second frequency band associated with a second path of the plurality of paths.

[0302] According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device comprising a first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal. The wireless device further comprises a first front-end module, FEM, in communicative connection with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a package substrate configured to house a plurality of components. The first FEM further includes a receive system implemented on the package substrate. The receive system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receive system and an output of the receive system. The receive system further includes a plurality of amplifiers.Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of impedance matching components. Each impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the corresponding path of the plurality of paths. The wireless device further includes a transceiver configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output via a transmission line and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal.

[0303] In some embodiments, the wireless device may further include a second antenna configured to receive a second RF signal and a second FEM communicatively coupled to the second antenna. The transceiver is configured to receive a processed version of the second RF signal from the output of the second FEM and generate data bits based on the processed version of the second RF signal.

[0304] In some embodiments, a first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components arranged along a first path of the plurality of paths associated with a first frequency band may be configured to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain for a second frequency band associated with a second path of the plurality of paths. Example D: Filters connected after amplifiers

[0305] Fig. 20 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration D400 may include a diversity receiver (DRx) module D410 having a plurality of bandpass filters D423a through D423d arranged at the outputs of a plurality of amplifiers D314a through D314d. The diversity receiver configuration D400 includes a DRx module D410 having an input coupled to an antenna 140 and an output coupled to a transmission line 135. The DRx module D410 includes a number of paths between the input and the output of the DRx module D410. Each of the paths comprises an input multiplexer D311, a bandpass filter D413a to D413d arranged before the amplifiers, an amplifier D314a to D314d, a bandpass filter D423a to D423d arranged after the amplifiers and an output multiplexer D312.

[0306] The DRx controller D302 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In some implementations, the DRx controller D302 may be configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller D302 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller D302 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by activating or deactivating the amplifiers D314a to D314d, by controlling the multiplexers D311, D312, or using other techniques.

[0307] The output of the DRx module D410 is fed via the transmission line 135 to a diversity RF module D420, which is separate from the diversity RF module 320 of the Fig. 3 in that the diversity RF module D420 of the Fig. 20 has no downstream bandpass filters. In some versions (such as Fig. 20), the downstream multiplexer D321 can be designed as a sampling switch.

[0308] Incorporating downstream bandpass filters D423a through D423d into the DRx module D410 instead of the diversity RF module D420 can provide several advantages. For example, as described in detail below, such a configuration can improve the noise figure of the DRx module D410, simplify the filter design, and / or improve path isolation.

[0309] Each of the paths of the DRx module D410 can be characterized by a noise figure. The noise figure of each path reflects the degree of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) degradation caused by propagation along the path. In particular, the noise figure for each path can be expressed as the difference in decibels (dB) between the SNR at the input of the pre-amplifier bandpass filters D413a to D413d and the SNR at the output of the post-amplifier bandpass filters D423a to D423d. The noise figure of each path can be different for different frequency bands. For example, the first path can have a band-related noise figure for the first frequency band and an out-of-band noise figure for the second frequency band. Analogously, the second path can have a band-related noise figure for the second frequency band and an out-of-band noise figure for the first frequency band.

[0310] The DRx module D410 can also be characterized by a noise figure that differs for different frequency bands. Specifically, the noise figure of the DRx module D410 for each path can be the difference in dB between the SNR at the input of the DRx module D410 and the SNR at the output of the DRx module D410.

[0311] Because the signal propagating along two paths is combined by the output multiplexer D312, out-of-band noise generated or amplified by an amplifier can negatively impact the combined signal. For example, out-of-band noise generated or amplified by the first amplifier D314a can increase the noise figure of the DRx module D410 in the second frequency band. Therefore, the bandpass filter D423a, located along the path and downstream of the amplifier, can mitigate this out-of-band noise and thus reduce the noise figure of the DRx module D410 in the second frequency band.

[0312] In some embodiments, the bandpass filters D413a to D413d connected upstream of the amplifier and the bandpass filters D423a to D423d connected downstream of the amplifier can be designed to be complementary, so that the filter design is simplified and / or the same performance can be achieved with fewer components at a lower cost. For example, the bandpass filter D423a arranged along the first path and connected downstream of the amplifier can attenuate those frequencies more strongly than the bandpass filter D413a arranged along the first path and connected upstream of the amplifier attenuates less. For example, the bandpass filter D413a arranged upstream of the amplifier can attenuate frequencies below the first frequency band more strongly than frequencies above the first frequency band.Complementarily, the bandpass filter D423a connected downstream of the amplifier can attenuate frequencies above the first frequency band more than frequencies below the first frequency band. This causes the bandpass filter D413a connected upstream of the amplifier, in conjunction with the bandpass filter D423a connected downstream of the amplifier, to attenuate all out-of-band frequencies using fewer components. Generally speaking, one of the bandpass filters arranged along a path can attenuate frequencies below the corresponding frequency band more than frequencies above the corresponding frequency band, and another of the bandpass filters arranged along a path can attenuate frequencies above the corresponding frequency band more than frequencies below the corresponding frequency band.The bandpass filters D413a to D413d located upstream of the amplifier and the bandpass filters D423a to D423d located downstream of the amplifier can also be complementary with respect to other properties. For example, the bandpass filter D413a located along the first path and located upstream of the amplifier can phase-shift a signal by a specific number of degrees in one direction, and the bandpass filter D423a located along the first path and located downstream of the amplifier can phase-shift the signal by the specific number of degrees in the opposite direction.

[0313] In some implementations, the bandpass filters D423a to D423d connected downstream of the amplifier can improve the isolation of the paths. For example, a signal propagating along the first path without a bandpass filter connected downstream of the amplifier can be filtered to the first frequency band by the bandpass filter D413a connected upstream of the amplifier and amplified by the amplifier D314a. The signal can leak through the output multiplexer D312 and propagate in the opposite direction along the second path, where it is reflected by the amplifier D314b, the bandpass filter D413b connected upstream of the amplifier, or other components arranged along the path. If this signal is out of phase with the initial signal, it can attenuate the signal when combined by the output multiplexer D312.In contrast, the leaked signal with bandpass filters downstream of the amplifier (mainly in the first frequency band) is attenuated by the bandpass filter D423b arranged along the second path, assigned to the second frequency band and downstream of the amplifier, so that the effects of reflected signals can be reduced.

[0314] Therefore, the DRx module D410 may include a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between the input of a first multiplexer (e.g., the input multiplexer D311) and an output of a second multiplexer (e.g., the output multiplexer D312). The DRx module D410 further includes a plurality of amplifiers D314a to D314d, each of which is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The DRx module D410 includes a first plurality of bandpass filters (e.g.,the bandpass filters D423a to D423d connected downstream of the amplifiers), each of the first plurality of bandpass filters being arranged along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers D314a to D314d and being configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to a corresponding frequency band. As shown in . Fig. 20, in some implementations, the DRx module D410 may include a second plurality of bandpass filters (e.g., the bandpass filters D413a to D413d disposed upstream of the amplifiers), each of the second plurality of bandpass filters being disposed along a respective path of the plurality of paths at an input of a respective amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers D314a to D314d and being configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to a respective frequency band.

[0315] Fig. 21 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver D450 may include a diversity RF module D460 that has fewer amplifiers than a diversity receiver (DRx) module D410. As noted above, in some implementations, the diversity RF module D460 does not include bandpass filters. Therefore, the one or more amplifiers D424 of the diversity RF module D460 do not necessarily have to be band-specific. In particular, the diversity RF module D460 may include one or more paths, each having an amplifier D424, that are not mapped on a 1:1 basis to the paths of the DRx module D410. Such mapping of paths (or the corresponding amplifiers) may be stored in the controller 120.

[0316] Compared to the DRx module D410, which has a number of paths corresponding to the number of frequency bands, the diversity RF module D460 can accordingly have one or more paths (running from the input of the diversity RF module D460 to the input of the multiplexer D321) that are not assigned to a single frequency band.

[0317] In some versions (as in Fig. 21), the diversity RF module D460 includes a single broadband or tunable amplifier D424, which amplifies the signal received over the transmission line 135 and outputs an amplified signal to a multiplexer D321. The multiplexer D321 includes a plurality of multiplexer outputs, each of which is assigned to a corresponding frequency band. In some embodiments, the multiplexer D321 can be configured as a sampling switch. In some embodiments, the diversity RF module D460 includes no amplifiers at all.

[0318] In some implementations, the diversity signal is a single-band signal. Therefore, in some implementations, the multiplexer D321 is a single-pole / multiple-throw (SPMT) switch that routes the diversity signal to one of the plurality of outputs associated with the frequency band of the single-band signal based on a signal received from the controller 120. In some implementations, the diversity signal is a multi-band signal. Therefore, in some implementations, the multiplexer D421 is a band splitter that splits the diversity signal between two or more of the plurality of outputs associated with the two or more frequency bands of the multi-band signal based on a splitter control signal received from the controller 120. In some implementations, the diversity RF module D460 can be combined with the transceiver D330 into a single module.

[0319] In some implementations, the diversity RF module D460 includes multiple amplifiers, each associated with a set of frequency bands. The signal from transmission line 135 may be fed into a band splitter, which delivers high frequencies along a first path to a high-frequency amplifier and low frequencies along a second path to a low-frequency amplifier. The output of each of the amplifiers may be connected to the multiplexer D321, which in turn is configured to route the signal to the corresponding inputs of the transceiver D330.

[0320] Fig. Figure 22 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver D500 may include a DRx module D510 coupled to one or more filters D513, D523 external to the module. The DRx module D510 may include a package substrate D501 configured to house a plurality of components and a receiving system implemented on the package substrate D501. The DRx module D510 may include one or more signal paths routed out of the DRx module D510 and provided to a system integrator, designer, or manufacturer to support a filter for each desired band.

[0321] The DRx module D510 includes a number of paths between the input and the output of the DRx module D510. The DRx module D510 includes a bypass path between the input and the output, which is activated by a bypass switch D519 controlled by the DRx controller D502. Although Fig. 22 discloses a single bypass switch D519, in some embodiments, the bypass switch D519 may comprise multiple switches (e.g., a first switch in proximity to the input and a second switch in proximity to the output). As in Fig. As shown in Figure 22, the bypass path does not include a filter or amplifier.

[0322] The DRx module D510 includes a number of multiplexer paths, which include a first multiplexer D511 and a second multiplexer D512. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-side paths, which include the first multiplexer D511, a bandpass filter D413a to D413d implemented on the package substrate D501 and arranged before the amplifiers, an amplifier D314a to D314d implemented on the package substrate D501, a bandpass filter D423a to D423d implemented on the package substrate D501 and arranged after the amplifiers, and the second multiplexer D512. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-external paths comprising the first multiplexer D511, a bandpass filter D513 implemented outside the package substrate D501 and arranged before the amplifiers, an amplifier D514, a bandpass filter D523 implemented on the package substrate D501 and arranged after the amplifiers, and the second multiplexer D512.Amplifier D514 may be a broadband amplifier that may be implemented on or outside of the package substrate D501. In some implementations, one or more of the external module paths may not include a pre-amplifier bandpass filter D513, but may include a post-amplifier bandpass filter D523. As described above, amplifiers D314a through D314d, D514 may be variable-gain amplifiers and / or variable-current amplifiers.

[0323] The DRx controller D502 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In some implementations, the DRx controller D502 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band select signal received by the DRx controller D502 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller D502 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by opening or closing the bypass switch D519, activating or deactivating the amplifiers D314a to D314d and D514, controlling the multiplexers D511, D512, or through other mechanisms. For example, the DRx controller D502 may open or close switches along the paths (e.g., between the filters D313a to D313d, D513 and the amplifiers D314a to D314d, D514) or set the gain of the amplifiers D314a to D314d, D514 to substantially zero.

[0324] Fig. Figure 23 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration D600 may include a DRx module D610 with tunable matching circuits. Specifically, the DRx module D610 may include one or more tunable matching circuits disposed at one or more of the inputs and outputs of the DRx module D610.

[0325] It is unlikely to achieve ideal impedance matching for different frequency bands all received at the same diversity antenna 140. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable input matching circuit D616 can be implemented at the input of the DRx module D610 and controlled by the DRx controller D602 (e.g., based on a band selection signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller D602 can tune the tunable input matching circuit D616 based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) are assigned tuning parameters. The tunable input matching circuit D616 can comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI-circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit.In particular, the tunable input matching circuit D616 may include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, or capacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel or in series and may be connected between the input of the DRx module D610 and the input of the first multiplexer D311, or between the input of the DRx module D610 and a ground potential.

[0326] Similarly, with only one transmission line 135 (or at least a few cables) carrying signals of many frequency bands, it cannot be expected that different frequency bands will all experience ideal impedance matching. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable output matching circuit D617 can be implemented at the output of the DRx controller D602 and controlled by the DRx controller D602 (e.g., based on a band selection signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller D602 can tune the tunable output matching circuit D617 based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) are assigned tuning parameters.The tunable output matching circuit D617 may comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. In particular, the tunable output matching circuit D617 may include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, or capacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel or in series and may be connected between the output of the DRx module D610 and the output of the second multiplexer D312, or between the output of the DRx module D610 and a ground potential.

[0327] Among other things, the example D explained above can be summarized as follows with regard to filters connected downstream of amplifiers.

[0328] According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a receiving system having a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of a first multiplexer and an output of a second multiplexer. The receiving system may comprise a plurality of amplifiers. Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers may be arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system may comprise a first plurality of bandpass filters. Each bandpass filter of the first plurality of bandpass filters may be arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to an associated frequency band.

[0329] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a second plurality of bandpass filters. Each bandpass filter of the second plurality of bandpass filters may be arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an input of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to an associated frequency band.

[0330] In some embodiments, a bandpass filter of the first plurality of bandpass filters arranged along a first path and a bandpass filter of the second plurality of bandpass filters arranged along the first path may be complementary. In some embodiments, one of the bandpass filters arranged along the first path may attenuate frequencies below a first frequency band more than frequencies above the first frequency band, and another of the bandpass filters arranged along the first path may attenuate frequencies above the first frequency band more than frequencies below the first frequency band.

[0331] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a transmission line coupled to the output of the second multiplexer and to a downstream module including a downstream multiplexer. In some embodiments, the downstream module may not comprise a downstream bandpass filter. In some embodiments, the downstream multiplexer may comprise a sampling switch. In some embodiments, the downstream module may comprise one or more downstream amplifiers. In some embodiments, a number of the one or more downstream amplifiers may be less than a number of the plurality of amplifiers.

[0332] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of amplifiers may comprise a low noise amplifier.

[0333] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise one or more tunable matching circuits arranged at the input of the first multiplexer and / or the output of the second multiplexer.

[0334] In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to selectively activate the one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the controller. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to selectively activate the one or more of the plurality of paths by sending a divider control signal to the first multiplexer and a combiner control signal to the second multiplexer.

[0335] In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency module, RF module, having a package substrate configured to receive a plurality of components. The RF module further comprises a receiving system implemented on the package substrate. The receiving system comprises a controller configured to selectively activate one or more paths of a plurality of paths between an input of a first multiplexer and an output of a second multiplexer. The receiving system further comprises a plurality of amplifiers. Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers may be arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further comprises a first plurality of bandpass filters.Each bandpass filter of the first plurality of bandpass filters may be arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to an associated frequency band.

[0336] In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receiver front-end module, FEM.

[0337] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a second plurality of bandpass filters. Each bandpass filter of the second plurality of bandpass filters may be arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an input of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to an associated frequency band.

[0338] In some embodiments, the plurality of paths may include an off-module path having an off-module bandpass filter and one of the plurality of amplifiers.

[0339] According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device comprising a first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal. The wireless device further comprises a first front-end module, FEM, in communicative connection with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a package substrate configured to house a plurality of components. The first FEM further includes a receive system implemented on the package substrate. The receive system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of a first multiplexer and an output of a second multiplexer. The receive system further includes a plurality of amplifiers.Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers may be arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further comprises a first plurality of bandpass filters. Each bandpass filter of the first plurality of bandpass filters may be arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to an associated frequency band. The wireless device further comprises a communication module configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output via a transmission line and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal.

[0340] In some embodiments, the wireless device further comprises a second antenna configured to receive a second RF signal and a second FEM communicatively coupled to the second antenna. The communication module is configured to receive a processed version of the second RF signal from the output of the second FEM and generate data bits based on the processed version of the second RF signal.

[0341] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a second plurality of bandpass filters. Each bandpass filter of the second plurality of bandpass filters may be arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an input of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to an associated frequency band. Example E: Switch network

[0342] Fig. 24 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver E500 may include a DRx module E510 having a single-pole / single-throw (SPST) switch E519. The DRx module E510 includes two paths from an input of the DRx module E510, coupled to an antenna 140, and from an output of the DRx module E510, coupled to a transmission line 135. The DRx module E510 includes a plurality of amplifiers E514a to E514b, each arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths, and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. In some embodiments, as in Fig. 24 - at least one of the plurality of amplifiers is a two-stage amplifier.

[0343] In the DRx module E510 of the Fig. 24, the signal splitter and the bandpass filters are implemented as a two-way crossover network (diplexer) E511. The diplexer E511 includes an input coupled to the antenna 140, a first output coupled to a phase shift component E527a arranged along a first path, and a second output coupled to a phase shift component E527b arranged along a second path. At the first output, the diplexer E511 outputs a signal received at the input (e.g., from the antenna 140) and filtered to a first frequency band. At the second output, the diplexer E511 outputs the signal received at the input and filtered to a second frequency band.In some embodiments, the diplexer E511 may be replaced by a triplexer, quadplexer, or any other multiplexer configured to divide a signal received at the input of the DRx module E510 into a plurality of signals in a plurality of frequency bands, each propagated along a plurality of paths.

[0344] In some implementations, an output multiplexer or other signal combiner arranged at the output of a DRx module, such as the second multiplexer 312 of the Fig. 3 may degrade the performance of the DRx module when receiving a single-band signal. For example, the output multiplexer may attenuate or add noise to the single-band signal. If multiple amplifiers, such as amplifiers 314a to 314d of Fig. 3 are enabled at the same time to support a multi-band signal, each amplifier in some designs can cause not only in-band noise, but even out-of-band noise for each of the many other bands.

[0345] The DRx module E510 of the Fig. 24 meets some of these requirements. The DRx module E510 includes a single-pole / single-throw (SPST) switch E519 that couples the first path to the second path. To operate in a single-band mode for the first band, the switch E519 is set to an open position, the first amplifier E514a is enabled, and the second amplifier E514b is disabled. Therefore, the single-band signal in the first frequency band propagates along the first path from the antenna 140 to the transmission line 135 without switching losses. Similarly, to operate in a single-band mode for the second frequency band, the switch E519 is set to an open position, the first amplifier E514a is disabled, and the second amplifier E514b is enabled. Therefore, the single-band signal in the second frequency band propagates along the second path from the antenna 140 to the transmission line 135 without switching losses.

[0346] To operate in a multi-band mode for the first frequency band and the second frequency band, switch E519 is set to a closed position, the first amplifier E514a is activated, and the second amplifier E514b is deactivated. Therefore, the portion of the multi-band signal belonging to the first frequency band propagates along the first path through a first phase-shifting component E527a, a first impedance-matching component E526a, and the first amplifier E514a. The portion belonging to the first frequency band cannot bypass switch E519 and thus cannot pass in the opposite direction along the second path through the second phase-shifting component E527b.In particular, the second phase shift component E527b is designed to phase shift the portion of a signal belonging to the first frequency band which passes through the second phase shift component E527b in such a way that the impedance at the first frequency band is maximized (or at least increased).

[0347] The portion of the multi-band signal belonging to the second frequency band propagates along the second path through a second phase-shift component E527b, bypasses the switch E519, and propagates along the first path through the first phase-shift component E527a and the first amplifier E514a. The portion belonging to the second frequency band cannot pass in the opposite direction along the first path through the first phase-shift component E527a. In particular, the first phase-shift component E527a is configured to phase-shift the portion of a signal belonging to the second frequency band that passes through the first phase-shift component E527a such that the impedance at the second frequency band is maximized (or at least increased).

[0348] Each of the paths is characterized by a noise figure and a gain. The noise figure reflects the degree of degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) caused by the amplifiers and impedance matching components E526a to E526b arranged along the path. Specifically, the noise figure for each path corresponds to the difference in decibels (dB) between the SNR at the input of the impedance matching components E526a to E526b and the SNR at the output of the amplifiers E514a to E514b. Therefore, the noise figure is a measure of the difference between the noise caused by the amplifier and the noise caused by an "ideal" amplifier of the same gain—i.e., one that does not cause noise.

[0349] The noise figure of each path may be different for different frequency bands. For example, the first path may have a first noise figure for the first frequency band and a second noise figure for the second frequency band. The noise figure and gain of each path (for each frequency band) may depend at least in part on the impedance (at each frequency band) of the impedance matching component E526a to E526b. Accordingly, it may be advantageous for the impedance of the impedance matching component E526a to E526b to be adjusted such that the noise figure for each path is minimized (or reduced).

[0350] In some implementations, the second impedance matching component E526b represents an impedance that minimizes (or reduces) the noise figure for the second frequency band. In some implementations, the first impedance matching component E526a represents an impedance that minimizes (or reduces) the noise figure for the first frequency band. Since the portion of a multi-band signal belonging to the second frequency band propagates partially along the first path, in some implementations, the first impedance matching component E526a minimizes (or reduces) a metric comprising the noise figure for the first band and a noise figure for the second band.

[0351] The impedance matching components E526a to E526b can be implemented as passive circuits. In particular, the impedance matching components E526a to E526b can be implemented as RLC circuits and include one or more passive components such as resistors, inductors, and / or capacitors. The passive components can be coupled in parallel and / or in series between the outputs of the phase-shifting components E527a to E527b and the inputs of the amplifiers E514a to E514b, or between the outputs of the phase-shifting components E527a to E527b and a ground potential.

[0352] Similarly, the phase-shifting components E527a to E527b can be implemented as passive circuits. In particular, the phase-shifting components E527a to E527b can be implemented as LC elements and include one or more passive components, such as inductors and / or capacitors. The passive components can be coupled in parallel and / or series between the output of the diplexer E511 and the inputs of the impedance matching components E526a to E526b, or can be coupled between the output of the diplexer E511 and a ground potential.

[0353] Fig. Figure 25 shows that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration E600 may include a DRx module E610 with tunable phase shift components E627a to E627d. Each of the tunable phase shift components E627a to E627d may be configured to phase shift a signal passed through the tunable phase shift component by a phase amount adjusted by a phase shift control signal from a controller.

[0354] The diversity receiver configuration E600 includes a DRx module E610 having an input connected to an antenna 140 and an output connected to a transmission line 135. The DRx module E610 includes a number of paths between the input and the output of the DRx module E610. Each of the paths includes a multiplexer E311, a bandpass filter E313a to E313d, a tunable phase shift component E627a to E627d, a switch network E612, a tunable impedance matching component E626a to E626d, and an amplifier E314a to E314d. As described above, the amplifiers E314a to E314d may be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

[0355] The tunable phase-shifting components E627a to E627d may include one or more variable components, such as inductors and capacitors. The variable components may be coupled in parallel and / or series between the outputs of the multiplexers E311 and the inputs of the switch network E612, or between the outputs of the multiplexers and a ground voltage.

[0356] The tunable impedance matching components E626a to E626d may comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI-circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. The tunable impedance matching components E626a to E626d may comprise one or more variable components such as resistors, inductors, and capacitors. The variable components may be coupled in parallel and / or series between the outputs of the switch network E612 and the inputs of the amplifiers E314a to E314d, or may be coupled between the outputs of the switch network E612 and a ground voltage.

[0357] The DRx controller E602 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In some implementations, the DRx controller E602 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller E602 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller E602 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by activating or deactivating the amplifiers E314a through E314d, controlling the multiplexers E311 and / or the switch network E612, or through other mechanisms.

[0358] In some implementations, the DRx controller E602 is configured to control the switch network E612 based on the band selection signal. The switch network E612 includes a plurality of SPST switches, each of which couples two of the plurality of paths. The DRx controller E602 may send a switching signal (or multiple switching signals) to the switch network to open or close the plurality of SPST switches. For example, the DRx controller E602 may close a switch between the first path and the second path if the band selection signal indicates that an input signal has a first frequency band and a second frequency band. If the band selection signal indicates that an input signal has a second frequency band and a fourth frequency band, the DRx controller E602 may close a switch between the second path and the fourth path.If the band selection signal indicates that an input signal includes the first frequency band, the second frequency band, and the fourth frequency band, the DRx controller 602 may close both switches (and / or the switch between the first path and the second path and a switch between the first path and the fourth path). If the band selection signal indicates that an input signal includes the second frequency band, the third frequency band, and the fourth frequency band, the DRx controller 602 may close a switch between the second path and the third path and a switch between the third path and the fourth path (and / or the switch between the second path and the second path and a switch between the second path and the fourth path).

[0359] In some implementations, the DRx controller E602 is configured to tune the tunable phase shift components E627a through E627d. In some implementations, the DRx controller E602 tunes the tunable phase shift components E627a through E627d based on the band selection signal. For example, the DRx controller E602 may tune the tunable phase shift components E627a through E627d based on a lookup table that maps frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) specified by the band selection signal to tuning parameters. Accordingly, in response to a band selection signal, the DRx controller E602 may send a phase shift signal to the tunable phase shift components E627a to E627d of each of the active paths to tune the tunable phase shift components E627a to E627d (or the variable components thereof) according to the tuning parameters.

[0360] The DRx controller E602 may be configured to tune the tunable phase shift components E627a to E627d of each of the active paths to maximize (or at least increase) the impedance for the frequency bands associated with the other active paths. Therefore, if the first path and the third path are active, the DRx controller E602 may tune the first phase shift component E627a to maximize (or at least increase) the impedance for the third frequency band, while if the first path and the fourth path are active, the DRx controller E602 may tune the first phase shift component E627a to maximize (or at least increase) the impedance for the fourth frequency band.

[0361] In some embodiments, the DRx controller E602 is configured to tune the tunable impedance matching components E626a to E626d. In some implementations, the DRx controller E602 tunes the tunable impedance matching components E626a to E626d based on the band selection signal. For example, the DRx controller E602 may tune the tunable impedance matching components E626a to E626d based on a lookup table that maps frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) indicated by the band selection signal to tuning parameters. Accordingly, in response to a band selection signal, the DRx controller E602 may send an impedance matching signal corresponding to the tuning parameters to the tunable impedance matching components E626a to E626d of each of the active amplifier paths.

[0362] In some embodiments, the DRx controller E602 tunes the tunable impedance matching components E626a to E626d of the active amplifier path to minimize (or at least reduce) a measure comprising the noise figure for the correspondingly assigned frequency band of each active path.

[0363] In various embodiments, one or more of the tunable phase shift components E627a to E627d or tunable impedance matching components E626a to E626d can be replaced by constant components that are not controlled by the DRx controller E602.

[0364] Fig. 26 shows an embodiment of a method flow diagram of a method E700 for processing an RF signal. In some embodiments (and as explained below by way of example), the method is performed by a controller, such as the DRx controller E602 of Fig. 25. In some implementations, method E700 is performed by processing logic including hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, method E700 is performed by a processor executing process instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory). Briefly, method E700 includes receiving a band select signal and forwarding a received RF signal along one or more paths to process the received RF signal.

[0365] The method E700 begins at block E710 with the controller receiving a band selection signal. The controller may receive the band selection signal from another controller, a cellular base station, or another external source. The band selection signal may indicate one or more frequency bands over which a wireless device is to transmit and receive RF signals. In some implementations, the band selection signal identifies a set of frequency bands for carrier-aggregated communication.

[0366] At block E720, the controller transmits an amplifier activation signal to an amplifier of a DRx module based on the band selection signal. In some implementations, the band selection signal identifies a single frequency band, and the controller transmits an amplifier activation signal to activate an amplifier disposed along a path associated with the single frequency band. The controller may transmit an amplifier activation signal to deactivate the other amplifiers disposed along paths associated with other frequency bands. In some implementations, the band selection signal may identify multiple frequency bands, and the controller transmits an amplifier activation signal to activate an amplifier disposed along one of the multiple paths associated with one of the multiple frequency bands.The controller may transmit an amplifier activation signal to deactivate the other amplifiers. In some implementations, the controller may activate the amplifier located along the path associated with the lowest frequency band.

[0367] At block E730, the controller transmits a switching signal to control a single-pole / single-throw (SPST) switch network based on the band select signal. The switch network includes a plurality of SPST switches that couple the plurality of paths associated with a plurality of frequency bands. In some implementations, the band select signal may identify a single frequency band, and the controller transmits a switching signal that opens all of the SPST switches. In some implementations, the band select signal may identify multiple frequency bands, and the controller transmits a switching signal to close one or more of the SPST switches to couple the paths associated with the multiple frequency bands.

[0368] At block E740, the controller transmits a tuning signal to one or more tunable components based on the band selection signal. The tunable components may include one or more of a plurality of tunable phase shift components or a plurality of tunable impedance matching components. The controller may tune the tunable components based on a lookup table that associates frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) indicated by the band selection signal with tuning parameters. Accordingly, in response to a band selection signal, the DRx controller may transmit a tuning signal corresponding to the tuning parameters to the tunable components (of the active paths) to tune the tunable components (or their variable components) according to the tuning parameters.

[0369] Among other things, the above-explained example E can be summarized as follows with respect to a switch network.

[0370] According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a receiving system having a plurality of amplifiers. Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged along an associated path of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system and is configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further comprises a switch network having one or more single-pole single-throw switches. Each of the switches couples two of the plurality of paths. The receiving system further comprises a controller configured to receive a band selection signal and, based on the band selection signal, to activate one of the plurality of amplifiers and to control the switch network.

[0371] In some embodiments, the controller may be configured, upon receipt of a band selection signal designating a single frequency band, to activate one of the plurality of amplifiers associated with the single frequency band and to control the switch network to open all of the one or more switches.

[0372] In some embodiments, the controller may be configured, upon receipt of a band selection signal designating a plurality of frequency bands, to activate one or more of the plurality of amplifiers associated with one of the plurality of frequency bands and to control the switch network to close at least one of the one or more switches between the paths associated with the plurality of frequency bands.

[0373] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a plurality of phase-shifting components. Each of the plurality of phase-shifting components may be arranged along an associated one of the plurality of paths and configured to phase-shift a signal passing through the phase-shifting component such that the impedance for the frequency band associated with a different one of the plurality of paths is increased. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of phase-shifting components may be arranged between the switch network and the input.In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of phase shift components may include a tunable phase shift component configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component by an amount predetermined by a phase shift tuning signal received from the controller. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to generate the phase shift tuning signal based on the band selection signal.

[0374] In some embodiments, the receiving system may include a plurality of impedance matching components. Each of the plurality of impedance matching components may be arranged along an associated one of the plurality of paths and configured to reduce a noise figure of the respective one of the plurality of paths. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of impedance matching components may be arranged between the switch network and a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components may include a tunable impedance matching component configured to represent an impedance predetermined by an impedance tuning signal received from the controller. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to generate the impedance tuning signal based on the band selection signal.

[0375] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a multiplexer configured to split an input signal received at the input into a plurality of signals corresponding to the respective plurality of frequency bands, which are propagated along the plurality of paths.

[0376] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of amplifiers comprises a two-stage amplifier.

[0377] In some embodiments, the controller may be further configured to deactivate the others of the plurality of amplifiers.

[0378] In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) module having a package substrate configured to house a plurality of components. The RF module further includes a receiving system implemented on the package substrate. The receiving system includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each of the plurality of amplifiers is disposed along a respective one of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system and is configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a switch network having one or more single-pole single-throw switches. Each of the switches couples two of the plurality of paths.The receiving system further comprises a control device configured to receive a band selection signal and, based on the band selection signal, to activate one of the plurality of amplifiers and to control the switch network.

[0379] In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receiver front-end module, FEM.

[0380] In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a plurality of phase-shifting components. Each of the plurality of phase-shifting components may be arranged along an associated one of the plurality of paths and configured to phase-shift a signal passing through the phase-shifting component to increase the impedance for the frequency band associated with another one of the plurality of paths.

[0381] According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device having a first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal. The wireless device further includes a first front-end module, FEM, in communicative connection with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a package substrate configured to house a plurality of components. The first FEM further includes a receive system implemented on the package substrate. The receive system includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each of the plurality of amplifiers is disposed along a respective one of a plurality of paths between an input of the receive system and an output of the receive system and is configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receive system further includes a switch network having one or more single-pole single-throw switches.Each of the switches couples two of the plurality of paths. The receiving system further comprises a controller configured to receive a band selection signal and, based on the band selection signal, activate one of the plurality of amplifiers and control the switching network. The wireless device further comprises a transceiver configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output via a cable and generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal.

[0382] In some implementations, the wireless device may further include a second antenna configured to receive a second RF signal and a second FEM communicatively coupled to the second antenna. The transceiver may be configured to receive a processed version of the second RF signal from the output of the second FEM and generate data bits based on the processed version of the second RF signal.

[0383] In some implementations, the receiving system may further comprise a plurality of phase-shifting components. Each of the plurality of phase-shifting components may be arranged along an associated one of the plurality of paths and configured to phase-shift a signal passing through the phase-shifting component such that the impedance for the frequency band associated with another one of the plurality of paths is increased. Example F: Flexible Band Forwarding

[0384] Fig. Figure 27 shows that, in some embodiments, a configuration of a diversity receiver F600 may include a DRx module F610 with tunable matching circuits. Specifically, the DRx module F610 may include one or more tunable matching circuits disposed at one or more of the input and output of the DRx module F610.

[0385] It is unlikely that ideal impedance matching will occur for different frequency bands all received at the same diversity antenna 140. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable input matching circuit F616 can be implemented at the input of the DRx module F610 and controlled by the DRx controller F602 (e.g., based on a band selection signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller F602 can tune the tunable input matching circuit F616 based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) are assigned tuning parameters. The tunable input matching circuit F616 can comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI-circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit.In particular, the tunable input matching circuit F616 may include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, or capacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel or in series and may be connected between the input of the DRx module F610 and the input of the first multiplexer F311, or between the input of the DRx module F610 and a ground potential.

[0386] Similarly, with only one transmission line 135 (or at least a few cables) carrying signals of many frequency bands, it cannot be expected that different frequency bands will all experience ideal impedance matching. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable output matching circuit F617 can be implemented at the output of the DRx controller F602 and controlled by the DRx controller F602 (e.g., based on a band selection signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller F602 can tune the tunable output matching circuit F617 based on a lookup table in which the respective frequency bands (or groups of frequency bands) are assigned tuning parameters.The tunable output matching circuit F617 may comprise a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. In particular, the tunable output matching circuit F617 may include one or more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, or capacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel or in series and may be connected between the output of the DRx module F610 and the output of the second multiplexer F312, or between the output of the DRx module F610 and a ground potential.

[0387] Fig. 28 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration F700 may include multiple transmission lines. Although Fig. 28 illustrates an embodiment with two transmission lines F735a to F735b and one antenna 140, aspects described herein may be implemented in embodiments with more than two transmission lines and / or two or more antennas (as explained further below).

[0388] The diversity receiver configuration F700 includes a DRx module F710 coupled to an antenna 140. The DRx module F710 includes a number of paths between an input of the DRx module F710 (e.g., the input coupled to the antenna 140) and an output of the DRx module (e.g., the first output coupled to the first transmission line F735a or the second output coupled to the second transmission line F735b). In some implementations, the DRx module F710 includes one or more bypass lines (not shown) between the input and the outputs, which are activated by one or more bypass switches controlled by the DRx controller F702.

[0389] The DRx module F710 includes a number of multiplexer paths including an input multiplexer F311 and an output multiplexer F712. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-side paths (shown) including the input multiplexer F311, a bandpass filter F313a through F313d, an amplifier F314a through F314d, and the output multiplexer F712. The multiplexer paths may include one or more module-external paths (not shown) as described above. As also described above, the amplifiers F314a through F314d may be variable-gain amplifiers or variable-current amplifiers.

[0390] The DRx controller F702 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths. In some implementations, the DRx controller F702 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller F702 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller F702 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by activating or deactivating the amplifiers F314a to F314d, controlling the multiplexers F311, F712, or by other means as described above.

[0391] In order to better utilize the plurality of transmission lines F735a to F735b, the DRx controller F702 may, based on the band selection signal, control the output multiplexer F712 such that each of the signals propagating along the paths is routed to a selected one of the transmission lines F735a to F735b (or output multiplexer outputs associated with the transmission lines F735a to F735b).

[0392] In some implementations, if the band selection signal indicates that the received signal has a single frequency band, the DRx controller F702 may control the output multiplexer F712 such that a signal propagating along a corresponding path is routed to a default transmission line. The default transmission line may be the same for all paths (and corresponding frequency bands), for example, if one of the transmission lines F735a to F735b is shorter, has less noise, or is otherwise preferred. The default transmission lines may be different for different paths. For example, paths associated with low-frequency bands may be routed to the first transmission line F735a, and paths associated with high-frequency bands may be routed to the second transmission line F735b.

[0393] Therefore, upon receiving a band selection signal indicating that one or more RF signals received at input multiplexer F311 comprise a single frequency band, DRx controller F702 may be configured to drive output multiplexer F712 to route an RF signal received at an output multiplexer input, associated with the single frequency band, and amplified to a standard output multiplexer output. As noted above, the standard output multiplexer outputs may be different for different individual frequency bands or the same for all frequency bands.

[0394] In some implementations, if the band selection signal indicates that the received signal has two frequency bands, the DRx controller F702 can control the output multiplexer F712 such that a signal propagating along a path associated with the first frequency band is routed to the first transmission line F735a and a signal propagating along a path associated with the second frequency band is routed to the second transmission line F735b. This allows the signals propagating along the corresponding paths to be routed to different transmission lines, even if both frequency bands are high-frequency (or low-frequency) frequency bands. Similarly, in the case of three or more transmission lines, each of three or more frequency bands can be routed to a different transmission line.

[0395] Therefore, upon receiving a band selection signal indicating that the one or more RF signals received at the input multiplexer F311 comprise a first frequency band and a second frequency band, the DRx controller F702 may be configured to control the output multiplexer F712 such that an RF signal associated with the first frequency band and amplified, received at an output multiplexer input, is routed to a first output multiplexer output and an RF signal associated with the second frequency band and amplified, received at an output multiplexer input, is routed to a second output multiplexer output. As noted above, both the first frequency band and the second frequency band may be high frequency bands or low frequency bands.

[0396] In some implementations, if the band selection signal indicates that the received signal has three frequency bands, the DRx controller F702 may control the output multiplexer F712 such that two of the signals propagating along two paths associated with two frequency bands are combined and routed to one of the transmission lines, and a signal propagating along a path associated with the third frequency band is routed to the other of the transmission lines. In some implementations, the DRx controller F702 may control the output multiplexer F712 such that the two of the three frequency bands that are closest together (e.g., two low-frequency or two high-frequency bands) are combined. Such implementations may simplify impedance matching at the output of the DRx module F710 or the input of the downstream module.In some implementations, the DRx controller F702 can control the output multiplexer F712 in such a way that the two of the three frequency bands that are furthest apart are combined. Such implementations can simplify the separation of the frequency bands in the downstream module.

[0397] Therefore, upon receipt of a band selection signal indicating that the one or more RF signals received at the input multiplexer F311 have a first frequency band, a second frequency band, and a third frequency band, the DRx controller F702 may be configured to control the output multiplexer F712 such that (a) an amplified RF signal associated with the first frequency band received at an output multiplexer input and an amplified RF signal associated with the second frequency band received at an output multiplexer input are combined to generate a combined signal, (b) the combined signal is passed to a first output multiplexer output, and (c) an amplified RF signal associated with the third frequency band received at an output multiplexer input is passed to a second output multiplexer output.As noted above, the first frequency band and the second frequency band may be those of the three frequency bands that are closest together or farthest apart.

[0398] In some implementations, if the band selection signal indicates that the received signal has four frequency bands, the DRx controller F702 may control the output multiplexer F712 such that two of the signals propagating along two paths associated with two frequency bands are combined into a first combined signal and the first combined signal is passed to one of the transmission lines, and that two of the signals propagating along two paths associated with the other two frequency bands are combined into a second combined signal and the second combined signal is passed to the other of the transmission lines.In some embodiments, the DRx controller F702 can control the output multiplexer F712 such that three of the signals propagating along three paths associated with three frequency bands are combined into a combined signal, and the combined signal is routed to one of the transmission lines, and a signal propagating along a path associated with the fourth frequency band is routed to the other of the transmission lines. Such an embodiment can be advantageous when three of the frequency bands are close to each other (e.g., when the three frequency bands are low-frequency bands) and the fourth frequency band is far away (e.g., a high-frequency band).

[0399] Generally speaking, if the band selection signal indicates that the received signal has more frequency bands than there are transmission lines, the DRx controller F702 can control the output multiplexer F712 to combine two or more of the signals propagating along two or more of the paths associated with two or more frequency bands into a combined signal and to route the combined signal to one of the transmission lines. The DRx controller F702 can control the output multiplexer F712 to combine frequency bands that are closest to each other or farthest apart.

[0400] This means that a signal propagating along one of the paths can be routed through the output multiplexer F712 to another of the transmission lines, depending on other signals propagating along other paths. For example, a signal propagating along a third path through the third amplifier F314c can be routed to the second transmission line F735b if the third path is the only active path, and to the first transmission line F735a if the fourth path (through the fourth amplifier F314d) is also active (and routed to the second transmission line F735b).

[0401] Therefore, the DRx controller F702 may be configured to, upon receipt of a first band selection signal, control the output multiplexer F712 such that an RF signal received at an output multiplexer input is passed to a first output multiplexer output, and, upon receipt of a second band selection signal, to control the output multiplexer F712 such that an RF signal received at the output multiplexer input is passed to a second output multiplexer output.

[0402] Thus, the DRx module F710 represents a receiving system having a plurality of amplifiers F314a to F314d, each of the plurality of amplifiers F314a to F314d being arranged along a respective one of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system (e.g., the input of the DRx module F710 coupled to the antenna 140 and / or additional inputs of the DRx module F710 coupled to the antenna 140) and an output of the receiving system (e.g., the outputs of the DRx module F710 coupled to the transmission lines F735a to F735b and / or additional outputs of the DRx module F710 coupled to other transmission lines). Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers F314a to F314d is configured to amplify an RF signal received at the amplifier F314a to F314d.

[0403] The DRx module F710 further includes an input multiplexer F311 configured to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more RF signals for propagation along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs. In some embodiments, the DRx module F710 receives a single RF signal at a single input multiplexer input and is controlled by the DRx controller F702 to output the single RF signal at one or more of the input multiplexer outputs associated with the frequency bands specified in a band selection signal.In some implementations, the DRx module F710 receives a plurality of RF signals (each associated with a different group of frequency bands specified in the band selection signal) at a plurality of input multiplexer inputs and is controlled by the DRx controller F702 to output the plurality of RF signals to one or more of the input multiplexer outputs associated with the groups of frequency bands specified in a band selection signal. Generally speaking, therefore, the input multiplexer F311 receives one or more RF signals, each associated with a respective frequency band, and is controlled by the DRx controller to route each RF signal along one or more paths associated with the one or more frequency bands of the RF signals.

[0404] The DRx module F710 further includes an output multiplexer F712 configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagated along one or more corresponding paths of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs (each of which is coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of output transmission lines F735a to F735b).

[0405] The DRx module F710 further includes a DRx controller F702 configured to receive a band selection signal and control the input multiplexer and the output multiplexer based on the band selection signal. As described above, the DRx controller F702 controls the input multiplexer to route each of the one or more RF signals associated with one or more frequency bands along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths associated with the one or more frequency bands of the RF signal.As also described above, the DRx controller F702 controls the output multiplexer to output each of the one or more amplified RF signals propagated along one or more corresponding paths of the plurality of paths at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs to better utilize the transmission lines F735a to F735b coupled to the DRx module F710.

[0406] In some embodiments, upon receipt of a band selection signal indicating that the received RF signals comprise multiple frequency bands, the DRx controller F702 may be configured to drive the output multiplexer F712 to combine all of the signals propagating along the paths and associated with multiple frequency bands to generate a combined signal, and to route the combined signal to one of the transmission lines. Such embodiments may be employed when other transmission lines are unusable (e.g., if they are damaged or, in certain configurations, are not available for wireless communication), upon receipt by the DRx controller F702 of a control signal (e.g., from a communications controller) indicating that one of the transmission lines is unusable.

[0407] Upon receipt of a band selection signal indicating that one or more RF signals received at the input multiplexer F311 have multiple frequency bands, and a control signal indicating that one of the transmission lines is not usable, the DRx controller F702 may therefore be configured to control the output multiplexer F712 such that multiple amplified RF signals received at multiple output multiplexer inputs associated with the multiple frequency bands are combined into a combined signal and the combined signal is forwarded to an output multiplexer output.

[0408] Fig. 29 shows an embodiment of an output multiplexer F812 that can be used for dynamic routing. The output multiplexer F812 includes a plurality of inputs F801a through F801d that can be coupled to corresponding amplifiers arranged along a plurality of paths associated with a plurality of frequency bands. The output multiplexer F812 includes a plurality of outputs F802a through F802b that can be coupled to a corresponding plurality of transmission lines. Each of the outputs F802a through F802b is coupled to an output of a corresponding combiner F820a through F820b. Each of the inputs F801a through F801d is coupled to an input of each of the combiners F820a through F820b via a set of single-pole-single-throw (SPST) switches F830. The switches F830 can be controlled via a control bus F803, which can be coupled to a DRx control device.

[0409] Fig. 30 shows another embodiment of an output multiplexer F912 that can be used for dynamic routing. The output multiplexer F912 includes a plurality of inputs F901a to F901d that can be coupled to corresponding amplifiers arranged along a plurality of paths associated with a plurality of frequency bands. The output multiplexer F912 includes a plurality of outputs F902a to F902b that can be coupled to a corresponding plurality of transmission lines. Each of the outputs F902a to F902b is coupled to an output of a corresponding combiner F920a to F920b. The first of the inputs F901a is coupled to an input of the first combiner F920a, and the fourth of the inputs F901d is coupled to an input of the second combiner F920b.The second input F901b is coupled to a first single-pole multi-throw (SPMT) switch F930a, which has outputs coupled to each of the combiners F920a to F920b. Similarly, the third input F901c is coupled to a second single-pole multi-throw (SPMT) switch F930b, which has outputs coupled to each of the combiners F920a to F920b. The switches F930a to F930b are controllable via a control bus F903, which can be coupled to a DRx controller.

[0410] Unlike the output multiplexer F812 of the Fig. 29, the output multiplexer F912 of the Fig. 30 does not require that each of the inputs F901a through F901d be routed to any one of the outputs F902a through F902b. Instead, the first input F901a is hard-wired to the first output F902a, and the fourth input F901d is hard-wired to the second output F902b. Such an embodiment may reduce the size of the control bus F903 or simplify the control logic of the DRx controller coupled to the control bus F903.

[0411] Both the output multiplexer F812 of the Fig. 29 and the output multiplexer F912 of the Fig. 30 comprise a first combiner F820a, F920a coupled to a first output multiplexer output F802a, F902a, and a second combiner F820b, F920b coupled to a second output multiplexer output F802b, F902b. In addition, both the output multiplexer F812 of the Fig. 29 and the output multiplexer F912 of the Fig. 30 an output multiplexer input F801b, F901b, which is coupled to both the first combiner F820a, F920a and the second combiner F820b, F920b via one or more switches (controlled by the DRx controller). At the output multiplexer F812 of the Fig. 29, the output multiplexer input F801b is coupled to the first combiner F820a and the second combiner F820b via two SPST switches. In the output multiplexer F912 of the Fig. 29, the output multiplexer input F901b is coupled to the first combiner F920a and the second combiner F920b via a single SPMT switch.

[0412] Fig. 31 shows that in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver F1000 may include multiple antennas F1040a to F1040b. Although Fig. 31 illustrates an embodiment with one transmission line 135 and two antennas F1040a to F1040b, aspects described herein may be implemented in embodiments with two or more transmission lines and / or more than two antennas.

[0413] The configuration for a diversity receiver F1000 includes a DRx module F1010 coupled to a first antenna F1040a and a second antenna F1040b. The DRx module F1010 includes a number of paths between an input of the DRx module F1010 (e.g., the first input coupled to the first antenna F1040a or the second input coupled to the second antenna F1040b) and an output of the DRx module (e.g., the output coupled to the transmission line). In some implementations, the DRx module F1010 includes one or more bypass lines (not shown) between the inputs and the output, which are activated by one or more bypass switches controlled by the DRx controller F1002.

[0414] The DRx module F1010 includes a number of multiplexer paths including an input multiplexer F1011 and an output multiplexer F312. The multiplexer paths include a number of module-side paths (shown) including the input multiplexer F1011, a bandpass filter F313a to F313d, an amplifier F314a to F314d, and the output multiplexer F312. The multiplexer paths include one or more of the module-external paths (not shown), as described above. As also described above, the amplifiers F314a to F314d may be variable-gain amplifiers or variable-current amplifiers.

[0415] The DRx controller F1002 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths. In some implementations, the DRx controller F1002 may be configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller F1002 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller F1002 may selectively activate the paths, for example, by activating or deactivating the amplifiers F314a to F314d, by controlling the multiplexers F1011, F312, or using other techniques.

[0416] In different diversity receiver configurations, the antennas F1040a to F1040b can support different frequency bands. For example, one diversity receiver configuration could include a first antenna F1040a supporting low-frequency and mid-frequency bands and a second antenna F1040b supporting high-frequency bands. Another diversity receiver configuration could include a first antenna F1040a supporting low-frequency bands and a second antenna F1040b supporting mid-frequency and high-frequency bands. Yet another diversity receiver configuration could include a first wideband antenna F1040a supporting low-frequency, mid-frequency, and high-frequency bands without providing a second antenna F1040b.

[0417] The same DRx module F1010 can be used in all these diversity receiver configurations by controlling the input multiplexer F1011 by the DRx controller F1002 on the basis of an antenna configuration signal (e.g. received from a communication controller or stored and read in a non-volatile memory or other hard-wired configuration).

[0418] If the antenna configuration signal indicates that the diversity receiver configuration F1000 has only a single antenna F1040a, the DRx controller F1002 may, in some implementations, control the input multiplexer such that the signal received at the single antenna F1040a is routed to all paths (or all of the active paths as indicated by a band select signal).

[0419] In some implementations, upon receipt of an antenna configuration signal indicating that the diversity receiver configuration includes only a single antenna, the DRx controller 1002 may control the input multiplexer to forward an RF signal received at a single input multiplexer input to all of the plurality of input multiplexer outputs associated with one or more of the frequency bands of the RF signal.

[0420] If the antenna configuration signal indicates that the diversity receiver configuration F1000 comprises a first antenna F1040a supporting low frequency bands and a second antenna F1040b supporting medium and high frequency bands, the DRx controller F1002 may, in some embodiments, control the input multiplexer F1011 such that the signal received at the first antenna F1040a is routed to a first path (with the first amplifier F314a) and the signal received at the second antenna F1040b is routed to the second path (with the second amplifier F314b), the third path (with the third amplifier F314c) and the fourth path (with the fourth amplifier F314d), or at least to those of these paths that the band selection signal indicates are active.

[0421] If the antenna configuration signal indicates that the diversity receiver configuration F1000 comprises a first antenna F1040a supporting low frequency and low to medium frequency bands and a second antenna F1040b supporting medium to higher frequency and high frequency bands, the DRx controller F1002 may, in some embodiments, control the input multiplexer F1011 such that the signal received at the first antenna F1040a is routed to the first path and the second path and the signal received at the second antenna F1040b is routed to the third path and the fourth path, or at least to those of these paths that the band selection signal indicates are active.

[0422] If the antenna configuration signal indicates that the diversity receiver configuration F1000 comprises a first antenna F1040a supporting low frequency and medium frequency bands and a second antenna F1040b supporting high frequency bands, the DRx controller F1002 may, in some embodiments, control the input multiplexer F1011 such that the signal received at the first antenna F1040a is routed to the first path, the second path and the third path and the signal received at the second antenna F1040b is routed to the fourth path, or at least to those of these paths that the band selection signal indicates are active.

[0423] Therefore, a signal propagating along a particular path (e.g., the third path) can be introduced through the input multiplexer F1011 from different of the input multiplexer inputs (coupled to the antennas F1040a to F1040b) depending on the configuration of the diversity receiver (and as specified by the antenna configuration signal).

[0424] Therefore, in some embodiments, upon receipt of a first antenna configuration signal, the DRx controller F1002 may control the input multiplexer F1011 such that an RF signal received at a first input multiplexer input is passed to an input multiplexer output, and upon receipt of a second antenna configuration signal, the input multiplexer F1011 may control the input multiplexer F1011 such that an RF signal received at a second input multiplexer input is passed to the input multiplexer output.

[0425] Generally speaking, the DRx controller F1002 may be configured to drive the input multiplexer F1011 to forward received signals, each having one or more frequency bands, along the paths associated with the one or more frequency bands. In some implementations, the input multiplexer also functions as a band splitter, outputting each of the one or more frequency bands along the paths associated with the one or more frequency bands. For example, the input multiplexer F1011 and the bandpass filters F313a to F313d together may constitute such a band splitter. In other implementations (described below), the bandpass filters F313a to F313d and the input multiplexer F1011 may be integrated in other ways to implement a band splitter.

[0426] Fig. 32 shows an embodiment of an input multiplexer F1111 that can be used for dynamic routing. The input multiplexer F1111 includes a plurality of inputs F1101a to F1101b, which can be coupled to one or more antennas. The input multiplexer F1111 includes a plurality of outputs F1102a to F1102d, which can be coupled to amplifiers arranged along a plurality of paths associated with a corresponding plurality of frequency bands (e.g., via bandpass filters). Each of the inputs F1101a to F1101b is coupled to each of the outputs F1102a to F1102d via a set of single-pole, single-throw (SPST) switches 1130. The switches F1130 are controllable via a control bus F1103, which can be coupled to a DRx controller.

[0427] Fig. 33 shows another embodiment of an input multiplexer F1211 that can be used for dynamic routing. The input multiplexer F1211 includes a plurality of inputs F1201a to F1201b, which can be coupled to one or more antennas. The input multiplexer F1211 includes a plurality of outputs F1202a to F1202d, which can be coupled to amplifiers arranged along a plurality of paths associated with a corresponding plurality of frequency bands (e.g., via bandpass filters). The first input F1201a is coupled to the first output F1202a, a first multi-pole single-throw switch F1230a (MPST switch), and a second MPST switch F1230b. The second input F1201b is coupled to the first MPST switch F1230a, the second MPST switch F1230b, and the fourth output F1202d. The switches F1230a to F1230b are controllable via a control bus F1203, which can be coupled to a DRx control device.

[0428] Unlike the input multiplexer F1111 of the Fig. 32 allows the input multiplexer F1211 of the Fig. 33 does not require that each of the inputs F1201a to F1201b be routed to any one of the outputs F1202a to F1202d. Instead, the first input F1201a is hard-wired to the first output F1202a, and the second input F1201b is hard-wired to the fourth output F1202d. Such an embodiment may reduce the size of the control bus F1203 or simplify the control logic of the DRx controller coupled to the control bus F1203. Nevertheless, based on the antenna configuration signal, the DRx controller may control the switches F1230a to F1230b such that the signal from each of the inputs F1201a to F1201b may be routed to the second output F1202b and / or the third output F1202c.

[0429] Both the input multiplexer F1111 of the Fig. 32 as well as input multiplexer F1211 of the Fig. 33 operate as multi-pole / multi-throw (MPMT) switches. In some versions, the input multiplexers F1111 and F1211 include filters or matching components to reduce feed-in losses. Such filters or matching components can be planned together with other components on a DRx module (for example, with the bandpass filters F313a to F313d of the Fig. 31). For example, the input multiplexer and bandpass filters can be integrated into a common component to reduce the overall component count. In another example, the input multiplexer can be designed for a specific output impedance (e.g., other than 50 ohms), and the bandpass filters can be designed to match that output impedance.

[0430] Fig. 34 to 39 show different design variants of a DRx module with dynamic input and / or output signal routing. Fig. Figure 34 shows that, in some embodiments, a DRx module F1310 may have a single input and two outputs. The DRx module F1310 includes, as a band splitter, a high-low diplexer F1311 that splits an input signal into low-frequency bands and medium- and high-frequency bands, a double-pole eight-throw switch F1312 (implemented by a first single-pole three-throw switch and a second single-pole five-throw switch), and various filters and band splitter diplexers. As described above, the high-low diplexer F1311 may be designed together with the various filters and band splitter diplexers.

[0431] Fig. 35 shows that, in some embodiments, a DRx module F1320 may have a single input and a single output. The DRx module F1320 includes, as a band splitter, a high-low diplexer F1321 that divides an input signal into low, medium, and high frequency bands, a double-pole eight-throw switch F1322 (implemented by a first single-pole three-throw switch and a second single-pole five-throw switch), and various filters and band splitter diplexers. As described above, the high-low diplexer F1321 may be co-designed with the various filters and band splitter diplexers. The DRx module F1320 includes, as an output multiplexer, a high-low combiner F1323 that filters and combines the signals received at two inputs and outputs the combined signal.

[0432] Fig. Figure 36 shows that, in some embodiments, a DRx module F1330 may have two inputs and three outputs. The DRx module F1330 includes, as a band splitter, a high-low diplexer F1331 that divides an input signal into low, medium, and high frequency bands, an eight-pole three-throw switch F1332 (implemented by a first single-pole three-throw switch, a second single-pole two-throw switch, and a third single-pole three-throw switch), and various filters and band splitter diplexers. As described above, the high-low diplexer F1331 may be designed together with the various filters and band splitter diplexers.

[0433] Fig. Figure 37 shows that in some embodiments, a DRx module F1340 may have two inputs and two outputs. The DRx module F1340 includes, as a band splitter, a high-low diplexer F1341 that divides an input signal into low, medium, and high frequency bands, an eight-pole three-throw switch F1342 (implemented by a first single-pole three-throw switch, a second single-pole two-throw switch, and a third single-pole three-throw switch), and various filters and band splitter diplexers. As described above, the high-low diplexer F1341 may be designed together with the various filters and band splitter diplexers. The DRx module F1320 includes, as an output multiplexer, a high-low combiner F1343 that filters and combines the signals received at two inputs and outputs the combined signal.

[0434] Fig. 38 shows that, in some embodiments, a DRx module F1350 may include a multi-pole, multi-throw switch F1352. The DRx module F1350 includes, as a band splitter, a high-low diplexer F1351 that divides an input signal into low, medium, and high frequency bands, a three-pole, eight-way switch F1352, and various filters and band splitter diplexers. As described above, the high-low diplexer F1351 may be configured together with the various filters and band splitter diplexers. The three-pole, eight-way switch F1352 is implemented by a first single-pole, three-throw switch and a second two-pole, five-throw switch for routing a signal received at the first input pole to one of the five output poles and for routing a signal received at the second input pole to one of the three output poles.

[0435] Fig. Figure 39 shows that in some embodiments, a DRx module F1360 may include an input selector F1361 and a multi-pole, multi-throw switch F1362. The DRx module F1360 includes, as a band splitter, an input selector F1361 (acting as a double-pole, four-throw switch and as shown in Fig. 32 and Fig. 33), a four-pole ten-way switch F1362 and various filters and band-splitter diplexers. As described above, the input selector 1361 and the four-pole ten-way switch F1362 can be designed together with the various filters and band-splitter diplexers. The input selector F1361 and the switch F1362 can act together as a two-pole ten-way switch. The DRx module F1360 includes an output selector F1363 as an output multiplexer, which can route the inputs to a selected one of the outputs (if necessary, combining signals). The output selector F1363 can be configured taking into account the Fig. 29 and Fig. 30 illustrated aspects.

[0436] Fig. 40 shows an embodiment of a method flow diagram of a method for processing an RF signal. In some embodiments (and as explained below by way of example), the method F1400 is performed by a controller, such as the DRx controller F702 of Fig. 28 or the communication control device 120 of the Fig. 3. In some implementations, the method F1400 is performed by processing logic including hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the method F1400 is performed by a processor executing process instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory). Briefly, the method F1400 includes receiving a band select signal and passing a received RF signal along one or more gain-controlled paths to process the received RF signal.

[0437] The method F1400 begins at block F1410 with the controller receiving a band selection signal. The controller may receive the band selection signal from another controller, a cellular base station, or another external source. The band selection signal may indicate one or more frequency bands over which a wireless device is to transmit and receive RF signals. In some implementations, the band selection signal identifies a set of frequency bands for carrier-aggregated communication.

[0438] At block F1420, the controller designates an output port for each frequency band designated by the band selection signal. In some implementations, the band selection signal designates a single frequency band, and the controller designates a default output port for the single frequency band. In some implementations, the band selection signal designates two frequency bands, and the controller designates different output ports for the two frequency bands. In some implementations, the band selection signal designates more frequency bands than there are usable output ports, and the controller designates that two or more frequency bands be combined (and therefore designates the same output port for two or more frequency bands).The control device may specify that the frequency bands closest to each other or the frequency bands furthest apart are combined.

[0439] At block F1430, the controller controls an output multiplexer such that a signal for each frequency band is sent to the specified output terminal. The controller may control the output multiplexer by opening or closing one or more SPST switches, by setting the switch position of one or more SPMT switches, by sending a multiplexer control signal, or by other means.

[0440] Among other things, the above-explained example F can be summarized as follows with regard to flexible band signal routing.

[0441] According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a receiving system having a plurality of amplifiers. Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged along a corresponding one of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system and is configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further includes an input multiplexer configured to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more RF signals for propagation along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs.The receiving system further comprises an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagated along one or more corresponding paths of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs. The receiving system further comprises a controller configured to receive a band selection signal and control the input multiplexer and the output multiplexer based on the band selection signal.

[0442] In some embodiments, upon receiving a band selection signal indicating that the one or more RF signals comprise a single frequency band, the controller may be configured to control the output multiplexer such that an RF signal received at an output multiplexer input, associated with the single frequency band, and amplified, is routed to a default output multiplexer output. In some embodiments, the default output multiplexer outputs may differ for different individual frequency bands.

[0443] In some embodiments, upon receiving a band selection signal indicating that the one or more RF signals have a first frequency band and a second frequency band, the controller may be configured to control the output multiplexer such that an RF signal received at an output multiplexer input, associated with the first frequency band, and amplified is routed to a first output multiplexer output, and an RF signal received at an output multiplexer input, associated with the second frequency band, and amplified is routed to a second output multiplexer output. In some embodiments, both the first frequency band and the second frequency band may be high-frequency bands or low-frequency bands.

[0444] In some embodiments, upon receipt of a band selection signal indicating that the one or more RF signals have a first frequency band, a second frequency band, and a third frequency band, the controller may be configured to control the output multiplexer such that an RF signal assigned to the first frequency band and amplified, received at an output multiplexer input, and an RF signal assigned to the second frequency band and amplified, received at an output multiplexer input are combined to generate a combined signal, the combined signal is passed to a first output multiplexer output, and an RF signal assigned to the third frequency band and amplified, received at an output multiplexer input, is passed to a second output multiplexer output.In some embodiments, the first frequency band and the second frequency band may be those of the first, second, and third frequency bands that are closest to each other. In some embodiments, the first frequency band and the second frequency band may be those of the first, second, and third frequency bands that are farthest apart.

[0445] In some embodiments, upon receipt of a band selection signal indicating that the one or more RF signals comprise multiple frequency bands and upon receipt of a controller signal indicating that a transmission line is unusable, the controller may be configured to control the output multiplexer such that a plurality of RF signals assigned to multiple frequency bands and amplified at a plurality of output multiplexer inputs are combined to generate a combined signal and the combined signal is passed to an output multiplexer output.

[0446] In some embodiments, the controller may be configured, upon receipt of a first band selection signal, to control the output multiplexer such that an RF signal received and amplified at an output multiplexer input is passed to a first output multiplexer output, and, upon receipt of a second band selection signal, to control the output multiplexer such that an RF signal received and amplified at an output multiplexer input is passed to a second output multiplexer output.

[0447] In some embodiments, the output multiplexer may include a first combiner coupled to a first output multiplexer output and a second combiner coupled to a second output multiplexer output. In some embodiments, an output multiplexer input may be coupled to the first combiner and the second combiner via one or more switches. In some embodiments, the controller may control the output multiplexer by controlling the one or more switches. In some embodiments, the one or more switches may include two single-pole, single-throw (SPST) switches. In some embodiments, the one or more switches may include a single-pole, multiple-throw (SPMT) switch.In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a plurality of transmission lines coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of output multiplexer outputs.

[0448] In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) module having a package substrate configured to house a plurality of components. The RF module further includes a receiving system implemented on the package substrate. The receiving system includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged along a respective one of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system and is configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal received at the amplifier.The receiving system further comprises an input multiplexer configured to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more RF signals for propagation along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs. The receiving system further comprises an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagated along one or more corresponding paths of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs.The receiving system further comprises a control device configured to receive a band selection signal and to control the input multiplexer and the output multiplexer based on the band selection signal.

[0449] In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receiver front-end module, FEM.

[0450] According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device comprising a first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal. The wireless device further comprises a first front-end module, FEM, in communicative connection with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a package substrate configured to house a plurality of components. The first FEM further includes a receive system implemented on the package substrate. The receive system includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged along a respective one of a plurality of paths between an input of the receive system and an output of the receive system and is configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal received at the amplifier.The receiving system further comprises an input multiplexer configured to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more RF signals for propagation along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs. The receiving system further comprises an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagated along one or more corresponding paths of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs.The receiving system further comprises a controller configured to receive a band selection signal and to control the input multiplexer and the output multiplexer based on the band selection signal. The wireless device further comprises a communication module configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output via a plurality of transmission lines coupled to corresponding outputs of the plurality of output multiplexer outputs and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal.

[0451] In some embodiments, the wireless device further comprises a second antenna configured to receive a second RF signal and a second FEM communicatively coupled to the second antenna. The communication module is configured to receive a processed version of the second RF signal from the output of the second FEM and generate data bits based on the processed version of the second RF signal. Examples of combinations of features

[0452] Fig. 41A and Fig. 41B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein and one or more features of Example B described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100.

[0453] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0454] Fig. 42A and Fig. 42B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein and one or more features of Example C described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100.

[0455] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0456] Fig. 43A and Fig. 43B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein and one or more features of Example D described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100.

[0457] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0458] Fig. 44A and Fig. 44B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example B described herein and one or more features of Example C described herein. Additional details regarding Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100.

[0459] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0460] Fig. 45A and Fig. 45B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example B described herein and one or more features of Example D described herein. Additional details regarding Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100.

[0461] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0462] Fig. 46A and Fig. 46B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example C described herein and one or more features of Example D described herein. Additional details regarding Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100.

[0463] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0464] Fig. 47A and Fig. 47B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, and one or more features of Example C described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100.

[0465] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0466] Fig. 48A and Fig. 48B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, and one or more features of Example D described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100.

[0467] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0468] Fig. 49A and Fig. 49B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example D described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100.

[0469] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0470] Fig. 50A and Fig. 50B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example D described herein. Additional details regarding Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100.

[0471] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0472] Fig. 51A and Fig. 51B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example D described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100.

[0473] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0474] Fig. 52A and Fig. 52B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example E are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 24 to 26 and 98 to 100.

[0475] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0476] Fig. 53A and Fig. 53B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example E are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 24 to 26 and 98 to 100.

[0477] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0478] Fig. 54A and Fig. 54B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example E are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 24 to 26 and 98 to 100.

[0479] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0480] Fig. 55A and Fig. 55B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Additional details regarding Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example E are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 24 to 26 and 98 to 100.

[0481] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0482] Fig. 54A and Fig. 54B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Additional details regarding Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example E are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 24 to 26 and 98 to 100.

[0483] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0484] Fig. 57A and Fig. 57B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Additional details regarding Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example E are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 24 to 26 and 98 to 100.

[0485] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0486] Fig. 58A and Fig. 58B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example E are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 24 to 26 and 98 to 100.

[0487] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0488] Fig. 59A and Fig. 59B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example E are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 24 to 26 and 98 to 100.

[0489] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0490] Fig. 60A and Fig. 60B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example A described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Additional details regarding Example A are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example E are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 24 to 26 and 98 to 100.

[0491] In some embodiments, the above-identified combination of features may provide some or all of the benefits and / or functions associated with each of the examples, all of the examples in combination, or any combination of combinations.

[0492] Fig. 61A and Fig. 61B show that, in some embodiments, a configuration for a diversity receiver may include one or more features of Example B described herein, one or more features of Example C described herein, one or more features of Example D described herein, and one or more features of Example E described herein. Additional details regarding Example B are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 11 to 14 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example C are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 15, 16, 17 to 19 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example D are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. 1 to 5, 20 to 23 and 98 to 100. Additional details relating to Example E are described herein with reference to various figures, including Fig. ...

Claims

[1] A radio frequency (RF) receiving system comprising: a control device configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system; a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier; and at least two features from the group of a first feature, a second feature, a third feature, a fourth feature, a fifth feature, and a sixth feature implemented for the RF receiving system, the first feature comprising a plurality of bandpass filters, each bandpass filter of the first plurality of bandpass filters being arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to an associated frequency band, and at least some of the plurality of amplifiers being variable gain amplifiers, VGAs, each VGA of the plurality of VGAs being configured to amplify the corresponding signal with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the control device, the second feature comprising a plurality of phase shift components,in which each phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and is designed to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component, of which the third feature comprises a plurality of impedance matching components, in which each impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and is designed to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the corresponding path of the plurality of paths, of which the fourth feature comprises a plurality of bandpass filters connected downstream of the amplifiers,in which each bandpass filter of the plurality of bandpass filters connected downstream of the amplifiers is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and is designed to filter a signal to an associated frequency band, the fifth feature of which comprises a switch network having one or more single-pole single-throw switches, each of which couples two of the plurality of paths, and which is designed to be controlled by the control device on the basis of the band selection signal, and the sixth feature of which comprises an input multiplexer designed to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and to output each of the one or more RF signals for propagation along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs,and an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagated along one or more corresponding paths of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs. [2] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the first feature and the second feature. [3] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the first feature and the third feature. [4] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the first feature and the fourth feature. [5] The RF receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the second feature and the third feature. [6] The RF receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the second feature and the fourth feature. [7] The RF receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the third feature and the fourth feature. [8] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, and the third feature. [9] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, and the fourth feature. [10] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the first feature, the third feature, and the fourth feature. [11] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the second feature, the third feature, and the fourth feature. [12] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, and the fourth feature. [13] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, and the fifth feature. [14] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the second feature, the third feature, and the fifth feature. [15] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the second feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature. [16] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the second feature, the third feature, and the fifth feature. [17] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the second feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature. [18] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the third feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature. [19] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, and the fifth feature. [20] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature. [21] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature. [22] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature. [23] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the fifth feature. [24] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, and the sixth feature. [25] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the third feature, and the sixth feature. [26] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature. [27] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the second feature, the third feature, and the sixth feature. [28] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the second feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature. [29] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the third feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature. [30] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, and the sixth feature. [31] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature. [32] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature. [33] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature. [34] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, and the sixth feature. [35] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [36] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the third feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [37] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [38] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the second feature, the third feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [39] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the second feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [40] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the third feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [41] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [42] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [43] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [44] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [45] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the second feature, the third feature, the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [46] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature and the fifth feature. [47] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the second feature and the fifth feature. [48] ​​The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the third feature and the fifth feature. [49] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the fourth feature and the fifth feature. [50] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the first feature and the sixth feature. [51] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the second feature and the sixth feature. [52] The RF receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the third feature and the sixth feature. [53] The RF receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the fourth feature and the sixth feature. [54] The RF receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the fifth feature and the sixth feature. [55] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the first feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [56] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the second feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [57] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system has the third feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [58] The RF receiving system of claim 1, wherein the RF receiving system comprises the fourth feature, the fifth feature, and the sixth feature. [59] A radio frequency module, RF module, comprising: a package substrate configured to accommodate a plurality of components; and a receiving system implemented on the housing substrate, which comprises: a control device configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system; a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier; and at least two features from the group of a first feature, a second feature, a third feature, a fourth feature, a fifth feature, and a sixth feature implemented for the RF receiving system, the first feature comprising a plurality of bandpass filters, each bandpass filter of the first plurality of bandpass filters being arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to an associated frequency band, and at least some of the plurality of amplifiers being variable gain amplifiers, VGAs, each VGA of the plurality of VGAs being configured to amplify the corresponding signal with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the control device, the second feature comprising a plurality of phase shift components,in which each phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and is designed to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component, of which the third feature comprises a plurality of impedance matching components, in which each impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and is designed to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the corresponding path of the plurality of paths, of which the fourth feature comprises a plurality of bandpass filters connected downstream of the amplifiers,in which each bandpass filter of the plurality of bandpass filters connected downstream of the amplifiers is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and is designed to filter a signal to an associated frequency band, the fifth feature of which comprises a switch network having one or more single-pole single-throw switches, each of which couples two of the plurality of paths, and which is designed to be controlled by the control device on the basis of the band selection signal, and the sixth feature of which comprises an input multiplexer designed to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and to output each of the one or more RF signals for propagation along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs,and an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagated along one or more corresponding paths of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs. [60] The RF module of claim 59, wherein the RF module is a diversity receiver front-end module, FEM. [61] A wireless device comprising: a first antenna configured to receive one or more radio frequency (RF) signals; a first front-end module, FEM, which is in communicative connection with the first antenna and has: a package substrate configured to accommodate a plurality of components; and a receiving system implemented on the housing substrate, which comprises: a control device configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system; a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers arranged along a respective one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier; and at least two features from the group of a first feature, a second feature, a third feature, a fourth feature, a fifth feature, and a sixth feature implemented for the RF receiving system, the first feature comprising a plurality of bandpass filters, each bandpass filter of the first plurality of bandpass filters being arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to an associated frequency band, and at least some of the plurality of amplifiers being variable gain amplifiers, VGAs, each VGA of the plurality of VGAs being configured to amplify the corresponding signal with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the control device, the second feature comprising a plurality of phase shift components,in which each phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and is designed to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component, of which the third feature comprises a plurality of impedance matching components, in which each impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths and is designed to reduce one or both of an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain of the corresponding path of the plurality of paths, of which the fourth feature comprises a plurality of bandpass filters connected downstream of the amplifiers,in which each bandpass filter of the plurality of bandpass filters connected downstream of the amplifiers is arranged along an associated path of the plurality of paths at an output of a corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers and is designed to filter a signal to an associated frequency band, the fifth feature of which comprises a switch network having one or more single-pole single-throw switches, each of which couples two of the plurality of paths, and which is designed to be controlled by the control device on the basis of the band selection signal, and the sixth feature of which comprises an input multiplexer designed to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and to output each of the one or more RF signals for propagation along a corresponding path of the plurality of paths at one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs,and an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagated along one or more corresponding paths of the plurality of paths at one or more corresponding output multiplexer inputs and output each of the one or more amplified RF signals at a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs; and, a transceiver configured to receive a processed version of the one or more RF signals from the receiving system and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the one or more RF signals. [62] The wireless device of claim 61, wherein the wireless device is a mobile phone.

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