Mobile terminal

Abstract

Provided in the present application is a mobile terminal, which comprises a first antenna, a first radio-frequency front-end module and a second radio-frequency front-end module, wherein an operating frequency band of the first antenna comprises an operating frequency band for satellite communication; the first radio-frequency front-end module comprises a first switch and a first signal transmission path, and the first switch is connected to the first antenna and the first signal transmission path, respectively; the second radio-frequency front-end module comprises a satellite communication receiving path, which is connected to the first signal transmission path; and the first switch is used for: cutting off the connection between the first signal transmission path and the first antenna in response to sending a non-satellite radio-frequency signal and receiving the non-satellite radio-frequency signal; and connecting the first antenna and the first signal transmission path in response to receiving a satellite radio-frequency signal. In this way, a satellite radio-frequency signal can be received by means of a first antenna, and a satellite antenna is omitted, thereby decreasing the number of antennas, reducing the space burden inside a mobile terminal, and reducing the manufacturing cost and weight of the mobile terminal.

Description

A mobile terminal

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411548669.4, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on October 31, 2024, entitled "A Mobile Terminal", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of terminal technology, and more particularly to a mobile terminal. Background Technology

[0004] Compared to terrestrial communication, satellite communication offers wider coverage, especially in areas with limited or poorly covered cellular base stations. Therefore, by integrating satellite communication functionality into mobile devices, communication with the outside world can be achieved even in environments without cellular signal.

[0005] Currently, satellite antennas are generally located in the mid-frame of mobile terminals. As the functional requirements for satellite communication increase, the number of satellite antennas integrated within the mid-frame is also increasing, leading to the evolution of satellite antenna specifications from 1T1R to 1T2R and 2T4R. This increases the internal space requirements and manufacturing costs of mobile terminals. Here, T stands for transmit and R stands for receive. For example, 1T1R indicates one transmit antenna and one receive antenna. When one or more antennas are used to receive and transmit signals, it should be understood that the 1T1R specification is being met. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a mobile terminal that reduces the number of antennas, lowers the internal space burden of the mobile terminal, and reduces the manufacturing cost of the mobile terminal.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a mobile terminal, which may include: a first antenna, a first radio frequency front-end module, and a second radio frequency front-end module; the operating frequency band of the first antenna includes the operating frequency band of satellite communication; the first radio frequency front-end module includes a first switch and a first signal transmission path, the first switch being connected to the first antenna and the first signal transmission path respectively; the second radio frequency front-end module includes a satellite communication receiving path, the satellite communication receiving path being connected to the first signal transmission path; the first switch is used to: disconnect the connection between the first signal transmission path and the first antenna in response to transmitting and receiving non-satellite radio frequency signals; and connect the first antenna and the first signal transmission path in response to receiving satellite radio frequency signals. Thus, when receiving satellite radio frequency signals, the first switch can connect the first signal transmission path to the first antenna. Since the first signal transmission path is connected to the satellite communication receiving path, the first antenna is also connected to the satellite communication receiving path. Because the operating frequency band of the first antenna includes the operating frequency band of satellite communication, satellite radio frequency signals can be received through the first antenna, thus achieving satellite radio frequency signal reception. Furthermore, since the first signal transmission path and the first antenna in the first radio frequency front-end module are reused, the satellite antenna can be eliminated, reducing the number of antennas, reducing the space burden inside the mobile terminal, and reducing the manufacturing cost and weight of the mobile terminal. Moreover, when transmitting satellite radio frequency signals using the first signal transmission path, it does not affect other links within the first radio frequency front-end module, so it does not increase the loss of other links within the first radio frequency front-end module. Thus, the shared antenna design of the satellite antenna and the first antenna is achieved without increasing the loss of other links.

[0008] In one embodiment, the frequency band of satellite communication may include 2.0 GHz. In this case, the operating frequency band of the first antenna includes 2.0 GHz. Since the operating frequency band of the cellular antenna includes 2.0 GHz, the first antenna may be, but is not limited to, a cellular antenna. Of course, other antennas whose operating frequency band includes 2.0 GHz may also be used as the first antenna; or other antennas whose operating frequency band does not include 2.0 GHz may also be used as the first antenna by setting a tuning element. No specific limitation is made here.

[0009] Optionally, the satellite communication receiving path is used to amplify the satellite radio frequency signal; the mobile terminal also includes: a second radio frequency chip and a filtering circuit, the filtering circuit being connected between the second radio frequency chip and the satellite communication receiving path, so that the filtering circuit can filter the amplified satellite radio frequency signal, and then the satellite radio frequency signal is transmitted to the second radio frequency chip after undergoing the process of amplification and filtering. This not only reduces the loss of the satellite radio frequency signal, but also reduces noise interference, thereby improving the quality of satellite communication.

[0010] Furthermore, the mobile terminal also includes a second switch, and the second radio frequency front-end module also includes a second signal transmission path. The second switch is connected to the second radio frequency chip, the filtering circuit, and the second signal transmission path, respectively. The second switch is used to: connect the second radio frequency chip and the filtering circuit in response to receiving satellite radio frequency signals; and connect the second radio frequency chip and the second signal transmission path in response to receiving non-satellite radio frequency signals. Thus, the non-satellite radio frequency signal processed by the second signal transmission path can be transmitted to the second radio frequency chip through the second switch, and the satellite radio frequency signal processed by the satellite communication receiving path can be transmitted to the second radio frequency chip through the filtering circuit and the second switch. This allows both non-satellite and satellite radio frequency signals to be transmitted to the second radio frequency chip through switching the second switch, ensuring normal transmission of both non-satellite and satellite data reception.

[0011] At this point, the second RF front-end module includes a first port and a second port. The first port is connected between the filter circuit and the satellite communication receiving path, and the second port is connected between the second switch and the second signal transmission path. In this way, the non-satellite RF signal processed by the second signal transmission path can be output through the second port, and the satellite RF signal processed by the satellite communication receiving path can be output through the first port. This ensures that the non-satellite RF signal and the satellite RF signal are output through different ports, avoiding mutual interference between them and guaranteeing the normal operation of cellular data reception and satellite data reception.

[0012] Alternatively, the second RF front-end module may further include: a first port and a third switch, the third switch being connected to the second signal transmission path, the satellite communication receiving path, and the first port respectively; the mobile terminal may further include a fourth switch, the fourth switch being connected to the first port, the second switch, and the filtering circuit respectively; in response to receiving a non-satellite RF signal, the second signal transmission path and the second RF chip are connected through the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch; in response to receiving a satellite RF signal, the satellite communication receiving path, the filtering circuit, and the second RF chip are connected through the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch. Although the second RF front-end module connects to the second RF chip via only one port, and the second RF chip connects to the second RF front-end module via only one port, the coordinated operation of the second, third, and fourth switches allows the signals processed by the second signal transmission path and the satellite communication receiving path to be transmitted to the second RF chip via different paths. This not only reduces the number of ports on the second RF front-end module and the second RF chip, lowering hardware requirements and reducing the number of connections between the second RF front-end module and the outside world, but also avoids impedance pulling between the two paths, thereby preventing performance degradation of the second signal transmission path and the satellite communication receiving path, and thus improving communication quality.

[0013] Optionally, the mobile terminal also includes a second antenna connected to a second signal transmission path. This allows the second antenna to receive non-satellite radio frequency (RF) signals. The received RF signals are then transmitted through the second signal transmission path to a second RF chip, which processes the input RF signals to obtain relevant data. It should be understood that if the second signal transmission path transmits cellular data, the second antenna can be a cellular antenna; in other words, if the second antenna is a cellular antenna, cellular data can be transmitted through the second signal transmission path. Of course, the second antenna is not limited to a cellular antenna; it can be other types of antennas. Correspondingly, the data transmitted through the second signal transmission path is not limited to cellular data; it can also be other types of data. The specific configuration can be determined according to actual needs and is not specifically limited here.

[0014] Optionally, the first signal transmission path is used to perform unfiltered processing on the satellite radio frequency signal. Thus, since the satellite radio frequency signal is transmitted through the first signal transmission path without filtering, signal loss during transmission can be avoided, thereby improving the transmission quality of the satellite radio frequency signal and the quality of satellite communication.

[0015] Optionally, the first radio frequency front-end module further includes a third signal transmission path and a fourth signal transmission path, both of which are connected to the first switch. The first switch is further configured to: connect the third signal transmission path to the first antenna in response to receiving a non-satellite radio frequency signal; and connect the fourth signal transmission path to the first antenna in response to transmitting a non-satellite radio frequency signal. Thus, when receiving a non-satellite radio frequency signal through the first antenna, the third signal transmission path connects to the first antenna, allowing the received non-satellite radio frequency signal to be transmitted to the first radio frequency chip. This enables the first radio frequency chip to process the input non-satellite radio frequency signal to obtain non-satellite data, thereby achieving non-satellite data reception. When transmitting a non-satellite radio frequency signal to the outside world through the first antenna, the fourth signal transmission path connects to the first antenna, allowing the non-satellite radio frequency signal to be transmitted to the first antenna and transmitted to the outside world, thereby achieving non-satellite data transmission.

[0016] Optionally, the mobile terminal further includes: a frame, a satellite main antenna, and a third antenna; the frame has a top edge, with the satellite main antenna and the third antenna respectively located at opposite ends of the top edge; the frame also has a first side edge, connected to the end of the top edge where the satellite main antenna is located, with the first antenna located on the first side edge, and a first distance between the first antenna and the end of the top edge where the satellite main antenna is located, the first distance being less than 1 / 2 of the length of the first side edge. This increases the overlap between the first antenna and the satellite main antenna in the target area of ​​the radiation pattern. Since higher overlap results in better satellite communication quality, and vice versa, increasing the overlap can improve satellite communication quality and reduce the number of satellite antennas required, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0017] Furthermore, the first distance is 1 / 3 to 1 / 5 of the wavelength of the satellite's operating frequency band, and even further, the first distance can be 1 / 4 of the wavelength of the satellite's operating frequency band. This can maximize the overlap between the first antenna and the satellite's main antenna in the target area of ​​the radiation pattern, thereby maximizing communication efficiency.

[0018] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a radio frequency front-end module, which may include: a first switch and a first signal transmission path, the first switch being connected to a first antenna and the first signal transmission path respectively, and the first signal transmission path being connected to a satellite communication receiving path; the first switch is used to: disconnect the connection between the first signal transmission path and the first antenna in response to transmitting and receiving non-satellite radio frequency signals; and connect the first antenna and the first signal transmission path in response to receiving satellite radio frequency signals.

[0019] It should be understood that since the principle by which this RF front-end module solves the problem is similar to that of the aforementioned mobile terminal, the implementation and technical effects of this RF front-end module can be found in the implementation and technical effects of the aforementioned mobile terminal, and the repetitions will not be repeated. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal performing satellite communication according to an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the mobile terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a mobile terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the signal transmission path provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the middle frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 6 is a black-and-white schematic diagram of the simulation results provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0026] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another mobile terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of another mobile terminal provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Reference numerals: 10-First cellular antenna, 20-Second cellular antenna, 31-First switch, 32-Cellular transmit path, 33-Second cellular receive path, 34-First signal transmission path, 41-First cellular receive path, 42-Satellite communication receive path, 50-First RF chip, 60-Second RF chip, 70-Filter circuit, 81-Satellite main antenna, 82-Third antenna, 92-Second switch, 93-Third switch, 94-Fourth switch, 95-Fifth switch, D1-First port, D2-Second port, D3-Third port, D4-Fourth port, D5-Fifth port, D6-Sixth port, D7-Seventh port, D8-Eighth port, m1-Frame, b1-Top edge, b2-First side edge, b3-Second side edge, b4-Bottom edge, h1-First end, h2-Second end, k1-First distance. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] It should be noted that the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of this application denote the same or similar structures, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. Terms expressing position and direction described in this application are illustrative based on the accompanying drawings, but may be modified as needed, and all such modifications are included within the scope of protection of this application. The accompanying drawings of this application are for illustrating relative positional relationships only and do not represent actual scale.

[0031] It should be noted that, in this application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0032] In the embodiments of this application, the words "first," "second," etc., do not limit the quantity or order. The term "connection" is used to indicate an electrical connection, including direct connection through wires or connection terminals or indirect connection through other devices, and "connection" has the same meaning as "coupled" and "coupled," therefore "connection" should be regarded as a broad electronic communication connection.

[0033] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the application scenarios will be explained first below.

[0034] The mobile terminal provided in this application embodiment may include, but is not limited to, smartphones, in-vehicle terminals, tablet computers, smartwatches, personal computers (PCs), wearable devices, and other devices such as handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices, or devices connected to wireless modems, which are not listed here. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of satellite communication performed by the mobile terminal in this application embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, satellite communication belongs to non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication and can be used to communicate with the mobile terminal. Compared with terrestrial communication, satellite communication can provide a wider coverage area, especially for areas with few or difficult-to-cover cellular communication base stations, where satellite communication can be used.

[0035] Figure 2 is a structural diagram of a smartphone in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the mobile terminal includes a glass cover, a display screen, a mid-frame, a circuit board, and a back cover arranged in sequence. The mid-frame can fix the glass cover, the display screen, and the back cover. Of course, Figure 2 only schematically shows some components included in the mobile terminal. The actual shape, size, and structure of these components are not limited by Figure 2.

[0036] For example, the mobile terminal further includes an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) front-end module, and an RF chip. The RF front-end module is connected between the antenna and the RF chip. When transmitting data, the RF chip converts the data to be transmitted into an RF signal and transmits it to the RF front-end module. The RF front-end module filters and amplifies the RF signal before transmitting it through the antenna. Therefore, the RF chip can modulate the data to be transmitted. When receiving data, the RF signal received by the antenna is transmitted to the RF front-end module. The RF front-end module filters and amplifies the RF signal before transmitting it to the RF chip. The RF chip processes the input RF signal and extracts the data it carries. Therefore, the RF chip can demodulate the RF signal to obtain the corresponding data, thereby realizing data transmission and reception. The antenna is generally located within the mid-frame, while the RF front-end module and RF chip can be located on the mid-frame or circuit board.

[0037] When a mobile terminal has satellite communication capabilities, a satellite antenna is typically installed within the frame. As the requirements for satellite communication functionality increase, the number of satellite antennas integrated within the frame also increases, leading to the evolution of satellite antenna specifications from 1T1R to 1T2R and 2T4R. This increases the internal space requirements and manufacturing costs of the mobile terminal. Here, T represents the transmission path, and R represents the reception path.

[0038] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a technical solution for integrating satellite antennas with other antennas. In this technical solution, the mobile terminal may include: a first antenna, a first radio frequency front-end module, and a second radio frequency front-end module; the operating frequency band of the first antenna includes the operating frequency band of satellite communication; the first radio frequency front-end module includes a first switch and a first signal transmission path, the first switch being connected to the first antenna and the first signal transmission path respectively; the second radio frequency front-end module includes a satellite communication receiving path, the satellite communication receiving path being connected to the first signal transmission path; the first switch is used to: disconnect the connection between the first signal transmission path and the first antenna in response to transmitting and receiving non-satellite radio frequency signals; and connect the first antenna and the first signal transmission path in response to receiving satellite radio frequency signals. Thus, when receiving satellite radio frequency signals, the first switch can connect the first signal transmission path to the first antenna. Since the first signal transmission path is connected to the satellite communication receiving path, the first antenna is also connected to the satellite communication receiving path. Because the operating frequency band of the first antenna includes the operating frequency band of satellite communication, satellite radio frequency signals can be received through the first antenna, thus achieving satellite radio frequency signal reception. Furthermore, since the first signal transmission path and the first antenna in the first radio frequency front-end module are reused, the satellite antenna can be eliminated, reducing the number of antennas, reducing the space burden inside the mobile terminal, and reducing the manufacturing cost and weight of the mobile terminal. Moreover, when transmitting satellite radio frequency signals using the first signal transmission path, it does not affect other links within the first radio frequency front-end module, so it does not increase the loss of other links within the first radio frequency front-end module. Thus, the shared antenna design of the satellite antenna and the first antenna is achieved without increasing the loss of other links.

[0039] The specific implementation methods of mobile terminals will be introduced below.

[0040] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 3, the mobile terminal may include: a first antenna, a second antenna, a first radio frequency front-end module, a second radio frequency front-end module, a first radio frequency chip 50, and a second radio frequency chip 60. The operating frequency band of the first antenna includes the operating frequency band of satellite communication, so the first antenna can transmit satellite radio frequency signals. For example, the frequency band of satellite communication may include 2.0 GHz, so the operating frequency band of the first antenna includes 2.0 GHz. Since the operating frequency band of a cellular antenna includes 2.0 GHz, the first antenna may be, but is not limited to, a cellular antenna. Of course, other antennas whose operating frequency band includes 2.0 GHz can also be used as the first antenna. Alternatively, other antennas whose operating frequency band does not include 2.0 GHz can also be used as the first antenna by setting a tuning device. No specific limitation is made here. The following description takes a cellular antenna as the first antenna.

[0041] The first antenna and the second antenna can be the same type of antenna, such as both being cellular antennas; or, the first antenna and the second antenna can be different types of antennas, such as the first antenna being a cellular antenna and the second antenna being a non-cellular antenna. The following explanation uses the example of both the first antenna and the second antenna being cellular antennas. For ease of description, the first antenna can also be called the first cellular antenna 10, and the second antenna can also be called the second cellular antenna 20. Among them, the first cellular antenna 10 can be a cellular main antenna, and the second cellular antenna 20 can be a cellular diversity antenna; or, the first cellular antenna 10 and the second cellular antenna 20 can be two different cellular diversity antennas, which are not specifically limited here.

[0042] It should be understood that mobile terminals may include other components or structures besides those shown in Figure 3, depending on the specific circumstances, and are not specifically limited here. The following sections will describe each structure in detail.

[0043] I. First RF front-end module.

[0044] The first radio frequency front-end module may include: a first switch 31, a first signal transmission path 34, a cellular transmission path 32, and a second cellular reception path 33. The first switch 31 is connected to the first cellular antenna 10, the first signal transmission path 34, the second cellular reception path 33, and the cellular transmission path 32, respectively. The second cellular reception path 33 and the cellular transmission path 32 are also connected to the first radio frequency chip 50. The first switch 31 is used to: disconnect the connection between the first signal transmission path 34 and the first cellular antenna 10 in response to transmitting and receiving cellular radio frequency signals; connect the cellular transmission path 32 and the first cellular antenna 10 in response to transmitting cellular radio frequency signals; and connect the second cellular reception path 33 and the first cellular antenna 10 in response to receiving cellular radio frequency signals. The number of second cellular reception paths 33 is not limited to one; it can be two, three, or more. Similarly, the number of cellular transmission paths 32 is not limited to one; it can be two, three, or more. Furthermore, the number of cellular transmission paths 32 and the number of second cellular reception paths 33 can be the same or different, and can be set according to actual conditions. No specific limitation is made here. It should be understood that the cellular transmission path 32 can be understood as the fourth signal transmission path mentioned above, and the second cellular receiving path 33 can be understood as the third signal transmission path mentioned above. Therefore, the receiving of non-satellite radio frequency signals mentioned above can be understood as receiving cellular radio frequency signals, and the transmitting of non-satellite radio frequency signals mentioned above can be understood as transmitting cellular radio frequency signals.

[0045] Thus, when receiving cellular radio frequency signals through the first cellular antenna 10, the second cellular receiving path 33 is connected to the first cellular antenna 10. The cellular radio frequency signals received through the first cellular antenna 10 can be transmitted to the first radio frequency chip 50 through the second cellular receiving path 33, so that the first radio frequency chip 50 can process the input cellular radio frequency signals to obtain cellular data, thereby realizing the reception of cellular data. When transmitting cellular radio frequency signals to the outside through the first cellular antenna 10, the cellular transmitting path 32 is connected to the first cellular antenna 10, so that the cellular radio frequency signals can be transmitted to the first cellular antenna 10 through the cellular transmitting path 32 and transmitted to the outside, thereby realizing the transmission of cellular data.

[0046] For example, as shown in Figure 4(a), the first radio frequency front-end module may include a third port D3. The third port D3 can be connected to the first switch 31 via a wire, and the third port D3 is used to connect to a satellite communication receiving path (not shown in Figure 4). The wire connecting the third port D3 and the first switch 31 can be considered as a first signal transmission path 34, and this first signal transmission path 34 is always connected, so that the first signal transmission path 34 performs unfiltered processing on the satellite radio frequency signal. In this way, since the satellite radio frequency signal is transmitted in the first signal transmission path 34 without filtering, the loss of the satellite radio frequency signal during transmission in the first signal transmission path 34 can be avoided, thereby improving the transmission quality of the satellite radio frequency signal and improving the quality of satellite communication.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4(b), the first RF front-end module may further include a fourth port D4 and a fifth switch 95. The fourth port D4 is used to connect with other components (not shown in Figure 4) to achieve additional functions. The fifth switch 95 is connected to the first switch 31, the third port D3, and the fourth port D4 respectively. The path formed when the fifth switch 95 connects the first switch 31 and the third port D3 (as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 5(b)) can be called the first signal transmission path 34, through which satellite RF signals can be transmitted. The path formed when the fifth switch 95 connects the first switch 31 and the fourth port D4 can be called the additional path, through which signals used to achieve additional functions can be transmitted, thereby expanding the functionality of the first RF front-end module and meeting more application needs. Furthermore, no unfiltered processing is performed on the satellite RF signal in the first signal transmission path 34, so it can also avoid the loss of the satellite RF signal during transmission in the first signal transmission path 34, thereby improving the transmission quality of the satellite RF signal and the quality of satellite communication.

[0048] Of course, some non-filtering components, such as but not limited to amplifiers, can also be set in the path formed when connecting the third port D3 and the first switch 31. This can avoid the loss caused by filtering the satellite radio frequency signal and can also amplify the satellite radio frequency signal to improve the accuracy of demodulating the satellite radio frequency signal.

[0049] For example, the first switch 31 can be a single-pole multi-throw switch or other types of switches. As long as the control structure can realize the connection state of each path with the first cellular antenna 10, it can be used as the first switch 31. The specific structure of the first switch 31 is not limited here.

[0050] The cellular transmission path 32 may be equipped with devices such as power amplifiers and filters to amplify and filter the radio frequency signal to be transmitted; the second cellular receiving path 33 may be equipped with devices such as low-noise amplifiers and filters to amplify and filter the received radio frequency signal; the types, quantities and connections of the devices in the cellular transmission path 32 and the second cellular receiving path 33 may be configured according to actual needs and are not specifically limited here.

[0051] II. Second RF front-end module.

[0052] The second RF front-end module may include a first cellular receiving path 41, a second port D2, and a fifth port D5. The first cellular receiving path 41 is connected to the fifth port D5 and the second port D2. The second port D2 is connected to the second RF chip 60, and the fifth port D5 is connected to the second cellular antenna 20. When receiving cellular RF signals through the second cellular antenna 20, the received cellular RF signals can be transmitted to the second RF chip 60 through the first cellular receiving path 41, so that the second RF chip 60 can process the input cellular RF signals to obtain cellular data, thereby realizing the reception of cellular data. The number of first cellular receiving paths 41 is not limited to one; it can be two, three, or more, depending on the actual situation. Furthermore, the first cellular receiving path 41 may include devices such as low-noise amplifiers and filters to amplify and filter the received RF signals. However, the type, quantity, and connection relationship of the devices in the first cellular receiving path 41 can be configured according to actual needs, and are not specifically limited here. It should be understood that the first cellular receiving path can be understood as the second signal transmission path mentioned above, and the corresponding cellular radio frequency signal can be understood as the non-satellite radio frequency signal mentioned above.

[0053] For example, the second cellular receiving path 33 in the first RF front-end module and the first cellular receiving path 41 in the second RF front-end module can receive the same RF signal or different RF signals. The specific configuration can be adjusted according to actual conditions and is not limited here. For instance, when the mobile terminal is far from the communication device, such as a base station, the power of the RF signal received by the mobile terminal may be weak. Receiving the same RF signal by the first cellular receiving path 41 and the second cellular receiving path 33 can increase the probability of successful demodulation of the RF signal, thereby improving communication quality. When the mobile terminal is close to the communication device, such as a base station, the power of the RF signal received by the mobile terminal may be strong. In this case, the first cellular receiving path 41 and the second cellular receiving path 33 can receive different RF signals, which can improve the demodulation speed of the RF signal, thereby improving communication throughput efficiency and increasing internet speed.

[0054] Furthermore, the second radio frequency front-end module may also include: a satellite communication receiving path 42, a first port D1, and a sixth port D6. The satellite communication receiving path 42 is connected to the first port D1 and the sixth port D6, respectively. The sixth port D6 is connected to the third port D3 in the first radio frequency front-end module, so that the satellite communication receiving path 42 is connected to the first signal transmission path 34. At this time, the first switch 31 is also used to: connect the first cellular antenna 10 to the first signal transmission path 34 in response to receiving a satellite radio frequency signal; and disconnect the connection between the first cellular antenna 10 and the first signal transmission path 34 in response to not receiving a satellite radio frequency signal, that is, in response to transmitting or receiving a non-satellite radio frequency signal. Thus, when receiving satellite radio frequency signals, the first switch 31 can connect the first signal transmission path 34 to the first cellular antenna 10. Since the first signal transmission path 34 is connected to the satellite communication receiving path 42, the first cellular antenna 10 is also connected to the satellite communication receiving path 42. This allows the first cellular antenna 10 to receive satellite radio frequency signals, achieving satellite radio frequency signal reception. Furthermore, because the first signal transmission path 34 and the first cellular antenna 10 in the first radio frequency front-end module are reused, the satellite diversity antenna can be eliminated, reducing the number of antennas, lowering the internal space burden of the mobile terminal, and reducing the manufacturing cost and weight of the mobile terminal. Moreover, using the first signal transmission path 34 does not affect the cellular link within the first radio frequency front-end module, so it does not increase the loss of the cellular link within the first radio frequency front-end module. Therefore, a design that allows for a shared antenna for both satellite and cellular signals is achieved without increasing cellular link loss.

[0055] Furthermore, the satellite communication receiving path 42 in the second RF front-end module can be used to amplify the satellite RF signal. That is, the satellite communication receiving path 42 can also perform unfiltered processing on the satellite RF signal, avoiding loss of the satellite RF signal during transmission in the satellite communication receiving path 42. Thus, when the first signal transmission path 34 also does not perform filtering processing on the satellite RF signal, filtering processing can be avoided throughout the entire transmission process of the satellite RF signal through the first cellular antenna 10, the first switch 31, the first signal transmission path 34 to the satellite communication receiving path 42, making the entire transmission process a low-loss transmission process and improving the signal transmission quality.

[0056] In order to realize the amplification function of the satellite communication receiving path 42, a low-noise amplifier L can be set in the satellite communication receiving path 42. The low-noise amplifier L can amplify the satellite radio frequency signal. Of course, in addition to the low-noise amplifier L, other devices can be set in the satellite communication receiving path 42. The specific settings can be made according to the actual situation, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0057] For example, although the noise in the satellite radio frequency signal is relatively low, the noise will still be amplified after the satellite radio frequency signal is amplified. In this case, the mobile terminal may also include a filtering circuit 70. The filtering circuit 70 is connected between the second radio frequency chip 60 and the first port D1, so that the filtering circuit 70 is connected between the second radio frequency chip 60 and the satellite communication receiving path 42. The filtering circuit 70 can filter the amplified satellite radio frequency signal, so that the satellite radio frequency signal undergoes a process of amplification and then filtering before being transmitted to the second radio frequency chip 60. This can not only reduce the loss of the satellite radio frequency signal, but also reduce noise interference, thereby improving the quality of satellite communication. The specific structure of the filtering circuit 70 can be any circuit that can achieve filtering function that is well known to those skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, filters, etc., and is not specifically limited here.

[0058] Furthermore, the first cellular receiving path 41 can be connected to the seventh port D7 of the second RF chip 60 via the second port D2, and the satellite communication receiving path 42 can be connected to the eighth port D8 of the second RF chip 60 via the first port D1 and the filter circuit 70. Therefore, the filter circuit 70 and the second port D2 are connected to different ports of the second RF chip 60 respectively. In this way, the cellular RF signal processed by the first cellular receiving path 41 can be directly transmitted to the second RF chip 60 via the second port D2, and the satellite RF signal processed by the satellite communication receiving path 42 can be transmitted to the second RF chip 60 via the first port D1 and the filter circuit 70. This ensures that the cellular RF signal and the satellite RF signal are transmitted to the second RF chip 60 through different paths, avoiding mutual interference between the cellular RF signal and the satellite RF signal, and ensuring the normal operation of cellular data reception and satellite data reception.

[0059] III. First RF chip 50 and second RF chip 60.

[0060] Both the first RF chip 50 and the second RF chip 60 may include a baseband unit and an RF transceiver unit. The RF transceiver unit is connected between the first RF front-end module and the baseband unit. During signal transmission, the RF transceiver unit can modulate the mid-to-high frequency digital signal from the baseband unit into a high-frequency electromagnetic wave signal (i.e., an RF signal), thereby achieving signal modulation. During signal reception, the RF transceiver unit can demodulate the high-frequency electromagnetic wave signal after filtering and low-noise amplification into a mid-to-high frequency digital signal, and send the mid-to-high frequency digital signal to the baseband unit, thereby achieving signal demodulation.

[0061] The specific structure of the baseband unit and the radio frequency transceiver unit can be any structure known to those skilled in the art that can achieve its function, and is not specifically limited here.

[0062] IV. First cellular antenna 10.

[0063] Referring to Figure 5, the mobile terminal may also include: a frame m1, a satellite main antenna 81, and a third antenna (represented by 82 in Figure 5); the frame m1 has a top edge b1 and a bottom edge b4, which are positioned opposite each other. The satellite main antenna 81 and the third antenna 82 are respectively located at opposite ends of the top edge b1. For example, the third antenna 82 is located at the left end of the top edge b1, and the satellite main antenna 81 is located at the right end of the top edge b1, as shown in Figure 5; or, the third antenna 82 is located at the right end of the top edge b1, and the satellite main antenna 81 is located at the left end of the top edge b1, which is not shown in the figure. Furthermore, the frame m1 also has a first side b2 and a second side b3. If the other end of the top side b1 where the satellite main antenna 81 is located is called the first end h1, and the end of the top side b1 where the third antenna 82 is located is called the second end h2, when the first end h1 and the second end h2 are the two opposite ends of the top side b1 along the x-direction, the first side b2 is connected to the first end h1, so that the first side b2 is connected to the end of the top side b1 where the satellite main antenna 81 is located, and the second side b3 is connected to the second end h2, so that the second side b3 is connected to the end of the top side b1 where the third antenna 82 is located; at this time, the first cellular antenna 10 is located on the first side b2, and the first cellular antenna 10 is connected to the end of the top side b1 where the satellite main antenna 81 is located. There is a first distance k1 between the ends of the satellite main antenna 81 (i.e., the first end h1). The first distance k1 is less than 1 / 2 of the length of the first side b2. Referring to Figure 5, it can be seen that the first cellular antenna 10 is located on the side of the first side b2 closer to the top edge b1. This means that the first cellular antenna 10 is located on the side of the first side b2 closer to the satellite main antenna 81. This can increase the overlap between the first cellular antenna 10 and the satellite main antenna 81 in the target area of ​​the radiation pattern. Since the higher the overlap, the better the satellite communication quality, and vice versa, increasing the overlap can improve the satellite communication quality and reduce the number of satellite antennas, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0064] Furthermore, the first distance k1 can be 1 / 3 to 1 / 5 of the wavelength of the satellite's operating frequency band, and even further, the first distance k1 can be 1 / 4 of the wavelength of the satellite's operating frequency band. This can maximize the overlap between the first cellular antenna 10 and the satellite main antenna 81 in the target area of ​​the radiation pattern, thereby maximizing the communication efficiency.

[0065] For example, as shown in Figure 6, this figure is a simulation result with the first distance k1 being 1 / 4 wavelength of the satellite's operating frequency band as an example. In Figure 6(a), the radiation pattern of the satellite main antenna 81 is shown; in Figure 6(b), the radiation pattern of the third antenna 82 is shown; and in Figure 6(c), the radiation pattern of the first cellular antenna 10 is shown. The solid lines in the figures represent the target area. From the simulation results shown in the figures, it can be seen that the overlap between the first cellular antenna 10 and the satellite main antenna 81 in the target area of ​​the radiation pattern is significantly higher than the overlap between the third antenna 82 and the satellite main antenna 81. Therefore, using the first cellular antenna 10 as a satellite diversity antenna can improve the satellite's communication quality and communication efficiency.

[0066] The overlap of target areas in the radiation pattern can be understood as follows: First, a region with a strong signal can be identified in the radiation pattern of the satellite master antenna 81. This region is defined as the target area. Then, the same region is found in the radiation patterns of other antennas. The signal strength in the same region in the radiation patterns of other antennas reflects the overlap. If the signal strength in the same region in the radiation pattern is stronger, the overlap is higher, and vice versa. As shown in Figure 6, the closer to the black area, the weaker the signal strength, and the closer to the white area in the middle area, the stronger the signal strength.

[0067] It should be understood that the frame m1 may be, but is not limited to, a middle frame or a combination of the middle frame and other nearby structures. The antennas mentioned in the previous paragraph may all be mounted on the middle frame, or some antennas may be mounted on the middle frame and others on structural members adjacent to the middle frame. Furthermore, the third antenna 82 may be, but is not limited to, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) antenna or other types of antennas, such as, but not limited to, other cellular diversity antennas. Any type of third antenna 82 that satisfies the positional relationship with the satellite main antenna 81 and the first cellular antenna 10 falls within the protection scope of this application's embodiments.

[0068] Figure 7 exemplarily illustrates a structural schematic diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 7, the mobile terminal in this embodiment is basically similar in structure to the mobile terminal in the embodiment described in Figure 3 above, with the difference being that a second switch 92 is also provided between the second radio frequency front-end module and the second radio frequency chip 60. Exemplarily, the mobile terminal may further include a second switch 92, which is connected to the second radio frequency chip 60, the filter circuit 70, and the second port D2, respectively. When the second port D2 is connected to the first cellular receiving path 41, the second switch 92 is connected to the first cellular receiving path 41 through the second port D2. The second switch 92 is used to: connect the second radio frequency chip 60 and the filter circuit 70 in response to receiving satellite radio frequency signals; connect the second radio frequency chip 60 and the first cellular receiving path 41 in response to receiving cellular radio frequency signals; and disconnect the connection between the second radio frequency chip 60 and the filter circuit 70 when receiving cellular radio frequency signals; and disconnect the connection between the second radio frequency chip 60 and the second port D2 when receiving satellite radio frequency signals.

[0069] In this way, one port of the second RF chip 60 (such as the seventh port D7) can be connected to the filter circuit 70 and the second port D2 through the second switch 92, thereby reducing the number of ports used in the second RF chip 60, lowering the hardware requirements of the second RF chip 60, and helping to reduce the manufacturing cost of the second RF chip 60. Furthermore, the cellular RF signal processed by the first cellular receiving path 41 can be transmitted to the second RF chip 60 through the second switch 92, and the satellite RF signal processed by the satellite communication receiving path 42 can be transmitted to the second RF chip 60 through the filter circuit 70 and the second switch 92. This allows cellular RF signals and satellite RF signals to be transmitted to the second RF chip 60 through switching via the second switch 92, ensuring normal transmission of cellular data reception and satellite data reception.

[0070] For example, the second switch 92 may be, but is not limited to, a single-pole double-throw switch, or may be any other structure capable of realizing the function of the second switch 92. The specific configuration can be made according to actual needs and is not specifically limited here.

[0071] It should be understood that the similarity in structure between the mobile terminal in this embodiment and the mobile terminal in the embodiment described in Figure 3 above can be found in the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments, and repeated details will not be repeated.

[0072] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 8, the mobile terminal in this embodiment is basically similar in structure to the mobile terminal in the embodiment described in Figure 7 above, with the difference being that a third switch 93 and a fourth switch 94 are also provided. Exemplarily, the second radio frequency front-end module also includes the third switch 93, and the second radio frequency front-end module is connected to the second radio frequency chip 60 through only one port. The following description uses the example of the second radio frequency front-end module being connected to the second radio frequency chip 60 through only the first port D1. In this case, the third switch 93 is connected to the first port D1, the first cellular receiving path 41, and the satellite communication receiving path 42, respectively.

[0073] Furthermore, the mobile terminal may also include a fourth switch 94, which is connected to the first port D1, the second switch 92, and the filter circuit 70 respectively; in response to receiving cellular radio frequency signals, the first cellular receiving path 41 and the second radio frequency chip 60 are connected through the second switch 92, the third switch 93, and the fourth switch 94; in response to receiving satellite radio frequency signals, the satellite communication receiving path 42, the filter circuit 70, and the second radio frequency chip 60 are connected through the second switch 92, the third switch 93, and the fourth switch 94.

[0074] Thus, although the second RF front-end module connects to the second RF chip 60 through only one port, and the second RF chip 60 connects to the second RF front-end module through only one port, the coordinated operation of the second switch 92, the third switch 93, and the fourth switch 94 allows the signal processed by the first cellular receiving path 41 and the signal processed by the satellite communication receiving path 42 to be transmitted to the second RF chip 60 through different paths. This not only reduces the number of ports on the second RF front-end module and the second RF chip 60, lowers hardware requirements, and reduces the number of connections between the second RF front-end module and the outside world, and between the second RF chip 60 and the outside world, but also avoids impedance pulling between the two paths, thereby preventing performance degradation of the first cellular receiving path 41 and the satellite communication receiving path 42, and thus improving communication quality.

[0075] It should be understood that the similarity in structure between the mobile terminal in this embodiment and the mobile terminal in the embodiment described in Figure 7 above can be found in the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments, and repeated details will not be repeated.

[0076] In summary, through the above description of various embodiments, the technical solution of this application integrates the satellite diversity antenna and the first cellular antenna 10, making the first cellular antenna 10 multiplexed as a satellite diversity antenna, thus eliminating the need for a separate satellite diversity antenna. Furthermore, when receiving satellite radio frequency signals through the first cellular antenna 10, the satellite radio frequency signals undergo a process of amplification followed by filtering, achieving post-stage filtering. Since loss is the ratio of insertion loss to gain, the loss is smaller when the gain is larger and the insertion loss is smaller, and vice versa. Therefore, the satellite radio frequency signal that undergoes amplification followed by filtering has a larger gain, and relatively speaking, the insertion loss generated by post-stage filtering is smaller. Thus, the loss generated by the satellite radio frequency signal during the entire transmission process is smaller, thereby improving the communication quality of the satellite. For the cellular radio frequency signal received by the second cellular antenna 20, it first passes through the first cellular receiving path 41 and then through switches (such as the second switch 92, the third switch 93, and the fourth switch 94). Therefore, this switch setting method can be called a post-stage switch. When the first cellular receiving path 41 has an amplification function, the gain of the cellular radio frequency signal can also be relatively large. Relatively speaking, the insertion loss generated by the post-stage switch is small. Therefore, the loss of the cellular radio frequency signal during the entire transmission process is small, thereby reducing the number of antennas while reducing the loss of the cellular radio frequency signal.

[0077] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, if these modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal, characterized in that, include: A first antenna, a first radio frequency front-end module, and a second radio frequency front-end module; the operating frequency band of the first antenna includes the operating frequency band of satellite communication; The first radio frequency front-end module includes a first switch and a first signal transmission path, wherein the first switch is connected to the first antenna and the first signal transmission path respectively; the second radio frequency front-end module includes a satellite communication receiving path, wherein the satellite communication receiving path is connected to the first signal transmission path; The first switch is configured to: disconnect the connection between the first signal transmission path and the first antenna in response to transmitting and receiving non-satellite radio frequency signals; and connect the first antenna and the first signal transmission path in response to receiving satellite radio frequency signals.

2. The mobile terminal as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The satellite communication receiving path is used to amplify the satellite radio frequency signal; The mobile terminal further includes a second radio frequency chip and a filtering circuit, wherein the filtering circuit is connected between the second radio frequency chip and the satellite communication receiving path.

3. The mobile terminal as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The mobile terminal also includes a second switch, and the second radio frequency front-end module also includes a second signal transmission path. The second switch is connected to the second radio frequency chip, the filter circuit and the second signal transmission path respectively. The second switch is used to: connect the second radio frequency chip to the filter circuit in response to receiving the satellite radio frequency signal; and connect the second radio frequency chip to the second signal transmission path in response to receiving a non-satellite radio frequency signal.

4. The mobile terminal as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The second radio frequency front-end module includes a first port and a second port. The first port is connected between the filter circuit and the satellite communication receiving path, and the second port is connected between the second switch and the second signal transmission path.

5. The mobile terminal as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The second radio frequency front-end module further includes a first port and a third switch, wherein the third switch is connected to the second signal transmission path, the satellite communication receiving path and the first port respectively; The mobile terminal also includes a fourth switch, which is connected to the first port, the second switch, and the filter circuit respectively. In response to receiving a non-satellite radio frequency signal, the second signal transmission path and the second radio frequency chip are connected through the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch; in response to receiving the satellite radio frequency signal, the satellite communication receiving path, the filtering circuit, and the second radio frequency chip are connected through the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch.

6. The mobile terminal as described in any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, The mobile terminal also includes a second antenna, which is connected to the second signal transmission path.

7. The mobile terminal as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first signal transmission path is used to perform unfiltered processing on the satellite radio frequency signal.

8. The mobile terminal as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The first radio frequency front-end module further includes: a third signal transmission path and a fourth signal transmission path, both of which are connected to the first switch; The first switch is further configured to: connect the third signal transmission path to the first antenna in response to receiving a non-satellite radio frequency signal; and connect the fourth signal transmission path to the first antenna in response to transmitting a non-satellite radio frequency signal.

9. The mobile terminal as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The mobile terminal also includes: a frame, a satellite main antenna, and a third antenna; The frame has a top edge, and the satellite main antenna and the third antenna are respectively located at opposite ends of the top edge; The frame also has a first side, which is connected to the end of the top side where the satellite main antenna is located. The first cellular antenna is located on the first side, and there is a first distance between the first cellular antenna and the end of the top side where the satellite main antenna is located. The first distance is less than 1 / 2 of the length of the first side.

10. The mobile terminal as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first distance is 1 / 3 to 1 / 5 of the wavelength of the satellite's operating frequency band.

11. A radio frequency front-end module, characterized in that, include: A first switch and a first signal transmission path, wherein the first switch is connected to a first antenna and the first signal transmission path respectively, and the first signal transmission path is connected to a satellite communication receiving path; The first switch is configured to: disconnect the connection between the first signal transmission path and the first antenna in response to transmitting and receiving non-satellite radio frequency signals; and connect the first antenna and the first signal transmission path in response to receiving satellite radio frequency signals.

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