4P8T Multiway Switch for 5G SRS Antenna Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio frequency systems in 5G mobile communication devices face challenges in efficiently switching sounding reference signals (SRS) across four antennas, leading to increased hardware complexity and link loss, which affects transmission and reception performance.

Innovation Solution

A simplified 4P8T antenna switch architecture is introduced, reducing the number of series switches and integrating them into the 4P8T switch, thereby optimizing the transmission and reception performance by coupling eight T ports with four P ports, each T port fully coupled with all P ports, and implementing an SRS transmit function through the four antennas in turn.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional RF switching architectures are used to switch SRS across four antennas, then antenna selection functionality is achieved, but hardware complexity increases and link loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna selection functionalityVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple switching functions into a single 4P8T multiway switch component, combining what would traditionally require multiple separate switches into one unified device. This merging approach maintains the antenna selection functionality while reducing the overall number of discrete components and simplifying the hardware architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The 4P8T multiway switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it can switch between four different antennas, support multiple RF signal paths, and enable flexible antenna selection for SRS transmission. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized switches, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional RF switching architectures are used to switch SRS across four antennas, then antenna selection functionality is achieved, but link loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna selection functionalityVSAvoidlink loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By consolidating multiple switching operations into a single 4P8T switch component, the signal passes through fewer discrete switching points, reducing cumulative insertion loss and improving overall link quality while maintaining antenna selection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If multiple series switches are used in RF signal path, then switching functionality is achieved, but transmission and reception performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching functionalityVSAvoidtransmission and reception performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces multiple series switches with a single 4P8T multiway switch, reducing the number of switching interfaces and potential failure points. This integration maintains full switching functionality while improving signal integrity and reliability of transmission and reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3540956B1Multiway switch, radio frequency system, and communication device
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3540956B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3540956B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3540956B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A multiway switch (10), a radio frequency system, and a communication device (100) are provided. The multiway switch (10) is configured to be coupled with an antenna system (20) and a radio frequency circuit (30). The multiway switch (10) has eight T ports and four P ports. The eight T ports include two first T ports, and each of the two first T ports is coupled with all the four P ports. The antenna system (20) includes four antennas corresponding to the four ports. The multiway switch (10) is configured to implement a function of transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) through the four antennas in turn.