Attenuating Antenna Switch for RFIC Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication devices face challenges in reducing transmission power and adjusting reception sensitivity due to the large scale and power consumption of RFICs, which require a wide dynamic range for gain adjustments, leading to increased complexity and energy use.
Innovation Solution
An antenna switch with first and second switches that adjust the attenuation of high-frequency signals between an antenna and a post-stage circuit, allowing for controlled attenuation of the signal, thereby narrowing the dynamic range needed for the RFIC, reducing its scale and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the gain of RFIC is adjusted to cover a wide dynamic range of about 60 dB to 70 dB for transmission power control, then the transmission power can be sufficiently decreased, but the scale and power consumption of the RFIC increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the power control function into two segments: the antenna switch handles coarse power adjustment through attenuation (providing the majority of the 60-70 dB dynamic range), while the RFIC handles fine power adjustment through gain control. This segmentation allows the RFIC to operate with a much narrower dynamic range, significantly reducing its scale and power consumption while still achieving the required overall power control range.
2Reliability
If the gain of LNA is varied to adjust reception sensitivity for different distances to base station, then the reception power can be optimized, but the dynamic range required for LNA gain increases the scale and power consumption of RFIC
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the reception sensitivity control by placing the antenna switch before the LNA. The antenna switch provides coarse signal level adjustment, while the LNA provides fine gain adjustment. This segmentation reduces the dynamic range burden on the LNA and RFIC, simplifying their design and reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to optimize reception sensitivity across different distances to the base station.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple amplifiers with different gains are provided in parallel for power adjustment, then the dynamic range can be covered, but the device complexity and scale increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces the antenna switch as an intermediary component between the antenna and the RFIC/LNA. This intermediary handles the bulk of the power adjustment through attenuation, eliminating the need for multiple amplifiers with different gains. The RFIC and LNA can then use simple gain control to provide fine adjustments, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining full power adjustment capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An attenuating antenna switch may be used to suppress increase in the scale and power consumption of an RFIC. The antenna switch has a first terminal, a second terminal, and an antenna terminal coupled to the first and second terminals and configured to be connected to an antenna. The first switch switches between a first state in which a high frequency signal is propagated between the first terminal and the antenna terminal, and a second state in which the high frequency signal is interrupted. A second switch switches between the first and second states between the second terminal and the antenna terminal. The first and second switches are controlled in a mutually exclusive manner such that only one of the two switches can be in the first state at any given time. When in the first state, each switch adjusts an attenuation amount of the high frequency signal.