Carrier Aggregation Circuit Sharing Amplifier via Impedance Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carrier aggregation circuits require separate amplifiers for different frequency bands, leading to limited design flexibility and increased hardware requirements due to differing impedance paths, making it necessary to redesign circuits for different communication standards and country-specific frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A carrier aggregation circuit design that uses first and second filters to isolate specific carrier waves, coupled with output transform circuits that create an open circuit impedance for non-target frequencies, allowing multiple carrier waves to be amplified by a single amplifier, reducing hardware needs and enhancing flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate amplifiers are used for different frequency bands, then loading effects are avoided, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency bands using separate filters (first filter for first band, second filter for second band) while using a single shared amplifier. This segmentation approach allows different frequency paths to be isolated at the filter level, preventing loading effects between bands, while the amplifier is shared across all bands, reducing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary impedance transformation circuit between the filter output and the shared amplifier. This intermediary circuit transforms the impedance to be effectively equivalent to an open circuit at frequencies other than the target band, preventing signal leakage and loading effects from interfering with other frequency paths while enabling safe sharing of the amplifier.
2Reliability
If separate amplifiers are used for different frequency bands, then signal isolation is improved, but manufacturing adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the amplifier universal by having it serve multiple frequency bands simultaneously. The single amplifier is designed to handle multiple bands through the frequency-selective filter paths, eliminating the need for separate amplifiers for each band and thereby improving adaptability to different communication standards and country-specific frequency requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the impedance parameter dynamically through the output transform circuit, which presents an open circuit impedance at non-target frequencies. This parameter transformation allows the shared amplifier to be isolated from frequency paths it should not amplify, enabling flexible adaptation to different frequency band requirements without redesigning the entire circuit.
3Reliability
If filters with different impedance paths are used, then loading effects are prevented, but chip area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the amplifier function into a single shared resource that serves multiple frequency bands. By combining the amplification function into one component rather than having separate amplifiers for each band, the chip area is reduced while the filter paths maintain their impedance isolation to prevent loading effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary impedance transformation circuit that acts as a mediator between the filter outputs and the shared amplifier. This intermediary transforms the impedance to isolate the amplifier from frequency paths it should not amplify, preventing loading effects without requiring separate amplifiers for each band, thereby reducing chip area.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces loading effects, improves signal quality, and allows for more flexible design by enabling multiple carrier waves to be processed with a single amplifier, minimizing chip area and hardware demands while accommodating various frequency bands.
Implementation Method 1
The first filter is coupled between the signal input terminal and the signal output terminal, and filters out signals with frequencies other than the first carrier wave frequency
Implementation Method 2
The second filter is coupled between the signal input terminal and the signal output terminal, and filters out signals with frequencies other than the second carrier wave frequency
Implementation Method 3
The first output transform circuit is coupled between the output terminal of the first filter and the signal output terminal, and has an output impedance effectively equivalent to an open circuit at the second carrier wave frequency
Implementation Method 4
The second output transform circuit is coupled between the output terminal of the second filter and the signal output terminal, and has an output impedance effectively equivalent to an open circuit at the first carrier wave frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier aggregation circuit includes a signal input terminal, a signal output terminal, a first filter, a first output transform circuit, a second filter, and a second output transform circuit. The signal input terminal receives a radio frequency signal with carrier waves with first and second carrier wave frequencies. The first filter and the second filter are coupled between the signal input terminal and the signal output terminal respectively, and can respectively filter out signals with frequencies other than the first and the second carrier wave frequencies. The first output transform circuit is coupled between the first filter and the signal output terminal, and has an output impedance equivalent to an open circuit at the second carrier frequency. The second output transform circuit is coupled between the second filter and the signal output terminal, and has an output impedance equivalent to an open circuit at the first carrier frequency.