Carrier Aggregation Filter Paths With Reconfigurable Impedance Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carrier aggregation systems face challenges in efficiently diplexing RF signals between integrated and external filter paths, leading to increased component duplication and PCB space usage, which hinders miniaturization and efficient impedance matching.
Innovation Solution
A carrier aggregation circuit with an adjustable matching network and a switch assembly that adjusts the network to provide a mismatched impedance in one frequency band, allowing for impedance matching in another band, thereby eliminating the need for replicated filters and multiplexers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filters are replicated for each frequency band path, then impedance matching is improved, but device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single external filter is designed to handle multiple frequency bands (e.g., Band 40 and Band 41) through one unified filter structure, eliminating the need for separate replicated filters for each band. This universal filter approach maintains impedance matching across different bands while reducing component duplication and overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An adjustable matching network with switchable configurations is implemented to dynamically adapt impedance matching for different frequency bands. The matching network can be reconfigured via switches to provide optimal impedance matching for various band combinations, allowing a single filter to serve multiple bands without requiring physical replication of filter components.
2Reliability
If multiple filters and multiplexers are used for carrier aggregation, then signal isolation is improved, but PCB space usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter functions for different frequency bands are merged into a single external filter unit that can handle multiple bands simultaneously. This consolidation maintains the necessary signal isolation between bands through the unified filter's design while significantly reducing the number of separate filter components and their associated multiplexers, thereby reducing PCB space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The external filter is designed as a universal component that provides filtering and isolation functions for multiple frequency bands (e.g., Band 40 and Band 41) through a single device. This multi-functional filter eliminates the need for multiple separate filters and multiplexers, achieving the required signal isolation while minimizing PCB footprint.
3Reliability
If separate filter paths are implemented for each band, then frequency separation is improved, but device miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
A dynamically reconfigurable matching network with switchable configurations enables a single filter path to adaptively handle multiple frequency bands. The switching mechanism allows the same physical path to be optimized for different band combinations, maintaining effective frequency separation through software-controlled impedance matching while eliminating the need for multiple separate physical filter paths, thus enabling device miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
A unified filter path with multi-functional capability is implemented to handle multiple frequency bands through a single external filter and reconfigurable matching network. This universal path maintains the necessary frequency separation performance for different bands while using a single shared physical infrastructure, significantly reducing the overall device volume compared to having separate dedicated paths for each band.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the disclosure relate to a carrier aggregation circuit including a first path, a second path, and a switch assembly. The first path has a first filter configured to provide a matched impedance in a first frequency band. The second path has an adjustable matching network and a terminal for coupling to an external filter configured to provide a matched impedance in the second frequency band. The switch assembly is configured to adjust the adjustable matching network to provide a mismatched impedance in the first frequency band. Related methods for carrier aggregation, radio-frequency modules, and wireless devices are also provided.