Carrier Aggregation Multiplexer with Shared Inductors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In cellular systems that support carrier aggregation, the existing multiplexing architectures face challenges such as increased loss and the inability to combine frequency bands where ranges overlap, leading to the need for duplicate filters and a large number of components that cannot be integrated due to quality factor requirements, which complicates inter-band carrier aggregation.

Innovation Solution

A multiplexing system with a switching network and diplexers that share inductors between multiple paths, using a variable inductance or multiple inductors to provide different inductance values for filters, allowing the same inductance to be used in single-band and multi-band operations, and incorporating a controller to selectively couple inductances for targeted phase shifts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If existing multiplexing architectures are used for carrier aggregation, then frequency band filtering is achieved, but insertion loss increases and component count becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion lossVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple inductor components into a single shared inductor that serves multiple signal paths simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the total component count while maintaining the necessary filtering functionality across different frequency bands, directly addressing the contradiction between component count and system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared inductor is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides impedance matching and filtering for different frequency bands across multiple signal paths. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate inductors for each path, reducing overall component count while maintaining low insertion loss characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If duplicate filters are used to combine overlapping frequency bands, then carrier aggregation capability is improved, but the number of components increases and integration becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier aggregation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs switchable impedance networks that can dynamically reconfigure the circuit topology to support different carrier aggregation combinations. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical components to adapt to various frequency band combinations, providing versatile carrier aggregation capability without requiring duplicate filters for each possible combination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes impedance parameters through switchable networks to accommodate different frequency band combinations. By adjusting impedance values rather than adding duplicate filters, the system achieves flexible carrier aggregation support with a reduced component count, making integration more feasible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high quality inductors are used to meet quality factor requirements, then filtering performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality factorVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple inductor functions into a single shared inductor, the patent reduces the total number of high-cost, high-quality-factor components required. The single shared inductor is designed to meet the quality factor requirements for all connected paths, eliminating the need for multiple expensive inductors while maintaining necessary performance levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared inductor serves multiple signal paths and frequency bands simultaneously, providing universal functionality. This multi-use approach means only one high-quality inductor is needed instead of multiple lower-quality inductors, actually reducing total cost while meeting quality factor requirements through proper design of the single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11190223B2Carrier aggregation with switchable impedance and reconfigurable network selection

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Described herein are systems configured for carrier aggregation. Systems include a multiplexing circuit having a filter assembly, switching circuit with a switching path, and a switchable impedance. The filters can be designed so that when operated simultaneously (e.g., during multi-band operation) the same inductance can be used allowing the switching network to switch in a particular inductance into the path. The described systems can include an inductance that is coupled to an output port so that when operating in single-band mode, the different paths share the same inductance. Relative to other solutions, the described systems can improve performance (e.g., reduce insertion loss), reduce the number of components in the associated module, reduce manufacturing costs, and the like.