Carrier Aggregation RF Multiplex Modules for Consistent Receive Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex RF transceivers face challenges in achieving cost-effective and space-efficient consistent receiver performance when processing multiple carrier signals in carrier aggregation systems, due to long signal routing paths and inconsistent gain, impedance, and current in different receive paths.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiplex modules that efficiently route received carrier signals to a demodulator in wireless devices, utilizing low noise amplifiers (LNAs) and demultiplexers to combine and distribute RF signals, reducing the need for multiple signal paths and ensuring consistent performance across multiple communication bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receive paths are used to simultaneously receive two or more receive signals in carrier aggregation systems, then the receiver can process multiple carrier signals, but the signal routing paths become long and complex, resulting in high costs and space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receive paths into a shared architecture where multiple low noise amplifiers (LNAs) share common filtering and signal routing resources. The multiplexer dynamically routes signals from different LNAs through shared filter banks and intermediate frequency paths, eliminating the need for separate dedicated paths for each carrier signal while maintaining the ability to process multiple carriers simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic signal routing using multiplexers and switches that can reconfigure the receive path based on which carrier signals are currently being received. The system dynamically selects and activates specific LNAs, filters, and routing paths according to the carrier aggregation configuration, allowing the same hardware to adapt to different carrier combinations without requiring fixed dedicated paths for each scenario.
2Reliability
If multiple receive paths with duplicate amplification and filtering are implemented, then each carrier signal can be processed independently, but the system incurs high costs and space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs universal filtering and amplification components that can serve multiple carrier signals. The filter bank includes multiple filters that can be selectively applied to different carrier signals passing through the same intermediate frequency path. Multiple LNAs can share the same filtering and routing infrastructure, allowing each LNA to independently process its assigned carrier while sharing common resources with other LNAs, thereby reducing duplicate components while maintaining independent processing capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate receive paths are used for different communication bands, then each band can be optimized independently, but the system results in inconsistent gain, inconsistent impedance matching, and inconsistent current across receive paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization at the LNA level, where each LNA can be specifically designed or tuned for its assigned communication band to achieve optimal performance for that band. However, after the LNA stage, all signals converge to a common intermediate frequency path with unified filtering, amplification, and impedance matching, ensuring that consistency is maintained from the point of convergence onward. This allows band-specific optimization where needed while ensuring overall system consistency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Multiplex modules for use in carrier aggregation receivers are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes an LNA multiplexer configured to receive a plurality of RF signals at a plurality of input terminals and to combine the RF signals into a combined RF signal that is output from an output terminal. The apparatus also includes an LNA demultiplexer configured to receive the combined RF signal at an input port that is connected to the output terminal and to distribute the combined RF signal to a plurality of output ports.