Combined-Output LNA Front-End for Fewer RF Interconnections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless devices with multiple receivers for different frequency bands and radio technologies face challenges in reducing circuitry, cost, and interconnections due to the complexity of Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) in existing designs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing LNAs with combined outputs, where multiple LNAs share a single interconnection and receive circuits, reducing the number of interconnections and I/O ports, and locating LNAs on a front-end module instead of an RFIC to omit impedance matching circuits and share common receive circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple LNAs are implemented with separate outputs for different frequency bands, then each LNA can be optimized for its specific band, but the number of interconnections, I/O ports, and circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the outputs of multiple LNAs (designed for different frequency bands) into a single common output node. This merging approach reduces the number of interconnections and I/O ports required, while each LNA remains optimized for its specific frequency band through individual input paths and tuning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The common output node and shared receive circuits serve multiple frequency bands simultaneously. The receive circuits are designed to universally process signals from any of the multiple LNAs, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each frequency band and reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If LNAs are located on the RFIC with dedicated impedance matching circuits, then impedance matching is optimized for each LNA, but circuit area and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates dedicated impedance matching circuits for each LNA by combining all LNA outputs into a common node. A single shared impedance matching network is used at the common output, significantly reducing the circuit area required for impedance matching components while maintaining performance through the unified approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the impedance matching function from individual LNA circuits and consolidates it into a single shared matching network at the common output node. This separation allows each LNA to focus on signal amplification for its specific band while the shared network handles impedance matching for all bands collectively.
3Reliability
If multiple separate receive circuits are used for each LNA, then each circuit can be optimized for its frequency band, but circuit area, cost, and interconnections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single set of receive circuits that universally processes signals from multiple LNAs covering different frequency bands. The receive circuits are designed to be frequency-agnostic and can handle inputs from any LNA, eliminating the need for separate dedicated receive circuits for each band and significantly reducing circuit area.
4Reliability
If LNAs with separate outputs are implemented, then signal paths are isolated for each frequency band, but the number of I/O ports and interconnections increases cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple LNA output paths into a single common output node, reducing the number of I/O ports required from multiple separate ports to a single shared port. This consolidation significantly reduces manufacturing cost and complexity while maintaining signal integrity through the unified output structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple low noise amplifiers (LNAs) with combined outputs are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes a front-end module and an integrated circuit (IC). The front-end module includes a plurality of LNAs having outputs that are combined. The IC includes receive circuits coupled to the plurality of LNAs via a single interconnection. In an exemplary design, each of the plurality of LNAs may be enabled or disabled via a respective control signal for that LNA. The front-end module may also include receive filters coupled to the plurality of LNAs and a switchplexer coupled to the receive filters. The front-end module may further include at least one power amplifier, and the IC may further include transmit circuits coupled to the at least one power amplifier.