Communications Module Front-End Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing integration of multiple wireless communications standards in mobile devices, such as cellular and Wi-Fi, has led to a need for smaller and cost-effective communications modules that can efficiently handle various frequency bands, while minimizing space and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A communications module with a front-end module that includes a high-frequency switch circuit, low noise amplifier, power amplifier, and a controller, which adaptively adjusts gain and routes signals for different communications standards, allowing for shared amplification and efficient signal processing across multiple standards, thereby reducing module size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate communications modules are used to support different communications standards, then each standard can be handled independently with dedicated amplifiers, but the overall device size, cost, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communications standards (cellular and Wi-Fi) into a single integrated front-end module that shares common amplifiers and signal processing components. The high frequency switch circuit enables a single amplifier to serve multiple standards by dynamically routing signals, thereby reducing the overall number of components and module size while maintaining support for multiple communications standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The front-end module is designed with universal amplifiers that can handle multiple communications standards through adaptive gain control and frequency tuning. The low noise amplifier and power amplifier are configured to operate across different frequency bands and standards, making them multi-functional components that eliminate the need for separate dedicated amplifiers for each standard.
2Reliability
If separate amplifiers are used for each communications standard, then signal amplification can be optimized for each standard, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain control and adaptive impedance matching in the shared amplifiers to optimize signal amplification for different communications standards. The high frequency switch circuit dynamically reconfigures the signal paths and amplifier settings based on the active communications standard, ensuring optimal performance while using a reduced number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplifiers are designed with adjustable parameters including gain, bandwidth, and impedance that can be dynamically changed to match the requirements of different communications standards. This parameter adaptability allows a single amplifier to replace multiple fixed-parameter amplifiers, reducing device complexity while maintaining signal amplification quality.
3Reliability
If dedicated components are used for each communications standard, then each standard can operate independently without interference, but power consumption and space usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power amplification and signal processing functions for multiple communications standards into shared components. The high frequency switch circuit enables these shared components to be activated only when needed for specific standards, reducing overall power consumption compared to having always-active dedicated components for each standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically switches between different communications standards using the high frequency switch circuit, activating only the necessary signal paths and amplifiers for the current active standard. This periodic activation pattern reduces power consumption by avoiding continuous operation of all components simultaneously while maintaining the capability to handle multiple standards independently when required.
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
The solution enables reduced size and cost of communications modules by efficiently amplifying and routing signals for multiple standards, improving amplification efficiency and simplifying the module structure, while minimizing power consumption and space usage.
Implementation Method 1
a high frequency switch circuit connected to the reception port and/or the transmission port and configured to change signal routes for signals passing through the front-end module
Implementation Method 2
a low noise amplifier configured to amplify the reception signal
Implementation Method 3
a power amplifier configured to amplify the transmission signal
Implementation Method 4
a front switch configured to change the signal routes to transfer the reception signal from the antenna to the low noise amplifier and to transfer the transmission signal from the power amplifier to the antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A communications module includes a front-end module including a common port configured to be connected to an antenna, a reception port configured to pass a reception signal, and a transmission port configured to pass a transmission signal, and a high frequency switch circuit connected to the reception port and/or the transmission port and configured to change signal routes for signals passing through the front-end module, wherein the front-end module is configured to amplify communications signals of different communications standards.