Communication Circuit with External Receive Amplifiers for Multi-Band Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of frequency bands supported by communication devices leads to a complex design and degraded performance of transceivers due to the integration of multiple low noise amplifiers (LNAs), which also occupy significant space on printed circuit boards and increase material costs.
Innovation Solution
A communication circuit design that replaces integrated LNAs with high-performance receive amplifiers arranged outside the RFIC, reducing the number of elements and wires by using gallium arsenide or silicon germanium process amplifiers, and optimizing the transceiver's size and connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LNAs are integrated in the transceiver to support multiple frequency bands, then the communication function supports more bands, but the design becomes complicated and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the LNA functionality into separate external components rather than integrating multiple LNAs within the transceiver. This segmentation allows each LNA to be independently optimized for specific frequency bands while simplifying the overall transceiver design architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the LNA components from the integrated transceiver design and places them externally. This extraction reduces the complexity of the transceiver internal design while maintaining the capability to support multiple frequency bands through external LNA selection and configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LNAs are integrated in the transceiver to support multiple frequency bands, then the communication function supports more bands, but the transceiver performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the LNA functionality into separate external components, the patent allows each LNA to be optimized for specific frequency bands, improving overall transceiver performance while maintaining multi-band support capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LNAs and matching elements are used to support multiple frequency bands, then the communication function supports more bands, but the elements occupy broad space on the PCB
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal LNA architecture where external LNAs and matching elements can be selectively activated for different frequency bands. This multi-functionality allows the same physical components to serve multiple bands, reducing the overall PCB space required compared to having dedicated components for each band.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LNAs and matching elements are used to support multiple frequency bands, then the communication function supports more bands, but the number of elements and wires increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal connection architecture where external LNAs and matching elements can be selectively connected to the transceiver for different frequency bands. This reduces the total number of permanent elements and wires needed compared to having dedicated separate paths for each band, as the same physical components can be reconfigured for different bands.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device includes a communication circuit. The communication circuit includes at least one receive amplifier configured to connect to an antenna and to low-noise amplify at least a part of a multi-band signal, and a transceiver including a mixer configured to mix the signal low-noise amplified by the at least one receive amplifier, wherein the transceiver is configured to process the multi-band signal.