Configurable Receiver Front End With Signal-Level Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices require separate off-chip filters for transmit and receive paths, consuming circuit board area and increasing material costs, and lack flexibility to adapt to different operating environments.
Innovation Solution
A configurable receiver path with integrated switching circuitry allows dynamic configuration of LNA and filter order based on detected signal levels, enabling modes like rural, urban, and bypass to optimize performance in varying environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate off-chip filters are used for transmit and receive paths, then filtering performance is improved, but circuit board area and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transmit and receive filtering functions into a single off-chip filter component that serves both paths. The filter is shared between the transmit path (coupled to power amplifier) and receive path (coupled to low noise amplifier), eliminating the need for separate filters and reducing circuit board area while maintaining filtering performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The single off-chip filter is designed to perform multiple functions: it filters signals in both transmit and receive directions, and can operate in different configurations (bypass modes) depending on whether the transmit or receive path is active. This multi-functional approach reduces component count and material costs.
2Device complexity
If a single static radio solution is designed for one environment, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different environments is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching circuitry that can reconfigure the receive path based on detected signal levels and environmental conditions. The system includes multiple operating modes (rural mode, urban mode, bypass mode) that are dynamically selected by switching circuitry controlled by a processor, allowing the radio to adapt to different RF environments without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detector circuits to monitor signal levels at different points in the receive path and provides feedback to the switching circuitry. Based on this feedback about environmental conditions (signal strength, interference levels), the system automatically selects the optimal operating mode, enabling adaptive operation while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated control.
3Reliability
If LNA is always placed before filter in receive path, then noise figure is improved, but flexibility to handle strong signals is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching circuitry that can reconfigure the receive path based on detected signal levels and environmental conditions. The system includes multiple operating modes (rural mode, urban mode, bypass mode) that are dynamically selected by switching circuitry controlled by a processor, allowing the radio to adapt to different RF environments without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the receive path by switching between different configurations: in rural mode, LNA precedes the filter for optimal noise figure; in urban mode, the order is reversed to handle strong blocking signals; in bypass mode, the LNA is bypassed entirely for very strong signals. This parameter change approach allows the system to optimize performance for different signal conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an apparatus includes a receive path to receive, process and output a receive radio frequency (RF) signal, the receive path comprising at least one low noise amplifier (LNA) and a plurality of signal nodes. The receive path may be configurable to operate in a plurality of modes. The apparatus also may include at least one filter to filter the receive RF signal and at least one detector circuit to detect one or more levels present at one or more of the plurality of signal nodes. The apparatus may configure an order of the at least one LNA and the at least one filter, based at least in part on the one or more levels detected in the at least one detector circuit.