Dynamic Multiplexer Filter Bank for Multi-Band Dead Zone Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional multiplexers have a fixed design, limiting their ability to handle multiple frequency bands efficiently, leading to dead zones and increased size, and struggle with balancing insertion loss and isolation between channels.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable multiplexer with a filter bank and bypass circuit that dynamically configures based on control signals to support various frequency bands, reducing insertion loss and eliminating dead zones by using load circuits to minimize cross-channel interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed design multiplexer is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot efficiently handle multiple frequency bands and creates dead zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reconfigurable multiplexer where the filter bank configuration can be dynamically changed based on the operating frequency band. The system transitions from a fixed design to a dynamic one by using control signals to reconfigure the filter bank, allowing the same hardware to adapt to different frequency bands (e.g., Band 3, Band 7, Band 41) without creating dead zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiplexer is designed to support multiple frequency bands through a universal filter bank structure that can be reconfigured for different bands. The same physical hardware performs multiple functions by changing its configuration, eliminating the need for separate fixed multiplexers for each band and reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional fixed multiplexers are used, then the design is straightforward, but insertion loss and isolation between channels cannot be effectively balanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the filter bank based on the selected frequency band. By reconfiguring the filter bank according to the specific band requirements, the system optimizes insertion loss and isolation characteristics for each operating condition, improving signal transmission quality without requiring multiple fixed designs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple frequency bands are supported in fixed design, then the device size increases, but the patent aims to reduce size through reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a universal filter bank that can be reconfigured to support multiple frequency bands. Instead of implementing separate fixed multiplexers for each band (which would increase size), the same filter bank structure serves multiple bands through reconfiguration, significantly reducing the overall device volume while maintaining multi-band support.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of dynamically configuring a multiplexer that can support more frequency bands than a traditional multiplexer is disclosed. For example, the reconfigurable multiplexer can handle frequencies of several hundred megahertz up to 10 gigahertz. Further, certain implementations of the method enable the multiplexer to reduce or eliminate frequency dead zones that exist with traditional multiplexers. The reconfigurable multiplexer includes a filter bank capable of supporting a number of frequency bands and a bypass circuit that enables the multiplexer to support a variety of sets of frequencies. For instance, unlike traditional multiplexers, the reconfigurable multiplexer can support both frequency bands with relatively narrow spacing and frequency bands with relatively wide spacing. Further, the inclusion of the bypass circuit enables the reduction or elimination of dead zones between supported frequencies.