Integrated FDD TDD Multiplexer for Carrier Aggregation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RF front end circuitry experiences significant insertion loss and performance degradation when supporting carrier aggregation between FDD and TDD operating bands due to the large frequency delta and increased loading from separate filters for FDD and TDD signals.

Innovation Solution

The RF front end circuitry integrates first and second multiplexer circuitry that includes filters to pass both FDD and TDD signals, reducing the overall size and insertion loss by eliminating the need for diplexers and minimizing loading, allowing for efficient carrier aggregation between FDD and TDD operating bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate filters for FDD and TDD signals are used in conventional RF front end circuitry, then the circuitry can support carrier aggregation between FDD and TDD operating bands, but the insertion loss increases and performance degrades due to the large frequency delta and increased loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier aggregation support between FDD and TDD bandsVSAvoidinsertion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines FDD and TDD filters into a single integrated filter structure that can handle both FDD and TDD carrier aggregation simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate filter paths and reduces the overall frequency delta between filters, thereby reducing insertion loss and improving signal performance while maintaining support for both FDD and TDD operating modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated filter structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it can filter both FDD and TDD signals, support both FDD and TDD carrier aggregation configurations, and adapt to different operating bands. This multi-functionality allows the RF front end to maintain versatility for carrier aggregation while reducing the harmful effects of having separate dedicated filters for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate filters for FDD and TDD signals are used, then the circuitry can support multiple operating modes, but the size and complexity of the RF filtering circuitry increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple operating modesVSAvoidRF filtering circuitry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges FDD and TDD filtering functions into a single integrated filter assembly, reducing the number of separate filter components needed. This consolidation simplifies the RF filtering circuitry architecture while maintaining the ability to support multiple operating modes including FDD carrier aggregation, TDD carrier aggregation, and combined FDD-TDD operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated filter structure is designed with universal capability to handle both FDD and TDD signal paths within a single filtering subsystem. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant filter components and simplifying the overall RF front end architecture while preserving support for diverse operating modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If diplexers are used to separate FDD signals from TDD signals, then the circuitry can handle both signal types, but the insertion loss and size of the RF filtering circuitry increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of FDD and TDD signalsVSAvoidinsertion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the diplexer component from the RF front end architecture by integrating FDD and TDD filtering capabilities directly into the filter structure. This removal of the diplexer eliminates an additional source of insertion loss and reduces the overall size of the RF filtering circuitry while maintaining the ability to handle both FDD and TDD signals through the integrated filter design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9853698B2CA FDD-FDD and FDD-TDD architecture

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 QORVO US INC

AI summary

Radio frequency (RF) front end circuitry includes RF filtering circuitry with first multiplexer circuitry and second multiplexer circuitry. The first multiplexer circuitry is used to pass primary RF transmit and receive signals within one or more frequency division duplexing (FDD) operating bands and diversity multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) receive signals within one or more time division duplexing (TDD) operating bands between transceiver circuitry and one or more antennas. The second multiplexer circuitry is used to pass primary RF transmit and receive signals within the one or more TDD operating bands and diversity MIMO receive signals within the one or more FDD operating bands between the transceiver circuitry and the one or more antennas.