Graphene Piezoelectric Filter for Multi-Band RF Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio communication devices face challenges in efficiently supporting multiple frequency bands due to increasing complexity, size, and cost issues with traditional front-end tuners and filters, which struggle with fine tuning and component variation compensation as the number of frequency bands and systems grows.
Innovation Solution
The use of graphene-based piezoelectric filters, where a graphene foil with piezoelectric properties is integrated with dielectric support elements and input electrodes to convert radio frequency signals into mechanical energy, allowing for tuning of resonance frequency through bias voltage, enabling efficient band-pass filtering and impedance matching for multiple communication systems with fewer filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional front-end tuners and filters are used to support multiple frequency bands, then frequency band coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a single filter design that can operate across multiple frequency bands by utilizing the piezoelectric properties of graphene and adjusting resonance frequency through bias voltage. This universal filter replaces multiple traditional filters, reducing device complexity while maintaining frequency band coverage for various communication systems including GSM, UMTS, LTE, and Wi-Fi
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resonance frequency parameter of the graphene-based filter by applying different bias voltages. This allows the same physical filter structure to be tuned to different frequency bands dynamically, enabling multi-band operation without requiring multiple fixed-frequency filters, thus reducing overall device complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple filters are used to support various radio communication bands, then frequency selectivity is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single multi-functional filter that provides frequency selectivity across multiple communication bands. The graphene-based resonator with piezoelectric properties can be tuned to different frequencies through bias voltage control, eliminating the need for multiple separate filters and thereby reducing device size while maintaining high frequency selectivity for band-pass filtering
3Reliability
If traditional filters are used for each frequency band, then filtering performance is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by replacing multiple traditional filters with a single graphene-based piezoelectric filter. The filter maintains high filtering performance through its ability to be tuned to different resonance frequencies using bias voltage, providing reliable band-pass filtering for multiple communication systems without requiring multiple expensive filter components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes graphene, a composite material with exceptional piezoelectric properties, to create a filter that outperforms traditional materials. This advanced material enables a single filter structure to achieve the filtering performance previously requiring multiple traditional filters, thereby reducing both cost and complexity while maintaining reliability
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
This solution reduces the need for multiple filters, enables efficient impedance matching, and allows for a single filter or a few filters to support various radio communication bands, reducing size, power consumption, and cost while maintaining high selectivity and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a graphene foil for converting at least part of the radio frequency signals into mechanical energy; wherein the graphene foil has piezoelectric properties
Implementation Method 2
at least one dielectric support element to support the graphene foil and to space apart the at least one input electrode and the graphene foil
Data Source
AI summary
There are disclosed various apparatuses and methods for tuning a resonance frequency. In some embodiments there is provided an apparatus (200) comprising at least one input electrode (202, 204) for receiving radio frequency signals; a graphene foil (210) for converting at least part of the radio frequency signals into mechanical energy; at least one dielectric support element (212) to support the graphene foil (210) and to space apart the at least one input electrode (202, 204) and the graphene foil (210). The graphene foil (210) has piezoelectric properties. In some embodiments there is provided a method comprising receiving radio frequency signals by at least one input electrode (202, 204) of an apparatus (200); providing a bias voltage to the apparatus (200) for tuning the resonance frequency of the apparatus (200); and converting at least part of the radio frequency signals into mechanical energy by a graphene foil (210) having piezoelectric properties.