Hybrid Coupler and Tunable Phase Shifter for Uplink MIMO
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication devices face challenges in efficiently transmitting signals over multiple antennas and frequency bands, particularly in scenarios with limited spectrum allocation, where uplink multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and carrier aggregation are needed to enhance throughput and diversity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a front-end module circuitry that includes a hybrid coupler and tunable phase shifters to generate and route RF signals for transmission on multiple antennas, enabling uplink MIMO and carrier aggregation configurations by adjusting phase and amplitude shifts to optimize signal distribution across antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional spectrum is allocated to accommodate throughput demands, then throughput increases, but device complexity and design challenges increase due to multiple frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid coupler is designed to perform multiple functions: it enables both uplink MIMO transmission and carrier aggregation operations across multiple frequency bands. By making the coupler multi-functional, the system can operate in different transmission modes (MIMO and CA) and support multiple frequency bands without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall design complexity while maintaining high throughput capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates tunable phase shifters that can dynamically adjust phase and amplitude parameters to adapt between different transmission modes (MIMO and carrier aggregation) and different frequency bands. This dynamic adjustability allows the same hardware architecture to flexibly support multiple operational requirements, reducing design complexity by eliminating the need for separate fixed-configuration components for each mode
2Reliability
If multiple transmit antennas are used to increase throughput and diversity, then communication reliability improves, but signal routing and power distribution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid coupler merges the functions of signal splitting, phase shifting, and power distribution into a single integrated component. Instead of using separate components for each function in the signal path to multiple antennas, the coupler combines these operations, thereby reducing signal routing complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple transmit antennas
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid coupler serves multiple purposes: it divides signals to multiple antennas for diversity, enables MIMO transmission modes, and supports carrier aggregation across frequency bands. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each operation, simplifying the overall signal routing architecture while maintaining communication reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of front-end module (FEM) circuitry and a communication device are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry may be configured to provide uplink (UL) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) signals and/or UL carrier aggregation (CA) signals for transmission by the communication device. The FEM circuitry may comprise a hybrid coupler to generate a first antenna transmit signal and a second antenna transmit signal. The FEM circuitry may further comprise one or more tunable phase shifters. In some embodiments, the phase shifters may phase-shift a first radio frequency (RF) signal and a second RF signal according to a 90 degree phase difference to generate the hybrid coupler input signals. Accordingly, the antenna transmit signals may be transmitted according to the UL-MIMO configuration.