Hybrid Multi-Band Multiplexer for Low-Loss 5G NR Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communications systems, particularly 5G NR, face challenges with high loss in multi-band operations due to the impracticality of off-chip duplexers at millimeter-wave frequencies and poor performance of on-chip multiplexing schemes, leading to increased costs and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A low-loss multi-band multiplexing scheme is proposed, utilizing a hybrid approach with off-chip combining components and on-chip tuning components separated by a chip boundary, incorporating shunt-based switches and impedance transformation circuits to enable efficient signal transmission and reception across multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If off-chip duplexers are used for multi-band operations, then signal transmission quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the combining function from the traditional off-chip duplexer and implements it separately as a combining component, while the tuning components remain on-chip. This separation allows the system to achieve off-chip performance benefits without integrating the entire duplexer off-chip, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining signal transmission quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The duplexer functionality is segmented into two distinct parts: tuning components (on-chip) and combining components (off-chip). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the tuning component handling frequency selection on-chip and the combining component handling signal combination off-chip, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining performance.
2Device complexity
If on-chip multiplexing schemes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an off-chip combining component as an intermediary between the on-chip tuning components and the antenna. This intermediary component enables the system to achieve low transmission loss by performing signal combination outside the chip where loss is minimized, while still maintaining the simplicity of on-chip integration for the active tuning components.
3Loss of energy
If hybrid approach with separated chip boundary is used, then transmission loss is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The on-chip tuning component is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of supporting multiple frequency bands through reconfigurable tuning elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each band, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the hybrid architecture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multi-band multiplexing is used, then spectrum utilization is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic reconfigurable tuning components that can adaptively adjust their parameters based on the selected frequency band. This dynamic tuning capability enables efficient spectrum utilization across multiple bands while consuming less power compared to static conventional multiplexing schemes, as the system only activates the necessary components for the current operating band.
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AI summary
Various aspects described herein relate to low-loss multi-band multiplexing schemes for a wireless communications system, for example, a 5th Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) system. In an aspect, a multiplexer for multi-band wireless communications comprises at least one tuning component configured to transmit or receive at least one signal within a frequency band that is selected from a plurality of frequency bands. The multiplexer further comprises at least one combining component, communicatively coupled with the at least one tuning component, configured to transmit or receive the at least one signal within the selected frequency band. In an aspect, the at least one tuning component is integrated on a chip and the at least one combining component is not integrated on the chip.