Integrated Transmitter With Adjustable Filter Bandwidth

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of WiFi and Bluetooth modules in handheld devices poses a challenge due to their differing transmission bandwidth and bit numbers, leading to increased device volume and cost, as existing solutions require separate circuitries for each module.

Innovation Solution

A transmitter design incorporating a multiplexer, digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and an adjustable filter, which selectively adjusts resistance values based on the selected digital signal to accommodate different bandwidths, allowing for shared circuitry and reduced overall volume and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate circuitries are used for WiFi and Bluetooth modules, then each module can operate independently with its own bandwidth requirements, but the overall device volume and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines WiFi and Bluetooth transmission circuitries into a single integrated transmitter structure. The multiplexer selectively switches between WiFi digital signals and Bluetooth digital signals, routing them to a shared DAC and filter circuit. This merging reduces device volume by eliminating redundant separate circuitries while maintaining independent operation capability through the multiplexer's selective switching function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated transmitter structure serves multiple functions: it can process both WiFi signals and Bluetooth signals using the same hardware components. The multiplexer enables the single transmitter to universally handle different wireless communication protocols by selectively routing the appropriate digital signal to the shared DAC and filter, achieving multi-functionality without increasing device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate circuitries are used for WiFi and Bluetooth modules, then each module can maintain its specific bandwidth requirements, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth adaptation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmission circuitries to reduce component count and manufacturing cost. By sharing the DAC and filter between WiFi and Bluetooth functions, the bill of materials and assembly complexity are reduced. The adaptive filter dynamically adjusts its bandwidth to match the active protocol, ensuring that cost savings are achieved without sacrificing bandwidth adaptation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter in the integrated transmitter is designed with dynamic bandwidth adjustment capability. When the multiplexer selects WiFi digital signals, the filter adjusts to WiFi bandwidth requirements; when Bluetooth digital signals are selected, the filter adjusts to Bluetooth bandwidth requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows a single filter circuit to replace what would traditionally require two separate fixed-bandwidth filters, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining protocol-specific performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If a shared DAC and filter are used for both WiFi and Bluetooth, then device volume and cost are reduced, but the different bandwidth requirements of WiFi and Bluetooth must be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidbandwidth switching control
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is designed with dynamic bandwidth adjustment capability that responds to the selected protocol. When the multiplexer routes WiFi signals, the filter automatically configures for WiFi bandwidth; when Bluetooth signals are routed, the filter reconfigures for Bluetooth bandwidth. This dynamic behavior allows the shared filter to adapt to different bandwidth requirements without requiring complex manual switching or multiple fixed filters, thereby reducing device volume while managing complexity through automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the multiplexer's selection of WiFi or Bluetooth signals triggers corresponding bandwidth configuration in the filter. This feedback loop ensures that the shared filter always operates at the appropriate bandwidth for the active protocol, automatically resolving the bandwidth compatibility issue without requiring complex external control circuitry, thus reducing device volume while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables the integration of WiFi and Bluetooth functions in a single structure, reducing device size and power consumption while maintaining effective signal processing across different bandwidths.

Implementation Method 1

The DAC is coupled to the multiplexer for converting the selected output into an analog signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDigital-to-Analog Conversion:

Implementation Method 2

The filter is coupled to the DAC for processing the analog signal and comprises an adjustable resistive element. When the multiplexer selects the first digital signal as the selected output, the adjustable resistive element is adjusted to have a first resistance value such that the filter has a first bandwidth. When the multiplexer selects the second digital signal as the selected output, the adjustable resistive element is adjusted to have a second resistance value such that the filter has a second bandwidth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP2897295B1Transmitter having integrated design of multiple wireless communication modules
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP2897295B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2897295B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2897295B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transmitter includes a first wireless communication module, a second wireless communication module, a multiplexer, a digital-to-analog converter and a filter. The multiplexer selectively outputs a first digital signal derived from a digital output of the first wireless communication module or a second digital signal derived from a digital output of the second wireless communication module as a selected output. The digital-to-analog converter converts the selected output into an analog signal. The filter processes the analog signal and includes an adjustable resistive element. When the multiplexer selects the first digital signal as the selected output, the adjustable resistive element is adjusted to have a first resistance value such that the filter has a first bandwidth. When the multiplexer selects the second digital signal as the selected output, the adjustable resistive element is adjusted to have a second resistance value such that the filter has a second bandwidth.