Millimeter-Wave Duplexer Module for High TX-RX Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current duplexer solutions for 5G wireless systems operating at millimeter-wave frequencies face challenges with high power consumption, complex integration, and degraded noise performance due to the use of active devices, and existing passive components like SAW, BAW filters, and ferrite circulators, which are inefficient above 10 GHz and bulky, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A fully-integrated front-end circuit with a duplexer module comprising a Wilkinson power divider and a transformer, along with a power amplifier and low-noise amplifier, provides high isolation and low insertion loss using a 1:N or N:1 turns ratio transformer with a grounded center tap, and a feed-forward circuit to suppress leakage signals, enabling efficient signal separation and transmission in 5G systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active devices are used in duplexer design, then sufficient linearity for large PA signals is achieved, but power consumption increases and receiver noise performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active amplification function from the duplexer structure itself and places it in separate external PA and LNA components. The duplexer is designed as a passive component only, using passive elements like resistors, capacitors, and inductors to achieve signal separation without active devices, thereby eliminating the power consumption and noise issues while maintaining linearity through the external amplifiers
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional blocks: a passive duplexer for signal separation, an external PA for transmit amplification, and an external LNA for receive amplification. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the passive duplexer focusing on isolation and the external active devices handling amplification requirements
2Reliability
If SAW or BAW filters are used for duplexer design, then signal separation is achieved, but operation above 10 GHz becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters by transitioning from acoustic wave filters (SAW/BAW) to a passive circuit-based duplexer design using RLC elements. This parameter change enables operation at millimeter-wave frequencies above 10 GHz while maintaining signal separation functionality through passive filtering and isolation techniques
3Reliability
If ferrite circulators are used for duplexer design, then signal routing is achieved, but device size becomes bulky and integration into integrated circuits is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ferrite circulator structure with an electrical circuit-based passive duplexer implementation using planar RLC components that can be directly integrated into PCB or IC structures. This substitution eliminates the bulky mechanical nature of ferrite circulators while maintaining the signal routing function through electrical circuit topology
Solution Approach 2:
The passive duplexer circuit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: signal separation, impedance matching, and isolation, all within a single integrated circuit structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ferrite circulator components and reduces overall device complexity
4Reliability
If electrical balanced duplexer (EBD) is used, then passive signal separation is achieved, but operation above 2.5 GHz becomes difficult and external matching network is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the balancing network and impedance matching functions directly into the duplexer circuit topology itself, eliminating the need for separate external matching networks. The passive duplexer is designed with integrated impedance transformation and balancing capabilities that work effectively at millimeter-wave frequencies above 2.5 GHz
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
The solution achieves high isolation between transmit and receive ports, low insertion loss, and efficient noise matching, supporting 5G wireless systems with improved performance across a wide frequency range while minimizing power consumption and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer, wherein a coils ratio of the 1:N turns ratio transformer or the N:1 turns ratio transformer is capable of being increased to increase isolation between the TX port and the RX port
Implementation Method 2
the power divider is configured as a Wilkinson power divider that is configured to provide a low pass response to a signal from the PA
Implementation Method 3
a feed forward circuit coupled between the TX port and the RX port, wherein the feed forward circuit is configured to generate a compensation signal that suppresses a leakage signal from the DUX
Data Source
AI summary
Architectures of millimeter-wave (mm-wave) fully-integrated frequency-division duplex (FDD) transmitting-receiving (T/R) front-end (FE) modules include a duplexer (DUX), power amplifier (PA), and low noise amplifier (LNA) on a single semiconductor substrate to facilitate the development of system on a chip (SoC) for mm-wave 5th Generation (5G) wireless communications applications. The first FE module adopts a passive DUX consisting of Wilkinson power divider and ground-center-tap transformer to achieve high isolation between PA output and LNA inputs. Another FE module combines the advantages of passive DUX and power-efficient cancellation circuits to accomplish high TX-RX isolation and low noise performance at the same time. The DUX can stand alone as a single unit in a system and is used together with external PA and LNA provided in the system, or it can include its own internal PA and LNA to form a DUX FE module.