MSIM Transceiver LO Switching for Shared Antenna Diversity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices with multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) face challenges in efficiently managing multiple RF signals and subscribers, particularly in terms of antenna diversity and signal processing, which affects the device's ability to provide reliable communication for multiple subscribers.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a dual-antenna configuration with separate receive circuits and frequency synthesizers for each antenna, allowing for selective coupling of local oscillator signals to mixers using multiplexers. This configuration enables the device to receive and process multiple RF signals from different antennas, supporting multiple subscribers and improving signal reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate transceivers are used for multiple SIMs, then each subscriber can independently receive RF signals, but the device complexity and antenna resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transceiver functions into a single shared transceiver unit that can be dynamically allocated to different SIMs. The baseband processors remain separate for each SIM, but the RF front-end including antennas, LNA, and mixer are shared through time-division multiplexing, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining independent signal processing capabilities for each subscriber.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic switching of antenna and transceiver resource allocation between different SIMs based on current communication needs. The antenna switch and multiplexers enable flexible reconfiguration of the RF path, allowing the same physical resources to serve multiple subscribers at different time intervals, thus reducing static complexity while maintaining operational reliability.
2Reliability
If antenna diversity is implemented for multiple SIMs, then signal reliability improves, but the antenna and circuit resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antenna diversity resources into a shared pool that serves multiple SIMs through time-division multiplexing. Instead of dedicating separate antenna pairs to each SIM, the system allocates the same antenna resources dynamically to different SIMs based on their active communication sessions, reducing the total quantity of antenna and circuit resources required while maintaining diversity gain for each subscriber.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna and RF circuit components are designed with universal functionality to serve multiple SIMs. The same LNA, mixer, and antenna elements can be dynamically assigned to different SIMs through the switching network, making these resources multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single subscriber, thus reducing overall resource requirements while maintaining performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate frequency synthesizers are used for each SIM, then each subscriber can operate at different frequencies independently, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple frequency synthesizer functions into a single shared synthesizer unit that generates LO signals for multiple SIMs through time-division multiplexing. Instead of running multiple synthesizers simultaneously, the system activates only the required synthesizer function at any given time, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining the capability to operate at different frequencies for different subscribers when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic activation of frequency synthesizer resources based on the communication requirements of different SIMs. When one SIM requires frequency translation, its associated synthesizer is activated; when another SIM becomes active, the synthesizer is switched to serve that SIM. This periodic, on-demand operation reduces overall power consumption compared to continuous operation of multiple synthesizers.
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 proposed solution enhances the diversity gain and signal reliability for multiple subscribers by effectively combining signals from multiple antennas, thereby improving the overall performance of wireless communication in multi-SIM devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first low-noise amplifier coupled to the first antenna, and a first mixer coupled to the first low-noise amplifier
Implementation Method 2
a first mixer coupled to the first low-noise amplifier... a first frequency synthesizer configured to generate a first local oscillator (LO) signal, a second frequency synthesizer configured to generate a second LO signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first receive circuit coupled to a first antenna and a second receive circuit coupled to a second antenna. The first receive circuit includes a first low-noise amplifier coupled to the first antenna, and a first mixer coupled to the first low-noise amplifier. The second receive circuit includes a second low-noise amplifier coupled to the second antenna, and a second mixer coupled to the second low-noise amplifier. The system also includes a first frequency synthesizer configured to generate a first local oscillator (LO) signal, a second frequency synthesizer configured to generate a second LO signal, a first multiplexer configured to selectively couple the first LO signal or the second LO signal to the first mixer, and a second multiplexer configured to selectively couple the first LO signal or the second LO signal to the second mixer.