Multi-Output Resonator Filter for Multi-Band Receiver Front Ends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current receiver front-ends in wireless communication devices require multiple band select filters and LNAs to handle different frequency bands, leading to increased complexity, cost, and signal loss due to the large number of components interacting with each other.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of cascaded resonator stages with micro-acoustic resonators, allowing for dual- or multiple-output filters that can handle multiple frequency bands with reduced component count, such as the B25 and B34 bands, by reconfiguring filters to share bandwidth and rejection requirements, and using dual-input or dual-output configurations to optimize impedance matching and reduce component interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple band select filters and LNAs are used to handle different frequency bands, then the receiver can receive signals in multiple frequency bands, but the device complexity increases due to the large number of components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single filter is designed with multiple outputs that can serve different frequency bands. The filter includes a first output for a first frequency band and a second output for a second frequency band, allowing one component to perform the function of multiple band-select filters, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining multi-band capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter is divided into multiple output channels, each providing filtered signals for different frequency bands. By segmenting the output paths rather than using separate filters for each band, the patent achieves multi-band support with fewer components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple band select filters and LNAs are used to handle different frequency bands, then the receiver can receive signals in multiple frequency bands, but the cost increases due to more components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

One filter structure provides multiple outputs for different frequency bands, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate filters and associated LNAs. This consolidation reduces component count, manufacturing complexity, and overall cost while maintaining the ability to handle multiple frequency bands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple band select filters and LNAs are used to handle different frequency bands, then the receiver can receive signals in multiple frequency bands, but signal loss increases due to the large number of components interacting with each other

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidsignal loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By using a single filter with multiple outputs instead of multiple separate filters and LNAs, the signal path is shortened and the number of component interactions is reduced. This directly decreases signal loss while maintaining the capability to receive signals in multiple frequency bands through the different output channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach reduces the number of components, leading to cost savings, smaller IC footprint, and improved receiver performance with less signal loss and better noise figure, while maintaining the required rejection and passband specifications for multiple frequency bands.

Implementation Method 1

each cascaded resonator stage of the first set comprising a first series micro-acoustic resonator and a first parallel micro-acoustic resonator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS11942924B2Filter with multiple outputs or inputs to implement multiple filter frequency responses

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A filter is provided that includes a set of cascaded resonator stages coupled between a filter input and a first filter output, wherein the filter includes a second filter output coupled to an output of a first or an intermediate one of the set of cascaded resonator stages. Another filter includes a set of cascaded resonator stages coupled between a first filter input and a filter output, wherein the filter includes a second filter input coupled to an input of an intermediate or a last one of the set of cascaded resonator stages. Both filters are configured to apply a first filter frequency response to a first signal propagating via the set of cascaded resonator stages, and apply a second filter frequency response to a second signal propagating via a subset of one or more of the set of cascaded resonator stages.