Multiband Duplexer Circuit Structure for Component Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication apparatuses for multiband communication face challenges in miniaturization and weight reduction due to the complexity and number of components required for supporting multiple frequency bands, particularly in duplexer modules.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus is designed with a transmission signal filtering unit, a phase shifter, and a second path setting unit comprising matching circuits and transmission lines to separate and filter multiband transmission and received signals, using a single phase shifter to simplify the circuit structure and reduce the number of components, thereby enabling smaller and lighter designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmission signal filters, received signal filters, and phase shifters are used for each frequency band, then multiband communication capability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiband communication capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal duplexer structure where a single phase shifter and switching mechanism can handle multiple frequency bands (e.g., 700MHz, 850MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz). The first and second path setting units act as universal switches that can route different frequency bands through the same filtering and phase shifting components, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple filtering functions into a combined structure where transmission signal filters and received signal filters are integrated with shared phase shifters and path setting units. The first and second path setting units combine multiple switching functions into a single unified control mechanism that manages both transmit and receive paths across multiple bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmission signal filters, received signal filters, and phase shifters are used for each frequency band, then multiband communication capability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiband communication capabilityVSAvoidduplexer module weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal duplexer structure where a single phase shifter and switching mechanism can handle multiple frequency bands (e.g., 700MHz, 850MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz). The first and second path setting units act as universal switches that can route different frequency bands through the same filtering and phase shifting components, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple filtering functions into a combined structure where transmission signal filters and received signal filters are integrated with shared phase shifters and path setting units. The first and second path setting units combine multiple switching functions into a single unified control mechanism that manages both transmit and receive paths across multiple bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate transmission and received signal filters are used for each band, then signal separation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal separationVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces path setting units as intermediary switching mechanisms that mediate between the antenna and the filtering components. These path setting units act as intelligent intermediaries that route signals appropriately based on whether they are transmit or receive signals, allowing the same physical filters to be used for both functions at different times, thereby reducing the total number of components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively supports multiband communication by reducing the number of components and simplifying the circuit structure, allowing for more compact and lightweight communication devices while preventing mutual interference between transmission and received signals.

Implementation Method 1

a phase shifter to separate the one or more multiband transmission signals and multiband received signals by shifting a phase of the multiband transmission signals transferred to the antenna unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shifting:

Implementation Method 2

a transmission signal filtering unit to filter n multiband transmission signals, wherein n denotes a natural number

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency filtering:

Implementation Method 3

n received signal filters, a second path setting unit to connect the phase shifter to the n received signal filters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency filtering:

Implementation Method 4

The second path setting unit may comprise (n−1) matching circuits for matching of a radio frequency (RF) signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpedance matching:

Data Source

PatentUS8660043B2Communication apparatus to support multiband communication

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A communication apparatus to support multiband communication is provided. The communication apparatus may be applicable to, for example, a duplexer module for the multiband communication. The communication apparatus may be manufactured to be small and light by simplifying a circuit structure of the duplexer module.