Multiway Switch for 5G SRS Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G NR wireless communication devices face challenges in efficiently transmitting sounding reference signals (SRS) through multiple antennas, leading to suboptimal beamforming and data transmission performance due to complex radio frequency architectures with excessive series switches, resulting in increased link loss and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A multiway switch with 4T and 2n< P ports is integrated into the radio frequency circuit and antenna system, allowing for efficient SRS transmission through 2n< antennas in a dual-frequency dual-transmit mode, reducing the number of series switches and optimizing transmission and reception performance by coupling two first T ports with all P ports and two second T ports with different frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex radio frequency architecture with multiple series switches is used to transmit SRS through multiple antennas, then the beamforming capability is improved, but the link loss and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple switch functions into a single multiway switch that can connect any transmit port to any antenna port. This merging of switching functions eliminates the need for multiple series switches, reducing the number of switching components in the signal path and thereby reducing cumulative link loss while maintaining the ability to route signals to multiple antennas for beamforming
Solution Approach 2:
The multiway switch provides universal connectivity where any transmit port can be connected to any antenna port through a single switching matrix. This multi-functional switch replaces multiple dedicated switches, simplifying the architecture while preserving full beamforming capability across all antenna elements
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex radio frequency architecture with multiple series switches is used to transmit SRS through multiple antennas, then the beamforming capability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple switch control functions into a single multiway switch, the patent reduces the total number of active components that consume power. The single switch architecture requires less control signaling and has lower overall power consumption compared to multiple series switches, while maintaining full beamforming functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The universal multiway switch performs multiple switching functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated switches. This multi-functionality reduces the cumulative power consumption of the switching subsystem while preserving the ability to perform beamforming across all antenna elements
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple series switches are used in the radio frequency circuit, then the SRS transmission through multiple antennas is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple series switches into a single multiway switch with a matrix architecture. This single switch can perform all necessary routing operations that previously required multiple switches, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to transmit SRS through multiple antennas for beamforming
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple series switches are used in the radio frequency circuit, then the SRS transmission through multiple antennas is enabled, but the path loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple switch stages into a single multiway switch, the patent reduces the number of switching interfaces and connections in the signal path. Each additional switch interface introduces insertion loss, so reducing the number of switches from multiple series connections to a single multiway switch directly reduces cumulative path loss while maintaining SRS transmission capability
Data Source
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AI summary
A multiway switch, a radio frequency system, and a wireless communication device are provided. The multiway switch includes four T ports and 2n P ports. The four T ports include two first T ports and each of the two first T ports is coupled with all of the 2n P ports. n is an integer and n ≥2. The multiway switch is configured to be coupled with a radio frequency circuit and an antenna system of a wireless communication device operable in a dual-frequency dual-transmit mode, to implement a preset function of the wireless communication device, the antenna system includes 2n antennas corresponding to the 2n P ports, and the preset function is a function of transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) through the 2n antennas in turn.