Multiway Switch for 5G SRS Transmission

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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 performance in beamforming and data transmission due to complex radio frequency architectures and high link loss.

Innovation Solution

A multiway switch with 6 T ports and 2n P ports, where two first T ports are fully coupled with all P ports, and four second T ports support reception, is integrated with a radio frequency circuit and antenna system to enable efficient SRS transmission through 2n antennas in turn, simplifying the architecture and reducing link loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex radio frequency architecture with multiple switches is used to transmit SRS through multiple antennas, then the SRS transmission capability is improved, but the device complexity and link loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSRS transmission capabilityVSAvoidradio frequency architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple switch functions into a single multiway switch that can route SRS signals to multiple antennas. This consolidation reduces the overall number of switches in the RF architecture while maintaining the capability to transmit SRS through multiple antennas, thereby resolving the contradiction between SRS transmission capability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multiway switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it can route SRS signals to different antennas, support both transmission and reception paths, and accommodate dual-frequency operation. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized switches, reducing complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple switches are used in the radio frequency architecture, then the SRS transmission function is achieved, but the link loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSRS transmission functionVSAvoidlink loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple switch operations into a single multiway switch, the patent reduces the number of signal path transitions. Fewer switch transitions mean fewer opportunities for signal loss, thereby reducing overall link loss while maintaining the SRS transmission function across multiple antennas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a simplified radio frequency architecture with fewer switches is used, then the device complexity and link loss are reduced, but the SRS transmission capability through multiple antennas is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of switchesVSAvoidSRS transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The multiway switch is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple SRS transmission paths to different antennas. It can dynamically route signals to any required antenna while maintaining support for dual-frequency operation and both transmit and receive functions, thus providing simplified architecture without limiting SRS transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3540960B1Multiway switch, radio frequency system, and wireless communication device
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3540960B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3540960B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3540960B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A multiway switch, a radio frequency system, and a wireless communication device are provided. The multiway switch includes six T ports and 2n P ports. The six 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 single-transmit mode, to implement a preset function of the wireless communication device. The antenna system includes 2n antennas corresponding to the 2n P ports. The preset function is a function of transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) through the 2n antennas in turn.