Multiway Switch for 5G NR SRS Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio frequency systems in 5G NR electronic devices face challenges in efficiently transmitting sounding reference signals (SRS) through multiple antennas, leading to increased link loss and suboptimal data transmission performance due to complex switching schemes.

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, reducing the number of series switches and optimizing transmission and reception performance by full-coupling one T port with all P ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex switching scheme is used to transmit SRS through multiple antennas, then the SRS transmission capability is improved, but the link loss increases and data transmission performance deteriorates

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SRS transmission function across multiple antennas (2n antennas) with each antenna connected through dedicated switch paths. The multiway switch divides the single RF circuit's SRS transmission capability into multiple independent paths, allowing simultaneous or sequential SRS transmission through different antennas without requiring complex series switching, thereby reducing link loss while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple series switches are used in the RF circuit, then the SRS transmission through multiple antennas is enabled, but the device complexity increases and performance is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-antenna SRS transmissionVSAvoidnumber of series switches
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple switch functions into a single multiway switch component. Instead of using multiple series switches to achieve multi-antenna SRS transmission, the invention employs one multiway switch with multiple ports that can connect the single RF circuit to any of the 2n antennas. This consolidation reduces device complexity while maintaining the capability to transmit SRS through multiple antennas efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a simplified RF architecture is used, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the SRS transmission capability through multiple antennas is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRF architecture complexityVSAvoidSRS transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The multiway switch serves multiple functions: it enables SRS transmission through any of the 2n antennas, supports both single-antenna and multi-antenna operation modes, and maintains compatibility with the existing single RF circuit architecture. This universal component allows the simplified RF architecture to achieve full multi-antenna SRS transmission capability without requiring additional RF circuits or complex switching arrangements.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3540968B1Multiway switch, radio frequency system, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3540968B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3540968B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3540968B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A multiway switch, a radio frequency system, and an electronic device are provided. The multiway switch is applicable to an electronic device being operable in a single-frequency single-transmit mode. The electronic device includes the multiway switch, a radio frequency circuit and an antenna system. The antenna system includes 2n antennas. The multiway switch includes four T ports and 2n P ports. The four T ports are configured to be coupled with the frequency circuit. The 2n P ports are configured to be coupled with the antenna system. The four T ports include one first T port coupled with all of the 2n P ports. The multiway switch is configured to be coupled with the radio frequency circuit and the antenna system to implement a preset function of transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) through the 2n antennas corresponding to the 2n P ports in turn.