Multi-Band Receiver Front End Using Filter Bank and Shared RF Paths

Solution Overview

Problem

Cellular base stations face increased costs, energy consumption, and physical size due to the need for separate front end devices for each frequency band as available spectrum is spread across multiple bands.

Innovation Solution

A multi-band receiver front end arrangement that uses a common input signal for analog processing, including a filter bank, low-noise amplifiers, and a combiner structure to combine signals across multiple bands, reducing hardware requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate front end devices are used for each frequency band, then multi-band reception capability is achieved, but hardware quantity, cost, energy consumption, and physical size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-band reception capabilityVSAvoidhardware quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate front end devices into a single integrated front end device that can handle multiple frequency bands simultaneously. The analog radio frequency components (filters, amplifiers, mixers) are shared across all bands, while digital signal processing is performed separately for each band after analog-to-digital conversion. This combining approach reduces hardware quantity while maintaining multi-band reception capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The front end device is designed with universal components that can process multiple frequency bands. The filter bank includes band-pass filters for different bands, the low-noise amplifier arrangement provides amplification across bands, and the mixer arrangement can mix signals from multiple bands. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform the work of multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate front end devices are used for each frequency band, then multi-band reception capability is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-band reception capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate front end devices into a single integrated front end device that can handle multiple frequency bands simultaneously. The analog radio frequency components (filters, amplifiers, mixers) are shared across all bands, while digital signal processing is performed separately for each band after analog-to-digital conversion. This combining approach reduces hardware quantity while maintaining multi-band reception capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The front end device is designed with universal components that can process multiple frequency bands. The filter bank includes band-pass filters for different bands, the low-noise amplifier arrangement provides amplification across bands, and the mixer arrangement can mix signals from multiple bands. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform the work of multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate front end devices are used for each frequency band, then multi-band reception capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-band reception capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate front end devices into a single integrated front end device that can handle multiple frequency bands simultaneously. The analog radio frequency components (filters, amplifiers, mixers) are shared across all bands, while digital signal processing is performed separately for each band after analog-to-digital conversion. This combining approach reduces hardware quantity while maintaining multi-band reception capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The front end device is designed with universal components that can process multiple frequency bands. The filter bank includes band-pass filters for different bands, the low-noise amplifier arrangement provides amplification across bands, and the mixer arrangement can mix signals from multiple bands. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform the work of multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate front end devices are used for each frequency band, then multi-band reception capability is achieved, but physical size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-band reception capabilityVSAvoidphysical size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate front end devices into a single integrated front end device that can handle multiple frequency bands simultaneously. The analog radio frequency components (filters, amplifiers, mixers) are shared across all bands, while digital signal processing is performed separately for each band after analog-to-digital conversion. This combining approach reduces hardware quantity while maintaining multi-band reception capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The front end device is designed with universal components that can process multiple frequency bands. The filter bank includes band-pass filters for different bands, the low-noise amplifier arrangement provides amplification across bands, and the mixer arrangement can mix signals from multiple bands. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform the work of multiple separate devices.

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 decreases hardware needs, lowering costs, energy consumption, and physical size while maintaining signal quality by effectively handling multiple frequency bands with a single set of analog radio frequency components.

Implementation Method 1

a filter bank of non-overlapping band filters associated with respective band for the multi-band reception

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBand-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 2

The respective low-noise amplifier has band pass characteristics, or has a band filter connected where the band filter output has a direct connection to the input of the low-noise amplifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLow-noise amplification: Magnetic Amplifier

Implementation Method 3

a combiner structure arranged to combine the outputs of the respective low-noise amplifier of the paths of the low-noise amplifier arrangement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal combining:

Data Source

PatentUS9998152B2Receiver front end arrangement, multi-band receiver and base station

Publication Date: 2018.06.12 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A receiver front end arrangement comprises a radio frequency signal input suitable to be connected to an antenna arrangement, a filter bank of non-overlapping band filters associated with respective band for the multi-band reception, a signal conditioning arrangement connected to the filter bank, and a low-noise amplifier arrangement connected to the signal conditioning arrangement. The low-noise amplifier arrangement comprises a path for each band of bands of the multi-band reception. For each path associated with a band for the multi-band reception the low-noise amplifier arrangement comprises a low-noise amplifier. The respective low-noise amplifier has band pass characteristics, or has a band filter connected where the band filter output has a direct connection to the input of the low-noise amplifier, corresponding to a band of the multi-band reception, respectively. The receiver front end arrangement further comprises a combiner structure arranged to combine the outputs of the respective low-noise amplifier of the paths of the low-noise amplifier arrangement. The signals at the output of the combiner structure have the same frequencies as the corresponding signals at the radio signal input. The signal conditioning arrangement is arranged to condition signals for respective path of the low-noise amplifier arrangement. A multi-band receiver comprising the receiver front end arrangement, and a base station comprising the multi-band receiver are also disclosed.