Flexible Receiver Path Switching for Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently processing multiple target spectrums received via a single antenna port, leading to intercarrier interference and limitations in dynamic bandwidth extension, particularly in non-contiguous carrier aggregation scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a switching arrangement and multiple downstream receiver circuitries to separately process multiple bandwidths received via a single antenna port, enabling carrier aggregation and dynamic bandwidth extension by re-purposing the feedback path for reception and using switching states to couple reception and feedback paths to the downstream receiver circuitry during different time slots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple target spectrums are processed through a single receiver chain, then device complexity is reduced, but intercarrier interference occurs and processing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single receiver chain is segmented into multiple parallel receiver chains, with each chain dedicated to processing a specific target spectrum or component carrier. This segmentation eliminates intercarrier interference by providing isolated processing paths while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
2Measurement precision
If feedback path is dedicated only to transmission, then transmission control precision is maintained, but reception capability during transmission slots is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback path functionality is made dynamic through time-division multiplexing. During transmission time slots, the feedback path is dedicated to transmission control for precision. During reception time slots, the same feedback path is reconfigured to receive and process reception signals, enabling versatility without sacrificing transmission control precision.
3Productivity
If bandwidth is extended dynamically, then spectrum utilization efficiency is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver chains are designed with universal processing capabilities that can handle multiple bandwidth configurations. By using the same processing architecture for different bandwidths through dynamic configuration rather than dedicated hardware for each bandwidth, spectrum utilization efficiency is improved while processing complexity is kept manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising: a first reception path comprising a first low noise amplifier; a first feedback path comprising a second low noise amplifier; first downstream receiver circuitry; a switching arrangement configured to, in a first state, couple the first reception path to the first downstream receiver circuitry and configured to, in a second state, couple the first feedback path to the first downstream receiver circuitry; and a controller configured to place the switching arrangement in the first state during a reception time slot and in the second state during a transmission time slot.