Reconfigurable Phase Shift Network for Duplexer Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication units face challenges in supporting multiple frequency bands and duplexing modes due to increased complexity and component requirements, leading to larger size and higher costs, especially when handling both normal and reverse duplexing cases.

Innovation Solution

A dynamically reconfigurable phase shift network with tunable RF components and switches that can selectively support both normal and reverse duplexer modes, allowing for real-time reconfiguration of RF circuits by inserting lumped elements into the phase shift network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parallel transceiver circuits are physically located within the wireless communication unit to support wide frequency range, then the communication unit can support multiple frequency bands, but the device complexity and silicon area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency band supportVSAvoidtransceiver circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single transceiver circuit that can operate across multiple frequency bands by incorporating tunable RF components and a reconfigurable phase shift network. This universal design allows the same circuit to serve multiple functions (different frequency bands and duplexing modes) without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each band, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining wide frequency support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamically reconfigurable elements including tunable RF components and switches in the phase shift network that can be adjusted to support different frequency bands and duplexing modes. These dynamic components allow the transceiver to adapt its characteristics in real-time, enabling a single circuit to handle multiple frequency ranges without requiring multiple fixed circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If high-quality RF components with minimal interference are used to support multiple frequency bands, then performance is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRF component performanceVSAvoidRF component quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal RF front end with tunable components that can operate across multiple frequency bands, eliminating the need for multiple separate high-quality RF components for each band. This multi-functional approach maintains high performance while reducing the total number of components required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple RF functions (different frequency band operations and duplexing modes) into a single integrated RF front end circuit. By merging these functions that would traditionally require separate components, the design reduces component quantity and complexity while maintaining the performance benefits of high-quality RF components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a fixed duplexer design is used to handle both normal and reverse duplexing cases, then the number of duplexers is reduced, but the frequency response and isolation performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of duplexersVSAvoidfrequency response and isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic duplexer design with reconfigurable phase shift networks and tunable RF components that can adapt to different duplexing modes (normal and reverse) and frequency bands. This dynamic reconfiguration capability allows a single duplexer to maintain optimal frequency response and isolation performance across different operating conditions without requiring multiple fixed duplexer designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If SAW based duplexers with phase shift networks are used to provide isolation between paths, then receive and transmit chains are isolated, but the insertion loss at passband frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation between pathsVSAvoidinsertion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs tunable RF components and reconfigurable phase shift networks that can dynamically adjust their characteristics to optimize the balance between isolation and insertion loss. By changing operational parameters (such as phase shift angles and frequency responses) based on the specific operating conditions, the system achieves good isolation between paths while minimizing insertion loss in the passband

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9337991B2Wireless communication unit, radio frequency module and method therefor

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE LTD

AI summary

A wireless communication unit includes at least one antenna port; a transmitter and a receiver operably coupled to the at least one antenna port via a duplexer; wherein the duplexer includes a dynamically reconfigurable phase shift network that includes: at least one tunable radio frequency (RF) component; and at least one switch operably coupled to the tunable RF component and controllable to reconfigure the dynamically reconfigurable phase shift network to selectively support both normal and reverse duplexer modes of operation for RF signals passing there through.