Switchable RF Chain Sharing Across Dual Antenna Arrays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of RF chains in electronic devices leads to larger device sizes and higher costs due to the need for more physical space and components.
Innovation Solution
The method involves reducing the number of RF chains while maintaining functionality by optimizing the structure and usage state of antennas, integrating them with RF chains to minimize space and components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of RF chains is increased to match the number of antennas, then the signal processing capability is improved, but the circuit size and device cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each RF chain is designed to be universally compatible with multiple antenna arrays through switchable connections. The RF chains can be dynamically assigned to different antenna arrays based on communication needs, allowing a smaller number of RF chains to serve multiple antenna arrays effectively. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling one RF chain to perform multiple roles across different antenna arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic switching mechanisms that allow RF chains to be selectively connected to different antenna arrays in real-time. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the RF chains to adapt to varying communication requirements without requiring a dedicated RF chain for each antenna, thereby reducing the overall circuit size while maintaining processing capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of RF chains is increased to match the number of antennas, then the communication functionality is improved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RF chains are designed with universal connectivity to multiple antenna arrays through switching networks. This allows a reduced number of RF chains to provide full communication functionality across all antenna arrays, directly reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple antenna arrays are merged into a single switchable network that shares common RF chains. By combining the RF chain resources and using intelligent switching, the system achieves full communication functionality with fewer components, thereby reducing device cost without sacrificing adaptability.
3Productivity
If more RF chains are used to support multiple antenna arrays, then the signal processing capability is improved, but the complexity of the circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic switching to enable RF chains to be flexibly assigned to different antenna arrays based on real-time communication needs. This dynamic allocation allows the circuit to maintain high signal processing capability while avoiding the permanent complexity that would result from having dedicated RF chains for each antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
Switching networks serve as intermediary components that mediate between the reduced number of RF chains and the multiple antenna arrays. These intermediaries enable flexible signal routing and resource allocation, allowing the system to achieve high processing capability without the complexity of a direct one-to-one mapping between RF chains and antennas.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for processing signals through Radio Frequency (RF) chains are provided. The electronic device includes a processor, a transceiver including a plurality of RF chains, a plurality of switches electrically connected to the plurality of RF chains, a first antenna array including a plurality of first antenna elements electrically connected to the plurality of switches, and a second antenna array including a plurality of second antenna elements electrically connected to the plurality of switches.