RF Circuit Antenna Sharing for Satellite Cellular Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity of radio-frequency front-end modules in mobile communication devices due to the need to support multiple bands leads to larger device sizes, particularly when transmitting and receiving cellular and satellite signals using multiple antennas.

Innovation Solution

A radio-frequency circuit design that includes separate transfer circuits for cellular and satellite systems, with specific filter and amplifier configurations allowing shared antenna usage for cellular receive and satellite receive bands, while maintaining distinct paths for cellular transmit and satellite receive signals, thereby reducing device size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate transfer circuits are used for cellular and satellite systems, then signal interference is reduced and reception sensitivity is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception sensitivityVSAvoidmodule configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cellular receive path and satellite receive path into a single first transfer circuit, allowing both reception functions to share common components (filter circuit, low-noise amplifier circuit, antenna connection terminal) while maintaining signal isolation through frequency-selective filtering. This merging reduces device complexity and size while preserving reception sensitivity through proper circuit design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the transfer circuits into distinct functional units: the first transfer circuit handles satellite reception and cellular reception separately from the second transfer circuit that handles cellular transmission. This segmentation allows for optimized component allocation and reduces interference between transmission and reception paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple antennas are used for cellular and satellite communication, then communication performance is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the first antenna connection terminal universal by allowing it to serve both satellite reception and cellular reception functions through the first transfer circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated antennas and connection terminals for each system, thereby reducing device size while maintaining communication performance.

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

3Volume of moving object

If shared antenna usage is implemented for cellular receive and satellite receive bands, then device size is reduced, but signal interference may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a filter circuit as an intermediary component between the shared antenna connection terminal and the reception paths. This filter circuit selectively passes the cellular receive band and satellite receive band frequencies while blocking other frequencies, thereby preventing signal interference between the shared reception paths while allowing efficient antenna sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240421836A1Radio-frequency circuit
Publication Date: 2024.12.19 MURATA MFG CO LTD
  • US20240421836A1 patent drawing
  • US20240421836A1 patent drawing
  • US20240421836A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A radio-frequency circuit includes first and second transfer circuits. The first transfer circuit supports reception of a cellular communication system and a satellite system. The second transfer circuit supports transmission and reception of the cellular communication system. The first transfer circuit includes a first filter circuit and a first low-noise amplifier circuit. The first filter circuit is connected to a first antenna connection terminal and has a pass band including a cellular receive band and a satellite receive band. The first low-noise amplifier circuit is connected to the first filter circuit. The second transfer circuit includes a second filter circuit, a power amplifier circuit, and a second low-noise amplifier circuit. The second filter circuit is connected to a second antenna connection terminal and has a pass band including the cellular receive band and a cellular transmit band corresponding to the cellular receive band.