RF Coupler Placement for 5G mmWave Power Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RF circuits are not suited for high frequency wideband signals, particularly in 5G communication, due to the lack of couplers, which complicates power control and calibration, and existing filters struggle with high attenuation and low loss in mmWave frequencies.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with an RF circuit that includes a Tx path, an Rx path, and a coupling path, featuring a low noise amplifier, down converter, up converter, and a coupler to efficiently process and calibrate high frequency wideband signals, suppressing image signals and enabling effective power control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional RF circuits are used for high frequency wideband signals, then the circuit structure is simple, but power control and calibration become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The RF circuit is divided into separate transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) paths with distinct functional blocks. The Tx path includes an up-converter and power amplifier, while the Rx path includes a down-converter and low noise amplifier. This segmentation allows independent optimization and control of each path, making power control and calibration feasible in high frequency wideband systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupler is introduced as an intermediary component to transfer a portion of the transmitted signal to the receive path for calibration purposes. This intermediary enables the system to monitor and adjust power levels without disrupting the main signal flow, solving the power control and calibration difficulty in high frequency wideband communication.
2Device complexity
If conventional filters are used for high frequency wideband signals, then the filter design is simple, but attenuation and loss performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filter design parameters are specifically optimized for high frequency wideband operation. Instead of using conventional low-pass or band-pass filters designed for lower frequencies, the patent employs filters with adjusted cutoff frequencies, impedance values, and topology configurations suitable for mmWave frequencies, thereby achieving both wideband performance and acceptable attenuation characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF circuit employs dynamic switching between different filter configurations or bandwidth settings to adapt to varying operational requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain optimal attenuation and loss performance across different frequency bands and signal conditions in high frequency wideband communication.
3Device complexity
If couplers are excluded from the RF circuit design, then the circuit structure is simplified, but power control and calibration become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A coupler is introduced as an intermediary component to transfer a portion of the transmitted signal to the receive path for calibration purposes. This intermediary enables the system to monitor and adjust power levels without disrupting the main signal flow, solving the power control and calibration difficulty in high frequency wideband communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler enables a feedback mechanism where a portion of the transmitted signal is redirected to the receive path for monitoring and calibration. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically adjust power levels and compensate for variations in the high frequency wideband signal transmission, making power control feasible.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include a plurality of antennas configured to transmit and receive a signal in a radio frequency (RF) frequency band; and an RF circuit configured to process the signal in the RF frequency band. The RF circuit includes a reception (Rx) path configured to transfer a first signal received through the plurality of antennas, a transmission (Tx) path configured to transfer a second signal to the plurality of antennas, and a coupler configured to transfer at least a part of the second signal obtained in the Tx path to the Rx path. The Tx path includes a power divider configured to distribute power to at least one antenna among the plurality of antennas, and the coupler is electrically connected to an input terminal of the power divider to be disposed before the power divider.