RF Coupler Switching Circuit for Bidirectional Power Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Fifth Generation (5G) cellular communications, especially in Non-Stand-Alone (NSA) or E-UTRAN New Radio-Dual Connectivity (EN-DC) operation, intermodulation distortion and coupling/leakage of transmit carrier power occur when multiple carriers are active concurrently, leading to reduced accuracy and limited dynamic range of feedback receivers due to the challenge of isolating low power reflected signals from high power blockers.
Innovation Solution
A radio frequency system with a daisy chain architecture and coupler switching circuits that allows bidirectional routing of coupled power signals, enabling isolation between concurrently active transmit paths by routing signals through the daisy chain without overlapping, using a coupler switching circuit to pass indications of radio frequency power from a radio frequency coupler and providing feedback to input/output ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple carriers are active concurrently in 5G NSA or EN-DC operation, then system capacity and data rate are improved, but intermodulation distortion and coupling/leakage of transmit carrier power occur, reducing accuracy and dynamic range of feedback receivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the feedback signal path into separate segments for each transmit carrier. Each carrier has its own dedicated feedback path through the daisy chain, allowing independent measurement without interference from other carriers. This segmentation enables accurate power measurement for each carrier even when multiple carriers are active concurrently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces coupler switching circuits as intermediary components that selectively couple each transmit carrier's power signal to the feedback receiver. These switching circuits act as mediators that isolate the low-power reflected signals from high-power blockers by controlling which carrier's power signal is passed to the feedback receiver at any given time.
2Productivity
If multiple carriers are active concurrently, then system throughput is improved, but isolation between transmit paths deteriorates due to coupling and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic switching circuits that adaptively route power signals based on which carriers are currently active. The coupler switching circuits dynamically change their coupling state to maintain isolation between active transmit paths, ensuring that power from one carrier does not leak into the feedback path of another carrier even when multiple carriers operate simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If daisy chain architecture is used to connect multiple RF modules, then scalability is improved, but isolation between coupled power signals from different transmit paths becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The daisy chain architecture is segmented into isolated sections by placing coupler switching circuits at each RF module interface. Each segment handles power signals from a specific transmit path, preventing interference between segments. This segmentation maintains high isolation even as the chain scales to accommodate more RF modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Coupler switching circuits are introduced as intermediary devices between adjacent RF modules in the daisy chain. These intermediaries selectively pass or block power signals based on the active transmit paths, ensuring that coupled power signals from different transmit paths remain isolated even when multiple RF modules are connected and operating simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a radio frequency module with a radio frequency coupler and a coupler switching circuit. The coupler switching circuit can provide an indication of radio frequency power generated by the radio frequency coupler to a first input/output port. The coupler switching circuit can also pass an indication of radio frequency power received at the first input/output port to a second input/output port, and pass an indication of radio frequency power received at the second input/output port to the first input/output port.