Integrated RF Diplexer Directional Couplers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RF multiplexers and directional couplers have high insertion loss and occupy significant die space due to their serial arrangement, which limits their density and increases manufacturing complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

An RF diplexer with integrated directional couplers, where each coupler shares a primary inductor that forms a transformer with a secondary inductor, reducing insertion loss and manufacturing complexity by utilizing a high-quality primary inductor for signal paths and a lower-quality secondary inductor for feedback signals, thereby optimizing component sharing and layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate directional couplers and RF multiplexer are used in serial arrangement, then power control feedback is achieved, but insertion loss increases and die space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower control feedbackVSAvoidinsertion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the directional coupler and RF multiplexer into a single integrated device. The directional coupler's coupled port is directly connected to the multiplexer input, eliminating the need for separate components. This integration reduces the number of interfaces and connections, thereby reducing insertion loss while maintaining power control feedback functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device performs multiple functions: it acts as both a directional coupler for power control feedback and an RF multiplexer for signal routing. The same structure provides both coupling/feedback functionality and multi-channel signal transmission, reducing overall system complexity and component count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate directional couplers and RF multiplexer are used in serial arrangement, then power control feedback is achieved, but die space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower control feedbackVSAvoiddie space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The directional coupler and RF multiplexer are merged into a single integrated structure on the chip. This eliminates the need for separate component footprints and interconnections, significantly reducing the total die space required while maintaining all necessary functionality including power control feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The directional coupler functionality is nested within the RF multiplexer structure. The coupled port of the directional coupler is integrated into the multiplexer's signal path, allowing one component to be embedded within another to maximize space utilization and reduce overall die area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used, then signal transmission across frequency channels is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission across frequency channelsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functional components (directional coupler and RF multiplexer) into a single manufactured device. This reduces the number of separate manufacturing processes, assembly steps, and quality control checks required, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining signal transmission capabilities across multiple frequency channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device is designed to handle multiple frequency channels with a single structure that performs both coupling and multiplexing functions. This universal design simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need to produce and assemble multiple specialized components, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The integrated design significantly reduces insertion loss and increases density, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining effective power control and signal transmission across multiple frequency channels.

Implementation Method 1

Each integrated directional coupler includes a transformer having a primary inductor and a second inductor. The primary inductor also functions as part of the signal path for the corresponding channel in the RF diplexer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10171112B2RF multiplexer with integrated directional couplers

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

An RF diplexer is provided that includes a first channel and a second channel. The first channel includes a first primary inductor. Similarly, the second channel includes a second primary inductor. A first directional coupler for the first channel includes a first transformer formed by the first primary inductor and also a first secondary inductor. A first terminal for the first secondary inductor is a coupled port for the first directional coupler. A second directional coupler for the second channel includes a second transformer formed by the second primary inductor and also a second secondary inductor. A first terminal for the second secondary inductor is a coupled port for the second directional coupler.