RF Front End Diplexer Reuse for MIMO and Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing RF front end circuitry requires a large number of filters to support both MIMO and carrier aggregation modes, leading to increased complexity and impracticality due to area and insertion loss considerations.
Innovation Solution
The RF front end circuitry employs a diplexer and band filters, along with switching circuitry, to minimize the number of filters by reusing the diplexer for both carrier aggregation and MIMO modes, allowing for efficient separation and routing of RF signals across multiple frequency bands without additional filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate filters are provided for carrier aggregation and MIMO modes, then both modes can be supported, but the total number of filters increases leading to impractical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The diplexer is configured to perform multiple functions: it separates frequency bands for carrier aggregation mode and also acts as a filter for MIMO mode signal separation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated filters for MIMO operations, thereby reducing overall filter count while maintaining support for both carrier aggregation and MIMO modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the carrier aggregation filter (diplexer) with the MIMO filter functionality into a single integrated filtering system. By merging these previously separate filtering functions, the circuitry achieves both carrier aggregation and MIMO signal separation using a unified filter structure, reducing component count and complexity
2Device complexity
If the number of filters is reduced, then circuitry complexity and area are minimized, but signal separation capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The diplexer is designed to universally handle both carrier aggregation frequency separation and MIMO signal isolation tasks. Its multi-functional capability ensures that signal separation reliability is maintained for both operational modes without requiring additional dedicated filters, thus preserving separation capability while reducing filter count
Solution Approach 2:
The diplexer's frequency response parameters are optimized to provide adequate attenuation for both carrier aggregation bands and MIMO signal frequencies. By carefully designing the diplexer's filtering characteristics, the patent ensures reliable signal separation across different operational modes using a single filter component
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
This configuration reduces the complexity and size of the RF front end circuitry while maintaining effective signal separation and throughput, supporting multiple MIMO and carrier aggregation configurations without the need for additional filters, thereby minimizing insertion loss.
Implementation Method 1
a diplexer configured to pass RF signals within a first RF frequency band between a first diplexer node and a common node while attenuating RF signals within a second RF frequency band between the first diplexer node and the common node
Implementation Method 2
a first band filter configured to pass RF signals within a first RF operating band of the first RF frequency band between a first band filter node and a first input/output node while attenuating signals outside the first RF operating band
Data Source
AI summary
RF front end circuitry includes a first antenna node, a second antenna node, a diplexer, a first band filter, a second band filter, and switching circuitry. The diplexer may be used to separate signals for carrier aggregation, providing signals within a first RF frequency band to the first band filter and signals within a second RF frequency band to the second band filter. Further, by strategically arranging the switching circuitry, the diplexer may also be used as a multiple-input-multiple-output filter, such that additional filters are not required to support one or more MIMO modes of the RF front end circuitry.