RF Front-End Filter Bandwidth Consolidation for Roaming

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communication devices face challenges in supporting multiple geographic regions due to the need for additional hardware paths for regional bands, which is costly and cumbersome, and struggle with efficient carrier aggregation across overlapping frequency bands.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a combined band filter circuit with a modified filter bandpass extent and a multi-arm-controlled band select switch that supports carrier aggregation of multiple frequency bands, reducing the number of components and enabling seamless roaming across different regions without additional filters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate hardware paths are added for each geographic region to support roaming capabilities, then connectivity support for multiple regions is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming capabilityVSAvoidhardware paths

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single RF path that can serve multiple geographic regions through frequency-selective surface (FSS) filters that are configurable to support different frequency bands. Instead of having separate dedicated paths for each region, the system uses one universal path with reconfigurable filtering elements that can be adjusted to match the required frequency bands for different roaming scenarios, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining multi-region adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by using reconfigurable FSS filters that can dynamically adjust their frequency response characteristics. The filters are designed with controllable parameters that allow them to adapt to different frequency bands and roaming requirements in real-time. This dynamic reconfigurability eliminates the need for fixed dedicated hardware paths for each region, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to support multiple geographic regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate hardware paths are added for each geographic region to support roaming capabilities, then connectivity support for multiple regions is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single RF path that can serve multiple geographic regions through frequency-selective surface (FSS) filters that are configurable to support different frequency bands. Instead of having separate dedicated paths for each region, the system uses one universal path with reconfigurable filtering elements that can be adjusted to match the required frequency bands for different roaming scenarios, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining multi-region adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements merging by combining multiple frequency band support into a single RF path through the use of reconfigurable FSS filters. Rather than manufacturing separate dedicated paths for each geographic region, the system merges the functionality of multiple paths into one shared path that can be reconfigured as needed. This consolidation reduces component count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to support multiple regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If conventional bandpass filters are used for each frequency band, then frequency selectivity is maintained, but carrier aggregation across overlapping bands becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency selectivityVSAvoidcarrier aggregation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by using reconfigurable FSS filters that can dynamically adjust their frequency response characteristics. The filters are designed with controllable parameters that allow them to adapt to different frequency bands and roaming requirements in real-time. This dynamic reconfigurability eliminates the need for fixed dedicated hardware paths for each region, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to support multiple geographic regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the frequency response characteristics of the FSS filters through controllable parameters. Instead of using fixed bandpass filters with rigid frequency selectivity, the system uses filters whose parameters (such as center frequency, bandwidth, and resonance characteristics) can be dynamically adjusted. This allows the same filter to support multiple frequency bands and enable carrier aggregation across overlapping bands by simply changing the filter parameters rather than requiring complex hardware reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240030945A1Systems, devices, and methods related to RF front-end architectures for roaming support using filter bandwidth consolidation and reduced filter count

Publication Date: 2024.01.25 SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A system may include a multiplexer coupled to an antenna. The system may further include a combined band filter circuit coupled to the multiplexer and including a filter having a modified filter bandpass extent to include a frequency range of a roaming band, the combined band filter circuit configured to couple a signal associated with the roaming band to the filter.