Dual-Connectivity RF Front-End for Anchor-Link Antenna Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio frequency communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing multiple frequency bands and antenna calibration without disrupting established anchor links, particularly in advanced cellular technologies like LTE-Advanced and 5G NR, which require flexible and efficient handling of uplink and downlink signals.
Innovation Solution
A dual connectivity radio frequency front-end module architecture that includes multiple transmit and receive amplifiers, switches, and antenna-plexers, allowing simultaneous transmission of sounding reference signals and downlink signals across different frequency bands while maintaining established anchor links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If antenna calibration is performed by transmitting sounding reference signals through existing antennas, then channel modeling accuracy is improved, but communication continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the antenna resources by introducing a dedicated calibration antenna separate from the communication antennas. This allows calibration operations to be performed on the calibration antenna while communication continues uninterrupted on the communication antennas, thereby maintaining measurement precision without disrupting communication continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated calibration antenna acts as an intermediary for calibration operations. This intermediary element absorbs the calibration function, preventing interference between calibration signal transmission and communication signal reception, thus resolving the contradiction between accurate channel modeling and continuous communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple frequency bands are managed simultaneously, then system versatility is improved, but signal interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments frequency band management by allocating specific antennas to specific frequency bands. Each antenna is dedicated to particular bands, which isolates the signals and prevents interference between different frequency bands while maintaining the ability to manage multiple bands simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different antennas are assigned different local qualities (frequency band specializations) to optimize performance. Each antenna is tuned and optimized for specific frequency bands, allowing versatile multi-band operation while minimizing interference through localized frequency assignment.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of this disclosure relate to radio frequency front-end modules that can transmit sounding reference signals for determining a channel model for an antenna without interrupting an anchor link established by the antenna. The radio frequency front-end modules can include a radio frequency switch configured, during an antenna calibration period, to simultaneously pass one or more sounding reference signal symbols to a first antenna and pass primary and diversity downlink signals from an antenna to a first receive amplifier and pass the diversity downlink signals from a second antenna to a second receive amplifier. Related methods, radio frequency systems, radio frequency modules, and wireless communication devices are also disclosed.