Frequency-Variable RF Front-End Circuit for Compact FDD/TDD Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication terminals face challenges in miniaturizing front-end circuits due to the increasing number of communication bands, as existing duplexer circuits struggle to separate transmission and reception signals effectively across different frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) systems, leading to increased circuit size.
Innovation Solution
A high-frequency front-end circuit design incorporating a transmission-reception duplexer circuit, frequency-variable filters, and separate antennas for transmission and reception signals in TDD systems, along with a duplexer circuit for general band division, to enable compact integration and efficient signal separation across multiple communication bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a shared antenna is used for multiple communication bands, then the number of antennas is reduced, but the number of ports of the switch and the number of duplexers and filters increase, making the circuit larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional front-end circuit that can handle both FDD and TDD systems, as well as multiple communication bands (e.g., 700MHz, 1.5GHz, 2.0GHz) using a shared antenna and shared filtering components. The frequency-selectable filter and switch circuit are designed to dynamically reconfigure the signal path based on the selected communication band and system type, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated components for each band or system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities through switch circuits that can change connection states based on the selected communication band and system type (FDD or TDD). The frequency-selectable filter dynamically adjusts its filtering characteristics depending on the operating band. This dynamic adaptability allows the circuit to optimize its signal path for different operational modes, enabling compact integration while maintaining proper signal separation for both FDD and TDD systems across multiple bands.
2Reliability
If a duplexer circuit of a frequency separation type is used, then transmission and reception signals of the FDD system can be separated, but it cannot separate transmission and reception signals of the TDD system, making it difficult to integrate circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing path into distinct configurable sections: a switch circuit that can connect the antenna to different components, a frequency-selectable filter that provides frequency-based separation, and a band separation filter. For FDD systems, the frequency-selectable filter separates transmission and reception frequencies. For TDD systems, the switch circuit dynamically connects the antenna to either the transmission path or reception path based on the current operation mode. This segmentation allows independent optimization for each system type while maintaining overall integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic switching mechanisms to adapt the circuit configuration based on the selected system type. The switch circuit dynamically reconfigures the signal path: for FDD operation, it enables the frequency-selectable filter to separate simultaneous transmission and reception signals at different frequencies; for TDD operation, it switches the antenna connection between transmission and reception modes in time-division fashion. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by providing appropriate signal separation for each system type without requiring separate dedicated circuits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of communication bands increases, then more bands can be transmitted and received, but the size of the circuit proportionally becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs universal filtering components that can handle multiple communication bands. The frequency-selectable filter is configured to provide appropriate filtering for different bands (700MHz, 1.5GHz, 2.0GHz, etc.) through dynamic reconfiguration. The band separation filter is designed with frequency characteristics that can separate signals across multiple bands. This universal design approach allows the same hardware components to serve multiple bands without requiring a separate filtering chain for each band, thereby maintaining compact circuit size while supporting increased adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple filtering functions into shared components. The frequency-selectable filter combines frequency selection and band filtering capabilities in a single reconfigurable component. The band separation filter is designed to handle separation for multiple bands simultaneously through its frequency characteristics. By merging these functions rather than implementing separate filters for each band, the circuit achieves multi-band support without proportional increase in size, resolving the contradiction between versatility and compactness.
Data Source
AI summary
A front-end circuit includes an antenna terminal, front-end terminals (Pfe1, Pfe2), a circulator, and frequency-variable filters. The circulator sends transmission signals of communication bands of a frequency division duplex system and a time division duplex system from the front-end terminal (Pfe1) to the antenna terminal. The circulator sends a reception signal from the antenna terminal to the front-end terminal (Pfe2). The frequency-variable filter is connected between the front-end terminal (Pfe1) and the circulator, passes transmission signals of the frequency division duplex system and the time division duplex system, and attenuates signals other than the above transmission signals. The frequency-variable filter is connected between the circulator and the front-end terminal (Pfe2), passes a reception signal of the frequency division duplex system, and attenuates signals other than the above reception signal.


