RF Front-End Circuit Shared Transmission Port Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-mode multi-frequency mobile terminals face challenges in miniaturization due to multiple transmission paths and power amplifiers, leading to increased complexity and size.

Innovation Solution

A radio-frequency front-end circuit design where all frequency bands share one transmission port, with integrated radio-frequency amplifiers and a switch to manage signal switching across different frequency bands, reducing the need for multiple ports and simplifying internal design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each frequency band is provided with separate transmission ports and power amplifiers, then the transmission performance for each frequency band is improved, but the device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission performanceVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple frequency band transmission paths into a single transmission port by integrating multiple power amplifiers into one unified amplifier chip. Each amplifier within the chip handles specific frequency bands, but all share the same output port, eliminating the need for separate transmission ports for each frequency band while maintaining transmission performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified transmission port serves multiple frequency bands simultaneously, making it a universal interface that handles different frequency ranges. The integrated amplifier chip provides multi-functional capability by incorporating multiple amplifiers that can operate across different frequency bands through a single port.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmission ports and power amplifiers are used for different frequency bands, then the signal transmission capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate amplifier components into a single integrated amplifier chip that handles multiple frequency bands. This merging reduces the number of discrete components and interconnections, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving the capability to transmit signals across multiple frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Within the unified amplifier chip, different frequency bands are handled by separate amplifier units that are integrated together. This segmentation allows each amplifier to be optimized for specific frequency ranges while benefiting from the simplified external interface of a single transmission port.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If separate power amplifiers are used for each frequency band, then the transmission efficiency for each band is improved, but the internal space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidinternal space
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where multiple amplifier units are integrated within a single amplifier chip. Each amplifier unit is contained within the unified chip structure, allowing multiple functional elements to occupy the same physical space through hierarchical integration, thereby reducing overall internal space consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple separate amplifier components are merged into a single integrated chip that provides the same total amplification capability. This consolidation reduces the cumulative space required for housing, mounting, and connecting multiple discrete amplifiers while maintaining the transmission efficiency needed for each frequency band.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2860878B1Radio-frequency front-end circuit of multiband terminal and multiband terminal
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 ZTE CORP
  • EP2860878B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Disclosed is a radio-frequency front-end circuit of a multi-frequency terminal, including: a radio-frequency transceiver chip, a radio-frequency amplifier chip and a radio-frequency switch, wherein all frequency bands share one transmission port in the radio-frequency transceiver chip; the radio-frequency amplifier chip includes a plurality of radio-frequency amplifiers corresponding to frequency bands in which the radio-frequency transceiver chip transmits signals, and the plurality of radio-frequency amplifiers are integrated together and share a common input port; the input port of the radio-frequency amplifier chip is connected to the transmission port of the radio-frequency transceiver chip; the radio-frequency switch is connected to an output of the radio-frequency amplifier chip, and used for switching signals in different frequency bands.