RF Module Switch Segmentation for Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiband and multimode radio-frequency modules, the increased number of terminals for filter switches leads to parasitic capacitance, degrading signal quality due to off-capacitance and impedance mismatch during carrier aggregation.
Innovation Solution
A radio-frequency module design with separate switches for different filters, preventing any combination of first and second filters from being used for carrier aggregation, thereby reducing off-capacitance and maintaining signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If many filters are coupled to one antenna to support many frequency ranges, then the support for multiple frequency ranges is improved, but the number of terminals of the switch module increases, leading to increased parasitic capacitance and degradation of bandpass characteristic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the filters into two separate groups: first filters coupled to a first switch and second filters coupled to a second switch. This segmentation reduces the number of terminals each switch needs to manage, thereby reducing parasitic capacitance and improving bandpass characteristics while still supporting multiple frequency ranges through coordinated operation of both switch groups.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of terminals of the switch module increases, then the support for multiple frequency ranges is improved, but the parasitic capacitance of disconnected terminals increases, resulting in degradation of bandpass characteristic and increase in reflection coefficient
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the filter sets into two separate groups connected to different switches, the patent reduces the number of disconnected terminals for any given carrier aggregation configuration. This minimizes the total parasitic capacitance affecting the signal path, thereby improving bandpass characteristics and reducing reflection coefficient.
3Adaptability or versatility
If many filters are coupled to one antenna, then the support for carrier aggregation is improved, but the impedance matching deteriorates due to increased off-capacitance, worsening the quality of transmit and receive signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filter architecture into two independent groups managed by separate switches. This allows for optimized impedance matching in each group by reducing the number of simultaneously connected filters, thereby minimizing off-capacitance effects and maintaining high signal quality for both transmit and receive paths during carrier aggregation operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-frequency module supports carrier aggregation in which radio-frequency signals in a plurality of frequency ranges are simultaneously transmitted, simultaneously received, or simultaneously transmitted and received. The radio-frequency module includes a plurality of first filters, a plurality of second filters, a switch coupled to an antenna element and the plurality of first filters and configured to control connection and disconnection between the antenna element and each of the plurality of first filters, and a switch coupled to the antenna element and the plurality of second filters and configured to control connection and disconnection between the antenna element and each of the plurality of second filters. No combination of filters selected from both the plurality of first filters and the plurality of second filters are used for carrier aggregation.