RF Front End Multiplexer for Carrier Aggregation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RF front end circuitry is limited in supporting multiple carrier aggregation configurations and requires a large number of filters, which increases complexity and space consumption.

Innovation Solution

The RF front end circuitry is designed with a configuration that includes a quintplexer and a diplexer, allowing for carrier aggregation between multiple operating bands using only seven filters, enabling support for various carrier aggregation configurations while minimizing the number of filters needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional RF front end circuitry is used to support multiple carrier aggregation configurations, then the number of filters required increases, but this leads to increased complexity and space consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple carrier aggregation configurationsVSAvoidnumber of filters

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RF multiplexer circuitry is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a quadplexer for first and third operating bands and as a diplexer for second and third operating bands. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit to support multiple carrier aggregation configurations without requiring separate filter sets for each configuration, thereby reducing overall filter count while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functionality of multiple filters into a single RF multiplexer circuit. By merging the quadplexer and diplexer functions into one integrated circuit with shared common nodes and selectively controllable paths, the design reduces the total number of discrete filter components while maintaining the ability to support various carrier aggregation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional RF front end circuitry is used to support multiple carrier aggregation configurations, then the number of filters required increases, but this leads to increased space consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple carrier aggregation configurationsVSAvoidspace consumption of RF front end circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functionality of multiple filters into a single RF multiplexer circuit. By merging the quadplexer and diplexer functions into one integrated circuit with shared common nodes and selectively controllable paths, the design reduces the total number of discrete filter components while maintaining the ability to support various carrier aggregation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The RF multiplexer circuitry is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a quadplexer for first and third operating bands and as a diplexer for second and third operating bands. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit to support multiple carrier aggregation configurations without requiring separate filter sets for each configuration, thereby reducing overall filter count while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional RF front end circuitry is used, then filter performance requirements increase, but this makes the design more difficult to implement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveout-of-band blocking performanceVSAvoiddesign implementation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic switching control to configure the RF multiplexer circuit differently based on the operating mode. Control signals selectively activate specific paths within the circuit, allowing it to function as a quadplexer or diplexer as needed. This dynamic reconfiguration capability maintains reliable out-of-band blocking performance across different modes while simplifying the overall design by using a single adaptable circuit rather than multiple fixed circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration allows for efficient carrier aggregation between multiple bands, improving data rates and reducing the complexity and space requirements of the RF front end circuitry, while maintaining effective out-of-band blocking performance.

Implementation Method 1

A filter response of the first RF multiplexer circuitry includes a first pass band configured to pass RF transmit signals within a first operating band between a first one of the first set of input/output nodes and the first common node, a second pass band configured to pass RF receive signals within the first operating band and RF receive signals within the second operating band between the first common node and a second one of the first set of input/output nodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency selective filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 2

A filter response of the second RF multiplexer circuitry includes a fifth pass band configured to pass RF receive signals within the first operating band and RF receive signals within the second operating band between the second common node and a first one of the second set of input/output nodes, a sixth pass band configured to pass RF transmit signals within the second operating band between a second one of the second set of input/output nodes and the second common node

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency selective filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS9548768B2Radio frequency front end circuitry for carrier aggregation

Publication Date: 2017.01.17 QORVO US INC

AI summary

Radio frequency (RF) front end circuitry includes first RF multiplexer circuitry and second RF multiplexer circuitry. The first RF multiplexer circuitry is a quadplexer, while the second RF multiplexer is a triplexer. The RF front end circuitry is configured to support the transmission and reception of signals within a first operating band, a second operating band, and a third operating band. Further, the RF front end circuitry is configured to support carrier aggregation configurations between the first operating band and the third operating band and the second operating band and the third operating band.