RF Multiplexer Die Partitioning for Skirt and Reflection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RF multiplexers face design flexibility limitations due to resonators being fabricated on separate chips, making it difficult to optimize them for specific functions such as skirt steepness and counter band frequency reflection.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency multiplexer circuit where portions of the send and receive circuits are disposed on a single monocrystalline substrate, allowing resonators to be optimized for different functionalities, with different dies handling high power durability and counter band reflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If resonators are fabricated on separate chips for send and receive filters, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but design flexibility and optimization for specific functions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the resonator system into two segments: common resonators (coupled to antenna port) fabricated on a first chip and send filter resonators fabricated on a second chip. This segmentation allows each chip to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through separate fabrication processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the common resonators of both send and receive filters on a single first chip, allowing these resonators to be optimized for counter band reflection while sharing the same fabrication process. This merging enables functional optimization without increasing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If all resonators of one filter path are realized on one chip, then manufacturing is simplified, but optimization for specific electrical sub-functions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabrication simplicityVSAvoidelectrical performance optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by giving different chips different optimization characteristics: the first chip is optimized for high counter band reflection (local quality for common resonators) while the second chip is optimized for other send filter requirements. Each chip has tailored layer stacks and designs suited to its specific electrical function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If resonators are optimized for counter band reflection, then power durability is improved, but filter skirt steepness may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower durabilityVSAvoidfilter skirt steepness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the resonator functions again, placing resonators optimized for counter band reflection and power handling on the first chip, while send filter resonators requiring steep skirt characteristics are placed on the second chip. This segmentation allows each group to be independently optimized for its primary function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3794672B1Radio frequency multiplexer
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 RF360 SINGAPORE PTE LTD
  • EP3794672B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3794672B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3794672B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A radio frequency multiplexer (210, 220, 230) comprises send and receive circuits each including a RF filter circuit (211, 212, 221, 227, 231,..., 234). The send and receive circuits are coupled to an antenna port (225, 245) and corresponding send and receive ports (221, 222). A portion of the send circuit and a portion of the receive circuit are disposed on a single die (213, 226, 250). The layer stacks of the resonators of the send and receive circuits disposed on the single die can be optimized for the required functionality.