Notch-Filtered RF Input Matching for Wideband Blocker Rejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently amplifying and transmitting radio frequency signals with bandwidths exceeding 1.5 GHz, particularly due to interference from wideband input signals and the difficulty in manufacturing transmission lines with such components.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a device comprising a first inductor, a second inductor magnetically coupled with the first inductor and an amplifier, and a notch filter electrically coupled between the two inductors. This configuration allows for the amplification of radio frequency signals with a bandwidth exceeding 1.5 GHz while rejecting interfering signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional amplifier circuit is used to amplify wideband RF signals, then the bandwidth coverage is improved, but interference from wideband input signals causes amplifier saturation and reduces signal-to-noise ratio

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth coverageVSAvoidinterference rejection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The input filtering function is segmented into multiple frequency-specific notch filters, each targeting specific interference frequencies. This allows the circuit to maintain wideband amplification capability while selectively rejecting interfering signals at particular frequencies, thus resolving the contradiction between bandwidth coverage and interference rejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Notch filters are introduced as intermediary components between the antenna and the amplifier. These filters act as mediators that selectively remove interfering frequencies from the input signal before it reaches the amplifier, preventing amplifier saturation while preserving the wideband signal amplification function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If transmission lines with wideband components are manufactured, then signal transmission capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission line structures with integrated circuit implementations using planar inductors and capacitors. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process by using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques while maintaining the wideband signal transmission capability through carefully designed LC resonant circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The inductor and capacitor components are designed to serve multiple functions: they form notch filters for interference rejection, provide impedance matching, and enable wideband signal transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the overall circuit complexity and simplifies manufacturing compared to using separate dedicated components for each function.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If filtering components are added to reject interfering signals, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but circuit area increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidcircuit area
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The notch filter components (inductors and capacitors) are merged with the amplifier's input matching network and biasing circuits. By combining multiple functions into shared components, the circuit achieves effective interference rejection without proportionally increasing the overall circuit area, as the same components serve both filtering and impedance matching purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inductor and capacitor values are optimized to create notch frequencies that target specific interference signals while maintaining broadband operation. By carefully selecting component parameters, the filter provides effective interference rejection with minimal impact on the overall circuit footprint, as the filtering function is achieved through parameter optimization rather than additional physical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The described solution effectively amplifies wideband RF signals and rejects interfering frequencies, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio and reducing the risk of amplifier saturation, all while minimizing circuit area and enhancing input bandwidth.

Implementation Method 1

a second inductor magnetically coupled with the first inductor and an amplifier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4550664A1Out-of band filters
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD
  • EP4550664A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4550664A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4550664A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Wide-band matching in out-of-band blocker rejection filters is provided. A device includes a first inductor. The device includes a second inductor magnetically coupled with the first inductor and with an amplifier. The device includes a notch filter electrically coupled between the first inductor and the second inductor. The amplifier can be configured to amplify a plurality of radio frequency signals. A bandwidth of the radio frequency signals can exceed 1.5 gigahertz (GHz).