RF Receiver Shared Inductors Reduce Chip Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern integrated receivers face challenges with increasing numbers of communication bands, leading to a higher number of low noise amplifiers (LNAs) and chip area consumption due to the need for sufficient isolation between input ports, particularly in frequency division duplexing systems where transmit and receive frequency ranges overlap.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a receiver with shared degeneration inductors for groups of input circuits where transmit and receive frequency ranges do not overlap, reducing the number of overall degeneration inductors and chip area consumption by distinguishing between high-isolation and low-isolation input ports, and using shared cascode amplifier circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of communication bands is increased, then the receiver's capability to handle multiple bands is improved, but the number of low noise amplifiers and chip area consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of communication bandsVSAvoidchip area consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple low noise amplifiers into shared amplifier circuits that can serve multiple communication bands. Specifically, amplifier circuits are shared between different receiving ports based on frequency band characteristics, reducing the total number of amplifiers needed while maintaining support for multiple bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements multi-functional amplifier circuits that can operate across different frequency ranges. The same amplifier circuit can serve multiple communication bands by adjusting operating parameters, eliminating the need for dedicated amplifiers for each band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of input ports is increased, then the receiver's capability to receive multiple bands is improved, but the number of degeneration inductors and isolation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of input portsVSAvoidnumber of degeneration inductors

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple degeneration inductors into shared inductor structures. Inductors are shared between different amplifier circuits based on the frequency bands they serve, reducing the total count of inductors while maintaining the necessary isolation between ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different isolation requirements selectively. High isolation is implemented only where frequency overlap between transmit and receive bands occurs (local quality), while shared inductors are used where overlap does not occur, optimizing the balance between isolation and component count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If shared amplifier circuits are used, then chip area consumption is reduced, but isolation between input ports may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechip area consumptionVSAvoidisolation between input ports

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements differential isolation characteristics based on local frequency band conditions. When frequency overlap between transmit and receive bands occurs, high isolation is enforced locally. When no overlap occurs, shared circuits can operate with relaxed isolation requirements, optimizing area efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts operating parameters of shared amplifier circuits dynamically. By changing parameters such as gain, bandwidth, and impedance matching based on the active communication band, the circuits maintain appropriate isolation characteristics while serving multiple bands efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8953502B2Receiver for receiving RF-signals in a plurality of different communication bands and transceiver

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 APPLE INC

AI summary

A receiver for receiving RF-signals in a plurality of different communication bands, each communication band including a receive frequency range and a transmit frequency range includes a plurality of receiving ports, a plurality of input circuits, a first inductor and a second inductor. Each receiving port is configured to receive RF-signals in a receive frequency range of a communication band. Each input circuit is connected to an associated receiving port for processing RF-signals applied to the receiving port. The first inductor is connected to a first group of input circuits and the second inductor is connected to a second group of input circuits, wherein the first group of input circuits and the second group of input circuits are disjunct. The receiving ports associated with the first group of input circuits are configured to receive RF-signals in a first group of communication bands, wherein in the first group of communication bands, none of the transmit frequency ranges overlap with one of the receive frequency ranges. The receiving ports associated with the second group of input circuits are configured to receive RF-signals in a second group of communication bands, wherein in the second group of communication bands, none of the transmit frequency ranges overlaps with one of the receive frequency ranges.