RF Device Switching Control via Testing Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical RF switches face challenges in detecting proper connection of detachable RF elements and cause undesirable transmission power loss due to limited allocation and increased wire costs and routing space.
Innovation Solution
An RF device with an electrically controlled RF switch and a testing circuit that automatically selects and switches between built-in and external RF elements, using a testing signal to determine connection status and issue control signals for proper signal routing, thereby ensuring reliable connection and minimizing power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical RF switch connector is used to connect detachable RF transmitting/receiving elements, then the RF transmitting/receiving operation can be switched between built-in and external elements, but the connection status detection becomes problematic and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a testing circuit as an intermediary component that includes a testing signal output unit, a filter unit, and a testing-result informing unit. This intermediary system enables reliable detection of connection status between the detachable RF element and the RF switch connector by injecting testing signals and analyzing the responses, thereby resolving the unreliable detection problem while maintaining the switching capability between built-in and external RF elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the detachable RF transmitting/receiving element is internally connected with the built-in RF transmitting/receiving element, then the allocation is limited by the mechanical RF switch connector, but wire cost and routing space increase causing power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical RF switch connector with an electronically controlled RF switch that is electrically coupled to both the built-in and detachable RF transmitting/receiving elements. This substitution eliminates the need for physical mechanical connections and extensive wire routing, thereby reducing wire cost, minimizing routing space requirements, and decreasing transmission power loss while maintaining the ability to selectively operate between different RF elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the switching function from the mechanical connector and relocates it to an electronically controlled RF switch. This separation allows the detachable RF element to be connected directly to the RF circuit without being constrained by mechanical connector positioning, enabling more flexible and efficient signal routing that reduces power loss.
Data Source
AI summary
In an RF device, an RF circuit includes at least two RF transmitting/receiving elements; and an RF switch controlled to selectively electrically couple to one of the RF transmitting/receiving elements for transmitting/receiving an RF signal in response to a control signal. In addition, a testing circuit includes a first filter unit having a first external terminal electrically coupled to a testing signal and a second external terminal electrically coupled to the RF circuit, wherein the first filter unit is configured to allow the testing signal to enter the RF circuit while blocking an RF signal transmitted in the RF circuit from entering the testing circuit; and a testing-result informing unit having an external input electrically coupled to the first external terminal, and determining contents of the control signal according to an electric level at the external input.