RF Transceiver Switching for Balanced 5G Antenna Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Antenna layout and radio frequency wiring issues lead to antenna performance imbalance in 5G mobile communications, preventing effective antenna switching between multiple antennas.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency circuit design that allows the first transmit port to conductively connect to different radio frequency modules using switches, enabling selective antenna switching and reducing path loss caused by radio frequency wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If four antennas are switched using fixed amplifier configuration, then antenna switching is attempted, but antenna performance is poor due to layout and space reasons, and loss in radio frequency wiring leads to antenna performance imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna switching capabilityVSAvoidantenna performance balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic antenna switching by making the first transmit port connect to different radio frequency modules through switching mechanisms. This allows the system to dynamically select between a first radio frequency module connected to a first antenna array and a second radio frequency module connected to a second antenna array, resolving the contradiction between antenna switching capability and performance balance by enabling flexible, adaptive configuration rather than fixed connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the radio frequency system into multiple independent modules: a first radio frequency module with a first antenna array and a second radio frequency module with a second antenna array. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and enables selective activation of modules based on performance requirements, thereby maintaining antenna performance balance while preserving switching capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If only a power amplifier corresponding to TX2 works in 2T4R configuration, then the fixed amplifier configuration is maintained, but only three-antenna switching or even two-antenna switching can be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamplifier configuration simplicityVSAvoidantenna switching scope
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the first transmit port universal by enabling it to connect to both the first radio frequency module and the second radio frequency module through switching. This multi-functionality allows the same transmit port to work with different radio frequency modules and antenna arrays, expanding antenna switching scope from limited two- or three-antenna switching to comprehensive four-antenna switching without significantly increasing overall system complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces switching mechanisms as intermediary components between the transmit ports and radio frequency modules. These switches act as mediators that enable flexible connection routing, allowing the first transmit port to selectively connect to different radio frequency modules based on operational requirements, thereby expanding antenna switching capability while maintaining manageable device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4145708B1Radio-frequency circuit and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP4145708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4145708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4145708B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a radio frequency circuit and an electronic device. The radio frequency circuit includes a radio frequency transceiver having a first transmit port, a first radio frequency module connected to a first antenna array, a second radio frequency module connected to a second antenna array, and a first switch. A first input terminal of the first switch is connected to the first transmit port, and two output terminals of the first switch are respectively connected to the two radio frequency modules. In a case that the first switch is in a first state, the first transmit port is conductively connected to the first radio frequency module; or in a case that the first switch is in a second state, the first transmit port is conductively connected to the second radio frequency module.