RFIC LNA and Shared Load Circuit Layout for Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of supporting wide-band carrier aggregation in wireless communication apparatuses leads to difficulties in miniaturizing RFICs due to the need for intricate configurations of receivers and amplifiers, which complicates the design and increases power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A connection structure between low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) and load circuits is implemented, where dedicated and shared load circuits are allocated to LNA groups to efficiently support wide-band carrier aggregation, enabling miniaturization by reducing the total number of LNAs and simplifying the design complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated load circuits are allocated to each LNA group to support wide-band carrier aggregation, then frequency down-conversion capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a dedicated load circuit for a specific LNA group while also being capable of operating with other LNA groups through switching mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows the same load circuit to handle frequency down-conversion for multiple frequency bands without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each LNA group, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining wide-band carrier aggregation capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of LNAs is increased to support multiple frequency bands, then carrier aggregation capability is improved, but the area of the RFIC increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LNA groups operating on different frequency bands are merged to share common load circuits. The switching mechanism allows dynamic allocation of load circuits to different LNA groups based on the active frequency band, enabling multiple LNAs to share the same physical infrastructure rather than each LNA having its own dedicated load circuit, thus reducing the overall RFIC area
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic switching mechanisms that allow load circuits to be reconfigured and reallocated based on which frequency band is currently active. This dynamic allocation enables the RFIC to adapt its internal connections in real-time, allowing the same physical components to serve multiple purposes across different operating conditions, thereby minimizing the required circuit area
3Device complexity
If switching mechanisms are added to enable shared load circuits, then device complexity is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching mechanism operates periodically or event-driven based on frequency band changes rather than continuously. The switch controller monitors the active frequency band and activates switching operations only when a band change is detected, keeping the switching circuits in a stable state during normal operation. This periodic or event-based switching reduces the average power consumption compared to continuous switching operations
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
This solution allows for efficient wide-band carrier aggregation, reducing the number of LNAs and design complexity, thereby enabling the miniaturization of wireless communication apparatuses while maintaining effective signal amplification and frequency down-conversion capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the first plurality of LNAs is configured to amplify a plurality of first carrier signals
Implementation Method 2
the first plurality of load circuits is configured to perform a frequency down-conversion of the plurality of first carrier signals amplified by the first LNA group
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-frequency integrated chip (RFIC) is described which provides a number of low noise amplifiers (LNAs) and load circuits. The low noise amplifiers are organized in groups. In some embodiments, a load circuit may be dedicated to a group or shared between groups. The RFIC includes an LNA group including a plurality of LNAs configured to amplify carrier signals related to a plurality of frequency bands, a second LNA group configured to amplify a plurality of second carrier signals, a first load circuit group dedicated to the first LNA group, a second load circuit group dedicated to the second LNA group, and a third load circuit group shared between the first LNA group and the second LNA group. In some embodiments the third load circuit group adaptively performs frequency down-conversion on a carrier signal amplified by at least one of the first LNA group and the second LNA group.