SAW Filtered Multi-Band Amplification With Passive Signal Termination

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Solution Overview

Problem

In RF electronics, amplification and recombination of aggregated carrier component signals result in significant noise and gain differences across different frequency bands, affecting overall signal quality.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a filter that separates aggregate signals into sub-signals of different frequency bands, followed by low noise amplifiers and a switchable passive network that terminates unwanted frequency components, reducing noise and improving gain characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bandpass filters are used to receive aggregated component carriers in different bands, then the device can receive signals across multiple frequency bands simultaneously, but the amplification and combining of these signals results in significant noise and gain differences affecting overall signal quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to receive multiple frequency bandsVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The aggregate signal is separated into multiple sub-signals corresponding to different frequency bands using bandpass filters. Each sub-signal is then amplified independently by dedicated amplifiers, allowing customized gain control for each band while maintaining overall signal quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different amplification characteristics are applied to different frequency bands. Each amplifier is configured with specific gain settings tailored to its corresponding frequency band, compensating for band-specific losses and noise characteristics rather than using uniform amplification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If independent amplifiers are used for each frequency band, then gain control for each band is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple amplifiers and filtering components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegain controlVSAvoidnumber of amplifiers and filters

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The amplifiers are configured to operate in different modes depending on the operating band. The same amplifier hardware can be optimized for different frequency ranges through configurable gain settings, reducing the need for completely separate amplifier chains for each band

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If aggregate signals are amplified and re-combined onto a single path, then the receiver can process multiple bands through a unified path, but significant noise is introduced during amplification and combining

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunified signal path processingVSAvoidnoise during amplification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of amplifying the aggregate signal as a whole, the signal is segmented into frequency sub-signals that are amplified separately. This prevents noise from one frequency band from affecting the amplification of other bands, reducing overall noise in the combined output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively reduces noise and gain inconsistencies across frequency bands, enhancing signal quality by selectively terminating unwanted signal portions and optimizing amplifier performance.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one filter includes a surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface acoustic wave filtering: Surface Acoustic Wave

Implementation Method 2

a filter that receives an aggregate signal having a plurality of signal components of different frequency bands and separates the aggregate signal into a plurality of sub-signals of different frequency bands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 3

a network interposed between the plurality of outputs, the network having components selected to terminate at least a portion of the signals on the plurality of outputs that have a frequency outside of the frequency band corresponding to the output

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpedance termination: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentUS9455755B2Aggregate signal amplification device and method

Publication Date: 2016.09.27 SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter that receives an aggregate circuit and outputs two or more sub-signals on outputs each of a different frequency band. The sub-signals are amplified by low noise amplifiers and, in one implementation, the amplified sub-signals can be summed. The outputs are connected via a switched passive network so that portions of the sub-signals on the outputs that are not in the selected frequency band are at least partially terminated.