Shared Mixer Receiver Layout to Minimize Band-Group Parasitic Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional receivers face performance issues due to parasitic loads when sharing mixers between band groups, leading to degraded signal quality and receiver performance.

Innovation Solution

A receiver design where each band group is coupled to a mixer via a switch, allowing only one band group to connect at a time, minimizing parasitic loads and improving signal quality by using capacitors to isolate bias voltages and optimize switch placement for better performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two band groups are coupled to the mixer input terminal via switches, then the mixer can be shared between band groups, but the parasitic load from the switches degrades the receiver performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixer sharing capabilityVSAvoidparasitic load at mixer input
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the band selection mechanism into separate segments: one switch per band group, with each switch located at the output of its respective band group rather than at the mixer input. This segmentation isolates the parasitic load of each switch to its own band path, preventing the cumulative effect of multiple switches at the mixer input terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces individual switches as intermediary elements between each band group and the mixer. These switches act as mediators that enable band selection while isolating the parasitic effects to local paths rather than affecting the entire mixer input terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If two band groups are directly connected to the mixer input terminal, then the parasitic load from switches is eliminated, but the parasitic load from both band groups accumulates at the mixer input

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparasitic load at mixer inputVSAvoidload co-design requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the load management by placing individual switches at each band group output. This segmentation ensures that each band group's load is independently controlled and does not accumulate at the mixer input terminal, eliminating the need for complex co-design of band group loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single switch is used at the mixer input to select between band groups, then the structure is simplified, but the parasitic load from the single switch affects both band groups simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitch configurationVSAvoidparasitic load impact on signal path
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the switch placement so that each band group has its own switch located at its output. This segmentation ensures that the parasitic load of each switch only affects its own band path, not both band groups simultaneously, thereby improving signal quality while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3651368B1Band sharing technique of receiver
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP3651368B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3651368B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3651368B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a receiver including a first band group, a second band group and a mixer. The first band group includes at least one LNA, wherein the first band group is configured to select one first LNA to receive a first input signal to generate an amplified first input signal. The second band group includes at least one LNA, wherein the second band group is configured to select one second LNA to receive a second input signal to generate an amplified second input signal. The first band group and the second band group are coupled to a first input terminal and a second input terminal of the mixer, respectively, and the mixer receives one of the amplified first input signal and the amplified second input signal to generate an output signal.