Shared Tunable Notch Filters for DRX Transmit Blocker Rejection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current carrier aggregation diversity receive (DRX) modules face high complexity, size, and cost due to the need for individual receive filters to reject transmit blocker signals, while also requiring large hardware infrastructure to address various channel carrier aggregation combinations.
Innovation Solution
A receive module infrastructure that employs a shared tunable notch filter to reject transmit blocker signals for all or a subset of receive paths simultaneously, reducing complexity and size, and utilizing tunable band-pass LNA matching networks to cover multiple adjacent bands with a small hardware infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual receive filters are used for each receive path to reject transmit blocker signals, then transmit blocker rejection is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmit blocker rejection function into a single shared filter that serves multiple receive paths simultaneously. This shared filter is configured to reject transmit blocker signals for all or a subset of receive paths, eliminating the need for individual filters in each path and thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining rejection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared filter is designed with multi-functionality to handle transmit blocker rejection across multiple receive paths and frequency bands. By making the filter universal rather than path-specific, the system achieves the same rejection capability with fewer components, directly addressing the complexity issue while preserving reliability.
2Reliability
If individual receive filters are used for each receive path, then transmit blocker rejection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the filter function into a single shared component rather than requiring multiple individual filters, the patent reduces the total component count. This merging approach directly lowers manufacturing costs through reduced parts quantity, simplified assembly processes, and lower inventory requirements, while the shared filter maintains the necessary rejection performance across all receive paths.
3Reliability
If complex filters are used in each receive path, then transmit blocker rejection is improved, but the size of the receive module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates the filtering functionality into a single shared filter unit that serves multiple receive paths. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate filter components that would each occupy space in their respective paths, thereby significantly reducing the overall receive module size while maintaining the same transmit blocker rejection capability through the shared resource.
4Device complexity
If a small hardware infrastructure is used, then device size and complexity are reduced, but the ability to cover various channel carrier aggregation combinations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically tunable filters that can adjust their characteristics to cover different frequency bands and carrier aggregation combinations. This dynamic adaptability allows a single shared filter infrastructure to handle multiple scenarios and band combinations that would otherwise require dedicated hardware for each configuration, thereby achieving versatility without increasing hardware size or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter system utilizes parameter changes (such as tuning frequency, bandwidth, and center frequency) to adapt to different carrier aggregation scenarios. By changing filter parameters rather than changing physical hardware, the system can cover a wide variety of channel carrier aggregation combinations with a minimal hardware infrastructure, directly resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
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 the complexity, size, and cost of DRX modules while maintaining high transmit blocker rejection and low insertion loss, enabling efficient handling of various channel carrier aggregation combinations with minimal hardware.
Implementation Method 1
at least one shared tunable notch filter configured to reject at least one of the undesired transmit blocker signals for each of the first receive path and the second receive path
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier aggregation front-end module with a receive sub-module for receiving signals from a plurality of transmit modules. The module comprises a first receive path configured to receive a first set of signals from one or more of a plurality of antennas, wherein the first set of signals comprises at least one desired receive signal and at least one undesired transmit blocker signal from the plurality of transmit modules. The second receive path is configured to receive a second set of signals from one or more of a plurality of antennas comprising at least one desired receive signal and at least one undesired transmit blocker signal from the plurality of transmit modules. The module also comprises at least one shared tunable notch filter configured to reject at least one of the undesired transmit blocker signals for each of the first receive path and the second receive path.