Single-Coax IF Radio Partitioning Without External RF Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless radio architectures for MIMO systems require multiple coaxial cables and external RF filters, which are large, expensive, and difficult to integrate into small devices, and face challenges in spectral emissions and harmonic interference.
Innovation Solution
Implement a radio partitioning architecture that uses multiple data streams over a single coaxial cable with baseband filtering, eliminating external RF filters and enabling flexible frequency schemes by leveraging baseband filtering within the RFIC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple coaxial cables and external RF filters are used in conventional wireless radio architectures, then spectral emissions and harmonic interference can be filtered, but the system size increases, cost increases, and integration into small devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filtering function from external RF filters and relocates it to the baseband domain within the RFIC. By removing the need for external RF filters and coaxial cables, the harmful filtering function is preserved while the physical components occupying space are eliminated, directly resolving the contradiction between filtering performance and system size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical filtering system (external RF filters and coaxial cables) with an electronic/baseband filtering system implemented within the RFIC. This substitution eliminates the need for physical filtering components while maintaining the spectral emission and harmonic interference filtering functionality, thereby reducing system size without compromising harmful factor mitigation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple coaxial cables and external RF filters are used in conventional wireless radio architectures, then RF signal filtering can be achieved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filtering function with the baseband processing circuitry within the RFIC, eliminating the need for separate external RF filters and coaxial cables. This integration consolidates multiple functions into a single chip, reducing the bill of materials and assembly costs while maintaining RF signal filtering capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the filtering function from expensive external RF components and relocates it to the baseband domain within the RFIC. By removing the need for external filters and coaxial cables, the cost associated with these components is eliminated, directly addressing the contradiction between filtering performance and manufacturing cost
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple coaxial cables are used in conventional wireless radio architectures, then multiple data streams can be transmitted, but the device integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal baseband filtering architecture within the RFIC that can handle multiple data streams through a single integrated interface. The baseband filtering circuitry is designed to process multiple signals simultaneously, providing multi-functionality that replaces the need for multiple separate coaxial cable connections, thereby improving device integration while maintaining multiple data streams capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple data stream processing functions into a single integrated baseband filtering system within the RFIC. By combining what would traditionally require multiple separate coaxial cable connections into one integrated interface, the system achieves better device integration while preserving the ability to transmit multiple data streams
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are disclosed implementing a radio partitioning architecture using multiple data streams over a single coaxial cable that does not require external RF filtering. This provides a flexible frequency scheme (e.g., using IF frequency adjustment) that enables the avoidance of Wi-Fi and LTE harmonics. The techniques include leveraging baseband filtering, which may be integrated with the radio head in a common radio frequency intergraded circuit (RFIC).