Single RF Filter for Transmit and Receive Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small wireless devices with multiple integrated circuits and components often require separate off-chip components for transceiver circuitry, leading to increased circuit board area usage and bill of material costs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a transmit path and a receive path, both utilizing a single off-chip RF filter through dynamically controlled switching circuitry, allowing for efficient sharing of the filter in both transmit and receive modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate off-chip filters are used for transmit and receive paths, then signal filtering performance is maintained, but circuit board area and bill of material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate filters (transmit filter and receive filter) into a single shared filter component. The switching circuitry dynamically connects this single filter to either the transmit path or receive path based on operational mode, thereby reducing the total component count and circuit board area while maintaining the filtering performance required for each path.
Solution Approach 2:
The single off-chip filter is designed to serve multiple functions by being shared between both transmit and receive paths. Through the switching circuitry, the same filter component performs filtering operations for transmitted signals and received signals at different times, eliminating the need for dedicated separate filters and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If separate off-chip filters are used for transmit and receive paths, then filtering performance is ensured, but bill of material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two separate filters into a single shared filter component. This consolidation reduces the bill of materials by eliminating redundant components while maintaining the necessary filtering performance through dynamic switching between transmit and receive modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The single filter is designed with universal applicability to both transmit and receive paths. By implementing multi-functionality through the switching circuitry, the system reduces component procurement costs while ensuring that filtering performance requirements are met for both operational modes.
3Area of stationary object
If a single off-chip filter is shared between transmit and receive paths, then circuit board area and costs are reduced, but switching complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces switching circuitry as an intermediary component that manages the sharing of the single filter between transmit and receive paths. This intermediary mechanism dynamically routes signals to or from the filter based on operational mode, enabling component sharing while maintaining system functionality through controlled signal path management.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single off-chip filter is shared between transmit and receive paths, then bill of material costs are reduced, but switching control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple filter functions into a single shared component, reducing bill of material costs. The switching control mechanism manages the temporal sharing of this single filter between transmit and receive operations, coordinating signal routing to maintain performance while minimizing component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The single filter is designed for universal use in both transmit and receive paths. The switching control system enables this multi-functionality by dynamically configuring signal paths, allowing the same hardware component to serve multiple purposes while reducing overall system cost.
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 reduces the number of required off-chip components, minimizing circuit board area usage and bill of material costs while maintaining effective signal filtering and amplification in both transmit and receive modes.
Implementation Method 1
the switching circuitry is to cause a RF filter to couple into the transmit path to filter the transmit RF signal
Implementation Method 2
the RF filter comprises a surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter
Implementation Method 3
cause the filtered transmit RF signal to be provided to the first power amplifier
Implementation Method 4
the receive path comprising a first low noise amplifier (LNA)
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a transmit path to receive, process and output a transmit radio frequency (RF) signal, the transmit path including a first power amplifier; a receive path to receive, process and output a receive RF signal, the receive path including a first low noise amplifier (LNA); and switching circuitry coupled to the transmit path and the receive path. In a transmit mode, the switching circuitry is to cause a RF filter to couple into the transmit path to filter the transmit RF signal and cause the filtered transmit RF signal to be provided to the first power amplifier and thereafter to an antenna. In a receive mode, the switching circuitry is to cause the receive RF signal to be provided to the RF filter and the first LNA, and thereafter to be provided to a digital processor.