Six-Port RF Isolator Circuit for Multi-Transceiver Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable wireless communications devices used by public safety organizations face significant RF interference between LMR and LTE transceivers, leading to decreased communication quality and potential regulatory compliance issues due to lack of effective RF isolation.
Innovation Solution
A portable communications device incorporating a six-port isolator circuit with RF couplers and phasor shaping networks to provide RF isolation between multiple transceivers and antennas, operating in different frequency bands, thereby reducing mutual interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transceivers operate concurrently in the same device, then communication versatility is improved, but RF interference between transceivers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the RF signal paths into separate segments using isolator circuits for each transceiver (LMR, LTE-1, LTE-2). Each isolator creates an independent signal path that prevents interference between transceivers while allowing concurrent operation, thus maintaining communication versatility without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces isolator circuits as intermediary components between transceivers and antennas. These isolators act as mediators that allow multiple transceivers to share common antennas and RF paths without direct interference, enabling versatile multi-system operation while blocking harmful RF coupling.
2Volume of moving object
If transceivers are placed in close proximity within the device, then device compactness is improved, but RF coupling between antennas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator circuits serve as intermediary components that enable compact transceiver placement without suffering from RF coupling. By inserting isolators between antennas and transceivers, the patent allows close proximity positioning while the isolators block the harmful RF coupling that would otherwise occur between closely spaced antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the RF signal parameters (isolation level, signal directionality) using isolator circuits to enable compact design. The isolators modify the RF signal path characteristics to prevent coupling between closely spaced antennas, allowing the device to achieve compactness without sacrificing RF performance.
3Reliability
If RF isolation between transceivers is improved, then communication quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal isolator circuit design that can be applied to multiple transceiver types (LMR, LTE-1, LTE-2) using the same antenna resources. This multi-functional approach provides consistent RF isolation across all transceiver combinations, improving communication quality while avoiding the need for different isolation mechanisms for each transceiver pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple transceivers and antennas into a shared RF system with common isolator circuits. By merging the RF paths and using shared isolation components, the patent achieves comprehensive RF isolation for all transceiver combinations without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the isolators serve multiple functions simultaneously.
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 significantly improves RF isolation and communication quality, enabling concurrent operation of multiple communication systems while ensuring compliance with regulatory limits on spurious RF emissions, and enhances battery efficiency by reducing interference-related power usage.
Implementation Method 1
an isolator circuit coupled to the RF antenna system and the RF transceiver system and configured to provide RF isolation between the first RF transceiver, the second RF transceiver, and the third RF transceiver
Data Source
AI summary
Radio frequency architecture for reducing mutual interference between multiple wireless communication modalities. One embodiment provides a portable communications device including a housing and an RF antenna system including a first RF antenna, a second RF antenna, and a third RF antenna in the housing. The portable communications device includes an RF transceiver system including a first RF transceiver, a second RF transceiver, and a third RF transceiver operating in respective bands and an isolator circuit coupled to the RF antenna system and the RF transceiver system and configured to provide RF isolation between the first RF transceiver, the second RF transceiver, and the third RF transceiver. The isolator circuit includes an RF coupler featuring six RF coupler ports coupled to the first RF antenna, the second RF antenna, the third RF antenna, the first RF transceiver, the second RF transceiver, and the third RF transceiver through respective phasor shaping networks.