Switchable Acoustic Filter Topology for Multi-Band Coverage

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless transceivers require multiple acoustic resonators to cover different frequency bands, leading to increased costs and size due to the idle state of resonators when communicating in other bands.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable filter that uses a single acoustic resonator to operate in both serial and parallel modes, allowing it to service multiple frequency bands without being idle, thereby reducing the number of resonators needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple acoustic resonators are used to cover different frequency bands, then frequency band coverage is improved, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidfiltering circuitry size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic resonator is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between serial and parallel configurations. A single resonator can serve different frequency bands depending on its connection state, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated resonators for different bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter circuit incorporates switching mechanisms that dynamically reconfigure the resonator connections between serial and parallel states. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical resonator to adapt its electrical characteristics for different frequency bands during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple acoustic resonators are used to cover different frequency bands, then frequency band coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic resonator is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between serial and parallel configurations. A single resonator can serve different frequency bands depending on its connection state, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated resonators for different bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functionality of multiple resonators into a single resonator system. By merging the roles of what would traditionally require separate resonators for different frequency bands into one reconfigurable unit, the overall component count and manufacturing complexity are reduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If a single acoustic resonator is used in reconfigurable mode, then device size is reduced, but filter complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering circuitry sizeVSAvoidfilter circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter circuit incorporates switching mechanisms that dynamically reconfigure the resonator connections between serial and parallel states. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical resonator to adapt its electrical characteristics for different frequency bands during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Switching components act as intermediaries between the acoustic resonator and the signal path. These switches control the connection topology (serial or parallel) without requiring complex redesign of the resonator itself, isolating the complexity to controllable switching elements rather than the resonator structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reconfigurable filter reduces the size and cost of filtering circuitry by at least 20% while maintaining effective signal processing across multiple frequency bands.

Implementation Method 1

Some filters use acoustic resonators that can correspond to particular frequency bands. Each acoustic resonator has an associated financial and size cost.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS12212307B2Reconfigurable filter

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 RF360 SINGAPORE PTE LTD

AI summary

An apparatus is disclosed for a reconfigurable filter. In example aspects, the apparatus includes a filter circuit that has a first filter port and a second filter port. The filter circuit includes a filter network, an acoustic resonator, and a switch circuit. The filter network includes one or more acoustic resonators coupled between the first filter port and the second filter port. The acoustic resonator is coupled to the filter network and coupled between the first filter port and the second filter port. The switch circuit is coupled between the acoustic resonator and the second filter port, and the switch circuit is configured to connect the acoustic resonator into a parallel acoustic resonator arrangement in a first state and connect the acoustic resonator into a serial acoustic resonator arrangement in a second state.