Switchless Radio Front End Using Transformer-Coupled TX/RX Paths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio circuit designs for wireless communication systems face challenges in providing low cost and low power capabilities, particularly due to the inclusion of an antenna switch that increases costs and power requirements while introducing insertion loss.
Innovation Solution
A radio circuit design that incorporates a differential power amplifier, a differential low noise amplifier, and a transformer, eliminating the need for an antenna switch by using a transformer to couple the power amplifier and low noise amplifier with the antenna, allowing for efficient signal transmission and reception without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an antenna switch is included in the radio circuit to switch between transmit and receive paths, then the circuit can prevent interference between transmit and receive signals, but the cost and power consumption increase due to the switch insertion loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the antenna switch from the radio circuit entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused insertion loss and power consumption. Instead of using a switch to prevent interference, the invention uses a direct connection between the power amplifier and low noise amplifier through the antenna, relying on the inherent isolation properties of these amplifiers and timing coordination to prevent transmit-receive interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the transmit and receive paths by connecting them directly through the antenna without a switching component. The power amplifier output is directly connected to the antenna, and the antenna is directly connected to the low noise amplifier input, creating a unified path that eliminates the need for switching while maintaining signal integrity through proper amplifier isolation and timing control.
2Reliability
If an antenna switch is included in the radio circuit to switch between transmit and receive paths, then the circuit can prevent interference between transmit and receive signals, but the manufacturing cost increases due to the additional component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the antenna switch from the radio circuit entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused insertion loss and power consumption. Instead of using a switch to prevent interference, the invention uses a direct connection between the power amplifier and low noise amplifier through the antenna, relying on the inherent isolation properties of these amplifiers and timing coordination to prevent transmit-receive interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the transmit and receive paths by connecting them directly through the antenna without a switching component. The power amplifier output is directly connected to the antenna, and the antenna is directly connected to the low noise amplifier input, creating a unified path that eliminates the need for switching while maintaining signal integrity through proper amplifier isolation and timing control.
3Reliability
If an antenna switch is included in the radio circuit to switch between transmit and receive paths, then the circuit can isolate transmit and receive paths, but the insertion loss increases power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the antenna switch from the radio circuit entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused insertion loss and power consumption. Instead of using a switch to prevent interference, the invention uses a direct connection between the power amplifier and low noise amplifier through the antenna, relying on the inherent isolation properties of these amplifiers and timing coordination to prevent transmit-receive interference.
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 design reduces power consumption and costs by eliminating the need for an antenna switch, while maintaining effective signal transmission and reception, thus addressing the limitations of conventional radio circuit designs.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding coupled with the differential transmit outputs of the power amplifier and the differential receive inputs of the low noise amplifier and the secondary winding coupled with the antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A radio circuit, comprises an antenna; a differential power amplifier, comprising differential transmit inputs and differential transmit outputs, configured to amplify differential transmit signals received via the differential transmit inputs and output the amplified differential transmit signals via the differential transmit outputs; a differential low noise amplifier, comprising differential receive inputs and differential receive outputs, configured to receive differential receive signals via the differential receive inputs and output amplified differential receive signals via the differential receive outputs; and a transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding coupled with the differential transmit outputs of the power amplifier and the differential receive inputs of the low noise amplifier and the secondary winding coupled with the antenna.