Terminal Chip Integrating Satellite and Wireless RF Receive Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite communication function modules in terminal devices are not integrated with wireless communication modules such as cellular, WI-FI, and BT modules on a single chip, leading to low product integration and high board-level costs.
Innovation Solution
Integrating satellite and wireless communication function modules on a single chip by sharing a common first radio frequency receive circuit, which processes both satellite and wireless communication signals, and integrating the satellite communication baseband circuit with the wireless communication baseband circuit on the same chip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If satellite communication function module and wireless communication function module are kept independent, then each module can operate independently with dedicated circuits, but product integration is low and board-level costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the satellite communication function module and wireless communication function module into a single integrated chip. The key merging point is the radio frequency receive circuit, where the first radio frequency receive circuit processes both satellite communication signals and wireless communication signals (such as cellular, WI-FI, or BT signals) through the same hardware path. This consolidation reduces the number of separate modules and circuits needed, thereby improving product integration while maintaining independent operation capabilities through software or control logic management.
Solution Approach 2:
The first radio frequency receive circuit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of communication signals. It can process the first radio frequency signal for satellite communication baseband signal formation, and also process the second radio frequency signal for wireless communication baseband signal formation. This multi-functional design allows a single circuit to serve multiple purposes, reducing overall system complexity and improving integration.
2Device complexity
If satellite communication function module and wireless communication function module are integrated on a single chip, then product integration is improved and board-level costs are reduced, but circuit design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated chip is segmented into distinct functional blocks: the first radio frequency front-end circuit for satellite signals, the second radio frequency front-end circuit for wireless communication signals, the first radio frequency receive circuit for common signal processing, the satellite communication baseband circuit, and the wireless communication baseband circuit. This segmentation allows each block to be designed and optimized independently while maintaining clear interfaces between them, thereby reducing the overall design complexity despite the integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The first radio frequency receive circuit acts as an intermediary between the two separate front-end circuits and the respective baseband circuits. It receives processed signals from both the first radio frequency front-end circuit (satellite) and the second radio frequency front-end circuit (wireless communication), and routes them to the appropriate baseband processing circuits. This intermediary structure simplifies the integration by providing a common processing path while maintaining signal integrity for different communication types.
3Reliability
If separate radio frequency receive circuits are used for satellite and wireless communication, then signal processing is optimized for each specific application, but board-level cabling increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the radio frequency receive circuits for satellite communication and wireless communication into a single first radio frequency receive circuit. This merged circuit processes both the first radio frequency signal (satellite) and the second radio frequency signal (wireless communication) through the same hardware path, eliminating the need for separate receive circuits. This reduction in hardware components directly decreases board-level cabling requirements and associated costs while maintaining signal processing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal device includes an antenna, a first radio frequency front-end circuit, a second radio frequency front-end circuit, a first radio frequency receive circuit, a satellite communication baseband circuit, and a first wireless communication baseband circuit. When electrically connected to the antenna and the first radio frequency front-end circuit, the first radio frequency receive circuit receives the first radio frequency signal, processes the first radio frequency signal into a first baseband signal, and sends the first baseband signal to the satellite communication baseband circuit. When being electrically connected to the antenna and the second radio frequency front-end circuit, the first radio frequency receive circuit receives the second radio frequency signal, processes the second radio frequency signal into a second baseband signal, and sends the second baseband signal to the first wireless communication baseband circuit.