Transmit and receive switch and broadband power amplifier matching network for multi-band millimeter-wave 5G communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional designs of power amplifiers and transmit/receive switches in wireless communication devices, particularly for 5G frequencies, result in sacrificed transmitter bandwidth, output power, and efficiency due to separate standard 50Ω interfaces, limiting the co-design potential of PA output matching networks and T/R switches.
Innovation Solution
A co-designed circuit for wireless communication devices that integrates a transmit/receive switch with a broadband power amplifier matching network, featuring separate inductors for transmit and receive branches and a transformer-based matching network with capacitors, allowing for optimized impedance matching and reduced chip area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If power amplifier and transmit/receive switch are designed separately with standard 50Ω interface, then ease of manufacture is improved, but transmitter bandwidth and output power are sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the PA output matching network and T/R switch into a single integrated circuit design, eliminating the need for separate 50Ω interfaces. The matching network is directly coupled to the T/R switch, creating a unified structure that maintains broadband performance while simplifying manufacturing.
2Reliability
If separate inductors are used for transmit and receive branches, then impedance matching is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the matching network into separate transmit and receive branches, each with its own inductor (L1 for transmit, L2 for receive). This segmentation allows independent optimization of impedance matching for each branch while maintaining overall system integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor C1 serves dual functions by being shared between the transmit and receive branches. This universal component reduces overall device complexity while the separate inductors maintain independent impedance matching capability for each branch.
3Power
If co-design of PA output matching network and T/R switch is implemented, then transmitter performance is improved, but design difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The co-design approach merges the PA output matching network and T/R switch into a single integrated circuit, enabling simultaneous optimization of both components for maximum output power and efficiency while reducing the number of external connections and interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes each component (PA, matching network, T/R switch) for its specific function within the integrated structure, allowing local quality improvements that collectively enhance overall transmitter performance beyond what separate designs could achieve.
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 co-designed approach enhances transmitter performance by maintaining relatively constant power gain across a broad frequency range, reducing insertion loss, and achieving improved impedance matching, thereby increasing output power and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a broadband on-chip transformer coupled, in parallel, to the first capacitor
Implementation Method 2
a first capacitor coupled, in parallel, to an input port of the matching network circuit
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a transmit/receive (T/R) switch includes a transmit switch, between a transmit port and an antenna port, a receive switch, between a receive port and the antenna port, a transmit inductor, coupled in parallel between the transmit switch the transmit port, and a receive inductor, coupled in parallel between the transmit switch the transmit port. The T/R switch can be co-designed with a power amplifier (PA) output matching circuit.