Multi-mode Transceiver Power Amplifier Duplexer Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-mode transceivers for radio frequency signals processing require multiple power amplifiers and duplexers, leading to increased complexity and cost, especially when handling different frequency bands like WCDMA and TDSCDMA, due to the need for separate components for each mode of operation.

Innovation Solution

A multi-mode transceiver system that uses a single power amplifier with a switching component and a duplexer, where the power amplifier covers adjacent frequency bands, allowing for efficient processing of both time-division and frequency-division signals by bypassing the duplexer for TDSCDMA signals to avoid insertion loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple power amplifiers and duplexers are used for different frequency bands, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a single power amplifier that can operate across multiple frequency bands (e.g., Band 1 for WCDMA uplink and Band 2 for TDSCDMA) by adjusting its operating frequency, eliminating the need for separate amplifiers for each band. This multi-functional approach maintains communication reliability across different standards while significantly reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different operating modes (FDD and TDD) and frequency bands based on communication requirements. The power amplifier's frequency is dynamically adjusted, and switches dynamically route signals through appropriate paths (including bypassing the duplexer for TDSCDMA signals), allowing one component to serve multiple functions across different operational contexts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple duplexers and filters are used for different frequency bands, then signal processing quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single duplexer is designed to handle multiple frequency bands (WCDMA Band 1 and TDSCDMA Band 2) by incorporating wideband filtering capabilities. The duplexer can selectively route signals for different modes (FDD/TDD) and bands, eliminating the need for separate duplexers and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining signal processing quality through integrated filtering design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the duplexer from the signal path for TDSCDMA signals by using switches to bypass it, eliminating the need for the duplexer to handle TDSCDMA frequency bands. This reduces the duplexer's design complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining signal processing quality for WCDMA signals where the duplexer is still utilized

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a duplexer is used for TDSCDMA signals, then frequency separation is improved, but insertion loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency separationVSAvoidinsertion loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between using the duplexer and bypassing it based on the operational mode. For TDSCDMA signals in TDD mode, the switches dynamically bypass the duplexer to minimize insertion loss. For WCDMA signals in FDD mode, the duplexer is actively used to provide necessary frequency separation. This dynamic configuration optimizes both frequency separation and energy efficiency for different communication standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2710738B1Systems and methods for processing time-division signals and frequency-division signals
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 NXP USA INC
  • EP2710738B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2710738B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2710738B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System and methods are provided for processing time-division signals and frequency-division signals using a multi-mode transceiver. The example system includes a power amplifier, a switching component, and a duplexer. The power amplifier is configured to receive a first time-division signal from the transceiver and to generate an amplified time-division signal based on the first time-division signal if the transceiver is in a time-division mode. The power amplifier is further configured to receive a first frequency-division signal from the transceiver and to generate an amplified frequency-division signal based on the first frequency-division signal if the transceiver is in a frequency-division mode. The switching component is configured to receive the amplified time-division signal from the power amplifier, and to output the amplified time-division signal for transmission. The duplexer configured to receive the amplified frequency-division signal from the switching component, and to output a transmission signal for transmission.