Tunable Diplexer for Multiradio Interference Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiradio devices face challenges in maintaining quality of service (QoS) and managing power consumption due to the coexistence of multiple transceivers, requiring effective isolation and filtering to prevent interference, which is complicated by the increasing number of antennas and frequencies, leading to design constraints such as housing size limitations and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A tunable diplexer with dedicated ports and path selection circuitry that adjusts frequency and phase characteristics to selectively couple radios to different signal pathways, allowing for dynamic filtering and interference management without expanding the device's housing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transceivers are added to support more radios and frequencies, then the device's functionality and network coverage are improved, but the device complexity and housing size requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transceiver signal paths into a single antenna system using a diplexer with multiple input ports. The diplexer merges RF signals from multiple transceivers (first, second, and third transceivers) operating at different frequencies into one antenna, reducing the number of antennas needed and simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining support for multiple radios and frequencies
Solution Approach 2:
The diplexer is designed as a universal component that can handle signals from multiple different transceivers simultaneously. It provides a single interface to the antenna while supporting multiple frequency bands and radio types, making the antenna system multi-functional and adaptable to various radio configurations without requiring separate antennas for each transceiver
2Reliability
If filtering components are added to maintain QoS and prevent interference, then the quality of service is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates filtering functionality directly into the diplexer structure itself, rather than adding separate filtering components for each transceiver path. The diplexer inherently provides frequency-based signal separation and filtering as part of its core function, merging the filtering role with the signal path consolidation function to reduce overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The diplexer acts as an intermediary component between multiple transceivers and the single antenna, providing both signal routing and filtering functions. It mediates the interaction between different frequency signals, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple transceivers while preventing interference through its inherent frequency-selective properties
3Reliability
If multiple antennas are used to support different radios, then the isolation between radios is improved, but the housing size and placement constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antenna functions into a single physical antenna by using a diplexer to combine signals from multiple transceivers. This single antenna approach reduces the total antenna count and housing space required, while the diplexer maintains adequate isolation between different radio frequencies through its frequency-selective signal paths
Solution Approach 2:
The single antenna is designed to be universal, serving multiple transceivers operating at different frequencies simultaneously. The antenna system provides multi-functionality by handling various radio types and frequency bands through one interface, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated antennas and reducing placement constraints within the device housing
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a tunable diplexer; first, second and third radio nodes; and path selection circuitry. The tunable diplexer includes a dedicated port, at least a first signal port and a second signal port, and control inputs configured to change at least one of frequency characteristics and phase characteristics of the tunable diplexer. The path selection circuitry is configurable to select between a first signal pathway between the third radio node and the first signal port and a second signal pathway between the third radio node and the second signal port. The tunable diplexer may have control signals inputs to select between the first and second signal pathways based on an expected interference scenario between radio signals at the first and second signal ports, and the control signals may change frequency characteristics and/or phase characteristics of at least one of the signal ports based on an operational condition of the apparatus.