Tunable Filter Antenna Sharing for 4G 5G Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices supporting multiple communication systems like 4G and 5G face intermodulation distortion and spurious signals, leading to performance degradation, and increased power consumption due to the need for multiple antennas and front-end modules.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a configuration that uses a single antenna and front-end module with advanced signal control methods, such as phase shifters and tunable filters, to mitigate inter-communication system signal interference and optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antennas and front-end modules are used to support various communication systems, then intermodulation distortion and spurious signals are reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication systems (4G and 5G) to operate on a single antenna and front-end module by using a tunable filter to separate different frequency bands. This merging approach reduces the number of antennas and front-end modules needed, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining communication performance through proper signal isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a tunable filter that can dynamically adjust its filtering characteristics based on the operating frequency band. By changing the filter parameters adaptively, the system can isolate 4G and 5G signals on a shared antenna, preventing intermodulation distortion and spurious signals while avoiding the need for multiple dedicated antennas and front-end modules.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a single antenna and front-end module are used to support various communication systems, then power consumption is reduced, but intermodulation distortion and spurious signals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tunable filter as an intermediary component between the antenna and the communication systems. This filter acts as a mediator that selectively passes desired frequency bands (4G or 5G) while blocking others, thereby preventing intermodulation distortion and spurious signals from affecting the communication performance when using a shared antenna.
3Reliability
If multiple antennas and front-end modules are used to support various communication systems, then signal interference is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single antenna and front-end module universal by enabling them to support multiple communication systems (both 4G and 5G) through the use of a tunable filter. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated antennas and front-end modules for each communication system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable reception performance.
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 approach enhances communication sensitivity and reception performance while reducing power consumption by effectively managing signal interference across different frequency bands.
Implementation Method 1
a phase shifter configured to shift a phase of the transmit signal by 180 degrees to generate an anti-phase signal of the transmit signal
Implementation Method 2
a combiner configured to combine the anti-phase signal with the received signal to cancel a leaked transmit signal in the receive path
Implementation Method 3
a tunable filter configured to attenuate the leaked transmit signal based on a frequency of the transmit signal
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device according to a disclosed embodiment includes a first antenna, a second antenna, a first communication circuit configured to communicate in a first frequency band with the first antenna at a first data rate, a second communication circuit configured to communicate in a second frequency band with the second antenna at a second data rate, a first coupler electrically connected between the first antenna and the first communication circuit, and at least one communication circuit configured to control to identify, during at least part of a period of simultaneously transmitting a first transmit signal with the first antenna and a second transmit signal with the second antenna, an amplitude of a first receive signal including at least part of the second transmit signal detected by the first coupler, disable an operation of attenuating the at least part of the second transmit signal included in the first receive signal based on the amplitude of the first receive signal falling in a first designated range, and enable the operation of attenuating the at least part of the second transmit signal included in the first receive signal based on the amplitude of the first receive signal falling in a second designated range.