Tunable RF Duplexer Using Hybrid Couplers for Multi-Band Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF duplexers face challenges in providing multi-band/multi-mode operations without increasing cost and size, requiring more adaptable designs to manage both receive and transmit signals effectively while maintaining isolation and filtering.
Innovation Solution
A tunable RF duplexer design that splits RF signals into quadrature hybrid components, filters them, and combines them to achieve passband and stopband alignment, using hybrid couplers and RF filter circuits to enable simultaneous transmission and reception while minimizing size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parallel duplexer components and switches are used to provide multi-band/multi-mode operation, then the operational versatility is improved, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple duplexer components into a single integrated structure where a shared filter circuit handles multiple frequency bands. The hybrid coupler and filter architecture merges transmit and receive paths for multiple bands, eliminating the need for separate parallel duplexer components and reducing overall device size while maintaining multi-band operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The filter circuit is designed to serve multiple functions across different frequency bands simultaneously. The same filter structure handles both transmit and receive operations for multiple bands, making the duplexer universal rather than requiring dedicated components for each band, thus reducing size and cost
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parallel duplexer components and switches are used to provide multi-band/multi-mode operation, then the operational versatility is improved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple duplexer functions into a single integrated circuit structure, reducing the total component count. By sharing the filter circuit across multiple bands and using a single hybrid coupler for both transmit and receive paths, the manufacturing cost is reduced compared to assembling multiple separate duplexer components
Solution Approach 2:
The universal filter circuit design that handles multiple frequency bands and modes reduces the bill of materials and assembly complexity. Instead of manufacturing and stocking multiple specialized duplexer variants, a single universal design serves all bands, lowering production costs
3Reliability
If traditional duplexer design is used to provide adequate isolation between receive and transmit signals, then the signal isolation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmit and receive filtering functions into a single shared filter circuit, reducing structural complexity. The hybrid coupler architecture merges the signal paths while maintaining isolation through its inherent quadrature properties, eliminating the need for separate isolation components and simplifying the overall structure
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
The solution allows for efficient isolation and filtering of RF signals across multiple bands, reducing spurious emissions and maintaining signal integrity, thus enabling cost-effective and compact multi-band/multi-mode operations.
Implementation Method 1
The RF filter circuit is operable to pass the first RF QHTS and the second RF QHTS to the second hybrid coupler and to reflect the first RF QHRS and the second RF QHRS back to the second hybrid coupler
Data Source
AI summary
A tunable radio frequency (RF) duplexer and duplexing methods are disclosed. The tunable RF duplexer includes a first hybrid coupler, a second hybrid coupler, and an RF filter circuit. The first hybrid coupler is operable to split the RF transmission input signal into first and second RF quadrature hybrid transmission signals (QHTSs). The second hybrid coupler is operable to split the RF receive input signal into first and second RF quadrature hybrid receive signals (QHRSs). The RF filter circuit is operable to pass the first and second RF QHTSs to the second hybrid coupler and to reflect the first and second RF QHRSs back to the second hybrid coupler. Additionally, the second hybrid coupler is configured to combine the first and second RF QHTSs into an RF transmission output signal and to combine the first and second RF QHRSs into an RF receive output signal.