Wideband Front-End Device Segmentation for Cost Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of wideband front-end devices is attributed to the use of expensive wideband filters for filtering wideband RF signals, which are necessary due to the varying frequency and mode requirements of different wireless communication standards, leading to increased production costs and power loss.

Innovation Solution

A wideband front-end device that divides wideband RF signals into multiple frequency bands, allowing narrow band filters to handle specific frequency bands separately, reducing the need for expensive wideband filters and minimizing power loss by eliminating unnecessary switch units and amplifying units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expensive wideband filters are used to filter wideband RF signals, then the filtering performance for wideband signals is improved, but the production cost of the front-end device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering performanceVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the wideband RF signal into multiple narrowband frequency bands using a frequency dividing unit. Each narrowband signal is then processed by dedicated narrowband filters instead of using a single wideband filter. This segmentation allows the system to use multiple inexpensive narrowband filters to achieve the same filtering performance as one expensive wideband filter, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If wideband filters with wider bandwidth are used, then the bandwidth coverage is improved, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth coverageVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the wideband frequency range into multiple narrowband frequency bands. Each band is assigned to a specific narrowband filter, allowing the system to cover a wide bandwidth using multiple low-cost narrowband filters rather than one expensive wideband filter. The frequency dividing unit dynamically routes different frequency bands to appropriate filters, maintaining wide bandwidth coverage at reduced cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple narrowband filters, each designed for a specific frequency band, work together as a universal filtering system that can handle the entire wideband range. The frequency dividing unit provides multi-functionality by dynamically routing different frequency bands to different filters, allowing the same filter bank to serve multiple frequency coverage requirements without needing expensive wideband-specific filters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple switch units and amplifying units are added to divide frequency bands, then the signal processing capability is improved, but the power loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes unnecessary switch units and amplifying units from the traditional frequency division architecture. By using a simplified frequency dividing unit that directly routes signals to appropriate narrowband filters without requiring multiple intermediate switching and amplification stages, the system maintains signal processing capability while eliminating sources of power loss associated with unnecessary active components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces production costs and maintains performance by utilizing narrow band filters for specific frequency bands, eliminating the need for expensive wideband filters and minimizing power loss, thus optimizing the wideband front-end device's efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

each narrow band filter is able to filter the wideband transmitting RF signal with different frequency bands or narrow band signals respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS9887712B2Wideband front-end device and RF signal filtering method thereof

Publication Date: 2018.02.06 AIROHA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

AI summary

A wideband front-end device comprises a wideband amplifying module and a plurality of narrow band filters. The wideband amplifying module comprises an input end, a plurality connecting ends and at least one receiving end. A wideband transmitting RF signal can be transmitted to one of the connecting ends from the input end according to the frequency band thereof. Thus, the wideband transmitting RF signal can be divided into several narrow band signals with different frequency bands. Each narrow band signal with different frequency bands is transmitted to different connecting ends and narrow band filters respectively. Therefore, each narrow band filter can be used to filter wideband transmitting RF signal or narrow band signals with different frequency bands respectively to reduce production costs of the wideband front-end device.