Wi-Fi Front End Bypass Circuit for Return Loss and Linearity

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless front end circuits in Wi-Fi technology face issues with degraded frequency response characteristics and increased input and output return loss due to their dual functions of signal reception and bypassing.

Innovation Solution

A front end circuit design incorporating a bypass circuit with dual switches and an amplifier connected in parallel, where the switches and amplifier are configured to match impedance to 50 ohms, allowing for selective signal routing based on strength, thereby reducing signal loss and improving linearity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the wireless front end circuit performs both reception and bypassing functions, then the circuit functionality is improved, but frequency response characteristics are degraded and input/output return loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit functionalityVSAvoidfrequency response characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit is divided into separate functional segments: an amplifier path and a bypass path with independent switching control. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently, with the bypass path maintaining good frequency response characteristics while the amplifier path provides signal amplification, thus resolving the contradiction between functionality and frequency response quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit employs dynamic switching between amplifier and bypass paths based on signal conditions. The switching mechanism allows the circuit to adapt its configuration in real-time, selecting the optimal path (amplifier or bypass) depending on whether signal amplification or direct transmission with better frequency response is needed, thereby maintaining versatility while ensuring reliable frequency response characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wireless front end circuit performs both reception and bypassing functions, then the circuit functionality is improved, but input and output return loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit functionalityVSAvoidinput and output return loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit is divided into separate functional segments: an amplifier path and a bypass path with independent switching control. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently, with the bypass path maintaining good frequency response characteristics while the amplifier path provides signal amplification, thus resolving the contradiction between functionality and frequency response quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass path acts as an intermediary path that provides a low-loss signal transmission route. When the bypass switch is activated, it provides a direct connection that bypasses the amplifier, thereby reducing input and output return loss while still maintaining the circuit's dual functionality through selective switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If signal amplification is always performed, then signal strength is improved, but signal loss and reduced linearity occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidsignal loss

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit employs dynamic switching between amplifier and bypass paths based on signal conditions. The switching mechanism allows the circuit to adapt its configuration in real-time, selecting the optimal path (amplifier or bypass) depending on whether signal amplification or direct transmission with better frequency response is needed, thereby maintaining versatility while ensuring reliable frequency response characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit changes the operational parameters by switching between two distinct states: amplification mode and bypass mode. This parameter change allows the system to optimize signal strength when amplification is needed while minimizing signal loss when the bypass path is selected, thereby resolving the contradiction between signal strength and signal loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10305434B2Front end circuit

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

A front end circuit includes a bypass circuit comprising a first bypass switch and a second bypass switch configured to bypass a signal to a first terminal according to switching operations of the first bypass switch and the second bypass switch; and an amplifier connected in parallel to the bypass circuit and configured to amplify the signal.