JP2019165477A - Method for processing radio frequency signal - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a diversity receiver front end system with impedance matching components.SOLUTION: A diversity receiver configuration 800 includes a diversity receiver module 810 including controllers 314a, 314b that selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiver module and an output of the receiver module. The receiver module further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each one of the plurality of amplifiers can be disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receiver module further includes a plurality of impedance matching components 834a, 834b. Each one of the plurality of impedance matching components can be disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and is configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or an out-of-band gain of the corresponding one of the plurality of paths.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems having one or more diversity receive antennas.

This application is related to US Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,043 entitled “Diversity Receiver Front End System” filed October 31, 2014, “LNA latter stage” filed Oct. 31, 2014. US Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,040 entitled "Carrier Aggregation Using Phase Matching", United States of America entitled "LNA Pre-stage Out-of-band Impedance Matching for Carrier Aggregation Operation" filed October 31, 2014 Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,039, US Application No. 14 / 734,775, June 2015 entitled “Diversity Receiver Front End System with Impedance Matching Components” filed Jun. 9, 2015 Named “diversity receiver front-end system with phase shift components” filed on the 9th No. 14 / 734,759, and US Application No. 14 / 727,739 entitled “Diversity Front End System with Variable Gain Amplifier” filed June 1, 2015. Insist. Each disclosure is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

  Wireless communication application, size, cost and performance are examples of factors that can be important for a given product. For example, wireless components such as diversity receiving antennas and related circuits are common to improve performance.

  In many radio frequency (RF) applications, the diversity receive antenna is physically located far from the primary antenna. If both antennas are used at once, the transceiver can process the signals from both antennas to increase data throughput.

  According to some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a receiving system including a controller that selectively selects one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. Configured to be active. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each one of the plurality of amplifiers is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to amplify the received signal in the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of impedance matching components. Each one of the plurality of impedance matching components is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and at least one of the out-of-band noise figure or the out-of-band gain of the one path of the plurality of paths. Configured to reduce.

  In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is provided along a first path corresponding to a first frequency band of the plurality of paths, and corresponds to a second path of the plurality of paths. It can be configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the second frequency band.

  In some embodiments, a second impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is provided along the second path to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the first frequency band. Can be configured accordingly. In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component is further configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for a third frequency band corresponding to a third path of the plurality of paths. be able to.

  In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component can be further configured to reduce at least one of the in-band noise figures for the first frequency band or increase the in-band gain. In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component can be configured to reduce the in-band metric minus the in-band gain from the in-band noise figure to within the threshold of the in-band metric minimum. In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component can be configured to reduce the out-of-band metric plus the out-of-band noise figure plus the out-of-band gain to an in-band constrained out-of-band minimum.

  In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a multiplexer configured to split the input signal received at the input into a plurality of signals in each of a plurality of frequency bands propagating along the plurality of paths. In some embodiments, each one of the plurality of impedance matching components may be provided between the multiplexer and each one of the plurality of amplifiers. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a signal combiner configured to combine signals propagating along multiple paths.

  In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of impedance components can be a passive circuit. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components can be an RLC circuit.

  In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components may include a tunable impedance matching component configured to represent an impedance controlled by an impedance tuning signal received from the controller.

  In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component provided along the first path corresponding to the first frequency band of the plurality of paths further includes a second frequency band of a signal passing through the first impedance matching component. Are shifted in phase so that the initial signal propagating along the second path corresponding to the second frequency band of the plurality of paths and the reflected signal propagating along the first path are at least partially in phase. Configured.

  In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) module that includes a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components. The RF module further includes a receiving system mounted on the packaging substrate. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between the receiving system input and the receiving system output. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each one of the plurality of amplifiers is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to amplify the received signal in the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of impedance matching components. Each one of the plurality of impedance matching components is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and reduces at least one of the out-of-band noise figure or the out-of-band gain of the one path of the plurality of paths. Configured. In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receiver front end module (FEM).

  In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components provided along the first path corresponding to the first frequency band of the plurality of paths corresponds to the second path of the plurality of paths. It can be configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the second frequency band.

  According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device that includes a first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal. The wireless device further includes a first front end module (FEM) in communication with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of parts. The first FEM further includes a receiving system mounted on the packaging substrate. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between the receiving system input and the receiving system output. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each one of the plurality of amplifiers is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to amplify the received signal in the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of impedance matching components. Each one of the plurality of impedance matching components is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and at least one of the out-of-band noise figure or the out-of-band gain of the one path of the plurality of paths. Configured to reduce. The wireless device further includes a transceiver configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output via the transmission line and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal. .

  In some embodiments, the wireless device may further include a second antenna configured to receive a second radio frequency (RF) signal and a second FEM in communication with the first antenna. The transceiver can be configured to receive a processed version of the second RF signal from the output of the second FEM and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the second RF signal.

  In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components provided along the first path corresponding to the first frequency band of the plurality of paths corresponds to the second path of the plurality of paths. Configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the second frequency band.

  According to some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a receiving system including a controller that selectively selects one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. Configured to be active. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each one of the plurality of amplifiers is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to amplify the received signal in the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of phase shift components. Each one of the plurality of phase shift components is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component.

  In some embodiments, the first phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components provided along the first path corresponding to the first frequency band of the plurality of paths is the signal of the signal passing through the first phase shift component. A second initial signal that is phase-shifted in the second frequency band and propagates along a second path corresponding to the second frequency band of the plurality of paths; and a second reflected signal that propagates along the first path; Can be configured to be at least partially in phase.

  In some embodiments, the second phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components provided along the second path shifts the first frequency band of the signal passing through the second phase shift component to The first initial signal propagating along one path and the first reflected signal propagating along the second path can be configured to be at least in phase.

  In some embodiments, the first phase shift component further phase shifts a third frequency band of a signal passing through the first phase shift component to correspond to the third frequency band of the plurality of paths. The third initial signal propagating along the path and the third reflected signal propagating along the first path can be configured to be at least partially in phase.

  In some embodiments, the first phase shift component phase shifts the second frequency band of the signal passing through the first phase shift component so that the second initial signal and the second reflected signal are integral multiples of 360 degrees. It is possible to configure so as to have the following phase difference.

  In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a multiplexer configured to split the input signal received at the input into a plurality of signals in each of a plurality of frequency bands propagating along the plurality of paths. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a signal combiner configured to combine signals propagating along multiple paths. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a post-combiner amplifier provided between the signal combiner and the output. The coupler post-amplifier is configured to amplify the received signal in the coupler post-amplifier. In some embodiments, each one of the plurality of phase shift components can be provided between the signal combiner and each one of the plurality of amplifiers. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of amplifiers may include a two-stage amplifier.

  In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of phase shift components can be a passive circuit. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of phase shift components can be an LC circuit.

  In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of phase shift components may include a tunable phase shift component. This is configured to phase shift the signal passing through the tunable phase shift component by an amount controlled by the phase shift tuning signal received from the controller.

  In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a plurality of impedance matching components. Each one of the impedance matching components is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and reduces at least one of the out-of-band noise figure or the out-of-band gain of one corresponding path of the plurality of paths. Configured.

  In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) module that includes a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components. The RF module further includes a receiving system mounted on the packaging substrate. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between the receiving system input and the receiving system output. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each one of the plurality of amplifiers is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to amplify the received signal in the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of phase shift components. Each one of the plurality of phase shift components is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component.

  In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receiver front end module (FEM).

  In some embodiments, the first phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components provided along the first path corresponding to the first frequency band of the plurality of paths is a signal that passes through the first phase shift component. And a second initial signal that propagates along the second path corresponding to the second frequency band of the plurality of paths and a second reflection that propagates along the first path. The signal is configured to be at least partially in phase.

  According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device that includes a first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal. The wireless device further includes a first front end module (FEM) in communication with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of parts. The first FEM further includes a receiving system mounted on the packaging substrate. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between the receiving system input and the receiving system output. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each one of the plurality of amplifiers is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to amplify the received signal in the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of phase shift components. Each one of the plurality of phase shift components is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component. The wireless device further includes a transceiver configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output via the transmission line and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal. .

  In some embodiments, the wireless device may further include a second antenna configured to receive a second radio frequency (RF) signal and a second FEM in communication with the first antenna. The transceiver can be configured to receive a processed version of the second RF signal from the output of the second FEM and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the second RF signal.

  In some embodiments, the first phase shift component of the plurality of phase shift components provided along the first path corresponding to the first frequency band of the plurality of paths is a signal that passes through the first phase shift component. And a second initial signal that propagates along the second path corresponding to the second frequency band of the plurality of paths and a second reflection that propagates along the first path. The signal is configured to be at least partially in phase.

  For purposes of summarizing the present disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It should be understood that not all such advantages can be achieved by any particular embodiment of the present invention. That is, the invention may be embodied or practiced in a manner that achieves or optimizes one or more advantages taught herein without necessarily achieving the other advantages or teachings suggested herein. be able to.

1 illustrates a wireless device having a communication module coupled to a primary antenna and a diversity antenna. Fig. 2 shows a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration including a DRx front-end module (FEM). In some embodiments, it is shown that a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration can include a DRx module with multiple paths corresponding to multiple frequency bands. In some embodiments, it is shown that a diversity receiver configuration may include a diversity RF module with fewer amplifiers than a diversity receiver (DRx) module. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver configuration can include a DRx module coupled to an off-module filter. In some embodiments, it is shown that a diversity receiver configuration can include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components. In some embodiments, it is shown that a diversity receiver configuration can include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components and a two-stage amplifier. In some embodiments, it is shown that a diversity receiver configuration can include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components and a combiner post-stage amplifier. In some embodiments, it is shown that a diversity receiver configuration can include a DRx module with tunable phase shift components. In some embodiments, it is shown that a diversity receiver configuration can include a DRx module with one or more impedance matching components. In some embodiments, it is shown that a diversity receiver configuration can include a DRx module with tunable impedance matching components. In some embodiments, it is shown that a diversity receiver configuration can include a DRx module with tunable impedance matching components provided at the input and output. In some embodiments, it is shown that a diversity receiver configuration can include a DRx module with multiple tunable components. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a flowchart representation of a method for processing an RF signal. 2 depicts a module having one or more features described herein. 8 depicts a wireless device having one or more features described herein.

  The headings given herein are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a wireless device 100 having a communication module 110 coupled to a primary antenna 130 and a diversity antenna 140. The communication module 110 (and its components) can be controlled by the controller 120. The communication module 110 includes a transceiver 112 configured to convert between analog radio frequency (RF) signals and digital data signals. To that end, the transceiver 112 includes a digital / analog converter, an analog / digital converter, a local oscillator that modulates or demodulates a baseband analog signal to a carrier frequency, digital samples and data bits (eg, voice or other). Baseband processor or other components that convert between these types of data).

  Communication module 110 further includes an RF module 114 coupled between primary antenna 130 and transceiver 112. Because RF module 114 is physically close to primary antenna 130 to reduce attenuation due to cable loss, RF module 114 can be referred to as a front-end module (FEM). The RF module 114 can perform processing on an analog signal received from the primary antenna 130 of the transceiver 112 or an analog signal received from the transceiver 112 and transmitted via the primary antenna 130. To that end, the RF module 114 may include filters, power amplifiers, band select switches, matching circuits, and other components. Similarly, the communication module 110 includes a diversity RF module 116 coupled between a transceiver 112 and a diversity antenna 140 that perform similar processing.

  When a signal is transmitted to the wireless device, the signal can be received at both primary antenna 130 and diversity antenna 140. Since primary antenna 130 and diversity antenna 140 are physically separated, signals received at primary antenna 130 and diversity antenna 140 have different characteristics. For example, in one embodiment, primary antenna 130 and diversity antenna 140 may receive signals with different attenuation, noise, frequency response, or phase shift. The transceiver 112 can use both signals with different characteristics to determine the data bits corresponding to the signals. In some implementations, the transceiver 112 selects from the primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140 based on the characteristics, such as selecting the antenna with the highest signal-to-noise ratio. In some implementations, the transceiver 112 combines the signal from the primary antenna 130 and the signal from the diversity antenna 140 to increase the signal to noise ratio of the combined signal. In some implementations, the transceiver 112 processes signals to perform multiple input / multiple output (MIMO) communications.

  Because diversity antenna 140 is physically spaced from primary antenna 130, diversity antenna 140 is coupled to communication module 110 via a transmission line 135, such as a cable or printed circuit board (PCB) trace. In some implementations, the transmission line 135 is lossy and attenuates the signal received at the diversity antenna 140, after which the signal reaches the communication module 110. That is, in some implementations, gain is applied to signals received at diversity antenna 140 as described below. Gain (or other analog processing such as filtering) can be applied by the diversity receiver module. Such a diversity receiver module is physically located near the diversity antenna 140 and can be referred to as a diversity receiver front-end module.

  FIG. 2 shows a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration 200 that includes a DRx front-end module (FEM) 210. The DRx configuration 200 includes a diversity antenna 140 configured to receive a diversity signal and provide the diversity signal to the DRx FEM 210. The DRxFEM 210 is configured to process the diversity signal received from the diversity antenna 140. For example, the DRxFEM 210 can be configured to filter the diversity signal into one or more active frequency bands, for example as directed by the controller 120. In other examples, the DRxFEM 210 can be configured to amplify the diversity signal. To that end, DRxFEM 210 may include filters, low noise amplifiers, band select switches, matching circuits and other components.

  The DRxFEM 210 transmits the processed diversity signal to a downstream module, such as the diversity RF (D-RF) module 116, via the transmission line 135. The downstream module supplies the further processed diversity signal to the transceiver 112. Diversity RF module 116 (and transceiver in some implementations) is controlled by controller 120. In some implementations, the controller 120 is implemented in the transceiver 112.

  FIG. 3 illustrates that, in some embodiments, a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration 300 can include a DRx module 310 with multiple paths corresponding to multiple frequency bands. The DRx configuration 300 includes a diversity antenna 140 configured to receive a diversity signal. In some implementations, the diversity signal may be a single band signal that includes data modulated into a single frequency band. In some implementations, the diversity signal can be a multi-band signal (also referred to as an inter-band carrier aggregation signal) that includes data modulated into multiple frequency bands.

  The DRx module 310 has an input that receives the diversity signal from the diversity antenna 140 and an output that provides the processed diversity signal to the transceiver 330 (via the transmission line 135 and the diversity RF module 320). The input of the DRx module 310 is supplied to the input of the first multiplexer (MUX) 311. The first multiplexer 311 includes a plurality of multiplexer outputs. Each multiplexer output corresponds to a path between the input and output of the DRx module 310. Each path may correspond to each frequency band. The output of the DRx module 310 is given by the output of the second multiplexer 312. The second multiplexer 312 includes a plurality of multiplexer inputs. Each multiplexer input corresponds to one of the paths between the inputs and outputs of the DRx module 310.

  The frequency band may be a cellular frequency band such as a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) frequency band. For example, the first frequency band is UMTS downlink or “Rx” band 2 between 1930 megahertz (MHZ) and 1990 MHz, and the second frequency band is UMTS downlink or “Rx” band 5 between 869 MHz and 894 MHz. be able to. Other downlink frequency bands may also be used, such as those described below in Table 1 or other non-UMTS frequency bands.

  In some implementations, the DRx module 310 includes a DRx controller 302. The DRx controller 302 receives a signal from the controller 120 (also referred to as a communication controller), and selectively activates one or more of a plurality of paths between the input and the output based on the received signal. In some implementations, the DRx module 310 does not include the DRx controller 302 and the controller 120 selectively selectively activates one or more of the multiple paths.

  As mentioned above, in some implementations, the diversity signal is a single band signal. That is, in some implementations, the first multiplexer 311 is a single pole / router that routes the diversity signal to one of a plurality of paths corresponding to the frequency band of the single band signal based on the signal received from the DRx controller 302. A multiple throw (SPMT) switch. The DRx controller 302 can generate a signal based on the band selection signal received by the DRx controller 302 from the communication controller 120. Similarly, in some implementations, the second multiplexer 312 is an SPMT switch that routes signals from one of multiple paths corresponding to the frequency band of a single band signal based on the signal received from the DRx controller 302. is there.

  As mentioned above, in some implementations, the diversity signal is a multiband signal. That is, in some implementations, the first multiplexer 311 transmits the diversity signal to two or more of a plurality of paths corresponding to two or more frequency bands of the multiband signal based on the divider control signal received from the DRx controller 302. It is a signal divider for routing. The function of the signal divider can be implemented as an SPMT switch, a diplexer filter, or some combination thereof. Similarly, in some implementations, the second multiplexer 312 converts the signals from two or more of the plurality of paths corresponding to two or more frequency bands of the multiband signal into the combiner control signal received from the DRx controller 302. A signal combiner that couples based on. The function of the signal combiner can be implemented as an SPMT switch, a diplexer filter, or some combination thereof. The DRx controller 302 can generate a divider control signal and a combiner control signal based on the band selection signal received by the DRx controller 302 from the communication controller 120.

  That is, in some implementations, the DRx controller 302 may selectively activate one or more of the multiple paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller 302 (eg, from the communication controller 120). Composed. In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 selectively activates one or more of the multiple paths by transmitting a divider control signal to the signal divider and a combiner control signal to the signal combiner. Configured.

  The DRx module 310 includes a plurality of band pass filters 313a to 313d. Each one of the band pass filters 313a to 313d is provided along one corresponding path of a plurality of paths, and a signal received by the band pass filter is transferred to the one corresponding frequency band of the plurality of paths. And configured to filter. In some implementations, the bandpass filters 313a-313d are further configured to filter signals received at the bandpass filters into the downlink frequency subbands of the one corresponding frequency band of the plurality of paths. The DRx module 310 includes a plurality of amplifiers 314a to 314d. Each one of the amplifiers 314a to 314d is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to amplify a signal received by the amplifier.

  In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are narrowband amplifiers configured to amplify signals in the corresponding frequency band of the path in which the amplifier is provided. In some implementations, the amplifiers 314a-314d can be controlled by the DRx controller 302. For example, in some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d each include an enable / disable input and are enabled (or disabled) based on an amplifier enable signal received at the enable / disable input. The amplifier enable signal can be transmitted by the DRx controller 302. That is, in some implementations, the DRx controller 302 transmits an amplifier enable signal to one or more of the amplifiers 314a-314d, each provided along one or more of the plurality of paths, so that the plurality of paths. Configured to selectively activate one or more. In such an implementation, rather than being controlled by the DRx controller 302, the first multiplexer 311 is a signal divider that routes the diversity signal to each of the multiple paths, and the second multiplexer 312 is from each of the multiple paths. The signal combiner can be a signal combiner that combines the two signals. However, in implementations where the DRx controller 302 controls the first multiplexer 311 and the second multiplexer 312, the DRX controller 302 also enables (or disables) certain amplifiers 314 a-314 d, for example, to save battery power. You can also.

  In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are variable gain amplifiers (VGA). That is, in some implementations, the DRx module 310 includes a plurality of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs), each one of the VGAs being provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths and receiving at the VGA. The amplified signal is configured to be amplified by a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the DRx controller 302.

  The gain of the VGA can be bypassable, variable in steps, and continuously variable. In some implementations, at least one of the VGAs includes a fixed gain amplifier and a bypass switch that can be controlled by an amplifier control signal. The bypass switch (in the first position) can allow a signal to bypass the fixed gain amplifier by closing the line between the input of the fixed gain amplifier and the output of the fixed gain amplifier. . The bypass switch (in the second position) allows the signal to pass through the fixed gain amplifier by opening the line between the input and output. In some implementations, when the bypass switch is in the first position, the fixed gain amplifier is disabled or reconfigured to conform to the bypass mode.

  In some implementations, at least one of the VGAs includes a step variable gain amplifier configured to amplify a signal received at the VGA by a gain of a plurality of components indicated by the amplifier control signal. In some implementations, at least one of the VGAs includes a continuously variable gain amplifier configured to amplify a signal received at the VGA with a gain proportional to the amplifier control signal.

  In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are variable current amplifiers (VCA). The current drawn by the VCA can be bypassable, step variable, continuously variable. In some implementations, at least one of the VCAs includes a fixed current amplifier and a bypass switch that can be controlled by an amplifier control signal. The bypass switch (in the first position) can allow a signal to bypass the fixed current amplifier by closing the line between the input of the fixed current amplifier and the output of the fixed current amplifier. . The bypass switch (in the second position) allows the signal to pass through the fixed current amplifier by opening the line between the input and output. In some implementations, when the bypass switch is in the first position, the fixed current amplifier is disabled or reconfigured to conform to the bypass mode.

  In some implementations, at least one of the VCAs is a step variable current amplifier configured to amplify a signal received at the VCA by extracting one current of a plurality of components indicated by the amplifier control signal. including. In some implementations, at least one of the VCAs includes a continuously variable current amplifier configured to amplify a signal received at the VCA by drawing a current proportional to the amplifier control signal.

  In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are fixed gain, fixed current amplifiers. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are fixed gain, variable current amplifiers. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are variable gain, fixed current amplifiers. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are variable gain, variable current amplifiers.

  In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates amplifier control signal (s) based on the quality of service metric of the input signal received at the input. In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates the amplifier control signal (s) based on the signal received from the communication controller 120. The amplifier control signal may further be based on a quality of service (QoS) metric of the received signal. The QoS metric of the received signal may be based at least in part on the diversity signal received at diversity antenna 140 (eg, the input signal received at the input). The QoS metric of the received signal may further be based on the signal received at the primary antenna. In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates the amplifier control signal (s) based on the QoS metric of the diversity signal without receiving a signal from the communication controller 120.

  In some implementations, the QoS metric includes signal strength. In other examples, the QoS metric may include a bit error rate, data throughput, transmission delay, or any other QoS metric.

  As described above, the DRx module 310 has an input that receives the diversity signal from the diversity antenna 140 and an output that provides the processed diversity signal to the transceiver 330 (via the transmission line 135 and the diversity RF module 320). Have. Diversity RF module 320 receives the processed diversity signal via transmission line 135 for further processing. In particular, the processed diversity signal is split or routed into one or more paths by diversity RF multiplexer 321. In the path, the divided or routed signals are filtered by the corresponding band-pass filters 323a to 323d and amplified by the corresponding amplifiers 324a to 324d. The outputs of the amplifiers 324 a to 324 d are given to the transceiver 330.

  Diversity RF multiplexer 321 can be controlled by controller 120 (either directly or through an on-chip diversity RF controller) to selectively activate one or more of the paths. Similarly, amplifiers 324a-324d can also be controlled by controller 120. For example, in some implementations, each of amplifiers 324a-324d includes an enable / disable input and is enabled (or disabled) based on an amplifier enable signal. In some implementations, amplifiers 324a-324d amplify the received signal at the VGA with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from controller 120 (or an on-chip diversity RF controller controlled by controller 120). It is a variable gain amplifier (VGA). In some implementations, amplifiers 324a-324d are variable current amplifiers (VCA).

  By adding a DRx module 310 to the receiver chain that already contains the diversity RF module 320, the number of bandpass filters in the DRx configuration 300 is doubled. That is, in some implementations, the bandpass filters 323a-323d are not included in the diversity RF module 320. Rather, the band pass filters 313a-313d of the DRx module 310 are used to reduce the strength of the out-of-band blocker. Further, the automatic gain control (AGC) table of the diversity RF module 320 is shifted to reduce the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 324a to 324d of the diversity RF module 320 by the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 314a to 314d of the DRx module 310. Can do.

  For example, if the DRx module gain is 15 dB and the receiver sensitivity is −100 dBm, the diversity RF module 320 has a sensitivity of −85 dBm. When the closed-loop AGC of diversity RF module 320 becomes active, its gain automatically drops by 15 dB. However, both the signal component and the out-of-band blocker are received and amplified by 15 dB. That is, the 15 dB gain drop of diversity RF module 320 may be accompanied by a 15 dB increase in its linearity. In particular, the amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320 can be designed such that the linearity of the amplifier increases with decreasing gain (or increasing current).

  In some implementations, the controller 120 controls the gain (and / or current) of the amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310 and the amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320. As in the above example, the controller 120 may provide a certain amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320 in response to an increase in the certain amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310. Can be reduced. That is, in some implementations, the controller 120 converts the downstream amplifier control signal (for amplifiers 324a-324d of diversity RF module 320) to the amplifier control signal (for amplifiers 314a-314d of DRx module 310). Based and configured to control the gain of one or more downstream amplifiers 324a-324d coupled to the output (of DRx module 310) via transmission line 135. In some implementations, the controller 120 also controls the gain of other components of the wireless device, such as an amplifier in a front end module (FEM), based on the amplifier control signal.

  As mentioned above, in some implementations, bandpass filters 323a-323d are not included. That is, in some implementations, at least one of the downstream amplifiers 324a-324d is coupled to the output (of the DRx module 310) via the transmission line 135 without passing through the downstream bandpass filter.

  FIG. 4 illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 400 can include a diversity RF module 420 with fewer amplifiers than the diversity receiver (DRx) module 310. Diversity receiver configuration 400 includes diversity antenna 140 and DRx module 310 described above with reference to FIG. The output of the DRx module 310 passes through the transmission line 135 to the diversity RF module 420. Diversity RF module 420 differs from diversity RF module 320 of FIG. 3 in that diversity RF module 420 of FIG. 4 includes fewer amplifiers than DRx module 310.

  As mentioned above, in some implementations diversity RF module 420 does not include a bandpass filter. That is, in some implementations, one or more amplifiers 424 of diversity RF module 420 need not be band specific. In particular, diversity RF module 420 may include one or more paths. Each path includes an amplifier 424 that is not mapped one-to-one to the path of the DRx module 310. The mapping of such paths (or corresponding amplifiers) can be stored in the controller 120.

  Accordingly, DRx module 310 may include a fixed number of paths, each corresponding to a frequency band, while diversity RF module 420 may include one or more paths that do not correspond to a single frequency band.

  In some implementations (shown in FIG. 4), diversity RF module 420 includes a single wideband or tunable amplifier 424 that amplifies the signal received from transmission line 135 and outputs the amplified signal to multiplexer 421. Multiplexer 421 includes a plurality of multiplexer outputs, each corresponding to each frequency band. In some implementations, diversity RF module 420 does not include any amplifier.

  In some implementations, the diversity signal is a single band signal. That is, in some implementations, the multiplexer 421 is an SPMT switch that routes the diversity signal based on the signal received from the controller 120 into a plurality of outputs that correspond to the frequency band of the single band signal. In some implementations, the diversity signal is a multiband signal. That is, in some implementations, the multiplexer 421 routes the diversity signal to two or more corresponding to two or more frequency bands of the multi-band signal based on the divider control signal received from the controller 120. It is a signal divider. In some implementations, the diversity RF module 420 can be combined with the transceiver 330 as a single module.

  In some implementations, diversity RF module 420 includes multiple amplifiers, each corresponding to a set of frequency bands. The signal from the transmission line 135 can be supplied to a band divider that outputs a high frequency to the high frequency amplifier along the first path and outputs a low frequency to the low frequency amplifier along the second path. The output of each amplifier can be provided to a multiplexer 421 that is configured to route the signal to a corresponding input of the transceiver 330.

  FIG. 5 illustrates that in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 500 can include a DRx module 510 coupled to an off-module filter 513. The DRx module 510 may include a packaging board 501 configured to receive a plurality of components and a receiving system mounted on the packaging board 501. The DRx module 510 may include one or more signal paths that are routed out of the DRx module 510 and made available to a system integrator, designer, or manufacturer that supports a filter for any desired band.

  The DRx module 510 includes a certain number of paths between the inputs and outputs of the DRx module 510. The DRx module 510 includes a bypass path between input and output activated by a bypass switch 519 controlled by the DRx controller 502. Although FIG. 5 illustrates a single bypass switch 519, in some implementations, the bypass switch 519 includes multiple switches (e.g., a first switch located physically close to the input and an output physical switch). Second switch provided near the target). As shown in FIG. 5, the bypass path does not include a filter or amplifier.

  The DRx module 510 includes a certain number of multiplexer paths including a first multiplexer 511 and a second multiplexer 512. The multiplexer path includes a certain number of on-module paths. This includes a first multiplexer 511, bandpass filters 313 a to 313 d mounted on the packaging substrate 501, amplifiers 314 a to 314 d mounted on the packaging substrate 501, and a second multiplexer 512. The multiplexer path includes one or more off-module paths. This includes a first multiplexer 511, a bandpass filter 513 mounted outside the packaging substrate 501, an amplifier 514, and a second multiplexer 512. The amplifier 514 can be a broadband amplifier mounted on the packaging substrate 501 or can be mounted outside the packaging substrate 501. As described above, amplifiers 314a-314d, 514 may be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

  The DRx controller 502 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the multiple paths between the input and output. In some implementations, the DRx controller 502 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller 502 (eg, from a communication controller). The DRx controller 502 selectively activates the path, for example, by opening or closing the bypass switch 519, enabling or disabling the amplifiers 314a to 314d, 514, controlling the multiplexers 511, 512, or via other mechanisms. Can be. For example, the DRx controller 502 opens or closes a switch along the path (eg, between the filters 313a-313d, 513 and the amplifiers 314a-314d, 514) or substantially increases the gain of the amplifiers 314a-314d, 514. Can be set to zero.

  FIG. 6A shows that, in some embodiments, diversity receiver configuration 600 can include a DRx module 610 with one or more phase matching components 624a-624b. DRx module 610 includes two paths from the input of DRx module 610 coupled to antenna 140 to the output of DRx module 610 coupled to transmission line 135.

  In the DRx module 610 of FIG. 6A, the signal divider and the band pass filter are implemented as a diplexer 611. Diplexer 611 includes an input coupled to antenna 140, a first output coupled to first amplifier 314a, and a second output coupled to second amplifier 314b. At the first output, the diplexer 611 outputs a signal received at the input (eg, from the antenna 140) and filtered to the first frequency band. At the second output, the diplexer 611 outputs a signal received at the input and filtered to the second frequency band. In some implementations, the diplexer 611 is a triplexer, quad configured to split an input signal received at the input of the DRx module 610 into a plurality of signals in each of a plurality of frequency bands propagating along a plurality of paths. It can be replaced by a plexer or any other multiplexer.

  As described above, each one of the amplifiers 314a-314b is provided along one corresponding path of the path and is configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier. The outputs of amplifiers 314a-314b are fed through corresponding phase shift components 624a-624b and then combined by signal combiner 612.

  The signal combiner 612 includes a first input coupled to the first phase shift component 624a, a second input coupled to the second phase shift component 624b, and an output coupled to the output of the DRx module 610. The signal at the output of the signal combiner is the sum of the signals at the first input and the second input. That is, the signal combiner is configured to combine signals that propagate along multiple paths.

  When a signal is received by the antenna 140, the signal is filtered to the first frequency band by the diplexer 611 and propagates along the first path through the first amplifier 314a. The filtered amplified signal is phase-shifted by the first phase shift component 624a and supplied to the first input of the signal combiner 612. In some implementations, the signal combiner 612 or the second amplifier 314b does not prevent the signal from continuing through the signal combiner 612 along the second path in the reverse direction. That is, the signal propagates through the second phase shift component 624b and through the second amplifier 314b where it is reflected from the diplexer 611. The reflected signal propagates through the second amplifier 314 b and the second phase shift component 624 b and reaches the second input of the signal combiner 612.

  If the initial signal (at the first input of the signal combiner 612) and the reflected signal (at the second input of the signal combiner 612) are out of phase, the addition at the signal combiner 612 causes a signal at the output of the signal combiner 612. Is weakened. Similarly, when the initial signal and the reflected signal are in phase, the addition at the signal combiner 612 enhances the signal at the output of the signal combiner 612. That is, in some implementations, the second phase shift component 624b is configured to phase shift the signal (at least in the first frequency band) so that the initial signal and the reflected signal are at least partially in phase. . In particular, the second phase shift component 624b is configured to phase shift the signal (at least in the first frequency band) so that the total amplitude of the initial signal and the reflected signal is greater than the amplitude of the initial signal. .

  For example, the second phase shift component 624b introduces the signal passing through the second phase shift component 624b by backward propagation through the second amplifier 314b, reflection from the diplexer 611, and forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b. It can be configured to phase shift by -1/2 times the phase shift to be made. In another example, the second phase shift component 624b causes the signal passing through the second phase shift component 624b to travel 360 degrees, backward propagation through the second amplifier 314b, reflection from the diplexer 611, and second amplifier 314b. It can be configured to phase shift by half the difference from the phase shift introduced by forward propagation through. In general, the second phase shift component 624b shifts the signal passing through the second phase shift component 624b so that the initial signal and the reflected signal have a phase difference of an integer multiple of 360 degrees (including zero). Can be configured.

  In one example, the initial signal can be 0 degrees (or any other reference phase), due to backward propagation through the second amplifier 314b, reflection from the diplexer 611, and forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b. , A phase shift of 140 degrees can be introduced. That is, in some implementations, the second phase shift component 624b is configured to phase shift the signal passing through the second phase shift component 624b by -70 degrees. That is, the initial signal is -70 degrees by the second phase shift component 624b, and 70 degrees by backward propagation through the second amplifier 314b, reflection from the diplexer 611, and forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b. In addition, the phase is shifted back to 0 degrees by the second phase shift component 624b.

  In some implementations, the second phase shift component 624b is configured to phase shift the signal passing through the second phase shift component 624b by 110 degrees. That is, the initial signal is 110 degrees by the second phase shift component 624b, to 250 degrees by backward propagation through the second amplifier 314b, reflection from the diplexer 611, and forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b. In addition, the phase is shifted to 360 degrees by the second phase shift component 624b.

  At the same time, the signal received by the antenna 140 undergoes filtering to the second frequency band by the diplexer 611 and propagates along the second path passing through the second amplifier 314b. The filtered amplified signal is phase-shifted by the second phase shift component 624b and supplied to the second input of the signal combiner 612. In some implementations, the signal combiner 612 or the first amplifier 314a does not prevent the signal from continuing through the signal combiner 612 along the first path in the reverse direction. That is, the signal propagates through the first phase shift component 624a and through the second amplifier 314a where it is reflected from the diplexer 611. The reflected signal propagates through the first amplifier 314a and the first phase shift component 624a and reaches the first input of the signal combiner 612.

  If the initial signal (at the second input of the signal combiner 612) and the reflected signal (at the first input of the signal combiner 612) are out of phase, the signal at the output of the signal combiner 612 is added by the signal combiner 612. When weakened and the initial signal and the reflected signal are in phase, the addition at the signal combiner 612 will intensify the signal at the output of the signal combiner 612. That is, in some implementations, the first phase shift component 624a is configured to phase shift the signal (at least in the second frequency band) so that the initial signal and the reflected signal are at least partially in phase. .

  For example, the first phase shift component 624a introduces the signal passing through the first phase shift component 624a by backward propagation through the first amplifier 314a, reflection from the diplexer 611, and forward propagation through the first amplifier 314a. It can be configured to phase shift by -1/2 times the phase shift to be made. In another example, the first phase shift component 624a causes the signal passing through the first phase shift component 624a to travel 360 degrees, backward propagation through the first amplifier 314a, reflection from the diplexer 611, and the first amplifier 314a. It can be configured to phase shift by half the difference from the phase shift introduced by forward propagation through. Generally, the first phase shift component 624a shifts the signal passing through the first phase shift component 624a so that the initial signal and the reflected signal have a phase difference of an integer multiple of 360 degrees (including zero). Can be configured.

  Phase shift components 624a-624b can be implemented as passive circuits. In particular, phase shift components 624a-624b are implemented as LC circuits and may include one or more passive components such as inductors and / or capacitors. These passive components are connected in parallel and / or in series and connected between the output of amplifiers 314a-314b and the input of signal combiner 612 or between the output of amplifiers 314a-314b and ground voltage. be able to. In some implementations, phase shift components 624a-624b are integrated on the same die or in the same package as amplifiers 314a-314b.

  In some implementations (eg, as shown in FIG. 6A), phase shift components 624a-624b are provided along a path after amplifiers 314a-314b. That is, any signal attenuation caused by the phase shift components 624a-624b does not affect the performance of the module 610, eg, the signal to noise ratio of the output signal. However, in some implementations, phase shift components 624a-624b are provided along a path in front of amplifiers 314a-314b. For example, phase shift components 624a-624b can be integrated into impedance matching components provided between diplexer 611 and amplifiers 314a-314b.

  FIG. 6B illustrates that in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 640 can include a DRx module 641 with one or more phase matching components 624a-624b and two-stage amplifiers 614a-614b. The DRx module 641 of FIG. 6B is substantially similar to the DRx module 610 of FIG. 6A. However, the amplifiers 314a to 314b of the DRx module 610 of FIG. 6A are replaced with the two-stage amplifiers 614a to 614b of the DRx module 641 of FIG. 6B.

  FIG. 6C illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 680 can include a DRx module 681 with one or more phase matching components 624a-624b and a combiner post-amplifier 615. The DRx module 681 of FIG. 6C is substantially similar to the DRx module 610 of FIG. 6A. However, the DRx module 681 of FIG. 6C includes a combiner post-stage amplifier 615 provided between the output of the signal combiner 612 and the output of the DRx module 681. Similar to amplifiers 314a-314b, combiner post-amplifier 615 can be a variable gain amplifier (VGA) and / or a variable current amplifier controlled by a DRx controller (not shown).

  FIG. 7 illustrates that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration 700 can include a DRx module 710 with tunable phase shift components 724a-724d. Each of the tunable phase shift components 724a-724d can be configured to phase shift the signal passing through the tunable phase shift component by an amount controlled by the phase shift tuning signal received from the DRx controller 702.

  Diversity receiver configuration 700 includes a DRx module 710 having an input coupled to antenna 140 and an output coupled to transmission line 135. The DRx module 710 includes a certain number of paths between the inputs and outputs of the DRx module 710. In some implementations, the DRx module 710 includes one or more bypass paths (not shown) between the inputs and outputs activated by one or more bypass switches controlled by the DRx controller 702.

  The DRx module 710 includes a fixed number of multiplexer paths including an input multiplexer 311 and an output multiplexer 312. The multiplexer path includes a fixed number of on-module paths (shown) including an input multiplexer 311, bandpass filters 313 a-313 d, amplifiers 314 a-314 d, tunable phase shift components 724 a-724 d, an output multiplexer 312 and a combiner post-stage amplifier 615. Including. The multiplexer path may include one or more off-module paths (not shown) as described above. As described above, the amplifiers 314a to 314d (the gain post-stage amplifier 615) can be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

  Tunable phase shift components 724a-724d may include one or more variable components such as inductors and capacitors. These variable components are connected in parallel and / or in series and connected between the output of amplifiers 314a-314d and the input of output multiplexer 312 or between the output of amplifiers 314a-314d and ground voltage. Can do.

  The DRx controller 702 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and output. In some implementations, DRx controller 702 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by DRx controller 702 (eg, from a communication controller). The DRx controller 702 can selectively activate the path, for example, by enabling or disabling the amplifiers 314a-314d as described above, by controlling the multiplexers 311, 312 or via other mechanisms. .

  In some implementations, the DRx controller 702 is configured to tune the tunable phase shift components 724a-724d. In some implementations, the DRx controller 702 tunes the tunable phase shift components 724a-724d based on the band select signal. For example, DRx controller 702 tunes tunable phase shift components 724a-724d based on a look-up table that associates multiple frequency bands (or sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band select signal with tuning parameters. be able to. Accordingly, the DRx controller 702 transmits a phase shift tuning signal to the tunable phase shift components 724a-724d of each active path in response to the band selection signal, and the tunable phase shift component (or its variable) according to the tuning parameters. Parts) can be tuned.

  The DRx controller 702 can be configured to tune the tunable phase shift components 724 a-724 d so that the out-of-band reflected signal is in phase with the out-of-band initial signal at the output multiplexer 312. For example, the band selection signal corresponds to a first path corresponding to the first frequency band (through the first amplifier 314a), a second path corresponding to the second frequency band (through the second amplifier 314b), and (third When instructing that the third path (through amplifier 314c) should be activated, DRx controller 702 (1) for signals propagating along the second path (in the second frequency band) , So that the initial signal is propagated backward along the first path, reflected from the bandpass filter 313a, and in phase with the reflected signal propagating forward through the first path, and (2 ) For signals propagating along the third path (in the third frequency band), the initial signal propagates in the reverse direction along the first path, reflected from the bandpass filter 313a, and the first path Propagate forward through So that the reflected signal phase with that, it is possible to tune the first tunable phase shifting part 724a.

  The DRx controller 702 can tune the first tunable phase shift component 724a so that the second frequency band is phase shifted by an amount different from the third frequency band. For example, a signal in the second frequency band is phase shifted by 140 degrees and the third frequency band is forward propagated through the first amplifier 314a, reflected from the bandpass filter 313a, and forward through the first amplifier 314b. If the phase is shifted by 130 degrees due to propagation, the DRx controller 702 shifts the second frequency band by -70 degrees (or 110 degrees) and the third frequency band by -65 degrees (or 115 degrees). The first tunable phase shift component 724a can be tuned to shift.

  The DRx controller 702 can similarly tune the second phase shift component 724b and the third phase shift component 724c.

  In another example, if the band select signal indicates that the first path, the second path, and the fourth path (through the fourth amplifier 314d) are to be activated, the DRx controller 702 (1 ) For signals propagating along the second path (in the second frequency band), the initial signal propagates in the reverse direction along the first path, reflected from the bandpass filter 313a, and the first path For signals that propagate along the fourth path (in the fourth frequency band) so that they are in phase with the reflected signal propagating forward through the initial signal, Tuning the first tunable phase shift component 724a so that it is in phase with the reflected signal propagating in the opposite direction along, reflected from the bandpass filter 313a, and propagating forward through the first path. it can

  The DRx controller 702 can tune the variable components of the tunable phase shift components 724a-724d to have different values for different sets of frequency bands.

  In some implementations, the tunable phase shift components 724a-724d are replaced with fixed phase shift components that are not tunable or controlled by the DRx controller 702. Each one of the phase shift components provided along one corresponding path of the path corresponding to one frequency band of the plurality of paths is configured so that an initial signal along the other path corresponds to each of the other frequency bands. Is configured to phase shift so that it is in phase with the reflected signal propagating in the reverse direction along the one path, reflected from the corresponding bandpass filter, and propagating forward through the one path. be able to.

  For example, the third phase shift component 724c is fixed and (1) the initial signal at the first frequency (propagating along the first path) propagates in the reverse direction along the third path, and the third Phase-shifting the first frequency band to be in phase with the reflected signal reflected from the bandpass filter 313c and propagating forward through the third path, (2) (propagating along the second path) The initial signal at the second frequency propagates in the reverse direction along the third path, is reflected from the third bandpass filter 313c, and is in phase with the reflected signal that propagates forward through the third path. And (3) the initial signal at the fourth frequency (propagating along the fourth path) propagates in the reverse direction along the third path, and the third bandpass filter 313c reflected and through the third path Configured to phase shift the fourth frequency band to be reflected signals in phase to propagating forward Te. Other phase shift components can be similarly fixed and configured.

  That is, the DRx module 710 includes a DRx controller 702 that is configured to select one or more of a plurality of paths between the input of the DRx module 710 and the output of the DRx module 710. The DRx module 710 further includes a plurality of amplifiers 314a-314d. Each one of the plurality of amplifiers 314a to 314d is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to amplify a signal received by the amplifier. The DRx module further includes a plurality of phase shift components 724a-724d. Each one of the plurality of phase shift components 724a to 724d is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to phase shift a signal passing through the phase shift component.

  In some implementations, the first phase shift component 724a is provided along a first path corresponding to a first frequency band (eg, the frequency band of the first bandpass filter 313a) and the first phase shift component 724a. A second frequency band of the signal passing through (for example, the frequency band of the second bandpass filter 313b), and an initial signal propagated along the second path corresponding to the second frequency band; The reflected signal propagating along one path is configured to be at least partially in phase.

  In some implementations, the first phase shift component 724a can further phase shift the third frequency band of the signal passing through the first phase shift component 724a (eg, the frequency band of the third band pass filter 313c) to The initial signal propagating along the third path corresponding to the three frequency bands and the reflected signal propagating along the first path are configured to be at least partially in phase.

  Similarly, in some implementations, the second phase shift component 724b provided along the second path phase shifts the first frequency band of the signal passing through the second phase shift component 724b to provide the first path. And the reflected signal propagating along the second path are at least in phase.

  FIG. 8 illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 800 can include a DRx module 810 with one or more impedance matching components 834a-834b. The DRx module 810 includes two paths from the input of the DRx module 810 coupled to the antenna 140 to the output of the DRx module 810 coupled to the transmission line 135.

  In the DRx module 810 of FIG. 8 (as in the DRx module 610 of FIG. 6A), the signal divider and bandpass filter are implemented as a diplexer 611. Diplexer 611 includes an input coupled to the antenna, a first output coupled to first impedance matching component 834a, and a second output coupled to second impedance matching component 834b. The diplexer 611 outputs a filtered signal to the first frequency band received at the input (eg, from the antenna 140) at the first output. The diplexer 611 outputs a signal subjected to filtering to the second frequency band received at the input at the second output.

  The impedance matching components 834a to 634d are provided between the diplexer 611 and the amplifiers 314a to 314b, respectively. As described above, each one of amplifiers 314a-314b is provided along one corresponding path of the path and is configured to amplify the received signal at the amplifier. The outputs of the amplifiers 314a to 314b are supplied to the signal combiner 612.

  The signal combiner 612 includes a first input coupled to the first amplifier 314a, a second input coupled to the second amplifier 314b, and an output coupled to the output of the DRx module 610. The signal at the output of the signal combiner is the sum of the signals at the first input and the second input.

  When a signal is received by the antenna 140, the signal is filtered to the first frequency band by the diplexer 611 and propagates along the first path through the first amplifier 314a. Similarly, the signal is filtered to the second frequency band by the diplexer 611 and propagates along the second path through the second amplifier 314b.

  Each path can be characterized by noise figure and gain. The noise figure for each path is a degradation representation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) caused by amplifiers and impedance matching components provided along that path. In particular, the noise figure for each path is the decibel (dB) difference between the SNR at the input of the impedance matching components 834a-834b and the SNR at the output of the amplifiers 314a-314b. That is, the noise figure is a measure of the difference between the noise output of an amplifier and the noise output of an “ideal” amplifier of the same gain (which produces no noise). Similarly, the gain for each path is a representation of the gain caused by the amplifiers and impedance matching components provided along that path.

  The noise figure and gain of each path can be different for different frequency bands. For example, the first path may have an in-band noise figure and in-band gain for the first frequency band and an out-of-band noise figure and out-of-band gain for the second frequency band. Similarly, the second path may have an in-band noise figure and in-band gain for the second frequency band and an out-of-band noise figure and out-of-band gain for the first frequency band.

  The DRx module 810 is also characterized by a noise figure and gain that can be different for different frequency bands. In particular, the noise figure of DRx module 810 is the dB difference between the SNR at the input of DRx module 810 and the SNR at the output of DRx module 810.

  The noise figure and gain of each path (in each frequency band) depends, at least in part, on the impedance (in each frequency band) of the impedance matching components 834a-834b. Thus, it can be advantageous that the impedance of impedance matching components 834a-834b minimize the in-band noise figure of each path and / or maximize the in-band gain of each path. That is, in some implementations, impedance matching components 834a-834b each reduce the in-band noise figure of its respective path (in comparison to a DRx module lacking such impedance matching components 834a-834b), and / or Or it is configured to increase the in-band gain of each of its paths.

  Because the signals propagating along the two paths are combined by signal combiner 612, out-of-band noise generated or amplified by the amplifier can negatively affect the combined signal. For example, out-of-band noise generated or amplified by the first amplifier 314a may increase the noise figure of the DRx module 810 at the second frequency. Thus, it can be advantageous that the impedance of the impedance matching components 834a-834b minimize the out-of-band noise figure of each path and / or minimize the out-of-band gain of each path. That is, in some implementations, impedance matching components 834a-834b each reduce the out-of-band noise figure of their respective paths (in comparison to DRx modules lacking such impedance matching components 834a-834b), and / or Or it is configured to reduce the out-of-band gain of each path.

  The impedance matching components 834a to 834b can be implemented as passive circuits. In particular, impedance matching components 834a-834b are implemented as RLC circuits and may include one or more passive components such as resistors, inductors and / or capacitors. These passive components can be connected in parallel and / or in series, connected between the output of the diplexer 611 and the inputs of the amplifiers 314a-314b, or connected between the output of the diplexer 611 and the ground voltage. In some implementations, impedance matching components 834a-834b are integrated on the same die or in the same package as amplifiers 314a-314b.

  As mentioned above, the impedance of the impedance matching components 834a-834b can be advantageous for a particular path by minimizing in-band noise figure, maximizing in-band gain, and minimizing out-of-band noise figure. And ensuring that out-of-band gain is minimized. All these four goals can be made with only two degrees of freedom (eg, impedance in the first frequency band and impedance in the second frequency band) or various other constraints (eg, number of parts, cost, die space) It may be difficult to design the impedance matching components 834a-834b to achieve. Thus, in some implementations, the in-band metric minus the in-band gain from the in-band noise figure is minimized, and the out-of-band metric plus the out-of-band gain plus the out-of-band gain is minimized. It can still be difficult to design impedance matching components 834a-834b to achieve both of these goals with various constraints. That is, in some implementations, the in-band metric is minimized subject to a set of constraints, and the out-of-band metric is determined by the set of constraints and the threshold amount (eg, 0.1 dB, 0.2 dB, The in-band metric is not increased by more than 0.5 dB or any other value) and is minimized. Therefore, the impedance matching component can reduce the in-band metric minus the in-band gain from the in-band noise figure, within the threshold of the in-band metric minimum, such as the minimum in-band metric possible under any constraints. Configured to reduce to Impedance matching components can further reduce the out-of-band metric by adding the out-of-band metric with the out-of-band gain plus the out-of-band gain. It is configured to reduce to an out-of-band constrained out-of-band minimum value. In some implementations, the composite metric of the in-band metric (weighted by the in-band factor) plus the out-of-band metric (weighted by the out-of-band factor) is minimized subject to any constraints.

  That is, in some implementations, impedance matching components 834a-834b each have an in-band metric (in-band noise figure minus in-band gain) for each path (eg, lower in-band noise figure and in-band gain). Configured to decrease (by increasing or both). In some implementations, each of the impedance matching components 834a-834b further reduces the out-of-band metric (out-of-band noise figure plus out-of-band gain) of each path (eg, reduces out-of-band noise figure and out-of-band gain). Configured to be reduced (by lowering or both).

  In some implementations, by reducing the out-of-band metric, the impedance matching components 834a-834b allow the DRx module 810 in one or more of the frequency bands without substantially increasing the noise figure in other frequency bands. Reduce the noise figure.

  FIG. 9 illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 900 can include a DRx module 910 with tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d. Each of the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d can be configured to represent an impedance controlled by an impedance tuning signal received from the DRx controller 902.

  Diversity receiver configuration 900 includes a DRx module 910 having an input coupled to antenna 140 and an output coupled to transmission line 135. The DRx module 910 includes a certain number of paths between the inputs and outputs of the DRx module 910. In some implementations, the DRx module 910 includes one or more bypass paths (not shown) between inputs and outputs that are activated by one or more bypass switches controlled by the DRx controller 902.

  The DRx module 910 includes a fixed number of multiplexer paths including an input multiplexer 311 and an output multiplexer 312. The multiplexer path includes a fixed number of on-module paths (shown) including an input multiplexer 311, bandpass filters 313 a-313 d, tunable impedance matching components 934 a-934 d, amplifiers 314 a-314 d, and an output multiplexer 312. . The multiplexer path may include one or more off-module paths (not shown) as described above. Again, as described above, the amplifiers 314a-314d can be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

  The tunable impedance matching components 934a-934b can be tunable T-type circuits, tunable π-type circuits, or any other tunable matching circuit. Tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d may include one or more variable components such as resistors, inductors and capacitors. These variable components may be connected in parallel and / or in series and connected between the output of the input multiplexer 311 and the inputs of the amplifiers 314a to 314d, or connected between the output of the input multiplexer 311 and the ground voltage. it can.

  The DRx controller 902 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the multiple paths between the input and output. In some implementations, the DRx controller 902 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller 902 (eg, from a communication controller). The DRx controller 902 can selectively activate the path, for example, by enabling or disabling the amplifiers 314a-314d as described above, by controlling the multiplexers 311, 312 or via other mechanisms. .

  In some implementations, the DRx controller 902 is configured to tune the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d. In some implementations, the DRx controller 702 tunes the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d based on the band select signal. For example, DRx controller 902 tunes tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d based on a look-up table that associates multiple frequency bands (or sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band selection signal with tuning parameters. be able to. Accordingly, the DRx controller 902 transmits an impedance tuning signal to the tunable impedance matching components 934a to 934d of each active path in response to the band selection signal, and the tunable impedance matching component (or its variable component) according to the tuning parameter. ) Can be tuned.

  In some implementations, the DRx controller 902 is based on the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d based at least in part on the amplifier control signals transmitted to control the gain and / or current of the amplifiers 314a-314d. To tune.

  In some implementations, the DRx controller 902 causes each active path tunable impedance matching component 934a-934d to have an in-band noise figure minimized (or reduced) and an in-band gain maximized (or increased). , Configured to be tuned such that the out-of-band noise figure for each other active path is minimized (or reduced) and / or the out-of-band gain for each other active path is minimized (or reduced).

  In some implementations, the DRx controller 902 allows each active path tunable impedance matching component 934a-934d to have an in-band metric (in-band noise figure minus in-band gain) minimized (or reduced), and others. Is configured to be tuned to minimize (or reduce) the out-of-band metric (out-of-band noise figure plus out-of-band gain) for each active path.

  In some implementations, the DRx controller 902 minimizes (or reduces) the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d of each active path with an in-band metric constrained by a set of constraints. And the additional constraint that the in-band metric does not increase beyond the threshold (eg, 0.1 dB, 0.2 dB, 0.5 dB, or any other value) for other active paths Configured to tune so that out-of-band metrics are minimized (or reduced).

  That is, in some implementations, the DRx controller 902 provides a tunable impedance matching component 934a-934d for each active path and an in-band metric that the tunable impedance matching component subtracts the in-band gain from the in-band noise figure. Configured to reduce to within a threshold amount of an in-band metric minimum, such as a possible minimum in-band metric subject to any constraints. The DRx controller 902 further includes a tunable impedance matching component 934a-934d for each active path, wherein the tunable impedance matching component provides an out-of-band metric plus an out-of-band gain plus an out-of-band gain, eg, an in-band metric. It is configured to be tuned to reduce to an in-band constrained out-of-band minimum, such as a possible out-of-band metric minimum subject to the additional constraint of not increasing beyond the threshold.

  In some implementations, the DRx controller 902 can tune each active path tunable impedance matching component 934a-934d to an in-band metric (weighted by an in-band factor) (by an out-of-band factor for each other active path). It is configured to tune the composite metric plus the out-of-band metric for each of the other weighted active paths to be minimized (or reduced) subject to any constraints.

  The DRx controller 902 can tune the variable components of the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d to have different values for different sets of frequency bands.

  In some implementations, the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d are replaced with fixed impedance matching components that are not tunable or controlled by the DRx controller 902. Each one of the impedance matching components provided along one corresponding path of a plurality of paths corresponding to one frequency band reduces (or minimizes) an in-band metric for the one frequency band. And can be configured to reduce (or minimize) out-of-band metrics for one or more of the other frequency bands (eg, each other frequency band).

  For example, the third impedance matching component 934c is fixed and (1) reduces the in-band metric for the third frequency band, (2) reduces the out-of-band metric for the first frequency band, (3 Configured to reduce out-of-band metrics for the second frequency band and / or (4) reduce out-of-band metrics for the fourth frequency band. Other impedance matching components can be similarly fixed and configured.

  That is, the DRx module 910 includes a DRx controller 902 configured to select one or more of a plurality of paths between the DRx module 910 input and the DRx module 910 output. The DRx module 910 further includes a plurality of amplifiers 314a-314d. Each one of the plurality of amplifiers 314a to 314d is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and is configured to amplify a signal received by the amplifier. The DRx module further includes a plurality of impedance matching components 934a-934d. Each one of the plurality of phase shift components 934a to 934d is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain of one corresponding path of the plurality of paths. Configured to reduce at least one.

  In some implementations, the first impedance matching component 934a is provided along a first path corresponding to a first frequency band (eg, the frequency band of the first bandpass filter 313a) and corresponds to a second path. It is configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the second frequency band (eg, the frequency band of the second bandpass filter 313b).

  In some implementations, the first impedance matching component 934a further includes at least an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for a third frequency band (eg, a frequency band of the third bandpass filter 313c) corresponding to the third path. Configured to reduce one.

  Similarly, in some implementations, a second impedance matching component 934b provided along the second path is configured to reduce at least one of the out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the first frequency band. Is done.

  FIG. 10 illustrates that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration 1000 can include a DRx module 1010 with tunable impedance matching components provided at the input and output. The DRx module 1010 may include one or more tunable impedance matching components provided at one or more of the inputs and outputs of the DRx module 1010. In particular, the DRx module 1010 may include an input tunable impedance matching component 1016 provided at the input of the DRx module 1010, an output tunable impedance matching component 1017 provided at the output of the DRx module 1010, or both.

  All of the multiple frequency bands received at the same diversity antenna 140 are unlikely to be ideal impedance matching. A tunable input impedance matching component 1016 is implemented at the input of the DRx module 1010 (eg, based on a band selection signal from a communication controller) by the DRx controller 1002 to match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit. Can be controlled. For example, the DRx controller 1002 tunes the tunable input impedance matching component 1016 based on a lookup table that associates multiple frequency bands (or multiple sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band select signal with tuning parameters. Can do. Accordingly, the DRx controller 1002 transmits an input impedance tuning signal to the tunable input impedance matching component 1016 in response to the band selection signal, and tunes the tunable input impedance matching component (or its variable component) according to the tuning parameters. can do.

  The tunable input impedance matching component 1016 can be a tunable T-type circuit, a tunable π-type circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. In particular, the tunable input impedance matching component 1016 may include one or more variable components such as resistors, inductors, and capacitors. These variable components may be connected in parallel and / or in series and connected between the input of the DRx module 1010 and the input of the first multiplexer 311 or connected between the input of the DRx module 1010 and the ground voltage. it can.

  Similarly, with only one transmission line 135 (or at least some transmission lines) carrying signals in many frequency bands, it is unlikely that all multiple frequency bands will be an ideal impedance match. A tunable output impedance matching component 1017 is implemented at the output of the DRx module 1010 (eg, based on a band selection signal from a communication controller) by the DRx controller 1002 to match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit. Can be controlled. For example, the DRx controller 1002 tunes the tunable output impedance matching component 1017 based on a look-up table that associates multiple frequency bands (or sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band select signal with tuning parameters. Can do. Accordingly, the DRx controller 1002 transmits an output impedance tuning signal to the tunable output impedance matching component 1017 in response to the band selection signal, and tunes the tunable output impedance matching component (or its variable component) according to the tuning parameters. can do.

  The tunable output impedance matching component 1017 can be a tunable T-type circuit, a tunable π-type circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. In particular, the tunable output impedance matching component 1017 may include one or more variable components such as resistors, inductors and capacitors. These variable components are connected in parallel and / or in series and connected between the output of the second multiplexer 312 and the output of the DRx module 1010 or connected between the output of the second multiplexer 312 and the ground voltage. Can do.

  FIG. 11 illustrates that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver configuration 1100 can include a DRx module 1110 with multiple tunable components. Diversity receiver configuration 1100 includes a DRx module 1110 having an input coupled to antenna 140 and an output coupled to transmission line 135. The DRx module 1110 includes a certain number of paths between the inputs and outputs of the DRx module 1110. In some implementations, the DRx module 1110 includes one or more bypass paths (not shown) between inputs and outputs activated by one or more bypass switches controlled by the DRx controller 1102.

  The DRx module 1110 includes a fixed number of multiplexer paths including an input multiplexer 311 and an output multiplexer 312. The multiplexer path includes tunable input impedance matching component 1016, input multiplexer 311, bandpass filters 313a-313d, tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d, amplifiers 314a-314d, tunable phase shift components 724a-724d, output multiplexer 312 and It includes a certain number of on-module paths (shown) that include a tunable output impedance matching component 1017. The multiplexer path may include one or more off-module paths (not shown) as described above. Again, as described above, the amplifiers 314a-314d can be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

  The DRx controller 1102 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input and output. In some implementations, the DRx controller 1102 is configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller 1102 (eg, from a communication controller). The DRx controller 902 can selectively activate the path, for example, by enabling or disabling the amplifiers 314a-314d as described above, by controlling the multiplexers 311, 312 or via other mechanisms. . In some implementations, the DRx controller 1102 is configured to transmit an amplifier control signal to each of one or more amplifiers 314a-314d provided along the one or more activated paths. The amplifier control signal controls the gain (or current) of the destination amplifier.

  DRx controller 1102 is configured to tune one or more of tunable input impedance matching component 1016, tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d, tunable phase shift components 724a-724d, and tunable output impedance matching component 1017. For example, the DRx controller 1102 can tune a tunable component based on a look-up table that associates multiple frequency bands (or sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band selection signal with tuning parameters. Accordingly, the DRx controller 1101 can send a tuning signal to the tunable component (in the active path) in response to the band select signal and tune the tunable component (or its variable component) according to the tuning parameters. In some implementations, the DRx controller 1102 tunes the tunable component based at least in part on the amplifier control signal transmitted to control the gain and / or current of the amplifiers 314a-314d. In various implementations, one or more of the tunable components can be replaced with fixed components that are not controlled by the DRx controller 1102.

  As can be appreciated, one tuning of a tunable part can affect the tuning of other tunable parts. That is, the tuning parameters in the lookup table for the first tunable part may be based on the tuning parameters for the second tunable part. For example, tuning parameters for tunable phase shift components 724a-724d may be based on tuning parameters for tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d. In other examples, the tuning parameters for the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d may be based on the tuning parameters for the tunable input impedance matching component 1016.

  FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a flowchart representation of a method for processing an RF signal. In some implementations (and for example as detailed below), the method 1200 is performed by a controller, such as the DRx controller 1102 of FIG. In some implementations, the method 1200 can be performed by processing logic that includes hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the method 1200 is performed by a processor that executes code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (eg, memory). Briefly, the method 1200 includes receiving a band selection signal and routing the received RF signal to one or more tuned paths to process the received RF signal.

  The method 1200 begins at block 1210 with the controller receiving a band selection signal. The controller can receive a band selection signal from another controller or a band selection signal from a cellular base station or other external source. The band selection signal can indicate one or more frequency bands over which the wireless device transmits and receives RF signals. In some implementations, the band selection signal indicates a set of frequency bands for carrier aggregation communication.

  At block 1220, the controller selectively activates one or more paths of the diversity receiver (DRx) module based on the band selection signal. As described above, a DRx module is a certain number between one or more inputs (coupled to one or more antennas) and one or more outputs (coupled to one or more transmission lines) of the DRx module. Can be included. The path may include a bypass path and a multiplexer path. The multiplexer path can include an on-module path and an off-module path.

  The controller may, for example, enable or disable an amplifier provided along the path by opening or closing one or more bypass switches to enable or disable the divider control signal and / or one or more multiplexers. Alternatively, one or more of the plurality of paths can be selectively activated by control through a coupler control signal or through other mechanisms. For example, the controller can open or close a switch provided along the path, or set the gain of an amplifier provided along the path to substantially zero.

  At block 1230, the controller sends a tuning signal to one or more tunable components provided along one or more activated paths. The tunable components include a tunable impedance matching component provided at the input of the DRx module, a plurality of tunable impedance matching components provided along a plurality of paths, and a plurality provided respectively along a plurality of paths. Tunable phase shift components, or one or more of the tunable output impedance matching components provided at the output of the DRx module.

  The controller can tune the tunable component based on a look-up table that associates multiple frequency bands (or multiple sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band selection signal with tuning parameters. Thus, the DRx controller can send a tuning signal to the tunable component (in the active path) in response to the band select signal and tune the tunable component (or its variable component) according to the tuning parameters. In some implementations, the controller controls the gain and / or current of the tunable components, at least in part, one or more amplifiers each provided along one or more activated paths. Tuning is performed based on the amplifier control signal transmitted accordingly.

  FIG. 13 illustrates that in some embodiments, some or all of the diversity receiver configurations (eg, the configurations shown in FIGS. 3-11) can be implemented in whole or in part in one module. . Such a module may be, for example, a front end module (FEM). Such a module may be, for example, a diversity receiver (DRx) FEM. In the example of FIG. 13, the module 1300 can include a packaging substrate 1302. A certain number of components can be mounted on the packaging substrate 1302. For example, a controller 1304 (which may include a front end power management integrated circuit [FE-PIMC]), a low noise amplifier assembly 1306 (which may include one or more variable gain amplifiers), and one or more fixed or tunable phase shift components. 1331 and a matching component 1308 (which may include one or more fixed or tunable impedance matching components 1332), a multiplexer assembly 1310, and a filter bank 1312 (which may include one or more bandpass filters) on the packaging substrate 1302 and It can be mounted and / or mounted in the packaging substrate 1302. Other components, such as a fixed number of SMT devices 1314, can also be mounted on the packaging substrate 1302. Although all of the various components are depicted as laid out on the packaging substrate 1302, it is understood that some component (s) can be mounted on top of the other component (s).

  In some implementations, devices and / or circuits having one or more features described herein may be included in an RF electronic device, such as a wireless device. Such devices and / or circuits can be implemented directly on a wireless device, in the modular form described herein, or in any combination thereof. In some embodiments, such wireless devices may include, for example, cellular phones, smartphones, handheld wireless devices with or without telephone capabilities, wireless tablets, and the like.

  FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary wireless device 1400 having one or more advantageous features described herein. In the context of one or more modules having one or more features described herein, such modules are generally a dashed frame 1401 (eg, can be implemented as a front-end module), a diversity RF module 1411 (eg, can be implemented as a downstream module). , And a diversity receiver (DRx) module 1300 (eg, can be implemented as a front-end module).

  Referring to FIG. 14, a power amplifier (PA) 1420 receives each RF signal from a transceiver 1410 that is configured and operable to generate an RF signal to be amplified and transmitted in a known manner, and receives the received signal. Can be processed. The transceiver 1410 is shown to interact with a baseband subsystem 1408 configured to provide conversion between data and / or audio signals suitable for the user and RF signals suitable for the transceiver 1410. The transceiver 1410 may also communicate with a power management component 1406 that is configured to manage power for operation of the wireless device 1400. Such power management can also control the operation of the baseband subsystem 1408 and modules 1401, 1411 and 1300.

  Baseband subsystem 1408 is shown connected to user interface 1402 to facilitate various inputs and outputs of voice and / or data provided to and received from the user. Baseband subsystem 1408 may also be coupled to a memory 1404 configured to store data and / or instructions that facilitate operation of the wireless device and / or provide information storage for a user.

  In the exemplary wireless device 1400, the output of the PA 1420 is shown to be matched and routed to a corresponding duplexer 1424 (via a corresponding matching circuit 1422). Such amplified and filtered signals can be routed to the primary antenna 1416 via the antenna switch 1414 for transmission purposes. In some embodiments, duplexer 1424 may perform transmission and reception operations simultaneously using a common antenna (eg, primary antenna 1416). In FIG. 14, the received signal is shown routed to an “Rx” path that may include, for example, a low noise amplifier (LNA).

  The wireless device also includes a diversity antenna 1426 and a diversity receiver module 1300 that receives signals from the diversity antenna 1426. Diversity receiver module 1300 processes the received signal and transmits the processed signal to diversity RF module 1411 via transmission line 1435. The diversity RF module 1411 further processes the signal and supplies it to the transceiver 1410.

One or more features of the present disclosure may implement various cellular frequency bands described herein. Examples of such bands are listed in Table 1. As will be appreciated, at least some of the bands can be divided into sub-bands. It will also be appreciated that one or more features of the present disclosure may implement a frequency range that does not have an indication as in the example of Table 1.

  Throughout this specification and claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, a term such as “comprising” has an inclusive or opposite meaning, ie “includes”. Should be construed as meaning "not limited to these". The term “coupled” as generally used herein refers to two or more elements that can be either directly connected or connected via one or more intermediate elements. In addition, the terms “here,” “above,” “below,” and like terms when used in this application refer to the entire application, and not to any particular part of the application. Where the context allows, terms in the above detailed description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number. For the terms “or” and “or” referring to a list of two or more items, the term covers all of the following interpretations. That is, an arbitrary item of the list, all items of the list, and an arbitrary combination of items of the list.

  The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While particular embodiments of the present invention and its examples have been described above for purposes of illustration, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, processes or blocks are presented in a given order, but alternative embodiments can perform routines with steps in a different order or use a system with blocks, with some processes or blocks removed , Move, add, subdivide, combine and / or modify. Each of these processes or blocks can be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, although processes or blocks may be shown to be performed in series, these processes or blocks may alternatively be performed in parallel or at different times.

  The teachings of the invention provided herein are not necessarily limited to the system described above, and can be applied to other systems. The various embodiment elements and acts described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein can be embodied in a variety of other forms. Moreover, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. It is intended that the appended claims and their equivalents cover such forms or modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

Claims (20)

A receiving system,
A controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system;
A plurality of amplifiers each provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier;
Each one impedance matching component is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to reduce at least one of the out-of-band noise figure or the out-of-band gain of the one corresponding path of the plurality of paths. And a plurality of impedance matching components. The first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components provided along the first path corresponding to the first frequency band of the plurality of paths is a second frequency band corresponding to the second path of the plurality of paths. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein the receiving system is configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain. A second impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components provided along the second path is configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or an out-of-band gain for the first frequency band. The receiving system according to claim 2. The first impedance matching component is further configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for a third frequency band corresponding to a third path of the plurality of paths. Receiving system. 3. The receiving system of claim 2, wherein the first impedance matching component is further configured to reduce at least one of in-band noise figure for the first frequency band or increase in-band gain. 6. The receiving system according to claim 5, wherein the first impedance matching component is configured to reduce an in-band metric obtained by subtracting the in-band gain from the in-band noise figure to be within a threshold amount of an in-band metric minimum value. . 7. The receiving system according to claim 6, wherein the first impedance matching component is configured to reduce an out-of-band metric obtained by adding the out-of-band gain to the out-of-band noise figure to an in-band constrained out-of-band minimum value. The receiving system of claim 1, further comprising a multiplexer configured to split an input signal received at the input into a plurality of signals in each of a plurality of frequency bands propagating along the plurality of paths. 9. The receiving system according to claim 8, wherein each one of the plurality of impedance matching components is provided between the multiplexer and each of the plurality of amplifiers. The receiving system of claim 1, further comprising a signal combiner configured to combine signals propagating along the plurality of paths. The receiving system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of impedance components is a passive circuit. The receiving system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components is an RLC circuit. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components includes a tunable impedance matching component configured to represent an impedance controlled by an impedance tuning signal received from the controller. A first impedance matching component provided along a first path corresponding to a first frequency band of the plurality of paths further phase-shifts a second frequency band of a signal passing through the first impedance matching component; The initial signal propagating along a second path corresponding to the second frequency band of the plurality of paths is configured to be at least partially in phase with a reflected signal propagating along the first path. Item 4. The receiving system according to Item 1. A radio frequency (RF) module,
A packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components;
A receiving system mounted on the packaging substrate,
The receiving system is:
A controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system;
A plurality of amplifiers each provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier;
Each one impedance matching component is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to reduce at least one of the out-of-band noise figure or the out-of-band gain of the one corresponding path of the plurality of paths. And a plurality of impedance matching components. The RF module of claim 15, wherein the RF module is a diversity receiver front end module (FEM). The first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components provided along the first path corresponding to the first frequency band of the plurality of paths is a second frequency band corresponding to the second path of the plurality of paths. The RF module of claim 15, configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for. A wireless device,
A first antenna configured to receive a first radio frequency (RF) signal;
A first front end module (FEM) in communication with the first antenna;
Including a transceiver,
The first FEM includes a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components;
The first FEM further includes a receiving system mounted on the packaging substrate;
The receiving system is:
A controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system;
A plurality of amplifiers each provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier;
A plurality of impedances each provided with an impedance matching component along the plurality of paths and configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or an out-of-band gain of the one corresponding path of the plurality of paths. Matching parts,
The wireless device is configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output via a transmission line and generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal. A second antenna configured to receive a second radio frequency (RF) signal;
A second FEM in communication with the first antenna;
19. The wireless device of claim 18, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a processed version of the second RF signal from the output of the second FEM and generate the data bits based on the processed version of the second RF signal. . The first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components provided along the first path corresponding to the first frequency band of the plurality of paths is a second frequency band corresponding to the second path of the plurality of paths. The wireless device of claim 18, configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for.

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