JP6882366B2 - How to process radio frequency signals - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure generally relates to a wireless communication system having one or more diversity receiving antennas.

Mutual reference to related applications This application is the US provisional application No. 62 / 073,043 entitled "Diversity Receiver Front-End System" filed on October 31, 2014, and "LNA Later" filed on October 31, 2014. U.S. provisional application No. 62 / 073,040 entitled "Carrier Aggregation Using Phase Matching", U.S.A. named "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, filed June 9, 2015, entitled "Diversity Receiver Front-End System with Impedance Matching Components", June 2015 US application No. 14 / 734,759, entitled "Diversity Receiver Front-End System with Phase-Shifting Components" filed on 9th, and "Diversity Front with Variable Gain Amplifier" filed on June 1, 2015. Claims the priority of US application 14 / 727,739 entitled "End System". Each disclosure in its entirety is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

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

In many radio frequency (RF) applications, the diversity receiving antenna is located physically far from the primary antenna. When both antennas are used at the same time, the transmitter / receiver can process the signals from both antennas to increase the data throughput.

According to some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a receiving system that includes a controller, which selectively selects one or more of a plurality of paths between the input of the receiving system and the 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 also includes multiple impedance matching components. Each one of the plurality of impedance matching components is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and has 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 the first path corresponding to the first frequency band of the plurality of paths and corresponds to the second path of the plurality of paths. It can be configured to reduce at least one of the out-of-band noise figures or out-of-band gains for the second frequency band.

In some embodiments, the second impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is provided along the second path to reduce at least one of the out-of-band noise figures or out-of-band gains for the first frequency band. Can be configured to. In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component is further configured to reduce at least one of the out-of-band noise figures or out-of-band gains for the third frequency band corresponding to the 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, which is the in-band noise figure minus the in-band gain, 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, which is the out-of-band noise figure plus the out-of-band gain, to the in-band constrained out-of-band minimum.

In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a multiplexer configured to divide 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 can be provided between each one of the multiplexer and the plurality of amplifiers. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a signal coupler 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 the impedance controlled by the 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 comprises a second frequency band of the signal passing through the first impedance matching component. Is phase-shifted 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. It is configured to be.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to radio frequency (RF) modules that include packaging substrates configured to accept multiple components. The RF module also includes a receiving system mounted on a packaging board. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between the input of the receiving system and the output of the receiving system. 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 also includes multiple impedance matching components. Each one of the plurality of impedance matching components is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths to reduce at least one of the out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain of the one path of the plurality of paths. It is configured to be. In some embodiments, the RF module can 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 the out-of-band noise figures or out-of-band gains for the second frequency band.

According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a radio 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) that communicates with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a packaging substrate configured to accept a plurality of components. The first FEM further includes a receiving system mounted on a packaging board. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between the input of the receiving system and the output of the receiving system. 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 also includes multiple impedance matching components. Each one of the plurality of impedance matching components is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and has 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 transmitter / receiver configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output over the transmit line and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal. ..

In some embodiments, the radio device may further include a second antenna configured to receive a second radio frequency (RF) signal and a second FEM communicating with the first antenna. The transmitter / receiver can be configured to receive the 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. It is configured to reduce at least one of the out-of-band noise figures or out-of-band gains for the second frequency band.

According to some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a receiving system that includes a controller, which selectively selects one or more of a plurality of paths between the input of the receiving system and the 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 the 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 a signal that passes through the first phase shift component. A second initial signal propagating along the second path corresponding to the second frequency band of the plurality of paths by phase-shifting the second frequency band, and a second reflected signal propagating along the first path. Can be configured to be at least partially in phase.

In some embodiments, the second phase-shifting component of the plurality of phase-shifting components provided along the second path phase-shifts the first frequency band of the signal passing through the second phase-shifting component. 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 the third frequency band of the 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 can be configured to have a phase difference of.

In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a multiplexer configured to divide 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 coupler configured to combine signals propagating along multiple paths. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a signal coupler and a coupler trailer amplifier provided between the outputs. The coupler post-stage amplifier is configured to amplify the received signal in the coupler post-stage amplifier. In some embodiments, each one of the plurality of phase shift components can be provided between each one of the signal coupler and 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 the amount controlled by the phase shift tuning signal received from the controller.

In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include multiple 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 of the corresponding paths of the plurality of paths. It is configured to be.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to radio frequency (RF) modules that include packaging substrates configured to accept multiple components. The RF module also includes a receiving system mounted on a packaging board. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between the input of the receiving system and the output of the receiving system. 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 the signal passing through the phase shift component.

In some embodiments, the RF module can 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 passing through the first phase shift component. The second initial signal propagating along the second path corresponding to the second frequency band of the plurality of paths by phase-shifting the second frequency band of the above, and the second reflection propagating along the first path. It is configured to be at least partially in phase with the signal.

According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a radio 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) that communicates with the first antenna. The first FEM includes a packaging substrate configured to accept a plurality of components. The first FEM further includes a receiving system mounted on a packaging board. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between the input of the receiving system and the output of the receiving system. 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 the signal passing through the phase shift component. The wireless device further includes a transmitter / receiver configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output over the transmit line and to generate data bits based on the processed version of the first RF signal. ..

In some embodiments, the radio device may further include a second antenna configured to receive a second radio frequency (RF) signal and a second FEM communicating with the first antenna. The transmitter / receiver can be configured to receive the 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 passing through the first phase shift component. The second initial signal propagating along the second path corresponding to the second frequency band of the plurality of paths by phase-shifting the second frequency band of the above, and the second reflection propagating along the first path. It is configured to be at least partially in phase with the signal.

Certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention have been described herein for the purpose of summarizing the present disclosure. It should be understood that not all of these benefits can be achieved by any particular embodiment of the invention. That is, the present invention embodies or implements one advantage or group of advantages taught herein in a manner that achieves or optimizes without necessarily achieving the other benefits taught or suggested herein. be able to.

A wireless device having a communication module coupled to a primary antenna and a diversity antenna is shown. A diversity receiver (DRx) configuration including a DRx front-end module (FEM) is shown. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver (DRx) configuration may include a DRx module with multiple paths corresponding to multiple frequency bands. In some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration may include a diversity RF module with fewer amplifiers than the diversity receiver (DRx) module. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module coupled to an off-module filter. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components and a two-stage amplifier. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components and a coupler trailing amplifier. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with a tunable phase shift component. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with one or more impedance matching components. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with tunable impedance matching components. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with tunable impedance matching components provided at the inputs and outputs. In some embodiments, it is shown that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with multiple tunable components. An embodiment of a flowchart representation of a method of processing an RF signal is shown. Draw a module with one or more of the features described herein. Draw a wireless device with one or more of the features described herein.

The headings given herein, if any, 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 transmitter / receiver 112 configured to convert between an analog radio frequency (RF) signal and a digital data signal. For that purpose, the transmitter / receiver 112 includes a digital / analog converter, an analog / digital converter, a local oscillator that modulates the base band analog signal to or demolishes the carrier frequency, a digital sample and data bits (eg, voice or others). It may include a baseband processor, or other component, that converts between (types of data).

The communication module 110 further includes an RF module 114 coupled between the primary antenna 130 and the transmitter / receiver 112. The RF module 114 can be referred to as a front-end module (FEM) because the RF module 114 is physically close to the primary antenna 130 to reduce attenuation due to cable loss. The RF module 114 can process an analog signal received from the primary antenna 130 of the transmitter / receiver 112 or an analog signal received from the transmitter / receiver 112 and transmitted via the primary antenna 130. For that purpose, the RF module 114 may include a filter, a power amplifier, a band selection switch, a matching circuit and other components. Similarly, the communication module 110 includes a diversity RF module 116 coupled between a transmitter / receiver 112 and a diversity antenna 140 that perform similar processing.

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

Since the diversity antenna 140 is physically separated from the primary antenna 130, the diversity antenna 140 is coupled to the communication module 110 via a transmission line 135 such as a cable or printed circuit board (PCB) trace. In some implementations, the transmit line 135 is lossy, attenuating 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 the signal received by the diversity antenna 140, as described below. Gain (or other analog processing such as filtering) can be applied by the diversity receiver module. Since such a diversity receiver module is arranged physically close to the diversity antenna 140, it can be referred to as a diversity receiver front-end module.

FIG. 2 shows a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration 200 including a DRx front-end module (FEM) 210. The DRx configuration 200 includes a diversity antenna 140 configured to receive the diversity signal and give the diversity signal to the DRxFEM 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 indicated by the controller 120. In another example, the DRxFEM210 can be configured to amplify the diversity signal. For that purpose, the DRxFEM210 may include a filter, a low noise amplifier, a band selection switch, a matching circuit and other components.

The DRxFEM210 transmits the processed diversity signal via the transmission line 135 to a downstream module such as the diversity RF (D-RF) module 116. The downstream module supplies the further processed diversity signal to the transmitter / receiver 112. The diversity RF module 116 (and, in some implementations, the transmitter / receiver) is controlled by the controller 120. In some implementations, the controller 120 is mounted within the transmitter / receiver 112.

FIG. 3 shows that in some embodiments, the diversity receiver (DRx) configuration 300 may 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 diversity signals. In some implementations, the diversity signal can be a single band signal containing data modulated into a single frequency band. In some implementations, the diversity signal can be a multiband signal (also referred to as an interband carrier aggregation signal) containing data modulated into a multifrequency band.

The DRx module 310 has an input for receiving the diversity signal from the diversity antenna 140 and an output for feeding the processed diversity signal to the transmitter / receiver 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 inputs and outputs of the DRx module 310. Each path may correspond to each frequency band. The output of the DRx module 310 is provided 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 input and output of the DRx module 310.

The frequency band can be a cellular frequency band such as the UMTS (Universal Mobile Communication System) frequency band. For example, the first frequency band is the UMTS downlink or "Rx" band 2 between 1930 MHz (MHZ) and 1990 MHz, and the second frequency band is the 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 listed 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 the 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, with the controller 120 directly and selectively activating one or more of the plurality of paths.

As mentioned above, in some implementations, the diversity signal is a single band signal. That is, in some implementations, the first multiplexer 311 routes a diversity signal to one of a plurality of paths corresponding to the frequency band of a single band signal based on the signal received from the DRx controller 302. It is a multiplexer (SPMT) switch. The DRx controller 302 can generate a signal based on the band selection signal received from the communication controller 120 by the DRx controller 302. Similarly, in some implementations, the second multiplexer 312 is a SPMT switch that routes a signal from one of a plurality of 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 multi-band signal. That is, in some implementations, the first multiplexer 311 transmits the diversity signal to two or more of the plurality of paths corresponding to two or more frequency bands of the multiple band signal based on the divider control signal received from the DRx controller 302. It is a signal divider to be routed. The function of the signal divider can be implemented as a SPMT switch, a diplexer filter, or any combination thereof. Similarly, in some implementations, the second multiplexer 312 translates signals from two or more of a plurality of paths corresponding to two or more frequency bands of a multiplex band signal into a combiner control signal received from the DRx controller 302. It is a signal coupler that couples based on. The function of the signal coupler can be implemented as a SPMT switch, a diplexer filter, or any 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 selectively activates one or more of a plurality of paths based on the band selection signal received by the DRx controller 302 (eg, from the communication controller 120). It is composed. In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 selectively activates one or more of a plurality of paths by transmitting a divider control signal to the signal divider and a combiner control signal to the signal coupler. It is configured to be.

The DRx module 310 includes a plurality of bandpass filters 313a to 313d. Each one of the band-passing filters 313a to 313d is provided along one corresponding path of the plurality of paths, and the signal received by the band-passing filter is transferred to the corresponding frequency band of the plurality of paths. It is configured to filter with. In some implementations, the bandpass filters 313a-313d are further configured to filter the signal received by the bandpass filter into the downlink frequency subband 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 the signal received by the amplifier.

In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are narrowband amplifiers configured to amplify signals within the corresponding frequency band of the path in which the amplifier is provided. In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are controllable 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 the amplifier enable signal received at that enable / disable input. The amplifier enable signal can be transmitted by the DRx controller 302. That is, in some implementations, the DRx controller 302 of the plurality of paths by transmitting an amplifier enable signal to one or more of the amplifiers 314a to 314d, each of which is provided along one or more of 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 plurality of paths, and the second multiplexer 312 is from each of the plurality of paths. It can be a signal coupler that combines the signals of. However, in an implementation in which the DRx controller 302 controls the first multiplexer 311 and the second multiplexer 312, the DRX controller 302 also enables (or disables) certain amplifiers 314a-314d, eg, to save battery power. You can also do it.

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

The VGA gain can be bypassable, step variable, or continuously variable. In some implementations, at least one VGA includes a fixed gain amplifier and a bypass switch that can be controlled by an amplifier control signal. The bypass switch (in position 1) can allow the 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 can allow the signal to pass through a fixed gain amplifier by opening the line between the input and the output (in the second position). In some implementations, when the bypass switch is in the first position, the fixed gain amplifier is disabled or reconfigured to accommodate bypass mode.

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

In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are variable current amplifiers (VCAs). The current drawn by the VCA can be bypassable, step variable, or 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 position 1) can allow the 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 can allow the signal to pass through a fixed current amplifier by opening the line between the input and the output (in the second position). In some implementations, when the bypass switch is in the first position, the fixed current amplifier is disabled or reconfigured to accommodate bypass mode.

In some implementations, at least one of the VCA is a step variable current amplifier configured to amplify the signal received by the VCA by drawing one of the multiple components indicated by the amplifier control signal. including. In some implementations, at least one of the VCAs comprises a continuously variable current amplifier configured to amplify the signal received in 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 an 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 an amplifier control signal (s) based on the signal received from the communication controller 120. The amplifier control signal can also be based on the quality of service (QoS) metric of the received signal. The QoS metric of the received signal may be, at least in part, based on the diversity signal received by the diversity antenna 140 (eg, the input signal received at the input). The QoS metric of the received signal can also be based on the signal received at the primary antenna. In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates an 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 bit error rate, data throughput, transmission delay, or any other QoS metric.

As described above, the DRx module 310 provides an input that receives the diversity signal from the diversity antenna 140 and an output that feeds the processed diversity signal to the transmitter / receiver 330 (via the transmit line 135 and the diversity RF module 320). Have. The diversity RF module 320 receives the processed diversity signal via the transmission line 135 for further processing. In particular, the processed diversity signal is split or routed into one or more paths by the diversity RF multiplexer 321. In that path, the split or routed signal is filtered by the corresponding bandpass filters 323a-323d and amplified by the corresponding amplifiers 324a-324d. The output of each of the amplifiers 324a to 324d is given to the transmitter / receiver 330.

The diversity RF multiplexer 321 can be controlled by the controller 120 (either directly or via 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 the amplifiers 324a-324d includes an enable / disable input and is enabled (or disabled) based on the amplifier enable signal. In some implementations, the amplifiers 324a-324d amplify the signal received in VGA by the gain controlled by the amplifier control signal received from the controller 120 (or the on-chip diversity RF controller controlled by the controller 120). It is a variable gain amplifier (VGA). In some implementations, amplifiers 324a-324d are variable current amplifiers (VCAs).

By adding the DRx module 310 to the receiver chain that already includes 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 bandpass 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 gain amount given by the amplifiers 324a to 324d of the diversity RF module 320 by the gain amount given by the amplifiers 314a to 314d of the DRx module 310. Can be done.

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 the diversity RF module 320 is activated, its gain is automatically reduced 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 the 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 may be designed so that the linearity of the amplifier increases with gain reduction (or current increase).

In some implementations, the controller 120 controls the gain (and / or current) between 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 receives a certain amount of gain from the amplifiers 324a to 324d of the diversity RF module 320 in response to an increase in the certain amount of gain given by the amplifiers 314a to 314d of the DRx module 310. Can be reduced. That is, in some implementations, the controller 120 turns the downstream amplifier control signal (for amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320) into the amplifier control signal (for amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310). It is configured to control the gain of one or more downstream amplifiers 324a-324d which are generated based on and coupled to the output (of the DRx module 310) via the transmit line 135. In some implementations, the controller 120 also controls the gain of other components of the wireless device, such as the amplifier in the front-end module (FEM), based on the amplifier control signal.

As mentioned above, in some implementations, the 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 transmit line 135 without passing through the downstream bandpass filter.

FIG. 4 shows that in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 400 may include a diversity RF module 420 with fewer amplifiers than the diversity receiver (DRx) module 310. The diversity receiver configuration 400 includes the diversity antenna 140 and the 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. The diversity RF module 420 differs from the diversity RF module 320 of FIG. 3 in that the diversity RF module 420 of FIG. 4 contains fewer amplifiers than the DRx module 310.

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

Thus, the DRx module 310 may include a certain number of routes, each corresponding to one frequency band, while the diversity RF module 420 may include one or more routes that do not correspond to a single frequency band.

In some implementations (shown in FIG. 4), the diversity RF module 420 includes a single broadband or tunable amplifier 424 that amplifies the signal received from the transmit line 135 and outputs the amplified signal to the multiplexer 421. The multiplexer 421 includes a plurality of multiplexer outputs, each of which corresponds to each frequency band. In some implementations, the 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 a SPMT switch that routes a diversity signal based on the signal received from the controller 120 into one of a plurality of outputs corresponding to the frequency band of the single band signal. In some implementations, the diversity signal is a multi-band 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 multiple band signal of the plurality of outputs 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 transmitter / receiver 330 as a single module.

In some implementations, the diversity RF module 420 includes multiplex 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 fed to a multiplexer 421 configured to route the signal to the corresponding input of the transmitter / receiver 330.

FIG. 5 shows that in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 500 may include a DRx module 510 coupled to an off-module filter 513. The DRx module 510 may include a packaging substrate 501 configured to accept a plurality of components and a receiving system mounted on the packaging substrate 501. The DRx module 510 may include one or more signal paths routed out of the DRx module 510 and made available to system integrators, designers or manufacturers to support filters for any desired band.

The DRx module 510 includes a fixed number of paths between the inputs and outputs of the DRx module 510. The DRx module 510 includes a bypass path between inputs and outputs activated by a bypass switch 519 controlled by the DRx controller 502. Despite the fact that FIG. 5 illustrates a single bypass switch 519, in some implementations the bypass switch 519 is a multiple switch (eg, a first switch located close to the physical of the input, and the physical of the output. A second switch) provided near the target may be included. As shown in FIG. 5, the bypass path does not include a filter or amplifier.

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

The DRx controller 502 is configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between inputs and outputs. In some implementations, the DRx controller 502 is configured to selectively activate one or more of a 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 and closing the bypass switch 519, by enabling or disabling amplifiers 314a to 314d, 514, by controlling the multiplexers 511 and 512, or via other mechanisms. Can be. For example, the DRx controller 502 opens and closes a switch along the path (eg, between filters 313a-313d, 513 and amplifiers 314a-314d, 514), or substantially gains gains on amplifiers 314a-314d, 514. Can be set to zero.

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

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

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

The signal coupler 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 coupler is the sum of the signals at the first input and the second input. That is, the signal coupler is configured to combine signals propagating along a plurality of paths.

When the signal is received by the antenna 140, the signal is filtered by the diplexer 611 into the first frequency band 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 coupler 612. In some implementations, the signal coupler 612 or the second amplifier 314b does not prevent the signal from continuing in the opposite direction through the signal coupler 612 along the second path. 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 314b and the second phase shift component 624b and reaches the second input of the signal coupler 612.

If the initial signal (at the first input of the signal coupler 612) and the reflected signal (at the second input of the signal coupler 612) are out of phase, the addition performed by the signal coupler 612 will result in a signal at the output of the signal coupler 612. Is weakened. Similarly, when the initial signal and the reflected signal are in phase, the addition performed by the signal coupler 612 enhances the signal at the output of the signal coupler 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 reverse propagation through the second amplifier 314b, reflection from the diplexer 611, and forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b. It can be configured to shift the phase by −1/2 times the phase shift to be performed. In another example, the second phase shift component 624b propagates the signal passing through the second phase shift component 624b 360 degrees and in the reverse direction through the second amplifier 314b, the reflection from the diplexer 611, and the second amplifier 314b. It can be configured to shift the phase by half the difference from the phase shift introduced by the forward propagation through. In general, the second phase shift component 624b is intended to phase shift 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 integral multiple (including zero) of 360 degrees. Can be configured.

In one example, the initial signal can be 0 degrees (or any other reference phase) by reverse propagation through the second amplifier 314b, reflection from the diplexer 611, and forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b. , 140 degree phase shift 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 goes to -70 degrees by the second phase shift component 624b, back to 70 degrees by reverse propagation through the second amplifier 314b, reflection from the diplexer 611, and forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b. , And the second phase shift component 624b phase shifts the phase back to 0 degrees.

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 goes to 110 degrees by the second phase shift component 624b, back to 250 degrees by reverse 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 is filtered by the diplexer 611 into the second frequency band and propagates along the second path 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 coupler 612. In some implementations, the signal coupler 612 or the first amplifier 314a does not prevent the signal from continuing to pass the signal coupler 612 along the first path in the opposite 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 coupler 612.

If the initial signal (at the second input of the signal coupler 612) and the reflected signal (at the first input of the signal coupler 612) are out of phase, the addition performed by the signal coupler 612 causes the signal to appear at the output of the signal coupler 612. When weakened and the initial signal and the reflected signal are in phase, the addition performed by the signal coupler 612 enhances the signal at the output of the signal coupler 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 reverse propagation through the first amplifier 314a, reflection from the diplexer 611, and forward propagation through the first amplifier 314a. It can be configured to shift the phase by −1/2 times the phase shift to be performed. In another example, the first phase shift component 624a propagates the signal passing through the first phase shift component 624a 360 degrees and in the reverse direction through the first amplifier 314a, the reflection from the diplexer 611, and the first amplifier 314a. It can be configured to shift the phase by half the difference from the phase shift introduced by the forward propagation through. In general, the first phase shift component 624a is intended to phase shift 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 integral multiple (including zero) of 360 degrees. Can be configured.

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

In some implementations (eg, as shown in FIG. 6A), the phase shift components 624a-624b are provided along the path after the 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, the phase shift components 624a-624b are provided along the path in front of the amplifiers 314a-314b. For example, the phase shift components 624a to 624b can be integrated into impedance matching components provided between the diplexer 611 and the amplifiers 314a to 314b.

FIG. 6B shows that in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 640 may 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 shows that in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 680 may include a DRx module 681 with one or more phase matching components 624a-624b and a coupler trailing 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 coupler post-stage amplifier 615 provided between the output of the signal coupler 612 and the output of the DRx module 681. Similar to the amplifiers 314a-314b, the coupler post-stage amplifier 615 can be a variable gain amplifier (VGA) and / or a variable current amplifier controlled by a DRx controller (not shown).

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

The diversity receiver configuration 700 includes a DRx module 710 having an input coupled to the antenna 140 and an output coupled to the 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 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 313a to 313d, amplifiers 314a to 314d, tunable phase shift components 724a to 724d, output multiplexer 312 and coupler post-multiplexer amplifier 615. Including. The multiplexer path may include one or more off-module paths (not shown) as described above. Again, as described above, the amplifiers 314a-314d (gain posterior amplifier 615) can be variable gain amplifiers and / or variable current amplifiers.

The tunable phase shift components 724a to 724d may include one or more variable components such as inductors and capacitors. These variable components shall be connected in parallel and / or in series to connect between the output of amplifiers 314a-314d and the input of the output multiplexer 312 or between the output of amplifiers 314a-314d and the ground voltage. Can be done.

The DRx controller 702 is configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between inputs and outputs. In some implementations, the DRx controller 702 is configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths based on a band selection signal received by the DRx controller 702 (eg, from a communication controller). The DRx controller 702 can selectively activate the path, for example, by enabling or disabling amplifiers 314a-314d as described above, by controlling the multiplexers 311 and 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 selection signal. For example, the DRx controller 702 tunes the tunable phase shift components 724a to 724d based on a look-up table that associates a plurality of frequency bands (or a plurality of sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band selection signal with tuning parameters. be able to. Therefore, the DRx controller 702 transmits a phase shift tuning signal to the tunable phase shift components 724a to 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 724a to 724d so that the out-of-band reflection signal is in phase with the out-of-band initial signal in the output multiplexer 312. For example, the band selection signal has a first path corresponding to the first frequency band (passing through the first amplifier 314a), a second path corresponding to the second frequency band (passing through the second amplifier 314b), and (third). When instructing that the third path (through the amplifier 314c) should be activated, the DRx controller 702 (1) for the signal propagating along the second path (in the second frequency band). So that the initial signal propagates in the opposite direction along the first path, is reflected from the bandpass filter 313a, and is in phase with the reflected signal propagating forward through the first path, and (2). ) For a signal propagating along the third path (in the third frequency band), the initial signal propagates in the opposite direction along the first path, is reflected from the bandpass filter 313a, and is the first path. The first tunable phase shift component 724a can be tuned so that it is in phase with the reflected signal propagating in the forward direction through it.

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 that of the third frequency band. For example, the signal in the second frequency band is phase-shifted by 140 degrees and the third frequency band is reverse propagating through the first amplifier 314a, reflected from the band-passing filter 313a, and forward through the first amplifier 314b. When phase-shifted by 130 degrees due to propagation, the DRx controller 702 phase-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 also tune the second phase shift component 724b and the third phase shift component 724c.

In another example, if the band selection signal indicates that the first path, the second path, and the fourth path (through the fourth amplifier 314d) should be activated, the DRx controller 702 (1). ) For a signal propagating along the second path (in the second frequency band), the initial signal propagates in the opposite direction along the first path, is reflected from the bandpass filter 313a, and is the first path. For signals propagating in phase with the reflected signal propagating forward through and (2) along the fourth path (in the fourth frequency band), the initial signal is in the first path. The first tunable phase shift component 724a can be tuned so that it is in phase with the reflected signal that propagates in the opposite direction along it, is reflected from the bandpass filter 313a, and propagates forward through the first path. it can.

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

In some implementations, the tunable phase shift components 724a-724d are replaced by fixed phase shift components that are not tuneable 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 a plurality of paths sets each of the other frequency bands to the initial signal along the corresponding other path. Is configured to be phase-shifted so that it propagates in the opposite direction along the one path, is reflected from the corresponding bandpass filter, and is in phase with the reflected signal 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 opposite direction along the third path, and the third The first frequency band is phase-shifted so as to be in phase with the reflected signal reflected from the band-passing filter 313c and propagating in the forward direction through the third path, and (2) (propagating along the second path). The initial signal at the second frequency propagates in the opposite direction along the third path, is reflected from the third band pass filter 313c, and is in phase with the reflected signal that propagates in the forward direction through the third path. The second frequency band is phase-shifted, and (3) the initial signal at the fourth frequency (propagating along the fourth path) propagates in the opposite direction along the third path, and the third band passing filter It is configured to phase shift the fourth frequency band so that it is in phase with the reflected signal that is reflected from 313c and propagates forward through the third path. Other phase shift components can be fixed and configured in the same manner.

That is, the DRx module 710 includes a DRx controller 702 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 the signal received by the amplifier. The DRx module further includes a plurality of phase shift components 724a to 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 the signal passing through the phase shift component.

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

In some implementations, the first phase shift component 724a further phase shifts 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). It is configured so that the initial signal propagating along the third path corresponding to the three frequency bands and the reflected signal propagating along the first path are 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 the first path. The initial signal propagating along the second path and the reflected signal propagating along the second path are configured to be at least in phase.

FIG. 8 shows that in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 800 may 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 diplexers 611. The diplexer 611 includes an input coupled to an antenna, a first output coupled to a first impedance matching component 834a, and a second output coupled to a second impedance matching component 834b. At the first output, the diplexer 611 outputs a filtered signal to the first frequency band received at the input (eg, from the antenna 140). At the second output, the diplexer 611 outputs a signal that has been filtered to the second frequency band received at the input.

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

The signal coupler 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 coupler is the sum of the signals at the first input and the second input.

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

Each path can be characterized by noise figure and gain. The noise figure of each path is a degraded representation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) caused by amplifiers and impedance matching components provided along the path. In particular, the noise figure of each path is the decibel (dB) difference between the SNR at the input of the impedance matching components 834a to 834b and the SNR at the output of the amplifiers 314a to 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 (no noise). Similarly, the gain for each path is a representation of the gain caused by the amplifier 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 an in-band gain for the first frequency band and an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain for the second frequency band. Similarly, the second path may have an in-band noise figure and an in-band gain for the second frequency band and an out-of-band noise figure and an out-of-band gain for the first frequency band.

The DRx module 810 is also characterized by different noise figures and gains for different frequency bands. In particular, the noise figure of the DRx module 810 is the dB difference between the SNR at the input of the DRx module 810 and the SNR at the output of the 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. Therefore, it can be advantageous that the impedances of the 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, each of the impedance matching components 834a-834b reduces the in-band noise figure of its path (compared to a DRx module lacking such impedance matching components 834a-834b) and / Or it is configured to increase the in-band gain of each path.

Since the signal propagating along the two paths is coupled by the signal coupler 612, the out-of-band noise generated or amplified by the amplifier can have a negative effect on the coupled signal. For example, the out-of-band noise generated or amplified by the first amplifier 314a can increase the noise figure of the DRx module 810 at the second frequency. Therefore, it can be advantageous that the impedances of the impedance matching components 834a-834b minimize the out-of-band noise figure of each path and / or the out-of-band gain of each path. That is, in some implementations, each of the impedance matching components 834a-834b reduces the out-of-band noise figure of its path (compared to a DRx module lacking such impedance matching components 834a-834b) and / Or it is configured to reduce the out-of-band gain of each path.

Impedance matching components 834a to 834b can be mounted as a passive circuit. In particular, impedance matching components 834a-834b can be implemented as RLC circuits and 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 to connect between the output of the diplexer 611 and the inputs of the amplifiers 314a-314b or between the output of the diplexer 611 and the ground voltage. In some implementations, the impedance matching components 834a-834b are integrated on the same die or in the same package as the amplifiers 314a-314b.

As mentioned above, what can be advantageous for a particular path is the impedance matching components 834a-834b, with the in-band noise figure minimized, the in-band gain maximized, and the out-of-band noise figure minimized. And to ensure that out-of-band gain is minimized. All four goals can be set 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). ) Can be difficult to design impedance matching components 834a-834b. Therefore, in some implementations, the in-band metric obtained by subtracting the in-band gain from the in-band noise figure is minimized, and the out-of-band metric obtained by adding the out-of-band gain from the out-of-band noise figure 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, in-band metrics are minimized with a set of constraints, and out-of-band metrics are set of constraints and thresholds (eg 0.1 dB, 0.2 dB, etc.). It is minimized with the additional constraint that the in-band metric is not increased by more than 0.5 dB (or any other value). Therefore, the impedance matching component sets the in-band metric, which is the in-band noise figure minus the in-band gain, within the threshold of the in-band metric minimum, such as the in-band metric minimum that can be subject to arbitrary constraints. It is configured to reduce to. Impedance matching components can also provide an out-of-band metric that is the out-of-band noise figure plus the out-of-band gain, for example, with the additional constraint that the in-band metric does not increase by more than the threshold. In-band constraints such as values are configured to reduce to out-of-band minimums. In some implementations, the composite metric, which is 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 with arbitrary constraints.

That is, in some implementations, the impedance matching components 834a-834b each reduce the in-band metric (in-band noise figure minus in-band gain) of their respective paths (eg, lower the in-band noise figure and gain in-band gain). Is configured to increase or decrease (by 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, lowers the out-of-band noise figure and out-of-band gain). It is configured to be lowered (by lowering, or both).

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

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

The diversity receiver configuration 900 includes a DRx module 910 having an input coupled to the antenna 140 and an output coupled to the 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 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 313a-313d, tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d, amplifiers 314a-314d, and 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 to 934b can be a tunable T-type circuit, a tuneable π-type circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. The 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 to connect between the output of the input multiplexer 311 and the input of the amplifiers 314a-314d or 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 a plurality of paths between inputs and outputs. In some implementations, the DRx controller 902 is configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths based on the 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 amplifiers 314a-314d as described above, by controlling the multiplexers 311 and 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 selection signal. For example, the DRx controller 902 tunes the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d based on a look-up table that associates a plurality of frequency bands (or a plurality of sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band selection signal with tuning parameters. be able to. Therefore, 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 parameters. ) Can be tuned.

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

In some implementations, the DRx controller 902 minimizes (or reduces) the in-band noise figure and maximizes (or increases) the in-band gain of the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d for each active path. , The out-of-band noise figure for each of the other active paths is minimized (or reduced), and / or the out-of-band gain for each of the other active paths is tuned to be minimized (or reduced).

In some implementations, the DRx controller 902 minimizes (or reduces) the in-band metric (in-band noise figure minus in-band gain) of the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d of each active path, and others. It 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 a set of in-band metrics constrained and said set. And the additional constraint that the in-band metric does not increase by more than the threshold (eg 0.1 dB, 0.2 dB, 0.5 dB or any other value) for other active paths. It is configured to be tuned to minimize (or reduce) out-of-band metrics.

That is, in some implementations, the DRx controller 902 provides the tunable impedance matching components 934a to 934d for each active path, and the tunable impedance matching component provides an in-band metric obtained by subtracting the in-band gain from the in-band noise figure. , For example, it is configured to be reduced to within the threshold of the in-band metric minimum, such as the in-band metric minimum possible under arbitrary constraints. The DRx controller 902 further provides tunable impedance matching components 934a to 934d for each active path, and the tunable impedance matching component provides an out-of-band metric obtained by adding an out-of-band gain to the out-of-band noise figure, for example, an in-band metric. It is configured to be tuned to reduce to the in-band constraint out-of-band minimum, such as the out-of-band metric minimum possible with the additional constraint of not increasing beyond the threshold.

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

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, and (3) ) It is configured to reduce the out-of-band metric for the second frequency band and / or (4) reduce the out-of-band metric for the fourth frequency band. Other impedance matching components can be fixed and configured as well.

That is, the DRx module 910 includes a DRx controller 902 configured to select one or more of a plurality of paths between the input of the DRx module 910 and the output of the DRx module 910. 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 the 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 the out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain of one corresponding path of the plurality of paths is provided. It is configured to reduce at least one.

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

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

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

FIG. 10 shows that in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 1000 may include a DRx module 1010 with tunable impedance matching components provided at the inputs and outputs. The DRx module 1010 may include one or more tunable impedance matching components provided on 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.

It is unlikely that all of the multiple frequency bands received by the same diversity antenna 140 will be ideal impedance matching. In order to match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable input impedance matching component 1016 is mounted on the input of the DRx module 1010 (eg, based on a band selection signal from the communication controller) by the DRx controller 1002. Can be controlled. For example, the DRx controller 1002 tunes the tunable input impedance matching component 1016 based on a look-up table that associates a plurality of frequency bands (or a plurality of sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band selection signal with tuning parameters. Can be done. Therefore, 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 tuneable 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 to connect between the input of the DRx module 1010 and the input of the first multiplexer 311 or between the input of the DRx module 1010 and the ground voltage. it can.

Similarly, with only one transmit line 135 (or at least some transmit lines) carrying signals in many frequency bands, it is unlikely that the entire multiple frequency band will be ideal impedance matching. In order to match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable output impedance matching component 1017 is mounted on the output of the DRx module 1010 (eg, based on a band selection signal from the communication controller) by the DRx controller 1002. 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 a plurality of frequency bands (or a plurality of sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band selection signal with tuning parameters. Can be done. Therefore, 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 tuneable 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 shall be connected in parallel and / or in series to connect between the output of the second multiplexer 312 and the output of the DRx module 1010 or between the output of the second multiplexer 312 and the ground voltage. Can be done.

FIG. 11 shows that in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 1100 may include a DRx module 1110 with multi-tunable components. The diversity receiver configuration 1100 includes a DRx module 1110 having an input coupled to the antenna 140 and an output coupled to the transmission line 135. The DRx module 1110 includes a fixed 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. Multiplexer paths include tunable input impedance matching components 1016, input multiplexers 311, bandpass filters 313a to 313d, tunable impedance matching components 934a to 934d, amplifiers 314a to 314d, tunable phase shift components 724a to 724d, output multiplexer 312 and Includes a fixed number of on-module paths (shown), including 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 a plurality of paths between inputs and outputs. In some implementations, the DRx controller 1102 is configured to selectively activate one or more of a 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 amplifiers 314a-314d as described above, by controlling the multiplexers 311 and 312, or via other mechanisms. .. In some implementations, the DRx controller 1102 is configured to transmit an amplifier control signal to each of the 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.

The DRx controller 1102 is configured to tune one or more of the tunable input impedance matching components 1016, the tunable impedance matching components 934a to 934d, the tunable phase shift components 724a to 724d, and the tunable output impedance matching components 1017. For example, the DRx controller 1102 can tune a tunable component based on a look-up table that associates a plurality of frequency bands (or a plurality of sets of frequency bands) indicated by a band selection signal with tuning parameters. Therefore, the DRx controller 1101 can transmit a tuning signal to the tunable component (of the active path) in response to the band selection 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, at least in part, based 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 you can see, the tuning of one tunable component can affect the tuning of other tunable components. That is, the tuning parameters in the lookup table for the first tunable component can be based on the tuning parameters for the second tunable component. For example, the tuning parameters for the tunable phase shift components 724a-724d can be based on the tuning parameters for the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d. In another example, 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 shows an embodiment of a flowchart representation of a method of processing RF signals. In some implementations (and, for example, as detailed below), method 1200 is performed by a controller such as the DRx controller 1102 in FIG. In some implementations, method 1200 can be performed by processing logic that includes hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, method 1200 is performed by a processor that executes code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (eg, memory). Briefly, 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.

Method 1200 begins at block 1210 with the controller receiving a band selection signal. The controller may receive a band selection signal from another controller, or may receive a band selection signal from a cellular base station or other external source. The band selection signal can indicate one or more frequency bands in 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 mentioned above, a DRx module is a fixed 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 include the route of. The route may include a bypass route and a multiplexer route. The multiplexer route may include an on-module route and an off-module route.

The controller can, for example, open or close one or more bypass switches to enable or disable an amplifier provided along the path via an amplifier enable signal to enable or disable the divider control signal of one or more multiplexers and /. Alternatively, one or more of the plurality of paths can be selectively activated by control via a coupler control signal or via other mechanisms. For example, the controller can open and close a switch along the path, or set the gain of an amplifier 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 are a tunable impedance matching component provided at the input of the DRx module, a plurality of tunable impedance matching components each provided along a plurality of paths, and a plurality of tunable components provided along a plurality of paths. It may include one or more of the tuneable phase shift components of, or 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. Therefore, the DRx controller can send a tuning signal to the tunable component (of the active path) in response to the band selection signal and tune the tunable component (or its variable component) according to the tuning parameters. In some implementations, the controller controls the tuneable components, at least in part, the gain and / or current of one or more amplifiers, each provided along one or more activated paths. Tuning is performed based on the amplifier control signal transmitted.

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

In some implementations, devices and / or circuits having one or more features described herein may be included in RF electronic devices such as wireless devices. Such devices and / or circuits can be implemented directly on the 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 a representative wireless device 1400 with one or more of the advantageous features described herein. In the context of one or more modules with one or more features described herein, such modules are generally framed in broken lines 1401 (eg, mountable as front-end modules), diversity RF module 1411 (eg, mountable as downstream modules). , And the Diversity Receiver (DRx) module 1300 (which can be implemented as a front-end module, for example).

Referring to FIG. 14, the power amplifier (PA) 1420 receives each RF signal from a transmitter / receiver 1410 configured and operable to generate an RF signal to be amplified and transmitted in a well-known manner, and receives the received signal. Can be processed. The transmitter / receiver 1410 is shown to interact with a baseband subsystem 1408 configured to provide a conversion between a user-suitable data and / or audio signal and a transmitter / receiver 1410-suitable RF signal. The transmitter / receiver 1410 can also communicate with a power management component 1406 configured to manage power for the 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.

The baseband subsystem 1408 is shown to be connected to the user interface 1402 to facilitate various inputs and outputs of voice and / or data given to and received from the user. The baseband subsystem 1408 can also be connected to memory 1404 configured to store data and / or instructions that facilitate the operation of wireless devices and / or provide information storage for the user.

In a typical wireless device 1400, the output of the PA 1420 is shown to be matched and routed to the corresponding duplexer 1424 (via the corresponding matching circuit 1422). The amplified and filtered signal can be routed to the primary antenna 1416 via the antenna switch 1414 for transmission. In some embodiments, the duplexer 1424 allows simultaneous transmission and reception operations using a common antenna (eg, primary antenna 1416). In FIG. 14, the received signal is shown to be 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. The diversity receiver module 1300 processes the received signal and transmits the processed signal to the diversity RF module 1411 via the transmission line 1435. The diversity RF module 1411 further processes the signal before supplying it to the transmitter / receiver 1410.

One or more features of the present disclosure can be implemented with the various cellular frequency bands described herein. Examples of such bands are listed in Table 1. As you can see, at least some of the bands can be divided into subbands. As will also be understood, one or more features of the present disclosure can also implement frequency ranges without instructions, such as the examples in Table 1.

Throughout the specification and claims, terms such as "including" have an inclusive meaning as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive meaning, i.e., "including," unless it is clear in the context that this is not the case. Is not limited to these. " The term "combination" commonly 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 similar to the same meaning, when used herein, refer to the entire application and not any particular part of the application. Where the context allows, the terms in the above detailed description using the singular or plural may also include the plural or singular, respectively. For terms "or" and "or" that refer to a list of two or more items, the term covers all of the following interpretations. That is, any item in the list, all items in the list, and any combination of items in the list.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exclusive, i.e. limiting the invention to the exact embodiments of the disclosure. Although specific embodiments of the present invention and examples thereof have been described above for illustrative purposes, various equal modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, processes or blocks are presented in a given order, but alternative embodiments can use routines with steps in different orders or systems with blocks, some processes or blocks being deleted. Can be moved, added, subdivided, combined, and / or modified. Each of these processes or blocks can be implemented in a variety of different ways. It may also be indicated that the processes or blocks are performed in series, but these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel or at different times.

The teachings of the present invention given herein are not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned systems, and can be applied to other systems. The various embodiment elements and actions described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

Although some embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. In fact, the novel methods and systems described herein can be embodied in a variety of other forms. Moreover, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the methods and forms of the system described herein may be made without departing from the gist 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 gist of the present disclosure.

Claims (18)

A method of processing radio frequency (RF) signals,
Amplifying the first RF signal using a first amplifier arranged along the first path corresponding to the first frequency band,
Amplifying the second RF signal using a second amplifier located along the second path corresponding to the second frequency band,
To generate a first impedance tuning signal in response to a band selection signal indicating an in-band frequency band as the first frequency band and an out-of-band frequency band as the second frequency band.
Including providing a first impedance along the first path based on the first impedance tuning signal.
It said first impedance, a slight proportion band metric of the first path with respect to the in-band frequency band, is configured to reduce the out-of-band metric of the first path with respect to the out-of-band frequency band ,
The in-band metric is the in-band noise figure minus the in-band gain.
The band metric der Ru method that plus-band gain band noise figure. The first aspect of claim 1, further comprising generating a second impedance tuning signal in response to a band selection signal indicating the in-band frequency band as the second frequency band and the out-of-band frequency band as the first frequency band. Method. Further including providing a second impedance along the second path based on the second impedance tuning signal.
The second impedance, as well as decreasing the bandwidth in metric of the second path with respect to the in-band frequency band, is configured to reduce the out-of-band metric of the second path with respect to the out-of-band frequency band The method of claim 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the first amplifier based on a band selection signal indicating the first frequency band. The method of claim 4 , further comprising activating the second amplifier based on a band selection signal indicating the second frequency band. The method of claim 1, further comprising dividing the input RF signal into the first RF signal and the second RF signal. The method of claim 6 , further comprising generating an output signal by combining the signals propagating along the first path and the second path. The method of claim 1, wherein the first impedance is selected to reduce the in-band metric of the first path to within the threshold of the minimum in-band metric. A method of processing radio frequency (RF) signals using a receiving system.
The input RF signal is received at the input unit of the receiving system, and the input RF signal is received from the diversity antenna separated from the primary antenna.
To selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths between the input section of the receiving system and the output section of the receiving system, and each one of the plurality of paths includes an amplifier. ,
Generating impedance tuning signals and
Generating an output tuning signal and
Based on the impedance tuning signal, it is to bring impedance to each of the plurality of selectively activated paths, and each of the selectively activated impedances is a band with respect to an in-band frequency. It is configured to increase the internal gain and decrease the out-of-band gain with respect to the out-of-band frequency.
Based on the output tuning signal, the output impedance is brought to the output unit of the receiving system, and the output impedance is configured to match the impedance of the transmission line coupled to the output unit of the receiving system. And how to include it. 9. The method of claim 9 , further comprising transmitting a signal to the transmitter / receiver via a transmission line coupled to the output of the receiving system. 9. The method of claim 9 , further comprising amplifying the RF signal propagating along the selectively activated paths using a corresponding amplifier. The method of claim 9 , further comprising a band selection signal. The method of claim 12 based on the band selection signal is to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths. The method of claim 12 is based on the band selection signal to bring about the output impedance. The method of claim 12 based on the band selection signal is to provide impedance in each of the selectively activated paths. The method of claim 9 , wherein the output tuning signal is based on a look-up table that associates a plurality of frequency bands or a plurality of sets of frequency bands with tuning parameters. 9. The method of claim 9 , further comprising filtering the signal into the corresponding frequency band in each of the selectively activated paths. The impedance for each of the selectively activated paths is configured to reduce the in-band noise figure with respect to the in-band frequency and the out-of-band noise figure with respect to the out-of-band frequency. Item 9 .

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