KR20160051636A - Diversity receiver front end system with impedance matching components - Google Patents

Abstract

A diversity receiver front end system with impedance matching components is disclosed. A receiving system can include a controller for selectively activating at least one of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The receiving system can further include a plurality of amplifiers. Each of the amplifiers is disposed along corresponding one path of the paths, and amplifies a signal received in the amplifier. The receiving system can further include a plurality of impedance matching components. Each of the impedance matching components is disposed along corresponding one path of the paths, and reduces at least one from a noise index except one band of the paths or a gain except the band of the paths.

Description

[0001] DIVERSITY RECEIVER FRONT END SYSTEM WITH IMPEDANCE MATCHING COMPONENTS [0002]

Cross reference to related application.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,043, filed October 31, 2014, entitled " DIVERSITY RECEIVER FRONT END SYSTEM ", the entirety of each of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference, US Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,040 entitled " CARRIER AGGREGATION USING POST-LNA PHASE MATCHING "filed on October 31, 2014, entitled " PRE-LNA OUT OF BAND IMPEDANCE MATERIAL FOR CARRIER AGGREGATION OPERATION & U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 073,039, filed October 31, 2014, U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 734,775, filed June 9, 2015, entitled "DIVERSITY RECEIVER FRONT END SYSTEM WITH IMPEDANCE MATCHING COMPONENTS" U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 734,759, filed June 9, 2015, entitled " DIVERSITY FRONT END SYSTEM WITH PHASE-SHIFTING COMPONENTS ", entitled " DIVERSITY FRONT END SYSTEM WITH VARIABLE- GAIN AMPLIFIERS " Filed June 1, < RTI ID = 0.0 > 2015, < / RTI > 4 / 727,739.

Field of invention

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

In wireless communication applications, size, cost, and performance are examples of factors that may be important for a given product. For example, to increase performance, wireless components such as diversity receive antennas and associated circuits are becoming more and more popular.

In many wireless-frequency (RF) applications, the diversity receive antenna is physically located away from the main antenna. Once both antennas are used, the transceiver can process signals from both antennas to increase data throughput.

According to some implementations, the present disclosure is directed to a receiving system including a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of a receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged to correspond to one of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of impedance matching components. Each of the plurality of impedance matching components is disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and is configured to have an out-of-band noise figure or an out- of-band gain.

In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components disposed along the first path of the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band includes a second impedance matching component, Out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the frequency band.

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

In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component is further configured to reduce at least one of the in-band noise figure for the first frequency band or to increase in-band gain for the first frequency band. Lt; / RTI > In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component includes an in-band metric called an in-band noise figure minus the in-band gain within a threshold of an in-band metric minimum . ≪ / RTI > In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component includes an out-of-band noise figure plus the out-of-band gain referred to as in-band limited in- band-contrained out-of-band minimum.

In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise 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 propagated along a plurality of paths. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of impedance matching components may be disposed between a multiplexer and each of a plurality of amplifiers. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a signal combiner configured to combine signals propagating along a plurality of paths.

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

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

In some embodiments, the first one of the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band, disposed along the first path, further includes a second impedance matching component configured to phase-shift the second frequency band of the signal passing through the first impedance matching component So that the reflected signal propagated along the first path and the initial signal propagated along the second path among the plurality of paths corresponding to the second frequency band are at least partially in phase have.

In some implementations, this disclosure is directed to a wireless-frequency (RF) module that includes a packaging substrate configured to accommodate a plurality of components. The RF module further includes a receiving system implemented on a packaging substrate. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged to correspond to one of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of impedance matching components. Each of the plurality of impedance matching components is arranged to correspond to one of the plurality of paths and is configured to reduce at least one of the out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain of the corresponding one of the plurality of paths. In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receiver front-end module (FEM).

In some embodiments, the first impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components disposed along the first path of the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band includes a second impedance matching component, Out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the frequency band.

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

In some embodiments, the wireless device may further comprise a second antenna configured to receive a second radio-frequency (RF) signal and a second FEM in communication with the first antenna. The transceiver may be configured to receive the processed version of the second RF signal from the output of the second FEM and generate a data bit 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 disposed along the first path of the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band includes a second impedance matching component, Out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the frequency band.

According to some implementations, the present disclosure is directed to a receiving system including a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of a receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged to correspond to one of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of phase-shift components. Each of the plurality of phase-shift components is arranged to correspond to one of the plurality of paths and is configured to phase-shift the signal through the phase-shift component.

In some embodiments, a first one of a plurality of phase-shift components disposed along a first one of the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band is also configured to pass through the first phase- Shifting the second frequency band of the signal so that the second reflected signal propagated along the first path and the second initial signal propagated along the second path of the plurality of paths corresponding to the second frequency band And may be configured to be partially corotated.

In some embodiments, the second of the plurality of phase-shift components disposed along the second path phase-shifts the first frequency band of the signal passing through the second phase-shift component, 1 path and the first reflected signal propagated along the second path may be configured to be at least partially in phase.

In some embodiments, the first phase-shift component may also phase-shift the third frequency band of the signal passing through the first phase-shift component to phase-shift the third frequency band of the third path among the plurality of paths corresponding to the third frequency band, The third reflected signal propagating along the first path and the third reflected signal propagating along the first path may 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 such that the second initial signal and the second reflected signal are phase- . ≪ / RTI >

In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise 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 propagated along a plurality of paths. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further comprise a signal combiner configured to combine signals propagating along a plurality of paths. In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a post-combiner amplifier disposed between the signal combiner and the output, and the post-combiner amplifier may be configured to amplify the signal received at the post- do. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of phase-shift components may be disposed between a signal combiner and each of a plurality of amplifiers. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of amplifiers may include a dual-stage amplifier.

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

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

In some embodiments, the receiving system may further include a plurality of impedance matching components, each of the impedance matching components being disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and configured to receive the corresponding one of the plurality of paths, A noise figure or an out-of-band gain.

In some implementations, this disclosure is directed to a wireless-frequency (RF) module that includes a packaging substrate configured to accommodate a plurality of components. The RF module further includes a receiving system implemented on a packaging substrate. The receiving system includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The receiving system further includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each of the plurality of amplifiers is arranged to correspond to one of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system further includes a plurality of phase-shift components. Each of the plurality of phase-shift components is arranged to correspond to one of the plurality of paths and is configured to phase-shift the signal through the phase-shift component.

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

In some embodiments, a first one of a plurality of phase-shift components disposed along a first one of the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band is also configured to pass through the first phase- Shifting the second frequency band of the signal so that the second reflected signal propagated along the first path and the second initial signal propagated along the second path of the plurality of paths corresponding to the second frequency band So as to be partially coincident.

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

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

In some embodiments, a first one of a plurality of phase-shift components disposed along a first one of the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band is also configured to pass through the first phase- Shifting the second frequency band of the signal so that the second reflected signal propagated along the first path and the second initial signal propagated along the second path of the plurality of paths corresponding to the second frequency band So as to be partially coincident.

For the purpose of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all of these advantages need be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied or carried out in such a manner that one advantage or one group of advantages taught herein may be achieved or optimized without necessarily having to otherwise observe or implicitly observe the advantages herein taught.

1 shows a wireless device having a communication module coupled to a primary antenna and a diversity antenna.
Figure 2 shows a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration including a DRx front-end module (FEM).
Figure 3 illustrates, in some embodiments, that a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration may include a DRx module having a plurality of paths corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands.
Figure 4 illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration may include a diversity RF module with fewer amplifiers than the diversity receiver (DRx) module.
FIG. 5 illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module coupled to an off-module filter.
6A illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components.
6B illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with one or more phase matching components and a dual-stage amplifier.
6C illustrates, in some embodiments, that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module having one or more phase matching components and a post-combiner amplifier.
Figure 7 illustrates, in some embodiments, that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with a tunable phase-shift component.
Figure 8 illustrates, in some embodiments, that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module having one or more impedance matching components.
Figure 9 illustrates, in some embodiments, that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with a tunable impedance matching component.
10 illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with a tunable impedance matching component disposed at the input and output.
Figure 11 illustrates, in some embodiments, that the diversity receiver configuration may include a DRx module with a plurality of tunable components.
Figure 12 shows an embodiment of a flow diagram representation of a method of processing an RF signal.
13 illustrates a module having one or more features described herein.
14 illustrates a wireless device having one or more features described herein.

The introduction provided herein, if any, is merely for convenience and does not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

Figure 1 illustrates 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 constituent components) may be controlled by the controller 120. The communication module 110 includes a transceiver 112 configured to convert between an analog radio-frequency (RF) signal and a digital data signal. For that purpose, the transceiver 112 may be a digital-to-analog converter, an analog-to-digital converter, a local oscillator for modulating a baseband analog signal to a carrier frequency or demodulating a baseband analog signal from a carrier frequency, A baseband processor that converts between samples and data bits (e.g., voice or other types of data), or other components.

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

When a signal is transmitted to the wireless device, the signal may be received at both the primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140. The primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140 are physically spaced apart so that the signals at the primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140 are received with different characteristics. For example, in one embodiment, the primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140 may receive signals having different attenuation, noise, frequency response, or phase shifts. The transceiver 112 may utilize both signals having different characteristics to determine the data bits corresponding to the signals. In some implementations, the transceiver 112 selects between 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, transceiver 112 combines the signals from primary antenna 130 and diversity antenna 140 to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the combined signal. In some implementations, the transceiver 112 processes signals to perform multiple-input / multiple-output (MIMO) communications.

Because the diversity antenna 140 is physically spaced from the primary antenna 130, the diversity antenna 140 may be coupled to the communication module (not shown) by a transmission line 135, such as a cable or a printed circuit board 110). In some implementations, the transmission line 135 has a loss and attenuates the signal received at the diversity antenna 140 before it reaches the communication module 110. Thus, in some implementations, gain is applied to the signal received at the diversity antenna 140, as described below. The gain (and other analog processing, such as filtering) may be applied by a diversity receiver module. Such a diversity receiver module may be physically located in proximity to the diversity antenna 140, and thus may be referred to as a diversity receiver front-end module.

2 shows a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration 200 that includes a DRx front-end module (FEM) The DRx configuration 200 includes a diversity antenna 140 configured to receive a diversity signal and provide a diversity signal to the DRx FEM 210. [ The DRx FEM 210 is configured to perform processing relating to the diversity signal received from the diversity antenna 140. [ For example, the DRx FEM 210 may be configured to filter the diversity signal into one or more active frequency bands, for example, as indicated by the controller 120. As another example, the DRx FEM 210 may be configured to amplify the diversity signal. For this purpose, the DRx FEM 210 may include filters, low-noise amplifiers, band selection switches, matching circuits, and other components.

The DRx FEM 210 sends the processed diversity signal to a downstream module such as a diversity RF (D-RF) module 116 that provides an additional processed diversity signal to the transceiver 112, 135). The diversity RF module 116 (and, in some implementations, the transceiver) is controlled by the controller 120. In some implementations, the controller 120 may be implemented within the transceiver 112.

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

The DRx module 310 provides an input for receiving a diversity signal from the diversity antenna 140 and a processed diversity signal to the transceiver 330 (via the transmission line 135 and the diversity RF module 320) Lt; / RTI > The input of the DRx module 310 is provided as an input to a first multiplexer (MUX) 311. The first multiplexer 311 includes a plurality of multiplexer outputs, each of which corresponds to a path between the input and the output of the DRx module 310. Each of the paths 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 of which corresponds to one of the paths between the input and the output of the DRx module 310.

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

In some implementations, the DRx module 310 includes a DRx controller 302 that receives signals from a controller 120 (also referred to as a communications controller), and based on the received signals, Or < / RTI > In some implementations, the DRx module 310 does not include the DRx controller 302 and the controller 120 selectively activates one or more of the plurality of paths directly.

As noted above, in some implementations, the diversity signal is a single-band signal. Thus, in some implementations, the first multiplexer 311 may be configured to receive a signal from the DRX controller 302, such as a single signal that routes the diversity signal to one of a plurality of paths corresponding to the frequency band of the single- Pole / multiple-throw (SPMT) switch. The DRx controller 302 may generate a signal based on the band selection signal received by the DRx controller 302 from the communications controller 120. [ Similarly, in some implementations, the second multiplexer 312 receives a signal from the corresponding one of the plurality of paths corresponding to the frequency band of the single-band signal based on the signal received from the DRx controller 302 It is an SPMT switch that routes.

As noted above, in some implementations, the diversity signal is a multi-band signal. Thus, in some implementations, the first multiplexer 311 is operable to receive at least two of the plurality of paths corresponding to two or more frequency bands of the multi-band signal based on the splitter control signal received from the DRx controller 302 Is a signal splitter that routes diversity signals. The function of the signal splitter may be implemented as an SPMT switch, a diplexer filter, or some combination thereof. Similarly, in some implementations, the second multiplexer 312 may select one or more of a plurality of paths corresponding to two or more frequency bands of the multi-band signal based on the combiner control signal received from the DRx controller 302 Lt; / RTI > The function of the signal combiner may be implemented as an SPMT switch, a diplexer filter, or some combination thereof. The DRX controller 302 may generate a splitter control signal and a combiner control signal based on the band selection signal received by the DRx controller 302 from the communication controller 120. [

Thus, in some implementations, the DRx controller 302 may selectively enable one or more of the plurality of paths based on the band selection signal received by the DRx controller 302 (e.g., from the communications controller 120) . In some implementations, the DRX controller 302 is configured to selectively enable one or more of the plurality of paths by sending a splitter control signal to the signal splitter and sending a combiner control signal to the signal combiner.

The DRx module 310 includes a plurality of bandpass filters 313a-313d. Each of the bandpass filters 313a-313d is arranged to correspond to one of the plurality of paths and is configured to filter the signal received at the bandpass filter into a respective one of the plurality of paths . In some implementations, the bandpass filters 313a-313d may also filter the received signal at the bandpass filter into a downlink frequency sub-band of the respective one of the plurality of paths . The DRx module 310 includes a plurality of amplifiers 314a-314d. Each of the amplifiers 314a-314d is arranged to correspond to one of the plurality of paths and is configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier.

In some implementations, amplifiers 314a-314d are narrowband amplifiers configured to amplify signals within the respective frequency bands of the path in which the amplifiers are located. In some implementations, the amplifiers 314a-314d are controllable by the DRx controller 302. For example, in some implementations, each of the amplifiers 314a-314d includes an enable / disable input and is enabled (or disabled) based on the received amplifier enable signal and the enable / disable input . The amplifier enable signal may be transmitted by the DRX controller 302. Thus, in some implementations, the DRX controller 302 may transmit one or more of the plurality of paths by sending an amplifier enable signal to one or more of the amplifiers 314a-314d, respectively, disposed along one or more of the plurality of paths Lt; / RTI > In this implementation, rather than being controlled by the DRX controller 302, the first multiplexer 311 may be a signal splitter that routes diversity signals to each of the plurality of paths, and the second multiplexer 312 may be a multiplexer Lt; / RTI > may be a signal combiner that combines the signals from each of the plurality of input signals. However, in an implementation in which the DRX controller 302 controls the first multiplexer 311 and the second multiplexer 312, the DRx controller 302 may also be coupled to a particular amplifier 314a-314d Can be enabled (or disabled).

In some implementations, the amplifiers 314a-314d are variable-gain amplifiers (VGAs). Thus, in some implementations, the DRx module 310 includes a plurality of variable-gain amplifiers (VGAs), each of which is arranged along a corresponding one of a plurality of paths and receives signals received at the VGA, Amplified by a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received from the amplifier 302.

The gain of the VGA may be bypassable, step-variable, or continuously-variable. In some implementations, at least one of the VGAs includes a fixed-gain amplifier and a bypass switch that can be controlled by an amplifier control signal. The bypass switch closes the line from the input of the fixed-gain amplifier (at the first position) to the output of the fixed-gain amplifier, allowing the signal to bypass the fixed-gain amplifier. The bypass switch opens the line between the input and the output (in the second position) and passes the signal through the fixed-gain amplifier. In some implementations, when the bypass switch is in the first position, the fixed-gain amplifier is disabled or otherwise reconfigured to accommodate the bypass mode.

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

In some implementations, the amplifiers 314a-314d are variable-current amplifiers (VCAs). The current drawn by the VCA may be bypassable, step-variable, or continuous-variable. In some implementations, at least one of the VCAs includes a fixed-current amplifier and a bypass switch controllable by the amplifier control signal. The bypass switch closes the line between the input of the fixed-current amplifier (at the first position) and the output of the fixed-current amplifier, allowing the signal to bypass the fixed-current amplifier. The bypass switch opens the line between the input (at the second position) and the output, allowing the signal to pass through the fixed-current amplifier. In some implementations, when the bypass switch is in the first position, the fixed-current amplifier is disabled or otherwise reconfigured to accommodate the bypass mode.

In some implementations, at least one of the VCAs includes a step-variable current amplifier configured to amplify a signal received at the VCA by pulling one of a plurality of configured quantities indicated by the amplifier control signal. In some implementations, at least one of the VCAs includes a continuous-variable current amplifier configured to amplify the signal received at the VCA by drawing a current proportional to the amplifier control signal.

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

In some implementations, the DRX controller 302 generates the 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 is operable to receive the amplifier control signal (s) based on a signal received from the communication controller 120 that may eventually be based on a quality of service (QoS) metric of the received signal. . The QoS metric of the received signal may be based, at least in part, on the diversity signal received at the diversity antenna 140 (e.g., the input signal received at the input). The QoS metric of the received signal may be further based on the signal received at the primary antenna. In some implementations, the DRX controller 302 generates the amplifier control signal (s) based on the QoS metric of the diversity signal without receiving a signal from the communication controller 120.

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

The DRx module 310 receives the diversity signal from the diversity antenna 140 and the processed diversity signal (via the transmission line 135 and the diversity RF module 320) And provides the output to the transceiver 330. Diversity RF module 320 receives the processed diversity signal on transmission line 135 and performs further processing. In particular, the processed diversity signal is split by the diversity RF multiplexer 321 into signals that are split or split or routed by the corresponding band-pass filters 323a-323d and corresponding amplifiers 324a- 0.0 > 324d. ≪ / RTI > The output of each of the amplifiers 324a-324d is provided to the transceiver 330. [

The diversity RF multiplexer 321 may be controlled by the controller 120 (either directly or through an on-chip diversity RF controller) to selectively activate one or more of the paths. Similarly, the amplifiers 324a-324d may be controlled by the 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, amplifiers 324a-324d are controlled by an amplifier control signal received from controller 120 (or an on-chip diversity RF controller controlled by controller 120) Gain amplifier (VGA) that amplifies the signal to gain. In some implementations, the amplifiers 324a-324d are variable-current amplifiers (VCAs).

The number of bandpass filters in the DRx configuration 300 is doubled by the DRx module 310 that is added to the receiver chain that already includes the diversity RF module 320. Thus, in some implementations, 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 blockers. The automatic gain control (AGC) table of the diversity RF module 320 also indicates the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320 to the DRx module By the amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 314a-314d of the amplifier 310. [

For example, if the DRx module gain is 15 dB and the receiver sensitivity is -100 dBm, the diversity RF module 320 will see a sensitivity of -85 dBm. If the closed loop AGC of the diversity RF module 320 is active, the gain will automatically drop by 15 dB. However, both the signal components and the out-of-band blockers are amplified and received by 15 dB. Thus, the 15 dB gain drop of the diversity RF module 320 may also 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 such that the linearity of the amplifiers increases with a gain reduction (or current increase).

In some implementations, the controller 120 controls the gains (and / or current) of the amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310 and the amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320. Controller 120 is responsive to increasing the amount of gain provided by amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310, as in the example above, to amplifiers 324a-324d Can be reduced. Thus, in some implementations, the controller 120 may control the amplifiers 324a-324d of the diversity RF module 320 based on the amplifier control signals (for the amplifiers 314a-314d of the DRx module 310) To control the gain of one or more downstream amplifiers 324a-324d coupled to the output (via the transmission line 135) (of the DRx module 310) to generate a downstream amplifier control signal. In some implementations, the controller 120 also controls the gain of other components of the wireless device, such as an amplifier in the front-end module (FEM), based on the amplifier control signal.

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

4 illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 400 may include a diversity RF module 420 having fewer amplifiers than the diversity receiver (DRx) module 310. The diversity receiver configuration 400 includes a diversity antenna 140 and a DRx module 310 as described above with respect to FIG. The output of the DRx module 310 is different from the diversity RF module 320 of Figure 3 in that the diversity RF module 420 of Figure 4 includes fewer amplifiers than the DRx module 310. [ And is transmitted to the RF module 420 through the transmission line 135.

As noted above, in some implementations, the diversity RF module 420 does not include a bandpass filter. Thus, in some implementations, one or more of the 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 including an amplifier 424 that is not 1-to-1 mapped to the paths of the DRx module 310. This mapping of paths (or a corresponding amplifier) may be stored in the controller 120.

Thus, the DRx module 310 includes multiple paths, each path corresponding to a frequency band, while the diversity RF module 420 may include one or more paths that do not correspond to a single frequency band.

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

In some implementations, the diversity signal is a single-band signal. Thus, in some implementations, the multiplexer 421 is an SPMT switch that routes the diversity signal to one of a plurality of outputs corresponding to the frequency band of the single-band signal based on the signal received from the controller 120. In some implementations, the diversity signal is a multi-band signal. Thus, in some implementations, the multiplexer 421 may multiplex the diversity signal (s) to two or more of the plurality of outputs corresponding to two or more frequency bands of the multi-band signal based on the splitter control signal received from the controller 120 Lt; / RTI > In some implementations, the diversity RF module 420 may be combined with the transceiver 330 as a single module.

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

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

The DRx module 510 includes a number of paths between the input and the output of the DRx module 510. The DRx module 510 includes a bypass path between an input and an output that is activated by a bypass switch 519 controlled by the DRx controller 502. Although FIG. 5 shows a single bypass switch 519, in some implementations, the bypass switch 519 may comprise a plurality of switches (e. G., A first switch physically proximate the input and a second switch physically proximate the output And a second switch disposed therein). As shown in FIG. 5, the bypass path does not include a filter or an amplifier.

The DRx module 510 includes a plurality of multiplexer paths including a first multiplexer 511 and a second multiplexer 512. The multiplexer path includes a first multiplexer 511, bandpass filters 313a-313d implemented on a packaging substrate 501, amplifiers 314a-314d implemented on a packaging substrate 501, and a second multiplexer Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 512). ≪ / RTI > The multiplexer path includes one or more off-module paths including a first multiplexer 511, a band-pass filter 513 implemented separately from the packaging substrate 501, an amplifier 514, and a second multiplexer 512, . The amplifier 514 may be a wide band amplifier implemented on the packaging substrate 501, or may be implemented separately from the packaging substrate 501. As described above, the amplifiers 314a-314d, 514 may be variable-gain amplifiers and / or variable-current amplifiers.

The DRX controller 502 is configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input and an output. In some implementations, the DRx controller 502 is configured to selectively enable one or more of the plurality of paths based on the band selection signal received by the DRx controller 502 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRx controller 502 may control the multiplexers 511 and 512 or may control the operation of the multiplexers 511 and 512 by, for example, opening or closing the bypass switch 519, enabling or disabling the amplifiers 314a-314d and 514, The path can be selectively activated through the mechanism of. For example, the DRx controller 502 may be coupled to the amplifier 314a-314d, 514 along a path (e.g., between filters 313a-313d, 513 and amplifiers 314a-314d, 514) The switches can be opened or closed by setting the gain of the switch to substantially zero.

6A illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 600 may include a DRx module 610 having 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 and the output of the DRx module 610 coupled to the transmission line 135.

In the DRx module 610 of FIG. 6A, the signal splitter and bandpass filters are implemented as a diplexer 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 outputs the signal received at the input (e.g., from the antenna 140) filtered in the first frequency band. At the second output, the diplexer 611 outputs the received signal at the input filtered to the second frequency band. In some implementations, the diplexer 611 may multiplex the input signal received at the input of the triplexer, the quadruplexer, or the DRx module 610 into a plurality of frequency bands Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > multiplexers < / RTI >

As described above, each of the amplifiers 314a-314b is arranged to correspond to one of the paths and is configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier. The outputs of the amplifiers 314a-314b are passed through the corresponding phase-shift components 624a-624b before being combined by the signal combiner 612.

The signal combiner 612 includes a first input coupled to the first phase-shift component 624a, a second input coupled to the second phase-shift component 624b, and a second input coupled to the output of the DRx module 610 Output. The signal at the output of the signal combiner is the sum of the signals at the first input and the second input. Thus, the signal combiner is configured to combine the propagated signals along a plurality of paths.

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

If the initial signal (at the first input of the signal combiner 612) and the reflected signal (at the second input of the signal combiner 612) are out of phase, then the summation performed by the signal combiner 612 is a signal Leading to attenuation of the signal at the output of combiner 612. Similarly, if the initial signal and the reflected signal are in phase, the summation performed by the signal combiner 612 results in the enhancement of the signal at the output of the signal combiner 612. Thus, 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 (at least in the first frequency band) the signal so that the amplitude of the summation 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 may be configured to transmit a signal that passes through the second phase-shift component 624b to a second phase-shift component 624b, such as a backward propagation through the second amplifier 314b, a reflection from the diplexer 611 , And -1/2 times the phase-shift introduced by the forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b. As another example, the second phase-shift component 624b may be configured to receive signals passing through the second phase-shift component 624b at 360 degrees, a reverse propagation through the second amplifier 314b, a diplexer 611 Shifted by half the difference between the reflection from the first amplifier 314b and the phase-shift introduced by the forward propagation through the second amplifier 314b. In general, the second phase-shift component 624b outputs a signal that passes through the second phase-shift component 624b in such a manner that the initial signal and the reflected signal have a phase difference of 360 degrees (including 0) - < / RTI >

By way of example, the initial signal may be at zero degrees (or any other reference phase), and may include backward propagation through the second amplifier 314b, reflection from the diplexer 611, and second amplifier 314b Lt; / RTI > can introduce a phase shift of 140 degrees. Thus, 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. Thus, the initial signal is phase-shifted by -70 degrees by the second phase-shift component 624b, and the backward propagation through the second amplifier 314b, the reflection from the diplexer 611, Shifted 70 degrees by forward propagation through the second phase-shift component 624b and back to 0 degrees by the second phase-shift component 624b.

In some implementations, the second phase-shift component 624b is configured to phase-shift the signal passing through the second phase-shift component 624b by 110 degrees. Thus, the initial signal is phase-shifted 110 degrees by the second phase-shift component 624b, and the backward propagation through the second amplifier 314b, the reflection from the diplexer 611, and the second amplifier 314b , And phase-shifted 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 propagated along the second path through the second amplifier 314b. The filtered and amplified signal is phase-shifted by the second phase-shift component 624b and delivered to the second input of the signal combiner 612. [ In some implementations, the signal combiner 612 or the first amplifier 314a does not prevent the signal from continuing through the signal combiner 612 in the reverse direction along the first path. Thus, 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 to reach the first input of the signal combiner 612. [

When the initial signal (at the second input of the signal combiner 612) and the reflected signal (at the first input of the signal combiner 612) are out of phase, the summation performed by the signal combiner 612 is a signal The summation performed by the signal combiner 612 causes enhancement of the signal at the output of the signal combiner 612 when the initial signal and the reflected signal are in phase, resulting in a weakening of the signal at the output of the combiner 612 do. Thus, 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 may be configured to transmit a signal that passes through the first phase-shift component 624a to a backplane through the first amplifier 314a, a reflection from the diplexer 611 , And -1/2 times the phase-shift introduced by the forward propagation through the first amplifier 314a. As another example, the first phase-shift component 624a may be configured to receive signals passing through the first phase-shift component 624a at 360 degrees, a backward propagation through the first amplifier 314a, a diplexer 611 Shifted by half the difference between the reflection from the first amplifier 314a and the phase-shift introduced by the forward propagation through the first amplifier 314a. In general, the first phase-shift component 624a is configured to receive a signal passing through the first phase-shift component 624a such that the initial signal and the reflected signal have a phase difference of 360 degrees (including zero) - < / RTI >

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

In some implementations (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6A), phase-shift components 624a-624b are arranged along a path after amplifiers 314a-314b. Thus, any signal attenuation caused by the phase-shift components 624a-624b does not affect the performance of the module 610, e.g., the signal-to-noise ratio of the output signal. However, in some implementations, the phase-shift components 624a-624b are arranged along the path prior to the amplifiers 314a-314b. For example, the phase-shift components 624a-624b may be integrated within an impedance matching component disposed between the diplexer 611 and the amplifiers 314a-314b.

6B illustrates that in some embodiments the diversity receiver configuration 640 may include a DRx module 641 having one or more phase matching components 624a-624b and dual-stage amplifiers 614a-614b Respectively. The DRx module 641 of Figure 6b is similar to the DRx module 641 of Figure 6a except that the amplifiers 314a-314b of the DRx module 610 of Figure 6a are replaced by the dual-stage amplifiers 614a-614b in the DRx module 641 of Figure 6b , Substantially similar to the DRx module 610 of Figure 6A.

6C illustrates that in some embodiments the diversity receiver configuration 680 may include a DRx module 681 having one or more phase matching components 624a-624b and a post-combiner amplifier 615 . The DRx module 681 of Figure 6c has the advantage that the DRx module 681 of Figure 6c includes a post-combiner amplifier 615 disposed between the output of the signal combiner 612 and the output of the DRx module 681 6A. ≪ / RTI > Analogous to the amplifiers 314a-314b, the post-combiner amplifier 615 may be a variable-gain amplifier (VGA) and / or a variable-current amplifier controlled by a DRx controller (not shown).

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

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

The DRx module 710 includes a plurality of multiplexer paths including an input multiplexer 311 and an output multiplexer 312. The multiplexer path includes an input multiplexer 311, bandpass filters 313a through 313d, amplifiers 314a through 314d, tunable phase-shift components 724a through 724d, an output multiplexer 312, and a post-combiner amplifier 615 (Shown in the figure). The multiplexer path may include one or more off-module paths (not shown) as described above. Amplifiers 314a-314d (including post-gain amplifier 615) may also be variable-gain amplifiers and / or variable-current amplifiers, as described above.

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

DRX controller 702 is configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input and an output. In some implementations, the DRX controller 702 is configured to selectively enable one or more of the plurality of paths based on the band selection signal received by the DRx controller 702 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRX controller 702 may enable or disable the amplifiers 314a-314d, for example, by controlling the multiplexers 311 and 312, or by selectively activating the path through other mechanisms as described above. can do.

In some implementations, DRx controller 702 is configured to tune 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 may tune the tunable phase-shift components 724a-724d based on a lookup table that associates the frequency band (or frequency band set) indicated by the band selection signal with the tuning parameters have. Thus, in response to the band selection signal, the DRX controller 702 sends a phase-shift tuning signal to the tunable phase-shift components 724a-724d of each active path to provide a tunable phase- (Or its variable components).

DRX controller 702 may be configured to tune tunable phase-shift components 724a-724d such that out-of-band reflected signals are in-phase with out-of-band initial signals and output multiplexer 312. [ For example, a band select signal may be applied to a first path (via a first amplifier 314a) corresponding to a first frequency band, a second path (via a second amplifier 314b) corresponding to a second frequency band, And the third path (via the third amplifier 314c) should be active, the DRx controller 702 determines (1) whether the signal propagates along the second path (in the second frequency band) , So that the initial signal is in phase with the reflected signal propagating backward along the first path, reflected from the bandpass filter 313a and forward propagating through the first path, and (2) For the signal propagating along the third path, the initial signal propagates in the reverse 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 So as to tune the first tunable phase-shift component 724a.

The DRx controller 702 may tune the first tunable phase-shift component 724a such that the second frequency band is phase-shifted by an amount different than the third frequency band. For example, the second frequency band of the signal may be phase-shifted by 140 degrees by the backward propagation through the first amplifier 314a, the reflection from the bandpass filter 313a, and the forward propagation through the first amplifier 314b. Shifted and the third frequency band is phase-shifted by 130 degrees, the DRx controller 702 tunes the first tunable phase-shift component 724a to shift the second frequency band by -70 degrees (or 110 degrees) -Shift and shift the third frequency band by -65 degrees (or 115 degrees).

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

As another example, if the band selection signal indicates that the first path, the second path, and the fourth path (via fourth amplifier 314d) should be activated, then DRx controller 702 may (1) For a signal propagating along a second path (e.g., in a second frequency band), the initial signal propagates backwards along the first path, is reflected from bandpass filter 313a, and propagates backward through the first path And (2) for a signal propagating along a fourth path (in the fourth frequency band), the initial signal propagates backward along the first path and from the bandpass filter 313a The first tunable phase-shift component 724a may be tuned to be in phase with the reflected signal that is reflected and forward propagated through the first path.

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

In some implementations, tunable phase-shift components 724a-724d are replaced by fixed phase-shift components that are not tunable or controllable by DRx controller 702. [ Each of the phase-shift components arranged along a corresponding one of the paths corresponding to one frequency band is characterized in that an initial signal along a corresponding other path propagates backward along the one of the paths, And phase-shift each of the different frequency bands reflected from the pass filter and in phase with the reflected signal propagating forward through the one of the paths.

For example, the third phase-shift component 724c may be fixed and (1) an initial signal at a first frequency (propagating along the first path) propagates backward along the third path, Shifts the first frequency band so as to be in phase with the reflected signal that is reflected from the third band-pass filter 313c and propagates forward through the third path, (2) phase-shifts the second frequency band (propagating along the second path) The first signal at the frequency is propagated in the reverse direction along the third path and is reflected from the third band pass filter 313c and is in phase with the reflected signal propagating forward through the third path, (3) an initial signal at a fourth frequency (propagating along the fourth path) propagates backward along the third path, is reflected from the third band-pass filter 313c, passes through the third path The fourth wave to be in phase with the reflected signal propagating in the forward direction Number of bands. Other phase-shift components may be similarly fixed and configured.

Thus, the DRx module 710 includes a DRx controller 702 configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the DRx module 710 and an output of the DRx module 710. The DRx module 710 further includes a plurality of amplifiers 314a-314d, each of the plurality of amplifiers 314a-314d being arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths, . The DRx module further includes a plurality of phase-shift components 724a-724d, each of the plurality of phase-shift components 724a-724d being disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths, To phase-shift the signal passing through the antenna.

In some implementations, the first phase-shift component 724a is disposed along a first path corresponding to a first frequency band (e.g., the frequency band of the first band-pass filter 313a) Shift component 724a so that the reflected signal propagated along the first path is at least partially in phase with the initial signal propagated along the second path corresponding to the first phase- (For example, the frequency band of the second band-pass filter 313b).

In some implementations, the first phase-shift component 724a may also be configured such that the initial signal propagated along the third path corresponding to the third frequency band and the reflected signal propagated along the first path are at least partially in phase Shifts the third frequency band (e.g., the frequency band of the third band-pass filter 313c) of the signal passing through the first phase-shift component 724a.

Similarly, in some implementations, the second phase-shift component 724b disposed along the second path phase-shifts the first frequency band of the signal passing through the second phase-shift component 724b, 1 path and the reflected signal propagated along the second path are at least partially in phase with each other.

Figure 8 illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 800 may include a DRx module 810 having 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 and 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 splitter and bandpass filters are implemented as a diplexer 611. The diplexer 611 includes an input coupled to the antenna, a first output coupled to the first impedance matching component 834a, and a second output coupled to the second impedance matching component 834b. At the first output, the diplexer 611 outputs the signal received at the input (e.g., from the antenna 140) filtered in the first frequency band. At the second output, the diplexer 611 outputs the received signal at the input filtered to the second frequency band.

Each of the impedance matching components 834a-634d is disposed between the diplexer 611 and the amplifiers 314a-314b. As described above, each of the amplifiers 314a-314b is arranged to correspond to one of the paths and is configured to amplify the signal received at the amplifier. The outputs of the amplifiers 314a-314b are passed to a signal combiner 612.

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

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

Each of the paths can be characterized by noise figure and gain. The noise figure of each path is a representation of the deterioration of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) caused by the amplifier and impedance matching components placed along the path. In particular, the noise figure of each path is the difference in decibels (dB) between the SNR at the input of the impedance matching components 834a-834b and the SNR at the output of the amplifiers 314a-314b. Thus, the noise figure is a measure of the difference between the noise output of the amplifier and the noise output of an "ideal" amplifier (which does not produce noise) with the same gain. Similarly, the gain for each path is a representation of the gain caused by the amplifier and impedance matching component placed along the path.

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

The DRX module 810 may also be characterized by a noise figure and gain that may vary from frequency band to frequency band. In particular, the noise figure of the DRx module 810 is the difference in decibels (dB) 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 for each path (in each frequency band) may depend, at least in part, on the impedance (in each frequency band) of the impedance matching components 834a-834b. Thus, it may be beneficial for the impedances of the impedance matching components 834a-834b to minimize the in-band noise figure of each path and / or maximize the in-band gain of each path. Thus, in some implementations, each of the impedance matching components 834a-834b may reduce the in-band noise figure of their path (as compared to a DRx module without such impedance matching components 834a-834b) and / In-band gain of each of its paths.

Since the signals propagating along the two paths are combined by the signal combiner 612, out-of-band noise generated or amplified by the amplifier may negatively affect the combined signal. For example, the out-of-band noise generated or amplified by the first amplifier 314a may increase the noise figure of the DRx module 810 at the second frequency. Accordingly, it may be beneficial to allow the impedance of the impedance matching components 834a-834b to minimize the out-of-band noise figure of each path and / or minimize the out-of-band gain of each path. Thus, in some implementations, each of the impedance matching components 834a-834b may reduce the out-of-band noise figure of their respective paths (as compared to a DRx module without such impedance matching components 834a-834b) and / And to reduce the out-of-band gain of each of the paths.

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

As noted above, for a particular path, the impedances of the impedance matching components 834a-834b are minimized to minimize the in-band noise figure, maximize in-band gain, minimize the out-of-band noise figure, It may be beneficial to minimize it. (E. G., Impedance in the first frequency band and impedance in the second frequency band) or other various constraints (e. G., Component count, cost, die space) It may be a challenge to design the impedance matching components 834a-834b. Thus, in some implementations, the in-band noise index-the in-band metric of in-band gain is minimized and the out-of-band metric of out-of-band noise figure + out-of-band gain is minimized. Designing the impedance matching components 834a-834b to achieve both of these goals with various constraints can still be a challenge. Thus, in some implementations, the in-band metric is minimized subject to a set of constraints and the out-of-band metric is set such that the constraint set and the in-band metric are in a critical amount (e.g., 0.1 dB, 0.2 dB, 0.5 dB, ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI > Thus, the impedance matching component may be configured to reduce the in-band metric of the in-band noise figure-in-band gain to a threshold amount of in-band metric minimum, e.g., to within a minimum possible in-band metric, . The impedance matching component may also be configured to adjust the out-of-band metric of the out-of-band noise figure + out-of-band gain to the minimum out-of-band constrained out-of-band minimum, e.g., To the possible out-of-band metric. In some implementations, the in-band metric (weighted by the in-band factor) + the combined metric (out-of-band factor weighted) is minimized under any constraints.

Thus, in some implementations, each of the impedance matching components 834a-834b may reduce the in-band metric (in-band noise figure-in-band gain) of its respective path (e.g., In-band gain is increased, or both). In some implementations, each of the impedance matching components 834a-834b may determine the out-of-band metric (out-of-band noise figure plus out-of-band gain) of its path (e.g., To reduce the gain, or both).

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

Figure 9 illustrates 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 through 934d may be configured to represent an impedance controlled by an impedance tuning signal received from the DRx controller 902. [

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

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

The tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d may be a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI-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. The variable component may be connected in parallel and / or in series and may be connected between the output of the diplexer 311 and the input of the amplifiers 314a-314d or may be connected between the output of the input multiplexer 311 and the ground voltage have.

The DRX controller 902 is configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input and an output. In some implementations, the DRX controller 902 is configured to selectively enable one or more of the plurality of paths based on the band selection signal received by the DRx controller 902 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRX controller 902 may enable or disable the amplifiers 314a-314d, for example, by controlling the multiplexers 311 and 312, or by selectively activating the path through other mechanisms as described above. can do.

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 can tune the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d based on a look-up table that associates the frequency band (or set of frequency bands) indicated by the band select signal with the tuning parameters have. Thus, in response to the band selection signal, the DRX controller 902 sends an impedance tuning signal to the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d of each active path to provide a tunable impedance matching component Tunable components).

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

In some implementations, the DRX controller 902 may minimize (or reduce) the in-band noise figure, maximize (or increase) the in-band gain, and minimize (or reduce) the out- ), And / or to tune each tunable impedance match component 934a-934d of each active path such that out-of-band gain for each other active path is minimized (or decreased).

In some implementations, the DRX controller 902 may be configured to minimize (or reduce) the in-band metric (in-band noise figure-in-band gain) and out-of-band metrics for each other active path 934d) of each active path such that the gain (e.g., gain) is minimized (or decreased).

In some implementations, the DRX controller 902 may be configured such that the in-band metric is minimized (reduced) on the condition of a set of constraints, and the out-of-band metric for each of the other active paths is set such that the constraint set and the in- 934a-934d (or 934a-934d, 934a-934d, 934a-934d, 934a-934d < / RTI > < RTI ID = 0.0 > .

Thus, in some implementations, the DRX controller 902 may determine that the tunable impedance matching component is capable of adjusting the in-band noise figure of the in-band noise-in-band gain to a threshold amount of in-band metric minimum, e.g., To tune the tunable impedance matching component 934a-934d of each active path to reduce it to within a minimum possible in-band metric. The DRX controller 902 may also determine that the tunable impedance matching component is out of band noise plus out-of-band gain, that the out-of-band constrained out-of-band minimum, e.g., the in-band metric, 934d to tune each active path's tunable impedance matching component 934a-934d to reduce it to the smallest possible out-of-band metric, subject to additional constraints that it is possible to limit the active bandwidth to the minimum possible out-of-band metric.

In some implementations, the DRX controller 902 may be configured to adjust the bandwidth (for each of the other active paths) for each of the other active paths (weighted by the in-band factor) To tune the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d of each active path such that the outer metric is minimized (reduced) under any constraints.

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

In some implementations, the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d are replaced by fixed impedance matching components that are not tunable or controllable by the DRx controller 902. [ Each of the impedance matching components arranged along a corresponding one of the paths corresponding to one frequency band may be configured to reduce (or minimize) the in-band metric for that one frequency, (Or minimize) the out-of-band metric for each frequency band (e.g., each of the other frequency bands).

For example, the third impedance matching component 934c may be fixed (1) to reduce the in-band metric for the third frequency band, (2) to reduce the out-of-band metric for the first frequency band, 3) 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 may be similarly fixed and configured.

The DRx module 910 includes a DRx controller 902 configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the DRx module 910 and an output of the DRx module 910. [ The DRx module 910 further includes a plurality of amplifiers 314a-314d, each of the plurality of amplifiers 314a-314d being arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths, . The DRx module further includes a plurality of impedance matching components 934a-934d, each of the phase-shift components 934a-934d being arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths, Out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain of the corresponding one.

In some implementations, the first impedance matching component 934a may be arranged along a first path corresponding to a first frequency band (e.g., the frequency band of the first bandpass filter 313a) Out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the second frequency band (e.g., the frequency band of the second band-pass filter 313b).

In some implementations, the first impedance matching component 934a may determine the out-of-band noise figure for a third frequency band (e.g., the frequency band of the third band-pass filter 313c) corresponding to the third path, 0.0 > at least < / RTI > one of the gains.

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

10 illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 1000 may include a DRx module 1010 having tunable impedance matching components disposed at inputs and outputs. The DRx module 1010 may include one or more tunable impedance matching components disposed on one or more of the input and the output of the DRx module 1010. In particular, the DRx module 1010 includes an input tunable impedance matching component 1016 disposed at the input of the DRx module 1010, an output tunable impedance matching component 1017 disposed at the output of the DRx module 1010, Both can be included.

The plurality of frequency bands received on the same diversity antenna 140 are all less likely to experience ideal impedance matching. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable input impedance matching component 1016 may be implemented at the input of the DRx module 1010 (e.g., a band select signal from a communications controller May be controlled by the DRX controller 1002. < RTI ID = 0.0 > For example, the DRX controller 1002 may tune the tunable input impedance matching component 1016 based on a look-up table that associates the frequency band (or set of frequency bands) indicated by the band select signal with the tuning parameters. Thus, in response to the band selection signal, the DRX controller 1002 sends an input impedance tuning signal to a tunable input impedance matching component 1016 to tune the tunable input impedance matching component (or its variable component) can do.

The tunable input impedance matching component 1016 may be a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI-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. The variable component may be connected in parallel and / or in series and may be connected between the input of the DRx module 1010 and the input of the first multiplexer 311 or connected between the input of the DRx module 1010 and the ground voltage.

Likewise, it is unlikely that a single transmission line 135 (or at least a few transmission lines) carrying signals in many frequency bands will all experience ideal impedance matching in multiple frequency bands. To match each frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable output impedance matching component 1017 may be implemented at the output of the DRx module 1010 (e.g., a band select signal from a communications controller May be controlled by the DRX controller 1002. < RTI ID = 0.0 > For example, the DRX controller 1002 may tune the tunable output impedance matching component 1017 based on a lookup table that associates the frequency band (or set of frequency bands) indicated by the band select signal with the tuning parameters. Thus, in response to the band selection signal, the DRX controller 1002 sends an output impedance tuning signal to a tunable output impedance matching component 1017 to tune the tunable output impedance matching component (or its variable component) can do.

The tunable output impedance matching component 1017 may be a tunable T-circuit, a tunable PI-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. The variable component may be connected in parallel and / or in series and may be connected between the output of the second multiplexer 312 and the output of the DRx module 1010 or connected between the output of the second multiplexer 312 and the ground voltage .

FIG. 11 illustrates that, in some embodiments, the diversity receiver configuration 1100 may include a DRx module 1110 having a plurality of tunable components. The diversity receiver configuration 1100 includes a DRx module 1110 having an input coupled to an antenna 140 and an output coupled to a transmission line 135. The DRx module 1110 includes a 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 an input and an output that are activated by one or more bypass switches controlled by the DRX controller 1102.

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

DRX controller 1102 is configured to selectively enable one or more of a plurality of paths between an input and an output. In some implementations, the DRX controller 1102 is configured to selectively enable one or more of the plurality of paths based on the band selection signal received by the DRx controller 1102 (e.g., from a communications controller). The DRX controller 902 may enable or disable the amplifiers 314a-314d, for example, by controlling the multiplexers 311 and 312, or by selectively activating the path through other mechanisms as described above. can do. In some implementations, the DRX controller 1102 is configured to transmit an amplifier control signal to one or more amplifiers 314a-314d, respectively, disposed along one or more activated paths. The amplifier control signal controls the gain (or current) of the amplifier to which this signal is transmitted.

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

It should be understood that the tuning of tunable components may affect the tuning of other tunable components. Thus, the tuning parameters in the look-up table for the first tunable component may be based on the tuning parameters for the second tunable component. For example, the tuning parameters for tunable phase-shift components 724a-724d may be based on tuning parameters for tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d. As another example, the tuning parameters for the tunable impedance matching components 934a-934d may be based on tuning parameters for the tunable input impedance matching component 1016. [

Figure 12 shows an embodiment of a flow diagram representation of a method of processing an RF signal. In some implementations (and as described below by way of example), the method 1200 is performed by a controller, such as the DRx controller 1102 of FIG. In some implementations, method 1200 is performed by processing logic, including hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the method 1200 is performed by a processor executing code stored in a non-volatile computer-readable medium (e.g., memory). In summary, the method 1200 includes receiving a band selection signal and routing the received RF signal along one or more tuned paths to process the received RF signal.

The method 1200 begins at block 1210 with the controller receiving a band selection signal. The controller may receive a band selection signal from another controller or a band selection signal from a cellular base station or other external source. The band selection signal may indicate one or more frequency bands in which the wireless device transmits and receives the RF signal. In some implementations, the band selection signal represents 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 discussed above, a DRx module may include multiple paths 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. The paths may include a bypass path and a multiplexer path. The multiplexer paths may include an on-module path and an off-module path.

The controller may enable or disable an amplifier positioned along the path through the amplifier enable signal, for example, by opening or closing one or more bypass switches, thereby causing the amplifier to be turned on and off via the splitter control signal and / By controlling the above multiplexers, or through other mechanisms, one or more of the plurality of paths can be selectively activated. For example, the controller may open or close switches disposed along the paths, or may set the gain of the amplifiers disposed along the paths to substantially zero.

At block 1230, the controller sends a tuning signal to one or more tunable components disposed along one or more activated paths. The tunable components include a tunable impedance matching component disposed at an input of the DRx module, a plurality of tunable impedance matching components each disposed along a plurality of paths, a plurality of tunable phase-shift components , Or tunable output impedance matching components disposed at the output of the DRx module.

The controller may tune the tunable components based on a lookup table that associates the frequency band (or set of frequency bands) indicated by the band select signal with the tuning parameters. Thus, in response to the band selection signal, the DRx controller may send a tuning signal to the tunable component (of the active path) to tune the tunable component (or its variable component) according to the tuning parameter. In some implementations, the controller tunes the tunable component based at least in part on the transmitted amplifier control signal to control the gain and / or current of one or more amplifiers each disposed along one or more activated paths.

Figure 13 illustrates that, in some embodiments, some or all of the diversity receiver configurations (e.g., those shown in Figures 3 through 11) may be implemented in modules, in whole or in part. Such a module may be, for example, a front-end module (FEM). Such a module may be, for example, a diversity receiver (DRx) FEM. In the example of FIG. 13, the module 1300 may include a packaging substrate 1302, and a plurality of components may be mounted on the packaging substrate 1302. For example, a controller 1304 (which may include a front-end power management integrated circuit [FE-PIMC]), a low noise amplifier assembly 1306 (which may include one or more variable- gain amplifiers) (Which may include more than one fixed or tunable phase-shift component 1331 and at least one fixed or tunable impedance matching component 1332), a multiplexer assembly 1310, and at least one bandpass Filter bank 1312) may be mounted and / or implemented on and / or within the packaging substrate 1302. The filter bank 1312 may be formed of any suitable material. Other components, such as a plurality of SMT devices 1314, may also be mounted on the packaging substrate 1302. While all of the various components are shown as being laid out on the packaging substrate 1302, it will be understood that some component (s) may be implemented on top of the other component (s).

In some implementations, devices and / or circuits having one or more of the features described herein may be included in an RF electronic device, such as a wireless device. Such devices and / or circuits may be implemented directly in a wireless device, in modular form as described herein, or in some combination thereof. In some embodiments, such a wireless device may include, for example, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a handheld wireless device with or without telephone capability, a wireless tablet, and the like.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example wireless device 1400 having one or more beneficial features described herein. In the context of one or more modules having one or more of the features described herein, such modules generally include a dashed box 1401 (e.g., which may be implemented as a front-end module), a downstream module Diversity RF module 1411 (which may be implemented as a front-end module), and a diversity receiver (DRx) module 1300 (which may be implemented as a front-end module, for example).

14, power amplifiers (PAs) 1420 receive their respective RF signals from a transceiver 1410 that may be configured and operated in a known manner to generate RF signals to be amplified and transmitted , And can process the received signal. The transceiver 1410 is shown to interact with a baseband subsystem 1408 that is configured to provide a conversion between a suitable data and / or voice signal for the user and an RF signal suitable for the transceiver 1410. The transceiver 1410 may also communicate with a power management component 1406 configured to manage power for operation of the wireless device 1400. This power management may also control the operation of baseband subsystem 1408 and modules 1401, 1411, and 1300.

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

In the example wireless device 1400, the outputs of PAs 1420 are shown to be matched (via respective matching circuits 1422) and routed to their respective duplexers 1424. These amplified and filtered signals may be routed to main antenna 1416 via antenna switch 1414 for transmission. In some embodiments, duplexer 1424 may allow transmission and reception operations to be performed simultaneously using a common antenna (e. G., Main antenna 1416). In Fig. 14, the received signal is shown to be routed to the "Rx" path, which may include, for example, a low noise amplifier (LNA).

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

One or more features of the present disclosure may be implemented in the various cellular frequency bands described herein. Examples of these bands are listed in Table 1. It will be appreciated that at least some of the bands may be divided into sub-bands. It will also be appreciated that one or more features of the present disclosure may be implemented in a frequency range that does not have the same designation as the example in Table 1.

It is to be understood that the words "comprises", "including", etc., unless the context clearly dictates otherwise throughout the description and claims, should be interpreted as an inclusive sense, not an exclusive or exhaustive sense do; That is, "including, but not limited to," The term "coupled" as used herein generally refers to two or more elements that can be directly connected or connected through one or more intermediate elements. In addition, the words "herein "," above ", "below ", and similar terms when used in this application refer to the present application as a whole, rather than any particular portion of the present application. The words of the above description using singular or plural, as the context allows, may also include a plurality or a singular number, respectively. The word "or" when referring to a list of two or more items encompasses all of the following interpretations: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of items in the list.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the present invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. Although specific embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, various equivalents of modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention, as ordinary skill in the pertinent art will recognize. For example, although processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may use routines with steps in different orders or may use systems with blocks, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, Added, subdivided, combined and / or modified. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, although processes or blocks are sometimes depicted as being performed continuously, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed at different times.

The teachings of the present invention provided herein may not necessarily be applied to the systems described above but also to other systems. The elements and operations of the various embodiments described above may be combined to provide further embodiments.

While some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be implemented in various other forms; In addition, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims (20)

A receiving system comprising:
A controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system;
A plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier; And
A plurality of impedance matching components, each impedance matching component of each of the plurality of impedance matching components being arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and having an out-of-band noise figure or an out- - < / RTI >
. 2. The impedance matching method according to claim 1, wherein the first impedance matching component among the plurality of impedance matching components arranged along the first path among the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band includes a first impedance matching component Out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for two frequency bands. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a second one of the plurality of impedance matching components disposed along the second path is configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or an out-of-band gain for the first frequency band. Receiving system. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first impedance matching component is further configured to reduce at least one of an out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for a third frequency band corresponding to a third one of the plurality of paths, Receiving system. 3. The receiving system of claim 2, wherein the first impedance matching component is further configured to reduce at least one of the in-band noise figure for the first frequency band or to increase in-band gain. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first impedance matching component comprises an in-band metric called the in-band noise figure minus the in-band gain, Wherein the threshold is configured to decrease within a threshold amount of minimum. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first impedance matching component further comprises an out-of-band metric called the out-of-band gain plus the out- metric to an in-band-constrained out-of-band minimum. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a multiplexer configured to divide an input signal received at the input into a plurality of signals in each of a plurality of frequency bands propagated along the plurality of paths. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein each impedance matching component of the plurality of impedance matching components is disposed between an amplifier of the multiplexer and a respective one of the plurality of amplifiers. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a signal combiner configured to combine signals propagating along the plurality of paths. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components is a passive circuit. 2. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components is an RLC circuit. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of impedance matching components comprises a tunable impedance matching component configured to indicate an impedance controlled by an impedance tuning signal received from the controller. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first impedance matching component disposed along a first path of the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band comprises a second frequency band of the signal passing through the first impedance matching component, So that the reflected signal propagated along the first path and the initial signal propagated along the second path among the plurality of paths corresponding to the second frequency band are at least partially in phase Further comprising a receiving system. As a radio frequency (RF) module,
A packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components; And
A receiving system implemented on the packaging substrate
/ RTI >
The receiving system comprises:
A controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system; A plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier; And a plurality of impedance matching components, wherein each impedance matching component of each of the plurality of impedance matching components is arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and includes an out-of-band noise figure or an out- - < / RTI >
Radio frequency (RF) modules. 16. The radio frequency (RF) module of claim 15, wherein the RF module is a diversity receiver front-end module (FEM). 16. The impedance matching method according to claim 15, wherein the first impedance matching component among the plurality of impedance matching components arranged along the first path among the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band includes a first impedance matching component Band noise figure or out-of-band gain for the two frequency bands. A wireless device,
A first antenna configured to receive a first radio-frequency (RF) signal;
A first front end module (FEM) in communication with the first antenna, the first FEM including a packaging substrate configured to accommodate a plurality of components, the first FEM including a receiving system implemented on the packaging substrate Wherein the receiving system further comprises: a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system; A plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier; And a plurality of impedance matching components, wherein each impedance matching component of each of the plurality of impedance matching components is arranged along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and includes an out-of-band noise figure or an out- - at least one of the plurality of sensors And
A transceiver configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signal from the output through a transmission line and to generate a data bit based on a processed version of the first RF signal;
Lt; / RTI > 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a second antenna configured to receive a second radio-frequency (RF) signal; and a second FEM in communication with the first antenna, Receive a processed version of the second RF signal and generate a data bit based on the processed version of the second RF signal. 19. The impedance matching method according to claim 18, wherein the first impedance matching component among the plurality of impedance matching components arranged along the first path among the plurality of paths corresponding to the first frequency band includes a first impedance matching component Out-of-band noise figure or out-of-band gain for two frequency bands.

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