RF FRONT-END ARCHITECTURE, ANTENNA DEVICE AND COMMUNICATION TERMINAL

Provided are an RF front-end architecture, an antenna device and a communication terminal. The RF front-end architecture comprises a primary RF front-end module and a secondary RF front-end module. The communication terminal optimizes the RF front-end architecture on the internal antenna device, and is able to work in a multi-antenna working mode to realize the receiving and transmission of multiplex RF signals. The architecture is relatively simple in structure, only two RF front-end modules are needed to realize multiplex transmission and multiplex receiving of RF signals, meanwhile, different frequency band signals which need to be accessed can be flexibly controlled and adjusted. Moreover, the low noise amplifiers in the architecture all support the amplification of multi-band frequency signals, which can ensure the realization of 1T4R, 2T4R and other functions in fewer RF front-end modules, ensure the realization of rich function of the architecture, and reduce the area of the architecture.

The present application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202010662164.6, filed on Jul. 10, 2020, titled “RF front-end architecture, antenna device and communication terminal”.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The application relates to the field of communication terminal wireless communication system, in particular to antenna device on communication terminal, and further relates to the RF front-end architecture in antenna device.

BACKGROUND

Mobile communication technology is developing rapidly, as shown inFIG.1, the communication terminal1000realizes wireless communication through the built-in antenna device100. With the development and application of the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G), intelligent devices, especially the 5G technology in mobile terminals, are facing new challenges. The realization of the technical advantages of 5G technology, such as faster network transmission speed, larger network capacity and less network delay, all require further optimization of 5G antenna technology. The existing antenna device generally includes a baseband module, an RF transceiver module, an RF front-end architecture and an antenna link module. The baseband module is used to process digital baseband signals, and encode and decode digital baseband signals. The RF transceiver module is used to perform conversion between digital baseband signals and analog RF signals, process the digital baseband signals transmitted from the baseband module into analog RF signals and send them to the RF front-end architecture, or receive the analog RF signals transmitted from the RF front-end architecture, convert them into digital baseband signals and send them to the baseband module. The RF front-end architecture selectively sends analog RF signals to the antenna link module or receives analog RF signals from the antenna link module, so as to realize the amplification, filtering and other processing of the RF analog signals. The antenna link module includes an external antenna to receive or send analog RF signals.

In the application of 5G technology in mobile terminals, MIMO has become a relatively important technology. MIMO is an antenna system that uses multiple antennas at both transmitter and receiver to greatly improve channel capacity, and forms multiple channels between transmitter and receiver. In the 5G communication of mobile terminals, it is necessary to realize 1T4R, 2T4R, etc. for data transmission in many frequency bands. And in order to support the realization of 1T4R, 2T4R, etc., the corresponding transmitting and/or receiving links need to be added, which increases the complexity of circuit design and inevitably increases the area of the RF front-end architecture, thus it is necessary to further simplify it.

SUMMARY

In order to solve the problems that the architecture formed by RF front-end modules in the prior art needs to add corresponding transmitting and/or receiving links, but the complexity of circuit design is increased and the area of RF front-end architecture is increased, this application provides an RF front-end architecture, an antenna device and a communication terminal.

In one aspect, the application provides an RF front-end architecture, including a primary RF front-end module and a secondary RF front-end module;

the primary RF front-end module includes a primary antenna switch selection module and at least two primary signal transceiver links; the at least two primary signal transceiver links are connected with the primary antenna switch selection module;

each primary signal transceiver link includes an RF power amplifier module, an RF transceiver switch and a multi-band primary filter arranged in sequence;

the RF power amplifier module includes a primary low noise amplifier and a power amplifier; the power amplifier and the primary low noise amplifier are connected to the RF transceiver switch; the primary low noise amplifier is used for receiving RF signal transmitted from the RF transceiver switch, amplifying it and outputting it to the RF transceiver module, and the primary low noise amplifier supports amplification of multi-band signals; the power amplifier is used for receiving RF signal transmitted from the RF transceiver module, amplifying it and outputting it to the RF transceiver switch;

the RF transceiver switch is arranged between the RF power amplifier module and the multi-band primary filter, and used for switching connection between the multi-band primary filter and the primary low noise amplifier or the power amplifier, so as to selectively connect the multi-band primary filter to the primary low noise amplifier or the power amplifier;

the multi-band primary filter is arranged between the primary antenna switch selection module and the RF transceiver switch, and used for filtering the RF signal amplified by the power amplifier and transmitting it to the primary antenna switch selection module, or filtering the RF signal received from the primary antenna switch selection module and transmitting it to the primary low noise amplifier;

the primary antenna switch selection module is used for connecting and gating the two primary signal transceiver links and a primary antenna, or connecting the secondary RF front-end module;

the secondary RF front-end module includes a secondary antenna switch selection module and at least two secondary signal receive links;

each secondary signal receive link includes a secondary low noise amplifier and a multi-band secondary filter; and

the secondary antenna switch selection module is used for connecting and gating a secondary antenna or a primary RF front-end module, and is used for receiving RF signal of the primary antenna or the secondary antenna, or transmitting the RF signal received by the secondary antenna to the primary RF front-end module; the multi-band secondary filter is used for filtering the RF signal received by the secondary antenna switch selection module and then transmitting it to the secondary low noise amplifier; the secondary low noise amplifier is used for receiving the RF signal transmitted from the multi-band secondary filter, amplifying it and outputting it to the RF transceiver module, and the secondary low noise amplifier supports amplification of multi-band signals.

In another aspect, the present application provides an antenna device, including a baseband module, an RF transceiver module, a RF front-end architecture and an antenna link module. And the RF front-end architecture is the above-described RF front-end architecture.

In yet another aspect, the present application provides a communication terminal, including the above-described antenna device.

The communication terminal provided by the present application optimizes the RF front-end architecture on the internal antenna device by arranging the primary RF front-end module and the secondary RF front-end module. In the primary RF front-end module, it can work in a multi-antenna mode through the two primary signal transceiver links and the primary antenna switch selection module. It can receive or transmit RF signals through the RF transceiver switch, and select to gate the relevant ports through the antenna switch selection module, so as to gate and connect the primary antenna link, and to gate and connect the secondary antenna link through the secondary RF front-end module, thus realizing the selection of multiple antenna links, and the RF signal of each antenna link is selectable. Meanwhile, the secondary antenna link is gated and connected through the two secondary signal receive links in the secondary RF front-end module and the secondary antenna switch selection module, the primary antenna link is gated and connected through the primary RF front-end module, thus realizing the reception of multiple RF signals. The RF front-end architecture of this application is relatively simple in structure, only two RF front-end modules are needed to realize multiplex transmission and multiplex receiving of RF signals, and meanwhile, different frequency band signals which need to be accessed can be flexibly controlled and adjusted. Moreover, the low noise amplifiers in the RF front-end architecture all support the amplification of multi-band frequency signals, which can ensure the realization of 1T4R, 2T4R and other functions in fewer RF front-end modules, ensure the realization of rich function of the RF front-end architecture, and reduce the area of the RF front-end architecture.

The reference signs in drawing are as follows:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application more clear, the application will be further explained in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only used to illustrate the application, rather than to limit the application.

In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms “longitudinal”, “radial”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”, and the like indicate an orientation or positional relationship based on that shown in the drawings, and are for convenience of description and simplicity of description only, not intended to indicate or imply that the indicated devices or elements must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and are therefore not to be construed as limiting the present application. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise stated, “multiple” means two or more.

In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise specified and defined, the terms “installation”, “connected with” and “connected to” should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may be fixedly connected, detachably connected or integrally connected, or may be mechanically connected or electrically connected, or may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. Or it may be internal communication of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application may be understood in specific situations.

Embodiments

This embodiment will specifically illustrate the communication terminal1000, antenna device100and RF front-end architecture disclosed in the present application.

As shown inFIG.1, the communication terminal1000provided by this embodiment realizes wireless communication through the built-in antenna device100. The antenna device100can transmit and receive RF signals of relevant frequency bands through its internal modules. Obviously, the communication terminal1000includes not only the antenna device100, but also other modules, such as processor, user interface and memory. The communication terminal is, for example, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phone, plug-in card in notebook computer, wireless tablet computer, etc.

As shown inFIG.2, the antenna device100in this embodiment also includes a baseband module4, an RF transceiver module5, an RF front-end architecture and an antenna link module3. The baseband module4is used to process digital baseband signals, and encode and decode digital baseband signals. The RF transceiver module5is used to perform conversion between digital baseband signals and analog RF signals, process the digital baseband signals transmitted from the baseband module4into analog RF signals and send them to the RF front-end architecture, or receive the analog RF signals transmitted from the RF front-end architecture, convert them into digital baseband signals and send them to the baseband module4. The RF front-end architecture selectively sends analog RF signals to the antenna link module3or receives analog RF signals from the antenna link module3, so as to realize the amplification, filtering and other processing of the RF analog signals. The antenna link module3includes an external antenna to receive or send analog RF signals. The above modules are known to the public. In the present application, the core difference lies in the optimization and improvement solution of the primary RF front-end module1and secondary RF front-end module2in the RF front-end architecture.

As shown inFIG.2, the RF front-end architecture includes a primary RF front-end module1and a secondary RF front-end module2.

As shown inFIGS.3-5, the primary RF front-end module1includes two primary signal transceiver links and a primary antenna switch selection module13. The two primary signal transceiver links are both connected to the primary antenna switch selection module13(however, it is not limited to only two primary signal transceiver links, there may be more primary signal transceiver links).

Each primary signal transceiver link includes an RF power amplifier module11, an RF transceiver switch12, and a multi-band primary filter14arranged in sequence. The multi-band primary filter14may be used to support filtering of multiple frequency bands, i.e., broadband bandpass filter. For example, in the technical field of 5G antenna, N77 and N79 frequency bands are supported. As is known to all, the N77 frequency band is 3.3-4.2 GHz, and the N79 frequency band is 4.4G-5.0 GHz. That is, the multi-band primary filter14is a band-pass filter with a bandwidth of 3.3 GHz to 5.0 GHz.

As shown inFIG.3, the RF power amplifier module11includes a primary low noise amplifier111and a power amplifier112; the power amplifier112and the primary low noise amplifier111are connected to the RF transceiver switch12; the primary low noise amplifier111is used to receive the RF signal transmitted from the RF transceiver switch12, amplify it and output it to the RF transceiver module5, and the primary low noise amplifier111supports the amplification of multi-band signals; the power amplifier112is used to receive RF signal transmitted from the RF transceiver module5, amplify it and output it to the RF transceiver switch12. In the implementation of the RF power amplifier module11, the RF power amplifier module11in each signal transceiver circuit can be packaged into a separate chip, or the primary low noise amplifier111in the two RF power amplifier modules11are integrated into a separate chip, the power amplifier112in the two RF power amplifier modules11are integrated into a separate chip. Also, the two RF power amplifier modules11may be integrated into one chip. The above are all feasible.

As the power of RF signal output by RF transceiver module5is very low, it needs a series of amplification to obtain enough RF power before it can be fed to the antenna and radiated. In order to obtain a large enough RF output power, the power amplifier112must be adopted. The power amplifier112is also known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail.

The RF transceiver switch12is arranged between the RF power amplifier module11and the multi-band primary filter14, and used for switching connection between the multi-band primary filter14and the primary low noise amplifier111or the power amplifier112, so as to selectively connect the multi-band primary filter14to the primary low noise amplifier111or the power amplifier112;

The main function of RF transceiver switch12(generally referred to as T/R switch) is to control the switching of the receiving and transmitting states of the whole primary RF front-end module1, and it is the key module of the primary RF front-end module1. There are many manufacturing processes of conventional RF transceiver switch12. At present, most common products in the market adopt III-V process or discrete devices such as PIN diode. This kind of switch has the advantages of low power consumption and good isolation. The disadvantages are high cost, high power consumption and large occupied area. Optionally, the RF transceiver switch12is implemented via an SOI (Silicon-On-Insulator) process. With the continuous development of technology, CMOS technology has outstanding advantages such as high integration, low cost and low power consumption, which makes it an optional solution to implement RF transceiver switch12by CMOS technology. As is well known to those skilled in the art.

The power amplifier112in the RF power amplifier module11is used to receive RF signal transmitted from the RF transceiver module5, amplify it and output it to the matching network113, and the matching network113is used to perform impedance matching on the amplified RF signal and output it to the RF transceiver switch12.

The multi-band primary filter14is arranged between the primary antenna switch selection module13and the RF transceiver switch12, used to filter the RF signal amplified by the power amplifier112and transmit it to the primary antenna switch selection module13, or filter the RF signal received from the primary antenna switch selection module13and transmit it to the primary low noise amplifier111.

As shown inFIG.3, for brevity, the antenna link module3is introduced here first. The antenna link module3includes a primary antenna link and a secondary antenna link. In this embodiment, the primary antenna link includes a first primary antenna31and a second primary antenna32; the secondary antenna link includes a first secondary antenna33and a second secondary antenna34.

The primary antenna switch selection module13is used for connecting and gating the two primary signal transceiver links and a primary antenna, or connecting the secondary RF front-end module2;

the secondary RF front-end module2includes a secondary antenna switch selection module23and two secondary signal receive links. In this embodiment, the number of the secondary signal receive link is two, but it is not limited to two, it may be three or more.

Each secondary signal receive links includes a secondary low noise amplifier21and a multi-band secondary filter22. Similarly, the multi-band secondary filter22may be used to support the filtering of multiple frequency bands, such as N77 and N79 frequency bands. The multi-band secondary filter22is also a band-pass filter with a bandwidth of 3.3 GHz to 5.0 GHz.

In this embodiment, the primary low noise amplifier111and secondary low noise amplifier21refer to amplifiers with low noise figure. In the case of amplifying weak signals, the noise of the amplifier itself may interfere with the signals seriously, therefore it is desired to reduce the noise of the amplifier itself to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of output. Low noise amplifier is well known to those skilled in the art, which can further amplify the received RF signal and output it.

The secondary antenna switch selection module23is used for connecting and gating a secondary antenna or a primary RF front-end module1, and is used for receiving RF signal of the primary antenna or the secondary antenna, or transmitting the RF signal received by the secondary antenna to the primary RF front-end module1; the multi-band secondary filter22is used for filtering the RF signal received by the secondary antenna switch selection module23and then transmitting it to the secondary low noise amplifier21; the secondary low noise amplifier21is used for receiving the RF signal transmitted from the multi-band secondary filter22, amplifying it and outputting it to the RF transceiver module5, and the secondary low noise amplifier21supports amplification of multi-band signals.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIGS.3-5, the primary antenna switch selection module13includes a primary switch circuit, a plurality of primary antenna ports, a plurality of peripheral ports and a plurality of primary transceiver ports;

the primary switch circuit is used for connecting and gating the primary antenna port and the primary transceiver port or the peripheral port; the primary switch circuit is internally provided with a plurality of switches to realize gating between the primary antenna port and the primary transceiver port, or between the primary antenna port and the peripheral port.

The primary transceiver port is connected with the multi-band primary filter14of the main signal transceiver link. In this embodiment, there are at least two primary transceiver ports, which are called the first primary transceiver port RT11and the second primary transceiver port RT12respectively. They are used to connect the first primary signal transceiver link and the second primary signal transceiver link respectively, specifically to the first primary filter14aof the first primary signal transceiver link and the second primary filter14bof the second primary signal transceiver link (described in further detail later). Certainly, the primary transceiver port may be further added, it is not limited to only two primary transceiver ports.

The primary antenna port is used to connect the primary antenna or the secondary antenna switch selection module23of the secondary RF front-end module2, so as to selectively connect the primary antenna or the secondary antenna to the two primary signal receive links. In this embodiment, the number of the primary antenna port is preferably3, specifically the first primary antenna port T11, second primary antenna port T12and third primary antenna port T13shown in the figures. The 3 primary antenna ports are used to connect the primary antenna or the secondary RF front-end module (specifically connected to the secondary antenna switch selection module23, and is connected to the secondary antenna via the secondary antenna switch selection module23), wherein the first primary antenna port T11is connected to the first primary antenna31, the second primary antenna port T12is connected to the second primary antenna32, and the third primary antenna port T13is connected to one of the ports (described later, marked as first secondary transceiver port RT21) of the secondary antenna switch selection module23, the port may be selectively connected to the first secondary antenna33or the second secondary antenna34through the secondary antenna switch selection module23; that is, it is extensively connected to the first secondary antenna33or the second secondary antenna34through the third primary antenna port T13. Therefore, the primary RF front-end module1can not only receive and transmit RF signals through the first primary antenna31and second primary antenna32, but also expand to receive and transmit RF signals through the first secondary antenna33or second secondary antenna34. In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.6, the fourth primary antenna port T14and the fifth primary antenna port T15are reserved for later expansion and connection of antennas or connection of other RF front-end modules.

The peripheral port is used for connecting to the secondary RF front-end module2, connecting the primary antenna to the secondary antenna switch selection module23of the secondary RF front-end module2, and transmitting the signal received by the primary antenna to the two secondary signal receive links. In this embodiment, the peripheral port may be1. For example, it may be first peripheral port AUX1, and the first peripheral port AUX1is internally connected with the first primary switch or second primary switch through the switch selection of the primary switch circuit. The first peripheral port AUX1is externally connected to the third secondary antenna port T23of the secondary RF front-end module2. In the secondary RF front-end module2, the third secondary antenna port T23and the first secondary signal receive link or the second secondary signal receive link may be gated by a secondary switch circuit (described in detail later). In this way, it can transmit the signals of the first primary antenna31or the second primary antenna32to the secondary RF front-end module2through the peripheral port for reception. In this embodiment, the second peripheral port AUX2and the third peripheral port aux3are further provided, so as to further connect with other RF front-end modules.

The secondary antenna switch selection module23includes a secondary switch circuit, a plurality of secondary receive ports, a plurality of secondary antenna ports and a plurality of secondary transceiver ports. In this embodiment, there are three secondary antenna ports, namely, first secondary antenna port T21, second secondary antenna port T22and third secondary antenna port T23. The first secondary antenna port T21is used to connect the first secondary antenna33; the second secondary antenna port T22is used to connect the second secondary antenna34. The third secondary antenna port T23is used to connect the above first peripheral port AUX1, such that the secondary receive port can be connected to the first secondary antenna33or second secondary antenna34respectively, or connected to the first primary antenna31or second primary antenna32through the third secondary antenna port T23.

The secondary switch circuit is used for gating the secondary antenna port and the secondary receive port or the secondary transceiver port. That is, the secondary antenna port may be gated to the secondary receive port, or the secondary antenna port may be gated to the above secondary transceiver port;

the secondary receive port is connected with the multi-band secondary filter22of the secondary signal receive link, and is used to connect the secondary antenna or the primary antenna switch selection module13of the primary RF front-end module1, so as to selectively connect the secondary antenna or the primary antenna to the two secondary signal receive links. In this embodiment, the secondary receive port includes a first secondary receive port R21and a second secondary receive port R22. The first secondary receive port R21and second secondary receive port R22gate the first secondary antenna port T21, second secondary antenna port T22or third secondary antenna port T23through the internal secondary switch circuit.

The secondary transceiver port is used to connect to the primary RF front-end module1, connect the secondary antenna to the primary antenna switch selection module13of the primary RF front-end module1, and connect the secondary antenna to the two primary signal receive links. In this embodiment, the secondary transceiver port is designed to connect the primary RF front-end module1, so that the primary RF front-end module1can connect and use the first secondary antenna33and second secondary antenna34. There is one secondary transceiver port provided in this embodiment, i.e., first secondary transceiver port RT21. As a preferred solution, a secondary transceiver port may be added for standby, i.e., second secondary transceiver port RT22.

In this embodiment, as a preferred solution, the modulated RF signal is amplified to sufficient power with the power amplifier112, and then transmitted by antenna via the matching network113. Therefore, a matching network113is connected in series between the power amplifier112and the RF transceiver switch12. The matching network113is used to perform impedance matching on the amplified RF signal and output it to the RF transceiver switch12. The matching network113is known to the public, used to meet the specific matching relationship between the load impedance and the internal impedance of source during signal transmission. A certain relationship between the output impedance of a device and the impedance of the connected load should be satisfied, so as to avoid a significant effect on the working state of the device itself after the load is connected. Impedance matching is related to the overall performance of the system, and the performance of the system can be optimized by matching. The concept of impedance matching has a wide range of applications. Impedance matching is common among amplifier circuits of various stages, or between amplifier circuits and loads, between signals and transmission circuits, for the design of microwave circuits and systems, and active or passive, the matching problem must be considered. Those skilled in the art may obtain the content about matching network113without extra creative efforts. Thus it will not be introduced with details in this embodiment.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.3, the two primary signal transceiver links include a first primary signal transceiver link and a second primary signal transceiver link;

the first primary signal transceiver link includes a first RF power amplifier module11a,a first RF transceiver switch12aand a first primary filter14a;

the first RF power amplifier module11aincludes a first low noise amplifier111a,a first power amplifier112aand a first matching network113a.A first matching network113ais connected in series between the first power amplifier112aand the first RF transceiver switch12a. The first low noise amplifier111ais used to receive the RF signal transmitted from the first RF transceiver switch12a,amplify it and output it to the RF transceiver module5. The first power amplifier112ais used to receive the RF signal transmitted from the RF transceiver module5, amplify it and output it to the first matching network113a,and the first matching network113ais used to perform impedance matching on the amplified RF signal and output it to the first RF transceiver switch12a.

The first primary filter14ais arranged between the primary antenna switch selection module13and the first RF transceiver switch12a,used to filter the RF signal amplified by the first power amplifier112aand transmit it to the primary antenna switch selection module13, or filter the RF signal received from the primary antenna switch selection module13and transmit it to the first low noise amplifier111a;

the second primary signal transceiver link includes a second RF power amplifier module11b, a second RF transceiver switch12band a second primary filter14b;

the second RF power amplifier module11bincludes a second low noise amplifier111b,a second power amplifier112band a second matching network113b.A second matching network113bis connected in series between the second power amplifier112band the second RF transceiver switch12b.The second low noise amplifier111bis used to receive the RF signal transmitted from the second RF transceiver switch12b,amplify it and output it to the RF transceiver module5. The second power amplifier112bis used to receive the RF signal transmitted from the RF transceiver module5, amplify it and output it to the second matching network113b, and the second matching network113bis used to perform impedance matching on the amplified RF signal and output it to the second RF transceiver switch12b.

The second primary filter14bis arranged between the primary antenna switch selection module13and the second RF transceiver switch12b,used to filter the RF signal amplified by the second power amplifier112band transmit it to the primary antenna switch selection module13, or filter the RF signal received from the primary antenna switch selection module13and transmit it to the second low noise amplifier111b;

the first low noise amplifier111aand the second low noise amplifier111bare multi-band amplifiers. For example, the first power amplifier112ais a power amplifier supporting N77 or N79 frequency bands, and the second power amplifier112bis a power amplifier supporting N79 or N77 frequency bands. The first low noise amplifier111aand the first low noise amplifier111acan both support the amplification of RF signals in N77 and N79 frequency bands;

the first primary filter14aand the second primary filter14bare band-pass filters supporting N77 and N79 frequency bands.

The primary RF front-end module1is provided with a first receive port RX1, a second receive port RX2, a first transmit port TX1and a second transmit port TX2for connecting to the RF transceiver module5;

the first receive port RX1is arranged at an output end of the first low noise amplifier111a; the second receive port RX2is arranged at an output end of the second low noise amplifier111b; the first transmit port TX1is arranged at an input end of the first power amplifier112a;and the second transmit port TX2is arranged at an input end of the second power amplifier112b.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.3-5, the two secondary signal receive links include a first secondary signal receive link and a second secondary signal receive link;

the first secondary signal receive link includes a third low noise amplifier211and a first secondary filter221;

the first secondary filter221is used to filter the RF signal received by the secondary antenna switch selection module23and then transmit it to the third low noise amplifier211; the third low noise amplifier211is used to receive the RF signal transmitted from the first secondary filter221, amplify it and output it to the RF transceiver module5;

the second secondary signal receive link includes a fourth low noise amplifier212and a second secondary filter222;

the second secondary filter222is used to filter the RF signal received by the secondary antenna switch selection module23and then transmit it to the fourth low noise amplifier212; the fourth low noise amplifier212is used to receive the RF signal transmitted from the second secondary filter222, amplify it and output it to the RF transceiver module5.

In this embodiment, the first secondary filter221and the second secondary filter222are band-pass filters supporting N77 and N79 frequency bands; and the third low noise amplifier211and the fourth low noise amplifier212both support amplification of RF signals in N77 and N79 frequency bands.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.3-5, the secondary RF front-end module2further includes a port selection module24; the port selection module24includes a built-in selection switch, a third receive port RX3and a fourth receive port RX4;

the built-in selection switch is used to selectively connect the third receive port RX3, the fourth receive port RX4, the first secondary signal receive link and the second secondary signal receive link; and the third receive port RX3and the fourth receive port RX4are used to connect to the RF transceiver module5.

As shown inFIGS.3-5, in this embodiment, the first primary antenna31is connected to the first primary antenna port T11through a first external duplexer311; the second primary antenna32is connected to the second primary antenna port T12through the second external duplexer321;

the first secondary antenna33is connected to the first secondary antenna port T21through the third external duplexer331, and the second secondary antenna34is connected to the second secondary antenna port T22through the fourth external duplexer341.

a third primary antenna port T13of the primary antenna switch selection module13is connected to one of the secondary transceiver ports (first secondary transceiver port RT21) on the secondary antenna switch selection module23; one of the peripheral ports (first peripheral port AUX1) of the primary antenna switch selection module13is connected to a third secondary antenna port T23of the secondary antenna switch selection module23.

In this embodiment, the above first external duplexer311, second external duplexer321, third external duplexer331and fourth external duplexer341are known to the public. For example, they can be composed of two groups of band-stop filters in N77 frequency band or N79 frequency band. Its function is to isolate the transmit and receive signals, filter out interference, ensure that both receiving and transmitting can work normally at the same time, and void the transmission of the local transmission signal to the receiver.

In this embodiment, the above first primary antenna31, second primary antenna32, first secondary antenna33and second secondary antenna34are SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) antennas. The SRS antenna can be used to realize the switching of RF signals, SRS switching specifies the physical antenna on which the communication terminal1000sends the SRS information. Sending terminal SRS information is one of the ways for base station to detect terminal location and channel quality. The more antennas that can participate in transmitting the reference signal, the more accurate the channel estimation is, and thus the higher the rate is. If it is only transmitted with a fixed antenna, other antenna information would be lost, and the antenna would not be fully utilized, thus it is difficult to obtain the highest rate. The RF front-end architecture in this embodiment can transmit and receive signals in various frequency bands with four antennas.

For example, in this embodiment, the first power amplifier112ain the first primary signal transceiver circuit in the above primary RF front-end module1implements the transmission of RF signals of N77 frequency band, and the second power amplifier112bin the second primary signal transceiver circuit implements the transmission of RF signals of N79 frequency band. The above RF signal of N77 frequency band can be transmitted through the first matching network113a,first RF transceiver switch12aand first primary filter14ain the first primary signal transceiver circuit, after passing through the primary antenna switch selection module13, the first primary antenna31, second primary antenna32, first secondary antenna33, or second secondary antenna34is selected to send out in turn. Similarly, the above RF signal of N79 frequency band can be transmitted through the second matching network113b,second RF transceiver switch12band second primary filter14bin the second primary signal transceiver circuit, after passing through the primary antenna switch selection module13, the first primary antenna31, second primary antenna32, first secondary antenna33, or second secondary antenna34is selected to send out in turn.

When receiving the RF signal, it can receive the RF signal through the first primary antenna31or second primary antenna32or first secondary antenna33or second secondary antenna34, and then it can receive the RF signal via various links. At last, it is received into the RF transceiver module5via the first receive port RX1, second receive port RX2, third receive port RX3and fourth receive port RX4.

Hereinafter, the working state of this application will be illustrated in detail with reference to the above drawings. By gating the signal links in the above primary RF front-end module1and secondary RF front-end module2, the RF signals can be received or transmitted.

The receive path of RF signal is as follows:

1st receive path: the RF signal is received from the first primary antenna31, enters from the first primary antenna port T11, the first primary transceiver port RT11is gated through the primary switch circuit, and then the RF signal is filtered by the first primary filter14a,transmitted to the first low noise amplifier111athrough the first RF transceiver switch12a,amplified and output to the RF receive module from the first receive port RX1.

2nd receive path: the RF signal is received from the first primary antenna31, enters from the first primary antenna port T11, the second primary transceiver port RT12is gated through the primary switch circuit, and then the RF signal is filtered by the second primary filter14b, transmitted to the second low noise amplifier111bthrough the second RF transceiver switch12b, amplified and output to the RF receive module from the second receive port RX2.

3rd receive path and 4th receive path: the RF signal is received from the first primary antenna31, and after entering from the first primary antenna port T11, the first peripheral port AUX1is gated by the primary switch circuit, then the first secondary receive port R21is gated from the third secondary antenna port T23through the secondary switch circuit, the RF signal is filtered by the first secondary filter221, amplified by the third low noise amplifier211, and output to the RF receive module from the third receive port RX3or fourth receive port RX4.

5th receive path and 6th receive path: the RF signal is received from the first primary antenna31, and after entering from the first primary antenna port T11, the first peripheral port AUX1is gated by the primary switch circuit, then the second secondary receive port R22is gated from the third secondary antenna port T23through the secondary switch circuit, the RF signal is filtered by the second secondary filter222, amplified by the fourth low noise amplifier212, and output to the RF receive module from the third receive port RX3or fourth receive port RX4.

7th receive path: the RF signal is received from the second primary antenna32, enters from the second primary antenna port T12, the first primary transceiver port RT11is gated through the primary switch circuit, and then the RF signal is filtered by the first primary filter14a,transmitted to the first low noise amplifier111athrough the first RF transceiver switch12a,amplified and output to the RF receive module from the first receive port RX1.

8th receive path: the RF signal is received from the second primary antenna32, enters from the second primary antenna port T11, the second primary transceiver port RT12is gated through the primary switch circuit, and then the RF signal is filtered by the second primary filter14b, transmitted to the second low noise amplifier111bthrough the second RF transceiver switch12b, amplified and output to the RF receive module from the second receive port RX2.

9th receive path and 10th receive path: the RF signal is received from the first primary antenna32, and after entering from the second primary antenna port T12, the first peripheral port AUX1is gated by the primary switch circuit, then the first secondary receive port R21is gated from the third secondary antenna port T23through the secondary switch circuit, the RF signal is filtered by the first secondary filter221, amplified by the third low noise amplifier211, and output to the RF receive module from the third receive port RX3or fourth receive port RX4.

11th receive path and 12th receive path: the RF signal is received from the second primary antenna32, and after entering from the second primary antenna port T12, the first peripheral port AUX1is gated by the primary switch circuit, then the second secondary receive port R22is gated from the third secondary antenna port T23through the secondary switch circuit, the RF signal is filtered by the first secondary filter222, amplified by the fourth low noise amplifier212, and output to the RF receive module from the third receive port RX3or fourth receive port RX4.

13rd receive path and 14th receive path: the RF signal is received from the first secondary antenna33, and after entering from the first secondary antenna port T12, the first secondary receive port R21is gated by the secondary switch circuit, then the RF signal is filtered by the first secondary filter221, amplified by the third low noise amplifier211, and output to the RF receive module from the third receive port RX3or fourth receive port RX4.

15th receive path and 16th receive path: the RF signal is received from the first secondary antenna33, and after entering from the first secondary antenna port T12, the second secondary receive port R22is gated by the secondary switch circuit, then the RF signal is filtered by the second secondary filter222, amplified by the fourth low noise amplifier212, and output to the RF receive module from the third receive port RX3or fourth receive port RX4.

17th receive path and 18th receive path: the RF signal is received from the second secondary antenna34, and after entering from the second secondary antenna port T22, the first secondary receive port R21is gated by the secondary switch circuit, then the RF signal is filtered by the first secondary filter221, amplified by the third low noise amplifier211, and output to the RF receive module from the third receive port RX3or fourth receive port RX4.

19th receive path and 20th receive path: the RF signal is received from the second secondary antenna34, and after entering from the second secondary antenna port T22, the second secondary receive port R22is gated by the secondary switch circuit, then the RF signal is filtered by the second secondary filter222, amplified by the fourth low noise amplifier212, and output to the RF receive module from the third receive port RX3or fourth receive port RX4.

21st receive path: the RF signal is received from the first primary antenna33, enters from the first secondary antenna port T21, the first secondary transceiver port RT21is gated through the secondary switch circuit, and then the RF signal enters the primary RF front-end module1from the third primary antenna port T13, the first primary transceiver port RT11is gated through the primary switch circuit, and the RF signal is filtered by the first primary filter14a,transmitted to the first low noise amplifier111athrough the first RF transceiver switch12a,amplified and output to the RF receive module from the first receive port RX1.

22nd receive path: the RF signal is received from the first secondary antenna33, enters from the first secondary antenna port T21, the first secondary transceiver port RT21is gated through the secondary switch circuit, and then the RF signal enters the primary RF front-end module1from the third primary antenna port T13, the second primary transceiver port RT12is gated through the primary switch circuit, and the RF signal is filtered by the second primary filter14b,transmitted to the second low noise amplifier111bthrough the second RF transceiver switch12b,amplified and output to the RF receive module from the second receive port RX2.

23rd receive path: the RF signal is received from the second primary antenna34, enters from the second secondary antenna port T22, the first secondary transceiver port RT21is gated through the secondary switch circuit, and then the RF signal enters the primary RF front-end module1from the third primary antenna port T13, the first primary transceiver port RT11is gated through the primary switch circuit, and the RF signal is filtered by the first primary filter14a,transmitted to the first low noise amplifier111athrough the first RF transceiver switch12a,amplified and output to the RF receive module from the first receive port RX1.

24th receive path: the RF signal is received from the second secondary antenna34, enters from the second secondary antenna port T22, the first secondary transceiver port RT21is gated through the secondary switch circuit, and then the RF signal enters the primary RF front-end module1from the third primary antenna port T13, the second primary transceiver port RT12is gated through the primary switch circuit, and the RF signal is filtered by the second primary filter14b,transmitted to the second low noise amplifier111bthrough the second RF transceiver switch12b,amplified and output to the RF receive module from the second receive port RX2.

The above receive paths show that each of the four antennas may be used as receive antenna of the RF signal, which can realize the reception of RF signal through multiple paths by the selection of the primary RF switch selection module, secondary RF switch selection module and RF transceiver switch. And finally, it is received into the RF transceiver module5from one of the first receive port RX1, second receive port RX2, third receive port RX3and fourth receive port RX4.

The transmission path of RF signal is as follows:

1st transmission path: the RF signal of N77 frequency band transmitted by the RF transceiver module5enters the primary RF front-end module1through a first RF transmission port, and is amplified by the first power amplifier112a,after impedance matching is performed by the first matching network113a,the RF signal enters the first primary filter14athrough the first RF transceiver switch12afor filtering, the first primary antenna port T11is gated through the primary antenna switch, and the RF signal is transmitted from the first primary antenna31.

2nd transmission path: the RF signal of N77 frequency band transmitted by the RF transceiver module5enters the primary RF front-end module1through the first RF transmission port, and is amplified by the first power amplifier112a,after impedance matching is performed by the first matching network113a,the RF signal enters the first primary filter14athrough the first RF transceiver switch12afor filtering, the second primary antenna port T12is gated through the primary antenna switch, and the RF signal is transmitted from the second primary antenna32.

3rd transmission path: the RF signal of N77 frequency band transmitted by the RF transceiver module5enters the primary RF front-end module1through the first RF transmission port, and is amplified by the first power amplifier112a,after impedance matching is performed by the first matching network113a,the RF signal enters the first primary filter14athrough the first RF transceiver switch12afor filtering, the third primary antenna port T13is gated through the primary antenna switch, the RF signal enters the secondary RF front-end module2from the first secondary transceiver port RT21, the first secondary antenna port T21is gated through the secondary switch circuit, and the RF signal is transmitted from the first secondary antenna33.

4th transmission path: the RF signal of N77 frequency band transmitted by the RF transceiver module5enters the primary RF front-end module1through the first RF transmission port, and is amplified by the first power amplifier112a,after impedance matching is performed by the first matching network113a,the RF signal enters the first primary filter14athrough the first RF transceiver switch12afor filtering, the third primary antenna port T13is gated through the primary antenna switch, the RF signal enters the secondary RF front-end module2from the first secondary transceiver port RT21, the second secondary antenna port T22is gated through the secondary switch circuit, and the RF signal is transmitted from the second secondary antenna34.

The above four transmission paths can realize the switching of the RF signal of N77 frequency band in turn.

5th transmission path: the RF signal of N79 frequency band transmitted by the RF transceiver module5enters the primary RF front-end module1through a second RF transmission port, and is amplified by the second power amplifier112b,after impedance matching is performed by the second matching network113b,the RF signal enters the second primary filter14bthrough the second RF transceiver switch12bfor filtering, the first primary antenna port T11is gated through the primary antenna switch, and the RF signal is transmitted from the first primary antenna31.

6th transmission path: the RF signal of N79 frequency band transmitted by the RF transceiver module5enters the primary RF front-end module1through the second RF transmission port, and is amplified by the second power amplifier112b,after impedance matching is performed by the second matching network113b,the RF signal enters the second primary filter14bthrough the second RF transceiver switch12bfor filtering, the second primary antenna port T12is gated through the primary antenna switch, and the RF signal is transmitted from the second primary antenna32.

7th transmission path: the RF signal of N79 frequency band transmitted by the RF transceiver module5enters the primary RF front-end module1through the second RF transmission port, and is amplified by the second power amplifier112b,after impedance matching is performed by the second matching network113b,the RF signal enters the second primary filter14bthrough the second RF transceiver switch12bfor filtering, the third primary antenna port T13is gated through the primary antenna switch, the RF signal enters the secondary RF front-end module2from the first secondary transceiver port RT21, the first secondary antenna port T21is gated through the secondary switch circuit, and the RF signal is transmitted from the first secondary antenna33.

8th transmission path: the RF signal of N79 frequency band transmitted by the RF transceiver module5enters the primary RF front-end module1through the second RF transmission port, and is amplified by the second power amplifier112b,after impedance matching is performed by the second matching network113b,the RF signal enters the second primary filter14bthrough the second RF transceiver switch12bfor filtering, the third primary antenna port T13is gated through the primary antenna switch, the RF signal enters the secondary RF front-end module2from the first secondary transceiver port RT21, the second secondary antenna port T22is gated through the secondary switch circuit, and the RF signal is transmitted from the second secondary antenna34.

The above four transmission paths can realize the switching of the RF signal of N79 frequency band in turn.

To summarize, the above-described transmission paths show that each of the four antennas may be used as transmission antenna of the RF signal, and the RF signal is transmitted into the primary RF front-end module1through the above first transmit port TX1or second transmit port TX2, and finally transmitted from the above four antennas after amplification, impedance matching and filtering.

The communication terminal1000provided by this embodiment optimizes the RF front-end architecture on the internal antenna device100by arranging the primary RF front-end module1and the secondary RF front-end module2. In the primary RF front-end module1, it can work in a multi-antenna mode through the two primary signal transceiver links and the primary antenna switch selection module. It can receive or transmit RF signals through the RF transceiver switch, and select to gate the relevant ports through the antenna switch selection module, so as to gate and connect the primary antenna link, and to gate and connect the secondary antenna link through the secondary RF front-end module2, thus realizing the selection of multiple antenna links, and the RF signal of each antenna link is selectable. Meanwhile, the secondary antenna link is gated and connected through the two secondary signal receive links in the secondary RF front-end module2and the secondary antenna switch selection module23, the primary antenna link is gated and connected through the primary RF front-end module1, thus realizing the reception of multiple RF signals. The RF front-end architecture of this application is relatively simple in structure, only two RF front-end modules are needed to realize multiplex transmission and multiplex receiving of RF signals, and meanwhile, different frequency band signals which need to be accessed can be flexibly controlled and adjusted. Moreover, the low noise amplifiers in the RF front-end architecture all support the amplification of multi-band frequency signals, which can ensure the realization of 1T4R, 2T4R and other functions in fewer RF front-end modules, ensure the realization of rich function of the RF front-end architecture, and reduce the area of the RF front-end architecture.

The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application, not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent substitution and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.