Apparatus and methods for radio frequency front-ends

Apparatus and methods for radio frequency front-ends are provided. In certain configurations, a radio frequency front-end includes ultrahigh band (UHB) transmit and receive modules employed for both transmission and reception of UHB signals via at least two primary antennas and at least two diversity antennas, thereby supporting both 4×4 receive MIMO and 4×4 transmit MIMO with respect to one or more UHB frequency bands, such as Band 42, Band 43, and/or Band 48. The radio frequency front-end can operate with carrier aggregation using one or more UHB carrier frequencies to provide flexibility in widening bandwidth for uplink and/or downlink communications.

BACKGROUND

Field

Embodiments of the invention relate to electronic systems, and in particular, to radio frequency electronics.

Description of Related Technology

Radio frequency (RF) communication systems can be used for transmitting and/or receiving signals of a wide range of frequencies. For example, an RF communication system can be used to wirelessly communicate RF signals in a frequency range of about 30 kHz to 300 GHz, such as in the range of about 450 MHz to about 6 GHz for certain communications standards.

Examples of RF communication systems include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, base stations, network access points, customer-premises equipment (CPE), laptops, and wearable electronics.

SUMMARY

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device. The wireless device includes a plurality of antennas including a first primary antenna, a second primary antenna, a first diversity antenna, and a second diversity antenna, a transceiver, and a radio frequency front end system electrically coupled between the transceiver and the plurality of antennas. The radio frequency front end system includes a plurality of ultrahigh band modules each configured to output an ultrahigh band transmit signal having a frequency content greater than about 3 gigahertz, the plurality of ultrahigh band modules including a first ultrahigh band module electrically coupled to the first primary antenna, a second ultrahigh band module electrically coupled to the second primary antenna, a third ultrahigh band module electrically coupled to the first diversity antenna, and a fourth ultrahigh band module electrically coupled to the second diversity antenna.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system further includes a shared power management circuit configured to provide a common power amplifier supply voltage to the plurality of ultrahigh band modules.

In various embodiments, the radio frequency front end system further includes at least one radio frequency module configured to process a plurality of radio frequency signals having a frequency content of less than about 3 gigahertz, the transceiver being shared by the plurality of ultrahigh band modules and the at least one radio frequency module. According to a number of embodiments, the plurality of radio frequency signals include at least one low band signal having a frequency content of less than about 1 gigahertz, at least one mid band signal having a frequency content between about 1 gigahertz and about 2.3 gigahertz, and at least one high band signal having a frequency content between about 2.3 gigahertz and about 3 gigahertz. In accordance with several embodiments, the at least one radio frequency module includes a high band module, the radio frequency front end system further including a shared power management circuit configured to provide a common power amplifier supply voltage to the plurality of ultrahigh band modules and to the high band module.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system is operable to provide antenna swapping for one or more ultrahigh frequency bands without an antenna swap switch.

In various embodiments, each of the plurality of ultrahigh band modules are each further configured to process an ultrahigh band receive signal.

In a number of embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band modules are operable to support uplink carrier aggregation using one or more ultrahigh frequency carriers.

In several embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band modules includes at least one power amplifier with integrated duplexer module.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of ultrahigh band modules is configured to provide radio frequency signal processing in a frequency range between about 3.4 gigahertz and about 3.8 gigahertz.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency front end system. The radio frequency front end system includes a plurality of antenna terminals including a first primary antenna terminal, a second primary antenna terminal, a first diversity antenna terminal, and a second diversity antenna terminal. The radio frequency front end system further includes a plurality of ultrahigh band modules electrically coupled to the plurality of antenna terminals and each configured to output an ultrahigh band transmit signal having a frequency content greater than about 3 gigahertz. The plurality of ultrahigh band modules including a first ultrahigh band module electrically coupled to the first primary antenna terminal, a second ultrahigh band module electrically coupled to the second primary antenna terminal, a third ultrahigh band module electrically coupled to the first diversity antenna terminal, and a fourth ultrahigh band module electrically coupled to the second diversity antenna terminal.

In several embodiments, the radio frequency front end system further includes a shared power management circuit configured to provide a common power amplifier supply voltage to the plurality of ultrahigh band modules.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system further includes at least one radio frequency module configured to process a plurality of radio frequency signals having a frequency content of less than about 3 gigahertz. According to a number of embodiments, the plurality of radio frequency signals include at least one low band signal having a frequency content of less than about 1 gigahertz, at least one mid band signal having a frequency content between about 1 gigahertz and about 2.3 gigahertz, and at least one high band signal having a frequency content between about 2.3 gigahertz and about 3 gigahertz. In accordance with various embodiments, the at least one radio frequency module includes a high band module, the radio frequency front end system further comprising a shared power management circuit configured to provide a common power amplifier supply voltage to the plurality of ultrahigh band modules and to the high band module.

In several embodiments, each of the plurality of ultrahigh band modules are each further configured to process an ultrahigh band receive signal.

In a number of embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band modules are operable to support uplink carrier aggregation using one or more ultrahigh frequency carriers.

In various embodiments, each of the plurality of ultrahigh band modules is configured to provide radio frequency signal processing in a frequency range between about 3.4 gigahertz and about 3.8 gigahertz.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system is implemented on a phone board.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of radio frequency signal communication. The method includes generating four or more ultrahigh band transmit signals each having a frequency content greater than about 3 gigahertz using four or more ultrahigh band modules of a wireless device, each of the four or more ultrahigh band modules outputting a corresponding one of the four or more ultrahigh band transmit signals. The method further includes transmitting the four or more ultrahigh band transmit signals using four or more antennas of the wireless device, the four or more antennas including at least two primary antennas and at least two diversity antennas. The method further includes powering the four or more ultrahigh band transmit signals using a common power amplifier supply voltage.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device. The wireless device includes a plurality of antennas including a first primary antenna, a second primary antenna, a first diversity antenna and a second diversity antenna, a transceiver, and a radio frequency front end system electrically coupled between the transceiver and the plurality of primary antennas. The radio frequency front end system further includes a plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules including a first ultrahigh band transmit and receive module electrically coupled to the first primary antenna, a second ultrahigh band transmit and receive module electrically coupled to the second primary antenna, a third ultrahigh band transmit and receive module electrically coupled to the first diversity antenna, and a fourth ultrahigh band transmit and receive module electrically coupled to the second diversity antenna.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system further includes a shared power management circuit configured to provide a common power amplifier supply voltage to the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules.

In several embodiments, the wireless device further includes one or more primary modules configured to transmit and receive a plurality of signals via the first primary antenna and the second primary antenna, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules configured to process signals of higher frequency than the one or more primary modules.

According to a number of embodiments, the plurality of signals include at least one low band radio frequency signal, at least one mid band radio frequency signal, and at least one high band radio frequency signal.

In accordance with various embodiments, the transceiver is shared between the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules and the one or more primary modules. According to a some embodiments, the wireless device further includes one or more diversity modules configured to receive a plurality of diversity signals via the first diversity antenna and the second diversity antenna, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules configured to process signals of higher frequency than the one or more diversity modules. In accordance with a number of embodiments, the plurality of diversity signals include at least one low band radio frequency signal, at least one mid band radio frequency signal, and at least one high band radio frequency signal. According to several embodiments, the transceiver is shared between the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules, the one or more primary modules, and the one or more diversity modules.

According to a number of embodiment, the one or more primary modules includes a high band module, the radio frequency front end system further including a shared power management circuit configured to provide a common power amplifier supply voltage to the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules and to the high band module.

In several embodiments, the radio frequency front end system is operable to provide antenna swapping for one or more ultrahigh frequency bands without an antenna swap switch.

In some embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules are operable to support four-by-four downlink multi-input and multi-output communications on one or more ultrahigh frequency bands.

In various embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules are operable to support four-by-four uplink multi-input and multi-output communications on one or more ultrahigh frequency bands.

In a number of embodiments, a frequency content of the one or more ultrahigh frequency bands is between about 3 GHz and about 6 GHz.

In several embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules are operable to support uplink carrier aggregation using one or more ultrahigh frequency carriers.

In some embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules are operable to support uplink carrier aggregation using one or more ultrahigh frequency carriers.

In accordance with a number of embodiments, a frequency content of the one or more ultrahigh frequency carriers is between about 3 GHz and about 6 GHz.

In several embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band modules includes a plurality of power amplifier with integrated duplexer modules.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency front end system for a wireless device. The radio frequency front end system includes a plurality of antenna terminals including a first primary antenna terminal, a second primary antenna terminal, a first diversity antenna terminal, and a second diversity antenna terminal. The radio frequency front end system further includes a plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules electrically coupled to the plurality of antenna terminals, including a first ultrahigh band transmit and receive module electrically coupled to the first primary antenna terminal, a second ultrahigh band transmit and receive module electrically coupled to the second primary antenna terminal, a third ultrahigh band transmit and receive module electrically coupled to the first diversity antenna terminal, and a fourth ultrahigh band transmit and receive module electrically coupled to the second diversity antenna terminal.

In various embodiments, the radio frequency front end system further includes a shared power management circuit configured to provide a common power amplifier supply voltage to the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules.

In several embodiments, the radio frequency front end system further includes one or more primary modules configured to transmit and receive a plurality of signals via the first primary antenna terminal and the second primary antenna terminal, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules configured to process signals of higher frequency than the one or more primary modules.

According to a number of embodiments, the plurality of signals include at least one low band radio frequency signal, at least one mid band radio frequency signal, and at least one high band radio frequency signal.

In accordance with several embodiments, the radio frequency front end system further includes one or more diversity modules configured to receive a plurality of diversity signals via the first diversity antenna terminal and the second diversity antenna terminal, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules configured to process signals of higher frequency than the one or more diversity modules.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of diversity signals include at least one low band radio frequency signal, at least one mid band radio frequency signal, and at least one high band radio frequency signal.

In accordance with some embodiments, the one or more primary modules includes a high band module, the radio frequency front end system further including a shared power management circuit configured to provide a common power amplifier supply voltage to the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules and to the high band module.

In several embodiments, the radio frequency front end system is operable to provide antenna swapping for one or more ultrahigh frequency bands without an antenna swap switch.

In various embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules are operable to support four-by-four downlink multi-input and multi-output communications on one or more ultrahigh frequency bands.

In some embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules are operable to support four-by-four uplink multi-input and multi-output communications on one or more ultrahigh frequency bands. According to several embodiments, a frequency content of the one or more ultrahigh frequency bands is between about 3 GHz and about 6 GHz.

In a number of embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules are operable to support uplink carrier aggregation using one or more ultrahigh frequency carriers.

In some embodiments, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules are operable to support uplink carrier aggregation using one or more ultrahigh frequency carriers. According to several embodiments, a frequency content of the one or more ultrahigh frequency carriers is between about 3 GHz and about 6 GHz.

In various embodiments, plurality of ultrahigh band modules includes a plurality of power amplifier with integrated duplexer modules.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a phone board for wireless device. The phone board includes a printed circuit board substrate. The phone board further includes a plurality of antennas attached to the printed circuit board substrate, the plurality of antennas including a first primary antenna, a second primary antenna, a first diversity antenna, and a second diversity antenna. The phone board further includes a plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules attached to the printed circuit board substrate and electrically coupled to the plurality of antennas. The phone board further includes a shared power management circuit attached to the printed circuit board substrate and configured to provide a common power amplifier supply voltage to the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules.

In some embodiments, the first primary antenna and the second primary antenna are located on a first side of the printed circuit board substrate, and the first diversity antenna and the second diversity antenna are located on a second side of the printed circuit board substrate opposite the first side.

In various embodiments, the phone board further includes one or more primary modules attached to the printed circuit board substrate and configured to transmit and receive a plurality of signals via the first primary antenna and the second primary antenna, the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules configured to process signals of higher frequency than the one or more primary modules.

According to several embodiments, the plurality of signals include at least one low band radio frequency signal, at least one mid band radio frequency signal, and at least one high band radio frequency signal.

In accordance with some embodiments, the phone board further includes a transceiver attached to the printed circuit board substrate and shared between the plurality of ultrahigh band transmit and receive modules and the one or more primary modules.

According to a number of embodiments, the one or more primary modules includes a high band module, the shared power management circuit further configured to provide the common power amplifier supply voltage to the high band module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for global issues concerning information and communication technologies, including the shared global use of radio spectrum.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaboration between groups of telecommunications standard bodies across the world, such as the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB), the Telecommunications Technology Committee (TTC), the China Communications Standards Association (CCSA), the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA), the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), and the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI).

Working within the scope of the ITU, 3GPP develops and maintains technical specifications for a variety of mobile communication technologies, including, for example, second generation (2G) technology (for instance, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE)), third generation (3G) technology (for instance, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and High Speed Packet Access (HSPA)), and fourth generation (4G) technology (for instance, Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced).

The technical specifications controlled by 3GPP can be expanded and revised by specification releases, which can span multiple years and specify a breadth of new features and evolutions.

In one example, 3GPP introduced carrier aggregation (CA) for LTE in Release 10. Although initially introduced with two downlink carriers, 3GPP expanded carrier aggregation in Release 14 to include up to five downlink carriers and up to three uplink carriers. Other examples of new features and evolutions provided by 3GPP releases include, but are not limited to, License Assisted Access (LAA), enhanced LAA (eLAA), Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IOT), Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), and High Power User Equipment (HPUE).

3GPP plans to introduce Phase 1 of fifth generation (5G) technology in Release 15 (targeted for 2018) and Phase 2 of 5G technology in Release 16 (targeted for 2019). Release 15 is anticipated to address 5G communications at less than 6 GHz, while Release 16 is anticipated to address communications at 6 GHz and higher. Subsequent 3GPP releases will further evolve and expand 5G technology. 5G technology is also referred to herein as 5G New Radio (NR).

Preliminary specifications for 5G NR support a variety of features, such as communications over millimeter wave spectrum, beam forming capability, high spectral efficiency waveforms, low latency communications, multiple radio numerology, and/or non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA). Although such RF functionalities offer flexibility to networks and enhance user data rates, supporting such features can pose a number of technical challenges.

The teachings herein are applicable to a wide variety of communication systems, including, but not limited to, communication systems using advanced cellular technologies, such as LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, and/or 5G NR.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram of one example of a communication network10. The communication network10includes a macro cell base station1, a mobile device2, a small cell base station3, and a stationary wireless device4.

The illustrated communication network10ofFIG. 1supports communications using a variety of technologies, including, for example, 4G LTE, 5G NR, and wireless local area network (WLAN), such as Wi-Fi. Although various examples of supported communication technologies are shown, the communication network10can be adapted to support a wide variety of communication technologies.

Various communication links of the communication network10have been depicted inFIG. 1. The communication links can be duplexed in a wide variety of ways, including, for example, using frequency-division duplexing (FDD) and/or time-division duplexing (TDD). FDD is a type of radio frequency communications that uses different frequencies for transmitting and receiving signals. FDD can provide a number of advantages, such as high data rates and low latency. In contrast, TDD is a type of radio frequency communications that uses about the same frequency for transmitting and receiving signals, and in which transmit and receive communications are switched in time. TDD can provide a number of advantages, such as efficient use of spectrum and variable allocation of throughput between transmit and receive directions.

As shown inFIG. 1, the mobile device2communicates with the macro cell base station1over a communication link that uses a combination of 4G LTE and 5G NR technologies. The mobile device2also communications with the small cell base station3. In the illustrated example, the mobile device2and small cell base station3communicate over a communication link that uses 5G NR, 4G LTE, and Wi-Fi technologies. In certain implementations, enhanced license assisted access (eLAA) is used to aggregate one or more licensed frequency carriers (for instance, licensed 4G LTE and/or 5G NR frequencies), with one or more unlicensed carriers (for instance, unlicensed Wi-Fi frequencies).

In certain implementations, the mobile device2communicates with the macro cell base station2and the small cell base station3using 5G NR technology over one or more frequency bands that are less than 6 Gigahertz (GHz) and/or over one or more frequency bands that are greater than 6 GHz. In one embodiment, the mobile device2supports a HPUE power class specification.

The illustrated small cell base station3also communicates with a stationary wireless device4. The small cell base station3can be used, for example, to provide broadband service using 5G NR technology. In certain implementations, the small cell base station3communicates with the stationary wireless device4over one or more millimeter wave frequency bands in the frequency range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and/or upper centimeter wave frequency bands in the frequency range of 24 GHz to 30 GHz.

In certain implementations, the small cell base station3communicates with the stationary wireless device4using beamforming. For example, beamforming can be used to focus signal strength to overcome path losses, such as high loss associated with communicating over millimeter wave frequencies.

The communication network10ofFIG. 1includes the macro cell base station1and the small cell base station3. In certain implementations, the small cell base station3can operate with relatively lower power, shorter range, and/or with fewer concurrent users relative to the macro cell base station1. The small cell base station3can also be referred to as a femtocell, a picocell, or a microcell.

Although the communication network10is illustrated as including two base stations, the communication network10can be implemented to include more or fewer base stations and/or base stations of other types.

The communication network10ofFIG. 1is illustrated as including one mobile device and one stationary wireless device. The mobile device2and the stationary wireless device4illustrate two examples of user devices or user equipment (UE). Although the communication network10is illustrated as including two user devices, the communication network10can be used to communicate with more or fewer user devices and/or user devices of other types. For example, user devices can include mobile phones, tablets, laptops, IoT devices, wearable electronics, and/or a wide variety of other communications devices.

User devices of the communication network10can share available network resources (for instance, available frequency spectrum) in a wide variety of ways.

In one example, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) is used to divide a frequency band into multiple frequency carriers. Additionally, one or more carriers are allocated to a particular user. Examples of FDMA include, but are not limited to, single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) and orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA). OFDM is a multicarrier technology that subdivides the available bandwidth into multiple mutually orthogonal narrowband subcarriers, which can be separately assigned to different users.

Other examples of shared access include, but are not limited to, time division multiple access (TDMA) in which a user is allocated particular time slots for using a frequency resource, code division multiple access (CDMA) in which a frequency resource is shared amongst different users by assigning each user device a unique code, space-divisional multiple access (SDMA) in which beamforming is used to provide shared access by spatial division, and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in which the power domain is used for multiple access. For example, NOMA can be used to serve multiple user devices at the same frequency, time, and/or code, but with different power levels.

Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) refers to technology for growing system capacity of LTE networks. For example, eMBB can refer to communications with a peak data rate of at least 10 Gbps and a minimum of 100 Mbps for each user device. Ultra-reliable low latency communications (uRLLC) refers to technology for communication with very low latency, for instance, less than 2 milliseconds. uRLLC can be used for mission-critical communications such as for autonomous driving and/or remote surgery applications. Massive machine-type communications (mMTC) refers to low cost and low data rate communications associated with wireless connections to everyday objects, such as those associated with Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

The communication network10ofFIG. 1can be used to support a wide variety of advanced communication features, including, but not limited to eMBB, uRLLC, and/or mMTC.

A peak data rate of a communication link (for instance, between a base station and a user device) depends on a variety of factors. For example, peak data rate can be affected by channel bandwidth, modulation order, a number of component carriers, and/or a number of antennas used for communications.

For instance, in certain implementations, a data rate of a communication link can be about equal to M*B*log2(1+S/N), where M is the number of communication channels, B is the channel bandwidth, and S/N is the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Accordingly, data rate of a communication link can be increased by increasing the number of communication channels (for instance, transmitting and receiving using multiple antennas), using wider bandwidth (for instance, by aggregating carriers), and/or improving SNR (for instance, by increasing transmit power and/or improving receiver sensitivity).

5G NR communication systems can employ a wide variety of techniques for enhancing data rate and/or communication performance.

FIG. 2Ais a schematic diagram of one example of a communication link using carrier aggregation. Carrier aggregation can be used to widen bandwidth of the communication link by supporting communications over multiple frequency carriers, thereby increasing user data rates and enhancing network capacity by utilizing fragmented spectrum allocations.

In the illustrated example, the communication link is provided between a base station21and a mobile device22. As shown inFIG. 2A, the communications link includes a downlink channel used for RF communications from the base station21to the mobile device22, and an uplink channel used for RF communications from the mobile device22to the base station21.

AlthoughFIG. 2Aillustrates carrier aggregation in the context of FDD communications, carrier aggregation can also be used for TDD communications.

In certain implementations, a communication link can provide asymmetrical data rates for a downlink channel and an uplink channel. For example, a communication link can be used to support a relatively high downlink data rate to enable high speed streaming of multimedia content to a mobile device, while providing a relatively slower data rate for uploading data from the mobile device to the cloud.

In the illustrated example, the base station21and the mobile device22communicate via carrier aggregation, which can be used to selectively increase bandwidth of the communication link. Carrier aggregation includes contiguous aggregation, in which contiguous carriers within the same operating frequency band are aggregated. Carrier aggregation can also be non-contiguous, and can include carriers separated in frequency within a common band or in different bands.

In the example shown inFIG. 2A, the uplink channel includes three aggregated component carriers fUL1, fUL2, and fUL3. Additionally, the downlink channel includes five aggregated component carriers fDL1, fDL2, fDL3, fDL4, and fDL5. Although one example of component carrier aggregation is shown, more or fewer carriers can be aggregated for uplink and/or downlink. Moreover, a number of aggregated carriers can be varied over time to achieve desired uplink and downlink data rates.

For example, a number of aggregated carriers for uplink and/or downlink communications with respect to a particular mobile device can change over time. For example, the number of aggregated carriers can change as the device moves through the communication network and/or as network usage changes over time.

FIG. 2Billustrates various examples of carrier aggregation for the communication link ofFIG. 2A.FIG. 2Bincludes a first carrier aggregation scenario31, a second carrier aggregation scenario32, and a third carrier aggregation scenario33, which schematically depict three types of carrier aggregation.

The carrier aggregation scenarios31-33illustrate different spectrum allocations for a first component carrier fcc1, a second component carrier fcc2, and a third component carrier fcc3. AlthoughFIG. 2Bis illustrated in the context of aggregating three component carriers, carrier aggregation can be used to aggregate more or fewer carriers.

The first carrier aggregation scenario31illustrates intra-band contiguous carrier aggregation, in which component carriers that are adjacent in frequency and in a common frequency band are aggregated. For example, the first carrier aggregation scenario31depicts aggregation of component carriers fcc1, fcc2, and fcc3that are contiguous and located within a first frequency band BAND1.

With continuing reference toFIG. 2B, the second carrier aggregation scenario32illustrates intra-band non-continuous carrier aggregation, in which two or more components carriers that are non-adjacent in frequency and within a common frequency band are aggregated. For example, the second carrier aggregation scenario32depicts aggregation of component carriers fcc1, fcc2, and fcc3that are non-contiguous, but located within a first frequency band BAND1.

The third carrier aggregation scenario33illustrates inter-band non-contiguous carrier aggregation, in which component carriers that are non-adjacent in frequency and in multiple frequency bands are aggregated. For example, the third carrier aggregation scenario33depicts aggregation of component carriers fcc1and fcc2of a first frequency band BAND1 with component carrier fcc3of a second frequency band BAND2.

With reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B, the individual component carriers used in carrier aggregation can be of a variety of frequencies, including, for example, frequency carriers in the same band or in multiple bands. Additionally, carrier aggregation is applicable to implementations in which the individual component carriers are of about the same bandwidth as well as to implementations in which the individual component carriers have different bandwidths.

Certain communication networks allocate a particular user device with a primary component carrier (PCC) or anchor carrier for uplink and a PCC for downlink. Additionally, when the mobile device communicates using a single frequency carrier for uplink or downlink, the user device communicates using the PCC. To enhance bandwidth for uplink communications, the uplink PCC can be aggregated with one or more uplink secondary component carriers (SCCs). Additionally, to enhance bandwidth for downlink communications, the downlink PCC can be aggregated with one or more downlink SCCs.

In certain implementations, a communication network provides a network cell for each component carrier. Additionally, a primary cell can operate using a PCC, while a secondary cell can operate using a SCC. The primary and second cells may have different coverage areas, for instance, due to differences in frequencies of carriers and/or network environment.

License assisted access (LAA) refers to downlink carrier aggregation in which a licensed frequency carrier associated with a mobile operator is aggregated with a frequency carrier in unlicensed spectrum, such as Wi-Fi. LAA employs a downlink PCC in the licensed spectrum that carries control and signaling information associated with the communication link, while unlicensed spectrum is aggregated for wider downlink bandwidth when available. LAA can operate with dynamic adjustment of secondary carriers to avoid Wi-Fi users and/or to coexist with Wi-Fi users. Enhanced license assisted access (eLAA) refers to an evolution of LAA that aggregates licensed and unlicensed spectrum for both downlink and uplink.

FIG. 3Ais a schematic diagram of one example of a downlink channel using multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) communications.FIG. 3Bis schematic diagram of one example of an uplink channel using MIMO communications.

MIMO communications use multiple antennas for simultaneously communicating multiple data streams over common frequency spectrum. In certain implementations, the data streams operate with different reference signals to enhance data reception at the receiver. MIMO communications benefit from higher SNR, improved coding, and/or reduced signal interference due to spatial multiplexing differences of the radio environment.

MIMO order refers to a number of separate data streams sent or received. For instance, MIMO order for downlink communications can be described by a number of transmit antennas of a base station and a number of receive antennas for UE, such as a mobile device. For example, two-by-two (2×2) DL MIMO refers to MIMO downlink communications using two base station antennas and two UE antennas. Additionally, four-by-four (4×4) DL MIMO refers to MIMO downlink communications using four base station antennas and four UE antennas.

In the example shown inFIG. 3A, downlink MIMO communications are provided by transmitting using M antennas43a,43b,43c, . . .43mof the base station41and receiving using N antennas44a,44b,44c, . . .44nof the mobile device42. Accordingly,FIG. 3Aillustrates an example of M×N DL MIMO.

Likewise, MIMO order for uplink communications can be described by a number of transmit antennas of UE, such as a mobile device, and a number of receive antennas of a base station. For example, 2×2 UL MIMO refers to MIMO uplink communications using two UE antennas and two base station antennas. Additionally, 4×4 UL MIMO refers to MIMO uplink communications using four UE antennas and four base station antennas.

In the example shown inFIG. 3B, uplink MIMO communications are provided by transmitting using N antennas44a,44b,44c, . . .44nof the mobile device42and receiving using M antennas43a,43b,43c, . . .43mof the base station41. Accordingly,FIG. 3Billustrates an example of N×M UL MIMO.

By increasing the level or order of MIMO, bandwidth of an uplink channel and/or a downlink channel can be increased.

MIMO communications are applicable to communication links of a variety of types, such as FDD communication links and TDD communication links.

Examples of Radio Frequency Electronics with Multiple UHB Modules

A radio frequency (RF) communication device can include multiple antennas for supporting wireless communications. Additionally, the RF communication device can include a radio frequency front-end (RFFE) system for processing signals received from and transmitted by the antennas. The RFFE system can provide a number of functions, including, but not limited to, signal filtering, controlling component connectivity to the antennas, and/or signal amplification.

RFFE systems can be used to handle RF signals of a wide variety of types, including, but not limited to, wireless local area network (WLAN) signals, Bluetooth signals, and/or cellular signals.

Additionally, RFFE systems can be used to process signals of a wide range of frequencies. For example, certain RFFE systems can operate using one or more low bands (for example, RF signal bands having a frequency content of 1 GHz or less, also referred to herein as LB), one or more mid bands (for example, RF signal bands having a frequency content between 1 GHz and 2.3 GHz, also referred to herein as MB), one or more high bands (for example, RF signal bands having a frequency content between 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz, also referred to herein as HB), and one or more ultrahigh bands (for example, RF signal bands having a frequency content between 3 GHz and 6 GHz, also referred to herein as UHB).

RFFE systems can be used in a wide variety of RF communication devices, including, but not limited to, smartphones, base stations, laptops, handsets, wearable electronics, and/or tablets.

An RFFE system can be implemented to support a variety of features that enhance bandwidth and/or other performance characteristics of the RF communication device in which the RFFE system is incorporated.

In another example, an RFFE system is implemented to support multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) communications to increase throughput and enhance mobile broadband service. MIMO communications use multiple antennas for communicating multiple data streams over a single radio frequency channel. MIMO communications benefit from higher signal to noise ratio, improved coding, and/or reduced signal interference due to spatial multiplexing differences of the radio environment.

MIMO order refers to a number of separate data streams sent or received. For instance, a MIMO order for downlink communications can be described by a number of transmit antennas of a base station and a number of receive antennas for user equipment (UE), such as a mobile device.

RFFE systems that support carrier aggregation and multi-order MIMO can be used in RF communication devices that operate with wide bandwidth. For example, such RFFE systems can be used in applications servicing multimedia content streaming at high data rates.

Fifth Generation (5G) technology seeks to achieve high peak data rates above 10 Gbps. Certain 5G high-speed communications can be referred to herein as Enhanced Multi-user Broadband (eMBB).

To achieve eMBB data rates, RF spectrum available at millimeter wave frequencies (for instance, 30 GHz and higher) is attractive, but significant technical hurdles are present in managing the loss, signal conditioning, radiative phased array aspects of performance, beam tracking, test, and/or packaging in the handset associated with millimeter wave communications.

The RFFE systems herein can operate using not only LB, MB, and HB frequencies, but also ultrahigh band (UHB) frequencies in the range of about 3 GHz to about 6 GHz, and more particular between about 3.4 GHz and about 3.8 GHz. By communicating using UHB, enhanced peak data rates can be achieved without the technical hurdles associated with millimeter wave communications.

In certain implementations herein, UHB transmit and receive modules are employed for both transmission and reception of UHB signals via at least two primary antennas and at least two diversity antennas, thereby providing both 4×4 RX MIMO and 4×4 TX MIMO with respect to one or more UHB frequency bands, such as Band 42 (about 3.4 GHz to about 3.6 GHz), Band 43 (about 3.6 GHz to about 3.8 GHz), and/or Band 48 (about 3.55 GHz to about 3.7 GHz). Furthermore, in certain configurations, the RFFE systems herein employ carrier aggregation using one or more UHB carrier frequencies, thereby providing flexibility to widen bandwidth for uplink and/or downlink communications.

By enabling high-order MIMO and/or carrier aggregation features using UHB spectrum, enhanced data rates can be achieved. Additionally, rather than using dedicated 5G antennas and a separate transceiver, shared antennas and/or a shared transceiver (for example, a semiconductor die including a shared transceiver fabricated thereon) can be used for both 5G UHB communications and 4G/LTE communications associated with HB, MB, and/or LB. Thus, 4G/LTE communications systems can be extended to support sub-6 GHz 5G capabilities with a relatively small impact to system size and/or cost.

FIG. 4Ais a schematic diagram of an RF system100according to one embodiment. The RF system100includes a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) or transceiver103, a front-end system104and antennas121-124. In certain implementations, the antenna121is a first primary antenna, the antenna122is a second primary antenna, the antenna123is a first diversity antenna, and the antenna124is a second diversity antenna.

Although the RF system100is depicted as including certain components, other implementations are possible, including, but not limited to, implementations using other numbers of antennas, different implementations of components, and/or additional components.

The front-end system104includes a first UHB module111, a second UHB module112, a third UHB module113, and a fourth UHB module114. The front-end system104further includes separate antenna terminals for coupling to each of the antennas121-124.

Thus, the front-end system104ofFIG. 4Aincludes multiple UHB modules for supporting communications of UHB signals across multiple antennas. For example, in certain implementations, the UHB modules111-114are configured to transmit and receive UHB signals via the antennas121-124, respectively. Accordingly, broadband communications via UHB frequency carriers can be achieved.

For clarity of the figures, the front end system104is depicted as including only the UHB modules111-114. However, the front end system104typically includes additionally components and circuits, for example, modules associated with LB, MB, and/or HB cellular communications. Furthermore, modules can be included for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and/or other non-cellular communications.

FIG. 4Bis a schematic diagram of an RF system130according to another embodiment. The RF system130includes a transceiver103, a front-end system106, a first primary antenna121, a second primary antenna122, a first diversity antenna123, a second diversity antenna124, a first cross-UE cable161, and a second cross-UE cable162. As shown inFIG. 4B, the front-end system106includes a first UHB module111, a second UHB module112, a third UHB module113, a fourth UHB module114, and a power management circuit125. The front-end system106further includes a first primary antenna terminal for coupling to the first primary antenna121, a second primary antenna terminal for coupling to the second primary antenna122, a first diversity antenna terminal for coupling to the first diversity antenna123, and a second diversity antenna terminal for coupling to the second diversity antenna124.

As shown inFIG. 4B, the first UHB module111and the second UHB module112communicate using the first primary antenna121and the second primary antenna122, respectively, and are connected to the transceiver103without the use of cross-UE cables. Additionally, the third UHB module113and the fourth UHB module114communicate using the first diversity antenna123and the second diversity antenna124, respectively, and are connected to the transceiver103using the first cross-UE cable161and the second cross-UE cable162, respectively.

To reduce the statistical correlation between received signals, the primary antennas121-122and the diversity antennas123-124can be separated by a relatively large physical distance in the RF system130. For example, the diversity antennas123-124can be positioned near the top of the device and the primary antennas121-122can be positioned near the bottom of the device, or vice-versa. Additionally, the transceiver103can be positioned near the primary antennas121-122and primary modules to enhance performance of primary communications.

Accordingly, in certain implementations, the UHB modules113-114and diversity antennas123-124can be located at relatively far physical distance from the transceiver103and connected to the transceiver103via cross-UE cables161-162, respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front-end system106further includes a shared power management circuit125used to provide a supply voltage, such as a power amplifier supply voltage, to the UHB modules111-114.

Providing power to the UHB modules111-114using the shared power management circuit125can provide a number of advantages, including, for example, high integration, reduced component count, and/or lower cost.

In certain implementations, the shared power management circuit125operates using average power tracking (APT), in which the voltage level of the supply voltage provided by the shared power management circuit125is substantially fixed over a given communication time slot. In certain implementations, the supply voltage has a relatively high voltage, and thus operates with a corresponding low current. Thus, although the UHB modules111-114can be distributed across the device over relatively wide distances and connected using resistive cables and/or conductors, power or I2*R losses can be relatively small.

Accordingly, the shared power management circuit125can provide high integration with relatively low power loss.

FIG. 4Cis a schematic diagram of an RF system170according to another embodiment. The RF system170includes a transceiver103, a front-end system134, a first primary antenna121, a second primary antenna122, a first diversity antenna123, a second diversity antenna124, a first cross-UE cable161, a second cross-UE cable162, and a third cross-UE cable163.

The illustrated RF system170is used to transmit and receive signals of a wide variety of frequency bands, including LB, MB, HB, and UHB cellular signals. For example, the RF system170can process one or more LB signals having a frequency content of 1 GHz or less, one or more MB signals having a frequency content between 1 GHz and 2.3 GHz, one or more HB signals having a frequency content between 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz, and one or more UHB signals have a frequency content between 3 GHz and 6 GHz. Examples of LB frequencies include, but are not limited to Band 8, Band 20, and Band 26. Examples of MB frequencies include, but are not limited to, Band 1, Band 3, Band 4, and Band 66. Examples of HB frequencies include, but are not limited to, Band 7, Band 38, and Band 41. Examples of UHB frequencies include, but are not limited to, Band 42, Band 43, and Band 48.

The illustrated front-end system134includes one or more primary modules145used for transmitting and receive HB, MB, and/or LB signals via the primary antennas121-122. Although illustrated as a single block, the primary modules145can include multiple modules collectively used to transmit and receive HB, MB, and/or LB signals via the first primary antenna121and the second primary antenna122. Additionally, in certain implementations, the first primary antenna121and the second primary antenna122can be used for communicating over certain frequency ranges. For instance, in one example, the second primary antenna122supports LB communications but the first primary antenna121does not support LB communications.

With continuing reference toFIG. 4C, the front-end system134further includes one or more diversity modules146used for receiving HB, MB, and/or LB diversity signals via the diversity antennas123-124. In certain implementations, the diversity modules146operate to receive but not transmit diversity signals. In other implementations, the diversity modules146also can be used for transmitting HB, MB, and/or LB signals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front-end system134further includes a first UHB transmit and receive (TX/RX) module141electrically coupled to the first primary antenna121, a second UHB transmit and receive module142electrically coupled to the second primary antenna122, a third UHB transmit and receive module143electrically coupled to the first diversity antenna123, and a fourth UHB transmit and receive module144electrically coupled to the second diversity antenna124. The front-end system134further includes a first primary antenna terminal for coupling to the first primary antenna121, a second primary antenna terminal for coupling to the second primary antenna122, a first diversity antenna terminal for coupling to the first diversity antenna123, and a second diversity antenna terminal for coupling to the second diversity antenna124.

In the illustrated embodiment, the UHB transmit and receive modules141-144support transmit and receive of one or more UHB frequency bands, including, but not limited to, Band 42, Band 43, and/or Band 48.

Accordingly, the UHB transmit and receive modules141-144can be used to support 4×4 RX MIMO for UHB, 4×4 TX MIMO for UHB, and/or carrier aggregation using one or more UHB frequency carriers. Carrier aggregation using UHB frequency spectrum can include not only carrier aggregation using two or more UHB frequency carriers, but also carrier aggregation using one or more UHB frequency carriers and one or more non-HB frequency carriers, such as HB and/or MB frequency carriers.

In certain communications networks, a user demand for high downlink data rates can exceed a demand for high uplink data rates. For instance, UEs of the network, such as smartphones, may desire high speed downloading of multimedia content, but uploading relatively little data to the cloud. This in turn, can lead to the network operating with a relatively low UL to DL time slot ratio and limited opportunities for UL communications.

However, DL data rate of a network can be limited or bottlenecked by an UL data rate. For instance, in certain networks, UL data rate must stay within about 5% of DL data rate to support control, acknowledgement, and other overhead associated with the communication link. Accordingly, higher DL data rates can be achieved by increasing UL data rate.

The front-end system134ofFIG. 4Cincludes UHB transmit and receive modules that advantageously support both transmission and reception of UHB signals. Accordingly, broadband UL communications via UHB frequency carriers can be achieved, thereby enhancing UL data rate and providing sufficient UL bandwidth to support overhead associated with very high data rate DL communications.

The illustrated RF system170advantageously includes four transmit capable UHB transmit and receive modules141-144coupled to the antennas121-124, respectively. Thus, both transmit and receive are equally available at each of the antennas121-124for UHB communications. Thus, antenna swap can be accomplished without a swap switch to redirect a trace or route. For example, antenna selection can be achieved by controlling whether or not each UHB transmit and receive module is transmitting or receiving. Accordingly, the RF system170achieves antenna swap functionality for UHB without using any antenna swap switch.

In the illustrated embodiment, a shared or common transceiver103is used for both 4G/LTE communications using HB, MB, and LB frequencies, and also for UHB communications supporting sub-6GHz 5G. Thus, rather than using a separate or dedicated 5G front-end and antenna interface, the shared transceiver103is used for both 4G/LTE communications via HB, MB, and LB frequencies and 5G UHB communications.

The illustrated RF system170also employs diversity communications to enhance performance. To reduce the correlation between received signals, the primary antennas121-122and the diversity antennas123-124can be separated by a relatively large physical distance in the RF system170. For example, the diversity antennas123-124can be positioned near the top of the device and the primary antennas121-122can be positioned near the bottom of the device or vice-versa. Additionally, the transceiver103can be positioned near the primary antennas121-122and primary modules to enhance performance of primary communications.

Accordingly, in certain implementations, the UHB transmit and receive modules143-144, the diversity module(s)146, and the diversity antennas123-124can be located at relatively far physical distance from the transceiver103and connected to the transceiver103via cross-UE cables161-163. Additionally, the UHB transmit and receive modules141-144can be distributed and/or placed in remote locations around the RF system170. Although three cross-UE cables are illustrated, more or fewer cross-UE cables can be included as indicated by the ellipsis.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front-end system134further includes a power management circuit155. In certain implementations, the power management circuit155is used to provide a supply voltage, such as a power amplifier supply voltage, which is shared by multiple components including the UHB transmit and receive modules141-144.

Providing power to the UHB transmit and receive modules141-144using a shared power management circuit can provide a number of advantages, including, for example, high integration, reduced component count, and/or lower cost.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram of an RF system200according to another embodiment. The RF system200includes a first primary antenna121, a second primary antenna122, a first diversity antenna123, a second diversity antenna124, a first power management unit (PMU)201, a second PMU202, a transceiver or RFIC203, a first primary antenna diplexer204, a second primary antenna diplexer205, a first diversity antenna triplexer206, a second diversity antenna triplexer207, a first HB/MB diplexer208, a second HB/MB diplexer209, a MIMO/UHB diplexer210, a diversity diplexer211, a multi-throw switch212, a HB TDD filter213, a first UHB power amplifier with integrated duplexer (PAiD) module221, a second UHB PAiD module222, a third UHB PAiD module223, a fourth UHB PAiD module224, a HB PAiD module225, a MB PAiD module226, a LB PAiD module227, an UL CA and MIMO module228, a MB/HB MIMO diversity receive (DRx) module229, a UHB/MB/HB DRx module230, a LB DRx module231, a 2G power amplifier module (PAM)232, a first cross-UE cable271, a second cross-UE cable272, a third cross-UE cable273, a fourth cross-UE cable274, a fifth cross-UE cable275, a sixth cross-UE cable276, and a seventh cross-UE cable277.

The RF system200includes an RFFE that provides full sub-6 GHz 5G capability provided by four remote placements of UHB PAiD modules221-224. Although one specific embodiment of an RF system with UHB modules is shown, the teachings herein are applicable to RF electronics implemented in a wide variety of ways. Accordingly, other implementations are possible.

As shown inFIG. 5, the first UHB PAiD module221is coupled to the first primary antenna121, and the second UHB PAiD module222is coupled to the second primary antenna122. Additionally, the third UHB PAiD module223is coupled to the first diversity antenna123, and the fourth UHB PAiD module224is coupled to the second diversity antenna124. Accordingly, one UHB PAiD module is included for each of the four antennas of this embodiment.

In certain implementations, the UHB PAiD modules221-224support transmit and receive of one or more UHB frequency bands, including, but not limited to, Band 42, Band 43, and/or Band 48.

As will be described below, the first PMU201and the second PMU202are used to provide power management to certain modules. For clarity of the figures, a connection from each PMU to the modules it powers is omitted fromFIG. 5to avoid obscuring the drawing.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first PMU201operates as a shared power management circuit for the first UHB PAiD module221, the second UHB PAiD module222, the third UHB PAiD module223, and the fourth UHB PAiD module224. The first PMU201can be used, for example, to control a power supply voltage level of the UHB PAiD modules' power amplifiers. Additionally, the first PMU201is also shared with the HB PAiD module225, which transmits and receives HB signals on the first primary antenna121and the second primary antenna122, and with the UL CA and MIMO module228used for enhancing MIMO order and a maximum number of supported carriers for carrier aggregation. Thus, the first PMU201provides a shared power supply voltage to the UHB PAiD modules221-224, the HB PAiD module225, and the UL CA and MIMO module228, in this embodiment.

By sharing the first PMU201in this manner, a common power management scheme, such as fixed supply wide bandwidth average power tracking (APT), can be advantageously used for the modules.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second PMU202generates a shared power supply voltage used by the MB PAiD226and by the LB PAiD module227.

In certain implementations, the diversity modules and diversity antennas can be located at relatively far physical distance from the RFIC203, and connected to the RFIC203via cross-UE cables271-277. Thus, the UHB PAiD modules221-224can be placed in remote locations around the UE phone board.

In certain embodiments herein, a PMU is shared between at least one UHB module and at least one a HB module or a MB module.

The illustrated RF system200ofFIG. 5advantageously includes four transmit capable UHB PAiD modules221-224coupled to four separate antennas121-124, respectively, and thus both transmit and receive are equally available at each antenna for UHB communications.

Accordingly, antenna swap can be accomplished without a swap switch to redirect a trace or route. For example, antenna selection can be achieved by controlling which UHB power amplifier(s) of the UHB PAiD modules221-224are enabled. Similarly, with respect to receive, the antenna selection can be made by controlling which UHB low noise amplifier(s) of the UHB PAiD modules221-224are turned on. Thus, in this embodiment, antenna swap functionality is achieved without using any antenna swap switch.

In certain implementations, the RFIC ofFIG. 5can provide beam steering and/or different data streams through digital baseband control of a relative phase difference between signals provided to the UHB PAiD modules221-224.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first primary antenna diplexer204operates to diplex between UHB frequencies and MB/HB frequencies. Additionally, the second primary antenna diplexer205operates to diplex between MB/HB/UHB frequencies and LB frequencies. Furthermore, the first diversity antenna triplexer206operates to triplex between UHB frequencies, MB/HB frequencies, and 2 GHz/5 GHz Wi-Fi frequencies. Additionally, the second diversity antenna triplexer207operates to triplex between UHB frequencies, LB/HB/MB frequencies, and 2 GHz/5 GHz Wi-Fi frequencies. For clarity of the figures, Wi-Fi modules connected to the first diversity antenna triplexer206and to the second diversity antenna triplexer207are not illustrated.

With continuing reference toFIG. 5, the first HB/MB diplexer208operates to diplex between a first group of HB frequencies (for example, Band 30 and/or Band 40) and MB frequencies. Additionally, the second HB/MB diplexer209operates to diplex between a second group of HB frequencies (for example, Band 7 and/or Band 41) and MB frequencies. Furthermore, the MIMO/UHB diplexer210operates to diplex between MB/HB frequencies and UHB frequencies. Additionally, the diversity diplexer211operates to diplex between MB/HB frequencies and LB frequencies.

In the illustrated embodiment, the RFIC203includes a first RX UHB terminal241, a first TX UHB terminal242, a first RX HB terminal243, a second RX HB terminal244, a TX HB terminal245, a first RX MB terminal246, a second RX MB terminal247, a first TX MB terminal248, a 2G TX MB terminal249, a 2G RX MB terminal250, a first RX LB terminal251, a second RX LB terminal252, a TX LB terminal253, a second TX MB terminal254, a third RX MB terminal255, a fourth RX MB terminal256, a third RX HB terminal257, a fourth RX HB terminal258, a second RX UHB terminal259, a second TX UHB terminal260, a third TX UHB terminal261, a fourth TX UHB terminal262, a first shared RX UHB/HB terminal263, a second shared RX UHB/HB terminal264, a first shared RX MB/HB terminal265, a second shared RX MB/HB terminal266, and a LB RX terminal267. As shown inFIG. 5, certain terminals are shared across multiple bands to share resources and/or reduce signal routes (for instance, to use fewer cross-UE cables).

Although one embodiment of an RF system200is shown inFIG. 5, the teachings herein are applicable to RF systems implemented in a wide variety of ways.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram of an RF system280according to another embodiment. The RF system280includes a first primary antenna121, a second primary antenna122, a first diversity antenna123, a second diversity antenna124, a first PMU201, a second PMU202, an RFIC203, a primary antenna diplexer204, a primary antenna triplexer281, a first diversity antenna triplexer206, a second diversity antenna triplexer207, a first HB/MB diplexer208, a second HB/MB diplexer209, a diversity diplexer211, a multi-throw switch212, a HB TDD filter213, a first UHB PAiD module221, a second UHB PAiD module222, a third UHB PAiD module223, a fourth UHB PAiD module224, a HB PAiD module225, a MB PAiD module226, a LB PAiD module227, an UL CA and MIMO module228, a MB/HB MIMO DRx module229, a UHB/MB/HB DRx module230, a LB DRx module231, a 2G PAM232, and first to seventh cross-UE cables271-277, respectively.

The RF system280ofFIG. 6is similar to the RF system200ofFIG. 5, except that the RF system280ofFIG. 6includes the primary antenna triplexer281rather than the second primary antenna diplexer205, and omits the MIMO/UHB diplexer210in favor of connecting the second UHB PAiD module222to the second primary antenna122by way of the primary antenna triplexer281.

Implementing the RF system280in this manner connects the second UHB PAiD module222to the second primary antenna122with lower loss relative to the embodiment ofFIG. 5. Thus, the RF system280ofFIG. 6has lower insertion loss for certain UHB signal paths, which can enhance the performance of certain CA combinations and/or when operating using UHB MIMO communications.

FIG. 7Ais a schematic diagram of a UHB transmit and receive module400according to one embodiment. The UHB transmit and receive module400operates to generate a UHB signal for transmission and to process a UHB signal received from an antenna.

The UHB transmit and receive module400illustrates one implementation of a UHB module suitable for incorporation in a RF system, such as any of the RF systems ofFIGS. 4A-6. Although the UHB transmit and receive module400illustrates one implementation of a UHB module, the teachings herein are applicable to RF electronics including UHB modules implemented in a wide variety of ways. Accordingly, other implementations of UHB modules are possible, such as UHB modules with more or fewer pins, different pins, more or fewer components, and/or a different arrangement of components.

The UHB transmit and receive module400includes a power amplifier401, a low noise amplifier402, a transmit/receive switch403, and a UHB filter404, which is used to pass one or more UHB bands, for instance, Band 42, Band 43, and/or Band 48. The UHB transmit and receive module400further includes a variety of pins, including a UHB_TX pin for receiving a UHB transmit signal for transmission, a UHB RX pin for outputting a UHB receive signal, a UHB_ANT pin for connecting to an antenna, and a VCC pin for receiving a supply voltage for powering at least the power amplifier401. In certain implementations, the VCC pin receives a shared supply voltage from a power management circuit (for example, a PMU) shared by multiple modules.

The illustrated UHB transmit and receive module400provides both transmit and receive functionality for UHB signals. Thus, when four instantiations of the UHB transmit and receive module400are coupled directly or indirectly to four antennas, both 4×4 RX MIMO for UHB and 4×4 TX MIMO for UHB can be achieved. Additionally, the UHB transmit and receive modules can be used to support carrier aggregation for UL and/or DL using one or more UHB carrier frequencies.

FIG. 7Bis a schematic diagram of a HB transmit and receive module410according to one embodiment.

The RF systems disclosed herein can include one or more instantiations of the HB transmit and receive module410. Although the HB transmit and receive module410illustrates one implementation of a HB module, the teachings herein are applicable to RF electronics including HB modules implemented in a wide variety of ways as well as to RF electronics implemented without HB modules.

The HB transmit and receive module410includes a first power amplifier411for FDD communications, a second power amplifier412for TDD communications, a first low noise amplifier413for FDD communications, a second low noise amplifier414for TDD communications, a FDD duplexer415, a transmit/receive switch416, and a multi-throw switch417. An external TDD filter418is also included in this embodiment. In another embodiment, the TDD filter418is included within the module410.

The HB transmit and receive module410further includes a variety of pins, including a HB_TX pin for receiving a HB transmit signal for transmission, a HB_RX1 pin for outputting a first HB receive signal, a HB_RX2 pin for outputting a second HB receive signal, a F1 pin for connecting to one terminal of the external TDD filter418, and a F2 pin for connecting to another terminal of the external TDD filter418. The module410further includes a HB_ANT1 pin, a HB_ANT2 pin, and a HB_ANT3 pin for connecting to one or more antennas.

FIG. 7Cis a schematic diagram of a MB transmit and receive module420according to one embodiment.

The RF systems disclosed herein can include one or more instantiations of the MB transmit and receive module420. Although the MB transmit and receive module420illustrates one implementation of a MB module, the teachings herein are applicable to RF electronics including MB modules implemented in a wide variety of ways as well as to RF electronics implemented without MB modules.

The MB transmit and receive module420includes a first power amplifier421, a second power amplifier422, a first low noise amplifier423, a second low noise amplifier424, a first duplexer425, a second duplexer426, and a multi-throw switch427. In certain implementations, the first duplexer425and the second duplexer426provide duplexing to different MB frequency bands. In one example, the first duplexer425is operable to duplex Band 3, while the second duplexer426is operable to duplex Band 1 and/or Band 66.

The MB transmit and receive module420further includes a variety of pins, including a MB_TX pin for receiving a MB transmit signal for transmission, a MB_RX1 pin for outputting a first MB receive signal, a MB_RX2 pin for outputting a second MB receive signal, and a MB/2G_TX pin for receiving a 2G transmit signal for transmission. The module420further includes a MB_ANT1 pin, a MB_ANT2 pin, and a MB_ANT3 pin for connecting to one or more antennas.

FIG. 7Dis a schematic diagram of a 2G power amplifier module (PAM)430according to one embodiment.

The RF systems disclosed herein can include one or more instantiations of the 2G PAM430. Although the 2G PAM430illustrates one implementation of a 2G module, the teachings herein are applicable to RF electronics including 2G modules implemented in a wide variety of ways as well as to RF electronics implemented without 2G modules.

The 2G PAM430includes power amplifier circuitry431, a MB 2G filter432, and a LB 2G filter433. The 2G PAM430further includes a variety of pins, including a MB/2G_TX pin for receiving a 2G MB transmit signal for transmission and a LB/2G_TX pin for receiving a 2G LB transmit signal for transmission. The module430further includes a MB/2G_ANT pin and a LB/2G_ANT pin for connecting to one or more antennas.

FIG. 7Eis a schematic diagram of an uplink carrier aggregation and MIMO (UL CA+MIMO) module440according to one embodiment.

The RF systems disclosed herein can include one or more instantiations of the UL CA+MIMO module440. Although the UL CA+MIMO module440illustrates one implementation of a CA/MIMO module, the teachings herein are applicable to RF electronics including CA/MIMO modules implemented in a wide variety of ways as well as to RF electronics implemented without CA/MIMO modules.

The UL CA+MIMO module440includes MB power amplifier circuitry456, a MB transmit selection switch453, a MB quadplexer464, a multi-throw switch454, a first HB receive filter461, a second HB receive filter462, a third HB receive filter463, a MB receive selection switch451, a HB receive selection switch452, a first HB low noise amplifier441(with bypass and gain control functionality, in this embodiment), a second HB low noise amplifier442, a third HB low noise amplifier443, a fourth HB low noise amplifier444, and a fifth HB low noise amplifier445. The UL CA+MIMO module440is annotated to show example frequency bands for operation, including Band 1 and Band 3 for MB and Band 7, Band 40, and Band 41 for HB. However, the UL CA+MIMO module440can be implemented to operate with other MB frequency bands and/or HB frequency bands.

The UL CA+MIMO module440further includes a variety of pins, including a MB_TX pin for receiving a MB transmit signal for transmission, a MB_RX1 pin for outputting a first MB receive signal, a MB_RX2 pin for outputting a second MB receive signal, a HB_RX1 pin for outputting a first HB receive signal, a HB_RX2 pin for outputting a second HB receive signal, and a MBHB_ANT pin for connecting to an antenna.

FIG. 8Ais a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a packaged module800.FIG. 8Bis a schematic diagram of a cross-section of the packaged module800ofFIG. 8Ataken along the lines8B-8B.

The RFFE systems herein can include one or more packaged modules, such as the packaged module800. Although the packaged module800ofFIGS. 8A-8Billustrates one example implementation of a module suitable for use in an RFFE system, the teachings herein are applicable to modules implemented in other ways.

The packaged module800includes radio frequency components801, a semiconductor die802, surface mount devices803, wirebonds808, a package substrate820, and encapsulation structure840. The package substrate820includes pads806formed from conductors disposed therein. Additionally, the semiconductor die802includes pins or pads804, and the wirebonds808have been used to connect the pads804of the die802to the pads806of the package substrate820.

As shown inFIG. 8B, the packaged module800is shown to include a plurality of contact pads832disposed on the side of the packaged module800opposite the side used to mount the semiconductor die802. Configuring the packaged module800in this manner can aid in connecting the packaged module800to a circuit board, such as a phone board of a wireless device. The example contact pads832can be configured to provide radio frequency signals, bias signals, and/or power (for example, a power supply voltage and ground) to the semiconductor die802. As shown inFIG. 8B, the electrical connections between the contact pads832and the semiconductor die802can be facilitated by connections833through the package substrate820. The connections833can represent electrical paths formed through the package substrate820, such as connections associated with vias and conductors of a multilayer laminated package substrate.

In some embodiments, the packaged module800can also include one or more packaging structures to, for example, provide protection and/or facilitate handling. Such a packaging structure can include overmold or encapsulation structure840formed over the packaging substrate820and the components and die(s) disposed thereon.

It will be understood that although the packaged module800is described in the context of electrical connections based on wirebonds, one or more features of the present disclosure can also be implemented in other packaging configurations, including, for example, flip-chip configurations.

FIG. 9is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a mobile device900. The mobile device900includes a baseband system901, a transceiver902, a front-end system903, antennas904, a power management system905, a memory906, a user interface907, and a battery908.

The transceiver902generates RF signals for transmission and processes incoming RF signals received from the antennas904.

The front-end system903aids is conditioning signals transmitted to and/or received from the antennas904. In the illustrated embodiment, the front-end system903includes power amplifiers (PAs)911, low noise amplifiers (LNAs)912, filters913, switches914, and duplexers915. However, other implementations are possible.

For example, the front-end system903can provide a number of functionalities, including, but not limited to, amplifying signals for transmission, amplifying received signals, filtering signals, switching between different bands, switching between different power modes, switching between transmission and receiving modes, duplexing of signals, multiplexing of signals (for instance, diplexing or triplexing), or some combination thereof.

The antennas904can include antennas used for a wide variety of types of communications. For example, the antennas904can include antennas for transmitting and/or receiving signals associated with a wide variety of frequencies and communications standards.

The mobile device900can operate with beamforming in certain implementations. For example, the front-end system903can include phase shifters having variable phase controlled by the transceiver902. Additionally, the phase shifters are controlled to provide beam formation and directivity for transmission and/or reception of signals using the antennas904. For example, in the context of signal transmission, the phases of the transmit signals provided to the antennas904are controlled such that radiated signals from the antennas904combine using constructive and destructive interference to generate an aggregate transmit signal exhibiting beam-like qualities with more signal strength propagating in a given direction. In the context of signal reception, the phases are controlled such that more signal energy is received when the signal is arriving to the antennas904from a particular direction. In certain implementations, the antennas904include one or more arrays of antenna elements to enhance beamforming.

The baseband system901is coupled to the user interface907to facilitate processing of various user input and output (110), such as voice and data. The baseband system901provides the transceiver902with digital representations of transmit signals, which the transceiver902processes to generate RF signals for transmission. The baseband system901also processes digital representations of received signals provided by the transceiver902. As shown inFIG. 9, the baseband system901is coupled to the memory906of facilitate operation of the mobile device900.

The memory906can be used for a wide variety of purposes, such as storing data and/or instructions to facilitate the operation of the mobile device900and/or to provide storage of user information.

The power management system905provides a number of power management functions of the mobile device900. In certain implementations, the power management system905includes a PA supply control circuit that controls the supply voltages of the power amplifiers911. For example, the power management system905can be configured to change the supply voltage(s) provided to one or more of the power amplifiers911to improve efficiency, such as power added efficiency (PAE).

As shown inFIG. 9, the power management system905receives a battery voltage from the battery908. The battery908can be any suitable battery for use in the mobile device900, including, for example, a lithium-ion battery.

The front-end system903ofFIG. 9can be implemented in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure. Although the mobile device900illustrates one example of an RF communication device that can include an RFFE system implemented in accordance with the present disclosure, the teachings herein are applicable to a wide variety of RF electronics.

Applications

Some of the embodiments described above have provided examples in connection with mobile devices. However, the principles and advantages of the embodiments can be used for any other systems or apparatus that have needs for filter bypass. Examples of such RF communication systems include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, base stations, network access points, customer-premises equipment (CPE), laptops, and wearable electronics.

Conclusion