Transmit and receive RF multiplexer

A transmit and receive RF multiplexer, which includes a first hybrid RF transmit coupler, a first hybrid RF receive coupler, a hybrid RF antenna coupler, and RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry, is disclosed. The first hybrid RF transmit coupler has a first main transmit port and a pair of transmit ports having a first in-phase transmit port and a first quadrature-phase transmit port. The first hybrid RF receive coupler has a first main receive port and a pair of receive ports having a first in-phase receive port and a first quadrature-phase receive port. The hybrid RF antenna coupler has a main coupler port and a pair of coupler ports having an in-phase coupler port and a quadrature-phase coupler port, such that the main coupler port is coupled to a primary RF antenna.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to radio frequency (RF) communications systems, which may include RF front-end circuitry, RF transceiver circuitry, RF transmit circuitry, RF receive circuitry, RF multiplexers, RF diplexers, RF duplexers, RF filters, RF antennas, RF switches, RF combiners, RF splitters, the like, or any combination thereof.

BACKGROUND

As wireless communications technologies evolve, wireless communications systems become increasingly sophisticated. As such, wireless communications protocols continue to expand and change to take advantage of the technological evolution. As a result, to maximize flexibility, many wireless communications devices must be capable of supporting any number of wireless communications protocols, each of which may have certain performance requirements, such as specific out-of-band emissions requirements, linearity requirements, or the like. Further, portable wireless communications devices are typically battery powered and need to be relatively small, and have low cost. As such, to minimize size, cost, and power consumption, RF circuitry in such a device needs to be as simple, small, flexible, and efficient as is practical. Thus, there is a need for RF circuitry in a communications device that is low cost, small, simple, flexible, efficient, and conforms to wireless communications protocols.

SUMMARY

A transmit and receive RF multiplexer, which includes a first hybrid RF transmit coupler, a first hybrid RF receive coupler, a hybrid RF antenna coupler, and RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry, is disclosed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The first hybrid RF transmit coupler has a first main transmit port and a pair of transmit ports having a first in-phase transmit port and a first quadrature-phase transmit port. The first hybrid RF receive coupler has a first main receive port and a pair of receive ports having a first in-phase receive port and a first quadrature-phase receive port. The hybrid RF antenna coupler has a main coupler port and a pair of coupler ports having an in-phase coupler port and a quadrature-phase coupler port, such that the main coupler port is coupled to a primary RF antenna.

The RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry provides bandpass filtering between the pair of coupler ports and the pair of transmit ports. The RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry further provides bandpass filtering between the pair of coupler ports and the pair of receive ports. Additionally, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry provides a signal inversion associated with only one of the in-phase coupler port and the quadrature-phase coupler port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A transmit and receive RF multiplexer, which includes a first hybrid RF transmit coupler, a first hybrid RF receive coupler, a hybrid RF antenna coupler, and RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry, is disclosed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The first hybrid RF transmit coupler has a first main transmit port and a pair of transmit ports having a first in-phase transmit port and a first quadrature-phase transmit port. The first hybrid RF receive coupler has a first main receive port and a pair of receive ports having a first in-phase receive port and a first quadrature-phase receive port. The hybrid RF antenna coupler has a main coupler port and a pair of coupler ports having an in-phase coupler port and a quadrature-phase coupler port, such that the main coupler port is coupled to a primary RF antenna.

The RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry provides bandpass filtering between the pair of coupler ports and the pair of transmit ports. The RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry further provides bandpass filtering between the pair of coupler ports and the pair of receive ports. Additionally, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry provides a signal inversion associated with only one of the in-phase coupler port and the quadrature-phase coupler port.

FIG. 1shows RF circuitry10according to one embodiment of the RF circuitry10. The RF circuitry10includes a transmit and receive RF multiplexer12and a primary RF antenna14. The transmit and receive RF multiplexer12illustrated inFIG. 1is an RF duplexer according to one embodiment of the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12. The transmit and receive RF multiplexer12includes a first hybrid RF transmit coupler16, a first hybrid RF receive coupler18, a hybrid RF antenna coupler20, RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22, a transmit isolation impedance circuit24, a receive isolation impedance circuit26, and an antenna isolation impedance circuit28.

The first hybrid RF transmit coupler16has a first main transmit port MTP1, a first in-phase transmit port ITP1, a first quadrature-phase transmit port QTP1, and a first transmit isolation port TIP1. The first hybrid RF receive coupler18has a first main receive port MRP1, a first in-phase receive port IRP1, a first quadrature-phase receive port QRP1, and a first receive isolation port RIP1. The hybrid RF antenna coupler20has a main coupler port MCP, an in-phase coupler port ICP, a quadrature-phase coupler port QCP, and a coupler isolation port CIP.

The main coupler port MCP is coupled to the primary RF antenna14. The RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22is coupled to the first in-phase transmit port ITP1, the first quadrature-phase transmit port QTP1, the first in-phase receive port IRP1, the first quadrature-phase receive port QRP1, the in-phase coupler port ICP, and the quadrature-phase coupler port QCP. As such, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22provides bandpass filtering between the hybrid RF antenna coupler20and the first hybrid RF receive coupler18, and further provides bandpass filtering between the hybrid RF antenna coupler20and the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16.

The transmit isolation impedance circuit24is coupled to the first transmit isolation port TIP1. The receive isolation impedance circuit26is coupled to the first receive isolation port RIP1. The antenna isolation impedance circuit28is coupled to the coupler isolation port CIP. In one embodiment of the transmit isolation impedance circuit24, the transmit isolation impedance circuit24presents at least a partial matching impedance to the first transmit isolation port TIP1. In one embodiment of the receive isolation impedance circuit26, the receive isolation impedance circuit26presents at least a partial matching impedance to the first receive isolation port RIP1. In one embodiment of the antenna isolation impedance circuit28, the antenna isolation impedance circuit28presents at least a partial matching impedance to the coupler isolation port CIP.

In one embodiment of the RF circuitry10, the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12receives a first function configuration signal FCS1, such that certain configurations of the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12are based on the first function configuration signal FCS1. In one embodiment of the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16, the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16receives a first transmit signal TX1via the first main transmit port MTP1, and then splits and phase-shifts the first transmit signal TX1to provide a first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and a first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1. In one embodiment of the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16, the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1is phase-shifted from the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1by about 90 degrees.

By splitting the first transmit signal TX1into the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1, the power level of the first transmit signal TX1is divided into two signals that each have 3 dB less power than the first transmit signal TX1. The reduced power levels may reduce distortion in the transmit signal paths due to non-linear components, such as tuning components, in the transmit signal paths.

The RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22receives, filters, and forwards the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1to the hybrid RF antenna coupler20via the in-phase coupler port ICP and the quadrature-phase coupler port QCP, respectively. The hybrid RF antenna coupler20receives, phase-shifts, and combines the forwarded first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the forwarded first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1to provide a first antenna transmit signal TXA1to the primary RF antenna14via the main coupler port MCP. In one embodiment of the hybrid RF antenna coupler20, the forwarded and phase-shifted first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1are about phase-aligned with one another before the hybrid RF antenna coupler20combines the forwarded and phase-shifted first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1.

In one embodiment of the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22filters the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1to substantially pass transmit frequencies of the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1, thereby allowing the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1to be forwarded to the hybrid RF antenna coupler20.

In one embodiment of the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22filters the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1to substantially stop transmit frequencies of the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1, thereby substantially blocking the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1from the first quadrature-phase receive port QRP1and the first in-phase receive port IRP1.

In one embodiment of the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22applies an additional phase-shift between the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1of about 180 degrees, which is a phase inversion, such that any remainders of the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1that reach the first quadrature-phase receive port QRP1and the first in-phase receive port IRP1will be received, phase-shifted, and substantially cancelled by the first hybrid RF receive coupler18.

The blocking of the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1from the first quadrature-phase receive port QRP1and the first in-phase receive port IRP1combined with the phase inversion described above provides increased isolation of the first main receive port MRP1from the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1. In general, the increased isolation during transmissions of RF signals effectively isolates the first main receive port MRP1from the first main transmit port MTP1.

In one embodiment of the RF circuitry10, the hybrid RF antenna coupler20receives a first antenna receive signal RXA1via the main coupler port MCP, and then splits and phase-shifts the first antenna receive signal RXA1to provide a first in-phase receive signal IRX1and a first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1. In one embodiment of the hybrid RF antenna coupler20, the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1is phase-shifted from the first in-phase receive signal IRX1by about 90 degrees.

The RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22receives, filters, and forwards the first in-phase receive signal IRX1and the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1to provide a first filtered in-phase receive signal IRF1and a first filtered quadrature-phase receive signal QRF1to the first hybrid RF receive coupler18via the first in-phase receive port IRP1and the first quadrature-phase receive port QRP1, respectively. The first hybrid RF receive coupler18receives, phase-shifts, and combines the first filtered in-phase receive signal IRF1and the first filtered quadrature-phase receive signal QRF1to provide a first receive signal RX1via the first main receive port MRP1. In one embodiment of the first hybrid RF receive coupler18, after the first hybrid RF receive coupler18has phase-shifted the first filtered in-phase receive signal IRF1and first filtered quadrature-phase receive signal QRF1, the phase-shifted first filtered in-phase receive signal IRF1and first filtered quadrature-phase receive signal QRF1are about phase-aligned with one another.

In one embodiment of the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22filters the first in-phase receive signal IRX1and the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1to substantially pass receive frequencies of the first in-phase receive signal IRX1and the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1, thereby allowing the first in-phase receive signal IRX1and the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1to be forwarded to the first hybrid RF receive coupler18.

In one embodiment of the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22filters the first in-phase receive signal IRX1and the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1to substantially stop receive frequencies of the first in-phase receive signal IRX1and the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1, thereby substantially blocking the first in-phase receive signal IRX1and the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1from the first quadrature-phase transmit port QTP1and the first in-phase transmit port ITP1.

In one embodiment of the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22applies an additional phase-shift between the first filtered in-phase receive signal IRF1and the first filtered quadrature-phase receive signal QRF1of about 180 degrees, which is a phase inversion, such that any remainders of the first filtered in-phase receive signal IRF1and the first filtered quadrature-phase receive signal QRF1that reach the first quadrature-phase transmit port QTP1and the first in-phase transmit port ITP1will be received, phase-shifted, and substantially cancelled by the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16.

The blocking of the first in-phase receive signal IRX1and the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1from the first quadrature-phase transmit port QTP1and the first in-phase transmit port ITP1combined with the phase inversion described above provide increased isolation of the first main transmit port MTP1from the first in-phase receive signal IRX1and the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1. In general, the increased isolation during receptions of RF signals effectively isolates the first main transmit port MTP1from the first main receive port MRP1. As previously mentioned, the increased isolation during transmissions of RF signals effectively isolates the first main receive port MRP1from the first main transmit port MTP1.

In this regard, during both transmissions and receptions of RF signals, the first main transmit port MTP1and the first main receive port MRP1are effectively isolated from one another due to the increased isolation. As a result, during high voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) conditions at the primary RF antenna14due to antenna mismatch, the increased isolation may allow the RF circuitry10to operate effectively. In one embodiment of the RF circuitry10, the RF circuitry10may operate effectively with a VSWR of three to one.

Additionally, the increased isolation may provide broadband frequency isolation between the first main receive port MRP1and the first main transmit port MTP1, such that broadband frequency cancellation occurs rather than just cancellation at a single frequency. This broadband frequency isolation may allow the RF circuitry10to be used for carrier aggregation applications. As such, in alternate embodiments of the RF circuitry10, the RF circuitry10provides receive carrier aggregation, transmit carrier aggregation, or both. When providing both receive carrier aggregation and transmit carrier aggregation, the RF circuitry10may provide the receive carrier aggregation and transmit carrier aggregation simultaneously.

In one embodiment of the RF circuitry10, the hybrid RF antenna coupler20simultaneously transmits and receives the first antenna transmit signal TXA1and first antenna receive signal RXA1, respectively, via the main coupler port MCP.

As previously mentioned, the transmit isolation impedance circuit24is coupled to the first transmit isolation port TIP1, the receive isolation impedance circuit26is coupled to the first receive isolation port RIP1, and the antenna isolation impedance circuit28is coupled to the coupler isolation port CIP. As such, the transmit isolation impedance circuit24presents a transmit isolation impedance to the first transmit isolation port TIP1. In one embodiment of the transmit isolation impedance circuit24, the transmit isolation impedance circuit24provides about a 90 degree phase-shift at the first transmit isolation port TIP1. The receive isolation impedance circuit26presents a receive isolation impedance to the first receive isolation port RIP1. The antenna isolation impedance circuit28presents an antenna isolation impedance to the coupler isolation port CIP.

The first hybrid RF transmit coupler16receives the first transmit signal TX1, which has a transmit frequency, via the first main transmit port MTP1. The first hybrid RF receive coupler18provides the first receive signal RX1, which has a receive frequency, via the first main receive port MRP1. In one embodiment of the transmit isolation impedance circuit24, the transmit isolation impedance circuit24is configurable, such that the transmit isolation impedance is based on the first function configuration signal FCS1. In one embodiment of the receive isolation impedance circuit26, the receive isolation impedance circuit26is configurable, such that the receive isolation impedance is based on the first function configuration signal FCS1. In one embodiment of the antenna isolation impedance circuit28, the antenna isolation impedance circuit28is configurable, such that the antenna isolation impedance is based on the first function configuration signal FCS1.

In one embodiment of the RF circuitry10, VSWR mismatch at the primary RF antenna14may degrade isolation between the first main transmit port MTP1and the first main receive port MRP1at the transmit frequency. As such, in one embodiment of the transmit isolation impedance circuit24, the transmit isolation impedance circuit24is configured to adjust the transmit isolation impedance to increase isolation between the first main transmit port MTP1and the first main receive port MRP1at the transmit frequency.

In one embodiment of the RF circuitry10, VSWR mismatch at the primary RF antenna14may degrade isolation between the first main transmit port MTP1and the first main receive port MRP1at the receive frequency. As such, in one embodiment of the receive isolation impedance circuit26, the receive isolation impedance circuit26is configured to adjust the receive isolation impedance to increase isolation between the first main transmit port MTP1and the first main receive port MRP1at the receive frequency.

In one embodiment of the RF circuitry10, VSWR mismatch at the primary RF antenna14may degrade isolation between the first main transmit port MTP1and the first main receive port MRP1. As such, in one embodiment of the antenna isolation impedance circuit28, the antenna isolation impedance circuit28is configured to adjust the antenna isolation impedance to increase isolation between the first main transmit port MTP1and the first main receive port MRP1.

In one embodiment of the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16, the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16provides harmonic filtering to at least partially remove harmonics of the first transmit signal TX1. The first transmit signal TX1has a transmit frequency, such that the harmonics of the first transmit signal TX1are harmonics of the transmit frequency. In one embodiment of the first transmit signal TX1, the transmit frequency is variable. As such, in one embodiment of the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16, the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16provides tunable harmonic filtering, which is tuned by the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16using the first function configuration signal FCS1based on the transmit frequency.

In one embodiment of the hybrid RF antenna coupler20, the hybrid RF antenna coupler20provides harmonic filtering to at least partially remove harmonics of the first transmit signal TX1. The first transmit signal TX1has the transmit frequency, such that the harmonics of the first transmit signal TX1are harmonics of the transmit frequency. In one embodiment of the first transmit signal TX1, the transmit frequency is variable. As such, in one embodiment of the hybrid RF antenna coupler20, the hybrid RF antenna coupler20provides tunable harmonic filtering, which is tuned by the hybrid RF antenna coupler20using the first function configuration signal FCS1based on the transmit frequency.

In alternate embodiments of the RF circuitry10, any or all of the transmit isolation impedance circuit24, the receive isolation impedance circuit26, the antenna isolation impedance circuit28, the first transmit isolation port TIP1, the first receive isolation port RIP1, and the coupler isolation port CIP are omitted. In an alternate embodiment of the RF circuitry10, the first function configuration signal FCS1is omitted.

FIG. 2shows the RF circuitry10according to an alternate embodiment of the RF circuitry10. The RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 2is similar to the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 1, except the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 2shows details of the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22. The RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22includes a first in-phase transmit bandpass filter30, a first quadrature-phase transmit bandpass filter32, a first in-phase receive bandpass filter34, a first quadrature-phase receive bandpass filter36, and a first inversion circuit38.

The first in-phase transmit bandpass filter30is coupled between the quadrature-phase coupler port QCP and the first in-phase transmit port ITP1. The first quadrature-phase transmit bandpass filter32is coupled between the in-phase coupler port ICP and the first quadrature-phase transmit port QTP1. The first in-phase receive bandpass filter34and the first inversion circuit38are coupled in series between the in-phase coupler port ICP and the first in-phase receive port IRP1. In this regard, the signal inversion is associated with the in-phase coupler port ICP. The first quadrature-phase receive bandpass filter36is coupled between the quadrature-phase coupler port QCP and the first quadrature-phase receive port QRP1.

In general, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22provides the signal inversion, which is associated with only one of the in-phase coupler port ICP and the quadrature-phase coupler port QCP. As mentioned above, the signal inversion is associated with the in-phase coupler port ICP.

As such, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22provides bandpass filtering between the hybrid RF antenna coupler20and the first hybrid RF receive coupler18, and further provides bandpass filtering between the hybrid RF antenna coupler20and the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16.

The first in-phase transmit bandpass filter30includes a first order resonator that substantially passes a transmit frequency of the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1and substantially stops receive frequencies of the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1. The first quadrature-phase transmit bandpass filter32includes a first order resonator that substantially passes a transmit frequency of the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1and substantially stops receive frequencies of the first in-phase receive signal IRX1. The first in-phase receive bandpass filter34includes a first order resonator that substantially passes a receive frequency of the first in-phase receive signal IRX1and substantially stops transmit frequencies of the first quadrature-phase transmit signal QTX1. The first quadrature-phase receive bandpass filter36includes a first order resonator that substantially passes a receive frequency of the first quadrature-phase receive signal QRX1and substantially stops transmit frequencies of the first in-phase transmit signal ITX1.

In one embodiment of the first in-phase transmit bandpass filter30, the first order resonator of the first in-phase transmit bandpass filter30is tunable, such that the first in-phase transmit bandpass filter30uses the first function configuration signal FCS1, which is based on the transmit frequency, to tune the first order resonator.

In one embodiment of the first quadrature-phase transmit bandpass filter32, the first order resonator of the first function configuration signal FCS1is tunable, such that the first quadrature-phase transmit bandpass filter32uses the first function configuration signal FCS1, which is based on the transmit frequency, to tune the first order resonator.

In one embodiment of the first in-phase receive bandpass filter34, the first order resonator of the first in-phase receive bandpass filter34is tunable, such that the first in-phase receive bandpass filter34uses the first function configuration signal FCS1, which is based on the receive frequency, to tune the first order resonator.

In one embodiment of the first quadrature-phase receive bandpass filter36, the first order resonator of the first quadrature-phase receive bandpass filter36is tunable, such that the first quadrature-phase receive bandpass filter36uses the first function configuration signal FCS1, which is based on the receive frequency, to tune the first order resonator.

In an alternate embodiment of the RF circuitry10, the first inversion circuit38is omitted, such that the first in-phase receive bandpass filter34is directly coupled between the in-phase coupler port ICP and the first in-phase receive port IRP1. As such, an upstream signal path to the first in-phase receive bandpass filter34between the hybrid RF antenna coupler20and the first in-phase receive bandpass filter34, a downstream signal path from the first in-phase receive bandpass filter34between the first in-phase receive bandpass filter34and the first hybrid RF receive coupler18, or both are differential signal paths. In this regard, one of the upstream signal path and the downstream signal path provides a signal inversion to replace the signal inversion that would otherwise be provided by the first inversion circuit38.

FIG. 3shows the RF circuitry10according to an additional embodiment of the RF circuitry10. The RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 3is similar to the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 1, except the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12illustrated inFIG. 3further includes a first transmit bandpass filter40and a first receive bandpass filter42.

The first transmit bandpass filter40is coupled to the first main transmit port MTP1and the first receive bandpass filter42is coupled to the first main receive port MRP1. As such, the first transmit bandpass filter40receives and filters the first transmit signal TX1to provide a filtered transmit signal to the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16via the first main transmit port MTP1. The first receive bandpass filter42receives and filters a signal from the first hybrid RF receive coupler18via the first main receive port MRP1to provide the first receive signal RX1.

The first transmit bandpass filter40substantially passes a transmit frequency of the first transmit signal TX1and substantially stops receive frequencies of the first receive signal RX1. Conversely, the first receive bandpass filter42substantially passes a receive frequency of the first receive signal RX1and substantially stops transmit frequencies of the first transmit signal TX1.

In one embodiment of the first transmit bandpass filter40, the first transmit bandpass filter40is a second order, or higher, bandpass filter. In one embodiment of the first receive bandpass filter42, the first receive bandpass filter42is a second order, or higher, bandpass filter. In one embodiment of the first transmit bandpass filter40, the first transmit bandpass filter40is a tunable bandpass filter that uses the first function configuration signal FCS1, which is based on the transmit frequency, to tune the first transmit bandpass filter40. In one embodiment of the first receive bandpass filter42, the first receive bandpass filter42is a tunable bandpass filter that uses the first function configuration signal FCS1, which is based on the receive frequency, to tune the first receive bandpass filter42.

FIG. 4shows the RF circuitry10according to another embodiment of the RF circuitry10. The transmit and receive RF multiplexer12illustrated inFIG. 4is an RF triplexer with one transmitter and two receivers according to one embodiment of the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12. The RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 4is similar to the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 3, except in the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 4, the primary RF antenna14and the antenna isolation impedance circuit28are not shown to simplifyFIG. 4, and the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12further includes a second receive bandpass filter44. In one embodiment of the second receive bandpass filter44, the second receive bandpass filter44is similar to the first receive bandpass filter42.

The second receive bandpass filter44is coupled to the first main receive port MRP1. As previously mentioned, the first receive bandpass filter42receives and filters the signal from the first hybrid RF receive coupler18via the first main receive port MRP1to provide the first receive signal RX1. In a similar manner, the second receive bandpass filter44receives and filters the signal from the first hybrid RF receive coupler18via the first main receive port MRP1to provide a second receive signal RX2.

In a first embodiment of the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12illustrated inFIG. 4, the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12provides the first receive signal RX1and the second receive signal RX2simultaneously. In a second embodiment of the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12illustrated inFIG. 4, the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12provides the first receive signal RX1and the second receive signal RX2, and receives the first transmit signal TX1simultaneously. In a third embodiment of the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12illustrated inFIG. 4, the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12provides the first receive signal RX1and receives the first transmit signal TX1simultaneously. In a fourth embodiment of the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12illustrated inFIG. 4, the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12provides the second receive signal RX2and receives the first transmit signal TX1simultaneously.

In this regard, to prevent interference between the first receive signal RX1, the second receive signal RX2, and the first transmit signal TX1, the first receive bandpass filter42substantially passes a receive frequency of the first receive signal RX1, substantially stops transmit frequencies of the first transmit signal TX1, and substantially stops a receive frequency of the second receive signal RX2. Additionally, the second receive bandpass filter44substantially passes a receive frequency of the second receive signal RX2, substantially stops transmit frequencies of the first transmit signal TX1, and substantially stops a receive frequency of the first receive signal RX1.

FIG. 5shows the RF circuitry10according to a further embodiment of the RF circuitry10. The RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 5is similar to the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 2, except in the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 5, the first inversion circuit38is located differently. As such,FIG. 5shows details of the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22. The RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22includes the first in-phase transmit bandpass filter30, the first quadrature-phase transmit bandpass filter32, the first in-phase receive bandpass filter34, the first quadrature-phase receive bandpass filter36, and the first inversion circuit38.

The first in-phase transmit bandpass filter30is coupled between the in-phase coupler port ICP and the first in-phase transmit port ITP1. The first quadrature-phase transmit bandpass filter32and the first inversion circuit38are coupled in series between the quadrature-phase coupler port QCP and the first quadrature-phase transmit port QTP1. In this regard, the signal inversion is associated with the quadrature-phase coupler port QCP. The first in-phase receive bandpass filter34is coupled between the quadrature-phase coupler port QCP and the first in-phase receive port IRP1. The first quadrature-phase receive bandpass filter36is coupled between the in-phase coupler port ICP and the first quadrature-phase receive port QRP1.

In general, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22provides the signal inversion, which is associated with only one of the in-phase coupler port ICP and the quadrature-phase coupler port QCP. As mentioned above, the signal inversion is associated with the quadrature-phase coupler port QCP.

In general, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22provides bandpass filtering between the hybrid RF antenna coupler20and the first hybrid RF receive coupler18, and further provides bandpass filtering between the hybrid RF antenna coupler20and the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16.

FIG. 6shows the RF circuitry10according to one embodiment of the RF circuitry10. The RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 6is similar to the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 3, except in the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 6, the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12further includes an RF power amplifier (PA)46and an RF low noise amplifier (LNA)48. The first transmit bandpass filter40is coupled between an output from the RF PA46and the first main transmit port MTP1. The first receive bandpass filter42is coupled between an input to the RF LNA48and the first main receive port MRP1.

The RF PA46receives and amplifies the first transmit signal TX1to provide an amplified signal to the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16via the first transmit bandpass filter40. The first hybrid RF receive coupler18provides an RF receive signal to the RF LNA48via the first receive bandpass filter42. The RF LNA48amplifies the RF receive signal to provide the first receive signal RX1.

In one embodiment of the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12, the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12includes the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16, the first hybrid RF receive coupler18, the hybrid RF antenna coupler20, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22, the first transmit bandpass filter40, the first receive bandpass filter42, the RF PA46, and the RF LNA48. As such, in one embodiment of the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12, a single RF module includes the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12.

FIG. 7shows the RF circuitry10according to another embodiment of the RF circuitry10. The RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 7is similar to the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 3, except in the RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 7, the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12further includes a second transmit bandpass filter50, a second receive bandpass filter52, a second hybrid RF transmit coupler54, and a second hybrid RF receive coupler56. The second hybrid RF transmit coupler54includes a second in-phase transmit port ITP2, a second quadrature-phase transmit port QTP2, a second main transmit port MTP2, and a second transmit isolation port TIP2. The second hybrid RF receive coupler56includes a second in-phase receive port IRP2, a second quadrature-phase receive port QRP2, a second main receive port MRP2, and a second receive isolation port RIP2. The transmit isolation impedance circuit24, the receive isolation impedance circuit26, and the antenna isolation impedance circuit28are not shown to simplifyFIG. 7.

The second transmit bandpass filter50is coupled to the second main transmit port MTP2. The second in-phase transmit port ITP2and the second quadrature-phase transmit port QTP2are coupled to the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22. The second receive bandpass filter52is coupled to the second main receive port MRP2. The second in-phase receive port IRP2and the second quadrature-phase receive port QRP2are coupled to the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22.

In one embodiment of the RF circuitry10, the second transmit bandpass filter50functions similarly to the first transmit bandpass filter40. The second hybrid RF transmit coupler54functions similarly to the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16. The second receive bandpass filter52functions similarly to the first receive bandpass filter42. The second hybrid RF receive coupler56functions similarly to the first hybrid RF receive coupler18.

In this regard, the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12receives and processes a second transmit signal TX2via the second transmit bandpass filter50, the second hybrid RF transmit coupler54, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22, and the hybrid RF antenna coupler20to provide a second antenna transmit signal TXA2to the primary RF antenna14. Additionally, a second antenna receive signal RXA2is received and forwarded by the primary RF antenna14through the hybrid RF antenna coupler20, the RF bandpass filter and inversion circuitry22, the second hybrid RF receive coupler56, and the second receive bandpass filter52to provide a second receive signal RX2.

As such, in one embodiment of the RF circuitry10, the first hybrid RF receive coupler18and the second hybrid RF receive coupler56provide receive carrier aggregation. In one embodiment of the RF circuitry10, the first hybrid RF transmit coupler16and the second hybrid RF transmit coupler54provide transmit carrier aggregation.

FIG. 8shows the RF circuitry10according to an alternate embodiment of the RF circuitry10. The RF circuitry10illustrated inFIG. 8includes the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12illustrated inFIG. 7, the primary RF antenna14illustrated inFIG. 7, and RF system control circuitry58. The RF system control circuitry58receives the first receive signal RX1and the second receive signal RX2from the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12. The RF system control circuitry58provides the first transmit signal TX1, the second transmit signal TX2, and the first function configuration signal FCS1to the transmit and receive RF multiplexer12.