Patent ID: 7855983

Claim:
A time division duplex RF module adapted for direct-surface mounting to the front end of the motherboard of a base station, the module comprising: a substrate including top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of peripheral edges including castellations extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate and defining at least voltage input/output pins, and a plurality of vias spaced from the plurality of peripheral edges and extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate and defining at least RF signal input/output pins; a first section on said substrate coupled to one of the plurality of vias and defining a transmit path for RF signals and including at least a discrete power amplifier; a second section on said substrate coupled to another of the plurality of vias and defining a receive path for RF signals and including at least the following electrical components: a discrete receive bandpass filter and a discrete low-noise amplifier; and a discrete RF switch between and interconnecting said respective first and second sections to an antenna pin defined by yet another of the plurality of vias.