U.S. patent application number 16/917325 was filed with the patent office on 2021-12-30 for multi-frequency band communication based on filter sharing.
The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Sohrab Emami-Neyestanak, Saihua Lin, Hongrui Wang.
Application Number | 20210408980 16/917325 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006024471 |
Filed Date | 2021-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210408980 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Saihua ; et
al. |
December 30, 2021 |
MULTI-FREQUENCY BAND COMMUNICATION BASED ON FILTER SHARING
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for
operating transceiver circuitry to transmit or receive signals on
various frequency ranges. To do so, a transmitter or a receiver of
the transceiver circuitry is selectively coupled to or uncoupled
from an antenna of the transceiver circuitry. Additionally, radio
frequency filters may be individually or collectively coupled to
and/or uncoupled from the antenna to filter different frequencies
in the transmitting or receiving signals.
Inventors: |
Lin; Saihua; (Santa Clara,
CA) ; Wang; Hongrui; (San Jose, CA) ;
Emami-Neyestanak; Sohrab; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006024471 |
Appl. No.: |
16/917325 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H03F 2200/451 20130101;
H03F 2200/294 20130101; H03F 3/213 20130101; H03F 3/195
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H03F 3/195 20060101
H03F003/195; H03F 3/213 20060101 H03F003/213 |
Claims
1. A device, comprising: a first filter coupled to an antenna; a
second filter coupled to a first low noise amplifier; a third
filter coupled to a second low noise amplifier; and a controller
configured to: transmit a transmit signal on a first frequency band
by coupling the first filter to a power amplifier, uncoupling the
second filter from the antenna and the power amplifier, and
uncoupling the third filter from the antenna and the power
amplifier based at least in part on one or more control signals
indicating a first state; transmit the transmit signal on a second
frequency band by coupling the first filter to the power amplifier,
coupling the second filter to the antenna and the power amplifier,
and uncoupling the third filter from the antenna and the power
amplifier based at least in part on the one or more control signals
indicating a second state; and transmit the transmit signal on a
third frequency band by coupling the first filter to the power
amplifier, coupling the second filter to the antenna and the power
amplifier, and coupling the third filter to the antenna and the
power amplifier based at least in part on the one or more control
signals indicating a third state.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein transmitter processing circuitry
is configured to generate the transmit signal and send the transmit
signal to the power amplifier for amplification and transmission
via the antenna.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first frequency band
comprises frequencies between approximately 24 Gigahertz (GHz) and
33 GHz, wherein the second frequency band comprises frequencies
between approximately 37 GHz and 43 GHz, and wherein the third
frequency band comprises frequencies between approximately 43 GHz
and 48 GHz.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second filter comprises an
inductor in electrical series with a capacitor.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to
read a status indicating which one of the first frequency band, the
second frequency band, or the third frequency band to use to
transmit the transmit signal.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first filter comprises a high
pass filter.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to
reduce a total impedance at least in part by coupling the first
filter and the second filter to the antenna.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein, when the controller is
configured to transmit the transmit signal on the second frequency
band, the one or more control signals comprise: a first control
signal characterized by a first voltage, the first control signal
configured to couple the first filter to the power amplifier; a
second control signal characterized by the first voltage, the
second control signal configured to couple the second filter to the
antenna and the power amplifier; and a third control signal
characterized by a second voltage, the third control signal
configured to uncouple the third filter from the antenna and the
power amplifier; and a fourth control signal characterized by the
first voltage, the fourth control signal configured to couple the
second filter to a reference voltage terminal.
9. An electronic device, comprising: a first switch configured to
couple an antenna and a first filter to a first low noise amplifier
via a second filter; a second switch configured to couple the
antenna and the first filter to a second low noise amplifier via a
third filter; a third switch configured to couple the antenna and
the first filter to a power amplifier; and a controller configured
to: receive a receive signal on a first frequency band by
activating the first switch to couple the first low noise amplifier
and the second filter to the antenna and the first filter, and
deactivating the second switch and the third switch to uncouple the
second low noise amplifier, the third filter, and the power
amplifier from the antenna; receive the receive signal on a second
frequency band by activating the second switch to couple the second
low noise amplifier and the third filter to the antenna and the
first filter, and deactivating the first switch and the third
switch to uncouple the first low noise amplifier, the second
filter, and the power amplifier from the antenna; and receive the
receive signal on a third frequency band by activating the first
switch and the second switch to couple the first low noise
amplifier, the second filter, the second low noise amplifier, and
the third filter to the antenna and the first filter, and
deactivating the third switch to uncouple the power amplifier from
the antenna.
10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the power amplifier,
the antenna, the first filter, the second filter, and the third
filter are respectively separated by a plurality of
transistors.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first frequency
band comprises frequencies between 24 Gigahertz (GHz) and 33 GHz,
wherein the second frequency band comprises frequencies between 37
GHz and 43 GHz, and wherein the third frequency band comprises
frequencies between 43 GHz and 48 GHz.
12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the third filter is
coupled to a capacitor.
13. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the controller is
configured to read a status indicating which of the first frequency
band, the second frequency band, or the third frequency band to use
to transmit the transmit signal.
14. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the second filter is
configured to attenuate a range of frequencies based at least in
part on an impedance characterizing circuitry of the second
filter.
15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the controller is
configured to lower a value of the impedance at least in part by
the coupling at least of the second filter or the third filter to
the antenna and the first filter.
16. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the controller is
configured to couple the second filter to the antenna and the first
filter at least in part by coupling the second filter to a
reference voltage terminal.
17. A method, comprising: receiving a frequency band parameter and
a transmission or reception (TX/RX) parameter, wherein the
frequency band parameter and the TX/RX parameter indicate an
operational state of an antenna, the antenna coupled to a first
filter and configured to couple to at least one of a second filter
or a third filter; in response to the TX/RX parameter indicating a
transmission operation: coupling the antenna to a power amplifier
configured to amplify a transmit signal associated with the
transmission operation, in response to the frequency band parameter
indicating a first frequency band, uncoupling the second filter and
the third filter from the antenna, in response to the frequency
band parameter indicating a second frequency band, coupling the
second filter to the antenna and uncoupling the third filter from
the antenna, and in response to the frequency band parameter
indicating a third frequency band, coupling the second filter and
the third filter to the antenna; and transmitting the transmit
signal using the power amplifier and the antenna.
18. The method of claim 17, comprising: in response to the TX/RX
parameter indicating a reception operation: uncoupling the antenna
from the power amplifier, in response to the frequency band
parameter indicating the first frequency band, coupling the second
filter to the antenna and uncoupling the third filter from the
antenna, in response to the frequency band parameter indicating the
second frequency band, uncoupling the second filter from the
antenna and coupling the third filter to the antenna, and in
response to the frequency band parameter indicating the third
frequency band, coupling the second filter and the third filter to
the antenna; and receiving a receive signal using the antenna.
19. The method of claim 17, comprising: determining that there is
no subsequent transmission or reception operation; and in response
to the determination, removing or reducing an amount of power
supplied to the power amplifier.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first frequency band
comprises frequencies between 24 Gigahertz (GHz) and 33 GHz,
wherein the second frequency band comprises frequencies between 37
GHz and 43 GHz, and wherein the third frequency band comprises
frequencies between 43 GHz and 48 GHz.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to electronic
devices, and more particularly, to electronic devices that utilize
radio frequency signals, transmitters, and receivers for wireless
communication.
[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various
aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the
present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This
discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with
background information to facilitate a better understanding of the
various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should
be understood that these statements are to be read in this light,
and not as admissions of prior art.
[0003] Transmitters and/or receivers are commonly included in
various electronic devices, and more particularly, portable
electronic communication devices, such as phones (e.g., mobile and
cellular phones, cordless phones, personal assistance devices),
computers (e.g., laptops, tablet computers), routers (e.g., Wi-Fi
routers or modems), radios, televisions, or any of various other
stationary or handheld devices, to enable communication. In some
electronic devices, a transmitter and a receiver are combined to
form a transceiver. For ease of discussion, transceivers are
discussed in the present disclosure, but it should be understood
that the following descriptions may apply individually to
transmitters and/or receivers (e.g., that may not be included in a
transceiver).
[0004] Traditional electronic devices may include multiple sets of
radio frequency filters that allow signals having desired
frequencies to pass through and/or block signals having undesired
frequencies. For example, a transmitter of an electronic device may
include multiple transmit filters that each correspond to
transmitting signals at different frequency bands, and a receiver
of the electronic device may include multiple receive filters that
each correspond to receiving signals at certain frequency bands.
However, as new frequency bands are used for wireless
communication, more radio frequency filters may be added to the
electronic device to enable the electronic device to transmit and
receive signals over the new frequency bands, taking up valuable
space in the electronic devices.
[0005] Moreover, signal paths in conventional electronic devices
may have lengths as long as a quarter-wavelength of a signal to be
transmitted or received via the signal paths. While, such lengths
may be used for signals having relatively narrow wavelength ranges,
the quarter-wavelength signal paths may be unsuitable for
communicating on wider bands of communication frequencies, such as
a fifth generation (5G) network, since 5G communications use
frequencies spanning a relatively large frequency band (e.g.,
between 24 Gigahertz (GHz) and 48 GHz).
[0006] Various refinements of the features noted above may exist in
relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further
features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well.
These refinements and additional features may exist individually or
in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below
in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be
incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present
disclosure alone or in any combination. The brief summary presented
above is intended to familiarize the reader with certain aspects
and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure without
limitation to the claimed subject matter.
SUMMARY
[0007] A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set
forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are
presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of
these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended
to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may
encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.
[0008] An electronic device may include multiple radio frequency
filters, and couple to a transmitter and a receiver to enable
sharing of the radio frequency filters. In particular, the
electronic device may dynamically couple an antenna to the
transmitter to send transmission signals, and dynamically couple to
the antenna to the receiver to receive receiving signals. The
transmitter and receiver may each be dynamically coupled to
multiple radio frequency filters, each of which may filter
different frequency bands or ranges. Moreover, multiple radio
frequency filters may be dynamically coupled to the transmitter
and/or receiver at the same time to combine together and filter
additional frequency bands.
[0009] Generally, the radio frequency filters may include a first
radio frequency filter that enables signals of a first frequency
band to pass through (e.g., while blocking signals outside of the
first frequency band), a second radio frequency filter that enables
signals of a second frequency band to pass through (e.g., while
blocking signals outside of the second frequency band), and, when
the first and second radio frequency filters are coupled together,
the first and second radio frequency filters enable signals of a
third frequency band to pass through (e.g., while blocking signals
outside of the third frequency band). For example, in the case of
ultra-wideband frequencies, such as those used by fifth generation
(5G) networks (e.g., between 24 Gigahertz (GHz) and 48 GHz), the
radio frequency filters may include a first radio frequency filter
that enables signals of a first frequency band (e.g., between 24
GHz and 33 GHz) to pass through (e.g., in a first state), a second
radio frequency filter that, when combined with the first radio
frequency filter (e.g., in a second state), enables signals of a
second frequency band (e.g., between 37 GHz and 43 GHz) to pass
through, and a third frequency filter that, when combined with the
first and second radio frequency filters (e.g., in a third state),
enables signals of a third frequency band (e.g., between 47 GHz and
49 GHz) to pass through. It is noted that, although described in
particular reference to 5G networks, and frequency bands used in
the 5G networks, these systems and methods of filter sharing may be
applied to a wide variety of networks and frequency ranges as long
as the networks and/or frequency ranges are able to share antenna
circuitry. Indeed, these systems and methods may be applied to
antennas used to transmit and/or receive signals for 4G network
communication, 3G network communications, 2G network
communications, or the like.
[0010] By enabling both the transmitter and receiver to use the
same radio frequency filters, and using the radio frequency filters
individually and in combination to filter different frequency
bands, the number of filters in the electronic device may be
significantly reduced, resulting in a smaller electronic device
overall and/or enabling additional components to be included in the
electronic device.
[0011] Indeed, in some cases, a device may include a first filter
coupled to an antenna and a second filter coupled to a first low
noise amplifier. The device may also include a third filter coupled
to a second low noise amplifier and a controller. The controller
may transmit a transmit signal on a first frequency band by
coupling the first filter to a power amplifier, uncoupling the
second filter from the antenna and the power amplifier, and
uncoupling the third filter from the antenna and the power
amplifier based at least in part on one or more control signals
indicating a first state. The controller may transmit the transmit
signal on a second frequency band by coupling the first filter to
the power amplifier, coupling the second filter to the antenna and
the power amplifier, and uncoupling the third filter from the
antenna and the power amplifier based at least in part on the one
or more control signals indicating a second state. The controller
may transmit the transmit signal on a third frequency band by
coupling the first filter to the power amplifier, coupling the
second filter to the antenna and the power amplifier, and coupling
the third filter to the antenna and the power amplifier based at
least in part on the one or more control signals indicating a third
state.
[0012] In some systems, an electronic device may include a first
switch able to couple an antenna and a first filter to a first low
noise amplifier via a second filter. The electronic device may
include a second switch able to couple the antenna and the first
filter to a second low noise amplifier via a third filter. The
electronic device may also include a third switch able to couple
the antenna and the first filter to a power amplifier. The
electronic device may also include a controller. The electronic
device may receive a receive signal on a first frequency band based
on the controller activating the first switch to couple the first
low noise amplifier and the second filter to the antenna and the
first filter, and deactivating the second switch and the third
switch to uncouple the second low noise amplifier, the third
filter, and the power amplifier from the antenna. The electronic
device may receive the receive signal on a second frequency band
based on the controller activating the second switch to couple the
second low noise amplifier and the third filter to the antenna and
the first filter, and deactivating the first switch and the third
switch to uncouple the first low noise amplifier, the second
filter, and the power amplifier from the antenna. Furthermore, the
electronic device may receive the receive signal on a third
frequency band by activating the first switch and the second switch
to couple the first low noise amplifier, the second filter, the
second low noise amplifier, and the third filter to the antenna and
the first filter, and deactivating the third switch to uncouple the
power amplifier from the antenna.
[0013] In yet another example, a method may include receiving a
frequency band parameter and a transmission or reception (TX/RX)
parameter. The frequency band parameter and the TX/RX parameter may
indicate an operational state of an antenna. The antenna may be
coupled to a first filter and able to couple to at least one of a
second filter or a third filter. In response to the TX/RX parameter
indicating a transmission operation, the method may include
coupling the antenna to a power amplifier, where the power
amplifier may amplify a transmit signal associated with the
transmission operation. In response to the frequency band parameter
indicating a first frequency band, the method may include
uncoupling the second filter and the third filter from the antenna.
In response to the frequency band parameter indicating a second
frequency band, the method may include coupling the second filter
to the antenna and uncoupling the third filter from the antenna. In
response to the frequency band parameter indicating a third
frequency band, the method may include coupling the second filter
and the third filter to the antenna. In some cases, the method may
include transmitting the transmit signal using the power amplifier
and the antenna.
[0014] Various refinements of the features noted above may exist in
relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further
features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well.
These refinements and additional features may exist individually or
in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below
in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be
incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present
disclosure alone or in any combination. The brief summary presented
above is intended to familiarize the reader with certain aspects
and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure without
limitation to the claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood
upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference
to the drawings in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic device
including a transceiver, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a notebook computer
representing a first embodiment of the electronic device of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a front view of a handheld device representing a
second embodiment of the electronic device of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a front view of another handheld device
representing a third embodiment of the electronic device of FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a front view of a desktop computer representing a
fourth embodiment of the electronic device of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a front view and side view of a wearable
electronic device representing a fifth embodiment of the electronic
device of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of at least a portion of a
transceiver of the electronic device of FIG. 1 including
transmitter circuitry, receiver circuitry, and radio frequency
filtering circuitry shared by the transmitter and receiver
circuitries, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the transceiver of FIG. 7
operating to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals having a first
frequency range (e.g., approximately between 24 Gigahertz (GHz) and
33 GHz), in accordance with an embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the transceiver of FIG. 7
operating to transmit RF signals having a second frequency range
(e.g., approximately between 37 GHz and 43 GHz), in accordance with
an embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of at least a portion of the
transceiver of FIG. 7 operating to transmit RF signals having a
third frequency of (e.g., approximately 48 GHz), in accordance with
an embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of at least a portion of the
transceiver of FIG. 7 operating to receive RF signals having the
first frequency range (e.g., approximately between 24 GHz and 33
GHz), in accordance with an embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of at least a portion of the
transceiver of FIG. 7 operating to receive RF signals having the
second frequency range (e.g., approximately between 37 GHz and 43
GHz), in accordance with an embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of the transceiver of FIG. 7
operating to receive RF signals having the third frequency (e.g.,
approximately 48 GHz), in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0029] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating
the electronic device of FIG. 1 to transmit and/or receive RF
signals having a frequency range approximately between 24 GHz and
33 GHz, a frequency range approximately between 37 GHz and 43 GHz,
and/or a frequency of approximately 48 GHz, in accordance with an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described below. These described embodiments are examples
of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort
to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features
of an actual implementation may not be described in the
specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of
any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design
project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to
achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with
system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary
from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be
appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and
time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of
design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill
having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0031] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the
present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended
to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms
"comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be
inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than
the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that
references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present
disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the
existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the
recited features.
[0032] Various processes are disclosed that may be used to adjust
an operating frequency range of a transceiver. The processes may
apply to a variety of electronic devices. In some embodiments, a
control system (e.g., a controller) of an electronic device may
couple or uncouple a transmitter and/or a receiver to or from an
antenna. The control system may also couple or uncouple one or more
radio frequency filters to and from the transmitter or receiver,
individually or in combination, to filter signals of different
frequencies. These processes bring certain advantages to operation,
as is described herein. With the foregoing in mind, a general
description of suitable electronic devices that may include such a
transceiver is provided below.
[0033] Turning first to FIG. 1, an electronic device 10 according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include, among other
things, one or more of processor(s) 12, memory 14, nonvolatile
storage 16, a display 18, a controller 20, input structures 22, an
input/output (I/O) interface 24, a network interface 26, a
transceiver 28, and a power source 30. The various functional
blocks shown in FIG. 1 may include hardware elements (including
circuitry), software elements (including computer code stored on a
computer-readable medium) or a combination of both hardware and
software elements. Furthermore, a combination of elements may be
included in tangible, non-transitory, and machine-readable medium
that include machine-readable instructions. The instructions may be
executed by the processor 12 and may cause the processor 12 to
perform operations as described herein. It should be noted that
FIG. 1 is merely one example of a particular embodiment and is
intended to illustrate the types of elements that may be present in
the electronic device 10.
[0034] By way of example, the electronic device 10 may represent a
block diagram of the notebook computer depicted in FIG. 2, the
handheld device depicted in FIG. 3, the handheld device depicted in
FIG. 4, the desktop computer depicted in FIG. 5, the wearable
electronic device depicted in FIG. 6, or similar devices. It should
be noted that the processor 12 and other related items in FIG. 1
may be generally referred to herein as "data processing circuitry."
Such data processing circuitry may be embodied wholly or in part as
software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof.
Furthermore, the data processing circuitry may be a single
contained processing module or may be incorporated wholly or
partially within any of the other elements within the electronic
device 10.
[0035] In the electronic device 10 of FIG. 1, the processor 12 may
operably couple with the memory 14 and the nonvolatile storage 16
to perform various algorithms. Such programs or instructions
executed by the processor 12 may be stored in any suitable article
of manufacture that includes one or more tangible,
computer-readable media at least collectively storing the
instructions or processes, such as the memory 14 and the
nonvolatile storage 16. The memory 14 and the nonvolatile storage
16 may include any suitable articles of manufacture for storing
data and executable instructions, such as random-access memory,
read-only memory, rewritable flash memory, hard drives, and optical
discs. Also, programs (e.g., an operating system) encoded on such a
computer program product may also include instructions executable
by the processor 12 to enable the electronic device 10 to provide
various functionalities.
[0036] In certain embodiments, the display 18 may be a liquid
crystal display (LCD), which may facilitate users to view images
generated on the electronic device 10. In some embodiments, the
display 18 may include a touch screen, which may facilitate user
interaction with a user interface of the electronic device 10.
Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments,
the display 18 may include one or more organic light emitting diode
(OLED) displays, or some combination of LCD panels and OLED
panels.
[0037] A controller 20 may also be inducted in the electronic
device 10. The controller 20 may include one or more of the
processors 12. In some cases, the controller 20 may operate
circuitry to input or output data generated by the electronic
device 10. For example, the controller 20 may control and/or
operate the memory 14, the storage 16, display 18, input structures
22, an input/output (I/O interface) 24, a network interface 26, a
transceiver 28, a power source 29, or the like to perform
operations of the electronic device 10 and/or to facilitate control
of the operations of the electronic device. In particular, the
controller 20 may generate control signals for operating the
transceiver 28 to transmit and/or receive data on one or more
communication networks.
[0038] The input structures 22 of the electronic device 10 may
enable a user to interact with the electronic device 10 (e.g.,
pressing a button to increase or decrease a volume level). The I/O
interface 24 may enable the electronic device 10 to interface with
various other electronic devices, as may the network interface 26.
The network interface 26 may include, for example, one or more
interfaces for a personal area network (PAN), such as a
BLUETOOTH.RTM. network, for a local area network (LAN) or wireless
local area network (WLAN), such as an 802.11x WI-FI.RTM. network,
and/or for a wide area network (WAN), such as a 3.sup.rd generation
(3G) cellular network, 4.sup.th generation (4G) cellular network,
long term evolution (LTE.RTM.) cellular network, long term
evolution license assisted access (LTE-LAA) cellular network,
5.sup.th generation (5G) cellular network, or New Radio (NR)
cellular network. The network interface 26 may also include one or
more interfaces for, for example, broadband fixed wireless access
networks (e.g., WIMAX.RTM.), mobile broadband Wireless networks
(mobile WIMAX.RTM.), asynchronous digital subscriber lines (e.g.,
ADSL, VDSL), digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T.RTM.)
network and its extension DVB Handheld (DVB-H.RTM.) network,
ultra-wideband (UWB) network, alternating current (AC) power lines,
and so forth.
[0039] In some embodiments, the electronic device 10 communicates
over the aforementioned wireless networks (e.g., WI-FI.RTM.,
WIMAX.RTM., mobile WIMAX.RTM., 4G, LTE.RTM., 5G, and so forth)
using the transceiver 28. The transceiver 28 may include circuitry
useful in both wirelessly receiving and wirelessly transmitting
signals (e.g., data signals, wireless data signals, wireless
carrier signals, RF signals), such as a transmitter and/or a
receiver. Indeed, in some embodiments, the transceiver 28 may
include a transmitter and a receiver combined into a single unit,
or, in other embodiments, the transceiver 28 may include a
transmitter separate from a receiver. The transceiver 28 may
transmit and/or receive RF signals to support voice and/or data
communication in wireless applications such as, for example, PAN
networks (e.g., BLUETOOTH.RTM.), WLAN networks (e.g., 802.11x
WI-FI.RTM.), WAN networks (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, NR, and LTE.RTM. and
LTE-LAA cellular networks), WIMAX.RTM. networks, mobile WIMAX.RTM.
networks, ADSL and VDSL networks, DVB-T.RTM. and DVB-H.RTM.
networks, UWB networks, and so forth. As further illustrated, the
electronic device 10 may include the power source 30. The power
source 30 may include any suitable source of power, such as a
rechargeable lithium polymer (Li-poly) battery and/or an
alternating current (AC) power converter.
[0040] In certain embodiments, the electronic device 10 may take
the form of a computer, a portable electronic device, a wearable
electronic device, or other type of electronic device. Such
computers may be generally portable (such as laptop, notebook, and
tablet computers) and/or those that are generally used in one place
(such as conventional desktop computers, workstations and/or
servers). In certain embodiments, the electronic device 10 in the
form of a computer may be a model of a MacBook.RTM., MacBook.RTM.
Pro, MacBook Air.RTM., iMac.RTM., Mac.RTM. mini, or Mac Pro.RTM.
available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. By way of example,
the electronic device 10, taking the form of a notebook computer
10A, is illustrated in FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment of
the present disclosure. The notebook computer 10A may include a
housing or the enclosure 36, the display 18, the input structures
22, and ports associated with the I/O interface 24. In one
embodiment, the input structures 22 (such as a keyboard and/or
touchpad) may enable interaction with the notebook computer 10A,
such as starting, controlling, or operating a graphical user
interface (GUI) and/or applications running on the notebook
computer 10A. For example, a keyboard and/or touchpad may
facilitate user interaction with a user interface, GUI, and/or
application interface displayed on display 18.
[0041] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a handheld device 10B, which
represents one embodiment of the electronic device 10. The handheld
device 10B may represent, for example, a portable phone, a media
player, a personal data organizer, a handheld game platform, or any
combination of such devices. By way of example, the handheld device
10B may be a model of an iPod.RTM. or iPhone.RTM. available from
Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. The handheld device 10B may include
the enclosure 36 to protect interior elements from physical damage
and to shield them from electromagnetic interference. The enclosure
36 may surround the display 18. The I/O interface 24 may open
through the enclosure 36 and may include, for example, an I/O port
for a hard wired connection for charging and/or content
manipulation using a standard connector and protocol, such as the
Lightning connector provided by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., a
universal serial bus (USB), or other similar connector and
protocol.
[0042] The input structures 22, in combination with the display 18,
may enable user control of the handheld device 10B. For example,
the input structures 22 may activate or deactivate the handheld
device 10B, navigate a user interface to a home screen, present a
user-editable application screen, and/or activate a
voice-recognition feature of the handheld device 10B. Other of the
input structures 22 may provide volume control, or may toggle
between vibrate and ring modes. The input structures 22 may also
include a microphone to obtain a user's voice for various
voice-related features, and a speaker to enable audio playback. The
input structures 22 may also include a headphone input to enable
input from external speakers and/or headphones.
[0043] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of another handheld device 10C,
which represents another embodiment of the electronic device 10.
The handheld device 10C may represent, for example, a tablet
computer, or one of various portable computing devices. By way of
example, the handheld device 10C may be a tablet-sized embodiment
of the electronic device 10, which may be, for example, a model of
an iPad.RTM. available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.
[0044] Turning to FIG. 5, a computer 10D may represent another
embodiment of the electronic device 10 of FIG. 1. The computer 10D
may be any computer, such as a desktop computer, a server, or a
notebook computer, but may also be a standalone media player or
video gaming machine. By way of example, the computer 10D may be an
iMac.RTM., a MacBook.RTM., or other similar device by Apple Inc. of
Cupertino, Calif. It should be noted that the computer 10D may also
represent a personal computer (PC) by another manufacturer. The
enclosure 36 may protect and enclose internal elements of the
computer 10D, such as the display 18. In certain embodiments, a
user of the computer 10D may interact with the computer 10D using
various peripheral input devices, such as keyboard 22A or mouse 22B
(e.g., input structures 22), which may operatively couple to the
computer 10D.
[0045] Similarly, FIG. 6 depicts a wearable electronic device 10E
representing another embodiment of the electronic device 10 of FIG.
1. By way of example, the wearable electronic device 10E, which may
include a wristband 43, may be an Apple Watch.RTM. by Apple Inc. of
Cupertino, Calif. However, in other embodiments, the wearable
electronic device 10E may include any wearable electronic device
such as, a wearable exercise monitoring device (e.g., pedometer,
accelerometer, heart rate monitor), or other device by another
manufacturer. The display 18 of the wearable electronic device 10E
may include a touch screen version of the display 18 (e.g., LCD,
OLED display, active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED)
display, and so forth), as well as the input structures 22, which
may facilitate user interaction with a user interface of the
wearable electronic device 10E. In certain embodiments, as
previously noted above, each embodiment (e.g., notebook computer
10A, handheld device 10B, handheld device 10C, computer 10D, and
wearable electronic device 10E) of the electronic device 10 may
include the transceiver 28.
[0046] Keeping the foregoing in mind, FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram
of at least a portion of the transceiver 28 operating to transmit
and/or receive radio frequency (RF) signals using transmitter
circuitry 50, receiver circuitry 51, and circuitry shared by the
transmitter and receiver circuitries 50, 51 (shared circuitry 52),
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The transmitter
circuitry 50 may include transmitter processing circuitry 54 that
processes transmission signals and sends the processed transmission
signals to a power amplifier 56 for amplification prior to
transmission via an antenna 57. The receiver circuitry 51 receives
signals from the antenna 57 as part of a receive operation and may
amplify the received signals using one or more low noise amplifiers
(LNAs) 60 (60A, 60B) prior to sending the signals to receiver
processing circuitry 58 (58A, 58B) for processing.
[0047] The one or more LNAs 60 may increase a magnitude of a signal
without increasing noise of the signal. For example, LNAs 60A, 60B
may respectively receive a receive signal from the antenna 57,
depending on which receive mode the transceiver 28 is using, and
increase the magnitude of a signal without increasing noise of the
receive signal. Although two LNAs 60 are depicted, it should be
understood that any number of LNAs may be implemented in the
transceiver 28, such as two, three, four, or more LNAs to amplify
any suitable number of frequency bands. In the illustrated
embodiment, the LNA 60A may process relatively lower frequencies
(e.g., corresponding to a low-band or mid-band low noise amplifier)
and the LNA 60B may process relatively higher frequencies (e.g.,
corresponding to a high-band low noise amplifier). In some
embodiments, a controller 20 or other circuitry of the receiver
circuitry 51 (not depicted) may regulate power supplied to the LNAs
60A, 60B according to average power tracking of the modified signal
or envelope tracking of the signal.
[0048] Receive signals output from the LNAs 60A, 60B or other
circuitry of the receiver circuitry 51 may be transmitted to the
receiver processing circuitry 58 for additional processing, such as
by filtering and/or demodulating the signals. The receiver
processing circuitry 58 may include any suitable hardware or
software to perform a variety of signal-improving or
signal-analysis operations on a receive signal from the antenna 57.
For example, the receiver processing circuitry 58 may include an
analog-to-digital converter, additional filtering circuitry, phase
shifting circuitry (e.g., 180 degree phase shifter) or the
like.
[0049] The shared circuitry 52 may be used by both the transmitter
circuitry 50 for transmitting signals and the receiver circuitry 51
for receiving signals. The shared circuitry 52 thus includes the
antenna 57, as well as radio circuitry filtering circuitry that may
enable pass through of signals of desired frequencies or blocking
of signals of undesired frequencies. In particular, the transmitter
circuitry 50 may include switching circuitry 62 (e.g., switch 62A)
that enables the transmitter circuitry 50 to couple to the antenna
57 to send signals and uncouple from the antenna 57 (e.g., when the
receiver circuitry 51 receives signals). Similarly, the receiver
circuitry 51 may include switching circuitry 62 (e.g., switch 62F,
62G) that enables the receiver circuitry 51 to couple to the
antenna 57 to receive signals and uncouple from the antenna 57
(e.g., when the transmitter circuitry 50 sends signals).
[0050] In particular, the power amplifier 56 may be coupled to the
antenna 57 through a switch 62A when turned on (e.g., activated to
enable current to flow through) via control signal S1. The switch
62A and/or any switching circuitry 62 (e.g., 62B, 62C, 62D, 62E,
62F, 62G) discussed herein may be any suitable transistor or
switching device, such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect
transistor (MOSFET), insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), or
the like, and may each be controlled by respective control signals
S (e.g., S1, S2, S3, S4, S5). A controller 20 may transmit a
control signal (e.g., control signal S2) having a voltage value
suitable to cause the terminals of the respective transistors used
for the switching circuitry 62 to conduct, thus respectively
turning on, or activating, the switching circuitry 62. When a
voltage value is unsuitable to cause the terminals to conduct, it
may be said that the switching circuitry 62 is deactivated or
turned off.
[0051] The antenna 57 may also be coupled to a filter 64. The
filter 64 may remove (e.g., filter, attenuate to zero amplitude or
to a lower amplitude) signals characterized by a frequency lower or
higher than a threshold frequency range. In this way, the filter 64
may improve an RF signal quality (e.g., reduce noise, isolate
desired frequencies from undesired frequencies). The filter 64 is
shown to include an inductor 66 coupled in parallel with a
capacitor 68. However, it should be understood that any combination
of filtering circuitry and/or attenuation circuitry may be used to
pass a desired range of frequencies. For example, any suitable
filter or attenuation circuitry may be used in place of or in
addition to the filter 64, and the filter 64 may be considered a
high pass filter, a bandpass filter, or the like. The shared
circuitry 52 may also include additional radio frequency filtering
circuitry (e.g., filters 70A, 70B) that may individually filter
signals of different radio frequency bands, and, when joined in
combination, filter signals of additional radio frequency
bands.
[0052] For example, the filter 64 may be used alone to pass
transmit or receive signals within a first frequency range (e.g.,
between 24 Gigahertz (GHz) and 33 GHz) and block signals outside of
the first frequency range. When the filter 64 is combined with a
filter 70A, such as through at least the switch 62B, the
combination of filtering circuitry may be used to pass transmit or
receive signals within a second frequency range (e.g., between 37
GHz and 43 GHz) and block signals outside of the second frequency
range. Furthermore, when the filter 64 is combined with the filter
70A and a filter 70B, such as through the switches 62B and 62C, the
combination of filtering circuitry may be used to pass transmit or
receive signals within a third frequency range (e.g., 48 GHz,
between 47 GHz and 49 GHz) and block signals outside of the third
frequency range.
[0053] By sharing filtering circuitry (e.g., filters, circuitry
characterized by an impedance) between transmit operations and
receive operations (e.g., by toggling on and off switches 62A, 62F,
62G to couple the transmitter circuitry 50 or the receiver
circuitry 51 to the shared circuitry 52), and selecting different
filters 64, 70A, 70B (e.g., by toggling on and off switches 62B,
62C, 62D, 62E) based on desired filtering frequencies, the
transceiver 28 may communicate with signals having a relatively
wide variety of frequencies. These ranges, for example, may include
frequencies within a threshold range of these frequencies, such as
within 1 GHz, 500 Megahertz (MHz), 100 MHz, 10 MHz, 100 Hertz (Hz),
and so on. It is noted that in this disclosure, three filtering
circuits are used to enable the transceiver 28 to process three
different frequency ranges. However, it should be understood that
different filters, a different number of filters, and/or different
impedances may be used to enable the transceiver 28 to process
different frequency ranges (e.g., frequency ranges of different
frequencies, a different number of frequency ranges).
[0054] To help elaborate on the transmit operations, FIG. 8 is a
circuit diagram of the transceiver 28 of FIG. 7 operating in the
first transmit mode to transmit signals (e.g., transmit signal 72)
having a first frequency range (e.g., approximately between 24 GHz
and 33 GHz), according to embodiments of the present disclosure and
corresponding to operations of at least block 122 of FIG. 14. It is
noted, as used in the figures, when a switch is represented with a
solid line, the switch is on or closed (e.g., able to conduct), and
when a switch is represented with a dashed line, the switch is off
or open (e.g., not conducting). The signals described above may be
processed by the transceiver 28. While in the first transmit mode,
the transceiver 28 may process signals having frequencies in the
first frequency range.
[0055] In particular, the filter 64 may enable frequencies of the
transmit signal 72 within the first frequency range to pass
through, while block frequencies of the transmit signal 72 that are
outside the first frequency range. To do so, a controller 20 of the
processors 12 may turn on the switch 62A to couple the transmitter
circuitry 50, via the power amplifier 56, to the filter 64 and the
antenna 57. The controller 20 may also turn off the switch 62B to
uncouple the filter 70A, the LNA 60A, and the receiver processing
circuitry 58A from the antenna 57. As such, the transmit signal 72
may not be filtered by the filter 70A, and may be isolated from the
LNA 60A and the receiver processing circuitry 58A. Similarly, the
controller 20 may additionally turn off the switch 62C to uncouple
the filter 70B, the LNA 60B, and the receiver processing circuitry
58B from the antenna 57. As such, the transmit signal 72 may not be
filtered by the filter 70B, and may be isolated from the LNA 60B
and the receiver processing circuitry 58B. Furthermore, the
controller 20 may operate the switch 62D off, the switch 62E off,
the switch 62F off, and the switch 62G off.
[0056] When the switches operate in this configuration, the
transceiver 28 uses the filter 64 to process the transmit signal 72
output from the transmitter processing circuitry 54 for
transmission, but does not use the filter 70A and the filter 70B.
Moreover, the transmit signal 72 is isolated from the receiver
circuitry 51. To filter frequencies from the transmit signal 72
different than the first frequency band, instead of using a
completely different filter or set of filters than the filter 64,
an additional filter (e.g., the filter 70A) may be combined with
the filter 64. This is shown in FIG. 9.
[0057] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the transceiver 28 of FIG. 7
operating in the second transmit mode to transmit signals (e.g.,
transmit signal 72) having a second frequency range (e.g.,
approximately between 37 GHz and 43 GHz), according to embodiments
of the present disclosure and corresponding to operations of at
least block 126 of FIG. 14. The combination of the filter 64 and
the filter 70A may enable frequencies of the transmit signal 72
within the second frequency range to pass through to the antenna
57, while blocking frequencies of the transmit signal 72 that are
outside the second frequency range from passing through.
[0058] To do so, the controller 20 of the processors 12 may turn on
the switch 62A to couple the transmitter circuitry 50, via the
power amplifier 56, to the filter 64 and the antenna 57. The
controller 20 may also turn on the switch 62B and the switch 62D to
couple the filter 70A to the filter 64, the antenna 57, and the
power amplifier 56. However, the controller 20 may turn off the
switch 62F to decouple the LNA 60A and the receiver processing
circuitry 58A from the antenna 57. As such, the transmit signal 72
may be filtered by the filter 70A in combination with the filter
64, and may be isolated from the LNA 60A and the receiver
processing circuitry 58A. The controller 20 may additionally turn
off the switch 62C to uncouple the filter 70B, the LNA 60B, and the
receiver processing circuitry 58B from the antenna 57. As such, the
transmit signal 72 may not be filtered by the filter 70B, and may
be isolated from the LNA 60B and the receiver processing circuitry
58B. Furthermore, the controller 20 may operate the switch 62E off,
the switch 62F off, and the switch 62G off.
[0059] When the switches operate in this configuration, the
transceiver 28 uses the filter 64 and the filter 70A to process the
transmit signal 72 output from the transmitter processing circuitry
54 for transmission, but does not use the filter 70B. Moreover, the
transmit signal 72 is isolated from the receiver circuitry 51. To
filter frequencies from the transmit signal 72 different than the
first and second frequency bands, instead of using a completely
different filter or set of filters than the filter 64, an
additional filter (e.g., the filter 70B) may be combined with the
filter 64 and the filter 70A. This is shown in FIG. 10.
[0060] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the transceiver 28 of FIG. 7
operating in the third transmit mode to transmit signals (e.g.,
transmit signal 72) having a third frequency range (e.g.,
approximately 48 GHz, between approximately 47 GHz and 49 GHz),
according to embodiments of the present disclosure and
corresponding to operations of at least block 128 of FIG. 14. The
combination of the filter 64, the filter 70A, and the filter 70B
may enable frequencies of the transmit signal 72 within the third
frequency range to pass through, while blocking frequencies of the
transmit signal 72 that are outside the second frequency range from
passing through to the antenna 57.
[0061] To do so, a controller 20 of the processors 12 may turn on
the switch 62A to couple the transmitter circuitry 50, via the
power amplifier 56, to the filter 64 and the antenna 57. The
controller 20 may turn on the switch 62B and the switch 62D to
couple the filter 70A to the filter 64, the antenna 57, and the
power amplifier 56. The controller 20 may also turn on the switch
62C and the switch 62E to couple the filter 70B to the filter 64,
the filter 70A, the antenna 57, and the power amplifier 56.
However, the controller 20 may turn off the switch 62F to decouple
the LNA 60A and the receiver processing circuitry 58A from the
antenna 57 and may turn off the switch 62G to decouple the LNA 60B
and the receiver processing circuitry 58B from the antenna 57. As
such, the transmit signal 72 may be filtered by the filter 70A and
the filter 70B, and may be isolated from the LNA 60A, the LNA 60B,
the receiver processing circuitry 58A, and the receiver processing
circuitry 58B.
[0062] When the switches operate in this configuration, the
transceiver 28 uses the filter 64, the filter 70A, and the filter
70B to process the transmit signal 72 transmitted from the
transmitter processing circuitry 54 for transmission. Moreover, the
transmit signal 72 is isolated from the receiver circuitry 51. To
filter frequencies of signals received instead of transmit signals
(e.g., transmit signal 72), instead of using a completely different
filter or set of filters than the filter 64, the filter 70A may be
combined with the filter 64. This is shown in FIG. 11.
[0063] To elaborate, the transceiver 28 may be operated to transmit
the transmit signal 72 after amplification via power amplifier 56.
In some cases, however, the transceiver 28 may be used to receive
one or more RF signals. Advantageously, the same filters 64, 70A,
70B of the shared circuitry 52 used by the transmitter circuitry 50
may be reused by the receiver circuitry 51 to filter the same or
similar frequency bands. In this manner, space reserved for
receiver filtering circuitry separate from transmitter filtering
circuitry may be reclaimed or used for additional components in the
electronic device 10.
[0064] For example, FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of the transceiver
28 in a first receive mode, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure and corresponding to operations of at least block 134 of
FIG. 14. The combination of the filter 64 and the filter 70A may
enable frequencies of a receive signal 100 within the first
frequency range (e.g., between 24 GHz and 33 GHz) to pass through
to the receiver processing circuitry 58A, while blocking
frequencies of the receive signal 100 that are outside the first
frequency range from passing through.
[0065] To do so, the controller 20 of the processors 12 may turn
off the switch 62A to decouple the transmitter circuitry 50, via
the power amplifier 56, from the filter 64 and the antenna 57. The
controller 20 may turn on the switch 62B and may turn off the
switch 62D to couple the filter 70A to the filter 64, the antenna
57, and the LNA 60A. However, the controller 20 may turn off the
switch 62C and the switch 62E to decouple the filter 70B from the
antenna 57. The controller 20 may turn off the switch 62G to
decouple the LNA 60B and the receiver processing circuitry 58B from
the antenna 57. As such, the receive signal 100 may be filtered by
the filter 70A in combination with the filter 64 without being
filtered by the filter 70B, and may be isolated from the LNA 60B
and the receiver processing circuitry 58B.
[0066] When the switches operate in this configuration, the
transceiver 28 uses the filter 64 and the filter 70A to process the
receive signal 100 received at the antenna 57, but does not use the
filter 70B. Moreover, the receive signal 100 is isolated from the
transmitter circuitry 50. To filter frequencies from the receive
signal 100 different than the first frequency band, instead of
using a completely different filter or set of filters than the
filter 64, an additional filter (e.g., the filter 70B) may be
combined with the filter 64 instead of the filter 70A. This is
shown in FIG. 12.
[0067] The controller 20 may also be able to operate the
transceiver 28 in a second receive mode to receive the receive
signal 100 using the second frequency range. For example, FIG. 12
is a circuit diagram of the transceiver 28 in the second receive
mode, according to embodiments of the present disclosure and
corresponding to operations of at least block 138 of FIG. 14. The
combination of the filter 64 and the filter 70A may enable
frequencies of a receive signal 100 within the second frequency
range (e.g., between 37 GHz and 43 GHz) to pass through to the
receiver processing circuitry 58B, while blocking frequencies of
the receive signal 100 that are outside the second frequency range
from passing through.
[0068] To do so, the controller 20 of the processors 12 may turn
off the switch 62A to decouple the transmitter circuitry 50, via
the power amplifier 56, from the filter 64 and the antenna 57. The
controller 20 may turn on the switch 62C and may turn off the
switch 62E to couple the filter 70B to the filter 64, the antenna
57, and the LNA 60B. The controller 20 may turn off the switch 62B
and the switch 62D to decouple the filter 70A from the antenna 57.
The controller 20 may turn off the switch 62F to decouple the LNA
60A and the receiver processing circuitry 58A from the antenna 57.
As such, the receive signal 100 may be filtered by the filter 70B
in combination with the filter 64 without being filtered by the
filter 70A, and may be isolated from the LNA 60A and the receiver
processing circuitry 58A.
[0069] When the switches operate in this configuration, the
transceiver 28 uses the filter 64 and the filter 70B to process the
receive signal 100 received at the antenna 57, but does not use the
filter 70A. Moreover, the receive signal 100 is isolated from the
transmitter circuitry 50. To filter frequencies from the receive
signal 100 different than the first or second frequency bands,
instead of using a completely different filter or set of filters
than the filter 64, the filter 70B may be combined with the filter
64 and the filter 70A. This is shown in FIG. 13.
[0070] FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of the transceiver 28 in a
third receive mode, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure and corresponding to operations of at least block 140 of
FIG. 14. The combination of the filter 64, the filter 70A, and the
filter 70B may enable frequencies of a receive signal 100 within
the third frequency range (e.g., approximately 48 GHz, between
approximately 47 GHz and 49 GHz) to pass through to the receiver
processing circuitry 58B, while blocking frequencies of the receive
signal 100 that are outside the third frequency range.
[0071] To do so, the controller 20 of the processors 12 may turn
off the switch 62A to decouple the transmitter circuitry 50, via
the power amplifier 56, from the filter 64 and the antenna 57. The
controller 20 may turn on the switch 62C and may turn off the
switch 62E to couple the filter 70B to the filter 64, the antenna
57, and the LNA 60B. The controller 20 may turn on the switch 62B
and the switch 62D to couple the filter 70A to the antenna 57, the
filter 64, and the filter 70B. The controller 20 may turn off the
switch 62F to decouple the LNA 60A and the receiver processing
circuitry 58A from the antenna 57. As such, the receive signal 100
may be filtered by the filter 70B in combination with the filter 64
and the filter 70A, and may be isolated from the LNA 60A and the
receiver processing circuitry 58A.
[0072] When the switches operate in this configuration, the
transceiver 28 uses the filter 64, the filter 70A, and the filter
70B to process the receive signal 100 received at the antenna 57.
Moreover, the receive signal 100 is isolated from the transmitter
circuitry 50. For ease of description, the various operational
modes of the transceiver 28 may be summarized in Table 1 below. It
is noted that Table 1 outlines relative states of the certain
switching circuitry 62, and how the combination of operation of the
switching circuitry 62 corresponds to the various operational modes
of the transceiver 28, where switch 62A corresponds to S1, the
switch 62B corresponds to S2, the switch 62C corresponds to S3, the
switch 62D corresponds to S4, the switch 62E corresponds to S5, the
switch 62F corresponds to S6, and the switch 62G corresponds to S7.
In some cases, Table 1 also outlines the states of the control
signals (e.g., control signals S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7) supplied
to the switching circuitry 62. As illustrated, a control signal S
that is a logic high "ON" signal activates (e.g., turns on) the
corresponding switching circuitry 62 to close a circuit, while a
control signal S that is a logic low "OFF" signal deactivates
(e.g., turns off) the corresponding switching circuitry 62 to open
a circuit.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Operational Mode of Transceiver 28 S1 S2 S3
S4 S5 S6 S7 First transmit mode ON OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF (e.g.,
FIG. 8) Second transmit mode ON ON OFF ON OFF OFF OFF (e.g., FIG.
9) Third transmit mode ON ON ON ON ON OFF OFF (e.g., FIG. 10) First
receive mode OFF ON OFF OFF OFF ON OFF (e.g., FIG. 11) Second
receive mode OFF OFF ON OFF OFF OFF ON (e.g., FIG. 12) Third
receive mode OFF ON ON ON OFF OFF ON (e.g., FIG. 13)
[0073] To clarify further on the operation of the transceiver 28,
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a method 110 for operating the electronic
device 10 to transmit and/or receive RF signals using a frequency
range (e.g., between approximately 24 GHz and 33 GHz), a second
frequency range (e.g., between approximately 37 GHz and 43 GHz),
and/or a third frequency range (e.g., between approximately 47 GHz
and 49 GHz, approximately 48 GHz), according to embodiments of the
present disclosure. It is noted that, although depicted in a
particular order, the blocks of the method 110 may be performed in
any suitable order. As described herein, the method 110 is
described as performed by the controller 20, however, it should be
understood that any suitable processing and/or control circuitry
may perform some or all of the operations of the method 110, such
as one or more of the processors 12.
[0074] At block 112, the controller 20 may receive a frequency band
parameter and a transmission or reception (TX/RX) parameter. These
parameters may be received in same or different data packets. In
some cases, the controller 20 may receive the frequency band
parameter and/or the TX/RX parameter by reading a status of a
register, such as a configuration register, or other suitable types
of memory or storage elements of the electronic device 10. The
frequency band parameter may indicate which frequency range a
portion of the transceiver 28 is to be programmed to use. The TX/RX
parameter may indicate whether the portion of the transceiver 28 is
to be programmed to transmit and/or to receive signals. It is noted
that in some embodiments, the frequency band parameter may
expressly indicate the first frequency range or the second
frequency range. Absent of either indication, the controller 20 may
default to controlling the transceiver 28 to operate using the
third frequency range. In some cases, the controller 20 may default
to one of the other frequency ranges and/or to one of the other
operational modes.
[0075] After receiving and/or accessing the frequency band
parameter and/or the TX/RX parameter, the controller 20 may, at
block 114, determine whether the TX/RX parameter indicates a
transmission operation or a reception operation. The controller 20
may interpret a state or status of the TX/RX parameter to determine
whether the parameter indicates a transmission operation or a
reception operation.
[0076] When the TX/RX parameter indicates that the current
operation is associated with a transmission (TX) operation, the
controller 20 may, at block 116, set a control signal state of the
switch 62A to couple the antenna 57 and the filter 64 to the power
amplifier 56. At block 120, the controller 20 may determine whether
the frequency band parameter indicates the first frequency range.
When the frequency band parameter indicates the first frequency
range, the controller 20 may, at block 122, set a control signal
state of the switch 62B to uncouple the filter 70A from the antenna
57 and the filter 64 and may set a control signal state of the
switch 62C to uncouple the filter 70B from the antenna 57 and the
filter 64 using the switch 62C.
[0077] When the frequency band parameter does not indicate the
first frequency range, the controller 20 may, at block 124,
determine whether the frequency band parameter indicates the second
frequency range. When the frequency band parameter indicates the
second frequency range, the controller 20 may, at block 126, set
control signal states of the switch 62B and of the switch 62D to
couple the filter 70A to the antenna 57 and the filter 64 and may
set a control signal state of the switch 62C to uncouple the filter
70B from the antenna 57 and the filter 64. In some embodiments,
when the frequency band parameter indicates the second frequency
range, the controller 20 may set a control signal state of the
switch 62D to isolate the LNA 60A from the antenna 57 and the
filter 64. The controller 20 may also set control signal states of
the switch 62F and the switch 62G to off to uncouple the LNAs 60A,
60B from the antenna 57 and the filter 64.
[0078] When the frequency band parameter does not indicate the
first frequency range or the second frequency range, the controller
20 may, at block 128, default to operating in the third transmit
mode, and thus may set control signal states of the switch 62B and
the switch 62D to couple the filter 70A to the antenna 57 and the
filter 64, and may set control signal states of the switch 62C and
the switch 62E to couple the filter 70B to the antenna 57 and the
filter 64. The controller 20 may set a control signal state of the
switch 62F to uncouple the LNA 60A from the antenna 57 during the
third transmit mode and may set a control signal state of the
switch 62G to uncouple the LNA 60B from the antenna 57 during the
third transmit mode.
[0079] After the various filters 70 are coupled or uncoupled to the
antenna 57 and/or the filter 64 according to the blocks discussed
above, at block 130, the transmit signal 72 may be transmitted from
the power amplifier 56 to the antenna 57. The controller 20 may
initiate the transmission of the transmit signal 72, and/or the
transmission of the transmit signal 72 may occur automatically with
consideration for time for configuration of the transceiver 28.
[0080] Referring back to block 114, when the TX/RX parameter
indicates a reception operation, the controller 20 may, at block
118, may set a control signal state of the switch 62A to uncouple
the power amplifier 56 from the antenna 57 and from the filter 64.
After, before, or while setting the control signal state to
uncouple the power amplifier 56, the controller 20 may, at block
132, determine whether the frequency band parameter indicates the
first frequency range. When the frequency band parameter indicates
the first frequency range, the controller 20 may, at block 134, set
control signal states of the switch 62B and the switch 62F to
couple the filter 70A to the antenna 57 and the filter 64. The
controller 20 may also set a control signal state of the switch 62C
to uncouple the filter 70B, and thus the LNA 60B, from the antenna
57 and the filter 64 and set a control signal state of the switch
62D to permit signals to transmit through to the LNA 60A.
[0081] When the frequency band parameter does not indicate the
first frequency range, the controller 20 may, at block 136,
determine whether the frequency band parameter indicates the second
frequency range. When the frequency band parameter indicates the
second frequency range, the controller 20 may, at block 138, set a
control signal state of the switch 62C to couple the filter 70B and
the LNA 60B to the antenna 57 and the filter 64. The controller 20
may set a control signal state of the switch 62E to permit the
receive signal 100 to transmit from the antenna 57 to the LNA 60A.
The controller 20 may also set control signal states of the switch
62B and the switch 62D to uncouple the filter 70A and the LNA 60A
from the antenna 57 and the filter 64.
[0082] When the frequency band parameter does not indicates the
first frequency range and the second frequency range, the
controller 20 may, at block 140, default to using the third
frequency range and may set control signal states of the switch 62B
and the switch 62D to couple the filter 70A to the antenna 57 and
the filter 64 without also coupling the LNA 60A to the antenna 57
and filter 64. The controller 20 also sets control signal states of
the switch 62C and the switch 62E to couple the filter 70B and the
LNA 60B by activating the switch 62C to the antenna 57 and/or the
high pass filter 64 without activating the switch 62E.
[0083] After the various filters 70 are coupled or uncoupled to the
antenna 57 and/or the high pass filter 64 according to the blocks
discussed above, the controller 20 may, at block 142, receive the
receive signal 100 via the antenna 57.
[0084] Once the transceiver 28 receives the receive signal 100 or
transmits the transmit signal 72, the controller 20 may, at block
144, determine whether a subsequent communication operation is to
be performed. To do so, the controller 20 may, for example, refer
to a communication configuration defining transmission and/or
reception patterns of the electronic device 10. In some cases, the
controller 20 may read a status register able to indicate whether a
subsequent communication operation is to occur. If, at block 144,
the controller 20 determines that a subsequent communication
operation is to occur, the controller 20 may repeat performance of
the method 110, such as by returning to block 112.
[0085] However, in some cases, if the controller 20 determine that
no subsequent operation is to be performed at that time, at block
146, the controller 20 may reduce (e.g., power gate) or eliminate
(e.g., remove) power supplied to at least a portion of the
transceiver 28, such as the power amplifier 56, and/or may other
halt communication operations. To do so, power supplied to the
portions of the electronic device 10 (e.g., power supplied to the
transceiver 28) may be reduced or removed entirely between
communication operations. In this manner, the method 110 may enable
the electronic device 10 to send or receive signals at different
frequency bands by sharing and reusing radio frequency filters 64,
70A, 70B. As a result, the number of radio frequency filters in the
electronic device 10 may be significantly reduced, resulting in a
smaller electronic device overall and/or enabling additional
components to be included in the electronic device 10. Moreover,
the method 110 and electronic devices 10 described herein may be
suitable for transmitting and receiving signals of a variety of
wavelengths (e.g., relatively narrow wavelengths, middle
wavelengths, wide wavelengths, ultrawide wavelengths), and, as
such, not suffer from the deficiencies of quarter-wavelength signal
paths.
[0086] It is noted that, referring back to FIG. 9 as an example,
turning on the switch 62D may also redirect leakage currents to
ground (e.g., reference voltage) that may otherwise transmit to the
receiver processing circuitry 58A when combining the filter 70A
with the filter 64. Similarly, turning on the switch 62E may
redirect leakage currents to the ground as opposed to the leakage
current transmitting through to the receiver processing circuitry
58B during a transmit operation.
[0087] Technical effects of the present disclosure include systems
and methods for operating transceiver circuitry to transmit and/or
receive signals on various frequency ranges by sharing and reusing
radio frequency filters. In particular, a transmitter or a receiver
of the transceiver circuitry may be selectively coupled to or
uncoupled from an antenna of the transceiver circuitry.
Additionally, radio frequency filters may be individually or
collectively coupled and/or uncoupled to the antenna to filter
different frequencies in the transmitting or receiving signals.
[0088] The specific embodiments described above have been shown by
way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments
may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms.
It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to
be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover
all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0089] The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced
and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a
practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical
field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely
theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this
specification contain one or more elements designated as "means for
[perform]ing [a function] . . . " or "step for [perform]ing [a
function] . . . ", it is intended that such elements are to be
interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims
containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended
that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C.
112(f).
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