Dual receive filter

• US 20060154635A1
• Filed: 05/04/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Chan, Wen-Yen, Khan, Nasserullah
• Granted Patent: US 7,433,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/280
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/56 Modifications of input or output impedances, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/294 the amplifier being a low noise amplifier [LNA]
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/189 High-frequency amplifiers, e.g. radio frequency amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/10 Means associated with receiver for limiting or suppressing noise or interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/109 by improving strong signal performance of the receiver when strong unwanted signals are present at the receiver input
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/525 with means for reducing leakage of transmitter signal into the receiver

Abstract

A pre-processing stage is provided for a receiver of a wireless device. The pre-processing stage includes an amplifier that receives signals of interest and unwanted signals and produces amplified signals of interest and amplified unwanted signals, and a matching network that separates the amplified signals of interest from the amplified unwanted signals in conjunction with additional downstream filters. The preprocessing stage also includes a signal path that includes components for receiving and pre-processing the amplified signals of interest, and a shunt path that includes components for adjusting reflected energy sent back to the amplifier for limiting the output swing of the amplifier in a frequency band corresponding to the amplified unwanted signals.

Claims

1. A pre-processing stage for a receiver of a wireless device, wherein the pre-processing stage comprises:

a) an amplifier that receives signals of interest and unwanted signals and provides amplified signals of interest and amplified unwanted signals;

b) a matching network connected to the amplifier, the matching network being configured for separating the amplified received signals of interest from the amplified unwanted signals in conjunction with additional downstream filters;

c) a signal path connected to the matching network, the signal path including components for receiving and pre-processing the amplified signals of interest; and

,

d) a shunt path connected to the matching network, the shunt path including components for adjusting reflected energy sent back to the amplifier for limiting the output swing of the amplifier in a frequency band corresponding to the amplified unwanted signals.

2. The pre-processing stage of claim 1, wherein the components of the shunt path limit the output swing of the amplifier by dissipating at least a portion of the amplified unwanted signals.

3. The pre-processing stage of claim 1, wherein the components of the shunt path limit the output swing of the amplifier by reflecting at least a portion of the amplified unwanted signals with a phase shift for at least partially canceling the amplified unwanted signals at the output of the amplifier.

4. The pre-processing stage of claim 1, wherein the components of the shunt path limit the output swing of the amplifier by dissipating at least a portion of the amplified unwanted signals and reflecting at least a portion of the amplified unwanted signals with a phase shift for at least partially canceling the amplified unwanted signals at the output of the amplifier.

5. The pre-processing stage of claim 1, wherein the shunt path includes:

e) a shunt filter connected to the matching network, the shunt filter being one of the additional downstream filters and having a passband for allowing the amplified unwanted signals of interest to pass therethrough; and

,

f) a load connected to the shunt filter, the load having an impedance for at least one of dissipating the amplified unwanted signals and reflecting the portion of the amplified unwanted signals with the phase shift.

6. The pre-processing stage of claim 5, wherein the signal path includes:

g) a filter connected to the matching network, the filter being one of the additional downstream filters and having a passband for allowing the amplified signals of interest to pass therethrough; and

,

h) a mixer stage connected to the filter, the mixer stage being adapted for receiving and demodulating the amplified signals of interest.

7. The pre-processing stage of claim 6, wherein the pre-processing stage includes a duplexer having an antenna port, a transmitter port and a receiver port, the duplexer further includes circuitry for providing the matching network, the filter and the shunt filter, and wherein the amplifier is connected to the antenna port of the duplexer and the mixer stage and the shunt filter are connected to one of the receiver and transmitter ports of the duplexer.

8. The pre-processing stage of claim 5, wherein the magnitude and phase of the load is adjustable during the operation of the pre-processing stage.

9. The pre-processing stage of claim 5, wherein the matching network is adjustable during the operation of the pre-processing stage.

10. A method for improving the linearity in a pre-processing stage of a receiver used in a wireless device, the method comprising:

a) receiving signals of interest and unwanted signals;

b) amplifying the signals of interest and the unwanted signals with an amplifier to generate amplified signals of interest and amplified unwanted signals;

c) providing a matching network and additional downstream filters for separating the amplified received signals of interest from the amplified unwanted signals;

d) providing a desired signal path at the output of the matching network with components for receiving and pre-processing the amplified signals of interest; and

,

e) providing a shunt path at the output of the matching network, in parallel with the signal path, with components for adjusting reflected energy sent back to the amplifier for limiting the output swing of the amplifier in a frequency band corresponding to the amplified unwanted signals.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein (e) includes limiting the output swing of the amplifier by dissipating the amplified unwanted signals.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein (e) includes limiting the output swing of the amplifier by reflecting at least a portion of the amplified unwanted signals with a phase shift for at least partially canceling the amplified unwanted signals at the output of the amplifier.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein (e) includes limiting the output swing of the amplifier by dissipating a portion of the amplified unwanted signals and reflecting a portion of the amplified unwanted signals with a phase shift for at least partially canceling the amplified unwanted signals at the output of the amplifier.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein (e) includes providing the shunt path with a shunt filter connected to the matching network, the shunt filter being one of the additional downstream filters and having a passband for allowing the amplified unwanted signals of interest to pass therethrough;

and, providing the shunt path with a load connected to the shunt filter, the load having an impedance for at least one of dissipating the amplified unwanted signals and reflecting the portion of the amplified unwanted signals with a phase shift for at least partially canceling the amplified unwanted signals at the output of the amplifier.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein (e) includes adjusting the magnitude and phase of the load during the operation of the pre-processing stage.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein (e) includes adjusting the matching network during the operation of the pre-processing stage.