Systems and methods for processing time-division signals and frequency-division signals

• US 8,625,472 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2012
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Marvell World Trade Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: Fan, Mingjie
• Primary Examiner(s): KHAJURIA, SHRIPAL K
• Application Number:
  US13/446,485
• Publication Number:
  US 20120294205A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 370/280
• US Class Current: 370/280
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0057 using diplexing or multiplexing filters for selecting the desired band
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/006 using switches for selecting the desired band H04B1/0057 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex

Abstract

System and methods are provided for processing time-division signals and frequency-division signals using a multi-mode transceiver. The example system includes a power amplifier, a switching component, and a duplexer. The power amplifier is configured to receive a first time-division signal from the transceiver and to generate an amplified time-division signal based on the first time-division signal if the transceiver is in a time-division mode. The power amplifier is further configured to receive a first frequency-division signal from the transceiver and to generate an amplified frequency-division signal based on the first frequency-division signal if the transceiver is in a frequency-division mode. The switching component is configured to receive the amplified time-division signal from the power amplifier, and to output the amplified time-division signal for transmission. The duplexer configured to receive the amplified frequency-division signal from the switching component, and to output a transmission signal for transmission.

Claims

1. A system for processing time-division signals and frequency-division signals using a multi-mode transceiver, the system comprising:

a power amplifier configured to receive a first time-division signal from the multi-mode transceiver and to generate an amplified time-division signal based on the first time-division signal when the multi-mode transceiver is in a time-division mode, the power amplifier being further configured to receive a first frequency-division signal from the multi-mode transceiver and to generate an amplified frequency-division signal based on the first frequency-division signal when the multi-mode transceiver is in a frequency-division mode,

the first time-division signal being associated with a first frequency band, the first frequency-division signal being associated with a second frequency band, the first frequency band being adjacent to the second frequency band, and the power amplifier having a bandwidth including the first frequency band and the second frequency band;

a switching component configured to receive the amplified time-division signal from the power amplifier and to output the amplified time-division signal for transmission, the switching component being further configured to receive the amplified frequency-division signal from the power amplifier and to output the amplified frequency-division signal; and

a duplexer configured to receive the amplified frequency-division signal from the switching component and to output a transmission signal for transmission;

wherein the second frequency band ranges from 1920 MHz to 1980 MHz, and

wherein the first frequency band includes a third frequency band and a fourth frequency band, the third frequency band ranging from 2010 MHz to 2025 MHz, the fourth frequency band ranging from 1880 MHz to 1920 MHz.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first time-division signal is a Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TDSCDMA) signal.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first frequency-division signal is a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) signal.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the power amplifier is a TDSCDMA Band 1/2 power amplifier, a WCDMA Band 1 power amplifier, or a power amplifier that has a bandwidth including both the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an antenna switch circuit configured to receive the amplified time-division signal and to receive the transmission signal.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the duplexer is further configured to receive a second frequency-division signal from the antenna switch circuit and to output a first reception signal to the multi-mode transceiver, the first reception signal being generated based on the second frequency-division signal.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

a first time-division filter configured to receive a second time-division signal from the antenna switch circuit and to output a second reception signal to the multi-mode transceiver, the second time-division signal being associated with the third frequency band, the second reception signal being generated based on the second time-division signal; and

a second time-division filter configured to receive a third time-division signal from the antenna switch circuit and to output a third reception signal to the multi-mode transceiver, the third time-division signal being associated with the fourth frequency band, the third reception signal being generated based on the third time-division signal.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the antenna switch circuit includes a single pole multiple throw switch.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the switching component is a single pole double throw switch.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the duplexer has a bandwidth including the second frequency band.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the multi-mode transceiver supports WCDMA, TDSCDMA, and one or more of the following standards:

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Enhanced Data for GSM Environment (EDGE), CDMA-2000, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX).

12. A system for processing time-division signals and frequency-division signals using a multi-mode transceiver, the system comprising:

a power amplifier configured to receive a first time-division signal from the multi-mode transceiver and to generate an amplified time-division signal based on the first time-division signal when the multi-mode transceiver is in a time-division mode, the power amplifier being further configured to receive a first frequency-division signal from the multi-mode transceiver and to generate an amplified frequency-division signal based on the first frequency-division signal when the multi-mode transceiver is in a frequency-division mode,

the first time-division signal being associated with a first frequency band, the first frequency-division signal being associated with a second frequency band, the first frequency band being adjacent to the second frequency band, and the power amplifier having a bandwidth including the first frequency band and the second frequency band;

a switching component configured to receive the amplified time-division signal or the amplified frequency-division signal, and output the amplified time-division signal or the amplified frequency-division signal for further processing; and

a duplexer configured to receive the amplified time-division signal or the amplified frequency-division signal from the switching component and to output a first transmission signal generated based on the amplified time-division signal or a second transmission signal generated based on the amplified frequency-division signal to an antenna switch circuit for transmission,

the duplexer being further configured to receive a second time-division signal from the antenna switch circuit and to output a reception signal to the switching component, the reception signal being generated based on the second time-division signal;

the switching component being further configured to receive the reception signal and to output the reception signal to the multi-mode transceiver;

wherein the second frequency band ranges from 1920 MHz to 1980 MHz, and

wherein the first frequency band includes a third frequency band and a fourth frequency band, the third frequency band ranging from 2010 MHz to 2025 MHz, the fourth frequency band ranging from 1880 MHz to 1920 MHz.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the duplexer is further configured to receive a second frequency-division signal from the antenna switch circuit, and to output a second reception signal to the multi-mode transceiver, the second reception signal being generated based on the second frequency-division signal.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein:

the duplexer includes a first port and a second port; and

the duplexer is further configured to receive the second time-division signal at the first port from the antenna switch circuit and to receive the second frequency-division signal at the second port from the antenna switch circuit.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the power amplifier is a TDSCDMA Band 1/2 power amplifier, a WCDMA Band 1 power amplifier, or a power amplifier that has a bandwidth including both the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the duplexer having a bandwidth including the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

17. A method for processing time-division signals and frequency-division signals using a multi-mode transceiver, the method comprising:

(a) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a time-division mode,

(i) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a transmission mode,

receiving, at a power amplifier, a first time-division signal from the multi-mode transceiver, the first time-division signal being associated with a first frequency band;

generating an amplified time-division signal based on the first time-division signal;

outputting the amplified time-division signal to an antenna switch circuit for transmission;

(ii) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a reception mode,

receiving a second time-division signal from the antenna switch circuit, the second time-division signal being associated with the first frequency band;

generating a first reception signal based on the second time-division signal;

outputting the first reception signal to the multi-mode transceiver;

(b) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a frequency-division mode,

(i) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a transmission mode,

receiving, at a power amplifier, a first frequency-division signal from the multi-mode transceiver, the first frequency-division signal being associated with a second frequency band, the first frequency band being adjacent to the second frequency band, the power amplifier having a bandwidth including the first frequency band and the second frequency band;

generating an amplified frequency-division signal based on the first frequency-division signal;

generating a transmission signal based on the amplified frequency-division signal at a duplexer;

outputting the transmission signal for transmission;

(ii) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a reception mode,

receiving a second frequency-division signal from the antenna switch circuit;

generating a second reception signal based on the second frequency-division signal at the duplexer; and

outputting the second reception signal to the multi-mode transceiver via a switch;

wherein the second frequency band ranges from 1920 MHz to 1980 MHz, and

wherein the first frequency band includes a third frequency band and a fourth frequency band, the third frequency band ranging from 2010 MHz to 2025 MHz, the fourth frequency band ranging from 1880 MHz to 1920 MHz.

18. A method for processing time-division signals and frequency-division signals using a multi-mode transceiver, the method comprising:

(a) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a time-division mode,

(i) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a transmission mode,

receiving, at a power amplifier, a first time-division signal from the multi-mode transceiver, the first time-division signal being associated with a first frequency band;

generating an amplified time-division signal based on the first time-division signal;

generating a first transmission signal based on the amplified time-division signal at a duplexer, the duplexer having a bandwidth including the first frequency band and a second frequency band, the first frequency band being adjacent to the second frequency band;

outputting the first transmission signal to an antenna switch circuit for transmission;

(ii) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a reception mode,

receiving a second time-division signal from the antenna switch circuit;

generating a first reception signal based on the second time-division signal at the duplexer;

outputting the first reception signal to the multi-mode transceiver;

(b) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a frequency-division mode,

(i) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a transmission mode,

receiving, at the power amplifier, a first frequency-division signal from the multi-mode transceiver, the first frequency-division signal being associated with the second frequency band, the power amplifier having a bandwidth including the first frequency band and the second frequency band;

generating an amplified frequency-division signal based on the first frequency-division signal;

generating a second transmission signal based on the amplified frequency-division signal at the duplexer;

outputting the second transmission signal to the antenna switch circuit for transmission;

(ii) when the multi-mode transceiver is in a reception mode,

receiving a second frequency-division signal from the antenna switch circuit;

generating a second reception signal based on the second frequency-division signal at the duplexer; and

outputting the second reception signal to the multi-mode transceiver via a switch;

wherein the second frequency band ranges from 1920 MHz to 1980 MHz, and wherein the first frequency band includes a third frequency band and a fourth frequency band, the third frequency band ranging from 2010 MHz to 2025 MHz, the fourth frequency band ranging from 1880 MHz to 1920 MHz.