RF filter structure for antenna diversity and beam forming

• US 9,859,863 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2014
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc. (Qorvo, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc. (Qorvo, Inc.)
• Inventors: Maxim, George, Leipold, Dirk Robert Walter, Scott, Baker
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Rakesh
• Application Number:
  US14/554,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20150084699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 333 4, 333 5, 333 171, 333174, 333175, 333132
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 17/0013 with stacked layers
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/168 Two amplifying stages are coupled by means of a filter circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/546 A tunable capacitance being present in an amplifier circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/195 in integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/245 with semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/68 Combinations of amplifiers, e.g. multi-channel amplifiers for stereophonics power amplifiers using a combination of several semiconductor amplifiers H03F3/211; combinations of amplifiers using coupling networks with distributed constants H03F3/602
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/0115 comprising only inductors and capacitors H03H7/075, H03H7/09, H03H7/12, H03H7/13 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/0153 Electrical filters; Controlling thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/0161 Bandpass filters H03H7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/09 Filters comprising mutual inductance
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/463 Duplexers

Abstract

Radio frequency (RF) front-end circuitry that includes control circuitry and an RF filter structure that includes a plurality of resonators are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first tunable RF filter path is defined by a first set of the plurality of resonators such that the first tunable RF filter path has a first amplitude and a first phase. A second tunable RF filter path is defined by a second set of the plurality of resonators such that the second tunable RF filter path has a second amplitude and a second phase. To provide antenna diversity and/or beam forming/beam steering, the control circuitry is configured to set a first amplitude difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude to approximately a first target amplitude difference and set a first phase difference between the first phase and the second phase to approximately a first target phase difference.

Claims

1. Radio frequency (RF) front-end circuitry, comprising:

an RF filter structure comprising;

a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal;

a plurality of resonators;

a first tunable RF filter path defined by a first set of the plurality of resonators such that the first tunable RF filter path has a first amplitude and a first phase and the first tunable RF filter path is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal;

a second tunable RF filter path defined by a second set of the plurality of resonators such that the second tunable RF filter path has a second amplitude and a second phase and the second tunable RF filter path is connected between the first terminal and the third terminal, wherein the first set of the plurality of resonators and the second set of the plurality of resonators both include a first resonator of the plurality of resonators, wherein the first resonator is coupled to the first terminal, the first resonator being coupled in the first tunable RF filter path and the second tunable RF filter path so as to operate as a splitter between the first tunable RF filter path and the second tunable RF filter path; and

control circuitry configured to set a first amplitude difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude to approximately a first target amplitude difference and set a phase difference between the first phase and the second phase to approximately a first target phase difference.

2. Radio frequency (RF) front-end circuitry, comprising:

an RF filter structure comprising;

a plurality of resonators;

a first tunable RF filter path defined by a first set of the plurality of resonators such that the first tunable RF filter path has a first amplitude and a first phase;

a second tunable RF filter path defined by a second set of the plurality of resonators such that the second tunable RF filter path has a second amplitude and a second phase;

a third tunable RF filter path defined by a third set of the plurality of resonators such that the third tunable RF filter path has a third amplitude and a third phase; and

control circuitry configured to set a first amplitude difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude to approximately a first target amplitude difference and set a first phase difference between the first phase and the second phase to approximately a first target phase difference.

3. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 2 wherein the control circuitry is configured to set a second amplitude difference between the first amplitude and the third amplitude to approximately a second target amplitude difference and set a second phase difference between the first phase and the third phase to approximately a second target phase difference.

4. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 3 wherein the control circuitry is configured to set a third amplitude difference between the second amplitude and the third amplitude to approximately a third target amplitude difference and set a third phase difference between the second phase and the third phase to approximately a third target phase difference.

5. Radio frequency (RF) front-end circuitry, comprising:

an RF filter structure comprising;

a plurality of resonators;

a first tunable RF filter path defined by a first set of the plurality of resonators such that the first tunable RF filter path has a first amplitude and a first phase, wherein a first subset of the first tunable RF filter path comprises a first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators within a first segment of the first tunable RF filter path and a second subset of the first tunable RF filter path comprises a second pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators within a second segment of the first tunable RF filter path;

a second RF tunable filter path defined by a second set of the plurality of resonators such that the second tunable RF filter path has a second amplitude and a second phase;

a first cross-coupling capacitive structure electrically connected between the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators within the first segment of the first tunable RF filter path such that the first cross-coupling capacitive structure provides a first variable electric coupling coefficient between the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators; and

a second cross-coupling capacitive structure electrically connected between the second pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators within the second segment of the first tunable RF filter path such that the second cross-coupling capacitive structure provides a second variable electric coupling coefficient between the second pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators; and

control circuitry configured to set a first amplitude difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude to approximately a first target amplitude difference and set a first phase difference between the first phase and the second phase to approximately a first target phase difference.

6. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 5 wherein the control circuitry is operably associated with the first cross-coupling capacitive structure so as to be operable to vary the first variable electric coupling coefficient and is operably associated with the second cross-coupling capacitive structure so as to be operable to vary the second variable electric coupling coefficient, wherein the control circuitry is configured to:

provide an amplitude adjustment to the first subset of the first set of the plurality of resonators within the first segment of the first tunable RF filter path by being configured to adjust the first variable electric coupling coefficient; and

provide a phase adjustment to the second subset of the first set of the plurality of resonators within the second segment of the first tunable RF filter path by being configured to adjust the second variable electric coupling coefficient.

7. Radio frequency (RF) front-end circuitry, comprising:

an RF filter structure comprising;

a plurality of resonators;

a first tunable RF filter path defined by a first set of the plurality of resonators such that the first tunable RF filter path has a first amplitude and a first phase, wherein at least a first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators are weakly coupled to one another;

a second tunable RF filter path defined by a second set of the plurality of resonators such that the second tunable RF filter path has a second amplitude and a second phase, wherein at least a second pair of the second set of the plurality of resonators are weakly coupled to one another, and the first set of the plurality of resonators and the second set of the plurality of resonators are not mutually exclusive; and

control circuitry configured to set a first amplitude difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude to approximately a first target amplitude difference and set a first phase difference between the first phase and the second phase to approximately a first target phase difference.

8. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the plurality of resonators includes a first resonator and a second resonator that are weakly coupled wherein:

the first resonator has a first inductor and a first plurality of switchable inductive elements, wherein each of the first plurality of switchable inductive elements is configured to be switched so as to be strongly coupled to the first inductor and adjust a first inductance of the first resonator;

the second resonator having a second inductor and a second plurality of switchable inductive elements, wherein each of the second plurality of switchable inductive elements is configured to be switched so as to be strongly coupled to the second inductor and adjust a second inductance of the second resonator.

9. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the control circuitry is configured to set the first amplitude difference of the first amplitude and the second amplitude by being configured to:

hold the first amplitude so that the first amplitude provides an amplitude reference;

adjust the second amplitude of the second tunable RF filter path such that the first amplitude difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude is set to approximately the first target amplitude difference.

10. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the control circuitry is configured to set the first phase difference of the first phase and the second phase by being configured to:

hold the first phase so that the first phase provides a phase reference;

adjust the second phase of the second tunable RF filter path such that the first phase difference between the first phase and the second phase is set to approximately the first target phase difference.

11. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the control circuitry is configured to:

set the first amplitude of the first tunable RF filter path by being configured to provide an amplitude adjustment to a first subset of the first set of the plurality of resonators within a first segment of the first tunable RF filter path;

set the first phase of the first tunable RF filter path by being configured to provide a phase adjustment to a second subset of the first set of the plurality of resonators within a second segment of the first tunable RF filter path.

12. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 11 wherein the control circuitry is configured to:

set the second amplitude of the second tunable RF filter path by being configured to provide a second amplitude adjustment to a third subset of the second set of the plurality of resonators provided within a third segment of the second tunable RF filter path;

set the second phase of the second tunable RF filter path by being configured to provide a second phase adjustment to a fourth subset of the second set of the plurality of resonators provided within a fourth segment of the second tunable RF filter path.

13. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 11 wherein the first subset of the plurality of resonators within the first segment includes a first resonator of the plurality of resonators configured to isolate the first segment from the second segment.

14. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 13 wherein the second subset of the plurality of resonators within the second segment includes a second resonator of the plurality of resonators configured to isolate the second segment from the first segment.

15. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 11 wherein the first set of the plurality of resonators further comprises a first resonator of the plurality of resonators connected between the first segment and the second segment, wherein the first resonator is configured to provide isolation between the first segment and the second segment.

16. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 11 wherein the RF filter structure further comprises an amplifier connected in the first tunable RF filter path between the first segment and the second segment.

17. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the plurality of resonators include a first resonator and a second resonator that are weakly coupled and the RF filter structure further comprises a first cross-coupling capacitive structure, a second cross-coupling capacitive structure, a third cross-coupling capacitive structure and a fourth cross-coupling capacitive structure, wherein:

the first cross-coupling capacitive structure and the second cross-coupling capacitive structure are arranged to form a first capacitive voltage divider;

the third cross-coupling capacitive structure and the fourth cross-coupling capacitive structure are arranged so as to form a second capacitive voltage divider;

the first capacitive voltage divider is electrically connected to the first resonator; and

the second capacitive voltage divider is electrically connected to the second resonator.

18. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 17 wherein the RF filter structure further comprises a fifth cross-coupling capacitive structure connected between the first capacitive voltage divider and the second capacitive voltage divider.

19. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the RF filter structure further comprises a first cross-coupling capacitive structure and a second cross-coupling capacitive structure, wherein:

the first cross-coupling capacitive structure is connected within the first tunable RF filter path between the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators such that the first cross-coupling capacitive structure provides a first variable electric coupling coefficient between the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators;

the second cross-coupling capacitive structure is connected between one of the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators of the first tunable RF filter path and one of the second set of the plurality of resonators within the second tunable RF filter path such that the second cross-coupling capacitive structure provides a second variable electric coupling coefficient between the one of the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators and the one of the second set of the plurality of resonators within the second tunable RF filter path.

20. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 19 wherein the control circuitry is configured to:

set the first amplitude of the first tunable RF filter path by being configured to adjust the first variable electric coupling coefficient;

set the first phase of the first tunable RF filter path by being configured to adjust the second variable electric coupling coefficient.

21. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 19 wherein the RF filter structure further comprises a third cross-coupling capacitive structure and a fourth cross-coupling capacitive structure, wherein:

the third cross-coupling capacitive structure is connected within the second tunable RF filter path between the second pair of the second set of the plurality of resonators of the second tunable RF filter path such that the third cross-coupling capacitive structure provides a third variable electric coupling coefficient between the second pair of the second set of the plurality of resonators, wherein the second pair of the second set of the plurality of resonators include the one of the second set of the plurality of resonators within the second tunable RF filter path;

the fourth cross-coupling capacitive structure is connected between an other of the second pair of the second set of the plurality of resonators of the second tunable RF filter path and an other of the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators within the first tunable RF filter path such that the fourth cross-coupling capacitive structure provides a fourth variable electric coupling coefficient between the other of the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators and the other of the second set of the plurality of resonators within the second tunable RF filter path; and

the control circuitry is configured to;

set the first amplitude of the first tunable RF filter path by being configured to adjust the first variable electric coupling coefficient;

set the first phase of the first tunable RF filter path by being configured to adjust the second variable electric coupling coefficient;

set the second amplitude of the second tunable RF filter path by being configured to adjust the third variable electric coupling coefficient; and

set the second phase of the second tunable RF filter path by being configured to adjust the fourth variable electric coupling coefficient.

22. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the RF filter structure further comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal wherein:

the first tunable RF filter path is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal;

the second tunable RF filter path is connected between the first terminal and the fourth terminal.

23. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the RF filter structure further comprises a first cross-coupling capacitive structure, a second cross-coupling capacitive structure, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal wherein:

the first cross-coupling capacitive structure is connected within the first tunable RF filter path between the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators such that the first cross-coupling capacitive structure provides a first variable electric coupling coefficient between the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators;

the second cross-coupling capacitive structure is connected between one of the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators of the first tunable RF filter path and one of the second set of the plurality of resonators within the second tunable RF filter path such that the second cross-coupling capacitive structure provides a second variable electric coupling coefficient between the one of the first pair of the first set of the plurality of resonators and the one of the second set of the plurality of resonators within the second tunable RF filter path;

the first tunable RF filter path is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal;

the second tunable RF filter path is connected between the first terminal and the third terminal;

the first set of the plurality of resonators and the second set of the plurality of resonators both include a first resonator of the plurality of resonators, wherein the first resonator is coupled to the first terminal, the first resonator being coupled in the first tunable RF filter path and the second tunable RF filter path so as to operate as a splitter between the first tunable RF filter path and the second tunable RF filter path;

the control circuitry is configured to;

set the first amplitude of the first tunable RF filter path by being configured to adjust the first variable electric coupling coefficient;

set the first phase of the first tunable RF filter path by being configured to adjust the second variable electric coupling coefficient.

24. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the RF filter structure further comprises a first amplifier connected in the first tunable RF filter path and a second amplifier connected within the second tunable RF filter path.

25. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the plurality of resonators include a first resonator and a second resonator that are weakly coupled, the first resonator having a first inductor and the second resonator having a second inductor, wherein the first inductor and the second inductor are magnetically coupled to provide a positive magnetic coupling coefficient between the first resonator and the second resonator.

26. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the plurality of resonators include a first resonator and a second resonator that are weakly coupled, the first resonator having a first inductor and the second resonator having a second inductor, wherein the first inductor and the second inductor are magnetically coupled to provide a negative magnetic coupling coefficient between the first resonator and the second resonator.

27. The RF front-end circuitry of claim 7 wherein the plurality of resonators include a first resonator and a second resonator that are weakly coupled, the first resonator having a first inductor and the second resonator having a second inductor, wherein the first inductor and the second inductor are not magnetically coupled to one another.