Tunable filter off-states for noise rejection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9906204-B2
Application number	US-201514714122-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 15, 2015
Priority date	May 15, 2015
Publication date	Feb 27, 2018
Grant date	Feb 27, 2018

Abstract

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for tunable filters and/or front-ends. In one aspect there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may a first band filter; a second tunable band filter; and a radio frequency switch coupled to at least the first band filter and the second tunable band filter, wherein the radio frequency switch is configured to switch between at least the first band filter and the second tunable band filter. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a first band filter;
a second tunable band filter;
a radio frequency switch coupled to at least the first band filter and the second tunable band filter, wherein the radio frequency switch is configured to switch between at least the first band filter and the second tunable band filter; and
a controller configured to at least:
initiate selection, at the radio frequency switch, of the first band filter to enable transmission through the radio frequency switch, the first band filter, and an antenna,
determine whether a first pass band of the first band filter includes at least a partial overlap in frequency with a second pass band of the second tunable band filter, and
initiate tuning of the second tunable band filter to adjust the second pass band of the second tunable band filter to suppress a leakage signal caused in part by the partial overlap enabling the leakage signal to traverse through the switch and the second tunable band filter which is not selected by the switch, when the first pass band includes at least the partial overlap in frequency with the second pass band.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to at least:
inhibit tuning of the second tunable band filter, when the first pass band does not have the partial overlap in frequency with the second pass band.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
an antenna switch coupled to at least the first band filter and the second tunable band filter, wherein the antenna switch is configured to switch between at least the first band filter and the second tunable band filter in order couple to the antenna.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first band filter is tunable.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first band filter or the second band filter comprise a filter which is at least partially specified by at least one of a standard or a regulatory agency.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the leakage signal represents a signal of interest that couples to an unselected switch path at the radio frequency switch.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first band filter or the second band filter comprise a transmit bandpass filter, a receive bandpass filter, or a combination of both.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency switch is coupled to at least one additional band filter to enable path establishment to the antenna.

9. A method comprising:
receiving, at a radio frequency switch, a signal, the radio frequency switch coupled to at least a first band filter and a second tunable band filter, wherein the radio frequency switch is configured to switch between at least the first band filter and the second tunable band filter;
controlling, the radio frequency switch, to at least:
initiate selection, at the radio frequency switch, of the first band filter to enable transmission through the radio frequency switch, the first band filter, and an antenna,
determine whether a first pass band of the first band filter includes at least a partial overlap in frequency with a second pass band of the second tunable band filter, and
initiate tuning of the second tunable band filter to adjust the second pass band of the second tunable band filter to suppress a leakage signal caused in part by the partial overlap enabling the leakage signal to traverse through the switch and the second tunable band filter which is not selected by the switch, when the first pass band includes at least the partial overlap in frequency with the second pass band.

10. The method of claim of claim 9 , wherein the controlling further comprises:
inhibiting tuning of the second tunable band filter, when the first pass band does not have the partial overlap in frequency with the second pass band.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
switching, at an antenna switch, between at least the first band filter and the second tunable band filter in order couple to the antenna, wherein the antenna switch is coupled to at least the first band filter and the second tunable band filter.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first band filter is tunable.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first band filter or the second band filter comprise a filter which is at least partially specified by at least one of a standard or regulatory agency.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the leakage signal represents a signal of interest that couples to an unselected switch path at the radio frequency switch.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first band filter or the second band filter comprise a transmit bandpass filter, a receive bandpass filter, or a combination of both.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the radio frequency switch is coupled to at least one additional band filter to enable path establishment to the antenna.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including program code which when executed by at least one processor circuit provides operations comprising:
receiving, at a radio frequency switch, a signal, the radio frequency switch coupled to at least a first band filter and a second tunable band filter, wherein the radio frequency switch is configured to switch between at least the first band filter and the second tunable band filter;
controlling, the radio frequency switch, to at least:
initiate selection, at the radio frequency switch, of the first band filter to enable transmission through the radio frequency switch, the first band filter, and an antenna,
determine whether a first pass band of the first band filter includes at least a partial overlap in frequency with a second pass band of the second tunable band filter, and
initiate tuning of the second tunable band filter to adjust the second pass band of the second tunable band filter to suppress a leakage signal caused in part by the partial overlap enabling the leakage signal to traverse through the switch and the second tunable band filter which is not selected by the switch, when the first pass band includes at least the partial overlap in frequency with the second pass band.

Assignees

• Nokia Technologies Oy

Inventors

• Laehteensuo Toni H
• Francois Brecht
• Larsen Niels Bonne
• Kong Lingkai

Classifications

• H01P5/12

  Coupling devices having more than two ports (H01P5/04 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H03H7/465 Primary

  having variable circuit topology, e.g. including switches · CPC title

• H04B1/10

  Means associated with receiver for limiting or suppressing noise or interference · CPC title

• H04B1/0475 Primary

  with means for limiting noise, interference or distortion (H04B1/0483 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01P1/10

  for switching or interrupting {(in systems using reflection or reradiation of radio, acoustic or other waves G01S7/034)} · CPC title