Apparatus and method for filtering radio frequency signals of transceiver integrated circuits

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for generating, filtering, and amplifying signals that are sent and received using SOCs. These improved methods and devices advantageously provide filtering of composite RF signals such that the RF signals can be transmitted with an improved SNR. Such filtered signals can then be transmitted at a higher power. Because filtering is performed at an intermediate frequency, the higher cost of low-noise RF-transmitters and/or RF filtering components can be avoided. Accordingly, less expensive (e.g., noisier) components, such as readily available wireless transceiver SOCs, can be used for generating RF signals, filtering the signals, and then transmitting the filtered signals at higher power. As a result of these devices and methods, inexpensive SOCs may be used at higher powers and over longer ranges than would be normally expected.