Enhancing data throughput using multiple receivers

Abstract

An apparatus includes a first low noise amplifier (LNA) in a first receive path. The apparatus further includes receive circuitry in the first receive path. The receive circuitry is configured to receive an output of the first LNA and to receive an output of a second LNA within a second receive path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wireless device, comprising:
 an antenna interface circuit configured to receive a first signal from a first wireless network via an antenna, the antenna interface circuit including:
 a filter coupled between the antenna and a terminal; and 
 a bypass path coupled between the antenna and the terminal, the bypass path configured to provide a path that bypasses the filter; and 
   a first receiver coupled to the antenna interface circuit via the terminal, the first receiver including receive circuitry, the receive circuitry responsive to the bypass path and configured to generate a second signal associated with a second wireless network that is accessible by a second receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The wireless device of  claim 1 , wherein the first receiver includes a low noise amplifier, wherein the bypass path includes a switch, and wherein the switch is coupled to the terminal and to the low noise amplifier of the first receiver. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless device of  claim 1 , wherein the first receiver is coupled to the first wireless network via the antenna interface circuit and the antenna, wherein the second receiver is coupled to the second wireless network via a second antenna interface circuit and a second antenna, and further comprising pre-processing circuitry at the first receiver, the pre-processing circuitry configured to receive the second signal from the receive circuitry and to output a third signal to the second receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless device of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is associated with a frequency band, wherein the bypass path includes switching and selection logic coupled to the filter and to the terminal, and wherein the frequency band is associated with the second wireless network. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless device of  claim 1 , wherein the second receiver is coupled to the second wireless network via a second antenna interface circuit, and wherein the bypass path includes a switch coupled between the second antenna interface circuit and the first receiver. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus comprising:
 a bypass path at an antenna interface circuit, the antenna interface circuit coupled between a first network and a first receiver, the bypass path configured to provide a path that bypasses one or more filters of the antenna interface circuit, the one or more filters configured to filter a first signal communicated between the first network and the first receiver; and   receive circuitry at the first receiver, the receive circuitry responsive to a configuration of the bypass path and configured to generate a second signal associated with a second network accessible by a second receiver.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the bypass path comprises a switch coupled between the first network and a low noise amplifier of the first receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first receiver is coupled to the first network via the antenna interface circuit and a first antenna, and wherein the second receiver is coupled to the second network via a second antenna interface circuit and a second antenna. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more filters of the antenna interface circuit includes a first filter associated with a frequency band, wherein the bypass path includes switching and selection logic coupled between the first filter and the first receiver, and wherein the frequency band is associated with the second network. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the second receiver is coupled to the second network via a second antenna interface circuit, and wherein the bypass path includes a switch coupled to the second antenna interface circuit and to the first receiver. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 bypassing one or more filters of an antenna interface circuit, the antenna interface circuit coupled between a first network and a first receiver, the one or more filters configured to filter a first signal communicated between the first network and the first receiver; and   responsive to the bypassing, generating a second signal within the first receiver, the second signal associated with a second network that is accessed by a second receiver.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein bypassing the one or more filters includes activating a switch that is coupled to a low noise amplifier of the first receiver. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein bypassing the one or more filters includes activating a bypass path of the antenna interface circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein bypassing the one or more filters includes activating switching and selection logic that is coupled to a filter associated with a frequency band, the frequency band associated with the second network. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein bypassing the one or more filters includes coupling a bypass path to receive a signal from a second antenna interface circuit associated with the second receiver. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for bypassing one or more filters at an antenna interface circuit, the one or more filters configured to filter a first signal communicated between a first network and a first receiver; and   means, responsive to the means for bypassing, for generating a second signal associated with a second network that is accessible by a second receiver, the means for generating within the first receiver.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first receiver includes a low noise amplifier, wherein the means for bypassing the one or more filters comprises a switch, and wherein the switch is coupled to the antenna interface circuit and to the low noise amplifier of the first receiver. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for bypassing the one or more filters includes a bypass path at the antenna interface circuit. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for bypassing the one or more filters includes switching and selection logic that is coupled to a first filter of the one or more filters, the first filter associated with a frequency band, and wherein the frequency band is associated with the second network. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for bypassing the one or more filters includes a switch coupled to receive a signal from a second antenna interface circuit associated with the second receiver.