System and method for handling strong signals and blockers in the RF front end

A method for amplifying a RF signal in a receiver, the method comprising:

• receiving the RF signal at the receiver;
• amplifying the RF signal on a first amplification path;
• measuring the power of the RF signal to get a power value;
• routing the RF signal to a second amplification path if the power value is higher than a first defined threshold value, wherein the second amplification path produces weaker amplification of the RF signal than the first amplification path;
• measuring the power value of the RF signal when the RF signal is routed to the second amplification path;
• routing the RF signal to the first amplification path if the power value is lower than a second defined threshold value;
• maintaining a first register and a second register, both initially set to 0, within a portion of the receiver capable of executing logical code;
• increasing the value in the first register by 1 each time that the power value is measured above the first threshold when amplification is being performed on the first amplification path;
• increasing the value in the second register by 1 each time the power value is measured below the first threshold when amplification is being performed on the first amplification path;
• routing the RF signal to the second path and resetting the first register to 0 and the second register to 0 if the value in the first register equals a first predefined value when amplification is being performed on the first amplification path;
• resetting the first register to 0 and the second register to 0 if the value in the second register equals a second predefined value when amplification is being performed on the first amplification path;
• increasing the value in the first register by 1 each time that the power value is measured below the second threshold when amplification is being performed on the second amplification path;
• increasing the value in the second register by 1 each time that the power value is measured above the second threshold when amplification is being performed on the second amplification path;
• routing the RF signal to the first path and resetting the first register to 0 and the second register to 0 if the value in the first register equals a predefined value when amplification is being performed on the second amplification path;
• resetting the first register to 0 and the second register to 0 if the value in the second register equals a predefined value when amplification is being performed on the second amplification path.

An apparatus for amplifying a RF signal in a receiver, comprising:

• a first amplification path;
• a second amplification path which second amplification path produces less amplification than the first amplification path;
• one or more power detectors that measure the power of the RF signal to obtain a power value;
• a bypass switch for routing the RF signal to either the first amplification path or the second amplification path;
• and
• a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) unit connected to the bypass switch that receives the power value from the power detector, which RSSI unit routes the RF signal from the first amplification path to the second amplification path if the power value is higher than a first defined threshold value by manipulating the bypass switch according to logical code incorporated into the RSSI;
• a third amplification path that produces weaker amplification of the RF signal than the second amplification path;
• wherein the RSSI unit routes the RF signal to the third amplification path if the power value is higher than a third defined threshold value when the RF signal is being amplified on the second amplification path;
• wherein the RSSI unit routes the RF signal to the second amplification path, if the power value is lower than a fourth defined threshold value when the RF signal is being amplified on the third amplification path.

An apparatus for amplifying a RF signal in a receiver, comprising:

• a first amplification path;
• a second amplification path, which second amplification path produces less amplification than the first amplification path;
• one or more power detectors that measure the power of the RF signal to obtain a power value;
• a bypass switch for routing the RF signal to either the first amplification path or the second amplification path;
• and
• a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) unit connected to the bypass switch that receives the power value from the power detector, which RSSI unit routes the RF signal from the first amplification path to the second amplification path if the power value is higher than a first defined threshold value by manipulating the bypass switch according to logical code incorporated into the RSSI;
• wherein the RSSI unit routes the RF signal to the first amplification path if the power value is lower than a second defined threshold value when the RF signal is being amplified on the second amplification path;
• a first register and a second register, both initially set to 0, within a portion of the receiver capable of executing logical code;
• where
• the value in the first register is increased by 1 each time that the power value is measured above the first threshold when amplification is being performed on the first amplification path;
• the value in the second register is increased by 1 each time the power value is measured below the first threshold when amplification is being performed on the first amplification path;
• the RSSI routes the RF signal to the second path and the first register is reset to 0 and the second register is reset to 0 if the value in the first register equals a first predefined value when amplification is being performed on the first amplification path;
• the first register is reset to 0 and the second register is reset to 0 if the value in the second register equals a second predefined value when amplification is being performed on the first amplification path;
• the value in the first register is increased by 1 each time that the power value is measured below the second threshold when amplification is being performed on the second amplification path;
• the value in the second register is increased by 1 each time that the power value is measured above the second threshold when amplification is being performed on the second amplification path;
• the RSSI routes the RF signal to the first path and the first register is reset to 0 and the second register is reset to 0 if the value in the first register equals a predefined value when amplification is being performed on the second amplification path;
• and
• the first register is reset to 0 and the second register is reset to 0 if the value in the second register equals a predefined value when amplification is being performed on the second amplification path.