Broadband Quadrature Coupler

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention discloses a broadband orthogonal coupler, comprising a first coupling line, a second coupling line parallel to the first coupling line, one end of the first coupling line being an input port and the other end being an output port, one end of the second coupling line being a coupling port and the other end being a transmission port, the broadband orthogonal coupler further comprising two phase shifting circuits, one phase shifting circuit being connected in parallel to both ends of the first coupling line, the other phase shifting circuit being connected in parallel to both ends of the second coupling line, and the phase shifting circuit comprising circuit components capable of storing and releasing electromagnetic energy. By utilizing the first coupling line and the second coupling line, parallel coupling lines can be formed, and the parallel coupling lines can effectively eliminate the limitations of standard semiconductor processes, and the broadband orthogonal coupler is formed by using two phase shifting circuits symmetrically arranged at the ports of the parallel coupling lines, so that the broadband orthogonal coupler has the advantages of small area, wide bandwidth, strong coupling capability and good flatness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of radio frequency integrated circuits, and in particular to a wide-band orthogonal coupler. Background Art

[0002] In modern communication systems, it is necessary to form orthogonal signals to support communication systems using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation to improve the quality and performance of communication transmission. There are many ways to generate orthogonal signals, among which the most commonly used method is to use an orthogonal coupler to generate orthogonal signals. The orthogonal coupler is a directional power coupling device that can obtain two output signals with a phase difference of 90 degrees while evenly distributing the power. At present, there are three commonly used orthogonal couplers: branch line coupler, Lange coupler and coupled line coupler. Among them, the branch line coupler has the problems of large area, narrow bandwidth and difficulty in integration on silicon-based substrates. The Lange coupler mainly uses air bridge technology to achieve interconnection. It is difficult to implement air bridge technology in standard semiconductor integrated circuit processes, and the cost of implementation is too high. In standard semiconductor integrated processes, coupled line couplers have construction restrictions on the spacing of metal lines and cannot achieve their own bandwidth characteristics.

[0003] Therefore, the current orthogonal coupler has the problems of large area, narrow bandwidth, weak coupling and poor flatness. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention provides a broadband orthogonal coupler, which has the advantages of small area, wide bandwidth, strong coupling ability and good flatness.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a broadband orthogonal coupler, the broadband orthogonal coupler comprising:

[0006] a first coupling line, and a second coupling line parallel to the first coupling line, wherein one end of the first coupling line is an input port, the other end of the first coupling line is an output port, one end of the second coupling line is a coupling port, and the other end of the second coupling line is a transmission port;

[0007] The wideband orthogonal coupler also includes two phase shifting circuits, one phase shifting circuit is connected in parallel to the two ends of the first coupling line, and the other phase shifting circuit is connected in parallel to the two ends of the second coupling line. The phase shifting circuit includes circuit components capable of storing and releasing electromagnetic energy.

[0008] Optionally, the first coupling line and the second coupling line are arranged in parallel up and down to achieve coupling.

[0009] Optionally, the broadband orthogonal coupler is implemented using a standard semiconductor integrated circuit process.

[0010] Optionally, the phase shift circuit includes a capacitor and an inductor.

[0011] Optionally, the inductance value of the inductor in the phase shift circuit is determined according to the following formula:

[0012]

[0013] Where, L represents the inductance value, ω o =2*π*f o , f o represents the center frequency of the broadband orthogonal coupler, Z o Indicates standard impedance.

[0014] Optionally, the capacitance value of the capacitor in the phase shift circuit is determined according to the following formula:

[0015]

[0016] Where C represents the capacitance value, ω o =2*π*f o , f o represents the center frequency of the broadband orthogonal coupler, Z o Indicates standard impedance.

[0017] Optionally, the phase shift circuit includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor and a first inductor;

[0018] One end of the first capacitor is a connection end of the phase shift circuit, the other end of the first capacitor is connected to one end of the second capacitor, and the other end of the second capacitor is another connection end of the phase shift circuit;

[0019] One end of the first inductor is connected between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and the other end of the first inductor is grounded.

[0020] Optionally, the phase shift circuit includes a third capacitor, a fourth capacitor and a second inductor;

[0021] One end of the third capacitor is grounded, and the other end of the third capacitor is connected to one end of the second inductor and serves as a connection end of the phase shift circuit;

[0022] One end of the fourth capacitor is grounded, and the other end of the fourth capacitor is connected to the other end of the second inductor and serves as the other connection end of the phase shift circuit.

[0023] Optionally, the phase shift circuit includes a fifth capacitor, a third inductor and a fourth inductor;

[0024] The third inductor and the fourth inductor are connected in series, and one end of the series circuit is a connection end of the phase shift circuit, and the other end of the series circuit is another connection end of the phase shift circuit;

[0025] One end of the fifth capacitor is connected between the third inductor and the fourth inductor, and the other end of the fifth capacitor is grounded.

[0026] Optionally, the phase shift circuit includes a sixth capacitor, a fifth inductor and a sixth inductor;

[0027] One end of the fifth inductor is grounded, and the other end of the fifth inductor is connected to one end of the sixth capacitor and serves as a connection end of the phase shift circuit;

[0028] One end of the sixth inductor is grounded, and the other end of the sixth inductor is connected to the other end of the sixth capacitor and serves as the other connection end of the phase shift circuit.

[0029] The embodiment of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: a broadband orthogonal coupler includes a first coupling line, a second coupling line parallel to the first coupling line, one end of the first coupling line is an input port, and the other end is an output port, one end of the second coupling line is a coupling port, and the other end is a transmission port, the broadband orthogonal coupler also includes two phase shifting circuits, one phase shifting circuit is connected in parallel to the two ends of the first coupling line, and the other phase shifting circuit is connected in parallel to the two ends of the second coupling line, and the phase shifting circuit includes a circuit component capable of storing and releasing electromagnetic energy. By utilizing the first coupling line and the second coupling line, a parallel coupling line can be formed, and the parallel coupling line can effectively eliminate the limitations of the standard semiconductor process, and the broadband orthogonal coupler is formed by using two phase shifting circuits symmetrically arranged at the ports of the parallel coupling line, so that the broadband orthogonal coupler has the advantages of small area, wide bandwidth, strong coupling ability and good flatness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0031] in:

[0032] Figure 1 A broadband orthogonal coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a phase shift circuit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 Based on Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a wide-band orthogonal coupler of a phase shift circuit shown;

[0035] Figure 4 is another structural schematic diagram of the phase shift circuit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 5 Based on Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a wide-band orthogonal coupler of a phase shift circuit shown;

[0037] Figure 6 is another structural schematic diagram of the phase shift circuit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 7 Based on Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a wide-band orthogonal coupler of the phase shifting circuit shown;

[0039] Figure 8 is another structural schematic diagram of the phase shift circuit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Fig. 9 Based on Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of the wide-band orthogonal coupler of the phase shifting circuit shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] See also Figure 1 , is a schematic diagram of the structure of a broadband orthogonal coupler in an embodiment of the present invention, the broadband orthogonal coupler comprises:

[0043] A first coupling line 101, a second coupling line 102 parallel to the first coupling line 101, one end of the first coupling line 101 is an input port, the other end of the first coupling line 101 is an output port, one end of the second coupling line 102 is a coupling port, and the other end of the second coupling line 102 is a transmission port;

[0044] The wideband orthogonal coupler further includes two phase shift circuits 103, one phase shift circuit 103 is connected in parallel to both ends of the first coupling line, and the other phase shift circuit 103 is connected in parallel to both ends of the second coupling line. The phase shift circuit 103 includes circuit components capable of storing and releasing electromagnetic energy.

[0045] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first coupling line 101 and the second coupling line 102 are coupled by being arranged in parallel up and down. The first coupling line 101 and the second coupling line 102 can form parallel coupling lines. Parallel coupling lines refer to coupling lines relative to edge coupling, which have the characteristics of strong coupling and small area. The structural characteristics of parallel coupling lines can effectively eliminate the limitations of standard semiconductor processes on wide-band orthogonal couplers.

[0046] Furthermore, when the first coupling line 101 and the second coupling line 102 form parallel coupling lines, two phase shifting circuits 103 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the parallel coupling lines, and the structures of the two phase shifting circuits 103 are the same. By using parallel coupling lines, the differential mode can be effectively realized, and by setting up symmetrical phase shifting circuits 103, the common mode can be supplemented by the phase shifting circuits 103, so that an orthogonal coupler can be formed in combination, and the orthogonal coupler has the advantage of high bandwidth, and therefore, it can also be called a wide-band orthogonal coupler.

[0047] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, two phase shifting circuits 103 are used to implement the phase shifting of the above-mentioned wideband orthogonal coupler, so that the wideband coupler can have the advantages of wide bandwidth and phase flattening, thereby reducing the required area of ​​the entire wideband orthogonal coupler, so that it has the advantages of wide bandwidth, phase flattening and small area.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned wideband orthogonal coupler can be implemented by using a standard semiconductor integrated circuit process and is no longer limited by the standard semiconductor process.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the phase shift circuit 103 includes circuit components capable of storing and releasing electromagnetic energy. The circuit components may be capacitors and inductors. Different phase shift circuits 103 may be designed using capacitors and inductors. Moreover, for different phase shift circuits 103, the inductors and capacitors in the phase shift circuit 103 may use capacitors with corresponding capacitance values ​​and inductors with corresponding inductance values ​​according to specific requirements.

[0050] In a feasible implementation, the inductance value of the inductor in the phase shift circuit 103 can be determined according to the following formula:

[0051]

[0052] Where, L represents the inductance value, ω o =2*π*f o , f o Indicates the center frequency of the broadband orthogonal coupler, Z oIt is understood that if there are two or more inductors in a phase shifting circuit, the inductance values ​​of the two or more inductors are the same and can be calculated according to the above formula.

[0053] In a feasible implementation, the capacitance value of the capacitor in the phase shift circuit 103 can be determined according to the following formula:

[0054]

[0055] Where C represents the capacitance value, ω o =2*π*f o , f o Indicates the center frequency of the broadband orthogonal coupler, Z o It is understood that if there are two or more capacitors in a phase shift circuit, the capacitance values ​​of the two or more capacitors are the same and can be calculated according to the above formula.

[0056] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the circuit structure of the above-mentioned phase shift circuit has various forms, and several feasible implementation modes are respectively introduced below.

[0057] See also Figure 2 , is a structural diagram of a feasible implementation of a phase shift circuit in an embodiment of the present invention, the phase shift circuit includes: a first capacitor R1, a second capacitor R2 and a first inductor L1;

[0058] One end of the first capacitor R1 is a connection terminal A0 of the phase shift circuit 103, the other end of the first capacitor R1 is connected to one end of the second capacitor R2, and the other end of the second capacitor R1 is another connection terminal A1 of the phase shift circuit;

[0059] One end of the first inductor L1 is connected between the first capacitor R1 and the second capacitor R2 , and the other end of the first inductor L1 is grounded.

[0060] For further information, see Figure 3 , is based on the embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the structure of the broadband orthogonal coupler of the phase shift circuit shown in the figure includes: a first coupling line 101 and a second coupling line 102, wherein the first coupling line 101 and the second coupling line 102 form parallel coupling lines, and a phase shift circuit is connected in parallel between the input end and the isolation end of the first coupling line 101, wherein the phase shift circuit includes a first capacitor R1, a second capacitor R2 and a first inductor L1, and the connection method of the phase shift circuit can refer to Figure 2 Phase shift circuit in the illustrated embodiment. A phase shift circuit is connected in parallel between the coupling end and the transmission end of the second coupling line 102. The phase shift circuit includes a first capacitor R1, a second capacitor R2 and a first inductor L1. The connection method of the phase shift circuit can refer to Figure 2Phase shifting circuit in the illustrated embodiment.

[0061] See also Figure 4 , is a schematic structural diagram of another feasible implementation of the phase shift circuit in an embodiment of the present invention, the phase shift circuit includes: a third capacitor C3, a fourth capacitor C4 and a second inductor L2;

[0062] One end of the third capacitor C3 is grounded, and the other end of the third capacitor C3 is connected to one end of the second inductor L2 and serves as a connection end of the phase shift circuit;

[0063] One end of the fourth capacitor C4 is grounded, and the other end of the fourth capacitor C4 is connected to the other end of the second inductor L2 and serves as another connection end of the phase shift circuit.

[0064] For further information, see Figure 5 , is based on the embodiment of the present invention Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the structure of the broadband orthogonal coupler of the phase shift circuit shown in the figure comprises:

[0065] A first coupling line 101 and a second coupling line 102, wherein the first coupling line 101 and the second coupling line 102 form parallel coupling lines, and a phase shift circuit is connected in parallel between the input end and the isolation end of the first coupling line 101, wherein the phase shift circuit comprises a third capacitor C3, a fourth capacitor C4 and a second inductor L2, and the connection method of the phase shift circuit can refer to Figure 4 Phase shift circuit in the illustrated embodiment. A phase shift circuit is connected in parallel between the coupling end and the transmission end of the second coupling line 102, and the phase shift circuit includes a third capacitor C3, a fourth capacitor C4 and a second inductor L2, and the connection method of the phase shift circuit can refer to Figure 4 Phase shifting circuit in the illustrated embodiment.

[0066] See also Figure 6 , is a schematic structural diagram of another feasible implementation of the phase shift circuit in an embodiment of the present invention, the phase shift circuit includes: a fifth capacitor C5, a third inductor L3 and a fourth inductor L4;

[0067] The third inductor L3 and the fourth inductor L4 are connected in series, and one end of the series circuit is a connection end of the phase shift circuit, and the other end of the series circuit is another connection end of the phase shift circuit;

[0068] One end of the fifth capacitor C5 is connected between the third inductor L3 and the fourth inductor L4 , and the other end of the fifth capacitor C5 is grounded.

[0069] For further information, see Figure 7 , is based on the embodiment of the present invention Figure 5 The schematic diagram of the structure of the broadband orthogonal coupler of the phase shift circuit shown in the figure comprises:

[0070] A first coupling line 101 and a second coupling line 102, wherein the first coupling line 101 and the second coupling line 102 form parallel coupling lines, and a phase shift circuit is connected in parallel between the input end and the isolation end of the first coupling line 101, wherein the phase shift circuit comprises a fifth capacitor C5, a third inductor L3 and a fourth inductor L4, and the connection method of the phase shift circuit can refer to Figure 6 Phase shift circuit in the illustrated embodiment. A phase shift circuit is connected in parallel between the coupling end and the transmission end of the second coupling line 102, and the phase shift circuit includes a fifth capacitor C5, a third inductor L3 and a fourth inductor L4, and the connection method of the phase shift circuit can refer to Figure 6 Phase shifting circuit in the illustrated embodiment.

[0071] See also Figure 8 , is a schematic structural diagram of another feasible implementation of the phase shift circuit in an embodiment of the present invention, the phase shift circuit includes: a sixth capacitor C6, a fifth inductor L5 and a sixth inductor L6;

[0072] One end of the fifth inductor L5 is grounded, and the other end of the fifth inductor L5 is connected to one end of the sixth capacitor C6 and serves as a connection end of the phase shift circuit;

[0073] One end of the sixth inductor L6 is grounded, and the other end of the sixth inductor L6 is connected to the other end of the sixth capacitor C6 and serves as the other connection end of the phase shift circuit.

[0074] For further information, see Fig. 9 , is based on the embodiment of the present invention Figure 8 The schematic diagram of the structure of the broadband orthogonal coupler of the phase shift circuit shown in the figure comprises:

[0075] A first coupling line 101 and a second coupling line 102, wherein the first coupling line 101 and the second coupling line 102 form parallel coupling lines, and a phase shift circuit is connected in parallel between the input end and the isolation end of the first coupling line 101, wherein the phase shift circuit comprises a sixth capacitor C6, a fifth inductor L5 and a sixth inductor L6, and the connection method of the phase shift circuit can refer to Figure 8 Phase shift circuit in the illustrated embodiment. A phase shift circuit is connected in parallel between the coupling end and the transmission end of the second coupling line 102, and the phase shift circuit includes a sixth capacitor C6, a fifth inductor L5 and a sixth inductor L6, and the connection method of the phase shift circuit can refer to Figure 8 Phase shifting circuit in the illustrated embodiment.

[0076] In the embodiment of the present invention, the use of parallel coupling lines can effectively break through the limitations of standard semiconductor processes, and the use of two phase shifting circuits to achieve the phase shifting of the above-mentioned wide-band orthogonal coupler allows the wide-band coupler to have the advantages of wide bandwidth and phase flattening, thereby reducing the required area of ​​the entire wide-band orthogonal coupler, so that it has the advantages of wide bandwidth, phase flattening and small area.

[0077] It should be noted that the wideband orthogonal coupler in the embodiment of the present invention has a broadband small amplitude error characteristic and is suitable for an orthogonal signal generator. The wideband orthogonal coupler is suitable for a circularly polarized multi-antenna system.

[0078] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0079] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent of the present invention. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A broadband orthogonal coupler, characterized in that: The broadband orthogonal coupler comprises: a first coupling line, and a second coupling line parallel to the first coupling line, wherein one end of the first coupling line is an input port, the other end of the first coupling line is an output port, one end of the second coupling line is a coupling port, and the other end of the second coupling line is a transmission port; The broadband orthogonal coupler further comprises two phase shifting circuits, one phase shifting circuit is connected in parallel to both ends of the first coupling line, and the other phase shifting circuit is connected in parallel to both ends of the second coupling line, and the phase shifting circuit comprises circuit components capable of storing and releasing electromagnetic energy; The structures of the two phase shift circuits are the same. The differential mode can be effectively realized by using parallel coupling lines, and the common mode can be supplemented by setting a symmetrical phase shift circuit.

2. The broadband orthogonal coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first coupling line and the second coupling line are arranged in parallel up and down to achieve coupling.

3. The broadband orthogonal coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The broadband quadrature coupler is realized by using a standard semiconductor integrated circuit process.

4. The broadband orthogonal coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase shifting circuit includes a capacitor and an inductor.

5. The broadband orthogonal coupler according to claim 4, characterized in that: The inductance value of the phase shift circuit is determined according to the following formula: Wherein, L represents the inductance value, ωo=2*π*fo, fo represents the center frequency of the wide-band orthogonal coupler, and Zo represents the standard impedance.

6. The broadband orthogonal coupler according to claim 4, characterized in that: The capacitance value of the capacitor in the phase shift circuit is determined according to the following formula: Wherein, C represents the capacitance value, ωo=2*π*fo, fo represents the center frequency of the wide-band orthogonal coupler, and Zo represents the standard impedance.

7. The wideband orthogonal coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The phase shift circuit includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor and a first inductor; One end of the first capacitor is a connection end of the phase shift circuit, the other end of the first capacitor is connected to one end of the second capacitor, and the other end of the second capacitor is another connection end of the phase shift circuit; One end of the first inductor is connected between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and the other end of the first inductor is grounded.

8. The wideband orthogonal coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The phase shift circuit includes a third capacitor, a fourth capacitor and a second inductor; One end of the third capacitor is grounded, and the other end of the third capacitor is connected to one end of the second inductor and serves as a connection end of the phase shift circuit; One end of the fourth capacitor is grounded, and the other end of the fourth capacitor is connected to the other end of the second inductor and serves as the other connection end of the phase shift circuit.

9. The wideband orthogonal coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The phase shift circuit includes a fifth capacitor, a third inductor and a fourth inductor; The third inductor and the fourth inductor are connected in series, and one end of the series circuit is a connection end of the phase shift circuit, and the other end of the series circuit is another connection end of the phase shift circuit; One end of the fifth capacitor is connected between the third inductor and the fourth inductor, and the other end of the fifth capacitor is grounded.

10. The wideband orthogonal coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The phase shift circuit includes a sixth capacitor, a fifth inductor and a sixth inductor; One end of the fifth inductor is grounded, and the other end of the fifth inductor is connected to one end of the sixth capacitor and serves as a connection end of the phase shift circuit; One end of the sixth inductor is grounded, and the other end of the sixth inductor is connected to the other end of the sixth capacitor and serves as the other connection end of the phase shift circuit.

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