Ultrahigh frequency peaking method and system for broadband front end

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of high-speed signal transceivers, and particularly discloses an ultrahigh-frequency peaking method and system for a broadband front end, and the method is characterized in that a broadband amplification network is connected with an n-stage peaking network in parallel; the output end of the power distribution network is connected with the input ends of the broadband amplification network and the n-stage peaking network; the output ends of the broadband amplification network and the n-stage peaking network are connected with the input end of the power synthesis network; when the peak frequencies of the peaking networks are the same, ultrahigh frequency peaking is carried out on the input signals; when the peak frequencies of the peaking network are different and the gain of the peaking network is higher than a preset gain value, compensating the high-frequency loss of the input signal and performing ultrahigh-frequency peaking on the input signal; and when the peak frequencies of the peaking network are different and the gain of the peaking network is lower than a preset gain value, compensating the high-frequency loss of the input signal, and expanding the bandwidth of the input signal. The bandwidth of the broadband amplification circuit can be expanded, and the high-frequency loss of the input signal can be compensated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of high-speed signal transceivers, and more specifically, relates to an ultra-high frequency peaking method and system for broadband front-ends. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of communication systems (such as 5G and fiber optic communication) and high-speed data converters (ADCs / DACs), the demand for broadband amplifiers with high-frequency peaking is increasing. These amplifiers need to maintain flat gain and group delay over a wide frequency range (such as DC to tens of GHz) and generate peaking at high frequencies to compensate for the attenuation of the preceding circuitry. However, traditional amplifiers face gain roll-off problems at high frequencies due to limitations in manufacturing processes, parasitic effects, and gain-bandwidth products.

[0003] Existing broadband amplifier circuits mainly suffer from low peaking frequency and high cost; existing ultra-high frequency peaking networks have limited operating frequency bands, cannot cover low frequencies, and are only suitable for specific scenarios.

[0004] In summary, current broadband amplifier circuits suffer from problems such as low peaking frequency and limited operating frequency band, which limits the overall bandwidth of the broadband amplifier circuit and makes it unable to compensate for the high-frequency losses of the front-end circuit. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this application is to provide an ultra-high frequency peaking method and system for broadband front-end, which aims to solve the problems of low peaking frequency and limited operating frequency band in current broadband amplifier circuits, resulting in limited overall bandwidth of broadband amplifier circuits and inability to compensate for high frequency losses in front-end circuits.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, this application provides an ultra-high frequency peaking system for a broadband front-end, comprising: a power distribution network, a broadband amplification network, and n Peaking networks and power combining networks; Broadband amplification network and n Parallel peaking networks; the output of the power distribution network is connected to the broadband amplification network and... n Input connection of the cascaded peaking network; broadband amplification network and n The outputs of the peaking network are all connected to the inputs of the power combining network; among them, n Integers ≥ 1; The power distribution network is used to distribute the power of the input signal into n+1 paths. One of these n+1 paths enters the broadband amplification network, while the remaining n paths are input to... n Peak-based networks; Power combining networks are used to combine the signals output by peaking networks; The broadband amplification network is used to linearly amplify the input signal; n The stage peaking network is used to super-high frequency peaking the input signal based on the characteristic of peak frequency selectivity, and compensating the high frequency loss of the input signal. Further preferably, when n The peak frequencies of the stage peaking networks are the same, n The stage peaking network is used to super-high frequency peaking the input signal; when n The peak frequencies of the stage peaking networks are different, and the gain of the peaking network is higher than the high frequency loss of the input signal, the peaking network is used to compensate the high frequency loss of the input signal while super-high frequency peaking the input signal; when n The peak frequencies of the stage peaking networks are different, and the gain is lower than the high frequency loss of the input signal, the peaking network is used to compensate the high frequency loss of the input signal and expand the bandwidth of the input signal.

[0007] It should be noted that the broadband amplification network is used to linearly amplify the input signal in a very wide frequency range (usually from near direct current to high frequency), ensuring that all important frequency components of the signal can pass through the amplification network without attenuation (or minimal attenuation) and be amplified.

[0008] Further preferably, the peaking network comprises a plurality of matching networks and amplification units; the amplification units are used to provide basic gain; the matching networks are used to adjust the peak frequency by adjusting the matching frequency point, and to improve the gain within the bandwidth and compress the gain outside the bandwidth.

[0009] More specifically, the peaking network comprises an amplification unit and a matching network; the frequency selectivity of the matching network is one of its core characteristics, and the peaking network only realizes efficient impedance matching in a specific frequency or narrow band range, maximizes power transmission, and is mismatched at other frequencies. The peak frequency of the peaking network is the frequency at which the matching network realizes maximum transmission efficiency or minimum reflection at a specific frequency point, and the peak frequency is adjusted by adjusting the matching frequency point.

[0010] Further preferably, the broadband amplification network is a distributed broadband amplification network, comprising: an input transmission line, an input matching load, an output transmission line, an output matching load, and a gain unit; The one end of the input transmission line is used for receiving an input signal, and the other end of the input transmission line is grounded through an input matching load; the input matching load is used for absorbing the input signal reflected to the input port of the input transmission line, so as to reduce the inter-stage crosstalk to the maximum extent; each node of the input transmission line is connected to the input end of the gain unit; the output transmission line is used for superimposing and combining the signals output by the gain units; each node of the output transmission line is connected to the output end of each gain unit, the input end of the output transmission line is grounded through a connection output matching load, and the output end of the output transmission line is connected to an external load; and the output matching load is used for absorbing the signals transmitted from the gain units to the output end of the output transmission line in the opposite direction.

[0011] Further preferably, the wideband amplification network is a multi-stage cascaded wideband amplification network, comprising a gain unit and a plurality of bandwidth expansion units; the gain unit is used for providing an amplification gain; and the bandwidth expansion unit is used for expanding the bandwidth of the input signal.

[0012] Further preferably, the power distribution network comprises a plurality of 1 / 4 wavelength coplanar waveguides, which are used for dividing the input signal into n paths.

[0013] Further preferably, the power synthesis network comprises a plurality of 1 / 4 wavelength coplanar waveguides, which are used for synthesizing the n paths of signals output by the peaking network.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present application provides a super-high-frequency peaking method for a wideband front end, specifically comprising: The input signal is transmitted to the wideband amplification network and the peaking network through the power distribution network, the bandwidth of the input signal is expanded by using the wideband amplification network, and the super-high-frequency peaking of the input signal is performed by using the peaking network, and the high-frequency loss of the input signal is compensated.

[0015] Further preferably, the peaking network with the same peak frequency is selected to perform the super-high-frequency peaking of the input signal. Or the peaking network with different peak frequencies and a gain higher than the high-frequency loss of the input signal is selected to perform the super-high-frequency peaking of the input signal, and the high-frequency loss of the input signal is compensated. Or the peaking network with different peak frequencies and a gain lower than the high-frequency loss of the input signal is selected to perform the bandwidth expansion of the input signal, and the high-frequency loss of the input signal is compensated.

[0016] Overall, compared with the prior art, the above technical solutions conceived by the present application have the following beneficial effects: (1) The peaking capability of the existing peaking technology is limited, and only a small amount of bandwidth of the wideband amplification circuit can be expanded. In the super-high-frequency peaking method for a wideband front end provided by the present application, the wideband amplification network and the peaking network are combined by using the power distribution and synthesis network, the peak gain of the peaking network is improved, the bandwidth of the wideband amplification circuit can be expanded, and the high-frequency loss of the input signal can be compensated.

[0017] (2) The existing peaking technology is mostly implemented in the low frequency, and the super-high frequency (W-band) peaking method for the wideband front end provided in the application combines the wideband amplification network and the peaking network through power distribution and synthesis network, adjusts the peak frequency of the peaking network, and can realize the peaking of the super-high frequency band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a structural schematic block diagram of the super-high frequency peaking method for the wideband front end provided in the application; Figure 2 is a structural schematic block diagram of the bandwidth expansion method for the wideband front end provided in the application; FIG. 3(a) is a schematic diagram of a distributed wideband amplification network provided in an embodiment of the application; FIG. 3(b) is a schematic diagram of a multi-stage cascaded wideband amplification network provided in an embodiment of the application; Figure 4 is a simulation result schematic diagram of a wideband amplification circuit embodiment provided in an embodiment of the application; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a high-frequency narrowband amplification network provided in an embodiment of the application; Figure 6 is a simulation result schematic diagram of a high-frequency narrowband amplification circuit embodiment provided in an embodiment of the application; Figure 7 is a parameter schematic diagram of the super-high frequency peaking and bandwidth expansion method for the wideband front end provided in an embodiment of the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the application clearer, the application is further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the application, and are not used to limit the application.

[0020] The term "and / or" in the present document is used to describe the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean that there are three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. The symbol " / " in the present document represents the relationship of or, for example, A / B represents A or B.

[0021] The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the specification and claims herein are used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to describe a specific order of the objects.

[0022] In the embodiments of the present application, the word "exemplary" or "for example" is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described in the embodiments of the present application as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the word "exemplary" or "for example" is used to present concepts in a particular manner.

[0023] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise specified.

[0024] The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the embodiments of the present application provide a super-high frequency peaking system for a wideband front end, comprising a power distribution network, a wideband amplification network, a peaking network, and a power combining network; after the input signal passes through the power distribution network, one signal enters the wideband amplification network, and the remaining signals enter the peaking network respectively, the peak frequency of which is . When the peak frequencies of the peaking networks are the same, as shown in Figure 1 , the effect of super-high frequency peaking can be achieved through the power combining network; when the peak frequencies of the peaking networks are different, as shown in Figure 1 , the peaking network has high gain, which can compensate for high-frequency loss and achieve the effect of super-high frequency peaking, as shown in Figure 2 , the peaking network has low gain, which can compensate for high-frequency loss and achieve the effect of bandwidth expansion.

[0026] It should be pointed out here that the wideband amplification network is used to linearly amplify the input signal in a very wide frequency range (such as DC to tens of GHz), usually from near DC to high frequency, to ensure that all important frequency components of the signal can pass through the amplification network and be amplified without attenuation or with minimal attenuation.

[0027] Among them, the peaking network includes an amplification unit and a matching network; the frequency selectivity of the matching network is one of its core characteristics, the peaking network only realizes efficient impedance matching in a specific frequency or narrow band range, and the power transmission is maximized, while mismatching at other frequencies; the peak frequency of the peaking network is the frequency at which the matching network realizes maximum transmission efficiency or minimum reflection at a specific frequency point, and the peak frequency is adjusted by adjusting the matching frequency point. Meanwhile, the peaking network compensates for high-frequency attenuation caused by parasitic capacitance, distributed parameters, or device bandwidth limitations; It should be pointed out here that the power distribution network includes a plurality of 1 / 4 wavelength coplanar waveguides for dividing the input signal into n paths. Correspondingly, the power combining network includes a plurality of 1 / 4 wavelength coplanar waveguides for combining the n signals output by the peaking network.

[0028] It should be noted that the core device of the power distribution network is the power divider, but a complete and practical power distribution network usually also includes other auxiliary devices to achieve the functions of connection, matching, isolation, testing and protection, etc. The power distribution network is used to distribute the power of an input signal to multiple output ports in a certain ratio, usually equally, such as 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, etc., or unequally; the power dividers supported in the present application include Wilkinson power dividers, T-junction power dividers, resistive power dividers, hybrid rings, branch-line couplers, multi-section / broadband power dividers and unequal power dividers.

[0029] The function of the power combining network is just the opposite of the power distribution network, which is used to combine the power from multiple input signals at the output port, so that the total output power is significantly higher than the power of a single input source. The structure of the power combining network is highly symmetrical with the power distribution network, and can be directly reused. Correspondingly, the power combining network can be a Wilkinson combiner, a T-combiner, a resistive combiner, a hybrid ring, a branch-line coupler, a multi-combiner and a spatial power combiner.

[0030] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are a broadband amplification network according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 3(a) is a distributed broadband amplification network, one end of the transmission line in the input transmission network is used to receive an input signal, and the other end of the transmission line is grounded through an input matching load, which is used to absorb the input signal reflected to the input port, thereby reducing the inter-stage crosstalk to the maximum extent; each node of the transmission line in the input transmission network is connected to the input end of a gain unit; the output transmission network is used to superimpose the signals output from each gain unit and combine the output; each node of the transmission line in the output transmission network is connected to the output end of each gain unit, one end of the transmission line in the output transmission network is grounded through an output matching load, and the other end of the transmission line is connected to an external load; the output matching load is used to absorb the signals transmitted in the opposite direction of the output end from each gain unit, i.e., to absorb the reflected signals at the output end, thereby improving the quality of the output signal; FIG. 3(b) shows a multi-stage cascaded broadband amplification network, which is composed of an amplification unit and a plurality of bandwidth expansion units, the amplification unit provides the basic gain of the amplifier, and the broadband effect is achieved through the bandwidth expansion units; both the distributed broadband amplification network of FIG. 3(a) and the broadband amplification network of FIG. 3(b) can achieve broadband amplification, the distributed broadband amplification network of FIG. 3(a) has a large area and high power consumption, and the broadband is wider than that of the broadband amplification network of FIG. 3(b); the broadband amplification network of FIG. 3(b) has a relatively small area and low power consumption. In actual application, the selection can be made according to actual needs.

[0031] Figure 4 is the simulation result of the broadband amplification network embodiment, and it can be seen that the simulated 3dB bandwidth is 86GHz; Figure 5A peaking network provided by an embodiment of the present application, the network comprising a plurality of matching networks and an amplification unit, the amplification unit providing a basic gain, the gain at high frequencies being boosted through the plurality of different matching networks, the gain at low frequencies being compressed, the effect of narrowband amplification at high frequencies being achieved; Figure 6 is a simulation result of an embodiment of a high-frequency narrowband amplification circuit, it can be seen that the simulated working frequency band is 80-150GHz; after the two signals are amplified, they are output through a power combining device; Figure 7 is the overall effect of an embodiment of a super-high-frequency peaking and bandwidth expansion method for a wideband front end, the 3dB bandwidth is 128GHz, and there is a peak gain around 100GHz. Therefore, the present application can simultaneously achieve the effects of wideband and super-high-frequency peaking.

[0032] Based on the above-provided super-high-frequency peaking system for a wideband front end, the present application provides a corresponding super-high-frequency peaking method, specifically: transmit the input signal to the wideband amplification network and the peaking network through the power distribution network, expand the bandwidth of the input signal using the wideband amplification network, simultaneously perform super-high-frequency peaking on the input signal using the peaking network, and compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal.

[0033] Further preferably, the input signal is subjected to super-high-frequency peaking using a peaking network with the same peak frequency; or a peaking network with different peak frequencies and a gain higher than the high-frequency loss of the input signal is selected to perform super-high-frequency peaking on the input signal and compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal; or a peaking network with different peak frequencies and a gain lower than the high-frequency loss of the input signal is selected to perform bandwidth expansion on the input signal and compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal.

[0034] To sum up, compared with the prior art, the present application has the following advantages: The peaking capability of the existing peaking technology is limited, and only a small amount of bandwidth of the wideband amplification circuit can be expanded. In the super-high-frequency peaking method for a wideband front end provided by the present application, the wideband amplification network and the peaking network are combined through the power distribution and combining network, the peak gain of the peaking network is improved, the bandwidth of the wideband amplification circuit can be expanded, and the high-frequency loss of the input signal can be compensated.

[0035] The existing peaking technology mostly realizes peaking at medium and low frequencies. The super-high-frequency peaking method for a wideband front end provided by the present application combines the wideband amplification network and the peaking network through the power distribution and combining network, adjusts the peak frequency of the peaking network, and can realize super-high-frequency peaking.

[0036] It should be understood that expressions such as “comprising” and “may include” used in this application indicate the existence of the disclosed functions, operations, or constituent elements, and do not limit one or more additional functions, operations, and constituent elements. In this application, terms such as “comprising” and / or “having” are to be interpreted as indicating a particular characteristic, number, operation, constituent element, component, or combination thereof, but not to exclude the existence or possibility of adding one or more other characteristics, numbers, operations, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0037] Furthermore, in this application, the expression "and / or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed words. For example, the expression "A and / or B" may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

[0038] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0039] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An ultra-high frequency peaking system for a broadband front-end, characterized in that, include: Power distribution networks, broadband amplification networks, n Peaking networks and power combining networks; Broadband amplification network and n Parallel peaking networks; the output of the power distribution network is connected to the broadband amplification network and... n Input connection of the cascaded peaking network; broadband amplification network and n The outputs of the peaking network are all connected to the inputs of the power combining network; among them, n Integers ≥ 1; The power distribution network is used to distribute the power of the input signal into n+1 paths. One of these n+1 paths is input to the broadband amplification network, and the remaining n paths are input to... n Peak-based networks; Power combining networks are used to combine the signals output by peaking networks; Broadband amplification networks are used to linearly amplify input signals; n Peaking networks are used to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on input signals based on peak frequency selectivity and to compensate for high frequency losses in the input signals.

2. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when n When the peak frequencies of all hierarchical peaking networks are the same, n A multi-stage peaking network is used to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal; when n When the peak frequencies of the peaking networks are different and the gain is higher than the high-frequency loss of the input signal, the peaking network is used to compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal and perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal. When the peak frequencies of the peaking networks are different and the gain is lower than the high-frequency loss of the input signal, the peaking network is used to compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal and expand the bandwidth of the input signal.

3. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The peaking network includes a matching network and an amplification unit; the amplification unit is used to provide the base gain; the matching network is used to adjust the peak frequency by adjusting the matching frequency point, thereby increasing the gain within the bandwidth and compressing the gain outside the bandwidth.

4. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The broadband amplification network is a distributed broadband amplification network, comprising: an input transmission line, an input matching load, an output transmission line, an output matching load, and a gain unit; One end of the input transmission line is used to receive the input signal, and the other end is grounded through an input matching load. The input matching load is used to absorb the input signal reflected to the input port of the input transmission line to minimize inter-stage crosstalk. Each node of the input transmission line is connected to the input terminal of the gain unit. The output transmission line is used to superimpose and combine the signals output by the gain unit. Each node of the output transmission line is connected to the output terminal of each gain unit. The input terminal of the output transmission line is grounded through an output matching load, and the output terminal of the output transmission line is connected to an external load. The output matching load is used to absorb the signal transmitted from the gain unit in the opposite direction to the output terminal of the output transmission line.

5. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The broadband amplification network is a multi-stage cascaded broadband amplification network, including amplification units and multiple bandwidth extension units; the amplification units are used to provide amplification gain; the bandwidth extension units are used to extend the broadband of the input signal.

6. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power distribution network consists of several quarter-wavelength coplanar waveguides used to split the input signal into n paths.

7. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The power combining network consists of several quarter-wavelength coplanar waveguides used to combine the n signals output by the peaking network.

8. An ultra-high frequency peaking method based on the ultra-high frequency peaking system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Specifically, the input signal is transmitted to a broadband amplification network and a peaking network through a power distribution network. The broadband amplification network is used to extend the bandwidth of the input signal, while the peaking network is used to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal and compensate for the high frequency loss of the input signal.

9. The ultra-high frequency peaking method of the ultra-high frequency peaking system according to claim 8, characterized in that, A peaking network with the same peak frequency is selected to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal; Alternatively, a peaking network with a different peak frequency and a gain higher than the high-frequency loss of the input signal can be selected to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal and compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal. Alternatively, a peaking network with a different peak frequency and a gain lower than the high-frequency loss of the input signal can be selected to extend the bandwidth of the input signal and compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal.

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