Radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit and radio frequency switch integrated system

Abstract

The invention provides a radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit which is applied to an interface circuit of an integrated circuit. The Schmitt trigger circuit comprises a plurality of first Schmitt triggers, a plurality of second Schmitt triggers and a charge pump module. The first Schmitt triggers are used for processing MIPI signals, and the input end of each first Schmitt trigger is connected with an external input voltage, so that the radio frequency switch works in an MIPI working mode by controlling the level of the external input voltage. And the second Schmitt trigger is used for processing the GPIO signal and is powered by the charge pump module. Since the first Schmitt trigger and the second Schmitt trigger are powered by different power supplies, the radio frequency switch chip for processing the MIPI signal and the radio frequency switch chip for processing the GPIO signal can be integrated only by changing the level of the external input voltage, false triggering can be avoided, and the reliability of the radio frequency switch chip is improved. And finally, the practicability is improved, and the application is wider.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to interface circuits for integrated circuits, and particularly to a radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit and a radio frequency switch integrated system. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of smartphones, people's demands for high-performance phones are becoming increasingly stringent. High-performance phones require increasingly higher data transmission rates between their internal processors, baseband modems, displays, and other devices. Therefore, the numerous interfaces inside the phone, such as RF / baseband interfaces, display interfaces, and cameras, are being standardized and integrated to reduce the complexity of phone design and increase design flexibility. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit and radio frequency switch integrated system, which increases the flexibility of radio frequency power amplifier module in operating mode control, while having better practicality and wider application.

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides a radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit, comprising: a plurality of first Schmitt triggers, a plurality of second Schmitt triggers, and a charge pump module. Each of the plurality of first Schmitt triggers is connected to an external input voltage, and when the external input voltage is detected to be high, it is configured to control the radio frequency switch to achieve MIPI signal transmission; otherwise, it controls itself to enter a closed state. Each of the plurality of second Schmitt triggers is connected to the charge pump module, and is configured to control the RF switch to realize GPIO signal transmission when the first output voltage of the charge pump module is high and the external input voltage is low; otherwise, it controls itself to enter the off state.

[0005] Optionally, the external input voltage is a low-voltage, narrow-range voltage, while the output voltage of the charge pump module is a high-voltage, wide-range voltage.

[0006] Optionally, the external input voltage range is 1.6V~2V.

[0007] Optionally, the voltage range of the output terminal of the charge pump module is 1.6V~3.3V.

[0008] Optionally, the radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit further includes: The decoder module, connected to the output terminals of the plurality of second Schmitt triggers, is configured to decode and convert the output signal after it has been shaped by the plurality of second Schmitt triggers, and output a first control signal.

[0009] Optionally, the radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit further includes: The output driving module, connected to the output terminal of the decoder module and the second output terminal of the charge pump module, is configured to amplify and convert the control signal received from the output terminal of the decoder module into the operating voltage required by the RF switch under the drive of the operating voltage output by the charge pump module, so as to drive the RF switch.

[0010] Optionally, the radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit further includes: The MIPI module, connected to the output terminals of the plurality of first Schmitt triggers, is configured to decode and convert the output signals after being shaped by the plurality of first Schmitt triggers, and output a configuration signal.

[0011] Optionally, the input of the decoder module is also connected to the output of the MIPI module to decode and convert the received configuration signal and output a second control signal.

[0012] Optionally, the decoder module is also connected to the external input voltage and is configured to access the configuration signal output by the MIPI module when the external input voltage is high, otherwise, access the output signal shaped by the plurality of second Schmitt triggers when the external input voltage is low.

[0013] To address the aforementioned technical problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated radio frequency switch system, comprising: multiple radio frequency switches and multiple radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuits as described above, wherein one of the radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuits is connected to the input terminal of each radio frequency switch.

[0014] In this invention, the RF switch interface multiplexing circuit and RF switch integrated system include multiple first Schmitt triggers, multiple second Schmitt triggers, and a charge pump module. The first Schmitt triggers process MIPI signals, and each first Schmitt trigger's input terminal is connected to an external input voltage. By controlling the level of the external input voltage, the RF switch can operate in MIPI mode. The second Schmitt triggers process GPIO signals and are powered by the charge pump module. Since the first and second Schmitt triggers are powered by different power supplies, the RF switch chip for processing MIPI signals and the RF switch chip for processing GPIO signals can be integrated into a single chip simply by changing the level of the external input voltage. This avoids false triggering, ultimately improving versatility and broadening the application range.

[0015] Furthermore, compared to existing RF switch chips that only operate in MIPI mode, this invention adds multiple second Schmitt triggers for processing GPIO signals, enabling the same chip to switch between MIPI and GPIO modes, with the multiple second Schmitt triggers occupying only 0.5% of the total chip area. Similarly, compared to existing RF switch chips that only operate in GPIO mode, this invention adds multiple first Schmitt triggers for processing MIPI signals, enabling the same chip to switch between MIPI and GPIO modes, with the multiple first Schmitt triggers occupying only 2% of the total chip area. Therefore, this invention neither increases the wafer footprint of the chip nor hinders multi-mode switching, while also avoiding false triggering and significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

[0016] Furthermore, since the first Schmitt trigger and the second Schmitt trigger in the RF switch chip of this invention are powered by different power supplies, the operating mode of the RF switch chip can be controlled by changing the level of the external input voltage. Thus, when multiple RF switch chips work at the same time, the operating modes of multiple chips are independently controlled and will not change with the operating modes of other chips, making the application more flexible. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings provide a more detailed understanding of embodiments of the invention and are incorporated herein by reference as a whole. These drawings and descriptions are used to illustrate the principles of some embodiments. It should be noted that all drawings are schematic diagrams, and for illustrative and drafting purposes, relative sizes and proportions have been adjusted. The same symbols represent corresponding or similar features in different embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a circuit diagram of a radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 The drawing is as follows Figure 1 The circuit diagram shown in this embodiment of the invention illustrates the implementation of MIPI signal transmission via a radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit.

[0020] Figure 3 The drawing is as follows Figure 1 The circuit diagram shown in this embodiment of the invention illustrates the implementation of GPIO signal transmission via a radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit.

[0021] In the accompanying drawings, the same parts are referred to by the same reference numerals, and the drawings are not drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To enable those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, preferred embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to explain in detail the composition and desired effects of the invention. It should be understood that the features described below can be substituted, rearranged, or mixed to achieve other embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0023] In the following embodiments, abbreviations and key terms are defined as follows: GPIO (General Purpose Input Output) is a general-purpose I / O port. GPIO control interfaces are mainly used in non-data transmission fields. Its control circuit is simple and reliable, so it is used in many devices.

[0024] MIPI (Mobile InduBry Processor Interface) is an open standard for mobile application processors initiated by the MIPI Alliance.

[0025] Currently, with the rapid development of smartphones, the demand for chips in mobile devices is increasing. Depending on the specific application requirements, mobile devices will choose between MIPI or GPIO-controlled SP8T switches (single-pole eight-throw electronic switches). A typical SP8T switch (RF switch) used for processing MIPI signals (via the MIPI interface) and for processing GPIO signals (via the GPIO interface) consists of two chips, doubling the cost of the wafer photomask for chip manufacturers.

[0026] To address this issue, this invention adds multiple Schmitt triggers (i.e., multiple second Schmitt triggers) to the existing RF switch circuit for processing MIPI signals. These are powered by different power supplies, and the external input voltage VIO is modified to integrate the RF switch chip for processing MIPI signals and the RF switch chip for processing GPIO signals (standardizing and integrating the GPIO and MIPI chips). This avoids false triggering, ultimately improving versatility, broadening the application range, and reducing wafer mask costs for chip manufacturers.

[0027] The radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit in this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, the diagram illustrates a circuit diagram of a radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, as... Figure 1As shown, the RF switch interface multiplexing circuit includes multiple first Schmitt triggers 10, multiple second Schmitt triggers 20, a charge pump module 30, an output driver module 40, a decoder module 50, and a MIPI module 60. The number of first Schmitt triggers 10 and multiple second Schmitt triggers 20 can vary depending on the input waveform to be processed. For example, this embodiment uses three first Schmitt triggers 10 and three second Schmitt triggers 20, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the number of first Schmitt triggers 10 and second Schmitt triggers 20 can also be different, and is not limited thereto.

[0029] Specifically, the first Schmitt trigger 10 is used to receive MIPI signals processed and transmitted on the MIPI bus receiver chip. It effectively suppresses noise on the MIPI signals, prevents false triggers (noise suppression), shapes the input waveforms of SCLK / SDATA / USID (signal shaping), and ensures stable digital communication and data accuracy in complex real-world operating environments (improving signal reliability). Similarly, the second Schmitt trigger 20 is used to receive GPIO signals processed and transmitted on the GPIO bus receiver chip. It effectively suppresses noise on the GPIO signals, prevents false triggers, shapes the input waveforms of VC1 / VC2 / VC3, and ensures stable digital communication and data accuracy in complex real-world operating environments.

[0030] The first Schmitt trigger 10 includes an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminal is connected to the SCLK / SDATA / USID input waveform and the external input voltage VIO, so as to shape the SCLK / SDATA / USID input waveform under the level control of the external input voltage VIO, and output the shaped signal (SCLK) from the output terminal. - 1 / SDATA - 1 / USID - 1) To MIPI module 60. The input terminal of MIPI module 60 receives the shaped SCLK / SDATA / USID input waveform and is also connected to the external input voltage VIO to start under the level control of the external input voltage VIO, and to process the shaped SCLK / SDATA / USID input waveform (SCLK... - 1 / SDATA - 1 / USID -1) Decode and convert the signal, and output a configuration signal, such as an 8-bit Reg<0:7>, to the decoder module 50 from its output terminal. The input terminals of the decoder module 50 are connected to the first Schmitt trigger 10, the second Schmitt trigger 20, and the external input voltage VIO. Under the level control of the external input voltage VIO, it determines whether to receive the configuration signal from the output terminal of the MIPI module 60 or the shaped VC1 / VC2 / VC3 input waveform (VC1) from the output terminal of the second Schmitt trigger 20. - 1 / VC2 - 1 / VC3 - 1), and output a second control signal to the output driver module 40. In this way, the multiple first Schmitt triggers 10, the MIPI module 60 and the decoder module 50 all use the external input voltage VIO as the driving power supply, and thus control whether the RF switch interface multiplexing circuit operates in MIPI mode or GPIO mode by the high or low level of the external input voltage VIO.

[0031] Next, the output of the decoder module 50 is connected to the output of the output driver module 40, and the input of the output driver module 40 is also connected to the charge pump module 30. The output of the output driver module 40 is connected to the switch core module 70, which integrates an RF switch chip (or RF switch) for processing MIPI signals and GPIO signals. This allows the control signal received from the output of the decoder module 50 to be amplified and converted into the operating voltage required by the RF switch under the drive of the charge pump module 30 as the driving power supply, so as to drive the RF switch.

[0032] Typically, for RF switches / RF switch chips used to process GPIO signals, the supply voltage is called VDD, and VDD usually has a wide operating voltage range. For RF switches / RF switch chips used to process MIPI signals, the operating voltage is usually lower and narrower. Therefore, when clients / terminals select whether an RF switch chip operates in GPIO or MIPI mode, they often determine this based on the operating voltage range of the product design. Once the product design is determined, the chip will only operate in one mode and will not switch between the two.

[0033] Furthermore, the peripheral circuit configurations of the interface circuits SCLK / SDATA / USID and VC1 / VC2 / VC3 differ between RF switch chips operating in GPIO mode and MIPI mode, and they do not switch between the two modes. Due to process limitations, the operating voltage of the MOSFETs can only be below 2.5V. While charge pump modules and output driver modules can be designed for use in high-voltage domains, MIPI modules, composed of logic modules such as inverters, NAND gates, and NOR gates, cannot be specially designed and can only operate below a 2.5V power supply voltage.

[0034] Therefore, the two driving power supplies (charge pump module 30 and external input voltage VIO) used in this embodiment can effectively solve the above problems. Furthermore, the operating voltage ranges / domains of the two driving power supplies can be different. The external input voltage VIO operates in a low-voltage, narrow-domain range (e.g., 1.6V~2V), while the output voltage of the charge pump module 30 operates in a high-voltage, wide-domain range (e.g., 1.6V~3.3V). Then, by changing the level of the external input voltage VIO, the RF switch / RF switch chip connected to the RF switch interface multiplexing circuit is determined whether it operates in MIPI mode (receiving and processing MIPI signals) or GPIO mode (receiving and processing GPIO signals). Modules processing signals in the other mode become ineffective. Therefore, in practical applications, the terminal can set one [unclear text - possibly a typo, could be "1"] on each of the multiple RF switch chip input paths. Figure 1 The RF switch interface multiplexing circuit shown enables the simultaneous use of multiple RF switch chips without false triggering, ensuring accuracy while reducing wafer manufacturing costs.

[0035] The following figures illustrate the functional modules and circuit connections used by the RF switch interface multiplexing circuit in this embodiment when operating in MIPI mode and GPIO mode.

[0036] Please see Figure 2 As shown, what is drawn is Figure 1 The circuit diagram shown in this embodiment of the invention illustrates the RF switch interface multiplexing circuit for MIPI signal transmission. Figure 2 As shown, when the external input voltage VIO is high, such as VDD, the second Schmitt trigger 20 is disabled, and the first Schmitt trigger 10, MIPI module 60, and decoder module 50 are activated, all operating in a low-voltage, narrow-range voltage domain, for example, within the voltage range of 1.6V to 2V. The SCLK / SDATA / USID input waveforms are input to the first Schmitt trigger 10, and the shaped SCLK is output through the output terminal of the first Schmitt trigger 10. - 1 / SDATA - 1 / USID -1. Input waveform and input to MIPI module 60. MIPI module 60 receives SCLK. - 1 / SDATA - 1 / USID - The input waveform is decoded and converted, and an 8-bit Reg<0:7> configuration signal is output to the decoder module 50. The operating state of the decoder module 50 is controlled by the external input voltage VIO. When the external input voltage VIO is high, such as VDD, the decoder module 50 only receives the signal output from the MIPI module 60, further processes it, and outputs it to the output driver module 40 and the switching core module 70 of the RF switch / RF switch chip, thus completing the transmission and step-by-step processing of the MIPI signal.

[0037] Please see Figure 3 As shown, what is drawn is Figure 1 The circuit diagram shown in this embodiment of the invention illustrates the RF switch interface multiplexing circuit for GPIO signal transmission. Figure 3 As shown, when the external input voltage VIO is low, for example, ground (GND), and the first output terminal of the charge pump module 30 (the first output terminal provides the drive voltage V to the second Schmitt trigger 20, the output drive module 40, and the decoder module 50) is... - When BIAS is high (VDD), the first Schmitt trigger 10 and the MIPI module 60 are both disabled. The second Schmitt trigger 20, the output driver module 40, and the decoder module 50 are activated and operate in a high-voltage, narrow-voltage range, for example, within the voltage range of 1.6V to 3.3V. The input waveforms VC1 / VC2 / VC3 are input to the second Schmitt trigger 20, and the shaped VC1 is output through the output terminal of the second Schmitt trigger 20. - 1 / VC2 - 1 / VC3 - 1. Input waveform and input to decoder module 50. Decoder module 50 receives VC1. - 1 / VC2 - 1 / VC3 - The input waveform is decoded and converted, and an 8-bit control signal, i.e., the first control signal, is output to the output driver module 40. The operating state of the decoder module 50 is controlled by the external input voltage VIO. That is, when the external input voltage VIO is low, such as ground (GND), the decoder module 50 only receives VC1 output from the output terminal of the second Schmitt trigger 20. - 1 / VC2 - 1 / VC3 -1. Input waveform, and further process and output it to output driver module 40 and RF switch / RF switch chip core module 70 for bias control, to complete the transmission and step-by-step processing of GPIO signal transmission.

[0038] In summary, the RF switch interface multiplexing circuit and RF switch integrated system of this invention include multiple first Schmitt triggers, multiple second Schmitt triggers, and a charge pump module. The first Schmitt triggers process MIPI signals, and each first Schmitt trigger's input terminal is connected to an external input voltage. By controlling the level of the external input voltage, the RF switch can operate in MIPI mode. The second Schmitt triggers process GPIO signals and are powered by the charge pump module. Since the first and second Schmitt triggers are powered by different power supplies, the RF switch chip for processing MIPI signals and the RF switch chip for processing GPIO signals can be integrated into a single chip simply by changing the level of the external input voltage. This avoids false triggering, ultimately improving versatility and broadening the application range.

[0039] Furthermore, compared to existing RF switch chips that only operate in MIPI mode, this invention adds multiple second Schmitt triggers for processing GPIO signals, enabling the same chip to switch between MIPI and GPIO modes, with the multiple second Schmitt triggers occupying only 0.5% of the total chip area. Similarly, compared to existing RF switch chips that only operate in GPIO mode, this invention adds multiple first Schmitt triggers for processing MIPI signals, enabling the same chip to switch between MIPI and GPIO modes, with the multiple first Schmitt triggers occupying only 2% of the total chip area. Therefore, this invention neither increases the wafer footprint of the chip nor hinders multi-mode switching, while also avoiding false triggering and significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

[0040] Furthermore, since the first Schmitt trigger and the second Schmitt trigger in the RF switch chip of this invention are powered by different power supplies, the operating mode of the RF switch chip can be controlled by changing the level of the external input voltage. Thus, when multiple RF switch chips work at the same time, the operating modes of multiple chips are independently controlled and will not change with the operating modes of other chips, making the application more flexible.

[0041] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit, comprising: The application relates to a radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit. The first plurality of Schmitt triggers are respectively connected with an external input voltage, and are configured to control the radio frequency switch to realize MIPI signal transmission when the external input voltage is detected as high level, and to control the first plurality of Schmitt triggers to enter a shutdown state otherwise. The second plurality of Schmitt triggers are respectively connected with the charge pump module, and are configured to control the radio frequency switch to realize GPIO signal transmission when the first output end voltage of the charge pump module is high level and the external input voltage is low level, and to control the second plurality of Schmitt triggers to enter a shutdown state otherwise. The external input voltage is a low-voltage narrow voltage domain, and the voltage at the output end of the charge pump module is a high-voltage wide voltage domain.

2. The radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit of claim 1, wherein, The external input voltage ranges from 1.6V to 2V.

3. The radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit of claim 1, wherein, The voltage at the output end of the charge pump module ranges from 1.6V to 3.3V.

4. The radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit of claim 1, wherein, The application further comprises a decoder module connected with the output end of the second plurality of Schmitt triggers, and configured to decode and convert the output signal shaped by the second plurality of Schmitt triggers and output a first control signal.

5. The radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit of claim 1, wherein, The application further comprises an output driving module connected with the output end of the decoder module and the second output end of the charge pump module, and configured to be driven by the working voltage output by the charge pump module, amplify and convert the control signal received from the output end of the decoder module into the working voltage required by the radio frequency switch to drive the radio frequency switch. The application further comprises a MIPI module connected with the output end of the first plurality of Schmitt triggers, and configured to decode and convert the output signal shaped by the first plurality of Schmitt triggers and output a configuration signal.

6. The radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit of claim 5, wherein, The input end of the decoder module is further connected with the output end of the MIPI module to decode and convert the received configuration signal and output a second control signal. The decoder module is further connected with the external input voltage, and is configured to access the configuration signal output by the MIPI module when the external input voltage is high level, and to access the output signal shaped by the second plurality of Schmitt triggers when the external input voltage is low level.

7. The radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit of claim 6, wherein, The application further comprises a plurality of radio frequency switches and a plurality of radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuits according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and each radio frequency switch is connected with a radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit. ​ 8. The radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit of claim 7, wherein, ​ 9. The radio frequency switch interface multiplexing circuit of claim 7, wherein, ​ 10. A radio frequency switch integrated system, characterized by, ​

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