A three-channel UWB radio frequency front-end module

Abstract

The present invention discloses a three-channel UWB radio frequency front-end module, comprising a low noise amplifier of a receiving channel (RX), a power amplifier of a transmitting channel (TX), a bypass channel which can be selected as a transmitting / receiving channel according to actual needs, a high-speed radio frequency switching switch and a control circuit; the present invention can achieve miniaturization by fully integrating receiving and transmitting low noise amplifiers on a chip; the introduction of a bypass channel can increase the dynamic range of the system receiving channel; and low power consumption can be achieved by ensuring that the low noise amplifier (power amplifier) ​​is in an off state in the transmitting (receiving) state and ensuring that both the low noise amplifier and the power amplifier are in an off state in bypass operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wireless radio frequency communication technology, and in particular to a three-channel UWB radio frequency front-end module applicable to fields such as UWB ranging, communication and positioning. Background Art

[0002] The full name of UWB is ultra wide band. UWB technology is a wireless carrier communication technology that uses a frequency bandwidth of more than 1GHz. It does not use a sinusoidal carrier, but uses nanosecond non-sinusoidal narrow pulses to transmit data, so it occupies a large spectrum range. Although it uses wireless communication, its data transmission rate can reach more than several hundred megabits per second. UWB technology can transmit signals over a very wide bandwidth. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States stipulates that UWB technology must occupy a bandwidth of more than 500MHz in the 3.1-10.6GHz frequency band.

[0003] In UWB applications, it is necessary to receive the echo signal after transmitting the signal. Taking UWB positioning and ranging applications as an example, the current UWB chips all have the baseband signal processing capability and the output function of the modulated signal. The ranging and positioning application systems are basically TDD working modes. In order to measure or locate farther distances, the output carrier signal of the UWB chip needs to be amplified by the power amplifier and then transmitted through the antenna. The transmitted signal encounters the signal reflected by the target, which is received by the antenna and then input into the UWB baseband chip through low noise amplification. When the echo signal is strong, the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel will cause signal distortion due to its low linearity. It is hoped that the echo signal will be directly received and processed without low noise amplification, that is, the receiving channel is expected to have a higher dynamic range. In order to achieve the above functions, the traditional approach is to integrate two discrete switches, a low noise amplifier and a power amplifier, which results in a huge size of the device. Since the low noise amplifier and the power amplifier are always in working state, the power consumption of the device is large. In addition, due to the low linearity of the low noise amplifier, the dynamic range of the system receiving channel is poor. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is: the problems of large volume, high power consumption or poor dynamic range faced by the current UWB system. The present invention provides a three-channel UWB radio frequency front-end module.

[0005] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A three-channel UWB radio frequency front-end module, comprising a low noise amplifier of a receiving channel RX, a power amplifier of a transmitting channel TX, a bypass channel, a high-speed radio frequency switching switch and a control circuit;

[0007] Wherein, the high-speed radio frequency switching switch includes two groups of single-pole three-throw switches, the first group of single-pole three-throw switches is connected to the transmitting / receiving antenna, the first port of the first group of single-pole three-throw switches is connected to the input port of the low-noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX, the second port is connected to the bypass channel, and the third port is connected to the output port of the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX; the second group of single-pole three-throw switches is connected to the baseband circuit, the first port of the second group of single-pole three-throw switches is connected to the output port of the low-noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX, the second port is connected to the bypass channel, and the third port is connected to the input port of the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX;

[0008] The bypass channel is selected as a transmitting channel or a receiving channel according to actual needs;

[0009] The control circuit is respectively connected to the control ports of the first group of single-pole triple-throw switches, the second group of single-pole triple-throw switches, the low-noise amplifier and the power amplifier.

[0010] The present invention realizes miniaturization by fully integrating a receiving channel RX and a transmitting channel TX on a chip, introduces a bypass channel to increase the dynamic range of the system, controls two groups of single-pole three-throw switches through a control circuit to realize fast switching between the transmitting channel, the receiving channel and the bypass channel, and ensures that the low-noise amplifier (power amplifier) ​​is in an off state in the transmitting (receiving) state, and ensures that both the low-noise amplifier and the power amplifier are in an off state in the bypass operation to achieve low power consumption.

[0011] Preferably, the control circuit of the present invention simultaneously controls the working states of two groups of single-pole three-throw switches to realize channel selection, and simultaneously controls the working states of the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX and the low-noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX, thereby realizing rapid switching of the front-end module between the transmitting channel, the receiving channel and the bypass channel.

[0012] Preferably, the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX of the present invention has a shutdown function, and when the power amplifier or the bypass channel of the transmitting channel TX is working, the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX is in a shutdown state.

[0013] Preferably, the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX of the present invention has a shutdown function, and when the low noise amplifier or the bypass channel of the receiving channel RX is working, the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX is in a shutdown state.

[0014] Preferably, the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX and the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX of the present invention both use a gate bias circuit to realize the shutdown function.

[0015] The present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0016] 1. The present invention directly integrates the receiving channel, the transmitting channel and two sets of single-pole three-throw switches on the chip, and controls the working states of the receiving channel, the transmitting channel and the bypass channel while ensuring that the front-end module switches quickly between the transmitting channel, the receiving channel and the bypass channel through the control circuit, so as to achieve miniaturization and increase the dynamic range of the system.

[0017] 2. The present invention also achieves low power consumption by setting a shutdown function circuit in the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel and the power amplifier of the transmitting channel, and ensuring that the low noise amplifier (power amplifier) ​​is in the off state in the transmitting (receiving) state through the control of the control circuit, and ensuring that the low noise amplifier and the power amplifier are both in the off state in bypass operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, constitute a part of this application, and do not constitute a limitation of the embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the radio frequency front-end structure of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the single-pole triple-throw switch circuit of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the control principle of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an amplifier with a gate shutoff function of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 It is the gain of the receiving channel of the three-channel UWB radio frequency front-end module of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 It is the gain of the transmitting channel of the three-channel UWB radio frequency front-end module of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 It is the insertion loss of the bypass channel of the three-channel UWB radio frequency front-end module of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, the term "include" or "may include" used in various embodiments of the present invention indicates the presence of the invented function, operation or element, and does not limit the addition of one or more functions, operations or elements. In addition, as used in various embodiments of the present invention, the terms "include", "have" and their cognates are intended only to indicate specific features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations of the foregoing items, and should not be understood as first excluding the presence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations of the foregoing items or the possibility of adding one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations of the foregoing items.

[0027] In various embodiments of the present invention, the expression "or" or "at least one of A or / and B" includes any combination or all combinations of the words listed at the same time. For example, the expression "A or B" or "at least one of A or / and B" may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

[0028] The expressions (such as "first", "second", etc.) used in various embodiments of the present invention may modify the various constituent elements in various embodiments, but may not limit the corresponding constituent elements. For example, the above expressions do not limit the order and / or importance of the elements. The above expressions are only used for the purpose of distinguishing an element from other elements. For example, the first user device and the second user device indicate different user devices, although both are user devices. For example, without departing from the scope of various embodiments of the present invention, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element may also be referred to as the first element.

[0029] It should be noted that if it is described that one component element is “connected” to another component element, the first component element may be directly connected to the second component element, and a third component element may be “connected” between the first component element and the second component element. Conversely, when one component element is “directly connected” to another component element, it can be understood that there is no third component element between the first component element and the second component element.

[0030] The terms used in various embodiments of the present invention are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit various embodiments of the present invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to also include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless otherwise limited, all terms used here (including technical terms and scientific terms) have the same meaning as the meaning generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the various embodiments of the present invention belong. The terms (such as the terms defined in the dictionary generally used) will be interpreted as having the same meaning as the contextual meaning in the relevant technical field and will not be interpreted as having an idealized meaning or an overly formal meaning, unless clearly defined in various embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments and drawings. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their description are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] This embodiment proposes a three-channel UWB radio frequency front-end module.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the three-channel UWB RF front-end module of this embodiment includes: (FEM, Front-end module). It includes a low noise amplifier of a receiving channel (RX), a power amplifier of a transmitting channel (TX), a bypass channel that can be selected as a transmitting channel or a receiving channel according to actual needs, a high-speed RF switching switch and a control circuit.

[0035] The high-speed switching switch is composed of two groups of single-pole three-throw switches. The first group of single-pole three-throw switches is connected to the transmitting (receiving) antenna, and its first port is connected to the input port of the receiving channel low-noise amplifier, the second port is connected to the bypass channel, and the third port is connected to the output port of the transmitting channel power amplifier; the second group of single-pole three-throw switches is connected to the baseband circuit, and its first port is connected to the output port of the receiving channel low-noise amplifier, the second port is connected to the bypass channel, and the third port is connected to the input port of the transmitting channel power amplifier.

[0036] The control signal output end of the control circuit is respectively connected to each group of single-pole double-throw switch circuits, the low-noise amplifier and the power amplifier.

[0037] The single-pole triple-throw switch circuit of this embodiment is as follows Figure 2 As shown, RFin of the single-pole triple-throw switch is the signal input terminal, and RFout1-3 are three signal output terminals. When the control circuit outputs the control signal to control M 01 -M 03 The channel selection of the single-pole three-throw switch can be realized by the selection.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the control circuit controls the switch control circuit and the amplifier shutdown circuit at the same time, the synchronous control circuit controls the switch to select the channel, and the purpose of the synchronous control circuit connecting the amplifier control circuit at the same time is to achieve low power consumption, ensuring that when the power amplifier (low noise amplifier) ​​of the transmitting (receiving) channel is working, the low noise amplifier (power amplifier) ​​of the receiving (transmitting) channel is in the off state; when the bypass channel is working, the power amplifier of the transmitting channel and the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel are both in the off state to achieve low power consumption, specifically:

[0039] 1) When the three-channel UWB RF front-end circuit works in the receiving mode, ensure that the power amplifier of the transmitting channel is in the off state;

[0040] 2) When the three-channel UWB RF front-end circuit operates in the transmission mode, ensure that the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel is in the off state;

[0041] 3) When the three-channel UWB RF front-end circuit operates in the bypass state, ensure that the power amplifier of the transmitting channel and the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel are both in the off state.

[0042] This embodiment provides a multi-channel, small-sized, low-power-consumption and fast-switching module circuit for the UWB radio frequency front end.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] This embodiment further optimizes the power amplifier of the transmission channel TX and the low noise amplifier of the reception channel RX proposed in the above embodiment 1.

[0045] The power amplifier of the transmission channel TX and the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX of this embodiment can be adopted as follows Figure 4 The amplifier implementation method with the gate shutoff function circuit shown in the figure realizes the on-off of the amplifier by controlling the on-off of the control gate bias voltage.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, the amplifier of this embodiment includes capacitor C1, capacitor C2, capacitor C3, inductor L D1 、Inductance L D2 , inductor L1, inductor L2, inductor L3, inductor L G1 、Inductance L G2 、Inductance L S1 、Inductance L S2 , transistor M0, transistor M1 and transistor M2.

[0047] The signal input terminal of the amplifier is connected to the gate of the transistor M1 through the capacitor C1 and the inductor L1 in turn, and the control voltage V EN Input to the gate of transistor M0, the source of transistor M0 is grounded, the drain of transistor M0 is connected to the inductor L G1 The drain of transistor M0 is also connected to the gate voltage V G Connection, inductance L G1 The other end of the transistor M1 is connected to the gate of the transistor M1, and the source of the transistor M1 is connected to the gate of the transistor M1 through the inductor L S1 The drain of transistor M1 is connected to the inductor L D1 One end of the inductor L D1The other end is connected to the amplifier drain voltage V DD One end of the inductor L2 is connected to the drain of the transistor M1, the other end of the inductor L2 is connected to one end of the capacitor C2, and the other end of the capacitor C2 is connected to the gate of the transistor M2. G2 One end of the inductor is connected to the gate of the transistor M2. G2 The other end is connected to the gate voltage V G The source of transistor M2 is connected through the inductor L S2 The drain of transistor M2 is connected to the inductor L D2 One end of the inductor L D2 The other end is connected to the amplifier drain voltage V DD One end of the inductor L3 is connected to the drain of the transistor M2, the other end of the inductor L3 is connected to one end of the capacitor C3, and the other end of the capacitor C3 is connected to the signal output end of the amplifier.

[0048] When V EN When high, the amplifier gate is biased to 0V and the amplifier is turned off.

[0049] When V EN When it is low, the gate bias of the amplifier is V G , the amplifier works.

[0050] Example 3

[0051] This embodiment performs a performance simulation test on the three-channel UWB RF front-end module proposed in the above embodiment, and obtains the following results: Figure 5-7 Shown are the gain plots for the receive and transmit channels, and the insertion loss plot for the bypass channel.

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown in Figure 1, the gain of the receiving channel RX is greater than 14dB in the 4.5 to 7.5GHz frequency band. At this time, the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX is in the off state and no current is consumed.

[0053] like Figure 6 As shown, the gain of the transmitting channel TX is greater than 6.5dB in the 4.5 to 7.5GHz frequency band. At this time, the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX is in the off state and no current is consumed;

[0054] like Figure 7 As shown in Figure 1, the bypass channel is less than 2.5dB in the 4.5 to 7.5GHz frequency band. At this time, the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX and the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX are in the off state and no current is consumed.

[0055] The specific implementation methods described above further illustrate the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific implementation method 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 should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A three-channel UWB RF front-end module, It is characterized in that It includes a low noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX, a power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX, a bypass channel, a high-speed RF switching switch and a control circuit; Wherein, the high-speed radio frequency switching switch includes two groups of single-pole three-throw switches, the first group of single-pole three-throw switches is connected to the transmitting / receiving antenna, the first port of the first group of single-pole three-throw switches is connected to the low-noise amplifier input port of the receiving channel RX, the second port is connected to the bypass channel, and the third port is connected to the output port of the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX; the second group of single-pole three-throw switches is connected to the baseband circuit, the first port of the second group of single-pole three-throw switches is connected to the low-noise amplifier output port of the receiving channel RX, the second port is connected to the bypass channel, and the third port is connected to the input port of the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX; The bypass channel is selected as a transmitting channel or a receiving channel according to actual needs; The control circuit is respectively connected to the control ports of the first group of single-pole triple-throw switches, the second group of single-pole triple-throw switches, the low-noise amplifier and the power amplifier; The control circuit simultaneously controls the working states of two sets of single-pole three-throw switches to realize channel selection, and simultaneously controls the working states of the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX and the low-noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX, so as to realize fast switching of the front-end module between the transmitting channel, the receiving channel and the bypass channel; The power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX and the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX both use a gate bias circuit to realize the shutdown function; the control circuit controls the working state of the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX and the low noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX to realize: When the three-channel UWB RF front-end module operates in the receiving mode, ensure that the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX is in the off state; when the three-channel UWB RF front-end module operates in the transmitting mode, ensure that the low-noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX is in the off state; when the three-channel UWB RF front-end module operates in the bypass state, ensure that the power amplifier of the transmitting channel TX and the low-noise amplifier of the receiving channel RX are both in the off state.

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