A multiplexer and communication device

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses a kind of multiplexer and communication equipment, it is related to communication technical field, multiplexer specifically includes metal shell, two or more than two dielectric filters installed in metal shell and PCB board, wherein, first connector and second connector are installed on metal shell, the number of first connector is same with the number of dielectric filter;First connector and second connector all include insulating shell and impedance matcher installed in insulating shell;The impedance matcher of first connector is respectively coupled to the first coupling port of corresponding dielectric filter after PCB board;The second coupling port of dielectric filter is coupled to the impedance matcher of second connector after PCB board.The embodiment of the present application reduces the difficulty of using process, and greatly improves assembly efficiency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The embodiment of the present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a multiplexer and communication equipment. BACKGROUND

[0002] A duplexer is a device that can connect TX and RX paths to a common antenna without interfering with each other. When the frequencies of the transmitter and receiver are different, two filters can be combined together; one filter is used for receiving, and the other is used for transmitting.

[0003] In the context of today's mobile communication transmission, as a commonly used duplexer, the dielectric duplexer gradually develops towards miniaturization and high performance. However, the existing dielectric duplexer patch has a large backwave loss degradation, and the impedance matching adjustment is difficult; the customer needs to increase the impedance adjustment process to meet the system index, but the cost of increasing the process also increases the risk of matching adjustment failure and filter replacement. SUMMARY

[0004] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the purpose of the embodiment of the present application is to provide a multiplexer and communication equipment, which can reduce the process difficulty and greatly improve the assembly efficiency.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application discloses a multiplexer, which comprises a metal shell, two or more dielectric filters installed in the metal shell, and a PCB board, wherein the metal shell is provided with a first connector and a second connector, and the number of the first connectors is the same as the number of the dielectric filters; the first connector and the second connector each comprise an insulating shell and an impedance matcher installed in the insulating shell; the impedance matchers of the first connectors are respectively coupled to the first coupling ports of the corresponding dielectric filters through the PCB board; and the second coupling ports of the dielectric filters are coupled to the impedance matchers of the second connector through the PCB board.

[0006] As an optional solution, in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, a conditioning circuit is arranged on the PCB board, the conditioning circuit comprises a first conditioning circuit and a second conditioning circuit, and the number of the first conditioning circuit is the same as the number of the first connector; each first connector is coupled to the first coupling port of the corresponding dielectric filter through the corresponding first conditioning circuit; and the second coupling port of each dielectric filter is coupled to the second connector through the second conditioning circuit.

[0007] As an optional solution, in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, the impedance matching part of the first connector extends into the metal shell and is directly or indirectly electrically connected with the first input / output port of the first conditioning circuit, and the impedance matching part of the second connector extends into the metal shell and is directly or indirectly electrically connected with the second input / output port of the second conditioning circuit.

[0008] As an optional solution, in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, the multiplexer further comprises a first quick connector matched with the first connector and a second quick connector matched with the second connector; one end of the first quick connector is directly or indirectly welded, abuttingly connected or plugged with the first input / output port of the first conditioning circuit, and the other end of the first quick connector is connected with the first connector; one end of the second quick connector is directly or indirectly welded, abuttingly connected or plugged with the second input / output port of the second conditioning circuit, and the other end of the second quick connector is connected with the second connector.

[0009] As an optional solution, in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, the impedance matching part of the first connector extends into the metal shell and is directly abuttingly connected or plugged with the first input / output port of the first conditioning circuit, and the impedance matching part of the second connector extends into the metal shell and is directly abuttingly connected or plugged with the second input / output port of the second conditioning circuit.

[0010] As an optional solution, in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, the impedance matching part is a conductive body with an impedance of 50 ohms.

[0011] As an optional solution, in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, each impedance matching part has a fixed characteristic impedance, and one or more of the first connectors or / and the second connectors are replaced when the input / output parameters of the multiplexer do not meet preset conditions.

[0012] As an optional solution, in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, the multiplexer further comprises one or more backup connectors, the backup connectors also have fixed characteristic impedances, the characteristic impedances of the backup connectors are different from the characteristic impedances of the impedance matching parts, and the backup connectors are used to replace one or more of the first connectors or / and the second connectors.

[0013] The second aspect of the embodiment of the present application discloses a communication device comprising the multiplexer in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application.

[0014] As an optional solution, in the second aspect of the embodiment of the present application, the communication device further comprises an antenna, one end of the first connector is electrically connected to an external circuit, and the other end of the first connector is electrically connected to the PCB; one end of the second connector is electrically connected to the antenna, and the other end of the second connector is electrically connected to the PCB.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the embodiment of the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] 1. The metal shell structure is provided, and the good grounding effect of the multiplexer is ensured through the grounding of the metal shell.

[0017] 2. The connector structure is provided, the impedance matching device is arranged in the connector, the assembly is easy, the stability of the input and output of the multiplexer is ensured, and the reliability is higher. During the debugging process of the multiplexer, the impedance matching adjustment process is not required.

[0018] 3. When the input / output parameters (such as return loss or / and standing wave ratio) of the multiplexer do not meet the requirements, the input / output parameters of the multiplexer can be adjusted by replacing the connector, so that the risk of replacing the filter due to impedance matching failure is avoided.

[0019] 4. The volume of the multiplexer can be smaller, and the quality can be lighter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of a multiplexer is provided for the embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 2 An exploded structural schematic diagram of a multiplexer is provided for the embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 3 A circuit connection principle block diagram of a multiplexer is provided for the embodiment of the present application.

[0023] In the figure: 11, base; 12, cover plate; 21, first connector; 211, first impedance matching device; 22, second connector; 221, second impedance matching device; 23, second connector; 231, second impedance matching device; 31, first dielectric filter; 32, second dielectric filter; 40, PCB; 41, first conditioning circuit; 42, second conditioning circuit; 43, second conditioning circuit; 50, antenna. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The specific embodiments are only used to explain the embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make modifications to the embodiments of the present application without creative contribution after reading the specification, and as long as the modifications are within the scope of the claims of the embodiments of the present application, they are protected by the patent law.

[0025] To make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative contribution fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

[0026] The term "comprising" and any variation thereof in the specification and claims of the present application is intended to cover not exclusively including, for example, a process, method, system, product or device including a series of steps or units does not have to be limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but can include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0027] In the embodiments of the present application, the words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design solutions. Rather, the use of "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concept in a specific manner.

[0028] The present application provides a connector structure, an impedance matcher is arranged in the connector, easy to assemble, and the stability of the multiplexer input and output is ensured, and the reliability is higher. During the debugging process of the multiplexer, no impedance matching adjustment process is required. The following will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Embodiment one

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1-3 As shown in the figure, a multiplexer includes a metal shell, a dielectric filter, a connector and a PCB board 40. The dielectric filter is arranged according to the specific circumstances of the specific multiplexer, for example, a diplexer can be realized by arranging two dielectric filters, a triplexer can be realized by arranging three dielectric filters, etc.

[0031] The metal shell can have a base 11 with a receiving space and a cover plate 12 covering the opening of the base 11, and the dielectric filter and the PCB 40 are installed in the receiving space. The connectors are installed on the side of the base 11 by means of bolts or the like and are electrically connected to the PCB 40.

[0032] The metal shell ensures that the multiplexer has good grounding effect, for example, a conductive part for grounding can be provided on the metal shell. Using a dielectric filter as the filter structure of the multiplexer can achieve smaller size and lighter weight.

[0033] The connectors are used for the input and output ports of the multiplexer, which are connected to external circuits or antennas on one hand and to the internal circuits of the multiplexer on the other hand. The number of connectors is determined according to the number of dielectric filters, wherein the connectors connected to the external circuits are referred to as first connectors, and the connectors connected to the antennas are referred to as second connectors.

[0034] The first connectors are connected to the first coupling interfaces of the corresponding dielectric filters through the PCB, and each dielectric filter is provided with a first connector. The second connectors are connected to the common ends of the dielectric filters, referred to as second coupling interfaces, through the PCB.

[0035] The connector includes an insulating shell and an impedance matcher, wherein the insulating shell is used to mount the connector on the metal shell, and the impedance matcher is installed in the insulating shell.

[0036] The impedance matcher is used to ensure that the multiplexer has stable input / output. For example, in existing communication equipment of the multiplexer, the characteristic impedance of the antenna and the cable is 50 ohms, so the characteristic impedance of the impedance matcher here is also 50 ohms, which ensures that the multiplexer has a standard 50-ohm input / output, and the return loss and standing wave ratio of the multiplexer are not greatly affected by factors such as the patch of the internal circuit of the multiplexer.

[0037] The external circuit can include an amplifier and some other necessary circuits, such as a frequency selector and a filter. The multiplexer includes a transmit port, a receive port, and a common port, wherein the first connector serves as a connection member of the input / output port, constituting the transmit port or the receive port of the multiplexer, and the second connector 23 serves as a connection member of the common port of the multiplexer and is connected to the antenna. The amplifier connected to the receive port of the multiplexer can use a power amplifier (PA), and the amplifier connected to the transmit port of the multiplexer can use a low-noise amplifier (LNA).

[0038] For example, a diplexer is taken as an example, please refer to Figure 1 and 2As shown, the first connector includes a first one connector 21 and a first two connector 22, wherein, when the first one connector 21 is connected as a multiplexer receiving port, the first two connector 22 is connected as a multiplexer transmitting port. The three-way structure is similar, and will not be repeated here.

[0039] The medium filter is realized by a medium ceramic block, which is provided with a blind hole or / and a through slot as an input / output coupling window for each resonant cavity. The medium ceramic block can be covered with silver or other high-conductivity materials (such as copper, graphene, gold, etc.), and the coupling ring and coupling block pattern of the medium ceramic block can be realized by printing, sputtering, etching, electroplating and other process methods.

[0040] The PCB is provided with a conditioning circuit for conditioning the input or output information of the multiplexer. The conditioning circuit can be one or more of a gain adjustment circuit, an amplification circuit, a filter circuit and a protection circuit (such as an anti-surge circuit). The conditioning circuit can include a first conditioning circuit and a second conditioning circuit, wherein the number of the first conditioning circuit is the same as that of the first connector, and the second conditioning circuit corresponds to the first connector.

[0041] Each first connector is coupled to a first coupling port of a corresponding medium filter through a corresponding first conditioning circuit; and a second coupling port of the medium filter is coupled to a second connector through a second conditioning circuit.

[0042] Taking a diplexer as an example, please refer to Figure 3 As shown, the first conditioning circuit includes a first one conditioning circuit 41 and a first two conditioning circuit 42, the medium filter includes a first medium filter 31 and a second medium filter 32, and the first impedance matching device includes a first one impedance matching device 211 and a first two impedance matching device 221. The first one impedance matching device 211 is connected to the first coupling interface of the first medium filter 31 through the first one conditioning circuit 41, and the first two impedance matching device 221 is connected to the first coupling interface of the second medium filter 32 through the first two conditioning circuit 42. The common port of the first medium filter 31 and the second medium filter 32 is connected to the second impedance matching device 231 through the second conditioning circuit 43, and then connected to the antenna 50.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the connection between the connector and the PCB can be realized by a quick connector or a connection terminal, thereby facilitating the assembly or / and replacement of the connector of the multiplexer.

[0044] Exemplarily, the impedance matching device of the first connector extends into the metal shell and is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the first I / O port of the first conditioning circuit, and the impedance matching device of the second connector extends into the metal shell and is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the second I / O port of the second conditioning circuit.

[0045] Specifically, when the quick connector structure is adopted, the quick connector includes a first quick connector and a second quick connector, wherein the first quick connector is adapted to the first connector, and the second quick connector is adapted to the second connector. One end of the first quick connector is directly or indirectly welded, or plugged, or abutted to the first input / output port of the first conditioning circuit, and the other end of the first quick connector is connected to the first connector. Of course, a connecting piece adapted to the first quick connector can be fixedly or detachably connected to the first connector.

[0046] Similarly, one end of the second quick connector is directly or indirectly welded, or plugged, or abutted to the second input / output port of the second conditioning circuit, and the other end of the second quick connector is connected to the second connector.

[0047] When the connecting terminal is adopted, the impedance matching piece of the first connector extends into the metal shell and is directly plugged into the connecting terminal corresponding to the first input / output port of the first conditioning circuit, and the impedance matching piece of the second connector extends into the metal shell and is directly plugged into the connecting terminal corresponding to the second input / output port of the second conditioning circuit.

[0048] In other embodiments, the abutted connection can also be achieved, for example, a conductive sheet is installed at the position of the first input / output port and the second input / output port, and when the connector is installed on the metal shell, the impedance matching piece extending into the metal shell abuts on the corresponding conductive sheet.

[0049] As described above, the characteristic impedance of the impedance matching piece is set according to the application environment of the multiplexer to adapt to the application environment. In this case, no matter what the characteristic impedance inside the multiplexer is, the overall input and output of the multiplexer can be guaranteed to have the same characteristic impedance as the application environment, avoiding the mismatch of the characteristic impedance due to the manufacturing or debugging of the PCB board or the dielectric filter.

[0050] Of course, in other embodiments, the coupling circuit between the PCB board and the dielectric filter can also be provided with a corresponding characteristic impedance, for example, 50 ohms, so that the input and output parameters of the multiplexer can meet the requirements.

[0051] When the multiplexer is applied to a specific environment, the multiplexer needs to be debugged to adapt the working frequency of the multiplexer to the application environment, and during the debugging of the multiplexer, the impedance matching problem does not need to be concerned.

[0052] But in some scenarios, due to the specific environment using the device such as cable or antenna, the characteristic impedance deviates from the preset value due to the precision problem in the manufacturing process, in this case, if the above connector is used to connect with the device of the specific environment, it may cause the input or output parameters of the multiplexer, such as return loss or / and VSWR, to not meet the preset requirements.

[0053] In the prior art, an impedance matching adjustment circuit is arranged on the PCB board, and the characteristic impedance is adjusted to achieve impedance matching, thereby ensuring that the input or output parameters of the multiplexer meet the preset requirements.

[0054] There are various ways to implement the impedance matching adjustment circuit, for example, the impedance matching adjustment circuit can be constructed by adjustable resistance, adjustable capacitance, etc. In this way, due to the existence of contacts, it is easy to cause unreliable adjustment results, or deviation due to vibration or other reasons in use. There are also documents that adjust the impedance matching adjustment circuit by connecting external control devices. This way needs professional equipment or / and software on the one hand, and is not friendly to non-technical personnel on the other hand.

[0055] In the preferred embodiment of the present application, based on the connection relationship between the connector and the PCB board, the input or / and output parameters of the multiplexer can be adjusted by replacing the connector. Specifically, one or more spare connectors can be provided, and the size of the spare connector is the same as that of the first connector and the second connector, except that the characteristic impedance of the spare connector is slightly greater or smaller than that of the first connector and the second connector. Therefore, during the debugging of the multiplexer, if the input or / and output parameters of the multiplexer do not meet the preset conditions, for example, the preset condition of the VSWR is set to 1.5, and the return loss is -14dB, when the VSWR of the multiplexer is less than 1.5, or / and the return loss is greater than -14dB, it is considered that the multiplexer does not meet the preset conditions, and the spare connector can be replaced to adjust.

[0056] In this way, on the one hand, the user does not need to have a high technical level, on the other hand, the assembly is very simple, and the assembly efficiency can be improved.

[0057] Embodiment two

[0058] Embodiment two provides a communication device, which can be a base station, such as a base station, a small station, and a micro station for 5G communication. Of course, it can also be other communication devices applied to multiplexers, such as television transmitters, etc.

[0059] The communication device further comprises some necessary structures besides the multiplexer, for example, can comprise external circuit and antenna and the like.

[0060] The embodiments of the present application are described above with reference to the drawings; however, the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the specific implementations described above, but are merely illustrative and not restrictive, and a person of ordinary skill in the art can make many forms under the inspiration of the embodiments of the present application without departing from the purpose of the embodiments of the present application and the scope protected by the claims.

Claims

1. A multiplexer, characterized by The multiplexer comprises a metal shell, two or more medium filters installed in the metal shell, and a PCB board, wherein the metal shell is provided with a first connector and a second connector, the number of the first connectors is the same as that of the medium filters; the first connector and the second connector each comprise an insulating shell and an impedance matcher installed in the insulating shell; the impedance matchers of the first connectors are respectively coupled to first coupling ports of the corresponding medium filters via the PCB board; second coupling ports of the medium filters are coupled to the impedance matchers of the second connector via the PCB board. Each impedance matcher has a fixed characteristic impedance, and one or more of the first connectors or / and the second connectors are replaced when input / output parameters of the multiplexer do not meet preset conditions.

2. The multiplexer of claim 1, wherein, The PCB board is provided with a conditioning circuit, the conditioning circuit comprises first conditioning circuits and second conditioning circuits, the number of the first conditioning circuits is the same as that of the first connectors; each first connector is coupled to the first coupling port of the corresponding medium filter via the corresponding first conditioning circuit; and the second coupling port of each medium filter is coupled to the second connector via the second conditioning circuit.

3. The multiplexer of claim 2, wherein, The impedance matchers of the first connectors extend into the metal shell and are directly or indirectly electrically connected to first input / output ports of the first conditioning circuits, and the impedance matchers of the second connector extend into the metal shell and are directly or indirectly electrically connected to second input / output ports of the second conditioning circuits.

4. The multiplexer of claim 3, wherein, The multiplexer further comprises a first quick connector matched with the first connector and a second quick connector matched with the second connector; one end of the first quick connector is directly or indirectly welded, abuttingly connected or plugged to the first input / output port of the first conditioning circuit, and the other end of the first quick connector is connected to the first connector; one end of the second quick connector is directly or indirectly welded, abuttingly connected or plugged to the second input / output port of the second conditioning circuit, and the other end of the second quick connector is connected to the second connector.

5. The multiplexer of claim 3, wherein, The impedance matchers of the first connectors extend into the metal shell and are directly abuttingly connected or plugged to the first input / output ports of the first conditioning circuits, and the impedance matchers of the second connector extend into the metal shell and are directly abuttingly connected or plugged to the second input / output ports of the second conditioning circuits.

6. The multiplexer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The impedance matchers are conductive bodies with an impedance of 50 ohms.

7. The multiplexer of claim 6, wherein, The multiplexer further comprises one or more spare connectors, the spare connectors also have fixed characteristic impedances, the characteristic impedances of the spare connectors are different from that of the impedance matchers, and the spare connectors are used to replace one or more of the first connectors or / and the second connectors when input / output parameters of the multiplexer do not meet preset conditions.

8. A communication device, characterized by The multiplexer comprises the multiplexer of any one of claims 1-7.

9. The communication device of claim 8, wherein, The communication device further comprises an antenna, one end of the first connector is electrically connected to an external circuit, and the other end of the first connector is electrically connected to the PCB board; one end of the second connector is electrically connected to the antenna, and the other end of the second connector is electrically connected to the PCB board.

Images