Low noise amplifier, receiver, transceiver and electronic device

Abstract

The disclosure provides a low noise amplifier, a receiver, a transceiver and electronic equipment, and relates to the technical field of electronic circuits. The low noise amplifier comprises a signal input end, a signal output end, an active device, an output matching network, and a control end of the active device connected to the signal input end. The output matching network comprises a first inductor connected between a power supply voltage end and a first end of the active device, a first capacitor and a coupled transmission line connected in parallel between a ground end and the first end of the active device, at least one transmission line in the coupled transmission line connected between the first end of the active device and the signal output end, and a second capacitor connected between the ground end and the signal output end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of electronic circuits, and in particular to a low-noise amplifier, a receiver, a transceiver, and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, the design requirements for wireless communication systems are becoming increasingly higher.

[0003] The performance of low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) has a significant impact on the performance of wireless communication systems. The advent of 5G communication technology, in particular, places higher demands on the transmission rate, data throughput, and linearity of wireless communication systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a low-noise amplifier is provided, comprising: a signal input terminal; a signal output terminal; an active device, wherein a control terminal of the active device is connected to the signal input terminal; and an output matching network, comprising: a first inductor connected between a power supply voltage terminal and a first terminal of the active device, a first capacitor and a coupled transmission line connected in parallel, respectively connected between a ground terminal and the first terminal of the active device, at least one of the coupled transmission lines being connected between the first terminal of the active device and the signal output terminal, and a second capacitor connected between the ground terminal and the signal output terminal.

[0005] In some embodiments, the coupled transmission lines include coupled microstrip lines.

[0006] In some embodiments, the coupled microstrip line includes: a first microstrip line, a first end of the first microstrip line is connected to the first end of the active device, and a second end of the first microstrip line is connected to the signal output end; and a second microstrip line, a first end of the second microstrip line is connected to the second end of the first microstrip line, and a second end of the second microstrip line is connected to the ground end; wherein the first end of the first microstrip line and the first end of the second microstrip line are coupled like-named ends.

[0007] In some embodiments, the coupled microstrip line is a symmetrical coupled microstrip line.

[0008] In some embodiments, the output matching network further includes: a second inductor connected between the ground terminal and the signal output terminal.

[0009] In some embodiments, the output matching network is formed by the first inductor, the second inductor, the first capacitor, the second capacitor, and the coupled transmission line.

[0010] In some embodiments, the impedance of the first inductor is greater than the impedance of the second inductor.

[0011] In some embodiments, a first ratio between the impedance of the first inductor and the impedance of the second inductor is less than 10.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first ratio is 8.

[0013] In some embodiments, the capacitance of the second capacitor is greater than the capacitance of the first capacitor.

[0014] In some embodiments, a second ratio between the capacitance of the second capacitor and the capacitance of the first capacitor is less than 6.

[0015] In some embodiments, the second ratio is 4.

[0016] In some embodiments, the impedance of the output matching network is greater than or equal to 200 ohms.

[0017] In some embodiments, the active device is a metal oxide semiconductor transistor.

[0018] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a receiver is provided, comprising: the low noise amplifier described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0019] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a transceiver is provided, comprising: the low noise amplifier described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0020] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, including: the receiver or transceiver described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an output matching network for a low-noise amplifier includes a first inductor, a first capacitor, a coupled transmission line, and a second capacitor. This output matching network, without adding additional components, helps simplify the circuit structure, increases the load impedance of the low-noise amplifier, and thereby reduces the operating current of the low-noise amplifier, while substantially not affecting at least one other performance characteristic.

[0022] Other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0024] The present disclosure may be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1is a schematic structural diagram showing a low noise amplifier according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a low noise amplifier according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] It should be understood that the size of each part shown in the drawings is not necessarily drawn according to the actual proportional relationship.In addition, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description of the exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or use. The present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of parts and steps, the composition of materials, numerical expressions, and numerical values ​​set forth in these embodiments should be interpreted as being merely exemplary and not as limiting.

[0029] The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish between different parts. Terms such as "include" or "comprises" mean that the elements preceding the term encompass the elements listed after the term, and do not exclude the possibility of also encompassing other elements. Terms such as "upper," "lower," and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0030] In the present disclosure, when a specific component is described as being located between a first component and a second component, there may or may not be an intervening component between the specific component and the first component or the second component. When a specific component is described as being connected to another component, the specific component may be directly connected to the other component without an intervening component, or may not be directly connected to the other component but have an intervening component.

[0031] All terms (including technical or scientific terms) used in this disclosure have the same meaning as those understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in, for example, general dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or highly formal sense, unless explicitly defined herein.

[0032] Technologies, methods, and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the technologies, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0033] Low-noise amplifier (LNA) performance metrics include, for example, noise, gain, operating current, isolation, and output third-order intercept point (3OI). The inventors note that it is difficult for LNAs in related art to balance different performance characteristics. For example, optimizing one performance characteristic often results in degradation of other performance characteristics. However, in certain scenarios, it is necessary to minimize the LNA's operating current while ensuring that other performance characteristics remain largely unaffected.

[0034] After research, the inventors found that by optimizing the output matching network of the low noise amplifier, the load impedance of the low noise amplifier can be increased to reduce the operating current of the low noise amplifier while at least one other performance is substantially unaffected.

[0035] In view of this, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide the following technical solutions.

[0036] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a low noise amplifier according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the low noise amplifier includes a signal input terminal 11, a signal output terminal 12, an active device 13 and an output matching network 14. The output matching network 14 includes a first inductor L1, a first capacitor C1, a coupled transmission line M and a second capacitor C2.

[0038] In certain embodiments, see Figure 1 The low noise amplifier further includes at least one of an input matching network 15 and a bias circuit 16. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can adopt appropriate input matching network 15 and bias circuit 16 according to actual conditions.

[0039] The active device 13 includes a control terminal 130, a first terminal 131, and a second terminal 132. The control terminal 130 of the active device 13 is connected to the signal input terminal 11. For example, the control terminal 130 of the active device 13 is connected to the signal input terminal 11 via the input matching network 15. The control terminal 130 of the active device 13 may also be connected to the bias circuit 16. The bias circuit 16 is configured to control the voltage of the control terminal 130 of the active device 13 in response to the voltage of the bias voltage terminal Vbias.

[0040] The first terminal 131 of the active device 13 is connected to the first inductor L1, the first capacitor C1, and the coupled transmission line M. The second terminal 132 of the active device 13 can be connected to the ground terminal GND, for example, via the third inductor L3. In some embodiments, the active device is a MOS (metal oxide semiconductor) transistor, such as an NMOS transistor or a PMOS transistor. In this case, the control terminal 130 of the active device 13 is a gate, and one of the first terminal 131 and the second terminal 132 of the active device 13 is a source, and the other is a drain.

[0041] The first inductor L1 is connected between the power supply voltage terminal VCC and the first terminal 131 of the active device 13 .

[0042] The first capacitor C1 and the coupled transmission line M are connected in parallel and are respectively connected between the ground terminal GND and the first terminal 131 of the active device 13. At least one transmission line of the coupled transmission lines M is connected between the first terminal 131 of the active device 13 and the signal output terminal 12. It should be understood that the other transmission lines of the coupled transmission lines M are connected between the ground terminal GND and the signal output terminal 12. Figure 1 The diagram schematically shows a situation where a transmission line is connected between the first terminal 131 of the active device 13 and the signal output terminal 12 .

[0043] The second capacitor C2 is connected between the ground terminal GND and the signal output terminal 12 .

[0044] In the above embodiment, the output matching network 14 of the low-noise amplifier includes a first inductor L1, a first capacitor C1, a coupled transmission line M, and a second capacitor C2. Such an output matching network 14 helps simplify the circuit structure and improve the load impedance of the low-noise amplifier, thereby reducing the operating current of the low-noise amplifier, without adding other components, while substantially not affecting at least one other performance characteristic, such as one or more of noise, gain, isolation, and output third-order intercept point.

[0045] In some embodiments, the impedance of the output matching network 14 is greater than or equal to 200 ohms, for example, 300 ohms, 400 ohms, etc.

[0046] In some embodiments, in order to better balance the load impedance and other performance of the low noise amplifier, see Figure 1 , the coupled transmission line M may include a coupled microstrip line.

[0047] For some implementations, see Figure 1The coupled microstrip line M includes a first microstrip line M1 and a second microstrip line M2. The first end M11 of the first microstrip line M1 is connected to the first end 131 of the active device 13, and the second end M12 of the first microstrip line M1 is connected to the signal output terminal 12. The first end M21 of the second microstrip line M2 is connected to the second end M12 of the first microstrip line M1, and the second end M22 of the second microstrip line M2 is connected to the ground terminal GND. Here, the first end M11 of the first microstrip line M1 and the first end M21 of the second microstrip line M2 are coupled like-named terminals.

[0048] Such a coupled microstrip line structure can better balance the load impedance and other performances of the low noise amplifier.

[0049] In some embodiments, the coupled microstrip transmission line M is a symmetrical coupled microstrip transmission line M. In this way, the load impedance and other performances of the low noise amplifier can be better considered.

[0050] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of a low noise amplifier according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0051] and Figure 1 compared to, Figure 2 The output matching network 14 in the low noise amplifier shown further includes a second inductor L2 connected between the ground terminal GND and the signal output terminal 12. This can further help improve the load impedance of the low noise amplifier without substantially affecting other performances.

[0052] In some embodiments, the output matching network 14 is composed of a first inductor L1, a second inductor L2, a first capacitor C1, a second capacitor C2, and a coupled transmission line M. That is, the output matching network 14 does not include any other components. This allows for a simple structure that balances the load impedance and other performance characteristics of the low-noise amplifier while reducing costs.

[0053] The inventors note that the load impedance of the low noise amplifier can be further improved by adjusting the relationship between the impedance of the first inductor L1 and the impedance of the second inductor L2 and / or the relationship between the capacitance of the second capacitor C2 and the capacitance of the first capacitor C1.

[0054] The following describes the process in combination with different embodiments.

[0055] In some embodiments, the impedance of the first inductor L1 is greater than the impedance of the second inductor L2. In some implementations, a first ratio between the impedance of the first inductor L1 and the impedance of the second inductor L2 is less than 10. For example, the first ratio is 4, 5, 9, etc.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first ratio is 8. In this way, the load impedance and other performances of the low noise amplifier can be better considered.

[0057] In some other embodiments, the capacitance of the second capacitor C2 is greater than the capacitance of the first capacitor C1. In some implementations, the second ratio between the capacitance of the second capacitor C2 and the capacitance of the first capacitor C1 is less than 6. For example, the first ratio is 3, 5, etc.

[0058] In some embodiments, the second ratio is 4. In this way, the load impedance and other performances of the low noise amplifier can be better considered.

[0059] It should be understood that the embodiments of the relationship between the impedance of the first inductor L1 and the impedance of the second inductor L2, and the embodiments of the relationship between the capacitance of the second capacitor C2 and the capacitance of the first capacitor C1 introduced above can be combined with each other, so as to better take into account the load impedance and other performance of the low noise amplifier.

[0060] It should also be understood that, in order to meet voltage variation requirements, within the aforementioned range of the first ratio, the specific value of the first ratio can be determined based on the operating conditions and environment of the front end of the receiver or transceiver in which the low-noise amplifier is located, so as to better balance the load impedance and other performance characteristics of the low-noise amplifier. Similarly, within the aforementioned range of the second ratio, the specific value of the second ratio can be determined based on the operating conditions and environment of the front end of the receiver or transceiver in which the low-noise amplifier is located, so as to better balance the load impedance and other performance characteristics of the low-noise amplifier.

[0061] The low noise amplifier provided by each embodiment of the present disclosure may be a low noise amplifier manufactured based on a MOS process.

[0062] The present disclosure also provides a receiver or transceiver, including: a low noise amplifier according to any one of the above embodiments. For example, the low noise amplifier is directly connected to an antenna, and the low noise amplifier can amplify an input signal received by the antenna.

[0063] The present disclosure also provides an electronic device, including: a receiver or a transceiver according to any one of the above embodiments. In some embodiments, the electronic device may be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer.

[0064] Thus far, various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail. To avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure, some details known in the art have not been described. Based on the above description, those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein.

[0065] Although some specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail through examples, those skilled in the art will understand that the above examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments may be modified or some technical features may be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A low noise amplifier, comprising: Signal input terminal; Signal output terminal; an active device, wherein a control terminal of the active device is connected to the signal input terminal; and Output matching network, including: a first inductor connected between a power supply voltage terminal and a first terminal of the active device; A first capacitor and a coupled transmission line connected in parallel are respectively connected between a ground terminal and the first terminal of the active device, at least one of the coupled transmission lines is connected between the first terminal of the active device and the signal output terminal, and the coupled transmission line comprises a symmetrical coupled microstrip line. a second capacitor connected between the ground terminal and the signal output terminal, and The second inductor is connected between the ground terminal and the signal output terminal, and a first ratio between the impedance of the first inductor and the impedance of the second inductor is greater than 1 and less than 10.

2. The low noise amplifier according to claim 1, wherein The symmetrically coupled microstrip line comprises: a first microstrip line, a first end of the first microstrip line being connected to a first end of the active device, and a second end of the first microstrip line being connected to the signal output end; and a second microstrip line, wherein a first end of the second microstrip line is connected to a second end of the first microstrip line, and a second end of the second microstrip line is connected to a ground end; The first end of the first microstrip line and the first end of the second microstrip line are coupled ends of the same name.

3. The low noise amplifier according to claim 1, wherein The output matching network is composed of the first inductor, the second inductor, the first capacitor, the second capacitor and the coupled transmission line.

4. The low noise amplifier according to claim 1, wherein The first ratio is 8.

5. The low noise amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The capacitance of the second capacitor is greater than the capacitance of the first capacitor.

6. The low noise amplifier according to claim 5, wherein A second ratio between the capacitance of the second capacitor and the capacitance of the first capacitor is less than 6.

7. The low noise amplifier according to claim 6, wherein: The second ratio is 4.

8. The low noise amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The impedance of the output matching network is greater than or equal to 200 ohms.

9. The low noise amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The active device is a metal oxide semiconductor transistor.

10. A receiver comprising: A low noise amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A transceiver, comprising: A low noise amplifier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. An electronic device comprising: The receiver of claim 10 or the transceiver of claim 11.

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