A multi-frequency power amplifier

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a kind of multi-frequency power amplifier, it is related to communication technical field, contain transmission link, feedback link and receiving link, transmission link contains: first digital intermediate frequency processor, first small signal processor, frequency separator, multiple power amplifiers, multiple couplers and multiplexer.First digital intermediate frequency processor processes and obtains first signal to be transmitted signal.The first small signal processor processes and obtains second signal to first signal.Frequency separator separates second signal into third signal.Each power amplifier processes and obtains fourth signal to third signal;Each coupler processes and obtains transmission signal and feedback signal to fourth signal;Multiplexer processes transmission signal, and processes receiving signal;Feedback link processes feedback signal;First digital intermediate frequency processor corrects;Receiving link processes receiving signal.The multi-frequency power amplifier provided by the embodiment of the present application can realize multi-frequency power amplifier function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a multi-frequency power amplifier. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of mobile communication technology, users frequently use terminal devices to access mobile networks in their daily lives and work. In order to provide mobile network services for a large number of terminal devices, a large number of base stations need to be built, which in turn requires the construction of a large number of iron towers for installing base stations, making iron tower resources relatively scarce.

[0003] To alleviate the strain on tower resources caused by the increasing number of base stations, base stations can be configured as multi-frequency base stations. This means a single base station can handle multiple signals, each transmitting on a different frequency band. Compared to each base station transmitting only one frequency band, configuring multi-frequency base stations reduces the number of base stations required, thus alleviating the tower resource shortage.

[0004] To implement a multi-frequency base station, a multi-frequency power amplifier capable of multi-frequency power amplifier function needs to be configured in the RRU (Remote Radio Unit) within the base station. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-frequency power amplifier to achieve multi-frequency power amplifier function.

[0006] The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0007] This invention provides a multi-frequency power amplifier, which includes a transmit link, a feedback link, and a receive link. The transmit link includes: a first digital intermediate frequency processor, a first small signal processor, a frequency splitter, multiple power amplifiers, multiple couplers, and a multiplexer.

[0008] The number of couplers and power amplifiers is equal to the number of frequency bands corresponding to the signals to be transmitted that the multi-frequency power amplifier needs to process, and each coupler is connected to a power amplifier in turn.

[0009] The first digital intermediate frequency processor is used to perform digital intermediate frequency processing on signals to be transmitted in different frequency bands to obtain a first signal, and send the first signal to the first small signal processor;

[0010] The first small signal processor is used to perform small signal processing on the first signal to obtain a second signal, and send the second signal to the frequency separator;

[0011] The frequency splitter is used to separate the second signal into third signals with different frequency bands, and send different third signals to different power amplifiers respectively. The number of third signals is the same as the number of signals to be transmitted, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the third signals and the signals to be transmitted. The frequency band of each third signal is the same as the frequency band of the corresponding signal to be transmitted.

[0012] Each power amplifier is used to amplify the received third signal to obtain a fourth signal, and then send the fourth signal to the connected coupler.

[0013] Each coupler is used to couple the fourth signal, send the transmitted signal obtained from the coupler output port to the multiplexer, and send the feedback signal obtained from the coupler coupling port to the connected feedback link.

[0014] The multiplexer is used to filter and combine the transmitted signals sent by each coupler, output the processed transmitted signal, and to de-path and filter the received signal before sending the processed received signal to the receiving link.

[0015] The feedback link is used to process the received feedback signal and send the processing result to the first digital intermediate frequency processor.

[0016] The first digital intermediate frequency processor is also used to correct the digital intermediate frequency processing based on the received processing results;

[0017] The receiving link is used to process received signals from different frequency bands.

[0018] Beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention:

[0019] This invention provides a multi-frequency power amplifier, which includes a transmit link, a feedback link, and a receive link. The transmit link includes: a first digital intermediate frequency (IF) processor, a first small-signal processor, a frequency splitter, multiple power amplifiers, multiple couplers, and a multiplexer. The number of couplers and power amplifiers is equal to the number of frequency bands corresponding to the signals to be transmitted that the multi-frequency power amplifier needs to process, and each coupler is connected to a power amplifier. The first IF processor performs digital IF processing on the signals to be transmitted in different frequency bands to obtain a first signal, and sends the first signal to the first small-signal processor. The first small-signal processor performs small-signal processing on the first signal to obtain a second signal, and sends the second signal to the frequency splitter. The frequency splitter separates the second signal into third signals with different frequency bands, and sends different third signals to different power amplifiers. Each power amplifier amplifies the third signal to obtain a fourth signal, and sends the fourth signal to the connected coupler. Each coupler couples the fourth signal to obtain a transmit signal and a feedback signal, sends the processed transmit signal to the multiplexer, and sends the processed feedback signal to the connected feedback link. The multiplexer processes the transmitted signals from each coupler, outputs the processed transmitted signal, processes the received signals, and sends the processed received signal to the receiving link. The feedback link processes the received feedback signal and sends the processing result to the first digital intermediate frequency processor. The first digital intermediate frequency processor is also used to correct the digital intermediate frequency processing based on the received processing result. The receiving link processes the received signal.

[0020] As can be seen from the above, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can process the signal to be transmitted through the transmit link and output transmit signals of multiple frequency bands. Furthermore, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can also process the feedback signal through the feedback link, thereby adjusting the first digital intermediate frequency processor in the transmit link. In addition, it can process the received signals of different frequency bands through the receive link, thereby realizing the function of multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0021] Furthermore, the first digital intermediate frequency processor and the first small signal processor configured in the transmit link of the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can uniformly process the signals to be transmitted in different frequency bands, without the need to configure different digital intermediate frequency processors and small signal processors for different frequency bands, thereby reducing the number of components included in the multi-frequency power amplifier and simplifying the structure of the multi-frequency power amplifier. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first dual-frequency power amplifier in the prior art;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second type of dual-frequency power amplifier in the prior art;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first dual-frequency power amplifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second dual-frequency power amplifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a third type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fifth type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fifth type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third type of dual-frequency power amplifier in the prior art;

[0034] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the sixth type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the seventh type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] In this embodiment of the invention, the term "and / or" describes the relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following associated objects have an "or" relationship.

[0037] In this embodiment of the invention, the term "multiple" refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0038] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] In order for a base station to transmit signals of multiple different frequency bands, a multi-frequency power amplifier needs to be configured in the base station. Therefore, this embodiment of the invention provides a multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0040] This invention provides a multi-frequency power amplifier, which includes a transmit link, a feedback link, and a receive link. The transmit link includes: a first digital intermediate frequency processor, a first small signal processor, a frequency splitter, multiple power amplifiers, multiple couplers, and a multiplexer.

[0041] The number of couplers and power amplifiers is equal to the number of frequency bands corresponding to the signal to be transmitted that the multi-frequency power amplifier needs to process, and the couplers and power amplifiers are connected one by one;

[0042] The first digital intermediate frequency processor is used to perform digital intermediate frequency processing on signals to be transmitted in different frequency bands to obtain a first signal, and send the first signal to the first small signal processor.

[0043] The first small-signal processor is used to perform small-signal processing on the first signal to obtain the second signal, and then send the second signal to the frequency separator.

[0044] A frequency splitter is used to separate a second signal into third signals with different frequency bands, and send the different third signals to different power amplifiers respectively.

[0045] Each power amplifier is used to amplify the third signal to obtain a fourth signal, and then send the fourth signal to the connected coupler.

[0046] Each coupler is used to couple the fourth signal, send the transmitted signal obtained from the coupler output port to the multiplexer, and send the feedback signal obtained from the coupler coupling port to the connected feedback link.

[0047] A multiplexer is used to filter and combine the transmitted signals sent by each coupler, output the processed transmitted signal, and to de-process and filter the received signal before sending the processed received signal to the receiving link.

[0048] The feedback link is used to process the received feedback signal and send the processing result to the first digital intermediate frequency processor;

[0049] The first digital intermediate frequency processor is also used to correct the digital intermediate frequency processing based on the received processing results;

[0050] The receiving link is used to process received signals from different frequency bands.

[0051] As can be seen from the above, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can process the signal to be transmitted through the transmit link and output transmit signals of multiple frequency bands. Furthermore, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can also process the feedback signal through the feedback link, thereby adjusting the first digital intermediate frequency processor in the transmit link. In addition, it can process the received signals of different frequency bands through the receive link, thereby realizing the function of multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0052] Furthermore, the first digital intermediate frequency processor and the first small signal processor configured in the transmit link of the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can uniformly process the signals to be transmitted in different frequency bands, without the need to configure different digital intermediate frequency processors and small signal processors for different frequency bands, thereby reducing the number of components included in the multi-frequency power amplifier and simplifying the structure of the multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0053] See Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-frequency power amplifier includes a transmit link 101, a feedback link 102 and a receive link 103. The transmit link 101 includes: a first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011, a first small signal processor 1012, a frequency splitter 1013, multiple power amplifiers 1014, multiple couplers 1015 and a multiplexer 1016.

[0054] The number of the couplers 1015 and the power amplifiers 1014 is equal to the number of frequency bands corresponding to the signals to be transmitted that the multi-frequency power amplifier needs to process, and the couplers 1015 and the power amplifiers 1014 are connected one by one.

[0055] Specifically, the multi-frequency power amplifier described above needs to process a frequency band corresponding to the signal to be transmitted that is greater than or equal to two, and this embodiment of the invention does not limit this. In particular, when the number is two, the multi-frequency power amplifier can also be called a dual-frequency power amplifier, and the structure of a dual-frequency power amplifier can be found below. Figure 5 The embodiments shown are not described in detail here.

[0056] The aforementioned first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 is used to perform digital intermediate frequency processing on signals to be transmitted in different frequency bands to obtain a first signal, and send the first signal to the first small signal processor 1012.

[0057] Specifically, the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 performs frequency combining on the received signals to be transmitted from different frequency bands, combines them into one signal, performs digital intermediate frequency processing, and outputs the first signal as the intermediate frequency combined signal.

[0058] Depend on Figure 1 It can be seen that there are n signals to be transmitted, denoted as f1-fn. The first signal output by the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 after processing f1-fn is denoted as IF. f1+…+fn .

[0059] The first small signal processor 1012 is used to perform small signal processing on the first signal to obtain a second signal, and send the second signal to the frequency separator 1013.

[0060] The second signal output by the first small signal processor 1012 after performing small signal processing on the first signal is a radio frequency combining signal.

[0061] Depend on Figure 1 As can be seen, the second signal output by the first small signal processor 1012 is represented as RF. f1+…+fn .

[0062] The frequency splitter 1013 is used to separate the second signal into third signals with different frequency bands, and send the different third signals to different power amplifiers 1014 respectively.

[0063] The number of the third signals is the same as the number of signals to be transmitted, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the third signals and the signals to be transmitted. The frequency band of each third signal is the same as the frequency band of the corresponding signal to be transmitted.

[0064] That is, the frequency splitter 1013 re-separates the second signal obtained after frequency combining into multiple third signals with different frequency bands, and the frequency band of the third signal is the same as the frequency band of the signal to be transmitted.

[0065] Depend on Figure 1As can be seen, the frequency splitter 1013 separates the second signal into n different third signals, each of which is represented as RF. f1 -RF fn .

[0066] Each power amplifier 1014 is used to amplify the third signal to obtain a fourth signal, and send the fourth signal to the connected coupler 1015.

[0067] Specifically, each power amplifier 1014 is used to process a third signal in a frequency band, and after amplifying the power of the third signal, it inputs the lower-level fourth signal to the connected coupler 1015.

[0068] Each coupler 1015 is used to couple the fourth signal mentioned above, send the transmitted signal obtained from the coupler output port to the multiplexer 1016, and send the feedback signal obtained from the coupler coupling port to the connected feedback link 102.

[0069] Specifically, each coupler 1015 is used to process a fourth signal in a frequency band, separating the fourth signal into a transmit signal and a feedback signal with different power intensities. The transmit signal obtained from the coupler output port is input into a multiplexer, and the feedback signal is input into a feedback link from the coupler coupling port.

[0070] The multiplexer 1016 is used to filter and combine the transmitted signals sent by each coupler 1015, output the processed transmitted signal, and to split and filter the received signal before sending the processed received signal to the receiving link 103.

[0071] Specifically, the multiplexer 1016 combines the various transmitted signals received from different couplers 1015 into a single signal as the processed transmitted signal. The processed transmitted signal is then input into the antenna of the base station configured with the multi-frequency power amplifier, and the processed transmitted signal can be transmitted through the antenna.

[0072] In addition, the multiplexer 1016 is also used to receive the received signal sent by the terminal to the base station, and after performing splitting and filtering processing on the received signal, it is sent to the receiving link 103.

[0073] The aforementioned feedback link 102 is used to process the received feedback signal and send the processing result to the aforementioned first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011. Each coupler 1015 can generate one feedback signal, and the feedback link 102 can obtain a set of processing results after processing each feedback signal.

[0074] Specifically, the feedback link 102 performs amplitude adjustment processing, frequency conversion processing and digital intermediate frequency processing on the feedback signal to obtain the processing result, and inputs the processing result into the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011.

[0075] The aforementioned feedback link 102 may include multiple feedback sub-links. Each feedback sub-link is connected to a coupler 1015 to process the feedback signal sent by the connected coupler 1015 and sends the processing result to the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011. The structure of the feedback sub-link is the same as the structure of the link used to process the feedback signal in the multi-frequency power amplifier in the prior art, as detailed below. Figure 2 The feedback sub-link in the dual-band power amplifier shown will not be described in detail here.

[0076] Alternatively, the structure of the feedback link 102 described above can also be the same as described below. Figure 3 The feedback link structure in the dual-band power amplifier shown is the same, and will not be described in detail here.

[0077] In addition, the structure of the aforementioned feedback link 102 can also be found below. Figure 4 The embodiments shown are not described in detail here.

[0078] The aforementioned first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 is also used to correct the digital intermediate frequency processing based on the received processing results.

[0079] Specifically, the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 can calculate the received processing result based on a preset digital predistortion algorithm, and then correct the digital intermediate frequency processing based on the calculation result. The aforementioned digital predistortion algorithm can be an algorithm used in the prior art, and the digital intermediate frequency processing can be corrected using existing technology; this embodiment of the invention does not limit this.

[0080] The aforementioned receiving link 103 is used to process received signals from different frequency bands.

[0081] Specifically, the structure of the receiving link 103 can be the same as the structure of the link used to process the received signal in a multi-frequency power amplifier in the prior art. The process of the receiving link 103 processing the received signal can also be the same as the process of the multi-frequency power amplifier processing the received signal in the prior art. This embodiment of the present invention will not elaborate further on this.

[0082] As can be seen from the above, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can process the signal to be transmitted through the transmit link and output transmit signals of multiple frequency bands. Furthermore, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can also process the feedback signal through the feedback link, thereby adjusting the first digital intermediate frequency processor in the transmit link. In addition, it can process the received signals of different frequency bands through the receive link, thereby realizing the function of multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0083] Furthermore, the first digital intermediate frequency processor and the first small signal processor configured in the transmit link of the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can uniformly process the signals to be transmitted in different frequency bands, without the need to configure different digital intermediate frequency processors and small signal processors for different frequency bands, thereby reducing the number of components included in the multi-frequency power amplifier and simplifying the structure of the multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present invention, the frequency interval between adjacent frequency bands in the frequency band corresponding to the signal to be transmitted processed by the multi-frequency power amplifier is greater than the sum of the bandwidths of the adjacent frequency bands. The adjacent frequency bands are: frequency bands with adjacent frequencies.

[0085] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the frequency splitter 1013 separates the second signal into multiple different third signals that are the same as the frequency band of the signal to be transmitted. If the frequency interval between adjacent frequency bands in the frequency band corresponding to the signal to be transmitted is small, then the frequency interval between the third signals is also small. In this case, the frequency splitter 1013 will have difficulty accurately separating the second signal into different third signals. Therefore, in order to ensure the effect of signal processing, the frequency interval between adjacent frequency bands in the frequency band corresponding to the signal to be transmitted processed by the multi-frequency power amplifier is greater than the sum of the bandwidths of the adjacent frequency bands, so that the frequency interval between adjacent frequency bands is large.

[0086] To highlight the difference between the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention and the multi-frequency power amplifiers provided in the prior art, a dual-frequency power amplifier is used as an example. (See [link]). Figure 2 This paper provides a schematic diagram of the structure of the first dual-frequency power amplifier in the prior art.

[0087] like Figure 2 As shown, the existing dual-band power amplifier includes two single-frequency transmit signal digital intermediate frequency processors, two single-frequency small signal processors, two power amplifiers, two couplers, one duplexer, two feedback small signal processors, and two single-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processors.

[0088] As shown in the figure, the existing dual-band power amplifier processes the signals to be transmitted in different frequency bands separately. Specifically, the two single-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processors can perform digital intermediate frequency processing on the signals to be transmitted, f1 and f2, respectively, to obtain the signal IF. f1and IF f2 Two single-frequency small-signal processors respectively process the signal IF f1 and IF f2 Small signal processing is performed to obtain the signal RF. f1 and RF f2 Furthermore, the two power amplifiers respectively power the signal RF f1 and RF f2 Power amplification is performed, and two couplers respectively amplify the signal RF. f1 and RF f2 After processing, the received transmit signal is input into a duplexer, and the received feedback signal is input into a feedback small-signal processor connected to it. The duplexer processes the received transmit signal, performs frequency combining, and outputs the processed transmit signal ANT. f1+f2 .

[0089] In addition, the two feedback small signal processors respectively perform small signal processing on the received feedback signals to obtain signals FB. f1 and FB f2 Two single-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processors respectively process the signal FB f1 and FB f2 After digital intermediate frequency (IF) processing, the processing results are sent to the single-frequency transmit signal digital IF processor connected to it. The single-frequency transmit signal digital IF processor completes digital predistortion based on the received processing results, thereby achieving self-correction.

[0090] In addition, the received signal RX received by the duplexer f1 and RX f2 They are processed by two different receiving links.

[0091] Among them, can Figure 2 Each coupler connecting a small-signal processor to a single-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor is called a feedback sub-link. Figure 2 The dual-band power amplifier shown includes two feedback sub-links. The structure of the feedback sub-links in the multi-band power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can be similar to... Figure 2 The feedback sub-links shown have the same structure, that is, each feedback sub-link contains a feedback small signal processor and a single-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor. The feedback small signal processor in each feedback sub-link is connected to a coupler 1015 in the multi-frequency power amplifier, and the single-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor is connected to the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 in the multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0092] contrast Figure 2 The dual-band power amplifier shown in the prior art and Figure 1As can be seen from the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiment of the present invention can perform digital intermediate frequency processing on each signal to be transmitted through a first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011. In contrast, in the prior art, each single-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor can only process the signal to be transmitted in one frequency band. In addition, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiment of the present invention can perform small signal processing on the output result of the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 through a first small signal processor 1012. In contrast, in the prior art, a single-frequency small signal processor needs to be configured for each single-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor to perform small signal processing on the output result of the single-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor.

[0093] Therefore, it can be seen that the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention contains fewer components and has a simpler structure.

[0094] In addition, see Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second type of dual-frequency power amplifier in the prior art.

[0095] like Figure 3 As shown, the existing dual-band power amplifier includes a broadband transmit signal digital intermediate frequency processor, a broadband dual-band small signal processor, a broadband dual-band power amplifier, a broadband dual-band coupler, a duplexer, a broadband dual-band feedback signal processor, and a broadband feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor.

[0096] As shown in the figure, the broadband transmit signal digital intermediate frequency processor in this dual-band power amplifier receives transmit signals f1 and f2 from different frequency bands. After frequency combining f1 and f2, it performs digital intermediate frequency processing to obtain one output signal IF. f1+f2 Broadband dual-band small signal processor for IF f1+f2 Small signal processing is performed to obtain RF. f1+f2 Furthermore, the broadband dual-band power amplifier supports the RF signal. f1+f2 Power amplification is performed, and the broadband dual-frequency coupler amplifies the RF signal. f1+f2 After processing, the received transmit signal is input into a duplexer, and the received feedback signal is input into a broadband dual-frequency feedback signal processor. Since the duplexer receives only one transmit signal, it first performs power separation processing to obtain two signals with different frequency bands. Then, it processes each signal separately, and finally combines the processing results to obtain a single processed transmit signal, ANT. f1+f2 .

[0097] In addition, the broadband dual-frequency feedback signal processor performs small-signal processing on the received feedback signal to obtain signal FB. f1+f2 The broadband feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor processes the signal FB.f1+f2 After digital intermediate frequency (IF) processing, the processing result is sent to the broadband transmit signal digital IF processor. The broadband transmit signal digital IF processor completes digital predistortion based on the received processing result, thereby achieving self-correction.

[0098] In addition, the duplexer performs frequency combining on the received signal to obtain the received signal RX. f1+f2 The received signal is processed through the receiving link.

[0099] Among them, can Figure 3 The broadband dual-frequency feedback signal processor and the broadband feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor are referred to as the feedback link. The structure of the feedback link 102 included in the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can be compared with... Figure 3 The feedback link shown has the same structure. Specifically, the feedback link 102 included in the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment includes a broadband feedback signal processor and a broadband feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor. The broadband feedback signal processor is connected to each coupler 1015 in the multi-frequency power amplifier. The broadband feedback signal processor first performs combined processing on the feedback signals sent by each coupler 1015 and then performs small signal processing. The broadband feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor is connected to the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 in the multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0100] contrast Figure 3 The dual-band power amplifier shown in the prior art and Figure 1 As can be seen from the multi-band power amplifier provided in the embodiment of the present invention, all components in the prior art dual-band power amplifier need to process the signals to be transmitted in each frequency band. After frequency combining, the signals to be transmitted in multiple frequency bands form a wideband signal, requiring each component to support the wideband processing of multi-band signals, making the design of each component more difficult and the internal structure more complex. Furthermore, the wideband power amplifier needs to support the output of wideband signals, resulting in a higher output power and a higher required power amplifier level. Moreover, since each component in the dual-band power amplifier needs to participate in the signal processing process, when the dual-band power amplifier only needs to process the signal to be transmitted in a certain frequency band, energy saving can only be achieved by reducing the output power.

[0101] In the multi-frequency power amplifier used in this embodiment of the invention, only the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011, the first small signal processor 1012, and the frequency splitter 1013 need to uniformly process the signals to be transmitted across all frequency bands. Other devices only need to support the processing of signals in a specific frequency band. Therefore, compared to… Figure 2Compared to the dual-band power amplifier shown, the overall design of the devices in the solution provided by this embodiment of the invention is less complex. Furthermore, the power amplifier 1014 in the solution provided by this embodiment only needs to amplify the signal in a certain frequency band, resulting in lower output power and a lower required power amplifier level. Moreover, when only processing signals in a portion of the frequency band is required, the solution provided by this embodiment can completely shut down the frequency amplifier 1014 and coupler 1015 used to process signals in other frequency bands, which is beneficial for energy saving. In addition, since the multiplexer 1016 in the solution provided by this embodiment receives signals from multiple different frequency bands, it is more efficient than... Figure 2 Compared to the dual-frequency power amplifier shown, the multiplexer 1016 does not need to perform frequency separation processing on the received signal, thereby reducing the output loss caused by frequency separation processing and improving the efficiency of the multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0102] Next, the structure of the feedback link contained in the multi-frequency power amplifier will be further described.

[0103] See Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention, which is consistent with the aforementioned Figure 1 Compared to the embodiment shown, the feedback link 102 described above includes a single-pole multi-throw switch 1021, a second small signal processor 1022, and a second digital intermediate frequency processor 1023.

[0104] The input paths of the single-pole multi-throw switch 1021 are connected to the couplers 1015 respectively, and the output path of the single-pole multi-throw switch 1021 is connected to the second small signal processor 1022.

[0105] The aforementioned single-pole multi-throw switch 1021 is used to connect the input path corresponding to the coupler 1015 that sends feedback signals.

[0106] Specifically, the aforementioned single-pole multiple-throw switch 1021 can be a radio frequency switch. When the connected coupler 1015 sends a feedback signal to the single-pole multiple-throw switch 1021, the single-pole multiple-throw switch 1021 can connect the input path connected to the coupler 1015 with the output path of the single-pole multiple-throw switch 1021, so that the coupler 1015 sending the feedback signal can be connected to the second small signal processor 1022, thereby enabling the feedback signal to be sent to the second small signal processor 1022.

[0107] The second small signal processor 1022 is used to perform small signal processing on the received feedback signal to obtain a fifth signal, and send the fifth signal to the second digital intermediate frequency processor 1023.

[0108] The second digital intermediate frequency processor 1023 is used to process the fifth signal and send the processing result to the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011.

[0109] The feedback link in the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention contains only one second small-signal processor 1022 and one second digital intermediate frequency processor 1023, which can process the feedback signals sent by each coupler 1015, while the aforementioned Figure 2 In the dual-frequency power amplifier shown, the feedback signal sent by each coupler needs to be processed by a set of feedback small-signal processors and a single-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor. Therefore, the feedback link structure in the multi-frequency power amplifier provided by the present invention is relatively simple and requires fewer components.

[0110] Furthermore, since the single-pole multi-throw switch 1021 can only connect one input path to the output path at a time, only one coupler 1015 can send a feedback signal to the second small-signal processor 1022 at any given time. This means the second small-signal processor 1022 can only process feedback signals for a maximum of one frequency band at a time. (The aforementioned...) Figure 3 The wideband dual-band feedback signal processor and the wideband feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor in the dual-band power amplifier shown both need to process wideband feedback signals. However, the devices in the feedback link of the multi-band power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention only need to process feedback signals of one frequency band. Therefore, the design of the devices in the feedback link of the multi-band power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention is relatively simple.

[0111] Furthermore, since the feedback link only needs to process the feedback signal of one frequency band at a time, that is, the feedback signal is a narrow-band signal with a narrow frequency band, only a simple feedback algorithm is needed to process the feedback signal. Similarly, the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 only needs a simple digital predistortion algorithm to implement digital predistortion processing. Moreover, because the frequency band of the feedback signal is narrow, the power level required for the power amplifier tube to process the feedback signal is also reduced, and the power amplifier's narrow-band matching efficiency is high and easy to implement.

[0112] See Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first dual-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiment of the present invention, which is consistent with the aforementioned Figure 1 Compared to the embodiment shown, when the number of frequency bands corresponding to the signals to be transmitted that the multi-frequency power amplifier needs to process is 2, the number of the couplers and the power amplifiers are both 2.

[0113] The aforementioned first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 is a dual-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor 1011A capable of performing digital intermediate frequency processing on two different frequency bands of signals to be transmitted.

[0114] Specifically, the functions of the aforementioned dual-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor 1011A are similar to... Figure 1 Similar to the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 shown, the difference is that the dual-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor 1011A only processes signals of two different frequency bands, which will not be described in detail in this embodiment of the invention.

[0115] The aforementioned first small signal processor 1012 is a dual-frequency transmission small signal processor 1012A capable of performing digital intermediate frequency processing on two different frequency bands of signals to be transmitted.

[0116] Specifically, the functions of the aforementioned dual-frequency transmitting small signal processor 1012A are similar to... Figure 1 Similar to the first small signal processor 1012 shown, the difference is that the dual-frequency transmission small signal processor 1012A only processes signals of two different frequency bands, which will not be described in detail in this embodiment of the invention.

[0117] The aforementioned multiplexer 1016 is a duplexer 1016A capable of processing two different frequency bands of transmitted signals and two different frequency bands of received signals.

[0118] Specifically, the functions of the aforementioned duplexer 1016A are similar to... Figure 1 The multiplexer 1016 shown is similar, except that the duplexer 1016A only processes two different frequency bands of signals, which will not be described in detail in this embodiment of the invention.

[0119] As can be seen from the above, the dual-band power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can process the signal to be transmitted through the transmit link and output two frequency bands of transmit signals. Furthermore, the dual-band power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can also process the feedback signal through the feedback link, thereby adjusting the dual-band transmit signal digital intermediate frequency processor in the transmit link. In addition, it can process the received signals of different frequency bands through the receive link, thereby realizing the function of dual-band power amplifier.

[0120] Furthermore, the dual-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor and dual-frequency transmission small signal processor configured in the transmission link of the dual-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can uniformly process two different frequency bands of signals to be transmitted, without the need to configure different digital intermediate frequency processors and small signal processors for different frequency bands of signals to be transmitted, thereby reducing the number of components contained in the multi-frequency power amplifier and simplifying the structure of the dual-frequency power amplifier.

[0121] See Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second type of dual-frequency power amplifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention, which is consistent with the aforementioned Figure 5 Compared to the embodiment shown, the feedback link 102 described above includes a single-pole double-throw switch 1024, a dual-frequency feedback small signal processor 1025, and a dual-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor 1026.

[0122] The two input paths of the single-pole double-throw switch 1024 are connected to two couplers 1015 respectively, and the output path of the single-pole double-throw switch 1024 is connected to the dual-frequency feedback small signal processor 1025.

[0123] The aforementioned single-pole double-throw switch 1024 is used to connect the input path corresponding to the coupler that sends feedback signals.

[0124] Specifically, the aforementioned single-pole double-throw switch 1024 and the aforementioned Figure 4 The feedback link 102 shown is similar to the single-pole multi-throw switch 1021, except that the single-pole double-branch switch 1024 only contains two input paths, which will not be described in detail here.

[0125] The aforementioned dual-frequency feedback small signal processor 1025 is used to perform small signal processing on the received feedback signal to obtain a ninth signal, and to send the ninth signal to the aforementioned dual-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor 1026.

[0126] Specifically, the aforementioned dual-frequency feedback small-signal processor 1025 and the aforementioned Figure 4 The second small signal processor 1022 in the feedback link 102 shown is similar and will not be described again here.

[0127] The aforementioned dual-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor 1026 is used to process the aforementioned ninth signal and send the processing result to the aforementioned dual-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor.

[0128] Specifically, the aforementioned dual-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor 1026 and the aforementioned Figure 4 The second digital intermediate frequency processor 1023 in the feedback link 102 shown is similar and will not be described again here.

[0129] As can be seen from the above, the feedback link in the dual-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention contains only one dual-frequency feedback small-signal processor and one dual-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor, which can process the feedback signals sent by each coupler. The structure of the feedback link is relatively simple and requires fewer components.

[0130] Furthermore, since a single-pole double-throw switch can only connect one input path to the output path at a time, only one coupler can send a feedback signal to the dual-frequency feedback small-signal processor at any given time. This means the dual-frequency feedback small-signal processor can only process feedback signals from one frequency band at a time. Therefore, the design of the components within the feedback link in the dual-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment is relatively simple.

[0131] Furthermore, since the feedback link only needs to process the feedback signal of one frequency band at a time, meaning the feedback signal is a narrowband signal with a narrow frequency band, only a simple feedback algorithm is needed to process the feedback signal. Similarly, the dual-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor only needs a simple digital predistortion algorithm to achieve digital predistortion processing. Moreover, because the frequency band of the feedback signal is narrow, the power level required for the power amplifier tube to process the feedback signal is also reduced, and the efficiency of narrowband matching of the power amplifier is high and easy to implement.

[0132] The multi-frequency power amplifiers described in the foregoing embodiments of the present invention are all capable of processing signals to be transmitted generated based on the FDD (Frequency Division Duplexing) standard. When the aforementioned multi-frequency power amplifier processes signals to be transmitted generated based on the TDD (Time Division Duplexing) standard, the structure of the multi-frequency power amplifier can be found below. Figure 7 The example shown.

[0133] See Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention, which is consistent with the aforementioned Figure 1 Compared to the embodiment shown, the above-described transmission link 101 further includes a plurality of circulators 1017, the number of which is equal to the number of which is coupler 1015, and the circulators 1017 are connected to the couplers 1015 one by one.

[0134] The aforementioned coupler 1015 is specifically used to send the transmit signal obtained from the coupler output port to the connected circulator 1017.

[0135] The aforementioned circulator 1017 is used to process the received transmission signal and send the processed transmission signal to the multiplexer 1016.

[0136] The multiplexer 1016 is specifically used to filter and combine the transmitted signal from the circulator 1017 and output the processed transmitted signal, and to split and filter the received signal and send the processed received signal to the circulator 1017.

[0137] The aforementioned circulator 1017 is also used to process the received signal sent by the multiplexer 1016 and send the processed received signal to the receiving link 103.

[0138] Specifically, as mentioned above Figure 1Compared to the illustrated embodiment, the transmit link 101 described above includes a circulator 1017 located between the coupler 1015 and the multiplexer 1016. The coupler 1015 transmits signals to the multiplexer 1016 through the circulator 1017, and the multiplexer 1016 transmits signals to the receive link 103 through the circulator 1017. In addition, Figure 7 The multi-frequency power amplifier shown is Figure 1 The multi-frequency power amplifier shown is the same, so it will not be described again here.

[0139] As can be seen from the above, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can process the signal to be transmitted through the transmit link and output transmit signals of multiple frequency bands when processing signals generated based on the TDD standard. In addition, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can also process the feedback signal through the feedback link, thereby adjusting the first digital intermediate frequency processor in the transmit link. Furthermore, it can process the received signals of different frequency bands through the receive link, thereby realizing the function of multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0140] Furthermore, the first digital intermediate frequency processor and the first small signal processor configured in the transmit link of the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can uniformly process the signals to be transmitted in different frequency bands, without the need to configure different digital intermediate frequency processors and small signal processors for different frequency bands, thereby reducing the number of components included in the multi-frequency power amplifier and simplifying the structure of the multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0141] Furthermore, if the signal to be processed by the multi-frequency power amplifier includes both signals generated based on the FDD standard and signals generated based on the TDD standard, the structure of the multi-frequency power amplifier can be found below. Figure 8 The example shown.

[0142] See Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention, which is consistent with the aforementioned Figure 1 Compared to the embodiment shown, the power amplifier 1014 includes a TDD power amplifier 1014A and an FDD power amplifier 1014B, the coupler 1015 includes a TDD coupler 1015A and an FDD coupler 1015B, and the transmit link also includes a circulator 1017.

[0143] The number of circulators 1017 is equal to the number of TDD power amplifiers 1014A. Each circulator 1017 is connected to a TDD coupler 1015A in the coupler 1015, and each TDD coupler 1015A is connected to a TDD power amplifier 1014A.

[0144] The frequency splitter 1013 is specifically used to separate the second signal into a third signal with a different frequency band, send the third signal generated based on the TDD standard to the TDD power amplifier 1014A, and send the third signal generated based on the FDD standard to the FDD power amplifier 1014B.

[0145] The aforementioned TDD coupler 1015A is used to send the transmit signal obtained from the coupler output port to the connected circulator 1017.

[0146] The aforementioned FDD coupler 1015B is used to receive and process the third signal after power amplification by the FDD power amplifier 1014B, and to send the transmission signal obtained from the coupler output port to the connected circulator 1017.

[0147] The aforementioned circulator 1017 is used to process the received transmission signal and send the processed transmission signal to the multiplexer 1016.

[0148] Specifically, as mentioned above Figure 1 Compared to the embodiments shown, Figure 7 The multi-frequency power amplifier shown includes a first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 and a first small-signal processor 1012 capable of jointly processing signals generated based on the TDD standard and signals generated based on the FDD standard. A frequency splitter 1013 re-separates the received signals into a third signal generated based on the TDD standard and a third signal generated based on the FDD standard. The third signal generated based on the TDD standard is processed by a TDD power amplifier, a TDD coupler, and a circulator, while the third signal generated based on the FDD standard is processed by an FDD power amplifier and an FDD coupler. The FDD power amplifier, FDD coupler, and the aforementioned... Figure 1 The power amplifier and coupler shown are the same; the TDD power amplifier, TDD coupler, and circulator are the same as those described above. Figure 7 The power amplifier, coupler, and circulator shown are the same, and will not be described again here.

[0149] As can be seen from the above, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can process both FDD-based signals and TDD-based signals, thereby realizing mixed-mode signal processing.

[0150] See Figure 9 This is a structural schematic diagram of the fifth type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention, which is consistent with the aforementioned Figure 8Compared to the embodiment shown, the above-mentioned receiving link 103 includes a high-power switch 1031, a TDD low-noise amplifier 1032, an FDD low-noise amplifier 1033, a frequency synthesizer 1034, a third small signal processor 1035, and a third digital intermediate frequency processor 1036. The high-power switch 1031 connects the circulator 1017 and the TDD low-noise amplifier 1032, and is connected when the multi-frequency power amplifier is in the receiving time slot.

[0151] The multiplexer 1016 is specifically used to perform splitting and filtering processing on the received signal, and then send the processed received signal based on the TDD standard to the circulator 1017 and the processed received signal based on the FDD standard to the FDD low noise amplifier 1033.

[0152] The aforementioned circulator 1017 is also used to process the received signal and send the processed received signal to the TDD low-noise amplifier 1032 via the high-power switch 1031.

[0153] The aforementioned TDD low-noise amplifier 1032 is used to amplify the received signal and send the amplified received signal to the frequency synthesizer 1034.

[0154] The aforementioned FDD low-noise amplifier 1033 is used to amplify the received signal and send the amplified received signal to the frequency synthesizer 1034.

[0155] The frequency synthesizer 1034 is used to synthesize the received signal into a sixth signal and send the sixth signal to the third small signal processor 1035.

[0156] The aforementioned third small signal processor 1035 is used to perform small signal processing on the aforementioned sixth signal to obtain a seventh signal, and to send the aforementioned seventh signal to the third digital intermediate frequency processor 1036.

[0157] The aforementioned third digital intermediate frequency processor 1036 is used to perform digital intermediate frequency processing on the seventh signal and output the processing result.

[0158] Specifically, after receiving the signal, the multiplexer 1016 performs frequency separation to obtain a received signal generated based on the TDD standard and a received signal generated based on the FDD standard. The received signal generated based on the TDD standard is processed sequentially by the circulator 1017, the high-power switch 1031, and the TDD low-noise amplifier 1032 before being input into the frequency synthesizer 1034. The received signal generated based on the FDD standard is processed by the FDD low-noise amplifier 1033 before being input into the frequency synthesizer 1034. The frequency synthesizer 1034 performs frequency synthesis processing on the received signals generated based on the TDD standard and the received signals generated based on the FDD standard to obtain a sixth signal. Then, the sixth signal is processed by the third small signal processor 1035 to obtain a seventh signal. The seventh signal is then processed by the third digital intermediate frequency processor 1036, and then frequency separation is performed again to obtain and output the processing results. The output processing results are the TDD standard signal and the FDD standard signal.

[0159] As can be seen from the above, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can process both received signals generated based on the TDD standard and received signals generated based on the FDD standard. During processing, a frequency synthesizer combines multiple received signals into one signal, and a third small-signal processor and a third digital intermediate frequency processor can process the multiple received signals. Compared with configuring a small-signal processor and a digital intermediate frequency processor for each received signal, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention is simpler and requires fewer components.

[0160] See Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fifth type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 9 Based on the embodiment shown, the feedback link 102 includes a single-pole multi-throw switch 1021, a second small signal processor 1022, and a second digital intermediate frequency processor 1023.

[0161] Specifically, the structure of the feedback link 102 is the same as described above. Figure 4 The feedback link 102 shown has a similar structure, the only difference being that the second small signal processor 1022 can process TDD and FDD signals, and the second digital intermediate frequency processor 1023 can process TDD and FDD signals. This embodiment of the invention will not elaborate further.

[0162] To highlight the difference between the multi-frequency power amplifier capable of processing both TDD and FDD signals provided in this embodiment of the invention and the multi-frequency power amplifier capable of processing both TDD and FDD signals in the prior art, a dual-frequency power amplifier is used as an example. See [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 11This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third type of dual-frequency power amplifier in the prior art.

[0163] The portion above the dashed line in the diagram is used for processing TDD signals, while the portion below the dashed line is used for processing FDD signals.

[0164] Specifically, the TDD transmit signal digital intermediate frequency processor, TDD transmit small signal processor, TDD power amplifier, TDD coupler, and circulator shown in the figure process the TDD transmit signal in sequence to obtain the TDD transmit signal, and then input the TDD transmit signal into the duplexer.

[0165] In addition, the FDD transmit signal digital intermediate frequency processor, FDD transmit small signal processor, FDD power amplifier, and FDD coupler shown in the figure process the FDD transmit signal in sequence to obtain the FDD transmit signal, and then input the FDD transmit signal into the duplexer.

[0166] The duplexer performs frequency combining of the TDD and FDD transmit signals and other processing to obtain the output signal.

[0167] In addition, the feedback signal generated by the TDD coupler is processed sequentially by the TDD feedback small signal processor and the TDD feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor, and the processing result is sent to the TDD transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor.

[0168] The feedback signal generated by the FDD coupler is processed sequentially by the FDD feedback small signal processor and the FDD feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor, and the processing result is sent to the FDD transmit signal digital intermediate frequency processor.

[0169] Furthermore, after receiving the input signal, the duplexer performs frequency separation processing to obtain the TDD and FDD received signals. The TDD received signal is then processed sequentially by a circulator, a high-power switch, a TDD low-noise amplifier, a TDD small-signal processor, and a TDD digital intermediate frequency processor to obtain the output signal. The FDD received signal is processed sequentially by an FDD low-noise amplifier, an FDD small-signal processor, and a FDD digital intermediate frequency processor to obtain the output signal.

[0170] Therefore, it is evident that in existing dual-band power amplifiers, the devices processing FDD signals and those processing TDD signals are configured separately, resulting in a large number of components and a complex structure. In contrast, the multi-band power amplifier provided by this invention clearly contains fewer components and has a simpler structure.

[0171] Furthermore, a base station equipped with a multi-frequency power amplifier may contain multiple different antennas. In order for each antenna of the base station to be able to transmit multi-frequency signals, as mentioned above... Figure 1 Based on the illustrated embodiments, see also Figure 12 The present invention also provides a multi-frequency power amplifier for use in multi-antenna base stations.

[0172] See Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the sixth type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention, which is consistent with the aforementioned Figure 1 Compared to the illustrated embodiment, when the base station configured with the above-mentioned multi-frequency power amplifier has multiple antennas, the above-mentioned multi-frequency power amplifier has the same number of transmit links 101 and receive links 103 as the above-mentioned antennas. Each transmit link 101 is used to process the signal to be transmitted corresponding to one antenna, and each receive link 103 is used to process the received signal of one antenna.

[0173] As can be seen from the figure, Figure 12 The multi-frequency power amplifier shown contains multiple identical transmit links 101, each corresponding to an antenna. After processing the signal to be transmitted, each transmit link 101 sends the output to its corresponding antenna. All transmit links 101 are connected to the same feedback link 102. The structure of the feedback link 102 can be found in the previous text. Figure 1 The feedback link 102 shown, and the structure of each transmission link 101 as described above Figure 1 The structure of the transmit link 101 shown is the same as that described above, and the structure of each receive link 103 is the same as that described above. Figure 1 The structure of the receiving link 103 shown is the same and will not be described again here.

[0174] As can be seen from the above, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can be applied to base stations configured with multiple antennas. The different transmission links included in the multi-frequency power amplifier process the signals to be transmitted for different antennas, so that each antenna of each base station can realize multi-frequency signal transmission.

[0175] See Figure 13 This is a structural schematic diagram of the seventh type of multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention, which is consistent with the aforementioned Figure 12 Compared to the embodiment shown, the feedback link 102 described above includes a switch group 1027, a fourth small signal processor 1028, and a fourth digital intermediate frequency processor 1029.

[0176] The switch group 1027 includes multiple single-pole multiple-throw switches. Each input path of each single-pole multiple-throw switch is connected to a coupler 1015 in a transmit link 101, and the output path of each single-pole multiple-throw switch is connected to the fourth small signal processor 1028.

[0177] Each single-pole multi-throw switch is used to connect the input path corresponding to the coupler 1015 that sends the feedback signal.

[0178] Specifically, the function of each single-pole multi-throw switch is as described above. Figure 4 The single-pole multi-throw switches shown have similar functions, so they will not be described in detail here.

[0179] The aforementioned fourth small signal processor 1028 is used to perform small signal processing on the received feedback signal to obtain an eighth signal, and to send the eighth signal to the aforementioned fourth digital intermediate frequency processor 1029.

[0180] The aforementioned fourth digital intermediate frequency processor 1029 is used to process the aforementioned eighth signal and send the processing result to the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 in the transmission link 101 where the coupler 1015 that sends the feedback signal is located.

[0181] Specifically, the functions of the aforementioned fourth small signal processor 1028 are the same as those described above. Figure 4 The second small signal processor 1022 shown has a similar function, the only difference being that the feedback signal processed by the fourth small signal processor 1028 may come from couplers 1015 in multiple different transmit links 101. The function of the fourth digital intermediate frequency processor 1029 described above is similar to that of the aforementioned... Figure 4 The second digital intermediate frequency processor 1023 shown has a similar function, the only difference being that the signal processed by the fourth digital intermediate frequency processor 1029 may come from couplers 1015 in multiple different transmit links 101, and the fourth digital intermediate frequency processor 1029 needs to feed back the processing result to the first digital intermediate frequency processor 1011 in multiple different transmit links 101. This will not be elaborated further in this embodiment of the invention.

[0182] As can be seen from the above, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention can process the feedback signals output from multiple transmission links using only three devices: a switch group, a fourth small signal processor, and a fourth digital intermediate frequency processor. Therefore, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention has a relatively simple structure and requires fewer devices.

[0183] In another embodiment of the present invention, a communication device is provided, which includes a multi-frequency power amplifier, the structure and function of which are the same as those of the aforementioned multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0184] As can be seen from the above, the multi-frequency power amplifier included in the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present invention can process the signal to be transmitted through the transmission link and output transmission signals of multiple frequency bands; in addition, the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in the embodiments of the present invention can also process the feedback signal through the feedback link, thereby adjusting the first digital intermediate frequency processor in the transmission link. Furthermore, it can process the received signals of different frequency bands through the receiving link, thereby realizing the function of multi-frequency power amplifier.

[0185] Furthermore, the first digital intermediate frequency processor and the first small signal processor configured in the transmit link of the multi-frequency power amplifier provided in this embodiment of the invention can uniformly process the signals to be transmitted in different frequency bands, without the need to configure different digital intermediate frequency processors and small signal processors for different frequency bands, thereby reducing the number of components included in the multi-frequency power amplifier and simplifying the structure of the multi-frequency power amplifier.

Claims

1. A multi-frequency power amplifier, characterized in that, The multi-frequency power amplifier includes a transmit link, a feedback link, and a receive link. The transmit link includes: a first digital intermediate frequency processor, a first small signal processor, a frequency splitter, multiple power amplifiers, multiple couplers, and a multiplexer. The number of couplers and power amplifiers is equal to the number of frequency bands corresponding to the signals to be transmitted that the multi-frequency power amplifier needs to process, and each coupler is connected to a power amplifier in turn. The first digital intermediate frequency processor is used to perform frequency combining on received signals to be transmitted from different frequency bands, combine them into one signal, perform digital intermediate frequency processing to obtain a first signal, and send the first signal to the first small signal processor. The first signal is an intermediate frequency combined signal. The first small signal processor is used to perform small signal processing on the first signal to obtain a second signal, and send the second signal to the frequency splitter, wherein the second signal is an RF combining signal; The frequency splitter is used to separate the second signal into third signals with different frequency bands, and send different third signals to different power amplifiers respectively. The number of third signals is the same as the number of signals to be transmitted, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the third signals and the signals to be transmitted. The frequency band of each third signal is the same as the frequency band of the corresponding signal to be transmitted. Each power amplifier is used to amplify the received third signal to obtain a fourth signal, and then send the fourth signal to the connected coupler. Each coupler is used to couple the fourth signal, send the transmitted signal obtained from the coupler output port to the multiplexer, and send the feedback signal obtained from the coupler coupling port to the connected feedback link. The multiplexer is used to filter and combine the transmitted signals sent by each coupler, output the processed transmitted signal, and to de-path and filter the received signal before sending the processed received signal to the receiving link. The feedback link is used to process the received feedback signal and send the processing result to the first digital intermediate frequency processor. The first digital intermediate frequency processor is also used to correct the digital intermediate frequency processing based on the received processing results; The receiving link is used to process received signals from different frequency bands.

2. The multi-frequency power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feedback link includes a single-pole multi-throw switch, a second small-signal processor, and a second digital intermediate frequency processor. Each input path of the single-pole multi-throw switch is connected to a coupler, and the output path of the single-pole multi-throw switch is connected to the second small-signal processor. The single-pole multi-throw switch is used to connect the input path corresponding to the coupler that sends the feedback signal; The second small signal processor is used to perform small signal processing on the received feedback signal to obtain a fifth signal, and send the fifth signal to the second digital intermediate frequency processor; The second digital intermediate frequency processor is used to process the fifth signal and send the processing result to the first digital intermediate frequency processor.

3. The multi-frequency power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the multi-frequency power amplifier processes the signal to be transmitted generated based on the time division duplex (TDD) system, the transmission link also includes multiple circulators, the number of which is equal to the number of couplers, and the circulators are connected to the couplers one by one. The coupler is specifically used to send the transmit signal obtained from the coupler output port to the connected circulator; The circulator is used to process the received transmitted signal and send the processed transmitted signal to the multiplexer. The multiplexer is specifically used to filter and combine the transmitted signal from the circulator and output the processed transmitted signal, and to split and filter the received signal and send the processed received signal back to the circulator. The circulator is also used to process the received signal sent by the multiplexer and send the processed received signal to the receiving link.

4. The multi-frequency power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the multi-frequency power amplifier processes the signal to be transmitted based on TDD and frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, the power amplifier includes a TDD power amplifier and an FDD power amplifier, the coupler includes a TDD coupler and an FDD coupler, and the transmission link also includes a circulator. The number of circulators is equal to the number of TDD power amplifiers. Each circulator is connected to a TDD coupler in the coupler, and the TDD coupler is connected to a TDD power amplifier. The frequency splitter is specifically used to separate the second signal into a third signal with a different frequency band, send the third signal generated based on the TDD standard to the TDD power amplifier, and send the third signal generated based on the FDD standard to the FDD power amplifier. The TDD coupler is used to send the transmit signal obtained from the coupler output port to the connected circulator; The FDD coupler is used to receive and process the third signal after power amplification by the FDD power amplifier, and to send the transmit signal obtained from the coupler output port to the multiplexer. The circulator is used to process the received transmission signal and send the processed transmission signal to the multiplexer.

5. The multi-frequency power amplifier according to claim 4, characterized in that, The receiving link includes a high-power switch, a TDD low-noise amplifier, an FDD low-noise amplifier, a frequency synthesizer, a third small-signal processor, and a third digital intermediate frequency processor. The high-power switch connects the circulator and the TDD low-noise amplifier and is connected when the multi-frequency power amplifier is in the receiving time slot. The multiplexer is specifically used to perform splitting and filtering on the received signal, and then send the processed received signal based on the TDD standard to the circulator and the processed received signal based on the FDD standard to the FDD low noise amplifier. The circulator is also used to process the received signal and send the processed received signal to the TDD low-noise amplifier via a high-power switch. The TDD low-noise amplifier is used to amplify the received signal and send the amplified received signal to the frequency synthesizer. The FDD low-noise amplifier is used to amplify the received signal and send the amplified received signal to the frequency synthesizer. The frequency synthesizer is used to synthesize the received signal into a sixth signal and send the sixth signal to the third small signal processor. The third small signal processor is used to perform small signal processing on the sixth signal to obtain a seventh signal, and send the seventh signal to the third digital intermediate frequency processor. The third digital intermediate frequency processor is used to perform digital intermediate frequency processing on the seventh signal and output the processing result.

6. The multi-frequency power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, When a base station configured with the multi-frequency power amplifier has multiple antennas, the multi-frequency power amplifier has the same number of transmit links and receive links as the number of antennas. Each transmit link is used to process the signal to be transmitted corresponding to one antenna, and each receive link is used to process the received signal of one antenna.

7. The multi-frequency power amplifier according to claim 6, characterized in that, The feedback link includes a switch group, a fourth small-signal processor, and a fourth digital intermediate frequency processor; The switch group includes multiple single-pole multi-throw switches. Each input path of each single-pole multi-throw switch is connected to a coupler in a transmit link, and the output path of each single-pole multi-throw switch is connected to the fourth small signal processor. Each single-pole multi-throw switch is used to connect the input path corresponding to the coupler that sends the feedback signal; The fourth small signal processor is used to perform small signal processing on the received feedback signal to obtain an eighth signal, and send the eighth signal to the fourth digital intermediate frequency processor. The fourth digital intermediate frequency processor is used to process the eighth signal and send the processing result to the first digital intermediate frequency processor in the transmission link where the coupler that sends the feedback signal is located.

8. The multi-frequency power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the number of frequency bands corresponding to the signals to be transmitted that the multi-frequency power amplifier needs to process is 2, the number of couplers and the number of power amplifiers are both 2; The first digital intermediate frequency processor is a dual-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor capable of performing digital intermediate frequency processing on two different frequency bands of signals to be transmitted; The first small signal processor is a dual-frequency transmission small signal processor capable of performing digital intermediate frequency processing on two different frequency bands of signals to be transmitted; The multiplexer is a duplexer capable of processing two different frequency bands of transmitted signals and two different frequency bands of received signals.

9. The multi-frequency power amplifier according to claim 8, characterized in that, The feedback link includes a single-pole double-throw switch, a dual-frequency feedback small-signal processor, and a dual-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor. The two input paths of the single-pole double-throw switch are respectively connected to two couplers, and the output path of the single-pole double-throw switch is connected to the dual-frequency feedback small-signal processor. The single-pole double-throw switch is used to connect the input path corresponding to the coupler that sends the feedback signal; The dual-frequency feedback small signal processor is used to perform small signal processing on the received feedback signal to obtain a ninth signal, and send the ninth signal to the dual-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor. The dual-frequency feedback signal digital intermediate frequency processor is used to process the ninth signal and send the processing result to the dual-frequency transmission signal digital intermediate frequency processor.

10. The multi-frequency power amplifier according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The frequency interval between adjacent frequency bands in the frequency band corresponding to the signal to be transmitted processed by the multi-frequency power amplifier is greater than the sum of the bandwidths of the adjacent frequency bands. The adjacent frequency bands are: frequency bands with adjacent frequencies.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes the multi-frequency power amplifier as described in any one of claims 1-10.

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