Power amplifier and radio frequency front-end module

Abstract

The invention discloses a power amplifier and a radio frequency front end module, and the power amplifier is provided with a signal input end and a signal output end, and comprises a first phase shift module, a power amplification module, a second phase shift module and a balun module. Wherein the first phase shifting module is connected to the signal input end and used for outputting a pair of first radio frequency signals, and the absolute value of the difference value between the absolute value of the phase difference value of the pair of first radio frequency signals and 90 degrees is smaller than or equal to a first specified difference value. The power amplification module is connected to the output end of the first phase shift module. The second phase shift module is connected to the output end of the power amplification module and is used for outputting a pair of second radio frequency signals. The balun module is connected between the second phase shift module and the signal output end. The balun module is used for carrying out current combination on the pair of second radio frequency signals and then sending the second radio frequency signals to the signal output end. As the balun module is adopted for combining at the rear end of the power amplifier, the frequency band of the power amplifier can be wider.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of radio frequency technology, and more specifically, to a power amplifier and a radio frequency front-end module. Background Art

[0002] With the development of modern communication technology, higher and higher requirements are placed on the communication functions of mobile terminals such as mobile phones. For example, the industry currently proposes the requirement to support the function of mobile high-power terminals (High Performance User Equipment, HPUE) for Band 41 (2496MHz ~ 2690MHz). In order to meet the above requirements, the linear power transmitted by the antenna of the mobile terminal needs to be increased to 26dBm. However, due to the reduction in the design area of ​​the RF antenna of the communication terminal, the RF antenna gain is reduced, and the RF antenna load impedance standing wave ratio (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio, VSWR) becomes larger, which requires the RF power amplifier to output a larger linear power to meet the RF indicators of the mobile terminal.

[0003] A balanced power amplifier (Balance PA) is a special power synthesis power amplifier that can achieve good VSWR for input and output signals in a wide range. Currently, existing balanced power amplifiers all use an orthogonal coupling network combined with an impedance matching circuit (e.g., an LC resonant circuit) to achieve their functions. However, the balanced power amplifier using the above structure has the problem of a narrow frequency band. Summary of the invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a power amplifier and a radio frequency front-end module.

[0005] According to the first aspect of the present application, an embodiment of the present application provides a power amplifier, which has a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal, and the power amplifier includes a first phase shift module, a power amplification module, a second phase shift module and a balun module. Among them, the first phase shift module is connected to the signal input terminal, and is used to output a pair of first RF signals, and the absolute value of the difference between the absolute value of the phase difference of the pair of first RF signals and 90 degrees is less than or equal to the first specified difference. The power amplification module is connected to the output terminal of the first phase shift module. The second phase shift module is connected to the output terminal of the power amplification module, and is used to output a pair of second RF signals, and the absolute value of the phase difference of the pair of second RF signals is less than or equal to the second specified difference. The balun module is connected between the second phase shift module and the signal output terminal, and the balun module is used to send a pair of second RF signals to the signal output terminal after current combination.

[0006] According to the second aspect of the present application, an embodiment of the present application also provides a radio frequency front-end module, which includes the above-mentioned power amplifier.

[0007] The present application provides a power amplifier and a radio frequency front-end module, wherein the power amplifier has a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal, wherein the power amplifier includes a first phase shift module, a power amplification module, a second phase shift module and a balun module. The first phase shift module is connected to the signal input terminal, the balun module is connected to the signal output terminal, and the power amplification module and the second phase shift module are sequentially connected between the first phase shift module and the balun module. Specifically, the first phase shift module is used to output a pair of first radio frequency signals with a signal phase difference of approximately 90 degrees or a signal phase difference of approximately -90 degrees, and the second phase shift module is used to convert a pair of first radio frequency signals after power amplification into a pair of second radio frequency signals with a signal phase difference of approximately 0 degrees. Therefore, the first phase shift module, the power amplification module and the second phase shift module constitute the basic framework of the power amplifier.

[0008] The balun module is used to convert a pair of second RF signals into one RF signal and then send it to the signal output end. Since the present application uses the balun module to combine the signals at the back end of the power amplifier, the frequency band of the power amplifier can be made wider. Therefore, in the case of a wider frequency band, the output power of the RF signal is greater and the output efficiency is higher, thereby improving the output performance of the RF signal. Furthermore, the balun module in the present application combines the second RF signal by current combining, so that the power amplifier has better signal balance performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the power amplifier provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A second structural schematic diagram of the power amplifier is shown.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The third structural schematic diagram of the power amplifier shown.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram of the first phase shifting unit in FIG.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Another structural schematic diagram of the first phase shifting unit in FIG.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A fourth structural schematic diagram of the power amplifier shown.

[0016] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of simulation results provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A fifth structural schematic diagram of the power amplifier is shown.

[0018] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A sixth structural schematic diagram of the power amplifier is shown.

[0019] Fig.10 It is a structural diagram of the RF front-end module provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0021] See also Figure 1 , an embodiment of the present application provides a power amplifier 100, the power amplifier 100 has a signal input terminal 12 and a signal output terminal 14, which may include a first phase shift module 10, a power amplification module 20, a second phase shift module 30 and a balun module 40. Among them, the first phase shift module 10 is connected to the signal input terminal 12, and is used to output a pair of first RF signals, and the absolute value of the difference between the absolute value of the phase difference of the pair of first RF signals and 90 degrees is less than or equal to the first specified difference. For example, the first specified difference may be greater than or equal to 0 degrees, and less than or equal to 10 degrees. Therefore, the first phase shift module 10 is used to output a pair of first RF signals with a signal phase difference of approximately 90 degrees or a signal phase difference of approximately -90 degrees.

[0022] The power amplifier module 20 is connected to the output end 110 of the first phase shift module 10, and is used to power amplify a pair of first RF signals output by the first phase shift module 10. The second phase shift module 30 is connected to the output end 210 of the power amplifier module 20, and is used to output a pair of second RF signals, and the absolute value of the phase difference between the pair of second RF signals is less than or equal to the second specified difference. For example, the second specified difference can be greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees. Therefore, the second phase shift module 30 is used to convert the pair of first RF signals after power amplification into a pair of second RF signals with a signal phase difference of approximately 0 degrees. The first phase shift module 10, the power amplifier module 20 and the second phase shift module 30 constitute the basic framework of the power amplifier 100.

[0023] The balun module 40 is connected between the output terminal 310 of the second phase shift module 30 and the signal output terminal 14, and the balun module 40 is used to combine a pair of second RF signals by current and then send them to the signal output terminal 14. Since the present application adopts the balun module 40 to combine at the back end of the power amplifier 100, the frequency band of the power amplifier 100 can be made wider. Therefore, in the case of a wider frequency band, the output power of the RF signal is greater and the output efficiency is higher, thereby improving the output performance of the RF signal. Furthermore, the balun module 40 in the present application combines the second RF signal by current combining, so that the power amplifier 100 has better signal balance performance.

[0024] The following is a detailed introduction to each module in the power amplifier 100.

[0025] The power amplifier 100 has a signal input terminal 12 and a signal output terminal 14, wherein the signal input terminal 12 is used to input a radio frequency signal sent from the outside to the power amplifier 100. The frequency of the radio frequency signal is determined by the communication device to which the radio frequency front-end module 200 is specifically applied. For example, if the communication device operates in the N77 frequency band, the frequency of the radio frequency signal may be 3.3 GHz to 4.2 GHz; if the communication device operates in the N78 frequency band, the frequency of the radio frequency signal may be 3.3 GHz to 3.8 GHz; if the communication device operates in the N79 frequency band, the frequency of the radio frequency signal may be 4.5 GHz to 5 GHz. This embodiment does not specifically limit the input signal of the signal input terminal 12. The signal output terminal 14 is used to send the radio frequency signal processed by the power amplifier 100 to the outside.

[0026] The power amplifier module 20 is connected to the output end 110 of the first phase shift module 10, and is used to amplify the power of a pair of first RF signals output by the first phase shift module 10. Figure 2The power amplifier module 20 includes a first power amplifier unit 250 and a second power amplifier unit 260, and the first power amplifier unit 250 and the second power amplifier unit 260 are respectively connected between the first phase shift module 10 and the second phase shift module 30. Among them, the first power amplifier unit 250 is used to amplify one RF signal in a pair of first RF signals, and the second power amplifier unit 260 is used to amplify the other RF signal in a pair of first RF signals. In some possible embodiments, the first power amplifier unit 250 and the second power amplifier unit 260 can be implemented by transistors respectively, for example, the first power amplifier unit 250 can be a first transistor, the second power amplifier unit 260 can be a second transistor, and the first transistor and the second transistor can be transistors with the same hardware parameters to improve the balance of signal output. Specifically, the first transistor and the second transistor can be bipolar junction transistors (Bipolar Junction Transistor, BJT), or metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor, MOSFET), and this embodiment does not limit the specific implementation of the power amplifier module 20.

[0027] The first phase shift module 10 is connected to the signal input terminal 12, and is used to output a pair of first RF signals, and the absolute value of the difference between the absolute value of the phase difference of the pair of first RF signals and 90 degrees is less than or equal to the first specified difference. Wherein, the first specified difference may be greater than or equal to 0 degrees, and less than or equal to 10 degrees. Exemplarily, the first specified difference may be 0 degrees, 2 degrees, 4 degrees, 6 degrees, 8 degrees, 10 degrees, and so on. It can be understood here that, ideally, the first specified difference is 0 degrees, at which time, the first phase shift module 10 outputs a pair of first RF signals with a signal phase difference of 90 degrees or a signal phase difference of -90 degrees. Therefore, the power amplifier 100 in this embodiment is a balanced power amplifier.

[0028] In some possible embodiments, the first phase shift module 10 may include a first phase shift unit 150, which is used to shift the phase of the RF signal by a first specified value, and the absolute value of the difference between the absolute value of the first specified value and 90 degrees is less than or equal to a third specified difference. The third specified difference may be greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees. Exemplarily, the third specified difference may be 0 degrees, 2 degrees, 4 degrees, 6 degrees, 8 degrees, 10 degrees, and the like. It can be understood here that, ideally, the third specified difference is 0 degrees, and at this time, the first specified value is 90 degrees or -90 degrees. When the first specified value is 90 degrees, the phase of the RF signal output by the first phase shift unit 150 will lead the phase of the RF signal input by the first phase shift unit 150 by 90 degrees; when the first specified value is -90 degrees, the phase of the RF signal output by the first phase shift unit 150 will lag the phase of the RF signal input by the first phase shift unit 150 by 90 degrees.

[0029] Specifically, in Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the first phase shift unit 150 is connected between the input end of the first power amplifying unit 250 and the signal input end 12, and the input end of the second power amplifying unit 260 is directly connected to the signal input end 12. Therefore, when the first specified value is 90 degrees, the phase of the RF signal input to the first power amplifying unit 250 will lead the phase of the RF signal input to the second power amplifying unit 260 by 90 degrees. When the first specified value is -90 degrees, the phase of the RF signal input to the first power amplifying unit 250 will lag the phase of the RF signal input to the second power amplifying unit 260 by 90 degrees. For other possible embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 , the first phase shift unit 150 is connected between the input end of the second power amplifying unit 260 and the signal input end 12, and the input end of the first power amplifying unit 250 is directly connected to the signal input end 12. Therefore, the first phase shift module 10 in this embodiment can output a pair of first RF signals with a signal phase difference of 90 degrees or a signal phase difference of -90 degrees through a single phase shift unit, which simplifies the circuit structure of the power amplifier 100 and reduces the hardware cost of the power amplifier 100.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first phase shifting unit 150 may be a T-type phase shifter. Figure 2 and Figure 4, the first phase shift unit 150 may include a first inductor L1, a second inductor L2 and a first capacitor C1. The first inductor L1 and the second inductor L2 are connected in series and connected between the input terminal of the first power amplification unit 250 and the signal input terminal 12. One end of the first capacitor C1 is connected to the common terminal between the first inductor L1 and the second inductor L2, and the other end is grounded. Specifically, the first inductor L1, the second inductor L2 and the first capacitor C1 can be determined according to the first specified value corresponding to the first phase shift unit 150, and this embodiment does not specifically limit it.

[0031] In some other possible embodiments, the first phase shift unit 150 may be a Π-type phase shifter. Figure 2 and Figure 5 , the first phase shift unit 150 may include a third inductor L3, a second capacitor C2 and a third capacitor C3. The third inductor L3 is connected between the input terminal of the first power amplification unit 250 and the signal input terminal 12. One end of the second capacitor C2 is connected to the input terminal of the first power amplification unit 250, and the other end is grounded. One end of the third capacitor C3 is connected to the signal input terminal 12, and the other end is grounded. Specifically, the third inductor L3, the second capacitor C2 and the third capacitor C3 can be determined according to the first specified value corresponding to the first phase shift unit 150, and this embodiment does not specifically limit it.

[0032] In some possible embodiments, the first phase shift module 10 may include a second phase shift unit 160 and a third phase shift unit 170, the second phase shift unit 160 is used to shift the phase of the RF signal by a second specified value, and the third phase shift unit 170 is used to shift the phase of the RF signal by a third specified value. The absolute value of the difference between the second specified value and the third specified value is the first difference, and the absolute value of the difference between the first difference and 90 degrees is less than or equal to the fourth specified difference. The fourth specified difference may be greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees. Exemplarily, the fourth specified difference may be 0 degrees, 2 degrees, 4 degrees, 6 degrees, 8 degrees, 10 degrees, and the like. It can be understood here that, ideally, the fourth specified difference is 0 degrees, and at this time, the first difference is 90 degrees. In some possible embodiments, the second specified value may be 30 degrees, the third specified value may be -60 degrees, the phase of the RF signal output by the second phase shift unit 160 may lead the phase of the RF signal input by the second phase shift unit 160 by 30 degrees, and the phase of the RF signal output by the third phase shift unit 170 may lag the phase of the RF signal input by the third phase shift unit 170 by 60 degrees. In other possible embodiments, the second specified value may be -45 degrees, the third specified value may be 45 degrees, and this embodiment does not specifically limit the second specified value and the third specified value.

[0033] See also Figure 6, the second phase shift unit 160 is connected between the input end of the first power amplification unit 250 and the signal input end 12, and the third phase shift unit 170 is connected between the input end of the second power amplification unit 260 and the signal input end 12. Exemplarily, when the second specified value is 30 degrees and the third specified value is -60 degrees, the phase of the RF signal input to the first power amplification unit 250 will lead the phase of the RF signal input to the second power amplification unit 260 by 90 degrees. When the second specified value is -45 degrees and the third specified value is 45 degrees, the phase of the RF signal input to the first power amplification unit 250 will lag the phase of the RF signal input to the second power amplification unit 260 by 90 degrees.

[0034] Specifically, the second phase shifting unit 160 may be a T-type phase shifter or a Π-type phase shifter, and the third phase shifting unit 170 may be a T-type phase shifter or a Π-type phase shifter. The specific structures of the second phase shifting unit 160 and the third phase shifting unit 170 may refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The related introduction about the structure of the first phase shift unit 150 is not repeated here. The first phase shift module 10 in this embodiment can make the circuit structure of the power amplifier 100 more symmetrical by setting the second phase shift unit 160 and the third phase shift unit 170, thereby improving the balance of the signal output. In addition, by setting two phase shift units, it is more convenient for R&D personnel to adjust hardware parameters, thereby improving the accuracy of phase adjustment.

[0035] The second phase shift module 30 is connected to the output end 210 of the power amplifier module 20, and is used to output a pair of second RF signals, and the absolute value of the phase difference between the pair of second RF signals is less than or equal to the second specified difference. Among them, the second specified difference can be greater than or equal to 0 degrees, and less than or equal to 10 degrees. Exemplarily, the second specified difference can be 0 degrees, 2 degrees, 4 degrees, 6 degrees, 8 degrees, 10 degrees, etc. It can be understood here that, ideally, the second specified difference is 0 degrees, at which time, the second phase shift module 30 outputs a pair of second RF signals with a signal phase difference of 0 degrees. Since there is a phase difference of 90 degrees or -90 degrees between the pair of first RF signals input by the power amplifier module 20, there is also a phase difference of 90 degrees or -90 degrees in the RF signal output by the power amplifier module 20. The second phase shift module 30 is used to eliminate the phase difference in the above-mentioned RF signal, so that the subsequent balun module 40 can smoothly combine the two RF signals.

[0036] In some possible embodiments, the second phase shift module 30 may include a fourth phase shift unit 350, which is used to shift the phase of the radio frequency signal by a fourth specified value, and the absolute value of the difference between the absolute value of the fourth specified value and 90 degrees is less than or equal to the fifth specified difference. The fifth specified difference may be greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees. Exemplarily, the fifth specified difference may be 0 degrees, 2 degrees, 4 degrees, 6 degrees, 8 degrees, 10 degrees, and so on. It can be understood here that, ideally, the fifth specified difference is 0 degrees, and at this time, the fourth specified value is 90 degrees or -90 degrees. When the fourth specified value is 90 degrees, the phase of the radio frequency signal output by the fourth phase shift unit 350 will lead the phase of the radio frequency signal input by the fourth phase shift unit 350 by 90 degrees; when the fourth specified value is -90 degrees, the phase of the radio frequency signal output by the fourth phase shift unit 350 will lag the phase of the radio frequency signal input by the fourth phase shift unit 350 by 90 degrees.

[0037] Specifically, in Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth phase shift unit 350 is connected between the output end of the first power amplification unit 250 and the balun module 40, and the output end of the second power amplification unit 260 is directly connected to the balun module 40. It should be noted here that the fourth specified value corresponding to the fourth phase shift unit 350 needs to be determined according to the phase of the RF signal specifically output by the first power amplification unit 250 and the second power amplification unit 260. If the phase of the RF signal output by the first power amplification unit 250 leads the phase of the RF signal output by the second power amplification unit 260 by 90 degrees, the fourth specified value is -90 degrees. Conversely, if the phase of the RF signal output by the first power amplification unit 250 lags the phase of the RF signal output by the second power amplification unit 260 by 90 degrees, the fourth specified value is 90 degrees.

[0038] For some other possible embodiments, see Figure 3 , the fourth phase shift unit 350 is connected between the output end of the second power amplification unit 260 and the balun module 40, and the output end of the first power amplification unit 250 is directly connected to the balun module 40. Therefore, the second phase shift module 30 in this embodiment can output a pair of second RF signals with a signal phase difference of 0 degrees through a single phase shift unit, which simplifies the circuit structure of the power amplifier 100 and reduces the hardware cost of the power amplifier 100.

[0039] Specifically, the fourth phase shifting unit 350 may be a T-type phase shifter or a Π-type phase shifter. The specific structure of the fourth phase shifting unit 350 may refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The related introduction about the structure of the first phase shifting unit 150 is not repeated here.

[0040] In some possible embodiments, the second phase shift module 30 may include a fifth phase shift unit 360 and a sixth phase shift unit 370, the fifth phase shift unit 360 is used to shift the phase of the radio frequency signal by a fifth specified value, and the sixth phase shift unit 370 is used to shift the phase of the radio frequency signal by a sixth specified value. Wherein, the absolute value of the difference between the fifth specified value and the sixth specified value is the second difference, and the absolute value of the difference between the second difference and 90 degrees is less than or equal to the sixth specified difference. Wherein, the sixth specified difference may be greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees. Exemplarily, the sixth specified difference may be 0 degrees, 2 degrees, 4 degrees, 6 degrees, 8 degrees, 10 degrees, and so on. It can be understood here that, ideally, the sixth specified difference is 0 degrees, at which time the second difference is 90 degrees. In some possible embodiments, the fifth specified value may be 30 degrees, and the sixth specified value may be -60 degrees. In other possible embodiments, the fifth specified value may be -45 degrees, and the sixth specified value may be 45 degrees. This embodiment does not specifically limit the fifth specified value and the sixth specified value.

[0041] See also Figure 6 , the fifth phase shift unit 360 is connected between the output end of the first power amplification unit 250 and the balun module 40, and the sixth phase shift unit 370 is connected between the output end of the second power amplification unit 260 and the balun module 40. It should be noted here that the fifth specified value corresponding to the fifth phase shift unit 360 and the sixth specified value corresponding to the sixth phase shift unit 370 need to be determined according to the phase of the RF signal specifically output by the first power amplification unit 250 and the second power amplification unit 260. If the phase of the RF signal output by the first power amplification unit 250 leads the phase of the RF signal output by the second power amplification unit 260 by 90 degrees, the fifth specified value is less than the sixth specified value. For example, the fifth specified value may be -45 degrees, and the sixth specified value may be 45 degrees. If the phase of the RF signal output by the first power amplification unit 250 lags the phase of the RF signal output by the second power amplification unit 260 by 90 degrees, the fifth specified value is greater than the sixth specified value. For example, the fifth specified value may be 45 degrees, and the sixth specified value may be -45 degrees.

[0042] Specifically, the fifth phase shifting unit 360 may be a T-type phase shifter or a Π-type phase shifter, and the sixth phase shifting unit 370 may be a T-type phase shifter or a Π-type phase shifter. The specific structures of the fifth phase shifting unit 360 and the sixth phase shifting unit 370 may refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5The relevant introduction about the structure of the first phase shift unit 150 is not repeated here. The second phase shift module 30 in this embodiment can make the circuit structure of the power amplifier 100 more symmetrical by setting the fifth phase shift unit 360 and the sixth phase shift unit 370, thereby improving the balance of the signal output. In addition, by setting two phase shift units, it is more convenient for R&D personnel to adjust hardware parameters, thereby improving the accuracy of phase adjustment.

[0043] It should be noted that the first phase shift module 10 and the second phase shift module 30 are two independent modules, and the specific implementation methods of the first phase shift module 10 and the second phase shift module 30 can be freely combined into other embodiments. Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 In any implementation method, the second phase shift module 30 can be implemented by Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 Any one of the implementations.

[0044] The balun module 40 is connected between the second phase shift module 30 and the signal output terminal 14. The balun module 40 is used to combine the second RF signals and send them to the signal output terminal 14. The R&D personnel found through simulation experiments that the balun module 40 can make the frequency band of the power amplifier 100 wider by combining the signals at the back end of the power amplifier 100. Figure 7 , Figure 7 A schematic diagram of simulation results is shown, where Figure 7 The curve 81 in FIG. 8 is a simulation result curve of the power amplifier 100 using a balun for combining at the back end, and the curve 82 is a simulation result curve of the power amplifier 100 using an LC matching circuit for combining at the back end. The horizontal axis of the simulation result curve is the frequency, and the vertical axis is the signal output power. Figure 7 It is not difficult to find that, in the case of balun combining, the bandwidth of the RF signal is greater than the bandwidth of the RF signal in the case of LC matching circuit combining. In addition, for RF signals of different frequencies, in the case of balun combining, the signal output power of the power amplifier 100 is greater than the signal output power of the power amplifier 100 in the case of LC matching circuit combining. Furthermore, since the signal output power and the signal output efficiency are roughly positively correlated, therefore, for RF signals of different frequencies, in the case of balun combining, the signal output efficiency of the power amplifier 100 is also greater than the signal output efficiency of the power amplifier 100 in the case of LC matching circuit combining.

[0045] In this embodiment, the balun module 40 may include a first balun unit 410 and a second balun unit 420, wherein the first balun unit 410 is connected between the first output terminal of the second phase shift module 30 and the signal output terminal 14, and the second balun unit 420 is connected between the second output terminal of the second phase shift module 30 and the signal output terminal 14. Specifically, the first balun unit 410 is configured to perform impedance matching on one signal in a pair of second RF signals; and the second balun unit 420 is configured to perform impedance matching on the other signal in a pair of second RF signals. Therefore, each signal in a pair of second RF signals is individually provided with a corresponding balun unit for impedance matching, which can avoid interference between RF signals and improve the balance performance of signal output.

[0046] See also Figure 8 , the first primary end 4101 of the first balun unit 410 is connected to the first output end 3100 of the second phase shift module 30, and the first primary end 4201 of the second balun unit 420 is connected to the second output end 3110 of the second phase shift module 30. The second primary end 4105 of the first balun unit 410 and the second primary end 4205 of the second balun unit 420 are grounded. The first secondary end 4103 of the first balun unit 410 is connected to the second primary end 4203 of the second balun unit 420 to form a common end 16, and the common end 16 is connected to the signal output end 14. The second secondary end 4107 of the first balun unit 410 and the second secondary end 4207 of the second balun unit 420 are grounded. In some other possible embodiments, the second primary end 4105 of the first balun unit 410 and the second primary end 4205 of the second balun unit 420 may also be connected to a power supply port, which may provide a power supply voltage (Volt Current Condenser, VCC) to the first balun unit 410 and the second balun unit 420 .

[0047] Therefore, the RF signal output from the first output terminal 3100 is output from the first secondary terminal 4103 of the first balun unit 410 after the current conversion operation of the first balun unit 410, and the RF signal output from the second output terminal 3110 is output from the second primary terminal 4203 of the second balun unit 420 after the current conversion operation of the second balun unit 420, that is, each signal in a pair of second RF signals is processed by the corresponding balun unit and then current combined at the common terminal 16, thereby avoiding interference between the two RF signals before combining, and improving the balance performance of the signal output. Specifically, in order to ensure the balance performance of the signal output, the first balun unit 410 and the second balun unit 420 can be two balun units with the same hardware parameters.

[0048] In some possible embodiments, see Fig. 9, the balun module 40 may include a first primary side portion 430, a second primary side portion 440 and a secondary side portion 450. Among them, one end of the first primary side portion 430 is connected to the first output end of the second phase shift module 30, and the other end is grounded. One end of the second primary side portion 440 is connected to the second output end of the second phase shift module 30, and the other end is grounded. The first primary side portion 430 and the second primary side portion 440 are respectively located on both sides of the secondary side portion 450, and are respectively coupled and connected to the secondary side portion 450. One end of the secondary side portion 450 is connected to the signal output terminal 14, and the other end is grounded. Specifically, the first primary side portion 430 and the secondary side portion 450 are configured to perform impedance matching on one signal in a pair of second RF signals, and the second primary side portion 440 and the secondary side portion 450 are configured to perform impedance matching on the other signal in a pair of second RF signals.

[0049] Therefore, the RF signal outputted by the first output terminal 3100 is directly outputted from the secondary side portion 450 after the current conversion operation of the first primary side portion 430 and the secondary side portion 450, and the RF signal outputted by the second output terminal 3110 is directly outputted from the secondary side portion 450 after the current conversion operation of the second primary side portion 440 and the secondary side portion 450, that is, the two RF signals complete the current combination at the same end of the secondary side portion 450. Since the two signals can be directly combined at the same end of the secondary side portion 450 and then outputted, the balance performance of the signal output is improved. In addition, the first primary side portion 430 and the second primary side portion 440 can share the same secondary side portion 450, thereby saving the hardware cost of the power amplifier 100. Specifically, in order to ensure the balance performance of the signal output, the first primary side portion 430 and the second primary side portion 440 can be two coils with the same hardware parameters.

[0050] It should be noted that in the second phase shift module 30, Figure 2 In the case of the structure shown in FIG. 1 , the first output end 3100 is the output end of the fourth phase shift unit 350, and the second output end 3110 is the output end of the second power amplification unit 260. Figure 3 In the case of the structure shown in FIG. 1 , the first output end 3100 is the output end of the first power amplifying unit 250, and the second output end 3110 is the output end of the fourth phase shifting unit 350. Figure 6 In the case of the structure shown, the first output end 3100 is the output end of the fifth phase shift unit 360 , and the second output end 3110 is the output end of the sixth phase shift unit 370 .

[0051] See also Fig.10, the embodiment of the present application provides a power amplifier 100 and a radio frequency front-end module 200 provided with the power amplifier 100. Among them, the radio frequency front-end module 200 is a component that integrates two or more discrete devices such as a radio frequency switch, a low noise amplifier, a filter, a duplexer, a power amplifier, etc. into an independent module, thereby improving the integration and hardware performance of the radio frequency front-end module 200 and miniaturizing its size. Specifically, the radio frequency front-end module 200 can be applied to 4G and 5G communication devices such as smart phones, tablet computers, and smart watches.

[0052] The power amplifier 100 in the RF front-end module 200 may have a signal input terminal 12 and a signal output terminal 14, and the power amplifier 100 may include a first phase shift module 10, a power amplifier module 20, a second phase shift module 30 and a balun module 40. Among them, the first phase shift module 10 is connected to the signal input terminal 12, and is used to output a pair of first RF signals, and the absolute value of the difference between the absolute value of the phase difference of the pair of first RF signals and 90 degrees is less than or equal to the first specified difference. The power amplifier module 20 is connected to the output terminal 110 of the first phase shift module 10. The second phase shift module 30 is connected to the output terminal 210 of the power amplifier module 20, and is used to output a pair of second RF signals, and the absolute value of the phase difference of the pair of second RF signals is less than or equal to the second specified difference. The first phase shift module 10, the power amplifier module 20 and the second phase shift module 30 constitute the basic framework of the power amplifier 100.

[0053] The balun module 40 is connected between the output terminal 310 of the second phase shift module 30 and the signal output terminal 14, and the balun module 40 is used to combine a pair of second RF signals by current and then send them to the signal output terminal 14. Since the present application adopts the balun module 40 to combine at the back end of the power amplifier 100, the frequency band of the power amplifier 100 can be made wider. Therefore, in the case of a wider frequency band, the output power of the RF signal is greater and the output efficiency is higher, thereby improving the output performance of the RF signal. Furthermore, the balun module 40 in the present application combines the second RF signal by current combining, so that the power amplifier 100 has better signal balance performance.

[0054] In the specification of this application, certain words are used to refer to specific components in the specification and claims. Those skilled in the art should understand that hardware manufacturers may use different terms to refer to the same component. The specification and claims do not use the difference in name as a way to distinguish components, but use the difference in function of the components as the criterion for distinction. For example, "including" mentioned throughout the specification and claims is an open term, so it should be interpreted as "including but not limited to"; "substantially" means that those skilled in the art can solve technical problems within a certain error range and basically achieve technical effects.

[0055] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", and "inside" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are merely simplified descriptions for the convenience of describing the present application. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0056] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, it can be internal communication between two elements, or it can be only surface contact. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0057] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0058] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0059] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A power amplifier, It is characterized in that Having a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal, the power amplifier comprises: A first phase shift module, connected to the signal input end, and configured to output a pair of first radio frequency signals, wherein an absolute value of a difference between an absolute value of a phase difference of the pair of first radio frequency signals and 90 degrees is less than or equal to a first specified difference; A power amplification module, connected to the output end of the first phase shift module; A second phase shift module, connected to the output end of the power amplification module, for outputting a pair of second RF signals, wherein the absolute value of the phase difference between the pair of second RF signals is less than or equal to a second specified difference; and A balun module is connected between the second phase shift module and the signal output end, and is used for performing current combining on the pair of second radio frequency signals and then sending them to the signal output end.

2. The power amplifier according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The balun module includes a first balun unit and a second balun unit, the first balun unit is connected between the first output end of the second phase shift module and the signal output end, and the second balun unit is connected between the second output end of the second phase shift module and the signal output end.

3. The power amplifier according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The first balun unit is configured to perform impedance matching on one signal of the pair of second RF signals; and the second balun unit is configured to perform impedance matching on the other signal of the pair of second RF signals.

4. The power amplifier according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The first primary end of the first balun unit is connected to the first output end of the second phase shift module, and the first primary end of the second balun unit is connected to the second output end of the second phase shift module; The second primary end of the first balun unit and the second primary end of the second balun unit are grounded, or the second primary end of the first balun unit and the second primary end of the second balun unit are connected to a power supply port; The first secondary end of the first balun unit is connected to the second primary end of the second balun unit to form a common end, and the common end is connected to the signal output end; The second secondary end of the first balun unit and the second secondary end of the second balun unit are grounded.

5. The power amplifier according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The balun module includes a first primary side, a second primary side and a secondary side; One end of the first primary side is connected to the first output end of the second phase shift module, and the other end is grounded; One end of the second primary side is connected to the second output end of the second phase shift module, and the other end is grounded; The first primary side portion and the second primary side portion are respectively located at two sides of the secondary side portion, and are respectively coupled to the secondary side portion; One end of the secondary side portion is connected to the signal output end, and the other end is grounded.

6. The power amplifier according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The first primary side and the secondary side are configured to perform impedance matching on one signal of the pair of second RF signals; the second primary side and the secondary side are configured to perform impedance matching on the other signal of the pair of second RF signals.

7. The power amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, It is characterized in that The power amplification module includes a first power amplification unit and a second power amplification unit, and the first power amplification unit and the second power amplification unit are respectively connected between the first phase shift module and the second phase shift module.

8. The power amplifier according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The first phase shift module includes a first phase shift unit, and the first phase shift unit is used to shift the phase of the radio frequency signal by a first specified value, and the absolute value of the difference between the absolute value of the first specified value and 90 degrees is greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees; The first phase shifting unit is connected between the input end of the first power amplifying unit and the signal input end; or The first phase shifting unit is connected between the input end of the second power amplifying unit and the signal input end.

9. The power amplifier according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The first phase shift module includes a second phase shift unit and a third phase shift unit, the second phase shift unit is used to shift the phase of the radio frequency signal by a second specified value, and the third phase shift unit is used to shift the phase of the radio frequency signal by a third specified value; the absolute value of the difference between the second specified value and the third specified value is a first difference, and the absolute value of the difference between the first difference and 90 degrees is greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees; The second phase shifting unit is connected between the input end of the first power amplifying unit and the signal input end, and the third phase shifting unit is connected between the input end of the second power amplifying unit and the signal input end.

10. The power amplifier according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The second phase shift module includes a fourth phase shift unit, and the fourth phase shift unit is used to shift the phase of the radio frequency signal by a fourth specified value, and the absolute value of the difference between the absolute value of the fourth specified value and 90 degrees is greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees; The fourth phase shifting unit is connected between the output end of the first power amplifying unit and the balun module; or The fourth phase shifting unit is connected between the output end of the second power amplifying unit and the balun module.

11. The power amplifier according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The second phase shift module includes a fifth phase shift unit and a sixth phase shift unit, the fifth phase shift unit is used to shift the phase of the radio frequency signal by a fifth specified value, and the sixth phase shift unit is used to shift the phase of the radio frequency signal by a sixth specified value; the absolute value of the difference between the fifth specified value and the sixth specified value is a second difference, and the absolute value of the difference between the second difference and 90 degrees is greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees; The fifth phase shifting unit is connected between the output end of the first power amplifying unit and the balun module, and the sixth phase shifting unit is connected between the output end of the second power amplifying unit and the balun module.

12. The power amplifier according to any one of claims 8 to 11, It is characterized in that The phase shifting unit included in the first phase shifting module is a T-type phase shifter or a Π-type phase shifter; or / and The phase shifting unit included in the second phase shifting module is a T-type phase shifter or a Π-type phase shifter.

13. The power amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 11, It is characterized in that The first designated difference is greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees; the second designated difference is greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees.

14. A radio frequency front-end module, It is characterized in that A power amplifier comprising any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images