Single-ended power supply asymmetric four-path output power synthesis circuit

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of semiconductor integrated circuit design, and particularly relates to a single-ended power supply asymmetric four-path output power synthesis circuit, which adopts a single power supply to supply power, and comprises a power amplifier unit module for amplifying a power signal; the first combining module is connected with the power amplifier unit module and is used for combining the output of the power amplifier unit module into a first-stage synthesis output X1 and a first-stage synthesis output X2; the second combining module is connected with the first combining module and is used for synthesizing the first-stage synthesis output X1 and the first-stage synthesis output X2 into second-stage output; the matching network is used for receiving the second-stage output and outputting the second-stage output after processing; based on an impedance conversion matching synthesis technology, a four-path two-stage synthesis architecture is adopted, and a single power supply is adopted for power supply.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of semiconductor integrated circuit design, and in particular relates to a single-ended power supply asymmetric 4-way output power synthesis circuit. Background Art

[0002] The power amplifier is one of the indispensable key components in wireless communication, radar, satellite and other communication systems; its main function is to amplify and transmit the radio frequency signal. The output power of the power amplifier determines the signal strength and signal quality of the system; therefore, power synthesis technology is usually used in the design of power amplification to achieve greater power output. Power synthesis technology is divided into transformer coupling power synthesis technology and impedance transformation matching synthesis technology. Transformer coupling technology is mainly used in Si-based process low-power MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) power amplifier chips; impedance transformation matching synthesis technology is widely used in III-V compound semiconductor process power amplifiers. The present invention mainly studies the impedance transformation matching synthesis technology.

[0003] With the rapid development of mobile communication systems, more and more power amplifier devices are integrated in the RF transceiver front end, which puts forward an urgent demand for compact size, complete communication functions and simplified RF front-end architecture; and the demand for miniaturization of equipment in radar, satellite and other communication systems also requires simpler and more compact power amplifier applications.

[0004] In many power amplifier application scenarios, the use of 4-way power synthesis technology can meet application requirements. Figure 1 The figure shows a traditional 4-way power amplifier output synthesis network. The power amplifier synthesis network is completely symmetrical, and the equivalent matching paths corresponding to each power amplifier output port to the final signal output port after synthesis are completely consistent. When used, power supplies and filter circuits need to be added to the upper and lower ends respectively, which has a significant impact on the miniaturization of the power amplifier module. If power is only added to the upper or lower end of the synthesis network structure, the signal phases of each amplifier unit will be inconsistent, which may easily cause the circuit to burn out, so this structure cannot be added with only one power supply. Therefore, designing and inventing a single-ended power supply 4-way output power synthesis network architecture has important engineering value. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a single-ended power supply asymmetric 4-way output power synthesis circuit, which is characterized by adopting a single power supply and comprising:

[0006] A power amplifier unit module, comprising power amplifier unit 1, power amplifier unit 2, power amplifier unit 3 and power amplifier unit 4; the power amplifier unit is used to amplify the power signal;

[0007] A first combining module, which includes a matching microstrip line module, a T-type microstrip matching line MT1, a T-type microstrip matching line MT2, an RC power supply filter circuit, a power supply choke microstrip line ML3, a pseudo power supply choke microstrip line ML6, a power supply connection microstrip line ML7 and a pseudo power supply filter capacitor C6; the first combining module is connected to the power amplifier unit module, and is used to combine the outputs of the power amplifier unit 1 and the power amplifier unit 2 into a first-stage synthesized output X1, and combine the outputs of the power amplifier unit 3 and the power amplifier unit 4 into a first-stage synthesized output X2;

[0008] A second combining module, comprising a first-stage to ground matching capacitor C1, a first-stage to ground matching capacitor C2, and a T-type microstrip matching line MT3; the second combining module is connected to the first combining module, and is used to combine the first-stage combined output X1 and the first-stage combined output X2 into a second-stage output;

[0009] A matching network includes a capacitor C3 and a capacitor C4; the matching network is connected to the second combining module and is used to receive the second stage output and process it for output.

[0010] Further, in the first combining module, the RC power supply filter circuit includes a resistor R1 and a capacitor C5, and the matching microstrip line module includes matching microstrip line ML1, matching microstrip line ML2, matching microstrip line ML4 and matching microstrip line ML5, and the specific connection relationship includes:

[0011] The output end of the power amplifier unit 1 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML1; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML1 is connected to one end of the power choke microstrip line ML3, and is also connected to port 1 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1; the other end of the power choke microstrip line ML3 is connected to one end of the capacitor C5 and the power supply VCC1; the other end of the capacitor C5 is connected to one end of the resistor R1, and the other end of the resistor R1 is grounded;

[0012] The output end of the power amplifier unit 2 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML2; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML2 is connected to one end of the power supply connection microstrip line ML7, and is also connected to port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1;

[0013] The output end of the power amplifier unit 3 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML4; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML4 is connected to the other end of the power supply connection microstrip line ML7, and is also connected to port 1 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2;

[0014] The output end of the power amplifier unit 4 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML5; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML5 is connected to one end of the pseudo power choke microstrip line ML6, and is also connected to port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2; the other end of the pseudo power choke microstrip line ML6 is connected to one end of the pseudo power filter capacitor C6, and the other end of the pseudo power filter capacitor C6 is grounded;

[0015] Among them, the power path is formed by the power choke microstrip line ML3, port 1 and port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1, the power connection microstrip line ML7, port 1 and port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2, the pseudo power choke microstrip line ML6 and the pseudo power filter capacitor C6 connected in series in sequence.

[0016] Further, the matching microstrip line ML1 , the matching microstrip line ML2 , the matching microstrip line ML4 , and the matching microstrip line ML5 are completely identical matching microstrip lines.

[0017] Further, the second combining module is connected to the first combining module, and specifically includes:

[0018] One end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C1 is connected to port 3 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1 and port 1 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT3; the other end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C1 is grounded;

[0019] One end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C2 is connected to port 3 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2 and port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT3; the other end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C2 is grounded.

[0020] Further, the matching network is connected to the second combining module, specifically comprising:

[0021] One end of the capacitor C3 is connected to the 3-port of the T-type microstrip matching line MT3 and is also connected to one end of the capacitor C4; the other end of the capacitor C3 is grounded; and the other end of the capacitor C4 serves as an output end.

[0022] Furthermore, the power amplifier unit 1, the power amplifier unit 2, the power amplifier unit 3 and the power amplifier unit 4 are the same power amplifiers and have the same input signals.

[0023] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0024] The present invention is based on impedance transformation matching synthesis technology, adopts a 4-way two-stage synthesis architecture, and is powered by a single power supply. This structure simplifies the power supply end filter circuit of the two middle amplification units, as well as the corresponding power choke microstrip line; compared with the traditional structure, it effectively reduces the number of circuit components and makes the circuit design more compact. Since the present invention uses a single-sided power supply, the circuit of the peripheral application can be simplified, and the application can also be more compact. At the same time, at the power supply RF filter end, the RC filter circuit at the end not connected to the power supply saves resistance; reducing the resistance can effectively increase the output power and efficiency; in addition, the filter capacitor can also compensate for the phase mismatch caused by the inconsistent signal path of the amplification unit. The present invention is particularly suitable for board-level microstrip matching circuits and microwave and millimeter-wave MMIC circuit designs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is the schematic diagram of the traditional 4-way power synthesis network;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a 4-way power synthesis network of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] The present invention provides a single-ended power supply asymmetric 4-way output power synthesis circuit, which adopts a two-time synthesis architecture and is powered by a single-ended power supply. Figure 2 As shown, including:

[0029] A power amplifier unit module, comprising power amplifier unit 1, power amplifier unit 2, power amplifier unit 3 and power amplifier unit 4; the power amplifier unit is used to amplify the power signal;

[0030] A first combining module, which includes a matching microstrip line module, a T-type microstrip matching line MT1, a T-type microstrip matching line MT2, an RC power supply filter circuit, a power supply choke microstrip line ML3, a pseudo power supply choke microstrip line ML6, a power supply connection microstrip line ML7 and a pseudo power supply filter capacitor C6; the first combining module is connected to the power amplifier unit module, and is used to combine the outputs of the power amplifier unit 1 and the power amplifier unit 2 into a first-stage synthesized output X1, and combine the outputs of the power amplifier unit 3 and the power amplifier unit 4 into a first-stage synthesized output X2;

[0031] A second combining module, comprising a first-stage to ground matching capacitor C1, a first-stage to ground matching capacitor C2, and a T-type microstrip matching line MT3; the second combining module is connected to the first combining module, and is used to combine the first-stage combined output X1 and the first-stage combined output X2 into a second-stage output;

[0032] A matching network includes a capacitor C3 and a capacitor C4; the matching network is connected to the second combining module and is used to receive the second stage output and process it for output.

[0033] Specifically, T-type microstrip matching lines MT1, MT2 and MT3 provide symmetrical signal combining paths and impedance matching functions for signal synthesis; each T-type microstrip matching line includes 3 ports, of which port 1 and port 2 are signal input ports, and port 3 is the signal output port after combining. The microstrip direct lines before the signal combining of the T-type microstrip matching line are completely symmetrical, and the microstrip lines after combining need to be designed in length, bandwidth, thickness, etc. according to different matching requirements; at the same time, they must also have the current capacity required to flow through the corresponding microstrip lines when the power amplifier unit is working.

[0034] Specifically, in the first combining module, the RC power supply filter circuit includes a resistor R1 and a capacitor C5, and the matching microstrip line module includes matching microstrip lines ML1, ML2, ML4 and ML5. The specific connection relationship includes:

[0035] The output end of the power amplifier unit 1 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML1; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML1 is connected to one end of the power choke microstrip line ML3, and is also connected to port 1 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1; the other end of the power choke microstrip line ML3 is connected to one end of the capacitor C5 and the power supply VCC1; the other end of the capacitor C5 is connected to one end of the resistor R1, and the other end of the resistor R1 is grounded;

[0036] The output end of the power amplifier unit 2 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML2; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML2 is connected to one end of the power supply connection microstrip line ML7, and is also connected to port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1;

[0037] The output end of the power amplifier unit 3 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML4; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML4 is connected to the other end of the power supply connection microstrip line ML7, and is also connected to port 1 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2;

[0038] The output end of the power amplifier unit 4 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML5; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML5 is connected to one end of the pseudo power choke microstrip line ML6, and is also connected to port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2; the other end of the pseudo power choke microstrip line ML6 is connected to one end of the pseudo power filter capacitor C6, and the other end of the pseudo power filter capacitor C6 is grounded;

[0039] Among them, the power path is formed by the power choke microstrip line ML3, port 1 and port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1, the power connection microstrip line ML7, port 1 and port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2, the pseudo power choke microstrip line ML6 and the pseudo power filter capacitor C6 connected in series in sequence.

[0040] Specifically, the matching microstrip line ML1 , the matching microstrip line ML2 , the matching microstrip line ML4 and the matching microstrip line ML5 are completely identical matching microstrip lines and have the current capacity required by the power amplifier unit when it is working.

[0041] Specifically, the power connection microstrip line ML7 only provides a power path; at the same time, it also has the current capacity required by the power amplifier units 3 and 4 when they are working.

[0042] Specifically, the RC power supply filter circuit ensures low-frequency stability and does not cause circuit oscillation. The pseudo power supply filter capacitor C6 is the ground of the RF signal to prevent high-frequency signal oscillation, and also plays a role in compensating the phase mismatch of the amplification unit; because there is no resistance in the path from C6 to the ground, the efficiency of the output power can be effectively improved.

[0043] Specifically, the second combining module is connected to the first combining module, and specifically includes:

[0044] One end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C1 is connected to port 3 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1 and port 1 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT3; the other end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C1 is grounded;

[0045] One end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C2 is connected to port 3 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2 and port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT3; the other end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C2 is grounded.

[0046] Specifically, the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C1 and the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C2 provide impedance matching function for the overall matching.

[0047] Specifically, the matching network is connected to the second combining module, and specifically includes:

[0048] One end of the capacitor C3 is connected to the 3-port of the T-type microstrip matching line MT3 and is also connected to one end of the capacitor C4; the other end of the capacitor C3 is grounded; and the other end of the capacitor C4 serves as an output end.

[0049] The matching network mainly provides impedance matching function and power signal DC isolation function; the specific structure of the matching network can adjust the type and number of matching components according to actual needs.

[0050] Specifically, power amplifier unit 1 , power amplifier unit 2 , power amplifier unit 3 and power amplifier unit 4 are the same power amplifiers, and have the same input signals.

[0051] The working principle of the circuit is as follows: the power signal is amplified by the power amplifier unit, and then the 4-way amplified signal is combined and output through the 4-way output power synthesis unit. The output signals of power amplifier unit 1 and power amplifier unit 2 pass through the microstrip lines ML1 and ML2 respectively and complete the first-level combination at the T-type microstrip line MT1; similarly, the output signals of power amplifier unit 3 and power amplifier unit 4 pass through the microstrip lines ML4 and ML5 respectively and complete the corresponding first-level combination at the T-type microstrip line MT2; then the two signals after the first combination pass through the matching capacitors C1 and C2 respectively and complete the second-level combination at the T-type microstrip line MT3; finally, they are output after passing through the matching network.

[0052] In a typical MMIC circuit embodiment, the circuit structure of the present invention is used to achieve a single power supply voltage of 5V, an output 1dB compression point greater than 30dBm within the operating frequency range of 14GHz to 18GHz, and an output power efficiency greater than 35%.

[0053] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly stipulated and limited, the terms such as "installation", "setting", "connection", "fixation" and "rotation" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral one; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. Unless otherwise clearly defined, ordinary technicians in this field can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0054] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A single-ended power supply asymmetric 4-way output power synthesis circuit, characterized in that: Powered by a single power supply, it includes: A power amplifier unit module, comprising power amplifier unit 1, power amplifier unit 2, power amplifier unit 3 and power amplifier unit 4; the power amplifier unit is used to amplify the power signal; A first combining module, which includes a matching microstrip line module, a T-type microstrip matching line MT1, a T-type microstrip matching line MT2, an RC power supply filter circuit, a power supply choke microstrip line ML3, a pseudo power supply choke microstrip line ML6, a power supply connection microstrip line ML7 and a pseudo power supply filter capacitor C6; the first combining module is connected to the power amplifier unit module, and is used to combine the outputs of the power amplifier unit 1 and the power amplifier unit 2 into a first-stage synthesized output X1, and combine the outputs of the power amplifier unit 3 and the power amplifier unit 4 into a first-stage synthesized output X2; A second combining module, comprising a first-stage to ground matching capacitor C1, a first-stage to ground matching capacitor C2, and a T-type microstrip matching line MT3; the second combining module is connected to the first combining module, and is used to combine the first-stage combined output X1 and the first-stage combined output X2 into a second-stage output; A matching network includes a capacitor C3 and a capacitor C4; the matching network is connected to the second combining module and is used to receive the second stage output and process it for output.

2. A single-ended power supply asymmetric 4-way output power synthesis circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the first combining module, the RC power supply filter circuit includes a resistor R1 and a capacitor C5, and the matching microstrip line module includes matching microstrip lines ML1, ML2, ML4 and ML5. The specific connection relationship includes: The output end of the power amplifier unit 1 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML1; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML1 is connected to one end of the power choke microstrip line ML3, and is also connected to port 1 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1; the other end of the power choke microstrip line ML3 is connected to one end of the capacitor C5 and the power supply VCC1; the other end of the capacitor C5 is connected to one end of the resistor R1, and the other end of the resistor R1 is grounded; The output end of the power amplifier unit 2 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML2; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML2 is connected to one end of the power supply connection microstrip line ML7, and is also connected to port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1; The output end of the power amplifier unit 3 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML4; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML4 is connected to the other end of the power supply connection microstrip line ML7, and is also connected to port 1 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2; The output end of the power amplifier unit 4 is connected to one end of the matching microstrip line ML5; the other end of the matching microstrip line ML5 is connected to one end of the pseudo power choke microstrip line ML6, and is also connected to port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2; the other end of the pseudo power choke microstrip line ML6 is connected to one end of the pseudo power filter capacitor C6, and the other end of the pseudo power filter capacitor C6 is grounded; Among them, the power path is formed by the power choke microstrip line ML3, port 1 and port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1, the power connection microstrip line ML7, port 1 and port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2, the pseudo power choke microstrip line ML6 and the pseudo power filter capacitor C6 connected in series in sequence.

3. A single-ended power supply asymmetric 4-way output power synthesis circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The matching microstrip line ML1 , the matching microstrip line ML2 , the matching microstrip line ML4 and the matching microstrip line ML5 are completely identical matching microstrip lines.

4. A single-ended power supply asymmetric 4-way output power synthesis circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second combining module is connected to the first combining module, and specifically includes: One end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C1 is connected to port 3 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT1 and port 1 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT3; the other end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C1 is grounded; One end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C2 is connected to port 3 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT2 and port 2 of the T-type microstrip matching line MT3; the other end of the first-stage to-ground matching capacitor C2 is grounded.

5. The single-ended power supply asymmetric 4-way output power synthesis circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The matching network is connected to the second combining module and specifically includes: One end of the capacitor C3 is connected to the 3-port of the T-type microstrip matching line MT3 and is also connected to one end of the capacitor C4; the other end of the capacitor C3 is grounded; and the other end of the capacitor C4 serves as an output end.

6. The single-ended power supply asymmetric 4-way output power synthesis circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: Power amplifier unit 1, power amplifier unit 2, power amplifier unit 3 and power amplifier unit 4 are the same power amplifiers and have the same input signal.

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