High-frequency module and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a high-frequency module and a communication device, which can improve the attenuation amount of stray waves and reduce the size. The high-frequency module includes a switch, a first filter, and a second filter. The switch has a common terminal and selection terminals (6b, 6c). The selection terminal (6b) is connected to the first communication path. The selection terminal (6c) is connected to the second communication path. The first filter is provided in the first communication path and has a passband including a first communication band and a second communication band. The second filter is provided in the second communication path and has a passband including a third communication frequency band. The third communication frequency band is partially overlapped with the first communication frequency band, and the third communication frequency band is not overlapped with the second communication frequency band. The switch can switch the first connection and the second connection. In the first connection, the common terminal is connected to the selection terminal (6b). In the second connection, the common terminal is connected to the selection terminal (6b), and the common terminal is connected to the selection terminal (6c).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a high-frequency module and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] The switch module described in Patent Document 1 includes an antenna switch, a first filter, a second filter, and an impedance load circuit. The antenna switch has a common terminal and a first selection terminal to a third selection terminal. The first filter allows a signal of a first frequency band to pass through. The first filter is connected between the first selection terminal of the antenna switch and a first receiving signal amplifier circuit. The second filter allows a signal of a second frequency band to pass through. The second filter is connected between the second selection terminal of the antenna switch and the second receiving signal amplifier circuit. The impedance load circuit is connected between the third selection terminal of the antenna switch and ground.

[0003] In the case of using both the first frequency band and the second frequency band for communication (i.e., CA (carrier aggregation)), the common terminal of the antenna switch is connected to the first selection terminal and the second selection terminal. That is, the common terminal of the antenna switch is connected to the communication path provided with the first filter and the communication path provided with the second filter. On the other hand, in the case of using only the first frequency band for communication (i.e., non-CA), the common terminal of the antenna switch is connected to the first selection terminal and the third selection terminal. That is, the common terminal of the antenna switch is connected to the communication path provided with the first filter and the path provided with the impedance load circuit. In this way, in non-CA, by connecting the communication path to the path provided with the impedance load circuit, the impedance characteristics of the communication path in non-CA are ensured to be equivalent to the impedance characteristics in CA. As a result, the transmission loss of the communication path can be reduced.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2017 / 073509 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] In the structure of Patent Document 1, the first filter passes only the signal of the first frequency band, and therefore, it is not envisaged that the passband of the first filter includes other frequency bands other than the first frequency band. Therefore, it is not envisaged that, in the case of non-CA, when the passband of the first filter includes other frequency bands other than the first frequency band, the attenuation of the spurious waves of the first frequency band accompanying the signals of the other frequency bands is improved.

[0009] Furthermore, since a dedicated path is provided for providing the impedance load circuit, it is difficult to reduce the size of the switch module accordingly.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a high-frequency module and a communication device capable of achieving both improvement in attenuation of stray waves and miniaturization.

[0011] Solutions for solving problems

[0012] A high-frequency module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a switch, a first communication path, a second communication path, a first filter, and a second filter. The switch has a common terminal, a first selection terminal, and a second selection terminal. The first communication path is connected to the first selection terminal. The second communication path is connected to the second selection terminal. The first filter is arranged on the first communication path and has a passband including a first communication frequency band and a second communication frequency band that are different from each other. The second filter is arranged on the second communication path and has a passband including a third communication frequency band. The third communication frequency band overlaps at least partially with the first communication frequency band, and the third communication frequency band does not overlap with the second communication frequency band. The switch is configured to switch between a first connection and a second connection. In the first connection, the common terminal is connected to the first selection terminal, and the common terminal is not connected to the second selection terminal. In the second connection, the common terminal is connected to the first selection terminal, and the common terminal is connected to the second selection terminal. The second communication frequency band and the third communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously.

[0013] A communication device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the high-frequency module and a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit is connected to the high-frequency module and performs signal processing on the high-frequency signal.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the high-frequency module and the communication device according to the present invention, there is an advantage that both improvement in the attenuation of spurious waves and miniaturization can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a configuration diagram of the high-frequency module and the communication device according to the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when the high-frequency module performs reception using the first communication frequency band.

[0017] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when the high-frequency module described above performs reception using the second communication frequency band.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a graph comparing the attenuation of spurious waves in the high-frequency module described above and in a comparative example.

[0019] Figure 4This is a configuration diagram of a high-frequency module and a communication device according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a configuration diagram of a high-frequency module and a communication device according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a configuration diagram of a high-frequency module and a communication device according to Embodiment 2, and is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation when transmission is performed using the first communication frequency band in the high-frequency module described above.

[0022] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when the high-frequency module described above performs transmission using the second communication frequency band. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] (Implementation Method 1)

[0024] The high-frequency module 1 and the communication device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] (1) Summary

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the high-frequency module 1 involved in embodiment 1 includes a switch 6, a first communication path L1, a second communication path L2, a first filter 7 and a second filter 8. The switch 6 has a common terminal 6a, a first selection terminal 6b and a second selection terminal 6c. The first communication path L1 is connected to the first selection terminal 6b. The second communication path L2 is connected to the second selection terminal 6c. The first filter 7 is arranged on the first communication path L1, and has a passband including a first communication frequency band and a second communication frequency band that are different from each other. The second filter 8 is arranged on the second communication path L2, and has a passband including a third communication frequency band. The third communication frequency band partially overlaps with the first communication frequency band, and the third communication frequency band does not overlap with the second communication frequency band. The switch 6 is configured to be able to switch between the first connection and the second connection. In the first connection, the common terminal 6a is connected to the first selection terminal 6b, and the common terminal 6a is not connected to the second selection terminal 6c. In the second connection, the common terminal 6a is connected to the first selection terminal 6b, and the common terminal 6a is connected to the second selection terminal 6c. The second communication frequency band and the third communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously.

[0027] According to this structure, when the switch 6 selects the second connection, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication (for example, reception), a part of the spurious waves of the first communication frequency band accompanying the signal of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication can be dispersed from the common terminal 6a to the second filter 8 side (the second communication path L2 side). In more detail, in the case of reception, the spurious waves contained in the received signal coming from the external terminal 5a to the common terminal 6a can be dispersed from the common terminal 6a to the first filter 7 side (the first communication path L1 side) and the second filter 8 side (the second communication path L2 side). Thus, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication, the switch 6 selects the second connection, thereby reducing the above-mentioned spurious waves accompanying the signal of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication. That is, the attenuation of the spurious waves accompanying the signal currently used for communication can be fully ensured. In addition, spurious waves (also called stray radio waves) refer to unnecessary radio waves radiated to the outside of the device when the device plays its original role and performance.

[0028] In addition, the communication path (i.e., the second communication path L2 provided with the second filter 8) used for communication in another communication frequency band (third communication frequency band) different from the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band is also used as a path for ensuring the attenuation of the above-mentioned stray waves as described above, so that the high-frequency module 1 can be miniaturized. According to the above, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation of stray waves and miniaturization.

[0029] (2) Structure of communication device

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the communication device 100 is a communication device having a high-frequency module 1. The communication device 100 is, for example, a portable terminal (e.g., a smart phone), but is not limited thereto, and may also be, for example, a wearable terminal (e.g., a smart watch). The high-frequency module 1 is, for example, a module that can support the 4G (fourth generation mobile communication) standard and the 5G (fifth generation mobile communication) standard. The 4G standard is, for example, the 3GPP (registered trademark, Third Generation Partnership Project) LTE standard (registered trademark, Long Term Evolution). The 5G standard is, for example, 5G NR (New Radio).

[0031] The communication device 100 includes a signal processing circuit 2 and an antenna 3 in addition to the high-frequency module 1 .

[0032] The high-frequency module 1 is configured to amplify a reception signal (high-frequency signal) received by the antenna 3 and output it to the signal processing circuit 2. In addition, the high-frequency module 1 may be configured to amplify a transmission signal (high-frequency signal) output from the signal processing circuit 2 and transmit it from the antenna 3. The high-frequency module 1 is controlled by the signal processing circuit 2, for example.

[0033] The signal processing circuit 2 is connected to the high frequency module 1 and is configured to perform signal processing on a reception signal output from the high frequency module 1. The signal processing circuit 2 may also be configured to perform signal processing on a transmission signal output to the high frequency module 1. The signal processing circuit 2 includes an RF (Radio Frequency) signal processing circuit 2a and a baseband signal processing circuit 2b.

[0034] The RF signal processing circuit 2a is, for example, an RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit), and performs signal processing on high-frequency signals (transmitting signals and receiving signals). The RF signal processing circuit 2a performs signal processing such as down-conversion on the receiving signal output from the high-frequency module 1 and outputs it to the baseband signal processing circuit 2b. In addition, the RF signal processing circuit 2a may also perform signal processing such as up-conversion on the transmitting signal output from the baseband signal processing circuit 2b and output it to the high-frequency module 1.

[0035] The baseband signal processing circuit 2b is, for example, a BBIC (Baseband Integrated Circuit). The baseband signal processing circuit 2b outputs the received signal output from the RF signal processing circuit 2a to the outside. The output signal (received signal) is used, for example, as an image signal for image display or as a sound signal for calls. In addition, the baseband signal processing circuit 2b can also generate a transmission signal based on the baseband signal (such as a sound signal and an image signal) input from the outside, and output the generated transmission signal to the RF signal processing circuit 2a.

[0036] (3) Structure of high-frequency module

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the high-frequency module 1 has multiple external terminals 5a~5d, a switch 6, a first filter 7, a second filter 8, a first low-noise amplifier 10 (first amplifier), a second low-noise amplifier 11 (second amplifier), matching circuits 13, 14 (first matching circuits), matching circuits 15, 16 (second matching circuits), a controller 19, a first communication path L1 and a second communication path L2.

[0038] The external terminal 5a is an antenna terminal connected to the antenna 3. The external terminals 5b and 5c are connected to the input section (not shown) of the signal processing circuit 2, and are output terminals for outputting the received signal processed by the high-frequency module 1 to the input section of the signal processing circuit 2. The external terminal 5d is connected to the signal output section (not shown) of the signal processing circuit 2, and is a signal input terminal for inputting a control signal for controlling the controller 19 from the signal processing circuit 2.

[0039] The switch 6 selects at least one signal path of the first communication path L1 and the second communication path L2, and connects the selected communication path to the antenna 3. The switch 6 operates according to a control signal from the controller 19. The switch 6 is, for example, a switch IC (Integrated Circuit). The switch 6 has a common terminal 6a, a first selection terminal 6b, and a second selection terminal 6c. The common terminal 6a can be selectively connected to at least one of the first selection terminal 6b and the second selection terminal 6c. The common terminal 6a is connected to the external terminal 5a. The first selection terminal 6b is connected to the first communication path L1. The second selection terminal 6c is connected to the second communication path L2.

[0040] In more detail, the switch 6 is configured to be able to switch between a first connection and a second connection. The first connection is a connection between the common terminal 6a and the first selection terminal 6b, and the common terminal 6a is not connected to the second selection terminal 6c. That is, in the first connection, the common terminal 6a is connected to the first selection terminal 6b, and the common terminal 6a is not connected to the second selection terminal 6c. The second connection is a connection between the common terminal 6a and the first selection terminal 6b and a connection between the common terminal 6a and the second selection terminal 6c. That is, in the second connection, the common terminal 6a is connected to both the first selection terminal 6b and the second selection terminal 6c.

[0041] The first communication path L1 is a communication path connecting the first selection terminal 6b with the external terminal 5b. In the first communication path L1, the output signal of the first selection terminal 6b is transmitted to the external terminal 5b. The second communication path L2 is a communication path connecting the second selection terminal 6c with the external terminal 5c. In the second communication path L2, the output signal of the second selection terminal 6c is transmitted to the external terminal 5c.

[0042] The first filter 7 is a receiving filter having a passband including a first communication frequency band and a second communication frequency band. The first communication frequency band is, for example, Band 41. Band 41 is a communication frequency band with a bandwidth of 2496 MHz to 2690 MHz. The second communication frequency band is a communication frequency band different from the first communication frequency band, for example, Band 53. Band 53 is a communication frequency band with a bandwidth of 2483.5 MHz to 2495 MHz. The second communication frequency band may also be adjacent to the stop band of one side of the first communication frequency band. The second communication frequency band may be larger than the first communication frequency band or smaller than the first communication frequency band. In addition, the second communication frequency band may also overlap with the first communication frequency band. Here, "the second communication frequency band overlaps with the first communication frequency band" means that a portion of the second communication frequency band overlaps with at least a portion of the first communication frequency band or at least a portion of the second communication frequency band overlaps with a portion of the first communication frequency band.

[0043] The first filter 7 is provided in the first communication path L1. That is, the first filter 7 is connected between the first selection terminal 6b of the switch 6 and the external terminal 5b.

[0044] The first filter 7 includes an input section 7a and an output section 7b. The input section 7a is connected to the first selection terminal 6b of the switch 6 via a matching circuit 13. The output section 7b is connected to the input section 10a of the first low noise amplifier 10 via a matching circuit 14. With respect to the input signal input to the input section 7a, the first filter 7 restricts the signal of the reception band of the first communication frequency band or the reception band of the second communication frequency band to pass through, and outputs the passed reception signal from the output section 7b.

[0045] The second filter 8 is a receiving filter having a passband including a third communication frequency band. At least a portion of the third communication frequency band overlaps with the first communication frequency band, and the third communication frequency band does not overlap with the second communication frequency band. The third communication frequency band is, for example, Band7Rx (receiving frequency band of Band7). Band7Rx is a communication frequency band with a bandwidth of 2620MHz to 2690MHz. The second filter 8 is provided in the second communication path L2. That is, the second filter 8 is connected between the second selection terminal 6c of the switch 6 and the external terminal 5c.

[0046] The second filter 8 has an input section 8a and an output section 8b. The input section 8a is connected to the second selection terminal 6c of the switch 6 via a matching circuit 15. The output section 8b is connected to the input section 11a of the second low noise amplifier 11 via a matching circuit 16. For the input signal input to the input section 8a, the second filter 8 restricts the signal of the reception band of the third communication frequency band to pass through, and outputs the passed reception signal from the output section 8b.

[0047] The first low noise amplifier 10 is connected between the output portion 7b of the first filter 7 and the external terminal 5b on the first communication path L1. The first low noise amplifier 10 has an input portion 10a and an output portion 10b. The input portion 10a is connected to the output portion 7b of the first filter 7 via a matching circuit 14. The output portion 10b is connected to the external terminal 5b. The first low noise amplifier 10 amplifies the received signal input to the input portion 10a, and outputs the amplified received signal from the output portion 10b to the external terminal 5b.

[0048] The second low noise amplifier 11 is connected between the output portion 8b of the second filter 8 and the external terminal 5c on the second communication path L2. The second low noise amplifier 11 has an input portion 11a and an output portion 11b. The input portion 11a is connected to the output portion 8b of the second filter 8 via a matching circuit 16. The output portion 11b is connected to the external terminal 5c. The second low noise amplifier 11 amplifies the received signal input to the input portion 11a, and outputs the amplified received signal from the output portion 11b to the external terminal 5c.

[0049] The matching circuit 13 is provided on the first communication path L1 between the first selection terminal 6b of the switch 6 and the first filter 7. The matching circuit 13 is a circuit for achieving impedance matching between the switch 6 and the first filter 7. The matching circuit 13 includes, for example, an inductor connected in series with the first communication path L1 or an inductor connected between the first communication path L1 and the ground.

[0050] The matching circuit 14 is provided on the first communication path L1 between the first filter 7 and the first low noise amplifier 10. The matching circuit 14 is a circuit for achieving impedance matching between the first filter 7 and the first low noise amplifier 10. The matching circuit 14 includes, for example, an inductor connected in series with the first communication path L1 or an inductor connected between the first communication path L1 and the ground.

[0051] The matching circuit 15 is provided on the second communication path L2 between the second selection terminal 6c of the switch 6 and the second filter 8. The matching circuit 15 is a circuit for achieving impedance matching between the switch 6 and the second filter 8. The matching circuit 15 includes, for example, an inductor connected in series with the second communication path L2 or an inductor connected between the second communication path L2 and the ground.

[0052] The matching circuit 16 is provided on the second communication path L2 between the second filter 8 and the second low noise amplifier 11. The matching circuit 16 is a circuit for achieving impedance matching between the second filter 8 and the second low noise amplifier 11. The matching circuit 16 includes, for example, an inductor connected in series with the second communication path L2 or an inductor connected between the second communication path L2 and the ground.

[0053] The controller 19 controls the electronic components (such as the switch 6, the first low-noise amplifier 10, and the second low-noise amplifier 11) of the high-frequency module 1 according to the control signal from the signal processing circuit 2. The controller 19 is electrically connected to the above-mentioned electronic components. In addition, the controller 19 is connected to the signal output unit of the signal processing circuit 2 via the external terminal 5d. The controller 19 controls the above-mentioned electronic components according to the control signal input from the signal output unit of the signal processing circuit 2 to the external terminal 5d.

[0054] (4) Action

[0055] The operation of the high frequency module 1 will be described. In Embodiment 1, it is assumed that the second communication band and the third communication band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously. Also, it is assumed that the first communication band and the second communication band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously.

[0056] (4-1) Operations when communicating (i.e., receiving) using the first communication frequency band

[0057] Reference Figure 1 Consider the case where the first communication frequency band is used for reception. In this case, since the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously as described above, the signal (received signal) used in the communication does not include the signal of the second communication frequency band.

[0058] In this case (when receiving using the first communication frequency band), the switch 6 is switched to the first connection. In the first connection, the common terminal 6a is connected only to the first selection terminal 6b of the first selection terminal 6b and the second selection terminal 6c. As a result, the receiving signal S1 received by the antenna 3 flows from the common terminal 6a to the first selection terminal 6b, but not to the second selection terminal 6c. Moreover, the receiving signal S1 flows from the first selection terminal 6b through the first communication path L1 and reaches the external terminal 5b. Therefore, the receiving signal S1 passes through the matching circuit 13, the first filter 7, the matching circuit 14 and the first low noise amplifier 10 in sequence. At this time, the receiving signal S1 is limited to the signals of the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band by the first filter 7. In more detail, in this case (when communicating using the first communication frequency band), since the receiving signal S1 does not include the signal of the second communication frequency band as a signal used in communication, the receiving signal S1 is limited to the signal of the first communication frequency band. Then, the receiving signal S1 is amplified by the first low noise amplifier 10. Then, the reception signal S1 is output from the external terminal 5 b to the signal processing circuit 2 .

[0059] In this operation description, it is assumed that the bandwidth of the second communication band is sufficiently smaller than the bandwidth of the first communication band. Under this assumption, the spurious waves of the second communication band accompanying the signal of the first communication band currently used for communication are small enough to be ignored.

[0060] In this way, when receiving using the first communication frequency band, the reception signal S1 limited to the signal of the first communication frequency band by the first filter 7 flows through the first communication path L1.

[0061] (4-2) Operations when communicating (e.g., receiving) using the second communication frequency band

[0062] Reference Figure 2 , consider the case where the second communication frequency band is used for reception. In this case, the switch 6 is switched to the second connection. In the second connection, the common terminal 6a is connected to both the first selection terminal 6b and the second selection terminal 6c. Thus, the reception signal S1 received by the antenna 3 can flow from the common terminal 6a to the first communication path L1 via the first selection terminal 6b, and at the same time, can flow from the common terminal 6a to the second communication path L2 via the second selection terminal 6c.

[0063] In addition, the third communication frequency band overlaps with the first communication frequency band at least in part, but the third communication frequency band does not overlap with the second communication frequency band. Therefore, the signal S2 of the second communication frequency band included in the received signal S1 can pass through the first filter 7 having a passband including the second communication frequency band, but cannot pass through the second filter 8 having a passband that does not include the second communication frequency band. Therefore, the signal S2 of the second communication frequency band included in the received signal S1 does not flow to the second filter 8 side (i.e., the second communication path L2) but flows to the first filter 7 side (i.e., the first communication path L1). Then, the received signal S1 is limited to the signal of the first communication frequency band and the signal of the second communication frequency band by the first filter 7 in the first communication path L1, and is amplified by the first low noise amplifier 10.

[0064] In addition, the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously. Therefore, in this case (when the second communication frequency band is used for communication), although the received signal S1 does not include the signal of the first communication frequency band as a signal used in communication, it may include the spurious wave S3 of the first communication frequency band. The spurious wave S3 of the first communication frequency band included in the received signal S1 can pass through the first filter 7 having a passband including the first communication frequency band and the second filter 8 having a passband including the third communication frequency band that overlaps at least a part with the first communication frequency band. Therefore, the spurious wave S3 of the first communication frequency band included in the received signal S1 flows to the first filter 7 side (i.e., the first communication path L1) and the second filter 8 side (i.e., the second communication path L2) dispersedly. That is, a part of the spurious wave S3 of the first communication frequency band included in the received signal S1 is dispersed to the second communication path L2, so the spurious wave S3 of the first communication frequency band included in the received signal S1 flowing through the first communication path L1 is reduced accordingly.

[0065] In this way, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication (i.e., reception), the signal S2 of the second communication frequency band contained in the received signal S1 flows only to the first communication path L1 of the first communication path L1 and the second communication path L2. On the other hand, the spurious wave S3 of the first communication frequency band contained in the received signal S1 flows dispersedly to both the first communication path L1 and the second communication path L2. Thus, the spurious wave S3 of the first communication frequency band flowing along with the signal S2 of the second communication frequency band in the first communication path L1 can be reduced. That is, the attenuation of the spurious wave S3 of the first communication frequency band accompanying the signal of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication can be fully ensured. In this way, the above-mentioned spurious wave accompanying the signal S2 of the second communication frequency band can be reduced, so the passband of the first filter 7 can be expanded to include the second communication frequency band.

[0066] (5) Interference wave of OOB blocking range 3 in the second communication frequency band

[0067] In the high frequency module 1, the interference wave of the OOB (OutOf Band) blocking Range 3 of the second communication frequency band (Band 53), which is the above-mentioned stray wave, can be reduced. When communicating using the communication standard of 3GPP, for example, when communicating using the second communication frequency band (Band 53), it is necessary to reduce the interference wave of the OOB blocking Range 3 of the second communication frequency band (Band 53) to a certain level.

[0068] In addition, interference waves (also called interference radio waves) are weak radio waves emitted from electronic devices, and are radio waves that interfere with the operation of other electronic devices and cause obstruction. Interference waves are radio waves of substantially the same type as the above-mentioned stray waves.

[0069] Here, the OOB blocking Range 3 of a certain communication frequency band (for example, the second communication frequency band) refers to the frequency range obtained by adding a prescribed frequency band (+85MHz to +12.75GMHz) to the upper limit frequency of a certain communication frequency band and the frequency range obtained by adding a prescribed frequency band (-12.75GMHz to -85MHz) to the lower limit frequency of a certain communication frequency band. That is, there is one of the above-mentioned Range 3 on the upper limit frequency side and the lower limit frequency side of a certain communication frequency band, so there are a total of two Range 3. In implementation mode 1, as described later, when the first communication frequency band (Band 41) and the second communication frequency band (Band 53) are co-banded, a part of the above-mentioned Range 3 of the second communication frequency band (more specifically, the Range 3 on the upper limit frequency side of the second communication frequency band) is included in the first communication frequency band, so it is necessary to study the reduction of interference waves contained in the above-mentioned Range 3 of the second communication frequency band. In addition, the above-mentioned "co-banding" refers to processing signals of multiple communication frequency bands using the same communication path.

[0070] In implementation mode 1, in the passband of the first filter 7, the low frequency side of the first communication frequency band (Band41) is extended to include the second communication frequency band (Band53). A portion of the above-mentioned Range3 of the second communication frequency band is included in the first communication frequency band (Band41). Therefore, the passband of the first filter 7 includes a portion of the above-mentioned Range3 of the second communication frequency band while including the second communication frequency band. Therefore, when the first filter 7 allows the signal of the second communication frequency band to pass, the interference wave of the above-mentioned Range3 of the second communication frequency band is also passed.

[0071] In contrast, in implementation mode 1, when communicating (i.e., receiving) using the second communication frequency band, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the switch 6 is connected as a second connection. That is, the common terminal 6a of the switch 6 is connected to the first communication path L1 (i.e., the communication path provided with the first filter 7) via the first selection terminal 6b, and at the same time, is also connected to the second communication path L2 (i.e., the communication path provided with the second filter 8) via the second selection terminal 6c. The second filter 8 has a passband including a third communication frequency band (Band7Rx). The third communication frequency band is a communication frequency band that overlaps at least partially with the first communication frequency band (Band41) but does not overlap with the second communication frequency band (Band53).

[0072] Therefore, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication, the interference wave of the above-mentioned Range 3 of the second communication frequency band flows to both the first communication path L1 and the second communication path L2 in a dispersed manner in the same manner as the above-mentioned stray waves. Thus, when the signal S2 of the second communication frequency band included in the received signal S1 flows to the first communication path L1, the interference wave of the above-mentioned Range 3 of the second communication frequency band flowing to the first communication path L1 can be reduced. That is, the attenuation of the interference wave of the above-mentioned Range 3 accompanying the second communication frequency band currently used for communication can be fully ensured. In this way, the interference wave of the above-mentioned Range 3 of the second communication frequency band (Band53) can be reduced, so the passband of the first filter 7 can be expanded to include the second communication frequency band.

[0073] (6) Supplementary description of Implementation Method 1

[0074] The description of Implementation 1 is supplemented. In Implementation 1, the second communication frequency band (Band53) is co-banded with the first communication frequency band (Band41) in the first filter 7. In Implementation 1, the passband of the first filter 7, which is the object of co-banding, includes the communication frequency band (Band41) as the first communication frequency band, which has a bandwidth of more than 85 MHz (Supplement 1). In addition, the first communication frequency band (Band41) includes the third communication frequency band (Band7Rx) included in the passband of the second filter 8, which is another filter other than the first filter 7 (Supplement 2). In addition, the third communication frequency band (Band7Rx) includes the frequency band of the above-mentioned Range3 of the second communication frequency band co-banded with the first communication frequency band (for example, a frequency band above 2581 MHz) (Supplement 3).

[0075] By supplementing 1 to 3, the passbands of both the first filter 7 and the second filter 8 can include the above-mentioned Range 3 of the second communication frequency band. Therefore, by connecting the switch 6 to the second connection when communicating using the second communication frequency band, the interference wave of the above-mentioned Range 3 of the second communication frequency band can be dispersedly flowed to the first communication path L1 and the second communication path L2.

[0076] (7) Comparative Example

[0077] Figure 3 This is a graph comparing the frequency characteristics of a signal flowing through the first communication path L1 when communication is performed using the second communication frequency band in the case of the first embodiment (curve G1) and the comparative example (curve G2). Figure 3 The horizontal axis is the frequency [GHz] of the signal flowing through the first communication path L1, Figure 3 The vertical axis represents the attenuation amount [dB] of the signal flowing through the first communication path L1.

[0078] Compared to the high-frequency module 1 involved in Embodiment 1, the high-frequency module involved in the comparative example is constructed in the same manner except that the switch 6 is connected as the first connection when the second communication frequency band is used for communication. In the comparative example, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication, the switch 6 is connected as the first connection, whereby the common terminal 6a of the switch 6 is connected only to the first selection terminal 6b. Therefore, in the comparative example, in the first communication path L1, both the signal of the second communication frequency band and the interference wave of the above-mentioned Range 3 of the second communication frequency band pass through without attenuation. Therefore, as Figure 3 As shown in the curve G2, in the comparison example, the frequency characteristics of the signal flowing through the first communication path L1 are frequency characteristics that have high signal strength (i.e., small attenuation) as a whole in both the frequency range H1 including the second communication frequency band and the frequency range H2 of the above-mentioned Range3 of the second communication frequency band.

[0079] In the first embodiment, as described above, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication, the switch 6 is connected to the second connection. As a result, as described above, in the first communication path L1, the signal of the second communication frequency band passes without attenuation, and the interference wave of the above-mentioned Range 3 of the second communication frequency band passes with attenuation. Figure 3 As shown in the curve G1, in implementation mode 1, the frequency characteristics of the signal flowing through the first communication path L1 are the following frequency characteristics: in the frequency range H1 of the second communication frequency band, the signal strength is not attenuated (i.e., the attenuation is small) as in the comparative example, and in the frequency range H2 of the above-mentioned Range3 of the second communication frequency band, the signal strength is significantly attenuated (i.e., the attenuation is large) compared with the comparative example.

[0080] according to Figure 3 As can be seen from the curves G1 and G2, compared with the comparative example, in the first embodiment, the frequency characteristics of the signal flowing through the first communication path L1 are almost unchanged in the frequency range H1 of the second communication frequency band, and are sufficiently attenuated in the frequency range H2 of the above-mentioned Range 3 of the second communication frequency band.

[0081] (8) Miniaturization of high-frequency modules

[0082] The second communication path L2 is a communication path used to transmit the received signal received by the antenna 3 from the second selection terminal 6c of the switch 6 to the external terminal 5c when the third communication frequency band is used for communication (for example, reception). As described above, when the spurious wave S3 is dispersed to other paths (the second communication path L2) other than the first communication path L1, the second communication path L2, which is a communication path used in the communication of the third communication frequency band different from the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band, is used for dispersion. That is, in addition to being used as a communication path for transmitting the signal used in the communication, the second communication path L2 is also used as a dispersion path for dispersing the spurious wave S3. Therefore, in the high-frequency module 1, the above-mentioned communication path (the second communication path L2) is also used as the above-mentioned dispersion path, so that the high-frequency module 1 can be miniaturized accordingly.

[0083] (9) Effect

[0084] As described above, the high-frequency module 1 involved in the first embodiment includes a switch 6, a first communication path L1, a second communication path L2, a first filter 7 and a second filter 8. The switch 6 has a common terminal 6a, a first selection terminal 6b and a second selection terminal 6c. The first communication path L1 is connected to the first selection terminal 6b. The second communication path L2 is connected to the second selection terminal 6c. The first filter 7 is arranged on the first communication path L1, and has a passband including a first communication frequency band and a second communication frequency band that are different from each other. The second filter 8 is arranged on the second communication path L2, and has a passband including a third communication frequency band. The third communication frequency band overlaps with the first communication frequency band at least in part, and the third communication frequency band does not overlap with the second communication frequency band. The switch 6 is configured to be able to switch between the first connection and the second connection. In the first connection, the common terminal 6a is connected to the first selection terminal 6b, and the common terminal 6a is not connected to the second selection terminal 6c. In the second connection, the common terminal 6a is connected to the first selection terminal 6b, and the common terminal 6a is connected to the second selection terminal 6c. The second communication frequency band and the third communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously.

[0085] According to this structure, when the switch 6 selects the second connection, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication (e.g., reception), a portion of the spurious wave S3 of the first communication frequency band accompanying the signal S2 of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication can be dispersed from the common terminal 6a to the second filter 8 side (the second communication path L2 side). Thus, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication, the switch 6 selects the second connection, thereby reducing the spurious wave S3 accompanying the signal S2 of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication. That is, the attenuation amount of the spurious wave S3 accompanying the signal currently used for communication can be fully ensured.

[0086] In addition, the communication path used for communication in the third communication frequency band different from the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band (i.e., the second communication path L2 provided with the second filter 8) is used as a path for ensuring the attenuation of the stray wave S3 as described above, so that the high-frequency module 1 can be miniaturized. Based on the above, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation of the stray wave S3 and miniaturization in the high-frequency module 1.

[0087] In addition, in the high-frequency module 1 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the second communication frequency band and the third communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously.

[0088] According to this configuration, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication, a part of the spurious wave S3 of the first communication frequency band accompanying the signal S2 of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication can be dispersed to the side of the second filter 8 which is not used in communication. Thus, the following situation can be reduced: the spurious wave S3 dispersed to the side of the second filter 8 has an adverse effect on the communication using the second communication frequency band.

[0089] In addition, in the high-frequency module 1 according to the first embodiment, the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously.

[0090] According to this structure, a filter (first filter 7) having a passband including the first communication frequency band and a filter (first filter 7) having a passband including the second communication frequency band can be shared, thereby achieving miniaturization of the high-frequency module 1. In addition, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication, even if a part of the signal of the first communication frequency band accompanying the signal S2 of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication is dispersed to the second filter 8 side as a stray wave S3, it is possible to reduce the adverse effects on the communication using the first communication frequency band.

[0091] In addition, the high frequency module 1 according to the first embodiment further includes a first low noise amplifier 10 (first amplifier). The first low noise amplifier 10 is provided on the first communication path L1 at a position on the side of the first filter 7 opposite to the switch 6. That is, the received signal passes through the switch 6, the first filter 7, and the first low noise amplifier 10 in sequence.

[0092] According to this configuration, in a configuration in which the first low noise amplifier 10 is provided in the first communication path L1 , it is possible to achieve the above-mentioned effects of improvement in the attenuation amount of the spurious wave S3 and miniaturization.

[0093] In addition, the high frequency module 1 according to the first embodiment further includes a second low noise amplifier 11 (second amplifier). The second low noise amplifier 11 is provided on the second communication path L2 at a position on the second filter 8 opposite to the switch 6. That is, the received signal passes through the switch 6, the second filter 8, and the second low noise amplifier 11 in sequence.

[0094] According to this configuration, in a configuration in which the second low noise amplifier 11 is provided in the second communication path L2 , it is possible to achieve the above-mentioned effects of improvement in the attenuation amount of the spurious wave S3 and miniaturization.

[0095] In addition, the high frequency module 1 according to the first embodiment further includes matching circuits 13 and 14 (first matching circuits). The matching circuits 13 and 14 are provided on at least one of the first communication path L1, between the switch 6 and the first filter 7, and between the first filter 7 and the first low noise amplifier 10 (first amplifier) ​​(in the first embodiment, both). In the first embodiment, both the matching circuits 13 and 14 are provided, but at least one of the matching circuits 13 and 14 only needs to be provided.

[0096] According to this configuration, the impedance characteristics of the first communication path L1 can be adjusted by the matching circuits 13 and 14. Thus, when the switch 6 selects the second connection, the ratio at which part of the spurious wave S3 in the first communication frequency band is dispersed to the second filter 8 can be adjusted.

[0097] In addition, the high frequency module 1 according to the first embodiment further includes matching circuits 15 and 16 (second matching circuits). The matching circuits 15 and 16 are provided on at least one of the second communication path L2, between the switch 6 and the second filter 8, and between the second filter 8 and the second low noise amplifier 11 (second amplifier) ​​(in the first embodiment, both). In the first embodiment, both the matching circuits 15 and 16 are provided, but at least one of the matching circuits 15 and 16 only needs to be provided.

[0098] According to this configuration, the impedance characteristics of the second communication path L2 can be adjusted by the matching circuits 15 and 16. Thus, when the switch 6 selects the second connection, the ratio at which part of the spurious wave S3 in the first communication frequency band is dispersed to the second filter 8 can be adjusted.

[0099] In the high frequency module 1 according to the first embodiment, the first communication frequency band is Band 41. The second communication frequency band is Band 53. The third communication frequency band is the reception frequency band of Band 7.

[0100] According to this configuration, when the first communication band is Band 41, the second communication band is Band 53, and the third communication band is the receiving band of Band 7, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation of the spurious wave S3 and miniaturization. In particular, since the third communication band is the receiving band of Band 7, it is possible to improve the attenuation of the interference wave of OOB blocking Range 3, which is the spurious wave S3.

[0101] The communication device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a high-frequency module 1 and a signal processing circuit 2. The signal processing circuit 2 is connected to the high-frequency module 1 and performs signal processing on the high-frequency signal.

[0102] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide the communication device 100 that achieves the above-mentioned effects of the high-frequency module 1 .

[0103] (10) Modification

[0104] A modification of Embodiment 1 will be described. In the following description, the same components as those of Embodiment 1 may be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of Embodiment 1 and the description thereof may be omitted, and only the parts different from Embodiment 1 may be described. The following modifications may be implemented in combination.

[0105] (10-1) Modification 1

[0106] In the first embodiment, the high frequency module 1 is provided with two filters (the first filter 7 and the second filter 8). Figure 4 As shown, in Modification 1, a case where the high-frequency module 1 includes three or more (for example, three) filters (the first filter 7 to the third filter 9 ) is exemplified.

[0107] like Figure 4 As shown, the modification 1 is different from the embodiment 1 in the following aspects: the switch 6 further includes a third selection terminal 6d. In addition, the modification 1 is different from the embodiment 1 in the following aspects: the high-frequency module 1 further includes a third communication path L3, a third filter 9, a third low-noise amplifier 12, matching circuits 17, 18, and an external terminal 5e. Except for these aspects, the modification 1 is configured in the same manner as the embodiment 1.

[0108] The external terminal 5 e is connected to an input section (not shown) of the signal processing circuit 2 , and is an output terminal for outputting the reception signal processed by the high-frequency module 1 to the input section of the signal processing circuit 2 .

[0109] The third selection terminal 6d of the switch 6 is connected to the third communication path L3. The common terminal 6a of the switch 6 can be selectively connected to at least one of the first selection terminal 6b to the third selection terminal 6d of the switch 6. In more detail, the switch 6 is configured to be switchable to the third connection in addition to the first connection and the second connection. The third connection is a connection between the common terminal 6a and the third selection terminal 6d. In the first embodiment, in the third connection, as an example, the common terminal 6a is not connected to the first selection terminal 6b and the second selection terminal 6c.

[0110] The third communication path L3 is a communication path connecting the third selection terminal 6d and the external terminal 5e.

[0111] The third filter 9 is, for example, a receiving filter having a passband including a fourth communication frequency band. The fourth communication frequency band is, for example, Band 40. Band 40 is a communication frequency band with a bandwidth of 2300 MHz to 2400 MHz. The third filter 9 is provided in the third communication path L3. That is, the third filter 9 is connected between the third selection terminal 6d of the switch 6 and the external terminal 5e.

[0112] The third filter 9 has an input section 9a and an output section 9b. The input section 9a is connected to the third selection terminal 6d of the switch 6 via a matching circuit 17. The output section 9b is connected to the input section 12a of the third low noise amplifier 12 via a matching circuit 18. For the input signal input to the input section 9a, the third filter 9 restricts the signal of the receiving frequency band of the fourth communication frequency band to pass through, and outputs the passed receiving signal from the output section 9b.

[0113] The third low noise amplifier 12 is connected between the output portion 9b of the third filter 9 and the external terminal 5e on the third communication path L3. The third low noise amplifier 12 has an input portion 12a and an output portion 12b. The input portion 12a is connected to the output portion 9b of the third filter 9 via a matching circuit 18. The output portion 12b is connected to the external terminal 5e. The third low noise amplifier 12 amplifies the received signal input to the input portion 12a, and outputs the amplified received signal from the output portion 12b.

[0114] The matching circuit 17 is provided on the third communication path L3 between the third selection terminal 6d of the switch 6 and the third filter 9. The matching circuit 17 is a circuit for achieving impedance matching between the switch 6 and the third filter 9. The matching circuit 17 includes, for example, an inductor connected in series with the third communication path L3 or an inductor connected between the third communication path L3 and the ground.

[0115] The matching circuit 18 is provided on the third communication path L3 between the third filter 9 and the third low noise amplifier 12. The matching circuit 18 is a circuit for achieving impedance matching between the third filter 9 and the third low noise amplifier 12. The matching circuit 18 includes, for example, an inductor connected in series with the third communication path L3 or an inductor connected between the third communication path L3 and the ground.

[0116] According to variant example 1, more than three (for example, three) filters (first filter 7 to third filter 9) are provided, so when there are more than three (i.e., a large number) communication frequency bands, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation of stray waves and miniaturization as in embodiment 1.

[0117] (10-2) Modification 2

[0118] like Figure 5 As shown, in the modification example 2, compared with the embodiment 1, the following aspects are different: the second filter 20 is an FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) filter. In addition, in the modification example 2, compared with the embodiment 1, the following aspects are different: the high-frequency module 1 further includes a power amplifier 22, a matching circuit 21, an external terminal 5f, a fourth communication path L4, and a fifth communication path L5. Except for these aspects, the modification example 2 is configured in the same manner as the embodiment 1.

[0119] The external terminal 5 f is connected to an output portion (not shown) of the signal processing circuit 2 , and is an input terminal for inputting a transmission signal output from the output portion of the signal processing circuit 2 into the high-frequency module 1 .

[0120] The second communication path L2 of the modification 2 connects the second selection terminal 6c of the switch 6 to the input-output unit 20a described later of the second filter 20. The fourth communication path L4 connects the output unit 20b described later of the second filter 20 to the external terminal 5c. The fifth communication path L5 connects the input unit 20c described later of the second filter 20 to the external terminal 5f.

[0121] The second filter 20 is an FDD filter having a third communication frequency band as a receiving frequency band for FDD and a fifth communication frequency band as a transmitting frequency band for FDD. In more detail, the second filter 20 is a transmitting and receiving filter having a receiving filter 20A and a transmitting filter 20B, wherein the receiving filter 20A has a receiving frequency band including the third communication frequency band, and the transmitting filter 20B has a transmitting frequency band including the fifth communication frequency band. The third communication frequency band is a communication frequency band for receiving that is the same as the third communication frequency band of implementation mode 1 (e.g., Band7RX). The fifth communication frequency band is a communication frequency band different from the third communication frequency band (i.e., a communication frequency band that does not overlap with the third communication frequency band), and is a communication frequency band for sending (e.g., Band7Tx).

[0122] The second filter 20 includes an input / output unit 20a, an output unit 20b, and an input unit 20c. The input / output unit 20a is connected to the second selection terminal 6c of the switch 6 via the matching circuit 15. The output unit 20b is connected to the external terminal 5c via the fourth communication path L4. The input unit 20c is connected to the external terminal 5f via the fifth communication path L5.

[0123] For an input signal (received signal or spurious wave) input to the input / output unit 20a, the receive filter 20A restricts the signal of the receive frequency band of the third communication frequency band to pass through, and outputs the passed input signal from the output unit 20b. For an input signal (transmitted signal) input to the input unit 20c, the transmit filter 20B restricts the signal of the transmit frequency band of the fifth communication frequency band to pass through, and outputs the passed input signal from the input / output unit 20a.

[0124] The second low noise amplifier 11 and the matching circuit 16 are provided on the fourth communication path L4. The second low noise amplifier 11 and the matching circuit 16 are configured in the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment. The input portion 11a of the second low noise amplifier 11 is connected to the output portion 20b of the second filter 20 via the matching circuit 16. The output portion 11b of the second low noise amplifier 11 is connected to the external terminal 5c. The matching circuit 16 is provided between the second low noise amplifier 11 and the receiving filter 20A on the fourth communication path L4 to obtain impedance matching between the second low noise amplifier 11 and the receiving filter 20A.

[0125] The fifth communication path L5 is provided with a power amplifier 22 and a matching circuit 21 .

[0126] The power amplifier 22 has an input section 22a and an output section 22b. The input section 22a is connected to the external terminal 5f. The output section 22b is connected to the input section 20c of the second filter 20 via the matching circuit 21. The power amplifier 22 amplifies the transmission signal input to the input section 22a, and outputs the amplified transmission signal from the output section 22b.

[0127] The matching circuit 21 is provided on the fifth communication path L5 between the transmission filter 20B and the power amplifier 22. The matching circuit 21 is a circuit for achieving impedance matching between the transmission filter 20B and the power amplifier 22. The matching circuit 21 includes, for example, an inductor connected in series with the fifth communication path L5 or an inductor connected between the fifth communication path L5 and the ground.

[0128] According to the second modification, when the second filter 20 is an FDD filter, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation of spurious waves and reduction in size, as in the first embodiment.

[0129] (Implementation Method 2)

[0130] Reference Figure 6 A high frequency module 1 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Embodiment 1 and the description thereof may be omitted, and only the parts different from Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0131] (1) Structure

[0132] In the second embodiment, the case where the first filter 30 and the second filter 31 are transmission filters is exemplified.

[0133] like Figure 6 As shown, the high-frequency module 1 involved in embodiment 2 is similarly configured as the high-frequency module 1 of embodiment 1 except that the first filter 30 and the second filter 31 are transmission filters; and the first amplifier and the second amplifier are the first power amplifier 32 and the second power amplifier 33, respectively.

[0134] In the second embodiment, the external terminals 5 b and 5 c are connected to an output portion (not shown) of the signal processing circuit 2 , and are input terminals for inputting a transmission signal output from the output portion of the signal processing circuit 2 into the high-frequency module 1 .

[0135] The first filter 30 is a transmission filter having a passband including a first communication frequency band and a second communication frequency band. The first communication frequency band is, for example, Band12Tx (the transmission frequency band of Band12). Band12Tx is a communication frequency band with a bandwidth of 699MHz to 716MHz. The second communication frequency band is a communication frequency band different from the first communication frequency band, for example, Band71Tx (the transmission frequency band of Band71). Band71Tx is a communication frequency band with a bandwidth of 663MHz to 698MHz. The second communication frequency band can be larger than the first communication frequency band or smaller than the first communication frequency band. In addition, the second communication frequency band can also overlap with the first communication frequency band. The first filter 30 is arranged on the first communication path L1. That is, the first filter 30 is connected between the first selection terminal 6b of the switch 6 and the external terminal 5b.

[0136] The first filter 30 includes an input section 30a and an output section 30b. The output section 30b is connected to the first selection terminal 6b of the switch 6 via the matching circuit 13. The input section 30a is connected to the output section 32b of the first power amplifier 32 via the matching circuit 14. With respect to the input signal (transmission signal) input to the input section 30a, the first filter 30 restricts the signal of the transmission band of the first communication frequency band or the signal of the transmission band of the second communication frequency band to pass through, and outputs the passed transmission signal from the output section 30b.

[0137] The second filter 31 is a transmission filter having a passband including a third communication frequency band. A portion of the third communication frequency band overlaps with the first communication frequency band, and the third communication frequency band does not overlap with the second communication frequency band. The third communication frequency band is, for example, Band28A Tx (Band28A transmission frequency band) or Band28B Tx (Band28B transmission frequency band). Band28A Tx is a communication frequency band with a bandwidth of 703MHz to 733MHz. Band28B Tx is a communication frequency band with a bandwidth of 718MHz to 748MHz. The second filter 31 is arranged in the second communication path L2. That is, the second filter 31 is connected between the second selection terminal 6c of the switch 6 and the external terminal 5c.

[0138] The second filter 31 has an input section 31a and an output section 31b. The output section 31b is connected to the second selection terminal 6c of the switch 6 via the matching circuit 15. The input section 31a is connected to the external terminal 5c via the matching circuit 16. For the input signal (transmission signal) input to the input section 31a, the second filter 31 restricts the signal of the transmission frequency band of the third communication frequency band to pass through, and outputs the passed transmission signal from the output section 31b.

[0139] The first power amplifier 32 is connected between the first filter 30 and the external terminal 5b on the first communication path L1. The first power amplifier 32 has an input section 32a and an output section 32b. The input section 32a is connected to the external terminal 5b. The output section 32b is connected to the input section 30a of the first filter 30 via the matching circuit 14. The first power amplifier 32 amplifies the transmission signal input to the input section 32a, and outputs the amplified transmission signal from the output section 32b.

[0140] The second power amplifier 33 is connected between the second filter 31 and the external terminal 5c on the second communication path L2. The second power amplifier 33 has an input section 33a and an output section 33b. The input section 33a is connected to the external terminal 5c. The output section 33b is connected to the input section 31a of the second filter 31 via the matching circuit 16. The second power amplifier 33 amplifies the transmission signal input to the input section 33a, and outputs the amplified transmission signal from the output section 33b.

[0141] In Embodiment 2, the matching circuit 13 is connected between the switch 6 and the first filter 30, and impedance matching is achieved between the switch 6 and the first filter 30. The matching circuit 14 is connected between the first power amplifier 32 and the first filter 30, and impedance matching is achieved between the first power amplifier 32 and the first filter 30. The matching circuit 15 is connected between the switch 6 and the second filter 31, and impedance matching is achieved between the switch 6 and the second filter 31. The matching circuit 16 is connected between the second power amplifier 33 and the second filter 31, and impedance matching is achieved between the second power amplifier 33 and the second filter 31.

[0142] (2) Action

[0143] The operation of the high frequency module 1 according to Embodiment 2 is described. Embodiment 2 assumes a case where the second communication band and the third communication band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously. Also, assumes a case where the first communication band and the second communication band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously.

[0144] (2-1) Operations when communicating (i.e., transmitting) using the first communication frequency band

[0145] Reference Figure 6 Consider the case where the first communication frequency band is used for communication (e.g., transmission). In this case, similarly to the case of Implementation 1, since the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously, the signal (transmission signal) used in the communication does not include the signal of the second communication frequency band.

[0146] In this case (when the first communication frequency band is used for transmission), the switch 6 is switched to the first connection. In the first connection, the common terminal 6a is connected only to the first selection terminal 6b of the first selection terminal 6b and the second selection terminal 6c. Thus, the transmission signal S5 input from the signal processing circuit 2 to the external terminal 5b flows from the external terminal 5b through the first communication path L1 and reaches the first selection terminal 6b of the switch 6. At this time, the transmission signal S5 passes through the first power amplifier 32, the matching circuit 14, the first filter 30 and the matching circuit 13 in sequence. At this time, the transmission signal S5 is amplified by the first power amplifier 32. Moreover, the transmission signal S5 is limited to the signals of the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band by the first filter 30. In more detail, in this case (when the first communication frequency band is used for transmission), since the transmission signal S5 does not include the signal of the second communication frequency band as the signal used in communication, the transmission signal S5 is limited to the signal of the first communication frequency band. Moreover, the transmission signal S5 is sent to the outside from the antenna 3 via the first selection terminal 6b, the common terminal 6a and the external terminal 5a of the switch 6.

[0147] In this operation description, it is assumed that the bandwidth of the second communication band is sufficiently smaller than the bandwidth of the first communication band. Under this assumption, the spurious waves of the second communication band accompanying the signal of the first communication band currently used for communication are small enough to be ignored.

[0148] In this way, when transmission is performed using the first communication frequency band, the transmission signal S5 limited to a signal of the first communication frequency band by the first filter 30 flows into the first communication path L1.

[0149] (2-2) Operation when transmitting using the second communication frequency band

[0150] Reference Figure 7 , consider the case where the second communication frequency band is used for transmission. In this case, the switch 6 is switched to the second connection. In the second connection, the common terminal 6a is connected to both the first selection terminal 6b and the second selection terminal 6c. As a result, the transmission signal S6 from the signal processing circuit 2 flows from the external terminal 5b through the first communication path L1 and reaches the common terminal 6a from the first selection terminal 6b of the switch 6. At this time, the transmission signal S6 passes through the first power amplifier 32, the matching circuit 14, the first filter 30 and the matching circuit 13 in sequence. At this time, the transmission signal S6 is amplified by the first power amplifier 32 and is limited by the first filter 30 to the signals of the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band. Moreover, the transmission signal S6 can flow from the common terminal 6a to the external terminal 5a side (antenna 3 side), and can flow from the common terminal 6a to the second selection terminal 6c side (second filter 31 side).

[0151] In addition, the third communication frequency band overlaps with the first communication frequency band at least in part, but the third communication frequency band does not overlap with the second communication frequency band. Therefore, the signal S7 of the second communication frequency band included in the transmission signal S6 can pass through the first filter 30 having a passband including the second communication frequency band, but cannot pass through the second filter 31 having a passband that does not include the second communication frequency band. Therefore, the signal S7 of the second communication frequency band included in the transmission signal S6 does not flow from the common terminal 6a of the switch 6 to the second selection terminal 6c side (i.e., the second filter 31 side), but flows from the common terminal 6a to the external terminal 5a side (i.e., the antenna 3 side).

[0152] In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously. Therefore, in this case (when the second communication frequency band is used for transmission), although the transmission signal S6 does not include the signal of the first communication frequency band as a signal used in communication, it may include the spurious wave S8 of the first communication frequency band. The spurious wave S8 of the first communication frequency band included in the transmission signal S6 can pass through the second filter 31 having a passband including the third communication frequency band that overlaps at least a part with the first communication frequency band. Therefore, the spurious wave S8 of the first communication frequency band included in the transmission signal S6 flows from the common terminal 6a of the switch 6 to the external terminal 5a side (antenna 3 side) and the second selection terminal 6c side (second filter 31 side) in a dispersed manner. That is, a part of the spurious wave S8 of the first communication frequency band included in the transmission signal S6 is dispersed to the second selection terminal 6c side (second filter 31 side), so the spurious wave S8 of the first communication frequency band included in the transmission signal S6 flowing to the external terminal 5a side (antenna 3 side) is reduced accordingly.

[0153] In this way, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication (i.e., transmission), the signal S7 of the second communication frequency band contained in the transmission signal S6 flows from the common terminal 6a of the switch 6 only to the external terminal 5a side and the second selection terminal 6c side. On the other hand, the spurious wave S8 of the first communication frequency band contained in the transmission signal S6 flows from the common terminal 6a of the switch 6 to both the external terminal 5a side and the second selection terminal 6c side in a dispersed manner. Thus, in the external terminal 5a, the spurious wave S8 of the first communication frequency band flowing along with the signal S7 of the second communication frequency band can be reduced. That is, the attenuation of the spurious wave S8 of the first communication frequency band accompanying the signal of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication can be fully ensured. In this way, the above-mentioned spurious wave accompanying the signal S7 of the second communication frequency band can be reduced, so the passband of the first filter 30 can be expanded to include the second communication frequency band.

[0154] (3) Effect

[0155] According to the high-frequency module 1 of the second embodiment, even when the first amplifier and the second amplifier are respectively the first power amplifier 32 and the second power amplifier 33 , similarly to the first embodiment, both improvement in the attenuation of the spurious wave S8 and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0156] In the high frequency module 1 according to the second embodiment, the first communication frequency band includes the transmission frequency band of Band 12. The second communication frequency band includes the transmission frequency band of Band 71. The third communication frequency band includes the transmission frequency band of Band 28.

[0157] According to this structure, when the first communication frequency band includes the transmission frequency band of Band 12, the second communication frequency band includes the transmission frequency band of Band 71, and the third communication frequency band includes the transmission frequency band of Band 28, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation amount of the spurious wave S8 and miniaturization as in the first embodiment.

[0158] (4) Modification

[0159] Embodiment 2 may be implemented by combining Embodiment 1 and its Modifications 1 and 2.

[0160] (Way)

[0161] This specification discloses the following aspects.

[0162] A high-frequency module (1) of the first embodiment includes a switch (6), a first communication path (L1), a second communication path (L2), a first filter (7; 30) and a second filter (8; 20; 31). The switch (6) has a common terminal (6a), a first selection terminal (6b) and a second selection terminal (6c). The first communication path (L1) is connected to the first selection terminal (6b). The second communication path (L2) is connected to the second selection terminal (6c). The first filter (7; 30) is arranged on the first communication path (L1) and has a passband including a first communication frequency band and a second communication frequency band that are different from each other. The second filter (8; 20; 31) is arranged on the second communication path (L2) and has a passband including a third communication frequency band. The third communication frequency band overlaps with the first communication frequency band at least in part, and the third communication frequency band does not overlap with the second communication frequency band. The switch (6) is configured to be able to switch between the first connection and the second connection. In the first connection, the common terminal (6a) is connected to the first selection terminal (6b), and the common terminal (6a) is not connected to the second selection terminal (6c). In the second connection, the common terminal (6a) is connected to the first selection terminal (6b), and the common terminal (6a) is connected to the second selection terminal (6c). The second communication frequency band and the third communication frequency band are not configured to enable simultaneous communication.

[0163] According to this structure, when the switch (6) selects the second connection, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication (transmission or reception), a part of the spurious wave (S3; S8) of the first communication frequency band accompanying the signal (S2; S7) of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication can be dispersed from the common terminal (6a) to the second filter (8; 20; 31) side (second communication path (L2) side). More specifically, in the case of reception, the spurious wave (S3) contained in the received signal coming from the external terminal (5a) to the common terminal (6a) can be dispersed from the common terminal (6a) to the first filter (7) side (first communication path (L1) side) and the second filter (8) side (second communication path (L2) side). In the case of transmission, the spurious wave (S8) contained in the transmission signal flowing through the first communication path (L1) and coming to the common terminal (6a) can be dispersed from the common terminal (6a) to the second filter (8) side (second communication path (L2) side) and the external terminal (5a) side. Thus, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication, the switch (6) selects the second connection, thereby reducing the above-mentioned spurious waves (S3; S8) accompanying the signal (S2; S7) of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication. That is, the attenuation amount of the spurious waves (S3; S8) accompanying the signal currently used for communication can be fully ensured.

[0164] In addition, the communication path used for communication in the third communication frequency band different from the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band (i.e., the second communication path (L2) provided with the second filter (8; 20; 31)) is used as a path for ensuring the attenuation of the above-mentioned stray waves (S3; S8) as described above, so that the high-frequency module (1) can be miniaturized. Based on the above, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation of the stray waves (S3; S8) and miniaturization.

[0165] In addition, in the first aspect, the second communication frequency band and the third communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously.

[0166] According to this structure, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication, a part of the spurious waves (S3; S8) of the first communication frequency band accompanying the signal (S2; S7) of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication can be dispersed to the second filter (8) side not used in the communication. Thus, the following situation can be reduced: the above-mentioned spurious waves (S3; S8) dispersed to the second filter (8) side have an adverse effect on the communication using the second communication frequency band.

[0167] Regarding the high-frequency module (1) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band are not configured to be able to communicate simultaneously.

[0168] According to this structure, a filter having a passband including the first communication frequency band (first filter (7, 30)) and a filter having a passband including the second communication frequency band (first filter (7, 30)) can be shared, thereby achieving miniaturization of the high-frequency module (1). In addition, when the second communication frequency band is used for communication, even if a part of the signal of the first communication frequency band accompanying the signal (S2; S7) of the second communication frequency band currently used for communication is dispersed as a stray wave (S3; S8) to the second filter (8; 20; 31) side, it is possible to reduce the adverse effect on the communication using the first communication frequency band.

[0169] The high frequency module (1) of the third embodiment, in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, further comprises a first amplifier (10; 32) provided on the first communication path (L1) at a position on the side of the first filter (7; 30) opposite to the switch (6).

[0170] According to this configuration, in a configuration in which the first amplifier (10; 32) is provided in the first communication path (L1), the above-mentioned effects of improving the attenuation of the stray waves (S3; S8) and reducing the size can be achieved.

[0171] A high frequency module (1) of a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, further comprises a second amplifier (11; 33). The second amplifier (11; 33) is provided on a second communication path (L2) at a position on the side of the second filter (8; 20; 31) opposite to the switch (6).

[0172] According to this configuration, in a configuration in which the second amplifier (11; 33) is provided in the second communication path (L2), the above-mentioned effects of improving the attenuation of the stray waves (S3; S8) and reducing the size can be achieved.

[0173] A high frequency module (1) according to a fifth aspect is provided in the third aspect, further comprising a matching circuit (13, 14). The matching circuit (13, 14) is provided on at least one of the first communication path (L1) between the switch (6) and the first filter (7; 30) and between the first filter (7; 30) and the first amplifier (10; 32).

[0174] According to this structure, the impedance characteristics of the first communication path (L1) can be adjusted by using the matching circuits (13, 14). Thus, when the switch (6) selects the second connection, the proportion of the spurious waves (S3; S8) of the first communication frequency band dispersed to the second filter (8; 20; 31) side can be adjusted.

[0175] A high frequency module (1) according to a sixth aspect is provided in the fourth aspect, further comprising a matching circuit (15, 16). The matching circuit (15, 16) is provided on at least one of the second communication path (L2) between the switch (6) and the second filter (8; 20; 31) and between the second filter (8; 20; 31) and the second amplifier (11; 33).

[0176] According to this structure, the impedance characteristics of the second communication path (L2) can be adjusted by using the matching circuit (15, 16). Thus, when the switch (6) selects the second connection, the proportion of the spurious waves (S3; S8) of the first communication frequency band dispersed to the second filter (8; 20; 31) side can be adjusted.

[0177] Regarding the high frequency module (1) of the seventh aspect, in any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, the switch (6) further has a third selection terminal (6d). The high frequency module (1) further has a third communication path (L3) and a third filter (9). The third communication path (L3) is connected to the third selection terminal (6d). The third filter (9) is provided on the third communication path (L3).

[0178] According to this configuration, in a configuration including the third filter (9) in addition to the first filter (7) and the second filter (8), it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation of the spurious wave (S3) and miniaturization.

[0179] Regarding the high frequency module (1) of an eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the second filter (20) is an FDD filter.

[0180] According to this configuration, when the second filter (20) is an FDD filter, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation of the spurious wave (S3) and miniaturization.

[0181] Regarding the high frequency module (1) of the ninth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the first communication frequency band is Band 41. The second communication frequency band is Band 53. The third communication frequency band is a reception frequency band of Band 7.

[0182] According to this configuration, when the first communication frequency band is Band 41, the second communication frequency band is Band 53, and the third communication frequency band is the receiving frequency band of Band 7, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation of the above-mentioned spurious wave (S3) and miniaturization. In particular, since the third communication frequency band is the receiving frequency band of Band 7, it is possible to improve the attenuation of the interference wave of OOB blocking Range 3, which is the spurious wave (S3).

[0183] Regarding the high frequency module (1) of the tenth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the first communication frequency band includes a transmission frequency band of Band 12. The second communication frequency band includes a transmission frequency band of Band 71.

[0184] The third communication frequency band includes the transmission frequency band of Band28.

[0185] According to this configuration, when the first communication band includes the transmission band of Band 12, the second communication band includes the transmission band of Band 71, and the third communication band includes the transmission band of Band 28, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the attenuation of the above-mentioned spurious wave (S8) and miniaturization.

[0186] The communication device (100) of the eleventh aspect comprises the high frequency module (1) of any one of the first to tenth aspects and a signal processing circuit (2). The signal processing circuit (2) is connected to the high frequency module (1) and performs signal processing on the high frequency signal.

[0187] According to this structure, a communication device (100) that achieves the above-mentioned effects of the high-frequency module (1) can be provided.

[0188] Description of Reference Numerals

[0189] 1: high frequency module; 2: signal processing circuit; 2a: RF signal processing circuit; 2b: baseband signal processing circuit; 3: antenna; 5a-5f: external terminal; 6: switch; 6a: common terminal; 6b: first selection terminal; 6c: second selection terminal; 6d: third selection terminal; 7: first filter; 7a: input; 7b: output; 8: second filter; 8a: input; 8b: output; 9: third filter; 9a: input; 9b: output; 10: first low noise amplifier; 10a: input; 10b: output; 11: second low noise amplifier; 11a: input; 11b: output; 12: third low noise amplifier; 12a: input; 12b: output; 13, 14: first matching circuit (matching circuit); 15, 16: second matching circuit (matching circuit); 19: controller; 20: second filter; 2 0a: input and output section; 20b: output section; 20c: input section; 20A: receiving filter; 20B: transmitting filter; 21: matching circuit; 22: power amplifier; 22a: input section; 22b: output section; 30: first filter; 30a: input section; 30b: output section; 31: second filter; 31a: input section; 31b: output section; 32: first power amplifier; 32a: input section; 32b: output section; 33: second power amplifier; 33a: input section; 33b: output section; 100: communication device; G1, G2: curves; H1, H2: frequency range; L1: first communication path; L2: second communication path; L3: third communication path; L4: fourth communication path; L5: fifth communication path; S1: receiving signal; S2, S7: signal; S3, S8: stray waves; S5: transmitting signal; S6: transmitting signal.

Claims

1. A high frequency module, comprising: a switch having a common terminal, a first selection terminal, and a second selection terminal; a first communication path connected to the first selection terminal; a second communication path connected to the second selection terminal; A first filter, which is disposed in the first communication path and has a passband including a first communication frequency band and a second communication frequency band that are different from each other; as well as a second filter, which is arranged in the second communication path and has a passband including a third communication frequency band, wherein the third communication frequency band overlaps at least a part with the first communication frequency band, and the third communication frequency band does not overlap with the second communication frequency band, The switch is configured to switch between the first connection and the second connection. In the first connection, the common terminal is connected to the first selection terminal, and the common terminal is not connected to the second selection terminal. In the second connection, the common terminal is connected to the first selection terminal, and the common terminal is connected to the second selection terminal. The second communication frequency band and the third communication frequency band are not configured to be capable of simultaneous communication.

2. The high frequency module according to claim 1, wherein: The first communication frequency band and the second communication frequency band are not configured to be capable of simultaneous communication.

3. The high frequency module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first communication path further includes a first amplifier, and the first amplifier is provided on the side of the first filter opposite to the switch.

4. The high frequency module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second communication path further includes a second amplifier, and the second amplifier is provided on the side of the second filter opposite to the switch.

5. The high frequency module according to claim 3, wherein: The first communication path further includes a matching circuit provided at least one of between the switch and the first filter and between the first filter and the first amplifier.

6. The high frequency module according to claim 4, wherein: The second communication path further includes a matching circuit provided at least one of between the switch and the second filter and between the second filter and the second amplifier.

7. The high frequency module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The switch also has a third selection terminal, The high frequency module also has: a third communication path connected to the third selection terminal; and A third filter is provided in the third communication path.

8. The high frequency module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The second filter is a frequency division duplex filter, namely, an FDD filter.

9. The high frequency module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The first communication frequency band is Band 41, The second communication frequency band is Band 53, The third communication frequency band is a receiving frequency band of Band 7.

10. The high frequency module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The first communication frequency band includes a transmission frequency band of Band 12, The second communication frequency band includes a transmission frequency band of Band71, The third communication frequency band includes a transmission frequency band of Band 28.

11. A communication device comprising: The high frequency module according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and The signal processing circuit is connected to the high frequency module and performs signal processing on the high frequency signal.

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