W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function

Abstract

The invention provides a W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with an amplitude modulation function, and relates to the technical field of amplitude-phase control circuits. The reference current mirror circuit of the W-band vector synthesis phase shifter comprises a reference current mirror main circuit and a reference current mirror branch switch which are connected with each other, an amplification module is connected with a phase module, and the phase module is connected with the reference current mirror main circuit. The reference current mirror branch switch can control the amplitude of the input signal under the condition that the phase of the input signal is kept unchanged. The amplification module and the phase module are combined into one by introducing a variable reference tail current source into the amplification module, so that the effect of controlling the amplitude and the phase through a single module is achieved. Moreover, the phase shifter controls a specific transistor in the reference current mirror main path by setting a reference current mirror branch switch, so that the effect of scaling the current in equal proportion without influencing circuit phase control is achieved, and the effect of regulating and controlling the amplitude of the input signal under the condition of keeping the signal phase unchanged is further achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present specification relates to the technical field of amplitude and phase control circuits, and in particular to a W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function. Background Art

[0002] In traditional millimeter-wave phased array chips, the signal amplitude control circuit and the signal phase control circuit are the core functional modules. At the same time, the phased array architecture requires that the amplitude control module and the phase control should be independent of each other, that is, the circuit can keep the phase basically unchanged when controlling the amplitude or keep the amplitude basically unchanged when controlling the phase.

[0003] In order to achieve this function, the traditional circuit uses an independent amplitude control circuit (including attenuator and VGA) and a phase control circuit (phase shifter). The traditional circuit has the following defects: first, the chip area is large; second, the circuit loss is large, and more area and power consumption are needed to reduce the circuit loss. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of this specification is to provide a W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function, which can overcome the above-mentioned defects of traditional circuits.

[0005] The embodiments of this specification are implemented as follows:

[0006] A W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function, comprising an amplification module, a phase module and a reference current mirror circuit;

[0007] The reference current mirror circuit comprises a reference current mirror main circuit and reference current mirror branch circuit switches connected to each other.

[0008] The amplification module is connected to the phase module, the phase module is connected to the reference current mirror main circuit, and the reference current mirror branch switch can control the amplitude of the input signal while keeping the phase of the input signal unchanged.

[0009] The embodiments of this specification have at least the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function combines the amplification module and the phase module into one by introducing a variable reference tail current source in the amplification module, so as to achieve the effect of controlling the amplitude and phase through a single module. Moreover, the above-mentioned phase shifter controls the specific transistors in the main path of the above-mentioned reference current mirror by setting the reference current mirror branch switch, so as to achieve the effect of proportionally scaling the current size without affecting the circuit phase control, thereby achieving the effect of regulating the input signal amplitude while keeping the signal phase unchanged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this specification, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present specification and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0012] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function provided in this specification;

[0013] Figure 2 Another structural schematic diagram of a W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function provided in this specification;

[0014] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the reference current mirror branch switch provided in this specification;

[0015] Figure 4 This is the amplitude control diagram provided for this manual. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of this specification more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this specification will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this specification, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of this specification described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0017] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present specification provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present specification claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present specification. Based on the embodiments in the present specification, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present specification.

[0018] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in the subsequent drawings.

[0019] In the description of the embodiments of this specification, it should be noted that if the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. appear, the orientation or position relationship indicated is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or position relationship in which the product of this specification is usually placed when used. It is only for the convenience of describing this specification and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this specification. In addition, if the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. appear, they are only used to distinguish the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] In addition, the use of terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", and "overhanging" does not mean that the components must be absolutely horizontal or overhanging, but can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0021] In the description of the embodiments of this specification, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the words "set", "install", "connect", and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected or electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be internal communication between two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this specification can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0022] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , a W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function provided in an embodiment of the present specification mainly includes an amplification module, a phase module and a reference current mirror circuit;

[0023] The reference current mirror circuit comprises a reference current mirror main circuit and reference current mirror branch circuit switches connected to each other.

[0024] The amplification module is connected to the phase module, the phase module is connected to the reference current mirror main circuit, and the reference current mirror branch switch can control the amplitude of the input signal while keeping the phase of the input signal unchanged.

[0025] Specifically, the W-band vector synthesis phase shifter combines the amplification module and the phase module into one by introducing a variable reference tail current source in the amplification module, so as to achieve the effect of controlling the amplitude and phase through a single module, thereby reducing the chip area and reducing the circuit loss. Moreover, the phase shifter controls the specific transistors in the reference current mirror main circuit by setting the reference current mirror branch switch, so as to achieve the effect of proportionally scaling the current size without affecting the circuit phase control, thereby achieving the effect of regulating the input signal amplitude while keeping the signal phase unchanged.

[0026] In this embodiment, the reference current mirror main path includes transistor M13, transistor M14, transistor M15 and transistor M17, the emitter of the transistor M13 and the emitter of the transistor M14 are connected to the emitter of the transistor M17, the base of the transistor M13 and the base of the transistor M14 are connected, the collector of the transistor M14 and the collector of the transistor M15 are connected to the reference current mirror branch switch, the reference current mirror branch switch is connected to the collector of the transistor M17, and the base of the transistor M17 is connected to the phase module.

[0027] In this embodiment, the collector of the transistor M13 and the base of the transistor M14 are both connected to the reference current I ref Input connection.

[0028] In this embodiment, the reference current mirror branch switch includes a plurality of switch units arranged in parallel, and the switch unit includes a control switch ATT i and transistor M 16_i , the control switch ATT i One end of the transistor M 16_i The base of each switching unit is connected to the control switch ATT i Keep away from the transistor M 16_i One end of the switch unit is connected to the collector of the transistor M15. 16_i The collector of the switch unit is connected to the collector of the transistor M17. 16_i The emitters are connected in parallel.

[0029] In this embodiment, the plurality of transistors M arranged in parallel are 16_i Cooperate with the reference current mirror branch switch to form the above-mentioned reference current mirror branch switch, and configure the switch signal ATT i In this way, the reference current can be controlled to achieve the effect of proportionally scaling the gain of the I-channel signal and the Q-channel signal. n In this way, the amplitude of the signal can be controlled while keeping the phase unchanged.

[0030] In this embodiment, the above ATT1~ATT n Corresponding to the binary amplitude control, it produces 0.5dB, 1dB, 2dB and other gear amplitude control. In addition, by adding the switch ATT i The number of attenuation control bits can be adjusted to achieve a wide range of multi-bit attenuation control.

[0031] In this embodiment, transistor M13 and transistor M14 are a first current mirror, which inputs reference current I ref Copy to scale ref1 , the replication relationship is:

[0032]

[0033] in, is the transistor width-to-length ratio.

[0034] In this embodiment, different sizes of transistors (M 16_1 ~M 16_N ) and switches (ATT1~ATT n ) combination can achieve different current outputs, I ref2 The output current can be expressed as:

[0035]

[0036] In this embodiment, the phase module includes an I current mirror and a Q current mirror connected in parallel.

[0037] In this embodiment, the I-way current mirror includes a plurality of I-way phase control units arranged in parallel, and the I-way phase control unit includes a switch S Ii and transistor M 18_i , the switch S Ii One end of the switch S is connected to the base of the transistor M17. Ii The other end of the transistor M 18_i The base of each of the I-way phase control unit transistors M 18_i The collector of the I-way phase control unit has a first common connection terminal, the first common connection terminal is connected to the amplification module, and the transistor M of each I-way phase control unit 18_i The emitter of the transistor M17 is connected to the emitter of the transistor M17. 18_i The I-way phase control unit is configured to configure the switch S Ii By this method, the size of the I current can be controlled, thereby achieving the effect of controlling the I signal gain.

[0038] In this embodiment, the Q-path current mirror includes a plurality of Q-path phase control units arranged in parallel, and the Q-path phase control unit includes a switch S Qi and transistor M 19_i , the switch S Qi One end of the switch S is connected to the base of the transistor M17. Qi The other end of the transistor M 19_i The base of each Q-path phase control unit transistor M is connected 19_i The collector of the Q-path phase control unit has a second common connection terminal, and the second common connection terminal is connected to the amplification module. 19_i The emitter of is connected to the emitter of the transistor M17.

[0039] In this embodiment, the switch S Ii With the above switch S Qi A common connection terminal is provided, and the common connection terminal is connected to the base of the transistor M17.

[0040] In this embodiment, through the transistor M 19_i The Q-path phase control unit is configured to configure the switch S Qi By this method, the size of the Q-path current can be controlled, thereby achieving the effect of controlling the Q-path signal gain.

[0041] In this embodiment, transistors M of different sizes are used. 18_1 ~M 18_N and switch S I1 ~S In The combination can achieve different current outputs, I DAC The output current can be expressed as:

[0042]

[0043] Similarly, Q DAC The output current can be expressed as:

[0044]

[0045] In the formula, S Ii and S Qi It is the switch control signal.

[0046] In this embodiment, the I-path phase control unit and the Q-path phase control unit are used, that is, the switch S I1 ~S In and switch S Q1 ~S Qn , which can amplify the I-channel signal and the Q-channel signal in different proportions respectively, thereby realizing the function of vector synthesis phase shifting.

[0047] In this embodiment, by configuring the switch control signal S Ii and S Qi The relative proportion of can realize the phase control function.

[0048] In this embodiment, since the phase of the output signal is only related to the number of current switches of the I current mirror and the Q current mirror, and has nothing to do with the size of the reference current, adjusting the current size change of the reference current mirror main path through the reference current mirror branch switch does not affect the phase control of the overall circuit. Moreover, by proportionally adjusting the current of the reference current mirror main path through the reference current mirror branch switch, the circuit gain can be further controlled.

[0049] In this embodiment, the reference current mirror circuit and the output signal phase of the phase module are out The calculation method is:

[0050]

[0051] In this embodiment, the amplification module includes an I-way signal amplification tube, a Q-way signal amplification tube, an I-way forward and reverse path selection switch tube, a Q-way forward and reverse path selection switch tube, a tail current source I DAC and the tail current source Q DAC ;

[0052] The tail current source I DAC , the I-way forward and reverse path selection switch tube and the I-way signal amplifier tube are connected in sequence, the I-way signal amplifier tube can output the I-way amplified signal, the tail current source Q DAC , the Q-path positive and negative path selection switch tube and the Q-path signal amplifier tube are connected in sequence, and the Q-path signal amplifier tube can output the Q-path amplified signal;

[0053] The first common connection terminal is arranged at the tail current source I DAC and the I-way forward and reverse path selection switch tube, the second common connection end is arranged at the tail current source Q DAC and between the Q-path positive and negative path selection switch tube.

[0054] In this embodiment, the amplification module can respectively amplify the I-path signal and the Q-path signal through the above-mentioned configuration method.

[0055] In this embodiment, the I-way signal amplifier includes a transistor M1, a transistor M2, a transistor M3 and a transistor M4, and the I-way forward and reverse path selection switch includes a transistor M9 and a transistor M10;

[0056] The emitter of the transistor M9 and the emitter of the transistor M10 are connected to the tail current source I DACThe emitter of the transistor M1 and the emitter of the transistor M2 have a third common terminal, the collector of the transistor M9 is connected to the third common terminal, the collector of the transistor M1 and the collector of the transistor M3 are connected to output a signal, the base of the transistor M2 and the base of the transistor M3 are connected, the emitter of the transistor M3 and the emitter of the transistor M4 have a fourth common terminal, the fourth common terminal is connected to the collector of the transistor M10, and the collector of the transistor M2 and the collector of the transistor M4 are connected to output a signal;

[0057] The base of the transistor M1 and the base of the transistor M4 can input the orthogonal differential signal Iin+; the base of the transistor M2 and the base of the transistor M3 can input the orthogonal differential signal Iin-.

[0058] Specifically, transistor M9 and transistor M10 are connected by a pair of complementary switching signals VP I and VN I Control, when VP I In connected state and VN I In the off state, the tail current source I DAC The generated current passes completely through transistor M9, transistor M1 amplifies Iin+ and outputs it to OUT+, and transistor M2 amplifies Iin- and outputs it to OUT-. Conversely, when VP I In the off state, VN I When in the on state, the tail current source I DAC The generated current passes completely through transistor M10, transistor M4 amplifies Iin+ and outputs it to OUT-, and transistor M3 amplifies Iin- and outputs it to OUT+.

[0059] In this embodiment, the Q-path signal amplifier includes a transistor M5, a transistor M6, a transistor M7 and a transistor M8, and the Q-path forward and reverse path selection switch includes a transistor M11 and a transistor M12;

[0060] The emitter of the transistor M11 and the emitter of the transistor M12 are connected to the tail current source Q DAC The emitter of the transistor M5 and the emitter of the transistor M6 have a fifth common terminal, the collector of the transistor M11 is connected to the fifth common terminal, the collector of the transistor M5 and the collector of the transistor M7 are connected to output a signal, the base of the transistor M6 and the base of the transistor M7 are connected, the emitter of the transistor M7 and the emitter of the transistor M8 have a sixth common terminal, the sixth common terminal is connected to the collector of the transistor M12, and the collector of the transistor M6 and the collector of the transistor M8 are connected to output a signal;

[0061] The base of the transistor M5 and the base of the transistor M8 can input the orthogonal differential signal Qin+; the base of the transistor M6 and the base of the transistor M7 can input the orthogonal differential signal Qin-.

[0062] In this embodiment, the Qin+ / Qin- and the Iin+ / Iin- are orthogonal signals.

[0063] In this embodiment, the collector of the transistor M1, the collector of the transistor M3, the collector of the transistor M5 and the collector of the transistor M7 are connected to output a signal to OUT+, and the collector of the transistor M2, the collector of the transistor M4, the collector of the transistor M6 and the collector of the transistor M8 are connected to output a signal to OUT-.

[0064] Specifically, transistor M11 and transistor M12 are connected by a pair of complementary switching signals VP Q and VN Q Control, when VP Q In connected state and VN Q In the off state, the tail current source Q DAC The generated current passes completely through transistor M11, transistor M5 amplifies Qin+ and outputs it to OUT+, and transistor M6 amplifies Qin- and outputs it to OUT-. Conversely, when VP Q In the off state, VN Q When in the on state, the tail current source Q DAC The generated current passes completely through transistor M12, transistor M8 amplifies Qin+ and outputs it to OUT-, and transistor M7 amplifies Qin- and outputs it to OUT+.

[0065] It can be seen that through the combined switch signal VP I 、VN I VP Q and VN Q The I-channel signal and Q-channel signal of the above-mentioned amplification module can be superimposed in any positive and negative directions to achieve the effect of covering a 360-degree phase shift range.

[0066] The above are only preferred embodiments of this specification and are not intended to limit this specification. For those skilled in the art, this specification may have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of this specification shall be included in the protection scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function, characterized in that: It includes an amplification module, a phase module and a reference current mirror circuit; The reference current mirror circuit comprises a reference current mirror main circuit and reference current mirror branch circuit switches connected to each other. The amplification module is connected to the phase module, the phase module is connected to the reference current mirror main circuit, and the reference current mirror branch switch can control the amplitude of the input signal while keeping the phase of the input signal unchanged.

2. The W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reference current mirror main path includes transistor M13, transistor M14, transistor M15 and transistor M17, the emitter of transistor M13 and the emitter of transistor M14 are connected to the emitter of transistor M17, the base of transistor M13 and the base of transistor M14 are connected, the collector of transistor M14 and the collector of transistor M15 are connected to the reference current mirror branch switch, the reference current mirror branch switch is connected to the collector of transistor M17, and the base of transistor M17 is connected to the phase module.

3. The W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reference current mirror branch switch includes a plurality of switch units arranged in parallel, and the switch unit includes a control switch ATT i and transistor M 16_i , the control switch ATT i One end of the transistor M 16_i The base of each switching unit is connected to the control switch ATT i Keep away from the transistor M 16_i One end of the switch unit is connected to the collector of the transistor M15. 16_i The collector of the switch unit is connected to the collector of the transistor M17. 16_i The emitters are connected in parallel.

4. The W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The phase module includes an I current mirror and a Q current mirror which are arranged in parallel.

5. The W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The I-way current mirror includes a plurality of I-way phase control units arranged in parallel, and the I-way phase control unit includes a switch S Ii and transistor M 18_i , the switch S Ii One end of the switch S is connected to the base of the transistor M17. Ii The other end of the transistor M 18_i The base of each of the I-way phase control unit transistors M 18_i The collector of the I-way phase control unit has a first common connection terminal, the first common connection terminal is connected to the amplification module, and the transistor M of each I-way phase control unit 18_i The emitter of is connected to the emitter of the transistor M17.

6. The W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The Q-path current mirror comprises a plurality of Q-path phase control units arranged in parallel, and the Q-path phase control unit comprises a switch S Qi and transistor M 19_i , the switch S Qi One end of the switch S is connected to the base of the transistor M17. Qi The other end of the transistor M 19_i The base of each Q-path phase control unit transistor M is connected 19_i The collector of the Q-path phase control unit has a second common connection terminal, and the second common connection terminal is connected to the amplification module. 19_i The emitter of is connected to the emitter of the transistor M17.

7. The W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The amplification module includes an I-way signal amplification tube, a Q-way signal amplification tube, an I-way forward and reverse path selection switch tube, a Q-way forward and reverse path selection switch tube, a tail current source I DAC and the tail current source Q DAC ; The tail current source I DAC , the I-way forward and reverse path selection switch tube and the I-way signal amplifier tube are connected in sequence, the I-way signal amplifier tube can output the I-way amplified signal, the tail current source Q DAC , the Q-path positive and negative path selection switch tube and the Q-path signal amplifier tube are connected in sequence, and the Q-path signal amplifier tube can output the Q-path amplified signal; The first common connection terminal is arranged at the tail current source I DAC and the I-way forward and reverse path selection switch tube, the second common connection end is arranged at the tail current source Q DAC and between the Q-path positive and negative path selection switch tube.

8. The W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function according to claim 7, characterized in that: The I-way signal amplifier tube includes a transistor M1, a transistor M2, a transistor M3 and a transistor M4, and the I-way forward and reverse path selection switch tube includes a transistor M9 and a transistor M10; The emitter of the transistor M9 and the emitter of the transistor M10 are connected to the tail current source I DAC The emitter of the transistor M1 and the emitter of the transistor M2 have a third common terminal, the collector of the transistor M9 is connected to the third common terminal, the collector of the transistor M1 and the collector of the transistor M3 are connected to output a signal, the base of the transistor M2 and the base of the transistor M3 are connected, the emitter of the transistor M3 and the emitter of the transistor M4 have a fourth common terminal, the fourth common terminal is connected to the collector of the transistor M10, and the collector of the transistor M2 and the collector of the transistor M4 are connected to output a signal; The base of the transistor M1 and the base of the transistor M4 can input the orthogonal differential signal Iin+; the base of the transistor M2 and the base of the transistor M3 can input the orthogonal differential signal Iin-.

9. The W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function according to claim 8, characterized in that: The Q-path signal amplifier includes a transistor M5, a transistor M6, a transistor M7 and a transistor M8, and the Q-path forward and reverse path selection switch includes a transistor M11 and a transistor M12; The emitter of the transistor M11 and the emitter of the transistor M12 are connected to the tail current source Q DAC The emitter of the transistor M5 and the emitter of the transistor M6 have a fifth common terminal, the collector of the transistor M11 is connected to the fifth common terminal, the collector of the transistor M5 and the collector of the transistor M7 are connected to output a signal, the base of the transistor M6 and the base of the transistor M7 are connected, the emitter of the transistor M7 and the emitter of the transistor M8 have a sixth common terminal, the sixth common terminal is connected to the collector of the transistor M12, and the collector of the transistor M6 and the collector of the transistor M8 are connected to output a signal; The base of the transistor M5 and the base of the transistor M8 can input the orthogonal differential signal Qin+; the base of the transistor M6 and the base of the transistor M7 can input the orthogonal differential signal Qin-.

10. The W-band vector synthesis phase shifter with amplitude modulation function according to claim 9, characterized in that: The collectors of the transistors M1, M3, M5 and M7 are connected to output a signal to OUT+, and the collectors of the transistors M2, M4, M6 and M8 are connected to output a signal to OUT-.

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