Coupler structure and related radio frequency circuit

Abstract

The coupler structure comprises a main signal line, a first coupling line, a second coupling line and a spacing element. The main signal line is located on a first plane, the first coupling line is located on a second plane, the second coupling line is located on a third plane, the second plane and the third plane are both parallel to the first plane, and the second plane and the third plane are both different from the first plane. The spacer is connected to the main signal line. The projection of the spacing element on the first plane is located between the projection of the first coupling line on the first plane and the projection of the second coupling line on the first plane. The main signal line, the first coupling line and the second coupling line extend along a virtual line segment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupler structure and a related radio frequency circuit, and in particular to a coupler structure and a related radio frequency circuit capable of increasing signal coupling amount and improving signal isolation. Background Art

[0002] With the popularity of wireless networks, mobile phones, cars, tablets, base stations, network access points, laptops, or IoT devices all require radio frequency (RF) applications, which has greatly increased the use of RF circuits in electronic systems. RF circuits refer to circuits that process the electromagnetic wavelength of signals at the same order of magnitude as the size of the circuit or device. Communication devices in the prior art usually insert couplers into the transmission lines of RF circuits, which can not only solve the problems caused by power distribution, but also accurately monitor the RF energy in the line without causing a lot of losses in the transmission line and load.

[0003] The coupler introduces interference to the main line signal and can distinguish between forward power and reflected power, allowing monitoring of return loss or standing wave ratio, thereby providing feedback of load changes during transmission. In this case, a coupler structure is needed that can monitor the RF power level while reducing the losses caused in the transmission line and load. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a coupler structure, which includes a main signal line, a first coupling line, a second coupling line and a spacing element. The main signal line is located in a first plane, the first coupling line is located in a second plane, and the second coupling line is located in a third plane, wherein the second plane and the third plane are both parallel to the first plane, and the second plane and the third plane are both different from the first plane. The spacing element connects the main signal line, wherein the projection of the spacing element on the first plane is located between the projection of the first coupling line on the first plane and the projection of the second coupling line on the first plane, and the main signal line, the first coupling line and the second coupling line extend along a virtual line segment.

[0005] The present invention also provides a radio frequency circuit, which includes a radio frequency signal transmission end, a first radio frequency signal output end, a second radio frequency signal output end, a main signal line, a first coupling line, a second coupling line, a spacing element and a power detector. The main signal line is located in a first plane, wherein a first node of the main signal line is coupled to the radio frequency signal transmission end, and a second node of the main signal line is coupled to the first radio frequency signal output end. The first coupling line is located in a second plane, and the second plane is parallel to the first plane, and the second plane is different from the first plane, wherein a first node of the first coupling line is coupled to the second radio frequency signal output end. The second coupling line is located in the third plane, and the third plane is parallel to the first plane, and the third plane is different from the first plane. The spacing element connects the main signal line, wherein the projection of the spacing element on the first plane is between the projection of the first coupling line on the first plane and the projection of the second coupling line on the first plane. The power detector is coupled to a first node of the second coupling line, wherein a main coupling portion of the main signal line, a first coupling portion of the first coupling line, a second coupling portion of the second coupling line and the spacing element form a coupling structure, and the main coupling portion, the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion extend along a virtual line segment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a coupler structure in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a coupler structure in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a coupler structure in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 and Figure 5A-5B Schematic diagram of a top view of a coupler structure in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a coupler structure applied to a radio frequency circuit in an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 7 to 11 It is a characteristic diagram of the radio frequency circuit in operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

[0006] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of a coupler structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The coupler structure 100 includes a main signal line MSL, a first coupled line CPL1, a second coupled line CPL2 and a spacer element 10. For the purpose of illustration, the spatial coordinate system of the coupler structure 100 is marked by an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis, wherein the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0007] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the coupler structure 100 along the XZ plane, wherein the main signal line MSL is located in a first plane PL1, the first coupling line CPL1 is located in a second plane PL2, and the second coupling line CPL2 is located in a third plane PL3. The second plane PL2 is parallel to the first plane PL1, and the third plane PL3 is parallel to the first plane PL1. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the first plane PL1, the second plane PL2 and the third plane PL3 are all parallel to the XY plane, and the second plane PL2 and the third plane PL3 are different from the first plane PL1. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the second plane PL2 is, for example, coplanar with the third plane PL3, that is, the distance between the first plane PL1 and the second plane PL2 is equal to the distance between the first plane PL1 and the third plane PL3. In addition, in other embodiments, the second plane PL2 and the third plane PL3 may not be coplanar. Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the main signal line MSL is, for example, a transmission line formed by a single layer of metal. In other embodiments, the main signal line MSL may also be a transmission line formed by multiple layers of metal (not shown in the figure), and its thickness may be thicker than that of the transmission line formed by a single layer of metal. In this way, when the thickness of the main signal line MSL is increased, the insertion loss of the signal transmitted through the main signal line MSL can be further reduced.

[0008] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer element 10 is connected to the main signal line MSL, and the projection of the spacer element 10 on the first plane PL1 is located between the projection of the first coupling line CPL1 on the first plane PL1 and the projection of the second coupling line CPL2 on the first plane PL1. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the spacer element 10 extends along the second direction D2 to separate the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2, and the second direction D2 is not parallel to the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the second direction D2 may be, for example, the Z-axis direction, that is, the second direction D2 is, for example, perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0009] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing element 10 includes, for example, a first spacing portion 102 and a second spacing portion 104. The first spacing portion 102 is connected between the main signal line MSL and the second spacing portion 104 along the second direction D2. The second spacing portion 104 is located on a fourth plane PL4, which is parallel to the first plane PL1 and Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth plane PL4 is, for example, parallel to the XY plane, the fourth plane PL4 is different from the first plane PL1, and the fourth plane PL4 is, for example, coplanar with the second plane PL2 and the third plane PL3. Further, the first end of the first spacer 102 is connected to the main signal line MSL, and the second end is connected to the second spacer 104, the first end of the second spacer 104 is connected to the second end of the first spacer 102, and the second end is located in the fourth plane PL4. In this way, the connection between the first end of the first spacer 102 and the main signal line MSL is located between the projection of the first plane PL1 and the projection of the second coupling line CPL2 on the first plane PL1.

[0010] exist Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can couple out signals from the main signal line MSL and the spacing element 10. In one embodiment, the spacing element 10 is a conductor, wherein the first spacing portion 102 includes a plurality of guide pillars arranged along the first direction D1 or is a conductor wall extending along the first direction D1, and the second spacing portion 104 is a conductor block extending along the first direction D1, but is not limited thereto. Further, in some embodiments, the second spacing portion 104, the first coupling line CPL1, and the second coupling line CPL2 can be manufactured using the same process, so that the thickness of the second spacing portion 104, the first coupling line CPL1, and the second coupling line CPL2 in the second direction D2 is substantially the same, while in other embodiments, the second spacing portion 104, the first coupling line CPL1, and the second coupling line CPL2 can also be manufactured using different processes, and the thickness of the second spacing portion 104, the first coupling line CPL1, and the second coupling line CPL2 in the second direction D2 can also be different.

[0011] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, since the spacer element 10 extends along the second direction D2 to separate the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2, the spacer element 10 can separate the signal transmitted on the first coupling line CPL1 from the signal transmitted on the second coupling line CPL2, especially when the signals transmitted on the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 are in phase, the mutual coupling between the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can be reduced, thereby avoiding the situation where the signal coupling amount of the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 coupled from the main signal line MSL is reduced, and the situation where the coupling directivity is deteriorated is improved. In addition, since the spacer element 10 of this embodiment is a conductor, and the spacer element 10 is arranged between the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2, the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can also use the portion facing the spacer element 10 to couple additional signals (signals from the main signal line MSL) from the spacer element 10, thereby improving the overall coupling amount of the coupler structure 100. In addition, since the second spacer portion 104 located on the fourth plane PL4 in the spacer element 10 can, for example, be coplanar with the first coupling line CPL1 located on the second plane PL2 and the second coupling line CPL2 located on the third plane PL3, and the width of the second spacer portion 104 in the X-axis direction is greater than the width of the first spacer portion 102 in the X-axis direction, the second spacer portion 104 is close to the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2. In this case, the coupling effect between the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 and the second spacer portion 104 can be further increased, and the signal coupling amount (the signal comes from the main signal line MSL) coupled out of the spacer element 10 by the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can be further increased.

[0012] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a coupler structure 200 in another embodiment of the present invention. The coupler structure 200 includes a main signal line MSL, a first coupling line CPL1, a second coupling line CPL2, a spacer element 20, and a conductor layer 21. For better description, the spatial coordinate system of the coupler structure 200 is marked by an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, wherein the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. Specifically, Figure 2 The coupler structure 200 is similar to Figure 1 The coupler structure 200 is different from the coupler structure 100 in that the coupler structure 200 further includes a conductor layer 21, and the spacing element 20 of the coupler structure 200 is different from the spacing element 10 of the coupler structure 100. To avoid duplication, the description of the similar parts of the coupler structure 200 and the coupler structure 100 will be omitted.

[0013] Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the coupler structure 200 along the XZ plane, wherein the main signal line MSL is located in a first plane PL1, the first coupling line CPL1 is located in a second plane PL2, and the second coupling line CPL2 is located in a third plane PL3. The second plane PL2 is parallel to the first plane PL1, and the third plane PL3 is parallel to the first plane PL1. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the first plane PL1 , the second plane PL2 , and the third plane PL3 are, for example, all parallel to the XY plane, and the second plane PL2 and the third plane PL3 are all different from the first plane PL1 .

[0014] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer element 20 includes a first spacer 202, a second spacer 204, and a third spacer 206. The first spacer 202 is connected to the main signal line MSL, the third spacer 206 is connected to the conductor layer 21, and the second spacer 204 is connected between the first spacer 202 and the third spacer 206. Further, a first end of the first spacer 202 is connected to the main signal line MSL, and a second end is connected to the second spacer 204. A first end of the second spacer 204 is connected to a second end of the first spacer 202, and the second end is located on a fourth plane PL4. A first end of the third spacer 206 is connected to a second end of the second spacer 204, and a second end is connected to the conductor layer 21. The projection of the spacer element 20 on the first plane PL1 is located between the projection of the first coupling line CPL1 on the first plane PL1 and the projection of the second coupling line CPL2 on the first plane PL1, that is, the connection between the first end of the first spacer portion 202 and the main signal line MSL is located between the projection of the first coupling line CPL1 on the first plane PL1 and the projection of the second coupling line CPL2 on the first plane PL1.

[0015] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the conductor layer 21 is located in a fifth plane PL5, wherein the fourth plane PL4 is located between the first plane PL1 and the fifth plane PL5. The fourth plane PL4 and the fifth plane PL5 are, for example, both parallel to the XY plane, and the fifth plane PL5 is different from the first plane PL1, the second plane PL2 and the third plane PL3. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the second plane PL2, the third plane PL3 and the fourth plane PL4 are, for example, coplanar, that is, the first plane PL1 and the second plane PL2, the first plane PL1 and the third plane PL3, and the first plane PL1 and the fourth plane PL4 are equidistant.

[0016] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the second plane PL2 is located between the first plane PL1 and the fifth plane PL5, and the third plane PL3 is located between the first plane PL1 and the fifth plane PL5. That is, the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL1 are located between the main signal line MSL and the conductor layer 21.

[0017] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can couple signals from the main signal line MSL, the spacing element 20, and the conductor layer 21. In one embodiment, the spacing element 20 is a conductor, wherein the first spacing portion 202 includes a plurality of guide pillars arranged along the first direction D1 or is a conductor wall extending along the first direction D1, the second spacing portion 204 is a conductor block extending along the first direction D1, and the third spacing portion 206 includes a plurality of guide pillars arranged along the first direction D1 or is a conductor wall extending along the first direction D1, but is not limited thereto. Further, the first spacing portion 202, the second spacing portion 204, and the third spacing portion 206 may have the same or different widths in the direction of the X-axis due to different processes used.

[0018] exist Figure 2In the embodiment shown, since the spacer element 20 extends along the second direction D2 to separate the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2, the spacer element 20 can separate the signal transmitted on the first coupling line CPL1 from the signal transmitted on the second coupling line CPL2, especially when the signals transmitted on the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 are in phase, the mutual coupling between the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can be reduced, thereby avoiding the situation where the signal coupling amount of the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 coupled from the main signal line MSL is reduced, and the situation where the coupling directivity is deteriorated is improved. In addition, since the spacer element 20 of this embodiment is a conductor, and the spacer element 20 is arranged between the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2, the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can also use the portion facing the spacer element 20 to couple additional signals (signals from the main signal line MSL) from the spacer element 20, thereby improving the overall coupling amount of the coupler structure 200. In addition, since the coupler structure 200 includes a conductor layer 21 located in the fifth plane, and the second plane PL2 is located between the first plane PL1 and the fifth plane PL5, and the third plane PL3 is located between the first plane PL1 and the fifth plane PL5, the first coupling line CPL1 located in the second plane PL2 and the second coupling line CPL2 located in the third plane PL3 can use the portion facing the conductor layer 21 to increase the coupling effect with the conductor layer 21, thereby improving the signal coupling amount (the signal comes from the main signal line MSL) coupled out of the conductor layer 21 by the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2.

[0019] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a coupler structure 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The coupler structure 300 includes a main signal line MSL, a first coupling line CPL1, a second coupling line CPL2, a spacer element 20, a conductor layer 21, a first side element 31 and a second side element 32. For the purpose of illustration, the spatial coordinate system of the coupler structure 300 is marked by an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis, wherein the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. Further, Figure 3 The coupler structure 300 is similar to Figure 2 The coupler structure 200 is different from the coupler structure 300 in that the coupler structure 300 further includes a first side element 31 and a second side element 32. To avoid duplication, the description of the similar parts between the coupler structure 300 and the coupler structure 200 will be omitted.

[0020] Figure 3FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the coupler structure 300 along the XZ plane, wherein the main signal line MSL is located in a first plane PL1, the first coupling line CPL1 is located in a second plane PL2, and the second coupling line CPL2 is located in a third plane PL3. The second plane PL2 is parallel to the first plane PL1, and the third plane PL3 is parallel to the first plane PL1. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first plane PL1 , the second plane PL2 , and the third plane PL3 are, for example, all parallel to the XY plane, and the second plane PL2 and the third plane PL3 are all different from the first plane PL1 .

[0021] Figure 3 The spacing element 20 and the conductor layer 21 in the embodiment shown are similar to Figure 2 The embodiments shown in FIG. 1 are not described in detail here. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first side element 31 includes side portions LS1-LSM, and the second side element 32 includes side portions RS1-RSN, where M and N are positive integers. The first side element 31 and the second side element 32 extend along the second direction D2 and are connected between the main signal line MSL and the conductor layer 21, respectively, and the spacer element 20 is located between the first side element 31 and the second side element 32.

[0022] exist Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can couple signals from the main signal line MSL, the spacer element 20, the conductor layer 21, the first side element 31 and the second side element 32. In one embodiment, the spacer element 20 is a conductor, wherein the first spacer 202 includes a plurality of guide pillars arranged along the first direction D1 or a conductor wall extending along the first direction D1, the second spacer 204 is a conductor block extending along the first direction D1, and the third spacer 206 includes a plurality of guide pillars arranged along the Y axis or a conductor wall extending along the first direction D1. In one embodiment, the first side element 31 and the second side element 32 are conductors, wherein each side portion includes a plurality of guide pillars arranged along the first direction D1, a conductor wall extending along the first direction D1, or a conductor block extending along the first direction D1, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the first side element 31 and the second side element 32 are both integrally formed conductor structures (M=N=1). In another embodiment, the first side element 31 may include side portions LS1, LS2, and LS3, wherein LS1 is a guide pillar or a conductor wall, LS2 is a conductor block, and LS3 is a guide pillar or a conductor wall, and the second side element 32 may include side portions RS1, RS2, and RS3, wherein RS1 is a guide pillar or a conductor wall, LS2 is a conductor block, and RS3 is a guide pillar or a conductor wall, and wherein the side portion RS2 and the side portion RS2 may be coplanar with the second plane PL2, the third plane PL3, and the fourth plane PL4, for example. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the second spacer 204, the first coupling line CPL1, the second coupling line CPL2, one of the side portions of the first side element 31, and one of the side portions of the second side element 32 can be manufactured using the same process, so that the thicknesses of the second spacer 204, the first coupling line CPL1, the second coupling line CPL2, one of the side portions of the first side element 31, and one of the side portions of the second side element 32 in the second direction D2 are substantially the same, while in other embodiments, the second spacer 204, the first coupling line CPL1, the second coupling line CPL2, one of the side portions of the first side element 31, and one of the side portions of the second side element 32 can also be manufactured using different processes, and the thicknesses of the second spacer 204, the first coupling line CPL1, the second coupling line CPL2, one of the side portions of the first side element 31, and one of the side portions of the second side element 32 in the second direction D2 can also be different.

[0023] exist Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, since the spacer element 20 extends along the second direction D2 to separate the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2, the spacer element 20 can separate the signal transmitted on the first coupling line CPL1 from the signal transmitted on the second coupling line CPL2. In particular, when the signals transmitted on the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 are in phase, the mutual coupling between the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can be reduced, thereby avoiding the reduction in the amount of signal coupling coupled from the main signal line MSL by the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2, and improving the deterioration of the coupling directivity. In addition, since the spacer element 20 of the present embodiment is a conductor and the spacer element 20 is arranged between the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2, the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can also use the portion facing the spacer element 20 to couple additional signals (the signals are from the main signal line MSL) from the spacer element 20, thereby improving the overall coupling amount of the coupler structure 300. In addition, since the coupler structure 300 includes the conductor layer 21 located on the fifth plane, Figure 2 The effect of the embodiment is that the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can use the portion facing the conductor layer 21 to increase the coupling effect with the conductor layer 21, thereby increasing the signal coupling amount (the signal comes from the main signal line MSL) additionally coupled out from the conductor layer 21 by the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2.

[0024] Furthermore, in Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first side element 31 and the second side element 32 extend along the second direction D2, and the first side element 31 and the second side element 32 are respectively connected between the main signal line MSL and the conductor layer 21, and the projections of the first coupling line CPL1, the second coupling line CPL2 and the spacing element 20 on the first plane PL1 are all located between the projection of the first side element 31 on the first plane PL1 and the projection of the second side element 32 on the first plane PL1. In more detail, at least a portion of the structure of the first coupling line CPL1 is surrounded by the first side element 31, the main signal line MSL, and the spacing element 20, and at least a portion of the structure of the second coupling line CPL2 is surrounded by the second side element 32, the main signal line MSL and the spacing element 20. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 can respectively utilize the portions facing the first side element 31 and the second side element 32 to additionally couple signals (the signals are from the main signal line MSL) from the first side element 31 and the second side element 32, thereby improving the overall coupling amount of the coupler structure 300.

[0025] Figure 4 and Figure 5A-5BSchematic diagram of a top view of a coupler structure along the XY plane in an embodiment of the present invention. P1 and P2 represent two nodes located on the main signal line MSL, P3 and P4 represent two nodes located on the first coupling line CPL1, and P5 and P6 represent two nodes located on the second coupling line CPL2.

[0026] Also refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the main signal line MSL, the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 may extend along a virtual line segment VL1. Figures 1 to 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the virtual line segment VL1 is a straight line extending along the first direction D1. The first direction D1 may be, for example, the Y-axis direction. The virtual line segment VL1 will be further combined with Figure 4 Provide explanation.

[0027] In the present invention, the main coupling portion of the main signal line MSL, the first coupling portion of the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling portion of the second coupling line CPL2 form a coupling structure and extend along a virtual line segment VL1. In one embodiment, the virtual line segment VL1 can be a straight line along any direction, such as Figure 4 As shown, the main coupling portion of the main signal line MSL (the main signal line MSL is located in the main structure within the dotted frame), the first coupling portion of the first coupling line CPL1 (the first coupling line CPL1 is located in the main structure within the dotted frame), and the second coupling portion of the second coupling line CPL2 (the second coupling line CPL2 is located in the main structure within the dotted frame) can extend along the first direction D1, and the signal transmission direction is, for example, parallel to the first direction D1. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the first direction D1 may be, for example, the Y-axis direction. Further, the main coupling portion of the main signal line MSL, the first coupling portion of the first coupling line CPL1, and the second coupling portion of the second coupling line CPL2 extending along the virtual line segment VL1 may include a situation where the main coupling portion of the main signal line MSL, the first coupling portion of the first coupling line CPL1, and the second coupling portion of the second coupling line CPL2 are substantially parallel to the virtual line segment VL1, and a situation where the main coupling portion of the main signal line MSL is substantially parallel to the virtual line segment VL1, and the first coupling portion of the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling portion of the second coupling line CPL2 gradually open or contract with the virtual line segment VL1 as the center line (not shown), that is, the distance between the first coupling portion of the first coupling line CPL1 and the virtual line segment VL1 may be gradual, and the distance between the second coupling portion of the second coupling line CPL2 and the virtual line segment VL1 may be gradual. Alternatively, the widths of the first coupling portions of the first coupling lines CPL1 in the X-axis direction may be unequal, and the widths of the second coupling portions of the second coupling lines CPL2 in the X-axis direction may be unequal.

[0028] In another embodiment, the virtual line segment VL2 may be a line of any shape on any plane, such as Figure 5A-5B As shown, the virtual line segment VL2 is, for example, a spiral line, and the main coupling portion of the main signal line MSL (the main structure of the main signal line MSL corresponding to the range marked by the virtual line segment VL2), the first coupling portion of the first coupling line CPL1 (the main structure of the first coupling line CPL1 corresponding to the range marked by the virtual line segment VL2) and the second coupling portion of the second coupling line CPL2 (the main structure of the second coupling line CPL2 corresponding to the range marked by the virtual line segment VL2) can extend along the virtual line segment VL2 on the XY plane. In addition, Figure 5A-5B In the embodiment of the present invention, the portion within the dotted frame can also be captured to Figures 1 to 3 Reference is made to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a coupler structure applied to a radio frequency circuit 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The coupler structure 100, Figure 2 The coupler structure 200 and Figure 3 The coupler structure 300 can be applied to the RF circuit 600. The RF circuit 600 includes a RF signal transmitting terminal 602, a first RF signal output terminal 604, a second RF signal output terminal 606, a main signal line MSL, a first coupling line CPL1, and a second coupling line CPL2. It should be noted that the spacing element 10 in the coupler structure 100, the spacing element 20 in the coupler structure 200, or the spacing element 20 in the coupler structure 300 is Figure 6 Not shown, Figure 6 The main structure of the coupler structure of the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the radio frequency circuit 600. The main signal line MSL has nodes P1 and P2, the first coupling line CPL1 has nodes P3 and P4, and the second coupling line CPL2 has nodes P5 and P6. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the nodes P1 and P2 of the main signal line MSL can be further defined as the main coupling part MSLP, the nodes P3 and P4 of the first coupling line CPL1 can be further defined as the first coupling part CPL1P, and the nodes P5 and P6 of the second coupling line CPL2 can be further defined as the second coupling part CPL2P. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the main coupling part MSLP, the first coupling part CPL1P and the second coupling part CPL2P are close to each other, so that the first coupling part CPL1P and the second coupling part CPL2P can couple out signals from the main coupling part MSLP and the spacing element 10 or 20 of the above-mentioned embodiment, so the main coupling part MSLP, the first coupling part CPL1P and the second coupling part CPL2P can form a coupling structure. Figure 6 In the embodiment, similar to Figure 4 In the case of the main coupling portion MSLP, the first coupling portion CPL1P and the second coupling portion CPL2P may extend along a virtual line segment VL1, and the virtual line segment VL1 may be, for example, a straight line extending along the first direction D1.

[0030] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, the node P1 of the main signal line MSL is coupled to the RF signal transmitting end 602, the node P2 of the main signal line MSL is coupled to the first RF signal output end 604, and the node P3 of the first coupling line CPL1 is coupled to the second RF signal output end 606. The RF signal transmitting end 602 may be, for example, an RF signal transmitting end, the first RF signal output end may be, for example, coupled to a transmitting antenna, and the second RF signal output end 606 may be, for example, coupled to other devices outside the RF circuit 600. In addition, the RF circuit 600 may further include a power detector 608, and the power detector 608 is coupled to the node P5 of the second coupling line CPL2, wherein the power detector 608 may be, for example, a logarithmic power detector (Log-PD). The RF circuit 600 may further include an amplifier circuit 610, the input end of the amplifier circuit 610 is coupled to the RF signal transmission end 602, and the output end of the amplifier circuit 610 is coupled to the node P1 of the main signal line MSL. That is, the RF signal transmission end 602 is coupled to the node P1 of the main signal line MSL through the amplifier circuit 610. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the RF signal input from the RF signal transmitting terminal 602 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 610, and then transmitted to the first RF signal output terminal 604 along the main signal line MSL to be transmitted by the transmitting antenna. On the other hand, the node P4 of the first coupling line CPL1 can be coupled to the resistor R1, and the node P6 of the second coupling line CPL2 can be coupled to the resistor R2, wherein the resistor R1 and the resistor R2 can be used to perform impedance matching or band-stop filtering on the RF signal. Further, the first end of the resistor R1 is coupled to the node P4 of the first coupling line CPL1, the second end of the resistor R1 is coupled to the reference voltage, the first end of the resistor R2 is coupled to the node P6 of the second coupling line CPL2, and the second end of the resistor R2 is coupled to the reference voltage. In one embodiment, the power detector 608 outputs a DC signal, and the RF circuit 600 outputs an AC signal through the second RF signal output terminal 606.

[0031] Figures 7 to 11 6 is a characteristic diagram of the operation of the radio frequency circuit 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention. When a signal is input from the node P1 of the main signal line MSL and received by the node P3 of the first coupling line CPL1, Figure 7The relationship between the coupling amount CF31 (in dB) of the main signal line MSL coupled to the first coupling line CPL1 and the signal frequency (in GHz) is shown, wherein the curve CV1 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit of the comparative example (using the coupler structure without the spacing element of the present case, and the length of the main signal line is, for example, 250 microns), and the curve CV2 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit 600 of the present invention (using the coupler structure 100, 200 or 300, and the length of the main signal line is, for example, 250 microns). Figure 7 As shown, when the RF circuit of the comparative example and the RF circuit 600 of the present invention use the same length of main signal line to transmit signals of the same frequency, for example, when the frequency is 6 GHz, compared with the comparative example, in the RF circuit 600 of the present invention, the first coupling line CPL1 can obtain more coupling from the main signal line MSL (curve CV2).

[0032] When a signal is inputted from the node P3 of the first coupling line CPL1 and received by the node P5 of the second coupling line CPL2, Figure 8 The relationship between the coupling amount CF53 (in dB) of the first coupling line CPL1 to the second coupling line CPL2 and the signal frequency (in GHz) is shown, wherein the curve CV3 represents the characteristics of the radio frequency circuit 600 of the present invention (using the coupler structure 100, 200 or 300, and the length of the main signal line is, for example, 250 microns), and the curve CV4 represents the characteristics of the radio frequency circuit of the comparative example (using the coupler structure without the spacing element of the present case, and the length of the main signal line is, for example, 250 microns). Figure 8 As shown, when the RF circuit of the comparative example and the RF circuit 600 of the present invention use the same length of main signal line to transmit signals of the same frequency, for example, when the frequency is 6 GHz, compared with the comparative example, in the RF circuit 600 of the present invention, the second coupling line CPL2 obtains less coupling from the first coupling line CPL1 (curve CV3), which means that the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 are less likely to affect each other, and the isolation is better.

[0033] When a signal is input from the node P1 of the main signal line MSL and received by the node P3 of the first coupling line CPL1, Fig. 9The figure shows the relationship between the coupling amount CF31 (in dB) of the main signal line MSL coupled to the first coupling line CPL1 and the signal frequency (in GHz), wherein curve CV5 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit of the comparative example (using a coupler structure without the spacing element of the present case, and the length of the main signal line is, for example, 250 microns), curve CV6 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit 600 of the present invention (using the coupler structure 100, 200 or 300, the main signal line MSL is a transmission line formed by a single layer of metal and the length is, for example, 187 microns), and curve CV7 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit 600 of the present invention (using the coupler structure 100, 200 or 300, the main signal line MSL is a transmission line formed by multiple layers of metal and the length is, for example, 194 microns). Fig. 9 As shown, when the RF circuit of the comparative example and the RF circuit 600 of the present invention transmit signals of the same frequency, for example, when the frequency is 6 GHz, compared with the comparative example, the RF circuit 600 of the present invention can use a shorter main signal line MSL to allow the first coupling line CPL1 to obtain substantially the same coupling amount from the main signal line MSL.

[0034] When a signal is inputted from the node P3 of the first coupling line CPL1 and received by the node P5 of the second coupling line CPL2, Fig.10 The figure shows the relationship between the coupling amount CF53 (in dB) of the first coupling line CPL1 to the second coupling line CPL2 and the signal frequency (in GHz), wherein curve CV8 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit of the comparative example (using a coupler structure without the spacing element of the present case, and the length of the main signal line is, for example, 250 microns), curve CV9 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit 600 of the present invention (using the coupler structure 100, 200 or 300, the main signal line MSL is a transmission line formed by a single layer of metal and the length is, for example, 187 microns), and curve CV10 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit 600 of the present invention (using the coupler structure 100, 200 or 300, the main signal line MSL is a transmission line formed by multiple layers of metal and the length is, for example, 194 microns). Fig.10 As shown, when the RF circuit of the comparative example uses a main signal line of, for example, 250 microns and the RF circuit 600 of the present invention uses a main signal line of, for example, 187 microns or 194 microns to transmit signals of the same frequency, for example, when the frequency is 6 GHz, and when the first coupling line CPL1 can obtain substantially the same coupling amount from the main signal line MSL, compared to the comparative example, in the RF circuit 600 of the present invention, the second coupling line CPL2 obtains less coupling amount from the first coupling line CPL1 (curve CV9 and curve CV10), indicating that the first coupling line CPL1 and the second coupling line CPL2 are less likely to affect each other and have better isolation.

[0035] Fig.11The relationship between the insertion loss (in dB) of the main signal line and the signal frequency (in GHz) is shown, wherein curve CV11 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit of the comparative example (using a coupler structure without the spacing element of the present case, and the length of the main signal line is, for example, 250 microns), curve CV12 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit 600 of the present invention (using the coupler structure 100, 200 or 300, the main signal line MSL is a transmission line formed by a single layer of metal and the length is, for example, 187 microns), and curve CV13 represents the characteristics of the RF circuit 600 of the present invention (using the coupler structure 100, 200 or 300, the main signal line MSL is a transmission line formed by multiple layers of metal and the length is, for example, 194 microns). Fig.11 As shown, when the RF circuit of the comparative example uses a main signal line of, for example, 250 microns and the RF circuit 600 of the present invention uses a main signal line of, for example, 187 microns or 194 microns to transmit signals of the same frequency, for example, when the frequency is 6 GHz, when the first coupling line CPL1 can obtain the same coupling amount from the main signal line MSL, compared with the comparative example, in the RF circuit 600 of the present invention, the insertion loss of the main signal line MSL is lower (less negative) (curve CV12 and curve CV13).

[0036] In summary, the coupler structure of the present invention can increase the signal coupling amount and improve the signal isolation, thereby reducing the insertion loss. When applied to radio frequency circuits, the coupler structure of the present invention can be used to monitor the radio frequency power level while reducing the loss caused in the transmission line and the load.

[0037] The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the claims of the present invention should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A coupler structure, characterized in that: Include: A main signal line, located on a first plane; A first coupling line is located in a second plane, and the second plane is parallel to the first plane, and the second plane is different from the first plane; a second coupling line located in a third plane, the third plane being parallel to the first plane and different from the first plane; and A spacing element connected to the main signal line, wherein: The projection of the spacer element on the first plane is located between the projection of the first coupling line on the first plane and the projection of the second coupling line on the first plane; and The main signal line, the first coupling line and the second coupling line extend along a virtual line segment.

2. The coupler structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The virtual line segment is a straight line extending along a first direction.

3. The coupler structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first coupling line and the second coupling line couple out signals from the main signal line and the spacing element.

4. The coupler structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The virtual line segment extends along a first direction, the spacing element extends from the main signal line along a second direction to separate the first coupling line and the second coupling line, the second direction is not parallel to the first direction, and the spacing element is a conductor.

5. The coupler structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: in: The spacer element comprises a first spacer portion and a second spacer portion; The first spacer is connected between the main signal line and the second spacer along the second direction; The second spacer is located on a fourth plane, and the fourth plane is parallel to the first plane, and the fourth plane is different from the first plane; and The first spacing portion includes a plurality of guide pillars arranged along the first direction, or is a conductor wall extending along the first direction.

6. The coupler structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: in: The second spacing portion is a conductor block extending along the first direction; and The second plane, the third plane and the fourth plane are coplanar.

7. The coupler structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a conductor layer located on a fifth plane, wherein: The fifth plane is parallel to the first plane, and the fifth plane is different from the first plane, the second plane and the third plane; The spacing element is connected between the main signal line and the conductor layer along the second direction; and The first coupling line and the second coupling line are located between the main signal line and the conductor layer.

8. The coupler structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: in: The spacer element includes a first spacer portion, a second spacer portion and a third spacer portion; The first spacer is connected to the main signal line, the third spacer is connected to the conductor layer, and the second spacer is connected between the first spacer and the third spacer; The first spacing portion includes a plurality of first guide pillars arranged along the first direction, or is a first conductor wall extending along the first direction; and The third spacing portion includes a plurality of second guide pillars arranged along the first direction, or is a second conductor wall extending along the first direction.

9. The coupler structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: in: The second spacing portion is a conductor block extending along the first direction; The second spacer is located on a fourth plane, and the fourth plane is parallel to the first plane, and the fourth plane is different from the first plane; and The second plane, the third plane and the fourth plane are coplanar.

10. The coupler structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a first side element and a second side element, which are respectively connected between the main signal line and the conductor layer along the second direction, and the spacing element is located between the first side element and the second side element. At least part of the first coupling line is surrounded by the first side element, the main signal line, the spacing element and the conductor layer, and at least part of the second coupling line is surrounded by the second side element, the main signal line, the spacing element and the conductor layer.

11. The coupler structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first node of the main signal line is coupled to a radio frequency signal transmitting end, a second node of the main signal line is coupled to a first radio frequency signal output end, a first node of the first coupling line is coupled to a second radio frequency signal output end, and a first node of the second coupling line is coupled to a power detector.

12. A radio frequency circuit, characterized in that: It contains: A radio frequency signal transmitting end; a first radio frequency signal output terminal; a second radio frequency signal output terminal; A main signal line is located on a first plane, wherein a first node of the main signal line is coupled to the RF signal transmitting end, and a second node of the main signal line is coupled to the first RF signal output end; A first coupling line is located in a second plane, and the second plane is parallel to the first plane and different from the first plane, wherein a first node of the first coupling line is coupled to the second RF signal output terminal; a second coupling line located in a third plane, and the third plane is parallel to the first plane, and the third plane is different from the first plane; a spacing element connected to the main signal line; and a power detector coupled to a first node of the second coupling line, wherein: The projection of the spacer element on the first plane is located between the projection of the first coupling line on the first plane and the projection of the second coupling line on the first plane; A main coupling portion of the main signal line, a first coupling portion of the first coupling line, a second coupling portion of the second coupling line and the spacing element form a coupling structure; and The main coupling portion, the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion extend along a virtual line segment.

13. The radio frequency circuit according to claim 12, characterized in that: The virtual line segment is a straight line extending along a first direction.

14. The radio frequency circuit according to claim 12, characterized in that: The first coupling portion of the first coupling line and the second coupling portion of the second coupling line couple out signals from the main coupling portion of the main signal line and the spacing element.

15. The radio frequency circuit according to claim 12, characterized in that: The device further comprises an amplifier circuit, wherein an input end of the amplifier circuit is coupled to the radio frequency signal transmitting end, and an output end of the amplifier circuit is coupled to the first node of the main signal line.

16. The radio frequency circuit according to claim 12, characterized in that: in: A second node of the first coupling line is coupled to a first resistor; and A second node of the second coupling line is coupled to a second resistor.

17. The radio frequency circuit according to claim 12, characterized in that: The first radio frequency signal output terminal of the radio frequency circuit is coupled to a transmitting antenna.

18. The radio frequency circuit according to claim 12, characterized in that: The power detector is a logarithmic power detector.

19. The radio frequency circuit according to claim 12, characterized in that: in: The virtual line segment extends along a first direction; The spacing element extends from the main coupling portion along a second direction to separate the first coupling portion from the second coupling portion; The second direction is not parallel to the first direction; and The spacing element is a conductor.

20. The radio frequency circuit according to claim 12, characterized in that: The power detector outputs a DC signal, and the second RF signal output terminal outputs an AC signal.

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