An ultra-high frequency peaking method and system for a wideband front end

Abstract

This application belongs to the field of high-speed signal transceivers, specifically disclosing an ultra-high frequency peaking method and system for broadband front-ends, wherein a broadband amplification network and n Parallel peaking networks; the output of the power distribution network is connected to the broadband amplification network and... n Input connection of the cascaded peaking network; broadband amplification network and n The outputs of all peaking networks are connected to the inputs of the power combining network. When the peak frequencies of all peaking networks are the same, ultra-high frequency peaking is performed on the input signal. When the peak frequencies of the peaking networks are different, and the peaking network gain is higher than the preset gain value, the high-frequency loss of the input signal is compensated while ultra-high frequency peaking is performed on the input signal. When the peak frequencies of the peaking networks are different, and the peaking network gain is lower than the preset gain value, the high-frequency loss of the input signal is compensated, and the bandwidth of the input signal is expanded. This can both expand the bandwidth of the broadband amplifier circuit and compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of high-speed signal transceivers, and more specifically, relates to an ultra-high frequency peaking method and system for broadband front-ends. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of communication systems (such as 5G and fiber optic communication) and high-speed data converters (ADCs / DACs), the demand for broadband amplifiers with high-frequency peaking is increasing. These amplifiers need to maintain flat gain and group delay over a wide frequency range (such as DC to tens of GHz) and generate peaking at high frequencies to compensate for the attenuation of the preceding circuitry. However, traditional amplifiers face gain roll-off problems at high frequencies due to limitations in manufacturing processes, parasitic effects, and gain-bandwidth products.

[0003] Existing broadband amplifier circuits mainly suffer from low peaking frequency and high cost; existing ultra-high frequency peaking networks have limited operating frequency bands, cannot cover low frequencies, and are only suitable for specific scenarios.

[0004] In summary, current broadband amplifier circuits suffer from problems such as low peaking frequency and limited operating frequency band, which limits the overall bandwidth of the broadband amplifier circuit and makes it unable to compensate for the high-frequency losses of the front-end circuit. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this application is to provide an ultra-high frequency peaking method and system for broadband front-end, which aims to solve the problems of low peaking frequency and limited operating frequency band in current broadband amplifier circuits, resulting in limited overall bandwidth of broadband amplifier circuits and inability to compensate for high frequency losses in front-end circuits.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, this application provides an ultra-high frequency peaking system for a broadband front-end, comprising: a power distribution network, a broadband amplification network, and n Peaking networks and power combining networks;

[0007] Broadband amplification network and n Parallel peaking networks; the output of the power distribution network is connected to the broadband amplification network and... n Input connection of the cascaded peaking network; broadband amplification network and n The outputs of the peaking network are all connected to the inputs of the power combining network; among them, n Integers ≥ 1;

[0008] The power distribution network is used to distribute the power of the input signal into n+1 paths. One of these n+1 paths enters the broadband amplification network, while the remaining n paths are input to... n Peak-based networks;

[0009] The power combining network is used to combine the signals outputted by the peaking networks;

[0010] The wideband amplification network is used to linearly amplify the input signal;

[0011] n The stage peaking network is used to perform super-high frequency peaking on the input signal based on the characteristic of the peaking frequency selectivity and compensate the high frequency loss of the input signal. Further preferably, when n The peaking frequencies of the stage peaking networks are the same, n The stage peaking network is used to perform super-high frequency peaking on the input signal; when n The peaking frequencies of the stage peaking networks are different, and the gain of the peaking network is higher than the high frequency loss of the input signal, the peaking network is used to compensate the high frequency loss of the input signal while performing super-high frequency peaking on the input signal; when n The peaking frequencies of the stage peaking networks are different, and the gain is lower than the high frequency loss of the input signal, the peaking network is used to compensate the high frequency loss of the input signal and expand the bandwidth of the input signal.

[0012] It should be noted that the wideband amplification network is used to linearly amplify the input signal in a very wide frequency range (usually from near direct current to high frequency), ensuring that all important frequency components of the signal can pass through the amplification network without attenuation (or minimal attenuation) and be amplified.

[0013] Further preferably, the peaking network comprises a plurality of matching networks and amplification units; the amplification units are used to provide basic gain; the matching networks are used to adjust the peaking frequency by adjusting the matching frequency point, thereby improving the gain within the bandwidth and compressing the gain outside the bandwidth.

[0014] More specifically, the peaking network comprises an amplification unit and a matching network; the frequency selectivity of the matching network is one of its core characteristics, and the peaking network only realizes efficient impedance matching in a specific frequency or narrow band range, maximizes power transmission, and is mismatched at other frequencies. The peaking frequency of the peaking network is the frequency at which the matching network realizes maximum transmission efficiency or minimum reflection at a specific frequency point, and the peaking frequency is adjusted by adjusting the matching frequency point.

[0015] Further preferably, the wideband amplification network is a distributed wideband amplification network, comprising: an input transmission line, an input matching load, an output transmission line, an output matching load, and a gain unit;

[0016] The one end of the input transmission line is used for receiving an input signal, and the other end of the input transmission line is grounded through an input matching load; the input matching load is used for absorbing the input signal reflected to the input port of the input transmission line, so as to reduce the inter-stage crosstalk to the maximum extent; each node of the input transmission line is connected to the input end of the gain unit; the output transmission line is used for superimposing and combining the signals output by the gain units; each node of the output transmission line is connected to the output end of each gain unit, the input end of the output transmission line is grounded through a connection output matching load, and the output end of the output transmission line is connected to an external load; and the output matching load is used for absorbing the signals transmitted from the gain units to the output end of the output transmission line in the opposite direction.

[0017] Further preferably, the wideband amplification network is a multi-stage cascaded wideband amplification network, comprising a gain unit and a plurality of bandwidth expansion units; the gain unit is used for providing an amplification gain; and the bandwidth expansion unit is used for expanding the bandwidth of the input signal.

[0018] Further preferably, the power distribution network comprises a plurality of 1 / 4 wavelength coplanar waveguides, which are used for dividing the input signal into n paths.

[0019] Further preferably, the power synthesis network comprises a plurality of 1 / 4 wavelength coplanar waveguides, which are used for synthesizing the n paths of signals output by the peaking network.

[0020] In a second aspect, the present application provides an ultra-high frequency peaking method for a wideband front end, specifically comprising:

[0021] The input signal is transmitted to the wideband amplification network and the peaking network through the power distribution network, the bandwidth of the input signal is expanded by using the wideband amplification network, the input signal is ultra-high frequency peaking by using the peaking network, and the high frequency loss of the input signal is compensated.

[0022] Further preferably, the peaking network with the same peak frequency is selected to perform the ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal.

[0023] Or the peaking network with different peak frequencies and a gain higher than the high frequency loss of the input signal is selected to perform the ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal, and the high frequency loss of the input signal is compensated.

[0024] Or the peaking network with different peak frequencies and a gain lower than the high frequency loss of the input signal is selected to perform the bandwidth expansion on the input signal, and the high frequency loss of the input signal is compensated.

[0025] Overall, compared with the prior art, the above technical solutions conceived by the present application have the following beneficial effects:

[0026] (1) Existing peaking technology has limited peaking capability and can only slightly extend the bandwidth of broadband amplifier circuits. The ultra-high frequency peaking method for broadband front-end provided in this application combines the broadband amplifier network with the peaking network through a power distribution and synthesis network to improve the peak gain of the peaking network. This can both extend the bandwidth of the broadband amplifier circuit and compensate for the high frequency loss of the input signal.

[0027] (2) Existing peaking techniques mostly achieve peaking in the low and medium frequencies. The ultra-high frequency (W-band) peaking method for the bandwidth front end provided in this application combines the broadband amplification network with the peaking network through power allocation and synthesis network, and adjusts the peak frequency of the peaking network to achieve peaking in the ultra-high frequency band. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram of the structure of the ultra-high frequency peaking method for broadband front-end provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram of the bandwidth expansion method for a broadband front end provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 3(a) is a schematic diagram of a distributed broadband amplification network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 3(b) is a schematic diagram of a multi-level cascaded broadband amplification network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the simulation results of the broadband amplifier circuit embodiment provided in this application;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a high-frequency narrowband amplification network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the simulation results of the high-frequency narrowband amplifier circuit embodiment provided in this application;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of parameters for an ultra-high frequency peaking and bandwidth expansion method for a broadband front end provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0037] In this article, the term "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. The symbol " / " in this article indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship; for example, A / B means A or B.

[0038] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification and claims herein are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order of objects.

[0039] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of the terms "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments in this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more.

[0041] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this application provides an ultra-high frequency peaking system for broadband front-end, including: a power distribution network, a broadband amplification network, a peaking network, and a power combining network; after the input signal passes through the power distribution network, one signal enters the broadband amplification network, and the remaining signals enter the peak frequency network respectively. Peaking networks; when the peak frequencies of all peaking networks are the same, such as Figure 1 As shown, ultra-high frequency peaking can be achieved through a power combining network; when the peak frequencies of the peaking networks are different, such as Figure 1 As shown, the peaking network has high gain and can achieve ultra-high frequency peaking while compensating for high-frequency losses, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the peaking network has low gain, which can compensate for high-frequency losses and achieve the effect of bandwidth expansion.

[0043] It should be noted that broadband amplification networks are used to linearly amplify input signals over a wide frequency range (e.g., from DC to tens of GHz), typically from near DC to high frequencies, ensuring that all important frequency components of the signal can pass through the amplification network and be amplified with little or no attenuation.

[0044] The peaking network comprises an amplification unit and a matching network. Frequency selectivity of the matching network is one of its core characteristics; the peaking network achieves efficient impedance matching and maximizes power transmission only within a specific frequency or narrow bandwidth, while experiencing mismatch at other frequencies. The peak frequency of the peaking network is the frequency at which the matching network achieves maximum transmission efficiency or minimum reflection at a specific frequency point. The peak frequency is adjusted by changing the matching frequency. Simultaneously, the peaking network compensates for high-frequency attenuation caused by parasitic capacitance, distributed parameters, or device bandwidth limitations.

[0045] It should be noted that the power splitting network includes several quarter-wavelength coplanar waveguides to split the input signal into n paths. Correspondingly, the power combining network includes several quarter-wavelength coplanar waveguides to combine the n signals output by the peaking network.

[0046] It should be noted that while the core component of a power distribution network is the power divider, a complete and practical power distribution network typically includes other auxiliary components to achieve functions such as connection, matching, isolation, testing, and protection. A power distribution network is used to distribute the power of an input signal to multiple output ports in a specific ratio, usually equally (e.g., 1:2, 1:3, 1:4), but unequal distribution is also possible. The power dividers supported in this application include: Wilkinson power dividers, T-junction power dividers, resistive power dividers, hybrid loops, branch-line couplers, multi-section / wideband power dividers, and unequal-division power dividers.

[0047] The function of a power combining network is exactly the opposite of that of a power distribution network. It combines power from multiple input signals at the output port, resulting in a total output power significantly higher than the power of a single input source. The structure of a power combining network is highly symmetrical to that of a power distribution network, allowing for direct multiplexing. Accordingly, power combining networks can be Wilkinson synthesizers, T-type synthesizers, resistive synthesizers, hybrid loops, branch-line couplers, multiplexers, and spatial power combiners.

[0048] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate a broadband amplification network provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3(a) shows a distributed broadband amplification network. In the input transmission network, one end of the transmission line is used to receive the input signal, and the other end of the transmission line is grounded through an input matching load. The input matching load is used to absorb the input signal reflected to the input port, minimizing inter-stage crosstalk. Each node of the transmission line in the input transmission network is connected to the input terminal of the gain unit. The output transmission network is used to superimpose the signals output from each gain unit and combine them for output. Each node of the transmission line in the output transmission network is connected to the output terminal of each gain unit. One end of the transmission line in the output transmission network is grounded through an output matching load, and the other end of the transmission line is connected to an external load. The output matching load is used to absorb signals transmitted from each gain unit in the opposite direction to the output of the output transmission network, i.e., to absorb reflected signals at the output end and improve the quality of the output signal. Figure 3(b) shows a multi-stage cascaded broadband amplifier network, which consists of amplification units and multiple bandwidth extension units. The amplification units provide the basic gain of the amplifier, and the bandwidth extension units achieve the broadband effect. Both the broadband amplifier networks provided in Figure 3(a) and Figure 3(b) can achieve broadband amplification. The distributed broadband amplifier network provided in Figure 3(a) has a larger area and higher power consumption, but its bandwidth is wider than that of the broadband amplifier network provided in Figure 3(b). The broadband amplifier network provided in Figure 3(b) has a relatively smaller area and lower power consumption. In practical applications, the appropriate network can be selected based on actual needs.

[0049] Figure 4 The simulation results of the broadband amplification network embodiment show that the simulated 3dB bandwidth is 86GHz. Figure 5 A peaking network provided in this application embodiment includes multiple matching networks and an amplification unit. The amplification unit provides a base gain, and the gain at high frequencies is increased and the gain at low frequencies is compressed through multiple different matching networks to achieve the effect of high-frequency narrowband amplification. Figure 6 The simulation results are for an embodiment of a high-frequency narrowband amplifier circuit. It can be seen that the simulated operating frequency band is 80~150GHz; after amplification, the two signals are output through a power combining device. Figure 7 This describes the overall effect of an embodiment of an ultra-high frequency peaking and bandwidth expansion method for broadband front-ends, achieving a 3dB bandwidth of 128GHz and a peak gain around 100GHz. Therefore, this application can simultaneously achieve the effects of broadband and ultra-high frequency peaking.

[0050] Based on the aforementioned UHF peaking system for broadband front-ends, this application provides a corresponding UHF peaking method, specifically as follows:

[0051] The input signal is transmitted to the broadband amplification network and the peaking network through the power distribution network. The broadband amplification network is used to extend the bandwidth of the input signal, while the peaking network is used to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal and compensate for the high frequency loss of the input signal.

[0052] More preferably, a peaking network with the same peak frequency is selected to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal;

[0053] Alternatively, a peaking network with a different peak frequency and a gain higher than the high-frequency loss of the input signal can be selected to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal and compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal.

[0054] Alternatively, a peaking network with a different peak frequency and a gain lower than the high-frequency loss of the input signal can be selected to extend the bandwidth of the input signal and compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal.

[0055] In summary, this application has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0056] Existing peaking technologies have limited peaking capabilities and can only slightly extend the bandwidth of broadband amplifier circuits. The ultra-high frequency peaking method for broadband front-ends provided in this application combines the broadband amplification network with the peaking network by passing the input signal through a power distribution and synthesis network, thereby improving the peak gain of the peaking network. This not only extends the bandwidth of the broadband amplifier circuit but also compensates for the high-frequency loss of the input signal.

[0057] Existing peaking techniques mostly achieve peaking at low and medium frequencies. The ultra-high frequency peaking method for bandwidth front-end provided in this application combines a broadband amplification network with a peaking network through power allocation and a synthesis network, and adjusts the peak frequency of the peaking network to achieve peaking in the ultra-high frequency band.

[0058] It should be understood that expressions such as “comprising” and “may include” used in this application indicate the existence of the disclosed functions, operations, or constituent elements, and do not limit one or more additional functions, operations, and constituent elements. In this application, terms such as “comprising” and / or “having” are to be interpreted as indicating a particular characteristic, number, operation, constituent element, component, or combination thereof, but not to exclude the existence or possibility of adding one or more other characteristics, numbers, operations, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0059] Furthermore, in this application, the expression "and / or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed words. For example, the expression "A and / or B" may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

[0060] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0061] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An ultra-high frequency peaking system for a broadband front-end, characterized in that, include: Power distribution networks, broadband amplification networks, n Peaking networks and power combining networks; Broadband amplification network and n Parallel peaking networks; the output of the power distribution network is connected to the broadband amplification network and... n Input connection of the cascaded peaking network; broadband amplification network and n The outputs of the peaking network are all connected to the inputs of the power combining network; among them, n Integers ≥ 1; The power distribution network is used to distribute the power of the input signal into n+1 paths. One of these n+1 paths is input to the broadband amplification network, and the remaining n paths are input to... n Peak-based networks; Power combining networks are used to combine the signals output by peaking networks; Broadband amplification networks are used to linearly amplify input signals; n The peaking network is used to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal based on the peak frequency selectivity and to compensate for the high frequency loss of the input signal. when n When the peak frequencies of all hierarchical peaking networks are the same, n A multi-stage peaking network is used to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal; when n When the peak frequencies of the peaking networks are different and the gain is higher than the high-frequency loss of the input signal, the peaking network is used to compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal and perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal. When the peak frequencies of the peaking networks are different and the gain is lower than the high-frequency loss of the input signal, the peaking network is used to compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal and expand the bandwidth of the input signal.

2. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The peaking network includes a matching network and an amplification unit; the amplification unit is used to provide the base gain; the matching network is used to adjust the peak frequency by adjusting the matching frequency point, thereby increasing the gain within the bandwidth and compressing the gain outside the bandwidth.

3. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The broadband amplification network is a distributed broadband amplification network, comprising: an input transmission line, an input matching load, an output transmission line, an output matching load, and a gain unit; One end of the input transmission line is used to receive the input signal, and the other end is grounded through an input matching load. The input matching load is used to absorb the input signal reflected to the input port of the input transmission line to minimize inter-stage crosstalk. Each node of the input transmission line is connected to the input terminal of the gain unit. The output transmission line is used to superimpose and combine the signals output by the gain unit. Each node of the output transmission line is connected to the output terminal of each gain unit. The input terminal of the output transmission line is grounded through an output matching load, and the output terminal of the output transmission line is connected to an external load. The output matching load is used to absorb the signal transmitted from the gain unit in the opposite direction to the output terminal of the output transmission line.

4. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The broadband amplification network is a multi-stage cascaded broadband amplification network, including amplification units and multiple bandwidth extension units; the amplification units are used to provide amplification gain; the bandwidth extension units are used to extend the broadband of the input signal.

5. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power distribution network consists of several quarter-wavelength coplanar waveguides used to split the input signal into n paths.

6. The ultra-high frequency peaking system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The power combining network consists of several quarter-wavelength coplanar waveguides used to combine the n signals output by the peaking network.

7. An ultra-high frequency peaking method based on the ultra-high frequency peaking system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Specifically, the input signal is transmitted to the broadband amplification network and the peaking network through the power distribution network. The broadband amplification network is used to expand the bandwidth of the input signal, and the peaking network is used to perform ultra-high frequency peaking of the input signal and compensate for the high frequency loss of the input signal. A peaking network with the same peak frequency is selected to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal; Alternatively, a peaking network with a different peak frequency and a gain higher than the high-frequency loss of the input signal can be selected to perform ultra-high frequency peaking on the input signal and compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal. Alternatively, a peaking network with a different peak frequency and a gain lower than the high-frequency loss of the input signal can be selected to extend the bandwidth of the input signal and compensate for the high-frequency loss of the input signal.

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