A phase shift circuit, a radio frequency device, a radio frequency front end module and a communication device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a phase shift circuit, a radio frequency device, a radio frequency front end module and a communication device, and relate to the technical field of communication, and can reduce the link insertion loss. The phase shift circuit comprises: a switch circuit, a bridge, a first phase shifter and a second phase shifter. The switch circuit is used for connecting the first signal end and the bridge; the bridge is also connected with the first phase shifter and the second phase shifter; the bridge has a first phase shift angle between the signal input end and the first output end, and has a second phase shift angle between the signal input end and the second output end. In the above scheme, the phase of the radio frequency signal is controlled.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510344142.8, filed on March 21, 2025, entitled "A Phase Shifting Circuit, Radio Frequency Device, Radio Frequency Front-End Module and Communication Equipment", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a phase-shifting circuit, a radio frequency device, a radio frequency front-end module, and a communication device. Background Technology

[0003] Phase shifters, as devices that can control the phase change of signals, are widely used in the radio frequency front-end modules of communication equipment. Phase shifters achieve beamforming and beam scanning by changing the phase of electromagnetic waves in the receiving or transmitting channel. In terminal products, phase shifters can also be combined with antenna arrays to achieve wide scanning angles and high gains.

[0004] When using a power divider phase shifter circuit to achieve four phase shift states (-90°, 0°, 90°, and 180°), the power divider in the power divider phase shifter circuit is usually used for power distribution, and then two phase shifters are used to achieve 90° step phase shift. The overall link insertion loss introduced is relatively large. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide a phase-shifting circuit, a radio frequency device, a radio frequency front-end module, and a communication device that can reduce link insertion loss.

[0006] In a first aspect, a phase-shifting circuit is provided, comprising: a switching circuit, a bridge circuit, a first phase shifter, and a second phase shifter. The switching circuit is connected to a first signal terminal, a signal input terminal of the bridge circuit, and a signal isolation terminal of the bridge circuit. The first output terminal of the bridge circuit is connected to a first terminal of the first phase shifter, and the second output terminal of the bridge circuit is connected to a first terminal of the second phase shifter. The second terminal of the first phase shifter is connected to a first antenna, and the second terminal of the second phase shifter is connected to a second antenna.

[0007] The bridge circuit has a first phase shift angle between its signal input terminal and first output terminal, and a second phase shift angle between its signal input terminal and second output terminal; the bridge circuit also has a second phase shift angle between its signal isolation terminal and first output terminal, and a first phase shift angle between its signal isolation terminal and second output terminal; a switching circuit is configured to connect the first signal terminal to the bridge's signal input terminal, or to connect the first signal terminal to the bridge's signal isolation terminal. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific form of the first or second phase shifter. For example, one or both of the first and second phase shifters may be fixed phase shifters, or one of them may be an adjustable phase shifter. For instance, taking the first phase shifter as an example, a fixed phase shifter means that the first phase shifter always has only one phase shift angle; an adjustable phase shifter means that the first phase shifter has one phase shift angle in some states and another phase shift angle when switching to another state.

[0008] Based on the above scheme, since a switching circuit is set in the entire phase shifting circuit, the port of the first signal terminal input signal on the bridge (signal input terminal or signal isolation terminal) can be selected through the switching circuit. At the same time, combined with the phase shifters connected to the two output terminals of the bridge, different phase shifting states can be achieved. Since the bridge itself has power division and phase shifting functions, the phase shifting angle requirement of the subsequent phase shifter is low when achieving different phase shifting states. That is, through the two-stage phase shifting of the bridge and the phase shifter, the requirement for the phase shifting angle of the phase shifter can be reduced, thereby reducing the link insertion loss.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first phase shifter has any of the following phase shift angles: a third phase shift angle or a fourth phase shift angle; the second phase shifter has any of the following phase shift angles: a fifth phase shift angle or a sixth phase shift angle. For example, based on the above phase shifting circuit, the first signal terminal is selectively connected to the signal input terminal or the signal isolation terminal of the bridge by a switching circuit; when both the first and second phase shifters are adjustable phase shifters, four 90° step phase shift states can be achieved by selectively adjusting the phase shift angles of the first and second phase shifters; the first phase shifter connected to the first output terminal of the bridge is designated as path 1, and the second phase shifter connected to the second output terminal of the bridge is designated as path 2. In phase-shift state 1, the switching circuit connects the first signal terminal to the signal input terminal of the bridge, resulting in a first phase shift angle θ1 between the signal input terminal and the first output terminal of the bridge. The first phase shifter is adjusted to have a third phase shift angle θ3, and the total phase shift angle on path 1 is θ1+θ3. The signal input terminal and the second output terminal of the bridge have a second phase shift angle θ2, and the second phase shifter is adjusted to have a fifth phase shift angle θ5, and the total phase shift angle on path 2 is θ2+θ5. The corresponding phase shift state in phase-shift state 1 is (θ1+θ3)-(θ2+θ5). In phase-shift state 2, the switching circuit connects the first signal terminal to the signal isolation terminal of the bridge, and there is a second phase shift angle θ2 between the signal isolation terminal of the bridge and the first output terminal. The first phase shifter is adjusted to have a third phase shift angle θ3, and the total phase shift angle on path 1 is θ2+θ3. There is a first phase shift angle θ1 between the signal isolation terminal of the bridge and the second output terminal, and the second phase shifter is adjusted to have a fifth phase shift angle θ5, and the total phase shift angle on path 2 is θ1+θ5. The corresponding phase shift state in phase-shift state 1 is (θ2+θ3)-(θ1+θ5). In phase-shift state 3, the switching circuit connects the first signal terminal P1 to the signal input terminal of the bridge, so there is a first phase shift angle θ1 between the signal input terminal and the first output terminal of the bridge. The first phase shifter is adjusted to have a fourth phase shift angle θ4, and the total phase shift angle on path 1 is θ1+θ4. There is a second phase shift angle θ2 between the signal input terminal and the second output terminal of the bridge, and the second phase shifter is adjusted to have a sixth phase shift angle θ6, and the total phase shift angle on path 2 is θ2+θ6. The corresponding phase shift state in phase-shift state 1 is (θ1+θ4)-(θ2+θ6).In phase-shift state 4, the switching circuit connects the first signal terminal to the signal isolation terminal of the bridge, and there is a second phase shift angle θ2 between the signal isolation terminal of the bridge and the first output terminal. The first phase shifter is adjusted to have a fourth phase shift angle θ4, and the total phase shift angle on path 1 is θ2+θ4. There is a first phase shift angle θ1 between the signal isolation terminal of the bridge and the second output terminal, and the second phase shifter is adjusted to have a sixth phase shift angle θ6, and the total phase shift angle on path 2 is θ1+θ6. The corresponding phase shift state in phase-shift state 1 is (θ2+θ4)-(θ1+θ6).

[0010] In one possible implementation, the switching circuit is specifically configured to connect the first signal terminal to the signal input terminal of the bridge and connect the signal isolation terminal of the bridge to the ground terminal; or, connect the first signal terminal to the signal isolation terminal of the bridge and connect the signal input terminal of the bridge to the ground terminal. Typically, when the switching circuit connects the first signal terminal to the signal input terminal of the bridge, it can also connect the signal isolation terminal of the bridge to the ground terminal. Since the signal isolation terminal of the bridge does not output a signal when the signal of the first signal terminal is input from the signal input terminal, it is usually necessary to connect the signal isolation terminal to the ground terminal. Of course, considering impedance matching, the signal isolation terminal can also be connected to the ground terminal through a first resistor. When the switching circuit connects the first signal terminal to the signal isolation terminal of the bridge, it can also connect the signal input terminal of the bridge to the ground terminal. Since the signal input terminal of the bridge does not output a signal when the signal of the first signal terminal is input from the signal isolation terminal, it is usually necessary to connect the signal input terminal to the ground terminal. Of course, considering impedance matching, the signal input terminal can also be connected to the ground terminal through a second resistor.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the difference between the second phase shift angle and the first phase shift angle is 90° ± δ1, where δ1 is the phase fluctuation value, and its value is unrestricted. In this possible implementation, δ1 is a minimum value used to characterize the in-band fluctuation of the phase difference, and it is generally better to be as small as possible. In one feasible scheme, δ1 ≤ 4°, so that the difference between the second phase shift angle and the first phase shift angle is approximately 90°, for example, the first phase shift angle is 0° and the second phase shift angle is 90°.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the bridge is a 3dB bridge. Besides distributing the power of the signal input at the first signal terminal, the 3dB bridge can also output two signals with a 90° phase difference at the first and second output terminals, respectively.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the third and fifth phase shift angles are 0° ± δ2, where δ2 is a phase fluctuation value that can be set without restriction. In this possible implementation, δ2 is a minimum value used to characterize the in-band fluctuation of the phase difference, and it is generally better to be as small as possible. In one feasible scheme, δ2 ≤ 4°, so that the third and fifth phase shift angles are approximately 0°, for example, the third phase shift angle is 0° and the fifth phase shift angle is 0°.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the fourth phase shift angle is 45°±δ3, where δ3 is the phase fluctuation value, and its value is unrestricted. In this possible implementation, δ3 is a minimum value used to characterize the in-band fluctuation of the phase difference, and it is generally better to be as small as possible. In one feasible scheme, δ3≤4°, so the fourth phase shift angle is approximately 45°, for example, the fourth phase shift angle is 45°.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the sixth phase shift angle is -45°±δ4, where δ4 is the phase fluctuation value, and its value is unrestricted. In this possible implementation, δ4 is a minimum value used to characterize the in-band fluctuation of the phase difference, and it is generally better to be as small as possible. In one feasible scheme, δ4≤4°, so the sixth phase shift angle is approximately -45°, for example, the sixth phase shift angle is -45°.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first phase shifter includes a first switch, a first capacitor, a first inductor, and a second inductor. The first switch is connected between a first terminal and a second terminal of the first phase shifter; the first capacitor is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal of the first phase shifter; the first terminal of the first inductor is connected to the first terminal of the first phase shifter; the first terminal of the second inductor is connected to the second terminal of the first phase shifter; and the second terminals of both the first and second inductors are connected to a ground terminal. Thus, when the first switch is on, the first phase shifter has a third phase shift angle; when the first switch is off, the first phase shifter has a fourth phase shift angle.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the first phase shifter further includes a second switch, a second capacitor, and a third inductor. The second switch is connected between the second terminal of the first inductor and the ground terminal. The second capacitor is connected in parallel across the two terminals of the second switch, and the third inductor is connected in parallel across the two terminals of the second switch. When the first switch is on and the second switch is off, the first phase shifter has a third phase shift angle. When the first switch is off and the second switch is on, the first phase shifter has a fourth phase shift angle. Specifically, when the second switch is on, the LC circuit formed by the second capacitor and the third inductor is directly short-circuited, which does not affect the output of the fourth phase shift angle θ4 by the first phase shifter. When the second switch is off, the LC circuit formed by the second capacitor and the third inductor is directly connected in series between the first inductor and the ground terminal. The parallel resonance of the LC circuit creates a high resistance to ground, which reduces the loss on path 1 when the first phase shifter outputs the third phase shift angle θ3.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the second phase shifter includes a third switch, a fourth switch, a fourth inductor, a fifth inductor, and a third capacitor; the third switch is connected between the first and second terminals of the second phase shifter; the first terminal of the fourth inductor is connected to the first terminal of the second phase shifter, the first terminal of the fifth inductor is connected to the second terminal of the second phase shifter, and the second terminal of the fourth inductor is connected to the second terminal of the fifth inductor; the fourth switch is connected between the second terminal of the fourth inductor and the ground terminal; the third capacitor is connected in parallel across the two terminals of the fourth switch; thus, when the third and fourth switches are on, the second phase shifter has a fifth phase shift angle; when the third and fourth switches are off, the second phase shifter has a sixth phase shift angle.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the second phase shifter further includes a fifth switch and a sixth inductor; the fifth switch is connected between the fourth switch and the ground terminal; the sixth inductor is connected in parallel across the fifth switch; wherein, when the third and fourth switches are on and the fifth switch is off, the second phase shifter has a fifth phase shift angle; when the third and fourth switches are off and the fifth switch is on, the second phase shifter has a sixth phase shift angle. When the fifth switch is off, connecting the sixth inductor in series between the fourth switch and the ground terminal allows the sixth inductor to compensate for the high resistance to ground caused by the parasitic capacitance of the fourth switch, thereby reducing losses on path 2 when the second phase shifter outputs a fifth phase shift angle θ5.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the switching circuit includes a sixth switch and a seventh switch; the sixth switch has a common terminal, a first selection terminal, and a second selection terminal; the common terminal of the sixth switch is connected to the signal input terminal of the bridge, the first selection terminal of the sixth switch is connected to the first signal terminal, and the second selection terminal of the sixth switch is used to connect to the ground terminal; the seventh switch has a common terminal, a first selection terminal, and a second selection terminal; the common terminal of the seventh switch is connected to the signal isolation terminal of the bridge, the first selection terminal of the seventh switch is connected to the first signal terminal, and the second selection terminal of the seventh switch is used to connect to the ground terminal. In this possible implementation, the selective connection of the first signal terminal to the signal input terminal or the signal isolation terminal of the bridge, and the selective connection of the ground terminal to the signal isolation terminal or the signal input terminal of the bridge, are mainly achieved through two single-pole double-throw switches, the sixth switch and the seventh switch.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the switching circuit includes a sixth switch, a seventh switch, an eighth switch, and a ninth switch; the sixth switch is connected between the signal input terminal and the first signal terminal of the bridge, the seventh switch is connected between the signal input terminal and the ground terminal of the bridge, the eighth switch is connected between the signal isolation terminal and the first signal terminal of the bridge, and the ninth switch is connected between the signal isolation terminal and the ground terminal of the bridge. In this possible implementation, the four single-pole single-throw switches (sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth switches) are mainly used to selectively connect the first signal terminal to the signal input terminal or the signal isolation terminal of the bridge, and to selectively connect the ground terminal to the signal isolation terminal or the signal input terminal of the bridge.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the switching circuit is integrated into a first chip, which comprises silicon-on-insulator (SOI). Since the switching circuit is mainly formed by switches and resistors, it can be integrated into a chip with an SOI structure.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the bridge is integrated into a second chip, which includes an integrated passive device (IPD) and a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC). The bridge structure primarily uses striplines, which can be integrated into the IPD or LTCC, but are not limited to silicon-based or glass-based IPDs.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the switching circuit and the first switch are integrated into a first chip, which includes an SOI (Single-Instrument Unit). To optimize chip design and reduce the number of chips, the switch and switching circuit in the first phase shifter can also be integrated into the first chip simultaneously.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the switching circuit, the first switch, and the second switch are integrated into a first chip, which includes an SOI (Single-Instrument Unit). To optimize chip design and reduce the number of chips, the switches and switching circuits in the first phase shifter can also be integrated into the first chip simultaneously.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the first capacitor, the first inductor, and the second inductor are integrated into a third chip, which includes an IPD (Integrated Device). Since capacitors and inductors are typically passive devices, they are usually fabricated within a chip with an IPD structure, but are not limited to silicon-based or glass-based IPDs.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the first capacitor, the second capacitor, the first inductor, the second inductor, and the third inductor are integrated into a third chip, which includes an IPD (Integrated Device). Since capacitors and inductors are typically passive devices, they are usually fabricated within a chip with an IPD structure, but are not limited to silicon-based or glass-based IPDs.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the first capacitor, the first inductor, the second inductor, and the bridge circuit are integrated into a third chip, which includes an IPD (Integrated Circuit Diode). To optimize chip design and reduce the number of chips, the bridge circuit, inductor, and capacitor can all be integrated into a chip with an IPD structure.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the switching circuit, the third switch, and the fourth switch are integrated into the first chip, which includes SOI (Single-Instrument Unit). To optimize chip design and reduce the number of chips, the switches and switching circuits in the second phase shifter can also be integrated into the first chip simultaneously.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the switching circuit, the third switch, the fourth switch, and the fifth switch are integrated into a first chip, which includes an SOI (Single-Instrument Unit). To optimize chip design and reduce the number of chips, the switches and switching circuits in the second phase shifter can also be integrated into the first chip simultaneously.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the third capacitor, fourth inductor, and fifth inductor are integrated into a third chip, which includes an IPD (Integrated Device). Since capacitors and inductors are typically passive devices, they are usually fabricated within a chip with an IPD structure, but are not limited to silicon-based or glass-based IPDs.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the third capacitor, fourth inductor, fifth inductor, and sixth inductor are integrated into a third chip, which includes an IPD (Integrated Device). Since capacitors and inductors are typically passive devices, they are usually fabricated within a chip with an IPD structure, but are not limited to silicon-based or glass-based IPDs.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the third capacitor, fourth inductor, fifth inductor, sixth inductor, and bridge circuit are integrated into a third chip, which includes an IPD (Integrated Circuit Diode). To optimize chip design and reduce the number of chips, the bridge circuit, inductors, and capacitors can also be integrated into a chip with an IPD structure.

[0034] In a second aspect, a radio frequency device is provided, including a phase-shifting circuit and a packaging structure, wherein the packaging structure encapsulates the phase-shifting circuit; the phase-shifting circuit includes the phase-shifting circuit described in the first aspect and its possible implementations.

[0035] Thirdly, a radio frequency front-end module is provided, including a phase-shifting circuit and a filter, wherein the phase-shifting circuit is coupled to the filter; the phase-shifting circuit includes the phase-shifting circuit described in the first aspect and its possible implementations.

[0036] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, including an antenna and a phase-shifting circuit, the antenna and the phase-shifting circuit being connected; the phase-shifting circuit includes the phase-shifting circuit described in the first aspect and its possible implementations.

[0037] The technical problems solved and the technical effects achieved by the solutions provided in the second to fourth aspects can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the first aspect and its possible implementation methods, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an RF front-end module provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an RF front-end module is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 4 A functional schematic diagram of a phase-shifting circuit provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0042] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the direction and response distribution of a phase-shifting circuit provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0043] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a phase-shifting circuit provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0044] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a phase-shifting circuit is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a phase-shifting state provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0046] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the beam direction for each phase state provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0047] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a phase-shifting circuit is provided as another embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a phase-shifting circuit is provided as another embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a phase-shifting circuit is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of a phase-shifting circuit is provided as another embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency device provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0052] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency device is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 16 A schematic diagram of a bridge circuit structure is provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0054] Figure 17 A schematic diagram of a bridge structure is provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0055] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of a bridge structure is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of a bridge structure is provided as another embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 20 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency device is provided as another embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 21 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency device is provided as another embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 22 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second chip and a third chip provided for an implementation example of this application;

[0060] Figure 23 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency device is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 24 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency device is provided as another embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 25 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency device is provided as another embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 26 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency device is provided for another embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 27 A schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency device is provided as another embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 28This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a radio frequency device, which is another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0066] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0067] Hereinafter, the terms "second," "first," etc., are used for descriptive convenience only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "second," "first," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0068] In the embodiments of this application, directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," and "right" may be defined relative to the orientation of the components shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms can be relative concepts, used for relative description and clarification, and can change accordingly depending on the orientation of the components in the accompanying drawings.

[0069] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, the term "coupled connection" can be a direct electrical connection or an indirect electrical connection through an intermediate medium. The term "contact" can be direct contact or indirect contact through an intermediate medium.

[0070] In this embodiment of the application, "and / or" describes the relationship between associated 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, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following associated objects have an "or" relationship.

[0071] The technical solution of this application can be applied to various communication devices that include phase-shifting circuits. These communication devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted. They can also be deployed on water (such as ships) or in the air (e.g., on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). For example, the channel device can be a terminal or a base station. For example, the terminal includes, but is not limited to: mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, PDA, mobile internet device (MID), wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, smart bracelet, pedometer, etc.), in-vehicle device (e.g., car, bicycle, electric vehicle, airplane, ship, train, high-speed rail, etc.), virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless terminal in industrial control, smart home device (e.g., refrigerator, television, air conditioner, electricity meter, etc.), smart robot, workshop equipment, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, or wireless terminal in smart home, flying equipment (e.g., smart robot, hot air balloon, drone, airplane), radio frequency front-end module, low noise amplifier, etc.

[0072] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device is illustrated using a mobile phone as an example. The communication device includes: a radio frequency (RF) front-end module 101, a memory 102, a processor 103, a sensor assembly 104, a multimedia assembly 105, a power supply assembly 106, an input / output interface 107, and an antenna radiator (hereinafter referred to as an antenna) 108.

[0073] The following is combined with Figure 1 A detailed introduction to each component of this mobile phone:

[0074] The RF front-end module 101 can be used to receive and transmit signals during information transmission or calls. For example, after receiving downlink data from the outside through the antenna radiator 108, the communication device processes it in the processor 103, and sends uplink data to the antenna radiator 108, which then transmits it out of the communication device.

[0075] The memory 102 can be used to store data, software programs, and modules. The mobile phone may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device.

[0076] The processor 103 is the control center of the mobile phone. It connects various parts of the device via various interfaces and lines, and performs various functions and processes data by running or executing software programs and / or modules stored in the memory 102, and by calling data stored in the memory 102, thereby providing overall monitoring of the mobile phone. For example, the processor 103 may include an application processor (AP), a modem processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a controller, memory, a video codec, a digital signal processor (DSP), a baseband processor, and a neural network processing unit (NPU), etc. Different processing units can be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0077] Sensor assembly 104 includes one or more sensors for providing various aspects of the phone's status assessment. Sensor assembly 104 may include an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, pressure sensor, or temperature sensor. Sensor assembly 104 can detect the phone's acceleration / deceleration, orientation, on / off state, relative positioning of components, or temperature changes, etc. Furthermore, sensor assembly 104 may also include a light sensor for use in imaging applications.

[0078] The multimedia component 105 provides a screen that serves as an output interface between the mobile phone and the user. This screen can be a touch panel, and when it is a touch panel, it can be implemented as a touchscreen to receive input signals from the user. Furthermore, the multimedia component 105 also includes at least one camera; for example, it includes a front-facing camera and / or a rear-facing camera.

[0079] The power supply component 106 is used to provide power to the various components of the mobile phone. The power supply component 106 may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with the generation, management and distribution of power by the mobile phone.

[0080] Input / output interface 107 provides an interface between processor 103 and peripheral interface modules, such as keyboards and mice.

[0081] Although not shown, the mobile phone may also include audio components and communication modules, such as audio components including a microphone and a speaker, and communication modules including one or more of the following: wireless fidelity (WiFi) module, Bluetooth module, near field communication (NFC) module, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) module, or frequency modulation (FM) module. Further details are omitted here. Those skilled in the art will understand that… Figure 1 The mobile phone structure shown does not constitute a limitation on the mobile phone and may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0082] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 2 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of an RF front-end module provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0083] Typically, the RF front-end module 101 includes, but is not limited to, an RF switch 21, a filter 22, a power amplifier circuit 23 (PA), a low noise amplifier 24 (LNA), etc.

[0084] The components in the aforementioned RF front-end module 101 can form a transmitter (TX) channel and a receiver (RX) channel. The RF switch 21 is responsible for switching between the receiver channel RX and the transmitter channel TX. The transmitter channel TX includes a power amplifier (PA) and a filter; the RF output of the PA is coupled to the filter 22 via the RF switch 21. The receiver channel RX includes an analog-to-digital converter (LNA) and the filter 22; the filter 22 is coupled to the RF input of the LNA.

[0085] The baseband signal generated by the baseband processor is transmitted to the transmit channel TX via the transceiver. The transmit channel TX amplifies the received radio frequency signal, outputs the amplified signal to the antenna 108, and transmits the signal via the antenna 108. The PA 23 is configured to amplify the radio frequency signal of the transmit channel TX, and the filter 22 is configured to filter the radio frequency signal of the transmit channel TX. The receive channel RX receives the radio frequency signal from the antenna 108, the radio frequency signal is amplified by the receive channel RX and then output, and then transmitted to the baseband processor via the transceiver. The LNA 24 is configured to amplify the radio frequency signal of the receive channel RX, and the filter 22 is configured to filter the radio frequency signal of the receive channel RX. It should be noted that the above-described RF front-end module 101 is merely an example. In some examples, there are usually other structures or devices, for example, arranging the radio frequency switch 21 between the filter 22 and the antenna 108, and arranging a filter 22 on the receive channel RX and the transmit channel TX respectively.

[0086] With the rapid development of information and communication, wireless communication technology has been widely used and has become an indispensable part of information and communication. In wireless communication technology, phased array systems have been widely used. As a device capable of controlling signal phase variation, a phase shifting circuit (or phase shifter) is used in a phased array system to change the phase of radio frequency signals in a receive channel or a transmit channel to achieve beamforming and beam scanning. In end products, the phase shifting circuit (or phase shifter) can also be combined with an antenna array to achieve a wide scanning angle and high gain.

[0087] With reference to Figure 3 , the RF front-end module 101 further includes a phase shifting circuit 25. Compared with Figure 2 , the difference is that in Figure 3 the illustrated RF front-end module 101, a phase shifting circuit 25 connected between the filter 22 and the antenna 108 is further included, wherein the phase shifting circuit 25 is configured to change the phase of the radio frequency signal of the receive channel or the transmit channel.

[0088] With reference to Figure 4 , functionally, a typical phase shifting circuit 25 includes a plurality of phase shifters 251 and a combiner / splitter 252, wherein the combiner / splitter 252 is configured to split the radio frequency signal on the transmit channel into multiple paths, which are phase-shifted by different phase shifters 251 and then transmitted to the corresponding antennas 108; or the radio frequency signals received by the antennas 108 are phase-shifted by different phase shifters 251, combined by the combiner / splitter 252 and then output to the filter. With reference to Figure 5 , taking beamforming of radio frequency signals on a transmit channel as an example, by setting the angle of each phase shifter, corresponding signal responses can be formed in different directions (phases), and a wide scanning angle and high gain in a specified direction can be achieved in combination with an array antenna.

[0089] With reference to Figure 6As shown, a typical phase-shifting circuit 30 is provided, including a Wilkinson power divider 31 and a first phase shifter 32 and a second phase shifter 33 respectively connected to the two branch ports of the Wilkinson power divider 31. The radio frequency signal is input through the common port of the Wilkinson power divider 31 and is divided into two equal parts of the signal by the power divider. The first part of the signal is phase-shifted (90° / -90°) by the first phase shifter and then output. The second part of the signal is phase-shifted (0° / -90°) by the second phase shifter and then output. Thus, the phase shifting combination of the two phase shifters provides a 90° step four-state phase output of 0°, 90°, -90°, and 180°. The phase shifting circuit 30 mainly uses a Wilkinson power divider for power distribution. It achieves 90° step phase shift through two phase shifters. Since the Wilkinson power divider only performs power distribution, the phase shift of the RF signal is mainly achieved by two phase shifters. As mentioned above, a single phase shifter needs to shift the phase by 90°. Therefore, the phase shift degree requirement is high, and the overall link introduces a large link insertion loss.

[0090] To address the aforementioned issues, embodiments of this application introduce a bridge circuit into the phase-shifting circuit and place a phase shifter between the bridge and the antenna. Since the bridge itself has a phase-shifting function (for example, a 3dB bridge can introduce a 90° phase difference between the two outputs), the phase shifting degree requirement of the subsequent phase shifter can be reduced, and the overall link insertion loss can also be significantly improved.

[0091] Reference Figure 7 As shown, a phase shifting circuit 40 is provided, including: a switching circuit 41, a bridge (hybrid) 42, a first phase shifter 43, and a second phase shifter 44.

[0092] The switching circuit 41 is used to connect to the first signal terminal P1, the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42, and the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42; the first output terminal OUT1 of the bridge 42 is connected to the first terminal of the first phase shifter 43, and the second output terminal OUT2 of the bridge 42 is connected to the first terminal of the second phase shifter 44; the second terminal of the first phase shifter 43 is used to connect to the first antenna, and the second terminal of the second phase shifter 44 is used to connect to the second antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna can be one of the antennas 108 in the antenna array.

[0093] The signal input terminal IN of bridge 42 has a first phase shift angle θ1 with the first output terminal OUT1, and the signal input terminal IN of bridge 42 has a second phase shift angle θ2 with the second output terminal OUT2; the signal isolation terminal ISO of bridge 42 has a second phase shift angle θ2 with the first output terminal OUT1, and the signal isolation terminal ISO of bridge 42 has a first phase shift angle θ1 with the second output terminal OUT2; the switching circuit 41 is configured to connect the first signal terminal P1 to the signal input terminal IN of bridge 42, or connect the first signal terminal IN to the signal isolation terminal ISO of bridge 42.

[0094] The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific form of the first phase shifter or the second phase shifter. For example, one or both of the first and second phase shifters may be fixed phase shifters, or at least one of them may be an adjustable phase shifter. For example, the first phase shifter 43 has any of the following phase shift angles: a third phase shift angle θ3 or a fourth phase shift angle θ4; the second phase shifter 44 has any of the following phase shift angles: a fifth phase shift angle θ5 or a sixth phase shift angle θ6. Taking the first phase shifter as an example, a fixed phase shifter means that the first phase shifter always has only one of the third phase shift angle θ3 or the fourth phase shift angle θ4; an adjustable phase shifter means that the first phase shifter has the third phase shift angle θ3 in some states and the fourth phase shift angle θ4 when switching to another state.

[0095] In the above scheme, the difference between the second phase shift angle θ2 and the first phase shift angle θ1 is 90°±δ1; δ1 is a minimum value of in-band ripple used to characterize the phase difference, and it is generally better to be as small as possible. In a feasible scheme, δ1≤4°, so the difference between the second phase shift angle and the first phase shift angle is approximately 90°, for example, the first phase shift angle is 0° and the second phase shift angle is 90°. The bridge is a 3dB bridge that realizes 90° phase shift and power distribution; in addition to distributing the power of the signal input at the first signal terminal, the 3dB bridge can also output two signals with a 90° phase difference at the first output terminal and the second output terminal respectively. The third phase shift angle θ3 and the fifth phase shift angle θ5 are 0°±δ2; δ2 is a minimum value of in-band ripple used to characterize the phase difference, and it is generally better to be as small as possible. In a feasible scheme, δ2≤4°, so the third phase shift angle and the fifth phase shift angle are approximately 0°, for example, the third phase shift angle is 0° and the fifth phase shift angle is 0°. The fourth phase shift angle θ4 is 45°±δ3, where δ3 is a minimum value used to characterize the in-band fluctuation of the phase difference. Generally, the smaller the better. In a feasible scheme, δ3≤4°, so the fourth phase shift angle is approximately 45°. For example, the fourth phase shift angle is 45°. The sixth phase shift angle θ6 is -45°±δ4, where δ4 is a minimum value used to characterize the in-band fluctuation of the phase difference. Generally, the smaller the better. In a feasible scheme, δ4≤4°, so the sixth phase shift angle is approximately -45°. For example, the sixth phase shift angle is -45°.

[0096] Based on the above Figure 7 The provided phase-shifting circuit selectively connects the first signal terminal P1 to the signal input terminal IN or the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42 via the switching circuit 41; and by selectively adjusting the phase shift angles of the first phase shifter 43 and the second phase shifter 44, four 90° step phase shift states can be achieved. (Referring to...) Figure 7 As shown, the first phase shifter 43 connected to the first output terminal OUT1 of the bridge 42 is designated as path 1, and the second phase shifter 44 connected to the second output terminal OUT2 of the bridge 42 is designated as path 2.

[0097] Taking the first and second phase shifters as adjustable as an example, in phase shift state 1, the switching circuit 41 connects the first signal terminal P1 with the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42. The signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42 and the first output terminal OUT1 have a first phase shift angle θ1. The first phase shifter 43 is adjusted to have a third phase shift angle θ3, and the total phase shift angle on path 1 is θ1+θ3. The signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42 and the second output terminal OUT2 have a second phase shift angle θ2. The second phase shifter 44 is adjusted to have a fifth phase shift angle θ5, and the total phase shift angle on path 2 is θ2+θ5. The corresponding phase shift state in phase shift state 1 is (θ1+θ3)-(θ2+θ5).

[0098] In phase-shift state 2, the switching circuit 41 connects the first signal terminal P1 with the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42. Then, there is a second phase shift angle θ2 between the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42 and the first output terminal OUT1. The first phase shifter 43 is adjusted to have a third phase shift angle θ3, and the total phase shift angle on path 1 is θ2+θ3. There is a first phase shift angle θ1 between the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42 and the second output terminal OUT2. The second phase shifter 44 is adjusted to have a fifth phase shift angle θ5, and the total phase shift angle on path 2 is θ1+θ5. The corresponding phase shift state in phase-shift state 1 is (θ2+θ3)-(θ1+θ5).

[0099] In phase-shift state 3, the switching circuit 41 connects the first signal terminal P1 with the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42. Then, there is a first phase shift angle θ1 between the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42 and the first output terminal OUT1. The first phase shifter 43 is adjusted to have a fourth phase shift angle θ4, and the total phase shift angle on path 1 is θ1+θ4. There is a second phase shift angle θ2 between the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42 and the second output terminal OUT2. The second phase shifter 44 is adjusted to have a sixth phase shift angle θ6, and the total phase shift angle on path 2 is θ2+θ6. The corresponding phase shift state in phase-shift state 1 is (θ1+θ4)-(θ2+θ6).

[0100] In phase-shift state 4, the switching circuit 41 connects the first signal terminal P1 with the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42. Then, there is a second phase shift angle θ2 between the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42 and the first output terminal OUT1. The first phase shifter 43 is adjusted to have a fourth phase shift angle θ4, and the total phase shift angle on path 1 is θ2+θ4. There is a first phase shift angle θ1 between the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42 and the second output terminal OUT2. The second phase shifter 44 is adjusted to have a sixth phase shift angle θ6, and the total phase shift angle on path 2 is θ1+θ6. The corresponding phase shift state in phase-shift state 1 is (θ2+θ4)-(θ1+θ6).

[0101] Specifically, in combination Figure 8 The phase-shifted states provided for each phase state Figure 9 The beam directions for each phase state are shown in Table 1. Taking θ1 = 0°, θ2 = 90°, θ3 = θ5 = 0°, θ4 = 45°, and θ6 = -45° as examples, the phase shift angles of each device, the total phase shift angle of each path, and the phase shift state are shown for each of the four phase shift states. Of course, the phase shift states shown in Table 1 are only examples. Based on the principle explanation of the above four phase shift states, other phase shift states with specific phase shift angles can be designed.

[0102] Table 1

[0103]

[0104] Of course, the above scheme is only an example of using two adjustable phase shifters to achieve four 90° step phase shift states. In some examples, this phase shift circuit can also achieve more phase shift states, as shown in Table 2:

[0105] Table 2

[0106]

[0107] In addition, in some examples, if the first phase shifter is a fixed phase shifter (with a phase shift angle θ3 = 0°) and the second phase shifter is an adjustable phase shifter (with a phase shift angle θ5 = 0° or θ6 = -45°), the specific phase shift states that can be achieved are shown in Table 3.

[0108] Table 3

[0109]

[0110] In addition, in some examples, if the first phase shifter is a fixed phase shifter (with a phase shift angle θ4 = 45°) and the second phase shifter is an adjustable phase shifter (with a phase shift angle θ5 = 0° or θ6 = -45°), the specific phase shift states that can be achieved are shown in Table 4.

[0111] Table 4

[0112]

[0113]

[0114] In addition, in some examples, if the first phase shifter is an adjustable phase shifter (with a phase shift angle θ3 = 0° or θ4 = 45°) and the second phase shifter is a fixed phase shifter (with a phase shift angle θ5 = 0°), the specific phase shift states that can be achieved are shown in Table 5.

[0115] Table 5

[0116]

[0117] In addition, in some examples, if the first phase shifter is an adjustable phase shifter (with a phase shift angle θ3 = 0° or θ4 = 45°) and the second phase shifter is a fixed phase shifter (with a phase shift angle θ6 = -45°), the specific phase shift states that can be achieved are shown in Table 6.

[0118] Table 6

[0119]

[0120] In some examples, both the first and second phase shifters can be fixed phase shifters. For example, the phase shift angle of the first phase shifter is θ3 = 0° and the phase shift angle of the second phase shifter is θ5 = 0°; the phase shift angle of the first phase shifter is θ3 = 0° and the phase shift angle of the second phase shifter is θ6 = -45°; the phase shift angle of the first phase shifter is θ3 = 45° and the phase shift angle of the second phase shifter is θ6 = 0°; the phase shift angle of the first phase shifter is θ3 = 45° and the phase shift angle of the second phase shifter is θ6 = -45°. The specific phase shift states achieved under various phase shift angles of the fixed phase shifter can be referred to the description of the relevant examples above, and will not be repeated here.

[0121] Based on the above scheme, since a switching circuit is set on the entire phase shifting circuit, the port of the first signal terminal input signal on the bridge 42 can be selected (signal input terminal IN or signal isolation terminal ISO) through the switching circuit. At the same time, combined with the phase shifters connected to the two output terminals of the bridge respectively, different phase shift states can be achieved. Since the bridge itself has power division and phase shifting functions, the phase shift angle requirement of the subsequent phase shifter is low when achieving different phase shift states. That is, through the two-stage phase shifting of the bridge and the phase shifter, the requirement for the phase shift angle of the phase shifter can be reduced, thereby reducing the link insertion loss.

[0122] Reference Figure 10As shown, typically, when the switching circuit 41 is specifically configured to connect the first signal terminal P1 to the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42, the switching circuit 41 can also connect the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42 to the ground terminal GND. Since the signal of the first signal terminal P1 is input from the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42, the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42 does not output a signal. It is usually necessary to connect the signal isolation terminal ISO to the ground terminal GND. Of course, considering impedance matching, the signal isolation terminal ISO can also be connected to the ground terminal GND through the first resistor R1. Alternatively, the first signal terminal P1 is connected to the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42, and the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42 is connected to the ground terminal GND. Since the signal of the first signal terminal P1 is input from the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42, the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42 does not output a signal. It is usually necessary to connect the signal input terminal IN to the ground terminal GND. Of course, considering impedance matching, the signal input terminal IN can also be connected to the ground terminal GND through the second resistor R2.

[0123] To achieve the above Figure 10 The function of the switch circuit 41 is as follows: Figure 11 As shown, the switching circuit 41 may include two single-pole double-throw switches; or refer to Figure 12 As shown, the switching circuit 41 may include four single-pole single-throw switches.

[0124] Specifically, such as Figure 11 As shown, the switching circuit 41 includes switches M1 and M2; switch M1 has a common terminal, a first selection terminal, and a second selection terminal; the common terminal of switch M1 is connected to the signal input terminal IN of bridge 42, the first selection terminal of switch M1 is connected to the first signal terminal P1, and the second selection terminal of switch M1 is used to connect to the ground terminal GND; switch M2 has a common terminal, a first selection terminal, and a second selection terminal; the common terminal of switch M2 is connected to the signal isolation terminal ISO of bridge 42, the first selection terminal of switch M2 is connected to the first signal terminal P1, and the second selection terminal of switch M2 is used to connect to the ground terminal GND. Thus, when switch M1 connects the common terminal to the first selection terminal, the signal input terminal IN of bridge 42 is connected to the first signal terminal P1. At this time, switch M2 connects its common terminal to the second selection terminal, thereby connecting the signal isolation terminal ISO of bridge 42 to the ground terminal GND. When switch M2 connects the common terminal to the first selection terminal, the signal isolation terminal ISO of bridge 42 is connected to the first signal terminal P1. At this time, switch M1 connects its common terminal to the second selection terminal, thereby connecting the signal input terminal IN of bridge 42 to the ground terminal GND.

[0125] like Figure 12As shown, the switching circuit 41 includes switches K1, K2, K3, and K4. Switch K1 is connected between the signal input terminal IN and the first signal terminal P1 of the bridge 42; switch K2 is connected between the signal input terminal IN and the ground terminal GND of the bridge 42; switch K3 is connected between the signal isolation terminal ISO and the first signal terminal P1 of the bridge 42; and switch K4 is connected between the signal isolation terminal ISO and the ground terminal GND of the bridge 42. Thus, when switch K1 is on and switch K2 is off, the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42 is connected to the first signal terminal P1. Switches K3 being off and K4 being on work together to connect the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42 to the ground terminal GND. When switch K3 is on and switch K4 is off, the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge 42 is connected to the first signal terminal P1. At this time, switches K1 being off and K2 being on work together to connect the signal input terminal IN of the bridge 42 to the ground terminal GND.

[0126] Embodiments of this application also provide a specific structure of a first phase shifter, referring to... Figure 13 As shown, the first phase shifter 43 includes a switch Q1, a first capacitor C1, an inductor L1, and an inductor L2.

[0127] Switch Q1 is connected between the first and second terminals of the first phase shifter 43; C1 is connected between the first and second terminals of the first phase shifter 43; the first terminal of inductor L1 is connected to the first terminal of the first phase shifter 43, the first terminal of the second inductor L2 is connected to the second terminal of the first phase shifter 43, and the second terminals of inductors L1 and L2 are connected to the ground terminal GND; wherein, when switch Q1 is turned on, the first phase shifter 43 has a third phase shift angle θ3; when switch Q1 is turned off, the first phase shifter 43 has a fourth phase shift angle θ4.

[0128] In addition, the first phase shifter 43 also includes a switch Q2, a capacitor C2, and an inductor L3. Switch Q2 is connected between the second terminal of inductor L1 and the ground terminal GND. C2 is connected in parallel across the two ends of switch Q2, and inductor L3 is connected in parallel across the two ends of switch Q2. When switch Q1 is on and switch Q2 is off, the first phase shifter 43 has a third phase shift angle θ3. When switch Q1 is off and switch Q2 is on, the first phase shifter 43 has a fourth phase shift angle θ4. When switch Q2 is on, the LC circuit formed by capacitor C2 and inductor L3 is directly short-circuited, which does not affect the output of the fourth phase shift angle θ4 of the first phase shifter. When switch Q2 is off, the LC circuit formed by capacitor C2 and inductor L3 is directly connected in series between inductor L1 and the ground terminal GND. The parallel resonance of the LC circuit forms a high resistance to ground, which reduces the loss on path 1 when the first phase shifter 43 outputs the third phase shift angle θ3.

[0129] Embodiments of this application also provide a specific structure of a second phase shifter, referring to... Figure 13 As shown, the second phase shifter 44 includes switch Q3, switch Q4, inductor L4, inductor L5, and capacitor C3.

[0130] Switch Q3 is connected between the first and second terminals of the second phase shifter 44; the first terminal of inductor L4 is connected to the first terminal of the second phase shifter 44, the first terminal of inductor L5 is connected to the second terminal of the second phase shifter 44, and the second terminal of inductor L4 is connected to the second terminal of inductor L5; switch Q4 is connected between the second terminal of inductor L4 and the ground terminal GND; capacitor C3 is connected in parallel across the two terminals of switch Q4; when switches Q3 and Q4 are on, the second phase shifter 44 has a fifth phase shift angle θ5; when switches Q3 and Q4 are off, the second phase shifter 44 has a sixth phase shift angle θ6.

[0131] In addition, the second phase shifter 44 also includes: a switch Q5 and an inductor L6; switch Q5 is connected between switch Q4 and the ground terminal GND; inductor L6 is connected in parallel across switch Q5; wherein, when switches Q3 and Q4 are on and switch Q5 is off, the second phase shifter 44 has a fifth phase shift angle θ5; when switches Q3 and Q4 are off and switch Q5 is on, the second phase shifter 44 has a sixth phase shift angle θ6. When switch Q5 is off, inductor L6 is connected in series between switch Q4 and the ground terminal GND. Inductor L6 can compensate for the parasitic capacitance of switch Q4 forming a high resistance to ground, reducing the loss on path 2 when the second phase shifter 44 outputs the fifth phase shift angle θ5.

[0132] Furthermore, taking the phase shift angle of each device, the total phase shift angle of each path, and the phase shift state in Table 1 as examples, Table 7 further provides the switching states of the switching circuit 41 and each switch in the phase shifter.

[0133] Table 7

[0134]

[0135] Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a radio frequency device, including a phase-shifting circuit and a packaging structure, wherein the packaging structure encapsulates the phase-shifting circuit; the phase-shifting circuit includes the aforementioned phase-shifting circuit, and the radio frequency device can be disposed in an RF front-end module to realize the function of the phase-shifting circuit.

[0136] When packaging the aforementioned phase-shifting circuit into a radio frequency device, these components can be placed in one or more chips according to their respective types. In some examples, for instance, since the switching circuit 41 mainly includes switches and resistors, the switching circuit 41 can be integrated into a silicon SOI structure chip on an insulating substrate.

[0137] The conventional bridge 42 typically adopts a stripline structure, which can be integrated into a chip with an integrated passive device (IPD) or a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) structure, wherein the IPD is not limited to glass-based or silicon-based IPD.

[0138] The phase shifter mainly includes switches, inductors, and capacitors. The switches can be integrated into an SOI (Single-Insulator) chip. In some examples, to save on the number of chips, the switches (Q1-Q5) and the switching circuit 41 can be integrated into the same SOI chip. The inductors (L1-L6) and capacitors (C1-C3) are mainly passive components and can be integrated into a chip with an Integrated Passive Device (IPD) structure. The IPD is not limited to glass-based or silicon-based IPDs.

[0139] Reference Figure 14 As shown, a schematic diagram of a radio frequency (RF) device is provided, comprising a substrate 51 and a first chip 52, a second chip 53, and a third chip 54 disposed on the substrate 51; wherein the first chip 52, the second chip 53, and the third chip 54 are packaged on the substrate 51 through a packaging structure to form the RF device 50. For example, the first chip 52 can be an SOI structure chip, the second chip 53 can be an LTCC structure chip, and the third chip 54 can be a silicon-based IPD structure chip. Specifically, the switching circuit 41 in the phase-shifting circuit and the switches (Q1-Q5) in the phase shifter provided in the above example can be integrated into the first chip 52, the bridge circuit 42 can be integrated into the second chip 53, and the inductors (L1-L6) and capacitors (C1-C3) in the phase shifter can be integrated into the third chip 54. In combination with... Figure 15 Shown Figure 14 The side view of the radio frequency device shows that the first chip 52, the second chip 53, and the third chip 54 are directly disposed on the substrate 51. Each chip can be soldered to the exposed pads on the substrate 51 and connected through interconnect lines in the substrate to form a complete structure. Figure 13 The topology of the phase-shifting circuit is shown.

[0140] Reference Figure 16 and Figure 17 The diagram also shows a schematic of a bridge implemented using an LTCC chip. This bridge uses... Figure 17 The illustrated stripline structure includes two conductive material layers connected to the ground terminal GND, and a stripline disposed within an insulating dielectric layer between the two conductive material layers, forming connection lines between the various ports of the bridge 42 via the stripline. Specifically, refer to... Figure 16As shown, the signal input terminal IN of bridge 42 is connected to the first output terminal OUT1 by a third type ③ line, a first type ① line, and a third type ③ line in sequence; the signal isolation terminal ISO of bridge 42 is connected to the second output terminal OUT2 by a third type ③ line, a first type ① line, and a third type ③ line in sequence; the first type ① line between the signal input terminal IN and the first output terminal OUT1 of bridge 42 and the first type ① line between the signal isolation terminal ISO and the second output terminal OUT2 of bridge 42 are respectively connected by two second type ② lines. When a signal enters from the signal input terminal IN of bridge 42, the first type ① line between the signal input terminal IN and the first output terminal OUT1 of bridge 42 is mainly used to form the phase shift angle between the signal input terminal IN and the first output terminal OUT1; the second type ② line is mainly used to introduce a phase difference between the signal transmitted to the second output terminal OUT2 through the second type ② line and the signal output from the first output terminal OUT1; for example, the phase difference between the two output terminals of a 3dB bridge is usually 90°. Among them, the third type ③ of lines is mainly used to adjust the input impedance of each port. Typically, the phase difference between the output signals of the first output terminal OUT1 and the second output terminal OUT2 can be achieved by designing the length and width of the first type ①, the second type ②, and the third type ③ lines. Figure 16 The 3dB bridge shown in the figure has dimensions of 3.980 mm in the X-axis direction and 2.380 mm in the Y-axis direction, which are merely examples and do not constitute a limitation on the bridge used in the embodiments of this application.

[0141] In some examples, the bridge circuit can also be implemented as a lumped circuit; see the specific examples below. Figure 18 As shown, the bridge circuit includes inductors L11-L14 and capacitors C11-C14. For example, refer to... Figure 18 As shown, inductor L11 is connected between the signal input terminal IN and the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge; inductor L12 is connected between the signal input terminal IN and the first output terminal OUT1 of the bridge; inductor L13 is connected between the signal isolation terminal ISO and the second output terminal OUT2 of the bridge; and inductor L14 is connected between the first output terminal OUT1 and the second output terminal OUT2 of the bridge. Capacitor C11 is connected between the signal input terminal IN and the ground terminal GND of the bridge; capacitor C12 is connected between the signal isolation terminal ISO and the ground terminal GND of the bridge; capacitor C13 is connected between the first output terminal OUT1 and the ground terminal GND of the bridge; and capacitor C14 is connected between the second output terminal OUT2 and the ground terminal GND of the bridge.

[0142] In some examples, refer to Figure 19As shown, another bridge circuit employing lumped components is provided, comprising inductors L11-L14 and capacitors C11-C14. For example, see [reference needed]. Figure 19 As shown, capacitor C11 is connected between the signal input terminal IN and the signal isolation terminal ISO of the bridge; capacitor C12 is connected between the signal input terminal IN and the first output terminal OUT1 of the bridge; capacitor C13 is connected between the signal isolation terminal ISO and the second output terminal OUT2 of the bridge; and capacitor C14 is connected between the first output terminal OUT1 and the second output terminal OUT2 of the bridge. Inductor L11 is connected between the signal input terminal IN and the ground terminal GND of the bridge; inductor L12 is connected between the signal isolation terminal ISO and the ground terminal GND of the bridge; inductor L13 is connected between the first output terminal OUT1 and the ground terminal GND of the bridge; and inductor L14 is connected between the second output terminal OUT2 and the ground terminal GND of the bridge.

[0143] To save board space, refer to Figure 20 As shown, the third chip 54 can also be stacked on top of the second chip 53, or, as shown in the diagram... Figure 21 As shown, the third chip 54 is stacked on top of the first chip 52. (Refer to...) Figure 22 As shown, when the third chip 54 is stacked on top of the second chip 53, vias need to be formed on the second chip 53, and connection structures need to be filled in the vias so that the third chip 54 can be connected to the circuits on the substrate 51 through the connection structures. Similarly, when the third chip 54 is stacked on top of the first chip 52, vias also need to be formed on the second chip 53, and connection structures need to be filled in the vias so that the third chip 54 can be connected to the circuits on the substrate 51 through the connection structures.

[0144] For example, refer to Figure 23 As shown, the first chip 52 can be an SOI structure chip, the second chip 53 can be a glass-based IPD structure chip, and the third chip 54 can be a silicon-based IPD structure chip. Specifically, the switching circuit 41 in the phase-shifting circuit and the switches (Q1-Q5) in the phase shifter provided in the above example can be integrated into the first chip 52, the bridge circuit 42 can be integrated into the second chip 53, and the inductors (L1-L6) and capacitors (C1-C3) in the phase shifter can be integrated into the third chip 54. Combined with... Figure 24 Shown Figure 23 The side view of the radio frequency device shows that the first chip 52, the second chip 53, and the third chip 54 are directly disposed on the substrate 51. Each chip can be soldered to the exposed pads on the substrate 51 and connected through interconnect lines in the substrate to form a complete structure. Figure 13 The topology of the phase-shifting circuit is shown. To save board space, refer to... Figure 25As shown, the third chip 54 can also be stacked on top of the first chip 52.

[0145] Reference Figure 26 As shown, a schematic diagram of a radio frequency (RF) device is also provided, which includes a substrate 51 and a first chip 52 and a second chip 53 disposed on the substrate 51; wherein the first chip 52 and the second chip 53 are packaged on the substrate 51 through a packaging structure to form the RF device. For example, the first chip 52 can be an SOI structure chip, and the second chip 53 can be a silicon-based IPD or glass-based IPD structure chip. Specifically, the switching circuit 41 in the phase-shifting circuit and the switches (Q1-Q5) in the phase shifter provided in the above example can be integrated into the first chip 52, and the bridge 42 and the inductors (L1-L6) and capacitors (C1-C3) in the phase shifter can be integrated into the second chip 53. Figure 27 Shown Figure 26 The side view of the radio frequency device shows that the first chip 52 and the second chip 53 are directly disposed on the substrate 51. Each chip can be soldered to the exposed pads on the substrate 51 and connected through interconnect lines in the substrate to form a complete structure. Figure 13 The topology of the phase-shifting circuit is shown. In some examples, when the second chip 53 uses a silicon-based IPD and all the inductors (L1-L6) and capacitors (C1-C3) in the bridge 42 and phase shifter are integrated into the second chip 53, the second chip 53 can be stacked on top of the first chip 52 to save board area, and the substrate 51 can be eliminated, with the second chip 53 directly packaged on the first chip 52. Furthermore, to reduce the thickness of the RF device during stacking, refer to... Figure 28 As shown, since the second chip 53 uses a silicon-based IPD and the first chip 52 uses a silicon-based SOI, the two chips can share the same substrate silicon layer (usually a high-resistivity (HR) SOI). Specifically, the circuit structure of the second chip 53 (bridge 42 and inductors (L1-L6) and capacitors (C1-C3) in the phase shifter) is formed on the front side of the HR SOI, and the circuit structure of the first chip 52 (switching circuit 41 and switches (Q1-Q5) in the phase shifter) is formed on the back side of the HR SOI. Furthermore, vias need to be formed on the first chip 52, and connection structures need to be filled in the vias so that the second chip 53 can be connected to external circuit structures through these connection structures.

[0146] In addition, referring to Table 8, a simulation result is provided, which is for... Figure 6 as well as Figure 13The phase shift values ​​and insertion loss of each phase state were obtained experimentally in the 5-6 GHz frequency band under the condition of a power capacity of 35 dBm@1:1 (1:1 means that the standing wave of the signal input from the first signal terminal and the input impedance of the port are matched).

[0147] Table 8

[0148]

[0149] The comparison shows that the phase shifting circuits provided in the embodiments of this application in the 90°, -90° and 180° phase shift states can provide a more accurate range of phase shift values; and the phase shifting circuits provided in the embodiments of this application in the 0°, 90°, -90° and 180° phase shift states have lower insertion loss.

[0150] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope 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. A phase-shifting circuit, characterized in that, include: Switching circuit, bridge circuit, first phase shifter, and second phase shifter; The switching circuit is used to connect to the first signal terminal, the signal input terminal of the bridge, and the signal isolation terminal of the bridge. The first output terminal of the bridge is connected to the first terminal of the first phase shifter, and the second output terminal of the bridge is connected to the first terminal of the second phase shifter; The second end of the first phase shifter is used to connect to the first antenna, and the second end of the second phase shifter is used to connect to the second antenna; The signal input terminal of the bridge and the first output terminal have a first phase shift angle, and the signal input terminal of the bridge and the second output terminal have a second phase shift angle; The signal isolation terminal of the bridge and the first output terminal have a second phase shift angle, and the signal isolation terminal of the bridge and the second output terminal have a first phase shift angle; The switching circuit is configured to connect the first signal terminal to the signal input terminal of the bridge, or to connect the first signal terminal to the signal isolation terminal of the bridge.

2. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first phase shifter has any of the following phase shift angles: a third phase shift angle or a fourth phase shift angle; the second phase shifter has any of the following phase shift angles: a fifth phase shift angle or a sixth phase shift angle.

3. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The difference between the second phase shift angle and the first phase shift angle is 90°±δ1, where δ1 is the phase fluctuation value.

4. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The third and fifth phase shift angles are 0°±δ2, where δ2 is the phase fluctuation value.

5. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fourth phase shift angle is 45°±δ3, where δ3 is the phase fluctuation value.

6. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sixth phase shift angle is -45°±δ4, where δ4 is the phase fluctuation value.

7. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first phase shifter includes a first switch, a first capacitor, a first inductor, and a second inductor; The first switch is connected between the first end and the second end of the first phase shifter; The first capacitor is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal of the first phase shifter; The first end of the first inductor is connected to the first end of the first phase shifter, the first end of the second inductor is connected to the second end of the first phase shifter, and the second ends of the first inductor and the second inductor are connected to the ground terminal. When the first switch is turned on, the first phase shifter has the third phase shift angle; When the first switch is open, the first phase shifter has the fourth phase shift angle.

8. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first phase shifter also includes a second switch, a second capacitor, and a third inductor; The second switch is connected between the second terminal of the first inductor and the ground terminal; The second capacitor is connected in parallel across the two ends of the second switch, and the third inductor is connected in parallel across the two ends of the second switch; When the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off, the first phase shifter has the third phase shift angle; When the first switch is open and the second switch is on, the first phase shifter has the fourth phase shift angle.

9. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second phase shifter includes a third switch, a fourth switch, a fourth inductor, a fifth inductor, and a third capacitor; The third switch is connected between the first and second ends of the second phase shifter; The first end of the fourth inductor is connected to the first end of the second phase shifter, the first end of the fifth inductor is connected to the second end of the second phase shifter, and the second end of the fourth inductor is connected to the second end of the fifth inductor. The fourth switch is connected between the second terminal of the fourth inductor and the ground terminal; The third capacitor is connected in parallel across the two ends of the fourth switch; When the third switch and the fourth switch are turned on, the second phase shifter has the fifth phase shift angle; When the third switch and the fourth switch are open, the second phase shifter has the sixth phase shift angle.

10. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second phase shifter also includes: a fifth switch and a sixth inductor; The fifth switch is connected between the fourth switch and the grounding terminal; The sixth inductor is connected in parallel across the fifth switch; When the third switch and the fourth switch are turned on, and the fifth switch is turned off, the second phase shifter has the fifth phase shift angle; When the third and fourth switches are off and the fifth switch is on, the second phase shifter has the sixth phase shift angle.

11. The phase-shifting circuit according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The switching circuit includes a sixth switch and a seventh switch; The sixth switch has a common terminal, a first selection terminal, and a second selection terminal; The common terminal of the sixth switch is connected to the signal input terminal of the bridge, the first selection terminal of the sixth switch is connected to the first signal terminal, and the second selection terminal of the sixth switch is used to connect to the ground terminal. The seventh switch has a common terminal, a first selection terminal, and a second selection terminal; The common terminal of the seventh switch is connected to the signal isolation terminal of the bridge, the first selection terminal of the seventh switch is connected to the first signal terminal, and the second selection terminal of the seventh switch is used to connect to the ground terminal.

12. The phase-shifting circuit according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The switching circuit includes a sixth switch, a seventh switch, an eighth switch, and a ninth switch; The sixth switch is connected between the signal input terminal of the bridge and the first signal terminal, and the seventh switch is connected between the signal input terminal of the bridge and the ground terminal. The eighth switch is connected between the signal isolation terminal of the bridge and the first signal terminal, and the ninth switch is connected between the signal isolation terminal of the bridge and the ground terminal.

13. The phase-shifting circuit according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The switching circuit is integrated into a first chip, which includes silicon SOI on an insulating substrate.

14. The phase-shifting circuit according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that, The bridge is integrated into a second chip, which includes an integrated passive device (IPD) or a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC).

15. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The switching circuit and the first switch are integrated into a first chip, which includes SOI.

16. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first capacitor, the first inductor, and the second inductor are integrated into a third chip, which includes an IPD.

17. The phase-shifting circuit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first capacitor, the first inductor, the second inductor, and the bridge circuit are integrated into a third chip, which includes an IPD.

18. A radio frequency device, characterized in that, It includes a phase-shifting circuit and a package structure, wherein the package structure encapsulates the phase-shifting circuit; the phase-shifting circuit includes the phase-shifting circuit according to any one of claims 1-17.

19. A radio frequency front-end module, characterized in that, It includes a phase-shifting circuit and a filter, wherein the phase-shifting circuit is coupled to the filter; the phase-shifting circuit includes the phase-shifting circuit according to any one of claims 1-17.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes an antenna and a phase-shifting circuit, wherein the antenna and the phase-shifting circuit are connected; the phase-shifting circuit includes the phase-shifting circuit according to any one of claims 1-17.

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