Phase error calibration circuit of millimeter wave frequency band multichannel phased array chip

Abstract

The utility model discloses a phase error calibration circuit of a millimeter wave frequency band multichannel phased array chip. The phase error calibration circuit comprises an input channel, a frequency mixer and a phase control module. The frequency mixer is used for mixing the radio frequency signal of the input channel with the TX output signal to obtain a frequency mixing output signal; and the phase control module is used for processing the frequency mixing output signal to obtain a phase difference signal, and adjusting the phase of the signal of the input channel according to the phase difference signal. By implementing the millimeter wave phased array chip, the problems that the multichannel phase error of the millimeter wave frequency band phased array chip is difficult to monitor and the monitoring precision is not high are solved, time delay is performed through the VCDL circuit, accurate calibration of the phase error is realized, the millimeter wave phased array chip can realize more accurate beam direction control, and meanwhile, the millimeter wave phased array chip can better resist the environment; and the negative influence caused by process manufacturing deviation is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of phased array chips, and in particular to a phase error calibration circuit of a multi-channel phased array chip in a millimeter wave frequency band. Background Art

[0002] Phased array chips need to dynamically adjust the phase of each channel to achieve beam scanning over a wide angle range. Due to the higher operating frequency in the millimeter wave band, the beam pointing of the millimeter wave phased array is more affected by phase error than in the low frequency band. Therefore, phased array chips in the millimeter wave band are more eager for multi-channel phase error calibration technology. However, due to the high frequency and high parasitic capacitance of the millimeter wave band, it is more difficult to accurately monitor the phase of the signal link. On the other hand, the millimeter wave band has higher requirements for phase monitoring accuracy than the microwave band.

[0003] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem of monitoring and calibrating the multi-channel phase error of the millimeter-wave phased array chip, it is necessary to propose a design scheme for a phase error monitoring and calibration circuit. Utility Model Content

[0004] Existing millimeter-wave phased array chips are unable to accurately calibrate phase errors due to the high difficulty of monitoring and high monitoring accuracy requirements.

[0005] In view of the above problems, a phase error calibration circuit for a millimeter-wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip is proposed. The RF signal of the input channel is mixed with the TX output signal to obtain the mixed output signal, the mixed output signal is processed to obtain the phase difference signal, and the phase of the input signal is adjusted according to the phase difference signal. The ADC monitoring circuit in the phase control module is used to monitor the amplitude of the voltage signal to obtain the phase information of the input channel. The problem that the multi-channel phase error of the millimeter-wave frequency band phased array chip is difficult to monitor and the monitoring accuracy is not high is solved. The VCDL circuit is used for delay to achieve accurate calibration of the phase error (<1 degree), so that the millimeter-wave phased array chip can achieve more accurate beam direction control and better resist the negative impact of environmental and process manufacturing deviations.

[0006] A phase error calibration circuit for a millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip, comprising:

[0007] Input channel;

[0008] Mixer;

[0009] Phase control module;

[0010] The input channel is electrically connected to the mixer;

[0011] The mixer is also electrically connected to the phase control module;

[0012] The phase control module is also electrically connected to the input channel;

[0013] The mixer is used to mix the RF signal of the input channel with the TX output signal to obtain a mixed output signal;

[0014] The phase control module is used to process the mixed output signal, obtain a phase difference signal, and adjust the phase of the signal of the input channel according to the phase difference signal.

[0015] In conjunction with the phase error calibration circuit of the millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip described in the present invention, in a first possible implementation manner, the phase control module includes:

[0016] Low pass filter;

[0017] The low-pass filter is electrically connected to the mixer and is used to process the mixed output signal to obtain a voltage signal that is positively correlated with the input channel phase difference.

[0018] In combination with the first possible implementation manner of the present utility model, in a second possible implementation manner, the phase control module further includes:

[0019] ADC monitoring circuit;

[0020] The output end of the low-pass filter is electrically connected to the ADC monitoring circuit;

[0021] The ADC monitoring circuit is used to monitor the amplitude of the voltage signal and obtain the phase information of the signal of the input channel.

[0022] In combination with the second possible implementation manner of the utility model, in a third possible implementation manner, the input channel includes:

[0023] RF switch;

[0024] Gain amplifier;

[0025] a first isolator;

[0026] Power amplifier;

[0027] A second isolator;

[0028] RF antenna;

[0029] The radio frequency switch, the gain amplifier, the first isolator, the power amplifier, and the second isolator are electrically connected in sequence;

[0030] The radio frequency antenna is electrically connected to the second isolator.

[0031] In combination with the third possible implementation manner of the utility model, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the input channel further includes:

[0032] local oscillator;

[0033] The local oscillator is electrically connected to the radio frequency switch and is used to generate an intermediate frequency sine wave signal.

[0034] In combination with the fourth possible implementation manner of the present utility model, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the phase control module further includes:

[0035] VCDL circuit;

[0036] The ADC monitoring circuit is electrically connected to the VCDL circuit;

[0037] The VCDL circuit is also electrically connected to the local oscillator;

[0038] The VCDL circuit is used to adjust the VCDL delay according to the voltage signal, so as to adjust the phase of the signal of the input channel.

[0039] In combination with the phase error calibration circuit of the millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip of the utility model, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the number of the input channels is 3;

[0040] The input channels are connected in parallel and are respectively used to input radio frequency signals.

[0041] The phase error calibration circuit of the millimeter-wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip described in the utility model is implemented by mixing the RF signal of the input channel with the TX output signal to obtain the mixed output signal, processing the mixed output signal to obtain the phase difference signal, and adjusting the phase of the input signal according to the phase difference signal. The ADC monitoring circuit in the phase control module is used to monitor the amplitude of the voltage signal to obtain the phase information of the input channel, thereby solving the problem that the multi-channel phase error of the millimeter-wave frequency band phased array chip is difficult to monitor and the monitoring accuracy is not high. The VCDL circuit is used for delay to achieve accurate calibration of the phase error (<1 degree), so that the millimeter-wave phased array chip can achieve more accurate beam direction control and better resist the negative impact of environmental and process manufacturing deviations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a connection diagram of a phase error calibration circuit module of a millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip in the present invention;

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of module connections of the phase control module in the present utility model;

[0045] Figure 3 The circuit structure diagram of the phase error calibration circuit of the millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip in the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The following will be combined with the drawings in the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solution in the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are all within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0047] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the technical field of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0048] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0049] It should be understood that the orientation or position relationship indicated by terms such as "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0050] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0051] Existing millimeter-wave phased array chips are unable to accurately calibrate phase errors due to the high difficulty of monitoring and high monitoring accuracy requirements.

[0052] Name Explanation

[0053] VCDL: Voltage Delay Control Line.

[0054] To solve the above problems, a phase error calibration circuit for millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip is proposed.

[0055] A phase error calibration circuit for a millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip, such as Figure 1 , Figure 1 The present invention is a schematic diagram of the phase error calibration circuit module of the millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip; it includes an input channel 100, a mixer 200, and a phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit); the input channel 100 is electrically connected to the mixer 200; the mixer 200 is also electrically connected to the phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit);

[0056] The mixer 200 is used to mix the RF signal of the input channel 100 with the TX output signal to obtain a mixed output signal.

[0057] The phase control module 300 is also electrically connected to the input channel 100 .

[0058] The phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit) is used to process the mixed output signal, obtain a phase difference signal, and adjust the phase of the signal of the input channel according to the phase difference signal.

[0059] The RF signal of the input channel 100 is mixed with the TX output signal of the TX link, and the mixed output signal passes through the low-pass filter 310 in the phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit) to obtain a voltage signal (Vout) that is positively correlated with the phase difference. The phase of each channel is monitored by monitoring the amplitude of the voltage signal (Vout) through the ADC monitoring circuit 320.

[0060] During the phase monitoring process, the VCDL circuit 330 in the phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit) is connected to the local oscillator 160 of the input channel 100, and the VCDL delay is adjusted accordingly according to the phase difference signal between the input channels 100, thereby completing the phase adjustment work.

[0061] The RF signal of the input channel 100 is mixed with the TX output signal to obtain the mixed output signal, the mixed output signal is processed to obtain the phase difference signal, and the phase of the input signal is adjusted according to the phase difference signal. The ADC monitoring circuit 320 in the phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit) is used to monitor the amplitude of the voltage signal (Vout) to obtain the phase information of the input channel 100. This solves the problem that the multi-channel phase error of the millimeter-wave frequency band phased array chip is difficult to monitor and the monitoring accuracy is not high. The VCDL circuit 330 is used for delay to achieve accurate calibration of the phase error (<1 degree), so that the millimeter-wave phased array chip can achieve more accurate beam direction control and better resist the negative impact of environmental and process manufacturing deviations.

[0062] Furthermore, if Figure 2 , Figure 2 Schematic diagram of module connection of the phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit) in the present invention; the phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit) includes a low-pass filter 310; the low-pass filter is electrically connected to the mixer 200, and is used to process the mixed output signal to obtain a voltage signal (Vout) that is positively correlated with the phase difference of the input channel 100.

[0063] Furthermore, if Figure 2 The phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit) further includes an ADC monitoring circuit 320; the output end of the low-pass filter is electrically connected to the ADC monitoring circuit 320; the ADC monitoring circuit is used to monitor the amplitude of the voltage signal (Vout) to obtain the phase information of the input channel 100.

[0064] Furthermore, if Figure 3 , Figure 3The circuit structure diagram of the phase error calibration circuit of the millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip in the utility model. The input channel 100 includes a radio frequency switch 110, a gain amplifier 120, a first isolator 130, a power amplifier 140, a second isolator 150, and a radio frequency antenna (Antenna); the radio frequency switch 110, the gain amplifier 120, the first isolator 130, the power amplifier 140, and the second isolator 150 are electrically connected in sequence; the radio frequency antenna (Antenna) is electrically connected to the second isolator 150.

[0065] Furthermore, the input channel 100 further includes a local oscillator 160 ; the local oscillator 160 is electrically connected to the RF switch 110 and is used to generate an intermediate frequency sinusoidal wave signal.

[0066] Furthermore, if Figure 2 The phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit) further includes a VCDL circuit 330; the VCDL circuit 330 is electrically connected to the local oscillator 160; the ADC monitoring circuit 320 is electrically connected to the VCDL circuit 330, and the VCDL circuit 330 is used to adjust the VCDL delay according to the voltage signal (Vout) to adjust the phase of the input channel 100.

[0067] Preferably, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the number of input channels 100 is 3; the input channels 100 are connected in parallel and are respectively used to input radio frequency signals.

[0068] like Figure 3 The three input channels are connected together at the first ends and electrically connected to the mixer 200 at the end to obtain the mixed signal.

[0069] The phase error calibration circuit of the millimeter-wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip of the utility model is implemented by mixing the RF signal of the input channel 100 with the TX output signal to obtain the mixed output signal, processing the mixed output signal to obtain the phase difference signal, and adjusting the phase of the input signal according to the phase difference signal. The ADC monitoring circuit in the phase control module 300 (Phase Control Unit) is used to monitor the amplitude of the voltage signal (Vout) to obtain the phase information of the input channel 100, thereby solving the problem that the multi-channel phase error of the millimeter-wave frequency band phased array chip is difficult to monitor and the monitoring accuracy is not high. The VCDL circuit is used for delay to achieve accurate calibration of the phase error (<1 degree), so that the millimeter-wave phased array chip can achieve more accurate beam direction control and better resist the negative effects of environmental and process manufacturing deviations.

[0070] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A phase error calibration circuit for a millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip, characterized in that: include: Input channel; Mixer; Phase control module; The input channel is electrically connected to the mixer; The mixer is also electrically connected to the phase control module; The phase control module is also electrically connected to the input channel; The mixer is used to mix the RF signal of the input channel with the TX output signal to obtain a mixed output signal; The phase control module is used to process the mixed output signal, obtain a phase difference signal, and adjust the phase of the signal of the input channel according to the phase difference signal.

2. The phase error calibration circuit of the millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase control module comprises: Low pass filter; The low-pass filter is electrically connected to the mixer and is used to process the mixed output signal to obtain a voltage signal that is positively correlated with the input channel phase difference.

3. The phase error calibration circuit of the millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The phase control module also includes: ADC monitoring circuit; The output end of the low-pass filter is electrically connected to the ADC monitoring circuit; The ADC monitoring circuit is used to monitor the amplitude of the voltage signal and obtain the phase information of the signal of the input channel.

4. The phase error calibration circuit for a millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The input channels include: RF switch; Gain amplifier; a first isolator; Power amplifier; A second isolator; RF antenna; The radio frequency switch, the gain amplifier, the first isolator, the power amplifier, and the second isolator are electrically connected in sequence; The radio frequency antenna is electrically connected to the second isolator.

5. The phase error calibration circuit for a millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip according to claim 4, characterized in that: The input channel also includes: local oscillator; The local oscillator is electrically connected to the radio frequency switch and is used to generate an intermediate frequency sine wave signal.

6. The phase error calibration circuit for a millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip according to claim 5, characterized in that: The phase control module also includes: VCDL circuit; The ADC monitoring circuit is electrically connected to the VCDL circuit; The VCDL circuit is also electrically connected to the local oscillator; The VCDL circuit is used to adjust the VCDL delay according to the voltage signal to adjust the phase of the signal of the input channel.

7. The phase error calibration circuit for a millimeter wave frequency band multi-channel phased array chip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The number of input channels is 3; The input channels are connected in parallel and are respectively used to input radio frequency signals.

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