Signal power control device, signal transmitter and signal receiver

Abstract

The utility model provides a signal power control device, a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, the signal power control device comprises two amplifiers arranged in a straight line, two numerical control attenuators and an equalizer, so that the maximum signal gain of the signal power control device is the sum of the gains of the two amplifiers. The total signal attenuation amount of the signal power control device is the sum of attenuation of the two numerical control attenuators, so that the adjustment range of the signal power control device on the signal power is greatly expanded, and conditions are provided for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals; meanwhile, at least one amplifier is arranged between the two numerical control attenuators, the signal-to-noise ratio of signal transmission can be increased, signal transmission is facilitated, signals can be effectively controlled to be output in a normal state, and the problem of signal flatness caused by the amplifier and the numerical control attenuators is solved by using an equalizer. The quality of output signals is improved, and the use requirements of 5G signals in a signal receiver and a signal transmitter are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of signal power control, and particularly relates to a signal power control device, a signal transmitter, and a signal receiver. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most of the functional modules used in microwave systems are still signal receivers and signal transmitters. The main function of a signal receiver is to receive the required signal, while the main function of a signal transmitter is to transmit the required signal. The signal receiver converts the received high-frequency radio frequency signal to a low-frequency intermediate frequency signal, and then demodulates the intermediate frequency signal. The signal transmitter upconverts the received demodulated intermediate frequency signal and performs power control, and then transmits the resulting high-frequency radio frequency signal.

[0003] The signal power control device plays a crucial role in the internal components of a signal transmitter or receiver. It characterizes the power step accuracy and dynamic power adjustment range achieved by the signal transmitter or receiver. During the development of 2G, 3G, and 4G, the main frequencies used were low-frequency bands such as centimeter waves, and the structural designs used were only suitable for their corresponding low-frequency operating ranges. Therefore, in the current 5G era, existing signal power control devices cannot meet the usage requirements of 5G signals in signal receivers and transmitters, that is, they cannot meet the current requirements for high speed, large capacity, and low latency information transmission. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a signal power control device, a signal transmitter, and a signal receiver, which can meet the usage requirements of 5G signals in the signal receiver and signal transmitter.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a signal power control device, comprising:

[0006] Two amplifiers, two digitally controlled attenuators, and one equalizer;

[0007] The amplifier is used to increase the power of the input signal of the signal power control device;

[0008] The attenuator is used to control the power of the output signal of the signal power control device by reducing the power of the input signal;

[0009] The equalizer is used to adjust the flatness of the output signal of the signal power control device;

[0010] The amplifier, the digitally controlled attenuator, and the equalizer are arranged in a straight line, and an amplifier is placed between two of the digitally controlled attenuators.

[0011] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a signal transmitter, including the signal power control device as described in the first aspect.

[0012] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a signal receiver, including the signal power control device as described in the first aspect.

[0013] The signal power control device, signal transmitter, and signal receiver of this application embodiment include two amplifiers, two digitally controlled attenuators, and an equalizer arranged in a straight line. This ensures that the maximum signal gain of the signal power control device is the sum of the gains of the two amplifiers, and the total signal attenuation of the signal power control device is the sum of the attenuations of the two digitally controlled attenuators. This significantly improves the signal power adjustment range of the signal power control device, providing conditions for the transmission and reception of high-frequency signals. Simultaneously, an amplifier is placed between the two digitally controlled attenuators, meaning the digitally controlled attenuators and amplifiers in the signal power control device are arranged alternately. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio of signal transmission, which is beneficial for signal transmission and effectively controls the signal output under normal conditions. Furthermore, the equalizer compensates for the signal flatness issues caused by the amplifiers and digitally controlled attenuators, improving the quality of the output signal of the signal power control device and meeting the usage requirements of 5G signals in signal receivers and signal transmitters. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first signal power control device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a flatness compensation method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second signal power control device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third signal power control device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth signal power control device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fifth signal power control device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a signal power control device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of another signal power control device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of this application will be described in detail below. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only intended to explain this application and not to limit it. For those skilled in the art, this application can be implemented without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely to provide a better understanding of this application by illustrating examples.

[0024] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0025] In the internal components of a signal transmitter or receiver, the signal power control device plays a crucial role, characterizing the power step accuracy and dynamic power adjustment range achieved by the transmitter or receiver. While the overall application forms of signal receivers and transmitters haven't changed significantly with technological advancements, the frequency bands they process have continuously evolved. During the development of 2G, 3G, and 4G, governments and international standardization organizations allocated easily deployable and coverable frequency bands for communication network construction. Due to the advantages of sub-6GHz bands in wide-area coverage, this spectrum has been heavily used, even leading to some spectrum conflicts and a shortage of large-bandwidth spectrum resources. To better construct 5G networks and meet the demand for large-bandwidth spectrum resources, related technologies have begun to focus on the millimeter-wave band. Millimeter-wave frequencies range from 26.5 to 300 GHz, with a bandwidth as high as 273.5 GHz, and still have considerable untapped potential, which can compensate for the spectrum resource shortage problem in 5G communication construction.

[0026] However, during the development of 2G, 3G, and 4G, signal power control devices mainly used low-frequency bands such as centimeter waves, and the structural designs used were only suitable for their corresponding low-frequency operating ranges. Therefore, in today's 5G era, existing signal power control devices cannot meet the usage requirements of 5G signals in signal receivers and signal transmitters, that is, they cannot meet people's current requirements for high speed, large capacity, and low latency information transmission.

[0027] To address the problems of existing technologies, this application provides a signal power control device. By using two amplifiers, two digitally controlled attenuators, and an equalizer arranged in a straight line, the maximum signal gain of the signal power control device is the sum of the gains of the two amplifiers, and the total signal attenuation of the signal power control device is the sum of the attenuations of the two digitally controlled attenuators. This significantly improves the signal power adjustment range of the signal power control device, providing conditions for the transmission and reception of high-frequency signals. Simultaneously, an amplifier is placed between the two digitally controlled attenuators, meaning the digitally controlled attenuators and amplifiers in the signal power control device are arranged alternately. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio of signal transmission, which is beneficial for signal transmission and effectively controls the signal output under normal conditions. The equalizer compensates for the signal flatness issues caused by the amplifiers and digitally controlled attenuators, improving the quality of the output signal of the signal power control device. This meets the usage requirements of 5G signals in signal receivers and transmitters, further satisfying current demands for high speed, large capacity, and low latency in information transmission.

[0028] The signal power control device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first signal power control device according to an embodiment of this application is shown. The signal power control device includes:

[0030] Two amplifiers 01, two digitally controlled attenuators 02, and one equalizer 03;

[0031] Amplifier 01 is used to increase the power of the input signal of the signal power control device;

[0032] The numerically controlled attenuator 02 is used to control the power of the output signal of the signal power control device by reducing the power of the input signal;

[0033] Equalizer 03 is used to adjust the flatness of the output signal of the signal power control device;

[0034] Among them, amplifier 01, digitally controlled attenuator 02 and equalizer 03 are arranged in a straight line, and an amplifier 01 is placed between the two digitally controlled attenuators 02.

[0035] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the equalizer can be positioned anywhere within the signal power control device. In one example, refer to... Figure 1 The equalizer can be located in the center of the signal power control device. In one example, the equalizer can also be located at both ends of the signal power control device; this is not limited. Flatness refers to the amplitude-frequency response characteristic of the system. The different complex impedances of analog circuits to signals of different frequency components lead to unevenness in the output power curve. This problem is inherent to analog RF circuits and must be specifically studied, quantified, and optimized during the design process. In the embodiments of this application, the signal power control device ensures system flatness mainly through compensation between components, such as... Figure 2 As shown, 1 and 2 are the frequency responses of the two devices. If the two devices are cascaded, the frequency response can be canceled out, that is, the equalizer is used to cancel out the flatness problem caused by the amplifier and digitally controlled attenuator.

[0036] It should be noted that the positions of the amplifier and digitally controlled attenuator in the signal power control device in this embodiment can be specifically set as needed, as long as there is an amplifier between the two digitally controlled attenuators. For example, in one example, along the transmission direction of the input signal, the arrangement of the two amplifiers and two digitally controlled attenuators can be: digitally controlled attenuator, amplifier, digitally controlled attenuator, amplifier.

[0037] Considering that the input signal generally consists of noise and non-noise signals, and that noise signals, due to their low power, may experience reduced attenuation during signal attenuation, if the input signal is attenuated by a digitally controlled attenuator at the beginning of its transmission to the power control device, the difference between the noise and non-noise signals in the attenuated signal may decrease, thus reducing the signal-to-noise ratio. Therefore, in some embodiments, referencing Figure 1 The signal input terminal of the aforementioned signal power control device is the input terminal of the aforementioned amplifier 01, and the signal output terminal of the aforementioned signal power control device is the output terminal of the aforementioned digitally controlled attenuator 02. That is, after the input signal enters the power control device, it is first amplified by the amplifier to avoid reducing the signal-to-noise ratio of the input signal.

[0038] In some embodiments, the signal power control device of this application further includes a third amplifier in addition to the two amplifiers described above. It should be noted that the position of the newly added third amplifier in this application example can be arbitrarily set. Using all three amplifiers together can further improve the total gain of the signal power control device for the input signal. In one example, all three amplifiers are of the same type.

[0039] In one example, reference Figure 3 Along the direction of signal transmission, the arrangement of each component in the signal power control device is as follows: Amplifier 01, Digitally Controlled Attenuator 02, Equalizer 03, Amplifier 01, Digitally Controlled Attenuator 02, Amplifier 01.

[0040] In one example, reference Figure 4 Along the direction of signal transmission, the arrangement of each component in the signal power control device is as follows: digitally controlled attenuator 02, amplifier 01, equalizer 03, digitally controlled attenuator 02, amplifier 01, amplifier 01.

[0041] In some embodiments, reference Figure 5 The signal power control device in this embodiment further includes a coupler 04; the coupler 04 is located at the signal output terminal of the signal power control device and is used to split the output signal of the signal power control device into two signals. It should be noted that by adding a coupler after the signal power control device, the signal power control device has two output ports, which can meet the multi-output port requirements of individual systems.

[0042] In some embodiments, reference Figure 6 In the signal power control device 100, the amplifier 01 and the digitally controlled attenuator 02 form two pairs of device combinations, each pair including an amplifier 01 and a digitally controlled attenuator 02; Reference Figure 7The amplifier 01 and digitally controlled attenuator 02 in each pair of devices share a power supply line 07.

[0043] In some embodiments, the amplifier and digitally controlled attenuator are compactly arranged in the local area of ​​the signal power control device to form a device combination, and the amplifier and digitally controlled attenuator share a power supply line, which reduces the overall size and structure of the signal power control device, reduces the length of the microstrip line, and reduces the space occupied by the signal power control device.

[0044] It should be noted that, due to Figure 6 The magnified views of A and C are completely identical; therefore, both A and C can be used. Figure 7 To represent. By Figure 7 As can be seen, in a pair of devices, amplifier 01 and digitally controlled attenuator 02 share a single power supply line 07. Furthermore, the signal power control device also includes multiple control lines 08 to provide control signals to the digitally controlled attenuator 02. In the pair of devices, amplifier 01 and digitally controlled attenuator 02 are connected end-to-end, with both ends connected to the microstrip line transmitting the signal. The signal enters the device combination at one end, then passes through amplifier 01 and digitally controlled attenuator 02 sequentially, before being output from the other end.

[0045] In some embodiments, reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 For each amplifier, a filter capacitor 06 is installed between the power supply line 07 that provides power to the amplifier and the amplifier 01. When the amplifier receives power from the power supply line, the power supply can be filtered by the filter capacitor, further ensuring the stability of the amplifier's operation.

[0046] It should be noted that, Figure 8 for Figure 6 A magnified view of part D, for reference. Figure 8 The power receiving terminal of amplifier 01 is connected to the power supply line 07 through filter capacitor 06, and the input and output terminals of amplifier 01 are respectively connected to the microstrip line for transmitting signals.

[0047] In some embodiments, the amplifier operates in the 18–40 GHz frequency band, has a gain of 16 dB, a gain flatness of 0.5 dB, an operating voltage of +5 V, and an operating current of 67 mA. It should be noted that since the amplifier operates in the 18–40 GHz frequency band, it meets the requirements for operation in the millimeter-wave band. After two amplifiers are connected in series, the total gain is GAIN = 16 dB * 2 = 32 dB; the gain flatness is GAIN FLATNESS = 0.5 dB * 2 = 1 dB. After three amplifiers are connected in series, the total gain is GAIN = 16 dB * 3 = 48 dB; the gain flatness is GAIN FLATNESS = 0.5 dB * 3 = 1.5 dB. When the application scenario has lower output power requirements, two amplifiers can be used in series; when the application scenario has higher output power requirements, three amplifiers can be used in series. The amplifier chip model can be selected based on the above specifications. For example, in one example, the amplifier chip model that can be selected is HGC448.

[0048] In one embodiment, the above-mentioned numerically controlled attenuator operates in the 0–40 GHz frequency band, has an insertion loss of 6 dB, an attenuation accuracy of 0.5 dB, an attenuation range of 0–31.5 dB, and an operating voltage of +5 V. It should be noted that since the numerically controlled attenuator operates in the 0–40 GHz frequency band, it meets the requirements for operation in the millimeter-wave band, and the overall loss flatness (IL FLATNESS) in the millimeter-wave band after two stages of numerically controlled attenuators are connected in series is 2 dB * 2 = 4 dB. The chip model of the numerically controlled attenuator can be selected based on the above specifications. For example, in one example, the chip model that can be selected for the numerically controlled attenuator is HGC244.

[0049] In some embodiments, the equalizer operates in the 18–40 GHz frequency band, has an insertion loss of 1.4 dB, and an equalization level of 6 dB. It should be noted that the selection of the equalizer chip model is determined based on the operating frequency band and the equalization level. Since the equalizer operates in the 18–40 GHz frequency band, it meets the requirements for operating in the millimeter-wave band. The equalization level equalizes the gain flux plus the inter-microstrip line loss. Based on practical experience, the microstrip line loss is estimated to be 0.5 dB. Therefore, in this embodiment, the equalization level is 6 dB. The equalizer chip model can be selected based on the above specifications. For example, in one example, the equalizer chip model that can be selected is HGC136-6.

[0050] In some embodiments, the signal power control device has a length of 31.7 mm, a width of 17.2 mm, and a height of 13.3 mm, and is composed of... Figure 6It can be seen that the entire circuit presents an asymmetrical structure as a whole, but in the local chip placement, the amplifier and digitally controlled attenuator are placed alternately. This is beneficial to signal transmission and can effectively control the signal output under normal conditions. In addition, the signal power control device adopts the compact placement of amplifier and digitally controlled attenuator in local areas, which reduces the overall module size and structure, reduces the length of the microstrip line, and thus reduces the area occupied by the device in space.

[0051] The signal power control device of this application embodiment includes two amplifiers, two digitally controlled attenuators, and an equalizer arranged in a straight line. This ensures that the maximum signal gain of the signal power control device is the sum of the gains of the two amplifiers, and the total signal attenuation of the signal power control device is the sum of the attenuations of the two digitally controlled attenuators. This significantly improves the signal power adjustment range of the signal power control device, providing conditions for the transmission and reception of high-frequency signals. Simultaneously, an amplifier is placed between the two digitally controlled attenuators, meaning the digitally controlled attenuators and amplifiers in the signal power control device are arranged alternately. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal transmission, which is beneficial for signal transmission and effectively controls the signal output under normal conditions. Furthermore, the equalizer compensates for the signal flatness issues caused by the amplifiers and digitally controlled attenuators, improving the quality of the output signal of the signal power control device and meeting the usage requirements of 5G signals in signal receivers and transmitters.

[0052] Furthermore, in some embodiments, suitable chips are selected in the signal power control device of this application embodiment, so that the overall operating frequency of the signal power control device is in the millimeter-wave band, thereby adapting to the development needs of the 5G era; a three-stage amplifier and a two-stage digitally controlled attenuator are adopted, which improves the overall power gain of the module and expands the adjustable power dynamic range. At the same time, the selected digitally controlled attenuator has a step of 0.5dB, thus optimizing the power control accuracy of the signal power control device; by reasonably placing the components, the overall size of the signal power control device is reduced, meeting the current requirements for miniaturization; an equalizer chip is used, and the equalizer chip's performance is reasonably selected by calculating the frequency response of each component, thus optimizing the overall flatness performance of the signal power control device.

[0053] In some embodiments, this application also proposes a signal transmitter that includes the signal power control device as described in any of the foregoing embodiments. The signal receivers of the above embodiments are used to implement the functions of the corresponding signal power control devices in any of the foregoing embodiments, and have the beneficial effects of the corresponding signal power control device embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0054] In some embodiments, this application also proposes a signal receiver that includes the signal power control device as described in any of the foregoing embodiments. The signal receivers of the above embodiments are used to implement the functions of the corresponding signal power control devices in any of the foregoing embodiments, and have the beneficial effects of the corresponding signal power control device embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0055] It should be clarified that this application is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of this application is not limited to the specific steps described and shown. Those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of this application.

[0056] The functional blocks shown in the above-described structural diagram can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, they can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this application are programs or code segments used to perform the required tasks. Programs or code segments can be stored on a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried on a carrier wave. "Machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROM, flash memory, erasable ROM (EROM), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, fiber optic media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. Code segments can be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, intranets, etc.

[0057] It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this application describe methods or systems based on a series of steps or apparatus. However, this application is not limited to the order of the above steps; that is, the steps can be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiments, or in a different order, or several steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0058] It should be understood that each block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine such that these instructions, executed via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, enable the implementation of the function / action specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram. Such a processor can be, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a special application processor, or a field-programmable logic circuit. It is also understood that each block in the block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram and / or flowchart, can also be implemented by special-purpose hardware that performs the specified function or action, or by a combination of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0059] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A signal power control apparatus, characterized by comprising: The signal power control device comprises: two amplifiers, two digital controlled attenuators and an equalizer; the amplifiers are used to increase the power of input signals of the signal power control device; the digital controlled attenuators are used to control the power of output signals of the signal power control device by reducing the power of the input signals; the equalizer is used to adjust the flatness of output signals of the signal power control device; wherein the amplifiers, the digital controlled attenuators and the equalizer are arranged in a straight line, and one of the amplifiers is arranged between two of the digital controlled attenuators.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The signal input end of the signal power control device is the input end of the amplifiers, and the signal output end of the signal power control device is the output end of the digital controlled attenuators.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The device further comprises a third amplifier in addition to the two amplifiers.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 or 3, wherein, The device further comprises a coupler, which is arranged at the signal output end of the signal power control device and used to divide the output signals of the signal power control device into two signals.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The amplifiers and the digital controlled attenuators constitute two pairs of device combinations, each of which comprises an amplifier and a digital controlled attenuator; the amplifier and the digital controlled attenuator in each pair of device combinations share a power supply line.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, For each amplifier, a filter capacitor is arranged between the power supply line providing power for the amplifier and the amplifier.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The working frequency band of the amplifiers is 18-40GHz, the gain is 16dB, the gain flatness is 0.5dB, and the working voltage is +5V; the working frequency band of the digital controlled attenuators is 0-40GHz, the insertion loss is 6dB, the attenuation precision is 0.5dB, the attenuation range is 0-31.5dB, and the working voltage is +5V.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The working frequency band of the equalizer is 18-40GHz, the insertion loss is 1.4dB, and the equalization amount is 6dB.

9. A signal transmitter, characterized by The signal transmitter comprises the signal power control device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A signal receiver, characterized by The signal receiver comprises the signal power control device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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