Quadrature signal generators and electronic equipment
By adding capacitors at the center taps of the primary and secondary coils of the transformer, the bandwidth, insertion loss, and area problems of the quadrature signal generator are solved, realizing a quadrature signal generator with broadband performance and low loss, suitable for 5G millimeter-wave transceivers.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SANECHIPS TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing quadrature signal generators cannot achieve broadband performance through a single-stage structure, and multi-stage cascading leads to high insertion loss or large chip area.
An improved quadrature signal generator is formed by adding a first coupling capacitor between the center taps of the primary and secondary coils of the transformer, and adding a first grounding capacitor and a second grounding capacitor at the center taps of the primary and secondary coils of the transformer.
It achieves high bandwidth and low insertion loss while avoiding a large chip area footprint, covering multiple communication bands in the 5G millimeter wave FR2 band.
Smart Images
Figure CN224319339U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of power electronics technology, and more particularly to quadrature signal generators and electronic devices. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, commonly used orthogonal signal generators in related technologies include QAF (orthogonal all-pass filter network), PPF (polyphase filter network), and hybrid (coupler-type hybrid network). However, none of the three networks listed above can achieve broadband performance through a single-stage structure. If broadband performance is required, it can only be achieved through multi-stage cascading, which leads to large insertion loss or large chip area. Utility Model Content
[0003] The main objective of this application is to provide an orthogonal signal generator and electronic device, which aims to at least solve the technical problem of how to enable the orthogonal signal generator to achieve broadband performance through a single-stage structure.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this application provide an orthogonal signal generator, the orthogonal signal generator comprising:
[0005] A transformer, the transformer comprising a primary coil and a secondary coil;
[0006] A first coupling capacitor, one end of which is electrically connected to the center tap of the primary coil, and the other end of which is electrically connected to the center tap of the secondary coil;
[0007] A first grounding capacitor, one end of which is electrically connected to the center tap of the primary coil, and the other end of which is grounded;
[0008] The second grounding capacitor has one end electrically connected to the center tap of the secondary coil and the other end grounded.
[0009] In addition, to achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this application also provide an electronic device, which includes the orthogonal signal generator described above.
[0010] This application proposes an orthogonal signal generator and electronic device, overcoming the problem that related orthogonal signal generators require multiple cascaded stages to achieve broadband performance. This application effectively solves the problem of bandwidth, insertion loss, and area constraints in orthogonal signal generators by adding a first coupling capacitor between the center taps of the primary and secondary coils of the transformer, and by adding a first grounding capacitor and a second grounding capacitor at the center taps of the primary and secondary coils of the transformer, respectively. The improved orthogonal signal generator can balance high bandwidth and low insertion loss without occupying a large chip area. Attached Figure Description
[0011] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.
[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of an orthogonal all-pass filter network in related technologies;
[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a type-I polyphase filter network in related technologies;
[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a type-II polyphase filter network in related technologies;
[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a coupler-type hybrid network in related technologies;
[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an orthogonal signal generator provided in one embodiment of this application;
[0017] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an orthogonal signal generator provided in another embodiment of this application;
[0018] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an orthogonal signal generator provided in another embodiment of this application;
[0019] Figure 8 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of an orthogonal signal generator according to another embodiment;
[0020] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the coupling coefficient curve of a traditional single-stage hybrid system in related technologies;
[0021] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the insertion loss curve for a traditional single-stage hybrid system in related technologies.
[0022] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the coupling coefficient curve of an orthogonal signal generator provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0023] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the insertion loss curve and insertion loss difference curve of an orthogonal signal generator provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0024] Figure 13 A schematic diagram showing the simulation verification results (phase curve and phase difference curve) of an orthogonal signal generator provided in this application embodiment;
[0025] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the echo simulation verification results of an orthogonal signal generator provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0026] The realization of the objectives, functional features and advantages of the embodiments of this application will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] Explanation of icon numbers:
[0028] T, Transformer; C M1 First coupling capacitor; C G1 First grounding capacitor; C G2 Second grounding capacitor; C M2 Second coupling capacitor; C G3 Third grounding capacitor; C G4 Fourth grounding capacitor; C M3 Third coupling capacitor; C G5 Fifth grounding capacitor; C G6 The sixth grounding capacitor. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.
[0030] With the rapid development of 5G millimeter wave technology, countries around the world have determined relevant communication frequency bands. my country has selected 24.25 to 27.5 GHz for the low-frequency band and 37 to 43.5 GHz for the high-frequency band. To cover both bands, transceiver chips require higher bandwidth for their internal modules. The quadrature signal generator, as a crucial component in millimeter wave transceivers such as phase shifters and I / Q mixers, plays a vital role in the performance of these modules.
[0031] Currently, commonly used orthogonal signal generators in related technologies include QAF (Quadrature All-Pass Filter Network), PPF (Polyphase Filter Network), and hybrid (coupler-type hybrid network). A QAF network mainly consists of inductors, capacitors, and resistors, and its structure is as follows: Figure 1 As shown. QAF is a narrowband network where the phase is orthogonal only at the center frequency. PPF networks mainly consist of resistors and capacitors, and often employ multiple stages to achieve broadband. Based on the connection method of the first stage, they are divided into type-I and type-II structures. See the schematic diagram for details. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Theoretically, a Type-I structure can achieve 90° phase orthogonality at any frequency, but the amplitude is consistent only at the center frequency; a Type-II structure can maintain consistent amplitude at any frequency, but the phase is consistent only at the center frequency. The biggest advantage of a PPF network is the absence of passive inductors, which gives it a significant advantage in chip area, but its insertion loss performance is poor due to the introduction of resistors. A hybrid structure mainly consists of a transformer, with four ports connected to matched loads, such as... Figure 4 As shown, compared to QAF and PPF, the hybrid structure has greater advantages in terms of insertion loss and bandwidth.
[0032] However, none of the three networks listed above can achieve broadband performance through a single-stage structure. To obtain broadband performance, they must be achieved through multi-stage cascading. For PPF, because the resistor is connected in series in the RF path, multi-stage cascading leads to significant insertion loss; for hybrid networks, because the basic unit is a transformer, multi-stage cascading results in a large chip area.
[0033] Based on this, the present application provides an orthogonal signal generator and electronic device. By adding a first coupling capacitor between the center taps of the primary and secondary coils of the transformer, and adding a first grounding capacitor and a second grounding capacitor at the center taps of the primary and secondary coils of the transformer respectively, the problem of mutual constraints between bandwidth, insertion loss and area of the orthogonal signal generator can be effectively solved. The improved orthogonal signal generator can take into account both large bandwidth and low insertion loss, and will not occupy a large chip area.
[0034] The quadrature signal generator and electronic device provided in this application are specifically described through the following embodiments. First, the quadrature signal generator in the embodiments of this application is described.
[0035] This application provides an orthogonal signal generator, referring to... Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an orthogonal signal generator according to an embodiment of this application. The orthogonal signal generator includes:
[0036] Transformer T consists of a primary coil and a secondary coil;
[0037] First coupling capacitor C M1 First coupling capacitor C M1 One end is electrically connected to the center tap of the primary coil, and the first coupling capacitor C M1 The other end is electrically connected to the center tap of the secondary coil;
[0038] First grounding capacitor C G1 First grounding capacitor C G1 One end is electrically connected to the center tap of the primary coil, and the first grounding capacitor C G1 The other end is grounded;
[0039] Second grounding capacitor C G2 Second grounding capacitor C G2 One end is electrically connected to the center tap of the secondary coil, and the second grounding capacitor C G2 The other end is grounded.
[0040] In this embodiment, the quadrature signal generator mainly consists of a transformer T and a capacitor at the center tap of the transformer T coil. Compared to the traditional single-stage hybrid structure, this embodiment adds a first coupling capacitor C at the center tap of the transformer T coil. M1 First grounding capacitor C G1 Second grounding capacitor C G2 This can effectively solve the problem of mutual constraints between bandwidth, insertion loss and area in orthogonal signal generators in related technologies.
[0041] As an example, in this embodiment, the turns ratio of the primary coil to the secondary coil is 1:1.
[0042] In this embodiment, the two ends of the primary coil are the input terminal and the through terminal of the quadrature signal generator, respectively, and the two ends of the secondary coil are the coupling terminal and the isolation terminal of the quadrature signal generator, respectively. (Refer to...) Figure 6 The input terminal, through terminal, coupling terminal, and isolation terminal are each electrically connected to a matching impedance Z0 to ensure good return performance.
[0043] Reference Figure 7In some feasible embodiments, the quadrature signal generator may further include:
[0044] Second coupling capacitor C M2 The second coupling capacitor C M2 One end is electrically connected to the input terminal, and the second coupling capacitor C M2 The other end is electrically connected to the coupling terminal;
[0045] Third grounding capacitor C G3 The third grounding capacitor C G3 One end is electrically connected to the input terminal, and the third grounding capacitor C G3 The other end is grounded;
[0046] Fourth grounding capacitor C G4 Fourth grounding capacitor C G4 One end is electrically connected to the coupling terminal, and the fourth grounding capacitor C G4 The other end is grounded;
[0047] Third coupling capacitor C M3 The third coupling capacitor C M3 One end is electrically connected to the through terminal, and the third coupling capacitor C M3 The other end is electrically connected to the isolation terminal;
[0048] Fifth grounding capacitor C G5 Fifth grounding capacitor C G5 One end is electrically connected to the through terminal, and the fifth grounding capacitor C G5 The other end is grounded;
[0049] Sixth grounding capacitor C G6 The sixth grounding capacitor C G6 One end is electrically connected to the isolation terminal, and the sixth grounding capacitor C G6 The other end is grounded.
[0050] In this embodiment, the input terminal, through terminal, coupling terminal, and isolation terminal are each electrically connected to a grounding capacitor, and a second coupling capacitor C is electrically connected between the input terminal and the coupling terminal. M2 A third coupling capacitor C is electrically connected between the through terminal and the isolation terminal. M3 .
[0051] The quadrature signal generator provided in this embodiment can be applied to vector synthesis phase shifters, I / Q mixing systems, or Doherty power amplifiers in RF millimeter-wave transceivers. Its main function is to convert a signal into two quadrature signals with a 90° phase difference.
[0052] In this embodiment, since the network is a purely passive structure, it is a reciprocal network. Signals input from the through end and the coupling end can be orthogonally synthesized at 90° at the input port.
[0053] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the quadrature signal generator provided in this embodiment includes a transformer T and nine capacitors. After the wiring is generated in practical applications, its circuit structure is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the resistances on both sides of the center tap of the primary and secondary coils represent the parasitic resistances of the actual traces. The two parasitic resistances are equal, based on... Figure 8 The circuit structure shown in this embodiment was simulated and verified using differential mode. One port receives the input signal through an ideal balun, and there are four signal output ports. Therefore, there is an inherent 6dB loss introduced by the one-to-four insertion loss.
[0054] Theoretically, in related technologies, when the coupling coefficient of transformer T is greater than a certain value, the two insertion loss curves at the through and coupled ends will intersect at two points on either side of the center frequency, resulting in a relatively wide amplitude consistency bandwidth. However, after replacing transformer T with actual traces, it can be found that the hybrid coupling coefficient is actually a parameter with frequency response, as shown in the curve below. Figure 9 As shown.
[0055] This is because the parasitic capacitance between the coils causes the coupling coefficient to increase with higher frequencies. This leads to a rapid deterioration of the insertion loss curve at the through end at high frequencies, preventing the insertion loss curves at the through end and coupled end from intersecting near the high-frequency side of the center frequency. The specific curves are shown below. Figure 10 As shown. At this point, when the constraint amplitude is consistent, the available frequency band is only near the single intersection point A on the low-frequency side close to the center frequency, which greatly affects the bandwidth of the hybrid structure.
[0056] To address this issue, in order to fit the traces to a near-ideal coupling line, this embodiment introduces a coupling capacitor and two grounding capacitors at the center tap of the transformer T coil based on the hybrid structure. This reduces the problem of the amplitude double intersection point disappearing caused by the parasitic capacitance introduced into the traces, improving the overall coupling coefficient from a curve that increases with frequency to a curve that remains flat with frequency. This ensures that the insertion loss curves of the through and coupled signal paths have two intersection points, expanding the bandwidth. Specifically, as shown... Figure 11 As shown, the coupling coefficient is approximately equal to 0.73, from Figure 11 It can be seen that the coupling coefficient of the quadrature signal generator changes very little with frequency, and the specific value of the preset threshold can be determined according to the actual situation.
[0057] Thanks to the optimization of the coupling coefficient, this embodiment can ensure that the insertion loss curves of the through end and the coupled end intersect on both sides of the center frequency, effectively extending the amplitude consistency bandwidth. Simulation verification results are as follows: Figure 12 As shown, Figure 12The solid line represents the insertion loss curve at the through end, and the short horizontal line represents the insertion loss curve at the coupled end. The two insertion loss curves intersect at two points, B and C. After decoupling the inherent 6dB loss, the insertion loss is only 0.5dB@B and 0.7dB@C. Figure 12 The dashed line represents the difference between the two curves mentioned above. When the constraint insertion loss difference is less than 0.5 dB, the bandwidth can reach 24.03 GHz to 44.73 GHz, covering the n257 (26.5 GHz to 29.5 GHz), n258 (24.25 GHz to 27.5 GHz), n261 (27.5 GHz to 28.35 GHz), n260 (37 GHz to 40 GHz), and n259 (39.5 GHz to 43.5 GHz) frequencies of the 5G millimeter wave FR2 band. Compared to the traditional single-stage hybrid structure, the bandwidth of the orthogonal signal generator provided in this embodiment is greatly expanded.
[0058] The other performance simulation verification results of this embodiment are as follows:
[0059] The simulation results of phase orthogonality are as follows Figure 13 As shown, Figure 13 The solid lines in the middle represent the phase curves, namely I+, I-, Q+, and Q-, where I and Q are orthogonal to each other, and ideally the phase difference between orthogonal signals is 90°. Figure 13 The short horizontal line represents the phase error curve. When the phase difference of the constrained orthogonal signals is less than 3°, the bandwidth is 10GHz to 60.65GHz.
[0060] The echo simulation verification results are as follows Figure 14 As shown, Figure 14 The solid line represents the echo from the input port, the short horizontal line represents the echo from the I-channel port, and the dashed line represents the echo from the Q-channel port. All port echoes are less than -10dB in the 10GHz to 60GHz frequency band, exhibiting good broadband characteristics. The inconsistency between the I and Q echoes is due to parasitic routing. However, because the quadrature signal generator provided in this embodiment has good echo performance, this inconsistency does not affect the performance of the quadrature signal generator provided in this embodiment.
[0061] This embodiment provides an orthogonal signal amplifier that effectively solves the problem of bandwidth, insertion loss, and area constraints in orthogonal signal generators in related technologies. Specifically, regarding bandwidth, the bandwidth of traditional single-stage hybrid structures is limited by their amplitude uniformity bandwidth. This embodiment effectively improves the frequency response of the hybrid coupling coefficient by adjusting the added first coupling capacitor CM1, first grounding capacitor CG1, and second grounding capacitor CG2, making the curve of the coupling coefficient changing with frequency a nearly flat curve. This ensures that the insertion loss curves of the through end and the coupling end intersect on both sides of the center frequency, effectively expanding the amplitude uniformity bandwidth. Regarding area, this embodiment only requires a single-stage hybrid structure while ensuring bandwidth, thus offering a significant advantage in area compared to traditional hybrid structures (which require multiple cascaded stages). Regarding insertion loss, this embodiment achieves a large bandwidth based on a single-stage hybrid structure, but the insertion loss is comparable to that of a single stage in a traditional hybrid structure, thus also possessing a significant advantage in insertion loss.
[0062] In addition, this application also provides an electronic device, which includes the orthogonal signal generator provided in the above embodiments.
[0063] The electronic device proposed in this embodiment belongs to the same technical concept as the orthogonal signal generator proposed in the above embodiments. Technical details not described in detail in this embodiment can be found in any of the above embodiments. Furthermore, this embodiment has the same beneficial effects as the above embodiments of the orthogonal signal generator.
[0064] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.
[0065] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution that simultaneously satisfies A and B.
[0066] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection" and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0067] It should also be understood that references to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in the specification of embodiments of this application mean that one or more embodiments of this application include the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof all mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.
[0068] It should be noted that the technical solutions of the various embodiments of this application can be combined with each other, but only if they are implemented by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by the embodiments of this application.
[0069] The above are merely optional embodiments of this application and do not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the description and drawings of this application, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. An orthogonal signal generator, characterized in that, The orthogonal signal generator includes: A transformer, the transformer comprising a primary coil and a secondary coil; A first coupling capacitor, one end of which is electrically connected to the center tap of the primary coil, and the other end of which is electrically connected to the center tap of the secondary coil; A first grounding capacitor, one end of which is electrically connected to the center tap of the primary coil, and the other end of which is grounded; The second grounding capacitor has one end electrically connected to the center tap of the secondary coil and the other end grounded.
2. The orthogonal signal generator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The turns ratio of the primary coil to the secondary coil is 1:
1.
3. The quadrature signal generator as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The two ends of the primary coil are the input terminal and the through terminal of the quadrature signal generator, respectively. The two ends of the secondary coil are the coupling terminal and the isolation terminal of the quadrature signal generator, respectively. The input terminal, the through terminal, the coupling terminal and the isolation terminal are each electrically connected to a matching impedance.
4. The quadrature signal generator as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The orthogonal signal generator further includes: A second coupling capacitor, one end of which is electrically connected to the input terminal and the other end of which is electrically connected to the coupling terminal; A third grounding capacitor, one end of which is electrically connected to the input terminal, and the other end of which is grounded; A fourth grounding capacitor, one end of which is electrically connected to the coupling terminal, and the other end of which is grounded; A third coupling capacitor, one end of which is electrically connected to the through terminal, and the other end of which is electrically connected to the isolation terminal; The fifth grounding capacitor has one end electrically connected to the through terminal and the other end grounded. The sixth grounding capacitor has one end electrically connected to the isolation terminal and the other end grounded.
5. The quadrature signal generator as described in claim 4, characterized in that, When an input signal is connected to the input terminal, the through terminal and the coupling terminal output orthogonal signals with a phase difference of 90° based on the input signal.
6. The quadrature signal generator as described in claim 4, characterized in that, When the input signal is connected to the through end and the coupling end respectively, the input end performs orthogonal 90° synthesis based on the input signal.
7. The quadrature signal generator as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The change in the coupling coefficient of the orthogonal signal generator with respect to frequency is less than a preset threshold.
8. The quadrature signal generator as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The bandwidth of the quadrature signal generator covers n257, n258, n261, n260 and n259 of the 5G millimeter wave FR2 band.
9. The quadrature signal generator as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The echoes at each port of the orthogonal signal generator are all less than -10dB in the 10GHz to 60GHz frequency band.
10. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes an orthogonal signal generator as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.