Tunable, broadband directional coupler circuit employing additional, selectable coupling circuits to control frequency response - Patents.com

Abstract

A tunable, broadband directional coupler circuit employing one or more additional, switchable coupling circuits for controlling frequency response, and associated methods. In seven exemplary embodiments, the directional coupler includes one or more additional coupling circuits, each including an additional coupling line disposed adjacent to the primary coupling line, that can be selectively activated to modify the frequency response of the directional coupler. When an additional coupling circuit is activated, its additional coupling line has the effect of extending the length of the primary coupling line through mutual inductance, thus modifying the coupled frequency response of the directional coupler. The additional coupling circuit includes one or more switches for enabling selective coupling of its additional coupling line to the coupled port and / or isolated port of the directional coupler to selectively modify and control the frequency response of the primary coupling line.

Description

Claiming priority

[0001] Priority Application

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 210,296, entitled "TUNABLE, BROADBAND DIRECTIONAL COUPLER CIRCUITS EMPLOYING AN ADDITIONAL, SELECTABLE COUPLING CIRCUIT(S) FOR CONTROLLING FREQUENCY RESPONSE," filed on March 23, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. [Technical field]

[0002]

[0002] The field of the disclosure relates to directional couplers, and more particularly to the use of directional couplers to couple power from a radio frequency (RF) signal as a representative signal to be supplied to another circuit for a desired application. [Background technology]

[0003] A radio frequency (RF) transmit circuit chain conventionally includes an RF power amplifier (PA) for amplifying an RF signal for transmission as an output RF signal within a given frequency band. It may be desired to detect the output power in the output RF signal. For example, the detected output power may be used to adjust the gain of the PA to control the output power in the output RF signal within a given output power level or range. In this regard, a directional coupler may be provided and coupled to a transmission line of the RF transmit circuit chain to detect the output power of the output RF signal. A directional coupler is a passive electrical device that couples the power of a signal transmitted in a transmission line to a port and enables a representation of the coupled signal to be supplied to another circuit for a desired application. In this example, the directional coupler is coupled to the transmission line at the output side of the RF PA to sample the output RF signal from the RF PA and pass the sampled output RF signal to a power detector. The power detector may be configured to generate a control signal based on the detected power in the output RF signal to adjust the gain of the RF PA.

[0004]

[0004] Directional couplers have an operating frequency response (i.e., frequency range) according to their design. The operating frequency response of a directional coupler is defined as the frequency range of signals that the directional coupler can couple onto its coupled output port at a given minimum specified coupled power. For example, a directional coupler may be capable of coupling RF signals at a minimum power level of 20 decibels (dB) in a limited frequency range between 100 and 1600 megahertz (MHz). It may be desirable to provide a directional coupler with a larger bandwidth for a desired application. For example, in a fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) (5G-NR) mobile network application, there may be multiple feedback receive paths over a wide range of frequencies where power needs to be measured. Summary of the Invention

[0005]

[0005] Aspects disclosed herein include a tunable, broadband directional coupler circuit employing one or more additional, switchable coupling circuits for controlling the frequency response. Related methods are also disclosed. The directional coupler circuit includes a directional coupler having a main transmission line coupled between an input port and an output port. The main transmission line is configured to transmit a received radio frequency (RF) signal received on the input port to the output port. The directional coupler also includes a primary coupling line adjacent to the main transmission line and coupled between an isolation port and a coupling port. The primary coupling line couples a portion of the electromagnetic (EM) power of the RF signal on the primary coupling line onto the additional coupling line(s). In an exemplary aspect, the directional coupler circuit includes one or more additional coupling circuits to allow the frequency response of the directional coupler to be selectively tuned. Each additional coupling circuit includes a respective coupling line disposed adjacent to the primary coupling line. When an additional coupling circuit is activated, its additional coupling line has the effect of extending the length of the primary coupling line through the mutual inductance between the primary coupling line and the additional coupling line. This changes the coupling frequency response on the coupled port of the directional coupler. In one exemplary embodiment, the additional coupling circuit includes a coupled port switch coupled between its additional coupling line and the coupled port. In another exemplary embodiment, the additional coupling circuit includes an isolated port switch coupled between its additional coupling line and the isolated port. These coupled port switches and / or isolated port switches can be selectively activated in various combinations to activate each additional coupling circuit in the directional coupler to change the frequency response of the coupled port. Thus, the frequency response of the directional coupler can be tuned and changed to various different frequency ranges to achieve an overall wider frequency response capability.

[0006] In one exemplary aspect, a directional coupler circuit is provided. The directional coupler circuit includes a main transmission line coupled between an input port and an output port. The directional coupler circuit also includes a primary coupled circuit having a primary coupled line adjacent to the main transmission line. The directional coupler circuit also includes an additional coupled circuit. The additional coupled circuit includes an additional coupled line having a first end and a second end, the additional coupled line adjacent to the primary coupled line.

[0007] In another exemplary aspect, a method for selectively tuning a frequency response of a directional coupler is provided. The method includes receiving an input RF signal on an input port coupled to a main transmission line. The method also includes transmitting the received input RF signal on the main transmission line to an output port. The method also includes coupling a portion of the power of the input RF signal as a coupled RF signal from the main transmission line to a primary coupled line adjacent to the main transmission line to provide a primary coupled RF signal of a primary frequency response. The method also includes activating an additional coupled line adjacent to the primary coupled line to couple a portion of the coupled RF signal to the additional coupled line to provide an additional coupled RF signal of a second frequency response different from the primary frequency response.

[0008] In another exemplary aspect, an RF transmit circuit is provided. The RF transmit circuit includes a power amplifier (PA) circuit. The PA circuit includes a PA input configured to receive an input RF signal and a PA output. The PA circuit is configured to amplify the input RF signal into an amplified RF signal on the PA output. The RF transmit circuit also includes a matching network circuit. The matching network circuit includes a matching network input coupled to the PA output and a matching network output. The RF transmit circuit also includes a directional coupler circuit. The directional coupler circuit includes a coupler input port coupled to the matching network output, a coupler output port, and a main transmission line coupled to the coupler input port and the coupler output port. The directional coupler circuit also includes a primary coupling circuit including a primary coupling line adjacent to the main transmission line. The directional coupler circuit also includes an additional coupling circuit. The additional coupling circuit includes an additional coupling line having a first end and a second end, where the additional coupling line is adjacent to the main transmission line. The additional coupled circuit also includes an additional coupled port switch coupled to the first end of the additional coupled line and to the coupled output. The additional coupled circuit also includes an additional isolated port switch coupled to the second end of the additional coupled line and to the isolated output. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a radio frequency (RF) transmit circuit chain that employs a directional coupler for coupling power from an output RF signal. [Diagram 2]

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example tunable, broadband directional coupler circuit employing an additional coupling circuit to control the frequency response of the directional coupler. [Diagram 3]

[0011] 13 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary tunable, broadband directional coupler circuit that employs an additional, switchable coupling circuit to control the frequency response of the directional coupler. [Figure 4]

[0012] 4 is a table illustrating exemplary operating modes for controlling activation of the primary and additional coupling circuits in the directional coupler of FIG. 3 to enable selective tuning of the frequency response of the directional coupler. [Diagram 5]

[0013] 4 is a graph illustrating different example frequency responses of the directional coupler of FIG. 3 based on different operation modes of the directional coupler. [Figure 6]

[0014] 4 is an example circuit layout diagram illustrating an example layout of circuit components of the directional coupler in FIG. 3. [Figure 7]

[0015] 11 is a schematic diagram of another example tunable, broadband directional coupler circuit employing multiple additional, switchable combining circuits to control the frequency response of the directional coupler. [Figure 8]

[0016] 8 is a table illustrating exemplary operating modes for controlling activation of a primary coupling circuit and multiple additional coupling circuits in the directional coupler of FIG. 7 to selectively tune the frequency response of the directional coupler. [Figure 9]

[0017] 8 is an example circuit layout diagram illustrating an example layout of circuit components of the directional coupler in FIG. 7. [Figure 10]

[0018] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary tunable, broadband directional coupler circuit employing any number up to “N” additional, switchable combining circuits to allow selective tuning of the frequency response of the directional coupler. [Figure 11]

[0019] A block diagram of an example wireless communication device that may include a tunable, broadband directional coupler circuit employing additional, switchable combining circuit(s) to control the frequency response of the directional coupler, including, but not limited to, the tunable, broadband directional couplers in Figures 2-3, 5-6, and 8-9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010]

[0020] Several exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are now described with reference to the drawings. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

[0011]

[0021] Embodiments disclosed herein include a tunable, broadband directional coupler circuit employing one or more additional, switchable coupling circuits for controlling the frequency response. Related methods are also disclosed. The directional coupler circuit includes a directional coupler having a main transmission line coupled between an input port and an output port. The main transmission line is configured to transmit a received radio frequency (RF) signal received on the input port to the output port. The directional coupler also includes a primary coupling line adjacent to the main transmission line and coupled between the isolated port and the coupled port. The primary coupling line couples a portion of the electromagnetic (EM) power of the RF signal on the primary coupling line onto the additional coupled line(s). In an exemplary embodiment, the directional coupler circuit includes one or more additional coupling circuits to allow the frequency response of the directional coupler to be selectively tuned. Each additional coupling circuit includes a respective coupling line disposed adjacent to the primary coupled line. When an additional coupling circuit is activated, its additional coupling line has the effect of extending the length of the primary coupling line through the mutual inductance between the primary coupling line and the additional coupling line. This changes the coupling frequency response on the coupled port of the directional coupler. In one exemplary embodiment, the additional coupling circuit includes a coupled port switch coupled between its additional coupling line and the coupled port. In another exemplary embodiment, the additional coupling circuit includes an isolated port switch coupled between its additional coupling line and the isolated port. These coupled port switches and / or isolated port switches can be selectively activated in various combinations to activate each additional coupling circuit in the directional coupler to change the frequency response of the coupled port. Thus, the frequency response of the directional coupler can be tuned and changed to various different frequency ranges to achieve an overall wider frequency response capability.

[0012]

[0022] In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary RF transmit circuit 100 employing a directional coupler 102 configured to couple power from an output RF signal amplified by a power amplifier (PA) circuit 104. In this regard, the PA circuit 104 is an amplifier circuit configured to amplify a received input RF signal 106 into an output RF signal 108. The output RF signal 108 may be coupled to a matching network 110 to provide impedance matching between an output 112 of the PA circuit 104 and a main transmission line 114 that carries the output RF signal 108 to another destination circuit. For example, the PA circuit 104 and the matching network 110 may be part of an RF front-end circuit 115 provided in a communication device, such as a mobile cellular telephone device. The RF front-end circuit 115 may be coupled to an antenna (not shown) that receives the input RF signal 106 and couples the input RF signal 106 to the PA circuit 104 to be amplified.

[0013]

[0023] To sample a portion of the output RF signal 108 to be provided to another circuit for analysis, such as for power measurement and amplifier feedback, the RF transmitter circuit 100 in FIG. 1 also includes a directional coupler 102. The directional coupler 102 is a passive electrical device that couples the power of the output RF signal 108 in the main transmission line 114 to an output port 116. The directional coupler 102 also includes a primary coupled line 118 disposed adjacent to the main transmission line 114 to electromagnetically couple a portion of the power of the output RF signal 108 as a coupled RF signal 122 to a coupled port 120. The directional coupler 102 also includes an isolated port 124. The directional coupler 102 can be configured in a forward mode for the coupled RF signal 122 to be provided to the coupled port 120, or in a reverse mode for the coupled RF signal 122 to be provided to the isolated port 124.

[0014]

[0024] The directional coupler 102 in FIG. 1 has an operating frequency response (i.e., frequency range) according to its design. The length of the primary coupled line 118 in this example is a quarter wavelength length at the center frequency of the frequency response of the directional coupler 102. The operating frequency response of a directional coupler is defined as the frequency range of signals centered around its center frequency into which the directional coupler 102 can couple the output RF signal 108 at a given minimum specified coupled power. For example, it may be desired that the directional coupler 102 be capable of coupling the output RF signal 108 at a minimum power level of 20 decibels (dB) in a limited frequency range between 100 and 2600 megahertz (MHz), for example, for a fifth generation (5G) new wireless (NR) (5G-NR) mobile network application. However, the frequency response of the primary coupled line 118 may not provide this desired frequency response.

[0015]

[0025] In this regard, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary tunable, broadband directional coupler 200 capable of providing a combined RF output signal with an extended frequency response. The directional coupler 200 is provided as part of a directional coupler circuit 202 in this example. The directional coupler 200 includes a main transmission line 204 coupled between an input port 206 and an output port 208. The input port 206 is configured to receive an input RF signal 210. The main transmission line 204 couples the input RF signal 210 to the output port 208. To generate a primary combined RF signal 212 of the input RF signal 210, the directional coupler 200 also includes a primary coupling circuit 214. The primary coupling circuit 214 includes a primary coupled line 216, which is a transmission line disposed adjacent to the main transmission line 204. The primary coupled line 216 is placed sufficiently close to the main transmission line 204 such that an EM field generated as a result of the input RF signal 210 passing through the main transmission line 204 induces a current on the primary coupled line 216. The current induced on the primary coupled line 216 is a representation of the input RF signal 210, but at a fraction of the power of the input RF signal 210 as a primary coupled RF signal 212. The primary coupled RF signal 212 may be provided via the primary coupled line 216 to a coupled port 218 or an isolated port 220 depending on whether the directional coupler 200 is controlled to operate in a forward mode or a reverse mode, respectively. In this example in FIG. 2, the directional coupler 200 is shown as operating in a forward mode.

[0016]

[0026] The primary coupling circuit 214 has a first-order frequency response. The center frequency of the primary frequency response of the primary coupling circuit 214 depends on the length of the primary coupling line 216. The primary frequency response of the primary coupling line 216 also controls the frequency bandwidth of the input RF signal 210 that can be coupled in the primary coupled RF signal 212 at a given power level. The primary frequency response of the primary coupling circuit 214 is the coupling frequency response of the directional coupler 200. The primary frequency response of the directional coupler 200 may not cover the desired frequency range of the desired input RF signal 210 based on the frequency response of the primary coupling circuit 214 therein. For example, the primary coupling circuit 214 of the directional coupler 200 in FIG. 2 may be capable of coupling the input RF signal 210 at a minimum power level of 20 dB in a limited frequency range between 100-1600 MHz. However, it may be desired for the directional coupler 200 to have a larger bandwidth frequency response for a desired application. For example, in a 5G-NR mobile network application, there may be multiple feedback receive paths whose power needs to be measured over a wide range of frequencies, such as between 100 and 2300 MHz.

[0017]

[0027] In this regard, to modify the frequency bandwidth and frequency response of the directional coupler 200 in FIG. 2, the directional coupler 200 includes, in this example, an additional coupled circuit 222. The additional coupled circuit 222 includes an additional coupled line 224 having a first end 226 coupled to the coupled port 218 and a second end 228 coupled to the isolated port 220. The additional coupled line 224 is positioned adjacent to the primary coupled line 216. The additional coupled line 224 is positioned sufficiently close to the primary coupled line 216 such that an EM field generated as a result of the primary coupled RF signal 212 being coupled onto the primary coupled line 216 induces a current on the additional coupled line 224. The current induced on the additional coupled line 224 is a representation of the primary coupled RF signal 212, but at a fraction of the power of the primary coupled RF signal 212 as an additional coupled RF signal 230. The additional coupled line 224 has the effect of extending the length of the primary coupled line 216 through the mutual inductance between the primary coupled line 216 and the additional coupled line 224. This modifies the coupled frequency response on the coupled port 218 of the directional coupler 200 to a second frequency response. Thus, the additional coupled circuit 222 allows the frequency response of the directional coupler 200 to be modified to respond to the input RF signal 210 in a different, second frequency range than it would normally respond to if only the primary coupled line 216 was present and active, to achieve a frequency response capability different from the primary frequency response.

[0018]

[0028] It may also be desired that the frequency response capability of the directional coupler 200 in FIG. 2 be selectively tuned. For example, if the additional coupling circuit 222 was not coupled to the coupled port 218 or the isolated port 220 of the directional coupler 200, the frequency response of the directional coupler 200 on the coupled port 218 would be based on the coupling of the power of the input RF signal 210 onto the primary coupled line 216 itself. However, if the additional coupling circuit 222 is coupled to the coupled port 218 or the isolated port 220 of the directional coupler 200, the frequency response of the directional coupler 200 on the coupled port 218 would be based on the coupling of the power of the input RF signal 210 onto the primary coupled line 216 and its coupling through the mutual inductance to the additional coupled line 224 of the additional coupling circuit 222.

[0019]

[0029] In this regard, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another directional coupler 300 in a directional coupler circuit 302, where the directional coupler 300 is similar to the directional coupler 200 in FIG. 2. The directional coupler circuit 302 and its directional coupler 300 in FIG. 3 include an alternative additional coupling circuit 322 similar to the additional coupling circuit 222 in FIG. 2. However, as described in more detail below, the additional coupling circuit 322 in FIG. 3 includes additional, switchable, coupled port switches S5 and isolated port switches S6 that can be activated (i.e., closed) or deactivated (i.e., open) to control whether the additional coupling circuit 322, and more particularly, its additional coupled line 224, is coupled and electrically active in the directional coupler circuit 302. This allows the frequency response of the directional coupler 300 to be tunable between the inclusion or absence of the additional coupling circuit 322 in the directional coupler circuit 302. In this manner, the directional coupler 300 can be configured to provide a wider frequency response. As described in more detail below, the directional coupler circuit 302 also includes a first primary coupled port switch S4, a second primary coupled port switch S3, a first primary isolated port switch S1, and a second primary isolated port switch S2 to control whether the directional coupler 300 is placed in a forward or reverse mode of operation between the coupled port 218 and the isolated port 220.

[0020]

[0030] In this regard, as shown in Fig. 3, the additional coupling circuit 322 includes an additional coupling line 224 like the additional coupling circuit 222 in Fig. 2. Common components between the directional coupler circuit 202 in Fig. 2 and the directional coupler circuit 302 in Fig. 3 are indicated with common element numbers and therefore will not be described again. The additional coupling circuit 322 includes an additional coupling port switch S5 coupled to a first end 226 of the additional coupling line 224 and a coupling output CPL_OUT. The additional coupling circuit 322 also includes an additional isolation port switch S6 coupled to a second end 228 of the additional coupling line 224 and an isolation output GND, which is a ground node in this example. The additional coupled port switch S5 is configured to be activated (i.e., closed) to couple a first end 226 of the additional coupled line 224 to the coupled output CPL_OUT to cause the directional coupler 300 and the primary coupled RF signal 212 to have a second frequency response that is different from the primary frequency response if the additional coupled circuit 322 was not actively included in the directional coupler circuit 302 and coupled to the coupled output CPL_OUT. When the additional coupled port switch S5 is activated, the additional coupled line 224 is EM coupled to the primary coupled line 216 to cause the primary coupled RF signal 212 to have a second frequency response that is different from the primary frequency response. The EM coupling of the additional coupled line 224 to the primary coupled line 216 effectively widens the primary coupled line 216 and therefore widens its wavelength response.

[0021]

[0031] This is further illustrated in table 400 in FIG. 4, which illustrates exemplary operating modes for controlling activation of the primary coupled circuit 214 and the additional coupled circuit 322 in the directional coupler 300 in FIG. 3 to enable selective tuning of the frequency response of the directional coupler. As illustrated in table 400, when the additional coupled port switch S5 is activated (closed or "on") and the additional isolated port switch S6 is deactivated (open or "off"), the directional coupler 300 has a second frequency response (#2) in mode 2. This is illustrated in frequency response curve 502 in graph 500 in FIG. 5, which graphs the power level of the primary coupled RF signal 212 on the Y-axis as a function of frequency (f) on the X-axis. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the frequency response of the primary coupled RF signal 212 in mode 2 above a power level of "4" is 2300-2700 MHz. This differs from the first frequency response (#1) in mode 1 shown in table 400 in Figure 4 when both the additional coupled port switch S5 and the additional isolated port switch S6 were not activated to provide the additional coupled circuit 322 in the directional coupler circuit 302. The first frequency response for mode 1 of the directional coupler 300 is shown in frequency response curve 504 in graph 500 in Figure 5, which shows the frequency response of the primary coupled RF signal 212 in mode 1 above a power level of "4" between 663 and 917 MHz.

[0022]

[0032] Similarly, the additional isolation port switch S6 is configured to be activated (i.e., closed) to couple the second end 228 of the additional coupled line 224 to the isolated output GND to cause the directional coupler 300 and the primary coupled RF signal 212 to have a third frequency response that is different from the primary frequency response if the additional coupled circuit 322 was not actively included in the directional coupler circuit 302 and coupled to the isolated output GND. When the additional isolation port switch S6 is activated, the additional coupled line 224 is EM coupled to the primary coupled line 216 such that the primary coupled RF signal 212 has a third frequency response that is different from the primary frequency response. The EM coupling of the additional coupled line 224 to the primary coupled line 216 effectively extends the primary coupled line 216 and therefore extends its wavelength response. Coupling the additional coupled line 224 to the isolated output GND changes the frequency response of the directional coupler 300 to a third frequency response that is different from the second frequency response when the additional coupled line 224 is coupled to the coupled output CPL_OUT.

[0023]

[0033] This is further illustrated in table 400 in FIG. 4, which illustrates an exemplary operating mode for controlling activation of the primary coupled circuit 214 and the additional coupled circuit 322 in the directional coupler 300 in FIG. 3 to enable selective tuning of the frequency response of the directional coupler 300. As illustrated in table 400, when the additional isolated port switch S6 is activated (closed or “on”) and the additional coupled port switch S5 is deactivated (open or “off”), the directional coupler 300 has a third frequency response (#3) in mode 3. The third frequency response for mode 3 of the directional coupler 300 is illustrated in frequency response curve 506 in graph 500 in FIG. 5. Therein, the third frequency response of the primary coupled RF signal 212 in mode 3 above a power level of “4” is between 1500 and 1800 MHz. This differs from the first frequency response (#1) in mode 1 shown in table 400 in Figure 4 when both the additional coupled port switch S5 and the additional isolated port switch S6 were not activated to provide the additional coupled circuit 322 in the directional coupler circuit 302. As mentioned above, in this example, the first frequency response of the directional coupler 300 is shown in frequency response curve 502 in graph 500 in Figure 5, which shows the frequency response of the primary coupled RF signal 212 in mode 1 above a power level of "4" between 663 MHz and 917 MHz.

[0024]

[0034] It may also be desirable to control the forward or reverse operation of the directional coupler 300 with respect to the direction of the primary coupled RF signal 212 to the coupled port 218 or isolated port 220, respectively. In this regard, the primary coupling circuit 214 includes additional switches S1-S4 shown in FIG. 3 that control the forward or reverse operation of the directional coupler 300. Still further, as explained above, activation and deactivation of the additional coupled port S5 and the additional isolated port switch S6 control the frequency response modes 1-3 of the directional coupler 300. The primary coupling circuit 214 includes a first primary coupled port switch S4 coupled to the first end 226 of the primary coupled line 216 and to the coupled output CPL_OUT. The primary coupling circuit 214 includes a first primary isolated port switch S1 coupled to the second end 228 of the primary coupled line 216 and to the isolated output GND. The primary coupling circuit 214 also includes a second primary coupled port switch S3 coupled to the second end 228 of the primary coupled line 216 and the coupled output CPL_OUT. The primary coupling circuit 214 also includes a second primary isolated port switch S2 coupled to the first end 226 of the primary coupled line 216 and the isolated output GND. The first primary coupled port switch S4 and the first primary isolated port switch S1 are activated and deactivated together to control the forward operation mode of the directional coupler 300. The second primary coupled port switch S3 and the second primary isolated port switch S2 are activated and deactivated together to control the reverse operation mode of the directional coupler 300. When the first primary coupled port switch S4 and the first primary isolated port switch S1 are activated, the second primary coupled port switch S3 and the second primary isolated port switch S2 should be deactivated, and vice versa.

[0025]

[0035] In forward mode operation, the first primary coupled port switch S4 is configured to be activated to couple the first end 226 of the primary coupled line 216 to the coupled output CPL_OUT. In this forward mode operation, the first primary isolated port switch S1 is also configured to be activated to couple the second end 228 of the primary coupled line 216 to the isolated output GND. In forward mode operation, the primary coupled RF signal 212 is directed in the forward direction to the coupled output CPL_OUT. An optional RC filter circuit 304 is coupled between the second end 228 of the primary coupled line 216 and the isolated output GND to provide additional frequency isolation between the primary coupled line 216 and the isolated output GND. In reverse mode operation, the second primary coupled port switch S3 is configured to be activated to couple the second end 228 of the primary coupled line 216 to the coupled output CPL_OUT. In this reverse mode operation, the second isolated coupled port switch S2 is also configured to be activated to couple the first end 226 of the primary coupled line 216 to the isolated output GND. In reverse mode operation, the primary coupled RF signal 212 is directed in the reverse direction to the isolated output GND.

[0026]

[0036] 6 is an example circuit layout 600 illustrating an example layout of the directional coupler circuit 302 in FIG. 3 to further illustrate an example arrangement of the primary coupled line 216 and the additional coupled line 224. As shown in FIG. 6, the primary coupled line 216 is laid out as a metal line in a spiral shape form, partially inside and adjacent to the main transmission line 204. The additional coupled line 224 is laid out as a metal line, partially inside and adjacent to the primary coupled line 216, such that there is mutual inductance coupling between the primary coupled line 216 and the additional coupled line 224. A first end 602 of the primary coupled line 216 is coupled to the first primary isolated port switch S1 and the second isolated coupled port switch S2. A second end 604 of the primary coupled line 216 is coupled to the second primary coupled port switch S3 and the first primary coupled port switch S4. A first end 226 of the additional coupled line 224 is coupled to an additional coupled port switch S5, which is coupled to the coupled output CPL_OUT. A second end 228 of the additional coupled line 224 is coupled to an additional isolated port switch S6, which is coupled to the isolated output GND. As shown in FIG. 6, the primary coupled line 216 is laid out as a metal line in a spiral shape form, partially inside and adjacent to the main transmission line 204. The additional coupled line 224 is disposed adjacent to the primary coupled line 216.

[0027]

[0037] In addition to the three frequency responses in modes 1-3 described above, it may be desirable to provide an additional frequency response to the directional coupler 300 in the directional coupler circuit 302 in FIG. 3. In this regard, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary tunable, broadband directional coupler 700 in the directional coupler circuit 702 employing a second additional, switchable coupling line 724 in a second additional, switchable coupling circuit 722 for controlling the additional frequency response of the directional coupler 700. The directional coupler 700 in FIG. 7 includes the primary coupling line 216 and the additional coupling line 224 as provided in the directional coupler 300 in FIG. 3. Common components between the directional coupler 700 and directional coupler circuit 702 in FIG. 7 and the directional coupler 300 and directional coupler circuit 302 in FIG. 3 are indicated with common element numbers and will not be described again.

[0028]

[0038] 7, the second additional coupling circuit 722 includes a second additional coupling line 724 disposed adjacent to the additional coupling line 224. The second additional coupling line 724 is configured to be EM coupled to the additional coupling line 224 to cause the primary coupled RF signal 212 to have another frequency response different from the frequency response previously described. The EM coupling of the second additional coupling line 724 to the additional coupling line 224 effectively extends the primary coupled line 216 and thus extends its wavelength response. The second additional coupling circuit 722 in FIG. 7 includes a second additional, switchable, coupled port switch S7 and an isolated port switch S8 that can be activated (i.e., closed) or deactivated (i.e., open) to control whether the second additional coupling circuit 722, and more particularly, its second additional coupling line 724, is coupled and electrically active in the directional coupler circuit 702. This allows the frequency response of the directional coupler 700 to be further tunable between the inclusion or absence of the second additional coupling circuit 722 in the directional coupler circuit 702. In this manner, the directional coupler 700 can be configured to provide an even wider band frequency response.

[0029]

[0039] The second additional coupled circuit 722 includes a second additional coupled port switch S7 coupled to a first end 726 of the second additional coupled line 724 and to the coupled output CPL_OUT. The second additional coupled circuit 722 also includes a second additional isolated port switch S8 coupled to a second end 728 of the second additional coupled line 724 and to the isolated output GND. The second additional coupled port switch S7 is configured to be activated (i.e., closed) to couple the first end 726 of the second additional coupled line 724 to the coupled output CPL_OUT to cause the directional coupler 700 and the primary coupled RF signal 212 to have yet another frequency response that is different from the previously described frequency response that would be caused if the second additional coupled circuit 722 was not actively included in the directional coupler circuit 702 and coupled to the coupled output CPL_OUT. When the second additional coupled port switch S7 is activated, the second additional coupled line 724 is EM coupled to the additional coupled line 224 and / or the primary coupled line 216 to cause the primary coupled RF signal 212 to have a different frequency response. The EM coupling of the second additional coupled line 724 to the additional coupled line 224 and / or the primary coupled line 216 effectively extends the primary coupled line 216 and therefore extends its wavelength response.

[0030]

[0040] This is further illustrated in table 800 in FIG. 8, which illustrates exemplary operating modes for controlling activation of the primary coupled circuit 214, the additional coupled circuit 322, and the second additional coupled circuit 722 in the directional coupler 700 in FIG. 7 to enable selective tuning of the frequency response of the directional coupler 700. As illustrated in table 800, when the second additional coupled port switch S7 is activated (closed or "on") and the second additional isolated port switch S8 is deactivated (open or "off"), the directional coupler 700 has the possibility of three additional frequency responses (#4, #5, #6) in modes 4-6, depending on whether the additional coupled port switch S5 and the additional isolated port switch S6 are activated ("on" or "off").

[0031]

[0041] Similarly, the second additional isolated port switch S8 is configured to be activated (i.e., closed) to couple a second end 728 of the second additional coupled line 724 to the isolated output GND to cause the directional coupler 700 and the primary coupled RF signal 212 to have a different frequency response than would be the frequency response if the second additional coupled circuit 722 were not actively included in the directional coupler circuit 702 and coupled to the isolated output GND. When the second additional isolated port switch S8 is activated, the second additional coupled line 724 is EM coupled to the additional coupled line 224 and / or the primary coupled line 216 to cause the primary coupled RF signal 212 to have a different frequency response. The EM coupling of the second additional coupled line 724 to the primary coupled line 216 effectively extends the primary coupled line 216 and therefore extends its wavelength response. Coupling the second additional coupled line 724 to the isolated output GND changes the frequency response of the directional coupler 700 to another frequency response that is different from the frequency response when the second additional coupled line 724 is coupled to the coupled output CPL_OUT. This is further illustrated in table 800 in FIG. 8. As illustrated in table 800, when the second additional isolated port switch S8 is activated (closed or "on") and the second additional coupled port switch S7 is deactivated (open or "off"), the directional coupler 700 has the possibility of three additional frequency responses (#7, #8, #9) in modes 7-9 depending on whether the additional coupled port switch S5 and the additional isolated port switch S6 are activated ("on" or "off").

[0032]

[0042] Each of the additional coupled port switch S5 and the second additional coupled port switch S7 and the additional isolated port switch S6 and the second additional isolated port switch S8 may be deactivated (opened or turned "off") to configure the directional coupler 700 to have the frequency response #1 in mode 1 previously described. The additional switches S1-S4 shown in the directional coupler circuit 702 in Figure 7 may be controlled as described above with respect to the directional coupler 300 in Figure 3 to control the forward or reverse operation of the directional coupler 700 in Figure 7.

[0033]

[0043] 9 is an example circuit layout 900 illustrating an example layout of the directional coupler circuit 702 in FIG. 7 to further illustrate an example arrangement of the primary coupled line 216, the additional coupled line 224, and the second additional coupled line 724. As shown in FIG. 9, the primary coupled line 216 is laid out as a metal line in a spiral shape form, partially disposed inside and adjacent to the main transmission line 204. The additional coupled line 224 is laid out as a metal line, partially disposed inside and adjacent to the primary coupled line 216, such that there is a mutual inductance coupling between the primary coupled line 216 and the additional coupled line 224. The second additional coupled line 724 is laid out as a metal line, partially disposed inside and adjacent to the additional coupled line 224, such that there is a mutual inductance coupling between the second additional coupled line 724 and the additional coupled line 224 and / or the primary coupled line 216. Common components between the circuit layout 900 of the directional coupler 700 in Figure 9 and the circuit layout 600 of the directional coupler 300 in Figure 6 are indicated with common element numbers. A first end 726 of the second additional coupled line 724 is coupled to a second additional coupled port switch S7, which is coupled to the coupled output CPL_OUT. A second end 728 of the second additional coupled line 724 is coupled to a second additional isolated port switch S8, which is coupled to the isolated output GND.

[0034]

[0044] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary tunable, broadband directional coupler 1000 in a directional coupler circuit 1002 employing up to “N” additional coupled lines 224(1)-224(N), where “N” can be any positive whole integer. The directional coupler 1000 in FIG. 10 is intended to illustrate that any number of additional coupled lines can be provided to couple the primary coupled RF signal 212 to enable selective tuning of the frequency response of the directional coupler 1000. Common components between the directional coupler 1000 in FIG. 10 and the directional coupler 700 in FIG. 7 are indicated with common element numbers. The additional coupled lines 224(1)-224(N) in this example each include a respective additional coupled port switch S5(1)-S5(N) and an additional isolated port switch S6(1)-S6(N) to selectively activate the additional coupled lines 224(1)-224(N) in the directional coupler circuit 1002 to control and tune the frequency response of the directional coupler 1000.

[0035]

[0045] Any of the directional couplers 200, 300, 700, 1000 in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 10 may be provided as the directional coupler in the RF transmission circuit 100 in FIG.

[0036]

[0046] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication device 1100 including RF components formed from one or more integrated circuits (ICs) 1102, where any of the ICs 1102 may include tunable, broadband directional couplers and directional coupler circuits employing one or more additional, switchable coupling circuits for controlling frequency response, including, but not limited to, directional couplers 200, 300, 700, 1000 in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 7, and FIG. 10 and directional coupler circuits 202, 302, 702, 1002 in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 7, and FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 11, the wireless communication device 1100 includes a transceiver 1104 and a data processor 1106. The data processor 1106 may include a memory for storing data and program codes. The transceiver 1104 includes a transmitter 1108 and a receiver 1110 supporting bidirectional communication. In general, the wireless communication device 1100 may include any number of transmitters 1108 and / or receivers 1110 for any number of communication systems and frequency bands. All or a portion of the transceiver 1104 may be implemented on one or more analog ICs, RFICs, mixed-signal ICs, etc.

[0037]

[0047] The transmitter 1108 or receiver 1110 may be implemented using a super-heterodyne architecture or a direct conversion architecture. In a super-heterodyne architecture, a signal is frequency converted between RF and baseband in multiple stages, e.g., from RF to an intermediate frequency (IF) in one stage and then from IF to baseband in another stage. In a direct conversion architecture, a signal is frequency converted between RF and baseband in one stage. The super-heterodyne architecture and the direct conversion architecture may use different circuit blocks and / or have different requirements. In the wireless communication device 1100 in FIG. 11, the transmitter 1108 and receiver 1110 are implemented using a direct conversion architecture.

[0038]

[0048] On the transmit path, a data processor 1106 processes data to be transmitted and provides I and Q analog output signals to a transmitter 1108. In the example wireless communication device 1100, the data processor 1106 includes digital-to-analog converters (DACs) 1112(1), 1112(2) to convert digital signals generated by the data processor 1106 to I and Q analog output signals, e.g., I and Q output currents, for further processing.

[0039]

[0049] Within the transmitter 1108, low pass filters 1114(1), 1114(2) filter the I and Q analog output signals, respectively, to remove undesired signals caused by previous digital-to-analog conversion. Amplifiers (AMPs) 1116(1), 1116(2) amplify the signals from low pass filters 1114(1), 1114(2), respectively, and provide I and Q baseband signals. An upconverter 1118 upconverts the I and Q baseband signals through mixers 1120(1), 1120(2) with I and Q transmit (TX) local oscillator (LO) signals from a TX LO signal generator 1122 to provide an upconverted signal 1124. A filter 1126 filters the upconverted signal 1124 to remove undesired signals caused by frequency upconversion as well as noise in the receive frequency band. A PA 1128 amplifies the upconverted signal 1124 from filter 1126 to obtain a desired output power level and provides a transmit RF signal. The transmit RF signal is routed through a duplexer or switch 1130 and transmitted via an antenna 1132.

[0040]

[0050] In the receive path, an antenna 1132 receives a signal transmitted by a base station and provides a received RF signal, which is routed through a duplexer or switch 1130 and provided to a low noise amplifier (LNA) 1134. The duplexer or switch 1130 is designed to operate with a specific RX-TX duplexer frequency separation such that the receive (RX) signal is isolated from the TX signal. The received RF signal is amplified by the LNA 1134 and filtered by a filter 1136 to obtain a desired RF input signal. Downconversion mixers 1138(1), 1138(2) mix the output of the filter 1136 with I and Q RX LO signals (i.e., LO_I and LO_Q) from a RX LO signal generator 1140 to generate I and Q baseband signals. The I and Q baseband signals are amplified by AMPs 1142(1), 1142(2) and further filtered by low pass filters 1144(1), 1144(2) to obtain I and Q analog input signals, which are provided to the data processor 1106. In this example, the data processor 1106 includes analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) 1146(1), 1146(2) for converting the analog input signals to digital signals to be further processed by the data processor 1106.

[0041]

[0051] In the wireless communication device 1100 of FIG. 11, a TX LO signal generator 1122 generates I and Q TX LO signals used for frequency upconversion, and a RX LO signal generator 1140 generates I and Q RX LO signals used for frequency downconversion. Each LO signal is a periodic signal having a particular fundamental frequency. A TX phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit 1148 receives timing information from the data processor 1106 and generates a control signal used to adjust the frequency and / or phase of the TX LO signal from the TX LO signal generator 1122. Similarly, a RX PLL circuit 1150 receives timing information from the data processor 1106 and generates a control signal used to adjust the frequency and / or phase of the RX LO signal from the RX LO signal generator 1140.

[0042]

[0052] Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithms described with respect to the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, instructions stored in a memory or another computer-readable medium and executed by a processor or other processing device, or a combination of both. The master and slave devices described herein may be employed in any circuit, hardware component, IC, or IC chip, by way of example. The memory disclosed herein may be any type and size of memory and may be configured to store any type of information desired. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. How such functionality is implemented depends on the particular application, design choices, and / or design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043]

[0053] The various example logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed using a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0044]

[0054] The aspects disclosed herein may be embodied in hardware and instructions stored in hardware, for example, in a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of computer readable medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a remote station. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a remote station, base station, or server.

[0045]

[0055] It should also be noted that the operational steps described in any of the exemplary aspects herein have been described to provide examples and explanations. The described operations may be performed in many different sequences other than the sequence shown. Furthermore, an operation described in a single operational step may in fact be performed in several different steps. Furthermore, one or more operational steps described in the exemplary aspects may be combined. It should be understood that the operational steps shown in the flow chart diagrams may be subject to many different modifications, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0046]

[0056] The above description of the disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0047]

[0057] Example implementations are also described in the following numbered aspects. 1. A main transmission line coupled between an input port and an output port; a primary coupling circuit comprising a primary coupling line adjacent to the main transmission line; Additional coupling circuitry and A directional coupler circuit comprising: an additional coupled line having a first end and a second end, the additional coupled line adjacent to the primary coupled line; Directional coupler circuit. 2. An input port configured to couple a received input radio frequency (RF) signal to a main transmission line; the primary coupled line is configured to couple a portion of the power of the input RF signal from the main transmission line as a primary coupled RF signal to the coupled output to provide a primary coupled RF signal with a first order frequency response; 2. A directional coupler circuit as defined in claim 1. 3. Additional coupling circuits are an additional coupled port switch coupled to the first end of the additional coupled line and to the coupled output; 3. The directional coupler circuit of claim 1 to 2, further comprising: 4. The directional coupler circuit of clause 3, wherein an additional coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple a first end of an additional coupled line to the coupled output to provide a primary coupled RF signal of a second frequency response different from the primary frequency response. 5. The directional coupler circuit of clause 4, wherein the additional coupled line is configured to be electromagnetically (EM) coupled to the primary coupled line in response to activation of an additional coupled port switch that couples a first end of the additional coupled line to the coupled output. 6. Additional coupling circuits are provided an additional isolated port switch coupled to the second end of the additional coupled line and to the isolated output; 6. The directional coupler circuit of any of clauses 2 to 5, further comprising: 7. The directional coupler circuit of clause 6, wherein an additional isolated port switch is configured to be activated to couple a second end of the additional coupled line to the isolated output to provide a primary coupled RF signal of a third frequency response different from the primary frequency response. 8. The directional coupler circuit of clause 7, wherein the additional coupled line is configured to be electromagnetically (EM) coupled to the primary coupled line in response to activation of an additional isolated port switch that couples a second end of the additional coupled line to the isolated output. 9. A primary coupling circuit is a first primary coupled port switch coupled to a first end of the primary coupled line and to the coupled output; a first primary isolation port switch coupled to the second end of the primary coupled line and to the isolated output; a second primary coupled port switch coupled to a second end of the primary coupled line and to the coupled output; a second primary isolation port switch coupled to the first end of the primary coupling line and to the isolated output; 9. The directional coupler circuit of any of clauses 1 to 8, further comprising: 10. An input port configured to couple a received input radio frequency (RF) signal to a main transmission line; the primary coupled line is configured to couple a portion of the power of the input RF signal from the main transmission line as a primary coupled RF signal; a first primary coupled port switch configured to be activated to couple a first end of the primary coupled line to the coupled output to provide a primary coupled RF signal with a first order frequency response; a first primary isolation port switch configured to be activated to couple the second end of the primary coupled line to the isolated output; 10. A directional coupler circuit as defined in claim 9. 11. A second primary coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple a second end of the primary coupled line to the coupled output; a second primary isolation port switch configured to be activated to couple the first end of the primary coupling line to the isolated output; 11. A directional coupler circuit as defined in claim 10. 12. Additional coupling circuits are provided an additional coupled port switch coupled to the first end of the additional coupled line and to the coupled output; an additional isolation port switch coupled to the second end of the additional coupled line and to the isolated output; Further equipped with Here, an additional coupled port switch configured to be deactivated to decouple a first end of the additional coupled line from the coupled output; an additional isolation port switch configured to be deactivated to isolate a second end of the additional coupled line from the isolated output; 12. A directional coupler circuit according to any one of clauses 10 to 11. 13. The directional coupler circuit of clauses 10 to 12, wherein an additional coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple a first end of an additional coupled line to the coupled output to provide a primary coupled RF signal of a second frequency response different from the primary frequency response. 14. The directional coupler circuit of clauses 10 to 13, wherein an additional isolated port switch is configured to be activated to couple a second end of the additional coupled line to the isolated output to provide a primary coupled RF signal of a third frequency response different from the primary frequency response. 15. Further comprising a second additional coupling circuit; the second additional coupling circuit comprises a second additional coupling line having a first end and a second end, the second additional coupling line being adjacent to the additional coupling line; 4. A directional coupler circuit as defined in claim 3. 16. A second additional coupling circuit comprising: a second additional coupled port switch coupled to the first end of the additional coupled line and to the coupled port; 16. The directional coupler circuit of claim 15, further comprising: 17. The directional coupler circuit of claim 16, wherein a second additional coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple the first end of the second additional coupled line to the coupled output. 18. A second additional coupling circuit comprising: a second additional isolation port switch coupled to the second end of the second additional coupled line and to the isolation port; 18. The directional coupler circuit of any one of clauses 15 to 17, further comprising: 19. The directional coupler circuit of clause 18, wherein a second additional isolated port switch is configured to be activated to couple a second end of the second additional coupled line to the isolated output. 20. An additional coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple a first end of an additional coupled line to the coupled output; a second additional coupled port switch configured to be activated to couple the first end of the second additional coupled line to the coupled output; 20. A directional coupler circuit as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19. 21. Additional bond lines are an additional isolation port switch coupled to the second end of the additional coupled line and to the isolated output; an additional isolated port switch configured to be activated to couple a second end of the additional coupled line to the isolated output; a second additional isolated port switch configured to be activated to couple the second end of the second additional coupled line to the isolated output; 20. A directional coupler circuit as claimed in claim 19. 22. A directional coupler circuit according to any one of clauses 1 to 21 incorporated in an integrated circuit (IC). 23. A method for selectively tuning the frequency response of a directional coupler, comprising: receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal on an input port coupled to a main transmission line; transmitting the received input RF signal on a main transmission line to an output port; coupling a portion of the power of the input RF signal as a coupled RF signal from a main transmission line to a primary coupled line adjacent the main transmission line to provide a primary coupled RF signal with a first order frequency response; activating an additional coupled line adjacent to the primary coupled line to couple a portion of the coupled RF signal to the additional coupled line to provide an additional coupled RF signal with a second frequency response different from the primary frequency response; A method comprising: 24. The method of clause 23, wherein activating the additional coupled line comprises activating an additional coupled port switch coupled to a first end of the additional coupled line and to the coupled port to couple a portion of the coupled RF signal to the additional coupled line to provide an additional coupled RF signal with a second frequency response different from the primary frequency response. 25. The method of any of clauses 23 to 24, wherein activating the additional coupled line comprises activating an additional isolated port switch for coupling a second end of the additional coupled line and to the isolated output to couple a portion of the coupled RF signal to the additional coupled line to provide an additional coupled RF signal with a third frequency response different from the first frequency response. 26. The method of any of clauses 23 to 25, further comprising deactivating the additional coupled line to isolate a portion of the coupled RF signal from the additional coupled line to provide a primary combined RF signal with a first order frequency response. 27. The method of any of clauses 23 to 26, further comprising activating a second additional coupled line adjacent to the additional coupled line to couple a portion of the additional coupled RF signal to the second additional coupled line to provide a second additional coupled RF signal of a third frequency response different from the first frequency response and the second frequency response. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising not activating additional bond lines. 29. The method of any of clauses 27-28, further comprising deactivating a second additional coupled line to isolate a portion of the additional coupled RF signal from the second additional coupled line to provide an additional coupled RF signal of a second frequency response. 30. A radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuit comprising: A power amplifier (PA) circuit, the PA circuit comprising: a PA input configured to receive an input RF signal; With PA output, the PA circuit is configured to amplify the input RF signal to an amplified RF signal on the PA output; A matching network circuit, comprising: a matching network input coupled to the PA output; a matching network output; a directional coupler circuit, the directional coupler circuit comprising: a combiner input port coupled to the matching network output; a combiner output port; a main transmission line coupled to the combiner input port and the combiner output port; a primary coupling circuit comprising a primary coupling line adjacent to the main transmission line; an additional coupling circuit, the additional coupling circuit comprising: an additional coupled line having a first end and a second end, the additional coupled line adjacent to the main transmission line; an additional coupled port switch coupled to the first end of the additional coupled line and to the coupled output; an additional isolation port switch coupled to the second end of the additional coupled line and to the isolated output; A radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuit comprising: 31. A coupler input port is configured to couple a received input RF signal to a main transmission line; the primary coupled line is configured to couple a portion of the power of the received input RF signal from the main transmission line as a primary coupled RF signal to the coupled output to provide a first order frequency response for the primary coupled RF signal; 31. An RF transmitter circuit as described in clause 30. 32. The RF transmit circuit of clause 31, wherein an additional coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple a first end of an additional coupled line to the coupled output to provide a second frequency response for the primary coupled RF signal that differs from the primary frequency response. 33. The RF transmit circuit of any of clauses 31 to 32, wherein an additional isolated port switch is configured to be activated to couple a second end of the additional coupled line to the isolated output to provide a third frequency response for the primary coupled RF signal that differs from the primary frequency response.

Claims

1. 1. A directional coupler circuit comprising: a main transmission line coupled between the input port and the output port; a primary coupling circuit comprising a primary coupling line adjacent to the main transmission line, the primary coupling line comprising a coupled output; an additional coupling circuit; the additional coupling circuit comprises: an additional coupled line having a first end and a second end, the additional coupled line adjacent the primary coupled line; an additional coupled port switch coupled to the first end of the additional coupled line and to the coupled output; A directional coupler circuit comprising:

2. the input port is configured to couple a received input radio frequency (RF) signal to the main transmission line; the primary coupled line is configured to couple a portion of the power of the input RF signal from the main transmission line as a primary combined RF signal to the coupled output to provide the primary combined RF signal with a first order frequency response.

2. The directional coupler circuit of claim 1.

3. the additional coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple the first end of the additional coupled line to the coupled output to provide the primary combined RF signal of a second frequency response different from the primary frequency response; 2. The directional coupler circuit of claim 1, wherein the additional coupled line is configured to be electromagnetically (EM) coupled to the primary coupled line in response to the activation of the additional coupled port switch that couples the first end of the additional coupled line to the coupled output.

4. The additional coupling circuit includes: an additional isolation port switch coupled to the second end of the additional coupled line and to an isolated output; Further equipped with the additional isolated port switch is configured to be activated to couple the second end of the additional coupled line to the isolated output to provide the primary combined RF signal of a third frequency response different from the primary frequency response; 3. The directional coupler circuit of claim 2, wherein the additional coupled line is configured to be electromagnetically (EM) coupled to the primary coupled line in response to the activation of the additional isolation port switch that couples the second end of the additional coupled line to the isolated output.

5. The linear coupling circuit includes: a first primary coupled port switch coupled to a first end of the primary coupled line and to a coupled output; a first primary isolation port switch coupled to a second end of the primary coupled line and to an isolation output; a second primary coupled port switch coupled to the second end of the primary coupled line and to the coupled output; a second primary isolation port switch coupled to the first end of the primary coupled line and to the isolated output; The directional coupler circuit of claim 1 further comprising:

6. the input port is configured to couple a received input radio frequency (RF) signal to the main transmission line; the primary coupled line is configured to couple a portion of the power of the input RF signal from the main transmission line as a primary coupled RF signal; the first primary coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple the first end of the primary coupled line to the coupled output to provide the primary combined RF signal with a primary frequency response; the first primary isolation port switch is configured to be activated to couple the second end of the primary coupling line to the isolated output.

6. A directional coupler circuit as claimed in claim 5.

7. the second primary coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple the second end of the primary coupled line to the coupled output; the second primary isolation port switch is configured to be activated to couple the first end of the primary coupling line to the isolated output.

6. A directional coupler circuit as claimed in claim 5.

8. The additional coupling circuit includes: an additional coupled port switch coupled to the first end of the additional coupled line and to a coupled output; an additional isolation port switch coupled to the second end of the additional coupled line and to an isolation output; Further equipped with the additional coupled port switch is configured to be deactivated to isolate the first end of the additional coupled line from the coupled output; the additional isolation port switch is configured to be deactivated to isolate the second end of the additional coupled line from the isolated output.

7. A directional coupler circuit as claimed in claim 6.

9. 7. The directional coupler circuit of claim 6, wherein the additional coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple the first end of the additional coupled line to the coupled output to provide the primary combined RF signal of a second frequency response different from the primary frequency response.

10. 7. The directional coupler circuit of claim 6, wherein the additional isolated port switch is configured to be activated to couple the second end of the additional coupled line to the isolated output to provide the primary combined RF signal of a third frequency response different from the primary frequency response.

11. a second additional combining circuit, the second additional combining circuit comprising: a second additional bond line having a first end and a second end, the second additional bond line adjacent the additional bond line; a second additional coupled port switch coupled to the first end of the additional coupled line and to a coupled port; Equipped with the second additional coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple the first end of the second additional coupled line to the coupled output; The second additional coupling circuit comprises: a second additional isolation port switch coupled to the second end of the second additional coupled line and to an isolation port; Further equipped with the second additional isolated port switch is configured to be activated to couple the second end of the second additional coupled line to the isolated output; the additional coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple the first end of the additional coupled line to the coupled output; the second additional coupled port switch is configured to be activated to couple the first end of the second additional coupled line to the coupled output; The additional bond line is an additional isolation port switch coupled to the second end of the additional coupled line and to the isolated output; the additional isolated port switch is configured to be activated to couple the second end of the additional coupled line to the isolated output; the second additional isolated port switch is configured to be activated to couple the second end of the second additional coupled line to the isolated output.

2. The directional coupler circuit of claim 1.

12. 1. A method for selectively tuning a frequency response of a directional coupler, comprising the steps of: receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal on an input port coupled to a main transmission line; transmitting the received input RF signal onto the main transmission line to an output port; coupling a portion of the power of the input RF signal as a coupled RF signal from the main transmission line to a primary coupled line adjacent the main transmission line to provide a primary coupled RF signal at a coupled port of a first order frequency response; activating an additional coupled line adjacent to the primary coupled line to couple a portion of the combined RF signal to the additional coupled line to provide an additional combined RF signal of a second frequency response different from the primary frequency response; and activating the additional coupled line comprises activating an additional coupled port switch coupled to a first end of the additional coupled line and to the coupled port to couple the portion of the combined RF signal to the additional coupled line to provide the additional combined RF signal with the second frequency response different from the primary frequency response.

13. activating the additional coupled line comprises activating an additional isolation port switch for coupling a second end of the additional coupled line and an isolated output to couple the portion of the combined RF signal to the additional coupled line to provide the additional combined RF signal with a third frequency response different from the primary frequency response; 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising deactivating the additional coupled line to isolate the portion of the combined RF signal from the additional coupled line to provide the primary combined RF signal of the primary frequency response.

14. and / or activating a second additional coupled line adjacent to the additional coupled line to couple a portion of the additional coupled RF signal to the second additional coupled line to provide a second additional coupled RF signal of a third frequency response different from the primary frequency response and the second frequency response. and / or further comprising not activating the additional bond lines.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising deactivating the second additional coupled line to isolate the portion of the additional combined RF signal from the second additional coupled line to provide the additional combined RF signal of the second frequency response.

15. 1. A radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuit, comprising: A power amplifier (PA) circuit, the PA circuit comprising: a PA input configured to receive an input RF signal; and a PA output; the PA circuit is configured to amplify the input RF signal to an amplified RF signal on the PA output; A matching network circuit, comprising: a matching network input coupled to the PA output; a matching network output; A directional coupler circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 11; 1. A radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuit comprising:

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