Communication device

Abstract

To provide a communication device capable of switching between passing and not passing a communication signal without using a variable filter.SOLUTION: A communication device includes a transmitting circuit that outputs a transmission signal and a receiving circuit that performs a predetermined receiving process on a reception signal. The communication device further includes a transmitting λ / 4 transmission line provided at an output end of the transmitting circuit, a first switch provided between the output end and a ground potential, a receiving λ / 4 transmission line provided at an input end of the receiving circuit, and a second switch provided between the input end and the ground potential.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a communication circuit capable of communicating by frequency division duplex and time division duplex. The frequency division duplex in Patent Document 1 is so-called frequency division multiplexing communication, and the time division duplex is so-called time division multiplexing communication. As shown in FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1, this communication circuit has a transmit filter (30) and a receive filter (40) between the RFIC and the antenna.

[0003] The transmit filter is a variable filter that passes signals of frequency f3 in frequency division multiplexing communication and signals of frequency f5 in time division multiplexing communication, while the receive filter is a variable filter that passes signals of frequency f4 in frequency division multiplexing communication and signals of frequency f5 in time division multiplexing communication.

[0004] In this communications circuit, a control signal that sets the passband frequencies of the transmit and receive filters (variable filters) separately for frequency division multiplexing communication and time division multiplexing communication is generated by an RFIC, which is a separate component from the variable filters, and supplied to the transmit and receive filters. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-204604 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the above-mentioned background art, it is necessary to provide two control lines that individually connect the RFIC (i.e., the control signal generating circuit) to the transmit filter and the receive filter. In other words, in the background art, the circuit configuration is relatively complicated and two variable filters that require control lines are used, so it is difficult to reduce the mounting area.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a communication device that can switch between passing and not passing communication signals (transmitted signals and received signals) without using a variable filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs, as a first solution related to a communication device, a communication device comprising a transmitting circuit that outputs a transmitting signal and a receiving circuit that performs a predetermined receiving process on a receiving signal, the communication device comprising a transmitting λ / 4 transmission line provided at an output end of the transmitting circuit, a first switch provided between the output end and ground potential, a receiving λ / 4 transmission line provided in the receiving circuit, and a second switch provided between the input end and the ground potential.

[0009] In the present invention, as a second solution related to a communication device, the above-mentioned first solution is adopted, which includes a plurality of the transmitting circuits and a plurality of the receiving circuits, and the plurality of the transmitting circuits generate a plurality of transmitting signals having mutually different phases for beamforming and output them to the plurality of the transmitting and receiving antennas, respectively.

[0010] The present invention employs a third solution related to a communication device, which is the first or second solution, in which the first switch and the second switch are provided inside a transmission / reception integrated circuit that houses the transmission circuit and the reception circuit.

[0011] The present invention employs, as a fourth solution related to a communication device, a means in which any one of the first to third solutions described above further includes a frequency conversion integrated circuit that generates a radio frequency band transmission signal for frequency division multiplexing or a radio frequency band transmission signal for time division multiplexing and outputs it to the transceiver integrated circuit, and frequency converts the received signal that has been subjected to reception processing in the transceiver integrated circuit into an intermediate frequency band reception signal for frequency division multiplexing or an intermediate frequency band reception signal for time division multiplexing.

[0012] The present invention employs a fifth solution related to a communication device, which is the fourth solution described above, in which the transmission / reception integrated circuit is provided with a first changeover switch for inputting / outputting the time division multiplexing radio frequency band transmission signal or the time division multiplexing reception signal to / from the frequency conversion integrated circuit via a first input / output terminal, and the frequency conversion integrated circuit is provided with a second changeover switch for inputting / outputting the time division multiplexing radio frequency band transmission signal or the time division multiplexing reception signal to / from the transmission / reception integrated circuit via a second input / output terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication device that can switch between passing and not passing a communication signal without using a variable filter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication device A according to an embodiment of the present invention when the communication device A functions as a frequency division multiplexing communication device. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a transmission / reception IC in a communication device A according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a frequency conversion IC in a communication device A according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication device A according to an embodiment of the present invention when the communication device A functions as a time division multiplexing communication device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1, a communication device A according to this embodiment includes an array antenna 1, a transmission line block 2, a transmitting / receiving IC 3, and a frequency converting IC 4. This communication device A performs predetermined communication processing on a high-frequency signal having a frequency of several GHz to several tens of GHz.

[0016] 1 shows a connection state between the transmission / reception IC 3 and the frequency conversion IC 4 when the communication device A according to this embodiment functions as a frequency division multiplexing communication device. The transmission / reception IC 3 in this communication device A corresponds to the transmission / reception integrated circuit in the present invention. Furthermore, the frequency conversion IC 4 in this communication device A corresponds to the frequency conversion integrated circuit in the present invention.

[0017] The array antenna 1 is a transmitting / receiving antenna in which n (n: a natural number equal to or greater than 2) antenna elements a1 to an are arranged in a predetermined direction. This array antenna 1 forms a transmitting beam in a direction according to the phase relationship of a plurality of transmitting signals (high frequency signals) input from a transmitting / receiving IC 3 via a transmission line block 2. In addition, this array antenna 1 generates a receiving signal (high frequency signal) by receiving radio waves radiated from the outside, and outputs this receiving signal to the transmitting / receiving IC 3 via the transmission line block 2.

[0018] The transmission line block 2 includes n transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns and n receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj provided corresponding to the n antenna elements a1-an. That is, the transmission line block 2 is provided such that one transmitting λ / 4 transmission line and one receiving λ / 4 transmission line correspond to one antenna element.

[0019] More specifically, one end of the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line and one end of the receiving λ / 4 transmission line are connected to a corresponding one of the antenna elements. For example, one end of the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s and one end of the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j are connected to the antenna element a1. Also, one end of the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line bns and one end of the receiving λ / 4 transmission line bnj are connected to the antenna element an.

[0020] Such n transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns and receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj function as phase shift circuits that delay, by 1 / 4 wavelength, the phase of a communication signal (radio wave) that the communication device A transmits and receives with the outside. When the communication device A transmits and receives a communication signal (radio wave) with a frequency of 28 GHz, the transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns and receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj shift the phase of the communication signal input from one end or the other end by λ / 4 and output it to the other end or the one end.

[0021] The transmitter / receiver IC3 includes a transmitter input terminal tin and a receiver output terminal tout in addition to n transmitter output terminals t1s-tns and n receiver input terminals t1j-tnj. The n transmitter output terminals t1s-tns are provided corresponding to the n transmitter λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns, and the n receiver input terminals t1j-tnj are provided corresponding to the n receiver λ / 4 transmission lines b1b-bnj.

[0022] For example, the transmission output terminal t1s is connected to the other end of the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s, and the transmission output terminal tns is connected to the other end of the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line bns. The receiving input terminal t1j is connected to the other end of the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j, and the receiving input terminal tnj is connected to the other end of the receiving λ / 4 transmission line bnj.

[0023] In the case of beam direction control in only one axis direction, for example, the n transmission output terminals t1s-tns output n transmission signals whose phases differ by a predetermined deviation angle Δθ to the n antenna elements a1-an via the transmission λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns. For example, the phase of the transmission signal output from the transmission output terminal t2s differs from that of the transmission signal output from the transmission output terminal t1s by the deviation angle Δθ.

[0024] The phase of the transmission signal output from transmission output terminal t3s differs from that of the transmission signal output from transmission output terminal t1s by twice the deviation angle Δθ. Furthermore, the phase of the transmission signal output from transmission output terminal tns differs from that of the transmission signal output from transmission output terminal t1s by n-1 times the deviation angle Δθ. The n reception input terminals t1j to tnj are each input with the reception signals input from each of the n antenna elements a1 to an via each of the reception λ / 4 transmission lines b1j to bnj.

[0025] The transmission input terminal tin is connected to the conversion output terminal thout of the frequency conversion IC 4, and receives a radio frequency band transmission signal (high frequency signal) from the frequency conversion IC 4. The reception output terminal tout is connected to the conversion input terminal thin of the frequency conversion IC 4, and outputs an optimized reception signal to the frequency conversion IC 4.

[0026] That is, the transmission / reception IC3 generates n transmission signals whose phases differ by a deviation angle Δθ by performing a predetermined beamforming process (transmission process) on the radio frequency band transmission signal input from the frequency conversion IC4, and outputs the n transmission signals individually from n transmission output terminals t1s to tns.

[0027] In addition, the transmit / receive IC3 generates a single optimized receive signal by performing phase / intensity optimization processing (receiving processing) on ​​n receive signals input from n antenna elements a1 to an via receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j to bnj, and outputs the optimized receive signal from the receive output terminal tout.

[0028] Such a transmission / reception IC 3 has a detailed configuration shown in Fig. 2. That is, the transmission / reception IC 3 has, as internal components, a horizontal polarization section 3A, a vertical polarization section 3B, and a digital section 3C.

[0029] The horizontal polarization unit 3A is a functional component that performs beamforming processing (transmission processing) on ​​the horizontal polarization of the transmission signal, and as shown in the figure, includes a transformer 3a, a differential amplifier 3b, a branching / multiplexing switch 3c, a phase processing unit 3d, an amplifier 3e, and a changeover switch 3f.

[0030] The vertical polarization unit 3B is a functional component that performs beamforming processing (transmission processing) on ​​the vertical polarization of the transmission signal, and although the polarization direction is different from that of the horizontal polarization unit 3A, it has the same functional configuration as the horizontal polarization unit 3A. Note that in FIG. 2, the functional components of the vertical polarization unit 3B are omitted for convenience.

[0031] The horizontal polarization unit 3A and the vertical polarization unit 3B are configured with analog circuits, while the digital unit 3C is a functional component configured with digital circuits. This digital unit 3C generates various control signals for controlling the horizontal polarization unit 3A and the vertical polarization unit 3B based on various control commands input from a higher-level control device (not shown).

[0032] To explain the horizontal polarization unit 3A in more detail, the transformer 3a has a primary winding and a secondary winding wound on the same axis. One end of the primary winding of the transformer 3a is connected to the transmission input terminal tin and one selection contact of the changeover switch 3f, and the other end of the primary winding is grounded. In addition, both ends of the secondary winding of the transformer 3a are connected to a pair of input terminals of the differential amplifier 3b, respectively.

[0033] That is, one end of the secondary winding of the transformer 3a is connected to one input end of the differential amplifier 3b, and the other end of the secondary winding of the transformer 3a is connected to the other input end of the differential amplifier 3b. Such a transformer 3a transforms a radio frequency band transmission signal input to one end of the primary winding from the frequency conversion IC 4 at a predetermined transformation ratio, and outputs the signal from both ends of the secondary winding to the differential amplifier 3b.

[0034] As described above, the differential amplifier 3b has a pair of input terminals connected to both ends of the secondary winding of the transformer 3a, and an output terminal connected to an input terminal of the demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c. This differential amplifier 3b functions as a power amplifier that amplifies the power of the radio frequency band transmission signal input from the transformer 3a and outputs the amplified signal to the demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c.

[0035] The demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c has n transmission output terminals and n reception input terminals in addition to a transmission input terminal and a reception output terminal. In this demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c, the transmission input terminal is connected to the output terminal of the differential amplifier 3b, and the reception output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the amplifier 3e. In this demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c, each of the n transmission output terminals is connected to each of the n transmission input terminals in the phase processing unit 3d, and each of the n reception input terminals is connected to each of the n reception output terminals in the phase processing unit 3d.

[0036] The branching / multiplexing circuit 3c branches the radio frequency band transmission signal input from the differential amplifier 3b and outputs the branched signals from the n transmission output terminals to the n transmission input terminals of the phase processing circuit 3d. The branching / multiplexing circuit 3c also multiplexes the n reception signals input from the phase processing circuit 3d to the n reception input terminals, and outputs the multiplexed signals from the reception output terminal to the amplifier 3e.

[0037] As shown in the figure, the phase processing section 3d includes n individual processing sections c1-cn for the horizontal polarization section. The n individual processing sections c1-cn are provided corresponding to the n antenna elements a1-an, and include n transmission input terminals and n reception output terminals as well as n transmission output terminals and n reception input terminals. That is, the n individual processing sections c1-cn each include one transmission input terminal and one reception output terminal as well as one transmission output terminal and one reception input terminal. Although not shown in the figure, the phase processing section 3d also includes n individual processing sections for the vertical polarization section.

[0038] The n individual processing units c1 to cn have the same functional configuration, but the phase shift amounts imparted to the radio frequency band transmission signal differ by deviation angles Δθ. For example, the phase shift amount of the individual processing unit c1 (first transmission phase shift amount) is a deviation angle Δθ. In contrast, the phase shift amount of the individual processing unit c2 (second transmission phase shift amount) is twice the phase shift amount of the individual processing unit c1, that is, Δ2θ. Furthermore, the phase shift amount of the individual processing unit cn (nth transmission phase shift amount) is n times the phase shift amount of the individual processing unit c1, that is, Δnθ.

[0039] Moreover, the n individual processing units c1-cn impart different amounts of phase shift to the n received signals input from the n antenna elements a1-an via the receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj, each of which is different by a deviation angle Δφ. For example, the amount of phase shift (first reception phase shift) of the individual processing unit c1 is a deviation angle Δφ. On the other hand, the amount of phase shift (second reception phase shift) of the individual processing unit c2 is twice the amount of phase shift of the individual processing unit c1, that is, Δ2φ. Furthermore, the amount of phase shift (nth reception phase shift) of the individual processing unit cn is n times the amount of phase shift of the individual processing unit c1, that is, Δnφ.

[0040] As shown in the figure, each of the n individual processing units c1 to cn includes a first phase adjuster 3g, a first variable amplifier 3h, a power amplifier 3i, a power detector (PD) 3j, a first switch 3k, a second switch 3p, a preamplifier 3q, a second variable amplifier 3r, and a second phase adjuster 3s. In the following, the first phase adjuster 3g, the first variable amplifier 3h, the power amplifier 3i, the power detector (PD) 3j, the first switch 3k, the second switch 3p, the preamplifier 3q, the second variable amplifier 3r, and the second phase adjuster 3s in the individual processing unit c1 will be described as a representative.

[0041] The first phase adjuster 3g has an input terminal connected to the transmission output terminal of the demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c and an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the first variable amplifier 3h. The first phase adjuster 3g sets the above-mentioned first transmission phase shift amount, and changes the phase of the radio frequency band transmission signal input from the demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c by the first transmission phase shift amount and outputs the result to the first variable amplifier 3h.

[0042] The first variable amplifier 3h has an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the first phase shifter 3g and an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the power amplifier 3i. The first variable amplifier 3h amplifies the amplitude of the phase-adjusted radio frequency band transmission signal, i.e., the transmission signal, input from the first phase shifter 3g by a variably set amplification factor and outputs the amplified signal to the power amplifier 3i.

[0043] The input terminal of the power amplifier 3i is connected to the output terminal of the first variable amplifier 3h, and the output terminal is connected to the input terminal of a power detector (PD) 3j. The power amplifier 3i amplifies the power of the transmission signal input from the first variable amplifier 3h by a predetermined amplification factor and outputs the amplified power to the power detector (PD) 3j.

[0044] The power detector (PD) 3j has an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the power amplifier 3i, and an output terminal connected to one terminal of the first switch 3k and the transmission output terminal t1s of the transmission / reception IC 3. This power detector (PD) 3j detects the power (transmission power) of the transmission signal (high frequency signal) supplied to the transmission output terminal t1s of the transmission / reception IC 3. Note that the output terminal of the power amplifier 3i may be connected to one terminal of the first switch 3k and the transmission output terminal t1s of the transmission / reception IC 3 without using the power detector (PD) 3j.

[0045] One end of the first switch 3k is connected to the output end of the power detector (PD) 3j and the transmission output terminal t1s of the transmission / reception IC3, and the other end is grounded. The first switch 3k is an open / close switch that does not perform any function in the OFF state (open state), but connects the transmission output terminal t1s of the transmission / reception IC3 to the ground potential when it is in the ON state (closed state). The first switch 3k may be an NMOS transistor.

[0046] That is, when the first switch 3k is turned on (closed), it connects the transmission output terminal t1s of the transmission / reception IC3 and the other end of the transmission λ / 4 transmission line b1s to ground potential, thereby preventing the transmission signal from being supplied to the antenna element a1.

[0047] Here, regarding the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s, when the first switch 3k is set to the ON state (closed state) and the other end is connected to the ground potential, the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s functions as a short stub well known in high-frequency circuits. That is, the input impedance of the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s facing from one end to the other end side of the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s becomes extremely high impedance.

[0048] Therefore, for example, in a state (receiving state) in which the antenna element a1 receives an incoming wave and outputs a received signal toward the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s and the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j, if the first switch 3k is in the ON state (closed state) and the second switch 3p (described later) is in the OFF state (open state), the received signal is not input to the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s but is input exclusively to the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j.

[0049] When the first switch 3k is set to the OFF state (open state) and the other end of the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s is not connected to the ground potential, the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s does not function as a short stub but functions as its original function, that is, as a transmission line. That is, the first switch 3k switches the function of the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s from a transmission line to a short stub.

[0050] One end of the second switch 3p is connected to the input end of the preamplifier 3q and the receiving input terminal t1j of the transmitting / receiving IC 3, and the other end is grounded. The second switch 3p is an open / close switch that does not perform any function in the OFF state (open state), but connects the receiving input terminal t1j of the transmitting / receiving IC 3 to ground potential when it is in the ON state (closed state). The second switch 3p may be an NMOS transistor.

[0051] That is, when the second switch 3p is set to the ON state (closed state), it connects the other end of the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j in addition to the receiving input terminal t1j of the transmitting / receiving IC3 to the ground potential.

[0052] Now, regarding the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j, when the second switch 3p is set to the ON state (closed state) and the other end is connected to the ground potential, the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j functions as a short stub, which is well known in high-frequency circuits. That is, the input impedance of the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j from one end to the other end becomes extremely high.

[0053] Therefore, for example, in a state (transmission state) in which a transmission signal is supplied to antenna element a1 via the transmitting λ / 4 transmission line b1s, if the first switch 3k is in the OFF state (open state) and the second switch 3p is in the ON state (closed state), the transmission signal is not input to the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j but is input exclusively to antenna element a1.

[0054] When the second switch 3p is set to the OFF state (open state) and the other end of the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j is not connected to the ground potential, the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j does not function as a short stub but functions as its original function, that is, as a transmission line. In other words, the second switch 3p switches the function of the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j from a transmission line to a short stub.

[0055] The preamplifier 3q has an input terminal connected to the receiving input terminal t1j of the transmitting / receiving IC 3 and one terminal of the second switch 3p, and an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the second variable amplifier 3r. The preamplifier 3q initially amplifies a small receiving signal input from the antenna element a1 via the receiving λ / 4 transmission line b1j, and outputs the amplified signal to the second variable amplifier 3r.

[0056] The second variable amplifier 3r has an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the preamplifier 3q and an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the second phase shifter 3s. The second variable amplifier 3r amplifies the amplitude of the first-stage amplified received signal input from the preamplifier 3q by a variably set amplification factor and outputs the amplified signal to the second phase shifter 3s.

[0057] The second phase adjuster 3s has an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the second variable amplifier 3r and an output terminal connected to the receiving input terminal of the demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c. The second phase adjuster 3s sets the above-mentioned first receiving phase shift amount, and changes the phase of the receiving signal input from the second variable amplifier 3r by the first receiving phase shift amount and outputs the result to the demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c.

[0058] The amplifier 3e has an input terminal connected to the receiving output terminal of the demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c and an output terminal connected to the other selection contact of the changeover switch 3f. The amplifier 3e amplifies the power of the multiplexed signal input from the demultiplexer / multiplexer 3c and outputs the amplified signal to the changeover switch 3f.

[0059] The changeover switch 3f has a pair of selective contacts and one common contact. In this changeover switch 3f, one selective contact is connected to the transmission input terminal tin and one end of the primary winding of the transformer 3a, the other selective contact is connected to the output terminal of the amplifier 3e, and the common contact is connected to the reception output terminal tout. Note that this changeover switch 3f may be a switch circuit composed of two NMOS transistors.

[0060] Such a changeover switch 3f alternatively selects either the radio frequency band transmission signal input from the transmission input terminal tin to one selection contact or the multiplexed signal input from the amplifier 3e to the other selection contact, and outputs the selected signal to the reception output terminal tout.

[0061] In the transceiver IC 3, the transformer 3a, the differential amplifier 3b, the branching / combining switch 3c, the first phase shifter 3g, the first variable amplifier 3h, the power amplifier 3i, the power detector (PD) 3j, and the first switch 3k constitute a transmission circuit of the present invention. This transmission circuit generates a transmission signal by performing beamforming processing (transmission processing) on ​​the radio frequency band transmission signal input from the frequency conversion IC 4.

[0062] The second switch 3p, the preamplifier 3q, the second variable amplifier 3r, the second phase adjuster 3s, the branching / combining switch 3c, the amplifier 3e, and the changeover switch 3f constitute a receiving circuit in the present invention. This receiving circuit generates an optimized receiving signal by performing a phase / intensity optimization process (receiving process) on n receiving signals input from n antenna elements a1 to an. In other words, the transmitting / receiving IC 3 is a transmitting / receiving integrated circuit that houses a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit.

[0063] In the transceiver IC 3, the first switch 3k is provided between the output terminals t1s-tns of the transmitter circuit and ground potential, and the second switch 3p is provided between the input terminals t1j-tnj of the receiver circuit and ground potential. The above-mentioned n transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns are provided between the output terminals t1s-tns of the transmitter circuit and the array antenna 1 (transmitting / receiving antenna). Furthermore, the n receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj are provided between the array antenna 1 (transmitting / receiving antenna) and the input terminals t1j-tnj of the receiver circuit.

[0064] The frequency conversion IC4 has a transmission input terminal tdin, a transmission output terminal thout, a reception input terminal thin, a reception output terminal tdout, and a local signal input terminal tc. An intermediate frequency band transmission signal is input to the transmission input terminal tdin from outside. The transmission output terminal thout is connected to the transmission input terminal tin of the transmission / reception IC3, and outputs a radio frequency band transmission signal to the transmission / reception IC3.

[0065] The receiving input terminal thin is connected to the receiving output terminal tout of the transmitting / receiving IC 3, and receives the optimized receiving signal from the transmitting / receiving IC 3. The receiving output terminal tdout is connected to the outside, and outputs the intermediate frequency band receiving signal. Furthermore, the local signal input terminal tc is connected to an external local signal generating circuit, and receives the local signal from the local signal generating circuit.

[0066] Such a frequency conversion IC 4 uses a local signal to perform up-conversion processing (transmission processing) on ​​an intermediate frequency band transmission signal to generate a radio frequency band transmission signal. In other words, the up-conversion processing in the frequency conversion IC 4 converts the intermediate frequency band transmission signal into a radio frequency band transmission signal (high frequency signal) with a higher frequency.

[0067] The frequency converter IC 4 also uses a local signal to perform down-conversion processing (reception processing) on ​​the optimized reception signal to generate an intermediate frequency band reception signal. That is, the down-conversion processing in the frequency converter IC 4 converts the optimized reception signal (high frequency signal) into a lower frequency intermediate frequency band reception signal.

[0068] Such a frequency conversion IC 4 has a detailed configuration shown in Fig. 3. That is, this frequency conversion IC 4 has, as internal components, a horizontal polarization section 4A, a vertical polarization section 4B, a digital section 4C, a multiplication circuit 4D, and a branching / multiplexing switch (DIV) 4E.

[0069] The horizontal polarization unit 4A corresponds to the horizontal polarization unit 3A of the transceiver IC 3, and is a functional component that performs up-conversion processing (transmission processing) on ​​the horizontal polarization of the intermediate frequency band transmission signal, and includes a variable attenuator (attenuator) 4a, a first multiplier 4b, an amplifier 4c, a power detector (PD) 4d, a changeover switch 4e, an open / close switch 4f, a second multiplier 4g, a variable amplifier 4h, and an amplifier with path switching function 4i, as shown in the figure. Note that a path switching switch and an amplifier may be used instead of the amplifier with path switching function 4i.

[0070] The vertical polarization unit 3B corresponds to the vertical polarization unit 3B of the transceiver IC 3, and is a functional component that performs up-conversion processing (transmission processing) on ​​the vertical polarization of the transmission signal. Although the polarization direction is different from that of the horizontal polarization unit 4A, it has the same functional configuration as the horizontal polarization unit 4A. Note that the functional components of the vertical polarization unit 4B are omitted in FIG. 3 for convenience.

[0071] The horizontal polarization unit 4A and the vertical polarization unit 4B described above are configured with analog circuits. In contrast, the digital unit 4C is a functional component configured with digital circuits. This digital unit 4C generates various control signals for controlling the horizontal polarization unit 4A and the vertical polarization unit 4B based on various control commands input from a higher-level control device (not shown).

[0072] The input terminal of the frequency multiplier circuit 4D is connected to the local signal input terminal tc, and the output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the demultiplexer / multiplexer (DIV) 4E. The frequency multiplier circuit 4D performs frequency multiplication processing on the local signal input from the local signal input terminal tc to generate a multiplied local signal and outputs it to the demultiplexer / multiplexer (DIV) 4E. Note that a signal having a frequency equivalent to the multiplied frequency may be directly input without using the frequency multiplier circuit 4D.

[0073] The demultiplexer / multiplexer (DIV) 4E has an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the multiplier circuit 4D, and one output terminal connected to the input terminal of the amplifier with path switching function 4i. This demultiplexer / multiplexer (DIV) 4E outputs the multiplied local signal input from the multiplier circuit 4D to the amplifier with path switching function 4i. The other output terminal of the demultiplexer / multiplexer (DIV) 4E is also connected to the vertical polarization unit 4B. In other words, the demultiplexer / multiplexer (DIV) 4E supplies the converted local signal to the horizontal polarization unit 4A and the vertical polarization unit 4B.

[0074] To explain the horizontal polarization unit 4A in more detail, the variable attenuator 4a has an input terminal connected to the transmission input terminal tdin and an output terminal connected to the first input terminal of the first multiplier 4b. The variable attenuator 4a adjusts the level of the intermediate frequency band transmission signal input from the transmission input terminal tdin and outputs it to the first input terminal of the first multiplier 4b.

[0075] The first multiplier 4b has a first input terminal connected to the output terminal of the variable attenuator 4a, a second input terminal connected to one output terminal of the amplifier with path switching function 4i, and an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the amplifier 4c.

[0076] The first multiplier 4b multiplies the intermediate frequency band transmission signal input from the variable attenuator (attenuator) 4a by the converted local signal input from the amplifier 4i with path switching function to generate a radio frequency band transmission signal that corresponds to the total frequency of the transmission signal and the converted local signal. The first multiplier 4b outputs this radio frequency band transmission signal to the amplifier 4c.

[0077] The amplifier 4c has an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the first multiplier 4b and an output terminal connected to the input terminal of a power detector (PD) 4d. The amplifier 4c amplifies the radio frequency band transmission signal input from the first multiplier 4b at a predetermined amplification degree and outputs the amplified signal to the power detector (PD) 4d.

[0078] The power detector (PD) 4d has an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the amplifier 4c and an output terminal connected to the common contact of the changeover switch 4e. The power detector (PD) 4d detects the power of the radio frequency band transmission signal input from the amplifier 4c.

[0079] The changeover switch 4e has a pair of selective contacts and one common contact. In this changeover switch 4e, the common contact is connected to the output terminal of the power detector (PD) 4d, one selective contact is connected to the transmission output terminal thout, and the other selective contact is connected to the reception input terminal thin and one contact of the open / close switch 4f. In other words, the changeover switch 4e selectively connects the output terminal of the power detector (PD) 4d to the transmission output terminal thout or the reception input terminal thin and one contact of the open / close switch 4f. The open / close switch 4f may be a switch circuit composed of two NMOS transistors.

[0080] The open / close switch 4f has one contact connected to the receiving input terminal thin and the other selection contact of the changeover switch 4e, and the other contact connected to the first input terminal of the second multiplier 4g. This open / close switch 4f turns on / off the connection between the other selection contact of the changeover switch 4e and the receiving input terminal thin and the second multiplier 4g. The open / close switch 4f is set to OFF during transmission and set to ON during reception. Note that this open / close switch 4f may be an NMOS transistor.

[0081] The second multiplier 4g has a first input terminal connected to the other contact of the open / close switch 4f, a second input terminal connected to the other output terminal of the amplifier with path switching function 4i, and an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the variable amplifier 4h.

[0082] The second multiplier 4g multiplies the high frequency signal input from the open / close switch 4f by the converted local signal input from the amplifier with path switching function 4i to generate an intermediate frequency band received signal that corresponds to the difference frequency between the frequency of the high frequency signal and the frequency of the converted local signal. The second multiplier 4g outputs this intermediate frequency band received signal to the variable amplifier 4h.

[0083] The variable amplifier 4h has an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the second multiplier 4g and an output terminal connected to the reception output terminal tdout. The variable amplifier 4h variably amplifies the intermediate frequency band reception signal input from the second multiplier 4g and outputs the amplified signal to the reception output terminal tdout.

[0084] The amplifier 4i with path switching function has an input terminal connected to one output terminal of the demultiplexer / multiplexer (DIV) 4E, one output terminal connected to the second input terminal of the first multiplier 4b, and the other output terminal connected to the second input terminal of the second multiplier 4g. The amplifier 4i with path switching function differentially amplifies the converted local signal input from the demultiplexer / multiplexer (DIV) 4E to generate two converted local signals with a phase difference of 180°. The amplifier 4i with path switching function outputs one of the two converted local signals to the second input terminal of the first multiplier 4b, and outputs the other of the two converted local signals to the second input terminal of the second multiplier 4g.

[0085] Next, a case where the communication device A according to the present embodiment functions as a frequency division multiplexing communication device and a case where the communication device A functions as a time division multiplexing communication device will be described. As described above, Fig. 1 shows the connection state between the transmission / reception IC 3 and the frequency conversion IC 4 when the communication device A functions as a frequency division multiplexing communication device.

[0086] In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the transmit input terminal tin of the transmit / receive IC3 and the transmit output terminal thout of the frequency conversion IC4 are connected to each other, and the receive output terminal tout of the transmit / receive IC3 and the receive input terminal thin of the frequency conversion IC4 are connected to each other.

[0087] That is, in this case, the changeover switch 3f of the transmission / reception IC3 is set so that the common contact is connected to the other selective contact (first selective contact) as shown in Fig. 2, and the changeover switch 4e of the frequency conversion IC4 is set so that the common contact is connected to one selective contact (second selective contact) as shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, in this case, the open / close switch 4f of the frequency conversion IC4 is set to the ON state (closed state).

[0088] Therefore, the combined signal output from the amplifier 3e of the transmitting / receiving IC 3 is input to the receiving input terminal thin of the frequency conversion IC 4 via the changeover switch 3f and the receiving output terminal tout. Also, the radio frequency band transmission signal output from the power detector (PD) 4d of the frequency conversion IC 4 is input to the transmitting input terminal tin of the transmitting / receiving IC 3 via the changeover switch 4e and the transmitting output terminal thout.

[0089] In contrast, when the communication device A of this embodiment is functioned as a time division multiplexing communication device, as shown in Figure 4, the transmit input terminal tin of the transmit / receive IC3 and the transmit output terminal thout of the frequency conversion IC4 are not connected, and only the receive output terminal tout of the transmit / receive IC3 and the receive input terminal thin of the frequency conversion IC4 are connected.

[0090] The changeover switch 3f of the transmission / reception IC3 and the changeover switch 4e of the frequency conversion IC4 are set so that the common contact alternately connects to the first selection contact and a selection contact other than the first selection contact (second selection contact) during transmission and reception. That is, the changeover switch 3f of the transmission / reception IC3 connects the common contact to the second selection contact during transmission and connects the common contact to the first selection contact during reception. On the other hand, the changeover switch 4e of the frequency conversion IC4 connects the common contact to the second selection contact during transmission and connects the common contact to the first selection contact during reception.

[0091] That is, when the communication device A functions as a time division multiplexing communication device, the receiving output terminal tout of the transmitting / receiving IC3 serves as a first input / output terminal for inputting / outputting the time division multiplexing radio frequency band transmitting signal or the time division multiplexing receiving signal, while the receiving input terminal thin of the frequency conversion IC4 serves as a second input / output terminal for inputting / outputting the time division multiplexing radio frequency band transmitting signal or the time division multiplexing receiving signal.

[0092] In other words, the changeover switch 3f of the transmitting / receiving IC 3 is a first changeover switch for inputting / outputting the time division multiplexing radio frequency band transmission signal or the time division multiplexing reception signal to / from the frequency conversion IC 4 via the reception output terminal tout, and the changeover switch 4e of the frequency conversion IC 4 is a second changeover switch for inputting / outputting the time division multiplexing radio frequency band transmission signal or the time division multiplexing reception signal to / from the transmitting / receiving IC 3.

[0093] When communication device A is made to function as a frequency division multiplexing communication device, the transmit input terminal tin of the transmit / receive IC3 and the transmit output terminal thout of the frequency conversion IC4 are used during transmission, and the receive output terminal tout of the transmit / receive IC3 and the receive input terminal thin of the frequency conversion IC4 are used during reception. However, when communication device A is made to function as a time division multiplexing communication device, the receive output terminal tout of the transmit / receive IC3 and the receive input terminal thin of the frequency conversion IC4 are shared for both transmission and reception.

[0094] In addition, the frequency conversion IC 4 in this embodiment is a frequency conversion integrated circuit that generates a radio frequency band transmission signal for frequency division multiplexing or a radio frequency band transmission signal for time division multiplexing and outputs it to the transmitting / receiving IC 3, and also frequency converts the received signal input from the transmitting / receiving IC 3 into an intermediate frequency band received signal for frequency division multiplexing or an intermediate frequency band received signal for time division multiplexing.

[0095] Therefore, when the communication device A is made to function as a time division multiplexing communication device, it is not necessary to connect the transmission input terminal tin of the transmission / reception IC3 and the transmission output terminal thout of the frequency conversion IC4.

[0096] Next, a characteristic operation of the communication device A according to this embodiment will be described. The characteristic operations of the communication device A are the same when the communication device A functions as a frequency division multiplexing communication device and when the communication device A functions as a time division multiplexing communication device. Therefore, the following describes the characteristic operations when the communication device A functions as a frequency division multiplexing communication device.

[0097] In this communication device A, during transmission, a radio frequency band transmission signal generated by the frequency conversion IC 4 becomes n transmission signals through beamforming processing (transmission processing) in the transmission / reception IC 3. During this transmission, all of the n first switches 3k in the n individual processing units c1 to cn are set to the OFF state (open state), and all of the n second switches 3p are set to the ON state (closed state).

[0098] That is, the n transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns all function as original transmission lines by setting all the n first switches 3k to the OFF state (open state). On the other hand, the n receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj all function as short stubs by setting all the n second switches 3p to the ON state (closed state).

[0099] As a result, during transmission, n transmission signals are supplied individually exclusively to n antenna elements a1 to an via n transmission output terminals t1s to tns and transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s to bns in the transmission / reception IC 3.

[0100] On the other hand, in the communication device A, during reception, the n first switches 3k in the n individual processing units c1 to cn are all set to the ON state (closed state), and the n second switches 3p are all set to the OFF state (open state).

[0101] That is, the n transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns all function as short stubs by setting all the n first switches 3k to the ON state (closed state). On the other hand, the n receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj all function as transmission lines by setting all the n second switches 3p to the OFF state (open state).

[0102] As a result, during reception, n transmission signals output from the n antenna elements a1 to an to the n transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s to bns and the n receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j to bnj are not input to the transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s to bns, but are input individually exclusively to the n receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j to bnj.

[0103] Thus, the communication device A of this embodiment comprises a transmit / receive IC3 (transmit / receive integrated circuit) accommodating a transmit circuit and a receive circuit, an array antenna 1 (transmit / receive antenna) connected to the transmit circuit and the receive circuit, transmit λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns provided between the output end of the transmit circuit and the array antenna 1 (transmit / receive antenna), a first switch 3k provided between the output end of the transmit circuit and ground potential, receive λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj provided between the array antenna 1 (transmit / receive antenna) and the input end of the receive circuit, and a second switch 3p provided between the input end of the receive circuit and ground potential.

[0104] According to this embodiment, a communication device A can be provided that is capable of switching between passing and non-passing communication signals, i.e., the transmission signal output by the transmission circuit and the received signal output by the array antenna 1 (transmitting and receiving antenna), without using a variable filter.

[0105] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the first switch 3k and the second switch 3p are provided inside the transmitting / receiving IC 3 (transmitting / receiving integrated circuit), it is possible to suppress an increase in the mounting area of ​​the communication device A. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the communication device A.

[0106] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the communication device A is provided with a plurality of transmitting circuits and receiving circuits, and a plurality of transmitting and receiving antennas individually corresponding to the plurality of transmitting circuits and receiving circuits, and the plurality of transmitting circuits generate a plurality of transmitting signals for beamforming and output them to the transmitting and receiving antennas, respectively, so that for communication device A having a beamforming function, it is possible to switch between passing and not passing communication signals without using a variable filter.

[0107] In addition, the communication device A of this embodiment further includes a frequency conversion IC4 (frequency conversion integrated circuit) that generates a radio frequency band transmission signal for frequency division multiplexing or a radio frequency band transmission signal for time division multiplexing and outputs it to a transmission / reception IC3 (transmission / reception integrated circuit), and frequency converts a reception signal input from the transmission / reception IC3 (transmission / reception integrated circuit) into an intermediate frequency band reception signal for frequency division multiplexing or an intermediate frequency band reception signal for time division multiplexing.

[0108] According to this embodiment, for a communication device A including a transmission / reception IC 3 (transmission / reception integrated circuit) and a frequency conversion IC 4 (frequency conversion integrated circuit), it is possible to switch between passing and not passing a communication signal without using a variable filter.

[0109] Furthermore, the communication device A of this embodiment is equipped with a changeover switch 3f (first changeover switch) for the transmission / reception IC3 (transmission / reception integrated circuit) to input / output a time division multiplexing radio frequency band transmission signal or a time division multiplexing reception signal to / from the frequency conversion IC4 (frequency conversion integrated circuit) via the reception output terminal tout (first input / output terminal), and is equipped with a changeover switch 4e (second changeover switch) for the frequency conversion IC4 (frequency conversion integrated circuit) to input / output a time division multiplexing radio frequency band transmission signal or a time division multiplexing reception signal to / from the transmission / reception IC3 (transmission / reception integrated circuit) via the reception input terminal thin (second input / output terminal).

[0110] According to this embodiment, during time division multiplexing communication, the transmitting / receiving IC3 (transmitting / receiving integrated circuit) shares the receiving output terminal tout (first input / output terminal) for both transmitting and receiving, and the frequency conversion IC4 (frequency conversion integrated circuit) shares the receiving input terminal thin (second input / output terminal) for both transmitting and receiving. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of terminals of the transmitting / receiving IC3 (transmitting / receiving integrated circuit) and the frequency conversion IC4 (frequency conversion integrated circuit) during time division multiplexing communication.

[0111] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications are possible. (1) In the above embodiment, the case where the transceiver integrated circuit is a transceiver IC 3 having a beamforming function has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the present invention is also applicable to a transceiver integrated circuit that does not have a beamforming function.

[0112] (2) In the above embodiment, the first switch 3k and the second switch 3p are provided inside the transmitting / receiving IC 3 (transmitting / receiving integrated circuit), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if an increase in the mounting area is permitted, the first switch 3k and the second switch 3p may be provided outside the transmitting / receiving IC 3 (transmitting / receiving integrated circuit).

[0113] (3) In the above embodiment, the n transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns and receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj are provided outside the transmitting / receiving IC3 (transmitting / receiving integrated circuit), but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the n transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns and receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj may be provided inside the transmitting / receiving IC3 (transmitting / receiving integrated circuit).

[0114] (4) In the above embodiment, the n transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns and receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj are directly connected to the n antenna elements a1-an, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the communication device A functions as a frequency division multiplexing communication device, duplexers (branchers) may be provided between the n transmitting λ / 4 transmission lines b1s-bns and receiving λ / 4 transmission lines b1j-bnj and the n antenna elements a1-an. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] A communication device, a1 to an antenna element, b1s to bns λ / 4 transmission line for transmission, b1j to bnj λ / 4 transmission line for reception, 1 array antenna, 2 transmission line block, 3 transmission / reception IC, 3A horizontal polarization section, 3B vertical polarization section, 3C digital section, 3a transformer, 3b differential amplifier, 3c branching / combining device, 3d phase processing section, 3e amplifier, 3f changeover switch, 3g first phase adjuster, 3h first variable amplifier, 3i power amplifier, 3j power detector (PD), 3k first switch, 3p second switch, 3q preamplifier, 3r second variable amplifier, 3s second phase adjuster, 4 frequency conversion IC, 4A horizontal polarization section, 4B vertical polarization section, 4C digital section, 4D multiplication circuit, 4E branching / combining device (DIV), 4a Variable attenuator, 4b 1st multiplier, 4c amplifier, 4d power detector (PD), 4e changeover switch, 4f open / close switch, 4g 2nd multiplier, 4h variable amplifier, 4i amplifier with path switching function

Claims

1. A communication device comprising a transmission circuit that outputs a transmission signal, and a reception circuit that performs a predetermined reception process on a reception signal, a transmitting λ / 4 transmission line provided at an output end of the transmitting circuit; a first switch provided between the output terminal and a ground potential; a receiving λ / 4 transmission line provided at an input end of the receiving circuit; a second switch provided between the input terminal and the ground potential; A communication device comprising:

2. A plurality of the transmitting circuits and a plurality of the receiving circuits are provided, 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of transmission circuits generate and output a plurality of transmission signals having mutually different phases for beamforming.

3. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first switch and the second switch are provided inside a transmission / reception integrated circuit that houses the transmission circuit and the reception circuit.

4. 4. The communication device according to claim 3, further comprising a frequency conversion integrated circuit that generates a radio frequency band transmission signal for frequency division multiplexing or a radio frequency band transmission signal for time division multiplexing and outputs the generated signal to the transceiver integrated circuit, and that frequency converts a received signal that has been subjected to reception processing by the transceiver integrated circuit into an intermediate frequency band reception signal for frequency division multiplexing or an intermediate frequency band reception signal for time division multiplexing.

5. the transmission / reception integrated circuit includes a first changeover switch for inputting / outputting the time division multiplexing radio frequency band transmission signal or the time division multiplexing reception signal to / from the frequency conversion integrated circuit via a first input / output terminal; 5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the frequency conversion integrated circuit is provided with a second changeover switch for inputting / outputting the time division multiplexing radio frequency band transmission signal or the time division multiplexing reception signal to / from the transmission / reception integrated circuit via a second input / output terminal.

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