Radio frequency circuit with error detection function

Abstract

To provide a radio frequency circuit having an element / signal error detection function.SOLUTION: A radio frequency circuit comprises a base plate, an element to be tested, a transmission line, a sensing line, and a controller. The base plate has a first surface. The element to be tested is disposed on the base plate and includes an output port to output a RF signal. The transmission line is disposed on the first surface of the base plate and electrically connected to the output port of the element to be tested. The sensing line is substantially parallel to the transmission line within a sensing area of the base plate. The sensing line is separated from the transmission line by a first length and adapted for inducing the RF signal on the transmission line to generate an induction signal. The controller is disposed on the base plate, electrically connected to the sensing line, and configured to determine the state of the element to be tested on the basis of the induction signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radio frequency circuit, and more particularly to a radio frequency circuit having an error detection function. [Background technology]

[0002] Radio frequency (RF) circuits are widely used in electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, wearable devices, and smart assistant devices. Radio frequency circuits usually contain multiple electronic elements. If an electronic element fails before shipment or after sale, it will affect the radio frequency circuit. However, the failure of an individual element can be difficult to confirm, and traditional detection methods are difficult to operate in time for the actual operation of the radio frequency circuit, and often require removing the entire circuit and testing the elements one by one. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention provides a radio frequency circuit with error detection function, by using the crosstalk characteristics of RF / HF transmission lines and corresponding circuit design, a radio frequency circuit with element / signal error detection function is realized without dismantling the machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] A radio frequency circuit with error detection capability in an embodiment of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a base plate, a device under test, a transmission line, a sensing line, and a controller. The base plate has a first surface. The device under test is disposed on the base plate, includes an output port, and outputs an RF signal. The transmission line is disposed on the first surface of the base plate and is electrically connected to the output port of the device under test. The sensing line is substantially parallel to the transmission line within a sensing region of the base plate. The sensing line is separated from the transmission line by a first length and is suitable for inducing an RF signal on the transmission line to generate an induced signal. The controller is disposed on the base plate and is electrically connected to the sensing line. The controller is configured to determine a state of the device under test based on the induced signal. Effect of the Invention

[0005] As described above, the radio frequency circuit with error detection function of the embodiment of the present invention arranges the transmission line and the sensing line, which are substantially parallel and separated from each other, on the base plate. An RF signal on the transmission line is induced through the sensing line to determine the state of the device under test. In this way, the error detection function can be realized without significantly affecting the circuit structure.

[0006] In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with drawings are described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the principles of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of elements of a radio frequency (RF) circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A]FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic diagram based on a transmission line and sensing line configuration of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A taken along section line AA. [Figure 2C] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a radio frequency circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2D] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a radio frequency circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a partial circuit diagram of a radio frequency circuit when a connector is not connected to a sensor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a partial circuit diagram of a radio frequency circuit when a connector is connected to a sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 13 is a partial circuit diagram of a radio frequency circuit when a connector is not connected to a sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 13 is a partial circuit diagram of a radio frequency circuit when a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention is connected to a sensor. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an error detection performed on a multiplexer according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the crosstalk phenomenon according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of error detection for multiple transmission lines according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sensing line configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7C] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a sensing line configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an amplifier with error detection according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 1 is a block diagram of elements of a radio frequency (RF) circuit 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the radio frequency circuit 10 includes a base plate 11, one or more devices under test 12, one or more transmission lines TL, one or more sense lines SL, and a controller 13 (although the present invention is not limited thereto). The radio frequency circuit 10 is applied to a communication transceiver supporting a mobile network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other communication protocols.

[0010] The base plate 11 may be the body of a printed circuit board or other support or carrier for electronic elements. In one embodiment, the base plate 11 has a first surface S1. In another embodiment, the base plate 11 further includes, in addition to the first surface S1, a second surface opposite the first surface S1 (described in a later embodiment).

[0011] The device under test 12 is disposed on the base plate 11. The device under test 12 may be a multiplexer, a low noise amplifier (LNA), a phase shifter, a mixer, a frequency divider, a switch, a filter, or other electronic devices. The device under test 12 has one or more output ports 121 and outputs an RF signal RS. According to different design requirements, the carrier frequency of the RF signal RS may be in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0012] The transmission line TL is disposed on the first surface S1 of the base plate 11 and is electrically connected to the output port 121 of the device under test 12. The transmission line TL may be copper or other metal, alloy, or composite metal wire used to transmit the RF signal RS.

[0013] In one embodiment, the radio frequency circuit 10 further includes a secondary element 122. The secondary element 122 is electrically connected to the transmission line TL and receives the RF signal RS. The secondary element 122 is, for example, an antenna, a filter (circuit), a mixer, or any other active or passive electronic circuit or electronic element capable of receiving an RF signal.

[0014] The sensing line SL is disposed on the base plate 11. The sensing line SL is substantially parallel to the transmission line TL in the sensing area SA of the base plate 11. That is, in the circuit wiring, at least a line segment of the sensing line SL in the sensing area SA is substantially parallel to a part of a line segment of the transmission line TL. However, the outside of the sensing area SA, the sensing line SL, and the transmission line TL are not limited to a parallel arrangement in space.

[0015] Additionally, the sensing area SA, the sensing line SL, and the inside of the transmission line TL are separated by a first length L1. In one embodiment, the first length L1 is from about one-eighth of the line width of the transmission line TL to the line width of the transmission line TL.

[0016] It should be noted that, based on the parallel and separated characteristics of the transmission line TL and the sensing line SL, there exists a capacitive coupling or an inductive coupling between these lines, also called crosstalk or inductive coupling. Therefore, the sensing line SL is suitable for inducing an RF signal RS on the transmission line TL, and can generate an induced signal SS based on this. That is, when the RF signal RS passes through the sensing area SA, in response, the sensing line SL generates an induced signal SS in the sensing area SA based on the coupling phenomenon.

[0017] In one embodiment, the transmission lines TL and the sensing lines SL are disposed on a first surface S1 of the base plate 11. That is, the transmission lines TL and the sensing lines SL are located on the same layer.

[0018] Fig. 2A is a perspective schematic diagram based on the configuration of a transmission line TL and a sensing line SL in one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 2A along the section line AA. Referring to Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the transmission line TL is disposed on a first surface S1 of the base plate 11, and the sensing line SL is disposed on a second surface S2 of the base plate 11. The pitch of the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 is a first length L1. That is, the transmission line TL is located on a first layer, and the sensing line SL is located on a second layer.

[0019] 2C is a partial cross-sectional view of the radio frequency circuit 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2C, in some embodiments, outside the sensing area SA of the base plate 11, a third layer between the first surface S1 / first layer and the second surface S2 / second layer is connected to ground GND and used as a ground layer. That is, the ground layer is sandwiched between the first surface S1 / first layer and the second surface S2 / second layer.

[0020] 2D is a partial cross-sectional view of the radio frequency circuit 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2D, in some embodiments, the sensing line SL may penetrate the base plate 11. Thus, a part of the sensing line SL is disposed on the first surface S1 of the base plate 11, and another part of the sensing line SL is disposed on the second surface S2 of the sensing area SA of the base plate 11 because it penetrates the base plate 11. That is, the sensing line SL goes around the sensing area SA to another side of the first surface S1 where the transmission line TL is located.

[0021] 1, the controller 13 is disposed on the base plate 11 and electrically connected to the sense lines SL. The controller 13 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other similar components, or a combination of these components.

[0022] In one embodiment, the controller 13 is configured to determine the state of the device under test 12 based on the induced signal SS from the sensing line SL. The state of the device under test 12 is, for example, a fault state, a normal state, an energy saving state, or a high efficiency state. According to different design requirements, the controller 13 can determine whether the device under test 12 is in a fault state or a normal state based on the presence, intensity, frequency, or other physical characteristics of the induced signal SS, and the application situation will be described in the following embodiment.

[0023] In one embodiment, the radio frequency circuit 10 further includes a sensor (described in a later embodiment). The sensor is disposed on the base plate 11. The sensor is electrically connected to the sense line SL and the controller 13. The sensor is configured to convert the induced signal SS. The converted signal is used by the controller 13 to determine the state of the device under test. The conversion by the sensor may be gain adjustment, filtering, and / or analog-to-digital conversion.

[0024] In one embodiment, the sensor is directly connected to the sense line SL.

[0025] In another embodiment, the radio frequency circuit 10 can provide a detachable structure. For example, the radio frequency circuit 10 further includes a connector. The connector is located on the base plate 11, coupled to the sensing line SL, and suitable for connecting a sensor. When the connector is connected to the sensor and the sensing line SL has an induced signal SS, the sensor can receive the induced signal SS in response thereto.

[0026] For example, Figure 3A is a partial circuit diagram of radio frequency circuit 10 when connector 14A according to one embodiment of the present invention is not connected to sensor 16A, and Figure 3B is a partial circuit diagram of radio frequency circuit 10 when connector 14A according to one embodiment of the present invention is connected to sensor 16A. Referring to Figure 3A, connector 14A includes first conductive structure 141 and second conductive structure 142.

[0027] The first conductive structure 141 is electrically connected to the sensing line SL. The second conductive structure 142 is Connected to ground GND .

[0028] In one embodiment, at least one of the first conductive structure 141 and the second conductive structure 142 includes a flexible or elastic member that can be deformed by an external force. Referring to FIG 3A, when the connector 14A is not connected to the sensor 16A, in response, at least one of the first conductive structure 141 and the second conductive structure 142 is located in a first position by the reset force, so that the first conductive structure 141 and the second conductive structure 142 are in a clamped state. That is, the first conductive structure 141 and the second conductive structure 142 abut against each other.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3B, when connector 14A is connected to sensor 16A, in response, at least one of first conductive structure 141 and second conductive structure 142 is pushed to a second position by the terminals of sensor 16A, such that first conductive structure 141 and second conductive structure 142 clamp sensor 16A. The first conductive structure 141 is also electrically connected to a first voltage source on the base plate 11 to receive a first voltage. The first voltage may be a system voltage VDD, and the first voltage source may be a power supply, a battery, or a power converter. However, the first voltage may be another custom voltage.

[0030] More specifically, in one embodiment, the first conductive structure 141 includes a first conductor reed 141A and a first conductor plate 141B. The first conductor lead 141A is bendable by an external force. The first conductor plate 141B is fixedly disposed on the base plate 11 and includes a first end e1 and a second end e2. The first end e1 of the first conductor plate 141B is connected to one end of the first conductor lead 141A. The second end e2 of the first conductor plate 141B is connected to the sensing line SL.

[0031] 3A, when the connector 14A is not connected to the sensor 16A, in response, the first conductive structure 141 and the second conductive structure 142 form a clamped state. For example, the first conductor lead 141A abuts the second conductive structure 142. At this time, the sense line SL is connected to ground GND.

[0032] 3B, in response to connector 14A being connected to sensor 16A, first conductive structure 141 and second conductive structure 142 clamp sensor 16A, e.g., first conductor lead 141A and second conductive structure 142 abut sensor 16A.

[0033] On the other hand, the sensor 16A includes a capacitor C1, an amplifier 161, and an analog to digital converter (ACD) 162 (although the invention is not limited thereto). Referring to FIG. 3B, when the connector 14A is connected to the sensor 16A, the system voltage V DD is further connected to ground GND via a capacitor C1 and a bleeder circuit.

[0034] 4A is a partial circuit diagram of the radio frequency circuit 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention when the connector 14B is not connected to the sensor 16B, and FIG. 4B is a partial circuit diagram of the radio frequency circuit 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention when the connector 14B is connected to the sensor 16B. Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the difference from FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B is that the connector 14B further includes a capacitor C2, and the sensor 16B does not include a capacitor C1. Therefore, when the connector 14B is connected to the sensor 16B, the system voltage V DD is further connected to ground GND via a capacitor C2 and a bleeder circuit of the sensor 16B.

[0035] It should be noted that in another embodiment, the connector is not limited to two conductive structures, and the conductive structure is not limited to a lead and a plate. For example, it may be a plug-in connector. The other end corresponding to the sensing line SL is electrically connected to a DC power source to obtain a fixed voltage, so that when the connectors 14A and 14B are not inserted, the sensing line SL is used as a ground GND or a fixed voltage in response, thereby reducing the influence of the floating circuit on the characteristics of the main signal line (e.g., the transmission line TL). In another example, more conductive structures may be provided.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the sensor 16A / 16B according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the sensor 16A / 16B is a peak detector or a power sensor. When the connector is connected to the sensor 16A / 16B, in response thereto, the sensor is adapted to generate a decision signal DS based on the induced signal SS. More specifically, the amplifier 161 of the sensor 16A / 16B is configured to amplify the induced signal SS to generate an output signal OS. The analog-to-digital converter 162 is coupled to the amplifier 161. The analog-to-digital converter 162 is configured to convert the output signal OS output by the amplifier 161 into a decision signal DS in a digital form.

[0037] The controller 13 can read the output values ​​of the sensors 16A / 16B and generate a decision signal DS. In one embodiment, the controller 13 may be a decision circuit having an analog-to-digital converter.

[0038] In addition, the controller 13 can determine the state of the device under test 12 based on the judgment signal DS. For example, the judgment signal DS indicates a faulty state, and the judgment signal DS indicates an operational state. However, the correspondence between the judgment signal DS and the state of the device under test 12 may be changed according to actual needs.

[0039] In another embodiment, the sensors 16A and 16B may be integrated into the controller 13.

[0040] In one embodiment, the controller 13 is also configured to connect to a communication transceiver (not shown). The communication transceiver may be a transceiver circuit supporting Wi-Fi, mobile network, Bluetooth, optical fiber network, or other communication protocols. The communication transceiver is configured to transmit a fault condition or an induced signal SS determined by the controller 13. In this way, the state of the device under test 12 can be known. In another embodiment, the fault condition or the induced signal SS may be presented via a display or a speaker.

[0041] In order to further understand the spirit of the present invention, several application scenarios are described below.

[0042] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of an error detection performed on a multiplexer MP_11 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6A, the device under test 12 is 1 to N multiplexers MP_11, where N is a positive integer. The multiplexer MP_11 includes N output ports 121, which are connected to transmission lines TL11, TL12, ..., TL1N, respectively. The transmission lines TL11, TL12, ..., TL1N are connected to multiplexers MP_12, MP_13, and MP_14, respectively. In addition, the sensing lines SL11, SL12, ..., SL1N are substantially parallel to the transmission lines TL11, TL12, ..., TL1N, respectively, within the sensing area SA. The sensing lines SL11, SL12, ..., SL1N are connected to sensors 16A / 16B.

[0043] Taking the transmission line TL11 and the sensing line SL11 as an example, when the multiplexer MP_11 transmits the RF signal RS to the multiplexer MP_12 but the sensing line SL11 does not generate the stimulating signal SS (i.e., stimulating failure), in response, the controller 13 determines that the multiplexer MP_11 (i.e., the device under test) is in a fault state. For example, the output circuit connected to the transmission line TL11 is faulty. In another example, the input circuit of the multiplexer MP_12 is faulty.

[0044] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a crosstalk phenomenon according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, when the multiplexer MP_11 transmits the RF signal RS to the multiplexer MP_12 and the sensing line SL11 generates the induced signal SS1, in response, the controller 13 determines that the multiplexer MP_11 is in a normal state. It should be noted that the criterion for determining whether the sensing line SL11 generates the induced signal SS1 may be a comparison result with a corresponding threshold value. The corresponding threshold value may be, for example, one tenth, one hundredth, or other constant of the power intensity of the RF signal RS1, and / or may be related to the length between the sensing line SL11 and the transmission line TL11 and the strength of the inductive coupling. Alternatively, it may be determined whether the waveform of the induced signal SS1 is the same as the waveform of the RF signal RS1.

[0045] In addition, in addition to the induced signal SS1 generated by the sensing line SL11, any one of the sensing lines SL12, ..., SL1N also generates an induced signal SS at the same time, which may cause leakage between the transmission lines TL11, TL12, ..., TL1N.

[0046] Similarly, multiplexer MP_11 can transmit RF signals RS to multiplexers MP_13 and MP_14, respectively, to determine whether an induced signal SS is generated in the corresponding sensing lines SL12 and SL1N, but detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0047] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention when error detection is performed on a plurality of transmission lines TL21, TL12, ..., TL25. Referring to FIG. 7A, the device under test 12 is multiplexers MP_21, MP_22, MP_23, and MP_24 numbered 1 to 4. The four output ports 121 of the multiplexer MP_21 are connected to the multiplexers MP_22, MP_23, MP_24, and MP_25, respectively. The sensing line SL21 is substantially parallel to the transmission line TL21 in the sensing area SA. The sensing line SL21 is connected to the sensor 16A / 16B.

[0048] Similarly, when multiplexer MP_21 transmits an RF signal RS to multiplexer MP_22, whether or not sensor 16A / 16B receives an induced signal SS on sensing line SL21 in response thereto determines whether multiplexers MP_21 and / or MP_22 are faulty.

[0049] After confirming that the multiplexer MP_22 receives the RF signal RS from the multiplexer MP_21, it continues to judge whether the output of the multiplexer MP_22 is normal. The four output ports 121 of the multiplexer MP_22 are respectively connected to the transmission lines TL22, TL23, TL24, and TL25. The sensing lines SL22 and SL23 are substantially parallel to the transmission lines TL22, TL23, TL24, and TL25 in the sensing area SA. The sensing lines SL22 and SL23 are connected to the sensors 16A / 16B.

[0050] 7B is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the sense lines SL22 and SL23 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7B, the sense lines SL22 and SL23 are located outside the transmission lines TL22, TL23, TL24, and TL25. Compared with the sense line SL22, the sense line SL23 is regarded as an additional sense line. Compared with the transmission line TL22, the transmission lines TL23, TL24, and TL25 are regarded as additional transmission lines. The sense lines SL22 and SL23 are suitable for inducing an RF signal RS on the transmission lines TL22, TL23, TL24, and TL25 to generate an induced signal SS, and based on this, determine the state of the multiplexer MP_22.

[0051] A first output port of the multiplexer MP_22 transmits an RF signal RS via the transmission line TL22. When the power intensity of the induced signal SS on the transmission line TL22 is less than a first threshold, the controller 13 can responsively determine that the multiplexer MP_22 is in a fault state. Also, when the power intensity of the induced signal SS on the transmission line TL22 is not less than the first threshold, the controller 13 can responsively determine that the multiplexer MP_22 is in a normal state.

[0052] The controller 13 simultaneously induces the RF signal RS of the transmission line TL22 through the sensing lines SL22 and SL23. The degree of influence of the coupling phenomenon is determined by the distance. Therefore, the induced signals SS on the sensing lines SL22 and SL23 may have different power intensities for the RF signals RS of different transmission lines TL22 to TL23. In general, the farther the distance between the transmission line TL and the sensing line SL, the weaker the power intensity of the induced signal SS on the sensing line SL, and the closer the distance between the transmission line TL and the sensing line SL, the stronger the power intensity of the induced signal SS on the sensing line SL. The first threshold is a criterion for evaluating whether to generate an induced signal. Therefore, the first threshold and the distances D1 and D2 from the transmission line TL22 to the sensing lines SL22 and SL23 are respectively Weight function relationship For example, D2 is four times D1. The length of the distance between adjacent transmission lines TL22-TL25 is D1. For an RF signal RS on the transmission line TL22, the first threshold corresponding to the sensing line SL22 may be about four times the first threshold corresponding to the sensing line SL23. The first threshold is also related to the strength of the inductive coupling of the sensing lines SL22 and SL23.

[0053] On the other hand, when the strength of the induced signal of the sensing line SL22 is about four times the strength of the induced signal of the sensing line SL23, it is determined that an RF signal RS is transmitted through the transmission line TL22 in response. When the strength of the induced signal of the sensing line SL23 is about four times the strength of the induced signal of the sensing line SL22, it is determined that an RF signal RS is transmitted through the transmission line TL25 in response. When the strength of the induced signal of the sensing line SL22 is slightly stronger than the strength of the induced signal of the sensing line SL23, it is determined that an RF signal RS is transmitted through the transmission line TL23. When the strength of the induced signal of the sensing line SL22 is slightly weaker than the strength of the induced signal of the sensing line SL23, it is determined that an RF signal RS is transmitted through the transmission line TL24. In this way, by disposing only two sensing lines, it is determined whether the switches / elements corresponding to the four transmission lines are operating normally.

[0054] It should be noted that adjacent lines of microstrip and adjacent lines of stripline will have different degrees of near-end noise reduction as the pitch increases. Compared to microstrip, the near-end noise of stripline will be significantly reduced as the pitch increases. To allow a certain degree of near-end crosstalk between adjacent lines, the pitch between adjacent lines is twice the line width, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, the strength of the induced signal is inversely proportional to the 1.5th to 2nd power of the pitch, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0055] However, the configuration of the sensing lines SL22 and SL23 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 7B. FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the sensing lines SL22 and SL23 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7C, the difference from FIG. 7B is that the sensing line SL23 is located between the transmission lines TL23 and TL24. Similarly, the first threshold and the distances D1 and D3 from the transmission line TL22 to the sensing lines SL22 and SL23 are respectively Weight Function For example, D3 is twice as large as D1. For an RF signal RS on transmission line TL22, the first threshold corresponding to sensing line SL22 may be approximately twice as large as the first threshold corresponding to sensing line SL23.

[0056] Also, when the multiplexer MP_22 transmits an RF signal RS via the transmission line TL22, and the power intensity of the induced signal SS on the sensing line SL23 is less than the second threshold, the controller 13 can determine in response that no leakage has occurred between the transmission lines TL22 and TL23. When the multiplexer MP_22 transmits an RF signal RS via the transmission line TL22, and the power intensity of the induced signal SS on the sensing line SL23 is not less than the second threshold, the controller 13 can determine in response that leakage has occurred between the transmission lines TL22 and TL23. Similarly, the second threshold and the distances from the transmission line TL23 to the sensing lines SL22 and SL23 are, respectively, Weight Function Have a relationship.

[0057] 7C, when the multiplexer MP_22 transmits an RF signal RS through the transmission line TL22, in response, the voltage of the induced signal SS of the sensing line SL22 should be greater than 0.5 volts, and the sensing line SL23 cannot generate the induced signal SS because the distance is too far. At this time, when the voltage of the induced signal SS of the sensing line SL23 is still greater than 0.4 volts, in response, there may be a current leakage in the transmission line TL23 induced by the sensing line SL23 due to leakage. That is, when the transmission line TL22 transmits an RF signal RS, in response, it determines the leakage through the sensing line SL23 adjacent to another transmission line TL23.

[0058] The RF signal RS on the transmission lines TL23, TL24, and TL25 can refer to the description of the RF signal RS on the transmission line TL22 described above, so detailed description is omitted here. That is, the different power intensities of the induced signals SS on the sensing lines SL22 and SL23 reflect the presence of RF signals on the different transmission lines TL22, TL23, TL24, and TL25. In addition, the number and configuration of the sensing lines are not limited to the embodiment shown in Figures 7B and 7C. Therefore, more transmission lines TL22 to TL25 are induced by fewer sensing lines SL22 and SL23.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an error detection performed on an amplifier according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the device under test 12 is an amplifier AMP (e.g., an LNA). An output port 121 of the amplifier AMP is connected to a transmission line TL, and a portion of the line segment of the transmission line TL is substantially parallel to the sense line SL. When the power intensity of the induced signal SS at the output port of the amplifier AMP is less than a third threshold, the controller 13 can determine in response that the amplifier AMP is in a fault state. When the power intensity of the induced signal SS at the output port of the amplifier AMP is not less than the third threshold, the controller 13 can determine in response that the amplifier AMP is in a normal state. The third threshold is determined based on the gain of the amplifier AMP. Since one of the purposes of the amplifier AMP is to adjust the gain of the input signal, the induced signal SS generated by the coupling of the RF signal RS output by the amplifier AMP must also have a corresponding power intensity.

[0060] For example, the amplifier AMP can ideally amplify the signal power by 10 dB, and the coupling ratio between the guided signal SS and the RF signal RS is 1 / 10. When an input signal of -10 dBm is input to the amplifier AMP, the power of the guided signal SS should be -10 dBm in response. When the power of the guided signal SS is -11 dBm, the gain of the amplifier AMP is only 9 dB in response, which is less than the ideal 10 dB. The difference between the actual gain and the ideal gain is caused by the non-ideality of the amplifier AMP. Since this kind of non-ideality changes over time, the present embodiment allows the radio frequency circuit to self-adjust based on the current reading, and provides corresponding gain compensation and other controls.

[0061] It should be noted that for different types of DUTs 12, the criteria for judging the status of the untested DUTs 12 are not limited to the power intensity. For example, if the DUT 12 is assumed to be a mixer or a frequency driver, the frequency of the induced signal SS is used to make the judgment. In another example, if the DUT 12 is assumed to be a phase shifter, the phase of the induced signal SS is used to make the judgment.

[0062] As described above, the radio frequency circuit with error detection function of the embodiment of the present invention arranges the substantially parallel sensing lines and the transmission lines connected to the output ports of the device under test in the sensing area. The induced signal generated by the sensing lines due to crosstalk is used to determine the state of the device under test. In this way, the error detection function can be realized without having a large impact on the entire circuit structure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0063] The radio frequency circuit with error detection function of the embodiment of the present invention can realize a radio frequency circuit with element / signal error detection function without disassembling the machine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10 Radio Frequency Circuits 11 Base plate 12 Device under test TL, TL11~TL1N, TL21~TL25 transmission lines SL, SL11~SL1N, SL21~SL23 sensing line 13 Controller S1 1st surface 121 Output Port 122 2nd element RS, RS1 RF signal SA sensing area SS, SS1 guidance signal L1 First length AA section line S2 2nd surface 14A, 14B Connectors 16A, 16B Sensors 141 First conductive structure 142 Second conductive structure VDD System voltage 141A First Conductor Lead 141B First conductor plate e1 1st end e2 2nd end C1, C2 capacitors 161 - AMP amplifier 162 Analog-to-Digital Converter GND grounding OS Output Signal DS judgment signal MP_11, MP_12, MP_13, MP_14, MP_21, MP_22, MP_23, MP_24, MP_25 Multiplexers D1, D2, D3 Distance

Claims

1. A radio frequency circuit having an error detection function, a base plate having a first surface; a device under test disposed on the base plate, the device including an output port, and configured to output an RF signal; a transmission line disposed on the first surface of the base plate and electrically connected to the output port of the device under test; a sensing line substantially parallel to the transmission line within a sensing region of the base plate and separated from the transmission line by a first length, the sensing line adapted to generate an induced signal induced by the RF signal on the transmission line; a controller disposed on the base plate, electrically connected to the sensing line, and configured to determine a state of the device under test based on the induced signal; Including, a connector disposed on the base plate, coupled to the sense line, and suitable for connecting to a sensor; A radio frequency circuit adapted for the sensor to generate a decision signal based on the induced signal in response to the connector being connected to the sensor, and for the controller to determine the state of the device under test based on the decision signal.

2. The sensor, an amplifier configured to amplify the induced signal to generate an output signal; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the amplifier and configured to convert the output signal output by the amplifier into the decision signal in a digital form; 2. The radio frequency circuit of claim 1 , comprising:

3. 2. The radio frequency circuit of claim 1, wherein said first length is from one-eighth of a line width of said transmission line to said line width of said transmission line.

4. responsive to the induction signal not being generated, the controller is further configured to determine that the device under test is in a fault condition; 2. The radio frequency circuit of claim 1, wherein in response to the induction signal being generated, the controller is further configured to determine that the device under test is in a normal state.

5. the device under test is a multiplexer, the radio frequency circuit further includes at least one additional transmission line and at least one additional sense line disposed on the base plate; the at least one additional sense line is substantially parallel to one of the transmission line and the at least one additional transmission line within the sense region and separated by a second length; the at least one additional line is electrically connected to an output port of the multiplexer; the sensing line and the at least one additional transmission line are adapted to induce the RF signal on the transmission line and the at least one additional sensing line to generate the induced signal; The radio frequency circuit of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine a state of the multiplexer based on the induction signal.

6. a first output port of the multiplexer transmitting the RF signal over the transmission line and a first one of the additional transmission lines; the controller is further configured to determine that the multiplexer is in a fault condition when a power strength of the induced signal on the first line is less than a first threshold, the first threshold and a distance from the first line to the sensing line and the at least one additional sensing line, respectively, having a weight function relationship; 6. The radio frequency circuit of claim 5, wherein in response to the power strength of the induced signal on the first line being not less than the first threshold, the controller is further configured to determine that the multiplexer is in a normal state.

7. the first line is substantially parallel to the transmission line connected to the second output port of the multiplexer and to a second line of the at least one additional transmission line within the sensing region and separated by a third length; In response to a power strength of the induced signal on the second line being less than a second threshold, the controller is further configured to determine that no leakage exists between the first line and the second line; 7. The radio frequency circuit of claim 6, wherein in response to the power strength of the induced signal on the second line being not less than the second threshold, the controller is further configured to determine that the leakage occurs between the first line and the second line.

8. the device under test is an amplifier, the controller is further configured to determine that the amplifier is in a fault condition in response when a power strength of the induced signal at the output port is less than a third threshold, the third threshold being determined based on a gain of the amplifier; 2. The radio frequency circuit of claim 1, wherein in response to the power strength of the induced signal at the output port being not less than the third threshold, the controller is further configured to determine that the amplifier is in a normal state.

9. 2. The radio frequency circuit of claim 1, wherein the base plate further comprises a second surface opposite the first surface, the sense line being disposed on the second surface.

10. The radio frequency circuit of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to be coupled to a communications transceiver, the communications transceiver configured to transmit the fault condition determined by the controller or the inductive signal.

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