Radio signal processing circuit and radio device

Abstract

To suppress a signal loss while suppressing increase in circuit scale (area occupied by a circuit) in a wireless device that performs beamforming.SOLUTION: A wireless signal processing circuit comprises a plurality of phase switching parts, a plurality of variable amplifiers, and a plurality of mixers. The plurality of phase switching parts are respectively provided on a plurality of paths to which in-phase and orthogonal signals are distributed. The plurality of phase switching parts rotate a signal phase by a rotation amount corresponding to a transmission direction of a transmission signal. The plurality of variable amplifiers change an amplitude of an input or output signal of the corresponding phase switching part depending on the transmission direction of the transmission signal. The plurality of mixers up-convert a frequency of a signal processed by the corresponding phase switching part and variable amplifier.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to a radio signal processing circuit and a radio device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, beamforming has been put to practical use as one of the technologies for realizing multiplexing of transmitted and received signals or high-precision sensing (radar) in wireless devices using high frequency bands (for example, microwave bands and millimeter wave bands). The following technologies are known as technologies related to wireless devices that apply beamforming.

[0003] For example, a wireless device is known that includes a fully digital array having a first antenna element group and no analog variable phase shifter, and a hybrid beamformer having a second antenna element group including a plurality of antenna elements and an analog variable phase shifter.

[0004] Also known is a wireless relay device that includes a receiving antenna, a transmitting array antenna consisting of multiple antenna elements, an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier), a noise rejection BPF (Band pass filter), a mixer, a local oscillator, a narrowband BPF, an amplifier, a control unit, a wireless phase shifter, an image rejection BPF, and a PA (Power Amplifier).

[0005] Also known is an image rejection mixer that includes a divider that divides an RF signal into two in-phase signals, a divider that divides a local signal into two with a 90-degree phase difference, and first and second mixers that mix the respective divided outputs of the dividers. This image rejection mixer has two resistor-capacitor circuits connected in series to the first and second mixer outputs, load resistors connected to the junctions between the resistors and the capacitors, and an IF output terminal that suppresses the image signal on one side of the load resistor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 135389 [Patent Document 2] JP 2003-332953 A [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-191153 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] A wireless device that performs beamforming uses multiple antenna elements to form beams for each terminal. Beamforming is realized by controlling at least one of the phase and amplitude of a signal transmitted or received via each antenna element according to the position of the terminal, thereby controlling the direction and shape of the transmitted or received beam.

[0008] In addition, development of wireless devices that apply beam multiplexing, which superimposes multiple different signals and forms beams in different directions, is underway. As one method for achieving beam multiplexing, a fully digital beamforming method has been proposed.

[0009] In full digital beamforming, at least one of the phase and amplitude of a signal transmitted or received via each antenna element is controlled by digital processing. For this reason, a wireless device performing full digital beamforming is provided with a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for each antenna element in order to form a transmission beam. That is, a wireless device performing full digital beamforming is provided with the same number of DACs as the antenna elements. Also, a wireless device performing full digital beamforming is provided with the same number of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) as the antenna elements in order to form a reception beam. Here, the power consumption of the DACs and ADCs depends on the rate of the data signal. Therefore, when a wireless device performing full digital beamforming is applied to a wideband communication system using, for example, a millimeter wave band, the data signal rate becomes high and the power consumption becomes large.

[0010] As another method for implementing beamforming, an analog full connection method has been proposed. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless device (first reference example) that performs beamforming in the analog full connection method.

[0011] The wireless device 10X illustrated in FIG. 1 includes four DACs 12 to accommodate four terminals (not shown). Each DAC 12 converts a transmission signal to be transmitted to the corresponding terminal into an analog signal. However, it is preferable that the wireless device 10X includes more antenna elements than the number of terminals (i.e., the number of transmission signals). In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the wireless device 10X includes eight antenna elements AN. In this case, the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band transmitted to each terminal are up-converted to an RF (Radio Frequency) band using a local signal LO, and then distributed to eight wireless signal processing circuits 20X provided corresponding to each antenna element AN. Each wireless signal processing circuit 20X controls the phase of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4. Then, the output signal of the wireless signal processing circuit 20X is output via the corresponding antenna element AN. Each wireless signal processing circuit 20X controls the phase of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 according to the position of the terminal, thereby forming a beam corresponding to each terminal.

[0012] According to the analog full connection method, it is sufficient to have the number of DACs 12 corresponding to the number of terminals (number of signals), so that the number of DACs can be reduced compared to the full digital method, and power consumption can be suppressed. However, according to the analog full connection method, many signal lines cross between the multiple DACs 12 and the multiple radio signal processing circuits 20X. In the example shown in FIG. 1, 32 signal lines are provided between the four DACs 12 and the eight radio signal processing circuits 20X, and signals in the RF band with a relatively high frequency are transmitted through these signal lines. Therefore, signal loss is large, making it difficult to put into practical use.

[0013] To solve the above problem, for example, adding a loss compensation circuit is considered. However, when miniaturization of a wireless device is required, adding a loss compensation circuit is not preferable because it increases the circuit size (the area occupied by the circuit). In addition, adding a loss compensation circuit may increase power consumption.

[0014] One aspect of the disclosed technology is to suppress signal loss while suppressing an increase in circuit size (area occupied by the circuit) in a wireless device that performs beamforming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The radio signal processing circuit according to the disclosed technology includes a plurality of phase switching units, a plurality of variable amplifiers, and a plurality of mixers. The plurality of phase switching units are provided on each of a plurality of paths along which an in-phase signal having the same phase as a transmission signal is distributed, and on each of a plurality of paths along which an orthogonal signal obtained by rotating the phase of the transmission signal by 90° is distributed. The plurality of phase switching units selectively switch the amount of phase rotation of the signal distributed on the corresponding path among the in-phase signal and the orthogonal signal according to the transmission direction of the transmission signal, thereby rotating the phase of the signal. The plurality of variable amplifiers are provided on each of the plurality of paths corresponding to the plurality of phase switching units. The plurality of variable amplifiers change the amplitude of an input signal or an output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit according to the transmission direction of the transmission signal. The plurality of mixers are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units and each of the plurality of variable amplifiers. The plurality of mixers up-convert the frequency of the signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the disclosed technique, in a wireless device that performs beamforming, it is possible to suppress signal loss while suppressing an increase in circuit size (area occupied by the circuit). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless device according to a first reference example. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless system according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Diagram 3]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a second reference example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a second reference example. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 9] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a second embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a third embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 15A] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to an eighth embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 15B] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to an eighth embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a ninth embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 17]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing only components related to one of signals in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band of a radio signal processing circuit according to a ninth embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 18] 13 is a table showing an example of the operation of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a ninth embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 19] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a modified example of the ninth embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing only components related to one of the signals in the baseband region or the intermediate frequency band of a radio signal processing circuit according to a modified example of a ninth embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 21] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a tenth embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 22] 13 is a diagram showing only components related to one of the baseband region or intermediate frequency band signals of a radio signal processing circuit according to a tenth embodiment of the disclosed technique. FIG. [Figure 23] 23 is a table showing an example of the operation of the wireless signal processing circuit according to the tenth embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 24] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to a modified example of the tenth embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Diagram 25] 23 is a diagram showing only components related to one of the baseband region or intermediate frequency band signals of a radio signal processing circuit according to a modified example of a tenth embodiment of the disclosed technique. FIG. [Figure 26] A figure showing an example of the configuration of a wireless signal processing circuit according to an eleventh embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 27] 13 is a diagram showing only components related to one of the baseband region or intermediate frequency band signals of a radio signal processing circuit according to an eleventh embodiment of the disclosed technique. FIG. [Figure 28] 23 is a table showing an example of the operation of a wireless signal processing circuit according to the eleventh embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 29]FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of a wireless signal processing circuit according to an eleventh embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Diagram 30] 23 is a diagram showing only components related to one of the baseband region or intermediate frequency band signals of a radio signal processing circuit according to a modified example of an eleventh embodiment of the disclosed technique. FIG. [Diagram 31] 23 is a diagram showing only components related to one of the baseband region or intermediate frequency band signals of a radio signal processing circuit according to a modified example of an eleventh embodiment of the disclosed technique. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0019] [First embodiment] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a wireless system 200 according to an embodiment of the disclosed technique. The wireless system 200 includes a wireless device 10 and a plurality of terminals 101, 102, 103, and 104. The wireless device 10 is implemented in, for example, a base station of the wireless system, although it is not particularly limited thereto. In this case, the terminals 101 to 104 are user terminals such as smartphones. Note that, in this embodiment, the number of terminals accommodated in the wireless system 200 is set to four, but the number of terminals accommodated in the wireless system 200 can be appropriately increased or decreased. The wireless device 10 can form a transmission beam for transmitting a signal to the terminals 101 to 104 and a reception beam for receiving a signal from the terminals 101 to 104. That is, the wireless device 10 has a function of forming a transmission beam to transmit a signal and a function of forming a reception beam to receive a signal. The signal transmission function will be mainly described below.

[0020] The radio device 10 is provided with transmission signals ST1 to ST4 to be transmitted to the terminals 101 to 104. The radio device 10 forms transmission beams B1 to B4 for transmitting the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 to the terminals 101 to 104, respectively. The transmission beam B1 is formed so as to transmit the transmission signal ST1 from the radio device 10 to the terminal 101. Thus, the transmission beam B1 is formed in a direction from the radio device 10 to the terminal 101. Similarly, the transmission beams B2 to B4 are formed so as to transmit the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 from the radio device 10 to the terminals 102 to 104, respectively. In this way, the radio device 10 can simultaneously form a plurality of transmission beams B1 to B4 corresponding to the terminals 101 to 104. The radio device 10 controls the radiation direction and shape of the transmission beams B1 to B4 individually according to the positions of the terminals 101 to 104. That is, the radio device 10 realizes beam multiplexing.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a wireless device 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosed technique. The wireless device 10 includes a plurality of wireless signal processing circuits 20, a plurality of antenna elements AN, and a controller 30. Note that a receiving circuit for forming a receiving beam is omitted from FIG. 3. The number of antenna elements AN included in the wireless device 10 is preferably greater than the number of terminals accommodated in the wireless system 200. In this embodiment, the wireless device 10 includes eight antenna elements AN for four terminals 101 to 104 accommodated in the wireless system 200. The antenna elements AN are arranged in an array. That is, the wireless device 10 includes an array antenna system. The antenna elements AN may be arranged in a single column, or may be arranged in a matrix having rows and columns. The antenna elements AN may also be arranged three-dimensionally.

[0022] The radio signal processing circuits 20 are provided corresponding to each of the multiple antenna elements AN. That is, the number of radio signal processing circuits 20 provided in the radio device 10 is the same as the number of antenna elements AN, and is eight in this embodiment. The transmission signals ST1 to ST4 are analog signals in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band. The frequency of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 3 GHz. If the transmission signal provided to the radio device 10 is a digital signal, the radio device 10 is provided with a digital-to-analog converter that converts the digital signal into an analog signal. The transmission signals ST1 to ST4 converted into analog form by the digital-to-analog converter are distributed to each of the eight radio signal processing circuits 20. Each of the radio signal processing circuits 20 performs phase control on the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 using a weight W provided from the controller 30, thereby forming transmission beams B1 to B4 for transmitting the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 to the corresponding terminals 101 to 104. That is, the radio device 10 performs beamforming by an analog full connection method in which the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 to be transmitted to the terminals 101 to 104 are distributed to all the radio signal processing circuits 20 included in the radio device 10 to form the transmission beams B1 to B4.

[0023] The controller 30 generates weights W for performing phase control in each of the radio signal processing circuits 20 based on the positions of the terminals 101 to 104. Each of the radio signal processing circuits 20 performs phase control, expressed by the following equation (1), using the weights W generated by the controller 30, on the transmission signals ST1 to ST4, thereby generating an output signal S out1 ~S out8 Output.

number

[0024] For example, the output signal S output from one of the eight wireless signal processing circuits 20 out1 is expressed by the following equation (2).

number

[0025] The controller 30 determines the weight W based on the location of the terminal 101. 1,1 , W 2,1 , W 3,1 , W 4,1 , W 5,1 , W 6,1 , W 7,1 , W 8,1 The controller 30 also generates a weight W based on the position of the terminal 102. 1,2 , W 2,2 , W 3,2 , W 4,2 , W 5,2 , W 6,2 , W 7,2 , W 8,2 The controller 30 also generates a weight W based on the location of the terminal 103. 1,3 , W 2,3 , W 3,3 , W 4,3 , W 5,3 , W 6,3 , W 7,3 , W 8,3 The controller 30 also generates a weight W based on the location of the terminal 104. 1,4 , W 2,4 , W 3,4 , W 4,4 , W 5,4 , W 6,4 , W 7,4 , W 8,4 The weight W is updated in response to a change in the positions of the terminals 101 to 104 or a change in the communication environment between the wireless device 10 and the terminals 101 to 104.

[0026] Each of the radio signal processing circuits 20 up-converts the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 in the baseband region or the intermediate frequency band to the RF band (or the millimeter wave band) using the local signal LO, and outputs the up-converted signals as output signals S out1 ~S out8 The output signal S out1 ~S out8 are radiated from the corresponding antenna elements AN. The phase-controlled output signals Sout1 ~S out8 By radiating the beams, transmission beams B1 to B4 are formed toward the respective terminals 101 to 104. That is, the wireless device 10 configures an array antenna system to form the transmission beams B1 to B4.

[0027] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the radio signal processing circuit 20. The multiple radio signal processing circuits 20 have the same configuration. Note that FIG. 4 shows only one of the eight radio signal processing circuits 20 that outputs an output signal S out1 Illustrated is a radio signal processing circuit 20 that outputs the above-mentioned signal. The radio signal processing circuit 20 includes a plurality of phase control sections 40, a plurality of mixer sections 50, and a combining section 60. The plurality of phase control sections 40 and the plurality of mixer sections 50 are provided corresponding to each of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 to be transmitted to the terminals 101 to 104.

[0028] Each of the phase control sections 40 is configured such that the passive circuit portion includes at least one of a lumped constant circuit and a circuit equivalent to a lumped constant circuit, such as a spiral inductor or a meander inductor, and controls the phase of the corresponding transmission signal according to the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal (the radiation direction of the corresponding transmission beam) based on the weight W supplied from the controller 30. Each of the phase control sections 40 includes a phase rotation section 400, a first phase switching section 410a, a second phase switching section 410b, a first variable amplifier 420a, and a second variable amplifier 420b. In each of the phase control sections 40, the corresponding transmission signal is branched into two, one of which is supplied to the first phase switching section 410a and the other is supplied to the phase rotation section 400.

[0029] The first phase switching unit 410a is supplied with the corresponding transmission signal out of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 without rotating the phase. That is, the first phase switching unit 410a corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 is supplied with the in-phase signal ST1-I having the same phase as the transmission signal ST1. Similarly, the first phase switching unit 410a corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 is supplied with the in-phase signals ST2-I to ST4-I. The first phase switching unit 410a selectively switches the amount of rotation of the phase of the corresponding in-phase signal according to the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. The first phase switching unit 410a rotates the phase of the corresponding in-phase signal by the selected amount of rotation. For example, the first phase switching unit 410a corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the in-phase signal ST1-I according to the sending direction of the transmission signal ST1 (the radiation direction of the transmission beam B1) to rotate the phase of the in-phase signal ST1-I. Similarly, the first phase switching unit 410a corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the in-phase signals ST2-I to ST4-I in accordance with the transmission direction of the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 (the radiation direction of the transmission beams B2 to B4), thereby rotating the phases of the in-phase signals ST2-I to ST4-I.

[0030] The phase rotation unit 400 rotates the phase of the corresponding transmission signal among the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 by 90°. Hereinafter, the transmission signal whose phase has been rotated by 90° by the phase rotation unit 400 is referred to as an orthogonal signal. That is, the phase rotation unit 400 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 outputs the orthogonal signal ST1-Q. Similarly, the phase rotation units 400 corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 output the orthogonal signals ST2-Q to ST4-Q, respectively. The orthogonal signals ST1-Q to ST4-Q are supplied to the corresponding second phase switching units 410b.

[0031] The second phase switcher 410b selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the corresponding orthogonal signal according to the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. The second phase switcher 410b rotates the phase of the corresponding orthogonal signal by the selected amount of rotation. For example, the second phase switcher 410b corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the orthogonal signal ST1-Q according to the sending direction of the transmission signal ST1 (radiation direction of the transmission beam ST1) to rotate the phase of the orthogonal signal ST1-Q. Similarly, the second phase switcher 410b corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the orthogonal signals ST2-Q to ST4-Q according to the sending direction of the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 (radiation direction of the transmission beams B2 to B4) to rotate the phase of the orthogonal signals ST2-Q to ST4-Q, respectively. The amount of phase rotation in the first phase switching section 410a and the second phase switching section 410b is set to either 0° or 180° based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0032] The first variable amplifier 420a changes the amplitude of the output signal of the first phase switching section 410a depending on the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. For example, the first variable amplifier 420a corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 changes the amplitude of the signal obtained by rotating the phase of the in-phase signal ST1-I by 0° or 180° depending on the sending direction of the transmission signal ST1. Similarly, the first variable amplifiers 420a corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 change the amplitude of the signals obtained by rotating the phase of the in-phase signals ST2-I to ST4-I by 0° or 180° depending on the sending direction of the transmission signals ST2 to ST4.

[0033] The second variable amplifier 420b changes the amplitude of the output signal of the second phase switching unit 410b depending on the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. For example, the second variable amplifier 420b corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 changes the amplitude of a signal obtained by rotating the phase of the orthogonal signal ST1-Q by 0° or 180° depending on the sending direction of the transmission signal ST1. Similarly, the second variable amplifier 420b corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 changes the amplitude of a signal obtained by rotating the phase of the orthogonal signals ST2-Q to ST4-Q by 0° or 180° depending on the sending direction of the transmission signals ST2 to ST4. The rate of change in amplitude (amplification rate) in the first variable amplifier 420a and the second variable amplifier 420b is set based on the weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0034] The multiple mixer units 50 are provided corresponding to the multiple phase control units 40, and each up-converts the frequency of the transmission signal that has been phase-controlled by the corresponding phase control unit 40. Each of the mixer units 50 includes a first mixer 500a and a second mixer 500b. The first mixer 500a up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the first variable amplifier 420a using a local signal LO having a higher frequency than the frequency of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4. The second mixer 500b up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the second variable amplifier 420b using the local signal LO. A common local signal LO is used in each of the multiple mixer units 50. The transmission signals ST1 to ST4 in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band are up-converted to the RF band (or millimeter wave band) by the mixer unit 50. The frequency of the local signal LO is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 25 GHz. In the first and second mixers 500a and 500b, a local terminal to which a local signal LO is input is shared (interconnected), and an RF terminal from which an RF signal is output is shared (interconnected).

[0035] The combiner 60 is a transmission path that connects the outputs of the multiple mixer units 50 to each other. That is, the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 are each subjected to phase control in the corresponding phase control unit 40, frequency conversion in the corresponding mixer unit 50, and then combined in the combiner 60. As a result, in each of the radio signal processing circuits 20, the output signal S out1 ~S out8 The synthesizer 60 is connected to the corresponding antenna element AN and outputs an output signal S out1 ~S out8 is radiated from the corresponding antenna element AN.

[0036] The phase of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 can be quadrant-switched by setting the amount of phase rotation in the first and second phase switching sections 410a, 410b. The amount of phase rotation of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 can be controlled in the range of 0° to 360° according to the setting of the amplitude change rate (amplification factor) in the first and second variable amplifiers 420a, 420b. That is, the phase control section 40 controls the amount of phase rotation of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 in the range of 0° to 360° by vector synthesis of the in-phase signal and the quadrature signal that have been phase-switched and amplitude-controlled.

[0037] For example, when the phase rotation amount of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 is controlled in the range of 0° to 90° (first quadrant) in phase control section 40, 0° is selected as the phase rotation amount in first phase switching section 410a. In this case, 0° is selected as the phase rotation amount in second phase switching section 410b. The phase rotation amount of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 can be controlled in the range of 0° to 90° according to the ratio of the amplification factors in first and second variable amplifiers 420a, 420b.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, in phase control section 40, when controlling the amount of phase rotation of transmission signals ST1 to ST4 within the range of 90° to 180° (second quadrant), 180° is selected as the amount of phase rotation in first phase switching section 410a. In this case, 0° is selected as the amount of phase rotation in second phase switching section 410b. The amount of phase rotation of transmission signals ST1 to ST4 can be controlled within the range of 90° to 180° depending on the ratio of the amplification factors in first and second variable amplifiers 420a, 420b.

[0039] Furthermore, for example, in phase control section 40, when controlling the amount of phase rotation of transmission signals ST1 to ST4 within the range of 180° to 270° (third quadrant), 180° is selected as the amount of phase rotation in first phase switching section 410a. In this case, 180° is selected as the amount of phase rotation in second phase switching section 410b. The amount of phase rotation of transmission signals ST1 to ST4 can be controlled within the range of 180° to 270° depending on the ratio of the amplification factors in first and second variable amplifiers 420a, 420b.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, in phase control section 40, when controlling the amount of phase rotation of transmission signals ST1 to ST4 within the range of 270° to 360° (fourth quadrant), 0° is selected as the amount of phase rotation in first phase switching section 410a. In this case, 180° is selected as the amount of phase rotation in second phase switching section 410b. The amount of phase rotation of transmission signals ST1 to ST4 can be controlled within the range of 270° to 360° according to the ratio of the amplification factors in first and second variable amplifiers 420a, 420b.

[0041] Moreover, by changing the amplification factors of the first and second variable amplifiers 420a, 420b while keeping the ratio of these amplification factors fixed, it is possible to change the amplitude of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4. That is, all elements of the weighting W can weight not only the phase but also the amplitude. For example, by weighting the amplitude, it is possible to change the beam shape, such as the beam width, of each of the transmission beams B1 to B4 independently.

[0042] 1, transmission signals ST1 to ST4 transmitted to each terminal are up-converted to the RF band using a local signal LO, and then distributed to multiple radio signal processing circuits 20X. In the radio device 10X according to the first reference example, 32 signal lines are provided between the four DACs 12 and the eight radio signal processing circuits 20X, and signals in the RF band with a relatively high frequency are transmitted via these signal lines, resulting in large signal loss.

[0043] On the other hand, according to the radio device 10 of the embodiment of the disclosed technique, the distribution of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 to the radio signal processing circuit 20 is performed in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band, which are relatively low frequencies. Therefore, according to the radio device 10 including the radio signal processing circuit 20 of the embodiment of the disclosed technique, it is possible to reduce signal loss compared to the radio device 10X including the radio signal processing circuit 20X of the first reference example.

[0044] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20Y according to a second reference example. The radio signal processing circuit 20Y is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of antenna elements AN. The radio signal processing circuit 20Y has the same functions as the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the embodiment of the technique disclosed above. The radio signal processing circuit 20Y includes a plurality of amplitude control units 70, a plurality of mixer units 50Y, and a synthesis unit 60. The plurality of amplitude control units 70 and the plurality of mixer units 50Y are provided corresponding to each of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4.

[0045] Each amplitude control section 70 changes the amplitude of a corresponding transmission signal according to the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. Each amplitude control section 70 includes a first variable amplifier 700a and a second variable amplifier 700b. In each amplitude control section 70, the corresponding transmission signal is split into two, one of which is supplied to the first variable amplifier 700a and the other to the second variable amplifier 700b.

[0046] The first and second variable amplifiers 700a and 700b each change the amplitude of a corresponding transmission signal according to the transmission direction of the corresponding transmission signal. For example, the first and second variable amplifiers 700a and 700b corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 change the amplitude of the transmission signal ST1 according to the transmission direction of the transmission signal ST1. The rate of change in amplitude (amplification rate) in the first and second variable amplifiers 700a and 700b is set based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0047] Each of the multiple mixer units 50Y includes a first phase switching unit 510a, a second phase switching unit 510b, a first mixer 500a, and a second mixer 500b. The first and second phase switching units 510a and 510b selectively switch the phase rotation amount of the local signal LO according to the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. The first and second phase switching units 510a and 510b rotate the phase of the local LO by the rotation amount selected by each. The phase rotation amount in the first phase switching unit 510a is set to either 90° or 270° based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30. The phase rotation amount in the second phase switching unit 510b is set to either 0° or 180° based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0048] The first mixer 500a up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the first variable amplifier 700a using a local signal LO that has been phase-rotated by the first phase switching unit 510a. The second mixer 500b up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the second variable amplifier 700b using a local signal LO that has been phase-rotated by the second phase switching unit 510b. The transmission signals ST1 to ST4 in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band are up-converted to the RF band (or millimeter wave band) by the mixer unit 50Y.

[0049] The transmission signals ST1 to ST4 are amplitude-controlled in the corresponding amplitude control section 70, frequency-converted in the corresponding mixer section 50Y, and then combined in the combiner section 60. As a result, in each of the radio signal processing circuits 20Y, an output signal S out1 ~S out8 In addition, in FIG. 5, the output signal S out1 The synthesizer 60 is connected to the corresponding antenna element AN and outputs an output signal S out1 ~S out8 is radiated from the corresponding antenna element AN.

[0050] The phase of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 can be quadrant-switched by setting the amount of phase rotation in the first and second phase switching units 510a, 510b. The amount of phase rotation of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 can be controlled within the range of 0° to 360° according to the setting of the amplitude change rate (amplification factor) in the first and second variable amplifiers 700a, 700b.

[0051] The radio signal processing circuit 20Y according to the second reference example can form a transmission beam directed to the terminals 101 to 104, similar to the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technique. Moreover, the distribution of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 to the radio signal processing circuit 20Y is performed in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band, which are relatively low frequencies. Therefore, signal loss can be reduced compared to the radio device 10X according to the first reference example shown in FIG. 1.

[0052] However, according to the radio signal processing circuit 20Y of the second reference example, as shown in FIG. 6, the number of high frequency blocks HF through which the local signal LO having a relatively high frequency is transmitted is increased. As shown in FIG. 5, in the case of a configuration that handles, for example, four transmission signals ST1 to ST4, the number of high frequency blocks HF is five. Each of the high frequency blocks HF needs to be configured with a distributed constant circuit having a size according to the wavelength of the high frequency signal. Therefore, it is difficult to configure the radio signal processing circuit 20Y of the second reference example to have a small circuit scale (circuit occupation area). For example, when attempting to configure the above circuit on a semiconductor circuit chip, if the wavelength of the high frequency wave and the size of the semiconductor circuit chip become close in size, the multiple high frequency blocks HF will occupy most of the area in the semiconductor chip, and the chip area will also become large.

[0053] On the other hand, according to the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technique, the number of high frequency blocks HF can be one, as shown in FIG. 7. Also, each mixer constituting the mixer unit can be constituted by a transistor 500. Each transistor 500 has a common drain (or source) connected to the synthesis unit 60, and a common gate to which the local signal LO is supplied. Therefore, the transistor 500 constituting the mixer can be constituted by a single multi-finger type transistor having a single drain electrode (or source electrode), a single gate electrode, and a plurality of source electrodes (or drain electrodes) separated from each other. This makes it possible to configure the plurality of mixer units 50 extremely compact. That is, according to the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technique, it is possible to configure the circuit scale (circuit occupation area) to be smaller than that of the radio signal processing circuit 20Y according to the second reference example.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technique, the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 transmitted to the phase control section 40 are signals in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band, which are relatively low in frequency, so that the passive circuit of the phase control section 40 can be configured to include a lumped constant circuit or a circuit equivalent to a lumped constant circuit. Here, the "circuit equivalent to a lumped constant circuit" refers to a circuit that includes distributed constant circuit elements such as a spiral inductor and a meander inductor, but can be configured in a small area. By configuring the passive elements of the phase control section 40 as a lumped constant circuit or a circuit equivalent to a lumped constant circuit, it is possible to configure the circuit scale (the area occupied by the circuit) of the radio signal processing circuit 20 to be relatively small.

[0055] 4 shows an example of a configuration in which the first and second variable amplifiers 420a and 420b are arranged on the output side of the first and second phase switching units 410a and 410b, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the first and second variable amplifiers 420a and 420b can also be arranged on the input side of the first and second phase switching units 410a and 410b, respectively.

[0056] [Second embodiment] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20A according to the second embodiment of the disclosed technique. The radio signal processing circuit 20A is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of antenna elements AN.

[0057] The radio signal processing circuit 20A has a plurality of phase rotation units 80. The plurality of phase rotation units 80 are provided corresponding to each of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4. The phase rotation units 80 rotate the phase of the corresponding transmission signal by 90°. That is, the phase rotation unit 80 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 outputs an orthogonal signal ST1-Q. Similarly, the phase rotation units 80 corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 output orthogonal signals ST2-Q to ST4-Q, respectively.

[0058] In the radio signal processing circuit 20A, each of a plurality of phase control sections provided corresponding to each of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 has first to fourth phase switching sections 410a to 410d and first to fourth variable amplifiers 420a to 420d.

[0059] The first and third phase switching units 410a and 410c each selectively switch the amount of phase rotation of the corresponding in-phase signal according to the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. The first and third phase switching units 410a and 410c rotate the phase of the corresponding in-phase signal by the selected amount of rotation. For example, the first and third phase switching units 410a and 410c corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 selectively switch the amount of phase rotation of the in-phase signal ST1-I according to the sending direction of the transmission signal ST1 to rotate the phase of the in-phase signal ST1-I.

[0060] The second and fourth phase switching units 410b and 410d selectively switch the amount of phase rotation of the corresponding orthogonal signal according to the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. The second and fourth phase switching units 410b and 410d rotate the phase of the corresponding orthogonal signal by the selected amount of rotation. For example, the second and fourth phase switching units 410b and 410d corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 selectively switch the amount of phase rotation of the orthogonal signal ST1-Q according to the sending direction of the transmission signal ST1 to rotate the phase of the in-phase signal ST1-Q. The amount of phase rotation in the first to fourth phase switching units 410a to 410d is set to either 0° or 180° based on the weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0061] First variable amplifier 420a changes the amplitude of the output signal of first phase switcher 410a in accordance with the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. Similarly, second to fourth variable amplifiers 420b to 420d change the amplitude of the output signals of second to fourth phase switchers 410b to 410d in accordance with the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. The rate of change in amplitude (amplification rate) in first to fourth variable amplifiers 420a to 420d is set based on weight W supplied from controller 30.

[0062] In the radio signal processing circuit 20A, a plurality of mixer sections provided corresponding to each of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 each include a first to fourth mixers 500a to 500d. The first mixer 500a up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the first variable amplifier 420a using a first local signal LO-I having a higher frequency than the frequency of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4. The second mixer 500b up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the second variable amplifier 420b using the first local signal LO-I. That is, the first and second mixers 500a and 500b perform frequency up-conversion using a common first local signal LO-I.

[0063] The third mixer 500c up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the third variable amplifier 420c using a second local signal LO-Q that has a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal LO-I. The fourth mixer 500d up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the fourth variable amplifier 420d using the second local signal LO-Q. That is, the third and fourth mixers 500c and 500d perform frequency up-conversion using the common second local signal LO-Q.

[0064] The transmission signals ST1 to ST4 are phase-controlled in the corresponding phase control sections (first to fourth phase switching sections 410a to 410d and first to fourth variable amplifiers 420a to 420d), frequency-converted in the corresponding mixer sections (first to fourth mixers 500a to 500d), and then combined in the combiner section 60. As a result, in each of the radio signal processing circuits 20A, the output signal S out1 ~S out8 The synthesizer 60 is connected to the corresponding antenna element AN and outputs an output signal S out1 ~S out8 is emitted from the corresponding antenna element AN. Note that in FIG. out1 Illustrated is a wireless signal processing circuit 20A that outputs the signal.

[0065] Here, when the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band are mixed with local signals using a mixer to up-convert the frequencies of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4, an image signal is mixed into the output signal of the mixer. The image signal is an interference signal that occurs in a frequency band symmetrical to the desired signal, with the frequency band of the local signals at the center. The image signal can be suppressed by mixing the in-phase signals ST1-I to ST4-I and the quadrature signals ST1-Q to ST4-Q with two local signals LO-I and LO-Q that are orthogonal to each other in a mixer and then synthesizing the results.

[0066] The radio signal processing circuit 20A has a configuration in which third and fourth phase switching units 410c, 410d, third and fourth variable amplifiers 420c, 420d, and third and fourth mixers 500c, 500d are added to the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the first embodiment. This allows the in-phase signals ST1-I to ST4-I and the orthogonal signals ST1-Q to ST4-Q to be mixed with and synthesized by two local signals LO-I and LO-Q that are orthogonal to each other, thereby making it possible to suppress image signals.

[0067] In the radio signal processing circuit 20A, the in-phase signals ST1-I to ST4-I and the orthogonal signals ST1-Q to ST4-Q are used to switch the phases of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 between the four quadrants and also to suppress image signals. In this way, by using the in-phase and orthogonal signals in common for phase control and image signal suppression, it is possible to suppress an increase in the circuit size (the area occupied by the circuit).

[0068] Moreover, according to the radio signal processing circuit 20A, the distribution of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 to the radio signal processing circuit 20A is performed in a baseband region or an intermediate frequency band having a relatively low frequency, similarly to the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, according to the radio device 10 including the radio signal processing circuit 20A, it is possible to reduce the signal loss compared to the radio device 10X according to the first reference example. Furthermore, according to the radio signal processing circuit 20A, it is possible to reduce the number of high frequency blocks HF, similarly to the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the first embodiment, and therefore it is possible to suppress an increase in the circuit scale (the area occupied by the circuit). Furthermore, in the first and second mixers 500a and 500b, the local terminal to which the first local signal LO-I is input is shared (interconnected), and in the third and fourth mixers 500c and 500d, the local terminal to which the second local signal LO-Q is input is shared (interconnected). Furthermore, in the first to fourth mixers 500a to 500d, the RF terminals from which the RF signals are output are shared (interconnected), which makes it possible to configure the mixer section using, for example, multi-finger type transistors, and thus makes it possible to configure the mixer section extremely compact.

[0069] It is also possible to arrange the first to fourth variable amplifiers 420a to 420d on the input side of the first to fourth phase switching sections 410a to 410d, respectively, following the example shown in FIG.

[0070] [Third embodiment] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20B according to a third embodiment of the disclosed technique. The radio signal processing circuit 20B is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of antenna elements AN. The radio signal processing circuit 20B has a configuration in which a function of suppressing an image signal is added to the radio signal processing circuit 20Y according to the second reference example shown in FIG.

[0071] The radio signal processing circuit 20B includes a plurality of phase rotation sections 80, a plurality of first amplitude control sections 70A, a plurality of second amplitude control sections 70B, a plurality of first mixer sections 50A, a plurality of second mixer sections 50B, and a combiner section 60.

[0072] A plurality of phase rotation units 80 are provided corresponding to each of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4. The phase rotation units 80 rotate the phase of the corresponding transmission signal by 90°. That is, the phase rotation unit 80 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 outputs an orthogonal signal ST1-Q. Similarly, the phase rotation units 80 corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 output orthogonal signals ST2-Q to ST4-Q, respectively.

[0073] A plurality of first amplitude control sections 70A and a plurality of first mixer sections 50A are provided corresponding to each of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4. Similarly, a plurality of second amplitude control sections 70B and a plurality of second mixer sections 50B are provided corresponding to each of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4.

[0074] Each of the first amplitude control sections 70A changes the amplitude of a corresponding transmission signal. Each of the first amplitude control sections 70A includes a first variable amplifier 700a and a second variable amplifier 700b. In the first amplitude control section 70A, the corresponding transmission signal is split into two, one of which is supplied to the first variable amplifier 700a and the other to the second variable amplifier 700b.

[0075] The first and second variable amplifiers 700a and 700b each change the amplitude of a corresponding transmission signal in accordance with the transmission direction of the corresponding transmission signal. For example, the first and second variable amplifiers 700a and 700b corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 each change the amplitude of an in-phase signal ST1-I that is in phase with the transmission signal ST1 in accordance with the transmission direction of the transmission signal ST1. The rate of change in amplitude (amplification rate) in the first and second variable amplifiers 700a and 700b is set based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0076] Each of the multiple second amplitude control sections 70B changes the amplitude of an orthogonal signal obtained by rotating the phase of a corresponding transmission signal by 90°. Each of the second amplitude control sections 70B includes a third variable amplifier 700c and a fourth variable amplifier 700d. In the second amplitude control section 70B, the corresponding orthogonal signal is split into two, one of which is supplied to the third variable amplifier 700c and the other to the fourth variable amplifier 700d.

[0077] The third and fourth variable amplifiers 700c and 700d each change the amplitude of a corresponding orthogonal signal in accordance with the transmission direction of the corresponding transmission signal. For example, the third and fourth variable amplifiers 700c and 700d corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 each change the amplitude of an orthogonal signal ST1-Q obtained by rotating the phase of the transmission signal ST1 by 90° in accordance with the transmission direction of the transmission signal ST1. The rate of change in amplitude (amplification rate) in the third and fourth variable amplifiers 700c and 700d is set based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0078] Each of the multiple first mixer units 50A includes a first phase switching unit 510a, a first mixer 500a, a second phase switching unit 510b, and a second mixer 500b. The first and second phase switching units 510a and 510b selectively switch the amount of phase rotation of the first local signal LO-I according to the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. The first and second phase switching units 510a and 510b rotate the phase of the first local signal LO-I by the rotation amount selected by each. The amount of phase rotation in the first phase switching unit 510a is set to either 90° or 270° based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30. The amount of phase rotation in the second phase switching unit 510b is set to either 0° or 180° based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0079] The first mixer 500a up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the first variable amplifier 700a using the first local signal LO-I that has been phase-rotated by the first phase switching unit 510a. The second mixer 500b up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the second variable amplifier 700b using the first local signal LO-I that has been phase-rotated by the second phase switching unit 510b. The transmission signals ST1 to ST4 in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band are up-converted to the RF band (or millimeter wave band) by the multiple first mixer units 50A.

[0080] Each of the second mixer units 50B includes a third phase switching unit 510c, a third mixer 500c, a fourth phase switching unit 510d, and a fourth mixer 500d. The third and fourth phase switching units 510c and 510d selectively switch the amount of phase rotation of the second local signal LO-Q, which has been rotated 90° with respect to the first local signal LO-I, depending on the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. The third and fourth phase switching units 510c and 510d rotate the phase of the second local signal LO-Q by the rotation amount selected by each. The amount of phase rotation in the third phase switching unit 510c is set to either 90° or 270° based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30. The amount of phase rotation in the fourth phase switching unit 510d is set to either 0° or 180° based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0081] The third mixer 500c up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the third variable amplifier 700c using the second local signal LO-Q that has been phase-rotated by the third phase switching unit 510c. The fourth mixer 500d up-converts the frequency of the output signal of the fourth variable amplifier 700d using the second local signal LO-Q that has been phase-rotated by the fourth phase switching unit 510d. The transmission signals ST1 to ST4 in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band are up-converted to the RF band (or millimeter wave band) by the multiple second mixer units 50B.

[0082] The transmission signals ST1 to ST4 are amplitude-controlled in the corresponding first and second amplitude control sections 70A and 70B, frequency-converted in the corresponding first and second mixer sections 50A and 50B, and then combined in the combiner section 60. As a result, in each of the radio signal processing circuits 20B, the output signal S out1 ~S out8 In addition, in FIG. 10, the output signal S out1 The synthesizer 60 is connected to the corresponding antenna element AN and outputs an output signal S out1 ~S out8 is radiated from the corresponding antenna element AN.

[0083] The phase of each of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 can be switched between quadrants by setting the amount of phase rotation in the first to fourth phase switching units 510a to 510d. The amount of phase rotation of each of the transmission signals can be controlled within a range of 0° to 360° according to the setting of the amplitude change rate (amplification factor) in the first to fourth variable amplifiers 700a to 700d.

[0084] The radio signal processing circuit 20B can form a transmission beam directed to each terminal, similarly to the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the first embodiment of the disclosed technique. Moreover, the distribution of the transmission signals S1 to S4 to the radio signal processing circuit 20B is performed in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band, which are relatively low frequencies. Therefore, it is possible to reduce signal loss, as compared to the radio device 10X according to the first reference example (see FIG. 1).

[0085] Moreover, the radio signal processing circuit 20B has a configuration in which a phase rotation section 80, third and fourth phase switching sections 510c, 510d, third and fourth variable amplifiers 700c, 700d, and third and fourth mixers 500c, 500d are added to the radio signal processing circuit 20Y according to the second reference example (see FIG. 5). As a result, the in-phase signals ST1-I to ST4-I and the orthogonal signals ST1-Q to ST4-Q are mixed with and synthesized by the two local signals LO-I, LO-Q that are orthogonal to each other, so that image signals can be suppressed.

[0086] [Fourth embodiment] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20C according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosed technique. The radio signal processing circuit 20C is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of antenna elements AN. The radio signal processing circuits 20, 20A, and 20B according to the first to third embodiments described above have a function of forming transmission beams B1 to B4 toward the terminals 101 to 104 and transmitting transmission signals ST1 to ST4. In contrast, the radio signal processing circuit 20C according to this embodiment has a function of forming a reception beam and receiving signals (hereinafter referred to as reception signals SR1 to SR4) transmitted from the terminals 101 to 104, respectively.

[0087] The radio signal processing circuit 20C has a configuration corresponding to the radio signal processing circuit 20 (see FIG. 4) according to the first embodiment. That is, the radio signal processing circuit 20C includes a plurality of phase control sections 40 and a plurality of mixer sections 50. The plurality of phase control sections 40 and the plurality of mixer sections 50 are provided corresponding to each of the received signals SR1 to SR4. The radio signal processing circuit 20C outputs an input signal S in The input signal S is received via the corresponding antenna element AN. in is distributed to a number of mixer sections 50.

[0088] A plurality of mixer units 50 are provided corresponding to the respective received signals SR1 to SR4, and each mixer unit 50 outputs an input signal S in Each of the mixer units 50 includes a first mixer 500a and a second mixer 500b. The first and second mixers 500a and 500b respectively receive an input signal S in The frequency of the FM-200 is down-converted to the baseband region or an intermediate frequency band using a local signal LO.

[0089] The multiple phase control units 40 are provided corresponding to the multiple mixer units 50, and each phase control unit 40 changes the phase of the signal whose frequency has been down-converted by the corresponding mixer unit 50 in accordance with the direction of arrival of the corresponding received signal.

[0090] Each phase control section 40 includes a phase rotation section 400, a first phase switching section 410a, a second phase switching section 410b, a first variable amplifier 420a, and a second variable amplifier 420b.

[0091] The first variable amplifier 420a changes the amplitude of the output signal of the first mixer 500a according to the direction of arrival of the corresponding received signal. Similarly, the second variable amplifier 420b changes the amplitude of the output signal of the second mixer 500b according to the direction of arrival of the corresponding received signal. The rate of change of the amplitude (amplification rate) in the first variable amplifier 420a and the second variable amplifier 420b is set based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0092] First phase switching section 410a selectively switches the amount of rotation of the output signal of first variable amplifier 420a depending on the direction of arrival of the corresponding received signal. First phase switching section 410a rotates the phase of the output signal of first variable amplifier 420a by the selected amount of rotation, and outputs this as an in-phase signal (SR1-I to SR4-I) of the corresponding received signal.

[0093] The second phase switching unit 410b selectively switches the amount of rotation of the output signal of the second variable amplifier 420b depending on the direction of arrival of the corresponding received signal. The second phase switching unit 410b rotates the phase of the output signal of the second variable amplifier 420b by the selected amount of rotation and outputs this as an orthogonal signal (SR1-Q to SR4-Q) of the corresponding received signal. The amount of phase rotation in the first phase switching unit 410a and the second phase switching unit 410b is set to either 0° or 180° based on a weight W supplied from the controller 30.

[0094] The phase rotation unit 400 rotates the phase of the quadrature signals (S1-Q to S4-Q) that are the output signals of the second phase switching unit 410b by 90° to generate in-phase signals of the corresponding received signals. The output signal of the first phase switching unit 410a and the output signal of the phase rotation unit 400 are combined, and thus the received signals SR1 to SR4 are extracted separately.

[0095] In this way, the signal flow in the radio signal processing circuit 20C is opposite to that in the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the first embodiment, and the order of processing is reversed. According to the radio signal processing circuit 20C according to this embodiment, like the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress signal loss while suppressing an increase in the circuit size (the area occupied by the circuit). Also, in the first and second mixers 500a, 500b, the local terminal to which the local signal LO is input is shared (interconnected), and the input signal S, which is an RF signal, is in The RF terminals to which the inputs are input are shared (interconnected). This allows the mixer section 50 to be configured using, for example, multi-finger type transistors, and makes it possible to configure the mixer section 50 extremely compact.

[0096] It is also possible to arrange the first and second variable amplifiers 420a, 420b on the output side of the first and second phase switching sections 410a, 410b, respectively, following the example shown in FIG.

[0097] [Fifth embodiment] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20D according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosed technique. The radio signal processing circuit 20D is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of antenna elements AN. The radio signal processing circuit 20D has a function of forming a receiving beam and receiving signals transmitted from the terminals 101 to 104.

[0098] The radio signal processing circuit 20D has a configuration corresponding to the radio signal processing circuit 20A (see FIG. 9) according to the second embodiment. The signal flow in the radio signal processing circuit 20D is in the opposite direction to the signal flow in the radio signal processing circuit 20A according to the second embodiment, and the order of processing is reversed. The radio signal processing circuit 20D outputs an input signal S in Receives the input signal S in The received signals SR1 to SR4 contained in the signal SR1 to SR4 are separately extracted.

[0099] According to the radio signal processing circuit 20D of this embodiment, like the radio signal processing circuit 20A of the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress signal loss while suppressing an increase in the circuit size (the area occupied by the circuit), and further suppress image signals. In the first and second mixers 500a, 500b, the local terminal to which the first local signal LO-I is input is common (interconnected), and in the third and fourth mixers 500c, 500d, the local terminal to which the second local signal LO-Q is input is common (interconnected). Furthermore, in the first to fourth mixers 500a to 500d, the input signal S, which is an RF signal, is common (interconnected). in The RF terminals to which the inputs are input are shared (interconnected). This makes it possible to configure the mixer section using, for example, multi-finger type transistors, making it possible to configure the mixer section extremely compact.

[0100] It is also possible to arrange the first to fourth variable amplifiers 420a to 420d on the output side of the first to fourth phase switching sections 410a to 410d, respectively, following the example shown in FIG.

[0101] [Sixth embodiment] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20E according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosed technique. The radio signal processing circuit 20E is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of antenna elements AN. The radio signal processing circuit 20E has a function of forming a receiving beam and receiving signals transmitted from the terminals 101 to 104.

[0102] The radio signal processing circuit 20E has a configuration corresponding to the radio signal processing circuit 20B (see FIG. 10) according to the third embodiment. The signal flow in the radio signal processing circuit 20E is in the opposite direction to the signal flow in the radio signal processing circuit 20B according to the third embodiment, and the order of processing is reversed. The radio signal processing circuit 20E outputs an input signal S in Receives the input signal S in The received signals SR1 to SR4 contained in the signal SR1 to SR4 are separately extracted.

[0103] According to the radio signal processing circuit 20E of this embodiment, like the radio signal processing circuit 20B of the third embodiment, it is possible to suppress signal loss and further suppress image signals.

[0104] [Seventh embodiment] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20F according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosed technique. The radio signal processing circuit 20F is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of antenna elements AN. The radio signal processing circuit 20F has both a function of forming transmission beams B1 to B4 toward the terminals 101 to 104 and transmitting transmission signals, and a function of forming reception beams and receiving signals transmitted from the terminals 101 to 104.

[0105] The radio signal processing circuit 20F has a configuration corresponding to the radio signal processing circuit 20 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 4) and the radio signal processing circuit 20C according to the fourth embodiment (FIG. 11). The radio signal processing circuit 20F includes a plurality of phase control sections 40 and a plurality of mixer sections 50. Each of the plurality of phase control sections 40 and each of the plurality of mixer sections 50 are provided corresponding to each of the transmission signals ST1 to ST4 and the reception signals SR1 to SR4.

[0106] When the radio signal processing circuit 20F transmits a signal, each of the phase control sections 40 controls the phase of the corresponding transmission signal in accordance with the sending direction of the corresponding transmission signal. Each of the mixer sections 50 up-converts the frequency of the transmission signal whose phase has been controlled by the corresponding phase control section. The output signals of the multiple mixer sections are combined in a combiner section 60 to generate an output signal S out is generated. The output signal S out is radiated via the corresponding antenna element AN.

[0107] On the other hand, when receiving signals in the wireless signal processing circuit 20F, the input signal S in Each of the mixer units 50 outputs an input signal S in Each of the phase control sections 40 changes the phase of the signal whose frequency has been down-converted by the corresponding mixer section 50 in accordance with the direction of arrival of the corresponding received signal.

[0108] The wireless signal processing circuit 20F has a transmission amplifier 91A, a reception amplifier 91B, and switches 92A and 92B between an input / output terminal 90 and a combiner 60. The transmission amplifier 91A is enabled when transmitting a signal, and an output signal S out The receiving amplifier 91B is enabled when receiving a signal, and amplifies the amplitude of the input signal S input to the input / output terminal 90. in Amplify the amplitude of

[0109] The switches 92A and 92B each have the form of a single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch, and switch between a path via the transmitting amplifier 91A and a path via the receiving amplifier 91B. The switches 92A and 92B are controlled to switch between a path via the transmitting amplifier 91A when transmitting a signal and a path via the receiving amplifier 91B when receiving a signal.

[0110] In each of phase control sections 40, first variable amplifier 420a and second variable amplifier 420b each include a variable amplifier for transmission and a variable amplifier for reception that are connected in parallel. When transmitting a signal, the variable amplifier for transmission is enabled, and when receiving a signal, the variable amplifier for reception is enabled.

[0111] According to the radio signal processing circuit 20F of this embodiment, the mixer section 50 and the phase control section 40 are shared for signal transmission and signal reception, so that the circuit scale (circuit occupation area) can be reduced compared to the case where the mixer section 50 and the phase control section 40 are separately configured for transmission and reception. In addition, in each mixer configuring the multiple mixer sections 50, the local terminal to which the local signal LO is input is shared (interconnected), and the RF terminal to which the RF signal is input and output is shared (interconnected). This makes it possible to configure the mixer section 50 using, for example, a multi-finger type transistor, and to configure the mixer section 50 extremely compact. The first and second variable amplifiers 420a, 420b can be arranged on either the input side or the output side of the first and second phase switching sections 410a, 410b.

[0112] [Eighth embodiment] Fig. 15A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20G according to an eighth embodiment of the disclosed technique. The radio signal processing circuit 20G is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of antenna elements AN. The radio signal processing circuit 20G has both a function of forming transmission beams B1 to B4 toward the terminals 101 to 104 and transmitting transmission signals, and a function of forming reception beams and receiving signals transmitted from the terminals 101 to 104. The radio signal processing circuit 20G has a configuration corresponding to the radio signal processing circuit 20A according to the second embodiment (see Fig. 9) and the radio signal processing circuit 20D according to the fifth embodiment (Fig. 12).

[0113] In the radio signal processing circuit 20G, for example, each of the multiple phase switching units 410 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 is provided on each of the multiple paths to which the in-phase signal ST1-I, which is in phase with the transmission signal ST1, is distributed, and on each of the multiple paths to which the orthogonal signal ST1-Q, which is obtained by rotating the phase of the transmission signal ST1 by 90°, is distributed. In the radio signal processing circuit 20G, the number of paths to which the in-phase signal ST1-I is distributed is two, and the number of paths to which the orthogonal signal ST1-Q is distributed is two. That is, in the radio signal processing circuit 20G, the number of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 is four. The phase switching units 410 are capable of inputting and outputting single-ended signals. Each of the phase switching units 410 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the signal distributed to the corresponding path, between the in-phase signal ST1-I and the orthogonal signal ST1-Q, according to the sending direction of the transmission signal ST1, to rotate the phase of the signal. The same applies to the multiple phase switching units corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4.

[0114] In the radio signal processing circuit 20G, for example, a plurality of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 are provided corresponding to each of a plurality of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1, and the amplitude of the input signal or output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit is changed according to the sending direction of the transmission signal ST1. In the radio signal processing circuit 20G, the number of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 is four for signal transmission and four for signal reception. The variable amplifiers 420 are capable of inputting and outputting single-ended signals. Note that, although FIG. 15A illustrates a configuration in which a plurality of variable amplifiers 420 are provided between the corresponding phase switching units 410 and the mixer, the arrangement of the variable amplifiers 420 and the phase switching units 410 may be reversed. The same applies to the plurality of variable amplifiers corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST5.

[0115] In the radio signal processing circuit 20G, for example, a plurality of mixers corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 and each of the plurality of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the transmission signal ST1, and up-convert the frequency of the signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420. In the radio signal processing circuit 20G, the phase switching units 410, the variable amplifiers 420, and the mixers are in a 1:1:1 correspondence. Therefore, the number of mixers corresponding to the transmission signal ST1 is four.

[0116] Specifically, the radio signal processing circuit 20G includes the following mixers as a plurality of mixers corresponding to the transmission signal ST1. The radio signal processing circuit 20G includes a mixer 500a that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal ST1-I processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420 using a first local signal LO-I. The radio signal processing circuit 20G also includes a mixer 500b that up-converts the frequency of the quadrature signal ST1-Q processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420 using the first local signal LO-I. The radio signal processing circuit 20G also includes a mixer 500c that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal ST1-I processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420 using a second local signal LO-Q whose phase is rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal LO-I. The radio signal processing circuit 20G also includes a mixer 500d that uses a second local signal LO-Q to up-convert the frequency of the orthogonal signal ST1-Q that has been processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420. The same is true for the multiple mixers corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4. The signals up-converted by the mixers 500a, 500b, 500c, and 500d are mixed with the output signals of the multiple mixers corresponding to the transmission signals ST2 to ST4 to produce an output signal S out will be output as:

[0117] The radio signal processing circuit 20G also has a function of receiving signals. When receiving signals in the phase control circuit 20G, each of the multiple mixers outputs an input signal S in For example, each of the multiple phase switching units 410 corresponding to the received signal SR1 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the signal whose frequency has been down-converted by the corresponding mixer in accordance with the direction of arrival of the received signal SR1, thereby rotating the phase of the signal. Each of the multiple variable amplifiers 420 for signal reception corresponding to the received signal SR1 changes the amplitude of the input signal or output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit 410 in accordance with the direction of arrival of the received signal SR1.

[0118] According to the radio signal processing circuit 20G of this embodiment, the mixer section and the phase control section are shared for signal transmission and signal reception, so that the circuit scale (circuit occupation area) can be reduced compared to the case where these are configured separately for transmission and reception. Also, according to the radio signal processing circuit 20G, image signals can be suppressed. Also, in the mixers 500a and 500b, the local terminal to which the first local signal LO-I is input is shared (interconnected), and in the mixers 500c and 500d, the local terminal to which the second local signal LO-Q is input is shared (interconnected). Furthermore, in the mixers 500a to 500d, the RF terminal to which the RF signal is input and output is shared (interconnected).

[0119] FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating an example in which each mixer in the radio signal processing circuit 20G shown in FIG. 15A is configured with a transistor. Each mixer configured with a transistor 500 is a transmit / receive mixer. Note that in FIG. 15B, descriptions of a bias circuit, a matching circuit, and the like are omitted. This mixer is of a type called a resistive mixer (or a switching mixer). A local signal is input to the gate of the transistor 500. The drain (or source) of the transistor 500 is an RF terminal from which an RF signal is output. The source (or drain) of the transistor 500 is an IF terminal to which an output signal of the variable amplifier 420 is input. In each transistor 500, the drain and the source are set to the same potential in terms of DC. This is why it is called a resistive mixer. The gate to which the first local signal LO-I is input is common (interconnected), and the gate to which the second local signal LO-Q is input is common (interconnected). The drains where the RF signal is output are common (interconnected). The sources, which are the IF terminals, are separate. In terms of layout, this is a single transistor layout with eight (or a multiple of eight) gate fingers, with only the sources being separate. The eight can be treated as a single circuit block, making the layout very compact.

[0120] [Ninth embodiment] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20H_1 according to a ninth embodiment of the disclosed technique. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing only components related to one (IF1) of the signals (IF1 to IF4) in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band handled by the radio signal processing circuit 20H_1, in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the radio signal processing circuit 20H_1. FIG. 18 is a table showing an example of the operation of the radio signal processing circuit 20H_1. Note that in FIGS. 16 to 18, RF-P, RF-I and RF signals correspond to the above-mentioned output signal S out or input signal S in Also, IF1-I to IF4-I, IF1-Q to IF4-Q, and the IF signals correspond to the above-mentioned transmission signals ST1 to ST4 or reception signals SR1 to SR4.

[0121] The radio signal processing circuit 20H_1 is provided corresponding to each of the multiple antenna elements AN. The radio signal processing circuit 20H_1 according to this embodiment has both a function of forming transmission beams B1-B4 toward the terminals 101-104 and transmitting transmission signals, and a function of forming reception beams and receiving signals transmitted from the terminals 101-104.

[0122] The radio signal processing circuit 20H_1 is configured to have a single balance configuration in which two local signals having mutually orthogonal phases are differentially input, an RF band signal is differentially input and output, and a baseband region or intermediate frequency band signal is single-endedly input and output. The positive phase signal LO-IP of the first local signal LO-I has a phase difference of 0° with respect to the reference phase, and the negative phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal LO-I has a phase difference of 180° with respect to the reference phase. The positive phase signal LO-QP of the second local signal LO-Q has a phase difference of 90° with respect to the reference phase, and the negative phase signal LO-QM of the second local signal LO-Q has a phase difference of -90° with respect to the reference phase. The positive phase signal RF-I and the negative phase signal RF-M of the RF band are output during transmission and input during reception. Furthermore, the positive-phase signals IF1-I to IF4-I and the orthogonal signals IF1-Q to IF4-Q in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band are inputted single-endedly during transmission and outputted single-endedly during reception.

[0123] According to the radio signal processing circuit 20H_1, it is possible to suppress signal loss while suppressing an increase in the circuit size (the area occupied by the circuit), and further suppress image signals. Furthermore, by making the local signal input to the mixer unit 50 a differential input, it is possible to improve resistance to external common mode noise and suppress leakage of the local signal to the RF terminal. Note that the first to fourth variable amplifiers 420a to 420d can be arranged on either the input side or the output side of the first to fourth phase switching units 410a to 410d.

[0124] In the radio signal processing circuit 20H_1, the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-IP is input are common (interconnected), and the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-IM is input are common (interconnected). Also, the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-QP is input are common (interconnected), and the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-QM is input are common (interconnected). Also, the RF terminals of the mixers to which the RF signal RF-P is input / output are common (interconnected), and the RF terminals of the mixers to which the RF signal RF-M is input / output are common (interconnected). This makes it possible to configure the mixer section using, for example, multi-finger type transistors, and to configure the mixer section extremely compact.

[0125] The operation table shown in Fig. 18 focuses on one IF signal and describes four phase states (one for each of the four quadrants) (U1, U2, U3, U4) and an example of the switching settings of the phase switching unit. Also, an example is shown in which the gains of two variable amplifiers that amplify orthogonal signals are set to the same value. The following contents are described in each column indicated by column numbers [1] to

[17] in the operation table of Fig. 18. [1] RF signal output phase state (when transmitting), 4 types (one for each quadrant), (+45°, +135°, -45°, -135°), (when receiving, equivalent to the IF signal output phase state) [2] Identification symbol of unit mixer (or mixer transistor) [3] Input phase of the local signal (LO signal) to the unit mixer [5] Phase inversion state of LO signal (1: non-inversion, -1: inversion). Note that in this embodiment, quadrant switching is not performed with the LO signal, so only non-inversion is used. [6] IF signal input phase to the unit mixer (when transmitting) or output phase from the unit mixer (when receiving) [8] Phase inversion state of IF signal (0 / π switching in phase switching section, 1: non-inversion, -1: inversion) [9] IF signal phase inversion switch grouping (grouping into two groups when switching quadrants, and simultaneously switching the phase for each group)

[10] Phase of the upper sideband of the RF signal (position of the RF terminal of the unit mixer)

[11] Phase of the lower sideband of the RF signal (position of the RF terminal of the unit mixer)

[12] Phase of RF signal when combined (transmitted) or distributed (received) (1: in-phase combined (distribution), -1: out-of-phase combined (distribution))

[13] Phase of leakage LO signal (position of RF terminal of unit mixer)

[14] RF output phase (when transmitting), IF signal output phase (when receiving)

[15] RF upper sideband amplitude (when transmitting: 1: signal is output, 0: no signal is output (image rejection), when receiving: 1: signal is received, 0: no signal is received (image rejection))

[16] Amplitude of RF lower sideband (when transmitting: 1: signal is output, 0: signal is not output (image rejection), when receiving: 1: signal is received, 0: signal is not received (image rejection)). Note that in the example of the operation description table of the embodiment, the lower sideband is set to be image rejected.

[17] LO signal leakage to RF terminal (0: LO signal is cancelled through the RF combining (distribution) section, 0: LO signal is not cancelled) Note that in this embodiment, the LO signal is cancelled. The method for selecting the upper and lower sidebands for image rejection is performed by referring to the groupings in columns [4] or [7]. [4] LO signal inversion RF sideband grouping (classified into group g and group h) [7] IF signal inversion RF sideband grouping (classified into group e and group f) LO signal phase inversion in group h (or group g), or IF signal phase (re)inversion in group f (or group e). For example, IF signal phase inversion For the unit mixers in group e, inverting the IF signal phase (non-inversion) further inverts the IF signals in all of group f, and another sideband is rejected.

[0126] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20H_2 obtained by modifying the radio signal processing circuit 20H_1 shown in Fig. 16. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing only components related to one (IF1) of the signals (IF1 to IF4) in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band handled in the radio signal processing circuit 20H_2, in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the radio signal processing circuit 20H_2. Note that in Figs. 19 and 20, RF-P and RF-I represent the above-mentioned output signal S out or input signal S in IF1-I to IF4-I and IF1-Q to IF4-Q correspond to the above-mentioned transmission signals ST1 to ST4 or reception signals SR1 to SR4. Radio signal processing circuit 20H_2 differs from radio signal processing circuit 20H_1 in the arrangement of variable amplifier 420.

[0127] In the radio signal processing circuit 20H_2, for example, each of the multiple phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 is provided on each of the multiple paths to which an in-phase signal IF1-I having the same phase as the signal IF1 is distributed, and on each of the multiple paths to which an orthogonal signal IF1-Q having the phase of the signal IF1 rotated by 90° is distributed. In the radio signal processing circuit 20H_2, the number of paths to which the in-phase signal IF1-I is distributed is four, and the number of paths to which the orthogonal signal IF1-Q is distributed is four. That is, in the radio signal processing circuit 20H_2, the number of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 is eight. The phase switching units 410 can input and output a single-ended signal. Each of the phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the signal distributed to the corresponding path, among the in-phase signal IF1-I and the orthogonal signal IF1-Q, according to the sending direction of the signal IF1, to rotate the phase of the signal. The same applies to the multiple phase switching units corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4.

[0128] In the radio signal processing circuit 20H_2, for example, a plurality of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the signal IF1 are provided corresponding to each of a plurality of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1, and change the amplitude of the input signal or output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit according to the sending direction of the signal IF1. In the radio signal processing circuit 20H_2, the number of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the signal IF1 is eight for signal transmission and eight for signal reception. The variable amplifiers 420 are capable of inputting and outputting single-ended signals. Note that, although a configuration in which a plurality of variable amplifiers 420 are provided between the corresponding phase switching units 410 and the mixers is illustrated in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the arrangement of the variable amplifiers 420 and the phase switching units 410 may be reversed. The same applies to the plurality of variable amplifiers corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4.

[0129] In the radio signal processing circuit 20H_2, for example, a plurality of mixers corresponding to the signal IF1 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 and each of the plurality of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the signal IF1, and up-convert the frequency of the signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420. In the radio signal processing circuit 20H_2, the phase switching units 410, the variable amplifiers 420, and the mixers are in a 1:1:1 correspondence. Therefore, the number of mixers corresponding to the signal IF1 is eight.

[0130] Specifically, the radio signal processing circuit 20H_2 includes the following mixers as a plurality of mixers corresponding to the signal IF1. The radio signal processing circuit 20H_2 includes a mixer 500a that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal IF1-I processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420 using the positive-phase signal LO-IP of the first local signal, which is a differential signal, and a mixer 500c that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal IF1-I processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420 using the negative-phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal. The radio signal processing circuit 20H_2 also includes a mixer 500b that up-converts the frequency of the quadrature signal IF1-Q processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420 using the positive-phase signal LO-IP of the first local signal, and a mixer 500d ... negative-phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal. The phase control section 20H_2 also includes a mixer 500e that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal IF1-I processed by the corresponding phase switching section 410 and variable amplifier 420 using a positive-phase signal LO-QP of the second local signal, which is a differential signal with a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal, and a mixer 500g that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal IF1-I processed by the corresponding phase switching section 410 and variable amplifier 420 using a negative-phase signal LO-QM of the second local signal. The radio signal processing circuit 20H_2 also includes a mixer 500f that up-converts the frequency of the quadrature signal IF1-Q processed by the corresponding phase switching section 410 and variable amplifier 420 using a positive-phase signal LO-QP of the second local signal, and a mixer 500h ... negative-phase signal LO-QM of the second local signal. The same applies to the multiple mixers corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4. The signals up-converted by the mixers 500a, 500b, 500c, and 500d are combined with the output signals of the mixers corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4, and output as a positive-phase signal RF-P, which is a differential RF signal. The signals up-converted by the mixers 500e, 500f, 500g, and 500h are combined with the output signals of the mixers corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4, and output as a negative-phase signal RF-M, which is a differential RF signal.

[0131] The radio signal processing circuit 20H_2 also has a function of receiving signals. When receiving signals in the phase control circuit 20H_2, each of the multiple mixers down-converts the frequency of an input signal obtained by combining multiple received signals. For example, each of the multiple phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the signal whose frequency has been down-converted by the corresponding mixer according to the arrival direction of the corresponding received signal, thereby rotating the phase of the signal. Each of the multiple variable amplifiers 420 for signal reception corresponding to the signal IF1 changes the amplitude of the input signal or output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit 420 according to the arrival direction of the corresponding received signal.

[0132] [Tenth embodiment] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20I_1 according to a tenth embodiment of the disclosed technique. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing only components related to one (IF1) of the signals (IF1 to IF4) in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band handled in the radio signal processing circuit 20I_1, in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the radio signal processing circuit 20I_1. FIG. 23 is a table showing an example of the operation of the radio signal processing circuit 20I_1. Note that in FIGS. 21 to 23, RF and RF signals are the above-mentioned output signal S out or input signal S in Also, IF1-I to IF4-I, IF1-Q to IF4-Q, and the IF signals correspond to the above-mentioned transmission signals ST1 to ST4 or reception signals SR1 to SR4.

[0133] The radio signal processing circuit 20I_1 is provided corresponding to each of the multiple antenna elements AN. The radio signal processing circuit 20I according to this embodiment has both a function of forming transmission beams B1-B4 toward the terminals 101-104 and transmitting transmission signals, and a function of forming reception beams and receiving signals transmitted from the terminals 101-104.

[0134] The radio signal processing circuit 20I_1 is configured to have a single balance configuration in which two local signals having mutually orthogonal phases are differentially input, an RF band signal is input / output single-ended, and a baseband region or intermediate frequency band signal is input / output differentially. The positive phase signal LO-IP of the first local signal LO-I has a phase difference of 0° with respect to the reference phase, and the negative phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal LO-I has a phase difference of 180° with respect to the reference phase. The positive phase signal LO-QP of the second local signal LO-Q has a phase difference of 90° with respect to the reference phase, and the negative phase signal LO-QM of the second local signal LO-Q has a phase difference of -90° with respect to the reference phase. The RF band signal RF is output single-ended at the time of transmission, and is input single-ended at the time of reception. Furthermore, in-phase signals IF1-I to IF4-I and quadrature signals IF1-Q to IF4-Q in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band are differentially input during transmission and differentially output during reception.

[0135] According to the radio signal processing circuit 20I_1, it is possible to suppress signal loss while suppressing an increase in the circuit size (the area occupied by the circuit), and further suppress image signals. In addition, by inputting the local signal to the mixer unit 50 as a differential input, it is possible to improve resistance to external common mode noise and suppress leakage of the local signal to the RF terminal.

[0136] In the radio signal processing circuit 20I_1, the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-IP is input are common (interconnected), and the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-IM is input are common (interconnected). Also, the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-QP is input are common (interconnected), and the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-QM is input are common (interconnected). Also, the RF terminals of the mixers to which the RF signal is input and output are common (interconnected). This makes it possible to configure the mixer section using, for example, multi-finger type transistors, and to configure the mixer section extremely compact.

[0137] Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20I_2 obtained by modifying the radio signal processing circuit 20I_1 shown in Fig. 21. Fig. 25 is a diagram showing only components related to one (IF1) of the signals (IF1 to IF4) in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band handled in the radio signal processing circuit 20I_2, in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the radio signal processing circuit 20I_2. Note that in Figs. 24 and 25, RF-P and RF-I represent the above-mentioned output signal S out or input signal S in IF1-I to IF4-I and IF1-Q to IF4-Q correspond to the above-mentioned transmission signals ST1 to ST4 or reception signals SR1 to SR4. The radio signal processing circuit 20I_2 differs from the radio signal processing circuit 20I_1 in the arrangement of the variable amplifier 420.

[0138] In the radio signal processing circuit 20I_2, for example, each of the multiple phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 is provided on each of the multiple paths to which an in-phase signal IF1-I having the same phase as the signal IF1 is distributed, and on each of the multiple paths to which an orthogonal signal IF1-Q having the phase of the signal IF1 rotated by 90° is distributed. In the radio signal processing circuit 20I_2, the number of paths to which the in-phase signal IF1-I is distributed is two, and the number of paths to which the orthogonal signal IF1-Q is distributed is two. That is, in the radio signal processing circuit 20I_2, the number of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 is four. The phase switching units 410 can input and output differential signals. Each of the phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the signal distributed to the corresponding path, among the in-phase signal IF1-I and the orthogonal signal IF1-Q, according to the sending direction of the signal IF1, to rotate the phase of the signal. The same applies to the multiple phase switching units corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4.

[0139] In the radio signal processing circuit 20I_2, for example, a plurality of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the signal IF1 are provided corresponding to each of a plurality of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1, and change the amplitude of the input signal or output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit 410 according to the sending direction of the signal IF1. In the radio signal processing circuit 20I_2, the number of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the signal IF1 is four for signal transmission and four for signal reception. The variable amplifiers 420 are capable of inputting and outputting differential signals. Note that, although a configuration in which a plurality of variable amplifiers 420 are provided between the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and the mixer is illustrated in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, the arrangement of the variable amplifiers 420 and the phase switching unit 410 may be reversed. The same applies to the plurality of variable amplifiers corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4.

[0140] In the radio signal processing circuit 20I_2, for example, a plurality of mixers corresponding to the signal IF1 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 and each of the plurality of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the signal IF1, and up-convert the frequency of the signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420. In the radio signal processing circuit 20I_2, the phase switching units 410, the variable amplifiers 420, and the mixers are in a 1:1:2 correspondence. Therefore, the number of mixers corresponding to the signal IF1 is eight.

[0141] Specifically, the radio signal processing circuit 20I_2 includes the following mixers as a plurality of mixers corresponding to the signal IF1. The radio signal processing circuit 20I_2 includes a mixer 500a that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal IF1-IP of an in-phase signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 410, using a positive-phase signal LO-IP of a first local signal, which is a differential signal, and a mixer 500g that up-converts the frequency of a negative-phase signal LO-QM of a second local signal, which is a differential signal with a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal. The radio signal processing circuit 20I_2 also includes a mixer 500c that up-converts the frequency of a negative-phase signal IF1-IM of an in-phase signal, which is processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420, using a negative-phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal, and a mixer 500e that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal IF1-IM of an in-phase signal, which is processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420, using a positive-phase signal LO-QP of the second local signal. The radio signal processing circuit 20I_2 also includes a mixer 500b that up-converts the frequency of the positive-phase signal IF1-QP of the quadrature signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420, using the positive-phase signal LO-IP of the first local signal, and a mixer 500f that up-converts the frequency of the positive-phase signal IF1-QM of the quadrature signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420, using the negative-phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal, and a mixer 500h that up-converts the frequency of the negative-phase signal IF1-QM of the quadrature signal, which is processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420, using the negative-phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal. The same applies to the multiple mixers corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4. The signals up-converted by the mixers 500a to 500h are mixed with output signals of the multiple mixers corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4 and are output as an RF signal.

[0142] The radio signal processing circuit 20I_2 also has a function of receiving signals. When receiving signals in the phase control circuit 20I_2, each of the multiple mixers down-converts the frequency of an input signal obtained by combining multiple received signals. For example, each of the multiple phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the signal whose frequency has been down-converted by the corresponding mixer according to the arrival direction of the corresponding received signal, thereby rotating the phase of the signal. Each of the multiple variable amplifiers 420 for signal reception corresponding to the signal IF1 changes the amplitude of the input signal or output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit 420 according to the arrival direction of the corresponding received signal.

[0143] [Eleventh embodiment] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20J_1 according to an eleventh embodiment of the disclosed technique. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing only components related to one (IF1) of the signals (IF1 to IF4) in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band handled in the radio signal processing circuit 20J_1, in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration. FIG. 28 is a table showing an example of the operation of the radio signal processing circuit 20J_1. Note that in FIGS. 26 to 28, RF and RF signals are the above-mentioned output signal S out or input signal S in Also, IF1-I to IF4-I, IF1-Q to IF4-Q and the IF signals correspond to the above-mentioned transmission signals ST1 to ST4 or reception signals SR1 to SR4.

[0144] The radio signal processing circuit 20J_1 is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements AN. The radio signal processing circuit 20J_1 has both a function of forming transmission beams B1-B4 toward the terminals 101-104 and transmitting transmission signals, and a function of forming reception beams and receiving signals transmitted from the terminals 101-104.

[0145] Further, the radio signal processing circuit 20J_1 has a double-balanced configuration in which two local signals having mutually orthogonal phases are differentially input, an RF band signal is differentially input and output, and a baseband region or intermediate frequency band signal is differentially input and output. The positive phase signal LO-IP of the first local signal LO-I has a phase difference of 0° with respect to the reference phase, and the negative phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal LO-I has a phase difference of 180° with respect to the reference phase. The positive phase signal LO-QP of the second local signal LO-Q has a phase difference of 90° with respect to the reference phase, and the negative phase signal LO-QM of the second local signal LO-Q has a phase difference of -90° with respect to the reference phase. Furthermore, the positive phase signal RF-I and the negative phase signal RF-M in the RF band are output during transmission and input during reception. Furthermore, in-phase signals IF1-I to IF4-I and quadrature signals IF1-Q to IF4-Q in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band are differentially input during transmission and differentially output during reception.

[0146] According to the radio signal processing circuit 20J_1, it is possible to suppress signal loss while suppressing an increase in the circuit size (the area occupied by the circuit), and further suppress image signals. In addition, by inputting the local signal to the mixer unit 50 as a differential input, it is possible to improve resistance to external common mode noise and suppress leakage of the local signal to the RF terminal.

[0147] In the radio signal processing circuit 20J_1, the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-IP is input are common (interconnected), and the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-IM is input are common (interconnected). Also, the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-QP is input are common (interconnected), and the local terminals of the mixers to which the local signal LO-QM is input are common (interconnected). Also, the RF terminals of the mixers to which the RF signal RF-P is input / output are common (interconnected), and the RF terminals of the mixers to which the RF signal RF-M is input / output are common (interconnected). This makes it possible to configure the mixer section using, for example, multi-finger type transistors, and to configure the mixer section extremely compact.

[0148] Note that, in the radio signal processing circuit 20J_1, two mixers may share a phase switching unit as shown in Fig. 29. This enhances the effect of suppressing an increase in the circuit size (the area occupied by the circuit).

[0149] Fig. 30 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio signal processing circuit 20J_2 obtained by modifying the radio signal processing circuit 20J_1 shown in Figs. 26 and 27, and in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration, the diagram shows only components related to one (IF1) of the signals (IF1 to IF4) in the baseband region or intermediate frequency band handled by the radio signal processing circuit 20J_2. In Fig. 30, RF-P and RF-I represent the above-mentioned output signal S out or input signal S in IF1-I to IF4-I and IF1-Q to IF4-Q correspond to the above-mentioned transmission signals ST1 to ST4 or reception signals SR1 to SR4. Radio signal processing circuit 20J_2 differs from radio signal processing circuit 20J_1 in the arrangement of variable amplifier 420.

[0150] In the radio signal processing circuit 20J_2, for example, each of the multiple phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 is provided on each of the multiple paths to which an in-phase signal IF1-I having the same phase as the signal IF1 is distributed, and on each of the multiple paths to which an orthogonal signal IF1-Q having the phase of the signal IF1 rotated by 90° is distributed. In the radio signal processing circuit 20J_2, the number of paths to which the in-phase signal IF1-I is distributed is four, and the number of paths to which the orthogonal signal IF1-Q is distributed is four. That is, in the radio signal processing circuit 20J_2, the number of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 is eight. The phase switching units 410 are capable of inputting and outputting differential signals. Each of the phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the signal distributed to the corresponding path, among the in-phase signal IF1-I and the orthogonal signal IF1-Q, according to the sending direction of the signal IF1, to rotate the phase of the signal. The same applies to the multiple phase switching units corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4.

[0151] In the radio signal processing circuit 20J_2, for example, a plurality of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the signal IF1 are provided corresponding to each of a plurality of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1, and change the amplitude of the input signal or output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit according to the sending direction of the signal IF1. In the radio signal processing circuit 20J_2, the number of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the signal IF1 is eight for signal transmission and eight for signal reception. The variable amplifiers 420 are capable of inputting and outputting differential signals. Note that, although FIG. 30 illustrates a configuration in which a plurality of variable amplifiers 420 are provided between the corresponding phase switching units 410 and the mixers, the arrangement of the variable amplifiers 420 and the phase switching units 410 may be reversed. The same applies to the plurality of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4.

[0152] In the radio signal processing circuit 20J_2, for example, a plurality of mixers corresponding to the signal IF1 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 and each of the plurality of variable amplifiers 420 corresponding to the signal IF1, and up-convert the frequency of the signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420. In the radio signal processing circuit 20J_2, the phase switching units 410, the variable amplifiers 420, and the mixers are in a 1:1:2 correspondence. Therefore, the number of mixers corresponding to the signal IF1 is 16.

[0153] Specifically, the radio signal processing circuit 20J_2 includes the following mixers as a plurality of mixers corresponding to the signal IF1. The radio signal processing circuit 20J_2 includes a mixer 500a that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal IF1-IP of an in-phase signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420, using a positive-phase signal LO-IP of a first local signal, which is a differential signal, a mixer 500e that up-converts the frequency of the positive-phase signal IF1-IP of the first local signal, which is a differential signal, a mixer 500i that up-converts the frequency of the positive-phase signal LO-QP of a second local signal, which is a differential signal with the phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal, and a mixer 500m that up-converts the frequency of the positive-phase signal IF1-IP of the in-phase signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420, using a negative-phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal. The radio signal processing circuit 20J_2 also includes a mixer 500b that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal IF1-IM processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420 using a positive phase signal LO-IP of the first local signal, a mixer 500f that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal IF1-IM using a negative phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal, a mixer 500j that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal IF1-IM using a positive phase signal LO-QP of the second local signal, and a mixer 500n that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal IF1-IM using a negative phase signal LO-QM of the second local signal. The radio signal processing circuit 20J_2 also includes a mixer 500c that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal IF-QP of a quadrature signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420, using a positive-phase signal LO-IP of a first local signal, a mixer 500g that up-converts the frequency of the negative-phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal, a mixer 500k that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal LO-QP of a second local signal, and a mixer 500o that up-converts the frequency of the negative-phase signal LO-Q-M of the second local signal.The radio signal processing circuit 20J_2 also includes a mixer 500d that up-converts the frequency of the negative phase signal IF1-QM of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit 410 and variable amplifier 420 using the positive phase signal LO-IP of the first local signal, a mixer 500h that up-converts the frequency of the negative phase signal LO-IM of the first local signal, a mixer 500l that up-converts the frequency of the positive phase signal LO-QP of the second local signal, and a mixer 500p that up-converts the frequency of the negative phase signal LO-QM of the second local signal. The same is true for the multiple mixers corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4. The signals up-converted by the mixers 500a, 500c, 500f, 500h, 500l, 500i, 500o, and 500n are combined with the output signals of the multiple mixers corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4, and are output as the positive phase signal RF-P of the RF signal, which is a differential signal. The signals upconverted by the mixers 500b, 500d, 500e, 500g, 500k, 500j, 500p, and 500m are combined with output signals of the multiple mixers corresponding to the signals IF2 to IF4, and output as a reverse-phase signal RF-M of the RF signal, which is a differential signal.

[0154] The radio signal processing circuit 20J_2 also has a function of receiving signals. When receiving signals in the phase control circuit 20J_2, each of the multiple mixers down-converts the frequency of an input signal obtained by combining multiple received signals. For example, each of the multiple phase switching units 410 corresponding to the signal IF1 selectively switches the amount of phase rotation of the signal whose frequency has been down-converted by the corresponding mixer according to the arrival direction of the corresponding received signal, thereby rotating the phase of the signal. Each of the multiple variable amplifiers 420 for signal reception corresponding to the signal IF1 changes the amplitude of the input signal or output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit 420 according to the arrival direction of the corresponding received signal.

[0155] Note that, in the radio signal processing circuit 20J_2, two mixers may share a phase switching unit as shown in Fig. 31. This enhances the effect of suppressing an increase in the circuit size (the area occupied by the circuit).

[0156] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above first to eleventh embodiments. (Appendix 1) a plurality of phase switching units provided on each of a plurality of paths along which an in-phase signal having the same phase as a transmission signal is distributed and on each of a plurality of paths along which an orthogonal signal having a phase of the transmission signal rotated by 90° is distributed, the phase switching units selectively switching an amount of phase rotation of a signal distributed on a corresponding path among the in-phase signal and the orthogonal signal in accordance with a sending direction of the transmission signal, thereby rotating the phase of the signal; a plurality of variable amplifiers provided corresponding to the plurality of phase switching units, the variable amplifiers changing an amplitude of an input signal or an output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit in accordance with a transmission direction of the transmission signal; a plurality of mixers provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units and each of the plurality of variable amplifiers, and configured to up-convert a frequency of a signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier; A radio signal processing circuit including:

[0157] (Appendix 2) The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a second local signal that has a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the second local signal; 2. The wireless signal processing circuit of claim 1,

[0158] (Appendix 3) The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of a first local signal, which is a differential signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a negative-phase signal of the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a negative phase signal of the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of a second local signal, which is a differential signal obtained by rotating the phase of the first local signal by 90°, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal using a negative-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a negative phase signal of the second local signal; 2. The wireless signal processing circuit of claim 1,

[0159] (Appendix 4) The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of the in-phase signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using a positive-phase signal of a first local signal, which is a differential signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a negative-phase signal of a second local signal, which is a differential signal with a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of an anti-phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the anti-phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the anti-phase signal of the second local signal using the positive phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a positive-phase signal of the quadrature signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using the positive-phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the positive-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a reverse-phase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the reverse-phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the reverse-phase signal of the second local signal; 2. The wireless signal processing circuit of claim 1,

[0160] (Appendix 5) The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of the in-phase signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using a positive-phase signal of a first local signal, which is a differential signal; a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of a second local signal, which is a differential signal with a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal; and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of the second local signal. a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a positive-phase signal of the quadrature signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using a positive-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a negative-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a positive-phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a negative-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a negative-phase signal of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the negative-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the positive-phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the negative-phase signal of the second local signal; 2. The wireless signal processing circuit of claim 1,

[0161] (Appendix 6) A plurality of transmission signals having different destinations are processed, The plurality of phase switching units, the plurality of variable amplifiers, and the plurality of mixers are provided for each of the transmission signals. 6. A wireless signal processing circuit according to claim 1.

[0162] (Appendix 7) The signals processed for each of the transmission signals by the plurality of phase switching units, the plurality of variable amplifiers, and the plurality of mixers are synthesized and output. 7. The wireless signal processing circuit according to claim 6.

[0163] (Appendix 8) Further comprising a function of receiving a signal, When receiving signals, each of the plurality of mixers down-converts a frequency of an input signal obtained by combining a plurality of received signals; each of the plurality of phase switching units selectively switches an amount of phase rotation of a signal whose frequency has been down-converted by a corresponding mixer in accordance with a direction of arrival of the received signal, thereby rotating the phase of the signal; Each of a plurality of variable amplifiers provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units changes the amplitude of an input signal or an output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit in accordance with the arrival direction of the received signal. 8. A wireless signal processing circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0164] (Appendix 9) A wireless device including a plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of wireless signal processing circuits provided corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements, Each of the plurality of radio signal processing circuits a plurality of phase switching units provided on each of a plurality of paths along which an in-phase signal having the same phase as a transmission signal is distributed and on each of a plurality of paths along which an orthogonal signal having a phase of the transmission signal rotated by 90° is distributed, the phase switching units selectively switching an amount of phase rotation of a signal distributed on a corresponding path among the in-phase signal and the orthogonal signal in accordance with a sending direction of the transmission signal, thereby rotating the phase of the signal; a plurality of variable amplifiers provided corresponding to the plurality of phase switching units, the variable amplifiers changing an amplitude of an input signal or an output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit in accordance with a transmission direction of the transmission signal; a plurality of mixers provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units and each of the plurality of variable amplifiers, and configured to up-convert a frequency of a signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier; A wireless device including:

[0165] (Appendix 10) The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a second local signal that has a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the second local signal; 10. The wireless device of claim 9,

[0166] (Appendix 11) The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of a first local signal, which is a differential signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a negative-phase signal of the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a negative phase signal of the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of a second local signal, which is a differential signal obtained by rotating the phase of the first local signal by 90°, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal using a negative-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a negative phase signal of the second local signal; 10. The wireless device of claim 9,

[0167] (Appendix 12) The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of the in-phase signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using a positive-phase signal of a first local signal, which is a differential signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a negative-phase signal of a second local signal, which is a differential signal with a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of an anti-phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the anti-phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the anti-phase signal of the second local signal using the positive phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a positive-phase signal of the quadrature signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using the positive-phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the positive-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a reverse-phase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the reverse-phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the reverse-phase signal of the second local signal; 10. The wireless device of claim 9,

[0168] (Appendix 13) The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of the in-phase signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using a positive-phase signal of a first local signal, which is a differential signal; a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of a second local signal, which is a differential signal with a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal; and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of the second local signal. a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a positive-phase signal of the quadrature signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using a positive-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a negative-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a positive-phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a negative-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a negative-phase signal of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the negative-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the positive-phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the negative-phase signal of the second local signal; 10. The wireless device of claim 9,

[0169] (Appendix 14) A plurality of transmission signals having different destinations are processed, The plurality of phase switching units, the plurality of variable amplifiers, and the plurality of mixers are provided for each of the transmission signals. 14. The wireless device of claim 9.

[0170] (Appendix 15) The signals processed for each of the transmission signals by the plurality of phase switching units, the plurality of variable amplifiers, and the plurality of mixers are synthesized and output. 15. The wireless device of claim 14.

[0171] (Appendix 16) Further comprising a function of receiving a signal, When receiving signals, each of the plurality of mixers down-converts a frequency of an input signal obtained by combining a plurality of received signals; each of the plurality of phase switching units selectively switches an amount of phase rotation of a signal whose frequency has been down-converted by a corresponding mixer in accordance with a direction of arrival of the received signal, thereby rotating the phase of the signal; Each of a plurality of variable amplifiers provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units changes the amplitude of an input signal or an output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit in accordance with the arrival direction of the received signal. 16. The wireless device of claim 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0172] 10 Radio equipment 20, 20A~20J Wireless signal processing circuit 40 Phase control section 50 Mixer section 60 Synthesis section 70A First Amplitude Control Section 70B Second amplitude control section 410 Phase switching section 420 Variable Amplifier 500a~500p mixer ST1~ST4 Transmission signal SR1~SR4 received signal LO Local Signal LO-I First local signal LO-Q Second local signal S out1 ~S out8 Output Signal S in1 Input Signal

Claims

1. a plurality of phase switching units provided on each of a plurality of paths along which an in-phase signal having the same phase as a transmission signal is distributed and on each of a plurality of paths along which an orthogonal signal having a phase of the transmission signal rotated by 90° is distributed, the phase switching units selectively switching an amount of phase rotation of a signal distributed on a corresponding path among the in-phase signal and the orthogonal signal in accordance with a sending direction of the transmission signal to rotate the phase of the signal; a plurality of variable amplifiers provided in correspondence with the plurality of phase switching units on the respective paths, the variable amplifiers changing an amplitude of an input signal or an output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit in accordance with a transmission direction of the transmission signal; a plurality of mixers provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units and each of the plurality of variable amplifiers, the mixers up-converting the frequency of a signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the corresponding variable amplifier; Including, A plurality of transmission signals having different destinations are processed, The plurality of phase switching units, the plurality of variable amplifiers, and the plurality of mixers are provided for each of the transmission signals. Radio signal processing circuit.

2. The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a second local signal whose phase is rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the second local signal; 2. The wireless signal processing circuit according to claim 1, comprising:

3. The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of a first local signal, which is a differential signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a negative-phase signal of the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a negative phase signal of the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of a second local signal, which is a differential signal obtained by rotating the phase of the first local signal by 90°, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the in-phase signal using a negative-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a negative phase signal of the second local signal; 2. The wireless signal processing circuit according to claim 1, comprising:

4. The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of the in-phase signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using a positive-phase signal of a first local signal, which is a differential signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a negative-phase signal of a second local signal, which is a differential signal with a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of an anti-phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the anti-phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the anti-phase signal of the second local signal using the positive phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a positive-phase signal of the quadrature signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using the positive-phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the positive-phase signal of the second local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a reverse-phase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using the reverse-phase signal of the first local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the reverse-phase signal of the second local signal; 2. The wireless signal processing circuit according to claim 1, comprising:

5. The plurality of mixers include a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of the in-phase signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using a positive-phase signal of a first local signal, which is a differential signal; a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of a second local signal, which is a differential signal with a phase rotated by 90° with respect to the first local signal; and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of a positive-phase signal of the second local signal. a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the positive-phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts the frequency of the opposite-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a positive-phase signal of the quadrature signal, which is a differential signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier, using the positive-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a negative-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a positive-phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a negative-phase signal of the second local signal; a mixer that up-converts a frequency of a negative-phase signal of the orthogonal signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the variable amplifier using a positive-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the negative-phase signal of the first local signal, a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the positive-phase signal of the second local signal, and a mixer that up-converts a frequency of the negative-phase signal of the second local signal; 2. The wireless signal processing circuit according to claim 1, comprising:

6. The signals processed for each of the transmission signals by the plurality of phase switching units, the plurality of variable amplifiers, and the plurality of mixers are synthesized and output.

2. The radio signal processing circuit according to claim 1.

7. Further comprising a function of receiving a signal, When receiving signals, each of the plurality of mixers down-converts a frequency of an input signal obtained by combining a plurality of received signals; each of the plurality of phase switching units selectively switches an amount of phase rotation of a signal whose frequency has been down-converted by a corresponding mixer in accordance with a direction of arrival of the received signal, thereby rotating the phase of the signal; Each of a plurality of variable amplifiers provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units changes the amplitude of an input signal or an output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit in accordance with the arrival direction of the received signal. The radio signal processing circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A wireless device including a plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of wireless signal processing circuits provided corresponding to each of the plurality of antenna elements, Each of the plurality of radio signal processing circuits a plurality of phase switching units provided on each of a plurality of paths along which an in-phase signal having the same phase as a transmission signal is distributed and on each of a plurality of paths along which an orthogonal signal having a phase of the transmission signal rotated by 90° is distributed, the phase switching units selectively switching an amount of phase rotation of a signal distributed on a corresponding path among the in-phase signal and the orthogonal signal in accordance with a sending direction of the transmission signal to rotate the phase of the signal; a plurality of variable amplifiers provided corresponding to the plurality of phase switching units, the variable amplifiers changing an amplitude of an input signal or an output signal of the corresponding phase switching unit in accordance with a transmission direction of the transmission signal; a plurality of mixers provided corresponding to each of the plurality of phase switching units and each of the plurality of variable amplifiers, the mixers up-converting the frequency of a signal processed by the corresponding phase switching unit and the corresponding variable amplifier; Including, A plurality of transmission signals having different destinations are processed, The plurality of phase switching units, the plurality of variable amplifiers, and the plurality of mixers are provided for each of the transmission signals. Radio equipment.

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