High-frequency module and communication device

Abstract

Provided is a high-frequency module that supports a terrestrial communication band and a non-terrestrial communication band and can be reduced in size. A high-frequency module (1) is provided with a switch (6), a first duplexer (11), and at least either one or more second duplexers (12, 13) or one or more filters (14, 15). The first duplexer (11) is connected to the switch (6). The first duplexer (11) has a transmission filter (11T) and a reception filter (11R). The transmission filter (11T) has a passband including a transmission band of n255. The reception filter (11R) has a passband including a reception band of at least one of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 and a reception band of n255.

Description

High frequency module and communication device

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a high frequency module and a communication device, and more particularly to a high frequency module and a communication device compatible with terrestrial communication bands and non-terrestrial communication bands.

[0002] The front-end module (high-frequency module) described in Patent Document 1 includes a wideband filter, a transmit filter, and a switch. The wideband filter passes both a receive signal in a first communication frequency band (e.g., Band 20) and a receive signal in a second communication frequency band (e.g., Band 28). The transmit filter passes a transmit signal in the first communication frequency band or a transmit signal in the second communication frequency band. The switch selectively connects the wideband filter and the transmit filter. In this way, the front-end module supports terrestrial communication bands (e.g., Band 20 and Band 28).

[0003] International Publication No. 2019 / 176538

[0004] In recent years, a concept using NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) technology has been proposed. This concept utilizes communication with communication satellites or HAPS (High Altitude Platform Stations) to achieve communication similar to that in urban areas even in areas where communication is difficult (mountainous areas, oceans, remote islands, etc.). To realize this concept, it has been proposed to further support the reception band of a non-terrestrial communication band (n255) in a front-end module that supports the reception band of a terrestrial communication band, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0005] However, if a front-end module compatible with the reception band of a terrestrial communication band is also made compatible with the reception band of a non-terrestrial communication band, a separate reception filter specialized for the reception band of the non-terrestrial communication band must be provided, which causes the problem of the front-end module becoming larger.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a radio frequency module and a communication device that can be made compact and that can accommodate reception bands of terrestrial communication bands and non-terrestrial communication bands.

[0007] A high-frequency module according to one aspect of the present invention includes a switch, a first duplexer, and at least one or more second duplexers or one or more filters. The first duplexer is connected to the switch. The first duplexer includes a transmit filter and a receive filter. The transmit filter has a pass band that includes a transmit band of n255. The receive filter has a pass band that includes at least one receive band of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32, as well as the receive band of n255.

[0008] A radio frequency module according to one aspect of the present invention includes an antenna terminal, a first switch, a first filter, and a second filter. The first switch has a first common terminal, a first selection terminal, and a second selection terminal. The first common terminal is connected to the antenna terminal. The first selection terminal and the second selection terminal are connectable to the first common terminal. The first filter is connected to the first selection terminal. The second filter is connected to the second selection terminal. A first pass band of the first filter includes a transmission band of a first communication band, which is a communication band of a non-terrestrial network. A second pass band of the second filter includes a reception band of the first communication band and a reception band of a second communication band. The second communication band is a communication band of a terrestrial network.

[0009] A communication device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the high-frequency module and a signal processing circuit, the signal processing circuit being connected to the high-frequency module and processing a high-frequency signal.

[0010] The high frequency module and communication device according to the present invention have the advantage that they can be made compact and can accommodate reception bands for terrestrial communication bands and non-terrestrial communication bands.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a high-frequency module and a communication device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of the high-frequency module. FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of a high-frequency module according to a first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of a high-frequency module according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of a high-frequency module according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of a high-frequency module according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of a high-frequency module according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a high-frequency module according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a high-frequency module according to a first modification of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a high-frequency module according to a second modification of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a high-frequency module according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a high-frequency module according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a high-frequency module according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a high-frequency module according to a ninth embodiment.

[0012] First Embodiment A high-frequency module 1 and a communication device 25 according to a first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (1) Overview As shown in FIG. 1 , the high-frequency module 1 according to the first embodiment includes a switch 6, a first duplexer 11, and at least one or more (two in the example of FIG. 1 ) second duplexers 12 and 13, or one or more (two in the example of FIG. 1 ) filters 14 and 15. The first duplexer 11 is connected to the switch 6. The first duplexer 11 includes a transmit filter 11T and a receive filter 11R. The transmit filter 11T has a pass band that includes a transmit band of n255. The receive filter has a pass band that includes at least one receive band of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32, as well as the receive band of n255.

[0014] According to this configuration, the receive filter can co-band the receive band of at least one of Band75, Band76, and Band32 (hereinafter referred to as "Band75 / Band76 / Band32") and the receive band of n255. Co-banding means including multiple communication bands in the pass band of a single filter (the receive filter 11R in the first embodiment). In other words, the receive filter 11R includes the receive band of n255 and the receive bands of Band75 / Band76 / Band32 in its pass band. Therefore, the high-frequency module can be made more compact than when a receive filter corresponding to the receive band of n255 and a receive filter corresponding to the receive bands of Band75 / Band76 / Band32 are separately provided.

[0015] (2) Configuration of the Communication Device As shown in FIG. 1 , the communication device 25 is a communication device including a high-frequency module 1. The communication device 25 is, for example, a mobile terminal (e.g., a smartphone), but is not limited to a mobile terminal and may be, for example, a wearable terminal (e.g., a smartwatch). The high-frequency module 1 is, for example, a module compatible with the 4G (fourth generation mobile communication) standard and the 5G (fifth generation mobile communication) standard. The 4G standard is, for example, 3GPP (registered trademark, Third Generation Partnership Project) or the LTE standard (registered trademark, Long Term Evolution). The 5G standard is, for example, 5G NR (New Radio).

[0016] The communication device 25 includes a signal processing circuit 2 and an antenna 3 in addition to the high frequency module 1 .

[0017] The high-frequency module 1 is configured to amplify a reception signal (high-frequency signal) received by the antenna 3 and output the amplified signal to the signal processing circuit 2. The high-frequency module 1 is also configured to amplify a transmission signal (high-frequency signal) output from the signal processing circuit 2 and transmit the amplified signal from the antenna 3. The high-frequency module 1 is controlled by, for example, the signal processing circuit 2.

[0018] The signal processing circuit 2 is connected to the high-frequency module 1 and configured to process a received signal output from the high-frequency module 1. The signal processing circuit 2 is also configured to process a transmission signal to be output to the high-frequency module 1. The signal processing circuit 2 includes an RF (Radio Frequency) signal processing circuit 2a and a baseband signal processing circuit 2b.

[0019] The RF signal processing circuit 2a is, for example, an RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) and performs signal processing on high-frequency signals (transmitted signals and received signals). The RF signal processing circuit 2a performs signal processing such as down-conversion on received signals output from the high-frequency module 1 and outputs the received signals to the baseband signal processing circuit 2b. The RF signal processing circuit 2a also performs signal processing such as up-conversion on transmitted signals output from the baseband signal processing circuit 2b and outputs the transmitted signals to the high-frequency module 1.

[0020] The baseband signal processing circuit 2b is, for example, a baseband integrated circuit (BBIC). The baseband signal processing circuit 2b outputs the received signal output from the RF signal processing circuit 2a to the outside. This output signal (received signal) can be used, for example, as an image signal for image display or as an audio signal for telephone calls. The baseband signal processing circuit 2b also generates a transmission signal from a baseband signal (e.g., an audio signal and an image signal) input from the outside and outputs the generated transmission signal to the RF signal processing circuit 2a.

[0021] (3) Configuration of the High-Frequency Module As shown in Fig. 1, the high-frequency module 1 includes a plurality of external terminals 5a to 5g, 5j, and a plurality of electronic components. In the example of Fig. 1, the plurality of electronic components include switches 6 to 10, a first duplexer 11, one or more (two in the example of Fig. 1) second duplexers 12 and 13, one or more (two in the example of Fig. 1) filters 14 and 15, one or more (two in the example of Fig. 1) power amplifiers 17 and 18, and one or more (five in the example of Fig. 1) low-noise amplifiers 20 to 24.

[0022] The external terminal 5a is an antenna terminal to which the antenna 3 is connected. The external terminals 5b and 5c are connected to an output section (not shown) of the signal processing circuit 2 and are input terminals to which an output signal (transmission signal) from the output section of the signal processing circuit 2 is input. The external terminals 5d to 5g, 5i, and 5j are connected to an input section (not shown) of the signal processing circuit 2 and are output terminals that output a received signal processed by the high-frequency module 1 to the input section of the signal processing circuit 2.

[0023] In the first embodiment, "A is connected to B" does not necessarily mean that A is directly connected to B, but also means that A is indirectly connected to B via another electronic component. Furthermore, "A is connected to B" means that A and B are electrically connected (i.e., electrically connected).

[0024] The switch 6 is an antenna switch. The switch 6 selects the connection destination of the external terminal 5a from among the first duplexer 11, the second duplexers 12 and 13, and the filters 14 and 15. The switch 6 is, for example, a switch integrated circuit (IC). The switch 6 has a common terminal 6a and multiple (five in the example of FIG. 1 ) selection terminals 6b to 6f. The common terminal 6a can be selectively connected to at least one of the multiple selection terminals 6b to 6f. The common terminal 6a is connected to the external terminal 5a. The selection terminal 6b is connected to a later-described input / output unit 11a of the first duplexer 11. The selection terminal 6c is connected to a later-described first input / output unit 15a of the filter 15. The selection terminal 6d is connected to a later-described first input / output unit 14a of the filter 14. The selection terminal 6e is connected to a later-described input / output unit 13a of the second duplexer 13. The selection terminal 6f is connected to an input / output section 12a of the second duplexer 12, which will be described later.

[0025] The switch 7 is a band select switch. The switch 7 selects the connection destination of the output section 17b of the power amplifier 17 from among the transmit filters 11T, 12T, and 13T (described later). The switch 7 is, for example, a switch IC (Integrated Circuit). The switch 7 has a common terminal 7a and multiple (three in the example of FIG. 1 ) selection terminals 7b, 7c, and 7d. The common terminal 7a can be selectively connected to at least one of the multiple selection terminals 7b, 7c, and 7d. The common terminal 7a is connected to the output section 17b of the power amplifier 17. The selection terminal 7b is connected to an input section 12b (described later) of the transmit filter 12T. The selection terminal 7c is connected to an input section 13b (described later) of the transmit filter 13T. The selection terminal 7d is connected to an input section 11b (described later) of the transmit filter 11T.

[0026] The switch 8 is a band select switch. The switch 8 selects the connection destination of the output section 17b of the power amplifier 17 from among the filters 14 and 15. The switch 8 also selects the connection destination of the common terminals 8b and 8c (described later) from among the filters 14 and 15. The switch 8 is, for example, a switch IC (Integrated Circuit). The switch 8 has multiple (three in the example of FIG. 1 ) common terminals 8a to 8c and multiple (two in the example of FIG. 1 ) selection terminals 8d and 8e. Each of the multiple common terminals 8a to 8c can be selectively connected to at least one of the multiple selection terminals 8d and 8e. The common terminal 8a is connected to the output section 18b of the power amplifier 18 (described later). The common terminals 8b and 8c are connected to selection terminals 10c and 10d of the switch 10 (described later). The selection terminal 8d is connected to a second input / output section 14b of the filter 14 (described later). The selection terminal 8e is connected to a second input / output unit 15b of the filter 15, which will be described later.

[0027] The switch 9 selects the connection destination of the inputs 21a and 22a of the low-noise amplifiers 21 and 22 from the receive filters 12R and 13R described below. The switch 9 is, for example, a switch integrated circuit (IC). The switch 9 has multiple (two in the example of FIG. 1 ) common terminals 9a and 9b and multiple (two in the example of FIG. 1 ) selection terminals 9c and 9d. Each of the multiple common terminals 9a and 9b can be selectively connected to at least one of the multiple selection terminals 9c and 9d. The common terminal 9a is connected to the input 21a of the low-noise amplifier 21. The common terminal 9b is connected to the input 22a of the low-noise amplifier 22. The selection terminal 9c is connected to the output 12c of the receive filter 12R described below. The selection terminal 9d is connected to the output 13c of the receive filter 13R described below.

[0028] The switch 10 selects the connection destination of the inputs 23a, 24a of the low-noise amplifiers 23, 24 from among the common terminals 8b, 8c of the switch 8. That is, the switches 8, 10 select the connection destination of the inputs 23a, 24a of the low-noise amplifiers 23, 24 from among the filters 14, 15. The switch 10 is, for example, a switch integrated circuit (IC). The switch 10 has multiple (two in the example of FIG. 1 ) common terminals 10a, 10b and multiple (two in the example of FIG. 1 ) selection terminals 10c, 10d. Each of the multiple common terminals 10a, 10b can be selectively connected to at least one of the multiple selection terminals 9c, 9d. The common terminal 9a is connected to the input 23a of the low-noise amplifier 23. The common terminal 10b is connected to the input 24a of the low-noise amplifier 24. The selection terminals 10c, 10d are connected to the common terminals 8b, 8c of the switch 8, respectively.

[0029] The first duplexer 11 is an FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) filter. As shown in FIG. 2, the first duplexer 11 has a transmit filter 11T and a receive filter 11R. The transmit filter 11T has a passband that includes the non-terrestrial n255 transmit band (also referred to as n255T). n255T is 1626.5 MHz to 1660.5 MHz. The receiving filter 11R has a passband that includes at least one of the terrestrial receiving bands Band75, Band76, and Band32 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "Band75 / Band76 / Band32 receiving bands") and the non-terrestrial receiving band n255 (also referred to as n255R). Band75 is 1432 MHz to 1517 MHz. Band76 is 1427 MHz to 1432 MHz. Band32 is 1452 MHz to 1496 MHz. n255R is 1525 MHz to 1559 MHz.

[0030] The first duplexer 11 has an input / output unit 11a, an input unit 11b, and an output unit 11c. The input / output unit 11a functions as an output unit of the transmit filter 11T and an input unit of the receive filter 11R. The input / output unit 11a is connected to a selection terminal 6b of the switch 6. The input unit 11b functions as an input unit of the transmit filter 11T. The input unit 11b is connected to a selection terminal 7d of the switch 7. The output unit 11c functions as an output unit of the receive filter 11R. The output unit 11c is connected to an input unit 20a of the low-noise amplifier 20.

[0031] The transmit filter 11T receives a signal (transmit signal) from the input unit 11b, restricts the input signal to signals in the n255 uplink communication band, passes the restricted signal, and outputs the passed signal from the input / output unit 11a. The receive filter 11R receives a signal (receive signal) from the input / output unit 11a, restricts the input signal to signals in the n255R, Band75, Band76, and Band32 communication bands, passes the restricted signal, and outputs the passed signal from the output unit 11c.

[0032] The second duplexer 12 is an FDD filter. The second duplexer 12 is a duplexer different from the first duplexer 11. The second duplexer 12 is a duplexer compatible with terrestrial waves. The second duplexer 12 has a transmit filter 12T and a receive filter 12R. The transmit filter 12T has a pass band that includes the transmit band of a first terrestrial communication band. The transmit band of the first communication band is, for example, Band 1T or Band 3T. The receive filter 12R has a pass band that includes the receive band of a second terrestrial communication band. The second communication band may be the same communication band as the first communication band or may be a different communication band. The receive band of the second communication band is, for example, Band 1R or Band 3R.

[0033] The second duplexer 12 has an input / output unit 12a, an input unit 12b, and an output unit 12c. The input / output unit 12a functions as an output unit of the transmit filter 12T and an input unit of the receive filter 12R. The input / output unit 12a is connected to a selection terminal 6f of the switch 6. The input unit 12b functions as an input unit of the transmit filter 12T. The input unit 12b is connected to a selection terminal 7b of the switch 7. The output unit 12c functions as an output unit of the receive filter 12R. The output unit 12c is connected to a selection terminal 9c of the switch 9.

[0034] The transmission filter 12T receives a signal (transmission signal) from the input unit 12b, restricts the input signal to a signal in the transmission band of the first communication band, passes the signal, and outputs the passed signal from the input / output unit 12a. The reception filter 12R receives a signal (reception signal) from the input / output unit 12a, restricts the input signal to a signal in the reception band of the second communication band, passes the signal, and outputs the passed signal from the output unit 12c.

[0035] The second duplexer 13 is an FDD filter. The second duplexer 13 is a duplexer different from the first duplexer 11. The second duplexer 13 is a duplexer compatible with terrestrial waves. The second duplexer 13 has a transmit filter 13T and a receive filter 13R. The transmit filter 13T has a pass band that includes the transmit band of a third terrestrial communication band. The transmit band of the third communication band is, for example, Band 25T or Band 66T + Band 70T. The receive filter 13R has a pass band that includes the receive band of a fourth terrestrial communication band. The fourth communication band may be the same as or a different communication band from the third communication band. The receive band of the second communication band is, for example, Band 25R + Band 70R or Band 66R.

[0036] The second duplexer 13 has an input / output unit 13a, an input unit 13b, and an output unit 13c. The input / output unit 13a functions as an output unit of the transmit filter 13T and an input unit of the receive filter 13R. The input / output unit 13a is connected to a selection terminal 6e of the switch 6. The input unit 13b functions as an input unit of the transmit filter 13T. The input unit 13b is connected to a selection terminal 7c of the switch 7. The output unit 13c functions as an output unit of the receive filter 13R. The output unit 13c is connected to a selection terminal 9d of the switch 9.

[0037] The transmission filter 13T receives a signal (transmission signal) from the input unit 13b, restricts the input signal to a signal in the transmission band of the third communication band, passes the signal, and outputs the passed signal from the input / output unit 13a. The reception filter 13R receives a signal (reception signal) from the input / output unit 13a, restricts the input signal to a signal in the reception band of the fourth communication band, passes the signal, and outputs the passed signal from the output unit 13c.

[0038] The filter 14 is, for example, a TDD (Time Division Duplex) filter. The filter 14 is, for example, a transmit / receive filter. The filter 14 has a passband that includes the transmit band and receive band of the fifth terrestrial communication band. The fifth transmit band is, for example, one of Band 34, Band 39, Band 40, and Band 41. The filter 14 has a first input / output unit 14a and a second input / output unit 14b. The first input / output unit 14a is connected to a selection terminal 6d of the switch 6. The second input / output unit 14b is connected to a selection terminal 8d of the switch 8. The filter 14 receives a signal (received signal) from the first input / output unit 14a, restricts the input signal to a signal in the receive band of the fifth communication band, and outputs the passed signal from the second input / output unit 14b. In addition, the filter 14 inputs a signal (transmission signal) from the second input / output unit 14b, restricts the input signal to a signal in the transmission band of the fifth communication band, passes it, and outputs the passed signal from the first input / output unit 14a.

[0039] The filter 15 is a TDD filter. The filter 15 is, for example, a transmit / receive filter. The filter 15 has a passband that includes the transmit band and receive band of a sixth terrestrial communication band. The sixth communication band is a communication band different from the fifth communication band, and is, for example, one of Band 34, Band 39, Band 40, and Band 41. The filter 15 has a first input / output unit 15a and a second input / output unit 15b. The first input / output unit 15a is connected to a selection terminal 6c of the switch 6. The second input / output unit 15b is connected to a selection terminal 8e of the switch 8. The filter 15 receives a signal (received signal) from the first input / output unit 15a, restricts the input signal to a signal in the receive band of the sixth communication band, and outputs the passed signal from the second input / output unit 15b. In addition, the filter 15 inputs a signal (transmission signal) from the second input / output unit 15b, restricts the input signal to a signal in the transmission band of the sixth communication band, passes it, and outputs the passed signal from the first input / output unit 15a.

[0040] The power amplifier 17 is provided between the external terminal 5b and the common terminal 7a of the switch 7. The power amplifier 17 has an input section 17a and an output section 17b. The input section 17a is connected to the external terminal 5b. The output section 17b is connected to the common terminal 7a of the switch 7. The power amplifier 17 amplifies a signal (transmission signal) input to the input section 17a and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 17b.

[0041] The power amplifier 18 is provided between the external terminal 5c and the common terminal 8a of the switch 8. The power amplifier 18 has an input section 18a and an output section 18b. The input section 18a is connected to the external terminal 5c. The output section 18b is connected to the common terminal 8a of the switch 8. The power amplifier 18 amplifies a signal (transmission signal) input to the input section 18a and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 18b.

[0042] The low-noise amplifier 20 is provided between the output port 11c of the receive filter 11R and a branch point N1 (see FIG. 2). The branch point N1 is connected to the external terminal 5i via a first signal path M1 and to the external terminal 5j via a second signal path M2. The low-noise amplifier 20 has an input port 20a and an output port 20b. The input port 20a is connected to the output port 11c of the receive filter 11R. The output port 20b is connected to the branch point N1. The low-noise amplifier 20 amplifies the signal (received signal) input to the input port 20a and outputs the amplified signal from the output port 20b. As a result, the output signal from the output port 20b flows from the branch point N1 through the first signal path M1 to the external terminal 5i, and also flows from the branch point N1 through the second signal path M2 to the external terminal 5j.

[0043] The first signal path M1 is a signal path for transmitting the received signal of the n255 communication band to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal that flows through the first signal path M1 from the branch point N1 is output from the external terminal 5i to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal that has been output is then extracted by the signal processing circuit 2 into the n255 signal. The second signal path M2 is a signal path for transmitting the received Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32 signal to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal that has been output from the branch point N1 to the second signal path M2 is output from the external terminal 5j to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal that has been output is then extracted by the signal processing circuit 2 into the Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32 signal.

[0044] The low-noise amplifier 21 is provided between the common terminal 9a of the switch 9 and the external terminal 5d. The low-noise amplifier 21 has an input section 21a and an output section 21b. The input section 21a is connected to the common terminal 9a of the switch 9. The output section 21b is connected to the external terminal 5d. The low-noise amplifier 21 amplifies the signal (received signal) input to the input section 21a and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 21b.

[0045] The low-noise amplifier 22 is provided between the common terminal 9b of the switch 9 and the external terminal 5e. The low-noise amplifier 22 has an input section 22a and an output section 22b. The input section 22a is connected to the common terminal 9b of the switch 9. The output section 22b is connected to the external terminal 5e. The low-noise amplifier 22 amplifies the signal (received signal) input to the input section 22a and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 22b.

[0046] The low-noise amplifier 23 is provided between the common terminal 10a of the switch 10 and the external terminal 5f. The low-noise amplifier 23 has an input section 23a and an output section 23b. The input section 23a is connected to the common terminal 10a of the switch 10. The output section 23b is connected to the external terminal 5f. The low-noise amplifier 23 amplifies the signal (received signal) input to the input section 23a and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 23b.

[0047] The low-noise amplifier 24 is provided between the common terminal 10b of the switch 10 and the external terminal 5g. The low-noise amplifier 24 has an input section 24a and an output section 24b. The input section 24a is connected to the common terminal 10b of the switch 10. The output section 24b is connected to the external terminal 5g. The low-noise amplifier 24 amplifies the signal (received signal) input to the input section 24a and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 24b.

[0048] (4) Features of the High-Frequency Module 1 The high-frequency module 1 is compatible with terrestrial communication bands (e.g., Band 1, Band 3, Band 7, Band 25, Band 32, Band 40, Band 41, Band 70, Band 66, Band 75, Band 76, etc.) and non-terrestrial communication bands (n255). More specifically, the high-frequency module 1 includes a configuration compatible with terrestrial communication bands (receive filter 11R, second duplexers 12 and 13, filters 14 and 15) and a configuration compatible with non-terrestrial communication bands (receive filter 11R and transmit filter 11T). Furthermore, by co-banding the non-terrestrial communication band (n255) with a terrestrial communication band that is relatively close to this non-terrestrial communication band (for example, communication bands of Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32), at least a part of the configuration corresponding to the terrestrial communication band (for example, receiving filter 11R) is also used as the configuration corresponding to the non-terrestrial communication band (receiving filter 11R).

[0049] Furthermore, in accordance with the dual use of the receiving filter 11R, the low noise amplifier 20 at the subsequent stage of the receiving filter 11R is also dual-purposed for both terrestrial communication bands and non-terrestrial communication bands.

[0050] (5) Operation of High-Frequency Module 1 The operation of the characteristic part (first duplexer 11) of the high-frequency module 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0051] (5-1) Operation when Receiving Signals of Multiple Co-banded Communication Bands In the switch 6, the common terminal 6a is connected to the selection terminal 6b. In this state, when the antenna 3 receives a signal, the received signal (received signal) flows sequentially through the antenna 3, the switch 6, the receive filter 11R of the first duplexer 11, and the low-noise amplifier 20, and is output to the branch point N1. At this time, the receive signal is limited by the receive filter 11R to a signal within the pass band of the receive filter 11R, and is then amplified by the low-noise amplifier 20.

[0052] The signal output to the branch point N1 branches into a first signal path M1 and a second signal path M2 at the branch point N1. The signal passing through the first signal path M1 is output from the external terminal 5i to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal output from the external terminal 5i to the signal processing circuit 2 has the co-banded Band75 / Band76 / Band32 signals removed from the signal, and the n255 signal is extracted. The signal passing through the second signal path M2 is output from the external terminal 5j to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal output from the external terminal 5j to the signal processing circuit 2 has the co-banded n255 signals removed from the signal, and the Band75 / Band76 / Band32 signals are extracted.

[0053] (5-2) Operation when transmitting an n255T signal In the switch 7, the common terminal 7a is connected to the selection terminal 7d. In the switch 6, the common terminal 6a is connected to the selection terminal 6b. In this state, a transmission signal is input from the signal processing circuit 2 to the external terminal 5b. The transmission signal input to the external terminal 5b flows through the power amplifier 17, the switch 7, and the transmission filter 11T, and is output to the selection terminal 6b of the switch 6. At this time, the transmission signal is amplified by the power amplifier 17, and is limited by the transmission filter 11T to a signal within the passband of the transmission filter 11T. The transmission signal output to the selection terminal 6b of the switch 6 is then output from the switch 6 to the antenna 3 and transmitted from the antenna 3.

[0054] (6) Effects The high-frequency module 1 according to the first embodiment includes a switch 6, a first duplexer 11, and at least one or more second duplexers 12 and 13 or one or more filters 14 and 15. The first duplexer 11 is connected to the switch 6. The first duplexer 11 includes a transmit filter 11T and a receive filter 11R. The transmit filter 11T has a pass band that includes the n255 transmit band. The receive filter 11R has a pass band that includes at least one of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 receive bands and the n255 receive band.

[0055] With this configuration, the receive filter 11R can co-band the receive band of at least one of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 (hereinafter referred to as "Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32") and the receive band of n255. Co-banding means including multiple communication bands in the pass band of a single filter. In other words, the pass band of the receive filter (11R) includes the receive band of n255 and the receive bands of Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32. This allows the high-frequency module 1 to be more compact than if separate receive filters were provided for the receive band of n255 and the receive bands of Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32.

[0056] A communication device 25 according to the first embodiment includes a high-frequency module 1 and a signal processing circuit 2. The signal processing circuit 2 is connected to the high-frequency module 1 and processes high-frequency signals. This configuration provides a communication device that has the effects of the high-frequency module.

[0057] (7) Modifications A description will be given of modifications of the first embodiment. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment may be omitted, and the description will focus on the configuration that is different from the first embodiment.

[0058] (7-1) Modification 1 (7-1-1) Configuration As shown in Fig. 3, the passband of the receive filter 11R of Modification 1 includes the passband of the receive filter 11R of Embodiment 1, and further includes a communication band (e.g., L1) for the GPS (Global Positioning System). That is, the passband of the receive filter 11R of Modification 1 includes the receive band of n255R, the receive band of at least one of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 (hereinafter referred to as "Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32"), and the communication band for GPS. The L1 communication band is 1574.397 MHz to 1576.442 MHz, and is a communication band that is relatively close to terrestrial communication bands (e.g., Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32) among the communication bands used by GPS satellites. In other words, in the first modification, the n255R reception band, the Band75 / Band76 / Band32 reception band, and the GPS communication band (for example, L1) are co-banded.

[0059] As a result of this co-banding, the passband of the receiving filter 11R of variant example 1 includes the receiving band of the terrestrial communication bands (Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32 communication bands), the non-terrestrial n255 receiving band, and the communication band for GPS (e.g., L1).

[0060] Furthermore, the low-noise amplifier 20 of the first modified example serves as a low-noise amplifier compatible with terrestrial communication bands (communication bands of Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32), a low-noise amplifier compatible with non-terrestrial n255, and a low-noise amplifier compatible with communication bands for GPS.

[0061] In the first modification, a signal in the GPS communication band is extracted from a signal output from the external terminal 5i to the signal processing circuit 2 in the signal processing circuit 2. Furthermore, a signal in the n255R reception band and signals in the Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32 reception bands are extracted from a signal output from the external terminal 5j to the signal processing circuit 2 in the signal processing circuit 2.

[0062] (7-1-2) Effects In the radio-frequency module 1 according to the first modification, the passband of the receiving filter 11R further includes a communication band for GPS (e.g., L1). This configuration allows the radio-frequency module to be more compact than when a separate receiving filter corresponding to the communication band for GPS is provided.

[0063] Second Embodiment (1) Configuration A high-frequency module 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the following description, the low-noise amplifier 20 according to the first modification of the first embodiment will be referred to as a first low-noise amplifier 20.

[0064] 4, the high-frequency module 1 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the high-frequency module 1 according to the first modification of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3), except that it further includes a second low-noise amplifier 30. In the following explanation, the same configuration as the first modification of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the configuration that differs from the first modification.

[0065] The second low-noise amplifier 30 is provided on the first signal path M1. More specifically, the second low-noise amplifier 30 is connected between the branch point N1 and the external terminal 5i. Even more specifically, the second low-noise amplifier 30 has an input section 30a and an output section 30b. The input section 30a is connected to the branch point N1. That is, the input section 30a is connected to the output section 20b of the first low-noise amplifier 20 via the branch point N1. The output section 30b is connected to the external terminal 5i. The second low-noise amplifier 30 amplifies the signal input to the input section 30a so that the signal in the GPS communication band included in the signal has a predetermined signal strength (e.g., a signal strength suitable for demodulation), and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 30b.

[0066] (2) Operation In the following description, the same operations as those of the first modification of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the operations that are different from those of the first modification.

[0067] The operation when receiving signals of each of a plurality of co-banded communication bands will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the reception strength of the signal of the GPS communication band is lower than the reception strength of the signals of the remaining communication bands (n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32). Furthermore, in the following description, of the plurality of co-banded communication bands, the signal of the GPS communication band may be referred to as a first signal, and the signals of the remaining communication bands (n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32) may be referred to as a second signal.

[0068] In the switch 6, the common terminal 6a is connected to the selection terminal 6b. When the antenna 3 receives a signal in this state, the received signal (received signal) flows sequentially through the antenna 3, the switch 6, the receiving filter 11R, and the first low-noise amplifier 20, and is output to the branch point N1, similar to the operation of the first embodiment. At this time, the received signal is amplified by the first low-noise amplifier 20. Through this amplification, signals of multiple communication bands included in the received signal are amplified, for example, by the same amplification factor. Through this amplification, the second signal included in the received signal is amplified to a predetermined signal strength (e.g., a signal strength suitable for demodulation). However, because the received strength of the first signal is smaller than the second received strength, the first signal is not amplified to the predetermined signal strength (e.g., a signal strength suitable for demodulation). Note that the predetermined signal strength for the second signal is assumed to be the same as the predetermined signal strength for the first signal, but may be different strengths.

[0069] The signal output to the branch point N1 branches from the branch point N1 into a first signal path M1 and a second signal path M2. The received signal passing through the first signal path M1 is further amplified by the second low-noise amplifier 30. This amplification amplifies the signal strength of the first signal included in the received signal to a predetermined signal strength (e.g., a signal strength suitable for demodulation). The received signal amplified by the second low-noise amplifier 30 flows through the first signal path M1 and is output from the external terminal 5i to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal processing circuit 2 then extracts a signal in the GPS communication band from the received signal output from the external terminal 5i and demodulates the extracted signal. During this demodulation, the first signal included in the received signal is stably demodulated by the signal processing circuit 2 because it has been amplified to the predetermined signal strength.

[0070] The received signal passing through the second signal path M2 is output from the external terminal 5j to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal processing circuit 2 extracts the second signal from the received signal output from the external terminal 5j and demodulates the extracted signal. During this demodulation, the second signal included in the received signal is amplified to a predetermined signal strength, and therefore is stably demodulated by the signal processing circuit 2.

[0071] In the second embodiment, the first low-noise amplifier 20 amplifies each signal of the multiple co-banded communication bands, for example, with the same amplification factor. However, among the signals of the multiple co-banded communication bands, the reception strength of the signal of the GPS communication band (-130 dBm or less) is lower than the reception strength of the signals of the remaining communication bands (for example, the reception strength of the n255 communication band is approximately -110 dBm). Therefore, when the first low-noise amplifier 20 amplifies the signals of the remaining communication bands to a predetermined signal strength, the signal of the GPS communication band is not amplified to the predetermined signal strength. Therefore, the second low-noise amplifier 30 further amplifies the signal of the GPS communication band, thereby amplifying the signal of the GPS communication band to a predetermined signal strength. In this way, the combination of the first low-noise amplifier 20 and the second low-noise amplifier 30 amplifies each signal of the multiple communication bands to a predetermined signal strength.

[0072] (3) Effects The high-frequency module 1 according to the second embodiment further includes a first low-noise amplifier 20, a first signal path M1, a second signal path M2, and a second low-noise amplifier 30. The first low-noise amplifier 20 is connected to the reception filter 11R. The second low-noise amplifier 30 is provided on the first signal path M1 of the first signal path M1 and the second signal path M2 that branch off at a stage subsequent to the first low-noise amplifier 20, and amplifies signals in the GPS communication band.

[0073] According to this configuration, each signal of the multiple co-banded communication bands (GPS (L1), n255, Band75, Band76, Band32) can be amplified by the common first low-noise amplifier 20. Furthermore, the second low-noise amplifier 30 can amplify the signal of the GPS communication band passing through the first signal path M1. As a result, even if the reception strength of the signal of the GPS communication band is lower than the reception strength of the remaining communication bands (n255, Band75, Band76, Band32), the first low-noise amplifier 20 and the second low-noise amplifier 30 can amplify each signal of the multiple communication bands to a signal strength suitable for signal processing (e.g., demodulation).

[0074] (4) Modifications Next, a description will be given of modifications of the second embodiment. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as the second embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the configuration that is different from the second embodiment.

[0075] (4-1) Modification 1 In Modification 1, in the operation of the second low-noise amplifier 30 of Embodiment 2, the second low-noise amplifier 30 further amplifies the received signal so that the signal strength of the second signal (signal in the remaining communication band) that becomes an unwanted wave when the first signal (signal in the GPS communication band) is demodulated in the signal processing circuit 2 is smaller than the signal strength of the first signal. That is, in Modification 1, the second low-noise amplifier 30 amplifies the received signal so that the first signal is amplified to a predetermined signal strength and the signal strength of the second signal that becomes an unwanted wave is smaller than the signal strength of the first signal.

[0076] More specifically, in variant 1, the gain curve of the second low-noise amplifier 30 is adjusted so that the first signal is amplified to a predetermined signal strength and the signal strength of the second signal is smaller than the signal strength of the first signal.

[0077] In the first modification, as described above, the second low-noise amplifier 30 amplifies the received signal so that the first signal is amplified to a predetermined signal strength and the signal strength of the second signal that becomes an unwanted wave is smaller than the signal strength of the first signal. Therefore, when the signal processing circuit 2 processes (e.g., demodulates) the first signal included in the received signal output from the external terminal 5i, the signal strength of the second signal that becomes an unwanted wave is smaller than the signal strength of the first signal, so that the first signal can be processed (e.g., demodulated) more stably.

[0078] In the first modification, the received signal is amplified by adjusting the gain curve of the second low-noise amplifier 30 so that the first signal is amplified to a predetermined signal strength and the signal strength of the second signal, which becomes an unwanted wave, is smaller than the signal strength of the first signal. However, the method of amplifying the received signal in this manner is not limited to adjusting the gain curve of the second low-noise amplifier 30. For example, the received signal may be amplified by providing a first capacitor and a second capacitor (not shown) upstream of the input section 30a of the second low-noise amplifier 30. In this method, the first capacitor is connected in series to the first signal path M1. The second capacitor is connected between the first signal path M1 and ground. Alternatively, the received signal may be amplified by providing a notch filter upstream of the input section 30a of the second low-noise amplifier 30.

[0079] Third Embodiment A high-frequency module 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0080] (1) Configuration As shown in Fig. 5, the high-frequency module 1 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the high-frequency module 1 according to the first modification of the first embodiment (see Fig. 3), except that it further includes a duplexer 40 (also referred to as a splitter) and a variable attenuator 41 (also referred to as a variable attenuator). In the following explanation, the same configuration as that of the first modification of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the configuration that is different from the first modification.

[0081] The branching filter 40 branches the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 into a first signal and a second signal. The first signal is a signal in the communication band for GPS. The second signal is a signal in a communication band (n255, Band75, Band76, Band32) other than the communication band for GPS among multiple co-banded communication bands.

[0082] The branching filter 40 has an input section 40a, a first output section 40b, and a second output section 40c. The input section 40a is connected to the output section 20b of the low-noise amplifier 20. The first output section 40b is connected to the external terminal 5i via a first signal path M1. The second output section 40c is connected to the external terminal 5j via a second signal path M2. The branching filter 40 branches a first signal from the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 input to the input section 40a and outputs the branched first signal from the first output section 40b to the first signal path M1. The branching filter 40 also branches a second signal from the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 input to the input section 40a and outputs the branched second signal from the second output section 40c to the second signal path M2.

[0083] The variable attenuator 41 attenuates the second signal output to the second signal path M2. More specifically, the variable attenuator 41 is provided in the second signal path M2. The variable attenuator 41 has an input port 41a and an output port 41b. The input port 41a is connected to the second output port 40c of the branching filter 40 via a portion of the second signal path M2. The output port 41b is connected to the external terminal 5j via the remaining portion of the second signal path M2. The variable attenuator 41 attenuates the second signal input to the input port 41a and outputs the attenuated second signal from the output port 41b. The variable attenuator 41 is capable of adjusting the amount of attenuation when attenuating the signal (second signal) input to the input port 41a, under control of a predetermined controller or manually set.

[0084] (2) Operation In the following description, the same operations as those of the first modification of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the operations that are different from those of the first modification.

[0085] The operation when receiving signals in each of a plurality of co-banded communication bands will be described below. In the following description, it is assumed that the reception strength of the first signal is smaller than the reception strength of the second signal.

[0086] In the switch 6, the common terminal 6a is connected to the selection terminal 6b. In this state, when the antenna 3 receives a signal, the received signal (received signal) passes through the antenna 3, the switch 6, the receiving filter 11R of the first duplexer 11, and the low-noise amplifier 20 in this order, and is output to the branching filter 40. At this time, the received signal is amplified by the low-noise amplifier 20. Through this amplification, each signal of a plurality of communication bands included in the received signal is amplified, for example, by the same amplification factor. Through this amplification, a first signal included in the received signal is amplified to a predetermined signal strength (for example, a signal strength suitable for demodulation), and a second signal included in the received signal is amplified to a signal strength greater than the predetermined signal strength.

[0087] The received signal is then separated into a first signal and a second signal by the splitter 40. The separated first signal is output from the splitter 40 via a first signal path M1 and from the external terminal 5i to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal processing circuit 2 performs signal processing (e.g., demodulation) on the first signal output from the external terminal 5i. During this signal processing, the first signal is amplified to a predetermined signal strength (e.g., signal strength suitable for signal processing), and therefore the first signal is stably processed.

[0088] Furthermore, the second signal demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 40 is output from the demultiplexer 40 to the variable attenuator 41 through the second signal path M2. The second signal output to the variable attenuator 41 is then attenuated by the variable attenuator 41 to a predetermined signal strength. The second signal attenuated by the variable attenuator 41 is then output from the external terminal 5j to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal processing circuit 2 performs signal processing (e.g., demodulation) on the second signal output from the external terminal 5j. During this signal processing, the second signal is amplified to a predetermined signal strength (e.g., a signal strength suitable for signal processing), and therefore the second signal is stably processed.

[0089] (3) Effects The high-frequency module 1 according to the third embodiment includes a low-noise amplifier 20, a branching filter 40, and a variable attenuator 41. The low-noise amplifier 20 is connected to the output section 11c of the receiving filter 11R. The branching filter 40 branches off a first signal in a communication band for GPS included in the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 and outputs the branched signal to a first signal path M1, and branches off a second signal in at least one of the communication bands n255, Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 included in the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 and outputs the branched signal to a second signal path M2. The variable attenuator 41 is provided in the second signal path M2 and attenuates the second signal.

[0090] According to this configuration, each signal of the multiple co-banded communication bands (GPS (L1), n255, Band75, Band76, Band32) can be amplified by the common low-noise amplifier 20. This allows the high-frequency module 1 to be miniaturized. Furthermore, the second signal branched to the second signal path M2 by the branching filter 40 can be attenuated by the variable attenuator 41. This allows each signal of the multiple co-banded communication bands to be amplified to a signal strength suitable for signal processing (e.g., demodulation) even if the reception strength of the signal of the GPS communication band is lower than the reception strength of the remaining communication bands (n255, Band75, Band76, Band32). As a result, signal processing of each of the signals of the multiple communication bands can be performed stably.

[0091] (4) Modifications Next, modifications of the third embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same configuration as in the third embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the configuration that differs from the third embodiment. (4-1) Modification 1 In the high-frequency module 1 according to the first modification, a variable attenuator is also provided in the first signal path M1 in the high-frequency module 1 according to the third embodiment. That is, in the high-frequency module 1 according to the first modification, a variable attenuator is provided in each of the first signal path M1 and the second signal path M2.

[0092] In the first modification, the low-noise amplifier 20 amplifies the output signal of the receive filter 11R so that the signal strength exceeds a predetermined value. The variable attenuator provided in the first signal path M1 attenuates the signal (first signal) in the GPS communication band passing through the first signal path M1 to a predetermined signal strength. The variable attenuator 41 provided in the second signal path M2 attenuates the signals (second signals) in the remaining communication bands to a predetermined signal strength. In this manner, each signal in the co-banded communication bands is amplified to a signal strength suitable for signal processing (e.g., demodulation). As a result, each signal in the multiple communication bands can be stably processed. It is assumed that the predetermined signal strength for the second signal is the same as the predetermined signal strength for the first signal, but the signal strengths may be different.

[0093] Fourth Embodiment A high-frequency module 1 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0094] (1) Configuration The high-frequency module 1 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the high-frequency module 1 according to the first modification of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3 ), except that the high-frequency module 1 according to the fourth embodiment further includes a coupler 50 and a variable element 60. In the following explanation, the same configuration as the first modification of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the configuration that is different from the first modification.

[0095] The coupler 50 separates a second signal other than the first signal from the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20. The first signal is a signal in a communication band for GPS. The second signal is a signal in a communication band (n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32) other than the communication band for GPS among multiple co-banded communication bands.

[0096] The coupler 50 has a main line 51 and a sub-line 52. The main line 51 is a signal path connecting the output 20b of the low-noise amplifier 20 and an external terminal 5i. The sub-line 52 is a signal path separated from the main line 51 and electromagnetically coupled to it. A variable element 60 is connected to the sub-line 52. In the example of FIG. 6 , the variable element 60 is provided at one end of the sub-line 52. The other end (the end opposite to the one end) of the sub-line 52 is connected to the external terminal 5j. The output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 flows through the main line 51 and is output from the external terminal 5i to the signal processing circuit 2. The coupler 50 also demultiplexes a second signal included in the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 passing through the main line 51 by electromagnetic coupling acting between the main line 51 and the sub-line 52, and outputs the demultiplexed second signal to the sub-line 52. For example, the coupler 50 outputs the demultiplexed second signal on the sub-line 52 toward the other end of the sub-line 52 (the end connected to the external terminal 5j).

[0097] The variable element 60 is provided on the sub-line 52 (e.g., one end of the sub-line 52) and is a variable element for adjusting the amount of electromagnetic coupling between the main line 51 and the sub-line 52. The variable element 60 can adjust the amount of coupling by control of a predetermined controller or by manual setting. The variable element 60 is, for example, at least one of a variable resistor R1 and a variable capacitor C1. The variable resistor R1 is connected between one end of the sub-line 52 and ground. The variable capacitor C1 is connected between one end of the sub-line 52 and ground. Note that the example of FIG. 6 illustrates a case in which both the variable resistor R1 and the variable capacitor C1 are provided. However, only one of the variable resistor R1 and the variable capacitor C1 may be provided. Also, although the variable resistor R1 and the variable capacitor C1 are connected in parallel to each other in the example of FIG. 6, they may also be connected in series to each other.

[0098] (2) Operation In the following description, the same operations as those of the first modification of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the operations that are different from those of the first modification.

[0099] In the switch 6, the common terminal 6a is connected to the selection terminal 6b. In this state, when the antenna 3 receives a signal, the received signal (received signal) flows sequentially through the antenna 3, the switch 6, the receiving filter 11R of the first duplexer 11, the low-noise amplifier 20, and the main line 51, and is output from the external terminal 5i to the signal processing circuit 2. At this time, the received signal is amplified by the low-noise amplifier 20. The signal processing circuit 2 then processes the received signal from the external terminal 5i. More specifically, the signal processing circuit 2 extracts a first signal from the received signal from the external terminal 5i and demodulates the extracted first signal. In addition, the coupler 50 demultiplexes a second signal included in the received signal passing through the main line 51 and outputs the demultiplexed second signal to the sub-line 52. The second signal output to the sub-line 52 is output from the external terminal 5j to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal processing circuit 2 performs signal processing (e.g., demodulation) on the second signal from the external terminal 5j.

[0100] (3) Effects The high-frequency module 1 according to the fourth embodiment includes a low-noise amplifier 20, a coupler 50, and a variable element 60. The low-noise amplifier 20 is connected to the receive filter 11R. The coupler 50 has a main line 51 and a sub-line 52. The main line 51 is connected to the low-noise amplifier 20. The sub-line 52 is electromagnetically coupled to the main line 51. The variable element 60 is provided on the sub-line 52 and is a variable element for adjusting the amount of electromagnetic coupling between the main line 51 and the sub-line 52. The coupler 50 demultiplexes a signal of at least one of the communication bands n255, Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 from the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 passing through the main line 51, and outputs the demultiplexed signal to the sub-line 52.

[0101] According to this configuration, signals of multiple co-banded communication bands (GPS (L1), n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32) can be amplified by a common low-noise amplifier 20. This allows the high-frequency module 1 to be miniaturized. In addition, the variable element 60 allows the amount of electromagnetic coupling between the main line 51 and the sub-line 52 to be adjusted.

[0102] (4) Modifications Next, a description will be given of modifications of embodiment 4. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as embodiment 4 will be omitted, and the description will focus on the configuration that is different from embodiment 4.

[0103] (4-1) Modification 1 (4-1-1) Configuration As shown in Fig. 7, the high-frequency module 1 according to Modification 1 has the same configuration as the high-frequency module 1 according to the fourth embodiment, except that it further includes a variable attenuator 70. In the following explanation, the same components as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the components that are different from the fourth embodiment.

[0104] The variable attenuator 70 is located downstream of the coupler 50 and attenuates the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 passing through the main line 51. That is, the variable attenuator 70 attenuates the signal output from the external terminal 5i. More specifically, the variable attenuator 70 is provided downstream of the coupler 50 on the main line 51. The variable attenuator 70 has an input port 70a and an output port 70b. The input port 70a is connected to the output port 20b of the low-noise amplifier 20 via a portion of the main line 51. The output port 70b is connected to the external terminal 5i via the remaining portion of the main line 51. The variable attenuator 70 attenuates the signal input to the input port 70a (the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20) and outputs the attenuated signal from the output port 70b. The variable attenuator 70 is capable of adjusting the amount of attenuation when attenuating the signal input to the input port 70a, under control of a predetermined controller or manually.

[0105] (4-1-2) Operation The operation when receiving signals of each of the multiple co-banded communication bands will be described below. In the following description, it is assumed that the reception strength of the signal (first signal) of the GPS communication band is smaller than the reception strength of the signals (second signals) of the remaining communication bands (n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32).

[0106] In the switch 6, the common terminal 6a is connected to the selection terminal 6b. When the antenna 3 receives a signal in this state, the received signal (received signal) is output to the main line 51 via the antenna 3, the switch 6, the receiving filter 11R of the first duplexer 11, and the low-noise amplifier 20 in this order. At this time, the received signal is amplified by the low-noise amplifier 20. As a result of this amplification, the signal strength of each of the first signal and the second signal included in the received signal becomes greater than a predetermined signal strength (a signal strength suitable for signal processing (e.g., demodulation)). The received signal output to the main line 51 is then attenuated by the variable attenuator 70 and then output from the external terminal 5i. The attenuation by the variable attenuator 70 attenuates the signal strength of the first signal included in the received signal to a predetermined signal strength. The signal processing circuit 2 then processes the received signal from the external terminal 5i to extract the first signal from the received signal and demodulates the extracted first signal. Since the first signal is amplified to a predetermined signal strength, the first signal is stably processed (for example, demodulated).

[0107] Furthermore, the coupler 50 demultiplexes a second signal included in the received signal passing through the main line 51 between the low-noise amplifier 20 and the variable attenuator 70 by utilizing electromagnetic coupling between the main line 51 and the sub-line 52, and outputs the demultiplexed second signal to the sub-line 52. The signal strength of the second signal demultiplexed by the coupler 50 is attenuated to a predetermined signal strength by the demultiplexing. The second signal, now attenuated to the predetermined signal strength, then flows through the sub-line 52 and is output from the external terminal 5j to the signal processing circuit 2. The signal processing circuit 2 performs signal processing (e.g., demodulation) on the second signal from the external terminal 5i. Because the second signal has been amplified to the predetermined signal strength, the second signal is stably processed (e.g., demodulated).

[0108] (4-1-3) Effects The high-frequency module 1 according to the first modification includes a variable attenuator 70. The variable attenuator 70 is provided on the main line 51 and attenuates the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 passing through the main line 51. With this configuration, the low-noise amplifier 20 can amplify the output signal of the receiving filter 11R so that the second signal (n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32) extracted from the sub-line 52 has a signal strength suitable for signal processing. Furthermore, the variable attenuator 70 can attenuate the output signal of the low-noise amplifier 20 so that the first signal (signal in the GPS communication band) extracted from the main line 51 has a signal strength suitable for signal processing. As a result, each signal in the multiple co-banded communication bands (GPS (L1), n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32) can be amplified to a signal strength suitable for signal processing.

[0109] (4-2) Modification 2 Modification 1 of Embodiment 4 illustrates a case in which a variable attenuator 70 is provided on the main line 51 and a variable element 60 is provided on the sub-line 52. In contrast, Modification 2 illustrates a case in which a variable element 60 is provided on the main line 51 and a variable attenuator 70 is provided on the sub-line 52. In this case, the low-noise amplifier 20 amplifies the output signal of the receive filter 11R (received signal) so that the signal strength of the first signal included in the output signal of the receive filter 11R becomes a predetermined signal strength. The signal processing circuit 2 then extracts and demodulates the first signal from the received signal output from the external terminal 5i. At this time, the first signal is stably demodulated because it has been amplified to the predetermined signal strength. Furthermore, the variable attenuator 70 provided on the sub-line 52 attenuates the second signal branched to the sub-line 52 by the coupler 50 to the predetermined signal strength. The signal processing circuit 2 demodulates the second signal output from the external terminal 5j. At this time, the second signal is stably demodulated because it has been attenuated to the predetermined signal strength by the variable attenuator 70. Note that the predetermined signal strength for the second signal is assumed to be the same as the predetermined signal strength for the first signal, but may be a different signal strength.

[0110] In variant 2, as in variant 1, each signal of multiple co-banded communication bands (GPS (L1), n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32) can be amplified to a signal strength suitable for signal processing.

[0111] Fifth Embodiment (1) Configuration A high-frequency module 1 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0112] The high-frequency module 1 according to the fifth embodiment includes external terminals 81a to 81f, a first switch 82, a second switch 83, a first filter 84, a second filter 86, a third filter 89, a fourth filter 87, a fifth filter 88, a first low-noise amplifier 90, a second low-noise amplifier 91, and a third low-noise amplifier 92.

[0113] The external terminal 81a is an antenna terminal to which the antenna 3 is connected. The external terminals 81b, 81c, and 81d are connected to different input sections (not shown) of a signal processing circuit (not shown) and are output terminals that output a received signal processed by the high-frequency module 1 to the input section of the signal processing circuit. The external terminals 81e and 81f are connected to different output sections (not shown) of the signal processing circuit and are input terminals that receive an output signal (transmission signal) from the output section of the signal processing circuit.

[0114] The first switch 82 is an antenna switch. The first switch 82 is, for example, a switch integrated circuit (IC). The first switch 82 has a common terminal 82a (first common terminal) and multiple (two in the example of FIG. 8 ) selection terminals 82b, 82c (first selection terminal and second selection terminal). The common terminal 82a can be selectively connected to at least one of the multiple selection terminals 82b, 82c. The common terminal 82a is connected to the external terminal 81a. The selection terminal 82b is connected to an output section 84b (described below) of the first filter 84. The selection terminal 82c is connected to an input section 86a (described below) of the second filter 86, an output section 87b (described below) of the fourth filter 87, and an input section 88a (described below) of the fifth filter 88.

[0115] The second switch 83 is a switch for switching the connection destination of an output unit 90b (described later) of the first low-noise amplifier 90 between a first signal path M1 and a second signal path M2. The first signal path M1 is a path through which a received signal in a communication band (e.g., n255R) of a terrestrial network (TN). The second signal path M2 is a path through which a received signal in a communication band (e.g., Band 75, Band 76, Band 32, GNSS (L1)) of a non-terrestrial network (NTN). The second switch 83 is, for example, a switch IC (Integrated Circuit). The second switch 83 has a common terminal 83a (second common terminal) and multiple (two in the example of FIG. 8 ) selection terminals 83b and 83c (third selection terminal and fourth selection terminal). The common terminal 83a is connected to an output section 86b of the second filter 86 via the first low-noise amplifier 90. Therefore, the common terminal 83a is connected to an output section 90b (described later) of the first low-noise amplifier 90. The selection terminal 83b is connected to an external terminal 81c via a first signal path M1. A second low-noise amplifier 91 and a third filter 89 are connected to the first signal path M1. Therefore, the selection terminal 83b is connected to an input section 91a (described later) of the second low-noise amplifier 91. The selection terminal 83c is connected to the external terminal 81b via a second signal path M2.

[0116] The first filter 84 is a transmission filter having a first passband that includes the transmission band of the first communication band. The first communication band is a communication band of a non-terrestrial network, for example, n255. Therefore, the first passband of the first filter 84 includes the transmission band of n255 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as n255T). The transmission band of n255 is 1626.5 MHz to 1660.5 MHz.

[0117] The first filter 84 has an input unit 84a and an output unit 84b. The input unit 84a is connected to an output unit 93b (described later) of the first power amplifier 93. The output unit 84b is connected to a selection terminal 82b of the first switch 82. The first filter 84 receives a signal (transmission signal) from the input unit 84a, restricts the input signal to a signal in the transmission band of the first communication band, and passes the restricted signal, and outputs the passed signal from the output unit 84b.

[0118] The second filter 86, the fourth filter 87, and the fifth filter 88 constitute a triplexer 85. An input section 86a (to be described later) of the second filter 86, an output section 87b (to be described later) of the fourth filter 87, and an input section 88a (to be described later) of the fifth filter 88 are configured by a common input / output section.

[0119] The second filter 86 is a receiving filter having a second passband including the receiving band of the first communication band (n255), the receiving band of the second communication band, and the communication band of the third communication band. Hereinafter, the receiving band of the first communication band (n255) may be referred to as "n255R." The second communication band is a communication band of a terrestrial network, for example, at least one of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32. Hereinafter, at least one of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 may be referred to as "Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32." The third communication band is, for example, a predetermined band (e.g., the L1 band) of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). GNSS is a general term for systems that use artificial satellites to measure current terrestrial positions and includes the communication band of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Therefore, the second passband of the second filter 86 includes the n255 reception band (255R), the Band 75 / Band 768 / Band 32 reception bands, and the GNSS (L1) communication band. The n255 reception band is 1525 MHz to 1559 MHz. Band 75 is 1432 MHz to 1517 MHz. Band 76 is 1427 MHz to 1432 MHz. Band 32 is 1452 MHz to 1496 MHz. The GNSS (L1) communication band is 1597.5515 MHz to 1605.886 MHz for GLONASS (L1) and 1559.052 MHz to 1563.144 MHz for COMPASS (L1). The communication band for GPS (L1) is 1574.397 MHz to 1576.442 MHz.

[0120] The second filter 86 has an input section 86 a and an output section 86 b. The input section 86 a is connected to a selection terminal 82 c of the first switch 82. The output section 86 b is connected to an input section 90 a (described later) of the first low-noise amplifier 90. The second filter 86 receives a signal (received signal) from the input section 86 a, limits the input signal to signals in the second pass band of the second filter 86, and passes the limited-pass signal, and outputs the passed signal from the output section 86 b.

[0121] The fourth filter 87 is a transmission filter having a fourth passband that includes the transmission band of the fourth communication band and the transmission band of the fifth communication band. The fourth communication band is a communication band of a non-terrestrial network, for example, n256. The fifth communication band is a communication band of a non-terrestrial network, for example, Band1. Therefore, the fourth passband of the fourth filter 87 includes the transmission band of n256 and the transmission band of Band1. Hereinafter, the transmission band of n256 may be referred to as "n256T," and the transmission band of Band1 may be referred to as "B1T." The transmission band of n256 is 1980 MHz to 2010 MHz. The transmission band of Band1 is 1920 MHz to 1980 MHz.

[0122] The fourth filter 87 has an input section 87a and an output section 87b. The input section 87a is connected to the output section 94b of the second power amplifier 94. The output section 87b is connected to the selection terminal 82c of the first switch 82. The fourth filter 87 receives a signal (transmission signal) from the input section 87a, restricts the input signal to a fourth passband of the fourth filter 87, and outputs the passed signal from the output section 87b.

[0123] The fifth filter 88 is a receiving filter having a fifth passband that includes the receiving band of the fourth communication band (n256) and the receiving band of the fifth communication band (Band1). Hereinafter, the n256 receiving band may be referred to as "n256R," and the Band1 receiving band may be referred to as "B1R." Therefore, the fifth passband of the fifth filter 88 includes the n256 receiving band (n256R) and the Band1 receiving band (B1R). The n256 receiving band is 2170 MHz to 2200 MHz. The Band1 receiving band is 2110 MHz to 2140 MHz.

[0124] The fifth filter 88 has an input section 88a and an output section 88b. The input section 88a is connected to the selection terminal 82c of the first switch 82. The output section 88b is connected to the input section 92a of the third low-noise amplifier 92. The fifth filter 88 receives a signal (received signal) from the input section 88a, restricts the input signal to signals in the fifth passband of the fifth filter 88, and outputs the passed signal from the output section 88b.

[0125] The third filter 89 is a filter, e.g., a bandpass filter, having a third passband that includes the communication band of the third communication band (GNSS(L1)) and does not include communication bands other than the third communication band (e.g., the first, second, fourth, and fifth communication bands). The third filter 89 is a filter for removing unnecessary signals (e.g., signals in the first, second, fourth, and fifth communication bands) that cannot be sufficiently removed by the second filter 86 during communication (e.g., during reception) using GNSS(L1). The third filter 89 has an input unit 89a and an output unit 89b. The third filter 89 receives a signal (received signal) from the input unit 89a, limits the input signal to signals in the third passband of the third filter 89, and outputs the passed signal from the output unit 89b.

[0126] The first low-noise amplifier 90 is provided between the output section 86b of the second filter 86 and the common terminal 83a of the second switch 83. The first low-noise amplifier 90 is a low-noise amplifier capable of amplifying signals in a wide communication band including the n255 reception band, the Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32 reception band, and the GNSS (L1) communication band. The first low-noise amplifier 90 has an input section 90a and an output section 90b. The input section 90a is connected to the output section 86b of the second filter 86. The output section 90b is connected to the common terminal 83a of the second switch 83. The first low-noise amplifier 90 amplifies the signal (received signal) input to the input section 90a and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 90b.

[0127] The second low-noise amplifier 91 is provided between the selection terminal 83b of the second switch 83 and the input 89a of the third filter 89. The second low-noise amplifier 91 is a low-noise amplifier compatible with the GNSS (L1) communication band (i.e., a low-noise amplifier for GNSS). The second low-noise amplifier 91 amplifies the GNSS (L1) reception signal when the first low-noise amplifier 90 amplifies the GNSS (L1) reception signal. The second low-noise amplifier 91 has an input 91a and an output 91b. The input 91a is connected to the selection terminal 83b of the second switch 83. The output 91b is connected to the input 89a of the third filter 89. The second low-noise amplifier 91 amplifies the signal (received signal) input to the input 91a and outputs the amplified signal from the output 91b.

[0128] The third low-noise amplifier 92 is provided between the output port 88b of the fifth filter 88 and the external terminal 81d. The third low-noise amplifier 92 is a low-noise amplifier that supports the n255 reception band (n255R) and the Band1 reception band (B1R). The third low-noise amplifier 92 has an input port 92a and an output port 92b. The input port 92a is connected to the output port 88b of the fifth filter 88. The output port 92b is connected to the external terminal 81d. The third low-noise amplifier 92 amplifies the signal (received signal) input to the input port 92a and outputs the amplified signal from the output port 92b.

[0129] The first power amplifier 93 is provided between the external terminal 81f and the input section 84a of the first filter 84. The first power amplifier 93 is a power amplifier compatible with the transmission band (n255T) of the first communication band. The first power amplifier 93 has an input section 93a and an output section 93b. The input section 93a is connected to the external terminal 81f. The output section 93b is connected to the input section 84a of the first filter 84. The first power amplifier 93 amplifies a signal (transmission signal) input to the input section 93a and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 93b.

[0130] The second power amplifier 94 is provided between the external terminal 81e and the input section 87a of the fourth filter 87. The second power amplifier 94 is a power amplifier that corresponds to the transmission band (n256T) of the fourth communication band and the transmission band (B1T) of the fifth communication band. The second power amplifier 94 has an input section 94a and an output section 94b. The input section 94a is connected to the external terminal 81e. The output section 94b is connected to the input section 87a of the fourth filter 87. The second power amplifier 94 amplifies the signal (transmission signal) input to the input section 94a and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 94b.

[0131] (2) Regarding the pass band of the triplexer 85 The reception band of n255 (n255R) is close to the reception bands of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32. For this reason, in the second filter 86, the reception bands of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 are expanded, and n255R is included in the expanded reception band, thereby combining n255R and the reception bands of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 into a single reception band.

[0132] Furthermore, the GNSS (L1) communication band is close to the one reception band. Therefore, the second filter 86 expands the one reception band and includes the GNSS (L1) reception band in the expanded reception band, thereby combining the GNSS (L1) reception band and the one reception band into a single reception band. That is, the second filter 86 combines n255R, the reception bands of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32, and the GNSS (L1) communication band into a single reception band.

[0133] Furthermore, the transmission band of n256 (n256T) is close to the transmission band of Band 1 (B1T). For this reason, the fourth filter 87 extends the transmission band of Band 1 (B1T) and includes n256T in the extended transmission band, thereby combining n256T and B1T into a single transmission band.

[0134] Furthermore, the n256 reception band (n256R) is close to the Band 1 reception band (B1R). For this reason, the fifth filter 88 extends the Band 1 reception band (B1R) and includes n256R in the extended reception band, thereby combining n256R and B1R into a single reception band.

[0135] The receiving band of the second filter 86, the transmitting band of the fourth filter 87, and the receiving band of the fifth filter 88 are close to one another, so that the receiving band of the second filter 86, the transmitting band of the fourth filter 87, and the receiving band of the fifth filter 88 are combined into a single pass band to form the triplexer 85.

[0136] The transmission band of n255 (n255T) is not close to the communication bands of other communication bands (the transmission bands of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32, B1T, B1R). For this reason, it is difficult to combine the first filter 84, which has a first pass band that includes n255T, with the pass band of the triplexer 85 to form a single filter. For this reason, the first filter 84 is configured as a standalone filter separate from the triplexer 85.

[0137] (3) Operation An example of the operation of the high-frequency module 1 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0138] (3-1) Operation when transmitting an n255T transmit signal In the first switch 82, the common terminal 82a is connected to the selection terminal 82b. In this state, a transmit signal is input to the external terminal 81f from a signal processing circuit (not shown). The transmit signal input to the external terminal 81f then passes through the first power amplifier 93, the first filter 84, and the first switch 82 and is transmitted from the antenna 3.

[0139] (3-2) Operation when transmitting an n256T transmit signal or a B1T transmit signal In the first switch 82, the common terminal 82a is connected to the selection terminal 82c. In this state, a transmit signal is input to the external terminal 81e from a signal processing circuit (not shown). The transmit signal input to the external terminal 81f then passes through the second power amplifier 94, the fourth filter 87, and the first switch 82, and is transmitted from the antenna 3.

[0140] (3-3) Operation when receiving an n256R reception signal or a B1R reception signal In the first switch 82, the common terminal 82a is connected to the selection terminal 82c. In this state, when the antenna 3 receives an n256R reception signal or a B1R reception signal, the reception signal passes through the antenna 3, the first switch 82, the fifth filter 88, and the third low-noise amplifier 92, and is output from the external terminal 81d to a signal processing circuit (not shown).

[0141] (3-4) Operation when Receiving a GNSS (L1) Received Signal In the first switch 82, the common terminal 82a is connected to the selection terminal 82c, and in the second switch 83, the common terminal 83a is connected to the selection terminal 83b. In this state, when the antenna 3 receives a GNSS (L1) received signal, the received signal passes through the antenna 3, the first switch 82, the second filter 86, the first low-noise amplifier 90, the second switch 83, the second low-noise amplifier 91, and the third filter 89, and is output from the external terminal 81c to a signal processing circuit (not shown). At this time, the received signal passes through the second filter 86, which has a relatively wide second passband, and then passes through the third filter 89 for GNSS. As a result, unnecessary signals (signals in bands other than GNSS (L)) that were not sufficiently removed by the second filter 86 are sufficiently removed by the third filter 89. The received signal is amplified by a first low-noise amplifier 90 that supports a relatively wide communication band, and then further amplified by a second low-noise amplifier 91 for GNSS (L1). As a result, the amount of amplification of the received signal by the first low-noise amplifier 90 that is insufficient is compensated for by the amplification of the received signal by the second low-noise amplifier 91.

[0142] (3-5) Operation when receiving an n255R reception signal or a Band75 / Band76 / Band32 reception signal In the first switch 82, the common terminal 82a is connected to the selection terminal 82c, and in the second switch 83, the common terminal 83a is connected to the selection terminal 83c. In this state, when the antenna 3 receives an n255R reception signal or a Band75 / Band76 / Band32 reception signal, the reception signal passes through the antenna 3, the first switch 82, the second filter 86, the first low-noise amplifier 90, and the second switch 83, and is output from the external terminal 81b to a signal processing circuit (not shown).

[0143] (3-6) Simultaneous Communication The above example of operation illustrates a case where any one of the first to fifth communication bands is used for transmission or reception alone. However, two or more of the first to fifth communication bands may be used for simultaneous communication.

[0144] For example, reception using GNSS (L1) and transmission using n255T may be performed simultaneously. In this case, the GNSS reception signal received by the antenna 3 passes through the first switch 82, the second filter 86, the first low-noise amplifier 90, the second switch 83, the second low-noise amplifier 91, and the third filter 89 before being output from the external terminal 81c. At this time, the n255T transmission signal may pass from the first filter 84 through the first switch 82 to the second filter 86, and then pass through the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second switch 83 to enter the first signal path M1, which is the GNSS signal path. In this case, the transmission signal that has entered the first signal path M1 is removed by the third filter 89. Therefore, the GNSS reception signal is output from the external terminal 81c without being mixed with the transmission signal.

[0145] Furthermore, reception using GNSS (L1) and transmission using n256T or B1T may be performed simultaneously. In this case, the GNSS reception signal received by the antenna 3 passes through the first switch 82, the second filter 86, the first low-noise amplifier 90, the second switch 83, the second low-noise amplifier 91, and the third filter 89 before being output from the external terminal 81c. At this time, the n256T or B1T transmission signal may pass from the fourth filter 87 through the triplexer 85, enter the second filter 86, and then pass through the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second switch 83 to enter the first signal path M1, which is the GNSS signal path. In this case, the transmission signal that has entered the first signal path M1 is also removed by the third filter 89. Therefore, the GNSS reception signal is output from the external terminal 81c without being mixed with the transmission signal.

[0146] (4) Position of the Third Filter As shown in Fig. 8 , the third filter 89 is connected between the second low-noise amplifier 91 and the external terminal 81c. That is, the third filter 89 is disposed after the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second low-noise amplifier 91. As a result, the third filter 89 attenuates the received signal after amplification by the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second low-noise amplifier 91 (i.e., after amplification by all the low-noise amplifiers), and therefore can effectively attenuate the received signal. That is, the third filter 89 can effectively remove unwanted signals contained in the received signal.

[0147] (5) Effects The high-frequency module 1 according to the fifth embodiment includes an external terminal 81a (antenna terminal), a first switch 82, a first filter 84, and a second filter 86. The first switch 82 has a common terminal 82a (first common terminal), a selection terminal 82b (first selection terminal), and a selection terminal 82c (second selection terminal). The common terminal 82a is connected to the external terminal 81a. The selection terminal 82b and the selection terminal 82c are connectable to the common terminal 82a. The first filter 84 is connected to the selection terminal 82b. The second filter 86 is connected to the selection terminal 82c. The first passband of the first filter 84 includes the transmission band of the first communication band (n255), which is a communication band of a non-terrestrial network. The second passband of the second filter 86 includes the reception band of the first communication band and the reception band of the second communication band (Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32). The second communication band is a communication band for a terrestrial network.

[0148] According to this configuration, the second filter 86 serves as a receiving filter for both the first communication band and the second communication band, thereby reducing the cost and size of the high-frequency module 1 .

[0149] Furthermore, in the high-frequency module 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the second passband of the second filter 86 includes the third communication band, which is the communication band of GPS. With this configuration, the second filter 86 also serves as a receiving filter for the third communication band, which allows for further cost reduction and miniaturization of the high-frequency module.

[0150] The high-frequency module 1 according to the fifth embodiment also includes an external terminal 81c (first output terminal), an external terminal 81b (second output terminal), a second switch 83, a first low-noise amplifier 90, a second low-noise amplifier 91, and a third filter 89. The second switch 83 has a common terminal 83a (second common terminal), a selection terminal 83b (third selection terminal), and a selection terminal 83c (fourth selection terminal). The common terminal 83a is connected to the second filter 86. The selection terminal 83b is connected to the external terminal 81c. The selection terminal 83c is connected to the external terminal 81b. The first low-noise amplifier 90 is connected between the second filter 86 and the common terminal 83a of the second switch 83. The second low-noise amplifier 91 is connected between the selection terminal 83b and the external terminal 81c. The third filter 89 is connected between the second low-noise amplifier 91 and the external terminal 81c. The third passband of the third filter 89 includes the communication band of the third communication band (GNSS (L1)) and does not include the communication bands (n255R, n255T) of the first communication band (n255).

[0151] According to this configuration, the third filter 89 can remove unwanted signals (e.g., n255T transmission signals) that enter the first signal path M1 for the third communication band during communication (e.g., during reception) using the third communication band. Because the third filter 89 is disposed after the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second low-noise amplifier 91, the third filter 89 can remove signals (unwanted signals) amplified by the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second low-noise amplifier 91. This allows the third filter 89 to effectively remove the unwanted signal waves.

[0152] Furthermore, in the high-frequency module 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the first communication band is n255, and the second communication band is one or more of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32. With this configuration, when the first communication band is n255 and the second communication band is one or more of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32, the above-described advantageous effects can be achieved.

[0153] The high-frequency module 1 according to the fifth embodiment also includes a fourth filter 87 and a fifth filter 88. The fourth filter 87 is connected to the selection terminal 82c (second selection terminal). The fifth filter 88 is connected to the selection terminal 82c (second selection terminal). The fourth passband of the fourth filter 87 includes the transmission band (n256T) of the fourth communication band (n2567), which is the communication band of the non-terrestrial network. The fifth passband of the fifth filter 88 includes the reception band (n256R) of the fourth communication band.

[0154] According to this configuration, the second filter 86, the fourth filter 87, and the fifth filter 88 are connected to the selection terminal 82c of the first switch 82, and therefore the second filter 86, the fourth filter 87, and the fifth filter 88 can be integrated into the triplexer 85. This allows the high-frequency module 1 to be further reduced in cost and size.

[0155] In the radio-frequency module 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the fourth passband of the fourth filter 87 includes the transmission band (B1T) of the fifth communication band (Band 1), which is the communication band of the terrestrial network. The fifth passband of the fifth filter 88 includes the reception band (B1R) of the fifth communication band.

[0156] With this configuration, the fourth filter 87 serves as a transmit filter for both the fourth and fifth communication bands, thereby reducing the cost and size of the high-frequency module 1. Furthermore, the fifth filter 88 serves as a receive filter for both the fourth and fifth communication bands, thereby further reducing the cost and size of the high-frequency module 1.

[0157] (6) Modifications A description will be given of modifications of the fifth embodiment. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as the fifth embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the configuration different from the fifth embodiment.

[0158] (6-1) Modification 1 In the fifth embodiment, the third filter 89 is connected between the second low-noise amplifier 91 and the external terminal 81c (see FIG. 8 ). In contrast, in Modification 1, as shown in FIG. 9 , the third filter 89 is connected between the output 86b of the second filter 86 and the input 90a of the first low-noise amplifier 90. According to Modification 1, the third filter 89 can remove unwanted signals (e.g., n255T transmission signals) that enter the first signal path M1 for the third communication band (GPS) during communication (e.g., during reception) using the third communication band. Because the third filter 89 is disposed between the second filter 86 and the first low-noise amplifier 90, the third filter 89 can reduce unwanted signals from being input to the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second low-noise amplifier 91. This reduces degradation of the characteristics of the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second low-noise amplifier 91 due to unwanted signals.

[0159] (6-2) Modification 2 In the fifth embodiment, the third filter 89 is connected between the second low-noise amplifier 91 and the external terminal 81c (see FIG. 8 ). In contrast, in Modification 2, as shown in FIG. 10 , the third filter 89 is connected between the input 91a of the second low-noise amplifier 91 and the selection terminal 83b of the second switch 83. According to Modification 2, the third filter 89 is disposed in a stage preceding the second low-noise amplifier 91. This allows the third filter 89 to reduce unwanted signals input to the second low-noise amplifier 91, thereby reducing degradation of the characteristics of the second low-noise amplifier 91 due to the unwanted signals. Furthermore, the third filter 89 is disposed in a stage following the first low-noise amplifier 90. This allows the third filter 89 to attenuate the received signal after it has been amplified by the first low-noise amplifier 90, thereby effectively attenuating the received signal. In other words, unwanted signals can be effectively removed.

[0160] (6-3) Modification 3 In the fifth embodiment, the second filter 86, the fourth filter 87, and the fifth filter 88 form a triplexer 85. However, the fourth filter 87 and the fifth filter 88 may form a duplexer, and the second filter 86 may form a single receiving filter. In Modification 3, the second filter 86 and the duplexer are separated from each other, and therefore, compared to when the second filter 86 and the duplexer are combined into one as the triplexer 85, the filter insertion loss caused by filter degradation due to the combination can be reduced.

[0161] Sixth Embodiment (1) Configuration A high-frequency module 1 according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In the following description, the same configuration as in the fifth embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the configuration different from the fifth embodiment.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 11 , the high-frequency module 1 according to the sixth embodiment is configured in the same manner as the high-frequency module 1 according to the first embodiment, except that the third filter 89 (see FIG. 8 ) is replaced with a band rejection filter 104.

[0163] The band rejection filter 104 is a filter capable of attenuating only a specific band. The band rejection filter 104 has a rejection band that includes only the specific band. The specific band includes the transmission band (n256T) of the fourth communication band (n256) and the transmission band (B1T) of Band 1. The band rejection filter 104 is connected between the external terminal 81c and the output section 91b of the second low-noise amplifier 91. More specifically, the band rejection filter 104 has an input section 104a and an output section 104b. The input section 104a is connected to the output section 91b of the second low-noise amplifier 91. The output section 104b is connected to the external terminal 81c. The band rejection filter 104 attenuates signals in a specific band from the signal (received signal) input to the input section 104a and outputs signals in bands other than the specific band from the output section 104b.

[0164] (2) Operation With reference to FIG. 11, an operation will be described as an example in which reception of a GNSS (L1) signal and transmission of an n256T or B1T transmission signal are performed simultaneously.

[0165] In the first switch 82, the common terminal 82a is connected to the selection terminal 82c, and in the second switch 83, the common terminal 83a is connected to the selection terminal 83b. In this state, when the antenna 3 receives a GNSS (L1) reception signal, the reception signal passes through the antenna 3, the first switch 82, the second filter 86, the first low-noise amplifier 90, the second switch 83, the second low-noise amplifier 91, and the band rejection filter 104, and is output from the external terminal 81b to a signal processing circuit (not shown). In parallel with this reception, when a transmission signal is input from the signal processing circuit to the external terminal 81e, the transmission signal passes through the fourth filter 87 and the first switch 82 and is transmitted from the antenna 3. At this time, a portion of the transmission signal that has passed through the fourth filter 87 passes through the triplexer 85 and enters the second filter 86, which may cause the transmission signal to be mixed into the reception signal. In this case, when the received signal mixed with the transmitted signal passes through the band rejection filter 104, the transmitted signal is removed from the received signal by the band rejection filter 104. In this way, even if reception of the GNSS (L1) received signal and transmission of the n255T or B1T transmitted signal are performed simultaneously, it is possible to reduce mixing of the n255T or B1T transmitted signal as an unnecessary signal into the received GNSS (L1) received signal.

[0166] (3) Effects The high-frequency module 1 according to the sixth embodiment includes a band rejection filter 104 between the external terminal 81c and the second low-noise amplifier 91. The rejection band of the band rejection filter 104 includes the transmission band (n256T) of the fourth communication band (n256) and the transmission band (B1T) of Band 1. Therefore, even if reception using the third communication band (GNSS) and transmission using the fourth communication band (n256) or the fifth communication band (Band 1) are performed simultaneously, it is possible to reduce contamination of the transmission signal of the fourth communication band or the fifth communication band with the reception signal of the third communication band.

[0167] (4) Modifications A description will be given of modifications of the sixth embodiment. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as the sixth embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the configuration different from the sixth embodiment.

[0168] (4-1) Modification 1 In the sixth embodiment, the band rejection filter 104 is connected between the second low-noise amplifier 91 and the external terminal 81c. However, the band rejection filter 104 may also be connected between the output section 86b of the second filter 86 and the common terminal 83a of the second switch 83, as in the third filter 89 shown in FIG. 9 . In this case, the band rejection filter 104 is disposed in a stage preceding the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second low-noise amplifier 91. Therefore, the band rejection filter 104 removes unwanted signals from the received signal, thereby reducing the amount of unwanted signals input to the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second low-noise amplifier 91. As a result, degradation of the characteristics of each of the first low-noise amplifier 90 and the second low-noise amplifier 91 due to the unwanted signals can be reduced.

[0169] (4-2) Modification 2 In the sixth embodiment, the band rejection filter 104 is connected between the second low-noise amplifier 91 and the external terminal 81c. However, the band rejection filter 104 may also be connected between the input 91a of the second low-noise amplifier 91 and the selection terminal 83b of the second switch 83, as in the third filter 89 shown in FIG. 10 . In this case, the band rejection filter 104 is disposed in a stage preceding the second low-noise amplifier 91. Therefore, the band rejection filter 104 can reduce unwanted signals input to the second low-noise amplifier 91, thereby reducing degradation of the characteristics of the second low-noise amplifier 91 due to the unwanted signals. Furthermore, the band rejection filter 104 is disposed in a stage following the first low-noise amplifier 90. Therefore, the band rejection filter 104 attenuates the received signal after it has been amplified by the first low-noise amplifier 90, thereby effectively attenuating the received signal. In other words, unwanted signals can be effectively removed.

[0170] Seventh Embodiment (1) Configuration A high-frequency module 1 according to a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as in the fifth embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the configuration different from the fifth embodiment.

[0171] 12 , the high-frequency module 1 according to the seventh embodiment has the same configuration as the high-frequency module 1 according to the fifth embodiment, except that it further includes a sixth filter 96, a seventh filter 97, a fourth low-noise amplifier 99, a third power amplifier 100, and external terminals 81 g and 81 h. Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment will be described in detail.

[0172] The external terminal 81g is connected to an input section of a signal processing circuit (not shown) and is an output terminal that outputs a received signal processed by the high-frequency module 1 to the input section of the signal processing circuit. The external terminal 81h is connected to an output section of the signal processing circuit and is an input terminal that receives an output signal (transmission signal) from the output section of the signal processing circuit.

[0173] The first switch 82 of the seventh embodiment has the same configuration as the first switch 82 of the fifth embodiment, except that it further includes selection terminals 82d and 82e. In the first switch 82 of the seventh embodiment, the common terminal 82a can be selectively connected to at least one of the selection terminals 82b to 82e. The common terminal 82a and the selection terminal 82b are connected to the same destinations as in the fifth embodiment. The selection terminal 82c is connected to an input section 86a (described later) of the second filter 86. The selection terminal 82d is connected to an output section 87b (described later) of the fourth filter 87 and an input section 88a (described later) of the fifth filter 88. The selection terminal 82e is connected to an output section 96b (described later) of the sixth filter 96 and an input section 97a (described later) of the seventh filter 97.

[0174] The sixth filter 96 and the seventh filter 97 constitute a diplexer 98. An output section 96b (to be described later) of the sixth filter 96 and an input section 97a (to be described later) of the seventh filter 97 are configured as a common input / output section and are connected to a selection terminal 82e of the first switch 82.

[0175] The sixth filter 96 is a transmission filter having a sixth passband that includes the transmission band of the sixth communication band. The sixth communication band is a communication band of a terrestrial network, such as Band 3. That is, the sixth passband of the sixth filter 96 includes the transmission band of Band 3 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as B3T). The sixth filter 96 has an input unit 96a and an output unit 96b. The input unit 96a is connected to an output unit 100b (described below) of the third power amplifier 100. The output unit 96b is connected to the selection terminal 82e of the first switch 82. The sixth filter 96 receives a signal (transmission signal) from the input unit 86a, restricts the input signal to a signal in the transmission band of the sixth communication band, passes the signal, and outputs the passed signal from the output unit 86b.

[0176] The seventh filter 97 is a receive filter having a seventh pass band that includes the receive band of the sixth communication band (Band 3) (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as B3R). The seventh filter 97 has an input unit 97a and an output unit 97b. The input unit 97a is connected to the selection terminal 82e of the first switch 82. The output unit 97b is connected to an input unit 99a (described below) of the fourth low-noise amplifier 99. The seventh filter 97 receives a signal (received signal) from the input unit 87a, restricts the input signal to signals in the receive band of the sixth communication band, and outputs the passed signal from the output unit 97b.

[0177] The fourth low-noise amplifier 99 is provided between the output port 97b of the seventh filter 97 and the external terminal 81g. The fourth low-noise amplifier 99 is a low-noise amplifier corresponding to the reception band (B3R) of the sixth communication band (Band 3). The fourth low-noise amplifier 99 has an input port 99a and an output port 99b. The input port 99a is connected to the output port 97b of the seventh filter 97. The output port 99b is connected to the external terminal 81g. The fourth low-noise amplifier 99 amplifies the signal (received signal) input to the input port 99a and outputs the amplified signal from the output port 99b.

[0178] The third power amplifier 100 is provided between the external terminal 81h and the input section 96a of the sixth filter 96. The third power amplifier 100 is a power amplifier compatible with the transmission band (B3T) of the sixth communication band (Band 3). The third power amplifier 100 has an input section 100a and an output section 100b. The input section 100a is connected to the external terminal 81h. The output section 100b is connected to the input section 96a of the sixth filter 96. The third power amplifier 100 amplifies a signal (transmission signal) input to the input section 100a and outputs the amplified signal from the output section 100b.

[0179] The fourth filter 87 and the fifth filter 88 of the seventh embodiment are configured similarly to the fourth filter 87 and the fifth filter 88 of the fifth embodiment, except that they constitute a duplexer 95. The output part 87b of the fourth filter 87 and the input part 88a of the fifth filter 88 of the seventh embodiment are configured as a common input / output part, and are connected to the selection terminal 82d of the first switch 81.

[0180] The second filter 86 of the seventh embodiment is configured similarly to the second filter 86 of the fifth embodiment, except that it is configured as a standalone filter. An input section 86a of the second filter 86 of the seventh embodiment is connected to the selection terminal 82c of the first switch 81.

[0181] (2) Effects The high-frequency module 1 according to the seventh embodiment includes the sixth filter 96 and the seventh filter 97, and therefore can perform transmission and reception using the sixth communication band (Band 3).

[0182] Furthermore, in the seventh embodiment, the second filter 86 and the duplexer 95 are separated, and therefore, the insertion loss of the filter caused by deterioration of the filter due to combining the second filter 86 and the duplexer 95 into one can be reduced compared to when the second filter 86 and the duplexer 95 are combined into one to form a triplexer.

[0183] Eighth Embodiment (1) Configuration A high-frequency module 1 according to an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as in the seventh embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the configuration different from the seventh embodiment.

[0184] 13 , the high-frequency module 1 according to the eighth embodiment has the same configuration as the high-frequency module 1 according to the seventh embodiment, except that the fifth filter 88 and the sixth filter 96 are swapped. Hereinafter, the eighth embodiment will be described in detail.

[0185] In the eighth embodiment, the fourth filter 87 (transmission filter) and the sixth filter 96 (transmission filter) are combined into a duplexer 101. That is, the two transmission filters (the fourth filter 87 and the sixth filter 96) are combined into one filter (the duplexer 101). The output portion 87b of the fourth filter 87 and the output portion 96b of the sixth filter 96 are configured as a common output portion and are connected to the selection terminal 82d of the first switch 82.

[0186] In the eighth embodiment, the fifth filter 88 (receiving filter) and the seventh filter 97 (receiving filter) are combined into a duplexer 102. That is, the two receiving filters (the fifth filter 88 and the seventh filter 97) are combined into a single filter (the duplexer 102). The input section 88a of the fifth filter 88 and the input section 97a of the seventh filter 97 are configured as a common output section and are connected to the selection terminal 82e of the first switch 82.

[0187] (2) Effects The high-frequency module 1 according to the eighth embodiment includes a fourth filter 87 and a fifth filter 88. The first switch 82 further includes a selection terminal 82d (third selection terminal) and a selection terminal 83e (fourth selection terminal). The selection terminal 82d is connected to the fourth filter 87. The selection terminal 82e is connected to the fifth filter 88. The fourth passband of the fourth filter 87 includes the transmission band (n256T) of the fourth communication band (n256), which is the communication band of the non-terrestrial network. The fifth passband of the fifth filter 88 includes the reception band (n256R) of the fourth communication band. With this configuration, the fourth filter 87 and the fifth filter 88 are included, enabling transmission and reception of the fourth communication band.

[0188] In the high-frequency module 1 according to the eighth embodiment, the fourth passband of the fourth filter 87 includes the transmission band (B1T) of the fifth communication band (Band 1), which is the communication band of the terrestrial network. The fifth passband of the fifth filter 88 includes the reception band (B1R) of the fifth communication band.

[0189] With this configuration, the fourth filter 87 serves as a transmit filter for both the fourth and fifth communication bands, thereby enabling a reduction in cost and size of the high-frequency module. Also, the fifth filter 88 serves as a receive filter for both the fourth and fifth communication bands, thereby enabling a reduction in cost and size of the high-frequency module.

[0190] Furthermore, in the high-frequency module 1 according to the eighth embodiment, the fourth communication band is n256, and the fifth communication band is Band 1. With this configuration, when the fourth communication band is n256 and the fifth communication band is Band 1, the above-described advantageous effects can be achieved.

[0191] Furthermore, in the high-frequency module 1 according to the eighth embodiment, the duplexer 101 combines the fourth filter 87 and the sixth filter 96 (i.e., the transmit filters), and the duplexer 102 combines the fifth filter 88 and the seventh filter 97 (i.e., the receive filters). This allows the multiple filters in the high-frequency module 1 to be easily separated into transmit filters and receive filters. In other words, isolation between the transmit filters and receive filters in the high-frequency module 1 can be easily ensured.

[0192] (Ninth Embodiment) (1) Configuration A high-frequency module 1 according to a ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as in the eighth embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the configuration different from the eighth embodiment.

[0193] 14 , the high-frequency module 1 according to the ninth embodiment has the same configuration as the high-frequency module 1 according to the eighth embodiment, except that the second filter 86, the fifth filter 88, and the seventh filter 97 (i.e., three receiving filters) form a triplexer 103. The ninth embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0194] In the ninth embodiment, as described above, the second filter 86, the fifth filter 88, and the seventh filter 97 (i.e., three receiving filters) configure the triplexer 103. The input part 86 a of the second filter 86, the input part 88 a of the fifth filter 88, and the input part 97 a of the seventh filter 97 are configured as a common output part, and are connected to the selection terminal 82 c of the first switch 82.

[0195] (2) Effects In the high-frequency module 1 according to the ninth embodiment, the triplexer 103 bundles the second filter 86, the fifth filter 88, and the seventh filter 97 (i.e., all of the receive filters in the high-frequency module 1), so that the multiple filters in the high-frequency module can be easily divided into transmit filters and receive filters. In other words, isolation between the transmit filters and receive filters in the high-frequency module 1 can be easily ensured.

[0196] Furthermore, since the second filter 86, the fifth filter 88, and the seventh filter 97 (that is, all the receiving filters in the high frequency module 1) are combined into one filter (the triplexer 103), the high frequency module 1 can be made smaller.

[0197] (Aspects) The present specification discloses the following aspects.

[0198] A high-frequency module (1) according to a first aspect includes a switch (6), a first duplexer (11), and at least one or more second duplexers (12, 13) or one or more filters (14, 15). The first duplexer (11) is connected to the switch (6). The first duplexer (11) includes a transmit filter (11T) and a receive filter (11R). The transmit filter (11T) has a passband that includes a transmit band of n255. The receive filter (11R) has a passband that includes at least one receive band of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32, as well as the receive band of n255.

[0199] According to this configuration, the receive filter (11R) can co-band the receive band of at least one of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 (hereinafter referred to as "Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32") and the receive band of n255. Co-banding means including multiple communication bands in the pass band of a single filter. In other words, the pass band of the receive filter (11R) includes the receive band of n255 and the receive bands of Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32. Therefore, the high-frequency module (1) can be made more compact than when separate receive filters are provided for the receive band of n255 and the receive bands of Band 75 / Band 76 / Band 32.

[0200] In the high frequency module (1) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the pass band of the receiving filter (11R) further includes a communication band for GPS.

[0201] This configuration allows the high frequency module to be made smaller than when a separate receiving filter corresponding to the GPS communication band is provided.

[0202] The high-frequency module (1) of the third aspect is the same as that of the second aspect, but further includes a first low-noise amplifier (20) and a second low-noise amplifier (30). The first low-noise amplifier (20) is connected to the receiving filter (11R). The second low-noise amplifier (30) is provided in the first signal path (M1) of a first signal path (M1) and a second signal path (M2) branched off at a stage subsequent to the first low-noise amplifier (20), and amplifies signals in the GPS communication band.

[0203] According to this configuration, each signal of the multiple co-banded communication bands (GPS (L1), n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32) can be amplified by the common first low-noise amplifier (20). Furthermore, the second low-noise amplifier (30) can amplify the signal of the GPS communication band. As a result, even if the reception strength of the signal of the GPS communication band is lower than the reception strength of the signals of the remaining communication bands (n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32), the first low-noise amplifier (20) and the second low-noise amplifier (30) can amplify each signal of the multiple co-banded communication bands to a signal strength suitable for signal processing.

[0204] The high-frequency module (1) of the fourth aspect is the second aspect and includes a low-noise amplifier (20), a branching filter (40), and a variable attenuator (41). The low-noise amplifier (20) is connected to a receiving filter (11R). The branching filter (40) branches a first signal in a GPS communication band included in an output signal of the low-noise amplifier (20) and outputs the branched signal to a first signal path (M1), and branches a second signal in at least one receiving band of n255, Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 included in the output signal of the low-noise amplifier (20) and outputs the branched signal to a second signal path (M2). The variable attenuator (41) is provided in the second signal path (M2) and attenuates the second signal.

[0205] According to this configuration, each signal of the multiple co-banded communication bands (GPS (L1), n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32) can be amplified by a common low-noise amplifier (20). This allows the high-frequency module (1) to be miniaturized. Furthermore, the second signal branched to the second signal path (M2) by the branching filter (40) can be attenuated by the variable attenuator (41). This allows each signal of the multiple co-banded communication bands to be amplified to a signal strength suitable for signal processing, even if the reception strength of the signal of the GPS communication band is lower than the reception strength of the signals of the remaining communication bands (n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32).

[0206] The high-frequency module (1) of the fifth aspect is the second aspect and includes a low-noise amplifier (20), a coupler (50), and a variable element (60). The low-noise amplifier (20) is connected to a receiving filter (11R). The coupler (50) has a main line (51) and a secondary line (52). The main line (51) is connected to the low-noise amplifier (20). The secondary line (52) is electromagnetically coupled to the main line (51). The variable element (60) is provided on the secondary line (52) and is a variable element for adjusting the amount of electromagnetic coupling between the main line (51) and the secondary line (52). The coupler (50) separates a signal of at least one of the reception bands n255, Band 75, Band 76 and Band 32 from the output signal of the low noise amplifier (20) passing through the main line (51) and outputs the separated signal to the sub-line (52).

[0207] According to this configuration, each signal of a plurality of co-banded communication bands (GPS (L1), n255, Band 75, Band 76, Band 32) can be amplified by a common low-noise amplifier (20). This allows the high-frequency module (1) to be miniaturized. In addition, the variable element (60) allows the amount of electromagnetic coupling between the main line (51) and the sub-line (52) to be adjusted.

[0208] The high-frequency module (1) of a sixth aspect is the fifth aspect, further comprising a variable attenuator (70). The variable attenuator (70) is provided on the main line (51) and attenuates the output signal of the low-noise amplifier (20) passing through the main line (51).

[0209] According to this configuration, the output signal of the receiving filter (11R) can be amplified by the low-noise amplifier (20) so that the signal (n255, Band75, Band76, Band32) extracted from the sub-line (52) has a signal strength suitable for signal processing (e.g., demodulation). Also, the output signal of the low-noise amplifier (20) can be attenuated by the variable attenuator (70) so that the signal (signal in the GPS communication band) extracted from the main line (51) has a signal strength suitable for signal processing. As a result, each signal of the multiple co-banded communication bands (GPS (L1), n255, Band75, Band76, Band32) can be amplified to a signal strength suitable for signal processing.

[0210] A communication device (25) of a seventh aspect includes the high-frequency module (1) of any one of the first to sixth aspects and a signal processing circuit (2). The signal processing circuit (2) is connected to the high-frequency module (1) and processes a high-frequency signal.

[0211] This configuration makes it possible to provide a communication device that has the effect of a high-frequency module.

[0212] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 High frequency module 2 Signal processing circuit 2a RF signal processing circuit 2b Baseband signal processing circuit 3 Antenna 5a to 5j External terminal 6 Switch 6a Common terminal 6b to 6f Selection terminal 7 Switch 7a Common terminal 7b, 7c, 7d Selection terminal 8 Switch 8a to 8c Common terminal 8d, 8e Selection terminal 9 Switch 9a, 9b Common terminal 9c, 9d Selection terminal 10 Switch 10a, 10b Common terminal 10c, 10d Selection terminal 11 First duplexer 11a Input / output section 11b Input section 11c Output section 11R Receiving filter 11T Transmitting filter 12 Second duplexer 12a Input / output section 12b Input section 12c Output section 12R Receiving filter 12T Transmitting filter 13 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS Second duplexer 13a Input / output section 13b Input section 13c Output section 13R Receiving filter 13T Transmitting filter 14, 15 Filters 14a, 15a First input / output section 14b, 15b Second input / output section 17, 18 Power amplifiers 17a, 18a Input section 17b, 18b Output section 20 Low-noise amplifier (first low-noise amplifier) ​​20a Input section 20b Output section 21 to 24 Low-noise amplifiers 21a to 24a Input section 21b to 24b Output section 25 Communication device 30 Second low-noise amplifier 30a Input section 30b Output section 40 Branching filter 40a Input section 40b First output section 40c Second output section 41 Variable attenuator 41a Input section 41b Output section 50 Coupler 51 Main line 52 Sub-line 60 Variable element 70 Variable attenuator 70a Input section 70b Output section 81 First switch 81a to 81h External terminal 82 First switch 82a Common terminal (first common terminal) 82b Selection terminal (first selection terminal) 82c Selection terminal (second selection terminal) 82d,82e Selection terminal 83 Second switch 83a Common terminal (second common terminal) 83b Selection terminal (third selection terminal) 83c Selection terminal (fourth selection terminal) 84 First filter 84a Input section 84b Output section 85 Triplexer 86 Second filter 86a Input section 86b Output section 87 Fourth filter 87a Input section 87b Output section 88 Fifth filter 88a Input section 88b Output section 89 Third filter 89a Input section 89b Output section 90 First low-noise amplifier 90a Input section 90b Output section 91 Second low-noise amplifier 91a Input section 91b Output section 92 Third low-noise amplifier 92a Input section 92b Output section 93 First power amplifier 93a Input section 93b Output section 94 Second power amplifier 94a Input section 94b Output section 95 Duplexer 96 Sixth filter 96a Input section 96b Output section 97 Seventh filter 97a Input section 97b Output section 98 Diplexer 99 Fourth low-noise amplifier 99a Input section 99b Output section 100 Third power amplifier 100a Input section 100b Output section 101, 102 Duplexer 103 Triplexer 104 Band rejection filter 104a Input section 104b Output section C1 Variable capacitance M1 First signal path M2 Second signal path N1 Branch point R1 Variable resistor

Claims

1. A high frequency module comprising: a switch; a first duplexer connected to the switch; and at least one or more second duplexers or one or more filters connected to the switch, wherein the first duplexer has: a transmit filter having a pass band that includes a transmit band of n255; and a receive filter having a pass band that includes at least one of receive bands of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32 and the receive band of n255.

2. The high frequency module according to claim 1, wherein the pass band of the receiving filter further includes a communication band for GPS.

3. The high frequency module according to claim 2, further comprising: a first low noise amplifier connected to the receiving filter; and a second low noise amplifier provided in the first signal path of a first signal path and a second signal path branched off at a stage subsequent to the first low noise amplifier, the second low noise amplifier amplifying a signal in the communication band for GPS.

4. The high frequency module according to claim 2, comprising: a low noise amplifier connected to the receiving filter; a splitter that splits a first signal in the communication band for GPS included in an output signal of the low noise amplifier and outputs the split signal to a first signal path, and splits a second signal in at least one of the receiving bands n255, Band75, Band76, and Band32 included in the output signal of the low noise amplifier and outputs the split signal to a second signal path; and a variable attenuator provided in the second signal path for attenuating the second signal.

5. The high frequency module according to claim 2, comprising: a low noise amplifier connected to said receiving filter; a coupler having a main line connected to said low noise amplifier and a sub-line electromagnetically coupled to said main line; and a variable element provided on said sub-line for adjusting an amount of electromagnetic coupling between said main line and said sub-line, wherein said coupler branches off a signal of at least one of said receiving bands, n255, Band 75, Band 76 and Band 32, from an output signal of said low noise amplifier passing through said main line, and outputs the branched signal to said sub-line.

6. The high frequency module according to claim 5, further comprising a variable attenuator provided in said main line for attenuating an output signal of said low noise amplifier passing through said main line.

7. A radio frequency module comprising: an antenna terminal; a first common terminal connected to the antenna terminal; a first switch having a first selection terminal and a second selection terminal connectable to the first common terminal; a first filter connected to the first selection terminal; and a second filter connected to the second selection terminal, wherein a first pass band of the first filter includes a transmission band of a first communication band which is a communication band of a non-terrestrial network, and a second pass band of the second filter includes a reception band of the first communication band and a reception band of a second communication band which is a communication band of a terrestrial network.

8. The high frequency module according to claim 7, wherein the second pass band of the second filter further includes a third communication band, which is a GPS communication band.

9. A high-frequency module as claimed in claim 8, comprising: a first output terminal; a second output terminal; a second switch having a second common terminal connected to the second filter, a third selection terminal connected to the first output terminal, and a fourth selection terminal connected to the second output terminal; a first low-noise amplifier connected between the second filter and the second common terminal of the second switch; a second low-noise amplifier connected between the third selection terminal and the first output terminal; and a third filter, wherein the third filter is connected between the second low-noise amplifier and the first output terminal, and a third passband of the third filter includes the communication band of the third communication band, but does not include the communication band of the first communication band.

10. A high-frequency module as claimed in claim 8, comprising: a first output terminal; a second output terminal; a second switch having a second common terminal connected to the second filter, a third selection terminal connected to the first output terminal, and a fourth selection terminal connected to the second output terminal; a first low-noise amplifier connected between the second filter and the second common terminal; a second low-noise amplifier connected between the third selection terminal and the first output terminal; and a third filter, wherein the third filter is connected between the second filter and the first low-noise amplifier, and a third passband of the third filter includes the communication band of the third communication band, but does not include the communication band of the first communication band.

11. A high-frequency module as claimed in claim 8, comprising: a first output terminal; a second output terminal; a second switch having a second common terminal connected to the second filter, a third selection terminal connected to the first output terminal, and a fourth selection terminal connected to the second output terminal; a first low-noise amplifier connected between the second filter and the second common terminal; a second low-noise amplifier connected between the third selection terminal and the first output terminal; and a third filter, wherein the third filter is connected between the second switch and the second low-noise amplifier, and a third passband of the third filter includes the communication band of the third communication band, but does not include the communication band of the first communication band.

12. The high-frequency module according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the first communication band is n255, and the second communication band is one or more of Band 75, Band 76, and Band 32.

13. A high-frequency module as described in any one of claims 7 to 12, comprising: a fourth filter connected to the second selection terminal; and a fifth filter connected to the second selection terminal, wherein a fourth passband of the fourth filter includes a transmission band of a fourth communication band which is a communication band of the non-terrestrial network, and a fifth passband of the fifth filter includes a reception band of the fourth communication band.

14. The high-frequency module described in claim 13, wherein the fourth passband of the fourth filter further includes a transmission band of a fifth communication band which is a communication band of the terrestrial network, and the fifth passband of the fifth filter further includes a reception band of the fifth communication band.

15. A high-frequency module as described in claim 7 or 8, comprising: a fourth filter; and a fifth filter; the first switch further has a third selection terminal connected to the fourth filter and a fourth selection terminal connected to the fifth filter; a fourth pass band of the fourth filter includes a transmission band of a fourth communication band which is a communication band of the non-terrestrial network; and a fifth pass band of the fifth filter includes a reception band of the fourth communication band.

16. The high-frequency module described in claim 15, wherein the fourth passband of the fourth filter further includes a transmission band of a fifth communication band which is a communication band of the terrestrial network, and the fifth passband of the fifth filter further includes a reception band of the fifth communication band.

17. The high-frequency module according to claim 14 or 16, wherein the fourth communication band is n256, and the fifth communication band is Band 1.

18. A communication device comprising: a high-frequency module according to any one of claims 1 to 17; and a signal processing circuit connected to the high-frequency module for processing a high-frequency signal.

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