Radio-frequency front-end module and radio-frequency chip

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of wireless communications. Provided are a radio frequency front-end module and a radio frequency chip. The radio frequency front-end module comprises a substrate, and a first die, a second die and a third die, which are arranged on the substrate, wherein a power amplifier circuit is arranged on the first die and is configured to amplify transmitted radio frequency signals; a first voltage conversion circuit is arranged on the second die and is configured to convert a power supply into a preset voltage and then output the preset voltage to the first die to provide power; a control module is arranged on the third die and is configured to process the amplified signals output by the power amplifier circuit and output corresponding control signals to perform switching; an output end of the control module is configured to control the switching between different radio frequency signals to a signal receiving end; an input end of the first voltage conversion circuit is configured to connect to the power supply; and the first voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert the power supply into an operating voltage and output same to the power amplifier circuit. The radio frequency front-end module of the present invention can improve reliability and the effect of switching between transmitted and received signals.

Description

RF front-end module and RF chip Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a radio frequency front-end module and a radio frequency chip. Background Technology

[0002] In TDD (Time Division Duplex) systems such as wireless communication and Wi-Fi, TDD is a duplexing method used to separate the receive and transmit channels. TDD mode ensures time separation by receiving and transmitting in different time slots on the same frequency channel. TDD systems often require a radio frequency front-end module (FEM). This FEM typically consists of a radio frequency switch, a radio frequency power amplifier (PA), and a low-noise amplifier (LNA). The radio frequency switch switches the radio frequency path according to the transmit / receive timing control signal; the radio frequency power amplifier amplifies the transmitted signal; and the low-noise amplifier amplifies the weak received signal.

[0003] In actual circuit operation, the received signal strength varies greatly, with a dynamic range exceeding 90dB. To handle strong signals, a bypass channel is required in the receiving path. When a strong signal is received, the RF front-end module internally opens the bypass channel and shuts down the low-noise amplifier channel; otherwise, it shuts down the bypass channel and opens the low-noise amplifier channel. However, adding a bypass channel increases circuit complexity, resulting in poor RF signal transmission and reception control of the RF front-end module and low reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a radio frequency front-end module to solve the problems of poor radio frequency signal transmission and reception control and low reliability in existing radio frequency front-end modules.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a radio frequency front-end module, the radio frequency front-end module comprising: a substrate, a first chip, a second chip and a third chip disposed on the substrate;

[0006] The first chip is equipped with a power amplifier circuit for amplifying the transmitted radio frequency signal;

[0007] The second chip is provided with a first voltage conversion circuit, which is used to convert the power supply into a preset voltage and output it to the first chip to provide power.

[0008] The third chip is equipped with a control module, which is used to process the amplified signal output by the power amplifier circuit and output corresponding control signals to realize switching.

[0009] The first input terminal of the power amplifier circuit is connected to the signal transmitting terminal, and the power amplifier circuit is used to amplify the input radio frequency signal; the output terminal of the power amplifier circuit is connected to the first input terminal of the control module.

[0010] The output of the control module is used to control the switching of different radio frequency signals to the signal receiving end;

[0011] The input terminal of the first voltage conversion circuit is connected to the power supply, and the output terminal of the first voltage conversion circuit is connected to the second input terminal of the power amplifier circuit. The first voltage conversion circuit is used to convert the power supply into a working voltage and output it to the power amplifier circuit. The second input terminal of the control module is connected to the power supply and is used to provide power to the control module. The control terminal of the control module is connected to the antenna terminal.

[0012] The control module includes a switching circuit, a second voltage conversion circuit, and a switch control circuit.

[0013] The input terminal of the switch control circuit is used to connect to an external logic control circuit, and the output terminal of the switch control circuit is used to output the control signal of the external logic control circuit to the switching circuit to realize the switching function of the switching circuit; the first input terminal of the switching circuit serves as the first input terminal of the control module, the input terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit serves as the second input terminal of the control module, and the output terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit is connected to the second input terminal of the switching circuit; the output terminal of the switching circuit serves as the output terminal of the control module, and the control terminal of the switching circuit is connected to the antenna terminal.

[0014] Preferably, the switching circuit includes a first radio frequency switch and a receiving circuit;

[0015] The output terminal of the switch control circuit is used to control the operation of the first radio frequency switch; the control terminal of the first radio frequency switch serves as the control terminal of the switching circuit, the first output terminal of the first radio frequency switch serves as the first input terminal of the switching circuit, the second output terminal of the first radio frequency switch is connected to the input terminal of the receiving circuit, the input terminal of the receiving circuit also serves as the second input terminal of the switching circuit, and the output terminal of the receiving circuit serves as the output terminal of the switching circuit.

[0016] Preferably, the receiving circuit includes a first low-noise amplifier and a second radio frequency switch;

[0017] The input terminal of the first low-noise amplifier is connected to the control terminal of the second radio frequency switch and serves as the input terminal of the receiving circuit. The output terminal of the first low-noise amplifier is connected to the output terminal of the second radio frequency switch and serves as the output terminal of the receiving circuit.

[0018] Preferably, the switching circuit includes a third radio frequency switch and a second low-noise amplifier;

[0019] The output terminal of the switch control circuit is used to control the operation of the third radio frequency switch; the control terminal of the third radio frequency switch serves as the control terminal of the switching circuit, the first output terminal of the third radio frequency switch serves as the first input terminal of the switching circuit, the second output terminal of the third radio frequency switch is connected to the input terminal of the second low noise amplifier, and the input terminal of the second low noise amplifier also serves as the second input terminal of the switching circuit and is connected to the output terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit; the third output terminal of the third radio frequency switch is connected to the output terminal of the second low noise amplifier and serves as the output terminal of the switching circuit.

[0020] Preferably, the power amplifier circuit includes a first matching circuit, a second matching circuit, a transmit bias circuit, and a power amplifier;

[0021] The input terminal of the first matching circuit serves as the first input terminal of the power amplifier circuit, and the input terminal of the transmitting bias circuit serves as the second input terminal of the power amplifier circuit. The output terminals of the first matching circuit and the transmitting bias circuit are respectively connected to the input terminals of the power amplifier. The output terminal of the power amplifier is connected to the input terminal of the second matching circuit, and the output terminal of the second matching circuit serves as the output terminal of the power amplifier circuit. The input terminal of the power amplifier is also used to connect to the power supply voltage.

[0022] Preferably, the power amplifier is composed of a multi-stage transistor amplifier circuit.

[0023] Preferably, the first chip, the second chip, and the third chip are fixedly connected to the substrate by means of silver paste or solder balls.

[0024] Preferably, the first chip is fabricated using GaAs technology; the second chip is fabricated using CMOS technology; and the third chip is fabricated using PHEMT or SOI technology.

[0025] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a radio frequency chip, including the radio frequency front-end module described above.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the radio frequency front-end module of the present invention comprises a first chip, a second chip, and a third chip disposed on a substrate. The first chip has a power amplifier circuit for amplifying the transmitted radio frequency signal; the second chip has a first voltage conversion circuit for converting the power supply into a preset voltage and outputting it to the first chip; the third chip has a control module for processing the amplified signal output from the power amplifier circuit and outputting corresponding control signals to achieve switching. The first voltage conversion circuit converts the power supply into a working voltage and outputs it to the power amplifier circuit; the power amplifier circuit amplifies the input radio frequency signal; the output of the control module controls the switching of different radio frequency signals to the signal receiving end; the second input of the control module is connected to… The power supply is connected to provide power to the control module. The input terminal of the switch control circuit is used to connect to the external logic control circuit, and the output terminal of the switch control circuit is used to output the control signal of the external logic control circuit to the switching circuit to realize the switching function of the switching circuit. The first input terminal of the switching circuit serves as the first input terminal of the control module, and the input terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit serves as the second input terminal of the control module. The output terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit is connected to the second input terminal of the switching circuit. The output terminal of the switching circuit serves as the output terminal of the control module, and the control terminal of the switching circuit is connected to the antenna terminal. The switch control circuit controls the switching circuit to perform corresponding switching, so that radio frequency signals of different frequency bands are output through different switching channels. The radio frequency signal input and output control effect is good, and the overall reliability is high. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of the radio frequency front-end module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of the receiving circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 is a second circuit diagram of the radio frequency front-end module provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] In the diagram, 100 is the RF front-end module, 1 is the first chip, 2 is the second chip, 3 is the third chip, 4 is the substrate, 5 is the power amplifier circuit, 51 is the first matching circuit, 52 is the second matching circuit, 53 is the transmit bias circuit, 54 is the power amplifier, 6 is the first voltage conversion circuit, 7 is the control module, 71 is the switching circuit, 711 is the first RF switch, 712 is the receiving circuit, 7121 is the first low-noise amplifier, 7122 is the second RF switch, 713 is the third RF switch, 714 is the second low-noise amplifier, 72 is the second voltage conversion circuit, and 73 is the switch control circuit. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, every other embodiment of the present invention obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort is within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] Referring to Figure 1, this embodiment of the invention provides a radio frequency (RF) front-end module 100, which includes: a substrate 4, a first chip 1 (Die 1), a second chip 2 (Die 2), and a third chip 3 (Die 3) disposed on the substrate 4; the first chip 1 integrates a power amplifier circuit 5 for amplifying the transmitted RF signal; the second chip 2 integrates a first voltage conversion circuit 6 for converting the power supply VCC into a preset voltage and outputting it to the first chip to provide power; the third chip 3 integrates a control module 7 for processing the amplified signal output by the power amplifier circuit 5 and outputting corresponding control signals to achieve switching.

[0035] The first input terminal of the power amplifier circuit 5 is connected to the signal transmitting terminal TXIn, and the power amplifier circuit 5 is used to amplify the input radio frequency signal; the output terminal of the power amplifier circuit 5 is connected to the first input terminal of the control module 7; the output terminal of the control module 7 is used to control the switching of different radio frequency signals to the signal receiving terminal RXOut; the input terminal of the first voltage conversion circuit 6 is connected to the power supply VDD, and the output terminal of the first voltage conversion circuit 6 is connected to the second input terminal of the power amplifier circuit 5, and the first voltage conversion circuit 6 is used to convert the power supply VDD into a working voltage and output it to the power amplifier circuit 5; the second input terminal of the control module 7 is connected to the power supply VDD, and is used to provide power to the control module 7; the control terminal of the control module 7 is connected to the antenna terminal ANT.

[0036] The first chip 1, the second chip 2, and the third chip 3 form a die structure; the substrate 4 can be formed using a frame or a multilayer circuit board. The first chip 1, the second chip 2, and the third chip 3 are electrically connected by thin metal wires.

[0037] The control module 7 includes a switching circuit 71, a second voltage conversion circuit 72, and a switch control circuit 73. The input terminal of the switch control circuit 73 is connected to an external logic control circuit, and the output terminal of the switch control circuit 73 outputs the control signal from the external logic control circuit to the switching circuit 71, thereby realizing the switching function of the switching circuit 71. The first input terminal of the switching circuit 71 serves as the first input terminal of the control module 7, and the input terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit 72 serves as the second input terminal of the control module 7. The output terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit is connected to the second input terminal of the switching circuit 71. The output terminal of the switching circuit 71 serves as the output terminal of the control module 7, and the control terminal of the switching circuit 71 is connected to the antenna terminal ANT. By controlling the switching circuit 71 through the switch control circuit 73, different frequency band radio frequency signals are output through different switching channels, resulting in good radio frequency signal input and output control and high overall reliability. The second voltage conversion circuit 72 is connected to the power supply VDD, providing power and control signals to the switching circuit 71.

[0038] In this embodiment, the switching circuit 71 includes a first radio frequency switch 711 and a receiving circuit 712. The output terminal of the switch control circuit 73 is used to control the operation of the first radio frequency switch 711; the control terminal of the first radio frequency switch 711 serves as the control terminal of the switching circuit 71, the first output terminal of the first radio frequency switch 711 serves as the first input terminal of the switching circuit 71, the second output terminal of the first radio frequency switch 711 is connected to the input terminal of the receiving circuit 712, the input terminal of the receiving circuit 712 also serves as the second input terminal of the switching circuit 71, and the output terminal of the receiving circuit 712 serves as the output terminal of the switching circuit 71.

[0039] The RF signal output from the power amplifier circuit 5 passes through the first RF switch 711. During the transmission phase, the signal is transmitted to the antenna ANT via the control terminal of the first RF switch 711. During the reception phase, the received signal enters through the antenna ANT and is output to the receiving circuit 712 via the second output terminal of the first RF switch 711. The receiving circuit 712 receives the signal and outputs it to the signal receiving terminal RXOut. Thus, the first RF switch 711 effectively switches between the transmitted and received signals, providing good switching control. The second voltage conversion circuit 72 is connected to the power supply VDD, providing power and control signals to the receiving circuit 712 and the first RF switch 711, respectively.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG2, the receiving circuit 712 includes a first low-noise amplifier 7121 and a second radio frequency switch 7122. The input terminal of the first low-noise amplifier 7121 is connected to the control terminal of the second radio frequency switch 7122 and serves as the input terminal of the receiving circuit 712. The output terminal of the first low-noise amplifier 7121 is connected to the output terminal of the second radio frequency switch 7122 and serves as the output terminal of the receiving circuit 712. The second radio frequency switch 7122 also functions as a bypass circuit.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG3, the switching circuit 71 includes a third RF switch 713 and a second low-noise amplifier 714; the output terminal of the switch control circuit 73 is used to control the operation of the third RF switch 713; the control terminal of the third RF switch 713 serves as the control terminal of the switching circuit 71, the first output terminal of the third RF switch 713 serves as the first input terminal of the switching circuit 71, the second output terminal of the third RF switch 713 is connected to the input terminal of the second low-noise amplifier 714, and the input terminal of the second low-noise amplifier 714 also serves as the second input terminal of the switching circuit 71 and is connected to the output terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit 72; the third output terminal of the third RF switch 713 is connected to the output terminal of the second low-noise amplifier 714 and serves as the output terminal of the switching circuit 71. An external logic control circuit outputs a control signal to the third RF switch 713, the first output terminal of the third RF switch 713 is used to connect to the output terminal of the power amplifier circuit 5, and the third RF switch 713 outputs a signal to the antenna terminal ANT.

[0042] In this embodiment, the power amplifier circuit 5 includes a first matching circuit 51, a second matching circuit 52, a transmit bias circuit 53, and a power amplifier 54. The input terminal of the first matching circuit 51 serves as the first input terminal of the power amplifier circuit 5, and the input terminal of the transmit bias circuit 53 serves as the second input terminal of the power amplifier circuit 5. The output terminals of the first matching circuit 51 and the transmit bias circuit 53 are respectively connected to the input terminal of the power amplifier 54. The output terminal of the power amplifier 54 is connected to the input terminal of the second matching circuit 52, and the output terminal of the second matching circuit 52 serves as the output terminal of the power amplifier circuit 5. The input terminal of the power amplifier 54 is also used to connect to the power supply voltage VCC. The power supply voltage VCC provides operating power to the power amplifier 54.

[0043] The first matching circuit 51 is used to achieve optimal impedance matching between the signal transmitting end TXIn and the input of the power amplifier 54. The power amplifier 54 is used to amplify the input RF signal. The second matching circuit 52 achieves optimal matching between the output signal of the power amplifier 54 and the antenna end ANT. The first voltage conversion circuit 6 converts the power supply VDD into a suitable voltage and outputs it to the transmitting bias circuit 53. The transmitting bias circuit 53 provides corresponding voltage or current bias output to ensure the stable output of the power amplifier 54.

[0044] In this embodiment, the power amplifier 54 is composed of a multi-stage transistor amplifier circuit.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first chip 1, the second chip 2 and the third chip 3 are fixedly connected to the substrate 4 by means of silver paste or solder balls.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first chip 1 is fabricated using GaAs technology; the second chip 2 is fabricated using CMOS technology; and the third chip 3 is fabricated using PHEMT or SOI technology.

[0047] The first chip 1 typically uses GaAs technology, but is not limited to GaAs. GaAs technology is an important semiconductor process technology, mainly used to fabricate gallium arsenide integrated circuits. GaAs process technologies include liftoff techniques, which are crucial for the fabrication of GaAs integrated circuits.

[0048] The second chip 2 typically uses CMOS technology, but is not limited to it. CMOS is an abbreviation for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor, which refers to a technology used to manufacture large-scale integrated circuit chips or chips manufactured using this technology.

[0049] The third chip is typically fabricated using PHEMT or SOI processes, but is not limited to either. PHEMT is an improved structure of high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), also known as pseudomodulation-doped heterojunction field-effect transistors. SOI, or Silicon-On-Insulator, is an advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology that introduces a buried oxide layer between the top silicon layer and the back substrate, achieving dielectric isolation of components in integrated circuits, thereby reducing parasitic capacitance, increasing operating speed, and lowering power consumption.

[0050] Example 2

[0051] This invention provides an RF chip, including the RF front-end module 100 of the above embodiment 1.

[0052] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0053] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Of course, they can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk), and includes several instructions to cause a terminal (which may be a mobile phone, computer, server, air conditioner, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0054] The above description discloses only preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A radio frequency front-end module, characterized in that, The radio frequency front-end module includes: a substrate, a first chip, a second chip, and a third chip disposed on the substrate; The first chip is equipped with a power amplifier circuit for amplifying the transmitted radio frequency signal; The second chip is provided with a first voltage conversion circuit, which is used to convert the power supply into a preset voltage and output it to the first chip to provide power. The third chip is equipped with a control module, which is used to process the amplified signal output by the power amplifier circuit and output corresponding control signals to realize switching. The first input terminal of the power amplifier circuit is connected to the signal transmitting terminal, and the power amplifier circuit is used to amplify the input radio frequency signal; the output terminal of the power amplifier circuit is connected to the first input terminal of the control module. The output of the control module is used to control the switching of different radio frequency signals to the signal receiving end; The input terminal of the first voltage conversion circuit is connected to the power supply, and the output terminal of the first voltage conversion circuit is connected to the second input terminal of the power amplifier circuit. The first voltage conversion circuit is used to convert the power supply into a working voltage and output it to the power amplifier circuit. The second input terminal of the control module is connected to the power supply and is used to provide power to the control module. The control terminal of the control module is connected to the antenna terminal. The control module includes a switching circuit, a second voltage conversion circuit, and a switch control circuit. The input terminal of the switch control circuit is used to connect to an external logic control circuit, and the output terminal of the switch control circuit is used to output the control signal of the external logic control circuit to the switching circuit to realize the switching function of the switching circuit; the first input terminal of the switching circuit serves as the first input terminal of the control module, the input terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit serves as the second input terminal of the control module, and the output terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit is connected to the second input terminal of the switching circuit; the output terminal of the switching circuit serves as the output terminal of the control module, and the control terminal of the switching circuit is connected to the antenna terminal.

2. The radio frequency front-end module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The switching circuit includes a first radio frequency switch and a receiving circuit; The output terminal of the switch control circuit is used to control the operation of the first radio frequency switch; the control terminal of the first radio frequency switch serves as the control terminal of the switching circuit, the first output terminal of the first radio frequency switch serves as the first input terminal of the switching circuit, the second output terminal of the first radio frequency switch is connected to the input terminal of the receiving circuit, the input terminal of the receiving circuit also serves as the second input terminal of the switching circuit, and the output terminal of the receiving circuit serves as the output terminal of the switching circuit.

3. The radio frequency front-end module as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The receiving circuit includes a first low-noise amplifier and a second radio frequency switch. The input terminal of the first low-noise amplifier is connected to the control terminal of the second radio frequency switch and serves as the input terminal of the receiving circuit. The output terminal of the first low-noise amplifier is connected to the output terminal of the second radio frequency switch and serves as the output terminal of the receiving circuit.

4. The radio frequency front-end module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The switching circuit includes a third radio frequency switch and a second low-noise amplifier. The output terminal of the switch control circuit is used to control the operation of the third radio frequency switch; the control terminal of the third radio frequency switch serves as the control terminal of the switching circuit, the first output terminal of the third radio frequency switch serves as the first input terminal of the switching circuit, the second output terminal of the third radio frequency switch is connected to the input terminal of the second low noise amplifier, the input terminal of the second low noise amplifier also serves as the second input terminal of the switching circuit and is connected to the output terminal of the second voltage conversion circuit; the third output terminal of the third radio frequency switch is connected to the output terminal of the second low noise amplifier and serves as the output terminal of the switching circuit.

5. The radio frequency front-end module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The power amplifier circuit includes a first matching circuit, a second matching circuit, a transmit bias circuit, and a power amplifier. The input terminal of the first matching circuit serves as the first input terminal of the power amplifier circuit, and the input terminal of the transmitting bias circuit serves as the second input terminal of the power amplifier circuit. The output terminals of the first matching circuit and the transmitting bias circuit are respectively connected to the input terminals of the power amplifier. The output terminal of the power amplifier is connected to the input terminal of the second matching circuit, and the output terminal of the second matching circuit serves as the output terminal of the power amplifier circuit. The input terminal of the power amplifier is also used to connect to the power supply voltage.

6. The radio frequency front-end module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The power amplifier is composed of a multi-stage transistor amplifier circuit.

7. The radio frequency front-end module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first chip, the second chip, and the third chip are fixedly connected to the substrate by means of silver paste or solder balls.

8. The radio frequency front-end module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first chip is manufactured using GaAs technology; the second chip is manufactured using CMOS technology; and the third chip is manufactured using PHEMT or SOI technology.

9. A radio frequency chip, characterized in that, Includes the radio frequency front-end module as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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