阅读说明：本技术 移相器 (Phase shifter ) 是由 春名贵雄 于 2019-05-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：在输入端子(IN)与输出端子(OUT)之间第1路径(I)与第2路径(II)相互并联连接。在第1路径(I)设置有高通滤波器(HPF)。在第2路径(II)设置有低通滤波器(LPF)。开关(SW1～SW4)使高通滤波器(HPF)和低通滤波器(LPF)的一方与输入端子(IN)以及输出端子(OUT)连接,并将另一方切断。传送线路(TL1、TL2)分别设置于第1路径(I)以及第2路径(II)。调整传送线路(TL1、TL2)的线路长度以使因高通滤波器(HPF)以及低通滤波器(LPF)的电路常数和开关(SW1～SW4)断开时的电容引起的共振向通信频带移动。(A1 st path (I) and a 2 nd path (II) are connected IN parallel with each other between an input terminal (IN) and an output terminal (OUT). A high-pass filter (HPF) is provided in the 1 st path (I). A Low Pass Filter (LPF) is provided in the 2 nd path (II). The switches (SW 1-SW 4) connect one of the high-pass filter (HPF) and the low-pass filter (LPF) to the input terminal (IN) and the output terminal (OUT), and disconnect the other. The transmission lines (TL1, TL2) are respectively arranged on the 1 st path (I) and the 2 nd path (II). The line lengths of transmission lines (TL1, TL2) are adjusted so that resonance caused by the circuit constants of a High Pass Filter (HPF) and a Low Pass Filter (LPF) and the capacitances when switches (SW1 to SW4) are turned off shifts to the communication band.)

1. A phase shifter is characterized by comprising:

an input terminal;

an output terminal;

a 1 st path and a 2 nd path connected in parallel to each other between the input terminal and the output terminal;

a high-pass filter provided in the 1 st path;

a low pass filter provided in the 2 nd path;

a switch that connects one of the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter to the input terminal and the output terminal and disconnects the other; and

transmission lines provided in the 1 st path and the 2 nd path, respectively,

the line length of the transmission line is adjusted so that resonance caused by the circuit constants of the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter and the capacitance when the switch is turned off is shifted to a communication band.

2. The phase shifter according to claim 1,

the transmission line has a plurality of lines, and the sum of the line lengths of the plurality of lines is adjusted so as to shift the resonance to the communication band.

3. Phase shifter as in claim 1 or 2,

the apparatus further includes phase change circuits provided in the 1 st path and the 2 nd path, respectively, and changing a passing phase.

4. The phase shifter according to claim 3,

the passing phase of the signal of the communication frequency is changed by 90 ° by the transmission line and the phase change circuit.

5. Phase shifter as in claim 1 or 2,

the switch is also provided with a capacitor connected in parallel with the switch.

6. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the impedance matching circuit is connected to the input terminal and the output terminal.

7. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the line length of the transmission line is 1/4 times the wavelength of the communication frequency.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a phase shifter.

Background

A high-frequency phase shifter is used in a communication device in a microwave band, a millimeter wave band, for example, several GHz to several hundreds GHz in mobile communication, satellite communication, or the like (for example, see patent document 1). The phase shifter is manufactured using MMIC or the like.

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 11-195960

The frequency band of a conventional high-pass/low-pass switching phase shifter, in which a desired amount of phase shift can be obtained due to the frequency characteristics of a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter, is narrow, and it is difficult to realize a phase shifter having a wider frequency band.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a phase shifter capable of widening a frequency band in which a desired phase shift amount is obtained.

The phase shifter according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: an input terminal; an output terminal; a 1 st path and a 2 nd path connected in parallel to each other between the input terminal and the output terminal; a high-pass filter provided in the 1 st path; a low-pass filter provided in the 2 nd path; a switch for connecting one of the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter to the input terminal and the output terminal and disconnecting the other; and transmission lines provided on the 1 st path and the 2 nd path, respectively, wherein a line length of the transmission line is adjusted so that resonance caused by circuit constants of the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter and a capacitance when the switch is turned off is shifted to a communication band.

In the present invention, the line length of the transmission line is adjusted so that the resonance caused by the circuit constants of the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter and the capacitance when the switch is off is shifted to the communication band. This makes it possible to widen the frequency band in which a desired amount of phase shift is obtained.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a phase shifter according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the phase characteristics of the S parameter S21 of the phase shifter according to the comparative example.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the amplitude characteristic of the S parameter S21 of the phase shifter according to the comparative example.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the amount of phase shift of the phase shifter according to the comparative example.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the amplitude characteristic of the S parameter S21 in the presence of Coff.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the amplitude characteristic of the S parameter S21 of the phase shifter according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the amount of phase shift in the phase shifter according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the amplitude characteristic of the S parameter S21 of the phase shifter according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a phase shifter according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a phase shifter according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a phase shifter according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a phase shifter according to embodiment 5.

Detailed Description

The phase shifter according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof may be omitted.

Embodiment 1.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a phase shifter according to embodiment 1. The phase shifter is a 180 degree high pass/low pass switching type phase shifter.

The 1 st path I and the 2 nd path II are connected IN parallel to each other between the input terminal IN and the output terminal OUT. A high pass filter HPF is provided in path 1I. A low pass filter LPF is provided in path 2 II.

The switch SW1 is connected between the input terminal IN and the high-pass filter HPF. The switch SW2 is connected between the high-pass filter HPF and the output terminal OUT. The switch SW3 is connected between the input terminal IN and the low-pass filter LPF. The switch SW4 is connected between the low-pass filter LPF and the output terminal OUT. These switches SW1 to SW4 connect one of the high pass filter HPF and the low pass filter LPF to the input terminal IN and the output terminal OUT, and disconnect the other.

The high-pass filter HPF has capacitors C1 and C2 connected in series between the switches SW1 and SW2, and an inductor L1 connected between a connection point of the capacitors C1 and C2 and a ground point. The low pass filter LPF has an inductor L2 connected in series between the switches SW3 and SW4, and capacitors C3 and C4 connected between both ends of the inductor L2 and the ground point.

The transmission lines TL1 and TL2 are disposed on the 1 st path I and the 2 nd path II, respectively. Here, the transmission lines TL1 and TL2 are provided on the side of the switches SW1 and SW3, but may be provided on the side of the switches SW2 and SW 4. The line lengths of the transmission lines TL1, TL2 are adjusted so that the resonance caused by the circuit constants of the high pass filter HPF and the low pass filter LPF and the capacitances when the switches SW1 to SW4 are OFF (OFF) is shifted to the communication band.

Next, the operation of the phase shifter according to the present embodiment will be described. By turning on the switches SW1 and SW2 and turning off the switches SW3 and SW4, the signal of the communication frequency input to the input terminal IN is passed through the high-pass filter HPF and output from the output terminal OUT. At this time, the passing phase advances. On the other hand, by turning off the switches SW1, SW2 and turning on the switches SW3, SW4, the signal passes through the low pass filter LPF, so that the passing phase is delayed. By switching the signal path to the high pass filter HPF or the low pass filter LPF by switching the 4 switches SW1 to SW4 in this way, two phase amounts can be created, and one phase amount can be obtained by using the difference between them.

Next, the effects of the present embodiment will be described in comparison with comparative examples. In the comparative example, the transmission lines TL1, TL2 were not present. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the phase characteristics of the S parameter S21 of the phase shifter according to the comparative example. Here, the capacitance values when the switches SW1 to SW4 are off are assumed to be zero. The phase shifter is a phase shifter that obtains a phase shift amount of 180 degrees at a communication frequency of 10 GHz. The high pass filter starts at phase-90 degrees and the low pass filter starts at phase 0 degrees. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the amplitude characteristic of the S parameter S21 of the phase shifter according to the comparative example. Characteristic pass characteristics of the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter can be observed. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the amount of phase shift of the phase shifter according to the comparative example. The phase shift amount is a phase difference between the high pass filter HPF and the low pass filter LPF. It is found that only the frequency around 10GHz is 180 degrees out of phase.

The switches SW1 to SW4 are transistors, diodes, or the like, and are not ideally turned on when turned off, and have a very small amount of capacitance Coff. Coff depends on the transistor size, gate length, etc. The paths of the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter are not ideally separated due to the slight Coff, and the paths interfere with each other slightly. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the amplitude characteristic of the S parameter S21 in the presence of Coff. Since interference occurs with the other path via Coff, resonance occurs in the phase characteristics of the S parameter S21. Resonance occurs in the vicinity of 13.5GHz (the portion surrounded by the circle of the single-dotted line in fig. 5). The frequency and magnitude of this resonance vary depending on the circuit constants of the high pass filter HPF and the low pass filter LPF and the magnitude of Coff of the transistors.

In view of this, in the present embodiment, the lengths of the transmission lines TL1, TL2 are set so as to shift the resonance to the communication band. For example, the larger the capacitance value of Coff, the lower the frequency at which resonance occurs, so the resonance may be shifted (shift) to the communication band by setting the lengths of the transmission lines TL1 and TL2 to be short. Since the higher the circuit constant of the high pass filter HPF or the low pass filter LPF, the lower the frequency at which resonance occurs, the shorter the length of the transmission lines TL1 and TL2 may be set to shift the resonance to the communication band.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the amplitude characteristic of the S parameter S21 of the phase shifter according to embodiment 1. By providing the transmission lines TL1, TL2, a steep phase shift change of resonance is attenuated and moved to the communication band. Specifically, the resonance generated in the vicinity of 13.5GHz in fig. 5 shifts to the vicinity of 8.3GHz in fig. 6 (a portion surrounded by a circle of a single-dotted line in fig. 6), and the amplitude thereof becomes small.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the amount of phase shift in the phase shifter according to embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the amplitude characteristic of the S parameter S21 of the phase shifter according to embodiment 1. Since resonance is used, an extreme value and an inflection point (pulsation) are generated in the phase and amplitude of the S parameter S21.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the line lengths of the transmission lines TL1, TL2 are adjusted so that the resonance caused by the circuit constants of the high pass filter HPF and the low pass filter LPF and the capacitance Coff when the switches SW1 to SW4 are off is shifted to the communication band. As a result, as shown in fig. 7, the region 180 degrees out of phase in embodiment 1 is wider than that in fig. 4 of the comparative example. Therefore, the frequency band in which a desired amount of phase shift of the shifter is obtained can be widened. Since a wide frequency band can be achieved by merely inserting a simple circuit such as a transmission line, a small and wide frequency band phase shifter can be obtained. For example, when the center frequency of the communication frequency is 10GHz, a frequency band of about 8 to 12GHz as a frequency band for obtaining a desired phase shift amount can be covered. Further, the frequency range of each frequency band of the frequency classification (L, Ka frequency band, etc.) of the IEEE microwave can be covered.

The circuit constants of the high pass filter HPF and the low pass filter LPF are substantially uniquely determined by the communication frequency. Coff of the switches SW1 to SW4 per unit gate width is about 0.1 to 0.5pF/mm, depending on the manufacturing process of the switches SW1 to SW 4. Therefore, the line lengths of the transmission lines TL1, TL2 for shifting the resonance to the communication frequency band can be expected to be about 1/4 of the wavelength of the communication frequency.

Embodiment 2.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a phase shifter according to embodiment 2. The transmission line Tl1 includes a plurality of lines Tl1a to Tld. The transmission line Tl2 includes a plurality of lines Tl2a to T2 d. The plurality of lines TL1a to Tld and TL2a to T2d are distributed in the 1 st route I and the 2 nd route II. There is no restriction on the location where the transmission line is arranged. However, the total of the line lengths of the plurality of lines TL1a to Tld and the total of the line lengths of the plurality of lines TL2a to T2d need to be adjusted so that the resonance shifts to the communication band.

Since the pass phase becomes +90 ° in the high pass filter HPF and-90 ° in the low pass filter LPF, the phase shift amount formed by the two becomes 180 °. Since the phase shift amount is determined in this way, the transmission lines TL1a to Tld and TL2a to T2d are not arranged in a circuit of the high pass filter HPF and the low pass filter LPF.

The sum of the line lengths of the plurality of lines TL1a to Tld that shift the resonance to the communication band and the sum of the line lengths of the plurality of lines TL2a to T2d are expected to be lengths of approximately 1/4 wavelengths of the communication frequency, respectively.

In the present embodiment, transmission lines can be distributed among the switches SW1 to SW4, the high pass filter HPF, and the low pass filter LPF. Therefore, since the layout can be efficiently performed, the phase shifter can be miniaturized in addition to the effect of embodiment 1.

Embodiment 3.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a phase shifter according to embodiment 3. In embodiment 2, capacitors C5 and C6 are connected in parallel (Shunt) to path 1I, and capacitors C7 and C8 are connected in parallel to path 2 II. The phase change circuit is not limited to the capacitors C5 to C8, and may be any type or shape as long as it is a phase change circuit that changes the phase of the inductor, capacitor, or circuit in which these are combined with a transmission line. The phase change circuit and the transmission lines TL1 and TL2 change the passing phase of the signal of the communication frequency by 90 °. However, the line length of the transmission lines TL1 and TL2 and the communication frequency amount of the phase change circuit need to be adjusted to shift the resonance to the communication band. In this embodiment, in addition to the transmission lines TL1 and TL2 of embodiments 1 and 2, a concentration constant of an inductor, a capacitor, or the like can be used, so that the layout is easy and the phase shifter can be miniaturized. Other configurations and effects are the same as those of embodiments 1 and 2.

Embodiment 4.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a phase shifter according to embodiment 4. The capacitors C9 to C12 are connected in parallel to the switches SW1 to SW4, respectively. The capacitors C9 to C12 may be connected to all of the switches SW1 to SW4, or may be connected to only some of the transistors.

When the total capacitance value of the capacitors C9 to C12 connected in parallel to Coff of the switches SW1 to SW4 is large, the resonance generated by the appearance of the circuits between the high pass filter HPF and the low pass filter LPF can be shifted to the low frequency side. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the transmission lines TL1, TL2 or the phase change circuit in embodiments 1 to 3, and to obtain the same effects as in embodiments 1 to 3.

Embodiment 5.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a phase shifter according to embodiment 5. When the transmission lines TL1 and TL2 are provided, the impedance of the phase shifter may be increased by using a thin line or a spiral inductor. Therefore, the impedances of the input terminal IN and the output terminal OUT may be shifted from the matched 50 Ω or the like, and the reflection characteristics of the phase shifter may be deteriorated. IN view of this, IN the present embodiment, the impedance matching circuits MC1 and MC2 are connected to the input terminal IN and the output terminal OUT, respectively. The impedance matching circuits MC1 and MC2 can match the input terminal IN and the output terminal OUT to a desired impedance of 50 Ω or the like. As a result, the reflection characteristics of the phase shifter can be improved, and the power consumed by the phase shifter can be reduced. Other configurations and effects are the same as those of embodiment 1.

[ description of reference ]

I … path 1; II … path 2; c5 to C8 … capacitors (phase change circuits); C9-C12 … capacitor; HPF … high pass filter; an IN … input terminal; LPF … low pass filter; MC1, MC2 … impedance matching circuit; an OUT … output terminal; SW 1-SW 4 … switches; TL1, TL2 … transmission lines; TL1 a-Tld, TL2 a-T2 d ….