JP2016208484A - Front-end circuit, module and communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress interference among multiple bands.SOLUTION: A front-end circuit includes: a first antenna terminal T1 connected to an antenna for outputting and inputting transmitted and received signals in a low band LB and a high band HB having a frequency higher than LB; a second antenna terminal T2 for outputting and inputting transmitted and received signals in a middle band MB having a frequency higher than LB and lower than HB; an LB terminal TL for inputting and outputting transmitted and received signals in LB; an MB terminal TM for inputting and outputting transmitted and received signals in MB; an HB terminal TH for inputting and outputting transmitted and received signals in HB; and a branching filter circuit for passing the transmitted and received signals in LB and cutting off the transmitted and received signals in MB and HB between the first antenna terminal and the LB terminal, and for passing the transmitted and received signals in HB and cutting off the transmitted and received signals in LB and MB between the first antenna terminal and the HB terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a front-end circuit, a module, and a communication device.

  A wireless communication device such as a mobile phone terminal may transmit and receive a plurality of bands. For example, LTE (Long Term Evolution) or the like uses a low band of 1 GHz or less, a middle band around 2 GHz, and a high band around 2.5 GHz. The low band, the middle band, and the high band include a plurality of bands each including a transmission band and a reception band.

  Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe using a diplexer and sharing antenna terminals of a low band and a middle band. Patent Document 2 describes that independent antenna terminals are used in a low band, a middle band, and a high band. Patent Document 3 describes the arrangement of filters in a plurality of bands.

Special table 2014-526847 US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0128393 International Publication No. 2012/093539

  If the antenna terminals are provided independently as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, interference between the bands can be suppressed (for example, improvement of isolation), but the number of RF (Radio Frequency) connectors becomes three, which increases costs. Increase in size. On the other hand, if the antenna terminal is shared, the cost can be reduced and the size can be reduced, but the interference between bands increases. For example, if three antenna terminals are shared, the number of RF connectors is one, but the loss of multiplexers and / or the interference between bands increases. Further, the methods of Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not sufficiently suppress interference between a plurality of bands.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce cost and size and to suppress interference between a plurality of bands.

  The present invention includes a first antenna terminal connected to an antenna and outputting and inputting a low-band transmission signal and a reception signal having a higher frequency than the low-band, respectively, and connected to the antenna different from the antenna. A second antenna terminal for outputting and inputting a middle band transmission signal and a reception signal having a higher frequency and a frequency lower than that of the high band, respectively, a low band terminal for inputting and outputting the low band transmission signal and a reception signal, and A middle band terminal for inputting and outputting a middle band transmission signal and a reception signal, a high band terminal for inputting and outputting the high band transmission signal and a reception signal, respectively, and the first antenna terminal and the low band terminal The low-band transmission signal between The middle band and the high band transmission signal and the reception signal are blocked, and the high band transmission signal and the reception signal are allowed to pass between the first antenna terminal and the high band terminal. And a demultiplexing circuit that cuts off the transmission signal and the reception signal of the low band and the middle band.

  In the above configuration, the branching circuit includes a low pass filter connected between the first antenna terminal and the low band terminal, and a high pass filter connected between the first antenna terminal and the high band terminal. It can be set as the structure provided with these.

  In the above configuration, the low band includes at least a part of a band from 699 MHz to 960 MHz, the middle band includes at least a part of a band from 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz, and the high band includes at least one of a band from 2305 MHz to 2690 MHz. It can be set as the structure containing a part.

  In the above configuration, at least one of the low band, the middle band, and the high band may include a plurality of bands including a transmission band and a reception band, respectively.

  In the above configuration, the low band, the middle band, and the high band may include a plurality of bands including a transmission band and a reception band, respectively.

  In the above configuration, a plurality of transmission bandpass filters that respectively allow transmission of a plurality of bands of transmission signals and a plurality of reception bandpass filters that respectively allow reception of a plurality of bands of reception signals may be provided.

  In the above configuration, the plurality of bands include a first band, a second band, and a third band, and the transmission band of the first band and the reception band of the second band overlap at least partially, and the third band The reception band of the band does not overlap with the transmission bands of the first band and the second band, and the reception filter of the third band is interposed between the reception filter of the first band and the reception filter of the second band. It can be set as the structure provided.

  In the above configuration, the plurality of bands include a first band, a second band, a third band, and a fourth band, and the received signal of the first band and the received signal of the second band are received simultaneously, The reception band of the third band overlaps at least a part of the transmission band of the first band, the reception band of the fourth band does not overlap with the transmission bands of the first band and the second band, and the second band The reception filter for the fourth band may be provided between the reception filter for the third band and the reception filter for the third band.

  In the above configuration, the reception signals of at least two bands of the low band, the middle band, and the high band may be received simultaneously, and / or the transmission signals of the two bands may be transmitted simultaneously.

  The present invention is a module comprising the front end circuit.

  The present invention is a communication apparatus comprising the front end circuit.

  In the above configuration, the antenna includes a low-band antenna and a high-band antenna connected to the first antenna terminal, and a middle-band antenna connected to the second antenna terminal. It can be set as the structure provided between the antenna for bands, and the said antenna for middle bands.

  The present invention includes a first transmission filter that passes a transmission signal of a first band, a first reception filter that passes a reception signal of the first band, a second transmission filter that passes a transmission signal of a second band, A second reception filter that passes the second band reception signal; a third transmission filter that passes the third band transmission signal; and a third reception filter that passes the third band reception signal. The first band transmission band and the second band reception band at least partially overlap, the third band reception band does not overlap the first band and the second band transmission band, and The module is characterized in that the third reception filter is provided between the first reception filter and the second reception filter.

  In the above configuration, the output of the first transmission filter and the input of the first reception filter are commonly connected to a first common terminal, and the output of the second transmission filter and the input of the second reception filter are commonly connected to the second. It can be configured to be connected to a common terminal.

  The said structure WHEREIN: It can be set as the structure which comprises the switch which selects one of the said 1st common terminal and the said 2nd common terminal, and connects to a 3rd common terminal.

  In the above configuration, the first band is band 1, the second band is band 2 or band 25, the first band is band 2 or band 25, and the second band is band 3. The first band is band 8 and the second band is band 5 or band 26, or the first band is band 5 or band 26 and the second band is band 20. Can do.

  The present invention includes a first transmission filter that passes a transmission signal of a first band, a first reception filter that passes a reception signal of the first band, a second transmission filter that passes a transmission signal of a second band, A second reception filter that passes the reception signal of the second band, a third transmission filter that passes the transmission signal of the third band, a third reception filter that passes the reception signal of the third band, and a fourth band And a fourth reception filter that passes the received signal of the fourth band, and the received signal of the first band and the received signal of the second band are simultaneously Received, the reception band of the third band overlaps at least a part of the transmission band of the first band, and the reception band of the fourth band is the transmission band of the first band and the second band. Not overlap with the receive filter of the second band, and the reception filter of the third band is a module, wherein the reception filter of the fourth band is provided between the.

  In the above configuration, the first band is band 1, the second band is band 3, the third band is band 2 or band 25, the first band is band 2 or band 25, The second band is band 4, the third band is band 3, the first band is band 26, the second band is band 12 or band 17, and the third band is band 20 Or the first band is the band 8, the second band is the band 20, and the third band is the band 5 or 26.

  According to the present invention, at least three first filters, one second common terminal, and at least one second terminal, which are respectively connected between one first common terminal and at least three first terminals and have different passbands from each other. At least one second filter connected between each of the terminals, the first wiring connecting the one first common terminal and the at least three first filters, the one second common terminal, A second wiring connecting at least one second filter, wherein the first common terminal and the second common terminal are provided on the same side with respect to the at least three first filters, Two second filters, the first common terminal and the second common terminal are provided on opposite sides of the at least three first filters, and the second wiring is Is a module which is characterized by crossing only serial first wiring and one place.

  The said structure WHEREIN: It can be set as the structure which comprises the ground pattern provided between the said 1st wiring and the said 2nd wiring of the location where the said 1st wiring and the said 2nd wiring cross | intersect.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said at least 3 1st filter can be set as the structure provided in the both sides with respect to the said 1st wiring.

  In the above configuration, the at least one second filter may have at least three second filters.

  In the above configuration, the first filter includes a first transmission filter and a first reception filter of a first band, a second transmission filter and a second reception filter of a second band, and the second filter includes a third band. The third transmission filter and the third reception filter, and the fourth transmission filter and the fourth reception filter of the fourth band may be included.

  In the above configuration, the apparatus includes a substrate on which a plurality of insulating layers are stacked, wherein the at least three first filters and the at least one second filter are mounted on the substrate, and the first wiring and the second wiring The first wiring and the second wiring may be formed on the surfaces of different insulating layers in the insulating layer, at a location where the crosses.

  According to the present invention, the cost can be reduced and the size can be reduced, and interference between a plurality of bands can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a transmission band and a reception band of each band used in the first to fifth embodiments. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the front end circuit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a front end circuit according to the first comparative example. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a front end circuit according to the second comparative example. FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a diplexer in the first comparative example, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating frequency characteristics of the diplexer. FIG. 6A is a block diagram of the diplexer in the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating frequency characteristics of the diplexer. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a front-end circuit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a front end circuit according to a first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a front end circuit according to a second modification of the second embodiment. FIGS. 10A to 10D are circuit diagrams illustrating another example of the branching circuit in the second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a middle band system circuit according to the third embodiment. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing a module according to Comparative Example 3. FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to the first modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to a second modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of a middle-band circuit in a third modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to a third modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram of a low-band circuit in a fourth modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to Comparative Example 4. FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to a fourth modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view illustrating another module according to the third modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic plan view of a module according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 25 is a schematic plan view illustrating another module according to the fourth modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 26 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to a third modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 27A is a block diagram around the antenna of the communication apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 27B is a perspective view of the antenna. FIG. 28A is a block diagram of the periphery of the antenna of the communication device according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 28B is a perspective view of the antenna. FIG. 29A is a plan view of a module according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 29B is a plan view of the module according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the module according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 31A and FIG. 31B are plan views (No. 1) of the respective insulating layers in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 32A and FIG. 32B are plan views (No. 2) of the respective insulating layers in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 33 is a plan view of the insulating layer 60 in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 34A and FIG. 34B are plan views of each insulating layer in the first modification of the sixth embodiment.

  Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The first embodiment is an example of a front-end circuit that performs so-called carrier aggregation that simultaneously receives reception signals of a plurality of bands and / or transmits transmission signals of a plurality of bands at the same time. Bands B1, B2 (or B25), B4, B5 (or B26), B7, B8, B12 (or B17), B13, B20, and B30 are used as the plurality of bands. In addition, “B” is added before the number of the band to distinguish it from the reference number.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a transmission band and a reception band of each band used in the first to fifth embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, bands B5, B8, B12, B13, B17, B20, B26 and B29 are low bands. Bands B1-B4 and B25 are middle bands, and bands B7 and B30 are high bands.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the communication apparatus and the front end circuit according to the first embodiment. The alternate long and short dash line is a line through which a transmission signal is transmitted, the broken line is a line through which a reception signal is mainly transmitted, and the solid line is a line through which a transmission signal and a reception signal are transmitted. As shown in FIG. 2, the front end circuit 104 mainly includes terminals T1 (first antenna terminal), T2 (second antenna terminal), TL (low band terminal), TM (middle band terminal), and TH (high band terminal). Terminal), a diplexer 16, a low-band circuit 10L, a middle-band circuit 10M, a high-band circuit 10H, and an RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) 48. The communication apparatus includes a front end circuit 104 and antennas 40LH and 40M.

  Terminals T1 and T2 are connected to antennas 40LH and 40M, respectively. The terminal TL receives and outputs a low-band transmission signal and a reception signal, respectively. The terminal TM receives and outputs middle-band transmission signals and reception signals, respectively. Terminal TH receives and outputs a high-band transmission signal and reception signal, respectively. The diplexer 16 is connected to the terminals T1, TL, and TH. Terminal T2 is connected to terminal TM. Tuners 38a and 38b are connected between the terminal T1 and the diplexer 16 and between the terminal T2 and the terminal TM, respectively. Tuners 38a and 38b match the impedance when the impedances of antennas 40LH and 40M change, respectively. The tuners 38a and 38b may not be provided. Further, a coupler for feeding back a part of the transmission signal may be provided between the terminal T1 and the diplexer 16 and / or between the terminals T1 and TM.

  The diplexer 16 includes a low-pass filter connected between the terminals T1 and TL, and a high-pass filter connected between the terminals T1 and TH. Thereby, the diplexer 16 passes the low-band transmission signal and the reception signal between the terminal T1 and the terminal TL, and blocks the middle-band and high-band transmission signal and the reception signal. The diplexer 16 passes the high-band transmission signal and the reception signal between the terminal T1 and the terminal TH, and blocks the low-band and middle-band transmission signal and the reception signal.

  A low band circuit 10L, a middle band circuit 10M and a high band circuit 10H are connected to the terminals TL, TM and TH, respectively. An RFIC 48 is connected to the low-band circuit 10L, the middle-band circuit 10M, and the high-band circuit 10H. The RFIC 48 transmits the transmission signal before amplification to the low-band circuit 10L, the middle-band circuit 10M, and the high-band circuit 10H. The RFIC 48 includes a low noise amplifier, and amplifies reception signals received from the low band circuit 10L, the middle band circuit 10M, and the high band circuit 10H.

  The low-band circuit 10L includes quadplexers 15h and 15i, a switch 20, and power amplifiers 36b and 36c. The middle band system circuit 10M includes quadplexers 15c and 15d, switches 21 and 26, and power amplifiers 36d and 36e. The high-band circuit 10H includes a quadplexer 15e, a switch 29, and a power amplifier 36f.

  Quadplexer 15h includes transmission filters 12 and reception filters 14 for bands B5 / B26 and B12. Quadplexer 15i includes transmission filters 12 and reception filters 14 for bands B8 and B20. Quadplexer 15c includes transmission filters 12 and reception filters 14 for bands B2 and B4. Quadplexer 15d includes transmission filters 12 and reception filters 14 for bands B1 and B3. Quadplexer 15e includes transmission filters 12 and reception filters 14 for bands B7 and B30.

  The transmission filter 12 is a band pass filter, and allows transmission signals in each band to pass therethrough and blocks reception signals. The reception filter 14 is a bandpass filter, and allows a reception signal in each band to pass therethrough and blocks a transmission signal. Bands B5 and B26 have overlapping transmission bands and reception bands. For this reason, the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the bands B5 / B26 can be shared by the bands B5 and B26.

  The SP3T (Single Pole 3 Throw) switch 20 selects one of the outputs from the common terminal of the quadplexers 15h and 15i and the output of the power amplifier 36c for low-band GSM (global system for mobile communications). Connect to TL. A transmission signal is output from the RFIC 48 to the power amplifiers 36b to 36f. The SP4T (Single Pole 4 Throw) switch 25a outputs the output of the power amplifier 36b to one transmission filter 12 out of the bands B5 / B26, B12, B8, and B20.

  The SP3T switch 21 selects one from the common terminals of the quadplexers 15c and 15d and the output of the high-band GSM (registered trademark) power amplifier 36d and connects it to the terminal TM. An SP4T (Single Pole 4 Throw) switch 26 outputs the output of the power amplifier 36e to one of the transmission filters 12 of the bands B2, B1, B4 and B3. The SPDT switch 29 outputs the output of the power amplifier 36f to one of the transmission filters 12 of the bands B7 and B30.

  In order to explain the effects of the first embodiment, a comparative example will be described. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a front end circuit according to the first comparative example. As shown in FIG. 3, in the front end circuit 110, the terminal T1 is connected to the antenna 40LM. The diplexer 16 is connected between the terminal T1 and the terminal TL and between the terminal T1 and the terminal TM. Terminal T2 is connected to antenna 40H. Terminal T2 and terminal TH are connected. Instead of the quadplexer 15e, duplexers 15f and 15g and an SPDT switch 28 are provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a front end circuit according to the second comparative example. As shown in FIG. 4, in the front end circuit 112, the terminal T1 is connected to the antenna 40L and the terminal TL. The terminal T2 is connected to the middle band antenna 40M and the terminal TM. Terminal T3 is connected to antenna 40H and terminal TH. Tuners 38 are connected between the antennas 40L, 40M and 40H and the terminals TL, TM and TH, respectively. Other configurations are the same as those of the first comparative example, and the description is omitted.

  The problem of Comparative Example 1 will be described. FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a diplexer in the first comparative example, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating frequency characteristics of the diplexer. As shown in FIG. 5A, the diplexer 16 includes a low-pass filter LPF 16a and a high-pass filter HPF 16b. The LPF 16a is connected between the terminals T1 and TL. The HPF 16b is connected between the terminals T1 and TM. Thus, in the comparative example 1, the low band LB and the middle band MB are demultiplexed using the diplexer 16. Thus, the antenna can be shared by using the diplexer 16.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the low band LB becomes the pass band of the LPF 16a and the suppression band of the HPF 16b. The middle band MB is the pass band of the HPF 16b and the suppression band of the LPF 16a. However, the suppression characteristics of the HPF 16b in the low band LB and / or the suppression characteristics of the LPF 16a in the middle band MB are not sufficient. For this reason, if sufficient suppression is obtained, the loss in the low band LB of the LPF 16a and / or the loss in the middle band MB of the HPF 16b increases. Therefore, the power of the transmission signal at the terminals TL and TM is increased. For this reason, the power consumption of the power amplifier increases. In addition, when the power of the transmission signal is high, harmonic signals, intermodulation distortion, and / or intermodulation distortion generated in a low-band LB power amplifier, switch, filter, and the like increase. These cause interference of the middle band MB and / or the high band HB.

  Further, the loss in the low band LB of the LPF 16a and / or the loss in the middle band MB of the HPF 16b is large. For this reason, the level of the received signal at the terminals TL and TM is reduced.

  FIG. 6A is a block diagram of the diplexer in the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating frequency characteristics of the diplexer. As shown in FIG. 6A, the LPF 16a is connected between the terminals T1 and TL. The HPF 16b is connected between the terminals T1 and TH. Thus, in the first embodiment, the low band LB and the high band HB are demultiplexed using the diplexer 16.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the low band LB becomes the pass band of the LPF 16a and the suppression band of the HPF 16b. The high band HB is a pass band of the HPF 16b and a suppression band of the LPF 16a. Since the frequency interval between the low band LB and the high band HB is wide, the suppression characteristic of the HPF 16b in the low band LB and the suppression characteristic of the LPF 16a in the high band HB can be improved. For this reason, the loss in the low band LB of the LPF 16a and the loss in the high band HB of the HPF 16b can be reduced. Therefore, the power of the transmission signal at the terminals TL and TH can be reduced. For this reason, the power consumption of the power amplifier is reduced. Further, since the power of the transmission signal is small, harmonic signals, intermodulation distortion and / or intermodulation distortion generated in a low-band LB power amplifier, switch, filter, and the like are small. Therefore, middle band MB and / or high band HB interference of these signals can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, the loss in the low band LB of the LPF 16a and the loss in the high band HB of the HPF 16b can be reduced. For this reason, the level of the received signal at the terminals TL and TH can be increased.

  The problem of Comparative Example 2 will be described. In the comparative example 2, since the antenna terminals T1 to T3 and the antennas 40L, 40M, and 40H are provided in the low band LB, the middle band MB, and the high band HB, respectively, the cost is increased and the size is increased. Furthermore, when trying to increase the isolation between the three antenna terminals T1 to T3 and / or between the three antennas 40L, 40M and 40H, the arrangement of the antenna terminals T1 to T3 and / or the three antennas 40L, 40M and 40H is It becomes complicated. When it is difficult to arrange the antenna terminal and / or antenna, a filter is added, which further increases the cost.

  According to the first embodiment, low-band and high-band transmission signals and reception signals are output and input to the terminal T1, respectively. The terminal T2 is connected to an antenna different from the terminal T1, and a middle band transmission signal and a reception signal are output and input, respectively. The diplexer 16 is used as a low-band and high-band branching circuit.

  Thereby, compared with providing three antenna terminals as in Comparative Example 2, the antenna terminals can be reduced, and RF connectors and the like can be reduced. Therefore, cost reduction and size reduction can be achieved. Further, as in Comparative Example 1, power consumption is reduced compared to the case where the low band and middle band antenna terminals are shared using the low band and middle band demultiplexing circuits, and the low band harmonic to the middle band and / or high band. It is possible to suppress interference of wave signals, intermodulation distortion and / or intermodulation distortion signals, and improve the sensitivity of received signals.

  FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a front-end circuit according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the front-end circuit 100, the low-band circuit 10L includes multiplexers 15a and 15b, switches 20, 22-24, and 30 and power amplifiers 36a to 36c. The multiplexer 15a includes the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the bands B5 / B26, B13, and B29. Multiplexer 15b includes transmission filters 12 and reception filters 14 for bands B8, B20, and B12.

  An SPDT (Single Pole double Throw) switch 22 connects the output of the power amplifier 36a to one of the transmission filters 12 of the bands B12 and B13. The SPDT switch 23 selects one of the outputs of the reception filters 14 of the bands B12 and B5 / B26 and outputs the selected one to the RFIC 48. The SPDT switch 24 selects one of the outputs of the reception filters 14 of the bands B8 and B20 and outputs it to the RFIC 48. The SP3T switch 25 outputs the output of the power amplifier 36b to one transmission filter 12 out of the bands B5 / B26, B8, and B20.

  The SPDT switch 30 outputs the output of the RFIC 48 to one of the power amplifiers 36b and 36c. The SPDT switch 31 outputs the output of the RFIC 48 to one of the power amplifiers 36d and 36e. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a front end circuit according to a first modification of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in the front end circuit 101, the multiplexers 15a and 15b are replaced with duplexers, and the quadplexers 15c to 15e are replaced with duplexers. Accordingly, the SP3T switch 20 is replaced with an SP7T (Single Pole 7 Throw) switch 20a, and the SP3T switch 21 is replaced with an SP5T (Single Pole 5 Throw) switch 21a. An SPDT switch 28 is provided between the terminal TH and the duplexers of the bands B30 and B7. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

  As in the first modification of the second embodiment, the multiplexers 15a and 15b and the quadplexers 15c to 15e may be replaced with a duplexer. Further, a part of the multiplexers 15a and 15b and the quadplexers 15c to 15e may be replaced with a duplexer.

  FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a front end circuit according to a second modification of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, a branching circuit 42 is provided in the front end circuit 102 instead of the diplexer 16. The branching circuit 42 includes a matching circuit 44 and an LPF 46. The matching circuit 44 is provided between the terminal T1 and the terminals TL and TH. The LPF 46 is provided between the matching circuit 44 and the terminal TL. The branching circuit 42 reduces the impedance in the low band when the terminal TL is viewed from the terminal T1 side, and increases the impedance in the high band. On the other hand, the branching circuit 42 reduces the impedance in the high band when the terminal TH is viewed from the terminal T1 side, and increases the impedance in the low band. Thus, the diplexer may not be a diplexer.

  FIGS. 10A to 10D are circuit diagrams illustrating another example of the branching circuit in the second modification of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10A, the matching circuits 43 and 45 may be separately provided on the terminal TL side and the terminal TH side. As shown in FIG. 10B, the LPF 46 may not be provided, and the HPF 47 may be provided between the terminal T1 and the terminal TH. As described above, either one of the LPF 46 and the HPF 47 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 10C, only the matching circuit 44 may be provided without providing the LPF 46 and the HPF 47. As shown in FIG. 10D, the matching circuits 43 to 45, the LPF 46, and the HPF 47 may not be provided. In the case of FIG. 10D, the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 are functioned as a branching circuit.

  As in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the modification thereof, the branching circuit includes an LPF connected between the terminal T1 and the terminal TL and an HPF connected between the terminal T1 and the terminal TH. It is preferable to include the diplexer 16 provided. As a result, a low-band signal and a high-band signal can be further demultiplexed. As in the second modification of the second embodiment, the branching circuit may not include the diplexer.

  In the first and second embodiments and the modifications thereof, as a band used for radio communication such as LTE, the low band includes at least a part of a band from 699 MHz to 960 MHz, the middle band includes at least a part of a band from 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz, The case where the high band includes at least a part of the band from 2305 MHz to 2690 MHz has been described as an example. The low band, middle band, and high band may be other than these frequencies.

  The case where each of the low band, the middle band, and the high band includes a plurality of bands including a transmission band and a reception band has been described as an example. At least one of the low band, the middle band, and the high band may include a plurality of bands including a transmission band and a reception band, respectively. Further, each of the low band, the middle band, and the high band may include only one band.

  In the second embodiment and its modifications, the switches 23 and 24 may be replaced with a multiplexer such as a diplexer. Thereby, the number of power supply and control signal wirings used for the switch can be reduced. Therefore, the front end circuit can be reduced in size.

  The third embodiment is an example of a module including a front end circuit or a part thereof. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a middle band system circuit according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the circuit of the third embodiment is the same as the middle band circuit 10M of the first modification of the second embodiment.

  12A and 12B are diagrams showing a module according to Comparative Example 3. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the module includes a substrate 50, a transmission filter 12, and a reception filter 14. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 are mounted on the substrate 50 or embedded in the substrate 50. The substrate 50 is a wiring substrate on which resin layers are laminated, for example. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 are connected via a wiring 52 formed in the substrate 50. B1Rx to B4Rx correspond to the reception filters 14 of the bands B1 to B4, respectively, and B1Tx to B4Tx correspond to the transmission filters 12 of the bands B1 to B4, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission band of band B1 and the reception band of band B2 partially overlap. As indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. 12A, the signal input from the transmission terminal of the band B1 is input to the switch 21a. Since the isolation within the switch 21a is finite, a part of the transmission signal of the band B1 leaks to the reception filter 14 of the band B2. When the reception filters 14 of the bands B2 and B1 are adjacent to each other, the coupling between the bands B2 and B1 is large. For this reason, the signal of the reception filter 14 of the band B2 (a part of the transmission signal of the band B1) is output as the reception signal of the band B1. Thereby, the reception sensitivity of band B1 falls.

  Similarly, the transmission band of band B2 and the reception band of band B3 partially overlap. As indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. 12B, the signal input from the transmission terminal of the band B2 is input to the switch 21a. A part of the transmission signal of the band B2 leaks to the reception filter 14 of the band B3. If the reception filters 14 of the bands B3 and B2 are adjacent to each other, the signal of the reception filter 14 of the band B3 (a part of the transmission signal of the band B2) is output as the reception signal of the band B2. Thereby, the reception sensitivity of band B2 falls.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to the third embodiment. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the bands B1 to B4 are mounted on the substrate 50 or built in the substrate 50. The SP5T switch 21a is outside the module. The reception filter 14 is arranged in the order of the bands B1, B3, B4, and B2. As described above, the reception filters 14 for the bands B1 and B2 are not adjacent to each other, and the reception filters 14 for the bands B2 and B3 are not adjacent to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reception sensitivity of the bands B1 and B2 as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b).

  FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to the first modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the switch 21 a is mounted on or built in the substrate 50. Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to a second modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the switch 26 and the power amplifier 36 e are mounted on or built in the substrate 50. Other configurations are the same as those of the first modification of the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, in addition to the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14, at least one of the switches 21 a and 26 and the power amplifier 36 e may be mounted on or incorporated in the substrate 50. Other components may be mounted on or built in the substrate 50.

  FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of a middle-band circuit in a third modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, transmission filters 12 and reception filters 14 for bands B2 and B4 are included in a quadplexer 15c. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the bands B1 and B3 are included in the quadplexer 15d. The SP5T switch 21a is replaced with the SP3T switch 21. Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. A switch with a small number of Throws such as SP3T has a greater isolation between Throws than a switch with a large Throw number. Therefore, the modification 3 of Example 3 can suppress the interference between bands more.

  Even when the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 form a multiplexer such as a quadplexer as in the third modification of the third embodiment, the reception filters 14 of the bands B1 and B2 are not adjacent to each other, and the bands B2 and B3 The receiving filter 14 is preferably not adjacent.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to a third modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the transmission filters 12 and the reception filters 14 of the bands B1 and B3 are mounted on the substrate 50 as a quadplexer 15d. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the bands B2 and B4 are mounted on the substrate 50 as a quadplexer 15c. Each of the quadplexers 15c and 15d is packaged. Other configurations are the same as those of the second modification of the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Even when the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 are mounted on the substrate 50 as the quadplexers 15c and 15d, the reception filters 14 for the bands B1 and B2 are not adjacent to each other, and the reception filters 14 for the bands B2 and B3 are not adjacent to each other. Like that. Thereby, the fall of the isolation of band B2 and B3 can be suppressed. The same applies when the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 are packaged in units of duplexers or filters.

  FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram of a low-band circuit in a fourth modification of the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the circuit of the fourth modification of the third embodiment includes the duplexers of the bands B8, B20, B12, and B26 of the low-band circuit 10L of the first modification of the second embodiment. The SP7T switch 20a of the first modification of the second embodiment is replaced with an SP5T switch 20a. Other configurations are the same as those of the first modification of the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to Comparative Example 4. As shown in FIG. 19, the module includes a substrate 50, a transmission filter 12, and a reception filter 14. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 are mounted on or built in the substrate 50. The substrate 50 is a wiring substrate on which resin layers are laminated, for example. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 are connected via a wiring 52 formed in the substrate 50. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 correspond to the bands B8, B12, B20, and B26. Other configurations are the same as those of the comparative example 3, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission band of band B26 and the reception band of band B20 partially overlap. Also, the transmission band of band B8 and the reception band of band B26 partially overlap. For this reason, the signal input from the transmission terminal of the band B26 is input to the switch 20a as indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. A part of the transmission signal of the band B26 leaks to the reception filter 14 of the band B20. When the reception filters 14 of the bands B26 and B20 are adjacent to each other, the signal of the reception filter 14 of the band B20 (a part of the transmission signal of the band B26) is output as the reception signal of the band B26. Thereby, the reception sensitivity of band B26 falls. Similarly, when the reception filters 14 of the bands B8 and B26 are adjacent to each other, a part of the transmission signal of the band B8 is output as the reception signal of the band B8. Thereby, the reception sensitivity of band B8 falls.

  FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to a fourth modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the bands B8, B12, B20, and B26 are mounted on or built in the substrate 50. The SP5T switch 20a is outside the module. The reception filter 14 is arranged in the order of bands B8, B20, B12, and B26. As described above, the reception filters 14 for the bands B8 and B26 are not adjacent to each other, and the reception filters 14 for the bands B20 and B26 are not adjacent to each other. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reception sensitivity of bands B26 and B8 as shown in FIG.

  In addition to the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14, at least one of a switch, an amplifier, and other components may be mounted on or incorporated in the substrate 50. Moreover, the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 may form a multiplexer.

  According to the third embodiment and its modification, at least a part of the transmission band of the first band (for example, the band B1) and the reception band of the second band (for example, the band B2) overlap, and the third band (for example, the band B4). The reception band does not overlap with the transmission bands of the first band and the second band. At this time, a third-band reception filter is provided between the first-band reception filter and the second-band reception filter. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the transmission signal of the first band from passing through the reception filter of the second band and leaking to the reception filter of the first band. Therefore, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the reception sensitivity of the first band.

  In the module including the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 for the bands B1 to B4, the reception filter 14 is arranged in the order of the bands B1, B3, B4, and B2. Thereby, deterioration of the reception sensitivity of the bands B1 and B2 can be suppressed. In the module including the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the bands B8, B12, B20, and B26, the reception filter 14 is arranged in the order of the bands B8, B20, B12, and the band B26. Thereby, deterioration of the reception sensitivity of the bands B8 and B26 can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission band and reception band of band B25 overlap with the transmission band and reception band of band B2, respectively. Therefore, the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B2 in the third embodiment and the first to third modifications thereof may be the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B25. The transmission band and reception band of band B5 overlap with the transmission band and reception band of band B26, respectively. Therefore, the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B26 according to the fourth modification of the third embodiment may be the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B5. The transmission band and reception band of band B17 overlap with the transmission band and reception band of band B12, respectively. Therefore, the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B12 according to the fourth modification of the third embodiment may be the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B17.

  As in the third embodiment and the modification thereof, the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the same band may be arranged side by side, or the transmission filter 12 may be arranged in a different order from the reception filter 14. Good.

  In addition, the third embodiment and its modification can be applied to the first and second embodiments and their modifications.

  Example 4 is an example in which carrier aggregation is performed. FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view illustrating another module according to the third modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21, quadplexers 15 c and 15 d are mounted on the substrate 50. Bands B3 and B4 reception filters 14 are provided adjacent to each other. The SP3T switch 21, the SP4T switch 26, and the power amplifier 36e are not mounted on the substrate 50. Other configurations are the same as those of the third modification of the third embodiment shown in FIG.

  Bands B2 and B4 are bands that are received simultaneously during carrier aggregation. At this time, leakage of signals from the transmission terminal of band B2 to the reception terminals of bands B2 and B4 and leakage of signals from the transmission terminal of band B4 to the reception terminals of bands B4 and B2 also become problems.

  As shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. 21, the transmission signal input from the transmission terminal of the band B2 reaches the switch 21. Since the transmission band of the band B2 and the reception band of the band B3 partially overlap, a part of the transmission signal of the band B2 leaks to the reception filter 14 of the band B3 in the switch 21. When the reception filters 14 of the bands B3 and B4 are adjacent to each other, the coupling between the bands B3 and B4 is large. Therefore, the signal of the reception filter 14 of band B3 (a part of the transmission signal of band B2) is output as the reception signal of band B4. Thereby, the reception sensitivity of band B4 falls.

  FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, the reception filter 14 is provided so that the reception filters 14 of the bands B1 and B4 are adjacent to each other. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. Even if a part of the transmission signal of the band B2 leaks to the reception filter 14 of the band B3 as indicated by a broken line arrow in FIG. 22, the reception filter 14 of the band B3 and the reception filters 14 of the bands B2 and B4 Not adjacent. For this reason, it can suppress that a part of transmission signal of the band B2 leaks to the receiving terminal of the bands B2 and B4. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reception sensitivity of the bands B2 and B4.

  Bands B1 and B3 are received simultaneously during carrier aggregation. Therefore, it is preferable to suppress signal leakage from the transmission terminal of the band B1 to the reception terminals of the bands B1 and B3 and signal leakage from the transmission terminal of the band B3 to the reception terminals of the bands B3 and B1. The transmission band of band B1 and the reception band of band B2 partially overlap. For this reason, a part of the transmission signal of the band B1 leaks to the reception filter 14 of the band B2 via the switch 21 as indicated by the long-broken arrows. However, the reception filter 14 of the band B2 is not adjacent to the reception filters 14 of the bands B3 and B1. For this reason, it can suppress that a part of transmission signal of band B1 leaks to the receiving terminal of band B1 and B3. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reception sensitivity of the bands B1 and B3.

  FIG. 23 is a schematic plan view of a module according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23, the switch 21 is mounted on or built in the substrate 50. Other configurations are the same as those of the fourth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, the switch 26 and the power amplifier 36e are mounted on or built in the substrate 50. Other configurations are the same as those of the first modification of the fourth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, in addition to the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14, at least one of the switches 21 and 26 and the power amplifier 36 e may be mounted on or built in the substrate 50. Other components may be mounted on or built in the substrate 50.

  FIG. 25 is a schematic plan view illustrating another module according to the fourth modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 25, quadplexers 15 h and 15 i are mounted on the substrate 50. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the bands B8 and B20 are included in the quadplexer 15i. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the bands B12 and B26 are included in the quadplexer 15h. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

  Bands B12 and B26 are received simultaneously during carrier aggregation. Therefore, it is preferable to suppress signal leakage from the transmission terminal of the band B12 to the reception terminals of the bands B12 and B26 and signal leakage from the transmission terminal of the band B26 to the reception terminals of the bands B12 and B26. The band B26 transmission band and the band B20 reception band partially overlap. For this reason, a part of the transmission signal of the band B26 leaks to the reception filter 14 of the band B20 via the switch 20 as indicated by a broken line arrow. The reception filters 14 for the bands B12 and B20 are adjacent to each other. For this reason, a part of the transmission signal of the band B26 leaks to the reception terminal of the band B12. Therefore, the reception sensitivity of the band B12 decreases.

  FIG. 26 is a schematic plan view illustrating a module according to a third modification of the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 26, the reception filter 14 is provided so that the reception filters 14 of the bands B8 and B12 are adjacent to each other. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 26, even if a part of the transmission signal of the band B26 leaks to the reception filter 14 of the band B20, the reception filter 14 of the band B20 and the reception filters 14 of the bands B12 and B26 Not adjacent. For this reason, it can suppress that a part of transmission signal of band B26 leaks to the receiving terminal of band B12 and B26. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reception sensitivity of the bands B12 and B26.

  According to the fourth embodiment and its modification, the received signal of the first band (for example, band B1) and the received signal of the second band (for example, band B3) are received simultaneously. The reception band of the third band (for example, band B2) overlaps at least a part of the transmission band of the first band. The reception band of the fourth band (for example, band B4) does not overlap with the transmission band of the first band. At this time, a reception filter for the fourth band is provided between the reception filter for the first band and the second band and the reception filter for the third band. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the transmission signal of the first band from passing through the reception filter of the third band and leaking to the reception filters of the first band and the second band. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reception sensitivity of the first band and the second band.

  Another problem is that part of the second band transmission signal leaks to the fourth band reception filter 14 and leaks from the fourth band reception filter 14 to the first or second band reception filter 14. For this reason, it is preferable that the reception band of the fourth band does not overlap with the transmission band of the second band.

  In order to suppress signal leakage between different bands, it is preferable to arrange the reception filters 14 in the order of the bands B3, B1, B4 and B2 in the module including the transmission filters 12 and the reception filters 14 of the bands B1 to B4. In the module including the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 of the bands B8, B12, B20, and B26, the reception filter 14 is preferably arranged in the order of the bands B20, B8, B12, and the band B26.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission band and reception band of band B25 overlap with the transmission band and reception band of band B2, respectively. Therefore, the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B2 according to the fourth embodiment and its modification may be the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B25. The transmission band and reception band of band B5 overlap with the transmission band and reception band of band B26, respectively. Therefore, the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B26 of the fourth embodiment and its modification may be the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B5. The transmission band and reception band of band B17 overlap with the transmission band and reception band of band B12, respectively. Therefore, the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B12 according to the fourth embodiment and its modification may be the reception filter 14 and the transmission filter 12 of the band B17.

  Although the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 are described as being included in the quadplexer in the fourth embodiment and the modification thereof, the transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 may be individually mounted on the substrate 50. In addition, a switch, a power amplifier, and the like may be mounted on the substrate 50.

  FIG. 27A is a block diagram around the antenna of the communication apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 27B is a perspective view of the antenna. As shown in FIG. 27A, the terminal T1 is connected to the low-band antenna 40L and the high-band antenna 40H. The terminal T2 is connected to the middle band antenna 40M.

  As shown in FIG. 27B, a metal film 56 is formed on the dielectric 54. The metal film includes power supply terminals 50LH and 50M, ground terminals 52LH and 52M, a low-band antenna 40L, a high-band antenna 40H, and a middle-band antenna 40M. The antennas 40L, 40H, and 40M are antenna radiators. The low band antenna 40L and the high band antenna 40H are connected on a dielectric 54. A power feeding terminal 50LH and a ground terminal 52LH are connected to a location where the low band antenna 40L and the high band antenna 40H are connected. The middle band antenna 40M is electrically separated from the low band antenna 40L and the high band antenna 40H. The power feeding terminal 50M and the ground terminal 52M are connected to the middle band antenna 40M. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the low-band antenna 40L and the high-band antenna 40H share the power supply terminal 50LH and the ground terminal 52LH. Thereby, size reduction and cost reduction are attained.

  FIG. 28A is a block diagram of the periphery of the antenna of the communication device according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 28B is a perspective view of the antenna. As shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, the low-band antenna 40L is provided between the high-band antenna 40H and the middle-band antenna 40M. Other configurations are the same as those of the fifth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the high band antenna 40H is provided between the low band antenna 40L and the middle band antenna 40M as in the fifth embodiment, the isolation between the high band antenna 40H and the middle band antenna 40M is deteriorated.

  In the first modification of the fifth embodiment, the low band antenna 40L is provided between the high band antenna 40H and the middle band antenna 40M. Thereby, the isolation between the high band antenna 40H and the middle band antenna 40M can be improved. The low band antenna 40L and the middle band antenna 40M are adjacent to each other. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the frequency interval between the low band and the middle band is wider than the frequency interval between the middle band and the high band. For this reason, the isolation between the low-band antenna 40L and the middle-band antenna 40M does not deteriorate so much. Further, since the high-band and low-band power supply terminals can be shared, the cost can be reduced and the size can be reduced.

  The fifth embodiment and the modifications thereof can be applied to the first to fourth embodiments and the modifications thereof.

  The sixth embodiment is an example of a module having a plurality of common terminals as in the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the modifications thereof. FIG. 29A is a plan view of a module according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 29B is a plan view of the module according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 29A, in the module shown in FIG. 22 of the fourth embodiment, the quadplexer 15d includes a reception filter 14a and a transmission filter 12a (first filter), and the quadplexer 15c includes the reception filter 14b. And a transmission filter 12b (second filter). Each of the reception filters 14a is connected between a common terminal Ant1 (first common terminal) and a reception terminal Rx (first terminal). Each of the transmission filters 12a is connected between the common terminal Ant1 and the transmission terminal Tx (second terminal). Each of the reception filters 14b is connected between the common terminal Ant2 (second common terminal) and the reception terminal Rx. The transmission filters 12b are each connected between the common terminal Ant2 and the transmission terminal Tx.

  The wiring L1 connects the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a in common to the common terminal Ant1. The wiring L2 connects the reception filter 14b and the transmission filter 12b in common to the common terminal Ant2. The wirings L1 and L2 are formed in the substrate 50.

  The wiring L1 includes a wiring L11 that connects the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a of the band B3, and a wiring L12 that connects the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a of the band B1. Thereby, the wiring L2 intersects the two wirings L11 and L12 of the wiring L1 at the intersection 78. A high frequency signal is reflected at an intersection 78 between the wirings L1 and L2. This degrades the high frequency characteristics.

  As shown in FIG. 29B, in the sixth embodiment, in the quadplexer 15d, the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a are connected by one wiring L13 of the wiring L1. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 29A of the fourth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. As a result, there is only one intersection 78 where the wirings L1 and L2 intersect. Thereby, deterioration of a high frequency characteristic can be suppressed.

  Next, a wiring example of Example 6 will be described. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the module according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 30, the substrate 50 includes a plurality of stacked insulating layers 60 to 62. The insulating layers 60 to 62 are, for example, resin layers. A metal layer 63 is formed on the upper surfaces of the insulating layers 60 to 62 and the lower surface of the insulating layer 62. The metal layer 63 is, for example, a copper layer or a gold layer. The wiring 64, the pad 66, and the foot pad 67 are formed by the metal layer 63. Vias 65 penetrating the insulating layers 60 to 62 are formed. A metal such as copper is embedded in the via 65. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 are mounted on the pad 66 via the solder 68. The transmission filter 12 and the reception filter 14 are chips or packages in which filters are formed.

  FIG. 31A to FIG. 32B are plan views of each insulating layer in the sixth embodiment. FIGS. 31A to 32A are plan views of the upper surfaces of the insulating layers 60 to 62, respectively, and FIG. 32B is a view of the lower surface of the insulating layer 62 seen through from above. In FIG. 31A, the filters 12a, 12b, 14a, and 14b are illustrated by broken lines.

  As shown in FIG. 31A, a metal layer 63 is formed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 60, and a via 65 penetrating the insulating layer 60 is formed. On the insulating layer 60, the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a in the quadplexer 15d, and the reception filter 14b and the transmission filter 12b in the quadplexer 15c are mounted. The metal layer 63 includes a wiring 64 and a pad 66. The wiring 64 includes wirings L1 and L2, a ground pattern Gnd, and the like, and the pad 66 includes a reception pad Prx, a transmission pad Ptx, and a common pad Pant.

  The reception filters 14a and 14b are connected to the reception pad Prx and the common pad Pant by solder 68. The transmission filters 12a and 12b are connected to the transmission pad Ptx and the common pad Pant by solder 68. The grounds of the filters 12a, 12b, 14a and 14b are connected by solder 68 to a region 69 in the ground pattern Gnd. The wiring L1 connects in common the common pad Pant to which the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a are connected. The wiring L2 connects in common the common pad Pant to which the reception filter 14b and the transmission filter 12b are connected. The wiring L2 is not formed at the intersection 78 where the wirings L1 and L2 intersect. The ground pattern Gnd is formed so as to surround the wiring 64 and the pad 66. A via 65 penetrating the insulating layer 60 and connected to the wiring 64 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 31B, a metal layer 63 is formed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 61. The metal layer 63 includes a wiring 64. The wiring 64 includes a part of the wiring L2 at the intersection 78 and the ground pattern Gnd. A via 65 penetrating the insulating layer 61 and connected to the wiring 64 is formed. As shown in FIG. 32A, a metal layer 63 is formed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 62. The metal layer 63 includes a wiring 64. The wiring 64 includes a ground pattern Gnd. A via 65 penetrating the insulating layer 62 and connected to the wiring 64 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 32B, a metal layer 63 is formed on the lower surface of the insulating layer 62. The metal layer 63 includes a foot pad 67. The foot pad 67 includes a reception foot pad Frx, a transmission foot pad Ftx, common foot pads Fant1, Fant2, and a ground foot pad Fgnd. The reception foot pad Frx, the transmission foot pad Ftx, and the common foot pads Fant1 and Fant2 correspond to the reception terminal Rx, the transmission terminal Tx, and the common terminals Ant1 and Ant2 in FIG. 29B, respectively. A via 65 penetrating the insulating layer 62 and connected to the foot pad 67 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 31A to FIG. 32B, the wiring L1 is electrically connected to the common foot pad Fant1 through the wiring 64 and the via 65 of the insulating layers 60 to 62. The wiring L2 is electrically connected to the common foot pad Fant2 via the wiring 64 of each of the insulating layers 60 to 62, the via 65, and the like. The reception pad Prx and the transmission pad Ptx are electrically connected to the reception foot pad Frx and the transmission foot pad Ftx through the wiring 64 and the via 65, respectively. The ground pattern Gnd and the ground foot pad Fgnd formed on the upper surfaces of the insulating layers 60 to 62 are electrically connected via the via 65. In FIGS. 31A to 32B, the ground pattern Gnd and the ground foot pad Fgnd are electrically connected. Illustration of the via 65 is omitted.

  FIG. 33 is a plan view of the insulating layer 60 in the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 33, in Example 4, the wirings L1 and L2 intersect at two intersections 78. Other configurations are the same as those in FIGS. 30 to 32B, and the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 29B to 32B, the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a have different pass bands, and the reception filter 14b and the transmission filter 12b have different pass bands. That is, the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a do not overlap with each other, and the reception filter 14b and the transmission filter 12b do not overlap with each other. The common terminals Ant1 and Ant2 are provided on the same side with respect to the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a. The reception filter 14b and the transmission filter 12b and the common terminals Ant1 and Ant2 are provided on the opposite side to the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a. In such an arrangement, the wiring L2 intersects with the wiring L1 only at one place. As a result, the high frequency characteristics can be improved as compared to the case where the wiring L2 intersects the wiring L1 at a plurality of locations as in the fourth embodiment of FIG.

  In the sixth embodiment, four examples of the filters to which the wiring L1 and the wiring L2 are respectively connected have been described. The wiring L1 may connect at least three first filters to the common terminal Ant1. The wiring L2 may connect at least one second filter to the common terminal Ant2. When there are at least three reception filters 14a and transmission filters 12a, the number of intersections 78 between the wiring L1 and the wiring L2 is two or more, and the high-frequency characteristics may be deteriorated. In the sixth embodiment, the deterioration of the high frequency characteristics can be suppressed by setting the number of intersections 78 to one.

  The reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a are provided on both sides of the wiring L1. In this case, there may be a plurality of intersections 78, and high-frequency characteristics may be deteriorated. In the sixth embodiment, the deterioration of the high frequency characteristics can be suppressed by setting the number of intersections 78 to one. Further, by providing the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a on both sides with respect to the wiring L1, the ground pattern Gnd and the ground via connected to the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a are separated by the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a. You can also. Thereby, since the impedance shared by the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a is reduced, interference between the reception signal and the transmission signal can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, the wiring L2 connects at least three second filters to the common terminal Ant2. In this case, even if the second filter is arranged closer to the common terminals Ant1 and Ant2 than the first filter, there are likely to be a plurality of intersections 78, and high-frequency characteristics may be deteriorated. In the sixth embodiment, the deterioration of the high frequency characteristics can be suppressed by setting the number of intersections 78 to one.

  In the sixth embodiment, the first filter includes the reception filter 14a and the transmission filter 12a, and the second filter includes the reception filter 14b and the transmission filter 12b. The first filter may include only one of the reception filter and the transmission filter, and the second filter may include only one of the reception filter and the transmission filter.

  As in the sixth embodiment, the first filter includes transmission filter 12a (first transmission filter) and reception filter 14a (first reception filter) for band B3 (first band), and transmission for band B1 (second band). It includes a filter 12a (second transmission filter) and a reception filter 14a (second reception filter). The second filter includes a transmission filter 12b (third transmission filter) and a reception filter 14b (third reception filter) for band B4 (third band), and a transmission filter 12b (fourth transmission filter) for band B2 (fourth band). ) And a reception filter 14b (fourth reception filter). Thus, when the quadplexers 15d and 15c of different bands are mounted on the substrate 50, the wiring becomes complicated and the high frequency characteristics are likely to deteriorate. Deterioration of the high frequency characteristics can be suppressed by setting the intersecting portion 78 to one location. The bands B3, B1, B4 and B2 have been described as examples, but other bands may be used.

  At the intersection 78, the wiring L1 and the wiring L2 are formed on the surfaces of different insulating layers 60 and 61 among the insulating layers 60 to 62, respectively. Thereby, the wirings L1 and L2 can be easily crossed. However, the distance between the wirings L1 and L2 at the intersection 78 becomes small, and high frequency signals are likely to interfere. Therefore, the deterioration of the high frequency characteristics can be suppressed by setting the intersection point 78 to one point.

  FIG. 34A and FIG. 34B are plan views of each insulating layer in the first modification of the sixth embodiment. 34 (a) to 34 (b) are plan views of the insulating layers 61 and 62, respectively. The upper surface of the insulating layer 60 and the lower surface of the insulating layer 62 are the same as those in FIG. 31A and FIG. 32B of the sixth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 34A, the wiring L <b> 2 is not formed at the intersection 78 of the insulating layer 61. A ground pattern Gnd is formed at the intersection 78. As shown in FIG. 34B, a wiring L2 including an intersection 78 is formed. Other configurations are the same as those of the sixth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the first modification of the sixth embodiment, the ground pattern Gnd is provided between the wiring L1 and the wiring L2 at the intersection 78 where the wirings L1 and L2 intersect. Thereby, the interference of the high frequency signal in the intersection part 78 can be suppressed, and a high frequency characteristic can be improved. At the intersection 78, a plurality of insulating layers may be provided between the wirings L1 and L2. At the intersection 78, a plurality of ground patterns Gnd may be provided between the wirings L1 and L2.

  The module according to the sixth embodiment and its modification can be applied to the first to fifth embodiments and the modification.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

10L Low band system circuit 10M Middle band system circuit 10H High band system circuit 12 Transmission filter 14 Reception filter 16 Diplexer 40LH, 40M Antenna 42 Demultiplexing circuit 50 Substrate 61-63 Insulating layer 63 Metal layer 64 Wiring 65 Via 66 Pad 67 Foot pad 78 Intersection

Claims (24)

A first antenna terminal connected to an antenna, to which a transmission signal and a reception signal of a low band and a high band having a higher frequency than the low band are respectively output and input;
A second antenna terminal connected to the antenna different from the antenna, to which a middle band transmission signal and a reception signal having a frequency higher than the low band and lower than the high band are respectively output and input;
A low-band terminal to which the low-band transmission signal and the reception signal are input and output, respectively;
A middle band terminal to which the transmission signal and the reception signal of the middle band are input and output, respectively;
A high-band terminal to which the high-band transmission signal and the reception signal are input and output, respectively;
The low-band transmission signal and the reception signal are passed between the first antenna terminal and the low-band terminal, the middle-band and the high-band transmission signal and the reception signal are blocked, and the first antenna terminal and the high-band signal are blocked. A demultiplexing circuit for passing the high-band transmission signal and the reception signal between the band terminals and blocking the low-band and middle-band transmission signal and the reception signal;
A front-end circuit comprising:   The branching circuit includes a low pass filter connected between the first antenna terminal and the low band terminal, and a high pass filter connected between the first antenna terminal and the high band terminal. The front end circuit according to claim 1. The low band includes at least a part of a band from 699 MHz to 960 MHz,
The middle band includes at least part of a band from 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz;
The front end circuit according to claim 1, wherein the high band includes at least a part of a band from 2305 MHz to 2690 MHz.   4. The front end circuit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the low band, the middle band, and the high band includes a plurality of bands including a transmission band and a reception band, respectively. 5.   4. The front end circuit according to claim 1, wherein each of the low band, the middle band, and the high band includes a plurality of bands including a transmission band and a reception band. 5. A plurality of transmission bandpass filters that respectively pass transmission signals of a plurality of bands;
A plurality of reception bandpass filters that respectively pass reception signals of a plurality of bands;
The front end circuit according to claim 4, further comprising: The plurality of bands include a first band, a second band, and a third band, and the transmission band of the first band and the reception band of the second band overlap at least partially, and the reception band of the third band Does not overlap the transmission band of the first band and the second band,
7. The front end circuit according to claim 6, wherein the third band reception filter is provided between the first band reception filter and the second band reception filter. The plurality of bands include a first band, a second band, a third band, and a fourth band,
The received signal of the first band and the received signal of the second band are received simultaneously,
The reception band of the third band overlaps at least a part of the transmission band of the first band,
The reception band of the fourth band does not overlap with the transmission bands of the first band and the second band,
7. The front end circuit according to claim 6, wherein the reception filter of the fourth band is provided between the reception filter of the second band and the reception filter of the third band.   9. The reception signal of at least two bands of the low band, the middle band, and the high band is received at the same time, and / or the transmission signals of the two bands are transmitted at the same time. The front end circuit as described in any one of Claims.   A module comprising the front-end circuit according to claim 1.   A communication apparatus comprising the front-end circuit according to claim 1. A low-band antenna and a high-band antenna connected to the first antenna terminal;
A middle band antenna connected to the second antenna terminal;
Comprising
12. The communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the low band antenna is provided between the high band antenna and the middle band antenna. A first transmission filter that passes a transmission signal of the first band;
A first reception filter that passes the reception signal of the first band;
A second transmission filter that passes the transmission signal of the second band;
A second reception filter that passes the reception signal of the second band;
A third transmission filter that passes the transmission signal of the third band;
A third reception filter that passes the reception signal of the third band;
Comprising
The transmission band of the first band and the reception band of the second band at least partially overlap, the reception band of the third band does not overlap with the transmission bands of the first band and the second band,
The module, wherein the third reception filter is provided between the first reception filter and the second reception filter. The output of the first transmission filter and the input of the first reception filter are commonly connected to a first common terminal,
14. The module according to claim 13, wherein an output of the second transmission filter and an input of the second reception filter are commonly connected to a second common terminal.   The module according to claim 14, further comprising a switch that selects one of the first common terminal and the second common terminal and connects the selected one to the third common terminal. The first band is band 1 and the second band is band 2 or band 25.
The first band is band 2 or band 25, and the second band is band 3.
The first band is a band 8 and the second band is a band 5 or a band 26, or the first band is a band 5 or a band 26 and the second band is a band 20 The module according to any one of claims 13 to 15. A first transmission filter that passes a transmission signal of the first band;
A first reception filter that passes the reception signal of the first band;
A second transmission filter that passes the transmission signal of the second band;
A second reception filter that passes the reception signal of the second band;
A third transmission filter that passes the transmission signal of the third band;
A third reception filter that passes the reception signal of the third band;
A fourth transmission filter that passes the transmission signal of the fourth band;
A fourth reception filter for passing the reception signal of the fourth band;
Comprising
The received signal of the first band and the received signal of the second band are received simultaneously,
The reception band of the third band overlaps at least a part of the transmission band of the first band,
The reception band of the fourth band does not overlap with the transmission bands of the first band and the second band,
The module, wherein the fourth band reception filter is provided between the second band reception filter and the third band reception filter. The first band is band 1, the second band is band 3, and the third band is band 2 or band 25.
The first band is band 2 or band 25, the second band is band 4, and the third band is band 3.
The first band is band 26, the second band is band 12 or band 17, the third band is band 20, or the first band is band 8 and the second band is band The module according to claim 17, wherein the third band is a band 5 or 26. At least three first filters connected respectively between one first common terminal and at least three first terminals and having different passbands;
At least one second filter respectively connected between one second common terminal and at least one second terminal;
A first wiring connecting the one first common terminal and the at least three first filters;
A second wiring connecting the one second common terminal and the at least one second filter;
Comprising
The first common terminal and the second common terminal are provided on the same side with respect to the at least three first filters,
The at least one second filter, the first common terminal and the second common terminal are provided on opposite sides of the at least three first filters,
The module, wherein the second wiring intersects with the first wiring only at one place.   20. The module according to claim 19, further comprising a ground pattern provided between the first wiring and the second wiring at a location where the first wiring and the second wiring intersect.   The module according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the at least three first filters are provided on both sides of the first wiring.   The module according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the at least one second filter comprises at least three second filters. The first filter includes a first transmission filter and a first reception filter of a first band, a second transmission filter and a second reception filter of a second band,
The second filter includes a third transmission filter and a third reception filter in a third band, and a fourth transmission filter and a fourth reception filter in a fourth band. Module described in the section. Comprising a substrate on which a plurality of insulating layers are laminated;
The at least three first filters and the at least one second filter are mounted on the substrate;
The said 1st wiring and the said 2nd wiring are respectively formed in the surface of a different insulating layer among the said insulating layers in the location where the said 1st wiring and the said 2nd wiring cross | intersect. Item 24. The module according to any one of Items 19 to 23.

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