EP1863116B1 - Broadband directional coupler - Google Patents

Broadband directional coupler Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1863116B1
EP1863116B1 EP07109045A EP07109045A EP1863116B1 EP 1863116 B1 EP1863116 B1 EP 1863116B1 EP 07109045 A EP07109045 A EP 07109045A EP 07109045 A EP07109045 A EP 07109045A EP 1863116 B1 EP1863116 B1 EP 1863116B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coupler
line
attenuators
terminal
pass filter
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Not-in-force
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EP07109045A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1863116A1 (en
Inventor
François DUPONT
Hilal Ezzeddine
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STMicroelectronics SA
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STMicroelectronics SA
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Publication of EP1863116A1 publication Critical patent/EP1863116A1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
    • H01P5/00—Coupling devices of the waveguide type
    • H01P5/12—Coupling devices having more than two ports
    • H01P5/16—Conjugate devices, i.e. devices having at least one port decoupled from one other port
    • H01P5/18—Conjugate devices, i.e. devices having at least one port decoupled from one other port consisting of two coupled guides, e.g. directional couplers
    • H01P5/184—Conjugate devices, i.e. devices having at least one port decoupled from one other port consisting of two coupled guides, e.g. directional couplers the guides being strip lines or microstrips
    • H01P5/185—Edge coupled lines
    • H01P5/186—Lange couplers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of couplers which are intended to extract information proportional to a signal conveyed by a transmission line.
  • the invention more particularly relates to couplers made by means of conductive lines coupled to each other without contact. These couplers are called distributed line couplers as opposed to localized element couplers, made from capacitive and inductive elements.
  • the present invention applies more particularly to the field of radio frequency couplers, for example, for mobile radio type of communication applications.
  • the figure 1 represents a typical example of a distributed line coupler.
  • a main line 11 connects an IN input access to a DIR output port. This line 11 constitutes the primary of the coupler and is intended to convey the useful signal.
  • a secondary line 12 is arranged parallel to the line 11 so as to ensure a coupling without contact therewith to take a part of the power present on the line 11.
  • the two ends of the line 12 define accesses, respectively CPLD intended to interpret the result of the coupling and ISO usually isolated, that is to say in the air.
  • the coupler is typically made by metal tracks deposited on an insulating substrate.
  • the first three parameters above are generally measured while the two unacknowledged terminals are loaded by standard impedances (typically 50 ohms).
  • the lengths given to the main and secondary lines are calculated according to the center frequency of the bandwidth for which the coupler is intended and the desired coupling. Typically, these lines have lengths corresponding to a quarter of the wavelength of this central frequency. The longer the lines, the more insertion losses are important.
  • the figure 2 represents, very schematically and in block form, a radiofrequency transmission chain of the type to which the present invention applies by way of example.
  • An emission amplifier 1 receives an RF radiofrequency signal to be transmitted by an antenna 2.
  • a 10-line coupler is used distributed between the output of FIG. the amplifier 1 and the antenna 2.
  • the IN and DIR ports of the transmission main line 11 are respectively connected to the output of the amplifier 1 and to the input of the antenna 2.
  • the terminal CPLD of the coupled line is connected in input of a detector 2 (DET) whose output is compared (comparator 4) to the reference signal REF to adjust the transmit power (the gain) of the amplifier 1.
  • a signal entering via the terminal DIR is trapped by the terminal ISO so as to prevent this signal from reaching the application, for example the amplifier 1 ( figure 2 ).
  • the ISO terminal is usually charged with a 50 ohm impedance connected to ground. Higher directivity is a higher dB attenuation between ISO and CPLD access.
  • an external isolator is provided between the coupler 10 and the antenna 2 so as to prevent a return of the signal to the amplifier 1.
  • the coupler does not need to be directive and the terminal ISO is usually left in the air.
  • the present invention relates more particularly to directional couplers.
  • a disadvantage of the couplers of the type illustrated in figure 1 is that the coupling is very sensitive to the frequency of the emitted signal.
  • a directional coupler is described, for example, in the patent application No. US-A 2004/0113716 of the plaintiff.
  • This coupler is with interdigital transmission lines, also known under the name of Lange coupler.
  • a Lange structure improves the coupling between the lines.
  • capacitive elements are provided between terminals of the coupler, or between some of these terminals and the ground.
  • a disadvantage is that, in the ranges of frequencies to which the invention is directed, the values of the capacitive elements are so small that they approach the parasitic capacitance values of the structure, which makes the coupler difficult to achieve.
  • the present invention aims to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of known couplers in distributed lines.
  • the invention aims more particularly to keep a low coupling substantially constant over a wide band while maintaining a good directivity.
  • said localized element structure comprises, on the second end of the second line, two attenuators between which a low-pass filter is arranged.
  • the low-pass filter or filters comprise exclusively a conductive plane winding.
  • said attenuators each consist of an assembly of resistive elements providing input / output impedances equal to a reference impedance.
  • said assemblies are in " ⁇ ".
  • said distributed-line structure is a Lange structure.
  • no element has any capacitive element with the exception of possible parasitic capacitances.
  • the invention also provides a radiofrequency transmission system comprising, between a transmission amplifier and a connection to an antenna, a directional coupler.
  • a feature of an embodiment of the present invention is to combine a Lange structure-type distributed line structure with a localized element structure comprising at least one low-pass filter in series with the secondary line of the distributed structure.
  • the figure 2 represents the diagram of an embodiment of a coupler according to the present invention.
  • This coupler has a distributed line structure 20 associated with a localized element structure 30, the combination of these two structures providing the coupler as a whole.
  • the structure 20 is in the form of a Lange structure in which the lines 11 'and 12' are interdigitated.
  • each line comprises two parallel rectilinear sections 111 and 112, respectively 121 and 122.
  • the section 111 connects the IN and DIR ports of the coupler.
  • the section 121 parallel to the section 111, connects internal accesses ICPLD and IISO of the distributed line structure. Between the sections 111 and 121 are successively arranged the section 122, then the section 112, to obtain the interdigitated structure.
  • the sections 111 and 112 are connected by a perpendicular section 113 on the access side IN.
  • a perpendicular link section 123 connects the ends of the sections 121 and 122 on the IISO access side.
  • conductive sections (bridges) 114 and 124 connect the respective free ends of sections 112 and 122 to accesses DIR and ICPLD respectively.
  • the links 114 and 124 are made by vias (not shown) and conductive tracks in a second conductive level with respect to a level in which are realized , in plan, the tracks 111, 112, 113, 121, 122 and 123 as well as access pads IN, DIR ICPLD and IISO.
  • the localized element structure 30 is constituted, between the ICPLD port and a CPLD terminal of the coupler intended to be connected to the application (for example to a detector 3 of the type illustrated by FIG. figure 2 ), two attenuators 31 and 32 between which is interposed a low-pass filter 35.
  • Each attenuator 31, 32 is for example constituted by a ⁇ (pi) assembly of three resistive elements R311, R312 and R313, respectively R321, R322 and R323.
  • the resistive element R311 connects the access ICPLD to a first end of the inductive element 33 whose other end is connected to the terminal CPLD by the resistor R321.
  • Each resistive element R312, R313, R322 or R323 connects a terminal of one of the resistors R311 and R321 to ground M.
  • the low-pass filter 35 consists, for example, of an inductive element formed by a plane winding of a track conductive on an insulating support, the other face preferably comprises a ground plane M. The presence of this ground plane under the inductive element has been illustrated in FIG. figure 3 by an electrode 351 connected to the ground M.
  • the insulating support may be the same substrate as that receiving the structure 20.
  • the distributed line structure 20 provides isolation between the transmission line 11 'and the coupled line 12'.
  • the presence of the attenuators 31 and 32 decreases the power of the coupling while the low-pass filter provides stability in frequency.
  • a low-pass filter of the first order is sufficient in the applications covered by the invention.
  • the ISO terminal is, for example, intended to be connected to a second detector, which justifies the presence of the low-pass filter 36 and the two attenuators 33 and 34.
  • the presence of the two attenuators contributes to obtaining a low coupling factor (significant attenuation) while maintaining a high directivity.
  • One advantage of the combination of the two structures 20 and 30 is that it makes it possible to size the Lange structure for a coupling of a relatively large factor, which does not impose too small dimensions and preserves acceptable insertion losses. . This structure becomes easily achievable while preserving a good directivity. The attenuation complement of the coupled channel then comes from the attenuators.
  • the quality factor of the inductive elements 35 and 36 is not critical for the implementation of the invention insofar as these inductors are placed on the coupled and isolated channels.
  • these inductive elements are located on the attenuated path (secondary line) with respect to the transmission line main, a possible coupling between the two inductive elements will remain negligible.
  • the figure 4 represents schematically and in block form, a second embodiment of a coupler according to the invention.
  • the localized element structure 30 ' has, on the ISO terminal side, only an attenuator 33 (ATT1').
  • ATT1' Attenuator 33
  • Such an assembly is more particularly intended for the case where only the terminal CPLD is charged by a detector.
  • the ISO terminal is then connected to ground via a 50 ohm load (or reference impedance). Be careful not to connect the ISO terminal directly to the ground otherwise the coupler would no longer be directive.
  • the figure 3 Compared to the assembly of the figure 4 , the figure 3 has the advantage of a symmetrical structure. However, it requires one inductor and three more resistors.
  • An advantage of the coupler of the present invention is that it is devoid of capacitive element (other than potential parasitic capacitances such as, for example, between the tracks forming the inductances of the filters 35 and 36 and the electrodes 351 and 361). This makes the structure robust to electro-static discharges (ESD) without requiring additional protection.
  • ESD electro-static discharges
  • Another advantage of the coupler of the invention is to reduce the ripple of the coupling factor in each band as well as from one band to another in a multi-frequency band application compared to conventional couplers. In addition, it allows to use a single coupler.
  • the variation of the coupling factor from one band to another between the GSM band (around 200 MHz around 900 MHz) and the DCS band (around 200 MHz around 1.8 GHz) goes from 12 dB to less than 2 dB.
  • the variation of the coupling factor goes from about 1 dB to less than 0.3 dB.
  • Such a coupler has a total footprint of 1.8 by 1.2 mm 2 when it is made using technologies of the type used for the manufacture of integrated circuits.
  • the present invention is susceptible of various variations and modifications which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • the distributed-line structure may be more complex (more interdigital branches) or, conversely, a non-interdigitated distributed structure.
  • the dimensions of the various elements used by the invention are within the abilities of those skilled in the art from the functional indications given above and according to the intended application.
  • ⁇ resistive attenuators are a preferred embodiment, other localized element arrangements may be provided, for example, any "T" or other attenuation structure, ensuring 50 ohms (or other reference impedance) on either side of the attenuation structure.

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Description

Domaine de l'inventionField of the invention

La présente invention concerne le domaine des coupleurs qui sont destinés à extraire une information proportionnelle à un signal véhiculé par une ligne de transmission. L'invention concerne plus particulièrement les coupleurs réalisés au moyen de lignes conductrices couplées l'une à l'autre sans contact. Ces coupleurs sont appelés des coupleurs à lignes distribuées par opposition à des coupleurs à éléments localisés, réalisés à partir d'éléments capacitifs et inductifs.The present invention relates to the field of couplers which are intended to extract information proportional to a signal conveyed by a transmission line. The invention more particularly relates to couplers made by means of conductive lines coupled to each other without contact. These couplers are called distributed line couplers as opposed to localized element couplers, made from capacitive and inductive elements.

La présente invention s'applique plus particulièrement au domaine des coupleurs radiofréquence, par exemple, pour des applications de radiocommunication de type téléphonie mobile.The present invention applies more particularly to the field of radio frequency couplers, for example, for mobile radio type of communication applications.

Exposé de l'art antérieurPresentation of the prior art

La figure 1 représente un exemple classique de coupleur 10 à lignes distribuées. Une ligne principale 11 relie un accès d'entrée IN à un accès de sortie DIR. Cette ligne 11 constitue le primaire du coupleur et est destinée à véhiculer le signal utile. Une ligne secondaire 12 est disposée parallèlement à la ligne 11 de façon à assurer un couplage sans contact avec celle-ci pour prélever une partie de la puissance présente sur la ligne 11. Les deux extrémités de la ligne 12 définissent des accès, respectivement CPLD destiné à interpréter le résultat du couplage et ISO généralement isolé, c'est-à-dire en l'air. Le coupleur est typiquement réalisé par des pistes métalliques déposées sur un substrat isolant.The figure 1 represents a typical example of a distributed line coupler. A main line 11 connects an IN input access to a DIR output port. This line 11 constitutes the primary of the coupler and is intended to convey the useful signal. A secondary line 12 is arranged parallel to the line 11 so as to ensure a coupling without contact therewith to take a part of the power present on the line 11. The two ends of the line 12 define accesses, respectively CPLD intended to interpret the result of the coupling and ISO usually isolated, that is to say in the air. The coupler is typically made by metal tracks deposited on an insulating substrate.

Un coupleur distribué se caractérise généralement par les paramètres suivants :

  • les pertes de transmission entre les bornes IN et DIR ;
  • le couplage qui correspond aux pertes de transmission entre les bornes IN et CPLD ;
  • l'isolation du couplage qui correspond à la perte de transmission entre les bornes DIR et ISO ; et
  • la directivité qui représente la différence en décibels entre les signaux présents sur les bornes ISO et CPLD.
A distributed coupler is typically characterized by the following parameters:
  • transmission losses between IN and DIR terminals;
  • the coupling which corresponds to the transmission losses between IN and CPLD terminals;
  • the isolation of the coupling which corresponds to the transmission loss between the terminals DIR and ISO; and
  • the directivity which represents the difference in decibels between the signals present on the ISO and CPLD terminals.

Les trois premiers paramètres ci-dessus sont généralement mesurés alors que les deux bornes non prises en compte sont chargées par des impédances normalisées (généralement 50 ohms).The first three parameters above are generally measured while the two unacknowledged terminals are loaded by standard impedances (typically 50 ohms).

Les longueurs données aux lignes principale et secondaire sont calculées en fonction de la fréquence centrale de la bande passante à laquelle est destiné le coupleur et du couplage souhaité. Typiquement, ces lignes ont des longueurs correspondant au quart de la longueur d'onde de cette fréquence centrale. Plus les lignes sont longues, plus les pertes d'insertion sont importantes.The lengths given to the main and secondary lines are calculated according to the center frequency of the bandwidth for which the coupler is intended and the desired coupling. Typically, these lines have lengths corresponding to a quarter of the wavelength of this central frequency. The longer the lines, the more insertion losses are important.

La figure 2 représente, de façon très schématique et sous forme de blocs, une chaîne d'émission radiofréquence du type à laquelle s'applique à titre d'exemple la présente invention. Un amplificateur d'émission 1 (PA) reçoit un signal radiofréquence RF à émettre par une antenne 2. Pour asservir la puissance d'émission à une valeur, fixée par une consigne REF, on utilise un coupleur 10 à lignes distribuées entre la sortie de l'amplificateur 1 et l'antenne 2. Les accès IN et DIR de la ligne principale 11 de transmission sont respectivement connectés en sortie de l'amplificateur 1 et en entrée de l'antenne 2. La borne CPLD de la ligne couplée est connectée en entrée d'un détecteur 2 (DET) dont la sortie est comparée (comparateur 4) au signal de référence REF pour ajuster la puissance d'émission (le gain) de l'amplificateur 1.The figure 2 represents, very schematically and in block form, a radiofrequency transmission chain of the type to which the present invention applies by way of example. An emission amplifier 1 (PA) receives an RF radiofrequency signal to be transmitted by an antenna 2. In order to control the transmission power at a value set by a reference REF, a 10-line coupler is used distributed between the output of FIG. the amplifier 1 and the antenna 2. The IN and DIR ports of the transmission main line 11 are respectively connected to the output of the amplifier 1 and to the input of the antenna 2. The terminal CPLD of the coupled line is connected in input of a detector 2 (DET) whose output is compared (comparator 4) to the reference signal REF to adjust the transmit power (the gain) of the amplifier 1.

Dans un coupleur dit directif, un signal entrant par la borne DIR est piégé par la borne ISO de façon à éviter que ce signal atteigne l'application, par exemple l'amplificateur 1 (figure 2). Dans ce cas, la borne ISO est généralement chargée par une impédance de 50 ohms connectée à la masse. Par directivité plus élevée, on entend une atténuation en dB plus importante entre les accès ISO et CPLD.In a so-called directive coupler, a signal entering via the terminal DIR is trapped by the terminal ISO so as to prevent this signal from reaching the application, for example the amplifier 1 ( figure 2 ). In this case, the ISO terminal is usually charged with a 50 ohm impedance connected to ground. Higher directivity is a higher dB attenuation between ISO and CPLD access.

Dans d'autres cas, un isolateur externe est prévu entre le coupleur 10 et l'antenne 2 de façon à empêcher un retour du signal vers l'amplificateur 1. Le coupleur n'a alors pas besoin d'être directif et la borne ISO est généralement laissée en l'air.In other cases, an external isolator is provided between the coupler 10 and the antenna 2 so as to prevent a return of the signal to the amplifier 1. The coupler does not need to be directive and the terminal ISO is usually left in the air.

La présente invention concerne plus particulièrement les coupleurs directifs.The present invention relates more particularly to directional couplers.

Un inconvénient des coupleurs du type de celui illustré en figure 1 est que le couplage est très sensible à la fréquence du signal émis.A disadvantage of the couplers of the type illustrated in figure 1 is that the coupling is very sensitive to the frequency of the emitted signal.

Cet inconvénient est particulièrement gênant dans les applications de radiocommunication que vise plus particulièrement la présente invention. En effet, une variation du couplage trop élevée à l'intérieur d'une même bande de fréquences de fonctionnement (par exemple GSM ou DCS) nuit à l'optimisation du fonctionnement de la chaîne d'émission. De plus, le couplage peut fortement varier d'une bande de fréquences à une autre.This disadvantage is particularly troublesome in radiocommunication applications which is more particularly aimed at the present invention. Indeed, a too high coupling variation within the same operating frequency band (for example GSM or DCS) impairs the optimization of the operation of the transmission system. In addition, the coupling can vary greatly from one frequency band to another.

Un coupleur directif est décrit, par exemple, dans la demande de brevet N° US-A 2004/0113716 de la demanderesse. Ce coupleur est à lignes de transmission interdigitées, connu également sous la dénomination de coupleur de Lange. Par rapport à des coupleurs à lignes non interdigitées, une structure de Lange permet d'améliorer le couplage entre les lignes.A directional coupler is described, for example, in the patent application No. US-A 2004/0113716 of the plaintiff. This coupler is with interdigital transmission lines, also known under the name of Lange coupler. Compared to non-interdigitated line couplers, a Lange structure improves the coupling between the lines.

Par amélioration du couplage, on entend accroître l'atténuation en dB du signal sur la borne CPLD par rapport au signal utile de façon à prélever le moins possible de ce signal.By improving the coupling, it is intended to increase the attenuation in dB of the signal on the terminal CPLD compared to the useful signal so as to take the least possible of this signal.

Par amélioration de la directivité, on entend accroître l'atténuation en dB du signal sur la borne ISO par rapport à la borne CPLD.By improving the directivity, it is intended to increase the attenuation in dB of the signal on the terminal ISO with respect to the terminal CPLD.

Traditionnellement, pour améliorer la directivité, on prévoit des éléments capacitifs soit entre des bornes du coupleur, soit entre certaines de ces bornes et la masse.Traditionally, to improve the directivity, capacitive elements are provided between terminals of the coupler, or between some of these terminals and the ground.

Un inconvénient est que, dans les gammes de fréquences que vise l'invention, les valeurs des éléments capacitifs sont tellement faibles qu'elles se rapprochent des valeurs de capacités parasites de la structure, ce qui rend le coupleur difficilement réalisable.A disadvantage is that, in the ranges of frequencies to which the invention is directed, the values of the capacitive elements are so small that they approach the parasitic capacitance values of the structure, which makes the coupler difficult to achieve.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

La présente invention vise à pallier tout ou partie des inconvénients des coupleurs connus en lignes distribuées.The present invention aims to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of known couplers in distributed lines.

L'invention vise plus particulièrement à garder un faible couplage sensiblement constant sur une large bande tout en maintenant une bonne directivité.The invention aims more particularly to keep a low coupling substantially constant over a wide band while maintaining a good directivity.

Pour atteindre tout ou partie de ces objets ainsi que d'autres, la présente invention prévoit un coupleur directif, comportant :

  • une première structure à lignes distribuées dont une première ligne conductrice est destinée à véhiculer un signal principal entre deux bornes d'extrémité et dont une deuxième ligne conductrice, couplée à la première, est destinée à véhiculer un signal secondaire proportionnel au signal principal ; et
  • une deuxième structure à éléments localisés comportant, entre une première borne du coupleur destinée à extraire le signal secondaire et une première extrémité de la deuxième ligne, deux atténuateurs en série entre lesquels est intercalé un filtre passe-bas et, entre une deuxième borne du coupleur et la deuxième extrémité de la deuxième ligne, au moins un atténuateur.
To achieve all or part of these objects as well as others, the present invention provides a directional coupler, comprising:
  • a first distributed line structure of which a first conductive line is intended to convey a main signal between two end terminals and a second conductive line, coupled to the first, is intended to convey a secondary signal proportional to the main signal; and
  • a second localized element structure comprising, between a first terminal of the coupler for extracting the secondary signal and a first end of the second line, two attenuators in series between which is inserted a low-pass filter and, between a second terminal of the coupler and the second end of the second line, at least one attenuator.

Selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention, ladite structure à éléments localisés comporte, côté deuxième extrémité de la deuxième ligne, deux atténuateurs entre lesquels est disposé un filtre passe-bas.According to one embodiment of the present invention, said localized element structure comprises, on the second end of the second line, two attenuators between which a low-pass filter is arranged.

Selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention, le ou les filtres passe-bas comportent exclusivement un enroulement plan conducteur.According to one embodiment of the present invention, the low-pass filter or filters comprise exclusively a conductive plane winding.

Selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention, lesdits atténuateurs sont constitués chacun d'un montage d'éléments résistifs fournissant des impédances d'entrée/sortie égales à une impédance de référence.According to one embodiment of the present invention, said attenuators each consist of an assembly of resistive elements providing input / output impedances equal to a reference impedance.

Selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention, lesdits montages sont en "π".According to one embodiment of the present invention, said assemblies are in "π".

Selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention, ladite structure à lignes distribuées est une structure de Lange.According to an embodiment of the present invention, said distributed-line structure is a Lange structure.

Selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention, aucun élément ne comporte d'élément capacitif à l'exception de capacités parasites éventuelles.According to an embodiment of the present invention, no element has any capacitive element with the exception of possible parasitic capacitances.

L'invention prévoit également une chaîne d'émission radiofréquence comportant, entre un amplificateur d'émission et une connexion vers une antenne, un coupleur directif.The invention also provides a radiofrequency transmission system comprising, between a transmission amplifier and a connection to an antenna, a directional coupler.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

Ces objets, caractéristiques et avantages, ainsi que d'autres de la présente invention seront exposés en détail dans la description suivante de modes de réalisation particuliers faite à titre non-limitatif en relation avec les figures jointes parmi lesquelles :

  • la figure 1 décrite précédemment représente, de façon schématique, un coupleur distribué classique ;
  • la figure 2 décrite précédemment représente un exemple d'application d'un coupleur du type auquel s'applique la présente invention ;
  • la figure 3 représente, de façon schématique, un premier mode de réalisation d'un coupleur directif selon la présente invention ; et
  • la figure 4 représente, de façon schématique et sous forme de blocs, un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un coupleur directif selon la présente invention.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given as a non-limiting example in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 described above represents, schematically, a conventional distributed coupler;
  • the figure 2 described above represents an example of application of a coupler of the type to which the present invention applies;
  • the figure 3 shows schematically a first embodiment of a directional coupler according to the present invention; and
  • the figure 4 shows schematically and in block form a second embodiment of a directional coupler according to the present invention.

De mêmes éléments ont été désignés par de mêmes références aux différentes figures qui ont été tracées sans respect d'échelle. Pour des raisons de clarté, seuls les éléments qui sont utiles à la compréhension de l'invention ont été représentés aux figures et seront décrits par la suite. En particulier, les signaux traversant le coupleur ainsi que l'exploitation faite des mesures par la ligne couplée n'ont pas été détaillés, l'invention étant compatible avec toute application classique de tels signaux.The same elements have been designated by the same references to the different figures that have been drawn without respect of scale. For the sake of clarity, only the elements that are useful for understanding the invention have been shown in the figures and will be described later. In particular, the signals passing through the coupler as well as the exploitation made of the measurements by the coupled line have not been detailed, the invention being compatible with any conventional application of such signals.

Description détailléedetailed description

Une caractéristique d'un mode de réalisation de la présente invention est de combiner une structure à lignes distribuées de type structure de Lange à une structure à éléments localisés comprenant au moins un filtre passe-bas en série avec la ligne secondaire de la structure distribuée.A feature of an embodiment of the present invention is to combine a Lange structure-type distributed line structure with a localized element structure comprising at least one low-pass filter in series with the secondary line of the distributed structure.

La figure 2 représente le schéma d'un mode de réalisation d'un coupleur selon la présente invention.The figure 2 represents the diagram of an embodiment of a coupler according to the present invention.

Ce coupleur comporte une structure 20 à lignes distribuées associée à une structure 30 à éléments localisés, la combinaison de ces deux structures réalisant le coupleur dans son ensemble.This coupler has a distributed line structure 20 associated with a localized element structure 30, the combination of these two structures providing the coupler as a whole.

La structure 20 a la forme d'une structure de Lange dans laquelle les lignes 11' et 12' sont interdigitées. Dans l'exemple de la figure 3, chaque ligne comporte deux tronçons rectilignes parallèles 111 et 112, respectivement 121 et 122. Le tronçon 111 relie des accès IN et DIR du coupleur. Le tronçon 121, parallèle au tronçon 111, relie des accès interne ICPLD et IISO de la structure à lignes distribuées. Entre les tronçons 111 et 121 sont disposés successivement le tronçon 122, puis le tronçon 112, pour obtenir la structure interdigitée. Les tronçons 111 et 112 sont reliés par un tronçon perpendiculaire 113 côté accès IN. Un tronçon de liaison perpendiculaire 123 relie les extrémités des tronçons 121 et 122 côté accès IISO. Enfin, des tronçons (ponts) conducteurs 114 et 124 relient les extrémités libres respectives des tronçons 112 et 122 aux accès DIR et ICPLD respectivement. Dans une réalisation utilisant les technologies des circuits intégrés à laquelle s'applique la présente invention, les liaisons 114 et 124 sont réalisées par des vias (non représentés) et des pistes conductrices dans un deuxième niveau conducteur par rapport à un niveau dans lequel sont réalisées, en plan, les pistes 111, 112, 113, 121, 122 et 123 ainsi que des plots d'accès IN, DIR ICPLD et IISO.The structure 20 is in the form of a Lange structure in which the lines 11 'and 12' are interdigitated. In the example of the figure 3 each line comprises two parallel rectilinear sections 111 and 112, respectively 121 and 122. The section 111 connects the IN and DIR ports of the coupler. The section 121, parallel to the section 111, connects internal accesses ICPLD and IISO of the distributed line structure. Between the sections 111 and 121 are successively arranged the section 122, then the section 112, to obtain the interdigitated structure. The sections 111 and 112 are connected by a perpendicular section 113 on the access side IN. A perpendicular link section 123 connects the ends of the sections 121 and 122 on the IISO access side. Finally, conductive sections (bridges) 114 and 124 connect the respective free ends of sections 112 and 122 to accesses DIR and ICPLD respectively. In one embodiment using the integrated circuit technologies to which the present invention applies, the links 114 and 124 are made by vias (not shown) and conductive tracks in a second conductive level with respect to a level in which are realized , in plan, the tracks 111, 112, 113, 121, 122 and 123 as well as access pads IN, DIR ICPLD and IISO.

La structure 30 à éléments localisés est constituée, entre l'accès ICPLD et une borne CPLD du coupleur destinée à être connectée à l'application (par exemple à un détecteur 3 du type de celui illustré par la figure 2), de deux atténuateurs 31 et 32 entre lesquels est intercalé un filtre passe-bas 35. Chaque atténuateur 31, 32 est par exemple constitué d'un montage en π (pi) de trois éléments résistifs R311, R312 et R313, respectivement R321, R322 et R323. L'élément résistif R311 relie l'accès ICPLD à une première extrémité de l'élément inductif 33 dont l'autre extrémité est reliée à la borne CPLD par la résistance R321. Chaque élément résistif R312, R313, R322 ou R323 relie une borne d'une des résistances R311 et R321 à la masse M. Le filtre passe-bas 35 est par exemple constitué d'un élément inductif réalisé par un enroulement plan d'une piste conductrice sur un support isolant dont l'autre face comporte, de préférence, un plan de masse M. La présence de ce plan de masse sous l'élément inductif a été illustrée en figure 3 par une électrode 351 reliée à la masse M. Le support isolant peut être le même substrat que celui recevant la structure 20.The localized element structure 30 is constituted, between the ICPLD port and a CPLD terminal of the coupler intended to be connected to the application (for example to a detector 3 of the type illustrated by FIG. figure 2 ), two attenuators 31 and 32 between which is interposed a low-pass filter 35. Each attenuator 31, 32 is for example constituted by a π (pi) assembly of three resistive elements R311, R312 and R313, respectively R321, R322 and R323. The resistive element R311 connects the access ICPLD to a first end of the inductive element 33 whose other end is connected to the terminal CPLD by the resistor R321. Each resistive element R312, R313, R322 or R323 connects a terminal of one of the resistors R311 and R321 to ground M. The low-pass filter 35 consists, for example, of an inductive element formed by a plane winding of a track conductive on an insulating support, the other face preferably comprises a ground plane M. The presence of this ground plane under the inductive element has been illustrated in FIG. figure 3 by an electrode 351 connected to the ground M. The insulating support may be the same substrate as that receiving the structure 20.

Un montage identique est reproduit entre la borne IISO de la structure de Lange 20 et une borne ISO finale du coupleur. On retrouve deux atténuateurs 33 et 34 formés d'éléments résistifs R331, R332 et R333, respectivement R341, R342 et R343, et un filtre passe-bas 36 formé d'un élément inductif de préférence sous la forme d'une piste conductrice plane dont un plan de masse sous-jacent est illustré par une électrode 361 reliée à la masse.An identical assembly is reproduced between the IISO terminal of the Lange structure 20 and a final ISO terminal of the coupler. There are two attenuators 33 and 34 formed of elements resistive R331, R332 and R333, respectively R341, R342 and R343, and a low-pass filter 36 formed of an inductive element preferably in the form of a plane conductive track whose underlying ground plane is illustrated by a electrode 361 connected to ground.

La structure à lignes distribuées 20 apporte l'isolation entre la ligne de transmission 11' et la ligne couplée 12'.The distributed line structure 20 provides isolation between the transmission line 11 'and the coupled line 12'.

La présence des atténuateurs 31 et 32 diminue la puissance du couplage tandis que le filtre passe-bas apporte la stabilité en fréquence. Un filtre passe-bas du premier ordre est suffisant dans les applications visées par l'invention.The presence of the attenuators 31 and 32 decreases the power of the coupling while the low-pass filter provides stability in frequency. A low-pass filter of the first order is sufficient in the applications covered by the invention.

Le fait de prévoir deux atténuateurs de part et d'autre du filtre 35 permet de préserver l'adaptation d'impédance dans les deux sens (vue du coupleur et vue du détecteur).Providing two attenuators on either side of the filter 35 makes it possible to preserve the impedance matching in both directions (view of the coupler and view of the detector).

Dans le mode de réalisation de la figure 3, la borne ISO est, par exemple, destinée à être connectée à un deuxième détecteur, ce qui justifie la présence du filtre passe-bas 36 et des deux atténuateurs 33 et 34. La présence des deux atténuateurs participe à l'obtention d'un faible facteur de couplage (atténuation importante) tout en maintenant une directivité élevée.In the embodiment of the figure 3 the ISO terminal is, for example, intended to be connected to a second detector, which justifies the presence of the low-pass filter 36 and the two attenuators 33 and 34. The presence of the two attenuators contributes to obtaining a low coupling factor (significant attenuation) while maintaining a high directivity.

Un avantage de la combinaison des deux structures 20 et 30 est qu'elle permet de dimensionner la structure de Lange pour un couplage d'un facteur relativement important, ce qui n'impose pas des dimensions trop faibles et préserve des pertes d'insertion acceptables. Cette structure devient aisément réalisable en préservant une bonne directivité. Le complément d'atténuation de la voie couplée provient alors des atténuateurs.One advantage of the combination of the two structures 20 and 30 is that it makes it possible to size the Lange structure for a coupling of a relatively large factor, which does not impose too small dimensions and preserves acceptable insertion losses. . This structure becomes easily achievable while preserving a good directivity. The attenuation complement of the coupled channel then comes from the attenuators.

Le facteur de qualité des éléments inductifs 35 et 36 n'est pas critique pour la mise en oeuvre de l'invention dans la mesure où ces inductances sont placées sur les voies couplée et isolée. De plus, ces éléments inductifs se situant sur la voie atténuée (ligne secondaire) par rapport à la ligne de transmission principale, un couplage éventuel entre les deux éléments inductifs restera négligeable.The quality factor of the inductive elements 35 and 36 is not critical for the implementation of the invention insofar as these inductors are placed on the coupled and isolated channels. In addition, these inductive elements are located on the attenuated path (secondary line) with respect to the transmission line main, a possible coupling between the two inductive elements will remain negligible.

La figure 4 représente, de façon schématique et sous forme de blocs, un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un coupleur selon l'invention. Par rapport à la figure 3, la différence est que la structure 30' à éléments localisés comporte, côté borne ISO, uniquement un atténuateur 33 (ATT1'). Un tel montage est plus particulièrement destiné au cas où seule la borne CPLD est chargée par un détecteur. La borne ISO est alors reliée à la masse par l'intermédiaire d'une charge 50 ohms (ou de l'impédance de référence). On veillera à ne pas relier la borne ISO directement à la masse faute de quoi le coupleur ne serait plus directif.The figure 4 represents schematically and in block form, a second embodiment of a coupler according to the invention. Compared to the figure 3 the difference is that the localized element structure 30 'has, on the ISO terminal side, only an attenuator 33 (ATT1'). Such an assembly is more particularly intended for the case where only the terminal CPLD is charged by a detector. The ISO terminal is then connected to ground via a 50 ohm load (or reference impedance). Be careful not to connect the ISO terminal directly to the ground otherwise the coupler would no longer be directive.

Par rapport au montage de la figure 4, la figure 3 présente l'avantage d'une structure symétrique. Toutefois, elle nécessite une inductance et trois résistances de plus.Compared to the assembly of the figure 4 , the figure 3 has the advantage of a symmetrical structure. However, it requires one inductor and three more resistors.

Un avantage du coupleur de la présente invention est qu'il est dépourvu d'élément capacitif (autre que d'éventuelles capacités parasites comme, par exemple, entre les pistes formant les inductances des filtres 35 et 36 et les électrodes 351 et 361). Cela rend la structure robuste aux décharges électro-stastiques (ESD) sans requérir de protection supplémentaire.An advantage of the coupler of the present invention is that it is devoid of capacitive element (other than potential parasitic capacitances such as, for example, between the tracks forming the inductances of the filters 35 and 36 and the electrodes 351 and 361). This makes the structure robust to electro-static discharges (ESD) without requiring additional protection.

Un autre avantage du coupleur de l'invention est de diminuer l'ondulation du facteur de couplage dans chaque bande ainsi que d'une bande à une autre dans une application à plusieurs bandes de fréquences par rapport à des coupleurs classiques. De plus, cela permet d'utiliser un seul coupleur.Another advantage of the coupler of the invention is to reduce the ripple of the coupling factor in each band as well as from one band to another in a multi-frequency band application compared to conventional couplers. In addition, it allows to use a single coupler.

A titre de comparaison, on a réalisé un coupleur du type de celui illustré par la figure 3 pour des fréquences allant d'environ 800 MHz à 2 GHz en obtenant un couplage de -40 dB et une directivité de -30 dB, à comparer à un couplage de -20 dB et une directivité de -25 dB dans le cas classique (coupleur de Lange seul).By way of comparison, a coupler of the type illustrated in FIG. figure 3 for frequencies from about 800 MHz to 2 GHz with -40 dB coupling and -30 dB directivity, compared to -20 dB coupling and -25 dB directivity in the classical case (coupler de Lange alone).

De plus, la variation du facteur de couplage d'une bande à une autre entre la bande GSM (environ 200 MHz autour de 900 MHz) et la bande DCS (environ 200 MHz autour de 1,8 GHz) passe de 12 dB à moins de 2 dB.In addition, the variation of the coupling factor from one band to another between the GSM band (around 200 MHz around 900 MHz) and the DCS band (around 200 MHz around 1.8 GHz) goes from 12 dB to less than 2 dB.

Dans chaque bande, la variation du facteur de couplage passe d'environ 1 dB à moins de 0,3 dB.In each band, the variation of the coupling factor goes from about 1 dB to less than 0.3 dB.

A titre d'exemple particulier de réalisation, un coupleur selon l'invention destiné aux bandes GSM et DCS a été réalisé avec les dimensions et composants suivants :

  • structure de Lange à lignes distribuées d'une longueur totale d'environ 1,7 mm (longueur développée de chaque ligne d'environ 3,5 mm) ;
  • éléments inductifs 35 et 36 réalisés par des enroulements conducteurs plans de 4,5 mm ;
  • résistances R311, R321, R331 et R341 : 70 Ω ; et
  • résistances R312, R313, R322, R323, R332, R333, R342 et R343 : 60 Ω.
As a particular embodiment, a coupler according to the invention for the GSM and DCS bands has been produced with the following dimensions and components:
  • Lange structure with distributed lines of a total length of about 1.7 mm (developed length of each line about 3.5 mm);
  • inductive elements 35 and 36 made by flat conductive windings of 4.5 mm;
  • resistors R311, R321, R331 and R341: 70 Ω; and
  • resistors R312, R313, R322, R323, R332, R333, R342 and R343: 60 Ω.

Un tel coupleur présente un encombrement total de 1,8 par 1,2 mm2 lorsqu'il est réalisé en utilisant des technologies du type de celles utilisées pour la fabrication de circuits intégrés.Such a coupler has a total footprint of 1.8 by 1.2 mm 2 when it is made using technologies of the type used for the manufacture of integrated circuits.

Bien entendu, la présente invention est susceptible de diverses variantes et modifications qui apparaîtront à l'homme de l'art. En particulier, la structure à lignes distribuées pourra être plus complexe (plus de branches interdigitées) ou, à l'inverse, une structure distribuée non interdigitée. De plus, les dimensions des différents éléments utilisés par l'invention sont à la portée de l'homme du métier à partir des indications fonctionnelles données ci-dessus et en fonction de l'application visée. En outre, bien que des atténuateurs résistifs en π constituent un mode de réalisation préféré, d'autres montages à éléments localisés pourront être prévus, par exemple, n'importe quelle structure d'atténuation en "T" ou autre, garantissant une adaptation de 50 ohms (ou autre impédance de référence) de part et d'autre de la structure d'atténuation.Of course, the present invention is susceptible of various variations and modifications which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, the distributed-line structure may be more complex (more interdigital branches) or, conversely, a non-interdigitated distributed structure. In addition, the dimensions of the various elements used by the invention are within the abilities of those skilled in the art from the functional indications given above and according to the intended application. In addition, although π resistive attenuators are a preferred embodiment, other localized element arrangements may be provided, for example, any "T" or other attenuation structure, ensuring 50 ohms (or other reference impedance) on either side of the attenuation structure.

Claims (8)

  1. A directional coupler, characterized in that it comprises:
    a first structure (20) with distributed lines having a first conductive line (11') intended to convey a main signal between two end terminals (IN, DIR) and having a second conductive line (12'), coupled to the first one, for conveying a secondary signal proportional to the main signal; and
    a second structure (30) with local elements comprising, between a first terminal (CPLD) of the coupler for extracting the secondary signal and a first end (ICPLD) of the second line, two attenuators (31, 32) in series between which is interposed a low-pass filter (35) and, between a second terminal (ISO) of the coupler and the second end (IISO) of the second line, at least one attenuator (33).
  2. The coupler of claim 1, wherein said structure with local elements (30') comprises, on the side of the second end (IISO) of the second line (12'), two attenuators (33, 34) between which is arranged a low-pass filter (36).
  3. The coupler of claim 1 or 2, wherein the low-pass filter(s) (35, 36) exclusively comprise a conductive planar winding.
  4. The coupler of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said attenuators (31, 32, 33, 34) are each formed of an assembly of resistive elements (R311, R312, R313; R321, R322, R323; R331, R332, R333; R341, R342, R343) providing input/output impedances equal to a reference impedance.
  5. The coupler of claim 4, wherein said assemblies are "π" assemblies.
  6. The coupler of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said structure with distributed lines (20) is a Lange structure.
  7. The coupler of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein no element comprises a capacitive element, except for possible stray capacitances.
  8. A radio-frequency transmission chain comprising, between a transmit amplifier (1) and a connection to an antenna (2), a coupler according to any of claims 1 to 7.
EP07109045A 2006-05-30 2007-05-28 Broadband directional coupler Not-in-force EP1863116B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0651948A FR2901919A1 (en) 2006-05-30 2006-05-30 BROADBAND DIRECTIVE COUPLER

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EP1863116A1 EP1863116A1 (en) 2007-12-05
EP1863116B1 true EP1863116B1 (en) 2009-01-21

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EP (1) EP1863116B1 (en)
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FR (1) FR2901919A1 (en)

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US7671698B2 (en) 2010-03-02
EP1863116A1 (en) 2007-12-05
FR2901919A1 (en) 2007-12-07
DE602007000501D1 (en) 2009-03-12
US20070279147A1 (en) 2007-12-06

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