JP2000252849A - Low noise converter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To receive radio waves from a plurality of satellites with one antenna and to be made small in size and low in cost. SOLUTION: This low-noise converter uses a coupling circuit 2 to combine signals with different frequencies and similar polarization among signals from a plurality of satellites and transmits the combined signal to 1st stage low noise amplifiers 31, 32. A control section 10 activates only a prescribed amplifier in the low noise amplifiers 31, 32. The output of the low noise amplifiers 31, 32 is fed to a mixer circuit 6 via a coupling circuit 4 and an amplifier 33 of a next stage, and a local oscillation circuit 7 and a mixer circuit 6 apply frequency conversion to a received signal. The number of the low noise amplifiers required for a conventional converter can be reduced, by using the 1st stage amplifiers 31, 32 in common so as to attain miniaturization and cost reduction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a low-noise converter device suitable for use when, for example, radio waves from a plurality of satellites are received by one parabolic antenna.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a satellite broadcast receiving system, for example, a signal in a 12 GHz band received by
It converts to the intermediate frequency signal of GHz band, and IRD (Integrated Receiver Decoder) in the room,
A low noise converter (LN) for transmitting to a receiver such as a television receiver or a VTR having a satellite broadcast receiving tuner.
B) is provided. FIG. 5 shows an example of such a conventional low noise converter.

In FIG. 5, reference numerals 111 and 112 are feed elements. From a satellite in geosynchronous satellite orbit, for example, 12GH
Using the z band, radio waves are transmitted with two polarizations orthogonal to each other, for example, a horizontal polarization and a vertical polarization. Radio waves from this satellite are received by a parabolic antenna. The received signals are input to the feed elements 111 and 112, and horizontal and vertical received signals are obtained from the feed elements 111 and 112, respectively.

[0004] A horizontally polarized reception signal from the feeding element 111 is supplied to a low noise amplifier 121. Feed element 112
Are supplied to the low-noise amplifier 122 and amplified.

[0005] Control signals are supplied from the control unit 110 to the low noise amplifiers 121 and 122, respectively. Although not shown, the control unit 110 is supplied with a switching signal between horizontal polarization and vertical polarization from a receiver. According to this switching signal,
One of the low noise amplifier 121 and the low noise amplifier 122 is controlled to operate. This allows
Switching between horizontal polarization and vertical polarization is performed.

The output of the low noise amplifier 121 or 122 is
The signal is supplied to the low noise amplifier 104 via the coupling circuit 103. The received signal is further amplified by the low noise amplifier 104. The output of the low noise amplifier 104 is applied to the filter circuit 105.
Supplied to An unnecessary band component in the received signal is removed by the filter circuit 105. The output of the filter circuit 105 is supplied to the mixer 106.

[0007] A local oscillation signal from a local oscillator 107 is supplied to the mixer 106. The mixer 106 converts, for example, a received signal in the 12 GHz band into an intermediate frequency signal in the 1 GHz band, for example. The output of the mixer 106 is taken out from an output terminal 109 via a high-frequency amplifier 108. The signal from the output terminal 109 is supplied to an indoor receiver via a connection cable.

[0008] The conventional low noise converter shown in FIG.
It receives a signal transmitted from one satellite in a geosynchronous satellite orbit. Radio waves are transmitted from the satellite on two planes of polarization, horizontal polarization and vertical polarization. For this reason, the low-noise converter is provided with a low-noise amplifier 121 for horizontal polarization and a low-noise amplifier 122 for vertical polarization, and a low-noise amplifier 121 for horizontal polarization and a low-noise amplifier for vertical polarization. By selectively operating the noise amplifier 122, switching between horizontal polarization and vertical polarization is performed.

In recent years, with the development of broadcasting services, a large number of satellites have been launched. Some of these satellites have been launched close to geosynchronous satellite orbits. Thus, signals from two satellites located close to each other in a geosynchronous satellite orbit can be received by one antenna.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a conventional low-noise converter in which signals from two satellites located close to each other in a geostationary satellite orbit are received by one antenna.

In FIG. 6, 211 and 212 are feed elements for a signal received from one satellite, and 213 and 214 are feed elements for a received signal from the other satellite. 2 located close to each other in geosynchronous satellite orbit
From each of the two satellites, for example, using the 12 GHz band,
Radio waves are transmitted by horizontal polarization and vertical polarization. Radio waves from these two satellites are received by one parabolic antenna.

[0012] Of the received output, the signal from one satellite is input to feed elements 211 and 212. From the feed elements 211 and 212, the received signals of the horizontal polarization and the vertical polarization of one satellite are respectively received. can get. A signal from the other satellite is input to feed elements 213 and 214, and a horizontal polarized wave and a vertical polarized wave received signal of the other satellite are obtained from the feed elements 213 and 214, respectively.

The received signal of the horizontally polarized wave of one satellite from the feeding element 211 is supplied to the low noise amplifier 221 and amplified. The vertically polarized reception signal of one satellite from the feed element 212 is supplied to the low noise amplifier 222 and amplified. The low noise amplifiers 221 and 222 include a control unit 230
Supplies a control signal. The control unit 230 is supplied with a switching signal for switching between horizontal polarization and vertical polarization. According to this switching signal, one of the low noise amplifiers 221 and 222 is controlled to operate. As a result, switching between horizontal polarization and vertical polarization is performed.

The output of the low noise amplifier 221 or 222 is
The signal is supplied to the low noise amplifier 241 via the coupling circuit 231. The received signal is further amplified by the low noise amplifier 241. The output of the low noise amplifier 241 is supplied to the coupling circuit 233.

The horizontally polarized reception signal of the other satellite from the feeding element 213 is supplied to the low noise amplifier 223 and amplified. The vertically polarized reception signal of the other satellite from the feed element 214 is supplied to the low noise amplifier 224 and amplified. The low noise amplifiers 223 and 224 include a control unit 230.
Supplies a control signal. The control unit 230 is supplied with a switching signal for switching between horizontal polarization and vertical polarization. According to this switching signal, one of the low noise amplifiers 223 and 224 is controlled to operate. As a result, switching between horizontal polarization and vertical polarization is performed.

The output of the low noise amplifier 223 or 224 is
The signal is supplied to the low noise amplifier 242 via the coupling circuit 232. The received signal is further amplified by the low noise amplifier 242. The output of the low noise amplifier 242 is supplied to the coupling circuit 233.

A control signal is supplied from the control unit 230 to the low noise amplifiers 241 and 242. The control unit 230 is supplied with a switching signal of two satellites. According to this switching signal, one of the low noise amplifiers 241 and 242 is controlled to operate. Thereby, switching between the two satellites is performed.

The output of the coupling circuit 233 is
25. An unnecessary band component in the received signal is removed by the filter circuit 225. The output of the filter circuit 225 is supplied to the mixer 206.

A local oscillation signal from a local oscillator 207 is supplied to the mixer 206. The mixer 206 converts, for example, a received signal in the 12 GHz band into an intermediate frequency signal in the 1 GHz band, for example. The output of the mixer 206 is taken out from the output terminal 209 via the high frequency amplifier 208. The signal from the output terminal 209 is supplied to an indoor receiver via a connection cable.

As described above, the first-stage low-noise amplifiers 221 and 222 amplify the horizontally-polarized reception signal and the vertically-polarized reception signal from one satellite, respectively, and receive the horizontally-polarized reception signal from one satellite. And a coupling circuit 231 for switching between a received signal of a vertical polarization and a reception signal of a horizontal polarization or a reception signal of a vertical polarization of one satellite.
And first-stage low-noise amplifiers 223 and 223 for amplifying the horizontally polarized reception signal and the vertically polarized reception signal from the other satellite, respectively.
24, a coupling circuit 232 for switching between a horizontally polarized reception signal and a vertically polarized reception signal from the other satellite, and a next circuit for amplifying the horizontally polarized reception signal or the vertically polarized reception signal of the other satellite. By providing the low-noise amplifier 242 of the stage and the coupling circuit 233 for switching the reception signals of the two satellites, signals from two satellites located close to each other in the geostationary satellite orbit can be received by one antenna. it can.

[0021]

However, when signals from two satellites are received by one antenna as described above, the number of amplifiers provided in the low noise converter increases, and A problem arises that the number of coupling circuits increases, the cost increases, and miniaturization and weight reduction become difficult.

That is, in the example shown in FIG. 5, a signal from one satellite is received, and a signal of a horizontal polarization and a signal of a vertical polarization are transmitted from one satellite. In order to amplify the horizontally polarized reception signal and the vertically polarized reception signal by the low noise amplifiers 121 and 122, and to select the horizontally polarized signal and the vertically polarized signal, the coupling circuit 1
03 is provided.

However, when two satellites are received, the horizontal polarization signal and the vertical polarization signal are transmitted from each satellite, so that the horizontal polarization signal of each satellite is transmitted. Therefore, a circuit for amplifying and selecting each of the signals of vertical and vertical polarizations and a circuit for switching satellites are required.

In the case where signals from two satellites located close to each other in a geostationary satellite orbit are received by one antenna, as shown in FIG. Low noise amplifiers 221 and 222 for amplifying the horizontally polarized signal and the vertically polarized signal, and a low noise amplifier 223 for amplifying the horizontally polarized signal and the vertically polarized signal from the other satellite; 224, a coupling circuit 231 for switching between a horizontally polarized signal and a vertically polarized signal from one satellite, and a coupling circuit 231 for switching between a horizontally polarized signal and a vertically polarized signal from the other satellite. A coupling circuit 232 and a low noise amplifier 241 for further amplifying the signal from each satellite;
242 and a coupling circuit 233 for switching the signals of the two satellites are required.

In particular, the three coupling circuits 231, 232, 2
The provision of 33 causes an increase in size in mounting.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, these coupling circuits are formed on a microstrip line. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the coupling circuits 231 has approximately λ / 4
(Λ is the wavelength of the center frequency of the receiving band). The strip conductors 251, 252, and 253 have a length. The extension unit 251 extends from the output of the low noise amplifier 221, and the extension unit 152 extends from the output of the low noise amplifier 222. The extension 253 is a low noise amplifier 24
Derived from one input. The extending portions 251 and 252 are arranged to face the extending portion 253 at predetermined intervals.

As described above, the low noise amplifiers 221 and 22
2 is extended from the input of the low noise amplifier 241 to the extended portions 251 and 252 extended from the output of the low noise amplifier 241.
By arranging 53 in opposition, the outputs of low noise amplifiers 221 and 222 and the input of low noise amplifier 241 are electrically coupled.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7, the coupling circuit 232 includes strip conductor extending portions 261, 262, and 263 each having a length of approximately λ / 4.
The extension 261 extends from the output of the low noise amplifier 223, and the extension 262 extends from the output of the low noise amplifier 224. The extension 263 extends from the input of the low noise amplifier 242. The extending portions 261 and 262 are arranged facing the extending portion 263 at a predetermined interval.

As described above, the low noise amplifiers 223 and 22
4 and the extension units 261 and 262 extended from the input of the low-noise amplifier 242.
By arranging 63 in opposition, the outputs of low noise amplifiers 223 and 224 and the input of low noise amplifier 242 are electrically coupled.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, the coupling circuit 233 includes strip conductor extending portions 271, 272, and 273 each having a length of approximately λ / 4.
The extension 271 extends from the output of the low noise amplifier 241, and the extension 272 extends from the output of the low noise amplifier 242. The extension 273 extends from the input of the filter circuit 225 (see FIG. 6). The extending portions 271 and 272 are arranged facing the extending portion 273 at predetermined intervals.

As described above, the low noise amplifiers 241 and 24
The extension units 271 and 272 extended from the output of the filter circuit 225 correspond to the extension units 271 and 272 extended from the output of the filter circuit 225.
By arranging 73 in opposition, the outputs of low noise amplifiers 241 and 242 and the input of filter circuit 225 are electrically coupled.

As described above, the coupling circuits are each formed of an extended portion of the strip conductor having a length of approximately λ / 4, and the position where the coupling circuit is disposed is restricted by the circuit configuration. For this reason, when the number of coupling circuits increases, the area on the substrate for forming the coupling circuits increases, and the degree of freedom in arranging circuit components is lost, resulting in an increase in circuit scale.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to receive radio waves from a plurality of satellites with one antenna,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a low-noise converter that can be reduced in size and cost.

[0034]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided combining means for combining and outputting radio waves of a plurality of satellites having different frequencies from each other, and amplifying received signals of the plurality of satellites combined by the combining means. A low-noise converter device comprising: a first-stage amplifier; a next-stage amplifier that further amplifies the output of the first-stage amplifier; and a frequency converter that frequency-converts the output of the next-stage amplifier. .

For example, when receiving signals from two satellites, received signals of different frequencies are combined and sent to the first-stage amplifier. As a result, the first-stage amplifier is shared for the received signals from the two satellites, and the size and cost are reduced.

[0036]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 11 and 12 are feed elements for receiving signals from one of the satellites.
Is a feed element for receiving signals from the other satellite.
Radio waves are transmitted from the two satellites located close to each other on the geostationary satellite orbit in a horizontally polarized wave and a vertically polarized wave, respectively, using, for example, a 12 GHz band. Radio waves from these two satellites are received by one parabolic antenna.

A signal from one of the received outputs is input to feed elements 11 and 12 and fed to feed elements 11 and 12.
And 12, the received signals of the horizontal polarization and the vertical polarization of one satellite are respectively obtained. Signals from the other satellite are input to feed elements 13 and 14 and feed elements 13 and 14
, The received signals of the horizontally polarized wave and the vertically polarized wave of the other satellite are respectively obtained.

The received signal of the horizontal polarization of one satellite from the feed element 11 and the received signal of the horizontal polarization of the other satellite from the feed element 13 are transmitted via the coupling circuit 2 to the low noise amplifier 3.
1 is supplied. The received signal of the vertical polarization of one satellite from the feed element 12 and the received signal of the vertical polarization of the other satellite from the feed element 14 are supplied to the low noise amplifier 32 via the coupling circuit 2.

The low noise amplifiers 31 and 32 include a control unit 10
Supplies a control signal. The control unit 10 is supplied with a switching signal for switching between horizontal polarization and vertical polarization. According to this switching signal, one of the low noise amplifiers 31 and 32 is controlled to operate. As a result, switching between horizontal polarization and vertical polarization is performed.

The outputs of the low noise amplifiers 31 and 32 are supplied to the low noise amplifier 33 via the coupling circuit 4. The received signal is further amplified by the low noise amplifier 33. The output of the low noise amplifier 33 is supplied to the filter circuit 5. An unnecessary band component in the received signal is removed by the filter circuit 5.
The output of the filter circuit 5 is supplied to the mixer 6.

The mixer 6 is supplied with a local oscillation signal from a local oscillator 7. The mixer 6 converts a received signal in, for example, a 12 GHz band into an intermediate frequency signal in, for example, a 1 GHz band. The output of the mixer 6 is taken out from an output terminal 9 via a high-frequency amplifier 8. The signal from the output terminal 9 is supplied to an indoor receiver via a connection cable.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the low-noise amplifier 31 includes the reception signal of the horizontal polarization of one satellite from the feed element 11 and the reception signal of the horizontal polarization of the other satellite from the feed element 13. Are supplied, and the low-noise amplifier 31 amplifies the horizontal polarization reception signal of one satellite and the horizontal polarization reception signal of the other satellite. In this manner, the low-noise amplifier 31 shares the first-stage amplifier for the horizontally polarized reception signal of one satellite and the first-stage amplifier for the horizontally polarized reception signal of the other satellite. If the frequency of the signal from one satellite is different from the frequency of the signal from the other satellite, the two signals can be selected later on the receiver side. Thus, as described above, the first-stage amplifier for the horizontally polarized reception signal of one satellite and the first-stage amplifier for the horizontally polarized reception signal of the other satellite are low-noise amplifiers 3.
1 can be shared.

Similarly, the low-noise amplifier 32 has two systems, a received signal of the vertical polarization of one satellite from the feed element 12 and a received signal of the vertical polarization of the other satellite from the feed element 14. The signal is supplied, and the low-noise amplifier 32 amplifies the vertically polarized reception signal of one satellite and the vertically polarized reception signal of the other satellite. Thus, the first-stage amplifier for the vertically polarized reception signal of one satellite and the first-stage amplifier for the vertically polarized reception signal of the other satellite are low-noise amplifiers 32.
It is shared by. The frequency of the signal from one satellite,
If the frequency of the signal from the other satellite is different, 2
The signal of the system can be selected later on the receiver side. Thus, the low-noise amplifier 32 can share the first-stage amplifier for the vertically polarized reception signal of one satellite and the first-stage amplifier for the vertically polarized reception signal of the other satellite.

FIG. 2 shows a coupling circuit 2 provided as an input unit of the above-described embodiment, and low-noise amplifiers 31, 32,
33 shows an example of a specific layout on 33 substrates.

As a material of the substrate, a dielectric such as Teflon or ceramic is used, and a strip conductor is developed on the substrate as shown in FIG. As the strip conductor, for example, a thin copper body is used.

In FIG. 2, reference numerals 11P and 12P denote probes for receiving signals of the horizontal polarization and the vertical polarization of one of the satellites, which are feed elements 11 and 12 respectively.
Correspond to each. Reference numerals 13P and 14P denote probes for receiving the horizontally polarized and vertically polarized signals of the other satellite, which correspond to the feed elements 13 and 14, respectively. As the low noise amplifiers 31, 32, and 33, HEM
T (High Electron Mobillity Transister) or a field effect transistor (FET) is used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coupling circuit 2 includes strip extending portions 21 each having a length of approximately λ / 4,
A coupling portion 2a composed of the extension portions 24, 25, 26 of strip conductors each having a length of λ / 4.

In the coupling section 2a, the extension section 21 includes a probe 11P for receiving a horizontally polarized signal of one satellite.
The extension unit 22 is extended from the probe 13P for receiving the horizontally polarized signal of the other satellite, and the extension unit 23 is derived from the input of the low noise amplifier 31. As described above, the extending portion 21 extending from the probe 11P,
By disposing the extending portion 23 derived from the input of the low noise amplifier 31 at a predetermined interval to the extending portion 22 extending from the probe 13P, the probe 1
The outputs of 1P and 13P and the input of low noise amplifier 31 are electrically coupled.

In the coupling section 2b, the extension section 24 extends from the probe 12P for receiving the vertical polarization signal of one satellite, and the extension section 25 extends the vertical polarization signal of the other satellite. , And the extension 26 is derived from the input of the low-noise amplifier 32. As described above, the extension portion 2 derived from the input of the low noise amplifier 32 is supplied to the extension portion 24 extending from the probe 12P and the extension portion 25 extending from the probe 14P.
By arranging the probes 6 at predetermined intervals, the outputs of the probes 12P and 14P and the input of the low noise amplifier 32 are electrically coupled.

The coupling circuit 4 comprises strip conductor extending portions 41, 42, 43 each having a length of approximately λ / 4. The extension 41 extends from the output of the low noise amplifier 31, the extension 42 extends from the output of the low noise amplifier 32, and the extension 43 extends from the input of the low noise amplifier 33. As described above, the extension portion 41 extending from the output of the low noise amplifier 31 and the extension portion 42 extending from the output of the low noise amplifier 32 are derived from the input of the low noise amplifier 33. The low-noise amplifier 31 and the low-noise amplifier 32 are provided by disposing the extension portions 43 at predetermined intervals.
And the input of the low noise amplifier 33 are electrically coupled.

The above-described low noise amplifiers 31, 32,
When mounting the mounted component such as 33, for example, the component pad on the strip conductor is filled with cream solder and the mounted component is mounted. Then, soldering is performed by heating the cream solder through a heating means such as a reflow furnace in that state.

As described above, in this embodiment, in the coupling circuit 2, the reception signal of the horizontal polarization of one satellite from the feed element 11 and the reception signal of the horizontal polarization of the other satellite from the feed element 13 are used. And the feeder element 1
Two signals, that is, the vertical polarization reception signal of one satellite from No. 2 and the vertical polarization reception signal of the other satellite from the feeding element 14 are combined. For this reason, the six low noise amplifiers 221, 222, 223, 224, 241, 242 (see FIG. 6) required in the conventional low noise frequency conversion device are replaced with three low noise amplifiers 31, 32, 33. , The size is reduced, and the cost is reduced. In addition, since the number of low noise amplifiers is reduced, the configuration of the control unit 10 for the low noise amplifier, connection lines, and the like are simplified.

In the above-described embodiment, for example, 12G transmitted from two satellites in a geosynchronous satellite orbit.
Although a case has been described where radio waves from two satellites in the Hz band are received, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where three or more satellites are received.

In the above-described embodiment, each satellite transmits a horizontally polarized wave and a vertically polarized wave. However, each satellite transmits a right-handed circularly polarized wave and a left-handed circular wave. The same applies to the case of transmitting circularly polarized radio waves.

In other words, in the above example, two satellites both transmit a horizontally polarized wave and a vertically polarized wave, but one satellite transmits a horizontally polarized wave and a vertically polarized wave. However, the present invention is also applicable to a case where the other satellite transmits a right-turning circularly-polarized radio wave and a left-turning circularly-polarized radio wave. It is also possible to cope with a case where both satellites transmit a right-turning circularly-polarized radio wave and a left-turning circularly-polarized radio wave. Further, one satellite transmits a horizontally-polarized radio wave and a vertically-polarized radio wave, and the other satellite transmits a right-turned circularly-polarized radio wave and a left-turned circularly-polarized radio wave. It can respond to cases.

It is also possible to cope with a case where one satellite transmits a radio wave of one polarization, and the other satellite transmits a radio wave of two polarizations. For example, it is possible to cope with a case where a satellite that broadcasts only a right- or left-turned circularly polarized radio wave and a satellite that transmits a horizontally polarized radio wave and a vertically polarized radio wave are received. Also when receiving satellites that broadcast only right- or left-turn circularly polarized radio waves and satellites that transmit right-turned circularly polarized radio waves and left-turned circularly polarized radio waves Can respond. The present invention can also be applied to a case where a satellite that broadcasts only horizontally or vertically polarized radio waves and a satellite that transmits horizontally and vertically polarized radio waves are received. It is also possible to cope with a case where a satellite that broadcasts only horizontally or vertically polarized radio waves and a satellite that transmits right-turned circularly polarized radio waves and left-turned circularly polarized radio waves are received.

The low-noise amplifiers 31, 32, and 33 and the high-frequency amplifier 8 do not need to be constituted by one active element, but may be formed as an integrated circuit. You don't have to. further,
The present invention is not limited to the presence / absence, insertion position, and quantity of the filter circuit 5, and the local oscillator 7 is not limited to a single configuration, and a local oscillator circuit including a plurality of oscillators may be used. good.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, each satellite transmits a signal of two polarizations orthogonal to each other. This example is an example in which each satellite transmits a signal of one polarization. It is shown. Each satellite transmits a signal of one of horizontal polarization, vertical polarization, right-handed circular polarization, left-handed circular polarization, and the like.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 61 denotes a feed element for a signal received from one satellite, and 62 denotes a feed element for a signal received from the other satellite. For example, from two satellites located close to each other in a geosynchronous satellite orbit, for example, 1
Radio waves are transmitted using the 2 GHz band. Radio waves from these two satellites are received by one parabolic antenna.

Of the received output, the signal from one of the satellites is input to the feed element 61, and from the feed element 61,
The received signal of one satellite is obtained. The signal from the other satellite is input to the feed element 62, and from the feed element 62,
Received signals of one satellite are obtained respectively.

The received signal of one satellite from the feed element 61 and the received signal of the other satellite from the feed element 62 are supplied to the low-noise amplifier 81 via the coupling circuit 77. The output of the low noise amplifier 81 is supplied to the low noise amplifier 83 and further amplified.

The output of the low noise amplifier 83 is
5 is supplied. Unnecessary band components in the received signal are removed by the filter circuit 55. The output of the filter circuit 55 is supplied to the mixer 56.

A local oscillation signal from a local oscillator 57 is supplied to the mixer 56. In the mixer 56, for example, 12G
The received signal in the Hz band is converted into an intermediate frequency signal in the 1 GHz band, for example. The output of the mixer 56 is taken out from an output terminal 59 via a high frequency amplifier 58. The signal from the output terminal 59 is supplied to an indoor receiver via a connection cable.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the low-noise amplifier 81 is supplied with two systems of signals: a received signal of one satellite from the feed element 61 and a received signal of the other satellite from the feed element 62. Is done. If the frequency of the signal from one satellite is different from the frequency of the signal from the other satellite, the two systems of signals are later selected on the receiver side. Thus, the low-noise amplifier 81 can share the first-stage amplifier for the horizontally polarized reception signal of one satellite and the first-stage amplifier for the horizontally polarized reception signal of the other satellite.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a specific layout on the substrate of the coupling circuit 77 provided as an input unit of the above-described another embodiment and the low-noise amplifier 81.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 61P and 62P denote a probe for receiving one satellite and a probe for receiving the other satellite, which are connected to the feed elements 61 and 62, respectively. Corresponding.

As shown in FIG. 4, the coupling circuit 77 includes strip conductor extending portions 78 each having a length of approximately λ / 4,
It consists of 79 and 80. The extension 78 extends from a probe 61P for receiving a signal from one satellite, and the extension 79 extends from a probe 62P for receiving a signal from the other satellite. Is the low noise amplifier 81
Derived from the input. As described above, the extension 80 derived from the input of the low-noise amplifier 81 is disposed at a predetermined distance with respect to the extension 78 extending from the probe 61P and the extension 79 extending from the probe 62P. And the outputs of the probes 61P and 62P,
The input of the low noise amplifier 81 is electrically coupled.

According to the other embodiment configured as described above, the signal from the feed element 61 and the signal from the feed element 62 are combined through the coupling circuit 77, and the combined output is low. The signal is supplied to the noise amplifier 81, and the first-stage amplifiers for the two satellites are shared by the low-noise amplifier 81. Further, there is no need to provide a control unit, a connection line, and the like for the low noise amplifier. Therefore, the number of low-noise amplifiers is reduced, the size is reduced, and the cost is reduced.

[0070]

According to the present invention, for example, when signals from two satellites are received by one antenna, radio waves of two satellites having different frequencies are combined and supplied to the first-stage amplifier. By doing so, the first stage amplifier is shared. As a result, the number of low noise amplifiers required in the conventional low noise frequency converter is reduced, and miniaturization and cost reduction are achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a layout of a main part on a substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a layout of a main part on a substrate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram used for describing a conventional low noise frequency conversion device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram used for describing a conventional low noise frequency conversion device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a layout of a main part of a conventional low noise frequency conversion device on a substrate.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 4, ... coupling circuit, 5 ... filter circuit, 6, ...
Mixer, 7 Local oscillator, 8 High frequency amplifier, 11, 121, 13, 14 Parabolic antenna, 31, 32, 33 Low noise amplifier, 31d, 3
2d, 33d ... FET

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 5C021 PA02 PA32 PA62 PA91 YA01 5C025 AA22 AA25 BA20 DA04 5C064 DA02 DA05 DA07 5K062 AA09 AE01 AE03

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. Combining means for combining and outputting radio waves of different frequencies from a plurality of satellites, first-stage amplifying means for amplifying received signals of a plurality of satellites combined by the combining means, A low-noise converter device comprising: a next-stage amplifier for further amplifying the output of the amplifier; and a frequency converter for frequency-converting the output of the next-stage amplifier. 2. The low noise converter device according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means combines and outputs radio waves of a plurality of satellites having different frequencies and the same polarization. 3. The plurality of satellites include at least two satellites, one transmitting a single polarized radio wave and the other transmitting a two-polarized radio wave orthogonal to each other. 2. The low noise converter device according to 1. 4. The low-noise converter according to claim 3, wherein the two polarizations having an orthogonal relationship to each other are a horizontal polarization and a vertical polarization. 5. The low-noise converter according to claim 3, wherein the two polarized waves having an orthogonal relationship to each other are a right-handed circularly polarized wave and a left-handed circularly polarized wave. 6. The low-noise converter according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of satellites include at least two satellites that transmit radio waves of two polarizations orthogonal to each other. 7. The two polarizations which are orthogonal to each other are horizontal polarization and vertical polarization for both of the two satellites.
A low-noise converter device according to item 1. 8. The low-noise converter according to claim 6, wherein the two polarized waves having an orthogonal relationship to each other are a right-handed circularly polarized wave and a left-handed circularly polarized wave in both of the two satellites. 9. The two polarized waves having an orthogonal relationship to each other, one of the two satellites is a horizontally polarized wave and a vertically polarized wave, and the other satellite is a right-handed circularly polarized wave and a left-handed circularly polarized wave. 7. The low-noise converter device according to claim 6, wherein the low-noise converter has a circular polarization. 10. The coupling means extends on a strip conductor from a receiving end of a reception signal from the plurality of satellites on a strip conductor, and extends on the strip conductor from an input of the first stage amplifying means. 2. The low-noise converter device according to claim 1, wherein a coupling portion is provided such that the extension portion is disposed close to and opposed to the extension portion. 11. The coupling means includes: an extension part extending on a strip conductor from a reception end of a reception signal having the same polarization among reception signals from the plurality of satellites; and a strip from an input of the first-stage amplification means. 3. The low-noise converter device according to claim 2, wherein a coupling portion is provided corresponding to the polarization so that the extension portion extending on the conductor is disposed close to and opposed to the extension portion.