JP2001016062A - Branching and distributing unit for high frequency - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently branch and distribute wide-band high-frequency signals of MHz to GHz bands which are superposed by branching and distributing the high-frequency signals of the MHz band and GHz band individually and then mixing them together. SOLUTION: This unit is a branching and distributing unit which efficiently branches and distributes high-frequency signals of the MHz to GHz bands. The high-band high- frequency signal of the GHz band is separated by a branching filter 100 into a high- band high-frequency signal of the GHz band and a low-band high-frequency signal of the MHz band. The high-band high-frequency signal is branched and distributed by a high-band branching and distributing device. The high-band branching and distributing device is a high-pass filter 130 composed of, for example, an air-core coil and a capacitor. Consequently, magnetic loss due to a core is eliminated from the high-band high-frequency signal of the GHz band. The low-band high-frequency signal is branched and distributed by a low-band branching and distributing device having a magnetic core. The low-band high-frequency signal and high-band high-frequency signal which are branched and distributed, are mixed by mixers 150a and 150b respectively and outputted from output terminals 20 and 30. Consequently, a high-frequency branching and distributing unit for a wide band, including the MHz to GHz bands, is actualized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a high frequency branch / distributor for branching / distributing a high frequency signal such as a TV signal. In particular, the present invention relates to a high-frequency branching / distributing device that adds a high-frequency signal in the GHz band to a conventional high-frequency signal in the MHz band and branches / distributes a wideband signal in the MHz band to the GHz band. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a branching / distributing device that branches / distributes a conventional TV signal of several hundred MHz band to a TV signal of satellite broadcasting of GHz band. Further, the present invention can be applied to a branching / distributing device for branching / distributing a data signal in the MHz band to the GHz band.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a branching / distributing device for distributing a television signal (hereinafter, referred to as a TV signal) to a plurality of TV receivers. These devices mainly use a transformer, and are devices that electromagnetically couple a plurality of coils and branch or distribute the plurality of coils. These are frequently used in CATV system. In this system, two frequency bands are usually used. One is a frequency band of 0 to 50 MHz for transmitting control information (uplink signal) to a CATV center, and the other is a frequency band of 70 to 770 MHz for transmitting a TV signal (downlink signal). These signals are
It is transmitted by frequency multiplexing. Therefore, the transformer efficiently branches / demultiplexes a high-frequency signal of 770 MHz or less.
Designed to distribute. In recent years, terrestrial broadcasting,
In addition to satellite broadcasting (BS broadcasting), satellite broadcasting (CS broadcasting) having many dedicated channels has also started. However,
Since the CS broadcast has a different frequency band, it is supplied to each terminal device by an individual coaxial cable. Therefore, for convenience of wiring, MH including CS broadcasting in addition to UHF, VHF, BS
There is a demand for a high-frequency branching / distributing device that efficiently branches / distributes high-frequency signals from the z band to the GHz band.

[0003]

The above-mentioned individual wiring is because a conventional branching / distributing device using a transformer cannot be applied to a high frequency signal in a high frequency band in the GHz band. This is because the transformer has a core such as ferrite for the MHz band for improving the electromagnetic coupling efficiency, and the magnetic loss due to this core becomes extremely large in a high frequency signal in the GHz band. In order to avoid the above-mentioned loss, it is conceivable to use an air-core coil with the core removed from the transformer. In this case, the number of turns of the coil or the diameter of the coil is increased in order to obtain the same inductance with respect to a low-frequency high-frequency signal of MHz.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to solve the above-mentioned problems of the MHz band and GH.
That is, the high-frequency signals of z are separately branched / distributed and then mixed, thereby efficiently branching / distributing the superimposed broadband high-frequency signal in the MHz to GHz band. Another object is to reduce the size of the entire device by using an air-core coil, a small cored coil, or a microstrip line for the high-frequency branching / distribution device.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a high-frequency branching device according to claim 1 is provided.
According to the splitter, the splitter / divider splits / divides the input high-frequency signal. The splitter separates the high-frequency signal into a low-frequency high-frequency signal and a high-frequency high-frequency signal. And a high-frequency branching / distributing device for branching / distributing the low-frequency high-frequency signal at a predetermined ratio, and a high-frequency branching / distributing device for branching / distributing the high-frequency high-frequency signal separated by the duplexer at a predetermined ratio.
A distributing device, and a plurality of mixers for mixing the high-frequency high-frequency signal and the low-frequency high-frequency signal are provided. The input / output high-frequency signal is branched / distributed by mixing and outputting the divided high-frequency signals with the mixer.

The duplexer separates the superimposed high-frequency signal into, for example, a high-frequency high-frequency signal in the GHz band and a low-frequency high-frequency signal in the MHz band. The separated low-frequency high-frequency signal is split / divided at a predetermined ratio by a low-frequency branch / distribution device. Similarly, the separated high frequency high frequency signal is also split / divided by the high frequency splitting / distributing device at the same predetermined ratio. Then, the low-frequency high-frequency signal and the high-frequency high-frequency signal branched / distributed at a predetermined ratio are mixed again by the mixer and output.

Generally, a transformer for branching / distributing a high-frequency signal comprises a cored coil in which a conductive wire is wound around a core having high magnetic permeability such as ferrite. Therefore, the higher the input frequency, the greater the magnetic loss due to the core. Due to this magnetic loss, for example, a branching / distributing transformer for the MHz band cannot be used for a high frequency signal in the GHz band.

According to the present invention, the high-frequency high-frequency signal is branched / distributed by the high-frequency branching / distribution device, and the low-frequency high-frequency signal is branched / distributed by the low-frequency branching / distribution device and mixed by the mixer. Output. Therefore, the high-frequency high-frequency signal in the GHz band is not attenuated by, for example, a low-frequency branching / distributing device having a cored transformer. Therefore, GHz
A wide-band high-frequency branching / distributing device that branches / distributes an input wideband high-frequency signal in the MHz band to the GHz band without attenuating the high-band high-frequency signal in the band. This makes it possible to support a new CATV system including, for example, CS broadcasting. The branch / distribution function for the conventional MHz band also includes the high frequency branch / distributor of the present invention. Therefore, it can be used for a conventional CATV system with good compatibility.

According to the high frequency branching / distributing device of the second aspect, the high frequency branching / distributing device is a plurality of filters connected in parallel, and the high frequency high frequency signal from the input terminal is supplied to the plurality of filters. Are branched / distributed according to the respective impedance ratios. Since the high-frequency high-frequency signal is branched / distributed according to the impedance ratio, for example, if a part of the filter is constituted by a variable capacitor and its impedance is adjusted, the branch ratio can be easily finely adjusted. . Therefore, a high-frequency branching / distributing device excellent in convenience such as adjustment can be obtained. The filters connected in parallel can be composed of, for example, a chip-type capacitor and a chip-type inductor. Accordingly, the size of the high frequency branch / distributor can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of filters are constituted by lumped constant elements formed by microstrip lines. For example, the lumped element is an inductive component composed of a fine wire, and a capacitive component composed of a minute parallel plane metal plate formed with a dielectric interposed therebetween. These can be manufactured in a small size and in large quantities with high precision by, for example, a semiconductor manufacturing technique. Therefore, it is a more inexpensive and miniaturized high-precision branching / distributing device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the high-frequency branching / distributing device is a power divider composed of a microstrip line whose transmission path is branched into a plurality of branch lines. The high-frequency signal from the terminal is branched / distributed according to the impedance ratio of each branch line. A power divider using a microstrip line is capable of branching / distributing a high-frequency high-frequency signal only by forming a branching / distribution line having an integer multiple of λ / 4 length with a wavelength in a predetermined frequency band being λ. it can. If the width of the branch / distribution line is adjusted, the line impedance can be adjusted. Thereby, the branch / distribution ratio can be easily set. These can be easily manufactured at a low cost by, for example, a patterning technique, a plating technique, an etching technique, or the like. Therefore, a more inexpensive high-frequency branching / distributing device is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the high-frequency branching / distributing device is a branching / distributing transformer, and a high-frequency high-frequency signal from an input terminal forms a coil forming the branching / distributing transformer. Are branched / distributed according to the respective winding ratios. Since the high-frequency high-frequency signal is branched / distributed according to the winding ratio of the coil, the branch / distribution ratio can be easily adjusted.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the high-frequency branching / distributing device is a branching / distributing transformer, and a coil forming the branching / distributing transformer is an air-core coil. It is characterized by. Since it is an air-core coil, the high-frequency high-frequency signal has no magnetic loss due to the core. Therefore, the high-frequency signal in the GHz band is not attenuated. As a result, it is possible to branch / distribute the high-frequency high-frequency signal in the GHz band while suppressing the loss.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the high-frequency branch / distribution device is a high-frequency branch / distribution transformer, and the low-frequency branch / distribution device is a low-frequency branch / distribution transformer. . The high-frequency branch / distribution transformer is a cored transformer having a core smaller than that of the low-frequency branch / distribution transformer. The inductance of the high-frequency branch / distribution transformer is smaller than the inductance of the low-frequency branch / distribution transformer. It is characterized by being small.

The high-frequency branching / distribution transformer is a cored transformer having a small core. Since it is cored, the high-frequency branching / distributing transformer has low leakage magnetic flux and good electromagnetic coupling efficiency. That is, the branching / distributing device has a small coupling loss in branching / distributing. At this time, although there is magnetic loss due to the core, the core is smaller than the core of the low-pass branch / distribution transformer, and its inductance is set smaller than that of the low-pass branch / distribution transformer. Since the inductance is set small, the magnetic loss proportional to the inductance is suppressed. That is, by using a cored transformer, the electromagnetic coupling efficiency is increased, and by reducing the inductance, the magnetic loss due to the efficiency is suppressed. That is, the overall loss is reduced. As a result, a high frequency branch / distributor having high branch / distribution efficiency is obtained.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the high-frequency branching / distributing device has a connection resistance for giving directionality. For example, the filters connected in parallel have a connection resistance sandwiched between their ends. Further, for example, the directional branching / distribution transformer has a connection resistance in the coil on the branching / distribution terminal side. A part of the signal input reversely from the branch / distribution terminal is propagated to the input terminal, while the other part is consumed by the connection resistance. As a result, signals input from the branch / distribution terminals are not propagated to the respective branch / distribution terminals. Therefore, for example, the terminal devices connected to the branching / distribution terminals can perform bidirectional communication with the central device in the GHz band independently of each other. Accordingly, a high-performance high-frequency branching / distributing device capable of higher-speed communication is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the low-frequency branching / distributing device is a directional branching / distributing transformer for branching / distributing a low-frequency high-frequency signal in a directional manner. And Directional branching / distribution transformer
The input signal is propagated to the branch / distribution terminal. Also, branch /
The signal input from the distribution terminal can be propagated to the input terminal without being propagated to another branch / distribution terminal. Therefore, in a CATV system or the like, for example, a control signal in the MHz band can be propagated as an upstream signal only to the upstream central unit. Therefore, the branching /
If a terminal device is connected to the distribution terminal, the terminal device can perform bidirectional communication with the central device using signals in the MHz band. Therefore, a highly convenient system compatible with the conventional system can be constructed.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the cut-off frequency of the high-frequency high-frequency signal and the cut-off frequency of the low-frequency high-frequency signal match in the frequency characteristics of the duplexer and the mixer. Have been. A phase correction device for correcting the phase of a signal having the cutoff frequency is provided on at least one path through which the high-frequency high-frequency signal or the low-frequency high-frequency signal propagates.

The low-frequency high-frequency signal and the high-frequency high-frequency signal demultiplexed by the demultiplexer commonly include a cutoff frequency, which is a boundary frequency between the low frequency signal and the high frequency signal. The signal of the cutoff frequency included in the low-frequency high-frequency signal band reaches the output of the mixer via the path of the low-frequency high-frequency signal. The signal of the cutoff frequency included in the high-frequency high-frequency signal band reaches the output of the mixer via the path of the high-frequency high-frequency signal and, for example, a phase correction device provided in the middle.

Normally, since the propagation paths are different at the output of the mixer, the signals of the cutoff frequencies whose frequencies are matched have different phases, and the signal strength may be attenuated after mixing. In the high frequency branch / distributor according to the present invention, the phase compensator uses the phase of the signal at the output of the mixer in the cutoff frequency signal commonly included in the low frequency high frequency signal and the high frequency high frequency signal. Are corrected to match. Thus, the signals at the cutoff frequencies at the output of the mixer do not cancel each other.
That is, the signal at the cutoff frequency is not attenuated.
Therefore, a high-frequency high-frequency signal having the same continuous and uniform frequency spectrum as the input signal is output from the output terminal of the mixer. Therefore, a wideband high-frequency signal can be accurately branched / distributed.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following examples. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a high frequency distributor according to the present invention.
The figure is a configuration block diagram. The high-frequency distributor of the present invention is a distributor that equally distributes a high-frequency signal in the MHz band to the GHz band input from the input terminal 10 and outputs the signals from the output terminals 20 and 30. The high-frequency signal here is, for example, CAT
A high-frequency high-frequency signal refers to a signal in the GHz band such as a CS broadcast, and a low-frequency high-frequency signal refers to a conventional signal in the MHz band. It should be noted that a control signal which is an upstream signal to the broadcast station used in the CATV system is included in the MHz band.

The high frequency divider according to the present invention comprises a duplexer 10 for separating a high frequency signal into a high frequency high frequency signal and a low frequency high frequency signal.
0, a low-frequency distribution transformer 110 for distributing the low-frequency high-frequency signal separated by the demultiplexer 100, a high-pass filter 130 serving as a filter for distributing the high-frequency high-frequency signal, and a phase correction device provided in the path of the high-frequency high-frequency signal 140a, 1
40b, mixers 150a and 150a which mix the high-frequency high-frequency signal and the low-frequency high-frequency signal again and output from the output terminals 20 and 30;
50b. The high-pass filter 13
0 is further comprised of high-pass filters 132 and 133 which are filters connected in parallel. Here, the low-pass distribution transformer 110 is a low-pass branch / distribution device, and the high-pass filter 130 is a high-pass branch / distribution device. The components are connected by signal lines a, c, and d for transmitting low-frequency high-frequency signals and signal lines b, e, f, g, and h for transmitting high-frequency high-frequency signals. Hereinafter, for simplicity, the signal lines a, c, and d are referred to as low group paths, and the signal lines b, e, f, g, and h are referred to as high group paths.

The function of each component will be described along the signal flow. The high-frequency signal input from the input terminal 10 is first input to the duplexer 100. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the duplexer 100. The duplexer 100 includes a coil L1 and a capacitor C
1 and a high-pass filter 102 including a coil L2 and a capacitor C2. The low-pass filter 101 mainly passes a low-frequency high-frequency signal in the MHz band, and
Pass mainly high frequency high frequency signals in the GHz band. As a result, the wide band high frequency signal is separated into a low band high frequency signal and a high band high frequency signal.

FIG. 3 shows frequency characteristics of the low-pass filter 101 and the high-pass filter 102. The horizontal axis is frequency and the vertical axis is loss. Curve A is the low-pass filter 101,
A curve B is a characteristic curve of the high-pass filter 102. At this time, the cutoff frequency f _CL of the low-pass filter 101
And the cutoff frequency f _CH of the high-pass filter 102 is
They are set to, for example, f _C (= 1 GHz). As shown in the figure, a signal whose frequency is the cutoff frequency is included in each region in common. Or later,
This common signal is called a cutoff frequency signal.

When this cut-off frequency signal passes through the high-pass filter 102, the characteristic of the filter
The phase advances by 90 ° compared to the phase of the signal before input. Conversely, when passing through the low-pass filter 101, its phase is delayed by 90 ° due to the characteristics of the filter. That is, the cutoff frequency signal that has passed through the high-pass filter 102 is 1
The phase is advanced by 80 ° and propagated. The high-frequency signal that has passed through the duplexer 100 is separated into a low-frequency high-frequency signal and a high-frequency high-frequency signal having such a phase relationship, and propagates through different signal lines a and b (FIG. 1).

The low-frequency signal transmitted through the signal line a is input to the low-frequency distribution transformer 110. The low-frequency distribution transformer 110 is a distribution transformer 11 having a ferrite core.
1 and impedance matching transformers 112 and 113. The signal current of the low-frequency high-frequency signal input to the center point of the distribution transformer 111 is equally distributed according to the input position and the impedance of the next stage, and is distributed to the impedance matching transformers 112 and 113. . The equally distributed low-frequency high-frequency signal is supplied to the impedance matching transformer 1.
The signals are output to the signal lines c and d by the signal lines 12 and 113. Usually, a transformer having a ferrite core has a magnetic loss due to a high-frequency signal. However, in this case MHz
Since the signal is a low-band high-frequency signal in a band, the signal is suppressed to a predetermined allowable value or less.

On the other hand, the high-frequency high-frequency signal having a phase difference of 180 ° and having propagated through the signal line b is supplied to the high-pass filter 130.
Is input to The high-pass filter 130 is configured by connecting a plurality of high-pass filters 132 and 133 in which capacitors C3 and C4 and a coil L3 are disposed in a T-shape (FIG. 1).

The high-frequency high-frequency signal input from the signal line b is branched inside the high-frequency signal,
2, 133. High-pass filter 132, 1
33 is the same input impedance, eg, 150Ω
And arranged symmetrically with respect to the input high-frequency high-frequency signal. This means that high-frequency high-frequency signals are equally distributed and the characteristic impedance of the signal line (for example, 75
Ω). As a result, the high-band high-frequency signal input to the high-pass filter 130 is equally distributed and propagated to the signal lines e and f, and then input to the next-stage phase correction devices 140a and 140b, respectively. Here, the coil L3 of the high-pass filters 132 and 133 is used.
Uses an air-core coil. Since it is air-core, there is no magnetic loss due to the core in the high-frequency high-frequency signal passing therethrough.
Therefore, the input high frequency signal is propagated to the signal lines e and f without being attenuated.

The high-frequency high-frequency signals propagated through the signal lines e and f are supplied to the next-stage phase correctors 140a and 140a, respectively.
0b. Phase correction devices 140a, 140b
Is configured by a filter or the like (not shown), and adjusts the phase of the high-frequency high-frequency signal input by a variable capacitor or the like (not shown). This is because, as described above, the cutoff frequency signal is common to both bands, one propagates through the low group path, and the other propagates through the high group path, and is then combined.

For example, one of the low group paths is the input terminal 10
To the demultiplexer 100, the signal line a, the low-frequency distribution transformer 11
0, signal line c, mixer 150a, and output terminal 20
It is a route to reach. Also, the corresponding high group route is
The input terminal 10, the duplexer 100, the signal line b, the high-pass filter 133, the signal line e, the phase correction device 140a, the signal line g, the mixer 150a, and the output terminal 20. At the output terminal 20 of the mixer 150a,
The cutoff frequency signals that have passed through these two paths are combined, but if the phases are different from each other, the signals are weakened. In some cases, they are completely canceled and the signal is not propagated. That is, the intensity of the cutoff frequency signal is reduced from the output terminal 20 and output. In other words, the output terminal 20 outputs an uneven signal whose frequency spectrum is not flat in the MHz band to the GHz band. This is the same for the output from the output terminal 30.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the phase compensators 140a and 140b are provided on the path of the high-frequency high-frequency signal so that the phase of the cut-off frequency signal transmitted through the high-group path and the cut-off frequency transmitted through the low-group path are reduced. In the final output stage of the mixers 150a, 150b, the phase of the frequency signal is
Adjusted to match. That is, the mixers 150a,
Immediately before being input to 150b, the phase shift between the cutoff frequency signal transmitted through the high group path and the signal transmitted through the low group path is adjusted to 180 ° + α °. The phase difference of 180 ° is a difference generated in the duplexer 100. α ° is a correction amount by the phase correction devices 140a and 140b. Then, the high-frequency high-frequency signal whose phase has been adjusted is sent to mixers 150a and 150b at the next stage.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the mixers 150a and 150b. Since the mixers 150a and 150b are the same, the symbols attached to the mixer 150b are described in parentheses. The mixer has a function opposite to that of the duplexer. More specifically, as shown in the figure, the low-pass filter 151 includes a coil L4 and a capacitor C5, and a high-pass filter 152 includes a coil L5 and a capacitor C6. Thus, the low-frequency high-frequency signal passed through the low-pass filter 151 and the high-frequency high-frequency signal passed through the high-pass filter 152 are mixed and output from the output terminals 20 and 30.
At this time, the low-pass filter 151 and the high-pass filter 1
Numeral 52 denotes −90 ° and + 90 ° for the input cutoff frequency signal, similarly to the above-described duplexer 100.
Is added. That is, the phase of the cutoff frequency signal included in the high frequency signal is advanced by about 180 ° with respect to the phase of the signal included in the low frequency signal. For example, it is advanced by 180 ° + β °.

By the way, as described above, the mixer 150a,
The phase of the cutoff frequency signal included in the high frequency signal immediately before input to 150b is already advanced by 180 ° + α ° with respect to that included in the low frequency signal. Therefore, the phase difference at the output terminal 20 is 360 °
+ Α ° + β °. This is because the phase correction device 140a,
Adjusting α ° by 140b and setting α ° + β ° = 0 ° means that the phase difference becomes 360 °, that is, 0 °.
As a result, the phase difference between the cutoff frequency signals propagated through both paths is set to 0, and the signals do not cancel each other. Therefore, the high-frequency signal input from the input terminal 10 is equally distributed from the output terminals 20 and 30 while maintaining a uniform signal strength.

The high-pass filters 132, 13
A separation resistor 131 for separation is connected between the output terminals 3 (FIG. 1). This is because, even if a signal in the opposite direction is input from the next-stage phase correction device 140a, b, the signal is consumed by the separation resistor 131 and the signal is not propagated to the paths e, f. When a signal is input in the reverse direction, the signal follows the reverse path and propagates only to, for example, only a central device (not shown) connected upstream of the input terminal 10. Thus, for example, a terminal device (not shown) connected to the output terminal 20 can perform bidirectional high-speed communication in the GHz band with a central device (not shown) without affecting other terminal devices.

As described above, the high frequency distributor of this embodiment is
The low band high frequency signal in the MHz band is distributed by a transformer composed of a cored coil, and the high band high frequency signal in the GHz band is distributed by a high pass filter composed of an air core coil in order to avoid magnetic loss. Therefore, high-frequency signals in the MHz band to the GHz band can be distributed without loss. Therefore, a high-frequency distributor having a wide band that can be applied to a high-frequency high-frequency signal such as a CS broadcast is provided. In other words, with one distributor, CATV
And a superior high frequency distributor capable of distributing a TV signal of MHz to GHz.

Further, since the phase correction device is provided as described above, the frequency spectrum distribution of the high frequency signal can be continuously and uniformly distributed. Therefore, a high-quality high frequency distributor is obtained. Although the high-pass filters 132 and 133 are used as the high-band branching / distributing device, a high-pass frequency may be passed through a low-pass filter and a band-pass filter.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a high-frequency branching device according to the present invention. The figure is a configuration block diagram. A feature of the present embodiment is that a directional branch transformer 200 that branches a low-frequency high-frequency signal at a predetermined ratio is provided instead of the low-frequency distribution transformer 110 of the first embodiment. Further, a low-pass filter 160 for splitting a high-frequency high-frequency signal at a predetermined ratio is provided instead of the high-pass filter 130 for distribution of the first embodiment. The operation of the other components used in the present embodiment is equivalent to that of the first embodiment. Parts having the same functions as those in the drawings described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The high-frequency signal input from the input terminal 10 is similarly input to the duplexer 100, and the low-frequency high-frequency signal propagates through the signal line a and the high-frequency high-frequency signal propagates through the signal line b. The low-frequency high-frequency signal propagated through the signal line a is subsequently input to the directional branch transformer 200. FIG. 6 shows the directional branch transformer 200. Directional branching transformer 200
Is obtained by electromagnetically coupling a plurality of coils via a ferrite 210, and is characterized by being branched in a directional manner. This feature will be described later. Input terminal I
The low-frequency high-frequency signal input from N1 is output terminal OUT1 and branch terminal BR1 at a predetermined ratio according to the winding ratio.
And output to the signal lines c and d, respectively. At this time, the signal line c is a main line, and the signal line d is a branch line.

On the other hand, the high-frequency signal transmitted through the signal line b is input to the low-pass filter 160 (FIG. 5). This low-pass filter 160 has a low-pass filter 162 in which coils L6 and L7 and a capacitor C7 are configured in a T-shape.
Similarly, a low-pass filter 163 in which coils L8 and L9 and a capacitor C8 are formed in a T-shape, and a separation resistor 161
Consists of At this time, the low-pass filters 162 and 1
63 is designed so that its input impedance is different by making its circuit constant different. The input high-frequency high-frequency signal is divided into the predetermined ratios according to the input impedance ratio of the low-pass filters 162 and 163 inside the low-pass filter 160, and is output to the signal lines e and f, respectively. Phase correction device 14
0a and 140b. At this time, the signal line e becomes the main line, and the signal line f becomes the branch line.

The operation of the phase correction devices 140a and 140b on the high frequency signals is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, at the final output stage of the next-stage mixers 150a and 150b, the cut-off frequency signal and the signal paths b, e, and f via the low-group paths represented by the signal lines a, c, and d.
Are adjusted so that the phases of the cutoff frequency signals passing through the high-group path represented by 一致 coincide. The high-frequency high-frequency signal whose phase has been adjusted is supplied to mixers 150a and 150 at the next stage.
b.

In the mixers 150a and 150b, the low-frequency high-frequency signal and the high-frequency high-frequency signal having a predetermined ratio are mixed. At the time of this mixing, the cutoff frequency signals existing in both bands are output from the phase correction devices 140a, 140a, 1
The phase difference is adjusted so as to be 0 by 40b. Therefore, even if the cutoff frequency signals transmitted through the high group path and the cutoff frequency signals transmitted through the low group path are mixed by the mixers 150a and 150b, they do not cancel each other. As a result, for example, a high-frequency signal having a high signal strength is output from the output terminal 40 as a main line signal, and a high-frequency signal having a low signal strength is output from the branch terminal 50. Thus, the high-frequency high-frequency signal in the MHz band to the GHz band becomes a high-frequency branching device that branches uniformly without changing the frequency spectrum distribution.

The directional branch transformer 200 shown in FIG. 6 is characterized in that a signal is branched in a directional manner by the winding direction and arrangement of the coil and the terminating resistor 220. That is, 1 / n of the signal input in the opposite direction to the branch terminal BR1 is propagated to the input terminal IN1, and the remaining (n-1) / n is consumed by the terminating resistor 220,
The output OUT1 has a feature that no signal is propagated. Thus, for example, a terminal device (not shown) connected to the branch terminal BR1 can send a control signal, for example, in the MHz band to an upstream central device (not shown) independently of other terminal devices.

The low-pass filters 162 and 163 constituting the low-pass filter 160 are provided with isolation resistors 161.
Are connected to each other. This is because, similarly to the high-pass filter 130 of the first embodiment, a signal input in the opposite direction is propagated to the input terminal 10 side, but a part of the signal is consumed by the separation resistor 161 and propagated to each other's path. It is a structure that is not allowed. Thus, for example, a terminal device (not shown) connected to the output terminal 50 can perform bidirectional communication in the GHz band with a central device (not shown) connected upstream of the input terminal 10. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the MHz band to G
While branching the high frequency signal in the Hz band at a predetermined ratio,
A more convenient high-frequency branching device that enables two-way communication using the MHz band and the GHz band. Instead of the low-pass filter, a high-pass filter or a band-pass filter may be used to pass a high-band signal.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 shows a high-frequency branching device according to the present invention. The figure is a configuration block diagram. This embodiment is characterized in that the branching low-pass filter 160 of the second embodiment is used.
And that a directional branch transformer 300 is provided. The operation of the other components used in the present embodiment is equivalent to that of the second embodiment. Therefore, here, the effect of the directional branch transformer 300 will be mainly described. Parts having the same functions as those in the drawings described in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The high-frequency signal input from the input terminal 10 is similarly input to the duplexer 100, and the low-frequency high-frequency signal is transmitted to the signal line a and the high-frequency high-frequency signal is transmitted to the signal line b. The high-band high-frequency signal transmitted through the signal line b is input to the directional branch transformer 300, which is a high-band transformer.

FIG. 8 shows the directional branch transformer 300.
The directional branch transformer 300 is characterized in that it is electromagnetically coupled with a plurality of air-core coils without using a ferrite or the like. The high-frequency high-frequency signal input from the input terminal IN2 is output to the output terminal OUT2 and the branch terminal BR2 at a predetermined ratio according to the winding ratio. At this time, since the coil is air-core, the passing high-frequency high-frequency signal and the branched high-frequency high-frequency signal do not receive magnetic loss due to the core. Therefore, a high frequency signal in the GHz band is branched without loss.

The directional branch transformer 300 includes a terminating resistor 320 as a connection resistor on the side of the branch terminal BR2. This is because the direction of the branch is given by the winding direction and arrangement of the air core coil and the terminating resistor 320. That is, the signal input to the branch terminal BR2 is not transmitted to the output terminal OUT2. Specifically, 1 / n of the signal input to the branch terminal BR2 in the reverse direction is propagated to the input terminal IN2, and the remaining (n-1) / n is consumed by the terminating resistor 320, and the output OUT2 Has a structure in which no signal is propagated.

Thus, for example, a terminal device (not shown) connected to the branch terminal BR2 can perform two-way communication in the GHz band independently of other terminal devices. Therefore,
According to this embodiment, a highly convenient high-frequency branching device equivalent to that of the second embodiment can be realized.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 9 shows a high frequency distributor according to the present invention. The figure is a configuration block diagram. The feature of this embodiment is that the distribution high-pass filter 130 of the first embodiment is used.
Instead, a distribution element 400 using a low-pass filter formed by a lumped constant element formed of a microstrip line is provided. The operation of the other components used in the present embodiment is equivalent to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, here, the effect of the distribution element 400 will be mainly described. Parts having the same functions as those in the drawings described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The high-frequency signal input from the input terminal 10 is similarly input to the duplexer 100, and the low-frequency high-frequency signal is propagated to the signal line a and the high-frequency high-frequency signal is propagated to the signal line b. The high-frequency signal transmitted through the signal line b is distributed to the distribution element 4.
00 is input. FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the distribution element 400. The distribution element 400 includes a ground plane 401 formed on a substrate (not shown), a microsquare 403 formed on an insulating film 402 having a thickness dm from the ground plane 401, and a microstrip line 404. As shown, the microsquare 403 and the microstrip line 404 are continuously formed in series, and the signal line b
Are formed in parallel symmetrically so as to equally distribute the signals input to them, and have the same input impedance. One end is connected to the signal line b, and the other end is connected to the signal lines e and f, respectively. Further, an isolation resistor 405 is formed on the signal lines e and f. These are mainly manufactured by semiconductor manufacturing technology.

In this case, the microsquare 403 and the ground plane 401 form a capacitance component C, and the microstrip line 404 and the ground plane 401 form a coil component L. The magnitude of the component is controlled by the dielectric constant and magnetic permeability of the insulating film 402 and its thickness dm, and its equivalent circuit becomes a low-pass filter. Further, the separation resistor 405 is
The same operation as the separation resistor 131 in the high-pass filter 130 of the first embodiment is performed. That is, the signal input in the opposite direction from the signal line e or the signal line f is propagated to the signal line b on the input side, but is not propagated to each other's path on the output side. Therefore, the distribution element 400 enables bidirectional communication in the GHz band, similarly to the high-pass filter 130 of the first embodiment.

Since the distribution element 400 is formed from a microstrip line, the distributed high-frequency high-frequency signal has no magnetic loss as in the first embodiment. Therefore, GH
A high frequency signal in the z band is separated without loss. Further, the distribution element 400 using this microstrip line is:
Since it is manufactured by a semiconductor manufacturing technique or the like, its size is further reduced. Accordingly, a high-frequency distributor having the same performance as that of the first embodiment and further reduced in size and weight can be obtained.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 11 shows a high frequency distributor of the present invention. The figure is a configuration block diagram. In the fourth embodiment, the high-frequency distribution device (distribution element 400) is formed using lumped constant elements (L, C) using microstrip lines. The feature of this embodiment is that, instead of the distribution element 400,
That is, a power divider 500 that forms a branch line with a microstrip line is employed. The operation of the other components used in the present embodiment is equivalent to that of the fourth embodiment. Therefore,
Here, the effect of the power divider 500 will be mainly described. The parts having the same functions as those in the drawings described in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the power divider 500.
The power divider 500 includes a transmission line 501, which is a microstrip line, branch lines 502 and 503 that divide the transmission line 501 into two, and output lines 504 and 505 connected to the branch lines 502 and 503. At this time, the line impedances of the branch lines 502 and 503 are set to 2 ^1/2 Z ₀ , respectively.
A separation resistor 506 is formed between the connection point between the output line 504 and the connection point between the branch line 503 and the output line 505. Impedance looking into the right of each branch lines 502, 503 from the branch point, respectively, 2Z _0, and the impedance matching has been carried out at the branch point, power 2
Be distributed. In addition, if the impedance of each branch line is determined so that the impedance seen from each branch line on the right side is set according to the branch ratio in a state where the impedance matching is performed at the branch point, the present device becomes a branching device.

The high-frequency signal input to the transmission line 501 is
The division is performed based on the impedance ratio of the connected branch terminals 502 and 503. In this case, since the input impedance of each branch line is a 2Z _0, it is equally distributed power is output from the output terminal OUT1 and OUT2.
At this time, the branch lines 502 and 503 have their line length set to λ / 4, and the separation resistor 506 is formed at the end as described above. This is the output terminal OU
This is because, when a signal is input from T1 or OUT2, the high-frequency signal has a phase difference of λ / 2 at both ends of the separation resistor 506 and is consumed by the separation resistor 506. That is, this is for giving directionality. As a result, the terminal device (not shown) connected to the main terminals OUT1 and OUT2 of the power divider 500 has a GHz band as in the first embodiment.
Independent two-way communication in the band becomes possible.

At this time, since the power divider 500 is formed of a microstrip line, the distributed high-frequency high-frequency signal has a small magnetic loss as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the loss of the high frequency signal in the GHz band is reduced and separated. Further, the power divider 500 can be manufactured at low cost by, for example, a plating technique, a patterning technique, an etching technique, or the like. Accordingly, a high-frequency distributor having the same performance as that of the fourth embodiment and being less expensive can be obtained.

The power divider can be formed as shown in FIG. A power divider 500 shown in FIG. 12B is called a ladder-type hybrid circuit, and strip lines 507 and 508 having different line impedances.
Form a square having one side of λ / 4, and output terminals OUT1 and OUT2 are taken out from the corners. this is,
Directivity is provided by interference due to a difference in path length of a high-frequency signal.

In FIG. 12B, there are two paths from the input terminal IN to the output terminal OUT1. One is P ₁ ,
A left-handed route of P ₂ and P _{3 and} a right-handed route to P ₁ , P ₄ and P ₃ . At this time, since there is no difference between the clockwise and counterclockwise path lengths, a high-frequency signal is output from the output terminal OUT1 without canceling each other. On the other hand, the path from the input terminal IN to the output terminal OUT3 has a path length difference of λ / 2 between the clockwise path and the counterclockwise path length. Since the path length difference is λ / 2, the high-frequency signals cancel each other out at the output terminal OUT3. In particular, if the impedance Zp, Zs of each line is adjusted, the output terminal O
The output from UT3 can be set to 0. Also, at the output terminal OUT2, a path length difference of λ / 2 similarly occurs between the clockwise path and the counterclockwise path length, but the impedance Zp, Zs of each line is adjusted to be 0 at the output terminal OUT3. Therefore, the power is unbalanced and the remaining power is output. Thereby, the high frequency signal is output from the output terminal OU.
It is output equally from T1 and OUT2. Such a power divider 500 may be used in a high pass branching / distributing device.

(Modifications) While the embodiment of the present invention has been described, various other modifications are conceivable. For example, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the branch / distributor that splits into two or splits into two has been described. It may be a distributor.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the phase compensators 140a and 140b are inserted on the path of the high frequency high frequency signal immediately before the mixers 150a and 150b. d. Further, a single phase correction device can be inserted into the signal line a or the signal line b. The point is that the output terminals of the mixers 150a and 150b may be located at any location as long as the phase can be corrected so that the phase of the cutoff frequency signal propagated through the high group path and the low group path match.

In the first embodiment, the low-frequency high-frequency signal is first equally distributed by the distribution transformer 111 and then output by the impedance matching transformers 112 and 113. However, as shown in FIG. It is good also as arrangement. That is, the impedance matching transformer 114 may be arranged first, and the distribution transformer 111 may be arranged later. Even in this case, the low-frequency high-frequency signal propagated through the signal line a is equally distributed to the signal lines c and d. Note that the separation resistor 115 in the figure is a resistor that separates the signal lines c and d.

In the third embodiment, the directional branch transformer 300 composed of an air-core coil is used to avoid magnetic loss due to the core. However, if the frequency of the input high-frequency high-frequency signal is several GHz, A directional branch transformer 600 including small cored coils 610 and 620 including a core shown in FIG. Although the cored coils 610 and 620 generate magnetic loss due to being cored, the electromagnetic coupling efficiency is improved because the leakage magnetic flux is reduced. Such a configuration may be adopted if the overall loss is reduced by improving the electromagnetic coupling efficiency.

In the fifth embodiment, the high-frequency divider is described using the power divider that equally distributes the input high-frequency signal by the strip line. It may be a high-frequency branching device for branching the section. For example, FIG.
The transmission line 701 is divided into branch lines 702 and 703 as shown in FIG.
And the line width may be different. The input high-frequency signal is branched according to the line impedances Z ₁ and Z ₃ , and output from the output terminal OUT and the branch terminal BR. Lines 704 and 705 of length λ / 4 following the branch lines 702 and 703 are lines for impedance conversion, and the input terminal IN side (upstream side) is viewed from points P and Q on these lines. line Inpi - converts the dance Z _0. Such a power divider may be used as a high-frequency splitter.

Further, the above-mentioned power divider is simply shown in FIG.
The side-coupled directional coupler shown in FIG. Also in this case, by changing the line width of the coupling portion, that is, according to the line impedance ratio, most of the high-frequency signal input from IN is output to the output terminal OUT, and part is output to the branch terminal BR. be able to. Using such a power divider, a high-frequency branching device may be manufactured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a high frequency distributor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a duplexer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a frequency characteristic diagram of the duplexer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a mixer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a high-frequency branching device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a directional branch transformer according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration block diagram of a high-frequency branching device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a directional branch transformer according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a high frequency distributor according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a distribution element using a lumped constant element of a microstrip line according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a high frequency distributor according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of a power divider using a microstrip line according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a modified circuit diagram of the low-frequency distribution transformer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a modified circuit diagram of the directional branch transformer according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a modified circuit diagram of the power divider according to the fifth embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 10 input terminal 20, 30, 40 output terminal 50 branch terminal 100 duplexer 110 low-frequency distribution transformer 111 distribution transformer 112, 113 impedance matching transformer 130 high-pass filter 131, 161 separation resistance 132, 133 high-pass Filter 140a, 140b Phase correction device 150a, 150b Mixer 160 Low-pass filter 162, 163 Low-pass filter 200, 300 Directional branch transformer 220, 320 Terminating resistor 400 Distribution element 404 Microstrip line 500 Power divider 501 Transmission line 502, 503 Branch Line 507, 508 Microstrip line L1, L2, L3 Coil L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9 Coil C1, C2, C3 Capacitor C4, C5, C6, C7 Condenser Sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H03H 7/48 H03H 7/48 Z

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A splitter / divider for splitting / distributing an input high-frequency signal, comprising: a splitter for splitting a high-frequency signal into a low-frequency high-frequency signal and a high-frequency high-frequency signal; A low-frequency branching / distribution device for branching / distributing the low-frequency high-frequency signal at a predetermined ratio, and a high-frequency branching / distribution for branching / distributing the high-frequency high-frequency signal separated by the duplexer at a predetermined ratio. And a plurality of mixers for mixing a high-frequency high-frequency signal and a low-frequency high-frequency signal, wherein the low-frequency high-frequency signal branched / distributed by the low-frequency branch / distribution device and the high-frequency branch / distribution device are branched. A high-frequency branching / distributing device which mixes and distributes the divided high-frequency signals with the mixer and outputs the mixed signals, and branches / distributes the input high-frequency signals. 2. The high-band splitting / distributing device comprises a plurality of filters connected in parallel, and a high-frequency high-frequency signal from an input terminal is split / divided according to an impedance ratio of each of the plurality of filters. The high frequency branch / distributor according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The high frequency branching / distributing device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of filters are constituted by lumped constant elements formed by microstrip lines. 4. The high-frequency branching / distributing device is a power divider composed of a microstrip line whose transmission line is branched into a plurality of branch lines, and a signal from an input terminal is supplied to each of the impulse lines of the branch line. 2. The high-frequency branch according to claim 1, wherein the branch / divide is performed according to a dance ratio.
Distributor. 5. The high-frequency branching / distributing device is a high-frequency branching / distribution transformer, and the high-frequency high-frequency signal from an input terminal is determined by a winding ratio of each coil forming the high-frequency branching / distribution transformer. 2. The high frequency branching / distributing device according to claim 1, wherein the branching / distributing is performed. 6. The high frequency branch / distributor according to claim 5, wherein the coil forming the high frequency branch / distribution transformer is an air-core coil. 7. The low-frequency branch / distribution device is a low-frequency branch / distribution transformer, and the high-frequency branch / distribution transformer is a cored transformer having a core smaller than a core of the low-frequency branch / distribution transformer. 6. The high frequency branch / distributor according to claim 5, wherein the inductance of the high frequency branch / distribution transformer is smaller than the inductance of the low frequency branch / distribution transformer. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said high-frequency branching / distributing device has a connection resistance for giving directionality.
The high-frequency branching / distributing device according to claim 7. 9. The low-frequency branching / distributing device is a directional branching / distributing transformer for branching / distributing a low-frequency high-frequency signal in a directional manner. 8. The high frequency branching / distributing device according to the above item. 10. The splitter and the mixer, wherein the cut-off frequency of the high-frequency high-frequency signal and the cut-off frequency of the low-frequency high-frequency signal match in their frequency characteristics, and the high-frequency high-frequency signal or the low-frequency high-frequency signal 10. A high-frequency branching / distribution device according to claim 1, wherein a phase correction device for correcting the phase of the signal of the cutoff frequency is provided in at least one of the paths. vessel.