JP2010016732A - Wireless communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless communication apparatus in which the number of required components or a power loss in a transmission line can be easily reduced as further as possible even if two types of wireless communication systems are provided and signals can be simultaneously waited by these systems. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless communication apparatus includes a first wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving a signal (first signal) communicated according to a predetermined wireless communication method and a second wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving a signal (second signal) communicated according to another wireless communication method. In the wireless communication apparatus, a switching device is provided which includes a first connecting terminal, a second connecting terminal and a third connecting terminal and connects any one of these terminals and an antenna in a switchable manner. the first connecting terminal is connected to a transmission line of received first and second signals, the second connecting terminal is connected to a transmission line of the first signal to be transmitted, and the third connecting terminal is connected to a transmission line for the second signal to be transmitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus having a wireless transmission function and a wireless reception function.

  In recent years, a plurality of wireless communication systems are often adopted for one wireless communication device equipped with a wireless communication function such as a mobile phone or a smartphone. Among them, wireless communication systems such as wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark) whose communication frequency is 2.4 GHz band are generally used because they do not require a license for use and are easy to handle. .

  However, when a wireless communication system using the same frequency band such as a wireless LAN and Bluetooth operates simultaneously, the frequency band is the same, so it is easy to remove the signal of the other wireless communication system using a band limiting filter or the like. is not. For this reason, they interfere with each other as interference waves, and each communication performance deteriorates.

  In particular, when a plurality of wireless communication systems exist inside a small wireless communication device such as a mobile phone, the physical distance between antenna elements provided for each wireless communication system is shortened. Therefore, a signal (radio wave) transmitted from the antenna element of one radio communication system is received by the antenna element of the other radio communication system, and is likely to interfere as an interference wave.

  An example of a communication apparatus that takes into account such reduction of interference is the one shown in FIG. 2 (hereinafter referred to as “first conventional embodiment”). In the communication device 51, the antenna element 61a for wireless LAN and the antenna element 61b for Bluetooth are connected to each antenna input / output terminal (62a, 62b). In addition, the physical distance between the antenna elements (61a, 61b) is designed to be so large that mutual interference can be ignored.

  When waiting for a wireless LAN signal (waiting in a state where signal reception is possible), the control circuit 58 includes a reception amplifier circuit 53a and an antenna element provided in the signal processing unit 52 of the wireless LAN. The SPDT [Single Pole Double Throw] switch circuit 63 is controlled so that 61a is connected. When performing wireless LAN signal transmission, the control circuit 58 controls the SPDT switch circuit 63 so that the transmission amplifier circuit 53b and the antenna element 61a are connected.

  On the other hand, when the Bluetooth signal standby is performed, the control circuit 58 controls the SPDT switch circuit 56c so that the reception amplifier circuit 56a provided in the Bluetooth signal processing unit 55 and the antenna element 61b are connected. . When performing Bluetooth signal transmission, the control circuit 58 controls the SPDT switch circuit 56c so that the transmission amplifier circuit 56b and the antenna element 61b are connected.

  According to such a communication device of the first conventional embodiment, signals can be transmitted and received by any of the communication methods of wireless LAN and Bluetooth, but the number of components increases because at least two antenna elements are required. However, it becomes difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost. Moreover, since it is necessary to ensure a sufficient distance between the antenna elements, it is difficult to reduce the size of the product.

  In this regard, according to the communication apparatus (equivalent to that disclosed in Patent Document 1) of the form shown in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as “second conventional form”), only one antenna element is provided. Therefore, the above-described problem of the first conventional embodiment is solved. The communication device 51 is provided with a power distribution circuit 64 that distributes the power input from the antenna 61 side in two.

  When the wireless LAN signal standby is performed, the control circuit 58 sets the SPDT switch circuit 53c so that the reception amplifier circuit 53a provided in the wireless LAN signal processing unit 52 and the power distribution circuit 64 are connected. Control. When performing wireless LAN signal transmission, the control circuit 58 controls the SPDT switch circuit 53c so that the transmission amplifier circuit 53b and the power distribution circuit 64 are connected.

  On the other hand, when the Bluetooth signal standby is performed, the control circuit 58 controls the SPDT switch circuit 56c so that the reception amplifier circuit 56a provided in the Bluetooth signal processing unit 55 and the power distribution circuit 64 are connected. To do. When performing Bluetooth signal transmission, the control circuit 58 controls the SPDT switch circuit 56c so that the transmission amplifier circuit 56b and the power distribution circuit 64 are connected.

  Further, by providing the power distribution circuit 64, it is possible to ensure predetermined (generally about 15 dB) electrical isolation between the two wireless communication systems. Therefore, even if the antenna element 61 is shared in both wireless communication systems, unnecessary interference between the wireless communication systems can be reduced as much as possible.

  Also, the communication device (equivalent to that disclosed in Patent Document 2) in the form shown in FIG. 4 (hereinafter referred to as “third conventional form”) may have only one antenna element. Is possible. In this embodiment, three SPDT switch circuits (56c, 65, 66) are provided.

  When the wireless LAN signal standby is performed in the third conventional embodiment, the control circuit 58 is configured so that the reception amplifier circuit 53a provided in the wireless LAN signal processing unit 52 and the antenna element 61 are connected. The SPDT switch circuit (65, 66) is controlled. In addition, when performing wireless LAN signal transmission, the control circuit 58 controls each SPDT switch circuit (65, 66) so that the transmission amplifier circuit 53b and the antenna element 61 are connected.

  On the other hand, when the Bluetooth signal standby is performed, the control circuit 58 connects each SPDT switch circuit (56c, 56c, so that the reception amplifier circuit 56a provided in the Bluetooth signal processing unit 55 and the antenna element 61 are connected. 65, 66). When performing Bluetooth signal transmission, the control circuit 58 controls each SPDT switch circuit (56c, 65, 66) so that the transmission amplifier circuit 56b and the antenna element 61 are connected.

Further, each SPDT switch circuit (65, 66) in the third conventional embodiment is replaced with one SP3T [Single Pole 3 Throw] switch circuit 67 (hereinafter referred to as “fourth conventional embodiment”). The configuration of the communication apparatus is shown in FIG. Also in this embodiment, the control circuit 58 appropriately controls the SP3T switch circuit 67 and the SPDT switch circuit 56c, so that signals can be transmitted and received by each wireless communication system.
JP 2007-36852 A JP 2007-228021 A

  As described above, according to each communication apparatus of the second conventional form to the fourth conventional form, without providing a plurality of antenna elements as in the communication apparatus of the first conventional form (that is, without increasing the number of parts so much) Signals can be transmitted and received by two types of wireless communication systems.

  However, according to the communication apparatus of the second conventional embodiment, a power loss is caused in a common signal transmission path (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “transmission path”) for the transmission / reception signal related to the wireless LAN and the transmission / reception signal related to Bluetooth. However, a relatively large power distribution circuit is interposed. As a result, power loss increases in both transmission and reception in each wireless communication system, which may lead to signal degradation and a decrease in communicable distance. It should be noted that the loss in the power distribution circuit is about 3 dB ideally when the power is evenly distributed in the two-branch circuit, which is accompanied by a relatively large signal degradation.

  In order to increase the transmission power, it is possible to increase the amplification degree in the transmission amplifier circuit and complement the power loss in the transmission path. However, since the transmission amplifier circuit consumes a large amount of power and generates a large amount of heat, if the amplification degree is increased too much, the communication device and thus the communication device including the communication device generate a large amount of heat. For this reason, there is a risk of increasing the power consumption in the communication device or the communication device and reducing the product life. Further, if a transmission amplifier circuit is additionally arranged, it is necessary to secure a corresponding space in the communication device, which hinders downsizing of the product.

  Further, according to the communication device of the third conventional mode or the fourth conventional mode, the reception amplifier circuit according to the other radio communication system is not connected to the antenna when waiting for the signal of one radio communication system. Therefore, in both wireless communication systems, it is impossible to simultaneously wait for a signal (simultaneous standby).

  Therefore, in order to execute signal standby by both wireless communication systems in parallel as much as possible, the signal standby state in one wireless communication system and the signal standby state in the other wireless communication system are switched alternately. Need to be done. However, when such switching is performed, continuous signal reception is hindered, and the communication quality may be deteriorated. In addition, the processing load on the communication device also increases.

  In addition, according to each communication apparatus of the 1st-4th conventional form, since many switch circuits for switching signal transmission paths, such as an SPDT switch circuit and an SP3T switch circuit, are provided, the circuit configuration tends to be complicated. This is also a factor that hinders downsizing of the communication device.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention includes two types of wireless communication systems and can simultaneously wait for signals by them, but it is easy to reduce the required number of parts and power loss in the transmission path as much as possible. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention includes a first wireless communication system that transmits and receives a signal (referred to as a “first signal”) communicated by a predetermined wireless communication method, and other wireless communication devices. A wireless communication apparatus including a second wireless communication system that transmits and receives a signal communicated by a communication method (referred to as a “second signal”), the first connection terminal, the second connection terminal, and the third connection terminal And a switching device that connects any one of these terminals and the antenna element in a switchable manner, and the first connection terminal is connected to the transmission path of the received first signal and second signal, The second connection terminal is connected to the transmission path of the first signal to be transmitted, and the third connection terminal is connected to the transmission path of the second signal to be transmitted (first transmission) Composition).

  According to this configuration, the antenna element is connected to the transmission path of the first signal and the second signal received, the antenna element is connected to the transmission path of the first signal to be transmitted, and The switching device switches to one of the states in which the antenna element is connected to the transmission path of the second signal to be transmitted. For this reason, the antenna element can be shared by two types of wireless communication systems, and it is not necessary to provide an antenna element separately for each wireless communication system, and the number of necessary parts can be suppressed as much as possible.

  In addition, according to this configuration, since the antenna element can be connected to the transmission path of the received first signal and second signal, it is possible to wait for the first signal and the second signal simultaneously. It becomes. Further, for example, even if a power distribution circuit is provided in the transmission path of the first signal and the second signal, the transmission path of the first signal to be transmitted and the transmission path of the second signal to be transmitted are It is easy not to interpose the power distribution circuit. Therefore, it becomes easy to reduce the power loss in the transmission path as much as possible.

  In the first configuration, a power distribution circuit (second configuration) may be provided on the rear side of the first connection terminal to distribute and output input power.

  According to this configuration, even if a circuit for processing the received first signal and a circuit for processing the received second signal are separately provided, each circuit receives the first signal or the first received signal. Two signals can be distributed.

  Further, in the second configuration, the first input terminal used for inputting the received first signal and the first output terminal used for outputting the first signal to be transmitted are separately provided. The first signal processing circuit for performing the modulation and demodulation processing, the second input terminal used for inputting the received second signal, and the second output terminal used for outputting the second signal to be transmitted are separately provided. And a second signal processing circuit for performing modulation and demodulation processing on the second signal, wherein the first input terminal is one of the distribution destinations of the power distribution circuit, and the second input terminal is A configuration in which the first output terminal is connected to the second connection terminal and the second output terminal is connected to the third connection terminal to the other distribution destination of the power distribution circuit (third configuration) ).

  According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately execute demodulation of a received signal and modulation of a signal to be transmitted for both the first signal and the second signal.

  In the third configuration, an amplification circuit for amplifying power is provided between the first connection terminal and the power distribution circuit, and the amplification circuit switches execution / non-execution of the amplification. A possible configuration (fourth configuration) may be employed.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to compensate for power loss in the power distribution circuit and maintain the strength of the received signal appropriately. Further, by performing amplification at the time of signal reception and not performing amplification at the time of transmission, it is possible to increase the isolation between the transmission path for reception and the transmission path for transmission. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the problem that the transmission signal enters the reception transmission path as much as possible. Since the amplifier circuit is arranged in the common reception transmission path for the first signal and the second signal, the number of parts is reduced compared to the case where the amplification circuit is separately arranged in the reception transmission path for each signal. It can be reduced.

  In any one of the second to fourth configurations, the power distribution ratio in the power distribution circuit is set according to a ratio of required reception strengths in the first radio communication system and the second radio communication system. It is good also as a structure (5th structure). According to this configuration, power can be efficiently distributed by the power distribution circuit.

  Further, in any one of the first to fifth configurations, a configuration (sixth configuration) is also possible in which the standby for the second signal is executed simultaneously with the standby for the first signal. According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately receive the signal regardless of which of the first signal and the second signal arrives. Further, for example, it is easy to maintain a good communication quality as compared with a case where standby for the first signal and standby for the second signal are performed alternately.

  In any one of the first to sixth configurations, each of the switching device, the power distribution circuit, the amplifier circuit, the first signal processing circuit, and the second signal processing circuit is disposed on the same substrate. The configuration may be a configuration (seventh configuration) that is configured, or may be a configuration (eighth configuration) that is disposed in one integrated circuit. According to this configuration, it is easy to reduce the size of the wireless communication device.

  More specifically, as any one of the first to eighth configurations, the first radio communication system and the second radio communication system perform radio communication in the same frequency band (the ninth radio communication system). The first wireless communication system may perform wireless communication by a wireless LAN method, and the second wireless communication system may perform wireless communication by a Bluetooth method (tenth configuration). .

  As described above, according to the wireless communication device of the present invention, the antenna element is connected to the transmission path of the first signal and the second signal received, and the first signal to be transmitted is transmitted from the antenna element. The switching device switches between the state connected to the transmission line and the state where the antenna element is connected to the transmission line of the second signal to be transmitted. For this reason, the antenna element can be shared by two types of wireless communication systems, and it is not necessary to provide an antenna element separately for each wireless communication system, and the number of necessary parts can be suppressed as much as possible.

  In addition, according to this configuration, since the antenna element can be connected to the transmission path of the received first signal and second signal, it is possible to wait for the first signal and the second signal simultaneously. It becomes. Further, for example, even if a power distribution circuit is provided in the transmission path of the first signal and the second signal, the transmission path of the first signal to be transmitted and the transmission path of the second signal to be transmitted are It is easy not to interpose the power distribution circuit. Therefore, it becomes easy to reduce the power loss in the transmission path as much as possible.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below by taking a wireless communication device (high frequency communication device) as an example. The wireless communication apparatus includes both a wireless LAN system that transmits and receives signals using a wireless LAN system and a Bluetooth system that transmits and receives signals using a Bluetooth system. Here, the “system” refers to a system composed of devices for executing communication.

  Wireless LAN and Bluetooth are known as communication systems using a 2.4 GHz band that is generally used. In addition, the wireless communication device of the present embodiment can be applied to various communication devices such as a portable communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone.

  A schematic configuration diagram of the wireless communication apparatus is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the wireless communication apparatus 1 includes a wireless LAN signal processing unit 2, a Bluetooth signal processing unit 3, an antenna input / output terminal 12, an SP3T switch circuit 13, an LNA [Low Noise Amplifier] 14, a power distribution circuit. 15 and a control circuit 20 and the like.

  The wireless LAN signal processing unit 2 includes a wireless LAN RF circuit 16 and a wireless LAN BB / MAC circuit 18, and plays a central role in the wireless LAN system. The wireless LAN BB / MAC circuit 18 is formed as an IC chip, for example, and performs transmission / reception of baseband signals to / from the wireless LAN RF circuit 16 and various information processing related to the wireless LAN system.

  The wireless LAN RF circuit 16 has a first input terminal 16c used to input a received signal and a first output terminal 16d used to output a signal to be transmitted. Further, a reception amplifier 16a formed as an LNA for amplifying the received signal and a transmission amplifier 16b for amplifying the signal to be transmitted are also provided. The input side of the reception amplifier 16a is connected to the first input terminal 16c, and the output side of the transmission amplifier 16b is connected to the first output terminal 16d. The wireless LAN RF circuit 16 performs demodulation processing on the received signal and modulation processing on the signal to be transmitted.

  The Bluetooth signal processing unit 3 includes a Bluetooth RF circuit 17 and a Bluetooth BB / MAC circuit 19, and plays a central role in the Bluetooth system. The Bluetooth BB / MAC circuit 19 is formed as an IC chip, for example, and performs transmission / reception of a baseband signal to / from the Bluetooth RF circuit 17 and various information processing related to the Bluetooth system.

  The Bluetooth RF circuit 17 has a second input terminal 17c used to input a received signal and a second output terminal 17d used to output a signal to be transmitted. Also provided is a reception amplifier 17a formed as an LNA for amplifying the received signal and a transmission amplifier 17b for amplifying the signal to be transmitted. The input side of the reception amplifier 17a is connected to the first input terminal 17c, and the output side of the transmission amplifier 17b is connected to the first output terminal 17d. Then, the Bluetooth RF circuit 17 performs demodulation processing on the received signal and modulation processing on the signal to be transmitted.

  The SP3T switch circuit 13 is provided with a unipolar terminal 13a on one side, and a first connection terminal 13b, a second connection terminal 13c, and a third connection terminal 13d on the other side. The unipolar terminal 13a is switchably connected to any of the three terminals (13b to 13d).

  The monopolar terminal 13 a is connected to the antenna element 11 via the antenna input / output terminal 12. The second connection terminal 13c is connected to the first output terminal 16d, and the third connection terminal 13d is connected to the second output terminal 17d. The connection switching in the SP3T switch circuit 13 is executed in accordance with an instruction from the control circuit 20.

  The LNA 14 has an input side connected to the first connection terminal 13 b in the SP3T switch circuit 13 and an output side connected to the input side of the power distribution circuit 15. As a result, the input power is amplified by a predetermined amplification factor and output. In the LNA 14, execution / non-execution of amplification can be switched according to an instruction from the control circuit 20.

  The power distribution circuit 15 is provided on the rear stage side of the LNA 14, and the output side is connected to the first input terminal 16c and the second input terminal 17c. As a result, the power distribution circuit 15 distributes the power (reception signal) input from the LNA 14 to two distribution destinations (the first input terminal 16c and the second input terminal 17c). It can also be seen that the first input terminal 16 c is connected to one of the distribution destinations of the power distribution circuit 15, and the second input terminal 17 c is connected to the other of the distribution destinations of the power distribution circuit 15. The transmission path from the first connection terminal 13b to the power distribution circuit 15 can also be regarded as a common reception transmission path in the wireless LAN system and the Bluetooth system.

  The power distribution ratio in the power distribution circuit 15 is set according to the ratio of necessary (required) reception strength in each wireless communication system. For example, if the ratio between the reception strength required in the wireless LAN system and the reception strength required in the Bluetooth system is 5: 4, the power distribution ratio in the power distribution circuit 15 is also 5: 4 (wireless LAN system side: (Bluetooth system side). As a result, it is possible to efficiently distribute the power related to the received signal, and as a result, the set value of the power amplification factor in the LNA 14 can be minimized. However, as the power distribution circuit 15, a circuit that distributes power evenly, a circuit that has a variable (adjustable) power distribution ratio, or the like may be used.

  The control circuit 20 controls various processes executed in the wireless communication device 1. The processing to be controlled includes switching of connection in the SP3T switch circuit 13 and switching of execution / non-execution of amplification in the LNA 14. As a mounting form of the control circuit 20, in addition to a form mounted as a CPU [Central Processing Unit] or the like in the wireless communication apparatus 1, a wireless LAN BB / MAC circuit 18 or a Bluetooth BB / MAC circuit 19 is provided. It may be a form that is mounted, a form that is mounted outside the wireless communication device 1, or the like.

  According to the wireless communication device 1 having the above-described configuration, each operation of signal transmission using the wireless LAN communication method, signal transmission using the Bluetooth communication method, and signal waiting (simultaneous standby) for both communication methods is performed. It is possible to execute by switching appropriately. More details are as follows.

  First, when signal transmission by the wireless LAN communication method is executed, the control circuit 20 controls the SP3T switch circuit 13 so that the antenna element 11 is connected to the transmission amplifier 16b, and amplification in the LNA 14 is not executed. To be. In this state, the baseband signal (signal to be transmitted) generated by the wireless LAN BB / MAC circuit 18 is input to the wireless LAN RF circuit 16 and is a high-frequency signal in a format according to the wireless LAN standard. Is converted (modulated).

  The high-frequency signal is transmitted from the transmission amplifier 16b to the antenna element 11 through a transmission path including the first output terminal 16d, the SP3T switch circuit 13, and the antenna input / output terminal 12, and is emitted as a radio wave. Thereby, signal transmission by the communication system of wireless LAN is achieved.

  In addition, when signal transmission by the Bluetooth communication method is executed, the control circuit 20 controls the SP3T switch circuit 13 so that the antenna element 11 is connected to the transmission amplifier 17b, and amplification in the LNA 14 is not executed. To be. In this state, the baseband signal (signal to be transmitted) generated by the Bluetooth BB / MAC circuit 19 is input to the Bluetooth RF circuit 17 and converted into a high-frequency signal in a format in accordance with the Bluetooth standard ( Modulated).

  The high-frequency signal is transmitted from the transmission amplifier 17b to the antenna element 11 through a transmission path including the second output terminal 17d, the SP3T switch circuit 13, and the antenna input / output terminal 12, and is emitted as a radio wave. Thereby, signal transmission by the Bluetooth communication method is achieved.

  When signal waiting for both communication methods is executed, the control circuit 20 controls the SP3T switch circuit 13 so that the antenna element 11 is connected to the LNA 14, and the amplification in the LNA 14 is executed. To do. In this state, a high frequency signal arriving from the outside is received by the antenna element 11 and passes through a transmission line including the antenna input / output terminal 12, the SP3T switch circuit 13, the LNA 14, and the power distribution circuit 15, and each receiving amplifier (16a, 17a).

  Therefore, the wireless LAN RF circuit 16 converts (demodulates) the high-frequency signal transmitted to the receiving amplifier 16a into a baseband signal and transmits it to the wireless LAN BB / MAC circuit 18. To do. Further, the Bluetooth RF circuit 17 converts (demodulates) a high-frequency signal according to the Bluetooth standard transmitted to the reception amplifier 17 a into a baseband signal and transmits the baseband signal to the Bluetooth BB / MAC circuit 19. Thereby, even if the high frequency signal concerning any of wireless LAN and Bluetooth arrives, the wireless communication device 1 appropriately receives the high frequency signal. That is, simultaneous waiting for signals related to both communication methods is executed.

  In addition, as described above, the control circuit 20 causes the amplification in the LNA 14 to be performed when the signal standby is performed, while the amplification is not performed at other times (such as during signal transmission). As such, the LNA is controlled. As a result, the isolation between the transmission path for reception and the transmission path for transmission is enhanced, and it is possible to prevent the problem that the transmission signal enters the transmission path for reception as much as possible.

  Further, since amplification is not executed except when waiting for a signal, it is possible to save power compared to the case where amplification is always executed. Furthermore, since the LNA 14 is arranged on a common reception transmission line for the reception signal by the wireless LAN and the reception signal by Bluetooth, compared to the case where the LNA is separately arranged for each wireless communication system. It is possible to reduce the number of parts.

  Here, from the viewpoints of the required number of parts, power loss in the transmission path, and whether or not simultaneous signal waiting is possible, the wireless communication device 1 according to the present embodiment and the first to fourth conventional embodiments described above (FIG. The superiority and inferiority when compared with the conventional communication apparatus according to each of 2 to 5) will be described below.

  First, the number of antenna elements required for the communication device is one in the present embodiment, whereas it is two in the first conventional embodiment. As described above, in this embodiment, the number of necessary parts is reduced as compared with the communication device of the first conventional embodiment, and it is relatively easy to suppress the manufacturing cost. The number of switch circuits (SPDT or SP3T) required for the communication apparatus is one in the present embodiment, whereas two in the first conventional embodiment and the fourth conventional embodiment, and the second conventional embodiment. In the third conventional embodiment, there are three. Thus, the present embodiment requires a relatively small number of switch circuits, and this is also advantageous in reducing the number of components.

Further, when the power loss in the SP3T switch circuit is a [dB], the power loss in the power distribution circuit is b [dB], and the power loss in the SPDT switch circuit is c [dB], the signal of each communication device The power loss in the transmission path is as shown in Table 1. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, when a signal is received by a wireless LAN system or a Bluetooth system, the SP3T switch circuit 13 and the power distribution circuit 15 are interposed in the transmission path. dB]. However, the values shown in Table 1 are in units of dB, and the loss or the like in the wiring or the like is omitted (ideal value).

  In the present embodiment, the first conventional embodiment, and the second conventional embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously wait for a signal from the wireless LAN system and a signal from the Bluetooth system, but the third conventional embodiment and the fourth conventional embodiment. Then, such simultaneous standby is impossible. In these forms, in the state where the transmission path of the reception signal by one system is connected to the antenna element, the transmission path of the reception signal in the other system is not connected to the antenna element.

Here, Table 2 shows a comparison between the present embodiment and each conventional embodiment regarding the power loss in the transmission path, the number of antenna elements, and the possibility of simultaneous waiting for signals. The power loss due to the SPDT switch circuit and the SP3T switch circuit (a [dB] and c [dB] described above) is normally about 1 [dB], and the power loss due to the power distribution circuit (b [dB] described above). Is about 3 [dB]. For this reason, the power loss values in Table 2 are determined by substituting these values in order to facilitate comparison of the modes.

  As shown in Table 2, only the present embodiment and the second conventional embodiment can simultaneously wait for signals and require one antenna element. Of these, the power loss in the transmission path is smaller in this embodiment. In other words, this embodiment is superior to each conventional embodiment when comprehensively evaluated from the viewpoints of the simultaneous signal standby function, the reduction in the number of parts, and the reduction in power loss in the transmission path. Can do.

  Note that this embodiment requires fewer antenna elements than the first conventional embodiment, but the power loss in the transmission path during signal reception is large. However, in the present embodiment, it is possible to compensate for power loss in the transmission path during signal reception by the LNA 14. Therefore, it can be said that this embodiment, which requires fewer antenna elements, has an advantageous configuration as compared with the first conventional embodiment.

  In addition, each component used in the wireless communication apparatus 1, that is, a wireless LAN signal processing unit 2, a Bluetooth signal processing unit 3, an SP3T switch circuit 13, an LNA 14, a power distribution circuit 15, a control circuit 20, and the like are mounted. For example, all may be arranged on the same substrate, or all may be arranged on one integrated circuit. By setting it as such a form, it becomes easy to achieve size reduction of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 1. FIG.

  As described above, the wireless communication device 1 includes a wireless LAN system that transmits and receives a signal (first signal) communicated by a wireless LAN communication method, and a signal (second signal) communicated by a Bluetooth communication method. ) Is transmitted and received. Further, the SP3T switch circuit 13 (switching) has a first connection terminal 13b, a second connection terminal 13c, and a third connection terminal 13d, and connects any one of these terminals to the antenna element 11 in a switchable manner. Device).

  The first connection terminal 13b is connected to the transmission path of the first signal and the second signal received, and the second connection terminal 13c is connected to the transmission path of the first signal to be transmitted, and the third connection terminal 13d. Are respectively connected to the transmission path of the second signal to be transmitted. In addition, a power distribution circuit 15 that distributes and outputs input power is provided on the rear side of the first connection terminal 13b.

  Therefore, the antenna element 11 can be shared by two types of wireless communication systems. As a result, it is not necessary to provide an antenna element separately for each wireless communication system, and the necessary number of components can be suppressed as much as possible.

  Further, since the antenna element 11 can be connected to the transmission path of the received first signal and second signal, the first signal and the second signal can be simultaneously waited. . Furthermore, the power distribution circuit 15 for amplifying the power related to the received signal is provided, but the transmission path of the first signal to be transmitted and the transmission path of the second signal to be transmitted are The power distribution circuit 15 is not interposed. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the power loss in the transmission line compared to the case where the power distribution circuit is interposed in the transmission line for signal transmission.

  As mentioned above, although an example was given and demonstrated about embodiment of this invention, this invention is not limited to this content. Various modifications can be made to the embodiment of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used in the field of wireless communication devices and the like.

It is a block diagram of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of one form (1st conventional form) in the conventional radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is a block diagram of one form (2nd conventional form) in the conventional radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is a block diagram of one form (3rd conventional form) in the conventional radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is a block diagram of one form (4th conventional form) in the conventional radio | wireless communication apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 wireless communication device 2 wireless LAN signal processing unit (first signal processing circuit)
3 Bluetooth signal processing unit (second signal processing circuit)
11 Antenna element 12 Antenna input / output terminal 13 SP3T switch circuit (switching device)
13a Unipolar terminal 13b First connection terminal 13c Second connection terminal 13d Third connection terminal 14 LNA (amplifier circuit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Power distribution circuit 16 RF circuit for wireless LAN 16a Reception amplifier 16b Transmission amplifier 16c 1st input terminal 16d 1st output terminal 17 RF circuit for Bluetooth 17a Reception amplifier 17b Transmission amplifier 17c 2nd input terminal 17d 2nd output terminal 18 Wireless LAN BB / MAC circuit for Bluetooth 19 BB / MAC circuit for Bluetooth 20 Control circuit

Claims (10)

A first wireless communication system that transmits and receives a signal communicated by a predetermined wireless communication method (referred to as “first signal”), and a signal communicated by another wireless communication method (referred to as “second signal”) A wireless communication device comprising a second wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving
A switching device that has a first connection terminal, a second connection terminal, and a third connection terminal, and connects any of these terminals and the antenna element in a switchable manner;
The first connection terminal is connected to the transmission path of the received first signal and second signal.
The second connection terminal is connected to the transmission path of the first signal to be transmitted,
The third connection terminal is connected to the transmission path of the second signal to be transmitted.
A wireless communication device connected to each other. On the rear side of the first connection terminal,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power distribution circuit that distributes and outputs input power. A first input terminal used for input of the received first signal and a first output terminal used for output of the first signal to be transmitted are separately provided to perform modulation and demodulation processing on the first signal; A first signal processing circuit;
Separately having a second input terminal used for input of the received second signal and a second output terminal used for outputting the second signal to be transmitted, and performing modulation and demodulation processing on the second signal; A second signal processing circuit;
With
The first input terminal is connected to one of the distribution destinations of the power distribution circuit.
The second input terminal is connected to the other distribution destination of the power distribution circuit.
The first output terminal is connected to the second connection terminal.
The second output terminal is connected to the third connection terminal.
The wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein the wireless communication devices are connected to each other. An amplification circuit for amplifying power is provided between the first connection terminal and the power distribution circuit,
The amplifier circuit is
4. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein execution / non-execution of the amplification can be switched. The power distribution ratio in the power distribution circuit is:
The wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is set according to a ratio of required reception strength in the first wireless communication system and the second wireless communication system.   6. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second signal is also awaited simultaneously with the waiting for the first signal.   The switching device, the power distribution circuit, the amplifier circuit, the first signal processing circuit, and the second signal processing circuit are each arranged on the same substrate. 7. The wireless communication device according to any one of 6.   The switching device, the power distribution circuit, the amplifier circuit, the first signal processing circuit, and the second signal processing circuit are each arranged in one integrated circuit. Item 7. The wireless communication device according to any one of Items 6 above. The first wireless communication system and the second wireless communication system are:
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein wireless communication is performed using the same frequency band. The first wireless communication system performs wireless communication by a wireless LAN method,
The wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second wireless communication system performs wireless communication by a Bluetooth method.

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