JP2019176452A - High-frequency module - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a high-frequency module that enables switching to a state in which an antenna for which a communication environment is favorable is able to be detected with little time delay when transmission control and reception control are switched.SOLUTION: A high-frequency module includes: a transmission signal amplifier that outputs a transmission signal to an antenna terminal side; a reception signal amplifier that amplifies a reception signal supplied from an antenna terminal; a switch that selectively connects the antenna terminal to either an output of the transmission signal amplifier or an input of the reception signal amplifier; and a directional coupler that is provided on a transmission signal path and detects a signal level of the transmission signal. The transmission signal amplifier is controlled by a first control signal supplied from a first control circuit. The reception signal amplifier is controlled by a second control signal supplied from a second control circuit. The switch is controlled by a switch control signal supplied from the first control circuit. The directional coupler is controlled by a coupler control signal supplied from the first control circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

The present invention relates to a high frequency module.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a high-frequency module that includes a transmission circuit and a reception circuit, and transmits and receives an RF (Radio Frequency) signal to and from a base station by switching and connecting an antenna and one of these circuits with a switch circuit is known. ing.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an amplifier that amplifies an input signal to output an amplified signal as a transmission signal to the antenna side, and a directional coupler coupled to a transmission signal path formed between the amplifier and the antenna. A power amplification module comprising:

US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0180169

  In a high-frequency circuit, transmission characteristics of transmission signals in a predetermined frequency band of each communication system are further improved, or transmission signals in a predetermined frequency band are reflected and flow into the transmission circuit side due to an antenna mismatch or the like. It is required to suppress it. In addition, a function for accurately monitoring an antenna having a good communication environment is required. For this reason, there is a demand for a function for accurately detecting not only a traveling wave of a transmission signal of a plurality of frequency bands output from each communication system, but also a reflected wave that is reflected by the transmission signal and returned from the antenna.

  In this regard, a plurality of antennas are used in a communication apparatus that adopts a communication method such as the recent MIMO (Multiple Input and Multiple Output) method. When a plurality of antennas are used, in order to select an antenna having a good communication environment, a monitor function for confirming the state of the antenna direction is required. For this reason, there is a great demand for detecting an antenna with a small communication delay and good communication environment at the timing of switching from reception control to transmission control.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a high-frequency module capable of switching to a state in which an antenna having a small communication delay and a good communication environment can be detected when switching between transmission control and reception control. And

  In order to achieve this object, a high frequency module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a transmission signal amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency signal and outputs a transmission signal to the antenna terminal side, and amplifies a reception signal supplied from the antenna terminal. A reception signal amplifier, a switch for selectively connecting the antenna terminal to either the output of the transmission signal amplifier or the input of the reception signal amplifier, and a transmission signal path provided between the transmission signal amplifier and the antenna terminal for transmission A directional coupler for detecting a signal level of the signal, the transmission signal amplifier is controlled by a first control signal supplied from the first control circuit, and the reception signal amplifier is supplied from the second control circuit Controlled by the second control signal, the switch is controlled by a switch control signal supplied from the first control circuit, and the directional coupler is controlled by the first control circuit. It is controlled by a coupler control signal supplied from the circuit.

  According to the present invention, in a high-frequency module, it is possible to switch to a state in which an antenna having a good communication environment with little time delay can be detected when switching between transmission control and reception control.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on the 4th modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on the 5th modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on the 1st modification of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on the 1st modification of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on the 2nd modification of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on the 3rd modification of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on the 4th modification of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the high frequency module which concerns on a reference example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(1) 1st Embodiment (1-1) 1st Embodiment FIG. 1: is a figure which shows the structural example (100 A of high frequency modules) of the high frequency module which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The high-frequency module 100A is used, for example, in a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone to transmit / receive various signals such as voice and data to / from a base station. The high frequency module 100A corresponds to a plurality of frequency bands (multiband) of a radio frequency (RF). The high-frequency module 100A supports a plurality of communication systems (multimode) such as 3G (third generation mobile communication system), 4G (fourth generation mobile communication system), and 5G (fifth generation mobile communication system). Yes. Note that the communication method supported by the high-frequency module 100A is not limited to this. Further, the high frequency module 100A may support carrier aggregation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the high-frequency module 100 </ b> A includes a front end unit 101 and a front end unit 102. The high frequency module 100A includes a terminal TX for inputting a transmission signal, a terminal RX for outputting a reception signal, and a terminal ANT (antenna terminal) for connecting to an antenna. A path connecting the terminal TX and the terminal ANT constitutes a transmission signal path (first signal path). A path connecting the terminal RX and the terminal ANT constitutes a reception signal path (second signal path).

  In the following, on the transmission signal path, “front stage” is the side opposite to the antenna terminal, “back stage” is the antenna terminal side, and on the reception signal path, “front stage” is the antenna terminal side. , “The latter part” is the side opposite to the antenna terminal.

The high-frequency module 100A further includes, for example, terminals Vcc1, Vcc2, SDATA1, SCLK1, VIO1, VBAT1, SDATA2, SCLK2, VIO2, VDD_LNA, CPL, and GND. The terminals Vcc1 and Vcc2 are connected to the amplifying unit 10, and a power supply voltage to be supplied to the amplifying unit 10 is input to the terminals. The terminal VBAT1 is connected to the transmission control IC 20, and a power supply voltage to be supplied to the transmission control IC 20 is input to the terminal VBAT1. The terminal VDD_LNA is connected to the reception control unit 60, and a power supply voltage to be supplied to the reception control unit 60 is input to the terminal. The terminals SDATA1, SCLK1, and VIO1 are connected to the transmission control IC 20, and control signals SDATA1, SCLK1, and VIO1 to be supplied to the transmission control IC 20 are input to the terminals. The terminals SDATA2, SCLK2, and VIO2 are connected to the reception control unit 60, and control signals SDATA2, SCLK2, and VIO2 to be supplied to the reception control unit 60 are input to the terminals. The terminal CPL is connected to a terminal 50S of the coupler 50, and a traveling wave of a transmission signal or a detection signal of a reflected wave is output from the terminal, as will be described later. The terminal GND is a grounding terminal. Note that SDATA1, SCLK1, VIO1, SDATA2, SCLK2, and VIO2 may be inputted with the same signal or different.

  The front end unit 101 includes an amplifying unit 10, a transmission control IC 20, a SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) 30, a BPF (Band Pass Filter) 40, and a coupler 50. The SPDT 30 is connected to the subsequent stage (antenna terminal side) of the amplification unit 10, the BPF 40 is connected to the subsequent stage of the SPDT 30, and the coupler 50 is connected to the subsequent stage of the BPF 40.

  The amplifying unit 10 (transmission signal amplifier) is formed on the transmission signal path, amplifies the power of the transmission signal supplied from the terminal TX to a level necessary for transmitting it to the base station, and transmits the amplified signal to the antenna side. Is output. The amplifying unit 10 may include a plurality of amplifiers. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the amplifier 10 includes an amplifier 10a in the first stage (driver stage) and an amplifier 10b in the subsequent stage (power stage). In the amplifying unit 10, the bias and gain are controlled based on the control signal S1 supplied from the transmission control block 20a. For example, when the operation of the high-frequency module 100A is reception control (when the LNA 60b operates and the terminals 30b and 30c are connected in the SPDT 30), the amplifying unit 10 stops providing bias to the amplifiers 10a and 10b. Also good.

  The transmission control IC 20 is a chip on which a transmission control block 20a (first control circuit) is formed. The transmission control block 20a synchronously supplies control signals to the components constituting the transmission signal path such as the amplification unit 10, the SPDT 30, and the coupler 50 based on the control signals SCLK1, SCLK1, VIO1, and the like. Specifically, the transmission control block 20a includes a control signal S1 (first control signal) for the amplifier 10, a control signal S2 (switch control signal) for the SPDT 30, and a control signal S3 (coupler control signal) for the coupler 50. Are supplied in synchronization with each other.

  The SPDT 30 is a high frequency switching element having 1 × 2 input / output terminals. Specifically, the SPDT 30 includes a terminal 30a on the transmission signal path side, a terminal 30b on the reception signal path side, and a terminal 30c on the antenna side. The SPDT 30 switches the connection of the terminal 30c on the antenna side between the terminal 30a on the transmission signal path side and the terminal 30b on the reception signal path side based on the control signal S2 supplied from the transmission control block 20a. That is, when the terminal 30a is connected to the terminal 30c, a transmission signal path from the terminal ANT to the terminal TX is formed, and when the terminal 30b is connected to the terminal 30c, reception from the terminal ANT to the terminal RX is performed. A signal path is formed. The SPDT 30 may be configured such that a terminal that does not operate is terminated.

  The BPF 40 is a filter circuit that passes a frequency in a predetermined band by removing spurious and out-of-band interference waves from a transmission signal or a reception signal. The frequency characteristics of the frequency of the predetermined band that the BPF 40 passes can be set by arbitrarily changing the circuit configuration of the filter circuit according to the communication method. That is to replace the filter parts.

  The coupler 50 is a bidirectional coupler that is electromagnetically coupled to the signal path, and detects the power level of the traveling wave propagating to the antenna and the power level of the reflected wave propagating from the antenna. The coupler 50 has a terminal 50F that outputs a traveling wave detection signal, a terminal 50R that outputs a reflected wave detection signal, and a terminal 50S that is selectively connected to one of the terminals 50F and 50R. The coupler 50 switches the connection between the terminal 50S and one of the terminals 50F and 50R based on the control signal S3 supplied from the transmission control block 20a. The terminal 50S is connected to a terminal CPL included in the high frequency module 100A. The terminal CPL is connected to, for example, an RFIC provided in the front stage (opposite side of the antenna) of the high frequency module 100A, and a traveling wave or reflected wave detection signal is supplied to the RFIC.

  The front end unit 102 includes a reception control unit 60. The reception control unit 60 is a chip in which a reception control block 60a and an LNA (low noise amplifier) 60b are formed.

  The reception control block 60a (second control circuit) supplies a control signal to the LNA 60b based on the control signals SDATA2, SCLK2, VIO2, and the like.

  The LNA 60b (reception signal amplifier) is formed on the reception signal path, amplifies the reception signal supplied via the terminal ANT based on the control signal supplied from the reception control IC 60a, and is opposite to the antenna. The amplified signal is output to an RFIC (not shown) provided on the side.

  In the high frequency module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the amplifying unit 10, the SPDT 30, and the coupler 50 operate based on control signals S1, S2, and S3 supplied in synchronization from the transmission control block 20a, respectively. . Therefore, when switching between transmission control and reception control, it is possible to switch to a state in which the quality of the antenna with a small communication delay and good communication environment can be detected.

(1-2) First Modification of First Embodiment FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (a high-frequency module 100B) of a high-frequency module according to a first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the high-frequency module 100B, portions different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 100A will be described, and description of portions similar to the configuration of the high-frequency module 100A will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, in the high frequency module 100B, the SPDT 30 is connected to the subsequent stage of the amplifying unit 10, the coupler 50 is connected to the subsequent stage of the SPDT 30, and the BPF 40 is connected to the subsequent stage of the coupler 50. That is, the BPF 40 is disposed closer to the antenna terminal than the coupler 50 and the LNA 60b. Thereby, it can suppress that an unnecessary signal flows into the coupler 50 and LNA60b in the high frequency module 100B from an antenna terminal.

(1-3) Second Modification of First Embodiment FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (a high-frequency module 100C) of a high-frequency module according to a second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the high-frequency module 100C, portions that are different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 100A will be described, and description of portions that are the same as the configuration of the high-frequency module 100A will be omitted as appropriate.

  In general, the RFIC can perform DPD (Digital Predistortion) that adjusts an output signal supplied to the high frequency module so as to compensate for distortion of the output signal by the amplification unit of the high frequency module. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 1C, in the high-frequency module 100C, the coupler 50 is connected to the subsequent stage of the amplifier unit 10, the SPDT 30 is connected to the subsequent stage of the coupler 50, and the BPF 40 is connected to the subsequent stage of the SPDT 30. Thereby, since the output signal of the amplifying unit 10 is directly supplied to the coupler 50, the coupler 50 can directly detect the output signal of the amplifying unit 10 and supply the detection signal from the terminal CPL to the RFIC (not shown). . Then, the RFIC can perform DPD with higher accuracy based on the direct detection signal.

  Further, since the SPDT 30 and the BPF 40 are arranged on the antenna terminal side with respect to the coupler 50 with the above configuration, the coupler 50 can detect the matching state on the SPDT 30, the BPF 40, and the antenna terminal side.

  The coupler 50 may be a directional coupler that detects only traveling waves. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the loss between the amplifier 10 and the antenna terminal and between the LNA 60b and the antenna terminal, and the reception sensitivity of the LNA 60b is improved. Furthermore, the number of parts of the coupler 50 is reduced, and the coupler 50 can be configured with a substrate pattern, ceramic parts, or the like, so that the manufacturing cost of the high-frequency module 100C can be reduced.

(1-4) Third Modification of First Embodiment FIG. 1D is a diagram showing a configuration example (high-frequency module 100D) of a high-frequency module according to a third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the high-frequency module 100D, portions different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 100A will be described, and description of portions similar to the configuration of the high-frequency module 100A will be omitted as appropriate.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1D, the high-frequency module 100D includes two antenna terminals ANT1 and ANT2, and two terminals RX1 and RX2 that output reception signals. The high-frequency module 100D further includes a DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw) 31 and an LNA 60c. Here, the DPDT 31 is a high-frequency switching element having 2 × 2 input / output terminals, and is connected to the subsequent stage of the coupler 50. The DPDT 31 includes a terminal 31a connected to the coupler 50, a terminal 31b connected to the LNA 60c, a terminal 31c connected to the terminal ANT1, and a terminal 31d connected to the terminal ANT2.

  The amplifying unit 10 supplies a control signal S21 to the SPDT 30 and a control signal S22 to the DPDT 31. In the high frequency module 100D, the SPDT 30 and the DPDT 31 are integrated to constitute a switch that selectively connects the antenna terminals ANT1 and ANT2 to the transmission signal path and the reception signal path, respectively.

  In the high frequency module 100D, a reception signal path that does not pass through the coupler 50 can be configured as a path that passes through the terminal 31b of the DPDT 31 and the LNA 60c. In addition, since the high frequency module 100D has the two antenna terminals ANT1 and ANT2, it is possible to select one of the two antenna terminals with higher reception sensitivity and connect it to the reception signal path. Further, since the high-frequency module 100D includes the two antenna terminals ANT1 and ANT2, it is possible to cope with a communication system that simultaneously receives two signals such as MIMO.

  Note that the high-frequency module 100D may further include a BPF disposed on the reception signal path before the LNA 60c and after the DPDT 31. As a result, even in a reception signal path that does not pass through the coupler 50, it is possible to pass a frequency in a predetermined band by removing spurious and out-of-band interference waves from the reception signal.

(1-5) Fourth Modification of First Embodiment FIG. 1E is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (a high-frequency module 100E) of a high-frequency module according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Below, a part different from the structure of high frequency module 100D among the structures of high frequency module 100E is demonstrated, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably about the part similar to the structure of high frequency module 100D.

  As shown in FIG. 1E, the high-frequency module 100E has a terminal eLAA. The terminal eLAA is a terminal for connecting to another high-frequency module (not shown) for the communication method eLAA (enhanced Assisted Assisted Access). The high-frequency module 100E includes 3PDT32 instead of DPDT31. Here, 3PDT 32 is a high-frequency switching element having 3 × 2 input / output terminals. Specifically, the 3PDT 32 includes a terminal 32a connected to the coupler 50, a terminal 32b connected to the LNA 60c, a terminal 32c connected to the terminal eLAA, a terminal 32d connected to the terminal ANT1, and a terminal ANT2. And a connected terminal 32e. Thereby, the antenna terminals ANT1 and ANT2 of the other high frequency module and the high frequency module 100E can be supplied.

(1-6) Fifth Modification of First Embodiment FIG. 1F is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (a high-frequency module 100F) of a high-frequency module according to a fifth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the high-frequency module 100F, portions that are different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 100A will be described, and description of portions that are the same as the configuration of the high-frequency module 100A will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 1F, the high frequency module 100F includes a coupler 52 instead of the coupler 50. The coupler 52 has only one sub line and can detect a traveling wave and a reflected wave. The coupler 52 has a terminal 52F that outputs a detection signal of a traveling wave, a terminal 52R that outputs a detection signal of a reflected wave, and a terminal 52S that is selectively connected to one of the terminals 52F and 52R. In the coupler 52, when the terminal 52S is connected to the terminal 52F, the terminal 52R is connected to the termination resistor Z, and when the terminal 52S is connected to the terminal 52R, the terminal 52F is connected to the termination resistor Z. The

(2) Second Embodiment FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (a high-frequency module 200) of a high-frequency module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Below, the part of the configuration of the high-frequency module 200 that is different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 100A will be described, and the description of the same part as the configuration of the high-frequency module 100A will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the high-frequency module 200 further includes a DPDT 33 and an SPDT 34 instead of the SPDT 30. The DPDT 33 is connected to the subsequent stage of the amplifying unit 10, the BPF 40 is connected to the subsequent stage of the DPDT 33, the SPDT 34 is connected to the subsequent stage of the BPF 40, and the coupler 50 is connected to the subsequent stage of the SPDT 34. The transmission control block 20a supplies the control signal S21 to the DPDT 31, and supplies the control signal S22 to the SPDT 34. In the high-frequency module 200, the DPDT 33 and the SPDT 34 are integrated to form a switch that selectively connects the antenna terminals ANT1 and ANT2 to the transmission signal path and the reception signal path, respectively.

  The DPDT 33 includes a terminal 33a connected to the amplifier 10b, a terminal 33b connected to the LNA 60b, a terminal 33c connected to the BPF 40, and a terminal 33d connected to the terminal Aux1. The SPDT 34 has a terminal 34 a connected to the BPF 40, a terminal 34 b connected to the terminal Aux 2, and a terminal 34 c connected to the coupler 50. The high frequency module 200 further includes terminals Aux1 and Aux2. Terminals Aux1 and Aux2 are terminals for connection to an external BPF. This makes it possible to selectively use the BPF 40 and the external BPF according to a desired frequency band.

  An envelope tracking power supply 71 and a DCDC power supply 72 are selectively connected to the terminals Vcc1 and Vcc2 of the high-frequency module 200. In the envelope tracking operation in which the bias is controlled according to the envelope waveform of the signal, the power supply voltage is supplied to the amplifier 10 from the envelope tracking power supply 71 via the terminals Vcc1 and Vcc2. In the average power tracking operation in which the bias is controlled based on the average value of the signal level, the power supply voltage is supplied to the amplifying unit 10 from the DCDC power supply 72 via the terminals Vcc1 and Vcc2.

(3) Third Embodiment (3-1) Third Embodiment FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (a high-frequency module 300) of a high-frequency module according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Below, a part different from the structure of the high frequency module 200 is demonstrated among the structures of the high frequency module 300A, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably about the part similar to the structure of the high frequency module 200. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the high-frequency module 300A does not have the terminals Aux1 and Aux2. The high frequency module 300 further includes a BPF 41. The terminal 33d of the DPDT 33 and the terminal 34b of the SPDT 34 are connected to the BPF 41, respectively. In other words, the BPF 41 is arranged in parallel with the BPF 40 in the subsequent stage of DPDT 33 and the previous stage of SPDT 34. As a result, the BPF 40 and the BPF 41 can be selectively used according to a desired frequency band.

(3-2) First Modification of Third Embodiment FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a high-frequency module (high-frequency module 300B) according to a first modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the high-frequency module 300B, portions different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 300A will be described, and description of portions similar to the configuration of the high-frequency module 300A will be omitted as appropriate.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the transmission control IC 20 of the high frequency module 300 </ b> B includes a switch 21. The switch 21 has a terminal 21a connected between the amplifier 10b and the terminal 33a of the DPDT 33, a terminal 21b connected to the terminal Vcc1, and a terminal 21c connected to the terminal Vcc2.

  The high frequency module 300B includes capacitors C1 and C2 as bypass capacitors. One end of the capacitor C1 is connected between the terminal 21b and the terminal Vcc1, and the other end is connected to the ground terminal GND of the high-frequency module 300B. The capacitor C2 has one end connected between the terminal 21c and the terminal Vcc2, and the other end connected to the ground terminal GND of the high frequency module 300B.

  In the high frequency module 300B, different bypass capacitors can be selected according to different power sources (in the example shown in FIG. 3B, the envelope tracking power source 71 and the DCDC power source 72).

(4) Fourth Embodiment FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example (high frequency module 400) of a high frequency module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Below, a part different from the structure of the high frequency module 100 among the structures of the high frequency module 400 is demonstrated, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably about the part similar to the structure of the high frequency module 100. FIG.

  The high-frequency module 400 has two terminals TX1 and TX2 for inputting a transmission signal and two terminals RX1 and RX2 for outputting a reception signal. The amplifying unit 10 includes a first-stage amplifier 10a and a subsequent-stage amplifier 10b formed along a transmission signal path (first transmission signal path) from the terminal TX1. The amplifying unit 10 includes a first-stage amplifier 10c and a subsequent-stage amplifier 10d formed along a transmission signal path (second transmission signal path) from the terminal TX2. The reception control unit 60 is formed along the LNA 60b formed along the reception signal path (first reception signal path) from the terminal RX1 and the reception signal path (second reception signal path) from the terminal RX2. LNA 60c.

  The high-frequency module 400 includes an SPDT 35, a DPDT 33, an SP3T 36, and BPFs 40, 41, and 42. SP3T (Single Pole Three Throw) is a high frequency switching element having 1 × 3 input / output terminals. The SPDT 35 and the DPDT 33 are connected to the subsequent stage of the amplification unit 10 and the reception control unit 60, respectively. The BPF 42 is connected to the subsequent stage of the SPDT 35, and the BPFs 40 and 41 are connected to the subsequent stage of the DPDT 33, respectively. The SP3T 36 is connected to the subsequent stage of the BPFs 40, 41, and 42. The coupler 50 is connected to the subsequent stage of the SP3T 36.

  The transmission control block 20a supplies the control signal S21 to the SPDT 35, the control signal S22 to the DPDT 33, and the control signal S23 to the SP3T 36, respectively. In the high-frequency module 400, the SPDT 35, the DPDT 33, and the SP3T 36 are integrated to constitute a switch that selectively connects the antenna terminals ANT1 and ANT2 to the transmission signal path and the reception signal path, respectively.

(5) Fifth Embodiment (5-1) Fifth Embodiment FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a configuration example (a high-frequency module 500A) of a high-frequency module according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the high-frequency module 500 </ b> A, portions that are different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 400 will be described, and description of the same portions as the configuration of the high-frequency module 400 will be omitted as appropriate.

  The high-frequency module 500A includes antenna terminals ANT1 and ANT2, and terminals CPL1 and CPL2. Further, the high frequency module 500A includes a DP3T37 instead of the SP3T36. DP3T (Double Pole Throw Through) is a high-frequency switching element having 2 × 3 input / output terminals.

  The DP3T 37 includes a terminal 37a connected to the BPF 42, a terminal 37b connected to the BPF 40, a terminal 37c connected to the BPF 41, a terminal 37d connected to the coupler 51, and a terminal 37e connected to the coupler 50. Have.

  The high frequency module 500A further includes a coupler 51. The coupler 51 is connected to the subsequent stage of the DP3T 37. The coupler 51 includes a terminal 51F that outputs a detection signal of a traveling wave, a terminal 51R that outputs a detection signal of a reflected wave, and a terminal 51S that is selectively connected to one of the terminals 51F and 51R.

  The transmission control block 20a includes a control signal S1 for the amplifier 10, a control signal S21 for the SPDT 35, a control signal S22 for the DPDT 33, a control signal S23 for the DP3T 37, a control signal S31 for the coupler 50, and a control signal S32 for the coupler 51. Are supplied respectively.

  In the high-frequency module 500A, since two transmission signal paths and two reception signal paths are configured, simultaneous operation can be performed for two frequency bands.

(5-2) First Modification of Fifth Embodiment FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (a high-frequency module 500B) of a high-frequency module according to a first modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the high-frequency module 500B, portions different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 500A will be described, and description of portions similar to the configuration of the high-frequency module 500A will be omitted as appropriate.

  The high frequency module 500B includes terminals Aux1, Aux2, Aux3, and Aux4. The high frequency module 500B includes a DPDT 38 instead of the SPDT 35, and a DP 4T 39 instead of the DP 3T 37. DP4T (Double Pole Four Throw) is a high frequency switching element having 2 × 4 input / output terminals. The high frequency module 500B does not include the BPF 41.

  The DPDT 38 has a terminal 38a connected to the amplifier 10b, a terminal 38b connected to the LNA 60c, a terminal 38c connected to the BPF 42, and a terminal 38d connected to the terminal Aux1. The terminal 33d of the DPDT 33 is connected to the terminal Aux3. The DP4T 39 includes a terminal 39a connected to the terminal Aux2, a terminal 39b connected to the BPF 42, a terminal 39c connected to the BPF 40, a terminal 39d connected to the terminal Aux4, and a terminal 39e connected to the coupler 51. And a terminal 39f connected to the coupler 50.

  Terminals Aux1 and Aux2 are terminals for connection to an external BPF. Similarly, the terminals Aux3 and Aux4 are terminals for connection to an external BPF. As a result, the high frequency module 500B selects the BPF 40, 42, the external BPF connected to the terminals Aux1 and Aux2, and the external BPF connected to the terminals Aux3 and Aux4 according to a desired frequency band. Can be used.

(5-3) Second Modification of Fifth Embodiment FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (a high-frequency module 500C) of a high-frequency module according to a second modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the high-frequency module 500C, portions different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 500B will be described, and description of portions similar to the configuration of the high-frequency module 500B will be omitted as appropriate.

  The high frequency module 500C further includes a terminal RX3 for outputting a reception signal. A reception signal path from the terminal RX3 is defined as a third reception signal path. The high-frequency module 500C includes 3PDT80 instead of DPDT33. The reception control unit 60 of the high frequency module 500C further includes an LNA 60d.

  The high frequency module 500C includes nPnT81. nPnT (n Pole n Throw) is a high frequency switching element having n × n (where n is a natural number) input / output terminals. In FIG. 5c, only the terminals 81a, 81b, 81c and 81d of the nPnT 81 are shown for convenience. The transmission control block 20a supplies the control signal S24 to the nPnT81.

  The 3PDT 80 includes a terminal 80a connected to the amplifier 10d, a terminal 80b connected to the LNA 60b, a terminal 80c connected to the LNA 60d, a terminal 80d connected to the BPF 40, and a terminal 80e connected to the terminal Aux3. Have. Thereby, in the high frequency module 500C, three systems of received signal paths corresponding to a desired frequency band are configured, so that sensitivity to received signals is improved. Further, it is possible to control the gain of the LNA according to the desired frequency.

(5-4) Third Modification of Fifth Embodiment FIG. 5D is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (high-frequency module 500D) of a high-frequency module according to a third modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the high-frequency module 500D, portions different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 500A will be described, and description of portions similar to the configuration of the high-frequency module 500A will be omitted as appropriate.

  The high-frequency module 500D does not include the DP3T 37 and includes the SPDT 82 instead of the DPDT 33. The coupler 50 is connected to the subsequent stage of the SPDT 35, and the coupler 51 is connected to the subsequent stage of the SPDT 82. The SPDT 82 has a terminal 82a connected to the amplifier 10d, a terminal 82b connected to the LNA 60b, and a terminal 82c connected to the coupler 50.

  The high frequency module 500D includes a duplexer 90 that separates a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency and a lower frequency in place of the BPFs 40, 41, and 42. In the high frequency module 500D, the coupler 51 is provided on the first transmission signal path from the terminal TX1, and the coupler 50 is provided on the second transmission signal path from the terminal TX2. Thereby, one antenna of the terminal can be shared between two transmission / reception paths.

(5-5) Fourth Modification of Fifth Embodiment FIG. 5E is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (high-frequency module 500E) of a high-frequency module according to a fourth modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, of the configuration of the high-frequency module 500E, portions that are different from the configuration of the high-frequency module 500D will be described, and description of portions that are the same as the configuration of the high-frequency module 500D will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the high frequency module 500E, the duplexer 90 is connected to the subsequent stage of each of the SPDT 35 and the SPDT 82. Specifically, the duplexer 90 is connected to the terminal 35 c of the SPDT 35 and the terminal 82 c of the SPDT 82. In the high frequency module 500E, the coupler 50 is connected to the subsequent stage of the duplexer 90. The high frequency module 500E does not include the coupler 51. Note that the duplexer 90 may be a SAW, a BAW, or an LC filter.

  In the high frequency module 500E, since the coupler 50 is connected to the front stage of the antenna terminal ANT, it is possible to share one antenna of the terminal between two transmission / reception paths. Also, since there is only one RF system and one coupler is sufficient, this contributes to miniaturization of the module.

(6) Sixth Embodiment FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example (a high-frequency module 600) of a high-frequency module according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, portions of the configuration of the high frequency module 600 that are different from the configuration of the high frequency module 100A will be described, and description of portions that are the same as the configuration of the high frequency module 100A will be omitted as appropriate.

  The high-frequency module 600 has two terminals TX1 and TX2 for inputting a transmission signal and two terminals RX1 and RX2 for outputting a reception signal. The terminal TX1 and the terminal RX1 are connected to the RFIC 1000, and the terminal TX2 and the terminal RX2 are connected to the RFIC 2000. Here, the RFICs 1000 and 2000 are RFICs used for different communication methods. The RFIC 1000 supplies a transmission signal to the terminal TX1 and receives a reception signal from the terminal RX1. The RFIC 2000 supplies a transmission signal to the terminal TX2 and receives a reception signal from the terminal RX2.

  The high-frequency module 600 includes an SPDT 83 (second switch) and an SPDT 84 (third switch). The terminal 83a of the SPDT 83 is connected to the terminal TX1, the terminal 83b is connected to the terminal TX2, and the terminal 83c is connected to the amplifier 10a of the amplifying unit 10. The SPDT 84 has a terminal 84 a connected to the terminal RX 1, a terminal 84 b connected to the terminal RX 2, and a terminal 84 c connected to the LNA 60 b of the reception control unit 60.

  The SPDT 83 is connected to the previous stage of the amplifying unit 10 and selectively connects the amplifying unit 10 to the terminals TX1 and TX2. The SPDT 84 is connected to the preceding stage of the reception control unit 60, and selectively connects the LNA 60b of the reception control unit 60 to the terminals RX1 and RX2. Thereby, in the high frequency module 600, it becomes possible to switch a several different communication system.

(7) Reference Example FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example (high frequency module 700) of a high frequency module according to a reference example. Below, a part different from the structure of the high frequency module 100A among the structures of the high frequency module 700 is demonstrated, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably about the part similar to the structure of the high frequency module 100A.

  In the high frequency module 100A, the transmission control block 20a controls the SPDT 30 and the coupler 50. However, in the high frequency module 700, the reception control block 60a may control the SPDT 30 and the coupler 50. Specifically, the reception control block 60a supplies a control signal S4 to the LNA 60b, a control signal S5 to the SPDT 30, and a control signal S6 to the coupler 50. The LNA 60b operates based on the control signal S4, the SPDT 30 operates based on the control signal S5, and the coupler 50 operates based on the control signal S6. As a result, the high frequency module 700 can control the SPDT 30 and the coupler 50 in synchronization with the control of the received signal.

  The embodiment according to the present invention has been described above. A high-frequency module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a transmission signal amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency signal and outputs a transmission signal to the antenna terminal side, a reception signal amplifier that amplifies a reception signal supplied from the antenna terminal, and an antenna A switch that selectively connects a terminal to either the transmission signal amplifier or the reception signal amplifier, and a directional coupler that is provided on the transmission signal path between the transmission signal amplifier and the antenna terminal and detects the signal level of the transmission signal The transmission signal amplifier is controlled by a first control signal supplied from the first control circuit, the reception signal amplifier is controlled by a second control signal supplied from the second control circuit, and the switch is The directional coupler is controlled by a coupler control signal supplied from the first control circuit. It is controlled Te.

  As a result, it is possible to switch to a state where the quality of the antenna with a small communication delay and good communication environment can be detected when switching between transmission control and reception control.

  In the high frequency module according to the embodiment of the present invention, the directional coupler may be connected to the antenna terminal side of the switch.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to confirm impedance matching on the side close to the antenna terminal.

  In the high frequency module according to the embodiment of the present invention, the switch may be connected to the antenna terminal side of the directional coupler.

  As a result, the output of the transmission signal amplifier can be directly detected by the directional coupler.

  In the high-frequency module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the switch may be composed of a plurality of switch elements.

  Thereby, the freedom degree of the circuit layout in a high frequency module improves.

  In the high frequency module according to the embodiment of the present invention, the switch may be configured by a single switch element.

  Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the high-frequency module is reduced, and the assemblability is also improved.

  In the high-frequency module according to the embodiment of the present invention, the directional coupler may be a bidirectional coupler that further detects the signal level of the reflected wave of the transmission signal.

  This makes it possible to detect the signal level of the reflected wave of the transmission signal.

  The high-frequency module according to one embodiment of the present invention is a band-pass filter that removes frequency components outside a predetermined frequency band from a signal, and includes a reception signal amplifier, a reception signal amplifier, and an antenna terminal. You may further provide the band pass filter provided in at least any on the signal path | route.

  Thereby, it is possible to obtain a transmission signal and / or a reception signal in a desired frequency band.

  The high-frequency module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a terminal for connecting the high-frequency module to an external band-pass filter that removes a frequency component outside a predetermined frequency band from the signal.

  This makes it possible to obtain a transmission signal and / or reception signal in a desired frequency band more easily.

  The high-frequency module according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a second switch connected to the side opposite to the antenna terminal of the transmission signal amplifier.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to switch a transmission signal path | route according to a some communication system.

  The high-frequency module according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a third switch connected to the side opposite to the antenna terminal of the reception signal amplifier.

  This makes it possible to switch the reception signal path according to a plurality of communication methods.

  Each embodiment described above is for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed or improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In other words, those obtained by appropriately modifying the design of each embodiment by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. For example, each element included in each embodiment and its arrangement, material, condition, shape, size, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, each element included in each embodiment can be combined as much as technically possible, and combinations thereof are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention.

  100A to E, 200, 300A, B, 400, 500A to E, 600, 700 ... high frequency module, 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302, 401, 402, 501, 502, 601, 602 ... front end part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Amplifying part, 10a-d ... Amplifier, 20 ... Transmission control IC, 20a ... Transmission control block, 30, 34, 35, 83, 84 ... SPDT, 31, 33, 38 ... DPDT, 32, 80 ... 3PDT, 36 ... SP3T, 37 ... DP3T, 39 ... DP4T, 40-42 ... BPF, 50, 51 ... coupler, 60 ... reception control unit, 60a ... reception control block, 60b, 60c ... LNA, 81 ... nPnT, 90 ... duplexer, 1000, 2000 ... RFIC

Claims (10)

A transmission signal amplifier that amplifies the radio frequency signal and outputs a transmission signal to the antenna terminal side;
A reception signal amplifier for amplifying the reception signal supplied from the antenna terminal;
A switch for selectively connecting the antenna terminal to either the output of the transmission signal amplifier or the input of the reception signal amplifier;
A directional coupler provided on a transmission signal path between the transmission signal amplifier and the antenna terminal and detecting a signal level of the transmission signal;
The transmission signal amplifier is controlled by a first control signal supplied from a first control circuit,
The reception signal amplifier is controlled by a second control signal supplied from a second control circuit;
The switch is controlled by a switch control signal supplied from the first control circuit,
The high-frequency module, wherein the directional coupler is controlled by a coupler control signal supplied from the first control circuit.   The high-frequency module according to claim 1, wherein the directional coupler is connected to the antenna terminal side of the switch.   The high frequency module according to claim 1, wherein the switch is connected to the antenna terminal side of the directional coupler.   The high frequency module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the switch includes a plurality of switch elements.   The high frequency module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the switch is configured by a single switch element.   The high-frequency module according to claim 1, wherein the directional coupler is a bidirectional coupler that further detects a signal level of a reflected wave of the transmission signal.   A band-pass filter for removing frequency components outside a predetermined frequency band from a signal, provided on at least one of the transmission signal path and a reception signal path between the reception signal amplifier and the antenna terminal The high frequency module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a bandpass filter.   8. The high frequency module according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal for connecting the high frequency module to an external band pass filter that removes a frequency component outside a predetermined frequency band from the signal.   9. The high-frequency module according to claim 1, further comprising a second switch connected to a side opposite to the antenna terminal of the transmission signal amplifier.   10. The high-frequency module according to claim 1, further comprising a third switch connected to a side opposite to the antenna terminal of the reception signal amplifier.