JPH0787317B2 - Power combiner type power amplifier - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is used in the field of communication, particularly in the field of sanitary communication.

The present invention relates to a power combining type power amplifying device that amplifies a plurality of channels by using a plurality of amplifiers, and compensates the secular change in the passing phase of the amplifiers by adjusting the amount of phase shift based on the output of a detection terminal. The present invention relates to a power combining type power amplifying device having a phase shifter.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional power combining type power amplifier of this type. N signal input terminals 1 _-1
~ 1 _-N and 2N amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 at each signal output terminal of the first power combiner 5 having 2 N signal output terminals 2 _-1 to 2 _-2N.
-2N are respectively connected, and the output side of the 2N amplifiers has a second power having 2N signal input terminals 3 _{-1 to} 3 _-2N and N signal output terminals 4 _-1 to 4 _-N. The signal input terminals of the coupler 6 are respectively connected.

Here, the power couplers 5 and 6 are constructed as follows using a 90 ° hybrid coupler (see FIG. 3) having two input terminals and two output terminals (Japanese Patent Application No. 62- 05
See No. 7955).

(N + 1) -stage power combiners in which hybrid couplers each having N two input terminals and two output terminals are arranged in parallel are arranged in cascade (n + 1) stages, and the first-stage hybrid combiner thereof is arranged. For the input / output terminals of [2k +
1,2k + 2] (k = 0,1, ..., 2 n -1) are numbered, for input and output terminals of the second-stage hybrid coupler _{[4k 1 + k 2 + 1,4k 1} + k 2 +3] (k ₁ = 0, 1, ..., 2
ⁿ⁻¹ −1, k ₂ = 0, 1), and the input / output terminals of the i-th hybrid coupler are [2 ⁱ k ₁ + k ₂ +1,
2 ⁱ k ₁ + k ₂ +2 ^i-1 +1] (k ₁ = 0, 1, ..., 2 ^{n-i + 1} -1,
k ₂ = 0, 1, ..., 2 ^i-1 -1) is added to the input / output terminal numbers,
Similarly, when the input / output terminals are sequentially numbered up to the (n + 1) th stage hybrid coupler, the rear stage input terminals and the front stage output terminals corresponding to the respective stages are connected in an arbitrary order. The input terminal of the hybrid coupler is the signal input terminal of the (n + 1) -stage power combiner, and (n +
1) The output terminal of the hybrid coupler of the first stage is (n + 1)
When the power combiner is designated as the signal output terminal of the stage power combiner, the first power combiner 5 converts the 2N output terminals of the (n + 1) stage power combiner into the signal output terminals 2 _-i (i = 1-2N) and 2N
Of the M input terminals, M ₁ (M ≦ M ₁ ≦ 2N) are used as signal input terminals, and the M signal input terminals 1 _-i (i = 1 to 1)
Input signal is supplied to M), when the hybrid coupler signal when input signals to the M ₁ one signal input terminal does not pass exists _one L, the _{L 2 (0 ≦ L 2 ≦} L 1 ) Hybrid couplers are removed, and the second power combiner has 2N output terminals of the (n + 1) -stage power combiner as signal input terminals 3 _-i (i = 1 to 2N). , 2N input terminals, including all M signal input terminals corresponding to the numbers assigned to the M signal input terminals to which the input signal of the first power combiner is supplied M ₂ (M ≦ M ₂ ≦ N) input terminals are used as signal output terminals, and a hybrid coupler that does not pass signals when the signals are input to the M ₂ signal input terminals is removed.

In the circuit of FIG. 6, one signal input terminal 1 _-i (i =
1 to N) are input to the signal by the first power combiner 5.
The 2N amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N are _equally distributed and amplified, and the outputs of these 2N amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N are combined by the second power combiner 6 to produce one signal output. Output to terminal 4- _j . Similarly, the signal input to the other one signal input terminal is distributed and amplified by the 2N amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N , and is output to the other one signal output terminal to 4- _j (j = 1 to N). Is output.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above description, the characteristics of the first and second power combiners 5 and 6 are ideal, and further, 2N amplifiers 7 _{-1 are used.
~} 7 _-2N is uniform when the characteristics are uniform, and when the passing phase characteristics of the 2N amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N change over time, causing nonuniformity of characteristics. Is
The signal input to one signal input terminal 1 _-i is output to the corresponding one signal output terminal 4 _-j , and at the same time an unnecessary wave is output as leakage power to the other signal output terminals. The output power output to the signal output terminal has a drawback.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate 2N
Provided is a power combining type power amplifying device capable of detecting a change in the passing phase characteristic of each amplifier and adjusting a phase shift amount of a phase shifter connected to the amplifier to compensate for a decrease in output power of the power combining type amplifying device. To do.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention has M (≦ 2 ⁿ = N, n is a natural number) signal input terminals and 2N signal output terminals, and an input signal input to any one of the signal input terminals is divided into 2N equal parts. And a first power combiner including a plurality of hybrid couplers arranged so as to be output to the signal input terminal, and an input terminal connected to each signal output terminal of the first power combiner. 2N amplifiers and 2N signal input terminals and M signal output terminals, which are respectively connected to the output terminals of the amplifiers, are provided, and the input signals input to the respective signal input terminals are combined to form either In a power combiner type power amplifier device comprising a second power combiner including a plurality of hybrid combiners arranged to be output to one of the signal output terminals,
2N phase shifters respectively connected to the amplifier and the second hybrid coupler of the 2N output terminals of the first N hybrid couplers of the second power combiner N detection terminals consisting of non-output terminals, adjustment output extraction means for extracting an output that serves as a reference for adjustment of the power combining type power amplification device to one detection terminal, and (2N + 1) detection terminals. Phase control means for detecting the appearing power and controlling the amount of phase shift of the phase shifter based on the result.

Further, according to the present invention, the adjusted output extracting means may include a directional coupler connected to any one of the M signal output terminals of the second power combiner, and the coupling terminal may be a detection terminal. it can.

According to the present invention, the adjustment output extracting means inputs to the first power combiner having M signal input terminals and one adjustment signal input terminal, and to the M signal output terminals and the adjustment signal input terminals. A second power combiner having one adjustment signal output terminal for outputting the adjusted adjustment signal, and the adjustment signal input to any one of the M signal input terminals as the adjustment signal. A changeover switch for switching the input signal to be input to the adjustment signal input terminal, and the adjustment signal output terminal can be the detection terminal.

According to the present invention, the adjustment output extracting means inputs to the first power combiner having M signal input terminals and one adjustment signal input terminal, and to the M signal output terminals and the adjustment signal input terminals. A second power combiner having one adjustment signal output terminal for outputting the adjusted adjustment signal, and an adjustment signal source for inputting the adjustment signal to the adjustment signal input terminal, the adjustment signal output terminal Can be used as the detection terminal.

[Action]

Power is output to the N detection terminals provided at the output of the first-stage hybrid coupler of the second power combiner while the pass phase characteristic of the amplifier changes, and the output power of the device decreases. Therefore, the phase control means detects the electric power at the N detection terminals and the detection terminal of the adjustment output for monitoring the device output so that the detected power at the N detection terminals becomes zero or minimum, and The phase shift amount of each phase shifter is controlled so that the device output does not decrease.

Therefore, it becomes possible to compensate for the decrease in the output power of the device due to the aging change of the pass phase characteristic of the amplifier.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

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

In FIG. 1, M = N (= 2 ⁿ ) signal input terminals 1 _-1
2 N to each signal output terminal 2 _-1 to 2 _-2N of the first power combiner 5 having ₁ to 1 _-N and 2N signal output terminals 2 _-1 to 2 _-2N.
Phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8 _-2N and 2N amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N are connected in cascade, and the output terminals of the 2N amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N are 2
N signal input terminals 3 _{-1 to} 3 _-2 N and N signal output terminals
Each signal input terminal 3 of the second power combiner 6 having 4 _-1 to 4- _{N
-1 to} 3 _-2N respectively connected. The direction in which one of the output terminals of the first-stage hybrid couplers 10 _-1 to 10 _-N of the power combiner 6 is set as the detection terminals 9 _{-1 to} 9 _-N and is connected to the signal output terminal 4- _N The coupling terminal of the sex coupler 12 is defined as the detection terminal 9- _{(N + 1)} . Then, each of the (2N + 1) detection terminals 9 _{-1 to} 9- _{(N + 1)}
Is connected to the input of the power detector 13, the output of the power detector 13 is connected to the input of the phase controller 14, and the output of the phase controller 14 is connected to the control terminals of the phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8 _{-2 N} , respectively. Connected.
Here, the power detector 13 and the phase controller 14 constitute a phase control means, and the directional coupler 12 constitutes a regulated output extracting means.

The first power combiner 5 has 2N signal output terminals of the (n + 1) -stage power combiner as signal output terminals 2 _-1 to 2 _-2N, and N signal input terminals 1 _-1 to 1 _-N . The signal input to each one terminal is _equally divided and output to all 2N signal output terminals 2 _-1 to 2 _-2N . The second power combiner 6 connects the 2N signal output terminals 2 _-1 to 2 _-2N of the first power combiner 5 to the phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8
Signal input terminals 3 _-1 to 3 via _-2N and amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N
-2N, and N output terminals are signal output terminals 4 _-1 to 4- _N .

In FIG. 1, N hybrid couplers (H) 10 _-1 to 10 _-N at the first stage of the second power combiner 6 are shown extracted from the second power combiner 6. When the passing phase characteristic of one of the 2N amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N changes,
The output decreases, and the power detected at the detection terminals 9 _{-1 to} 9 _-N of the first-stage hybrid coupler 10 _-1 to 10 _-N of the second power combiner 6 connected to the amplifier increases. To do. The present invention detects this change and passes the amount of phase shift of the phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8 _-2N connected to the amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N whose characteristics have changed to the passage of the amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N . The adjustment is made so as to cancel the change in the phase to compensate for the output reduction of the power coupling type power amplification device.

The feature of the present invention _{resides in} that in FIG. 1, the phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8 _-2N ,
This is because the directional coupler 12, the power detector 13, the phase controller 14, and the detection terminals 9 _{-1 to} 9- _{(N + 1)} are provided.

The following is a description of how the change can be detected when the passing phase of the amplifier changes and the method of adjusting the phase shifter, using the second embodiment shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the number of amplifiers is 2N = 4 and the number of signal input terminals to which signals are supplied is M = 2. Here the first and second power combiner 5a
This is an example in which the obi 6a is composed of a 90 ° hybrid coupler. In the 90 ° hybrid coupler 18 shown in FIG. 3, the input signal voltages applied to the input terminals 1 ₁ and 1 ₂ are ₁ and ₂ , and the output signal voltages output to the output terminals 2 ₁ and 2 ₂ are ₁ and ₂ . Then, these are represented by the following relational expression (1).

From the equation (1), the signal voltages applied to the two signal input terminals 1 _-1 and 1 _-2 of the first power combiner 5a in FIG. 2 are set to ₁ and ₂ , and the four signal output terminals 2 _-1 to 2 equal to ₁ to ₄ signal voltage outputted _-4 follows (2) equation of expression holds.

The voltage amplification degree of the amplifier 7 _-i (i = 1 to 4) is set to a _i (i = 1 to 1).
4), assuming that the passing phase is T _i (i = 1 to 4) and the complex amplitude gain is _i (i = 1 to 4), the complex amplitude gain _i is expressed by the following equation (3). _i = a _i · exp (j · T _i ) ... (3) Further, the phase shift amounts of the phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8 _-4 are respectively T _p1 , T _P2 , and T
_{Let p3} and T _p4 be the input signal voltage of each amplifier ₁ exp
_{(J T p1) ~ 4 exp} (j T p4) is _{1 1} exp (j T _p1)
~ _{4 4} exp (j T _p4 ) amplified to the second power combiner
6a signal input terminals 3 _{-1 to} 3 _-4 , and signal output terminal 4
_Assuming that the signal voltages output to _-1 and _4-2 are ₁ and ₂ , the following relational expression (4) is established.

When the signal voltages output to the detection terminals 9 _-1 and 9 _-2 are ₁ and ₂ , the following relational expression (5) is established.

In the four amplifiers 7 _-1 to 7 _-4 voltage amplification factor _{a 1 = a 2 = a 3} = a 4 = a, the variation of the passing phase characteristics of the amplifier 7 _-1 to 7 _-4 connected to each amplifier When compensated by the phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8 _-4 , that is, [(T ₁ + T _p1 ) = (T ₂ + T _P2 ) = (T ₃ + T _p3 ) = (T ₄ + T _p4 ) = T] Then, when = a · exp (j · T), the equation (4) becomes the following equation (6) using the equation (2), and only at the signal output terminal corresponding to the signal input terminal. The signal is output.

At this time, the equation (5) becomes the following equation (7), and the detection signal is not output to the detection terminals 9 _-1 and 9 _-2 .

On the other hand, in order to simplify the explanation, when ₂ = 0, for example, when the passing phase of the amplification 7 ₋₁ changes to T ₁ = T ₁ + ΔT, from equations (2) and (4), And the signal power to be output decreases. At this time, And the detected power is detected at the detection terminal 9 _-1 .

Here, in order to adjust the phase shifter to return to the best state represented by the equations (6) and (7), the phase shifter 8 _-1 or 8
Adjust the amount of phase shift of _-2 so that ₁ = 0 or minimum. This is achieved in two cases, T _p1 ′ = T _p1 −ΔT and T _P2 ′ = T _p2 + ΔT. However, if T _P2 ′ = T _P2 + ΔT, then power proportional to | r ₂ | ² is detected at the output detection terminal 9 _-3 , and ₂ = − (1/2) · [exp (jΔT) +1] ₁ ......
Since (10), the power detected at the output detection terminal 9 _-3 decreases, and it can be determined that the adjustment is not appropriate.

Therefore, T _P1 ′ = T _p1 −ΔT and the phase shifter 8 _-1 can be adjusted, and the change in the passing phase of the amplifier 7 _-1 can be compensated.

Next, we show that the power that appears at the detection terminal can be detected sufficiently. In the configuration of the four amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-4 shown in FIG. 2, when the characteristics of the four amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-4 have variations in power gain and pass phase as shown in Table 1. To do. However, the voltage amplification factor a in Table 1 is derived from the decibel representation G of the power gain of the amplifier using the following equation (11).

a = 10 ^{G / 20} (11) The variations in the passing phase characteristics are compensated by the phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8 _-4 connected to the amplifiers 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-4. When the +10 dBm signal is input from the signal input terminal 1 _-1 when the phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8 _-4 are all equal, the detection of the power combiner type power amplifier Terminal 9
_The power appearing in _{-1 to} 9 _-3 is as shown in Table 2. However, the coupling degree of the directional coupler 12 connected to the output detection terminal 9 _-3 is set to 20 dB. Each detection terminal 9 _{-1 to} 9 _-3 when the passing phase of one amplifier changes ± 20 ° from this initial state
Table 3 shows the electric power and the change from the initial state. From Table 3, it is possible to sufficiently detect the change in the power appearing at the detection terminal. Therefore, to detect the power in each detection terminals 9 _-1 to 9 _-3 by the power detector 13a, the phase controller 14a based on it to adjust the amount of phase shift of the phase shifter _8-4 8 _-1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the number of terminals to which signals are supplied M = 3,
In the case of the amplifier number 2M = 8, further any one of the signal input terminal of among the fourth input terminal 1 _-4 and three signal input terminals 1 _-1 to 1 _-3 (4 1 _-3 in the drawing) Are connected by the changeover switch 15, and when the signal is input to the signal input terminal _1-4 , the output signal terminal of the second power combiner 6b that appears its output is the power detection terminal _9-5. . Here the signal input terminal 1 _-4, changeover switch 15 and the detecting terminal 9 _-5 constitutes a regulated output extraction unit.

Further, in FIG. 4, the first power combiner 5b includes 90 ° hybrid combiners 11 _{-1 to} 11 _-8 , and the second power combiner 6b.
Includes 90 ° hybrid couplers 10 _-1 to 10 _-8 . Further, 8 _-1 to 8 _-8 are phase shifters, 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-8 are amplifiers, 13 _b is a power detector, and 14 _b is a phase controller.

The characteristic of the present invention is that, in FIG. 4, the phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8 _-8 , the power detector 13 _b , the phase controller 14 _b , the changeover switch 15, the signal input terminal 1 _-4 and the detection terminal 9 _-1. There is ~ 9 _-5 .

In the third embodiment, as described in the second embodiment of FIG. 3, the changeover switch 15 is switched to detect the adjustment output at the signal output terminal necessary for adjusting the phase shift amount of the phase shifter. Input signal to the signal input terminal _1-4 , and the output can be detected by the detection terminal _9-5 . Thus, by providing the adjustment output detection terminal and the signal output terminal independently, it is possible to prevent the output signal power from decreasing.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in that the input terminal 1 is different from the signal input terminal to which the signal is supplied.
_{-4 is connected} to the adjustment signal source 17 via the switch 16 and the electric power of the detection terminal 9 _-5 output corresponding to this signal is detected, whereby the phase shifter 8 is provided in the same manner as in the third embodiment. Adjust the phase amount from _-1 to _8-8 . In the fourth embodiment, if a frequency that does not affect signal transmission is used for the adjustment signal source 17,
The adjustment signal source 17 may be always connected without using the switch 16. Here the signal input terminal 1 _-4, switch 16, the adjusting signal source 17 and the detection terminals 9 _-5 adjusted output extraction means constituting.

The feature of the present invention is that, in FIG. 5, the phase shifters 8 _-1 to 8 _-8 , the power detector 13 _b , the phase controller 14 _b , the adjustment signal line 17, the signal input terminals 1 _-4 and the detection terminal 9 are shown. _{-1 to} 9 _-5 .

In general, the same operation principle can be applied to the case where the number of amplifiers is 2N '(= 2 ^{n + 1} ) and the number of signal input terminals to which a signal is supplied is M (≤2 ⁿ = N). Can be compensated.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the phase shifters are connected in series with the amplifiers, and the phase shift amount of each phase shifter is adjusted based on the power output to the detection terminal. This has the effect of compensating for the decrease in output power due to aging of characteristics.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a 90 ° hybrid coupler which constitutes a power combiner. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a conventional example. 1 _-1 to 1 _-N , 3 _{-1 to} 3 _-2N ...... Signal input terminal, 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ ...... Input terminal, 2 _-1 to 2 _-2N , 4 _-1 to 4 _-N ...... Signal output Terminal, 2 ₁ , 2
₂ ...... Output terminal 5, 5 _a , 5 _b , 6, 6 _a , 6 _b ...... Power combiner, 7 _{-1 to} 7 _-2N ...... Amplifier, 8 _-1 to 8 _-2N ...... _Phase shifter , 9 _-1
~ 9- _{(N + 1)} ...... Detection terminal, 10 _-1 to 10 _-N , 11 _{-1 to} 11 _-8 , 18
...... 90 ° hybrid coupler (H), 12 directional coupler, 13, 13 _a , 13 _b ...... Power detector, 14, 14 _a , 14 _b ...... Phase controller, 15 ...... Changeover switch , 16 …… Switch, 17
…… Adjustment signal source.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. M (≦ 2 ⁿ = N, n is a natural number) signal input terminals and 2N signal output terminals, and an input signal input to any one of the signal input terminals is 2N or the like. A first power combiner including a plurality of hybrid couplers arranged so as to be divided and output to the signal output terminal, and an input terminal is connected to each signal output terminal of the first power combiner. 2N amplifiers and 2N signal input terminals and M signal output terminals, which are respectively connected to the output terminals of the amplifiers, and the input signals input to the respective signal input terminals are combined. A second power combiner including a plurality of hybrid combiners arranged so as to be output to one of the signal output terminals, the power combiner type power amplifying device being connected in series with the amplifier. 2N phase shifters and a second power connection Of the 2N output terminals of the N hybrid couplers in the first stage of the combiner, the N detection terminals including output terminals not connected to the hybrid coupler in the next stage, and the adjustment of the power combiner type power amplification device And an output adjusting means for extracting the reference output of the phase shifter and leading it to one detection terminal, and a phase for controlling the amount of phase shift of the phase shifter based on the result of detecting the power appearing at the (2N + 1) number of detection terminals. A power combining type power amplifying device comprising: a control unit. 2. The regulated output extracting means includes a directional coupler connected to any one of the M signal output terminals of the second power combiner, and the coupled terminal serves as a detection terminal. In the range (1), the power combining type power amplifying device. 3. The adjustment output extracting means inputs to a first power combiner having M signal input terminals and one adjustment signal input terminal, M signal output terminals and the adjustment signal input terminals. A second power combiner having one adjustment signal output terminal for outputting the adjusted adjustment signal, and the adjustment signal input to any one of the M signal input terminals as the adjustment signal. The power combiner type power amplification device according to claim 1, further comprising a changeover switch for switching the input signal to be input to the adjustment signal input terminal, and using the adjustment signal output terminal as a detection terminal. 4. The adjustment output extracting means inputs to a first power combiner having M signal input terminals and one adjustment signal input terminal, M signal output terminals and the adjustment signal input terminals. A second power combiner having one adjustment signal output terminal for outputting the adjusted adjustment signal, and an adjustment signal source for inputting the adjustment signal to the adjustment signal input terminal, the adjustment signal output terminal The power combiner type power amplification device according to claim 1, wherein the power detection device is a detection terminal.