KR100862450B1 - Radio module and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A radio module and a manufacturing method thereof are provided to include a storage unit which contains signal compensation information within the radio module, thus additional signal compensation is unnecessary when the radio module is mounted within a wireless network system. At least one front end(21) transceives an RF(Radio Frequency) signal. An RF IC(Integrated Circuit)(22) demodulates the RF signal into a baseband signal in case of reception, and modulates the baseband signal into the RF signal in case of transmission, by being connected to the front end. A storage unit stores compensation information used in a main IC in order to control transceiving sensitivity of the RF IC. The storage unit is an EEPROM(Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit is connected with the main IC.

Description

RADIO MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

1 is a block diagram of a radio module according to the prior art.

2A and 2B are configuration diagrams of a radio module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing a wireless network system including a radio module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and a process of storing correction information in Y. pyrom in the radio module.

4 (a) to 4 (c) are flowcharts of steps for manufacturing a radio module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

5 (a) to 5 (c) are flowcharts of steps for manufacturing a radio module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Code Description of Main Parts of Drawing>

20: radio module 21: front end

22: RF integrated circuit 23: EEPROM

35 main integrated circuit 36 wireless network system

The present invention relates to a radio module for use in a wireless network system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a radio module containing correction information for controlling an RF integrated circuit in the radio module itself, a method of manufacturing the radio module, and a wireless network system including the radio module.

As we enter the information society, the age of wide-ranging broadband multimedia services is coming along with the digitization of various wired and wireless communication systems such as mobile communication, satellite communication, and high-speed subscriber lines. In particular, with the development of the wireless communication field, the importance of a wireless network is increasing.

Wireless network (WiFi or WiMAX) solutions typically include a radio module for transmitting and receiving.

1 is a block diagram of a radio module according to the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 1, a radio module 10 according to the prior art includes a front end 11 and an RF integrated circuit 12.

The front end is a transmitting / receiving device that controls radio signals used on a wireless communication terminal. The front end 11 may include a connector, a switch for determining transmission and reception, a filter for filtering and amplifying the RF signal, and an amplifier.

The RF integrated circuit 12 is connected to the front end 11.

The RF integrated circuit 12 detects a baseband signal from an RF signal input from the front end 11 when receiving an RF signal, or modulates a baseband signal when outputting an RF signal to the front end. Play a role.

Such a wireless network (WiFi or WiMAX) solution must undergo signal correction in the entire wireless network system equipped with the radio module to maintain accurate transmission power and reception sensitivity. That is, when the radio module is actually mounted in a wireless network system, various variables occur. Therefore, in order to input and output a desired signal, it is necessary to correct the input / output signal of the radio module based on the desired input / output value.

According to the related art, there is a problem in that the input / output signal of the radio module has to be corrected in a wireless network system, and a memory containing such correction information is separately required.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, by adding EPIROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) having signal correction information to the radio module itself, the radio module is corrected after the radio network system is mounted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radio module and a method of manufacturing the same.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radio module for a wireless network system including a main integrated circuit for controlling transmission and reception sensitivity, the radio module comprising: at least one front end for transmitting and receiving an RF signal, and connected to the front end for reception; The RF integrated circuit demodulates the RF signal into a baseband signal, and modulates the baseband signal into an RF signal during transmission, and correction information used by the main integrated circuit to control transmission and reception sensitivity of the RF integrated circuit. Provided is a radio module including a storage unit for storing.

The storage unit may be an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory).

When the radio module is mounted in a wireless network system, the storage unit may be connected to the main integrated circuit.

The radio module includes a single substrate on which the front end, the RF integrated circuit, and the storage unit are mounted, a first connector for connecting the RF integrated circuit to the main integrated circuit, and the storage unit to the main integrated circuit. It may further include a second connector for connecting.

According to the present invention, a method of mounting a front end and an RF integrated circuit on a substrate, storing correction information for controlling transmission / reception sensitivity of the RF integrated circuit, and a storage unit in which the correction information is stored are stored in the substrate. It provides a radio module manufacturing method comprising the step of mounting on the bed.

The present invention also provides a radio module comprising mounting a front end, an RF integrated circuit, and a storage unit on a substrate, and storing correction information for controlling transmission / reception sensitivity of the RF integrated circuit in the storage unit. It provides a manufacturing method.

The storing of the correction information in the storage unit may be performed in the same environment as the wireless network system in which the radio module is to be used.

The storage unit may be an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory).

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

2 (a) and 2 (b) are structural diagrams of a radio module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a radio module 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a front end 21, an RF integrated circuit 22, and an EEPROM 23.

The front end 21 is a transmission / reception device for controlling radio signals used on a wireless communication terminal. The front end 21 may include a connector for transmitting and receiving an RF signal, a switch for determining transmission and reception, a filter for filtering and amplifying the RF signal, and an amplifier.

The RF integrated circuit 22 is connected to the front end 21.

The RF integrated circuit 22 detects a baseband signal from an RF signal input from the front end 21 when receiving an RF signal, and modulates the baseband when transmitting an RF signal to the front end 21. ) Can be used to print.

In addition, the RF integrated circuit 22 serves to adjust the transmission and reception sensitivity of the radio module. The transmission and reception sensitivity can be adjusted by being connected to the main integrated circuit (not shown) outside the RF integrated circuit 22.

The EEPROM 23 stores correction information for controlling the transmission / reception sensitivity of the RF integrated circuit 22.

The EEPROM 23 is not directly connected to the front end 21 or the RF integrated circuit 22, but is input to the baseband signal output from the RF integrated circuit 22 or the RF integrated circuit. Correction information for the baseband signal to be stored. That is, information necessary for the RF integrated circuit 22 to control transmission and reception sensitivity is stored in the EEPROM 23. The operation of storing the correction information may be performed by mounting the radio module 20 in the entire wireless network system. The process of storing such correction information will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

2B illustrates a structure in which the front end 21, the RF integrated circuit 22, and the ypyrom 23 are mounted on the substrate 24.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the radio module 20 has a first connector 27-1 and a second connector 27-2 that can be connected to an external circuit. In the present embodiment, the first connector 27-1 and the second connector 27-2 may connect the radio module 20 with a main integrated circuit in a wireless network system.

The front end 21 and the RF integrated circuit 22 mounted on the substrate 24 are connected to each other, and the RF integrated circuit 22 is connected to the first connector 27-1. Connected.

The Y pyrom 23 is not connected to the front end 21 and the RF integrated circuit 22, but is connected to a second connector 27-2 which may be connected to an external circuit. In the present exemplary embodiment, the EPIROM 23 may be connected to a main integrated circuit in a wireless network system to provide correction information for controlling the RF integrated circuit by the main integrated circuit.

3 is a diagram illustrating a process in which correction information is stored in an EEPROM in a wireless network system and an entire wireless network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless network system 36 may be an experimental wireless network system having the same environment as the actual wireless network system on which the radio module is to be mounted.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wireless network system 36 according to the present embodiment includes a radio module 30 and a main integrated circuit 35.

The radio module 30 is equipped with a front end 31, an RF integrated circuit 32, and an EEPROM 33.

The main integrated circuit 35 is connected to the RF integrated circuit 32 and the EEPROM 33 of the radio module 30, respectively. Therefore, the RF integrated circuit 32 is controlled by using the correction information stored in the EEPROM 33. As such, the EEPROM 33 and the RF integrated circuit 32 may be connected through the main integrated circuit 35 to be controlled by the main integrated circuit 35.

In order to store the correction information in the EEPROM 33, a host 38, a measurement device 39, and the like are connected to the wireless network system 36.

Looking at the process of the correction information is stored in the EEPROM 33, the host 38, such as a PC, first transmits the transmission signal (Tx) correction control signal (1) into the wireless network system 36.

The transmission signal Tx is corrected in the wireless network system 36. That is, correction is made on the transmission output. This correction may be made by signal exchange between the main integrated circuit 35 and the radio module 30 in the wireless network system.

The correction information of the transmission signal Tx is measured by the measuring device 39 and transmitted to the host 38 again (②).

The host 38 stores the transmission signal Tx correction information in the EEPROM 33 of the radio module in the wireless network system 36.

In this way, the correction relating to the transmission signal Tx is completed.

Referring to the correction process for the received signal (Rx), first, the host 38, such as a PC transfers the received signal (Rx) correction control signal directly to the measurement device (ⓐ).

The measurement device 39 transmits the measured received signal Rx correction control signal into the wireless network system 36, and the received signal Rx is corrected in the wireless network system 36. In other words, correction for reception sensitivity is made. This correction may be made by signal exchange between the main integrated circuit 35 and the radio module 30 in the wireless network system.

The wireless network system 36 transfers the received signal Rx correction information to the host 38.

The host 38 stores the received signal Rx correction information in the EEPROM 33 in the radio module of the wireless network system 36.

In the present embodiment, the transmission signal Tx-related correction and the reception signal Rx-related correction are displayed in order, but the order of the transmission signal Tx-related correction and the reception signal Rx-related correction may be changed. The step of storing the correction information in the EEPROM may be performed in one process.

4A to 4C are flowcharts of steps for manufacturing a radio module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a step of mounting the front end 41 and the RF integrated circuit 42 on the substrate 44. Here, the front end 41 may be connected to an external transmission / reception means, and the RF integrated circuit 42 may have a terminal that may be connected to an external main integrated circuit.

4B illustrates a step of connecting the substrate 44 on which the front end 41 and the RF integrated circuit 42 are mounted in the wireless network system 46 to store correction information in the EEPROM 43. . The wireless network system 46 may be an experimental wireless network system having the same environment as the wireless network system in which the radio module is actually used.

Here, the RF integrated circuit 42 is connected to the main integrated circuit 45 in the wireless network system 46, and the main integrated circuit 45 is connected to the EEPROM 43.

The main integrated circuit 45 connected to the RF integrated circuit 42 and the EEPROM 43 stores the corrected information in the EEPROM 43 under the control of an external host and a measurement device.

FIG. 4C illustrates a process of mounting the corrected radio module 40 by mounting the EEPROM 43 in which correction information is stored on the substrate 44.

As such, by placing the EEPROM 43 having the corrected information in the radio module 40, the information stored in the EEPROM 43 can be stored without any additional correction work when the radio module is mounted in the actual wireless network system. Can be used to control the signal.

5A to 5C are process flowcharts illustrating a method of manufacturing a corrected radio module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5A, the front end 51, the RF integrated circuit 52, and the EEPROM 53 ′ are mounted on the substrate 54. The EEPROM 53 'is a state before the correction information is stored.

FIG. 5B illustrates that the front end 51, the RF integrated circuit 52, and the board on which the EEPROM 53 is mounted are connected to the wireless network system 56 to transfer correction information into the EEPROM 53. Save step. The wireless network system 56 may be an experimental wireless network system having the same environment as the wireless network system in which the radio module is actually used.

The main integrated circuit 55 in the wireless network is connected to the RF integrated circuit 52 and the EEPROM 53, and is connected to the EEPROM 53 by a host and a measuring device (not shown) that externally control signals. Save the calibration information.

5C shows a radio module 50 in which an EEPROM 53 in which correction information is stored is mounted.

In FIG. 5A, the correction information is not stored in the EEPROM 53 ′, but in the EEPROM 53 of FIG. 5C, there is a difference in that correction information for a desired signal is stored.

As such, by placing the EEPROM 53 having the corrected information in the radio module 50, the information stored in the EEPROM 53 is stored without any additional correction work when the radio module is mounted in the actual wireless network system. Can be used to control the signal.

As such, the present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings. That is, functions of the front end and the RF integrated circuit may be variously implemented. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the appended claims, and that various forms of substitution, modification, and alteration are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims. Will be self-explanatory.

According to the present invention, by including a storage unit containing the signal correction information in the radio module, there is an advantage that no separate signal correction operation is required when the radio module is mounted in the wireless network system.

In addition, sufficient verification of the manufacturing and operation status of the radio module is possible even before the radio module is mounted in a wireless network system.

Claims (10)

A radio module for use in a wireless network system including a main integrated circuit for controlling transmission and reception sensitivity, At least one front end for transmitting and receiving an RF signal; An RF integrated circuit coupled to the front end for demodulating an RF signal into a baseband signal upon reception and modulating the baseband signal into an RF signal upon transmission; Storage unit for storing correction information used in the main integrated circuit for controlling the transmission and reception sensitivity of the RF integrated circuit Radio module including a (Radio Module). The method of claim 1, The storage unit, Radio module characterized in that the EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). The method of claim 1, When the radio module is mounted in a wireless network system, And the storage unit is connected to the main integrated circuit. The method of claim 1, The radio module, A substrate on which the front end, the RF integrated circuit, and the storage unit are mounted; A first connector for connecting the RF integrated circuit to the main integrated circuit; And A second connector for connecting the storage to the main integrated circuit Radio module comprising a further. Mounting the front end and the RF integrated circuit on a substrate; Storing correction information for controlling transmission and reception sensitivity of the RF integrated circuit in a storage unit; And Mounting a storage unit storing the correction information on the substrate; Radio module manufacturing method comprising a. The method of claim 5, The storing of the correction information in the storage unit may include: A radio module manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the radio module is performed in the same environment as the wireless network system to be used. The method of claim 5, The storage unit, Radio module manufacturing method characterized in that the EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). Mounting the front end, RF integrated circuit, and storage on a substrate; And Storing correction information for controlling transmission and reception sensitivity of the RF integrated circuit in the storage unit; Radio module manufacturing method comprising a. The method of claim 8, The storing of the correction information in the storage unit may include: A radio module manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the radio module is performed in the same environment as the wireless network system to be used. The method of claim 8, The storage unit, Radio module manufacturing method characterized in that the EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory).

Images