TW201106621A - Phase shifter and related load device - Google Patents

Abstract

A phase shifter includes a phase shifter core and load devices. The phase shifter core has an input port for receiving an input signal, an output port for outputting an output signal, and connection ports. The load devices are coupled to the connection ports, respectively. At least one of the load devices includes first varactor units each having a first node and a second node, where first nodes of the first varactor units are coupled to a first voltage, second nodes of the first varactor units are respectively coupled to a plurality of second voltages, and the second voltages include at least two voltages different from each other.

Description

201106621 VI. Description of the Invention: [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a CV curve of a linearized varactor device. More specifically, it relates to a phase shifter using a linearization technique and an associated load. The device 'to mitigate the effects of the nonlinear c-ν curve of the varactor. [Prior Art] Phase shifters are common components for various wireless communication applications. For example, phase array receivers require a phase shifter to achieve the desired beamforming. In particular, the phase shifter is one of the key components of the Non-Light Of Sight (NLOS) application. Please refer to the figure. Figure 1 shows the traditional reflection-type phase shifter. A conventional reflective phase shifter 丨〇〇 includes a quadrature coupler 102 and a plurality of load devices, a load device 104A and a load device 〇4〇. As shown in Fig. 1, the orthogonal coupler 1〇2 includes an input port P1, a through port P2, a coupled port P3, and an isolated port (output port). P4. The quadrature snubber 102 is also referred to as a 90 degree hybrid coupler for dividing the input signal S_IN into two signals having a phase difference of 90 degrees. The load device 104A and the load device 104B are respectively implemented to function as a reflection load. Each of the conventional load device 104A and the load device 104B includes a transmission line L, a bypass capacitor Cbypass, and a plurality of varactors c. The signals reflected from the load devices 201106621 140A and the load device 104B are isolated.埠 (output 埠) P4 is combined to form an output signal S_OUT that is isolated (output 埠) P4. The capacitive values (capacitance values) of the varactor C1 in the load device 104A and the load device 104B are achieved by appropriate adjustments, and the conventional reflective phase shifter 1 can be used to provide any desired Phase shift. In other words, the conventional phase shifter 100 applies the varactor C1 to provide a phase tuning function for steering the beam angle of the signal. Nevertheless, because of the non-linear C-V curve of the varactor, the phase adjustment curve of the phase shifter 100 as shown in Fig. 2 is non-linear. As can be seen from Fig. 2, when the control voltage V applied to the varactor is increased/decreased, the capacitance value C is nonlinearly increased/decreased. In particular, when the control voltage v is within a certain range, the slope of the C-V curve is sharp, indicating the digital to analog converter for setting the control voltage V of the varactor (Digital-To_Analog)

Converter, DAC) generally requires a high resolution to properly set the varactor to the desired capacitance value. Therefore, if the pre-distortion characteristic of the digital control value is considered, it is recommended to apply the pre-distortion to the incoming digital control value using the digital compensation scheme, thereby making the overall phase adjustment curve more linear. Linearization of the phase adjustment curve of phase shifter 100 simplifies the practical implementation of the digital compensation scheme and correspondingly saves the digital block area (e.g., lookup table). In addition, when the control voltage of the varactor is within the aforementioned specific range, since the DAC conversion noise is very serious, wherein the slope of the c_v 201106621 curve is sharp, linearizing the cv curve to reduce the slope can effectively reduce the subsequent Signal processing stage (multi-level) DAC conversion noise. Therefore, there is a high need for novel and efficient methods to linearize the nonlinear characteristics of the application (e.g., the nonlinear phase adjustment curve of the phase shifter) caused by the nonlinear C-V curve of the varactor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a phase shifter and associated load device employing linear techniques are proposed to mitigate the effects of the nonlinear c_v curve of the varactor. • One aspect of the I, revealing a phase shifter that includes a phase shifter core and multiple carrier devices. The phase shifter core has an input port for receiving an output port for outputting an output signal, and a plurality of connected f-loading devices are respectively coupled to the plurality of ports. The plurality of negatives; each of the container units has a -th node and a first:; in the first: the plurality of first variable sighs * a point 'the plurality of first varactors, The 卽 point is coupled to the -first voltage, the voltage, the first 卽 point of the plurality of second electric charges are respectively coupled to the plurality of second electric power according to the present invention; Negative, phase shifter. The phase shifter core 4: two phases, and a plurality of interfaces. The plurality of load two=out-output signals, and each of the plurality of serial devices are packaged: the plurality of ports. The plurality of negative y first varactor units, the at least one first 201106621 varactor early element has a 妒 妒 , ^ ^ ^ , P ' ” and a second node. The plurality of first ones are Hkn^3f5, and the plurality of first varactors, that is, the light points are connected to a second voltage, and the second ones of the plurality of flutes are respectively coupled To the multi-voltage. And the second voltage of the night includes at least two different electric powers = a further aspect of the present invention 'discloses each of the two units including the --node and the first point. The voltage of the first varactor unit, and the plurality of _ _ varactors, ρ phase is connected to a first second voltage, wherein the first: electrical packet = ? respectively, is determined to be connected to the plurality of first Between the first nodes of the two cells of the varactor. [Embodiment]: The following details of the preferred embodiments in various figures and accompanying drawings are read by those skilled in the art. After the description, these and other objects of the present invention are undoubtedly obvious. Patent in the specification and subsequent patents Some words are used in the encirclement to refer to a specific reading. Those who have the usual knowledge in the field t should be understandable, and the manufacturer may use different nouns to name the journal. The contents of this book and the later, the patent scope The difference between the names is not used as the component f to distinguish the components, but the difference in function between the components is used as the criterion for distinguishing. The “includes” mentioned in the entire article and subsequent claims are included. And "include" 201106621 is an open-ended term, so it should be interpreted as "including but not limited to,. Outside the 'secret' - the word contains any direct and indirect electrical connection. Indirect money connection means including connection through other devices. To linearize the c-v curve of a varactor, the present invention proposes two exemplary linearization techniques. One is to divide the varactor into a plurality of varactor units connected in parallel, wherein the plurality of varactor units are provided with different reference voltages (ie: offset voltage) or control voltage, and the other is to have multiple varactor units Unifomly or non-uniformly distributed (n〇n_unif〇rmiy) in an inductive component in which multiple varactors are provided with different reference inks (ie, 'bias voltage') Voltage. In order to illustrate the invention, the following examples are given. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a load device in accordance with the present invention. The load device 300 is implemented using the aforementioned linearization technique of dividing the varactor into a plurality of parallelly connected varactor units 302, 302-2, ..., 302-N. Each of the plurality of varactor units 3〇2", 3〇2_2, ..., 3〇2-N has a first node N1 and a second node N2. As shown in FIG. 3, the first node of the plurality of varactors 302-1, 302_2, 3〇2-N is coupled to the first voltage VA, and the second node N2 of the varactor unit is coupled respectively. To a plurality of second voltages VB - VB - 2, ..., VB_N. It should be noted that the plurality of second voltages 1, VB - 2, ..., VB_N do not have to have the same voltage level 'that is, the plurality of second voltages VB_1, VB_2, ..., VB_N contain at least two Different voltages. For example, in one embodiment, the second voltages, VBJ2, ..., VB-N are configured to have different voltage levels from each other. It should be noted that the number of varactor units included in the load device 300 201106621 is adjustable depending on the actual design requirements. In other words, the varactor units 3〇2j, 3〇2_2, ..., 302_N in the load device 300 as shown in Fig. 3 are for illustration only. In general, the capacitance value (capacitance value) of a varactor is determined by the voltage across the varactor. For example, the varactor C1 & capacitance value can be controlled by the voltage difference between the tunable control voltage Vctrl and the fixed reference voltage yref. Therefore, in one implementation, the first voltage VA is a control voltage configured to adjust the power of the plurality of varactor units 302-1, 302_2, ..., 3〇2-N

The capacitance values, while the second voltages VBj, VB_2, ..., vb-n are used as reference voltages (e.g., each reference voltage has a fixed voltage level). In another embodiment, the first battery VA is used as a reference voltage (e.g., a reference voltage having a fixed voltage level), and the second voltages VB_1, VB_2, ..., VB N

The control voltage ' is configured to adjust the capacitive value of the varactor 302_b 302_2, ..., : 302 N . The same purpose of adjusting the equivalent capacitance value of the load device 300 can be achieved regardless of which implementation is employed. Based on the example configuration of the load device 3A as shown in FIG. 3, a conventional load device such as the load device 1〇4a/1〇4b as shown in FIG. 4 can be exemplified by the example shown in FIG. The load device is replaced by a load device. Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a load device in accordance with the present invention. a combination of a plurality of varactor units 02__1 402-2, ..., 402-1 having a first node coupled to the first voltage VA and coupled to the plurality of second voltages vbj, VB_2, . . . a second node of vb-I, a combination of a plurality of varactor units 4〇2j, 402:2, ..., 402-] is used to replace the traditional varactor, and a plurality of varactors 404", 4G4-2 The combination of ..., 402_; has the first point of lightly connected to the first electric 201106621 two v:, and the second key to the plurality of second electric wish, 2, ..., VB'j Node, and multiple varactors 4. ... = 4 - 2, ..., 402_j combination is used to replace another traditional variable capacity = idea, depending on the actual design requirements, multiple varactors 1: -·*., 402-1 It may be equal or unequal to the number of varactors 404 1 , 4 (M 402_J. - . . , ^ is a phonogram of the third embodiment of the negative remainder according to the present invention. Negative cutting i 500 uses the foregoing The transformation of a plurality of S! The transmission line) ^ Γ 5 〇 2 more 1, 5 〇 2 - N distributed in a number of inductive components (for example -, pass 5 〇? ~ ..., the realization of linearization technology. Container unit r: each of 2-2 V··, 5〇2—&1, 5〇2-N has a second node N2 of the first two, five, and two. As shown in FIG. 5, The first section of the variable container unit ml...i5〇2-N_1, 5〇2_N, the point N1 is lightly connected to the second unit 5. The first 卽2 of 2-1, 5^ ντΓ, respectively The second voltages VB1, Vb-2, VB-N-1, VB-N° are similarly 'the second voltage VB-1, that is to say: the at least *徊τ η — -2...VB-N-1, VB_N Contains the same voltage as VB ! For example, in one implementation, the second voltage voltage level 1, . . . , YU· VB_N is configured to have different loads from each other into one said 'depending on the actual design needs, the number of varactors 11 included in the negative integer and the number of inductive components can be adjusted 201106621. Further, as shown in Figure 5 The illustrated configuration of the varactor units 502 1 , 502 - 2, ..., 502 - N-1, 502_N and the inductive component, l_m is only possible as one possible implementation. That is, the example configuration as in Figure 5 It is shown that each of the plurality of inductive components has two nodes, a node N1, and a node N2, and each of the plurality of inductive components L1, l_m, and N2 is connected to each other. Any one of a plurality of varactor units 5〇2^, 5〇2_2, ..., 502-N-1, 502_N. However, any load device that includes at least one inductive component (eg, inductive component Lj) According to the spirit of the present invention, the at least one inductive component (for example, the inductive component L_1) is coupled to a plurality of inductive component workers, 5〇2_2, ..., 502-N-1, 502_N as shown in FIG. Two specific varactor units (eg, varactor 502-1 and Between the first node N1 of 502_2). As described above, the capacitance value (capacitance value) of the varactor is determined by the voltage across the varactor. Therefore, in the first implementation, the first voltage as shown in Fig. 5 VA, as the control voltage, is configured to adjust the capacitance values of the varactor units $(10)1, 502-2, ..., 502-N-1, 502_N, and the second voltages VBJ, VB_2, as shown in FIG. ..., VB - N], VB_N as a reference voltage (for example, each of the plurality of reference voltages has a fixed voltage level in another implementation) as the first voltage VA shown in FIG. 5 as a reference voltage (for example, a reference voltage having a fixed voltage level), such as a second voltage VBJ, VB-2, ..., VB, and VB-N as the control voltage, configured to be used for adjusting the voltage Capacitive values of the container units 5〇2j, 5〇2 2, jade 502_N-1, 502_N. ~ 201106621 ° month Referring to Fig. 6, Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a fourth embodiment of the load device according to the present invention. Based on the 'example configuration of the load device 500 as shown in FIG. 5, the conventional load device, for example, the load device 104A/104B' as shown in FIG. 6 can be represented by the schematic load device 6〇0 shown in FIG. Alternative. Those skilled in the art can understand the technical features of the example load device 600 as shown in FIG. 6 after reading the above paragraphs directly related to the above-described example load device. For the sake of brevity, further description will not be repeated here. . In the example implementation described above, the load device is configured to use a single-ended topology. Nevertheless, the load device can also use a differential topology to meet the needs of a particular application. For example, a load device arranged in a differential topology can be used on a differential application device, such as a differential phase shifter. Referring to Figure 7 and Figure 4 in conjunction, Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a fifth embodiment of a load device in accordance with the present invention. The load device 7A includes a plurality of first variator units 702-1, 702-2, ..., 702-1, 704 1, 704 2, 704_J, and a plurality of second varactor units 7 〇 6 -! 7〇6-2, 7〇6”, 7〇8—i, 708_2, . . . , 708_J, and a plurality of inductive components (eg, transmission lines) L and L, wherein the first varactor unit 702”, 7 〇2_2, ..., 7〇2 ι, 7〇4_1, 702-4, ..., 704_J and the second varactor unit 7〇6j, 706_2, ..., 706_1, 708_1, 708-2, ..., 7〇8_J are arranged as Poor topology. The first varactor unit 702_1, 702_2, . . . , 7(1)^, 704-2, ..., 704-J has a first node coupled to the first voltage VA, and respectively connected to the plurality of second voltages VB 1, VB 2

VB

The second varactor list ···, 708-J has a second node N2 of VB'-1' VB'-2, ..., VB'_J. Element 706_1, 706_2 ' ..., 706 I, 708 1, 708 2, 12 201106621 have a flute of a plurality of flute-band r that is connected to the third voltage vc, that is, point N1, and are respectively coupled to The aforementioned Xi Qingdi - the second (four) N2 of the voltage VB 1, VPi 〇 J. Similarly, the second electric house vb_i, Μ-2, ., VB 2 has at least two different electric powers, and the second voltage VB, -1, '.~, VB'j has at least two * same Electric eel. In addition to the actual material requirements, the first varactor unit 7G2", 7G2-2, .., 7^1, and the second varactor unit 706-1, -2 of the peer (C〇UnterPart) ..., the number of 7〇6J, and the first varactor unit 704^1, ~2 ..., 7〇4-1, and the equivalent second varactor unit 708__1, one 2, ..., 708 The number of J can be adjusted. In one implementation, the first voltage VA and the third voltage % are control powers, configured to respectively adjust the first varactor single & s... - 702 - 1, 704__1, 7 〇 4_2, ..., 704 -J and the second varactor unit 706 - write the capacitance values of "2, ..., 7 〇 6 卜 · 17 〇 82, _J; and the second voltage VB-1, vb", vb - A 1 VB _2 ···, VB _J is used as a reference voltage (for example, each of the plurality of reference voltages has a fixed voltage level). In another implementation, the first voltage VA and the third voltage vc are used as reference voltages (eg, each of the plurality of reference voltages has a fixed voltage level), and the second voltage VB is 2, ..., VB_I, VB, J, VB, _2, ..., VB," are control voltages, configured to adjust the first varactor unit 702", 7〇2_2, ..., 7〇2, 704_1, 704-2 , ..., 704" and the second varactor unit soup", - (10)-1, 708-2, ..., 708j capacitance values. C "r 13 201106621

Refer to Figure 8 and Figure 6 for a clear reference. Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a sixth embodiment of a load device in accordance with the present invention. The load device 8G is realized by the above-described (10) technology, in which the above-described materialization is to move a plurality of first-variable container units, to move, and to move

———————— 〇VL ,, 804_N-1, '..., L, _M, 802-Nl, 804 N_1, distributed in multiple inductive components (eg, transmission line), and also multiple The two variable container units 8〇4_1, 804 2, 804-N are distributed among a plurality of inductive components (for example, transmission lines) 1, wherein the first varactor units 8〇2_1, 802__2, 8〇2_N and the second varactor Units 8〇4_j, 804=2, 804_N are arranged in a differential topology. Specifically, the first node m of the first varactor unit rib 2 802-2, ..., 802-n], 802_N is coupled to the second pressure VA, and the first varactor unit 8 〇 2 〇 8 〇 2 2., 8, 〇2-N ^, 804_2, pressure VC VB_2, VB_2, 802_2, 804 1, the second node N2 of the L 1 8〇2_N is respectively coupled to the plurality of second voltages vb VB 2.···, VB_N], VB—N; for the second varactor unit: ...... 804: Ν·1, 804—N 'The first node N1 is coupled to the third power and the second node is coupled respectively To the aforementioned second voltage, ... VB_N 1 . Similarly, the second voltage vb 1 , VB_N 1 VB-N has at least two different voltages. In addition to relying on actual design requirements, the number of the first varactors single 802_1, ... 802_N-1, 802-N and the equivalent second varactor units 804-2..., 804-N-1, 8〇4_N, And the number of inductive groups...L_M, L-1,,.., L'-M can be adjusted. In an implementation, the first voltage VA and the third voltage vc are control voltages, configured to adjust the first varactor unit 8 〇 2, 2, 201106621 802_N-1, 802_N, and the second varactor unit Capacitance values of Xie, Gang-2, 804_N-1, 804_N; second voltages vBj, vb-2, ..., VB_N-1, VB_N as reference voltages (eg, each of a plurality of reference voltages) Both have a fixed voltage level). In another implementation, the first voltage ¥8 and the third voltage VC are used as reference voltages (eg, each of the plurality of reference voltages has a fixed voltage level), and the second voltages VBj, VB-2, VB_N-1, VB_N are control voltages, and are configured to adjust the first varactor unit 802-1, 802-2, ..., 802-N-1, 802_N and the second varactor unit 804-1, 804-2. Capacitive values of ..., 804__Ν·1, 804_n. It should be noted that the aforementioned differential topology has many benefits/advantages. For example, the insertion loss of the first voltage VA (inserti〇n 1 〇 ss) is also linear with the insertion loss of the third voltage VC; in addition, the bypass capacitor Cbypass used in the single-ended topology can be omitted. At least one of the above exemplary load devices can be used on an application device that requires a load having an adjustable electric valley value. For example, a phase shifter using one or more of the above example load devices can have a linearized phase-tuning curve. Taking a phase shifter as an example, some example phaser designs can be provided as follows for illustration. Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a phase shifter in accordance with the present invention. The phase shifter 900 includes a phase shifter core 902 and a plurality of load devices 904 - 1 '···, 9〇4_n. The present invention does not focus on the design of the phase shifter core 〇2. The phase shifter core 902 can thus be implemented using any suitable configuration. For example, where phase shifter 900 is a reflective phase shifter, phase shifter core 902 can be implemented using a quadrature coupler (also known as a 90 degree hybrid coupler). Such as

15 201106621 As shown in FIG. 9, the phase shifter core 902 includes an input 埠P_IN for receiving the input signal S_IN, an output 埠P_OUT for outputting the output signal S_OUT, and a plurality of connections 埠P_1, . . . , P_N, wherein Based on the actual design requirements of the phase shifter core 902, the number N of connections is an integer equal to or greater than two. A plurality of load devices 904_1, ..., 904_N are coupled to a plurality of ports 埠 PJ, ..., p_N, respectively. Each of the plurality of load devices 904_1, . . . , 904_N is implemented using an example load device as shown in FIG. Therefore, the load device 904_1 includes a plurality of varactor units 906_1, 906_2, . . . , 906_L, and the plurality of varactor units 906_1, 906_2, . . . , 906_L have a first node coupled to the first voltage VA_1 and a second node coupled to the plurality of second voltages VB_1, VB_2, . . . , VB_L, respectively; in addition, the load device 904_N includes a plurality of varactor units 908_1, 908_2, . . . , 908_K, a plurality of varactor units 908_1, 908_2, . . . , 908_K have a first node coupled to the first voltage VA_N, and a second node coupled to the second voltages VB'_1, VB'-2, ..., VB'_K, respectively. Details and alternative designs directly related to the load device shown in Fig. 9 have been described in the above paragraphs, and will not be described again here for brevity. It should be noted that where each of the plurality of load devices 904_1, . . . , 904_N is arranged in a single-ended topology to meet single-ended design requirements, multiple bypass capacitors may be included, and multiple Each of the pass capacitors is coupled between the AC ground and a corresponding second voltage of the plurality of second voltages VB_1, VB_2, . . . , VB_L, . . . , VB'_1, VB'_2, . . . , VB'_K. One skilled in the art can easily understand the single-ended configuration of each of the load devices 16 201106621 904_1, ..., 904_N after reading the above paragraphs directly related to the example load device 400 shown in FIG. For the sake of reference, we will not repeat them here. Figure 10 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a phase shifter in accordance with the present invention. The phase shifter 1000 includes a phase shifter core 1002 and a plurality of load devices 1004_1, ..., 1004_N. Similarly, because the present invention is not focused on the design of phase shifter core 1002, phase shifter core 1002 can be implemented using any suitable configuration, such as a quadrature coupler (also known as a 90 degree hybrid coupler). The phase shifter core 1002 includes an input 埠P_IN for receiving the input signal S_IN, an output 埠P_OUT for outputting the output signal S_OUT, and a plurality of connections 埠P_1, . . . , P_N, wherein the actual phase based on the phase shifter core 1002 Design requirements, the number N of connections 为 is an integer equal to or greater than 2. A plurality of load devices 1〇〇4_1, ..., 1004_N are respectively coupled to a plurality of ports _1 P_1, ..., P_N. Each of the load devices 1004_1, ..., 1004_N is implemented using the example load device as shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, the load device 1004_1 includes a plurality of inductive components L_1, ..., L_, and a plurality of varactor units 1006-1, 1006_2, ..., 1006_L-1, 1006_L, and the plurality of varactor units 1006_1, 1006_2, . . . . , 1006_L-1, 1006_L have a first node coupled to the first voltage VA_1 and a second node coupled to the second voltages VB_1, VB_2, . . . , VB_L, respectively; in addition, the load device 1004_N includes more Inductive components L'_l, ..., L'_K, and a plurality of varactor units 1008_1, 1008_2, ..., 1008JC-1, 1008JC, wherein the plurality of varactor units 1〇〇8_1, 1008_2, ..., 1008JC -1, 1008JC having a first node coupled to a first voltage VA_N and a second node coupled to a second voltage VB,_J, VB'_2, ..., VB'_K-1, VB'-K, respectively. E S 3 17 201106621 Details and alternative designs directly related to the configuration of the load device shown in Fig. 00 have been described in the above paragraphs, and will not be described again here for brevity. It should be noted that where each of the load devices 1004_1, . . . , 1004_N is arranged in a single-ended topology to meet single-ended design requirements, multiple bypass capacitors may be included, and each of the plurality of bypass capacitors One is coupled to the AC ground and a plurality of second voltages VB_1, VB_2, ..., VB_L-Bu VB_L, ..., VB'J, VB, _2, ..., VB, _K-1, VB, -K Corresponding to the second voltage between. One skilled in the art can easily understand the single-ended configuration of each of the plurality of load devices 1004_1, . . . , 1004_N after reading the above paragraph directly related to the example load device 600 shown in FIG. The description here is no longer carried out for the sake of brevity. As described above, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the load device can be configured as a differential topology in order to meet specific application requirements. Thus, in an alternative design, the load devices included in phase shifter 900, phase shifter 1000 can be replaced with each load device arranged in a differential topology. These also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. For example, for each of the load devices 904_1, . . . , 904_N arranged as a differential topology, a plurality of second voltages VB_1, VB-2, . . . , VB_L, . . . , VB, J, VB, _2 Each of ..., VB, _K can be used as a virtual ground in an example implementation; similarly, for each of the load devices 1〇〇4_1, ..., 1004_N arranged in a differential topology In one case, each of the plurality of second voltages VB_1, VB_2, ..., VB_L-1, VB_L, ..., VB, _1, VB, _2, ..., VB, _K-1, VB, _K Can be used as a virtual ground in an example implementation. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above paragraphs directly related to the example load device 7 第 shown in FIG. 7 and the example load device 800 at 18 201106621 in FIG. The components of each of the load devices 904-1, ..., 904-N and 1004-1, ..., 1004-N are arranged in a differential topology, which will not be described herein for brevity. In view of the above, a general concept of the invention for linearizing a phase adjustment curve of a phase shifter is to couple a first node of at least two varactors to a first voltage and a second of at least two varactors The node is coupled to a plurality of different second voltages, wherein in one implementation, the first voltage is a control voltage and the second voltage is a reference voltage, and in another implementation, the first voltage is a reference voltage and the second voltage is To control the voltage. In this way, the phase adjustment curve of the linearized phase shift || of the C-V curve of the varactor can be effectively linearized. Based on such observations, an alternative design of the phase shifter is accordingly proposed. Please refer to Fig. 11, which is a schematic view of a third embodiment of a phase shifter in accordance with the present invention. The phase shifter 1100 includes a phase shifter core 11〇2 and a plurality of load devices 1104J, ..., 1004_N. Similarly, the present invention is not concentrated on the 5 and § 10 of the phase shifter core ~ 1102 'so' the phase shifter core ιι 〇 2 can be implemented using any suitable configuration, such as a positive wire combiner (9) degree mixing light Device). The phase shifter core 1102 includes an input port 一P_IN' for receiving the input signal SJN and an output binding view for outputting the output signal 8-bride, and a plurality of linings p.., 〇, wherein Based on the phase shifter core: the actual ^ demand of the 1102 'the number of multiple (four) interfaces N is an equal integer.负载 1, ..., ΡΝ of the load device 1004 i χ τ ν. Negative wealth run _-Ν* other face to connect 璋 In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, change capacity 201106621

The node N1 is coupled to the second voltage voltage VB-1 of the voltage of the second node N2 of the first electric one N2, the first voltage VA of the VBN unit 1106_1 '..., 1106_N, and the varactor unit 11〇 6_1,..., respectively, the handle is connected to contain at least two different VB_1, ..., VB_N. For example, all of the plurality of seconds have voltages different from each other. In Fig. 11, each of the illustrated load devices has a varactor unit inside. Nonetheless, the load device shown in the 'n' diagram may be configured to include more than one varactor that is between the first and second voltages. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an alternative design of the negative phase of the example phase shifter 1100 shown in Figure 11 (10) comprising a plurality of varactor units: a single two 1? and a varactor unit 1208 and a An inductive component (eg, a transmission line) L, between the inductive component (eg, transmission line) L_unit crane and the varactor unit 12G8. Each of the / can be seen from the 帛12 diagram has the face-to-point m of the first-voltage μ, and the coupling to the second voltage should be noted, based on a picture as shown in Fig. 12: Please ask. Any variation/modification of the unloaded load device 1204 that is not in the garden, (iv) follows the spirit of the present invention. For example, with load = 1204 as the basic unit, it can be very convenient, and the unit is also loaded with the load device with two varactors = 兀 (four) more than two varactors - the first voltage Between VA and the second voltage VB. * J〇" - It should be noted that the mothers of 1104J, ..., 11〇4 N are placed in multiple loads at the f-end (four)-, and a bypass capacitor can be included in the case. Next, each of the multiple bypass capacitors 20 201106621 is coupled between the AC ground and the corresponding second power of the second voltage VB—丨, .., and VB_N. Those skilled in the art can readily understand a plurality of load devices (10) after the above paragraphs directly related to the example load device 400 shown in FIG. 4 and the example load device 6 shown in FIG. The single-ended configuration of each of i, ..., 1104_Ν, for the sake of brevity: no further details are provided here. Progressively, the load device can also be configured as a differential topology to meet the needs of a particular application, such as a differential phase shifter. Therefore, in the alternative phase shifter design, the load devices U04j, 11() 4_n included in the phase shifter 1100 can use the load device 1104, instead, the load devices 1104, -1, .., 1104, each of which is configured as a differential topology, that is, in the case where each of the load devices 11〇4_1, . . . , 1104_Ν is arranged in a differential topology, the second voltage VB-1, ... Each of νΒ 可以 can be used as a virtual ground for the example implementation of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the load device 1104'_1 includes the varactor unit ι1 〇 6 ^ as shown in FIG. 11 and another varactor unit 1306_1, wherein the varactor point N1 of the varactor unit 11 〇 6 i and The first point N2 is lightly coupled to the first voltage VA and the second voltage VB_1, respectively, and the first node Ni and the second node N2 of the varactor unit 13〇6_ are respectively coupled to the third voltage VC and the second voltage VB. i; in addition, the load device 1104, -N comprises a varactor unit 1106 as shown in Fig. 11 and another varactor unit ΐ3〇6_Ν, wherein the first node 变1 of the varactor unit 1106 And the second node Ν2 is lightly connected to the first voltage VA and the second voltage VB_N, respectively, and the first 朗 point Ν1 of the varactor unit η〇6_Ν and the first lang point Ν2 are respectively connected to the third voltage and 21 201106621 second Voltage VB_N. In particular, in one implementation, the first voltage VA and the third voltage VC are configured as control voltages for adjusting capacitive values of the varactor units 1106_1, . . . , 1106_N, 1306_1, . . . , 1306_N, and second The voltages VB_1, . . . , VB_N are used as reference voltages (eg, each of the plurality of reference voltages has a fixed voltage level). In another implementation, the second voltages VB_1, . . . , VB_N are configured as control voltages for adjusting capacitance values of the plurality of varactor units 11〇6_1, . . . , 1106_N, 1306_1, . . . , 1306_N, and A voltage VA and a third voltage VC are used as reference voltages (eg, each of the plurality of reference voltages has a fixed voltage level). Further, if the results are substantially the same, additional components can be added to the example phase shifters 900, 1000, and 1100. For example, in each of the example phase shifters 900, 1000, and 1100, a capacitor having a large capacitive value can be inserted between the port and the corresponding load device. In one embodiment, the control voltage applied to the varactor unit can be generated from a digital to a analog-to-analog converter (DAC), and the digital to analog converter converts the digital control value to a desired control. Voltage. In an alternative design, direct digital control of the control voltage can be used. The load device 400 as shown in Fig. 4 is taken as an example. In the case where the first voltage is used as the reference voltage for all the varactor units, each of the second voltages VB_1, VB_2, . . . , VB_N is used as the control voltage for the corresponding varactor unit, and each control voltage is The digital control is a first voltage level (eg, VDD) having a corresponding logic high value of "1" or a second voltage level (eg, GND) corresponding to a logic low value of "0". In other words, each of the plurality of varactors 22 201106621 elements is controlled to have the largest capacitive value or the smallest capacitive value. In this way, the desired capacitive value of the load device can be set using appropriate control of the control voltage. More specifically, the total number of varactor units implemented depends on the desired capacitance resolution and range. It should be noted that the aforementioned digital control scheme for control voltage is applicable to each of the above-described example multiple load devices. In each of the example phase shifters 900, 1000, and 1100 described above, phaser cores 902, 1002, and 1102 are required components, however, this in no way implies any phase shifting of an example load device having implementations of the present invention. The device should contain a phase shifter core, such as a quadrature coupler. Figure 14 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of a phase shifter in accordance with the present invention. The phase shifter 1400 includes a load device 700 as shown in FIG. 7, and the phase shifter 1400 is configured to generate a differential output signal at the differential output port 404 according to the differential input signal, and the differential output signals include S_OUT+ and S_OUT. -, and the differential input signal received at the differential input 埠 1402 includes S_IN+ and S_IN-. It should be noted that no phase shifter core is used in phase shifter 1400. By way of example, but not limited to, the core functionality of phase shifter 1400 is only implemented using load device 700, while load device 700 is configured to use a differential topology. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the first node N1 of the first varactor unit 702_1 and the first node N1 of the second varactor unit 7〇6_1 are respectively coupled to the first input terminal P_IN+ of the differential input port 1402 and The second input terminal P_IN-, and the first node N1 of the first varactor unit 7〇4_J and the first node N1 of the second varactor unit 708_J are respectively coupled to the first output terminal P-OUT+ of the differential output 埠1404 And a second output terminal P_OUT-. 23 201106621 Figure 15 is a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of a phase shifter in accordance with the present invention. The phase shifter 1500 includes a load device 800 as shown in FIG. 8, and the phase shifter 1500 is configured to generate a differential output signal including S__OUT+ and S_OUT- at a differential output 埠1504 according to a differential input signal. The differential input signal is a differential input signal including S_IN+ and S_IN- received at the differential input 埠1502. It should be noted that no phase shifter core is used in phase shifter 1500. For example, the core function of the phase shifter 1500 is only implemented by using the load device 800. Therefore, as can be seen from FIG. 15, the first node N1 of the first varactor unit 802_1 and the first node N1 of the second varactor unit 804_1 are respectively coupled to the first input terminal Ρ_ΙΝ+ of the differential input port 1502 and a second input terminal P_IN-, and the first node N1 of the first varactor unit 802_N and the first node N1 of the second varactor unit 804_N are respectively coupled to the first output terminal P_OUT+ and the second output of the differential output port 1504 End P_OUT-. Further, if the results are substantially the same, then additional components (e.g., capacitors having large capacitive values) are allowed to be inserted between the example phase shifters 700 and 800 and the differential inputs 埠 1402 and 1502; similarly, additional Components (eg, capacitors having large capacitive values) are allowed to be inserted between the example phase shifters 700 and 800 and the differential output ports 1404 and 1504. It is noted that the number of circuit components included in each of the above-described example load devices and phase shifters of the present invention is merely illustrative of the present invention. For example, the number of varactor units of one exemplary load device in one illustration of the present invention does not imply that another example load device in another illustration of the present invention would require the same or different number of varactor units. 24 of the inventions of the present invention, the fourth embodiment of the inductive component of the exemplary load device, the other example load device = the same or a different number of inductive components; and the present invention Figure = the number of load devices of an example phase shifter, which in no way implies that it is not difficult in the present invention, and another example of phase shifting 11 requires the implementation of the same or a human $5 load device. In short, based on the actual design requirements, the number of circuit details of the above example 贞 remaining and phase shifting n-bands can be adjusted. Anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatus and method of the present invention may be modified and retouched by the present invention. Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting the invention, and the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims. [Simple description of the drawing] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional reflective phase shifter. Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a non-linear c_v curve of a varactor according to the prior art. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a load device in accordance with the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a load device in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of a load device in accordance with the present invention.

25 201106621 Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of a load device in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing a fifth embodiment of the load skirt according to the present invention. Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing a sixth embodiment of the load device according to the present invention. Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a phase shifter in accordance with the present invention. Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a phase shifter in accordance with the present invention. Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a phase shifter in accordance with the present invention. Figure 12 is an alternative design of the load device used in the example phase shifter shown in Figure 11. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of an example implementation of a load device configured as a differential topology (t〇p〇l〇gy). Figure 14 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of a phase shifter in accordance with the present invention. Figure 15 is a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of a phase shifter in accordance with the present invention. [Main component symbol description] 100~ phase shifter; 102~ quadrature coupler; 104A, 104B~ load device; S JN~ input signal; S_0UT~ output signal; P1~ input 埠; P2~ straight through; 26 201106621 P3 ~ coupling 埠; P4 ~ isolation 埠;

Cl~ variable container;

Cbypass~bypass capacitor; L~ inductive component, transmission line; 300~ load device; 302_1, 302_2, ..., 302_N~varactor unit; N1~first node; N2~second node; VA~first voltage; VB_1, VB_2, VB_N~ second point pressure;

Vctrl~ control voltage;

Vref~reference voltage; 400~ load device; 402_1, 402_2, ..., 402_1~ varactor unit; VB_1, VB_2, ..., VB_I, VB, _1, VB, _2, ..., VB, _J ~ second voltage; 4〇4_1, 404_2, ..., 404_J~ varactor unit; 500~ load device; L_1, ..., L_M~ inductive component; 502_1, 502_2, ..., 502_N-1, 502_N~ varactor unit;

Nl, N2'~ node; 600~ load device; 602_1, 602_2, ..., 602_N-1, 602_N~ varactor unit; 27 201106621 700~ load device; 702_b 702_2, ...' 702_I, 704J, 704_2,... 704_J 〜 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 802J, 802_2, ..., 802_N-b 802_N~ first varactor unit; 804_1, 804_2, ..., 804_N-1, 804-N~ second varactor unit; L'_l, ..., L'_M~ inductive component 900~ phase shifter; 902~ phase shifter core; S_IN~ input signal, P_IN~ input 璋; S_OUT~ output signal; P_1, ..., P_N~ connection 埠; P_OUT~ output 埠; 904_1~ load device; 906J, 906_2, ..., 906_L, 908_b 908_2, ..., 908-K ~ varactor unit; VA_1, VA_N~ first voltage; VB' l, VB'_2, ..., VB'_K ~ second voltage ; 1000~ phase shifter; 28 201106621 1002~ phase shifter core; 1004_1,...,1004_N~loading device; 1 006-1, 1006_2, ..., 1006JL-1, 1006_L, 1008_1, 1008_2, ..., 1008_K-1, 1008_K~ varactor unit; 1100~ phase shifter; 1102~ phase shifter core; 1104_1,...,1104_Ν ~ load device; 1106_1, ..., 1106_Ν~ variable container unit; 1204~ load device; 1206, 1208~ varactor unit; 1104'_1, ..., 1104'_Ν~ load device; 1306J, 1306_Ν~ variable container unit; 1400~ phase shifter; 1402~ differential input 埠; 1404~ differential output 埠; S_OUT+, S_OUT-~ differential output signal; S_IN+, S_IN-~ differential input signal; 1500~ phase shifter; 1502~ differential Input 埠; 1504~ differential output 埠.

29

Claims (1)

201106621 VII. Patent application scope · L A phase shifter, including ···transmission: phase=two input ports, for receiving-input signals, multiple negative-one output signals, and multiple ports; and devices At least, = containing a lion to the plurality of ports, the plurality of loads - having:: early 70 'the plurality of first-varactor units each of the units of a second node, the plurality of - the first node in the varactor is consumed by a corresponding connection squeezing; ί: the first section of the mutated container unit is connected to the - first electrical second voltage, the plurality of second electrical components (four) to more than Check 13 at least two different voltages. Voltage = such as 1 Please move the phase shifter described in item 1 of the patent range, straight, let the first, be the control voltage, and f be the first capacitive value of 弋5 hai, the first varactor of m3 The cell value and the plurality of second voltages are reference voltages. 3. The phase-shifting cryo-electricity® as described in claim 1 of the claim patent is - reference voltage, and the plurality of:; two f, the first - is used to adjust the voltage of the $ flute Control the voltage and configure the capacitance value of the first varactor unit in the first day. 30 201106621 ·.- r堉The scope of the search for the third electric house is set to at least one digit and has = phase shifter 'its order, the control power is repeatedly leveled, or has the opposite side - the logic high value - the first - μ, a second voltage level of the low value. 5. The phase shifter of at least one of the load devices of the first application of the patent application, wherein the plurality of at least one inductive component is lightly connected between two one nodes, the two specific ―Time = in the variable container unit of the first variator unit. The present-age unit is included in the plurality of first 6's, as taught in the fifth item of the patent application scope, at least one of the plurality of inductive objects, wherein the plurality of 7 at least-inductive components, the plurality of inductive components === and the node of the plurality of inductive components has at least one of two node units coupled to the plurality of first variable volumes 7' as claimed in the patent scope! At least one of the load units further includes: ° 'where, the plurality of second varactor units, the plurality of first ... having a - node and a second node, complex;.,: Each unit of the unit 70 and the plurality of second varactor units are arranged as one: the first node of the first varactor, the first node of the second varactor unit, and the second node of the plurality of varactor units Separately _to the pressure 'the second s S 31 201106621 8 · A phase shifter comprising: - a phase shifter core having an on-output 埠 'for outputting a round-out: number to receive-input signal Each of the devices includes at least _th:; two connection itch's the plurality of load singles having - the first node. As early as possible, the at least one variable container element; the second node of the second node _:::: even = the first I of the first varactor single unit, the second node of the plurality of ninth variable containers _ at most press the = first varactor unit at least two different voltages.坚's 苐 苐 电压 包含 包含 包含 包含 包含 包含 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压 电压The phase shifter according to the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the first voltage is the reference voltage m, and the first one of the plurality of first varactor units is configured to be used for power generation. The phase shifter 'where the control is a level having a corresponding logic high value or a second voltage level corresponding to a logic low value. 32 201106621 , called W Wing Wai The phase shifter according to Item 8, wherein at least one of the load devices includes a plurality of modulating unit 2: each of the individual units has a first node and a varietal container unit Each of the first node and the second = first variable voltage P... is coupled to the less-in-one step comprising at least _ inductive components, and is included in the plurality of varactor units Two special: ^ between the first node of the unit. Brancher! Gong & such as the scope of patent application 帛 8 items The phase shifter, wherein each of the load devices further comprises: a mid-day and a second varactor unit having a first node arranged to: rush the second varactor unit and the first change The second unit of the second unit of the container unit:=the second node of the device: is lightly connected to the plurality of t (t) two variable container units M. A load device comprising: a plurality of first varactor n units, The multi-node-node and a second node: the parent-child has a node_connected-to-electrode, the plurality of;:;: the first of the varactor unit is coupled to the plurality a second voltage, which has two different voltages of the second node; and/or, the plurality of second voltages includes at least 33 I S1 201106621 two #0 j 11 components, secret in the plurality of - the search for the variable capacity unit - between the first node of the variable container unit. -=:Γ:, the load device described in item 14, comprising a plurality of pieces;, 'and pieces, the plurality of An inductive component includes the at least one inductive group of plurality: the first one of the first inductive components has two nodes, the unit Each of the points - pure (four) multiple first variable first ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ The benefit value, and the plurality of second voltages are reference voltages. 17. The load splitting as described in claim 14 of the patent scope, which is now a b voltage, a reference voltage, and the plurality of second voltages are control voltages The Ϊ is used for the capacitor value of the plurality of (four) units. Configuration 18. As described in claim 17, the negative (four) set two = system voltage is set to have a corresponding logic height: Level--voltage level, or with a corresponding logic low value - second voltage 34 201106621 π 堉 堉 范围 第 第 载 载 载 载 载 载 第一 第一 第一 第一 第一 第一 第一 第一 第一 第一 , , , , , The node and the second node ... change w early - each of the first - node lightly connected - the first :;: Ray $ ό 11 - the variable container unit ... c voltage, the plurality of second variable 5 | single Open Xichu - that is, the point cutter is coupled to the plurality of second voltages; the & ° early 兀 - two: Connected between the first node of the plurality of second varactor units and the first node of the valley state; the Yuanan transformer container unit and the plurality of second varactors single phase shifting The negative «set, applied to an out-phase shifter according to the differential input signal in the - differential output 汛 input 汛, the differential input signal is connected to a plurality of first one on a differential input The first node of one of the variable container units and the first node of the one of the unit units are respectively coupled to the phase shift, and the differential input is the first to the input end and the a second input end, the first node of the other one of the two different devices, and the first node of the plurality of second variable early 7L are respectively pure to the differential output of the phase shifter One of the first output and one second output. 21. A load device as described in claim 14 of the patent application, applied to a phase shifter. Eight, the pattern: 35