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EP-4084345-B1 - WIRELESS SIGNAL PROCESSING CIRCUIT AND WIRELESS DEVICE

EP4084345B1EP 4084345 B1EP4084345 B1EP 4084345B1EP-4084345-B1

Inventors

  • SHIMURA, TOSHIHIRO

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20220131

Claims (7)

  1. A wireless signal processing circuit (20) comprising: a phase rotation section (400) configured to rotate a phase of a transmission signal (ST1 to ST4) by 90°; a plurality of phase switchers (410a, 410b) provided on each of a plurality of paths along which an in-phase signal is distributed and each of a plurality of paths along which a quadrature signal is distributed, the in-phase signal being in phase with the transmission signal (ST1 to ST4) and the quadrature signal being rotated 90° by the phase rotation section (400) in phase from the transmission signal (ST1 to ST4), each phase switcher (410a, 410b) being configured to switch a phase rotation amount of the one of the in-phase signal and the quadrature signal that is distributed along the corresponding path selectively to 0° or 180° in accordance with a transmission direction of the transmission signal (ST1 to ST4), and the phase switcher rotating the phase of the signal; a plurality of variable amplifiers (420a, 420b) provided in respective correspondence with the plurality of phase switchers (410a, 410b), each variable amplifier (420a, 420b) being configured to alter an amplitude of one of an input signal or an output signal of the corresponding phase switcher (410a, 410b) in accordance with the transmission direction of the transmission signal (ST1 to ST4); a plurality of mixers (500a, 500b) provided in respective correspondence with the plurality of phase switchers (410a, 410b) and the plurality of variable amplifiers (420a, 420b), each mixer (500a, 500b) being configured to up-convert a frequency of the signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410a, 410b) and variable amplifier (420a, 420b); and a combination section (60) configured to combine output from the plurality of mixers (500a, 500b), corresponding to different ones of the plurality of paths along which the in-phase signal or the quadrature signal is distributed, and output a common signal, wherein: the wireless signal processing circuit (20) is configured to receive a plurality of transmission signals (ST1 to ST4) with mutually different transmission destinations; and the phase rotation section (400), the plurality of phase switchers (410a, 410b), the plurality of variable amplifiers (420a, 420b) and the plurality of mixers (500a, 500b) are respectively provided for each of the transmission signals (ST1 to ST4).
  2. The wireless signal processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mixers comprises: a first mixer (500a) configured to use a first local signal (LO-I) to up-convert the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410a) and variable amplifier (420a); a second mixer (500b) configured to use the first local signal (LO-I) to up-convert the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410b) and variable amplifier (420b); a third mixer (500c) configured to use a second local signal (LO-Q) to up-convert the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410c) and variable amplifier (420c), the second local signal (LO-Q) being rotated 90° in phase relative to the first local signal (LO-I); and a fourth mixer (500d) configured to use the second local signal (LO-Q) to up-convert the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410d) and variable amplifier (420d).
  3. The wireless signal processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mixers includes: a first mixer (500a) configured to use a normal phase signal (LO-I-P) of a first local signal to up-convert the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), the first local signal being a differential signal, and a second mixer (500c) configured to use an antiphase signal (LO-I-M) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420); a third mixer (500b) configured to use the normal phase signal (LO-I-P) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), and a fourth mixer (500d) configured to use the antiphase signal (LO-I-M) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420); a fifth mixer (500e) configured to use a normal phase signal (LO-Q-P) of a second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), the second local signal being a differential signal that is rotated 90° in phase relative to the first local signal, and a sixth mixer (500g) configured to use an antiphase signal (LO-Q-M) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420); and a seventh mixer (500f) configured to use the normal phase signal (LO-Q-P) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), and an eighth mixer (500h) configured to use the antiphase signal (LO-Q-M) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420).
  4. The wireless signal processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mixers includes: a first mixer (500a) configured to use a normal phase signal of a first local signal to up-convert the frequency of a normal phase signal (LO-I-P) of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), the in-phase signal being a differential signal and the first local signal being a differential signal, and a second mixer (500g) configured to use an antiphase signal (LO-Q-M) of a second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the normal phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), the second local signal being a differential signal that is rotated 90° in phase relative to the first local signal; a third mixer (500c) configured to use an antiphase signal (LO-I-M) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of an antiphase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), and a fourth mixer (500e) configured to use a normal phase signal (LO-Q-P) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the antiphase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420); a fifth mixer (500b) configured to use the normal phase signal (LO-I-P) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of a normal phase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), the quadrature signal being a differential signal, and a sixth mixer (500f) configured to use the normal phase signal (LO-Q-P) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the normal phase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420); and a seventh mixer (500d) configured to use the antiphase signal (LO-I-M) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of an antiphase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), and an eighth mixer (500h) configured to use the antiphase signal (LO-Q-M) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the antiphase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420).
  5. The wireless signal processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mixers includes: a first mixer (500a) configured to use a normal phase signal (LO-I-P) of a first local signal to up-convert the frequency of a normal phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), the in-phase signal being a differential signal and the first local signal being a differential signal, a second mixer (500e) configured to use an antiphase signal (LO-I-M) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of the normal phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), a third mixer (500i) configured to use a normal phase signal (LO-Q-P) of a second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the normal phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), the second local signal being a differential signal that is rotated 90° in phase relative to the first local signal, and a fourth mixer (500m) configured to use an antiphase signal (LO-Q-M) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the normal phase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420); a fifth mixer (500b) configured to use the normal phase signal (LO-I-P) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of an antiphase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), a sixth mixer (500f) configured to use the antiphase signal (LO-I-M) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of the antiphase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), a seventh mixer (500j) configured to use the normal phase signal (LO-Q-P) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the antiphase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), and an eighth mixer (500n) configured to use the antiphase signal (LO-Q-M) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the antiphase signal of the in-phase signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420); a ninth mixer (500c) configured to use the normal phase signal (LO-I-P) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of a normal phase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), the quadrature signal being a differential signal, a tenth mixer (500g) configured to use the antiphase signal (LO-I-M) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of the normal phase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), an eleventh mixer (500k) configured to use the normal phase signal (LO-Q-P) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the normal phase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), and a twelfth mixer (500o) configured to use the antiphase signal (LO-Q-M) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the normal phase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420); and a thirteenth mixer (500d) configured to use the normal phase signal (LO-I-P) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of an antiphase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), a fourteenth mixer (500h) configured to use the antiphase signal (LO-I-M) of the first local signal to up-convert the frequency of the antiphase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), a fifteenth mixer (500l) configured to use the normal phase signal (LO-Q-P) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the antiphase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420), and a sixteenth mixer (500p) configured to use the antiphase signal (LO-Q-M) of the second local signal to up-convert the frequency of the antiphase signal of the quadrature signal processed by the corresponding phase switcher (410) and variable amplifier (420).
  6. The wireless signal processing circuit according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wireless signal processing circuit (20) is configured to receive signals, and when signals are received: each of the plurality of mixers (500a, 500b) is operable to down-convert a frequency of an input signal combining plurality of reception signals; each of the plurality of phase switchers (410a, 410b) is operable to switch a phase rotation amount of the signal whose frequency has been down-converted by the corresponding mixer (500a, 500b) selectively in accordance with an arrival direction of the reception signal, and rotate the phase of the signal; and each of the plurality of variable amplifiers (420a, 420b) provided in respective correspondence with the plurality of phase switchers (410a, 410b) is operable to alter an amplitude of one of an input signal or an output signal of the corresponding phase switcher (410a, 410b) in accordance with the arrival direction of the reception signal.
  7. A wireless device (10) comprising a plurality of antenna elements (AN) and a plurality of wireless signal processing circuits (20) each being the wireless signal processing circuit (20) according to any of claims 1 to 6, the plurality of wireless signal processing circuits (20) being provided in respective correspondence with the plurality of antenna elements (AN).

Description

FIELD The disclosed technology relates to a wireless signal processing circuit and a wireless device. BACKGROUND In recent years, beamforming has been implemented at wireless devices using high frequency bands (for example, microwaves and millimeter waves), which is a technology for multiplexing transmitted and received signals or for achieving higher accuracy of sensing (radar). The technologies described below are known as technologies relating to wireless devices that employ beamforming. For example, a wireless device is known that is provided with: a full digital array including a first antenna element group but not including an analog variable phase shifter; and a hybrid beam former including a second antenna element group and an analog variable phase shifter, in which the second antenna element group has plural antenna elements. A wireless relay device is known that is provided with a receiving antenna, a transmitting array antenna formed with plural antenna elements, a low noise amplifier (LNA), a noise rejection bandpass filter (BPF), a mixer, a local oscillator, a narrowband BPF, an amplifier, a controller, a wireless phase shifter, an image rejection BPF and a power amplifier (PA). An image rejection mixer is known that is provided with a distributor that distributes an RF signal along two paths in phase, a distributor that distributes a local signal along two paths with a phase difference of 90°, and first and second mixers that mix the respective distributed outputs of the distributors. This image rejection mixer includes a pair of resistance-capacitance circuits connected in series with outputs of the first and second mixers, negative resistances connected to connection points between the respective resistances and capacitances, and an IF output terminal that suppresses image signals at one of the negative resistances. An EHF wireless communication receiver, comprising a phased array radio arranged for receiving a beam of signals in a predetermined frequency band, is known from Patent Document 4. The phased array radio comprises a plurality of antenna paths, each arranged for handling one of the incoming signals and forming a differential I/Q output signal, each antenna path comprising a downconversion part and a phase shifting part for applying a controllable phase shift. Signal combination circuitry is connected to the antenna paths and is arranged for combining the differential I/Q output signals. Control circuitry is connected to the phase shifting parts of the antenna paths and is arranged for controlling the controllable phase shift. In each antenna path, the phase shifting part is a baseband part downstream from the downconversion part and the phase shifting part comprises a set of variable gain amplifiers arranged for applying controllable gains to the respective downconverted incoming signals in the I/Q branches. The control circuitry sets the controllable gains of the variable gain amplifiers to coefficients of a rotational matrix. A phased array antenna radio communication apparatus including a plurality of antennas is known from Patent Dcoument 5. Local signal phase shifters are used to control phases of local signals to be input to quadrature modulators, and baseband signal phase shifters are used to control phases of baseband signals to be input to the quadrature modulators. The radiation direction of local leak signals to be sent from transmission antennas can be controlled by the local signal phase shifters, and the radiation direction of the transmission signals can be controlled by both the local signal phase shifters and the baseband signal phase shifters. A beam forming device disclosed in Patent Document 6 includes a plurality of control circuits and a plurality of antenna elements. Each of the plurality of control circuits controls at least either phases or amplitudes of a plurality of input signals to generate a transmission signal. Each of the plurality of antenna elements outputs the transmission signal generated by a corresponding control circuit. A frequency range of the transmission signal generated by each of the control circuits is higher than frequency ranges of the input signals. Related Patent Documents Patent Document 1: International Patent Publication No. 2017/135389Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2003-332953Patent Document 3: JP-A No. H5-191153Patent Document 4: US2012/121043A1Patent Document 5: US2012/280891A1Patent Document 6: EP3764563A1 SUMMARY It is desirable to suppress signal losses in a wireless device that conducts beamforming while suppressing an increase in circuit size (areas occupied by circuitry). The present invention is defined in claims 1 and 7, to which reference should now be made. A wireless signal processing circuit embodying the invention includes plural phase switchers, plural variable amplifiers and plural mixers. The plural phase switchers are provided on each of plural paths along which an in-phas