Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6788164
-
Patent Number
6,788,164
-
Date Filed
Friday, August 2, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 7, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Tokar; Michael
- Nguyen; Khai
Agents
- McDermott Will & Emery LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 333 25
- 333 26
- 333 202
- 333 204
- 333 219
- 174 255
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The present invention comprises baluns 2a, 2b which convert balanced line signals and unbalanced line signals mutually, and filters 3a, 3b which are electrically connected to the baluns 2a, 2b and pass or attenuate the predetermined frequency bands. Electrode layers 15a-22a, 25a, 41, 42, 43 which compose the electrode patterns of the baluns 2a, 2b and the filters 3a, 3b, and the dielectric layers 30-39 are integrally stacked.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to complex high frequency components used in wireless circuits such as cellular phone terminals and also to communication devices using these components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cellular phone terminals have been rapidly being downsized with their increased performance. In order to achieve their downsizing, each high frequency component used in a wireless circuit has been being miniaturized.
Conventional high frequency components used in a wireless circuit include a balanced to unbalanced transducer (hereinafter referred to as the balun). The balun is a device with the function of converting unbalanced line signals into balanced line signals, and vice versa. An example of a structure of the balun will be described as follows.
FIG. 13
shows a chip trans as an example of the balun.
The chip trans has a multilayer structure of dielectric substrates
54
a
-
34
e
. The dielectric substrates
54
a
,
54
e
have shield electrode layers
56
,
70
, respectively, on one of their main surfaces. The dielectric substrate
54
b
has a connection electrode layer
60
on one of its main surfaces. The dielectric substrate
54
c
has a first strip line
62
on one of its main surfaces. The first strip line
62
is composed of first and second parts
64
a
,
64
b
which are coiled. The dielectric substrate
54
d
has second and third coiled strip lines
66
,
68
which are coiled on one of its main surfaces. The second and third strip lines
66
,
68
are electromagnetically coupled with the parts
64
a
,
64
b
, respectively, of the first strip line
62
.
As described above, conventional baluns composed of a chip trans as shown in
FIG. 13
have been being downsized. In addition, it has been being developed to downsize a filter with the function of selectively passing or attenuating the predetermined frequencies with respect to the high frequency signals to be supplied to or outputted to the balun.
However, the conventional balun and filter are mounted on different circuit substrates with each other, and this arrangement increases the number of components, thereby impeding cost reduction. This arrangement also makes it difficult not only to miniaturize a wireless circuit into which the balun and the filter are integrated but also to miniaturize a communication device like a cellular phone terminal into which the wireless circuit is integrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above situation, the present invention has an object of downsizing the high frequency component into which a balun and a filter are integrated, and thereby downsizing the communication device like a cellular phone terminal into which the high frequency component is integrated.
The other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be clarified below.
The present invention can be summarized as follows.
In order to solve the above-described problems, the complex high frequency components of the present invention each include a balun which mutually converts balanced line signals and unbalanced line signals, and a filter which is electrically connected to the balun and passes or attenuates the predetermined frequency bands. Such complex high frequency components of the present invention comprise an electrode layer and a dielectric layer which compose the electric patterns for the balun and the filter, and are integrally stacked.
Using these complex high frequency components can provide a communication device with a reduced size and excellent properties.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects as well as advantages of the invention will become clear by the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a block diagram showing a structure of the communication device in the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is an equivalent circuit diagram of the complex high frequency components in the first embodiment;
FIG. 3
is another equivalent circuit diagram of the complex high frequency components in the first embodiment;
FIG. 4
is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of the complex high frequency components in the first embodiment;
FIG. 5
is an exploded perspective view showing another structure of the complex high frequency components in the first embodiment;
FIG. 6
is an exploded perspective view showing further another structure of the complex high frequency components in the first embodiment;
FIG. 7
is a perspective view showing an example of the outer appearance of the complex high frequency components in the first embodiment;
FIG. 8
is a block diagram showing the structure of the transmitter-side wireless circuit unit in the communication device of the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the internal circuit structure of the second embodiment;
FIG. 10
is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of the complex high frequency components in the second embodiment;
FIG. 11A
is an equivalent circuit diagram showing another structure of the complex high frequency components in the second embodiment;
FIG. 11B
is an equivalent circuit diagram showing another structure of the complex high frequency components in the second embodiment;
FIG. 12A
is an exploded perspective view showing another structure of the complex high frequency components in the second embodiment;
FIG. 12B
is an exploded perspective diagram showing further another structure of the complex high frequency components in the second embodiment; and
FIG. 13
is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional balun.
In all these figures, like components are indicated by the same numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will be detailed as follows based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1
shows complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
of the first embodiment of the present invention and a communication device
4
using these components. The communication device
4
is a cellular phone terminal composed of a base band unit
5
, an oscillator
6
, a frequency converter
7
, the complex high frequency component
1
a
, a power amplifier
8
, an antenna duplexer
9
, an antenna
10
, a low-noise amplifier
11
, the complex high frequency component
1
b
, a frequency converter
12
, and a filter
13
.
The complex high frequency component
1
a
includes a filter
3
a
and a balun
2
a
, which are integrated with each other to form a stacked component. Similarly, the complex high frequency component
1
b
includes a filter
3
b
and a balun
2
b
, which are integrated with each other to form a stacked component.
The base band unit
5
modulates base band signals, outputs base band modulation signals at the time of transmission, and demodulates the modulated waves into base band signals at the time of reception.
The frequency converter
7
produces transmitting signals by frequency-converting base band modulation signals.
The balun
2
a
converts transmitting signals outputted as balanced line signals from the frequency converter
7
into unbalanced line signals.
The filter
3
a
reduces the unnecessary frequency bands in the transmitting signals converted into the unbalanced line signals at the balun
2
a.
The power amplifier
8
amplifies transmitting signals whose unnecessary frequency bands have been reduced at the balun
2
a.
The antenna duplexer
9
achieves separation between transmitting signals and receiving signals.
The antenna
10
transmits transmitting signals in the form of transmitting waves and receives receiving waves in the form of receiving signals.
The oscillator
6
oscillates the high-frequency signals used in the frequency converter
7
in order to frequency-convert modulation signals into transmitting signals at the time of transmission. The oscillator
6
, on the other hand, oscillates the high-frequency signals used in the frequency converter
12
in order to convert receiving signals into signals with the frequencies suitable to be outputted to the base band unit
5
at the time of reception.
The low-noise amplifier
11
amplifies receiving signals at low noise.
The filter
3
b
reduces the unnecessary frequency bands in the amplified receiving signals outputted from the low-noise amplifier
11
.
The balun
2
b
converts the amplified receiving signals outputted as unbalanced line signals from the filter
3
b
into balanced line signals.
The frequency converter
12
converts the balanced line signals outputted from the balun
2
b
into signals with the frequencies suitable to be outputted to the base band unit
5
.
The filter
13
reduces the unnecessary frequency bands in the signals frequency-converted at the frequency converter
12
.
Operations of the communication device
4
will be described as follows.
First, transmitting operations will be described. The base band unit
5
modulates base band signals which are audio signals entered through a microphone or the like and outputs modulation signals. The frequency converter
7
mixes the modulation signals modulated at the base band unit
5
with carrier wave signals entered from the oscillator
6
, thereby frequency-converting the modulation signals into transmitting signals.
The base band unit
5
, the frequency converter
7
, and the oscillator
6
function as a balanced line. Therefore, the transmitting signals outputted from the frequency converter
7
become balanced line signals. The balun
2
a
converts the transmitting signals outputted from the frequency converter
7
into unbalanced line signals. The filter
3
a
reduces the unnecessary frequency bands of the transmitting signals. The power amplifier
8
amplifies the output signals of the filter
3
a
and outputs them as transmitting signals. The antenna duplexer
9
guides the transmitting signals to the antenna
10
and makes the antenna
10
output them as transmitting waves.
The filter
3
a
, the power amplifier
8
, the antenna duplexer
9
, and the antenna
10
function as an unbalanced line.
The following is a description about receiving operations. The antenna
10
receives receiving waves. The antenna duplexer
9
guides the receiving signals received by the antenna
10
to the low-noise amplifier
11
on the reception side. The low-noise amplifier
11
amplifies the receiving signals. The filter
3
b
reduces signals having unnecessary frequency bands in the output signals of the low-noise amplifier
11
.
The antenna
10
, the antenna duplexer
9
, the low-noise amplifier
11
, and the filter
3
b
function as an unbalanced line. Therefore, the signals outputted from the filter
3
b
become unbalanced line signals. The balun
2
b
converts the signals outputted from the filter
3
b
into balanced line signals. The frequency converter
12
mixes the frequency-converting carrier waves supplied from the oscillator
6
with the signals outputted from the balun
2
b
, and converts them into frequency signals for the base band unit
5
. The filter
13
reduces the unnecessary frequency bands of the frequency-converted signals. The base band unit
5
demodulates the output signals of the filter
13
. The demodulated signals are outputted from a loudspeaker (not illustrated) or the like as voice. The oscillator
6
, the frequency converter
12
, the filter
13
, and the base band unit
5
function as a balanced line.
The complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
to be integrated into the communication device
4
will be described as follows.
FIG. 2
shows an equivalent circuit of the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
. In this equivalent circuit, the filters
3
a
,
3
b
are composed of an unbalanced terminal
14
, input/output coupling capacitors
15
,
17
, an inter-stage coupling capacitor
16
, and resonators
18
,
19
.
The baluns
2
a
,
2
b
are composed of a first transmission line
20
, a second transmission line
21
, a third transmission line electrode layer
22
, balanced terminals
23
,
24
, and a coupling capacitor
25
.
One of the edge electrodes of the input/output coupling capacitor
15
is connected to the unbalanced terminal
14
, and the other edge electrode of the input/output coupling capacitor
15
is connected to one of the edge electrodes of the inter-stage coupling capacitor
16
. The other edge electrode of the inter-stage coupling capacitor
16
is connected to one of the edge electrodes of the input/output coupling capacitor
17
. In this manner, the input/output coupling capacitor
15
, the inter-stage coupling capacitor
16
, and the input/output coupling capacitor
17
are connected in series to the unbalanced terminal
14
in that order.
The other edge electrode of the input/output coupling capacitor
15
and one edge electrode of the inter-stage coupling capacitor
16
are connected to the resonator
18
. The other edge electrode of the inter-stage coupling capacitor
15
and one edge electrode of the input/output coupling capacitor
17
are connected to the resonator
19
.
The other edge electrode of the input/output coupling capacitor
17
is connected to one end of the first transmission line
20
. The other end of the first transmission line
20
is connected to one of the edge electrodes of the coupling capacitor
25
. The other edge electrode of the coupling capacitor
25
is grounded.
The balanced terminal
23
is connected to one end of the second transmission line
21
, and the other end of the second transmission line
21
is grounded. The balanced terminal
24
is connected to one end of the third transmission line
22
, and the other end of the third transmission line
22
is grounded.
The filters
3
a
,
3
b
can be notch filters, low pass filters, or high pass filters. The baluns
2
a
,
2
b
can have a different circuit structure from the one described above.
The complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
do not have to have the coupling capacitor
25
;
FIG. 3
shows an equivalent circuit of such complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
without the coupling capacitor
25
. As apparent from
FIG. 3
the other end of the first transmission line
20
is open in the absence of the coupling capacitor
25
.
FIG. 4
shows an exploded perspective view of the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
. As shown in
FIG. 4
the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
comprise dielectric layers
30
-
39
and electrode layers
15
a
-
22
a
,
25
a
, and
41
-
43
sequentially arranged and stacked. The dielectric layers
30
-
39
have a rectangular shape of 3.2 mm×2.5 mm×1.3 mm and are made from a Bi—Ca—Nb—O series material with a relative permittivity ∈
r
of 58. The electrode layers
15
a
-
22
a
,
25
a
,
41
-
43
are made from a material mainly containing silver or copper, and are formed on the dielectric layers
30
-
39
by printing or other methods.
The multilayered structure composed of the dielectric layers
30
-
39
is a cube, and edge electrodes
44
,
45
,
14
a
,
23
a
,
24
a
, and
40
are formed on the sides of this cube.
The multilayered structure has a pair of opposed sides. The edge electrodes
44
,
45
are arranged respectively on a first pair of opposed sides, and are connected to an unillustrated grounding terminal. The edge electrodes
14
a
,
23
a
,
24
a
, and
40
are arranged on the second pair of opposed sides. To be more specific, the edge electrodes
14
a
,
24
a
are arranged on one side of the second pair of the opposed sides, whereas the edge electrodes
23
a
,
40
are arranged on the other side of the second pair of opposed sides.
First, second, and third shield electrode layers
41
,
42
, and
43
are formed on the top surfaces of the dielectric layers
30
,
34
, and
38
, respectively, and are connected to the edge electrodes
44
,
45
.
A second transmission line electrode layer
21
a
and a coupling capacitor electrode layer
25
a
are formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
31
. The second transmission line electrode layer
21
a
is connected at one end to the edge electrode
23
a
, and is also connected at the other end to the edge electrode
45
. The coupling capacitor electrode layer
25
a
is connected to the edge electrode
45
.
A first transmission line electrode layer
20
a
is formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
32
, and is connected at one end to the edge electrode
40
and is open at the other end.
A third transmission line electrode layer
22
a
is formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
33
, and is connected at one end to the edge electrode
24
a
and is connected at the other end to the edge electrode
45
.
The input/output coupling capacitor electrode layers
15
a
,
17
a
are formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
35
.
The input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
15
a
is connected at one end to the edge electrode
14
a
. The input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
17
a
is connected at one end to the edge electrode
40
.
Resonator electrode layers
18
a
,
19
a
are formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
36
, and are connected at one end to the edge electrode
44
.
An inter-stage coupling capacitor electrode layer
16
a
is formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
37
.
Next, operations of the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
will be described as follows.
The dielectric layers
35
-
37
area functions as the filter
3
a
or
3
b
shown in
FIG. 1
, that is, the edge electrode
14
a
functions as the unbalanced terminal
14
. The input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
15
a
connected to the edge electrode
14
a
functions as one of the capacity electrodes of the input/output coupling capacitor
15
. The input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
15
a
and the resonator electrode layer
18
a
are mutually capacitor coupled to form the input/output coupling capacitor
15
.
The resonator electrode layers
18
a
and
19
a
function as the resonators
18
and
19
, respectively, and are arranged close to each other on the dielectric layer
36
. Consequently, the resonator electrode layers
18
a
,
19
a
are electromagnetically coupled with each other.
The inter-stage coupling capacitor electrode layer
16
a
is capacitor coupled with each of the resonator electrode layers
18
a
and
19
a
to form the inter-stage coupling capacitor
16
. The input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
17
a
is capacitor coupled with the resonator electrode layer
19
a
to form the input/output coupling capacitor
17
.
In this manner, the dielectric layers
35
-
37
area functions as a two-stage band pass filter.
The dielectric layers
31
-
33
area functions as the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
of FIG.
1
. To be more specific, the first to third transmission line electrode layers
20
a
,
21
a
, and
22
a
function as the first-third transmission lines
20
,
21
, and
22
, respectively.
The edge electrode
23
a
connected to one end of the second transmission line electrode layer
21
a
functions as one balanced terminal
23
. The edge electrode
24
a
connected to one end of the third transmission line electrode layer
22
a
functions as the other balanced terminal
24
. The coupling capacitor electrode layer
25
a
is capacitor coupled with the other end of the first transmission line electrode layer
20
a
. As the result, the coupling capacitor
25
is formed. The second and third transmission line electrode layers
21
a
and
22
a
are electromagnetically coupled with the first transmission line electrode layer
20
a.
The second transmission line electrode layer
21
a
is formed on the dielectric layer
31
, and the third transmission line electrode layer
22
a
is formed on the dielectric layer
33
. The formation of the second and third transmission line electrode layers
21
a
,
22
a
on the different dielectric layers
31
,
33
provides the following advantage; it becomes possible to suppress unnecessary electromagnetic coupling between the second and third transmission line electrode layers
21
a
,
22
a
. As a result, the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
are prevented from property deterioration due to the unnecessary electromagnetic coupling.
In addition, the presence of the coupling capacitor electrode layer
25
A can provide one more capacitor whose capacitor value can be changed as desired. For the addition of the capacitor with this function, the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
can have increased design flexibility.
The resonator electrode layers
18
a
,
19
a
which are the main components of the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
are disposed separately, with the dielectric layers
34
,
35
therebetween, from the first-third transmission line electrode layers
20
a
-
22
a
which are the main components of the filters
3
a
,
3
b
. This arrangement suppresses unnecessary electromagnetic coupling between the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the filters
3
a
,
3
b
, thereby preventing the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the filters
3
a
,
3
b
from property degradation due to the unnecessary electromagnetic coupling. The effect of suppressing the unnecessary electromagnetic coupling becomes further effective by the provision of the shield electrode layer
42
on the dielectric layer
34
.
The edge electrode
40
connects the filters
3
a
,
3
b
with the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
by connecting the input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
17
a
and the first transmission line electrode layer
20
a
. In this manner, the filters
3
a
,
3
b
and the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
are connected to each other by the connection composer, the edge electrode
40
, which can be formed comparatively easily.
The dielectric layers
35
-
37
area is sandwiched between the third shield electrode layer
43
of the dielectric layer
38
and the second shield electrode layer
42
of the dielectric layer
34
.
The dielectric layers
31
-
33
area is sandwiched between the second shield electrode layer
42
of the dielectric layer
34
and the first shield electrode layer
41
of the dielectric layer
30
.
The complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
have the following advantage because the dielectric layers are sandwiched between the shield electrode layers; the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
can be free from external noise influence and electromagnetic coupling between the filters
3
a
,
3
b
and the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
. Consequently, the properties of the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
can be maintained without deterioration.
The complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
are produced by stacking the dielectric layers
30
-
39
and sintering together. As a result, the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
have a multilayered integral structure, thereby being downsized as compared with the case where the baluns and the filters are mounted on different circuit substrates.
Since the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
have the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the filters
3
a
,
3
b
thus integrated, the number of components in the wireless circuit can be reduced. Mounting the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
with these features on the communication device
4
can achieve miniaturization and cost reduction. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of components can increase the efficiency of producing operation of the communication device
4
.
Since the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
have the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the filters
3
a
,
3
b
which are integrated, the impedances between the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the filters
3
a
,
3
b
can be easily matched. To be more specific, the impedances can be easily matched by arbitrarily setting (differently from each other) the dielectric constant of the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
area in the dielectric layers
30
-
39
and the dielectric constant of the filters
3
a
,
3
b
area in the dielectric layers
30
-
39
.
This eliminates the use of a matching element to match the impedances, thereby further decreasing the number of components. Consequently, the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
can be further downsized.
In the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
, the dielectric layers
30
-
39
are used as the components of the capacitors which compose the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the filters
3
a
,
3
b
. This eliminates the need of the preparation of dielectric members to be the components of the capacitors and integrating them into the dielectric layers
30
-
39
. For this, the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
can be downsized.
In the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
, a connection between the dielectric layers
30
-
39
and a connection between the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the filters
3
a
,
3
b
are done by the edge electrodes
14
a
,
23
a
,
24
a
,
40
,
44
, and
45
formed on the sides of the multilayered structure composed of the dielectric layers
30
-
39
. Since the edge electrodes are connection composers to be formed comparatively easily, the structure required for the connections can be simplified, thereby reducing the production cost in the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
where the connections are performed by the edge electrodes.
The electric properties of the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the filters
3
a
,
3
b
can be easily adjusted by trimming the edge electrodes
14
a
,
23
a
,
24
a
,
40
, and the like.
The adjustment of the electric properties of the filters
3
a
,
3
b
in the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
are further facilitated as follows.
When mounted on a circuit substrate, the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
can be mounted while the dielectric layer
30
is arranged to face the circuit substrate. In this arrangement, the filters
3
a
,
3
b
are disposed at the farthest position from the circuit substrate, which minimizes the influence of other electric elements on the filters
3
a
,
3
b
. Under these conditions, trimming can be applied to the edge electrodes
14
a
,
23
a
,
24
a
, and
40
, the third shield electrode layer
43
and the like to further facilitate the adjustment of the electric properties of the filters
3
a
,
3
b.
The complex high frequency components of the present invention can be integrated not only into the communication device
4
as a cellular phone terminal but also into an automobile phone terminal, a PHS terminal, and a wireless base station for these terminals. In short, the present invention can be executed in any communication device having baluns and filters in a part of its circuit structure.
The dielectric layers
30
-
39
composing the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
could be different in size and material from the one described in the present embodiment . In other words, similar effects to those in the above embodiment could be obtained when the dielectric layers
30
-
39
are formed from a material having a different relative permittivity ∈
r
from the one in the above embodiment. In addition, the dielectric layers
30
-
39
can be different in size from those described in the above embodiment. The present invention does not require that all the dielectric layers
30
-
39
be made from the same material; it is possible that at least two of the layers are different from each other in the relative permittivity ∈
r
. The complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
having the dielectric layers
30
-
39
different in the relative permittivity ∈
r
can be produced by heterogeneous lamination technique.
As shown in
FIG. 5
the second transmission line electrode layer
21
a
and the third transmission line electrode layer
22
a
can be disposed on the dielectric layer
31
in the absence of the dielectric layer
33
. In contrast, as shown in
FIG. 6
the second transmission line electrode layer
21
a
and the third transmission line electrode layer
22
a
can be disposed on the dielectric layer
33
in the absence of the dielectric layer
31
.
When the second and third transmission line electrode layers
21
a
,
22
a
are formed on the same dielectric layer, the number of the dielectric layers which compose the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
can be reduced though the properties of the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
are slightly deteriorated due to the electromagnetic coupling between the second and third transmission line electrode layers
21
a
,
22
a
. This facilitates a reduction in the production cost and size of the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b.
The complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
further have the following advantage in mounting; the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
of the present embodiment can be mounted on the circuit substrate A while the filters
3
a
,
3
b
are made to face the circuit substrate A as shown in FIG.
4
. To be more specific, the outer surface of the dielectric layer
30
can be a mounting side with respect to the circuit substrate A.
In this arrangement, the grounding conditions can be strengthened. In this case, the second and third transmission lines electrode layers
21
a
and
22
a
can be formed either on the same dielectric layer or on different dielectric layers from each other.
In contrast, the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
can be mounted on the circuit substrate A while the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
are made to face the circuit substrate A. To be more specific, the outer surface of the dielectric layer
39
can be a mounting side with respect to the circuit substrate A.
As shown in
FIG. 7
, shield electrodes
50
,
51
can be provided on sides of the multilayered structure composed of the dielectric layers
30
-
39
. In this case, the shield electrode
50
is disposed on the side where the edge electrodes
14
a
,
24
a
are formed, whereas the shield electrode
51
is disposed on the side where the edge electrodes
23
a
,
40
are formed. In addition, the shield electrodes
50
,
51
are disposed between the edge electrodes (
14
a
,
24
a
) which are on the same side and between the edge electrodes (
23
a
,
40
) which are on the same side, respectively.
Of these two sets of edge electrodes (
14
a
,
24
a
) and (
23
a
,
40
) each formed on the same side, one set is connected to the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the other set is connected to the filters
3
a
,
3
b
. Therefore, it is preferable to provide electrical separation between the edge electrodes (
14
a
,
24
a
) disposed on the same side and between the edge electrodes (
23
a
,
40
) disposed on the same side in order to improve the properties of the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b.
In the structure shown in
FIG. 7
where the shield electrodes
50
,
51
are provided between the edge electrodes (
14
a
,
24
a
) formed on the same side and between the edge electrodes (
23
a
,
40
) formed on the same side, respectively. This arrangement secures the electric separation between the edge electrodes (
14
a
,
24
a
) and between the edge electrodes (
23
a
,
40
), thereby improving the properties of the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b.
In the structure shown in
FIG. 7
the width w1 of the edge electrodes
44
,
45
is smaller than the width w2 of the side of the multilayered structure (w1<w2). This can reduce the volume of the connecting member (solder, conductive adhesive agent, or the like) to be in contact with the edge electrodes
44
,
45
in mounting. As a result, the area required to mount one complex high frequency component on the circuit substrate A can be reduced, thereby downsizing the mounting structure of the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b.
Setting at w2<w2 has another advantage as follows. In the structure of the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
shown in
FIG. 7
, the edge electrodes
23
a
,
24
a
are sometimes drawn outwardly towards the edge electrode
44
. Such a drawing electrode pattern is provided on the substrate where the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
are mounted.
If the edge electrode
44
is formed throughout the length of the side of the multilayered structure, the drawing electrode pattern must once sidestep both ends of the edge electrode
44
and then be drawn towards the edge electrode
44
. However, this pattern structure makes the drawing electrode pattern length larger for the provision of the sidestepping pattern.
In contrast, in the structure shown in
FIG. 7
, the edge electrode
44
is formed on the side of the multilayered structure excluding both ends of the side. This structure enables the drawing electrode pattern to pass through both ends of the side having no edge electrode
44
thereon. As a result, the drawing electrode pattern can be drawn straight towards the edge electrode
44
without sidestepping both ends of the edge electrode
44
. In this pattern structure, the drawing electrode pattern length can be smaller because the sidestepping pattern becomes unnecessary.
In
FIG. 7
, one of the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the filters
3
a
,
3
b
can be connected to the edge electrodes
14
a
,
24
a
, and the other can be connected to the edge electrodes
23
a
,
40
. By doing so, the input/output terminals of the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the input/output terminals of the filters
3
a
,
3
b
can be separately arranged on the opposing sides of the multilayered structure. This secures the electric separation between the baluns
2
a
,
2
b
and the filters
3
a
,
3
b
, thereby improving the properties of the complex high frequency components.
It is also possible to provide connection between the dielectric layers
30
-
39
by using via electrodes, which are formed as follows. A through hole is formed in any of the dielectric layers
30
-
39
, and is filled with a conductive paste mainly composed of silver or copper. After this, the dielectric layers
30
-
39
are integrally sintered to form these via electrodes.
In general, forming via electrodes costs less than forming edge electrodes. Therefore via electrodes can be used to connect any of the dielectric layers
30
-
39
, thereby reducing the production cost.
The filters
3
a
,
3
b
could be notch filters, low pass filters, or high pass filters to have the same effects.
The complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
can be composed of another number of dielectric layers depending on the circuit structure.
In the complex high frequency components
1
a
,
1
b
, the dielectric layers
30
-
39
do not have to be integrally sintered as long as baluns and filters are integrally mounted on the same circuit substrate, instead of being mounted separately on different circuit substrates.
As described hereinbefore, in the present embodiment a wireless circuit using baluns and filters and a communication device such as a cellular phone terminal using the wireless circuit can be further miniaturized.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8
shows the transmitter-side wireless circuit unit of a communication device using the complex high frequency component
100
of the second embodiment of the present invention. The communication device in the present embodiment is a cellular phone terminal, and
FIG. 8
shows a block diagram of the transmitter-side wireless circuit unit.
The transmitter-side wireless circuit unit of the present embodiment is composed of the complex high frequency component
100
, input terminals
104
a
,
104
b
, a frequency converter
105
, a power amplifier
106
, an output terminal
107
, and an auxiliary connection terminal
108
.
The complex high frequency component
100
is composed of a balun
102
and a filter
103
, which are integrally stacked. The balun
102
includes second and third connection terminals
102
a
,
102
b
, and a first connection terminal
102
c
. The balun
102
converts signals with the transmitting frequencies outputted as balanced line signals from the power amplifier
106
into unbalanced line signals. The signals with the transmitting frequencies which are balanced line signals are entered to the balun
102
through the second and third connection terminals
102
a
,
102
b
. The output of the balun
102
, which is unbalanced line signals, is outputted from the first connection terminal
102
c.
The filter
103
reduces unnecessary frequency bands out of the signals converted into unbalanced line signals at the balun
102
. The frequency converter
105
frequency-converts modulated signals into transmitting signals. The power amplifier
106
amplifies transmitting signals. Although they are not illustrated in
FIG. 8
, all units between the input terminals
104
a
,
104
b
and the output terminal
107
are connected via matching circuit elements such as a capacitor or an inductor.
Next, operations of the transmitter-side wireless circuit unit of the present embodiment thus structured will be described as follows.
The frequency converter
105
mixes the modulation signals entered through the input terminals
104
a
,
104
b
with carrier wave signals entered from an unillustrated oscillator, thereby frequency-converting the modulation signals into transmitting signals. The power amplifier
106
amplifies signals outputted from the frequency converter
105
and outputs them as transmitting signals. The frequency converter
105
and the power amplifier
106
function as a balanced circuit. Therefore, the signals with transmitting frequencies outputted from the power amplifier
106
become balanced line signals.
The balun
102
converts the transmitting signals outputted from the power amplifier
106
into unbalanced line signals. The filter
103
, which reduces the unnecessary frequency bands of the transmitting signals, outputs transmitting signals to an illustrated antenna or antenna switch via the output terminal
107
. The filter
103
functions as an unbalanced circuit.
The auxiliary connection terminal
108
of the complex high frequency component
100
is connected with the power amplifier
106
, which is powered from a power supply unit
200
via the auxiliary connection terminal
108
, the balun
2
, and a signal line connecting the balun
102
and the power amplifier
106
.
Next, the complex high frequency component
100
composing a part of the transmitter-side wireless circuit unit will be described as follows.
FIG. 9
shows the internal circuit structure of the complex high frequency component
100
.
In the circuit shown in
FIG. 9
the filter
103
is composed of the output terminal
107
which is an unbalanced terminal, input/output coupling capacitors
115
,
117
, an inter-stage coupling capacitor
116
, and resonators
118
,
119
.
The balun
102
is composed of a first transmission line
120
A, a second transmission line
121
, a third transmission line
120
B, a fourth transmission line
122
, the second and third connection terminals
102
a
,
102
b
as balanced terminals, the first connection terminal
102
c
which is an unbalanced terminal, a grounding capacitor
125
, and the auxiliary connection terminal
108
. The first transmission line
120
A and the third transmission line
120
B are mutually coupled to form one transmission line. The first transmission line
120
A and the second transmission line
121
compose a pair of transmission lines electromagnetically coupled with each other. The third transmission line
120
B and the fourth transmission line
122
compose a pair of transmission lines electromagnetically coupled with each other.
The output terminal
107
is connected to one of the capacitor electrodes of the input/output coupling capacitor
115
. The other capacitor electrode of the input/output coupling capacitor
115
is connected to one of the capacitor electrodes of the inter-stage coupling capacitor
116
. The other capacitor electrode of the inter-stage coupling capacitor
116
is connected to one of the capacitor electrodes of the input/output coupling capacitor
117
. In this manner, the input/output coupling capacitor
115
, the inter-stage coupling capacitor
116
, and the input/output coupling capacitor
117
are connected in series to the output terminal
107
in that order.
The resonator
118
is connected to the other capacitor electrode of the input/output coupling capacitor
115
and one of the capacitor electrodes of the inter-stage coupling capacitor
116
. The resonator
119
is connected to the other capacitor electrode of the inter-stage coupling capacitor
116
and one of the capacitor electrodes of the input/output coupling capacitor
117
. The other capacitor electrode of the input/output coupling capacitor
117
is connected to the first connection terminal
102
c
of the balun
102
.
The first connection terminal
102
c
is also connected to one end of the first transmission line
120
A. The other end of the first transmission line
102
A and one end of the third transmission line
120
B are joined to each other. The other end of the third transmission line
120
B is open. The second transmission line
121
is connected at one end to the second connection terminal
102
a
of the balun
102
and is grounded at the other end via the grounding capacitor
125
and is further connected to the auxiliary connection terminal
108
. The fourth transmission line
122
is connected at one end to the third connection terminal
102
b
of the balun
102
, and is grounded at the other end via the capacitor
125
and is further connected to the auxiliary connection terminal
108
.
FIG. 10
shows an exploded perspective view of the complex high frequency component
100
, which comprises dielectric layers
130
-
140
and electrode layers
120
A
a
,
120
B
a
. . . sequentially arranged and stacked. The dielectric layers
130
-
140
have a rectangular shape of 3.2 mm×2.5 mm×1.3 mm and are made from a Bi—Ca—Nb—O series material with a relative permittivity ∈
r
of 58. The electrode layers
120
A
a
,
120
B
a
. . . are made from a material mainly containing silver or copper, and are formed on the dielectric layers
130
-
140
by printing or other methods.
The multilayered structure composed of the dielectric layers
130
-
140
is a cube, and edge electrodes
144
-
149
,
114
a
,
123
a
,
124
a
, and
126
a
are formed on the sides of this cube.
The multilayered structure has a pair of opposed sides. The edge electrodes
144
-
146
are arranged on a first pair of opposed sides. To be more specific, the edge electrode
144
is disposed on one side of the first pair of opposed sides, whereas the edge electrodes
145
,
146
are disposed on the other side of the first pair of opposed sides. The edge electrodes
144
-
146
are connected to an unillustrated grounding terminal.
The edge electrodes
147
-
149
, on the other hand, are arranged on the second pair of opposed sides. To be more specific, the edge electrodes
147
,
148
are arranged on one side of the second pair of opposed sides, whereas the edge electrode
149
is arranged on the other side of the second pair of opposed sides.
The edge electrodes
114
a
,
124
a
are formed on the other side (where the edge electrode
149
is formed) of the second pair of opposed sides. The edge electrode
123
a
is formed on one side (where the edge electrodes
147
,
148
are formed) of the second pair of opposed sides. The edge electrode
126
a
is formed on the other side (where the edge electrodes
145
,
146
are formed) of the first pair of opposed sides.
First, second, and third shield electrode layers
141
,
142
,
143
are formed on the top surfaces of the dielectric layers
130
,
135
, and
139
, respectively, and are connected to the edge electrodes
144
,
145
, and
146
, respectively.
A coupling capacitor electrode layer
125
a
is formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
131
and is connected to the edge electrode
126
a.
A second transmission line electrode layer
121
a
is formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
132
and is connected at one end to the edge electrode
123
a
, and is also connected at the other end to the edge electrode
126
a.
The first and third transmission line electrode layers
120
A
a
,
120
B
a
are formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
133
. The first transmission line electrode layers
120
A
a
is connected at one end to the edge electrode
147
, and is coupled at the other end with one end of the third transmission line electrode layer
120
B
a
. The other end of the third transmission line electrode layer
120
B
a
is open.
A fourth transmission line electrode layer
122
a
is formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
134
, and is connected at one end to the edge electrode
124
a
and is connected at the other end to the edge electrode
126
a
. The edge electrode
126
a
is connected to the auxiliary connection terminal
108
which is not illustrated in FIG.
10
.
Input/output coupling capacitor electrode layers
115
a
,
117
a
are formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
136
. One end of the input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
115
a
is connected to the edge electrode
114
a
, and one end of the input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
117
a
is connected to the edge electrode
147
.
Resonator electrode layers
118
a
,
119
a
composed of electrode patterns are formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
137
. One end of each of the resonator electrode layers
118
a
,
119
a
is connected to the edge electrode
144
.
An inter-stage coupling capacitor electrode layer
116
a
is formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
138
.
The following is a description of the operations of the complex high frequency component
100
.
The dielectric layers
136
-
138
area functions as the filter
103
, that is, the edge electrode
114
a
functions as the output terminal
107
, which is an unbalanced terminal. The input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
115
a
connected to the edge electrode
114
a
functions as one of the capacity electrodes of the input/output coupling capacitor
115
. The input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
115
a
and the resonator electrode layer
118
a
are mutually capacitor coupled with the dielectric layer
137
disposed therebetween so as to function as the input/output coupling capacitor
115
.
The resonator electrode layers
118
a
and
119
a
function as the resonators
118
and
119
, respectively, and are arranged close to each other on the dielectric layer
137
. Consequently, the resonator electrode layers
118
a
,
119
a
are electromagnetically coupled with each other.
The inter-stage coupling capacitor electrode layer
116
a
is capacitor coupled with each of the resonator electrode layers
118
a
,
119
a
to form the inter-stage coupling capacitor
116
. The input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer
117
a
is capacitor coupled with the resonator electrode layer
119
a
to form the input/output coupling capacitor
117
.
In this manner, the dielectric layers
135
-
137
area functions as a two-stage band pass filter.
The dielectric layers
131
-
134
area functions as the balun
102
. To be more specific, the edge electrode
123
a
is connected to the second transmission line electrode layer
121
a
and functions as the second connection terminal
102
a
, which is a balanced terminal. The edge electrode
124
a
is connected to the fourth transmission line electrode layer
122
a
and functions as the third connection terminal
102
b
, which is a balanced terminal.
The second transmission line electrode layer
121
a
is electromagnetically coupled with the first transmission line electrode layer
120
A
a
. The fourth transmission line electrode layer
122
a
is electromagnetically coupled with the third transmission line electrode layer
120
B
a.
The coupling capacitor electrode layer
125
a
and the first shield electrode layer
141
are capacitor coupled via the dielectric layer
131
, and consequently the grounding capacitor
125
is formed. The edge electrode
126
a
functions as the auxiliary connection terminal
108
.
The electric current elements supplied from the edge electrode
126
a
, which is the auxiliary connection terminal
108
, pass through the second transmission line electrode layer
121
a
and the fourth transmission line electrode layer
122
a
. Consequently, the second and fourth transmission line electrode layers
121
a
,
122
a
function as choke inductors for the electric current components. This eliminates the need for an external inductor.
When the second and fourth transmission lines
121
,
122
lack choke inductor elements, an inductor
127
can be disposed between the second and fourth transmission lines
121
,
122
and the auxiliary connection terminal
108
as shown in FIG.
11
A. This enables the second and fourth transmission lines
121
,
122
to have smaller values than are inherently required, thereby providing an advantage to miniaturization.
In the structure shown in
FIG. 10
, the coupling capacitor electrode layer
125
a
is connected to the edge electrode
126
a
, and is further connected to the second and fourth transmission line electrode layers
121
a
,
122
a
via the edge electrode
126
a
. As a result, the second and fourth transmission line electrode layers
121
a
,
122
a
are grounded via the grounding capacitor
125
. This can prevent the electric current supplied from the edge electrode
126
a
which functions as the auxiliary connection terminal
108
from flowing to the grounding potential. This allows the balun
102
to be used as the power supply track for the active element (the power amplifier
106
or the like) connected to the second and third connection terminals
102
a
,
102
b
. As another advantage, containing the grounding capacitor
125
inside the multilayered structure can prevent an increase in the number of components.
In the internal circuit structure of the complex high frequency component
100
shown in
FIG. 9
, the second and fourth transmission lines
121
and
122
are both connected to the single grounding capacitor
125
; however, the present invention is not restricted to this structure, and the second and fourth transmission lines
121
and
122
could be connected to two different coupling capacitors, and be grounded. To be more specific, as shown in
FIG. 11B
, the second transmission line
121
is grounded via a first grounding capacitor
125
b
, and is also connected to an auxiliary connection terminal
108
a
, whereas the fourth transmission line
122
is grounded via a second grounding capacitor
125
c
, and is also connected to an auxiliary connection terminal
108
b
. In this structure, the second and fourth transmission lines
121
and
122
are provided with the respective grounding capacitors
125
b
,
125
c
, and the respective auxiliary connection terminals
108
a
,
108
b.
In this case, the second transmission line
121
is formed on the dielectric layer
132
, and the fourth transmission line
122
is formed on the dielectric layer
134
. Forming the second and fourth transmission lines
121
and
122
on the different dielectric layers can suppress unnecessary electromagnetic coupling between these transmission lines
121
and
122
. This prevents the balun
102
from deteriorating in property due to unnecessary electromagnetic coupling.
The dielectric layers
136
-
138
area is sandwiched between the third shield electrode layer
143
formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
139
and the second shield electrode layer
142
formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
135
. The dielectric layers
131
-
134
area is sandwiched between the second shield electrode layer
142
formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
135
and the first shield electrode layer
141
formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
130
.
The complex high frequency component
100
has the following advantage because the dielectric layers are sandwiched between the above-mentioned shield electrode layers; the complex high frequency component
100
can be free from external noise influence and electromagnetic coupling between the filter
103
and the balun
102
. Consequently, the properties of the complex high frequency component
100
can be maintained without deterioration.
The complex high frequency component
100
is produced by stacking the dielectric layers
130
-
140
and sintering together. As a result, the complex high frequency component
100
has a multilayered integral structure, thereby being downsized as compared with the case where the balun
102
and the filter
103
are mounted on different circuit substrates.
Since the complex high frequency component
100
has the balun
102
and the filter
103
thus integrated, the number of components in the wireless circuit can be reduced. Mounting the complex high frequency component
100
with these features on the transmitter-side wireless circuit unit can achieve miniaturization and cost reduction. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of components can increase the efficiency of producing operation of the communication device
4
.
Since the complex high frequency component
100
has the balun
102
and the filter
103
which are integrally stacked, the impedances between the balun
102
and the filter
103
can be easily matched. This eliminates the use of a matching element to match the impedances, thereby further decreasing the number of components. Consequently, the communication device can be further downsized.
The dielectric layers
130
-
140
composing the complex high frequency component
100
could be different in size and material from the one described in the present embodiment. In other words, similar effects to those in the above embodiment could be obtained when the dielectric layers
130
-
140
are formed from a material having a different relative permittivity ∈
r
from the one in the above embodiment. In addition, the dielectric layers
130
-
140
can be different in size from those described in the above embodiment. The present invention does not require that all the dielectric layers
130
-
140
be made from the same material; it is possible that at least two of the layers are different from each other in the relative permittivity ∈
r
.
In the present embodiment, the second transmission line electrode layer
121
a
and the fourth transmission line electrode layer
122
a
are formed on different dielectric layers from each other; however, instead of this, these transmission line electrode layers
121
a
and
122
a
can be formed on the same dielectric layer. For example, as shown in
FIG. 12A
, the fourth transmission line electrode layer
122
a
can be formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
132
on which the second transmission line electrode layer
121
a
is formed, in the absence of the dielectric layer
134
. Alternatively, although it is not illustrated, the second and fourth transmission line electrode layers
121
a
and
122
a
can be provided on the top surface of the dielectric layer
134
in the absence of the dielectric layer
132
.
When the second and fourth transmission line electrode layers
121
a
and
122
a
are formed on the same dielectric layer, the complex high frequency component
100
can be composed of fewer dielectric layers although the electromagnetic coupling between the electrode layers
121
a
and
122
a
slightly deteriorates the properties of the balun
102
.
It is also possible that the second and fourth transmission line electrode layers
121
a
and
122
a
are formed on the same dielectric layer as the first transmission line electrode layer
120
a
. For example, as shown in
FIG. 12B
, the second and fourth transmission line electrode layers
121
a
and
122
a
can be formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer
133
in the absence of the dielectric layers
132
,
134
.
The dielectric layer
133
already has the first and third transmission line electrode layers
120
A
a
,
120
B
a
thereon. Forming the second and fourth transmission line electrode layers
121
a
and
122
a
on the same dielectric layer as the first and third transmission line electrode layers
120
A
a
,
120
B
a
has the following advantage. Coupling the first and third transmission line electrode layers
120
A
a
,
120
B
a
can further reduce the number of the dielectric layers, although the balun
102
slightly decreases its properties. Consequently, the complex high frequency component
100
can be produced at lower cost and in smaller size.
In the complex high frequency component
100
, the balun
102
is connected to the power amplifier
106
, and the auxiliary connection terminal
108
is connected to the power supply
200
to make the power supply
200
powers the power amplifier
106
via the balun
102
.
The multilayer structure shown in
FIG. 10
enables the complex high frequency component
100
of the present invention to be composed with a comparatively simple structure.
In the complex high frequency component
100
, the second and fourth transmission line electrode layers
121
a
and
122
a
are connected to each other via the edge electrode
126
a
. This can unify the structure for these electrode layers
121
a
,
122
a
to be connected with an external device, thereby simplifying the structure.
In the complex high frequency component
100
, the edge electrode
126
a
which is to be the auxiliary connection terminal
108
is connected to the connection end disposed between the second and fourth transmission line electrode layers
121
a
and
122
a
. This can unify the structure for these electrode layers
121
a
,
122
a
to be connected with the auxiliary connection terminal
108
, thereby simplifying the structure.
The present embodiment describes that when the complex high frequency component
100
is mounted on the circuit substrate, the balun
102
is disposed on the side opposing the substrate, and the filter
103
is disposed on the side not opposing the substrate. However, in the present embodiment, the filter
103
could be disposed on the side opposing the substrate and the balun
102
could be disposed on the side not opposing the substrate. Arranging the filter
103
on the side opposing the substrate can strengthen the grounding conditions. In this case, the second and fourth transmission lines
121
and
122
can be formed either on the same dielectric layer or on different dielectric layers from each other.
In the present embodiment, connections between the dielectric layers
130
-
140
are established by the edge electrodes
114
a
,
123
a
,
124
a
, and
148
formed on sides of the dielectric layers
130
-
140
; however, the present invention is not restricted to this structure. The edge electrodes can be replaced by via electrodes to provide connections between the dielectric layers
130
-
140
.
In general, forming via electrodes costs less than forming edge electrodes. Therefore via electrodes can be used to connect any of the dielectric layers
130
-
140
, thereby reducing the production cost.
The filter
103
could be a notch filter, a low pass filter, or a high pass filter to have the same effects.
The complex high frequency component
100
is composed of
11
dielectric layers
130
-
140
in the present embodiment; however, the present invention is not restricted to this, and can be composed of another number of dielectric layers depending on the circuit structure of the component
100
.
The communication device of the present invention can be other than the transmitter-side wireless circuit of the cellular phone terminal in each of the aforementioned embodiments. For example, the present invention can be applied to a Bluetooth wireless module, a PHS terminal, or the like. In short, the communication device of the present invention has only to use the high frequency component of the present invention in a part of its circuit.
While there has been described what is at present considered to be preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true sprit and scope of this invention.
Claims
- 1. A complex high frequency component comprising:a balun for mutually converting a balanced line signal and an unbalanced line signal; and a filter for passing or attenuating predetermined frequency bands, said filter being electrically connected to said balun, said complex high frequency component further comprising: an electrode layer including a first electrode layer which comprises electrode patterns for said balun and a second electrode layer which comprises electrode patterns for said filter; a dielectric layer, wherein said dielectric layer and said first and second electrode layers are integrally stacked, and wherein said first electrode layer comprising the electrode pattern of said balun and said second electrode layer comprising the electrode pattern of said filter are arranged in different positions from each other on said dielectric layer, and a first shield electrode layer disposed between said first electrode layer comprising the electrode pattern of said balun and said second electrode layer comprising the electrode pattern of said filter.
- 2. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of said electrode layers which are stacked with said dielectric layer disposed therebetween.
- 3. The complex high frequency component according to claim 2, wherein a dielectric constant of said dielectric layer in a filter forming area and a dielectric constant of said dielectric layer in a balun forming area are set at different values from each other.
- 4. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, wherein said first electrode layer comprising the electrode pattern of said balun and the second electrode layer comprising the electrode pattern of said filter are stacked with said dielectric layer disposed therebetween.
- 5. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric layer functions as a circuit structure component for said balun and said filter.
- 6. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, further comprising an edge electrode, which is connected to said first shield electrode layer, on a side of the complex high frequency component.
- 7. The complex high frequency component according to claim 6, wherein said edge electrode has a smaller width than said side.
- 8. The complex high frequency component of claim 1, wherein said balun is disposed on a mounting side of the complex high frequency component and said filter is disposed on the non-mounting side opposing said mounting side.
- 9. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, wherein said filter is disposed on a mounting side of the complex high frequency component and said balun is disposed on the non-mounting side opposing said mounting side.
- 10. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, further comprising an edge electrode on a side of the complex high frequency component, wherein said filter and said balun are connected to each other via said edge electrode.
- 11. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, further comprising, on a side of the complex high frequency component, an edge electrode connected to said balun and another edge electrode connected to said filter.
- 12. The complex high frequency component of claim 11, further comprising a shield electrode on said side of said complex high frequency component, said shield electrode being disposed between said edge electrodes.
- 13. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, further comprising two edge electrodes disposed on the sides composing a pair of opposing sides respectively, one edge electrode being connected to input/output ends of said balun, and the other edge electrode being connected to input/output ends of said filter.
- 14. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, comprising first to tenth dielectric layers stacked in that order, wherein said electrode layer comprises:a second shield electrode layer disposed between said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer; a second transmission line electrode layer disposed between said second dielectric layer and said third dielectric layer; a coupling capacitor electrode layer disposed between said second dielectric layer and said third dielectric layer; a first transmission line electrode layer disposed between said third dielectric layer and said fourth dielectric layer; a third transmission line electrode layer disposed between said fourth dielectric layer and said fifth dielectric layer; said first shield electrode layer disposed between said fifth dielectric layer and said sixth dielectric layer; an input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer disposed between said sixth dielectric layer and said seventh dielectric layer; a plurality of resonator electrode layers disposed between said seventh dielectric layer and said eighth dielectric layer; a coupling capacitor electrode layer disposed between said eighth dielectric layer and said ninth dielectric layer; and a third shield electrode layer disposed between said ninth dielectric layer and said tenth dielectric layer, and wherein an edge electrode which connects said input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer and said first transmission line electrode layer is disposed on a side of said first to tenth dielectric layers.
- 15. The complex high frequency component according to claim 14, wherein said resonator electrode layers are electromagnetically coupled each other.
- 16. The complex high frequency component according to claim 14, wherein said first transmission line electrode layer and said second transmission line electrode layer are electromagnetically coupled each other, and said first transmission line electrode layer and said third transmission line electrode layer are electromagnetically coupled each other.
- 17. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, comprising first to ninth dielectric layers stacked in that order, wherein said electrode layer comprises:a second shield electrode layer disposed between said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer; a second transmission line electrode layer disposed between said second dielectric layer and said third dielectric layer; a third transmission line electrode layer disposed between said second dielectric layer and said third dielectric layer; a first transmission line electrode layer disposed between said third dielectric layer and said fourth dielectric layer; said first shield electrode layer disposed between said fourth dielectric layer and said fifth dielectric layer; an input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer disposed between said fifth dielectric layer and said sixth dielectric layer; a plurality of resonator electrode layers disposed between said sixth dielectric layer and said seventh dielectric layer; a coupling capacitor electrode layer disposed between said seventh dielectric layer and said eighth dielectric layer; and a third shield electrode layer disposed between said eighth dielectric layer and said ninth dielectric layer, and wherein an edge electrode which connects said input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer and said first transmission line electrode layer is disposed on a side of said first to tenth dielectric layers.
- 18. The complex high frequency component according to claim 17, wherein said resonator electrode layers are electromagnetically coupled each other.
- 19. The complex high frequency component according to claim 17, wherein said first transmission line electrode layer and said second transmission line electrode layer are electromagnetically coupled each other, and said first transmission line electrode layer and said third transmission line electrode layer are electromagnetically coupled each other.
- 20. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, comprising first to ninth dielectric layers stacked in that order, wherein said electrode layer comprises:a second shield electrode layer disposed between said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer; a first transmission line electrode layer disposed between said second dielectric layer and said third dielectric layer; a second transmission line electrode layer disposed between said third dielectric layer and said fourth dielectric layer; a third transmission line electrode layer disposed between said third dielectric layer and said fourth dielectric layer; said first shield electrode layer disposed between said fourth dielectric layer and said fifth dielectric layer; an input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer disposed between said fifth dielectric layer and said sixth dielectric layer; a plurality of resonator electrode layers disposed between said sixth dielectric layer and said seventh dielectric layer; a coupling capacitor electrode layer disposed between said seventh dielectric layer and said eighth dielectric layer; and a third shield electrode layer disposed between said eighth dielectric layer and said ninth dielectric layer, and wherein an edge electrode which connects said input/output coupling capacitor electrode layer and said first transmission line electrode layer is disposed on a side of said first to tenth dielectric layers.
- 21. The complex high frequency component according to claim 20, wherein said resonator electrode layers are electromagnetically coupled each other.
- 22. The complex high frequency component according to claim 20, wherein said first transmission line electrode layer and said second transmission line electrode layer are electromagnetically coupled each other, and said first transmission line electrode layer and said third transmission line electrode layer are electromagnetically coupled each other.
- 23. The complex high frequency component according to claim 1, comprising;a capacitor disposed between said balun and the ground, and an auxiliary connection terminal disposed between said capacitor and said balun.
- 24. The complex high frequency component according to claim 23, further comprising:a power supply connected to said auxiliary connection terminal; and an active element which is connected to said balun and is powered from said power supply.
- 25. The complex high frequency component according to claim 23, whereinsaid balun has two pairs of transmission lines, one pair of said two pairs of transmission lines having first and second transmission lines electromagnetically coupled with each other, said first transmission line having a first connection terminal at one end, and said second transmission line having a second connection terminal at one end, the other pair of said two pairs of transmission lines having third and fourth transmission lines electromagnetically coupled with each other, said fourth transmission line has a third connection terminal at one end, said second connection terminal and said third connection terminal compose a balanced terminal; the other end of said first transmission line is coupled with an end of said third transmission line; the other end of said second transmission line and the other end of said fourth transmission line are grounded via said capacitor; and said auxiliary connection terminal is disposed between the other ends of said second transmission line and said fourth transmission line and said capacitor.
- 26. The complex high frequency component according to claim 25, wherein the other end of said second transmission line and the other end of said fourth transmission line are mutually connected.
- 27. The complex high frequency component according to claim 26, wherein said auxiliary connection terminal is connected to a connection end disposed between said second transmission line and said fourth transmission line.
- 28. The complex high frequency component according to claim 25, wherein each pair of said two pairs of transmission lines is disposed on a same plane.
- 29. The complex high frequency component according to claim 25, wherein each pair of said two pairs of transmission lines is composed of transmission lines which are arranged to face each other via said dielectric layer.
- 30. The complex high frequency component according to claim 23, wherein said auxiliary connection terminal is connected to said balun via an inductance.
- 31. The complex high frequency component according to claim 23, wherein said capacitor is composed of said dielectric layer and said electrode layer.
- 32. The complex high frequency component according to claim 23, wherein an inductance is disposed between said auxiliary connection terminal and said balun, and said inductance, said dielectric layer and said electrode layer are integrally stacked.
- 33. A communication device having the complex high frequency component according to claim 1.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
P2001-236830 |
Aug 2001 |
JP |
|
P2002-152437 |
May 2002 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (6)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
7-176918 |
Jul 1995 |
JP |