Complex high frequency components

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6788164
  • Patent Number
    6,788,164
  • Date Filed
    Friday, August 2, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 7, 2004
    20 years ago
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)
Number Name Date Kind
4803453 Tomono et al. Feb 1989 A
5497137 Fujiki Mar 1996 A
6525626 Mandai et al. Feb 2003 B2
20020034934 Watanabe et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020175002 Sakakura et al. Nov 2002 A1
20030020568 Mizutani et al. Jan 2003 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
7-176918 Jul 1995 JP