Patent Grant
7432777
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to non-reciprocal circuit elements, and more particularly, to a two-port non-reciprocal circuit element, such as an isolator, for use in a microwave band, a composite electronic component having the element, and a communication apparatus having the element or the composite electronic component.
2. Description of the Related Art
Known non-reciprocal circuit elements, such as isolators and circulators, have characteristics that allow transmission of signals only in a predetermined specific direction and not in the opposite direction. Using the characteristics, for example, isolators are used in transmission circuit sections in mobile communication apparatuses, such as cellular phones.
A balun, a hybrid circuit, or a power coupler has been provided at an output side of a known balanced output circuit, in particular, a push-pull amplifier (having a pair of amplifiers operating with a 180-degree phase difference). Using the balun, balanced signals are converted into an unbalanced signal.
In contrast, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-299915 (Patent Document 1) discloses a 3-port isolator, defining a non-reciprocal circuit element, in which center electrodes at input ports are balance-connected, thereby allowing the isolator to be connectable to a balanced output circuit without using a balun or a hybrid circuit interposed therebetween. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-282626 (Patent Document 2) discloses a balanced-input/balanced-output two-port isolator, which is a high-isolation equivalent circuit that is connectable to a balanced circuit without using a balanced-unbalanced converter interposed therebetween.
A three-port isolator, such as that described in Patent Document 1, has a problem in that, since the three-port isolator has a narrow input matching band and requires input/output ports dedicated to terminating resistors and center electrodes, the circuit is complicated, which results in a higher cost and lower reliability.
A high-isolation two-port isolator, such as that described in Patent Document 2, has a problem in that, since the high-isolation two-port isolator has a narrow passband and a large insertion loss, the high-isolation two-port isolator is not suitable for use in transmitters. Since the high-isolation two-port isolator generates excess heat, the high-isolation two-port isolator has low reliability.
To overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a balanced-input/unbalanced-output non-reciprocal circuit element, a composite electronic component, and a communication apparatus having a simple circuit configuration, low insertion loss, and high reliability.
A non-reciprocal circuit element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a non-reciprocal circuit element with a plurality of center electrodes coupled at radio frequencies to a ferrite member to which a bias magnetic field is applied from a permanent magnet, wherein first to fifth center electrodes are provided on the ferrite member; the first and third center electrodes do not intersect each other, and the first and third center electrodes intersect the second, fourth, and fifth center electrodes with electrical insulation therebetween; connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when current is flows from one end to the other end of the first center electrode and a magnetic field generated when current flows from one end to the other end of the third center electrode are in phase and in the same direction; connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when current flows from one end to the other end of the second center electrode, a magnetic field generated when current flows from one end to the other end of the fourth center electrode, and a magnetic field generated when current flows from one end to the other end of the fifth center electrode are in phase and in the same direction; a first matching capacitor and a first terminating resistor are connected in parallel to the first center electrode, a second matching capacitor is connected in parallel to the second center electrode, and a third matching capacitor and a second terminating resistor are connected in parallel to the third center electrode; and the one end of the first center electrode and the other end of the third center electrode define balanced input ports, and the one end of the fourth center electrode defines an unbalanced output port.
In the non-reciprocal circuit element according to this preferred embodiment, the first and third center electrodes do not intersect each other, and the first and third center electrodes intersect the second, fourth, and fifth center electrodes with electrical insulation therebetween. The first matching capacitor and the first terminating resistor are connected in parallel to the first center electrode. The second matching capacitor is connected in parallel to the second center electrode. The third matching capacitor and the second terminating resistor are connected in parallel to the third center electrode.
Accordingly, a compact, lumped-constant isolator having a simple circuit configuration, low insertion loss, and wideband input matching characteristics is provided.
Connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end to the other end of the first center electrode and a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end to the other end of the third center electrode are in phase and in the same direction. Connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end to the other end of the second center electrode, a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end to the other end of the fourth center electrode, and a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end to the other end of the fifth center electrode are in phase and in the same direction. The one end of the first center electrode and the other end of the third center electrode define balanced input ports, and the one end of the fourth center electrode defines an unbalanced output port. Accordingly, a balanced-input/unbalanced-output isolator is achieved without adding a balun.
In the non-reciprocal circuit element according to a preferred embodiment, it is preferable that at least the second center electrode be wound one or more times around the ferrite member. Accordingly, the inductance of the second center electrode is increased, and input matching can be achieved in a wider band, thereby facilitating matching with previous-stage circuits including a power amplifier.
It is preferable that the second center electrode have an electrical length of substantially a quarter wavelength or a wavelength slightly less than the quarter wavelength. Accordingly, the inductance of the second center electrode increases significantly, and resonance can be achieved without actually connecting the second matching capacitor. Possible degradation of insertion loss due to the Q value of the second matching capacitor is prevented. Furthermore, input matching can be achieved in a still wider band, and matching with previous-stage circuits including a power amplifier is facilitated.
A composite electronic component according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the foregoing non-reciprocal circuit element connected to outputs of a pair of amplifiers that operate with an approximately 180-degree phase difference. Accordingly, an unbalanced signal can be output without providing a balun. Excellent electrical characteristics can be obtained, and the size of an apparatus can be reduced.
A communication apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the foregoing non-reciprocal circuit element or the foregoing composite circuit component. Accordingly, excellent electrical characteristics can be obtained, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.
According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, electrical characteristics of an isolator can be used for an unbalanced signal without adding a balun. Size reduction, resource saving, and cost reduction are achieved. The insertion loss is reduced, and wideband input matching characteristics are achieved. Since the isolator generates low heat, high reliability is also achieved.
Other features, elements, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention (with reference to the attached drawings).
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a non-reciprocal circuit element, a composite electronic component, and a communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Isolator
The casing 10 and the cap 15 are made of a ferromagnetic material, such as soft iron, with a thickness ranging from approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 0.25 mm. The casing 10 and the cap 15 are configured as frames surrounding the circuit board 20, the center electrode assembly 40, and the permanent magnet 30. Two sides 11 of the casing 10 are conductively connected to sides of the cap 15, whereby the casing 10, the cap 15, and the permanent magnet 30 define a magnetic circuit. The casing 10 and the cap 15 are plated with copper with a thickness ranging from approximately 0.1 μm to approximately 100 μm, and then with silver with a thickness ranging from approximately 1 μm to approximately 5 μm. Accordingly, the rate at which the isolator 1 begins to rust is reduced, and a conductor loss caused by excessive current generated due to radio-frequency (RF)-magnetic flux or a ground current is minimized.
The permanent magnet 30 applies a direct current (DC) bias magnetic field to a main face 41a of the ferrite member 41 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main face 41a. As shown in an equivalent circuit of the isolator 1 in
In general, a strontium, barium, or lanthanum-cobalt ferrite magnet is used as the permanent magnet 30. Since magnets made of these materials are dielectrics whereas metal magnets are conductors, RF magnetic fluxes can be distributed inside the permanent magnet 30 with low loss. Therefore, even when the permanent magnet 30 is provided near the center electrodes 51 to 55, electrical characteristics including insertion loss are negligibly deteriorated. Since these materials have temperature characteristics similar to those of the ferrite member 41, the temperature characteristics as an isolator are improved.
The center electrode assembly 40 includes the center electrodes 51 to 55, which are insulated from one another, on the first main face 41a (surface) of the ferrite member 41, which is a rectangular parallelepiped. The first center electrode 51 and the third center electrode 53 do not intersect each other. The first and third center electrodes 51 and 53 intersect the second, fourth, and fifth center electrodes 52, 54, and 55 with electrical insulation therebetween.
More specifically, one end 51a of the first center electrode 51 is located on a first side face 41b of the ferrite member 41, and the other end 51b of the first center electrode 51 is located on a second side face 41c. The one end 51a is referred to as electrode A, and the other end 51b is referred to as electrode B. One end 52a of the second center electrode 52 is located on a third side face 41d of the ferrite member 41, and the other end 52b of the second center electrode 52 is located on a fourth side face 41e. The one end 52a is referred to as electrode B, and the other end 52b is referred to as electrode C. One end 53a of the third center electrode 53 is located on the first side face 41b of the ferrite member 41, and the other end 53b of the third center electrode 53 is located on the second side face 41c. The one end 53a is referred to as electrode C, and the other end 53b is referred to as electrode D.
Furthermore, one end 54a of the fourth center electrode 54 is located on the third side face 41d of the ferrite member 41, and the other end 54b of the fourth center electrode 54 is located on the fourth side face 41e. The one end 54a is referred to as electrode E, and the other end 54b is referred to as electrode G. Similarly, one end 55a of the fifth center electrode 55 is located on the third side face 41d of the ferrite member 41, and the other end 55b of the fifth center electrode 55 is located on the fourth side face 41e. The one end 55a is referred to as electrode G, and the other end 55b is referred to as electrode C.
It is preferable to provide, on the main face 41a and the side faces 41b to 41e of the ferrite member 41, the center electrodes 51 to 55 which are metal plates or metal foils made of copper or copper alloy and which are plated with silver or silver alloy. Alternatively, the center electrodes 51 to 55 may be formed as film electrodes, such as thick films or thin films made of silver or copper. Using processing techniques such as printing, transferring, photolithography, etching, and other suitable processing techniques, the center electrodes 51 to 55 may be formed into predetermined shapes with high accuracy. YIG ferrite or other suitable ferrite material is used for the ferrite member 41.
The circuit board 20 is a laminated board fabricated by forming predetermined electrodes on a plurality of dielectric sheets, stacking the plurality of sheets, and sintering the laminated sheets. As shown in
A sintered mixture of glass, alumina, and other dielectrics, which can be sintered at the same time as thick-film conductor electrodes or a composite board made of resin, glass, and other dielectrics is used as the circuit board 20. Thick films made of silver or silver alloy, copper thick films, copper foils, and other suitable materials are used as electrodes inside and outside the circuit board 20. In particular, the external-connection terminal electrodes 26a, 26b, 27, and 28 are preferably plated with nickel with a thickness ranging from about 0.1 μm to about 5 μm and then with gold with a thickness of about 0.01 μm to about 1 μm. This is to make the circuit board 20 better anti-rust and anti-solder-corrosion. As a result, a failure, such as a reduction in the strength of solder jointing due to a vulnerable alloy layer made by diffusion of metal unnecessary for soldering, is prevented from occurring.
Regarding the external-connection terminal electrodes 26a, 26b, 27, and 28, thick film electrodes are made thicker so as to protrude, and the thickness of the bottom of the casing 10 is made equivalent, thereby improving the soldering to a mounting circuit board.
The circuit configuration of the isolator 1 will now be described.
More specifically, connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end 51a (electrode A) to the other end of the first center electrode 51 and a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end 53a (electrode C) to the other end of the third center electrode 53 are in phase and in the same direction. Also, connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end 52a (electrode B) to the other end of the second center electrode 52, a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end 54a (electrode E) to the other end of the fourth center electrode 54, and a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end 55a (electrode G) to the other end of the fifth center electrode 55 are in phase and in the same direction. The other ends 52b and 54b (electrode C and electrode G) of the second and fourth center electrodes 52 and 54 and the one end 55a (electrode G) of the fifth center electrode 55 are connected to ground. The other end 55b (electrode C) of the fifth center electrode 55 is connected to the one end 53a (electrode C) of the third center electrode 53.
The first matching capacitor C1 and the first terminating resistor R1 are connected in parallel to the first center electrode 51. The second matching capacitor C2 is connected in parallel to the second center electrode 52. The third matching capacitor C3 and the second terminating resistor R2 are connected in parallel to the third center electrode 53.
The one end 51a (electrode A) of the first center electrode 51 and the other end 53b (electrode D) of the third center electrode 53 define balanced input ports +P1 and −P1. The one end 54a (electrode E) of the fourth center electrode 54 defines an unbalanced output port P2.
That is, as shown in the block diagram of
The terminal electrodes 21a and 21b provided on a surface of the circuit board 20 are connected to the one end 51a and the other end 51b, respectively, of the first center electrode 51. The terminal electrodes 22a and 22b are connected to the one end 52a and the other end 52b, respectively, of the second center electrode 52. The terminal electrodes 23a and 23b are connected to the one end 53a and the other end 53b, respectively, of the third center electrode 53. The terminal electrodes 24a and 24b are connected to the one end 54a and the other end 54b, respectively, of the fourth center electrode 54. The terminal electrodes 25a and 25b are connected to the one end 55a and the other end 55b, respectively, of the fifth center electrode 55.
According to the isolator 1 having the configuration described above, when balanced signals (differential signals with a 180-degree phase difference) are input to the balanced input ports +P1 and −P1, current flows through the first center electrode 51, and an RF magnetic field is generated at the ferrite member 41. Due to this RF magnetic field, current flows through the second center electrode 52, which is magnetically coupled to the first center electrode 51, and the second, fourth, and fifth center electrodes 52, 54, and 55 operate in a similar manner to a balun circuit, and the current is transmitted as an unbalanced signal from the one end 54a of the fourth center electrode 54 to the unbalanced output port P2.
That is, the first and third center electrodes 51 and 53 do not intersect each other. The first and third center electrodes 51 and 53 intersect the second, fourth, and fifth center electrodes 52, 54, and 55 with electrical insulation therebetween. The first matching capacitor C1 and the first terminating resistor R1 are connected in parallel to the first center electrode 51. The second matching capacitor C2 is connected in parallel to the second center electrode 52. The third matching capacitor C3 and the second terminating resistor R2 are connected in parallel to the third center electrode 53. Therefore, the isolator 1 is a compact, lumped-constant isolator having a simple circuit configuration, low insertion loss, and wideband input matching characteristics.
As is clear from a comparison of
Furthermore, connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end 51a (electrode A) to the other end of the first center electrode 51 and a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end 53a (electrode C) to the other end of the third center electrode 53 are in phase and in the same direction. Also, connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end 52a (electrode B) to the other end of the second center electrode 52, a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end 54a (electrode E) to the other end of the fourth center electrode 54, and a magnetic field generated when current flows from the one end 55a (electrode G) to the other end of the fifth center electrode 55 are in phase and in the same direction. Also, the one end 51a (electrode A) of the first center electrode 51 and the other end 53b (electrode D) of the third center electrode 53 define balanced input ports +P1 and −P1, and the one end 54a (electrode E) of the fourth center electrode 54 defines an unbalanced output port P2. Accordingly, a balanced-input/unbalanced-output isolator can be provided without adding a balun.
The capacitances of the matching capacitors C1, C2, and C3 are selected so that resonance occurs at an operation frequency in conjunction with the center electrodes 51, 52, 53, and 55. Regarding the terminating resistors R1 and R2, when the isolator 1 is used in a circuit with about 50Ω, a value of approximately 50Ω is selected. Depending on the inductances of the center electrodes 51 to 55, a value ranging from approximately 25Ω to approximately 100Ω is appropriate.
It is preferable to use elements with high Q values, that is, elements with low loss, as a combined inductance of the second center electrode 52 and the fifth center electrode 55 and the second matching capacitor C2. If the combined inductance and the Q values are low, the insertion loss increases. Even if the first center electrode 51, the first matching capacitor C1, the third center electrode 53, and the third matching capacitor C3 have low Q values, the insertion loss does not increase. However, if these elements have extremely low Q values, the isolation bandwidth decreases.
In the first preferred embodiment, the circuit board 20 is a multilayer dielectric board. Therefore, the circuit board 20 can include circuit networks including capacitors and inductors, which results in a reduction of the size and thickness of the isolator 1. Since circuit elements are connected inside the board, reliability is significantly improved. However, the circuit board 20 need not necessarily be a multilayer board. Instead, the circuit board 20 may include only a single layer, and the matching capacitors and terminating resonators may be chips that are externally mounted on the circuit board 20.
The external-connection terminal electrodes 26a, 26b, 27, and 28 arranged to mount the isolator 1 to a printed circuit board of a communication apparatus are provided on the bottom of the circuit board 20. Accordingly, the number of points at which electrical connections are established is reduced, thereby reducing loss and increasing reliability. Furthermore, other terminal components need not be provided, thereby further reducing the cost. Since the bottom of the circuit board 20 becomes a terminal face, the height of the circuit board 20 can be reduced.
The second center electrode 52 may be wound one or more times around the main faces 41a and 41f of the ferrite member 41. As the number of turns is increased, the inductance of the second center electrode 52 increases. Accordingly, input matching can be achieved in a wider band, and matching with previous-stage circuits including a power amplifier is facilitated.
It is preferable that the electrical length of the second center electrode 52 be substantially a quarter wavelength or a wavelength slightly less than the quarter wavelength. Thus, the inductance of the second center electrode 52 becomes extremely large, and resonance is achieved without actually connecting the second matching capacitor C2. Possible degradation of insertion loss due to the Q value of the second matching capacitor C2 is overcome. Furthermore, input matching can be achieved in a still wider band, and matching with previous-stage circuits including a power amplifier is facilitated.
Composite Electronic Component
Communication Apparatus
The balanced input ports +P1 and −P1 of the isolator 1 are feed elements and connected to balanced outputs of the push-pull amplifier 131. The unbalanced output port P2 is connected to the antenna switch 134.
The isolator 1 can be connected to the outputs of the push-pull amplifier 131 without including a balun or a hybrid circuit therebetween. The transmission circuit section can be manufactured with a reduced size, and the cost thereof can be reduced. Furthermore, a cellular phone 140 with a low insertion loss, less radiation, and a wide operation frequency band is provided.
The push-pull amplifier 131 has characteristics in which the generation of second harmonics occurs less often, whereas third harmonics become a problem. In contrast, the isolator 1 greatly suppresses third harmonics. Thus, excellent electrical characteristics are achieved by combining the push-pull amplifier 131 and the isolator 1.
The non-reciprocal circuit element, the composite electronic component, and the communication apparatus according to the present invention are not limited to the foregoing preferred embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In particular, instead of configuring the ferrite member as a rectangular parallelepiped, the ferrite member may have a disc shape, a hexagonal shape, or an octagonal shape. The circuit board 20 can have an arbitrary configuration. In the foregoing preferred embodiments, the center electrode assembly 40 is arranged in a horizontal manner such that the main face 41a of the ferrite member 41 is arranged substantially parallel to the circuit board 20. Alternatively, the center electrode assembly 40 may be arranged in a vertical manner such that the main face 41a of the ferrite member 41 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the circuit board 20. In this case, if the center electrode assembly 40 is sandwiched between a pair of permanent magnets 30, the distribution of DC bias magnetic fields is improved, thereby more easily achieving low loss and wideband operation.
As described above, the present invention is effective in two-port non-reciprocal circuit elements, such as isolators used in a microwave band, and more particularly, the two-port non-reciprocal circuit elements are advantageous in terms of simple circuit configuration, low insertion loss, and excellent reliability.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-219550 | Jul 2005 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6549086 | Kawanami | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6965277 | Kawanami | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 20060132255 | Kawanami | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 52-052546 | Apr 1977 | JP |
| 2004-088743 | Mar 2004 | JP |
| 2004-289301 | Oct 2004 | JP |
| 2004-299916 | Oct 2004 | JP |
| 2004-304434 | Oct 2004 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20080111647 A1 | May 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2006/312782 | Jun 2006 | US |
| Child | 12020701 | US |
