Communication module

• US 10,277,262 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2017
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Inventors: Kishimoto, Ken
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Blane J
• Application Number:
  US15/729,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20180109275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/565 using inductive elements
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/111 the amplifier being a dual or triple band amplifier, e.g. 900 and 1800 MHz, e.g. switched or not switched, simultaneously or not
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/246 A series resonance being added in shunt in the input circuit, e.g. base, gate, of an amplifier stage, e.g. as a trap
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/451 the amplifier being a radio frequency amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/7209 the gated amplifier being switched from a first band to a second band
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/7239 the gated amplifier being switched on or off by putting into parallel or not, by choosing between amplifiers and shunting lines by one or more switch(es)
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/19 with semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/195 in integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/21 with semiconductor devices only H03F3/245 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/245 with semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/72 Gated amplifiers, i.e. amplifiers which are rendered operative or inoperative by means of a control signal
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/38 Impedance-matching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0057 using diplexing or multiplexing filters for selecting the desired band
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0458 Arrangements for matching and coupling between power amplifier and antenna or between amplifying stages matching circuits in general H03H
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0483 Transmitters with multiple parallel paths
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/0408 with power amplifiers

Abstract

A communication module includes a first input terminal to which a first signal of a first frequency band is input, a second input terminal to which a second signal of a second frequency band is input, an amplifier that outputs an amplified signal which is obtained by amplifying the first signal, a diplexer that receives the amplified signal and/or the second signal and that outputs an output signal of the first and/or second frequency band, and a harmonic termination circuit that short-circuits a harmonic of the second signal. The harmonic termination circuit has an end connected between the second input terminal and the diplexer, and another end grounded at a ground position. A distance in plan view between the first input terminal and the ground position of the harmonic termination circuit is longer than a distance in plan view between the first input terminal and the second input terminal.

Claims

1. A communication module comprising:

a first input terminal to which a first signal of a first frequency band is input;

a second input terminal to which a second signal of a second frequency band is input;

an amplifier that amplifies the first signal, and outputs an amplified signal;

a diplexer that receives the amplified signal and/or the second signal, and that outputs an output signal of the first and/or second frequency band; and

a harmonic termination circuit that short-circuits a harmonic of the second signal,

wherein the harmonic termination circuit has a first end connected between the second input terminal and the diplexer, and a second end grounded at a ground position, and

wherein a distance between the first input terminal and the ground position is greater than a distance between the first input terminal and the second input terminal, the distances being in a plan view of the communication module.

2. The communication module according to claim 1, wherein the harmonic of the second signal is a second harmonic of the second signal, and

wherein the first frequency band is about twice the second frequency band, such that the first frequency band is adjacent the second harmonic of the second signal.

3. The communication module according to claim 1, wherein the harmonic termination circuit comprises a capacitance element and an inductance element connected in series between the first end and the second end of the harmonic termination circuit.

4. The communication module according to claim 3, wherein the harmonic termination circuit further comprises a resistance element connected in series with the capacitance element and the inductance element between the first end and the second end of the harmonic termination circuit.

5. The communication module according to claim 4, wherein the resistance element has a resistance value less than a characteristic impedance of a transmission line in which the output signal is transmitted.

6. The communication module according to claim 4, wherein the resistance element has a resistance value greater than or equal to 20Ω

and less than or equal to 30Ω

.

7. The communication module according to any one of claim 3, wherein the inductance element is a ferrite bead.

8. The communication module according to claim 1, further comprising a matching circuit between the diplexer and the second input terminal,

wherein the matching circuit comprises the harmonic termination circuit.

9. The communication module according to claim 8, wherein the matching circuit is a low-pass filter configured to allow a fundamental of the second signal to pass therethrough, and to attenuate a harmonic of the second signal.

10. The communication module according to claim 1, wherein the harmonic termination circuit is connected in parallel with a path of the second signal.