Transmission device and radio communication device

The present invention relates to a transmission device and a wireless communication device, and more particularly to a transmission device and a wireless communication device that power-amplify and output a transmission signal.

Conventionally, as a high-frequency power amplifier that amplifies a modulated signal containing an envelope fluctuation component, a class A or class AB linear amplifier has been used to linearly amplify the envelope fluctuation component. Although such a linear amplifier is excellent in linearity, it always consumes power associated with a DC bias component, and therefore has lower power efficiency than a non-linear amplifier of class C to class E or the like. Therefore, when such a high-frequency power amplifier is applied to a portable radio device powered by a battery, the power consumption of the high-frequency power amplifier is large, so that the usage time is shortened. Further, when applied to a base station device of a wireless system in which a plurality of high-power transmitters are installed, there is a circumstance that the device becomes large and the amount of heat generated increases.

Therefore, as a highly efficient transmitting device, a transmitting device 1 that employs the polar modulation method shown in FIG. 14 has been proposed. The transmitter 1 includes an amplitude phase separator 2, an amplitude modulation signal amplifier 3, a frequency synthesizer 4, and a high-frequency power amplifier 5, which is a non-linear amplifier.

The baseband modulation signal 20 is input to the amplitude phase separator 2. The baseband amplitude modulation signal 21 output from the amplitude phase separator 2 is input to the amplitude modulation signal amplifier 3. The baseband phase modulation signal 23 output from the amplitude phase separator 2 is input to the frequency synthesizer 4. The high-frequency phase modulation signal 24 output from the frequency synthesizer 4 is input to the high-frequency power amplifier 5. The high frequency power amplifier 5 outputs the transmission output signal 25.

Next, the operation of the transmission device 1 will be described. First, assuming that the baseband modulation signal 20 is Si (t), this baseband modulation signal Si (t) can be expressed by the following equation 1.

Si (t) = a (t) exp [jφ (t)] ... (1) Here, a (t) is the amplitude data and exp [jφ (t)] is the topological data. The amplitude phase separator 2 extracts the amplitude data a (t) and the phase data exp [jφ (t)] from the baseband modulation signal Si (t). The amplitude data a (t) corresponds to the baseband amplitude modulation signal 21, and the phase data exp [jφ (t)] corresponds to the baseband phase modulation signal 22. The amplitude data a (t) is amplified by the amplitude modulation signal amplifier 3 and given to the high frequency power amplifier 5. As a result, the power supply voltage value of the high frequency power amplifier 5 is set based on the amplitude data a (t).

The frequency synthesizer 4 generates a high-frequency phase-modulated signal 24 in which the carrier angle frequency ωc is modulated by the phase data exp [jφ (t)], and the high-frequency phase-modulated signal 24 is input to the high-frequency power amplifier 5. Here, assuming that the high-frequency phase modulation signal 24 is Sc, this high-frequency phase modulation signal Sc can be expressed by the following equation 2. Sc = exp [ωct + φ (t)] ... (2) By using a non-linear amplifier for the high-frequency power amplifier 5, the power supply voltage value based on the amplitude data a (t) of the high-frequency power amplifier 5 is obtained. The signal obtained by multiplying the output signal of the frequency synthesizer 4 and the output signal of the frequency synthesizer 4 is amplified and generated by the gain G of the high frequency power amplifier 5. The high frequency power amplifier 5 outputs this amplified and generated signal as a transmission output signal 25. Here, assuming that the transmission output signal 25 is an RF signal Srf, this RF signal Srf can be expressed by the following equation 3. Srf = Ga (t) Sc = Ga (t) exp [ωct + φ (t)] ... (3) Since the signal input to the high-frequency power amplifier 5 is a phase-modulated signal having no fluctuation component in the amplitude direction, it is a constant envelope signal. Therefore, since an efficient nonlinear amplifier can be used as the high-frequency power amplifier 5, a highly efficient transmitter 1 can be realized. Transmission devices that employ this type of polar modulation transmission method are described in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. <patcit num="1"><text>Special Table 2002-530917 Gazette</text></patcit><patcit num="2"><text>Special Table 2004-501527 Gazette</text></patcit>

<p> However, in the above-mentioned transmitter 1, when controlling the output power of the high-frequency power amplifier 5, the output signal does not change linearly with respect to the input signal because the high-frequency power amplifier 5 is a non-linear amplifier. Therefore, it is necessary to control the output power by changing the power supply voltage as in the amplitude modulation. In this case, the control range of the output power is limited by the leakage power, the operating limit of the transistor with respect to the power supply voltage, and the like. Further, there is a problem that an error occurs from the required transmission power due to the variation of each electronic component of the transmission device and the characteristic change due to the temperature change.</p><p> The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a transmission device and a wireless communication device capable of producing stable power, having good power efficiency, and having a wide control range of transmission output power. The purpose is to do.</p>

<p> The transmission device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a transmission power amplification means having a high-frequency power amplifier that power-amplifies and outputs a transmission signal, a correction means that corrects the average output power of the high-frequency power amplification means, and a correction means. A first mode in which the transmission power amplification means operates the high-frequency power amplifier as a non-linear amplifier to perform amplitude modulation of the transmission signal and control of the average output level based on the power supply voltage of the high-frequency power amplifier. The correction means has a second mode in which the high-frequency power amplifier is operated as a linear amplifier to perform amplitude modulation of the transmission signal and control of the average output level in front of the high-frequency power amplifier, and the correction means has the average output. A correction table for storing correction value information for correcting the level is provided, and the average output level is corrected based on the correction value information stored in the correction table.</p><p> With this configuration, the power efficiency can be significantly improved by operating the high frequency power amplifier as a non-linear amplifier in the first mode, for example, the high output mode, and the high frequency power amplifier can be operated in the second mode, for example, the low output mode. By operating as a linear amplifier, the transmission output power can be controlled over a wide range, and one amplifier can be used extremely efficiently, and the power efficiency can be significantly improved.</p><p> In addition, with this configuration, the average output power can be corrected in response to variations in the characteristics of a plurality of electronic components of the transmitter or changes in the characteristics of the transmitter due to temperature changes, etc., so that the characteristics are highly accurate and stable. The transmission power can be controlled in.</p><p> In the transmission device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the transmission power amplification means is provided in a multiplier arranged in front of the high frequency power amplifier and in front of the multiplier. A configuration in which a variable gain amplifier is provided, the multiplier controls the amplitude modulation of the transmitted signal, and the variable gain amplifier controls the average output level of the transmitted signal in the second mode. To take.</p><p> With this configuration, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the high frequency power amplifier operates linearly in the second mode, and the power supply voltage of the high frequency power amplifier becomes constant. Although it is not possible to control the amplitude modulation and the average output level, the amplitude modulation of the transmission signal can be performed by the multiplier arranged in the previous stage, and the variable gain amplifier arranged in the front stage of the multiplier can perform the amplitude modulation. Since the average output level of the transmission signal can be controlled, the linear operation of the high-frequency power amplifier can be realized, and the transmission output power can be controlled over a wide range.</p><p> In addition, with this configuration, the average output power can be corrected in response to variations in the characteristics of a plurality of electronic components of the transmitter or changes in the characteristics of the transmitter due to temperature changes, etc., so that the characteristics are highly accurate and stable. The transmission power can be controlled in.</p><p> In the transmission device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, in the first mode, the input level of the high frequency power amplifier depends on the average output power of the transmission signal. Take a changing composition.</p><p> With this configuration, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect of the present invention, the input level of the high frequency power amplifier is changed according to the average output power of the transmission signal, so that the leakage power can be reduced. It is possible to expand the control range of the transmission output power by the power supply voltage in the non-linear operation of the high frequency power amplifier.</p><p> In addition, with this configuration, the average output power can be corrected in response to variations in the characteristics of a plurality of electronic components of the transmitter or changes in the characteristics of the transmitter due to temperature changes, etc., so that the characteristics are highly accurate and stable. The transmission power can be controlled in.</p><p> In the transmission device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to third aspects of the present invention, in the first mode, the input level of the high frequency power amplifier is the instantaneous output power of the transmission signal. Adopt a configuration that changes according to.</p><p> With this configuration, in addition to the effect of any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the input level of the high-frequency power amplifier is changed according to the instantaneous output power of the transmission signal, so that the instantaneous level fluctuates. It follows, the leak power can be reduced, and the reproducibility of the instantaneous level fluctuation can be improved.</p><p> In the transmission device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the correction table provides information on the correction value for correcting the power supply voltage value of the high frequency power amplifier in the first mode. In the second mode, the information of the correction value for correcting the input level of the high-frequency power amplifier and the information of the correction value are stored.</p><p> With this configuration, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the average output power is corrected for each mode in response to a variation in the characteristics of a plurality of electronic components of the transmitter or a change in the characteristics of the transmitter due to a temperature change or the like. Therefore, it is possible to control the transmission power with higher accuracy and stable characteristics.</p><p> In the transmission device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the correction table has an input level and an average for operating the high frequency power amplifier as a non-linear amplifier in the first mode. Information on the correction value for correcting the power supply voltage value for correcting the output level, the power supply voltage value for operating the high frequency power amplifier as a linear amplifier in the second mode, and the correction value for correcting the average output level. The configuration that stores the information of the correction value that corrects the input level and is adopted.</p><p> With this configuration, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the average output power is corrected for each mode in response to a variation in the characteristics of a plurality of electronic components of the transmitter or a change in the characteristics of the transmitter due to a temperature change or the like. Since the power supply voltage and input level of the high-frequency power amplifier can be corrected, the transmission power can be controlled with higher accuracy and stable characteristics.</p><p> In addition, since the correction is performed using the average output power by this configuration, the amount of calculation and the memory capacity can be reduced as compared with the case where the correction is performed using the instantaneous power. The circuit scale can be reduced.</p><p> In the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the transmission device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention includes a power detection unit in which the correction means detects the average output power output from the high frequency power amplification means. The correction value calculation unit that calculates the correction value based on the average output power detected by the power detection unit and the correction value calculated by the correction value calculation unit update the correction value stored in the correction table. A configuration is adopted in which the correction value updating means is further provided.</p><p> With this configuration, in addition to the effect of the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, a correction value is calculated based on the average output power detected by the power detection unit, and the calculated correction value is stored in the correction table. Since the correction value is updated, the transmission power can be controlled with high accuracy and stable characteristics.</p><p> The wireless communication device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention includes a transmission device according to the first aspect of the present invention and an antenna that receives a transmission signal from the transmission device to generate and output a wireless transmission signal. Take the configuration to be provided.</p><p> With this configuration, the power efficiency of the transmitting device can be increased in the first mode, so that the usage period of the power source such as a battery or a battery can be extended, and the high frequency power amplifier of the transmitting device can be miniaturized. Therefore, it is possible to realize miniaturization and weight reduction of the wireless communication device.</p>

<p> According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a transmission device and a wireless communication device having good power efficiency, a wide control range of transmission output power, and capable of outputting stable power.</p>

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, configurations having the same function are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of overlapping portions will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1) [Configuration of transmitter]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a transmission device 100, a transmission / reception switch 201, an antenna 202, and a reception unit 203.

The transmitter 100 includes an amplitude phase separator 101, a correction unit 120, an adder 102, a switch 103, an amplitude modulation signal amplifier 104, a high frequency power amplifier 105, a frequency synthesizer 106, a variable gain amplifier 107, an adder 108, and a lower limit value limiting circuit. It is equipped with 109, a switch 110, an adder 111, and a DC voltage power supply 115.

The amplitude phase separation unit 101 receives the baseband modulation signal S0 and separates the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1 and the baseband phase modulation signal S2. The multiplier 102 multiplies the value (voltage value) of the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1 from the amplitude phase separation unit 101 and the value (voltage value) of the amplitude modulation control signal S21 from the correction unit 120. The switch 103 is switched and controlled based on the mode switching signal S6. Hereinafter, the signal value shall indicate the voltage value.

The amplitude modulated signal amplifier 104 supplies a power supply voltage to the high frequency power amplifier 105. The high-frequency power amplifier 105 power-amplifies the output signal from the multiplier 108 and outputs the transmission output signal S4. The frequency synthesizer 106 phase-modulates the carrier signal with the baseband phase-modulated signal S2 to generate the high-frequency phase-modulated signal S3. The variable gain amplifier 107 adjusts the signal level of the high frequency phase modulation signal S3.

The multiplier 108 multiplies the value of the output signal of the variable gain amplifier 107 with the value of the baseband amplitude modulated signal S1. The lower limit value limiting circuit 109 limits the lower limit value of the amplitude fluctuation of the baseband amplitude modulated signal S1. The switch 110 is switched and controlled by the mode switching signal S6. The adder 111 adds the value of the variable gain control signal S20 and the value of the gain offset signal S8.

The correction unit 120 receives the gain control signal S5 and the mode switching signal S6. The correction unit 120 refers to the correction table (shown with reference numeral 121 shown in FIG. 2) based on the gain control signal S5 and the mode switching signal S6, and outputs the variable gain control signal S20 and the amplitude modulation control signal S21. It has a first mode for outputting a variable gain control signal S20 and a second mode for outputting a DC voltage source control signal S22. The DC voltage source control signal S22 is input to the DC voltage power supply 115.

The correction unit 120 includes a correction table 121 as shown in FIG. The correction table 121 stores information having a required power value 125, a mode number 126, an area number 127, a first correction data 128, and a second correction data 129. As the required power value 125, a value (dBm) corresponding to the gain control signal S5 is stored. The mode number 126 stores information for distinguishing between the first mode and the second mode. As shown in FIG. 3, the area number 127 stores information on the area number when the characteristics of the transmission device 100 are divided into a plurality of areas and correction is performed.

FIG. 3 shows the power supply voltage value of the high frequency power amplifier 105 required to output the required power with respect to the required power value. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis shows the required power value, and the vertical axis shows the output voltage value. As shown in FIG. 3, the relationship between the required power value and the power supply voltage value of the high-frequency power amplifier 105 is divided in a linear region, and a predetermined correction is performed for each of these region division ranges. By doing so, the number of correction values to be updated when updating the correction values depends on the number of area division ranges (1), as compared with the case where corrections are made individually for each required power value (1). In one area division range, the correction value is constant), and the time to update the correction value is shortened.

As the first correction data 128, information on the correction value (voltage V) of the variable gain control signal S20 is stored. As the second correction data 129, information on the correction value (voltage V) of the amplitude modulation control signal S21 is stored in the first mode, and the correction value (voltage V) of the DC voltage source control signal S22 in the second mode. Is stored.

The correction table 121 may be configured not to have the second correction data 129. Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the characteristics of the transmission device 100 are divided into a plurality of regions and corrected, but all of them are combined into one without performing such the divided correction. It may be corrected as an area. In this case, the information (item) of the area number 127 is deleted from the correction table 121. As a result, the amount of information in the correction table 121 can be reduced, so that the memory capacity for constructing the correction table 121 can be reduced. As shown in FIG. 4, the correction unit 120 includes the above-mentioned correction table 121 and the switch 131.

[Operation of transmitter]

Next, the operation of the transmission device 100 described above will be described. In the transmission device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the operation mode of the high-frequency power amplifier 105 is determined according to, for example, the transmission power level designation from the radio base station to the transmission device 100 or the transmission power level based on the state of the received signal of the transmission device 100. Will be done. When the level of the transmission output signal S4 is large, it is preferable from the viewpoint of power efficiency that the high frequency power amplifier 105 enters the operation mode (first mode) in which the high frequency power amplifier 105 becomes a nonlinear amplifier. On the other hand, when the level of the transmission output signal S4 becomes low and the high frequency power amplifier 105 is out of the range in which the high frequency power amplifier 105 can operate as a nonlinear amplifier, it is preferable to operate the high frequency power amplifier 105 in an operation mode (second mode) in which the high frequency power amplifier 105 becomes a linear amplifier. ..

The correction unit 120 corrects the average output power of the high-frequency power amplifier 105. Next, the operation of the correction unit 120 will be described in detail.

First, the mode switching signal S6 and the gain control signal S5 are input to the correction unit 120. The gain control signal S5 is compared with the required power value 125 of the correction table 121 by the correction unit 120, and the mode switching signal S6 is compared with the mode number 126 of the correction table 121. As a result of the comparison, if both match, the first correction data 128 and the second correction data 129 in the same column of the correction table 121 are output from the correction table 121.

The first correction data 128 is output as the variable gain control signal S20. Further, in the first mode, the mode switching signal S6 connects the terminal a and the terminal c of the switch 131 (see FIG. 4), and the second correction data 129 is output as the amplitude modulation control signal S21 through the switch 131. Will be done.

In the second mode, the mode switching signal S6 connects the terminal b and the terminal c of the switch 131, and the second correction data 129 is output as the DC voltage source control signal S22 through the switch 131.

Next, the complement will be described operation of determining the correction value of the correction table 121 in Tadashibu 120. The information stored in the correction table 121 is stored (input) from the outside. Here, the term "external" is used to mean, for example, an external device of the transmission device 100 or the wireless communication device 200, and specifically, is a data writing device of a factory that manufactures the transmission device 100 or the wireless communication device 200. First, a reference value determined in advance by an experiment or the like is prepared.

Based on this reference value, each transmission device 100 updates the correction value of the correction table 121 according to the average transmission power, and the updated correction value is retained as information stored in the correction table 121. Thereby, each transmission device 100 can be provided with a correction table 121 suitable for each characteristic.

The mode switching signal S6 is set based on the desired transmission power level and the characteristics of the high frequency power amplifier 105. The DC voltage S7 is output from the DC voltage power supply 115. Here, the gain control signal S5, the mode switching signal S6, and the gain offset signal S8 input to the transmission device 100 are set and supplied by, for example, a control unit (not shown). The control unit is arranged inside the transmission device 100. Further, when the transmission device 100 is incorporated into a wireless communication device or the like, the control unit may be shared with the control unit that controls the operation of the wireless communication device.

First, the case of the first mode in which the level of the transmission output signal S4 of the high-frequency power amplifier 105 is relatively large will be described. At this time, the high frequency power amplifier 105 operates as a non-linear amplifier in the saturation operation or switching operation region. The baseband modulation signal S0 is separated into a baseband amplitude modulation signal S1 and a baseband phase modulation signal S2 by the amplitude phase separator 101.

The value of the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1 is multiplied by the value of the amplitude modulation control signal S21 by the multiplier 102, and the output signal of the multiplier 102 is input to the terminal a of the switch 103. When amplitude modulation is performed by the high-frequency power amplifier 105 (when the level of the transmission output signal S4 is relatively large), the mode switching signal S6 connects the terminal a and the terminal c of the switch 103. The product of the value of the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1 output from the terminal c of the switch 103 and the value of the amplitude modulation control signal S21 is amplified by the amplitude modulation signal amplifier 104, and this amplified signal is amplified by the high frequency power amplifier 105. It is supplied to the high frequency power amplifier 105 as a power supply voltage. Amplitude modulation operation is performed in the high frequency power amplifier 105.

Here, since the amplitude-modulated signal amplifier 104 can change the power supply voltage with high efficiency according to the level of the baseband amplitude-modulated signal S1, it is preferable to use a class D amplifier that expresses amplitude information in pulse width.

On the other hand, the baseband phase modulation signal S2 is input to the frequency synthesizer 106. The frequency synthesizer 106 generates and outputs a high-frequency phase-modulated signal S3 in which the carrier signal is phase-modulated with the baseband phase-modulated signal S2. The high-frequency phase modulation signal S3 is amplified (or attenuated) by the variable gain amplifier 107 based on the gain control signal S9, and then output to the multiplier 108.

Here, the gain control signal S9 input to the variable gain amplifier 107 is obtained by adding the value of the gain offset signal S8 to the value of the variable gain control signal S20 by the adder 111. The gain offset signal S8 is set so that the variable gain amplifier 107 adjusts the high frequency power amplifier 105 to a signal level suitable for operating the high frequency power amplifier 105 as a nonlinear amplifier in the saturation operation or switching operation region.

When the level of the transmission output signal S4 is relatively high, the mode switching signal S6 connects the terminal a and the terminal c of the switch 110. Therefore, a signal whose lower limit value of the amplitude fluctuation of the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1 is limited by the lower limit value limiting circuit 109 is given to the multiplier 108 through this switch 110.

As a result, the phase modulation signal is obtained by multiplying the value of the output signal of the variable gain amplifier 107 by the multiplier 108 with the value of the signal that limits the lower limit of the amplitude fluctuation of the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1. The phase modulation signal output from the multiplier 108 is input to the high frequency power amplifier 105, and the value of the phase modulation signal is multiplied by the value of the amplitude modulation signal to become the transmission output signal S4, which is output from the high frequency power amplifier 105. ..

When the high-frequency power amplifier 105 is operated as a nonlinear amplifier, the nonlinear amplifier 1050 is provided as shown in FIG. 5, and a parasitic capacitance 1051 is added between the input side and the output side of the nonlinear amplifier 1050. In the nonlinear amplifier 1050, as shown in FIG. 6, the square of the power supply voltage is proportional to the output power. Here, the magnitude of the leak power is determined by the parasitic capacitance 1051 and the level of the input signal of the nonlinear amplifier 1050 (the level of the output signal of the multiplier 108).

Here, when the variable gain amplifier 107 and the multiplier 108 are not arranged, the output level of the frequency synthesizer 106 is substantially constant, so that the leakage power is also constant. In order to lower the level of the transmission output signal S4, the power supply voltage of the nonlinear amplifier 1050 may be lowered, but the level is limited to the leakage power and cannot be lowered below a certain value.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the leak power is reduced by controlling the gain of the variable gain amplifier 107 by the gain control signal S9 and controlling the level of the phase modulation signal input to the high frequency power amplifier 105. Can be done. Therefore, in the high frequency power amplifier 105, the control range of the output power by the power supply voltage can be expanded. In this way, by amplifying the baseband phase modulation signal S2 based on the gain control signal S5 that sets the average output of the amplitude modulation signal, the level control by the variable gain amplifier 107 follows the average power of the amplitude modulation signal. That is, the input of the high frequency power amplifier 105 can be controlled according to the average output power.

Further, by multiplying the value of the output signal of the variable gain amplifier 107 with the value of the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1 by the multiplier 108, the input level of the high frequency power amplifier 105 follows the instantaneous level fluctuation of the amplitude modulation signal and leaks. Since the power can also be reduced, the reproducibility of the instantaneous level fluctuation can be improved. That is, the input of the high frequency power amplifier 105 can be controlled according to the instantaneous output power.

Here, if the input level of the high-frequency power amplifier 105 is lowered too much, it goes out of the range of the saturation operation or the switching operation region, and the linearity with respect to the change of the power supply voltage deteriorates. Therefore, the lower limit value limiting circuit 109 is arranged to keep the input level of the high frequency power amplifier 105 above a certain value. In the multiplier 108, the leakage power may be reduced by following the amplitude fluctuation instead of applying the amplitude modulation to the transmission output signal S4. Therefore, even if the low level side of the instantaneous level fluctuation is limited, there is a problem in terms of characteristics. It does not become.

Next, the case of the second mode in which the level of the transmission output signal S4 is relatively small will be described. At this time, the high-frequency power amplifier 105 operates as a linear amplifier having a linear input / output relationship. First, in the switch 103, the mode switching signal S6 connects the terminal b and the terminal c. As a result, the DC voltage value S7 is input from the amplitude modulation signal amplifier 104 via the switch 103, and the amplitude modulation signal amplifier 104 supplies a constant power supply voltage to the high frequency power amplifier 105.

On the other hand, the baseband phase modulation signal S2 is input to the frequency synthesizer 106, and the frequency synthesizer 106 outputs the high frequency phase modulation signal S3 in which the carrier signal is phase-modulated by the baseband phase modulation signal S2 to the variable gain amplifier 107. The high-frequency phase modulation signal S3 is amplified (or attenuated) by the variable gain amplifier 107 based on the gain control signal S9, and the output of the variable gain amplifier 107 is input to the multiplier 108. In this case, the gain offset signal S8 is set to zero. Therefore, the gain control signal S5 (= gain control signal S9) is input to the variable gain amplifier 107 through the adder 111.

Further, in this case, in the switch 110, the terminal b and the terminal c are connected by the mode switching signal S6. Therefore, the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1 is input to the multiplier 108 via the switch 110. The multiplier 108 multiplies the value of the high frequency phase modulation signal S3 amplified by the variable gain amplifier 107 with the value of the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1. The high frequency power amplifier 105 linearly amplifies the output of the multiplier 108, and the high frequency power amplifier 105 outputs the transmission output signal S4.

Therefore, even when the level of the transmission output signal S4 is small and the high-frequency power amplifier 105 may deviate from the saturation operation or switching operation region, that is, when the linearity of the output power with respect to the change in the power supply voltage deteriorates, the high-frequency power Since the amplifier 105 can be operated as a linear amplifier, the linearity of the output signal with respect to the input signal can be maintained, and the control range of the output power can be expanded.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the first mode in which the level of the transmission output signal S4 is relatively large, the high frequency power amplifier 105 is operated as the nonlinear amplifier 1050, and the power supply voltage supplied to the high frequency power amplifier 105. In addition to being able to control amplitude modulation and average output level, the high frequency power amplifier 105 is operated as a linear amplifier in the second mode where the level of the transmission output signal is relatively small, and is placed in front of the high frequency power amplifier 105. Amplitude modulation is performed by the installed multiplier 108, and the average output level can be controlled by the variable gain amplifier 107 arranged in front of the multiplier 108, and the level of the transmission output signal S4 is controlled over a wide range. be able to.

Further, according to the first embodiment, when the transmission output signal S4 is large, the high frequency power amplifier 105 can be operated as a non-linear amplifier, so that the power efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the first embodiment, when the high frequency power amplifier 105 is operated as a non-linear amplifier, the gain of the variable gain amplifier 107 can be controlled by the gain control signal S9 to change the level of the high frequency phase modulation signal S3. Since the leakage power can be reduced, the control range of the output power by the power supply voltage can be expanded.

Further, according to the first embodiment, by multiplying the value of the high frequency phase modulation signal S3 with the value of the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1 in the multiplier 108, the input level of the high frequency power amplifier 105 is set to the baseband amplitude modulation signal S1. Since the leakage power can be reduced by following the instantaneous level fluctuation of the above, the reproducibility of the instantaneous level fluctuation can be improved.

[Wireless communication device configuration]

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is connected to the above-mentioned transmission device 100 and the output side of the high-frequency power amplifier 105 of the transmission device 100, and a transmission output signal S4 is input. The transmission / reception switch 201 and the antenna 202 connected to the transmission / reception switch 201 are provided.

Here, the wireless communication device 200 includes at least a mobile wireless terminal device such as a mobile phone and a mobile information terminal having a communication function, a wireless communication device installed in a wireless base station, and the like.

[Operation of wireless communication device]

Next, the operation of the wireless communication device 200 described above will be described. Here, the operation of the wireless communication device 200 as a portable wireless terminal device will be described.

At the time of transmission, the wireless communication device 200 transmits the transmission output signal S4 power-amplified by the high-frequency power amplifier 105 from the antenna 202 through the transmission / reception switch 201.

On the other hand, at the time of reception, the wireless communication device 200 inputs the received signal from the antenna 202 to the transmission / reception switch 201, and the transmission / reception switch 201 outputs the reception signal to the reception unit 203.

In the first embodiment, the correction table 121 of the correction unit 120 is updated based on the average transmission power. However, even if the reference value is stored in the correction table 121 as it is without performing this update processing. Good. In this case, once the reference value is determined, the same reference value can be used in each transmission device 100, so that the process of storing the correction value information in the correction table 121 from the outside can be reduced.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the transmission device 100 or the wireless communication device 200 is provided with the correction unit 120, and the correction table 121 of the correction unit 120 is switched for each mode to obtain the average output power of the high frequency power amplifier 105. Since the correction is performed, it is possible to reduce the variation in the characteristics of the transmitter 100 or the wireless communication device 200 for each product, and also reduce the error when switching between the first mode and the second mode. Therefore, it is possible to realize highly accurate and stable high-frequency amplification.

Further, according to the first embodiment, since the correction values corresponding to the first mode and the second mode are held in the correction table 121, the optimum mode switching is possible.

Further, according to the first embodiment, since the correction value for each mode is held in the correction table 121, a plurality of switching points can exist, so that the mode can always be switched at the optimum point. , Since the switching point from the first mode to the second mode and the switching point from the second mode to the first mode can be separated, the minimum required for the required power near the mode switching point. It can be handled only by switching the mode.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those of the first embodiment of the present invention are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[Configuration of transmitter and wireless communication device]

As shown in FIG. 7, the transmission device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the wireless communication device 200 incorporating the transmission device 100 are added to the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 according to the first embodiment. It also includes a power detection unit 141, a correction value calculation unit 142, and a correction unit 145. The power detection unit 141 detects the average output power output from the high frequency power amplifier 105. The correction value calculation unit 142 calculates the correction value based on the average output power detected by the power detection unit 141. The correction unit 145 has a correction table 121, and updates the correction value stored in the correction table 121.

Further, the transmitter 100 and the wireless communication device 200 include a coupler 140 and delayers 143 and 144. The coupler 140 takes out the output of the high frequency power amplifier 105. The delay device 143 delay-adjusts the gain control signal S5 and gives it to the correction value calculation unit 142. The delay device 144 delay-adjusts the mode switching signal S6 and gives it to the correction value calculation unit 142. In the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200, the correction value of the correction table 121 provided in the correction unit 145 can be updated.

As shown in FIG. 8, the correction unit 145 has basically the same structure as the correction unit 120 of the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 according to the second embodiment, but the correction value calculation unit 142 is newly added. The correction table update value S25 output from the correction value calculation unit 142 is input to the correction table 121.

As shown in FIG. 9, the correction value calculation unit 142 includes a gain control signal region converter 150 and a comparator 151.

[Correction control operation of transmitter and wireless communication device]

Next, in the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the correction control operation of the output power of the transmission output signal S4 output from the high frequency power amplifier 105 is performed using FIGS. 9 and 10. Will be explained.

First, as shown in step ST1, the gain control signal S5 and the mode switching signal S6 are used to output the amplitude modulation control signal (correction value) S21 from the correction unit 145. Here, the correction value is an initial value, and this initial value is given from the outside of the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200, for example, at the time of product shipment. To set the initial value, first prepare the optimum reference value as the initial value by experiments or the like in advance.

Based on this reference value, the individual transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 update the correction table 121 of the correction unit 145, and the data stored in the correction table 121 after the update is used as the initial value. The initial value is stored in a storage device such as a part of the correction table 121 or a separately arranged non-volatile memory, and is stored in the correction table 121 from the storage device when the system of the transmission device 100 or the wireless communication device 200 is started.

As shown in step ST2, the high-frequency power amplifier 105 outputs the corrected and appropriate transmission output signal S4 based on the correction value output from the correction unit 145.

The transmission output signal S4 output from the high-frequency power amplifier 105 is input to the transmission / reception switch 201 via the coupler 140 shown in FIG. As shown in step ST3, the power detection unit 141 measures the average output power data S26 from the transmission output signal S4 as digital data via the coupler 140. The measured average output power data S26 is output to the correction value calculation unit 142.

In the correction value calculation unit 142, as shown in step ST4, the average output power data S26 and the gain control signal S5 are compared, and the correction table update value S25 is calculated. The correction value calculation unit 142 refers to the value of the average output power data S26 output from the power detection unit 141 and the gain used for reference to the correction unit 145 when measuring the average output power data S26 in the comparator 151 shown in FIG. Compare the magnitude with the value of the control signal S5. The comparator 151 gives an "UP" instruction to increase the correction value when the value of the average output power data S26 is smaller than the value of the gain control signal S5, and a "Down" instruction to decrease the correction value when the value is larger. Is given to the correction unit 145 as the correction table update value S25.

Further, the gain control signal S5 is used for calculating the correction table update value S25, and is input to the correction value calculation unit 142 via the delay device 143. Further, the gain control signal S5 is input to the gain control signal region converter 150. The gain control signal area converter 150 converts the value of the gain control signal S5 into the information of the area number 127 of the correction table 121 shown in FIG. 2, and gives this information to the correction unit 145. The mode switching signal S6 is input to the correction value calculation unit 142 via the delay device 144, and is directly given to the correction unit 145 as the correction table update value S25.

As shown in step ST5, when the correction unit 145 acquires the UP instruction as the correction table update value S25, the correction unit 145 sets the correction values of the first correction data 128 and the second correction data 129 for a fixed step, for example. An update is made that increases by 1 dB. Further, when the correction unit 145 acquires the "Down" instruction as the correction table update value S25, the correction unit 145 reduces the correction value of the first correction data 128 and the correction value of the second correction data 129 by a fixed step. Update. That is, the correction value in the correction table 121 is updated.

The correction control processing of steps ST1 to ST5 is sufficiently repeated in the correction value calculation unit 142 until the average output power data S26 and the gain control signal S5 are compared and there is no difference. The correction value of the correction table 121 is continuously updated. The correction value of the correction table 121 is not necessarily updated continuously, but may be updated periodically or when an update request is generated.

Here, an example in which the initial value of the correction table 121 is created by the update process based on the reference value is described, but the reference value can be used as it is as the initial value of the correction table 121. In this case, once the reference value is set, the common reference value can be used as the initial value of the correction table 121 in the plurality of transmission devices 100 and the wireless communication device 200, and the correction control process can be reduced. ..

[Modification example of correction value calculation unit]

The transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 according to the second embodiment may be configured to include the correction value calculation unit 1420 shown in FIG. 11 instead of the correction value calculation unit 142 shown in FIG. The correction value calculation unit 1420 includes an adder 152, a difference correction value converter 153, and a gain control signal region converter 150. The adder 152 adds the value of the average output power data S26 output from the power detection unit 141 and the value of the gain control signal S5 input via the delay device 143. The difference correction value converter 153 receives an output signal output from the adder 152.

The correction control operation of the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 including the correction value calculation unit 1420 is performed as follows.

The average output power data S26 output from the power detection unit 141 and the gain control signal S5 used for reference to the correction unit 145 and passed through the delay device 143 are input to the correction value calculation unit 1420. The correction value calculation unit 1420 calculates the difference between the value of the average output power data S26 and the value of the gain control signal S5 in the adder 152. This calculation result is given from the adder 152 to the difference correction value converter 153, and the difference correction value converter 153 calculates the correction value based on this output signal.

According to the correction value calculation unit 1420 shown in FIG. 11 configured in this way, the characteristics of the transmitter 100 are estimated from the difference between the value of the gain control signal S5 and the value of the average output power data S26, and the correction table 121 is corrected. Since the value can be updated, the update time of the correction value in the correction table 121 can be shortened as compared with the correction value calculation unit 142 shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the correction unit 145 continuously updates the correction value of the correction table 121, and the transmission output of the high-frequency power amplifier 105 follows the change in the characteristics due to the temperature change or the like. Since the power can be corrected, high frequency amplification can be realized with high accuracy.

Further, according to the second embodiment, since the correction value of the correction table 121 is updated by using the average output power, it is compared with the case where the correction is performed by using the instantaneous power using the amplitude and the phase. Therefore, the amount of calculation and the memory capacity can be reduced, so that the circuit scale of the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 can be reduced, and the size and weight can be reduced.

(Embodiment 3) Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those of the first and second embodiments of the present invention are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[Configuration of transmitter and wireless communication device]

As shown in FIG. 12, the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention are arranged in place of the coupler 140 of the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 according to the second embodiment. It includes a switch 160 and a switch 161 that switches the input between the gain control signal S5 and the correction reference signal S16 in the previous stage of the correction unit 145.

In the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200, in addition to the correction control operation according to the second embodiment, it is possible to switch between the time of amplifying the transmission power and the time of updating the correction value of the correction table 121. Both the switches 160 and 161 are switched and controlled by the correction control signal S15.

[Correction control operation of transmitter and wireless communication device]

Next, in the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the correction control operation of the output power of the transmission output signal output from the high frequency power amplifier 105 is performed using FIGS. 12 and 13. explain.

The correction control operation according to the third embodiment is basically the same as the correction control operation according to the second embodiment, that is, the correction value output stage of step ST1 and the output stage of the transmission output signal S4 of step ST2. It is provided from the measurement stage of the average output power data S26 in step ST3 to the update stage of the correction value in step ST5, and either the transmission power amplification process or the correction table update process is performed as step ST10 between step ST2 and step ST3. It also has a process selection stage to select.

When the correction value of the correction table 121 is updated, that is, when there is a request to update the correction value of the correction table 121, the correction control signal S15 is input to each of the switches 160 and 161 as shown in step ST10. Based on this correction control signal S15, the switch 160 is connected between the terminal b and the terminal c, and the switch 161 is connected between the terminal b and the terminal c.

Based on the switching operation of the switch 160, the transmission output signal S4 output from the high frequency amplifier 105 is input to the power detection unit 141 through the switch 160, and the average output power can be measured by the power detection unit 141.

Then, a correction reference signal S16 is input to the correction unit 145 instead of the gain control signal S5, and the correction value of the correction table 121 can be updated based on the correction reference signal S16. The correction value of the correction table 121 is updated only when there is a request to update the correction value based on the correction control signal S15.

On the other hand, at the time of transmitting power amplification, the correction control signal S15 is input to each of the switches 160 and 161. Based on the correction control signal S15, the switch 160 is connected between the terminal a and the terminal c, and the switch 161 is connected between the terminal a and the terminal c. Based on the switching operation of the switch 160, the transmission output signal S4 output from the high frequency amplifier 105 is input to the transmission / reception switch 201 through the switch 160. In the transmission / reception switch 201, radiation can be emitted from the antenna 202 via the transmission output signal S4. Further, the gain control signal S5 is input to the correction unit 145 based on the switching operation of the switch 161.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the high frequency power amplifier 105 can be operated as a non-linear amplifier at the time of high output power, so that the power efficiency can be improved. Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in particular, in a battery, a portable wireless terminal device using a battery as a power source, it is possible to prevent the battery, the battery, etc. from being consumed, and it is possible to prolong the usage time. Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the power efficiency of the high frequency power amplifier 105 can be improved, the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 can be reduced in size and weight. Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the miniaturization of the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 can realize a reduction in the amount of heat generated.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the average output power is corrected based on the correction table 121 storing two types of correction values corresponding to each of the first mode and the second mode. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the error of the correction value due to the mode switching, and to absorb the variation in the characteristics between products and the change in the characteristics due to the temperature change. Therefore, the transmission device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 can output a stable transmission output signal.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when applied to a base station device of a wireless system in which a plurality of transmission devices 100 are installed, which requires a large amount of power, the high frequency power amplifier 105 can be miniaturized and can be miniaturized. Since the amount of heat generated can be reduced, it is possible to prevent the equipment from becoming large in size, and the installation space can be effectively used.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

The present invention has the effects that the power efficiency is good, the control range of the transmission output power is wide, and stable power can be output. It is effective for wireless communication devices such as base stations.

<figref num="1">A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="2">The figure for demonstrating the information content stored in the correction table of the transmission device of the wireless communication device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.</figref><figref num="3">The figure which shows the relationship between the required power value and power supply voltage value which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.</figref><figref num="4">The block diagram which shows the structure of the correction part of the transmission device of the wireless communication device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.</figref><figref num="5">The figure which shows the circuit structure when the high frequency power amplifier of the transmitter shown in FIG. 1 is operated as a nonlinear amplifier.</figref><figref num="6">Characteristic diagram of the high frequency power amplifier shown in Fig. 5.</figref><figref num="7">A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="8">The block diagram which shows the structure of the correction part of the transmission device of the wireless communication device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.</figref><figref num="9">The block diagram which shows the structure of the correction value calculation part of the transmission device of the wireless communication device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.</figref><figref num="10">A flowchart for explaining the correction control operation of the transmission device and the wireless communication device shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="11">A block diagram showing a schematic configuration according to a modified example of the correction value calculation unit of the transmission device and the wireless communication device shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="12">A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="13">A flowchart for explaining the correction control operation of the transmission device and the wireless communication device shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="14">Block diagram of the transmitter according to the prior art</figref>

Code description

100 Transmitter 101 Oscillation phase separator 102, 108 Multiplier 103, 110, 160, 161 Switch 104 Fluctuation modulation signal amplifier 105 High frequency power amplifier 106 Frequency synthesizer 107 Variable gain amplifier 109 Lower limit limit circuit 111, 152 Adder 120, 145 Correction unit 121 Correction table 141 Power detection unit 142 Correction value calculation unit 143, 144 Delayer 140 Coupler 150 Gain control signal area converter 151 Comparer 153 Difference correction value converter 200 Wireless communication device 201 Transmission / reception switch 202 Antenna