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US7656228B2 Active / In Force US ⏱️ 1.0 years remaining

Matching circuit and multi-band amplifier

Assignee: NTT Docomo Inc
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Filing: 2007-10-29
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Granted: 2010-02-02
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Expires: 2027-10-29
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Abstract

Abstract A matching circuit includes a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from an amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands, and at least two matching blocks which are connected to the demultiplexer, are respectively fed with the signals of the respective frequency bands, and perform impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals. Impedance matching is performed on each of the demultiplexed signals of the respective frequency bands, thereby achieving a matching circuit capable of efficiently performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands. With this matching circuit, it is possible to achieve a multi-band amplifier capable of simultaneously amplifying signals of multiple frequency bands with high efficiency and low noise.

Inventors

  • 👤 Atsushi Fukuda
  • 👤 Hiroshi Okazaki
  • 👤 Shoichi Narahashi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 13:23
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03H; H03H11/00; H03H11/02; H03H11/28; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/60; H03F3/602; H03F1/00; H03F1/02; H03F1/0205; H03F1/0288; H03F1/56; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/005; H04B1/0053; H04B1/0057; H04B1/02; H04B1/04; H04B1/0458; H03F2200/00; H03F2200/111; H03F2200/423

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 132 words
A matching circuit, comprising: a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from an amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands; and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, wherein the demultiplexer has as many band elimination filters as the matching blocks, the band elimination filters receiving the signal outputted from the amplification device, each of the band elimination filters comprises a transmission line and an end open line connected to one end of the transmission line, the transmission line and the end open line each having a length equal to a quarter of a wavelength of a frequency to be rejected by said each band elimination filter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 132 words
A matching circuit, comprising: a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from an amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands; and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, wherein the demultiplexer has as many band elimination filters as the matching blocks, the band elimination filters receiving the signal outputted from the amplification device, each of the band elimination filters comprises a transmission line and an end open line connected to one end of the transmission line, the transmission line and the end open line each having a length equal to a quarter of a wavelength of a frequency to be rejected by said each band elimination filter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The matching circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising an isolator on a terminal of an output side of the matching block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The matching circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising a pre-matching circuit between the amplification device and the demultiplexer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
The matching circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising a multiplexer for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 156 words
A matching circuit, comprising: at least two matching blocks for receiving signals of respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals; a multiplexer which is connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks, and output the multiplexed signal to an amplification device; and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing an inputted signal into signals of the respective frequency bands and outputting the signals to the matching blocks, wherein the demultiplexer has as many band elimination filters as demultiplexed frequency bands, the band elimination filters receiving the inputted signal, each of the band elimination filters comprises a transmission line and an end open line connected to one end of the transmission line, the transmission line and the end open line each having a length equal to a quarter of a wavelength of a frequency to be rejected by said each band elimination filter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 156 words
A matching circuit, comprising: at least two matching blocks for receiving signals of respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals; a multiplexer which is connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks, and output the multiplexed signal to an amplification device; and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing an inputted signal into signals of the respective frequency bands and outputting the signals to the matching blocks, wherein the demultiplexer has as many band elimination filters as demultiplexed frequency bands, the band elimination filters receiving the inputted signal, each of the band elimination filters comprises a transmission line and an end open line connected to one end of the transmission line, the transmission line and the end open line each having a length equal to a quarter of a wavelength of a frequency to be rejected by said each band elimination filter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The matching circuit according to claim 5 , further comprising a pre-matching circuit between the amplification device and the multiplexer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 33 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: the matching circuit according to claim 1 ; and an amplification device for amplifying an inputted signal and outputting the amplified signal to a demultiplexer of the matching circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 33 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: the matching circuit according to claim 5 ; and an amplification device for amplifying a signal outputted from a multiplexer of the matching circuit and outputting the amplified signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 207 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: an output matching circuit a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from an amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands; and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, wherein the demultiplexer has as many band elimination filters as the matching blocks, the band elimination filters receiving the signal outputted from the amplification device, each of the band elimination filters comprises a transmission line and an end open line connected to one end of the transmission line, an input matching circuit comprising at least two matching blocks for receiving signals of respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal; and an amplification device which is connected between a multiplexer of the input matching circuit and a demultiplexer of the output matching circuit, amplifies a signal outputted from the multiplexer of the input matching circuit, and outputs the amplified signal to the demultiplexer of the output matching circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 207 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: an output matching circuit a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from an amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands; and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, wherein the demultiplexer has as many band elimination filters as the matching blocks, the band elimination filters receiving the signal outputted from the amplification device, each of the band elimination filters comprises a transmission line and an end open line connected to one end of the transmission line, an input matching circuit comprising at least two matching blocks for receiving signals of respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal; and an amplification device which is connected between a multiplexer of the input matching circuit and a demultiplexer of the output matching circuit, amplifies a signal outputted from the multiplexer of the input matching circuit, and outputs the amplified signal to the demultiplexer of the output matching circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 137 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: at least two amplifiers, each of the at least two amplifiers comprising an amplification device for amplifying an inputted signal, a demultiplexer with band elimination filters for demultiplexing a signal outputted from the amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals; the at least two amplifiers having different saturation output powers, control means for selecting one of the at least two amplifiers based on a power of an inputted signal, and driving only the selected amplifier; and at least two multiplexers connected respectively to matching blocks for outputting signals of the same frequency band, out of matching blocks of the amplifiers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 137 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: at least two amplifiers, each of the at least two amplifiers comprising an amplification device for amplifying an inputted signal, a demultiplexer with band elimination filters for demultiplexing a signal outputted from the amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals; the at least two amplifiers having different saturation output powers, control means for selecting one of the at least two amplifiers based on a power of an inputted signal, and driving only the selected amplifier; and at least two multiplexers connected respectively to matching blocks for outputting signals of the same frequency band, out of matching blocks of the amplifiers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 300 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: a first Butler matrix which has B input terminals and B output terminals, B represents a given natural number, equally distributes each of input signals fed to the B input terminals to the B output terminals with a predetermined phase difference to thereby output B combined signals at the B output terminals; the B series connections each of which has a first matching circuit, the first matching circuit receiving one of the B signals, amplification device which amplifies a signal outputted from the input matching circuit and outputs the amplified signal, and a second matching circuit, the second matching circuit receiving the signal outputted from the amplification device; and a second Butler matrix which has B input terminals and B output terminals, equally distributes each of signals from the B second matching circuits fed to the B input terminals to the B output terminals with a predetermined phase difference to thereby output B signals, wherein the first matching circuit comprises a demultiplexer with band elimination filters for demultiplexing said one of the B signals into signals of respective frequency bands, at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal, the second matching circuit comprises a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from the amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands, at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 300 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: a first Butler matrix which has B input terminals and B output terminals, B represents a given natural number, equally distributes each of input signals fed to the B input terminals to the B output terminals with a predetermined phase difference to thereby output B combined signals at the B output terminals; the B series connections each of which has a first matching circuit, the first matching circuit receiving one of the B signals, amplification device which amplifies a signal outputted from the input matching circuit and outputs the amplified signal, and a second matching circuit, the second matching circuit receiving the signal outputted from the amplification device; and a second Butler matrix which has B input terminals and B output terminals, equally distributes each of signals from the B second matching circuits fed to the B input terminals to the B output terminals with a predetermined phase difference to thereby output B signals, wherein the first matching circuit comprises a demultiplexer with band elimination filters for demultiplexing said one of the B signals into signals of respective frequency bands, at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal, the second matching circuit comprises a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from the amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands, at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 295 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: a plurality of first Butler matrixes each of which has B input terminals and B output terminals, B represents a given natural number, equally distributes each of input signals fed to the B input terminals to the B output terminals with a predetermined phase difference to thereby output B combined signals at the B output terminals; the B series connections each of which has a first matching circuit, the first matching circuit receiving the combined signals each from an output terminal of different one of said plurality of first Butler matrixes, amplification device which amplifies a signal outputted from the first input matching circuit and outputs the amplified signal, and a second matching circuit receiving the amplified signal; and a plurality of second Butler matrixes each of which has B input terminals and B output terminals, equally distributes each of signals of the same frequency band from the B second matching circuits fed to the B input terminals to the B output terminals with a predetermined phase difference to thereby output B signals at the B output terminals, wherein the first matching circuit comprises at least two matching blocks for receiving signals of respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal, the second matching circuit comprises a demultiplexer having band elimination filters for demultiplexing a signal outputted from the amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 295 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: a plurality of first Butler matrixes each of which has B input terminals and B output terminals, B represents a given natural number, equally distributes each of input signals fed to the B input terminals to the B output terminals with a predetermined phase difference to thereby output B combined signals at the B output terminals; the B series connections each of which has a first matching circuit, the first matching circuit receiving the combined signals each from an output terminal of different one of said plurality of first Butler matrixes, amplification device which amplifies a signal outputted from the first input matching circuit and outputs the amplified signal, and a second matching circuit receiving the amplified signal; and a plurality of second Butler matrixes each of which has B input terminals and B output terminals, equally distributes each of signals of the same frequency band from the B second matching circuits fed to the B input terminals to the B output terminals with a predetermined phase difference to thereby output B signals at the B output terminals, wherein the first matching circuit comprises at least two matching blocks for receiving signals of respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal, the second matching circuit comprises a demultiplexer having band elimination filters for demultiplexing a signal outputted from the amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 358 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: a plurality of input-side Doherty networks each of which divides an input signal into two, shifts one of the divided signals in phase from the other signal by 90 degrees, and outputs the two signals; a first input matching circuit comprising at least two matching blocks for receiving a first signal out of signals outputted from the input-side Doherty networks and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted form the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal; a first amplification device for amplifying the multiplexed signal outputted from the first input matching circuit; a first output matching circuit comprising a demultiplexer having bad elimination filters for demultiplexing a signal outputted from the first amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands, and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals; a second input matching circuit comprising at least two matching blocks for receiving a second signal out of signals outputted from the input-side Doherty networks and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal; a second amplification device for amplifying the multiplexed signal outputted from the second input matching circuit; a second output matching circuit comprising a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from the second amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands, and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the input signals; and a plurality of output-side Doherty networks each of which receivers signals of the same frequency band out of signals outputted from the output matching circuits, shifts one of the inputted signals in phase from the other signal by 90 degrees, and outputs the phase shifted signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 358 words
A multi-band amplifier, comprising: a plurality of input-side Doherty networks each of which divides an input signal into two, shifts one of the divided signals in phase from the other signal by 90 degrees, and outputs the two signals; a first input matching circuit comprising at least two matching blocks for receiving a first signal out of signals outputted from the input-side Doherty networks and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted form the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal; a first amplification device for amplifying the multiplexed signal outputted from the first input matching circuit; a first output matching circuit comprising a demultiplexer having bad elimination filters for demultiplexing a signal outputted from the first amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands, and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals; a second input matching circuit comprising at least two matching blocks for receiving a second signal out of signals outputted from the input-side Doherty networks and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, and a multiplexer connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks and outputting the multiplexed signal; a second amplification device for amplifying the multiplexed signal outputted from the second input matching circuit; a second output matching circuit comprising a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from the second amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands, and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the input signals; and a plurality of output-side Doherty networks each of which receivers signals of the same frequency band out of signals outputted from the output matching circuits, shifts one of the inputted signals in phase from the other signal by 90 degrees, and outputs the phase shifted signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 175 words
A matching circuit, comprising: a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from an amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands; and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, wherein the demultiplexer has as many band elimination filters as the matching blocks, the band elimination filters receiving the signal outputted from the amplification device, each of the band elimination filters comprises a transmission line two or more end open lines, each of end open lines having a length equal to a quarter of a wavelength of a respective frequency to be rejected by said each end open line and being connectable to the transmission line at a distance of the length of said each end open line from an end of the transmission line; and switching devices are provided between the transmission line and the end open lines, for selectively connecting one of the end open lines to the transmission line.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 175 words
A matching circuit, comprising: a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a signal outputted from an amplification device into signals of respective frequency bands; and at least two matching blocks connected to the demultiplexer, for receiving the signals of the respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, wherein the demultiplexer has as many band elimination filters as the matching blocks, the band elimination filters receiving the signal outputted from the amplification device, each of the band elimination filters comprises a transmission line two or more end open lines, each of end open lines having a length equal to a quarter of a wavelength of a respective frequency to be rejected by said each end open line and being connectable to the transmission line at a distance of the length of said each end open line from an end of the transmission line; and switching devices are provided between the transmission line and the end open lines, for selectively connecting one of the end open lines to the transmission line.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 188 words
A matching circuit, comprising: at least two matching blocks for receiving signals of respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, a multiplexer which is connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks, and output the multiplexed signal to an amplification device; and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing an inputted signal into signals of the respective frequency bands and outputting the signals to the matching blocks, wherein the demultiplexer has as many band elimination filters as demultiplexed frequency bands, the band elimination filters receiving the inputted signal, each of the band elimination filters comprises a transmission line two or more end open lines, each of end open lines having a length equal to a quarter of a wavelength of a respective frequency to be rejected by said each end open line and being connectable to the transmission line at a distance of the length of said each end open line from an end of the transmission line; and open lines, for selectively connecting one of the end open lines to the transmission line.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 188 words
A matching circuit, comprising: at least two matching blocks for receiving signals of respective frequency bands and performing impedance matching in the respective frequency bands of the inputted signals, a multiplexer which is connected to the at least two matching blocks, for multiplexing signals outputted from the matching blocks, and output the multiplexed signal to an amplification device; and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing an inputted signal into signals of the respective frequency bands and outputting the signals to the matching blocks, wherein the demultiplexer has as many band elimination filters as demultiplexed frequency bands, the band elimination filters receiving the inputted signal, each of the band elimination filters comprises a transmission line two or more end open lines, each of end open lines having a length equal to a quarter of a wavelength of a respective frequency to be rejected by said each end open line and being connectable to the transmission line at a distance of the length of said each end open line from an end of the transmission line; and open lines, for selectively connecting one of the end open lines to the transmission line.

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