JP2012209751A - Radio communication module - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless communication module capable of efficiently arranging wireless communication circuits on a small-sized substrate is provided.
A wireless communication module having an external connection region, a host interface region, a wireless communication circuit region including a transmission circuit unit, a reception circuit unit, and a communication control unit on a substrate. There,
The external connection region is one end of the substrate in the short direction, the host interface region is the other end of the substrate in the short direction, and the wireless communication circuit region is the external connection region and the host interface region. Placed between
The communication control unit is disposed at one end in the longitudinal direction on the substrate,
The components of the transmission circuit unit are arranged so as to extend from the communication control unit in the longitudinal direction on the substrate to the vicinity of the end on the opposite side of the communication control unit, and from the vicinity of the end to the external connection region side A substantially L-shape was formed by being arranged so as to extend along the lateral direction end on the substrate.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication module, and in particular, includes an external connection region for connecting to an external communication component, a host interface region for connecting to a host device, a transmission circuit unit, a reception circuit unit, and a communication control unit. The present invention relates to a wireless communication module having a wireless communication circuit area on a substrate.

  In recent years, high-speed mobile communication technology called WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) has attracted attention. In such WiMAX, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) type WiMAX module equipped with a wireless communication circuit is used. However, the USB type WiMAX module generally has the size of a normal USB. .

  In a WiMAX module having such a general USB size, the components constituting the wireless communication circuit are arranged along the flow of transmission / reception signals in the longitudinal direction of the substrate so that the movement of the transmission / reception signals is the shortest distance. It was possible to arrange them in a straight line, and it was possible to arrange natural parts along the signal flow.

  As a component placement method on the printed circuit board, the position of the component to be placed can be easily determined, the burden on the designer can be reduced, and radiation noise can be reduced. The step of determining the position of the power supply unit, the step of determining the component placement region based on the position of the power supply unit, and dividing the component placement region by a plurality of virtual equidistant lines that are separated by a predetermined distance from the position of the power supply unit Selecting a plurality of distance segments, selecting components in descending order of power consumption of the components, and selecting the components in order of increasing distance from the power supply position in the distance segment. There is known a component arrangement method including a step of filling and arranging the distances in a distance section (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-11-251717

  However, the WiMAX module has been proposed not only as a USB type but also as a type incorporating a half mini PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) card. Since such a half mini PCI card has a connection terminal defined by the standard, it is necessary to use a board having a size smaller than that of the USB type according to the standard. In this case, it becomes impossible to arrange the components of the wireless communication circuit in a straight line along the flow of transmission / reception signals in the substrate, and there is a problem that the conventional design cannot be applied as it is.

  In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the component placement method when the size of the substrate is reduced is not considered, and there is a problem that this component placement method cannot be applied as it is.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication module capable of efficiently arranging a wireless communication circuit while maintaining an excellent circuit function on a small-size substrate such as a substrate for a half mini PCI card. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication module according to an aspect of the present invention includes an external connection area (20) for connecting to an external communication component, and a host interface area (40) for connecting to a host device. A wireless communication circuit region (30) including a transmission circuit unit (32), a reception circuit unit (35, 36), and a communication control unit (31) on a substrate (10), and the substrate (10) A wireless communication module having no length capable of arranging the wireless communication circuit region (30) in a straight line in a longitudinal direction along a flow of transmission / reception signals,
The external connection region (20) is one end in the short direction of the substrate (10), the host interface region (40) is the other end in the short direction of the substrate (10), and the wireless communication circuit An area (30) is disposed between the external connection area (20) and the host interface area (40),
The communication control unit (31) is arranged at one end in the longitudinal direction on the substrate (10),
The components of the transmission circuit section (32) are arranged so as to extend from the communication control section (31) to the vicinity of the opposite end of the communication control section (31) in the longitudinal direction on the substrate (10). , Arranged so as to extend along the short-side end on the substrate (10) from the vicinity of the end toward the external connection region (20), forming a substantially L-shape,
The reception circuit unit (35, 36) is arranged between the communication control unit (31) and the transmission circuit unit (32).

  The components of the receiving circuit section (35, 36) may be arranged in an approximately L shape along the flow of the received signal and the components of the transmitting circuit section (32).

  Moreover, you may have an oscillation circuit (37) in the corner | angular part of the said radio | wireless communication area | region (30).

  The oscillation circuit (37) may be arranged at a position separated from the reception circuit section (35, 36).

The transmission circuit unit (32) includes a power amplifier (50),
The power amplifier (50) may be arranged at a position separated from the communication control unit (31).

  The oscillation circuit (37) may be arranged at a position close to the communication control unit (31).

The external connection area (20), the interface area (40) and the wireless communication area (30) are disposed on the surface (11) of the substrate (10),
The oscillation circuit (37) may be disposed on the back surface of the substrate (10).

A substrate through hole (100) is formed immediately below the oscillation circuit (37),
A through hole (101) may be formed immediately below the power amplifier (50).

  The power amplifier (50) may be disposed at a corner of the transmission circuit unit (32) disposed in a substantially L shape.

  The reception circuit unit (35, 36) may include a first reception circuit unit (35) and a second reception circuit unit (36) arranged in parallel.

  Reference numerals in parentheses are given for ease of understanding, are merely examples, and are not limited to the illustrated modes.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a radio | wireless communication circuit can be efficiently arrange | positioned on a small-sized board | substrate, maintaining the outstanding radio | wireless communication function, and a radio | wireless communication module can be comprised in space saving.

It is the block diagram which showed an example of the board | substrate mounted in the radio | wireless communication module which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the structure of an example of the board | substrate mounted in the radio | wireless communication module which concerns on a present Example also including a wiring pattern. It is the figure which showed the functional block of an example of the radio | wireless communication module which concerns on a present Example. It is explanatory drawing of the thermal radiation structure of the radio | wireless communication module which concerns on a present Example.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a substrate 10 mounted on a wireless communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the substrate 10 has an external connection region 20, a wireless communication circuit region 30, and a host interface region 40 on the surface 11. The external connection area 20 and the host interface area 40 are respectively arranged at the end of the substrate 10 in the short direction. That is, the external connection area 20 is disposed at one short-side end and the host interface area 40 is disposed at the other short-side end. A wireless communication circuit area 30 is disposed between the external connection area 20 and the host interface area 40. That is, the external connection area 20, the wireless communication area 30, and the host interface area 40 are sequentially arranged in the short direction of the substrate 10.

  In FIG. 1, the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment has a wireless communication circuit mounted in the wireless communication circuit region 20 on the surface 11 of the substrate 10, and can be mounted inside the apparatus as a wireless communication module used for a WiMAX module or the like. It has become a structure. As the substrate 10, a substrate 10 having a size smaller than the substrate used for the USB type, such as a half mini-size PCI card, is used. In the case of the board used for the USB type, the external connection area 20 and the host interface area 30 are arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the board and the wireless communication circuit is arranged between them, and is aligned in the longitudinal direction along the flow of transmission / reception signals. It is possible to arrange in a shape. However, in the case of the substrate 10 that is significantly smaller than a USB type substrate such as a half mini-size PCI card, for example, having a length of only about 1/2, the components of the wireless communication circuit are connected to the length of the substrate 10. It cannot be arranged in a straight line in the direction. Therefore, the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the external connection area 20, the wireless communication area 30, and the host interface area 40 are arranged in the short direction of the board 10, unlike the case of the USB board. ing.

  The external connection area 20 is an area for connecting to a component or device for external communication, and a connector or the like for connecting to the component or device for external communication is arranged. In FIG. 1, the external connection region 20 includes antenna connectors 21 and 22 and GND patterns 23 and 24.

  The antenna connectors 21 and 22 are terminals for connecting to an antenna installed outside the substrate 10 and are provided at positions where connection to the outside is easy. A plurality of antenna connectors 21 and 22 may be provided. For example, two antenna connectors 21 and 22 may be provided as shown in FIG. In general, radio communication is often performed by a switching operation of using an antenna having a good radio wave condition according to the radio wave condition of the antenna. Therefore, a plurality of antenna connectors 21 and 22 are provided as necessary. You can do it.

  The GND patterns 23 and 24 are wiring patterns for supplying a ground potential, and may be provided as necessary. In FIG. 1, the GND patterns 23 and 24 are provided outside the antenna connectors 21 and 22.

  The wireless communication circuit area 30 is an area where a wireless communication circuit is formed, and components necessary for configuring the wireless communication circuit are mounted and arranged. The wireless communication circuit region 30 includes a communication control unit 31, a transmission circuit unit 32, reception circuit units 35 and 36, an oscillation circuit 37, and switches 61 and 62.

  The communication control unit 31 is a unit that performs baseband processing and controls communication operations of the transmission circuit unit 32 and the reception circuit units 35 and 36. As the communication control unit 31, for example, a BB / RF / IC in which a BB (Base Band) IC (Integrated Circuit) and an RF (Radio Frequency) IC are integrated may be used. Therefore, the communication control unit 31 may include a baseband processing unit and an RF circuit unit (not shown).

  The baseband processing unit is a digital circuit unit that processes a digital signal before transmission. The RF circuit unit converts the baseband-processed signal into an antenna transmission frequency, and converts the antenna reception signal into a frequency that can be processed by the baseband processing unit. Further, the communication control unit 31 also performs communication control of the transmission circuit unit 32 and the reception circuit units 35 and 36 as described above.

  The communication control unit 31 is provided at an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the surface 11 of the substrate 10, that is, an end portion in the wireless communication circuit region 30. Accordingly, the transmission circuit 32 and the reception circuits 35 and 36 connected to the communication control unit 31 can be arranged so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 10. Further, the communication control unit 31 is arranged at the end of the wireless communication circuit region 30 on the side of the external connection region 20 so as to be adjacent to the external connection region 20 in the short direction of the substrate. As a result, it is possible to form a component placement space on the short side host interface region 40 side in the wireless communication circuit region 30.

  The transmission circuit unit 32 constitutes a transmission circuit for transmitting the transmission signal output from the communication control unit 31, and includes a signal transmission circuit 33 involved in signal transmission and a power circuit 34 that manages power supply. The signal transmission circuit 33 includes a power amplifier 50, a band pass filter 53, a low pass filter 54, and a switch 55. The power circuit 34 includes a capacitor 51 and an FET (Field Effect Transistor) 52. In each circuit, only main components are provided with reference numerals, and detailed components are not provided with reference signs. Description of components that are not provided with reference numerals is omitted.

  When viewed as a whole, the transmission circuit unit 32 is formed to extend to the right side along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 10 from the central host interface region 40 side position of the communication control unit 31. Then, after reaching the right longitudinal end portion of the substrate 10, a substantially L-shaped shape extending from the host interface region 40 side to the external connection terminal region 20 side along the short direction end portion of the substrate 10. It has become. With this arrangement configuration, the transmission circuit unit 32 can use both the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the wireless communication circuit region 30 as an arrangement space in the extending direction, and components of the transmission circuit unit 32 in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 10. Even when the lines cannot be arranged in a straight line, it is possible to ensure the length necessary for the arrangement of the components along the flow of the transmission signal with the shape bent in a substantially L shape.

  The transmission circuit unit 32 includes a signal transmission circuit 33 that generates a transmission signal and a power circuit 34 that manages power supply, but the shape of the signal transmission circuit 33 alone is also the host interface region of the communication control unit 31. A substantially L-shaped shape extending from the 40 side to the right side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 10 and extending from the point reaching the longitudinal end of the substrate 10 toward the external connection region 20 along the lateral direction end of the substrate; It has become. As described above, in the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment, the substrate 10 does not have a length that can be arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction even for the component having only the signal transmission circuit 33. By adopting a substantially L-shaped shape that extends in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, the components can be arranged in a state along the order of the flow of transmission signals.

  In the signal transmission circuit 33, the band-pass filter 53 is a means for extracting only a high-frequency signal in a desired frequency band, and the power amplifier 50 is a means for amplifying the high-frequency signal. The low-pass filter 54 is a means for removing excess harmonics, and the switch 55 is a means for switching which of the antenna connectors 21 and 22 transmits a transmission signal. Since the switch 55 is connected to the antenna connectors 21 and 22 via the switches 61 and 62, the antenna connector 21 and the antenna connector 22 are actually switched by switching the connection between the switch 61 and the switch 62. Switch the connection.

  In the power circuit 34, the capacitor 51 is a means for accumulating charges, and the FET 52 is a switching element for supplying power to the power amplifier 50. The power circuit 34 is not involved in the flow of transmission signal generation, but constitutes a part of the transmission circuit unit 32 in that power is supplied to the power amplifier 50 of the signal transmission circuit 33.

  Note that the power circuit 34 is not necessarily formed on the front surface 11 side of the substrate 10, and may be formed on the back surface side of the substrate 10, for example. In the power circuit 34, there is no need to be aware of the flow of the transmission signal. Therefore, if power can be appropriately supplied to the power amplifier 50, the power circuit 34 can be arranged at various positions.

  The receiving circuit unit 35 is a first receiving circuit unit for receiving signals input via the antenna connector 21 and the switch 61. The reception circuit unit 35 includes a band pass filter 70, a low noise amplifier 71, and a band pass filter 72. The band pass filters 70 and 72 are means for obtaining a received signal in a desired frequency band, and the low noise amplifier 71 is a means for amplifying the received signal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the receiving circuit portion 35 also has a substantially L-shaped shape having portions extending in the short side direction and the long side direction of the substrate 10. Thereby, even if it is a case where the receiving circuit part 35 cannot be arranged on a straight line, components can be arranged along the flow of a received signal.

  The reception circuit unit 36 is a second reception circuit unit for receiving a signal input via the antenna connector 22 and the switch 62. The reception circuit unit 36 includes a band pass filter 73, a low noise amplifier 74, and a band pass filter 75. As with the receiving circuit unit 35, the bandpass filters 73 and 75 are means for obtaining a received signal in a desired frequency band, and the low noise amplifier 74 is a means for amplifying the received signal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the receiving circuit unit 36 also has a substantially L-shaped shape having portions extending in the short side direction and the long side direction of the substrate 10, similarly to the receiving circuit unit 35. The receiving circuit unit 36 is located further inside the receiving circuit unit 35 and has a smaller allowable space than the receiving circuit unit 35. However, the receiving circuit unit 36 is extended so as to be routed using both the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the substrate 10. The components can be arranged in the processing order of the received signals in a state along the flow of the received signals.

  In FIG. 1, the transmission circuit unit 32 is disposed outside the reception circuit units 35 and 36. This is because the transmission circuit unit 32 has a larger number of components than the reception circuit units 35 and 36, and the length of the occupied area is longer when the detailed components are considered. Therefore, the transmission circuit unit 32 is arranged outside the reception circuit units 35 and 36 so that a space for arranging the circuits can be secured longer.

  The transmission circuit unit 32 includes the power amplifier 50 as a component, but the amplified signal after passing through the power amplifier 50 is separated from the position where the signal is input from the communication control unit 31 to the transmission circuit unit 32. It is preferable to make it. This is because the amplified signal may affect the input signal to the transmission circuit unit 32 and generate noise or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, according to the configuration of the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment, the transmission signal after passing through the power amplifier 50 is disposed at the end in the longitudinal direction opposite to the communication control unit 31. Passes through the low-pass filter 54, the switch 55, and the switches 61 and 62. Therefore, the amplified transmission signal is arranged to pass through the substrate end opposite to the communication control unit 31, so that the influence on the input signal to the transmission circuit unit 32 can be minimized. .

  In this respect, for example, the power circuit 34 is disposed on the back side of the substrate 10, the transmission circuit unit 32 is disposed on the inner side of the reception circuit units 35 and 36, and the components of the signal transmission circuit 33 are densely arranged on the innermost side. If arranged, the amplified transmission signal after passing through the power amplifier 50 approaches the input signal to the transmission circuit unit 32, and the signal path is not preferable.

  In contrast, in the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment, the transmission circuit unit 32 is disposed on the outermost side, and the reception circuit units 35 and 36 are sandwiched between the communication control unit 31 and the transmission circuit unit 32. It is configured. As a result, not only the ratio of the number of parts but also the influence of the transmission signal amplified by the power amplifier 50 on the transmission signal input to the transmission circuit unit 32 can be minimized, and the arrangement is excellent in terms of circuit function. It can be configured.

  The power amplifier 50 can be disposed at any location in the path of the transmission circuit unit 32, but is preferably disposed away from the communication control unit 31. This is because the power amplifier 50 generates heat when driven, and may heat the communication control unit 31. In the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment, the power amplifier 50 is disposed at a substantially L-shaped corner of the transmission circuit unit 32 and is disposed at the substrate end opposite to the communication control unit 31. . Therefore, the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment has an arrangement configuration in which the heat generated by the power amplifier 50 is less likely to adversely affect the communication control unit 31.

  The oscillation circuit 37 is a circuit that generates a clock signal serving as a reference for the transmission circuit unit 32 and the reception circuit units 35 and 36. The clock signal generated by the oscillation circuit 37 is input to the communication control unit 31. As the oscillation circuit 37, a circuit having various oscillation functions can be used as long as an appropriate clock signal can be generated. For example, a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) is used. Also good.

  The oscillation circuit 37 is preferably arranged away from the receiving circuit portions 35 and 36. The oscillation circuit 37 can be a noise source for the receiving circuit units 35 and 36. Therefore, it is preferable that the clock line from which the clock signal is input from the oscillation circuit 37 to the communication control unit 31 is arranged away from the reception circuit units 35 and 36. In the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the oscillation circuit 37 is separated from the reception circuits 35 and 36 and the communication control unit 31 is sandwiched between them. It is arranged at the corner. Therefore, according to the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment, an excellent reception circuit function can be realized without affecting the reception circuits 35 and 36 by the clock signal generated by the oscillation circuit 37.

  In addition, since the oscillation circuit 37 is disposed close to the communication control unit 31, the clock line for supplying the clock signal can be extremely shortened. Also in this respect, the influence of the clock signal on the receiving circuits 35 and 36 can be extremely reduced.

  It is preferable that the oscillation circuit 37 is arranged away from the power amplifier 50. The power amplifier 50 is a component that serves as a heat source, but the oscillation circuit 37 itself does not generate heat and is a circuit that dislikes heat. Therefore, the oscillation circuit 37 is preferably arranged at a position separated from the power amplifier 50. However, in the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment, the oscillation circuit 37 is located at the substrate end on the communication control unit 31 side. On the other hand, the power amplifier 50 is located at the end of the substrate opposite to the communication control unit 31, and is disposed just at the ends opposite to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 10. Therefore, in the wireless communication module according to this embodiment, the oscillation circuit 37 can accurately generate the clock signal without being affected by the heat generated by the power amplifier 50.

  The oscillation circuit 37 may be provided on the back surface of the substrate 10. This is because even on the back surface of the substrate 10, an accurate clock signal can be supplied to the communication control unit 31 and can be arranged apart from the power amplifier 50.

  As described above, the wireless communication circuit region 30 of the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment has various arrangements, and the transmission circuit can be connected to the substrate 10 having a small substrate size without degrading the function of the wireless communication circuit. The components of the unit 32 and the receiving circuit units 35 and 36 can be arranged along the flow of transmission / reception signals.

  The host interface area 40 is an area for connecting to a host device such as a personal computer. The host interface region 40 is provided on the side opposite to the external connection region 20 in the short direction of the substrate 10. In the host interface region 40, substrate terminals GND41 are formed in addition to connection terminals (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration on the surface 11 side of an example of the substrate 10 mounted on the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment, including the wiring pattern. 2 is the same as FIG. 1 in that the configuration on the surface 11 side of the substrate 10 of the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment is the same as that in FIG. Is different.

  In FIG. 2, the external connection region 20, the wireless communication circuit region 30, and the host interface region 40 are formed on the surface 11 of the substrate 10 as in FIG. 1. The external connection area 20 includes antenna connectors 21 and 22 and GND patterns 23 and 24. The wireless communication circuit area 30 includes a communication control unit 31, a transmission circuit unit 32, reception circuit units 35 and 36, and oscillation. The point provided with the circuit 37 is the same as that of FIG.

  However, in FIG. 2, the communication control unit 31 and the transmission circuit unit 32 are connected, the wiring pattern 80 that connects the inside of the transmission circuit unit 32, the communication control unit 31 and the reception circuit unit 35 are connected, and the reception circuit unit 35. 1 is different from FIG. 1 in that a wiring pattern 81 for connecting the inside of the communication circuit 31 and a wiring pattern 82 for connecting the communication control unit 31 and the receiving circuit unit 36 and connecting the inside of the receiving circuit unit 36 are shown. Further, FIG. 2 also shows wiring patterns for connecting the antenna connector 21 and the switch 61, and the antenna connector 22 and the switch 62, respectively.

  In FIG. 2, the wiring pattern 80 of the transmission circuit unit 32 extends along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 10 from the right center side of the communication control unit 31 to the right side, and extends from the position of the power amplifier 50 to the short side direction of the substrate 10. It turns out that it is a substantially L-shaped wiring pattern shape which extends upward (back side) along. By adopting such a shape, the components of the transmission circuit unit 32 can be arranged from the communication control unit 31 toward the switch 55 in the order of the flow of the transmission signal, and the component arrangement can be efficiently arranged on the small substrate 10. It can be carried out.

  Similarly, the wiring pattern 81 of the receiving circuit unit 35 and the wiring pattern 82 of the receiving circuit unit 36 also have a substantially L-shape that extends to the right and bends upward, and components from the switch 61 to the communication control unit 31. In addition, the components from the switch 62 to the communication control unit 31 can be arranged in order along the flow of the received signal, and the necessary components can be efficiently arranged in a small space.

  In FIG. 2, in the host interface area 40, a connection terminal 90 for connecting to a host device such as a personal computer is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection terminal 90 can be used to connect to a host device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment is substantially extended in both the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the substrate 10 in both the transmission circuit unit 32 and the reception circuit units 35 and 36. By providing the L-shaped wiring patterns 80, 81, 82, the transmission circuit unit 32 and the reception circuit units 35, 36 can be efficiently arranged.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of an example of the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, functional blocks of the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment are shown. For the blocks corresponding to the components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. The detailed description thereof will be omitted or shortened. First, the transmission side will be described.

  In FIG. 3, a terminal 90 in the host interface area 40 is connected to a host device such as a personal computer. A signal input from the host device via the terminal 90 is input to the communication control unit 31. On the other hand, the power supply from the host device is supplied to the power circuit 34.

  A clock signal from the oscillation circuit 37 is input to the communication control unit 31 and the communication control unit 31 reads a program and data stored in the flash memory. The flash memory is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but may be provided on the back side of the substrate 10, for example.

  The communication control unit 31 includes a baseband processing unit and an RF circuit unit, and outputs a transmission signal converted from a digital signal to an output frequency to the bandpass filter 53. The output signal having a predetermined frequency that has passed through the bandpass filter 53 is input to the power amplifier 50 and amplified. The power amplifier 50 is supplied with power and managed by the power circuit 34. The transmission signal amplified through the power amplifier 50 is input to the low-pass filter 54. The transmission signal from which unnecessary harmonic noise has been removed by the low-pass filter 54 is output to the switch 55. The switch 55 determines whether the antenna on the antenna connector 21 side or the antenna on the antenna connector 22 side is used according to the transmission state of the antenna (not shown), and the switch 61 on the side with a good transmission state. , 62 outputs a transmission signal. The transmission signal passes through the switch 61 or the switch 62, is output from either the antenna connector 21 or the antenna connector 22, and is transmitted.

  Here, the band-pass filter 53, the power amplifier 50, the low-pass filter 54, and the switch 55 are components of the signal transmission circuit 33, and are composed of components arranged in a substantially L shape. The power circuit 34 has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 10 from the communication control unit 31 toward the power amplifier 50. The signal transmission circuit 33 and the power circuit 34 constitute a transmission circuit section 32. This component also has a substantially L-shaped arrangement configuration that extends in the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the substrate 10 as a whole. Yes. These are as described in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, according to the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment, it can be seen that the components can be efficiently arranged in the space of the small board 10 in the order along the flow of the transmission signal in the transmission circuit unit 32.

  Next, the receiving side will be described. A reception signal received from the antenna connector 21 is input to the band pass filter 70 via the switch 61. The received signal having a predetermined frequency range by the band pass filter 70 is amplified by the low noise amplifier 71 and input to the band pass filter 72. A received signal in a predetermined frequency range that has passed through the bandpass filter 72 is detected by the RF circuit unit of the communication control unit 31 and restored to a digital signal. The flow of the reception signal from the antenna connector 21 is the signal flow of the reception circuit unit 35, and the band pass filter 70, the low noise amplifier 71, and the band pass filter 72 constitute the reception circuit unit 35. Also in the reception circuit unit 35, the band pass filter 70, the low noise amplifier 71, and the band pass filter 72 are arranged in a substantially L-shaped configuration extending in the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the substrate 10. It can also be seen that the components are arranged along the flow of the received signal.

  Similarly, a reception signal received from the antenna connector 22 is input to the band pass filter 73 via the switch 62. The received signal having a predetermined frequency range by the band pass filter 73 is amplified by the low noise amplifier 74 and input to the band pass filter 75. A received signal in a predetermined frequency range that has passed through the bandpass filter 75 is detected by the RF circuit unit of the communication control unit 31 and restored to a digital signal. Also in the receiving circuit 36, the band pass filter 73, the low noise amplifier 74, and the band pass filter 75 constitute the receiving circuit unit 36, and are arranged and configured in a substantially L shape further inside the receiving circuit 35.

  As described above, the transmission circuit unit 32 and the reception circuit units 35 and 36 are arranged such that the components are bent in a substantially L shape in the order of signal processing along the flow of transmission / reception signals. The transmission circuit unit 32 having a large number of parts is arranged so as to draw an L-shape outside the reception circuit units 35 and 36, and is arranged efficiently and while preventing noise and the like. As a result, the wireless communication circuit can be mounted on the substrate 10 such as a half mini PCI card much smaller than the USB type substrate without degrading the circuit function.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the heat dissipation structure of the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, the configuration of the surface 11 of the substrate 10 used in the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment is shown transparently.

  In FIG. 4, paying attention to the oscillation circuit 37 and the power amplifier 50, a substrate through hole 100 for heat dissipation is formed in the substrate 10 immediately below the oscillation circuit 37, and a through hole 101 is formed immediately below the power amplifier 50. Has been.

  The substrate through hole 100 formed immediately below the oscillation circuit 37 is a hole for increasing the contact area of the oscillation circuit 37 to the air and facilitating the cooling of the oscillation circuit 37. It is the provided through hole.

  On the other hand, the through hole 101 immediately below the power amplifier 50 is a hole whose side surface is covered with a metal film and can be electrically connected. It is preferable that the power amplifier 50 generates heat by driving and actively releases the heat generated from the power amplifier 50 to the outside. From this point of view, the through hole 101 is connected to the substrate terminal GND41. Thereby, the heat generated in the power amplifier 50 can be transmitted to the substrate terminal GND 41 and released from the substrate terminal GND 41 to the outside of the substrate 10. In addition, the board | substrate 10 has a laminated structure, and becomes a structure which can form the board | substrate terminal GND41 in the wiring pattern of some layers. The through hole 101 is connected to the wiring layer in which the substrate terminal GND 41 is formed, and has a configuration capable of positively releasing the heat generated by the power amplifier 50 to the outside of the substrate 10.

  On the other hand, the oscillation circuit 37 does not generate heat due to the driving like the power amplifier 50 and does not itself become a heat source. Therefore, it is sufficient to have a configuration that can quickly cool the received heat so as not to receive heat from the outside. Therefore, a substrate through hole 100 that does not have an electrical connection function is provided immediately below the oscillation circuit 37.

  As described above, the wireless communication module according to the present embodiment may be provided with the substrate through hole 100 immediately below the oscillation circuit 37 and the through hole 101 immediately below the power amplifier 50 as necessary. Thereby, even if it is the board | substrate 10 with which components are arrange | positioned in a small space, it can thermally radiate efficiently and a wireless communication function can be maintained with high performance.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be added.

  The present invention can be used for a wireless communication module that performs wireless communication connection to a network such as WiMAX.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Board | substrate 11 Surface 20 External connection area 21, 22 Antenna connector 23, 24 GND pattern 30 Wireless communication circuit area 31 Communication control part 32 Transmission circuit part 33 Signal transmission circuit 34 Power circuit 35, 36 Reception circuit 37 Oscillation circuit 40 Host interface area 41 PCB terminal GND
50 Power amplifier 51 Capacitor 52 FET
53, 70, 72, 73, 75 Band pass filter 54 Low pass filter 55, 61, 62 Switch 71, 74 Low noise amplifier 80, 81, 82, 83 Wiring pattern 90 Connection terminal 100 Substrate through hole 101 Through hole

Claims (10)

An external connection area for connecting to external communication components, a host interface area for connecting to a host device, and a wireless communication circuit area including a transmission circuit unit, a reception circuit unit, and a communication control unit are provided on the substrate. The wireless communication module does not have a length capable of arranging the wireless communication circuit region in a straight line in a longitudinal direction along a flow of transmission / reception signals,
The external connection region is one end of the substrate in the short direction, the host interface region is the other end of the substrate in the short direction, and the wireless communication circuit region is the external connection region and the host interface region. Placed between
The communication control unit is disposed at one end in the longitudinal direction on the substrate,
The components of the transmission circuit unit are arranged so as to extend from the communication control unit in the longitudinal direction on the substrate to the vicinity of the end on the opposite side of the communication control unit, and from the vicinity of the end to the external connection region side It is arranged so as to extend along the short-side end portion on the substrate toward the substrate to form a substantially L shape,
A wireless communication module, wherein the reception circuit unit is disposed between the communication control unit and the transmission circuit unit.   The wireless communication module according to claim 1, wherein the components of the reception circuit unit are arranged in an approximately L shape along the flow of the reception signal and the components of the transmission circuit unit.   The wireless communication module according to claim 1, further comprising an oscillation circuit at a corner of the wireless communication area.   The wireless communication module according to claim 3, wherein the oscillation circuit is disposed at a position separated from the reception circuit unit. The transmission circuit unit has a power amplifier,
The wireless communication module according to claim 3, wherein the power amplifier is disposed at a position separated from the communication control unit.   The wireless communication module according to claim 3, wherein the oscillation circuit is disposed at a position close to the communication control unit. The external connection area, the host interface area and the wireless communication area are disposed on the surface of the substrate,
The wireless communication module according to claim 3, wherein the oscillation circuit is disposed on a back surface of the substrate. A substrate through hole is formed immediately below the oscillation circuit,
The wireless communication module according to claim 5, wherein a through hole is formed immediately below the power amplifier.   The wireless communication module according to claim 5, wherein the power amplifier is disposed at a corner of the transmission circuit unit disposed in a substantially L shape.   The wireless communication module according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the reception circuit unit includes a first reception circuit unit and a second reception circuit unit arranged in parallel.