KR102526312B1 - Millimeter wave transmission apparatus using variable power level and transmission method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultra-high frequency transmission device applied to an ultra-high frequency communication system includes a signal source that generates ultra-high frequency carrier signals (VCO+, VCO-); and a modulator for modulating the high-speed data signal Din using the ultra-high frequency carrier signal, wherein the modulator operates according to the logic level of the high-speed data signal Din to have low power characteristics.

Description

Ultra-high frequency transmission device and method using variable output level

The present invention relates to an ultra-high frequency transmission device and transmission method applied to a communication system using ultra-high frequencies.

In general, in a microwave communication system using an on-off keying (OOK)/amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation and demodulation method, a modulation method by a manual switch and a modulation method using an amplifier are used as the microwave modulation method.

According to the conventional modulation method using a passive switch, there are disadvantages in that loss occurring in passive elements is high in a millimeter wave band and that it is greatly affected by parasitic components. In order to overcome this disadvantage, an additional amplifier is required, and accordingly, there is an additional power consumption source, so there is a limitation that it is difficult to implement with low power.

1 is a diagram showing a modulation device using an amplifier of a conventional ultra-high frequency communication system.

Referring to the circuit shown in FIG. 1, when data signals Din+ and Din- are applied as input signals, they are mixed with signals VCO+ and VCO- generated by internal signal sources, and then transmitted through transmission lines ML1 to ML5. ) through which the modulation signal is output. Since the modulation device using such a conventional amplifier is configured using only transistors, there is a disadvantage in that power consumption is very high.

That is, since a signal source, a modulator, and a variable gain amplifier are included as blocks generating power consumption in an ultra-high frequency transmitter, it is difficult to implement low power.

In this regard, Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0038275 (Title of Invention: High-Speed OOK Modulation Device and Transmitter Using the Same) discloses that an OOK modulation device in a millimeter wave band inputs an OOK control signal to a gate bias input terminal. A first amplification stage that receives and performs a switching operation, amplifies and outputs a millimeter wave signal through a switching operation, receives an OOK control signal through a gate bias input stage and performs a switching operation, and the source stage is grounded by the OOK control signal to control Disclosed is a second amplification stage that receives a signal output from the first amplification stage through a gate stage, amplifies and outputs the signal, and an output matching circuit unit that receives and outputs the signal amplified by the second amplification stage.

An embodiment of the present invention is to provide an ultra-high frequency transmission device and method for processing high-speed modulation with low power by changing the amplitude of an output signal according to a logic level of an input signal.

However, the technical problem to be achieved by the present embodiment is not limited to the technical problem as described above, and other technical problems may exist.

As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical problem, an ultra-high frequency transmission device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a signal source generating ultra-high frequency carrier signals (VCO+, VCO-); and a modulator for modulating the high-speed data signal Din using the ultra-high frequency carrier signal, wherein the modulator operates according to the logic level of the high-speed data signal Din to have low power characteristics.

According to any one of the above-described problem solving means of the present invention, it can be applied to all electronic circuits, but in particular, ultra-high frequency using low-power modulation that can be applied to communication systems using ultra-high frequencies (eg, communication systems using OOK or ASK modulation) A transmission device can be provided.

And according to any one of the problem solving means of the present invention, the level of transmission power can be adjusted by varying the input digital data signal. Accordingly, power consumed by the transmitting device can be minimized, and the duration of the device can be increased when mounted on a portable communication device such as a mobile terminal.

In addition, according to any one of the problem solving means of the present invention, it is possible to process high-speed data of 3 Gbps or more, and it is possible to simply implement a transmitter using OOK/ASK modulation. In this case, power consumption of the transmitter can be efficiently reduced by implementing a modulation circuit that simultaneously performs an oscillator and a high-speed modulator, which were separately configured in the existing ultra-high frequency transmitter.

In addition, according to any one of the problem solving means of the present invention, it is possible to easily solve the antenna and matching by using a transformer instead of the inductor used in the existing ultra-high frequency transmitter, and the output signal can be obtained using the transformer, such as DC problems can be easily solved.

1 is a diagram showing a modulation device using an amplifier of a conventional ultra-high frequency communication system.
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a very high frequency communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating a modulator of an ultra-high frequency transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram showing the structure of a signal transforming unit of a modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a graph for explaining a result of generating a variable output level through a signal transforming unit of a modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing results of varying the output level shown in FIG. 5 .
7 is a flowchart for explaining a method for transmitting an ultra-high frequency using a variable output level according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. And in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected" but also the case where it is "electrically connected" with another element interposed therebetween. .

In addition, when a certain component is said to "include", this means that it may further include other components without excluding other components unless otherwise stated.

Hereinafter, an ultra-high frequency transmission apparatus and method having a variable output level according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a very high frequency communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

At this time, the ultrahigh frequency communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses the OOK modulation/demodulation method as an example, and other various modulation/demodulation methods such as the ASK modulation/demodulation method may be used.

The microwave communication device 10 includes a microwave transmitter 100 , a microwave receiver 200 and a modem 300 .

The microwave transmission device 100 modulates a high-speed digital data signal using a microwave signal source 110 (hereinafter referred to as a signal source) that generates a high-frequency signal (ie, a carrier signal) and a high-frequency signal generated from the signal source 110. It includes an ultra-high frequency modulator (120, hereinafter referred to as a modulator) for processing. In this case, the frequency of the signal source 110 may have a value at least five times greater than the frequency of the high-speed data signal.

Meanwhile, the microwave transmission apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may additionally include a microwave variable gain amplifier 130 (hereinafter referred to as an amplifier) for amplifying a signal level to enable wireless communication. The amplifier 130 varies the gain according to the wireless communication distance.

The microwave receiving device 200 includes a very high frequency low noise amplifier 210 (hereinafter referred to as a low noise amplifier), an ultra high frequency demodulator 220 (hereinafter referred to as a demodulator), and a baseband amplifier 230, and finally transmits a high-speed data signal to the modem 300. provided to

3 is a diagram illustrating a modulator of an ultra-high frequency transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the modulator 120 configured in the microwave transmission device 100 includes first to fourth transistors 121 to 124, a signal transforming unit 125, a low-loss transformer 126, and a first to third transmission lines 127 to 129.

At this time, the high-speed data signal from the modem 300 is input to the modulator 120, and the VCO+ and VCO- signals generated by the signal source 110 are input.

The second transistor M2 (122) and the third transistor M3 (123) perform ultra-high-speed switching operation by signals VCO+ and VCO-, respectively.

When the high-speed data signal Din is input from the modem 300, the signal transforming unit 125 performs a preset signal transforming process and then outputs an output signal Dmod.

The first transistor M1 121 performs a high-speed switching operation by the output signal Dmod output from the signal transforming unit 125 .

At this time, when the output signal Dmod is at a logic low level, current does not flow through the first transistor M1 (121) and the fourth transistor M4 (124) is turned on. On the other hand, when the output signal Dmod is at a logic high level, current flows through the first transistor M1 (121) to start operation, and the fourth transistor M4 (124) is turned off. That is, the fourth transistor M4 124 short-circuits the differential output signals OUTP and OUTN in the logic low level state and disconnects them in the logic high level state. As such, when the data signal is at a logic low level, current does not flow and power is not consumed, and current flows only when the data signal is at a logic high level. That is, the modulator 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention has low power characteristics by operating according to the level of the input data signal.

In this way, the modulator 120 outputs OUTP and OUTN as modulated signals based on the input VCO signal and the input data signal. At this time, a normal output may be obtained by designing a load condition in consideration of effects of the first transmission line ML1 127 to the third transmission line ML3 129.

Meanwhile, the modulator 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention may function as a variable gain amplifier 130. Accordingly, the microwave transmission apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may not separately include the variable gain amplifier 130 previously described in FIG. 1 .

Specifically, the modulator 120 may obtain a variable gain by varying the power supply voltage VDD. In this case, the modulator 120 may further include a regulator (not shown) providing VDD power, and the regulator (not shown) adjusts and provides the power supply voltage VDD.

Meanwhile, the modulator 120 may obtain a variable gain through the signal modifier 125 . The variable gain amplification method through the signal modifier 125 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 below.

4 is a diagram showing the structure of a signal transforming unit of a modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the signal transforming unit 125 includes a variable delay element 151 , a fast gate element unit 152 , and a multiplexer 153 .

When the high-speed data signal Din is input to the signal transforming unit 125 from the modem 300, the delayed data signal Din is output via the variable delay element 151.

At this time, the delay value of the variable delay element 151 may be varied by a separate control signal, and the signal modifier 125 includes a delay setting unit (not shown) for setting the delay value of the variable delay element 151. can include more.

Next, the data signal Din delayed through the variable delay element 151 is transformed through the high-speed gate element unit 152 and output as a first modified signal Din1 or a second modified signal Din2. In this case, the fast gate element unit 152 includes a fast AND gate and a fast OR gate.

For reference, the microwave receiving device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a restoration processing configuration corresponding to the characteristics of the signal transforming unit 125 . In addition, in the microwave receiver 200, a delay element and a high-speed gate element corresponding to the signal transforming unit 125 may be configured at a stage after the baseband amplifier, and through this, the shape of the original signal may be restored. It is also possible that this function is implemented on the modem 300 .

Next, the multiplexer 153 selects and outputs one of the first and second modified signals Din1 and Din2 according to the control signal S.

For reference, through the variable gain processing through the signal modifier 125 as shown in FIG. 4, the ultra-high frequency receiver 200 can have a duty ratio of 50% when demodulating a high-speed data signal, resulting in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) performance. this improves

5 is a graph for explaining a result of generating a variable output level through a signal transforming unit of a modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, it is assumed that a 3 GHz clock signal is applied as the high-speed data signal Din. Accordingly, the duty ratio of the 3 GHz signal is modified through the signal modifier 125 described in FIG. 4 .

5(a) and (b) show results when the duty ratio of the modified data signal Dmod is 0.2. And, (c) and (d) of FIG. 5 show results when the duty ratio of the modified data signal Dmod is 0.8.

In (a) and (b) of FIG. 5, respectively, the voltage waveform of the final output signal OUT when the duty ratio of the transformed data signal Dmod is 0.2, and the voltage waveform obtained by discrete Fourier transform (DFT) processing value was shown.

As such, as a result of transforming the 3 GHz signal through the signal transforming unit 125, as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 5, it can be seen that the 60 GHz carrier signal level has a value of -18.3 dBv. there is.

In addition, in (c) and (d) of FIG. 5, when the duty ratio of the modified data signal Dmod is 0.8, the voltage waveform of the final output signal OUT and the DFT value are shown. At this time, it can be seen that the 60 GHz carrier signal level has a value of -6.05 dBv.

Through the above results, it can be seen that the final output level is varied during the signal transformation process through the signal transformation unit 125 .

FIG. 6 is a graph showing results of varying the output level shown in FIG. 5 .

The 'Freq_60GHz' curve shown in FIG. 6 represents the 60 GHz carrier signal level, and it can be seen that tone power increases as the duty ratio increases.

For reference, the output level of the transmitter may be adjusted by changing the power supply voltage VDD of the modulator 120 .

When the modulator 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a communication system operating with a signal of 10 GHz or higher (ie, a very high frequency signal), each node may be implemented by using a microstrip line.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 7, a method for transmitting a microwave using a variable output level of a microwave transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

7 is a flowchart for explaining a method for transmitting an ultra-high frequency using a variable output level according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the signal transforming unit 125 of the modulator 120 changes the output level of the high-speed data signal input from the modem 300 and outputs the modified data signal (S710).

Next, the modulator 120 mixes the ultra-high frequency carrier signal input from the signal source 110 and the output modified data signal through a switching operation by the modified data signal (S720).

At this time, when the output level of the modified data signal is in a logic low state, the switch for mixing the carrier signal and the data signal is turned off, and when the output level of the modified data signal is in a logic high state, the carrier signal and the data signal A switch for mixing is turned on to output a modulated signal (i.e., a final output signal). This final output signal is output in a differential output method.

Next, the modulator 120 transmits the modulated signal to the antenna through the low-loss transformer (S730).

As described above, the ultra-high frequency transmission method in the ultra-high frequency transmission device having a variable output level according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed in the form of a computer program stored in a medium executed by a computer or a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer. can be implemented Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Also, computer readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, some or all of their components or operations may be implemented using a computer system having a general-purpose hardware architecture.

The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art can understand that it can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not limiting. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is indicated by the following claims rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

10: ultra-high frequency communication device 100: ultra-high frequency transmission device
200: ultra-high frequency receiving device 300: modem
110: ultra-high frequency signal source 120: ultra-high frequency modulator
130: ultra high frequency variable gain amplifier 210: ultra high frequency low noise amplifier
220: ultra-high frequency demodulator 230: baseband amplifier
121 to 124: first to fourth transistors 125: signal transforming unit
126: transformers 127 to 129: first to third transmission lines

Claims (9)

In the ultra-high frequency transmission device,
a signal source generating a very high frequency carrier signal (VCO+, VCO-); and
A modulator for modulating a high-speed data signal Din using the ultra-high frequency carrier signal;
The modulator, to operate according to the logic level of the high-speed data signal Din to have low power characteristics,
a signal transforming unit configured to output a modified data signal Dmod by varying the duty ratio of the high-speed data signal Din;
a first transistor performing a switching operation according to the logic level of the modified data signal Dmod;
second and third transistors connected in common to one end of the first transistor and performing a switching operation according to the very high frequency carrier signal;
a fourth transistor having both terminals connected to the second and third transistors, respectively, and performing a switching operation according to an inverted signal of the transformed data signal Dmod; and
It is connected to both terminals of the fourth transistor, and according to the switching operation of the first to fourth transistors, a low-loss for transmitting a mixed modulated signal of the transformed data signal Dmod and the VHF carrier signal to an antenna. A very high frequency transmission device comprising a transformer. In paragraph 1,
The modulator,
and adjusting the output level of the ultra-high frequency transmission device by changing the duty ratio of the high-speed data signal Din. In paragraph 1,
The modulator,
and varying the level of the ultra-high frequency carrier signal according to a duty ratio of a modified data signal (Dmod) obtained by transforming the high-speed data signal (Din). In paragraph 3,
The modulator includes a signal transformation unit outputting the transformed data signal Dmod,
The signal transforming unit,
a variable delay element delaying and outputting the high-speed data signal Din input from the modem;
a high-speed gate device configured to perform a logic operation on the data signal delayed by the variable delay device and the high-speed data signal Din to output first and second modified signals Din1 and Din2 having different duty ratios; and
A multiplexer 153 outputting one selected from among the first and second modified signals Din1 and Din2 as the modified data signal Dmod.
Ultra-high frequency transmission device comprising a. In paragraph 4,
The high-speed gate device,
a high-speed AND gate performing an AND operation on the delayed data signal and the high-speed data signal Din; and
A high-speed OR gate performing an OR operation on the delayed data signal and the high-speed data signal Din.
Ultra-high frequency transmission device comprising a. delete In paragraph 1,
The other terminal of the first transistor is connected to ground,
When the first transistor is turned off according to the logic level of the transformed data signal Dmod, current does not flow through the first transistor, so that the modulator does not consume power. In paragraph 1,
The modulator,
In order to obtain a variable gain, the microwave transmission device characterized in that it further comprises a regulator for adjusting and providing a power supply voltage. In paragraph 1,
The modulator includes a signal transforming unit that varies the level of the ultra-high frequency carrier signal according to the duty ratio of the modified data signal Dmod obtained by transforming the high-speed data signal Din. An ultra-high frequency transmission device characterized in that the design is excluded.

Images