Radio-frequency module and communication apparatus

A radio-frequency module includes a mounting substrate including a ground electrode layer formed by a planar wiring pattern; multiple ground terminals, which are multiple external connection terminals that are arranged on a first main surface of the mounting substrate and that are set to ground potential; and a first radio-frequency component (for example, a reception filter and/or a low noise amplifier) mounted on the first main surface. The multiple ground terminals are arranged at an outer periphery side of the first main surface with respect to the first radio-frequency component and are connected to the ground electrode layer. In a plan view of the mounting substrate, at least part of the first radio-frequency component is overlapped with the ground electrode layer.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a radio-frequency module and a communication apparatus including the radio-frequency module.

2. Description of the Related Art

In mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones, the numbers of circuit elements composing radio-frequency front-end circuits are increased particularly with the progress of multiband communication to make it difficult to reduce the sizes of radio-frequency modules.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-040602 discloses a semiconductor module realizing a reduction in size using a substrate of a dual side mounting type.

However, in the radio-frequency modules in the related art, the effect of shielding radio-frequency components mounted on the substrates may be insufficient.

SUMMARY

In view of the problem outlined above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a radio-frequency module and so on, which are capable of improving the effect of shielding radio-frequency components mounted on a substrate.

In order to achieve the above object, a radio-frequency module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a mounting substrate including a ground electrode layer formed by a planar wiring pattern; multiple external connection terminals that are arranged on a first main surface of the mounting substrate and that is set to ground potential; and a first radio-frequency component mounted on the first main surface. The multiple external connection terminals are arranged at an outer periphery side of the first main surface with respect to the first radio-frequency component and are connected to the ground electrode layer. In a plan view of the mounting substrate, at least part of the first radio-frequency component is overlapped with the ground electrode layer.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the shielding effect of the radio-frequency component mounted on the substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments and modifications of the embodiments of the present disclosure will herein be described in detail with reference to the drawings. All the embodiments and the modifications described below indicate comprehensive or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement of the components, the connection mode of the components, and so on, which are indicated in the embodiments and the modifications described below, are only examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Among the components in the embodiments and the modifications described below, the components that are not described in the independent claims are described as optional components.

The respective drawings are schematic diagrams subjected to arbitrary emphasis, omission, or adjustment of the ratios to indicate the present disclosure and are not necessarily strictly illustrated. The shapes, the positional relationship, and the ratios in the respective drawings may be different from the actual shapes, positional relationship, and ratios. The same reference numerals are added to substantially the same components in the respective drawings and a duplicated description of such components may be omitted or simplified herein.

In the respective drawings described below, the X axis and the Y axis are axes that are orthogonal to each other on a plane parallel to the main surface of a mounting substrate. The Z axis is an axis vertical to the main surface of a module substrate. The positive direction of the Z axis indicates the up direction and the negative direction thereof indicates the down direction.

In the present disclosure, “connected” includes not only direct connection with a connection terminal and/or a wiring conductor but also electrical connection via another circuit element.

In the present disclosure, terms, such as parallel and vertical, indicating the relationship between elements; terms, such as rectangles, indicating the shapes of the elements; and numerical ranges do not represent only strict meanings but mean inclusion of substantially the same ranges, for example, differences on the order of few percent.

In the present disclosure, a “plan view” means viewing an object projected on the X-Y plane from the Z direction.

Embodiment

An embodiment will now be described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.5.

The circuit configuration of a radio-frequency module1and a communication apparatus5according to the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference toFIG.1.

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the radio-frequency module1and the communication apparatus5according to the embodiment. Referring toFIG.1, the communication apparatus5includes the radio-frequency module1, an antenna element2, a radio-frequency (RF) signal processing circuit (radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC))3, and a baseband signal processing circuit (baseband integrated circuit (BBIC))4.

The radio-frequency module1transmits a radio-frequency signal between the antenna element2and the RFIC3. The radio-frequency module1is an integrated module in which various functional components used in a radio-frequency front-end circuit conforming to, for example, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Global Positioning System (GPS) are integrated. The radio-frequency module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this.

The antenna element2is connected to a common terminal31of the radio-frequency module1. The radio-frequency signal transmitted from the outside of the radio-frequency module1is received through the antenna element2and is supplied to the radio-frequency module1.

The RFIC3is an RF signal processing circuit that processes the radio-frequency signals transmitted and received through the antenna element2. For example, the RFIC3performs signal processing, such as down-conversion, to a radio-frequency reception signal input and transmitted through a reception output terminal82of the radio-frequency module1and supplies a reception signal resulting from the signal processing to the BBIC4.

The BBIC4is a circuit that performs signal processing using an intermediate frequency lower than the frequency of the radio-frequency signal propagated through the radio-frequency module1. The signal processed in the BBIC4is used as, for example, an image signal for image display and/or an audio signal for talking with a speaker.

The antenna element2and the BBIC4are not essential components for the communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

A detailed configuration of the radio-frequency module1will now be described. In the present embodiment, the radio-frequency module1composes a transmission-reception circuit of the radio-frequency signal.

Referring toFIG.1, the radio-frequency module1includes the common terminal31, a transmission input terminal81, the reception output terminal82, a power amplifier21, a low noise amplifier22, a transmission filter61, a reception filter62, and matching circuits41and42.

The common terminal31is connected to the antenna element2.

The power amplifier21is an example of a second radio-frequency component and amplifies a radio-frequency transmission signal input through the transmission input terminal81.

The low noise amplifier22is an example of a first radio-frequency component and amplifies the radio-frequency reception signal supplied from the antenna element2through the reception filter62with low noise.

The transmission filter61is an example of the second radio-frequency component and is a filter element using a transmission band of a certain band (frequency band) as a passband.

The reception filter62is an example of the first radio-frequency component and is a filter element using a reception band of a certain band (frequency band) as the passband.

When the band of the transmission filter61is the same as that of the reception filter62, the transmission filter61and the reception filter62may compose a duplexer for the band. Each of the transmission filter61and the reception filter62may be any of a surface acoustic wave filter, an acoustic wave filter using bulk acoustic waves (BAWs), a piezoelectric film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) filter, an LC resonant filter, and a dielectric filter and is not limited to these filters.

The matching circuit41is connected to a path connecting the power amplifier21to the transmission filter61. The matching circuit41performs impedance matching between the power amplifier21and the transmission filter61. Specifically, the matching circuit41is a circuit for matching the output impedance of the power amplifier21with the input impedance of the transmission filter61. The matching circuit41includes passive elements, such as an inductor and a capacitor, as an example of a second matching element.

The matching circuit42is connected to a path connecting the low noise amplifier22to the reception filter62. The matching circuit42performs impedance matching between the low noise amplifier22and the reception filter62. Specifically, the matching circuit42is a circuit for matching the output impedance of the reception filter62with the input impedance of the low noise amplifier22. The matching circuit42includes passive elements, such as an inductor and a capacitor, as an example of a first matching element.

[1.2 Arrangement Configuration of Circuit Elements in Radio-Frequency Module1]

The arrangement configuration of circuit elements composing the radio-frequency module1will now be specifically described with reference toFIG.2toFIG.4.

FIG.2is a plan view of the radio-frequency module1according to the embodiment.FIG.3is a bottom view of the radio-frequency module1according to the embodiment.FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of the radio-frequency module1according to the embodiment.FIG.4is a cross-sectional view taken along the IV-IV line inFIG.2andFIG.3.

Illustration of resin members941and942and a shielding electrode layer95is omitted inFIG.2andFIG.3. Ground terminal93are hatched inFIG.3to discriminate between input-output terminals92and the ground terminals93. Illustration of planar wiring patterns in a mounting substrate91, excluding a ground electrode layer915, is omitted inFIG.4.

Referring toFIG.2toFIG.4, the radio-frequency module1includes the mounting substrate91, the input-output terminals92, the ground terminals93, the resin members941and942, the shielding electrode layer95, and other circuit elements (with no reference numerals), in addition to the circuit elements illustrated inFIG.1.

The mounting substrate91is, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB), a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate, or a resin multilayer substrate. Although the mounting substrate91has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, as illustrated inFIG.2andFIG.3, in the present embodiment, the shape of the mounting substrate91is not limited to this.

The mounting substrate91has main surfaces91aand91bthat are opposed to each other. Here, the main surface91ais an example of a second main surface and may be called a surface or a top face. The main surface91bis an example of a first main surface and may be called a rear face or a bottom face. In the present embodiment, a transmission circuit is mounted on the main surface91aand a reception circuit is mounted on the main surface91b. Specifically, the transmission filter61, the power amplifier21, and the matching circuit41are mounted on the main surface91aand the reception filter62, the low noise amplifier22, and the matching circuit42are mounted on the main surface91b. The reception circuit may be mounted on the main surface91aand the transmission circuit may be mounted on the main surface91b.

The mounting substrate91includes the ground electrode layer915, as illustrated inFIG.4. The ground electrode layer915is formed by a planar wiring pattern. The planar arrangement of the ground electrode layer915will be described below with reference toFIG.5. The ground electrode layer915may be formed of a single-layer planar wiring pattern or may be formed of a multilayer planar wiring pattern.

The resin member941is formed on the main surface91a, and the transmission filter61, the matching circuit41, and the power amplifier21are covered with the resin member941. The resin member941has a function to ensure the reliabilities, such as the mechanical strength and the moisture resistance, of the transmission filter61, the matching circuit41, and the power amplifier21. The resin member941may not cover all the faces of the transmission filter61, the matching circuit41, and the power amplifier21. For example, the resin member941may cover only the side faces of the power amplifier21.

The resin member942is formed on the main surface91b, and the reception filter62, the matching circuit42, and the low noise amplifier22are covered with the resin member942. The resin member942has a function to ensure the reliabilities, such as the mechanical strength and the moisture resistance, of the reception filter62, the matching circuit42, and the low noise amplifier22. The resin member942may not cover all the faces of the reception filter62, the matching circuit42, and the low noise amplifier22. For example, the resin member942may cover only the side faces of the low noise amplifier22.

Each of the input-output terminals92is a terminal for transmitting and receiving electrical signals to and from an external substrate (not illustrated). Each of the input-output terminals92is a substantially columnar copper electrode extending in the Z direction from the main surface91bof the mounting substrate91and passes through the resin member942to connect the mounting substrate91to the external substrate. The external substrate is, for example, a mother board arranged at the negative direction side of the Z axis of the radio-frequency module1.

The ground terminals93are arranged on the main surface91bof the mounting substrate91and are an example of multiple external connection terminals set to ground potential. In the present embodiment, each of the ground terminals93is a substantially columnar copper electrode extending in the Z direction from the main surface91bof the mounting substrate91and passes through the resin member942to connect the mounting substrate91to the external substrate. An end face93bof each ground terminal93is exposed from the resin member942at the negative direction side of the Z axis to be connected to a ground terminal (not illustrated) of the external substrate.

The ground terminals93are connected to the ground electrode layer915. Specifically, an end face93aof each ground terminal93is connected to the ground electrode layer915via a via conductor916. The end face93aconnected to the ground electrode layer915is opposed to the end face93bconnected to the external substrate. Although the ground terminals93are connected to the ground electrode layer915only via the via conductors916inFIG.4, the connection mode of the ground terminals93is not limited to this. For example, the ground terminals93may be connected to the ground electrode layer915via both the planar wiring patterns and the via conductors.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the input-output terminals92and the ground terminals93are arranged at the outer periphery side of the main surface91bwith respect to the reception filter62and the low noise amplifier22. Specifically, the input-output terminals92and the ground terminals93are arranged in four marginal portions912along four sides911of the mounting substrate91. The reception filter62, the matching circuit42, and the low noise amplifier22are arranged in a central portion913surrounded by the four marginal portions912. Referring toFIG.3, each of the four marginal portions912is a substantially rectangular long area extending in the X direction or the Y direction, which is surrounded by broken lines, on the main surface91b. Among the four marginal portions912, the two adjacent marginal portions912are overlapped with each other in each corner area of the mounting substrate91.

In the present embodiment, three or four ground terminals93are arranged in each of the four marginal portions912. The ground terminal93is arranged at a position opposed to each of the reception filter62and the low noise amplifier22in the direction perpendicular to the side of the corresponding marginal portion in each of the four marginal portions912.

For example, a ground terminal931is arranged at a position opposed to the reception filter62in the X direction perpendicular to the side911of the marginal portion912where the ground terminal931is arranged. Similarly, a ground terminal932is arranged at a position opposed to the reception filter62in the X direction perpendicular to the side911of the marginal portion912where the ground terminal932is arranged. Each of the remaining two ground terminals933and934is arranged at a position opposed to the reception filter62in the Y direction perpendicular to the side911of the marginal portion912where the ground terminal933or934is arranged. At this time, the reception filter62is sandwiched between the two ground terminals931and932in the X direction and is sandwiched between the two ground terminals933and934in the Y direction.

The input-output terminals92and the ground terminals93may not necessarily have substantially columnar shapes and may not be made of copper. The shapes and the materials of the input-output terminals92and the ground terminals93are not restricted. For example, the input-output terminals92and the ground terminals93may be substantially hemispherical electrodes (bumps) and, for example, may be solder balls or copper core balls.

The shielding electrode layer95covers the surface of the resin member941and is connected to the ground electrode layer915. For example, the shielding electrode layer95is connected to the shielding electrode layer95on the side faces of the mounting substrate91.

The resin members941and942and the shielding electrode layer95are not essential components for the radio-frequency module1according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The input-output terminals92may not be arranged on the main surface91band may be replaced with boding wire or the like.

[1.3 Planar Arrangement of Ground Electrode Layer915]

The planar arrangement of the ground electrode layer915will now be specifically described with reference toFIG.5.FIG.5is a bottom view of the ground electrode layer915in the radio-frequency module1according to the embodiment. The circuit elements and the terminals mounted on the main surface91bof the mounting substrate91are projected on the ground electrode layer915having dot patterns added thereto inFIG.5.

As illustrated inFIG.5, in a plan view, the ground electrode layer915overlaps a footprint of the reception filter62and a footprint of the low noise amplifier22and does not overlap a footprint of the matching circuit42. In other words, the reception filter62and the low noise amplifier22are covered with the ground electrode layer915while the matching circuit42is not covered with the ground electrode layer915. The matching circuit42is arranged in an area corresponding to a cavity915aformed in the ground electrode layer915.

Although the entire footprint of the reception filter62and the entire footprint of the low noise amplifier22overlap the ground electrode layer915inFIG.5, the overlapping of the footprint of the reception filter62and the footprint of the low noise amplifier22is not limited to this. For example, part of the footprint of the reception filter62and the footprint of the low noise amplifier22may overlap with the ground electrode layer915. In other words, it is sufficient for at least part of the footprint of the reception filter62and the footprint of the low noise amplifier22to overlap with the ground electrode layer915in a plan view of the mounting substrate91.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the radio-frequency module1includes the mounting substrate91including the ground electrode layer915formed by the planar wiring pattern; the multiple ground terminals93, which are the multiple external connection terminals that are arranged on the main surface91bof the mounting substrate91and that are set to the ground potential; and the first radio-frequency component mounted on the main surface91b. The multiple ground terminals93are arranged at an outer periphery side of the main surface91bwith respect to the first radio-frequency component and are connected to the ground electrode layer915. In a plan view of the mounting substrate91, at least part of a footprint of the first radio-frequency component overlaps with the ground electrode layer915.

With the above configuration, at least part of the first radio-frequency component, which has the multiple ground terminals93, the multiple external connection terminals, arranged at the outer periphery side and which is mounted on the main surface91b, is covered with the ground electrode layer915. Accordingly, the signals radiated from the first radio-frequency component to the mounting substrate91side (that is, the up direction) and to the multiple ground terminals93side (that is, the side directions) and external noise incident on the first radio-frequency component from the up direction and the side directions are capable of being reduced with the ground electrode layer915and the multiple ground terminals93. In other words, it is possible to improve the shielding effect of the first radio-frequency component. In addition, since the ground electrode layer915is connected to the multiple ground terminals93, it is possible to stabilize the ground potential and to stabilize the shielding effect of the first radio-frequency component.

According to the embodiment, the mounting substrate91may have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The multiple ground terminals may be arranged in the four marginal portions912along the four sides of the mounting substrate91. The first radio-frequency component may be arranged in the central portion913surrounded by the four marginal portions912. At least one of the multiple ground terminals93may be arranged in each of the four marginal portions912.

With the above configuration, since at least one of the multiple ground terminals93is arranged in each of the four marginal portions912, it is possible to further improve the shielding effect in the side directions of the first radio-frequency component arranged in the central portion913.

According to the embodiment, at least one of the multiple ground terminals93may be arranged at a position opposed to the first radio-frequency component in a direction perpendicular to the side of the corresponding marginal portion.

With the above configuration, since the ground terminal is capable of being arranged so as to be opposed to the first radio-frequency component, it is possible to further improve the shielding effect in the side directions of the first radio-frequency component.

According to the embodiment, in a plan view of the mounting substrate91, the entire footprint of the first radio-frequency component may overlap the ground electrode layer915.

With the above configuration, since the entire first radio-frequency component is capable of being covered with the ground electrode layer915, it is possible to further improve the shielding effect in the up direction of the first radio-frequency component.

According to the embodiment, the radio-frequency module1may further include the second radio-frequency component mounted on the main surface91aopposite to the main surface91bof the mounting substrate91. One of the first radio-frequency component and the second radio-frequency component may include the reception filter62. The other of the first radio-frequency component and the second radio-frequency component may include the transmission filter61.

With the above configuration, the transmission filter61and the reception filter62are capable of being mounted on the different main surfaces of the mounting substrate91with the ground electrode layer915being sandwiched therebetween. Accordingly, it is possible to improve isolation characteristics between the transmission circuit including the transmission filter61and the reception circuit including the reception filter62.

According to the embodiment, the radio-frequency module1may further include the second radio-frequency component mounted on the main surface91aopposite to the main surface91bof the mounting substrate91. One of the first radio-frequency component and the second radio-frequency component may include the low noise amplifier22. The other of the first radio-frequency component and the second radio-frequency component may include the power amplifier21.

With the above configuration, the power amplifier21and the low noise amplifier22are capable of being mounted on the different main surfaces of the mounting substrate91with the ground electrode layer915being sandwiched therebetween. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the isolation characteristics between the transmission circuit including the power amplifier21and the reception circuit including the low noise amplifier22.

According to the embodiment, the radio-frequency module1may further include the second radio-frequency component mounted on the main surface91aopposite to the main surface91bof the mounting substrate91. One of the first radio-frequency component and the second radio-frequency component may include the first matching element (the matching circuit42) that performs impedance matching between the low noise amplifier22and the reception filter62. The other of the first radio-frequency component and the second radio-frequency component may include the second matching element (the matching circuit41) that performs impedance matching between the power amplifier21and the transmission filter61.

With the above configuration, the first matching element and the second matching element are capable of being mounted on the different main surfaces of the mounting substrate91with the ground electrode layer915being sandwiched therebetween. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the isolation characteristics between the transmission circuit including the second matching element and the reception circuit including the first matching element.

According to the embodiment, the first radio-frequency component may include the reception filter62. The second radio-frequency component may include the transmission filter61.

With the above configuration, the reception filter62is capable of being mounted on the main surface91bhaving the multiple ground terminals93arranged thereon and the transmission filter61is capable of being mounted on the main surface91aopposite to the main surface91b. Accordingly, since the reception filter62composing the reception circuit more susceptible to the external noise than the transmission circuit is capable of being mounted on the main surface91b, it is possible to effectively protect the reception circuit from the external noise with the ground electrode layer915.

According to the embodiment, the first radio-frequency component may further include the low noise amplifier22.

With the above configuration, the low noise amplifier22is capable of being mounted on the main surface91bdifferent from the main surface91aon which the transmission filter61is mounted. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the isolation characteristics between the transmission circuit and the reception circuit.

According to the embodiment, the radio-frequency module1may further include the first matching element (the matching circuit42) that performs impedance matching between the low noise amplifier22and the reception filter62. The first matching element may be mounted on the main surface91b.

With the above configuration, the first matching element, which performs the impedance matching between the low noise amplifier22and the reception filter62, is capable of being mounted on the main surface91bdifferent from the main surface91aon which the transmission filter61is mounted. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the isolation characteristics between the transmission circuit and the reception circuit.

According to the embodiment, in a plan view of the mounting substrate91, a footprint of the first matching element may not overlap the ground electrode layer915.

With the above configuration, an adverse effect of the ground electrode layer915on the first matching element is capable of being suppressed. For example, when the first matching element is an inductor, the influence of the ground electrode layer915on the magnetic field distribution of the inductor is capable of being reduced to suppress degradation of the Q value of the inductor. In particular, since the ground electrode layer915is formed by the planar wiring pattern, the cavity915ais capable of being easily formed in the ground electrode layer915, compared with the shielding electrode layer95. Accordingly, it is not necessary to ensure the distance in the Z direction between the inductor and the ground electrode layer915to lower the profile of the radio-frequency module1.

According to the embodiment, the second radio-frequency component may further include the power amplifier21.

With the above configuration, the power amplifier21is capable of being mounted on the main surface91adifferent from the main surface91bon which the reception filter62is mounted. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the isolation characteristics between the transmission circuit and the reception circuit.

According to the embodiment, the radio-frequency module1may further include the second matching element (the matching circuit41) that performs impedance matching between the power amplifier21and the transmission filter61. The second matching element may be mounted on the main surface91a.

With the above configuration, the second matching element, which performs the impedance matching between the power amplifier21and the transmission filter61, is capable of being mounted on the main surface91adifferent from the main surface91bon which the reception filter62is mounted. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress leakage of the transmission signal into the low noise amplifier22and the RFIC3not via the transmission filter61and the reception filter62because of electromagnetic coupling between the first matching element and the second matching element. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the isolation characteristics between the transmission circuit and the reception circuit.

According to the embodiment, the radio-frequency module1may further include the resin member941that is formed on the main surface91aand that covers at least part of the second radio-frequency component and the shielding electrode layer95that covers a surface of the resin member941and that is connected to the ground electrode layer915.

With the above configuration, the signals radiated from the second radio-frequency component to the up direction and the side directions and the external noise incident on the second radio-frequency component from the up direction and the side directions are capable of being reduced with the shielding electrode layer95. As a result, it is possible to improve the shielding effect of the second radio-frequency component.

According to the embodiment, each of the multiple ground terminals93may be a substantially columnar copper electrode.

With the above configuration, the size and the pitch of the multiple ground terminals93are capable of being reduced, compared with a case in which the multiple ground terminals93are bump electrodes, to improve the density of the multiple ground terminals93. As a result, it is possible to further improve the shielding effect in the side directions of the first radio-frequency component.

According to the embodiment, the communication apparatus5includes the radio-frequency signal processing circuit (the RFIC3) that processes the radio-frequency signal transmitted and received through the antenna element2and the radio-frequency module1, which transmits the radio-frequency signal between the antenna element2and the RFIC3.

With the above configuration, it is possible to provide the communication apparatus5capable of improving the shielding effect of the radio-frequency components mounted on the substrate.

First Modification of Embodiment

A first modification of the above embodiment will now be described. The first modification mainly differs from the above embodiment in the number of the ground terminals arranged on the rear face of the mounting substrate and the arrangement thereof. A radio-frequency module1A according to the first modification will described below, focusing on points different from the above embodiment. Since the circuit configuration of the radio-frequency module1A is the same as that of the radio-frequency module1according to the above embodiment, a description and illustration of the circuit configuration of the radio-frequency module1A are omitted herein.

The arrangement configuration of ground terminals93A in the radio-frequency module1A will be specifically described with reference toFIG.6.FIG.6is a bottom view of the radio-frequency module1A according to the first modification of the embodiment. Illustration of the resin member942is omitted and the ground terminals93A are hatched inFIG.6, as inFIG.3.

In the first modification, the two ground terminals93A are arranged on one diagonal line of the mounting substrate91. In other words, the two ground terminals93A are arranged in the areas in which the two adjacent marginal portions912are overlapped with each other. Even in this case, one of the two ground terminals93A is arranged in each of the four marginal portions912.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, one of the two ground terminals93A is arranged in each of the four marginal portions912. It is possible to improve the shielding effect on the sides of the reception filter62and so on even when the number of the ground terminals93A is two, compared with a case in which no ground terminal is arranged in the marginal portions912.

Second Modification of Embodiment

A second modification of the above embodiment will now be described. The second modification mainly differs from the above embodiment in the number of the input-output terminals and the ground terminals arranged on the rear face of the mounting substrate and the arrangement thereof. A radio-frequency module1B according to the second modification will described below, focusing on points different from the above embodiment. Since the circuit configuration of the radio-frequency module1B is the same as that of the radio-frequency module1according to the above embodiment, a description and illustration of the circuit configuration of the radio-frequency module1B are omitted herein.

The arrangement configuration of input-output terminals92B and ground terminals93B in the radio-frequency module1B according to the second modification will be specifically described with reference toFIG.7.FIG.7is a bottom view of the radio-frequency module1B according to the second modification of the embodiment. Illustration of the resin member942is omitted and the ground terminals93B are hatched inFIG.7, as inFIG.3. The reference numerals are added to one of the input-output terminals92B and one of the ground terminals93B inFIG.7and the reference numerals of the remaining terminals are omitted for avoidance of complications.

In the second modification, the input-output terminals92B and the ground terminals93B are arranged in two rows in the four marginal portions912of the mounting substrate91. Specifically, the input-output terminals92B are aligned along the four sides911of the mounting substrate91and the ground terminals93B are aligned along the four sides911inside the input-output terminals92B.

As described above, according to the second modification, it is possible to realize the increased number of the input-output terminals and the ground terminals and the arrangement of the many input-output terminals and the many ground terminals.

Third Modification of Embodiment

Although the circuit elements are mounted on both sides of the mounting substrate in the embodiment and the respective modifications, the circuit elements are mounted on only the rear face of the mounting substrate in a third modification. A radio-frequency module1C according to the third modification will described below, focusing on points different from the above embodiment and the respective modifications. Since the circuit configuration of the radio-frequency module1C is the same as that of the radio-frequency module1according to the above embodiment, a description and illustration of the circuit configuration of the radio-frequency module1C are omitted herein.

The arrangement configuration of the circuit elements and the terminals in the radio-frequency module1C according to the third modification will be specifically described with reference toFIG.8andFIG.9.FIG.8is a bottom view of the radio-frequency module1C according to the third modification of the embodiment.FIG.9is a cross-sectional view of the radio-frequency module1C according to the third modification of the embodiment. Specifically,FIG.9is a cross-sectional view taken along the IX-IX line inFIG.8. Illustration of a resin member942C is omitted and ground terminals93C are hatched inFIG.8, as inFIG.3.

The radio-frequency module1C according to the third modification includes a mounting substrate91C, input-output terminals92C, the ground terminals93C, the resin member942C, and other circuit elements (with no reference numerals), in addition to the circuit elements illustrated inFIG.1.

Although the mounting substrate91C is a printed circuit board or the like having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, like the mounting substrate91according to the above embodiment, the mounting substrate91C is not limited to this. The mounting substrate91C has main surfaces91Ca and91Cb that are opposed to each other. The main surface91Ca may be called a surface or a top face. The main surface91Cb is an example of the first main surface and may be called a rear face or a bottom face. In the third modification, no circuit element is mounted on the main surface91Ca and both the transmission circuit and the reception circuit are mounted on the main surface91Cb. Specifically, the transmission filter61, the power amplifier21, the matching circuit41, the reception filter62, the low noise amplifier22, and the matching circuit42are mounted on the main surface91Cb.

The mounting substrate91C includes a ground electrode layer915C formed by a planar wiring pattern, as illustrated inFIG.9. In a plan view, the ground electrode layer915C overlaps a footprint of the transmission filter61, a footprint of the power amplifier21, a footprint of the reception filter62, and a footprint of the low noise amplifier22and does not overlap footprints of the matching circuits41and42.

The resin member942C is formed on the main surface91Cb, and the transmission filter61, the power amplifier21, the matching circuit41, the reception filter62, the low noise amplifier22, and the matching circuit42are covered with the resin member942C. The resin member942C has a function to ensure the reliabilities, such as the mechanical strength and the moisture resistance, of the respective circuit elements. The resin member942C may not cover all the faces of the transmission filter61, the power amplifier21, the matching circuit41, the reception filter62, the matching circuit42, and the low noise amplifier22. For example, the resin member942C may cover only the side faces of the power amplifier21and the low noise amplifier22.

Each of the input-output terminals92C is a terminal for transmitting and receiving electrical signals to and from the external substrate. Each of the input-output terminals92C is a substantially columnar copper electrode extending in the Z direction from the main surface91Cb of the mounting substrate91C and passes through the resin member942C to connect the mounting substrate91C to the external substrate.

Each of the ground terminals93C is an example of the external connection terminal that is arranged on the main surface91Cb of the mounting substrate91C and that is set to the ground potential. Each of the ground terminals93C is a substantially columnar copper electrode extending in the Z direction from the main surface91Cb of the mounting substrate91C and passes through the resin member942C to connect the mounting substrate91C to the external substrate. Each of the ground terminals93C is connected to the ground electrode layer915C via a via conductor916C.

As illustrated inFIG.8, the input-output terminals92C and the ground terminals93C are arranged in four marginal portions912C along four sides911C of the mounting substrate91C. The transmission filter61, the power amplifier21, the matching circuit41, the reception filter62, the low noise amplifier22, and the matching circuit42are arranged in a central portion913C surrounded by the four marginal portions912C. Referring toFIG.8, each of the four marginal portions912C is a substantially rectangular long area extending in the X direction or the Y direction, which is surrounded by broken lines, on the main surface91Cb.

The input-output terminals92C and the ground terminals93C according to the third modification may not necessarily have substantially columnar shapes and may not be made of copper. The shapes and the materials of the input-output terminals92C and the ground terminals93C are not restricted. For example, the input-output terminals92C and the ground terminals93C may be substantially hemispherical electrodes (bumps) and, for example, may be solder balls or copper core balls.

As described above, according to the third modification, since both the transmission circuit and the reception circuit are mounted on the main surface91Cb of the mounting substrate91C, no circuit element may be mounted on the main surface91Ca. Accordingly, the radio-frequency module1C may not include the shielding electrode layer and the number of the components is decreased in this case. In addition, since it is possible to omit the process of forming the shielding electrode layer in manufacturing of the radio-frequency module1C, the radio-frequency module1C is capable of realizing a reduction of the number of manufacturing steps.

(Other Modifications and so on)

Although the radio-frequency modules and the communication apparatuses according to the above embodiment and the modifications of the embodiment of the present disclosure are described above, the radio-frequency modules and the communication apparatuses according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above embodiment and the modifications. Other embodiments realized by combining arbitrary components in the above embodiment and the modifications, exemplary modifications realized by making various modifications supposed by the person skilled in the art to the above embodiment and the modifications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and various devices including the radio-frequency modules and the communication apparatuses are also included in the present disclosure.

For example, in the radio-frequency module and the communication apparatus according to the above embodiment, other circuit elements, lines, and so on may be provided between the paths connecting the respective circuit elements to the signal paths disclosed in the drawings. For example, a switch may be arranged on the path connecting the common terminal31to the transmission filter61and the reception filter62. In this case, the switch may be a multi-connection-type switch that switches between connection and non-connection between the antenna element2and the transmission filter61and switches between connection and non-connection between the antenna element2and the reception filter62. In addition, matching elements may be connected to the path connecting the switch to the transmission filter61and the path connecting the switch to the reception filter62.

Although the ground electrode layer is not overlapped with the matching circuits in a plan view in the above embodiment and the modifications, the ground electrode layer is not limited to this. For example, when characteristics necessary for the matching circuits are ensured, the ground electrode layer may be overlapped with part or all of the matching circuits in a plan view. In other words, the matching circuits may be included in the first radio-frequency component or the second radio-frequency component.

Although the radio-frequency module includes both the transmission circuit and the reception circuit in each of the above embodiment and the modifications, the radio-frequency module may include only one of the transmission circuit and the reception circuit. In this case, one of the transmission circuit and the reception circuit may be mounted on only the rear face of the mounting substrate or may be mounted on both faces of the mounting substrate.

Although the radio-frequency module includes the two filters in each of the above embodiment and the modifications, the radio-frequency module may include three or more filters. For example, the radio-frequency module may support carrier aggregation and may include multiple transmission filters and multiple reception filters.

The present disclosure is widely applicable to a communication device, such as a mobile phone, as the radio-frequency module arranged in a front-end unit.