Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an RF integrated circuit suitable for development made accumulation independently about an RF integrated circuit for development specifically with physical layer circuit and the MAC circuit. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In our country (Japan), the analog television broadcast is finished in July, 2011, and it shifts to digital television broadcasting. In recent times, analog television broadcast is finished abroad, and countries shifting to digital television broadcasting increase. In our country, the 700 MHz belt (around 10 MHz of 715M-725 MHz) which analog television broadcast uses currently is used for ITS (IntelligentTransportSystems). The ITS is applied to the communication between the car for before the fact to prevent the collision of the car. 
         [0003]    Also, WiMAX (IEEE802.16:) to do when the high-speed wireless Internet that can use the high-speed Internet during whereabouts and movement can be used Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is spreading, too. Besides, in a personal institution or public accommodation, the usable environment is having good wireless LAN. 
         [0004]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , with communications equipment  8  used for ITS, iMAX, wireless LAN, that the radio return modulation circuit (RF circuit  81 ) is made accumulation integrally with physical layer circuit (a PHY layer circuit)  82  and MAC circuit (media access control circuit)  83  (i.e., as 1 tip), and it is made is assumed at the time of the product installation (cf. patent document the first class). 
         [0005]    The frequency (analog frequency) that physical layer circuit  82  handles is often different every development as having said 5 MHz in 10 MHz, the wireless LAN by 10 MHz, the WiMAX in the ITS. Thus, by the development of communications equipment  8  of the constitution of  FIG. 7 , RF circuit  81  must be designed again each time. Therefore, it is not realistic from a surface of the expense that RF circuit  91  becomes accumulation alone. 
         [0006]    Thus, as shown in  FIG. 8 , RF circuit  91  of the development process is formed to the substrate of the anomalous style in the development of communications equipment  9  with physical layer circuit  92  of the development process and MAC circuit  93 . Note that, physical layer circuit  92  and MAC circuit  93  is constructed to be able to support the frequency of the signal to receive from RF circuit  91 , and a change is not needed. Therefore, it is preferable as substrate constitution, and physical layer circuit  92  and MAC circuit  93  may use a Pan-article made an integrated circuit as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0007]    Related technologies are described, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-215,174. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
       [0008]    However, because RF circuit  91  shown in  FIG. 8  is not made accumulation, a noise due to the guidance of the signal line occurs, and incommodiousness may produce for development. For example, because when a development circuit with the substrate is applied to an integrated circuit, the inconsistency of the scale often occurs, the application to an integrated circuit is not easy. It becomes the problem to break off such an inconvenience conventionally. 
         [0009]    The object of the present invention is to provide an RF integrated circuit for development that it is become physical layer circuit and the MAC circuit accumulation independently, and the interface frequency with the physical layer circuit has width of at least around 10 MHz toward. 
       Means to Solve the Problem 
       [0010]    (1) An RF integrated circuit for development including a radio frequency band signal received by an antenna is reduced to arbitrary frequency, and a signal of option frequency input into other circuits from a demodulation circuit to output and the circuit of above others is raised in a radio frequency, and it is an RF integrated circuit for development that had the switching circuit which changes a modulation circuit to output and an above antenna to either of an above demodulation circuit and the above modulation circuit built-in, and the RF integrated circuit is made accumulation independently with the circuit of above others by an above antenna and the above demodulation circuit converts a received radio frequency signal into a frequency signal of frequency 5-20 MHz, and the above modulation circuit converting a frequency signal of frequency 5-20 MHz into a radio frequency signal. 
         [0011]    (2) The other circuits, an RF integrated circuit for development as claimed in (1) including the thing including media access control circuit connected to the physical layer circuit which AD conversion is performed between the demodulation circuit, and performs DA conversion between the modulation circuit and the physical layer circuit 
         [0012]    (3) An RF integrated circuit for development including the thing comprising the switch circuitry which it is an RF integrated circuit for development as claimed in (1) that a return modulation circuit functioning as the demodulation circuit and the modulation circuit was built in, and the return modulation circuit changes the signal paths that at least send out the signal from a low noise amplifier and image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT of the latter half and the signal paths that the power amplifier of the latter half is further included as common componentry, and send out the signal from an above antenna to an above physical layer circuit through the return modulation circuit and an above physical layer circuit to an above antenna through the return modulation circuit to. 
         [0013]    Image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT can be comprised from a synthesizer each signal from the second mixer multiplying the other of 2 signals which generated a share wave by the other and above the first place caliber of leadership among 2 done signals by the first mixer which multiplies one of 2 signals which generated a share wave by one and above the first place caliber of leadership among 2 done signals by a splitter doing a share wave and an above splitter by 2 signals having a phase difference of 90 degrees and above splitter by and the first above mixer and the second mixer is input, and to add caliber of leadership and an input signal to as the aspect so as to generate 2 signals having a phase difference of 90 degrees from the oscillation signal of the local oscillator. Also, Image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT can be comprised from a synthesizer each signal from the second mixer multiplying the other of 2 signals which generated a share wave by the other and above the first place caliber of leadership among 2 done signals by the first mixer which multiplies one of 2 signals which generated a share wave by one and above the first place caliber of leadership among 2 done signals by a splitter doing a share wave and an above splitter by 2 signals in a coordinate aspect and above splitter by and the first above mixer and the second mixer is input, and 90 degrees phase shifting does one input signal, and to add caliber of leadership and an input signal to so as to generate 2 signals having a phase difference of 90 degrees from the oscillation signal of the local oscillator. 
       Effect of the Invention 
       [0014]    Even if frequency is different every development because there is, with the RF integrated circuit for development of the present invention, width does not have to design the RF circuit again each time to the interface frequency with other circuits. 
         [0015]    According to the present invention, in an RF integrated circuit, it is elaborated a frequency converter circuit to convert a signal (e.g., from 5 MHz 20 MHz) of the frequency from a physical layer circuit into a radio signal (e.g., 700 MHz is worn) and a frequency converter circuit to convert a radio signal (e.g., 700 MHz is worn) into a signal (e.g., from 5 MHz 20 MHz) for physical layer circuits as an IC. Thereby, if it is the return modulation circuit where a physical layer circuit works in a predetermined range (e.g., a range from 5 MHz to 20 MHz), it can be developed using an RF integrated circuit (the RF integrated circuit of the same specifications) of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, and it is the block diagram showing the state that an RF integrated circuit is connected to physical layer circuit and MAC circuit. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram the demodulation circuit of the RF integrated circuit of  FIG. 1  and a modulation circuit are subdivided, and to show. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a figure showing an RF integrated circuit of  FIG. 1  specifically. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  (A) is a figure showing image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT of the demodulation circuit of ,Í  FIG. 3  is a figure showing image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT of the modulation circuit of ,Í,Í  FIG. 3  (B). 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows, in an RF integrated circuit of the present invention, the conceptual diagram of the principle showing the return modulation circuit which shares a modulation circuit with a demodulation circuit by one circuit. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is the illustration shown in the details with RF integrated circuit  1  of  FIG. 5  more. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is the block diagram showing the conventional communication circuitry. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is the block diagram showing the circuit for development of the conventional communication circuitry. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are illustrations showing the embodiments of the RF integrated circuit of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , RF integrated circuit  1  comprises demodulation circuit  11 , modulation circuit  12  and switching circuit  13 . RF integrated circuit  1  is connected to circuit  2  comprising physical layer circuit  21  and MAC circuit  22 , and circuit  2  is connected to computer  3 . 
         [0025]    Demodulation circuit  11  reduces a radio frequency band signal (here a signal of 715M-725 MHz) received by antenna  7  to arbitrary frequency (from 5 MHz 20 MHz), and it is output in physical layer circuit  21 . Modulation circuit  12  raises a signal of arbitrary frequency (from 5 MHz 20 MHz) input from physical layer circuit  21  in a radio frequency (a signal of 715M-725 MHz), and it is output to antenna  7 . 
         [0026]    Physical layer circuit  21  is typically an interface circuit. In this embodiment, tt is provided with A/D converter  411 , Digital to Analog converter  412  between physical layer circuit  21  and RF integrated circuit  1 , but it can be established in physical layer circuit  21 , and it can be made for RF integrated circuit  1 . Physical layer circuit  21  is connected to MAC circuit  22 , and the signal from demodulation circuit  11  is constructed across MAC circuit  22 , and the signal from MAC circuit  22  is constructed across modulation circuit  12 . Antenna  7  is connected to demodulation circuit  11  and modulation circuit  12  through switching circuit  13 . Switching circuit  13  can change antenna  7  to either of demodulation circuit  11  and modulation circuit  12  by change signal SC from the outside. 
         [0027]    Note that, demodulation circuit  11  can be comprised from intermediate frequency converter circuit  1101  and low frequency converter circuit  1102  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Intermediate frequency converter circuit  1101  converts a radio frequency signal input through switching circuit  13  into intermediate frequency, and it is further converted into frequency of around 5-25 MHz by low frequency converter circuit  1102 . And, these frequency signals our particular frequency signal is output in physical layer circuit  21  of  FIG. 1 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 2 , modulation circuit  12  can be further comprised from high frequency converter circuit  1202  with intermediate frequency converter circuit  1201 . The particular frequency signal of frequency signals from physical layer circuit  21  is converted into intermediate frequency by intermediate frequency converter circuit  1201 . Even more particularly, a signal of this intermediate frequency is modulated to the signal of the radio frequency (a 700 MHz zone) by high frequency converter circuit  1202 , and, through switching circuit  13 , it is output to antenna  7 . 
         [0028]    An embodiment of RF integrated circuit  1  of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3 . Switching circuit  13  is set for (at the time of the reception) at the time of the recovery in the side as shown in the solid line by control signal SC. Demodulation circuit  11  comprises low noise amplifier  111 , amplifier  112  for receive signal level adjustment, splitter  113 , received signal strength detector  114 , variable gain device  115 , image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  116  and power amplifier  117 . 
         [0029]    The signal of the frequency 700 MHz zone from antenna terminal ANT is input into image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  116  through BPF (a bandpass filter)  16  and low noise amplifier  111 , amplifier  112  for receive signal level adjustment and variable gain device  115 . It is made a share wave by splitter  113 , and the output of amplifier  112  for receive signal level adjustment is output from RSSI terminal through received signal strength detector  114  by an outside control unit (it is not illustrated). This control unit generates a gain adjustment signal of variable gain device  115  based on an input signal. RF integrated circuit  1  inputs this gain adjustment signal from reception level adjustment signal terminal RLA, and variable gain device  115  is operated. 
         [0030]    Image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  116  inputs an output signal of variable gain device  115 , and it regains its health. These demodulated signals are amplified by power amplifier  117 , and it is sent out to physical layer circuit  21  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) through A/D converter  411  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) by receive signal terminal RX. 
         [0031]    Image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  116  consists of splitter  1161  and phase shifter  1162  and mixer  1163 ,  1164  and synthesizer  1165  as shown in  FIG. 4  (A). Splitter  1161  performs a share wave of an input signal to two signals of the aspect, and it is sent out to mixer  1163 ,  1164 . The signal from local oscillator  14  is input into phase shifter  1162 , and phase shifter  1162  outputs two signals that phase shifting is different 90 degrees to mixer  1163 ,  1164 . Herein, mixer  1163  mixes a signal of the 90 degrees phase shifting from phase shifter  1162  with a signal from splitter  1161 , and it is sent to synthesizer  1165 . Mixer  1164  mixes a signal of the 0 degrees phase shifting from phase shifter  1162  with a signal from splitter  1161 , and it is sent to synthesizer  1165 . The signal which made a signal from mixer  1164  make 90 degrees phase shifting with synthesizer  1165  and a signal from mixer  1164  are synthesized, and it is output to power amplifier  117 . 
         [0032]    Switching circuit  13  is set for (at the time of the transmission) at the time of abnormality in the side as shown in the dotted line by control signal SC. Modulation circuit  12  comprises buffer amplifier  121 , image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  122 , variable gain device  123 , power amplifier  124 , splitter  125  and transmission signal strength detector  126 . 
         [0033]    After it is input through buffer amplifier  121  of gain 0 dB in image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  122 , and it was performed frequency modulation in image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  122  by transmit signal input terminal TX, the signal of frequency 20 MHz from physical layer circuit  21  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) is amplified by variable gain device  123  and power amplifier  124 . And, it is output to antenna  7  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) through switching circuit  13  and BPF (a bandpass filter)  16  by antenna terminal ANT. It is made a share wave by splitter  125 , and the output of power amplifier  124  is output from TSSI terminal through transmission signal strength detector  126  by an outside control unit (it is not illustrated). This control unit generates a gain adjustment signal of variable gain device  123  based on an input signal. RF integrated circuit  1  inputs this gain adjustment signal from transmission level adjustment signal terminal TLA, and variable gain device  123  is operated. 
         [0034]    Image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  122  consists of splitter  1221  and phase shifter  1222  and mixer  1223 ,  1224  and synthesizer  1225  as shown in  FIG. 4  (B). Splitter  1221  performs a share wave of an input signal to two signals of the aspect, and it is sent out to mixer  1223 ,  1224 . The signal from local oscillator  14  is input into phase shifter  1222 , and phase shifter  1222  outputs two signals that phase shifting is different 90 degrees to mixer  1223 ,  1224 . Herein, mixer  1223  mixes a signal of the 90 degrees phase shifting from phase shifter  1222  with a signal from splitter  1221 , and it is sent to synthesizer  1225 . Mixer  1224  mixes a signal of the 0 degrees phase shifting from phase shifter  1222  with a signal from splitter  1221 , and it is sent to synthesizer  1225 . The signal which made a signal from mixer  1224  make 90 degrees phase shifting with synthesizer  1225  and a signal from mixer  1224  are synthesized, and it is output to power amplifier  124 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a conceptual diagram of the principle which shows the return modulation circuit which shares a modulation circuit with a demodulation circuit in an RF integrated circuit of the present invention by one circuit. RF integrated circuit  1  comprises working switching circuit  131 , 132 , 133 , 134  and return modulation circuit  15 . Return modulation circuit  15  becomes low noise amplifier A 1  and image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT IRM from local oscillator  14  and power amplifier A 2 . 
         [0036]    At the time of the recovery, switching circuit  131 , 132 , 133 , 134  is set in the side as shown in the solid line by control signal SC, respectively, and the signal of the frequency 700 MHz zone received by antenna  7  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) is input into RF integrated circuit  1  by antenna terminal ANT. That is, the receive signal is input into image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT IRM through BPF 16 , switching circuit  131 , switching circuit  132 , low noise amplifier A 1 . In image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT IRM, an input signal is converted into a low frequency signal (5-25 MHz) using local oscillation signal LO from local oscillator  14 . And, this low frequency signal is sent out to physical layer circuit  21  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) through A/D converter  411  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) by way of power amplifier A 2 , switching circuit  133 , switching circuit  134  by transmission/receive signal input and output terminal RX/TX. 
         [0037]    At the time of the abnormality, switching circuit  131 , 132 , 133 , 134  is set in the side as shown in the dotted line by control signal SC, respectively, and the transmit signal (5-25 MHz) that went by way of Digital to Analog converter  412  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) from physical layer circuit  21  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) is input into RF integrated circuit  1  by transmission/receive signal input and output terminal RX/TX. That is, the transmit signal is input into image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT IRM through switching circuit  134 , switching circuit  132 , low noise amplifier A 1 . In image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT IRM, an input signal is converted into a high frequency signal (the signal of the frequency 700 MHz zone) using local oscillation signal LO from local oscillator  14 . And, this high frequency signal is sent out to antenna  7  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) via power amplifier A 2 , switching circuit  133 , switching circuit  131 , BPF 16  by antenna terminal ANT. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is an illustration shown in the details with RF integrated circuit  1  of  FIG. 5  more. In  FIG. 6 , in return modulation circuit  15 , it is from signal strength detector  154  and variable gain device  155  and image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  156  and variable gain device  157  and power amplifier  158  and splitter  159  and local oscillator  14  with low noise amplifier  151  and splitter  152  and switching circuit  153 . 
         [0039]    In return modulation circuit  15  of  FIG. 6 , switching circuit  131 , 132 , 133 , 134  and switching circuit  153  is set at the time of the recovery in the side as shown in the solid line by control signal SC, respectively, and the signal of the frequency 700 MHz zone received by antenna  7  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) is input into RF integrated circuit  1  by antenna terminal ANT. That is, the receive signal is input into BPF 16 , switching circuit  131 , switching circuit  132 , low noise amplifier  151 , splitter  152 , variable gain device  155 . The signal performed a share wave of by splitter  152  is input into signal strength detector  154  through switching circuit  153 , and the signal from signal strength detector  154  is sent out to the control unit which is not illustrated by reception/transmit signal intensity signals output terminal RSSI/TSSI. With this control unit, a reception level adjustment signal is generated. This reception level adjustment signal is input into a control terminal of variable gain device  155  by reception level adjustment signal terminal RLA, and a gain of variable gain device  155  is adjusted. 
         [0040]    In image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  156 , a signal from variable gain device  155  is converted into a low frequency signal (5-25 MHz) using local oscillation signal LO from local oscillator  14 . And, this low frequency signal is sent out to physical layer circuit  21  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) through A/D converter  411  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) by way of variable gain device  157 , power amplifier  158 , splitter  159 , switching circuit  133 , switching circuit  134  by transmission/receive signal input and output terminal RX/TX. Note that, in this embodiment, at the time of the recovery, indicating signal of gain zero (0 db) is input into a control terminal of variable gain device  157 . 
         [0041]    In return modulation circuit  15  of  FIG. 6 , switching circuit  131 , 132 , 133 , 134  and switching circuit  153  is set at the time of the abnormality in the side as shown in the dotted line by control signal SC, respectively, and the transmit signal (5-25 MHz) that went by way of Digital to Analog converter  412  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) from physical layer circuit  21  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) is input into RF integrated circuit  1  by transmission/receive signal input and output terminal RX/TX. That is, the receive signal is input into image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  156  through switching circuit  134 , switching circuit  132 , low noise amplifier  151 , splitter  152 , variable gain device  155 . Note that, in this embodiment, at the time of the abnormality, indicating signal of gain zero (0 db) is input into a control terminal of variable gain device  155 . In image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT  156 , an input signal is converted into a high frequency signal (the signal of the frequency 700 MHz zone) using local oscillation signal LO from local oscillator  14 . And, this high frequency signal is sent out to variable gain device  157 , power amplifier  158 , splitter  159 , switching circuit  133 . The signal performed a share wave of by splitter  159  is input into signal strength detector  154  through switching circuit  153 , and the signal from signal strength detector  154  is sent out to the control unit which is not illustrated by reception/transmit signal intensity signals output terminal RSSI/TSSI. With this control unit, a transmission level adjustment signal is generated. This transmission level adjustment signal is input into a control terminal of variable gain device  157  by transmission level adjustment signal terminal TLA, and a gain of variable gain device  157  is adjusted. And, the transmit signal from switching circuit  133  is sent out to antenna  17  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) through switching circuit  131 , BPF 16  by antenna terminal ANT. 
         [0042]    In the attached drawings, the following reference numerals correspond to:
         1  RF integrated circuit     2  circuits     3  computers     5  frequency     7 ,  17  antennas   Eight or nine communications equipment     11  demodulation circuits     12  modulation circuits     13 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134   14  switching circuit local oscillators     15  return modulation circuits     16  BPF     21 ,  82 ,  92  physical layer circuits     22 ,  83 ,  93  MAC circuit     81 ,  91  RF circuit     111  low noise amplifiers   An amplifier for  112  receive signal level adjustment     113 ,  125 ,  152 ,  159 ,  1161 ,  1221   114  splitter received signal strength detectors     115 , 123 , 155 , 157  variable gain device     116 , 122 , 156 , IRM image f{hacek over (S)}fWfFfNfVf‡f″ Ef˜fLfT     117 , 124 , 158 ,  121  A 2  power amplifier buffer amplifiers     126  transmission signal strength detectors     151 , A 1  low noise amplifier     154  signal strength detectors     411  A/D converter     412  D/A converter     1101 ,  1201  intermediate frequency converter circuits     1102  low frequency converter circuits     1162 ,  1222  phase shifter     1163 ,  1164 ,  1223 ,  1224  mixer     1165 ,  1225  synthesizers     1202  high frequency converter circuits   ANT antenna terminal   LO local oscillation signal   RLA reception level adjustment signal terminal   RX receive signal terminal   SC change signal   TLA transmission level adjustment signal terminal   A TX transmit signal input terminal

Technology Category: h