CN118975045A - Coupler, coupling method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a coupler, a coupling method and a coupling system. The coupler includes: a main signal path for a signal path of the coupler, and a coupling path; the coupling channel is used for coupling signals of the main signal channel, wherein the main signal channel comprises a first port and a second port, and the first port and the second port are respectively used for an input port and an output port of the coupler; the coupling channel comprises a third port, a fourth port and a fifth port. The challenges of different scenes of multiple signals can be realized.

Description

Coupler, coupling method and system Technical Field

The present application relates to communication technology, and in particular to a coupler, a coupling method and a system.

Background Art

With the continuous development of technology, various technologies can be applied in different scenarios. For example, in some technical scenarios, the signal power needs to be monitored and calibrated, but in other scenarios, a group of common antennas that can simultaneously send and receive signals are required to achieve signal synchronization. This is the current technical challenge.

Summary of the invention

The present application provides a coupler, a coupling method and a system. The present application adopts the following technical solutions to meet the challenges of various signal scenarios.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a coupler, including:

A main signal channel and a coupling channel, the main signal channel is used for the signal channel of the coupler; the coupling channel is used to couple the signal of the main signal channel, wherein the main signal channel includes a first port and a second port, the first port and the second port are used for the input port and the output port of the coupler respectively; the coupling channel includes a third port, a fourth port and a fifth port.

It should be noted that, among the five ports, the main signal channel is used for the signal channel of the coupler, including a first port and a second port, the first port and the second port are used for the input port and the output port of the coupler respectively; the coupling channel includes a third port, a fourth port and a fifth port, and the coupling channel is used to couple the signal of the main signal channel so that the signal can be coupled to the third port or the fourth port for sampling. In some scenarios, the sampled signal can be calibrated, monitored or grounded. One or more operations, the fifth port on the coupling channel can be used as a connection point to connect the coupler and the external area of the chip where it is located. For example, the connection point can be ground-signal-ground (Ground Signal Ground, GSG). The coupler can output its coupled signal to the outside through the fifth port, and then return it to the chip through external transmission to solve the problem of large interference and large signal loss when some signals are transmitted inside the coupler.

Through the five ports included on the main signal channel and the coupling channel, the coupler can transmit signals on the main signal channel and, through the ports on the coupling channel, correspond to the different needs of different scenarios and external devices, thereby realizing the challenges of multiple signals in different scenarios.

For example, when dealing with a scenario that requires business data transmission and a scenario that requires data transmission with a shared antenna, the main signal channel of the coupler can guarantee the signal transmission requirements of basic business data, and can allocate two ports on the coupling channel to achieve one or more of the calibration, monitoring or grounding requirements of the signal during business data transmission, and then through the last port, connect to the outside of the chip where the coupler is located, and output some signals received by the coupler that are not suitable for transmission inside the chip to the outside of the chip through this port, and then transmit them back to the chip after being returned to the outside. In this way, the challenges of business scenarios and shared antenna scenarios can be met.

Of course, when there are many functional requirements in a scene and the ports are not enough to realize all functions, two functions can be realized through one port on the coupling channel, that is, an external power splitter is connected to the port, which can meet the challenges of more requirements in different scenes.

In one possible embodiment, the coupler further includes: a sixth port, the coupling channel includes a second coupling path and a third coupling path, wherein the second coupling path includes the third port and the fourth port, and the second coupling path is used to realize the transmission of signals between the third port and the fourth port; the third coupling channel includes the fifth port and the sixth port, and the third coupling path is used to realize the transmission of signals between the fifth port and the sixth port.

The coupling channel of the coupler can also include more coupling paths, and each coupling path can include more ports. On the one hand, such a coupler can cope with more scenario requirements and thus meet the challenges of multiple signal scenarios. On the other hand, the position of each coupling path on the main signal channel can be flexibly adjusted to save the on-chip area occupied by the coupler on the chip.

In one possible embodiment, the coupler further includes: a seventh port and an eighth port, and the coupling channel further includes a fourth coupling path, wherein the fourth coupling path includes the seventh port and the eighth port, and the fourth coupling path is used to realize signal transmission between the seventh port and the eighth port.

The coupler of the present application can couple the signal on the main signal channel through more coupling paths, and different couplers can be connected externally through different ports to correspond to more scenarios and realize more functions.

In one possible implementation, the first port is an input port for receiving a transmission signal input by the main signal channel, the second port is a through port for outputting the transmission signal, and the through port is also used to reversely input a reflected signal and input a received signal; the third port is a first coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, and the fourth port is a first isolation port for selectively sampling and grounding the reflected signal; or, the third port is the first coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, and the fourth port is a second coupling port for sampling the transmission signal; the fifth port is a second isolation port for connecting to the outside of the chip to output the signal received by the through port to the outside of the chip.

It should be noted that the five ports of the coupler should include at least one input port for inputting the transmission signal, a through port for outputting the transmission signal, inputting the reflected signal and inputting the received signal, a second isolation port for connecting to the outside of the chip to output the signal received by the through port to the outside of the chip, and a first coupling port for sampling the transmission signal. If the first coupling port is connected to a power divider, the transmission signal can be calibrated and monitored at the same time. Another port can be selectively sampled and grounded, such as being determined to be grounded or to monitor the reflected signal according to the needs of the use scenario. For example, in some scenarios where the monitoring requirements are not high, it is not necessary to monitor the reflected signal, so this port can be grounded. If the monitoring requirements are high, this port should be used as an isolation port, recorded as the first isolation port to monitor the reflected signal. The reason why the isolation port is used to monitor the reflected signal is that the isolation port is unidirectional, which prevents the reflected signal from returning to the main signal channel to interfere with the transmission signal.

Furthermore, the coupler is not limited to the above five ports, and ports can be added according to the business requirements of different application scenarios to achieve the integration of more signals or functions.

The sampling of the transmitted signal in the coupler can be applied to the scene where the transmitted signal needs to be monitored or verified. Similarly, the sampling of the reflected signal can also be used to monitor or verify the reflected signal. The coupler provided by the present application is flexibly configured. When used in scenes where the monitoring requirements are not high, it can be adapted to monitor the transmitted signal sampled by the port, and the external connection method of not sampling the sampled reflected signal can be used. In this way, the production cost of the chip integrated with the coupler used in scenes where the monitoring requirements are not high is low, and the cost can be effectively controlled under the condition of meeting the scene requirements.

At the same time, since the coupler provides a port, namely the second isolation end is used to connect to the outside of the chip, the signal received by the through end is output to the outside of the chip. This signal looped back from the outside of the chip after being output externally can avoid problems such as crosstalk caused by transmission inside the chip, and can effectively improve the transmission performance of some signals that are not suitable for transmission inside the chip.

In one possible manner, the first port is an input port for receiving a transmission signal input by the main signal channel, the second port is a through port for outputting the transmission signal, and the through port is also used to reversely input a reflected signal and input a received signal; the third port is a first coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, the fourth port is a first isolation port for sampling the reflected signal, the fifth port is a second isolation port for connecting to the outside of the chip and outputting the signal received by the through port to the outside of the chip, and the sixth port is a second coupling port for grounding; or, the third port is a first coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, the fourth port is a second coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, the fifth port is a second isolation port for connecting to the outside of the chip and outputting the signal received by the through port to the outside of the chip, and the sixth port is a first isolation port for sampling the reflected signal.

In addition to the input terminal, the through terminal and the second isolation terminal, the other three ports can be the first coupling terminal, the first isolation terminal and the second coupling terminal, wherein the first coupling terminal is used to sample the transmission signal, and the sampled signal can be calibrated and monitored, the first isolation terminal is used to sample the reflection signal and monitor the sampled reflection signal, and the second coupling terminal can be used for grounding. Of course, in this case, if grounding is not required, the coupler may not need the second coupling terminal, or it may be reserved as a grounding port to prepare for adding functions later. Alternatively, the first coupling terminal is used to sample the transmission signal and calibrate the sampled transmission signal, the second coupling terminal is used to sample the transmission signal and monitor the transmission signal, and the first isolation terminal is used to sample the reflection signal and monitor the reflection. In this case, the coupler does not have an external power divider, and each port is connected to an external functional device to realize a function.

In one possible embodiment, the first port is an input port for receiving a transmission signal input by the main signal channel, the second port is a through port for outputting the transmission signal, and the through port is also used to reversely input a reflected signal and input a received signal; the third port is a first coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, the fourth port is a first isolation port for sampling the reflected signal, the fifth port is a second isolation port for connecting to the outside of the chip and outputting the signal received by the through port to the outside of the chip, the sixth port is a third coupling port for grounding, the seventh port is a second coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, and the eighth port is a third isolation port for grounding.

The coupling end and the isolation end process the sampled signals differently according to different scene requirements. The above example can be referred to, or other extensions can be made.

Since the coupler provided in the present application can be applied in different scenarios, different coupling coefficients need to be matched in different scenarios. It should be noted that the coupler needs to provide multiple transmission coupling signals and receiving coupling signals with different coupling degrees according to the scene requirements, wherein the transmission coupling signal is a signal that the transmission signal is coupled to the coupling end, and the receiving coupling signal is a signal that the received signal is coupled to the second isolation end. At the same time, the coupler also needs to have high isolation to ensure that the transmission coupling signal and the receiving coupling signal do not interfere with each other, and improve the accuracy of calibration, monitoring and signal synchronization. Therefore, a coupler provided in the present application is a reconfigurable coupler, which can correspond to different scenarios by setting a switch, such as a single-chip scenario or a multi-chip array scenario of an external chip. The reconfigurable coupler can adapt to the coupling degree required by different scenarios through time-sharing switching, that is, switching of the switch closed position, while maintaining the high isolation of the coupler.

In a coupler with a coupling line, the ratio of odd-mode and even-mode impedance of the coupling line and the length of the coupling line are key factors affecting the coupling coefficient. However, if the odd-mode and even-mode impedances are changed by adjusting the common-mode or differential-mode capacitance of the coupling line to achieve reconfiguration of the coupling degree, the matching conditions of the ports of the coupling line will be destroyed, resulting in deterioration of the isolation. Therefore, in this application, the coupling coefficient is reconfigured by changing the length of the coupling line by switching a switch.

In one possible implementation, the coupling channel includes a first coupling path, the first coupling path includes a first signal transmission path and a second signal transmission path; the first signal transmission path is used to realize signal transmission between the third port and the fourth port; the second signal transmission path is used to realize signal transmission between the third port and the fifth port; the first coupling path includes a first coupling switch, and the first coupling switch is used to realize connection and disconnection between the first signal transmission path and the second signal transmission path.

The coupler includes a coupling switch, which can realize the switching of different signal transmission path functions by controlling the connection and disconnection of the first signal transmission path and the second signal transmission path. At the same time, it can also configure the coupling line length of the first signal transmission path and the second signal transmission path according to the coupling coefficient required by different scenarios, so as to realize the signal transmission path switched to different scenarios to adapt to the matching conditions of the port requirements in the scenario.

It should be noted that the coupler may include multiple coupling switches. For example, a first coupling switch connects and disconnects the first signal transmission path and the second signal transmission path. If the third port in the coupler is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, and the fifth port is the second isolation end. A switch is set on the first coupling channel between the first coupling end, the first isolation end and the second isolation end. The switch is closed in the first position, the second signal transmission path is connected, the first signal transmission path is disconnected, and the first coupling end is connected to the second isolation end. The switch is closed in the second position, the first signal transmission path is connected, the second signal transmission path is disconnected, and the first coupling end is connected to the first isolation end. Further, if a sixth port is also included, such as the sixth port is the second coupling end, a switch can be set on the path between the four ports to control the connection and disconnection of more transmission paths. If the coupler is used in more scenarios requiring different coupling coefficients, switches should be added according to the scenario requirements. This application uses the setting of a coupling switch as an example to illustrate how to achieve reconfigurability. Since the coupler has multiple ports to realize multiple functions, the specific setting position of the switch is based on the functional settings required by the coupler working scenario. Here, only the business function of monitoring and calibration and the switching of the common antenna function of simultaneous transmission and reception are taken as examples, but it is not limited to this.

In a possible implementation, when the first signal transmission path is connected and the second signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the coupling line of the first signal transmission path corresponds to the first coupling coefficient; when the second signal transmission path is connected and the first signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the coupling line of the second signal transmission path corresponds to the second coupling coefficient. When the second signal transmission path is connected and the first signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the coupling line of the second signal transmission path corresponds to the second coupling coefficient, and the length of the connected coupling line corresponds to the coupling coefficient required by the external chip as a radar array chip scenario; when the first signal transmission path is connected and the second signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the coupling line of the first signal transmission path corresponds to the first coupling coefficient, and the length of the connected coupling line corresponds to the coupling coefficient required by the external chip as a radar single chip scenario. That is, when the second signal transmission path is connected and the first signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the coupling line corresponds to the coupling coefficient required by the common antenna scenario of simultaneous transmission and reception, and when the first signal transmission path is connected and the second signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the connected coupling line corresponds to the coupling coefficient required by the business scenario.

It should be noted that, when the coupling channel includes the second coupling path and the third coupling path, the second coupling path can be on one side of the main signal path, and the third coupling path can be on the other side of the main signal path. Similarly, when the coupling channel also includes the fourth coupling path, two of the second coupling path, the third coupling path and the fourth coupling path can be set on one side of the main signal path, and the other path can be set on the other side of the main signal path.

In this way, the coupler can provide multiple signal couplings while improving the miniaturization of the coupler, and can maintain high isolation of each coupler. The coupler can be arranged in another way, that is, multiple coupling channels are arranged in parallel. Compared with the traditional "series", for example, the second coupling path, the third coupling path and the fourth coupling path are all designed to be distributed on one side of the main signal channel, which can effectively reduce the longitudinal area of the coupler and reduce the additional insertion loss of the transmitted signal on the main signal channel, while each coupler maintains high isolation. It should be noted that the parallel connection here also refers to the distribution of multiple ports of the coupler side by side on both sides of the main signal channel, and the "series connection" refers to placing all ports in series on a single side of the main signal channel.

In one possible implementation, the input end is externally connected to a transmitter (TX), and the TX is used to transmit the transmission signal to the main signal channel. The through end is externally connected to an antenna, and the antenna is used to send the transmission signal externally, and the reflected signal of the transmission signal and the signal received by the antenna are inputted in reverse. The second isolation end is connected to the outside of the chip through a connection point, and the signal received by the antenna is output to the outside of the chip, and then looped back to the receiver (RX). When the signals in the coupler are all high-frequency signals, the connection point can be a ground-signal-ground (GSG) connection point. SGS has better transmission performance for high-frequency signals. The signal received by the antenna is coupled to the GSG, output to the outside of the chip through the GSG, and looped back from the outside of the chip to the RX on the chip.

Through such a connection, the coupler can transmit the transmit signal on the main business channel while sending the signal in the external space received by the antenna to RX through the GSG connected to the second isolation end, thereby realizing the common antenna of the transmit signal and the receive signal. The transmit signal and the receive signal can be transmitted at the same time. Since the receive signal is transmitted from outside the chip, it does not interfere with the transmit signal.

In a possible implementation, the TX, the antenna, and the RX are externally connected to a single radar chip or a radar array chip.

In different scenarios, there are different requirements for the functions that the circuit can achieve. For example, in the monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) of millimeter wave radar, in the business scenario, it is necessary to ensure the amplitude and phase consistency of each TX and RX through calibration, and for functional safety considerations, it is also necessary to monitor the power of the signal. In the radar array scenario, a group of common antennas for the transmitting channel and the receiving channel are required to achieve signal synchronization. The present application provides a coupler that can realize channel multiplexing in business scenarios and common antenna scenarios. In other business scenarios, there is no need to calibrate the signal or monitor the power, but other functions need to be realized. It can be realized by adjusting the devices of the external output of the coupling end and/or isolation end of the coupler accordingly.

Radar array chips are multiple radar chips that work together to achieve high-performance monitoring. In the radar array scenario, the system requires multiple chip signals to be synchronized, and sharing antennas is a hardware implementation method that can achieve this signal synchronization.

The radar does not form an array, that is, the radar single-chip scenario refers to a single chip working independently. In some scenarios where the monitoring performance requirements are not high, a single chip can meet the performance requirements, so there is no need for a radar array. In the radar does not form an array scenario, the system does not require signal synchronization, and only needs to monitor and calibrate the signal when transmitting the transmit signal and part of the reflected signal on the main signal channel.

Further, if the first coupling end is used to calibrate and monitor the transmission signal, the output of the first coupling end is connected to a power divider, and the output of the power divider is respectively connected to a first power monitor (Power Detector, PD) and a test receiver (Measure Receiver, MRX), the first PD is used to monitor the transmission signal, and the MRX is used to calibrate the transmission signal, wherein the coupling coefficient of the first PD is the same as that of the MRX.

It should be noted that in a single-chip scenario, TX inputs the transmit signal to the coupler through the input end of the coupler, and the through end of the coupler outputs the transmit signal to the antenna, and the antenna sends the transmit signal outward. In this case, the coupling end of the coupler, such as the first coupling end through the power divider, can output the transmit signal as a transmit coupled signal according to the coupling coefficient, and output the transmit coupled signal to the first PD and MRX for monitoring through the external power divider. The first PD implements power monitoring of the transmit signal, and the MRX implements calibration of the transmit signal.

It should be pointed out here that the coupling end of the coupler can be one or more, which is mainly determined according to the needs of different scenarios. In addition, if the scenario requires that the transmission coupling signal be output separately to realize the power monitoring of the transmission signal and the calibration of the transmission signal, then the coupler can be connected to the power divider through the first coupling end, and then the transmission coupling signal is output to the first PD and MRX respectively through the power divider. In this case, the coupling coefficients of the first PD and MRX are equal, or the transmission coupling signal is output to the first PD through the first coupling end according to the coupling coefficient, and the transmission coupling signal is output to the MRX through the second coupling end according to the coupling coefficient.

When TX inputs the transmission signal to the coupler through the input end of the coupler, the straight-through end of the coupler outputs the transmission signal to the antenna, and the antenna sends the transmission signal outward, the coupler will also receive a small part of the reflected signal input in the opposite direction of the antenna. In the scenario where the reflected signal needs to be monitored, the reflected coupling signal of the reflected signal can be output to the second PD according to the coupling coefficient through the first isolation end of the coupler, and the second PD monitors the reflected signal. If there is a problem with the antenna, the reflected coupling signal monitored by the second PD will be very strong. At this time, based on the abnormal monitoring result of the strong reflected coupling signal, it can be determined that there is a problem with the antenna. Otherwise, it can be determined that the antenna is normal.

In the radar array scenario, the TX channel, antenna and RX channel can realize a common antenna through the coupler provided in the embodiment of the present application, that is, the TX inputs the transmit signal to the coupler through the input end, the coupler outputs the transmit signal to the antenna through the through end, and the antenna transmits the signal. At the same time, the antenna receives an external signal and inputs it back to the coupler. The second isolation end of the coupler outputs the received coupled signal obtained according to the received external signal to the outside of the chip through the GSG according to the proportion of the coupling coefficient, and then loops back outside the chip and inputs it to the RX.

Since the coupler has directional transmission characteristics, the TX transmission signal and the RX reception signal will not interfere with each other, that is, a group of TX/RX channels share the same antenna. Further combined with the algorithm, signal synchronization of multiple radar chips can be achieved.

The coupler provided in this application can be used as a service channel in a single-chip scenario to achieve signal power monitoring and calibration. In a radar array scenario, the TX channel and the RX channel share the same antenna to achieve signal synchronization of multiple radar chips. The multiplexing of the common antenna channel and the service channel is achieved, effectively solving the problem of channel waste.

For example, for the above-mentioned reconfigurable coupler, in the radar array scenario, the coupling switch is closed in the first position, the second signal transmission path is connected, and the first signal transmission path is disconnected. At this time, the TX channel outputs the transmission signal to the coupler input end, and the through end outputs the transmission signal to the antenna. At the same time, the antenna receives the external signal and reversely inputs it to the through end of the coupler. The second isolation end outputs the received coupled signal to the outside of the chip through the GSG and loops back to the RX channel outside the chip. Since the switch is closed in the first position, the length of the coupling line adapts to the coupling coefficient of the radar array scenario, and there is no adjustment of the common mode or differential mode capacitor to change the odd and even mode impedance, which will not cause the port matching conditions to change, and a high degree of isolation can still be maintained. The isolation of the coupler in this scenario will affect the accuracy of signal synchronization in the cascade scenario, so maintaining isolation ensures the accuracy of signal synchronization in the radar array scenario.

For the single-chip scenario, the switch is closed in the second position, the first signal transmission path is connected, and the second signal transmission path is disconnected. At this time, the TX channel outputs the transmit signal to the coupler input end, and the through end outputs the transmit signal to the antenna. At the same time, the coupling end outputs the transmit coupled signal to the power divider, and the power divider outputs it to the first PD and MRX. The first isolation end outputs the reflected coupled signal to the second PD. The isolation of the coupler in this scenario will affect the accuracy of signal monitoring and calibration in the single-chip scenario. Since the switch is closed in the second position, the length of the coupling line adapts to the coupling coefficient of the single-chip scenario, and the common-mode or differential-mode capacitors are not adjusted to change the odd-mode and even-mode impedances, which will not cause changes in the port matching conditions. A high degree of isolation can still be maintained, ensuring the accuracy of signal monitoring and calibration in the single-chip scenario.

For example, for the above-mentioned miniaturized coupler, in an array scenario, the second isolation end outputs a receive coupling signal and realizes TX/RX common antenna through GSG, that is, realizes signal synchronization of multiple radar chips. In a single-chip scenario, the second coupling end outputs a transmit coupling signal to MRX to realize calibration of the transmit signal; the first coupling end outputs a transmit coupling signal to the first PD to realize transmit signal power monitoring; the first isolation end outputs a reflected coupling signal to the second PD to realize reflected signal power monitoring.

In some instances, depending on the functional requirements of different scenarios, the demand for the ports provided by the coupler may increase or decrease, the number of couplers connected to the output of the coupler may increase or decrease accordingly, and the number of couplers and the "parallel" arrangement may also be adjusted accordingly to more flexibly adapt to the use of different scenarios.

In summary, the coupler provided above, the coupler provided in the embodiment of the present application can, on the basis of adapting to a variety of scenarios, also achieve the effect of reconfigurable coupling coefficient and occupying a smaller on-chip area of the chip integrating the above coupler, and can match more scenario requirements.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a coupling method for transmitting a signal on a main signal channel between a first port and a second port, wherein the main signal channel includes the first port and the second port, and the first port and the second port are used as an input port and an output port of a coupler, respectively; and the signal is coupled into the coupling channel through a third port, a fourth port, and a fifth port included in a coupling channel coupled to the main signal channel.

Based on the structure of the coupler, the signal is transmitted in the main signal channel, and the signal on the main signal channel is coupled to the coupling channel. Different processing is performed according to different requirements of different scenarios, so that the coupler can be applied in different scenarios.

In one possible implementation, the coupling channel includes a first coupling path, the first coupling path includes a first signal transmission path and a second signal transmission path, and coupling the signal to the coupling channel through a third port, a fourth port and a fifth port included in the coupling channel coupled to the main signal channel includes: coupling the signal to the first signal transmission path for transmission through the third port and the fourth port; coupling the signal to the second signal transmission path for transmission through the third port and the fifth port; wherein the first coupling path includes a first coupling switch, and the first coupling switch is used to connect and disconnect the first signal transmission path and the second signal transmission path.

In one possible implementation, the coupling channel also includes a sixth port, the coupling channel includes a second coupling path and a third coupling path, and coupling the signal to the coupling channel through the third port, the fourth port and the fifth port included in the coupling channel coupled to the main signal channel includes: coupling the signal to the second coupling path for transmission through the third port and the fourth port; coupling the signal to the third coupling path for transmission through the fifth port and the sixth port; wherein the second coupling path includes the third port and the fourth port, and the third coupling path includes the fifth port and the sixth port.

In one possible implementation, the coupling channel further includes a seventh port and an eighth port, the coupling channel further includes a fourth coupling path, and the method further includes: coupling the signal to the fourth coupling path for transmission through the seventh port and the eighth port, wherein the fourth coupling path includes the seventh port and the eighth port.

In one possible implementation, transmitting a signal on a main signal channel between a first port and a second port includes: receiving a transmission signal input through the main signal channel through an input end, so that the transmission signal is transmitted to a through-end through the main signal channel; outputting the transmission signal through the through-end, and reversely inputting a reflected signal and an input received signal, wherein the first port is an input end, and the second port is a through-end; coupling the signal to the coupling channel through a third port, a fourth port, and a fifth port on a coupling channel coupled to the main signal channel includes: sampling the transmission signal through the first coupling end, selectively sampling and grounding the reflected signal through the first isolation end, and outputting the signal received at the through-end to the outside of the chip through the second isolation end, wherein the third port is a first coupling end, the fourth port is a first isolation end, and the fifth port is a second isolation end. End; or, sampling the transmit signal through the first coupling end, sampling the transmit signal through the second coupling end, and outputting the signal received by the through end to the outside of the chip through the second isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the second coupling end, and the fifth port is the second isolation end.

In a possible implementation, transmitting a signal on the main signal channel between the first port and the second port includes: receiving a transmission signal input through the main signal channel through the input end, so that the transmission signal is transmitted to the through-end through the main signal channel; outputting the transmission signal through the through-end, and reversely inputting a reflected signal and an input received signal, wherein the first port is the input end, and the second port is the through-end; coupling the signal to the second coupling path for transmission through the third port and the fourth port; coupling the signal to the third coupling path for transmission through the fifth port and the sixth port includes: sampling the transmission signal through the first coupling end, sampling the transmission signal through the first isolation end, and sampling the transmission signal through the first isolation end. The reflected signal is sampled through the isolation end, the signal received by the through end is output to the outside of the chip through the second isolation end, and is grounded through the second coupling end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, and the sixth port is the second coupling end; or, the transmitted signal is sampled through the first coupling end, the transmitted signal is sampled through the second coupling end, the signal received by the through end is output to the outside of the chip through the second isolation end, and the reflected signal is sampled through the first isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the second coupling end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, and the sixth port is the first isolation end.

In one possible implementation, transmitting a signal on the main signal channel between the first port and the second port includes: receiving a transmission signal input through the main signal channel through the input end, so that the transmission signal is transmitted to the through end through the main signal channel; outputting the transmission signal through the through end, and reversely inputting a reflected signal and an input received signal, wherein the first port is the input end, and the second port is the through end; coupling the signal to the second coupling path for transmission through the third port and the fourth port; coupling the signal to the third coupling path for transmission through the fifth port and the sixth port; and The seventh port and the eighth port couple the signal to the fourth coupling path for transmission, including: sampling the transmission signal through the first coupling end, sampling the reflected signal through the first isolation end, outputting the signal received by the through end to the outside of the chip through the second isolation end, sampling the transmission signal through the second coupling end, grounding through the third coupling end and grounding through the third isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, the sixth port is the third coupling end, the seventh port is the second coupling end, and the eighth port is the third isolation end.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a coupling system, including:

The first aspect provides a coupler; a transmitter TX connected to the first port of the coupler; an antenna connected to the second port of the coupler; a first coupler connected to the third port of the coupler; a second coupler connected to the fourth port of the coupler; and an external connection point connected to the fifth port of the coupler.

The coupling system is connected to the five ports of the coupler through various devices, which enables the coupler to transmit signals on the main signal channel and connect the devices in the system through the ports on the coupling channel, corresponding to the different needs of different scenarios and realizing the challenges of multiple signals in different scenarios.

In one possible implementation, the TX is used to send a signal to the coupler input through the input end; the antenna is used to send the transmission signal to the external chip and input the reflected signal into the coupler through the through end, and the antenna is also used to receive a signal from the external chip and input the received signal into the coupler through the through end; the external connection point is used to receive the received signal through the second isolation end and output the received signal to the outside of the chip so that the received signal is returned to the receiver RX, wherein the first port is the input end, the second port is the through end, and the fifth port is the second isolation end, and the coupler, the antenna, the TX, and the RX are integrated on the chip.

In the coupling system, the second isolation end of the coupler can be connected to the outside of the chip, and the signal received by the antenna is transmitted off-chip back to the RX on the chip, effectively avoiding problems such as crosstalk caused by the transmission of the signal inside the chip, and improving the transmission performance of some signals that are not suitable for transmission inside the chip.

In one possible implementation, the first coupler is a test receiver MRX, which calibrates the transmission signal through a first coupling end, and the second coupler is a first power monitor PD, which is used to monitor the transmission signal through a second coupling end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, and the fourth port is the second coupling end; or, the first coupler is a power divider, which is coupled to the first PD and MRX respectively, and is used to calibrate and monitor the transmission signal through the first coupling end, and the second coupler is a second PD, which monitors the reflected signal through a first isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, and the fourth port is the first isolation end.

In one possible implementation, it also includes: a third coupler, connected to the sixth port of the coupler; the first coupler is a test receiver MRX, calibrating the transmission signal through the first coupling end, the second coupler is a first power monitor PD, used to monitor the transmission signal through the second coupling end, the third coupler is a second PD, monitoring the reflected signal through the first isolation end, the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the second coupling end, and the sixth port is the first isolation end.

The sampling of the transmitted signal in the coupling system can be applied to the scene where the transmitted signal needs to be monitored or verified. Similarly, the sampling of the reflected signal can also be used to monitor or verify the reflected signal. The coupling system provided by the present application can provide different devices for different scenes because the coupler can be flexibly configured, supporting the monitoring, calibration and other needs in different scenes.

It should be understood that the second to third aspects of the present application are consistent with the technical solutions of the first aspect of the present application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation methods are similar and will not be repeated here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG6 is a graph showing the coupling coefficient changing with the length of the coupling line;

FIG7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a high isolation reconfigurable coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of another reconfigurable coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a miniaturized coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of another miniaturized coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG10 is a flow chart of a coupling method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a coupling system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

The words "first", "second" and similar terms mentioned herein do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "one" or "an" do not indicate quantity limitation, but indicate the existence of at least one. Words such as "connected" and similar terms are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect, which is equivalent to connectivity in a broad sense.

In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise stated, the meaning of "multiple" refers to two or more. For example, multiple processors refers to two or more processors.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The structure of the terminal device can refer to the structure shown in Fig. 1.

The terminal device includes at least one processor 211, at least one transceiver 212 and at least one memory 213. The processor 211, the memory 213 and the transceiver 212 are connected. Optionally, the terminal device may also include an output device 214, an input device 215 and one or more antennas 216. The antenna 216 is connected to the transceiver 212, and the output device 214 and the input device 215 are connected to the processor 211. The specific connection method between the antenna 216 and the transceiver 212 is described in the following embodiments.

The processor 211 may be a baseband processor or a CPU. The baseband processor and the CPU may be integrated together or separated.

The processor 211 can be used to implement various functions for the terminal device, such as processing the communication protocol and communication data, or controlling the entire terminal device, executing the software program, and processing the data of the software program; or assisting in completing computing tasks, such as graphics and image processing or audio processing, etc.; or the processor 211 is used to implement one or more of the above functions.

The output device 214 communicates with the processor 211 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 214 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 215 communicates with the processor 211 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 215 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

In the prior art, the scenario where a service channel is required to transmit signals and perform monitoring and calibration, and the scenario where a common antenna channel that can simultaneously transmit and receive signals is required to achieve multi-signal synchronization, each requires a channel to achieve different functions, and there is a problem that the channels required for multiple signals cannot be reused.

The present application embodiment provides a coupler provided in the present application embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the coupler provided in the present application embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2 , the coupler 10 includes:

The main signal channel and the coupling channel, the main signal channel is used as the signal channel of the coupler, and the coupling channel is used to couple the signal of the main signal channel. The main signal channel includes a first port 101 and a second port 102, the first port 101 and the second port 102 are used as the input port and the output port of the coupler respectively, and the embodiment of the present application takes the first port 101 as the input port recorded as the input end, and the second port 102 as the output port recorded as the through end as an example, and the coupling channel includes a third port 103, a fourth port 104 and a fifth port 105.

As shown in FIG2 , the coupler 10 has at least five ports. The main signal channel includes a first port 101 and a second port 102, which can ensure the signal transmission requirements of basic business data. In addition, there are two ports for signal sampling to achieve different functional requirements in different scenarios. In some scenarios, the signal can be sampled, such as performing one or two functions of signal calibration, monitoring or grounding on the sampled signal. Of course, when one port realizes two functions, it can also be realized through an external power divider. There is also a port that can output the received signal through its external external connection point. It should be noted that the first port 101 is an input port for inputting a transmission signal through the main signal channel, and the second port 102 is a through port for outputting a transmission signal transmitted through the main signal channel. The through port 102 is also used to reversely input the reflected signal of the transmission signal and input the received signal. The fifth port 105 is a second isolation port, which is used to connect to the outside of the chip and output the signal received by the through port to the outside of the chip. For example, in the scenario of high-frequency signal transmission, GSG is preferably used as the connection point, and the second isolation port outputs the signal to the outside of the chip through GSG. In this way, when transmitting signals between the first port 101 and the second port 102, mainly when the first port 101 transmits the transmission signal to the second port 102, the second port 102 outputs the received signal through the GSG externally connected to the fifth interface 105. Since the GSG has a signal end and two reference ends, and it is connected to the isolation port and has unidirectionality, the received signal will be output from the GSG to the outside of the chip and will not be reflected back to the main signal channel, but will be transmitted entirely through the outside of the chip, so that the received signal will not interfere with the transmission of the transmission signal, which is equivalent to the transmission signal and the received signal being able to pass through two paths at the same time through the coupler provided in this application, so as to achieve the synchronization of signal transmission and reception, that is, to achieve the effect of a common antenna. At the same time, when it is necessary to monitor or calibrate the transmission signal or the reflected signal input in reverse by the second port, it can be achieved through the external devices of the third port and the fourth port. Therefore, the coupler provided in this application provides a channel, but can simultaneously reuse the functions of a common antenna and a service channel.

The third port and the fourth port can be used as different ports to implement different functions according to the requirements of the coupling channel coupling signal. For example, the third port is a first coupling end, which is used to calibrate and monitor the sampled transmission signal, also called the coupled transmission signal, according to the needs of the scene, and the fourth port 104 is a first isolation end, which is used to selectively sample the reflected signal. The sampled signal can monitor the reflected signal or ground the reflected signal; alternatively, the third port is a first coupling end, which is used to sample the transmission signal and calibrate the sampled transmission signal, also called the coupled transmission signal, according to the needs of the scene, and the fourth port is a second coupling end, which is used to monitor the sampled transmission signal, also called the coupled transmission signal, according to the needs of the scene.

In some examples, the first port 101 is an input port for inputting a transmission signal so that the transmission signal is transmitted through the main signal channel; the second port 102 is a through port for outputting a transmission signal, inputting a reflected signal, and inputting a received signal; the third port is a first coupling port 103, which is marked as c1 in FIG. 2, and is used to calibrate and monitor the transmission signal; the fourth port is a first isolation port 104, which is marked as i1 in FIG. 2, and is used to monitor the reflected signal or to ground; the fifth port is a second isolation port 105, which is marked as i2 in FIG. 2, and is used to connect the signal received by the through port to the outside of the chip and output the signal received by the through port to the outside of the chip. Since most of the scenarios are high-frequency signal transmission scenarios, the embodiment of the present application uses the connection point connected to the second isolation port as an example of GSG, which is usually used as the connection point between the package and the chip to realize the transmission of the chip and the external signal. GSG has three pins, which is suitable for the transmission of high-frequency signals, because high-frequency signal transmission requires not only a signal S, but also two symmetrical reference grounds G to receive the signal through GSG.

In the case where it is necessary to calibrate and monitor the transmitted signal after sampling and monitor the reflected signal, FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the coupler 10 includes:

The first port 101 is an input port, used to input a transmission signal so that the transmission signal is transmitted through the main signal channel; the second port 102 is a through port, used to output a transmission signal, input a reflected signal and input a received signal; the third port is a first coupling port 103 marked as c1, used to calibrate the transmission signal; the fourth port is a second coupling port 106, marked as c2 in FIG. 3, used to monitor the transmission signal; the fifth port is a second isolation port 105 marked as i2 in FIG. 3, used to output the signal received by the through port through the GSG.

It should be noted that the five ports of the coupler should include at least one input port for inputting the transmission signal, a through port for outputting the transmission signal, inputting the reflected signal and inputting the received signal, a second isolation port for outputting the signal received by the through port through the GSG, and a first coupling port. If the first coupling port is connected to a power divider, the transmission signal can be calibrated and monitored at the same time. Then another port can be determined to be grounded or to monitor the reflected signal according to the needs of the usage scenario. For example, in some scenarios where the monitoring requirements are not high, there is no need to monitor the reflected signal, so this port can be grounded. If the monitoring requirements are high, this port should be used as an isolation port, recorded as the first isolation port to monitor the reflected signal. The reason for using the isolation port to monitor the reflected signal is that the isolation port is unidirectional, which prevents the reflected signal from returning to the main signal channel and interfering with the transmission signal.

Furthermore, the coupler is not limited to the above five ports, and ports can be added according to the business requirements of different application scenarios to achieve the integration of more signals or functions.

Taking a multifunctional coupler with six ports as an example, Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of another coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the main signal channel includes a first port 101 and a second port 102, and the coupling channel includes a second coupling path and a third coupling path, wherein the second coupling path includes a third port 103 and a fourth port 104, and the second coupling path is used to realize the transmission of signals between the third port 103 and the fourth port 104; the third coupling channel includes a fifth port 105 and a sixth port 106, and the third coupling path is used to realize the transmission of signals between the fifth port and the sixth port.

The first port 101 is an input port for receiving a transmission signal input by a main signal channel, the second port 102 is a through port for outputting a transmission signal, and the through port is also used for reversely inputting a reflected signal and inputting a received signal; the third port 103 is a first coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, the fourth port 104 is a first isolation port for sampling the reflected signal, the fifth port 105 is a second isolation port for coupling the signal received by the through port to the GSG output, and the sixth port 106 is a second coupling port for grounding; or, the third port 103 is a first coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, the fourth port 104 is a second coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, the fifth port 105 is a second isolation port for coupling the signal received by the through port to the GSG output, and the sixth port 106 is a first isolation port for sampling the reflected signal.

For example, as shown in FIG4 , the first port 101 is an input port for inputting a transmission signal into a main signal channel, and the second port 102 is a through port for outputting a transmission signal transmitted through the main signal channel. The through port 102 is also used for reversely inputting a reflected signal and inputting a received signal.

The third port is the first coupling end 103, marked as c1 in Figure 4, which is used to calibrate and monitor the transmitted signal. The fourth port is the first isolation end 104, marked as i1 in Figure 4, which is used to monitor the reflected signal. The sixth port is the second coupling end 106, marked as c2 in Figure 4, which is used for grounding; the fifth port is the second isolation end 105, marked as i2 in Figure 4.

Or, the third port is the first coupling end, which is used to calibrate the transmission signal, the fourth port is the second coupling end, which is used to monitor the transmission signal, and the sixth port is the first isolation end, which is used to monitor the reflected signal. In addition to the input end, the through end and the second isolation end, the other three ports can be the first coupling end, the first isolation end and the second coupling end, respectively, wherein the first coupling end is used to calibrate and monitor the transmission signal, the first isolation end is used to monitor the reflected signal, and the second coupling end can be used for grounding. Of course, in this case, if grounding is not required, the second coupling end may not be required, or it may be reserved as a grounding port to prepare for adding functions later. Alternatively, the first coupling end is used to calibrate the transmission signal, the second coupling end is used to monitor the transmission signal, and the first isolation end is used to monitor the reflected signal. In this case, the coupler has no external power divider, and each port is connected to a functional device to realize a function. Each port is used for coupling or isolation, and is not illustrated one by one.

Taking a multifunctional coupler with eight ports as an example, Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of another coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, the coupler 10 is based on the coupler 10 provided in Figure 4, and further includes a seventh port 107 and an eighth port 108, and the coupling channel also includes a fourth coupling path, wherein the fourth coupling path includes the seventh port 107 and the eighth port 108, and the fourth coupling path is used to realize the transmission of signals between the seventh port 107 and the eighth port 108. The first port 101 is an input port for receiving a transmission signal input by a main signal channel, the second port 102 is a through port for outputting a transmission signal, and the through port 102 is also used for reversely inputting a reflected signal and inputting a received signal; the third port 103 is a first coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, the fourth port 104 is a first isolation port for sampling the reflected signal, the fifth port 105 is a second isolation port for coupling the signal received by the through port to the GSG output, the sixth port 106 is a third coupling port for grounding, the seventh port 107 is a second coupling port for sampling the transmission signal, and the eighth port 108 is a third isolation port for grounding.

The coupling end and the isolation end process the sampled signals differently according to different scene requirements. The above example can be referred to, or other extensions can be made.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the first port 101 and the second port 102 are respectively designed at two ends of the main signal channel, wherein the first port 101 is an input end, and the second port 102 is a through end.

The third port 103 is a first coupling end, used for monitoring the transmission signal, the fourth port 104 is a first isolation end, used for monitoring the reflected signal, the fifth port 105 is a second isolation end, used for coupling the signal received at the through end to the GSG output, the sixth port 106 is a third coupling end, used for grounding, the seventh port 107 is a second coupling end, used for calibrating the transmission signal, and the eighth port 108 is a third isolation end, used for grounding.

It should be noted that the ports of the coupler 10 may not be used as coupling terminals or isolation terminals according to the above examples, and the functions of the ports may not be realized according to the port external functions of the above examples. For example, the sixth port 106 in FIG5 may also be the third isolation terminal, and the eighth port may also be the third coupling terminal, without limitation. The three multifunctional couplers provided by way of example in FIG2, FIG3 and FIG4 of the embodiments of the present application can all realize the requirements of the common antenna scenario through the second isolation terminal on the main signal channel and the coupling channel, and can also realize the requirements of the business scenario through the coupling terminal and/or isolation terminal on the main signal channel and the coupling channel, thereby realizing the channel multiplexing required for different scenarios, without limitation to the ports given in the examples or the connection methods.

Furthermore, the input end is externally connected to TX, and TX is used to transmit a transmit signal to the main signal channel. The input end 101 transmits the transmit signal of TX to the through-end through the main signal channel; the through-end is externally connected to an antenna, and the through-end is externally connected to an antenna, and the antenna is used to transmit the transmit signal externally, and reversely input the reflected signal of the transmit signal and the signal received by the antenna to the outside; the second isolation end is connected to the outside of the chip through a connection point, outputs the signal received by the antenna to the outside of the chip, and then loops back to RX, that is, the second isolation end couples the signal received by the antenna to GSG, outputs the signal received by the antenna to the outside of the chip through GSG, and then loops back to RX.

With the continuous development of millimeter-wave radar technology, this type of technology has begun to be applied in various scenarios. Millimeter-wave radar is the core component for high-precision perception in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). It has the advantages of strong environmental adaptability, excellent detection performance, and moderate cost. In the MMIC of millimeter-wave radar, it is necessary to ensure the amplitude and phase consistency of each TX and RX through calibration. For functional safety considerations, the power of the signal needs to be monitored. In addition, in the radar array scenario, a set of common antennas for the transmitting channel and the receiving channel are also required to achieve signal synchronization. In the prior art, the calibration, monitoring and signal synchronization functions are realized simultaneously, mainly by setting a set of TX/RX channel common antennas in addition to the business channel in the circuit, which is specifically used to achieve signal synchronization in the radar array scenario. In the radar array scenario, a set of common antennas that can simultaneously send and receive signals is also required to achieve signal synchronization. The radar array chip is an array of multiple radar chips that work together to achieve high-performance monitoring. In the radar array scenario, the system requires multiple chip signals to be synchronized, and the common antenna is a hardware implementation method that can achieve such signal synchronization. The radar does not form an array, that is, the radar single-chip scenario refers to a single chip working independently. In some scenarios where the monitoring performance requirements are not high, a single chip can meet the performance requirements, so there is no need for a radar array. In the radar does not form an array scenario, the system does not require signal synchronization, and only needs to monitor and calibrate the signal when transmitting the transmit signal and part of the reflected signal on the main signal channel.

For example, TX, antenna and RX are connected to a single radar chip or a radar array chip. In the scenario where the radar chip works independently, a service channel is required to transmit signals and perform monitoring and calibration. In the radar array scenario, the system requires multiple chip signals to be synchronized, so a common antenna channel that can send and receive signals at the same time is required to achieve this. For the two different system function requirements of radar array and single chip, the problem with the existing technical solutions is that the common antenna channel cannot be reused with the service channel, resulting in low chip area utilization.

Furthermore, in different scenarios, there are different requirements for the functions that the circuit can achieve. For example, in business scenarios, it is necessary to ensure the amplitude and phase consistency of each TX and RX through calibration. For functional safety considerations, the power of the signal needs to be monitored. In radar array scenarios, a set of common antennas for the transmit channel and the receive channel are required to achieve signal synchronization. The present application provides a coupler that can achieve channel multiplexing in business scenarios and common antenna scenarios. In other business scenarios, there is no need to calibrate the signal or monitor the power, but other functions need to be realized. It only needs to define the port of the coupler as a coupling end or an isolation end while ensuring that there is an isolation end connected to the GSG, and adjust the external output device accordingly to achieve the business function of monitoring or calibration.

In some instances, the first coupling end c1 is used to calibrate and monitor the transmission signal, the output of the first coupling end c1 is connected to a power divider, the output of the power divider is respectively connected to a first PD and an MRX, the first PD is used to monitor the transmission signal, and the MRX is used to calibrate the transmission signal, wherein the coupling coefficient of the first PD is the same as that of the MRX.

It should be noted that in a single-chip scenario, TX inputs the transmit signal to the coupler through the input end of the coupler, and the through end of the coupler outputs the transmit signal to the antenna, and the antenna sends the transmit signal outward. In this case, the coupling end of the coupler, such as the first coupling end through the power divider, can output the transmit signal as a transmit coupled signal according to the coupling coefficient, and output the transmit coupled signal to the first PD and MRX for monitoring through the external power divider. The first PD implements power monitoring of the transmit signal, and the MRX implements calibration of the transmit signal.

It should be pointed out here that the coupling end of the coupler can be one or more, which is mainly determined according to the needs of different scenarios. In addition, if the scenario requires that the transmission coupling signal be output separately to realize the power monitoring of the transmission signal and the calibration of the transmission signal, then the coupler can be connected to the power divider through the first coupling end, and then the transmission coupling signal is output to the first PD and MRX respectively through the power divider. In this case, the coupling coefficients of the first PD and MRX are equal, or the transmission coupling signal is output to the first PD through the first coupling end according to the coupling coefficient, and the transmission coupling signal is output to the MRX through the second coupling end according to the coupling coefficient.

When TX inputs the transmission signal to the coupler through the input end of the coupler, the straight-through end of the coupler outputs the transmission signal to the antenna, and the antenna sends the transmission signal, the coupler will also receive a small part of the reflected signal input in the opposite direction of the antenna. In the scenario where the reflected signal needs to be monitored, the reflected coupling signal of the reflected signal can be output to the second PD according to the coupling coefficient through the first isolation end of the coupler, and the second PD can monitor the reflected signal. If there is a problem with the antenna, the reflected coupling signal monitored by the second PD will be very strong. At this time, it can be determined that there is a problem with the antenna based on the abnormal monitoring result that the reflected coupling signal is very strong. Otherwise, it can be determined that the antenna is normal.

In the radar array scenario, the TX channel, antenna and RX channel can realize a common antenna through the coupler provided in the embodiment of the present application, that is, the TX inputs the transmit signal to the coupler through the input end, the coupler outputs the transmit signal to the antenna through the through end, and the antenna transmits the signal. At the same time, the antenna receives an external signal and inputs it back to the coupler. The second isolation end of the coupler outputs the received coupled signal obtained according to the received external signal to the outside of the chip through the GSG according to the proportion of the coupling coefficient, and then loops back outside the chip and inputs it to the RX.

Since the coupler has directional transmission characteristics, the TX transmission signal and the RX reception signal will not interfere with each other, that is, a group of TX/RX channels share the same antenna. Further combined with the algorithm, signal synchronization of multiple radar chips can be achieved.

The coupler provided in this application can be used as a service channel in a single-chip scenario to achieve signal power monitoring and calibration. In a radar array scenario, the TX channel and the RX channel share the same antenna to achieve signal synchronization of multiple radar chips. The multiplexing of the common antenna channel and the service channel is achieved, effectively solving the problem of channel waste.

Since the coupler provided in the present application can be applied in different scenarios, different coupling coefficients need to be matched in different scenarios. It should be noted that the coupler needs to provide multiple transmission coupling signals and receiving coupling signals with different coupling degrees according to the scene requirements, wherein the transmission coupling signal is a signal of the transmission signal coupled to the coupling end, and the receiving coupling signal is a signal of the received signal coupled to the second isolation end. At the same time, the coupler also needs to have high isolation to ensure that the transmission coupling signal and the receiving coupling signal do not interfere with each other, and improve the accuracy of calibration, monitoring and signal synchronization. Therefore, a coupler provided in the present application is a reconfigurable coupler, which can correspond to different scenarios by setting a coupling switch, such as a single-chip scenario or a multi-chip array scenario of an external chip. The reconfigurable coupler can adapt to the coupling degree required by different scenarios through time-sharing switching, that is, switching of the closed position of the coupling switch, while maintaining the high isolation of the coupler.

In a coupler generally having a coupling line, the ratio of the odd-mode and even-mode impedances of the coupling line and the length of the coupling line are key factors affecting the coupling coefficient. FIG6 is a trend diagram of the coupling coefficient changing with the length of the coupling line, where Co is the coupling coefficient. As shown in FIG6, the coupling coefficient changes continuously with the change of the frequency. Combining FIG6 and Formula 1-1, it can be seen that the matching condition between the coupling line and the port is a key factor affecting the isolation. If the odd-mode and even-mode impedances are changed by adjusting the common-mode or differential-mode capacitance of the coupling line, the reconfiguration of the coupling degree can be achieved, but this method of adjusting the common-mode or differential-mode capacitance to change the odd-mode impedances will also destroy the matching conditions of the ports of the coupling line, resulting in deterioration of the isolation. The high-isolation reconfigurable coupler provided in the embodiment of the present application can achieve the reconfiguration of the coupling coefficient by changing the length of the coupling line by switching the switch. At the same time, since the odd-mode impedance Zoe and the even-mode impedance Zoo of the coupling line have not changed, the port matching condition Zo of Formula 1-1 has not changed. Therefore, the high isolation of the coupler is maintained while achieving the reconfiguration of the coupling degree.

A coupling channel in a reconfigurable coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a first coupling path, the first coupling path includes a first signal transmission path and a second signal transmission path; the first signal transmission path is used to realize the transmission of signals between the third port 103 and the fourth port 104; the second signal transmission path is used to realize the transmission of signals between the third port 103 and the fifth port 105; the first coupling path includes a first coupling switch, and the first coupling switch is used to realize the connection and disconnection of the first signal transmission path and the second signal transmission path.

FIG7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a reconfigurable coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG7A , the coupler 10 includes an input terminal 101, a through terminal 102, a first coupling terminal 103, a first isolation terminal 104, a second isolation terminal 105, and a coupling switch 109. A coupling switch 109 is provided on the transmission path between the first coupling terminal 103, the first isolation terminal 104, and the second isolation terminal 105. When the switch is closed in the first position, the second signal transmission path is connected and the first signal transmission path is disconnected, which is marked as 1 in the figure. The first coupling terminal 103 is connected to the second isolation terminal 105. When the switch is closed in the second position, the first signal transmission path is connected and the second signal transmission path is disconnected, which is marked as 2 in the figure. The first coupling terminal 103 is connected to the first isolation terminal 104. Among them, the first port 101 is an input terminal, the second port 102 is a through terminal, the third port is the first coupling terminal 103, the fourth port is the first isolation terminal 104, and the fifth port is the second isolation terminal 105.

For example, FIG7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of another reconfigurable coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG7B, for a radar array scenario, that is, a TX/RX common antenna scenario where a synchronization signal needs to be transmitted, the coupling switch 109 is closed in the first position, marked as 1 in the figure, the second signal transmission path is connected, and the first signal transmission path is disconnected. At this time, the TX channel outputs a transmit signal to the coupler input terminal 101, and the through terminal 102 outputs a transmit signal to the antenna. At the same time, the antenna receives an external signal and reversely inputs it to the through terminal 102 of the coupler. The second isolation terminal 105 outputs the received coupled signal to the outside of the chip through the GSG and loops back to the RX channel outside the chip. Since the switch is closed in the first position, the length of the coupling line adapts to the coupling coefficient of the radar array scenario, and there is no adjustment of the common mode or differential mode capacitor to change the odd and even mode impedance, which will not cause the port matching conditions to change, and a high degree of isolation can still be maintained. The isolation of the coupler in this scenario will affect the accuracy of signal synchronization in the cascade scenario, so maintaining the isolation ensures the accuracy of signal synchronization in the radar array scenario.

For a single-chip scenario, that is, a scenario where the signal does not need to be transmitted synchronously and is used as a service channel, the coupling switch 109 is closed in the second position, marked as 2 in the figure, the first signal transmission path is connected, and the second signal transmission path is disconnected. At this time, the TX channel outputs the transmission signal to the coupler input terminal 101, and the through terminal 102 outputs the transmission signal to the antenna. At the same time, the first coupling terminal 103 outputs the transmission coupling signal to the power divider, and the power divider outputs it to the first PD and MRX. The first isolation terminal 104 outputs the reflection coupling signal to the second PD. The isolation of the coupler in this scenario will affect the accuracy of signal monitoring and calibration in the single-chip scenario. Since the coupling switch is closed in the second position, the length of the coupling line adapts to the coupling coefficient of the single-chip scenario, and there is no adjustment of the common mode or differential mode capacitor to change the odd and even mode impedance, which will not cause the port matching conditions to change, and a high degree of isolation can still be maintained, ensuring the accuracy of signal monitoring and calibration in the single-chip scenario. The transmission coupling signal, the reflection coupling signal, and the reception coupling signal are all signals obtained according to the coupling coefficient, which have been described in the above example and will not be repeated again.

The embodiment of the present application uses the closed position of the coupling switch 109 as two positions, and sets the coupling line lengths at different positions corresponding to the coupling coefficient requirements of the common antenna scenario and the business scenario, respectively. In practice, as the number of scenarios does not increase, more switch positions can be added to set different coupling line lengths corresponding to the coupling coefficients required by the scenarios, thereby achieving switching of more scenarios, or setting more coupling switches to achieve different coupling coefficients required for different scenarios, and is not limited to the examples of this application. In some instances, if the system only needs to calibrate the transmitted signal or only needs to synchronize the transmitted signal, the power divider can be omitted. Here, an example is given for the case where both requirements exist.

It should be noted that the coupler may include a coupling switch. For example, if the sixth port is the second coupling end, a switch can be set on the path between the four ports to control the connection and disconnection of more transmission paths. If the coupler is used in more scenarios that require different coupling coefficients, switches should be added according to the scenario requirements. This application uses the setting of a coupling switch as an example to illustrate how to achieve reconfiguration. Since the coupler has multiple ports to realize multiple functions, the specific setting position of the switch is based on the functional settings required by the working scenario of the coupler. Here, only the business function of monitoring calibration and the switching of the common antenna function of simultaneous transmission and reception are taken as examples, but this is not limited to this.

When the first signal transmission path is connected and the second signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the coupling line of the first signal transmission path corresponds to the first coupling coefficient; when the second signal transmission path is connected and the first signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the coupling line of the second signal transmission path corresponds to the second coupling coefficient. When the second signal transmission path is connected and the first signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the coupling line of the second signal transmission path corresponds to the second coupling coefficient, and the length of the connected coupling line corresponds to the coupling coefficient required by the external chip for the radar array chip scenario; when the first signal transmission path is connected and the second signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the coupling line of the first signal transmission path corresponds to the first coupling coefficient, and the length of the connected coupling line corresponds to the coupling coefficient required by the external chip for the radar single chip scenario. That is, when the second signal transmission path is connected and the first signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the coupling line corresponds to the coupling coefficient required by the common antenna scenario of simultaneous transmission and reception, and when the first signal transmission path is connected and the second signal transmission path is disconnected, the length of the connected coupling line corresponds to the coupling coefficient required by the business scenario.

In the example, the coupling coefficient required for monitoring the power of the transmitted signal and the received signal is greater than the coupling coefficient for monitoring the reflected power in the business scenario. The first isolation end 104 is on the first signal transmission path, and the second isolation end 105 is on the second signal transmission path. In practice, the positions of the first isolation end 104 and the second isolation end 105 can be swapped according to different coupling coefficient requirements, and this is not limited to the examples in this application.

Another way to implement a coupler is to use multiple independent couplers. The key to the design of this method is to achieve multi-signal coupling while increasing the miniaturization of the coupler and maintaining high isolation of each coupler.

It should be noted that, when the coupling path includes the second coupling path and the third coupling path, the second coupling path can be on one side of the main signal path, and the third coupling path can be on the other side of the main signal path. Similarly, when the coupling path also includes the fourth coupling path, two of the second coupling path, the third coupling path and the fourth coupling path can be on one side of the main signal path, and the other can be on the other side of the main signal path.

The coupler can be arranged in another way, that is, multiple coupling paths are arranged in parallel. Compared with the traditional "series", for example, the second coupling path, the third coupling path and the fourth coupling path are all designed to be distributed on one side of the main signal path, which can effectively reduce the longitudinal area of the coupler and reduce the additional insertion loss of the transmitted signal on the main signal path. At the same time, each coupler maintains a high degree of isolation. It should be noted that the parallel connection here also refers to the distribution of multiple ports of the coupler side by side on both sides of the main signal path, and the "series connection" refers to placing all ports in series on a single side of the main signal path.

Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a miniaturized coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8, the coupler 10 includes an input end 101, a through end 102, a first isolation end 104, a second isolation end 105, a third isolation end 106, a first coupling end 103, a second coupling end 107 and a third coupling end 108.

As shown in FIG8 , the output of the first isolation terminal 104 in the coupler is connected to the second PD, the output of the second isolation terminal 105 is connected to the GSG, the output of the first coupling terminal 103 is connected to the first PD, and the output of the second coupling terminal 107 is connected to the MRX. In the array scenario, the second isolation terminal 105 outputs the received coupling signal and realizes the TX/RX common antenna through the GSG, that is, the signal synchronization of multiple radar chips is realized. In the single-chip scenario, the second coupling terminal 107 outputs the transmission coupling signal to the MRX to realize the calibration of the transmission signal; the first coupling terminal 103 outputs the transmission coupling signal to the first PD to realize the transmission signal power monitoring; the first isolation terminal 104 outputs the reflection coupling signal to the second PD to realize the power monitoring of the reflection signal. The third coupling terminal 108 and the third isolation terminal 106 are both grounded. These two ports may not be set, or they may be reserved for the subsequent addition of coupler functions. They may also be grounded and connected to the MRX and GSG according to the grounding requirements of the MRX and GSG. In this example, the coupling degree of the TR/RX common antenna is higher than that of the signal calibration and monitoring, and the coupling line connecting the GSG is longer than the coupling connecting the PD and the MRX, so the coupler is "connected in parallel" in the manner shown in FIG7 to achieve miniaturization of the coupler, that is, the first isolation end 104, the second isolation end 105, the first coupling end 103 and the second coupling end 107 are respectively arranged on both sides of the main signal channel, as shown in FIG4. In practice, the length of the coupling line varies according to the requirements of the coupling coefficient, and the "parallel" mode and relative position of each coupler can be adjusted according to the requirements, and the length and "parallel" arrangement of the coupler are not limited to the examples of this application.

FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another miniaturized coupler provided in an embodiment of the present application. The PD and MRX for power monitoring and signal calibration in FIG9 are connected to a first coupling end 103 through a power divider. As shown in FIG9. In FIG9, the signal coupler 10 includes an input end 101, a through end 102, a first isolation end 104, a second isolation end 105, a first coupling end 103, and a second coupling end 106. The output of the first isolation end 104 is connected to the second PD, and the reflected coupling signal is output to the second PD. The output of the second isolation end 105 is connected to GSG, and the received coupling signal is output to GSG. The output of the first coupling end 103 is connected to a power divider, and the transmission coupling signal is output to the power divider, and the power divider is respectively connected to the first PD and MRX. The coupling coefficients of the first PD and MRX are the same, and the power divider outputs the transmission coupling signal obtained according to the coupling coefficient to the first PD and MRX respectively. For the coupler 10 shown in FIG9, the signal synchronization in the common antenna scenario and the signal monitoring and calibration implementation method in the business scenario are as shown in the above example, and will not be repeated.

In the examples of FIG8 and FIG9, the coupler provides a transmission coupling signal for transmission signal power monitoring, a transmission coupling signal for transmission signal calibration, a reception coupling signal for TX/RX common antenna, and a reflection coupling signal for reflection power monitoring. In practice, the system will increase or decrease the demand for coupling signals according to different functional requirements, and the number of couplers in the schemes shown in FIG8 and FIG9 will increase or decrease accordingly. The number of couplers and the "parallel" arrangement are not limited to the examples of this application.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a multi-signal coupling method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 10 , the method includes:

S101 . Transmit a signal on a main signal channel between a first port and a second port.

Exemplarily, the main signal channel includes a first port and a second port, the first port and the second port are used for the input port and the output port of the coupler respectively; the transmission signal is input through the input port, so that the transmission signal is transmitted through the main signal channel to the output port recorded as a through-port; the transmission signal is output through the through-port, and the reflected signal and the received signal are input in reverse.

In some examples, transmitting a signal on a main signal channel between a first port and a second port includes: receiving a transmit signal input through the main signal channel through an input end, so that the transmit signal is transmitted to a through-end through the main signal channel; outputting the transmit signal through the through-end, and reversely inputting a reflected signal and an input received signal, wherein the first port is the input end and the second port is the through-end.

S102 , coupling a signal into a coupling channel through a third port, a fourth port, and a fifth port included in a coupling channel coupled to a main signal channel.

In some examples, the coupling channel includes a first coupling path, the first coupling path includes a first signal transmission path and a second signal transmission path, and coupling the signal into the coupling channel through a third port, a fourth port, and a fifth port included in the coupling channel coupled to the main signal channel includes: coupling the signal into the first signal transmission path for transmission through the third port and the fourth port; coupling the signal into the second signal transmission path for transmission through the third port and the fifth port; wherein the first coupling path includes a first coupling switch, and the first coupling switch is used to connect and disconnect the first signal transmission path and the second signal transmission path.

In some instances, the transmit signal is sampled through the first coupling end, the reflected signal is selectively sampled and grounded through the first isolation end, and the signal received at the through end is output to the outside of the chip through the second isolation end, such as coupled to the GSG and output to the outside of the chip, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, and the fifth port is the second isolation end; or, the transmit signal is sampled through the first coupling end, the transmit signal is sampled through the second coupling end, and the signal received at the through end is coupled to the GSG and output to the outside of the chip through the second isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the second coupling end, and the fifth port is the second isolation end.

In some examples, the coupling channel also includes a sixth port, the coupling channel includes a second coupling path and a third coupling path, and coupling the signal into the coupling channel through the third port, fourth port, and fifth port included in the coupling channel coupled to the main signal channel includes: coupling the signal into the second coupling path through the third port and the fourth port for transmission; coupling the signal into the third coupling path through the fifth port and the sixth port for transmission; wherein the second coupling path includes the third port and the fourth port, and the third coupling path includes the fifth port and the sixth port.

In some instances, the transmission signal is sampled through the first coupling end, the reflected signal is sampled through the first isolation end, the signal received at the through end is coupled to the GSG through the second isolation end and outputted outside the chip, and is grounded through the second coupling end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, and the sixth port is the second coupling end; or, the transmission signal is sampled through the first coupling end, the transmission signal is sampled through the second coupling end, the signal received at the through end is coupled to the GSG through the second isolation end and outputted outside the chip, and the reflected signal is sampled through the first isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the second coupling end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, and the sixth port is the first isolation end.

In some examples, the coupling channel further includes a seventh port and an eighth port, the coupling channel further includes a fourth coupling path, and the method further includes: coupling the signal to the fourth coupling path for transmission through the seventh port and the eighth port, wherein the fourth coupling path includes the seventh port and the eighth port.

In some instances, the transmission signal is sampled through the first coupling end, the reflected signal is sampled through the first isolation end, the signal received at the through end is coupled to the GSG through the second isolation end and output outside the chip, the transmission signal is sampled through the second coupling end, and grounded through the third coupling end and the third isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, the sixth port is the third coupling end, the seventh port is the second coupling end, and the eighth port is the third isolation end.

Furthermore, the coupler couples the signal into the second coupling path through the third port and the fourth port, and couples the signal into the third coupling path through the fifth port and the sixth port, wherein the second coupling path and the third coupling path are both used to couple the signal of the main signal path.

In some examples, the coupler can calibrate and monitor the transmitted signal through the first coupling end, monitor the reflected signal through the first isolation end, couple the signal received at the through end to the GSG through the second isolation end and output it outside the chip, and ground it through the second coupling end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, and the sixth port is the second coupling end.

The coupler can calibrate the transmitted signal through the first coupling end, monitor the transmitted signal through the second coupling end, couple the signal received at the through end to the GSG through the second isolation end and output it outside the chip, and monitor the reflected signal through the first isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the second coupling end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, and the sixth port is the first isolation end.

Furthermore, the coupler couples the signal into a fourth coupling path through the seventh port and the eighth port, wherein the fourth coupling path is used to couple the signal of the main signal path.

In some examples, the transmission signal is calibrated through the first coupling end, the reflected signal is monitored through the first isolation end, the signal received at the through end is coupled to the GSG through the second isolation end and output outside the chip, the transmission signal is monitored through the second coupling end, and grounded through the third coupling end and the third isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, the sixth port is the third coupling end, the seventh port is the second coupling end, and the eighth port is the third isolation end.

As described in the above embodiment, in the two scenarios of external radar array and external radar single chip, it can be determined which scenario it is. If the external radar array is connected, the transmission signal needs to be synchronized. If the external single chip is connected, it is determined that the transmission signal does not need to be synchronized. The embodiment of the present application only uses radar array and single-chip business scenarios as examples. Other scenarios can also use this method for multi-signal transmission according to the above example. If the external single-chip coupler outputs the transmission signal of TX to the antenna, the transmission coupling signal can be output to the first PD and MRX respectively, and the reflection coupling signal can be output to the second PD. So that the first PD monitors the transmission signal, the MRX calibrates the transmission signal, and the second PD monitors the reflection signal, wherein the transmission coupling signal is obtained according to the transmission signal according to the coupling coefficient, and the reflection coupling signal is obtained according to the signal reflected by the antenna according to the coupling coefficient. If the external radar array is connected, the coupler outputs the transmission signal to the antenna, and outputs the reception coupling signal to RX outside the chip through GSG. Among them, the reception coupling signal is obtained according to the signal input in reverse after the antenna receives it according to the coupling coefficient.

The coupling method of the coupler provided in the present application can refer to the description in the above examples and be applied to the coupler in the above examples, which will not be described in detail here.

FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-signal coupling system provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG10 , the multi-signal coupling system includes: a coupler 10, a TX 20, an antenna 30, a first coupler 40, a second coupler 50, an external connection point 60 and a RX 70.

The coupler 10 is the coupler described in the above embodiment.

TX 20 is connected to the first port 101 of the coupler. The first port 101 is an input port, and is used to send a signal to the coupler through the input port.

The antenna 30 is connected to the second port 102 of the coupler. The second port 102 is a through port. The antenna is used to send a transmit signal to an external chip and input a reflected signal into the coupler through the through port. The antenna is also used to receive a signal from an external chip and input the received signal into the coupler through the through port.

The external connection point 60 is connected to the fifth port of the coupler and is used to receive the signal received by the antenna 30 through the second isolation terminal and output it to the RX 70 .

RX 80 is used to receive the received signal output by the external connection point 60 .

For example, in a high-frequency signal transmission scenario, the external connection point 60 may be a GSG, and the second isolation terminal outputs the received signal to the outside of the chip through the GSG, and transmits it to the RX 70 on the chip after looping back outside the chip, thus forming a complete path for the received signal.

The first coupler 40 is connected to the third port 103 of the coupler, and the second coupler 50 is connected to the fourth port 104 of the coupler.

The first coupler is a test receiver MRX, which calibrates the transmission signal through the first coupling end, and the second coupler is a first power monitor PD, which is used to monitor the transmission signal through the second coupling end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end and the fourth port is the second coupling end.

Or, the first coupler is a power divider, which is coupled to the first PD and MRX respectively, and is used to calibrate and monitor the transmitted signal through the first coupling end, and the second coupler is the second PD, which monitors the reflected signal through the first isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end and the fourth port is the first isolation end.

It should be noted that in some scenarios where monitoring requirements are not high, the system may not have a second PD and does not need to monitor the reflected signal. In some scenarios where monitoring requirements are high, a port may be added to connect a second PD to monitor the reflected signal output by the coupler.

Furthermore, the system also includes a third coupler, the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the second coupling end, and the sixth port is the first isolation end. The third coupler is connected to the sixth port of the coupler. For example, the first coupler may be an MRX, and the transmission signal is calibrated through the first coupling end, the second coupler may be a first power monitor PD, and the transmission signal is monitored through the second coupling end, and the third coupler may be a second PD, and the reflected signal is monitored through the first isolation end.

In addition, in some examples, the system may also include a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA); and a mixer MIXER. PA amplifies signal power and is usually used in the transmitting channel; LNA amplifies the signal amplitude while maintaining low noise, and is usually used in the receiving channel; MIXER achieves frequency shifting of the signal through mixing. The multi-signal coupling system provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a coupler that can simultaneously realize calibration, monitoring and signal synchronization. The coupler can be the above-mentioned reconfigurable coupler, or a miniaturized coupler. The multi-signal coupling system including the above-mentioned coupler has high integration and isolation, and can also realize channel multiplexing in different scenarios, which can reduce channel waste, improve coupling isolation, and reduce on-chip area.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

Claims (21)

1. A kind of coupler, characterized by comprising the following steps:

   A main signal path for a signal path of the coupler, and a coupling path;

   The coupling channel is used for coupling signals of the main signal channel, wherein the main signal channel comprises a first port and a second port, and the first port and the second port are respectively used for an input port and an output port of the coupler;

   The coupling channel comprises a third port, a fourth port and a fifth port.
2. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the coupler comprises a plurality of coupling elements,

   The coupling channel comprises a first coupling path, and the first coupling path comprises a first signal transmission path and a second signal transmission path;

   The first signal transmission path is used for realizing signal transmission between the third port and the fourth port;

   the second signal transmission path is used for realizing the transmission of signals between the third port and the fifth port;

   The first coupling path includes a first coupling switch for enabling connection and disconnection of the first signal transmission path and the second signal transmission path.
3. The coupler according to claim 1, further comprising: a sixth port is provided for receiving a second port,

   The coupling channel comprises a second coupling channel and a third coupling channel, wherein the second coupling channel comprises the third port and the fourth port, and the second coupling channel is used for realizing the transmission of signals between the third port and the fourth port;

   The third coupling channel comprises the fifth port and the sixth port, and the third coupling channel is used for realizing signal transmission between the fifth port and the sixth port.
4. A coupler according to claim 3, further comprising: a seventh port and an eighth port,

   The coupling channel further comprises a fourth coupling path, wherein the fourth coupling path comprises the seventh port and the eighth port, and the fourth coupling path is used for realizing signal transmission between the seventh port and the eighth port.
5. A coupler according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that,

   The first port is an input end and is used for receiving a transmitting signal input by the main signal channel, the second port is a through end and is used for outputting the transmitting signal, and the through end is also used for reversely inputting a reflected signal and inputting a received signal;

   The third port is a first coupling end and is used for sampling the transmitting signal, and the fourth port is a first isolation end and is used for selectively sampling and grounding the reflecting signal; or, the third port is the first coupling end and is used for sampling the transmitting signal, and the fourth port is the second coupling end and is used for sampling the transmitting signal;

   the fifth port is a second isolation end and is used for being connected with the outside of the chip and outputting signals received by the through end to the outside of the chip.
6. The coupler of claim 3, wherein the coupler comprises,

   The first port is an input end and is used for receiving a transmitting signal input by the main signal channel, the second port is a through end and is used for outputting the transmitting signal, and the through end is also used for reversely inputting a reflected signal and inputting a received signal;

   The third port is a first coupling end and is used for sampling the transmitting signal, the fourth port is a first isolation end and is used for sampling the reflecting signal, the fifth port is a second isolation end and is used for being connected with the outside of the chip through a connecting point and outputting the signal received by the through end to the outside of the chip, and the sixth port is a second coupling end and is used for being grounded;

   Or, the third port is a first coupling end and is used for sampling the transmitting signal, the fourth port is a second coupling end and is used for sampling the transmitting signal, the fifth port is a second isolation end and is used for being connected with the outside of the chip through a connection point and outputting the signal received by the through end to the outside of the chip, and the sixth port is a first isolation end and is used for sampling the reflecting signal.
7. The coupler of claim 4, wherein the coupler comprises a plurality of coupling elements,

   The first port is an input end and is used for receiving a transmitting signal input by the main signal channel, the second port is a through end and is used for outputting the transmitting signal, and the through end is also used for reversely inputting a reflected signal and inputting a received signal;

   the third port is a first coupling end and is used for sampling the transmitting signal, the fourth port is a first isolation end and is used for sampling the reflecting signal, the fifth port is a second isolation end and is used for being connected with the outside of the chip through a connecting point and outputting the signal received by the through end to the outside of the chip, the sixth port is a third coupling end and is used for grounding, the seventh port is a second coupling end and is used for sampling the transmitting signal, and the eighth port is a third isolation end and is used for grounding.
8. A coupler according to any one of claims 5 to 7,

   The input end is externally connected with a transmitter TX, the TX is used for transmitting the transmitting signal to the main signal channel, the through end is externally connected with an antenna, the antenna is used for externally transmitting the transmitting signal and reversely inputting the reflected signal of the transmitting signal and the signal received by the antenna, the second isolation end is connected with the outside of the chip through a connecting point, and the signal received by the antenna is output to the outside of the chip and then looped back to a receiver RX.
9. The coupler of claim 8, wherein the TX, the antenna, and the RX are external to a radar single chip or a radar array chip.
10. The coupler of claim 2, wherein the coupler comprises a coupler body,

    The first signal transmission channels are connected, and when the second signal transmission channels are disconnected, the length of the coupling lines of the first signal transmission channels corresponds to a first coupling coefficient;

    the second signal transmission paths are connected, and when the first signal transmission paths are disconnected, the coupling line lengths of the second signal transmission paths correspond to the second coupling coefficients.
11. A method of multifunctional coupling, comprising:

    Transmitting signals on a primary signal path between a first port and a second port, wherein the primary signal path comprises the first port and the second port, the first port and the second port being respectively used for an input port and an output port of a coupler;

    The signal is coupled into the coupling channel through a coupling channel coupled to the main signal channel including a third port, a fourth port, and a fifth port.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

    The coupling channel includes a first coupling path including a first signal transmission path and a second signal transmission path,

    The coupling the signal to the coupling channel through the coupling channel coupled to the main signal channel includes:

    coupling the signal to transmit in a first signal transmission path through the third port and the fourth port;

    coupling the signal to a second signal transmission path for transmission through the third port and the fifth port;

    the first coupling path comprises a first coupling switch, and the first coupling switch is used for realizing connection and disconnection of the first signal transmission path and the second signal transmission path.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the coupling channel further comprises a sixth port, the coupling channel comprises a second coupling path and a third coupling path,

    The coupling the signal to the coupling channel through the coupling channel coupled to the main signal channel includes:

    coupling the signal into the second coupling path for transmission through the third port and the fourth port;

    coupling the signal into the third coupling path for transmission through the fifth port and the sixth port;

    Wherein the second coupling path includes the third port and the fourth port, and the third coupling path includes the fifth port and the sixth port.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupling channel further comprises a seventh port and an eighth port, the coupling channel further comprising a fourth coupling path, the method further comprising:

    The signal is coupled through the seventh port and the eighth port to a fourth coupling path for transmission, wherein the fourth coupling path includes the seventh port and the eighth port.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

    The transmitting signals on the primary signal path between the first port and the second port includes:

    Receiving a transmitting signal input through the main signal channel through an input end, so that the transmitting signal is transmitted to a through end through the main signal channel;

    outputting the transmitting signal through the through end, and reversely inputting a reflecting signal and a received signal, wherein the first port is an input end, and the second port is a through end;

    the coupling of the signals into the coupling channel through the third port, the fourth port, and the fifth port on the coupling channel coupled to the main signal channel includes:

    Sampling the transmitting signal through a first coupling end, selectively sampling and grounding the reflecting signal through a first isolation end, and outputting the signal received by the through end to the outside of the chip through a second isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, and the fifth port is the second isolation end;

    Or the first coupling end is used for sampling the transmitting signal, the second coupling end is used for sampling the transmitting signal, and the second isolation end is used for outputting the signal received by the through end to the outside of the chip, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the second coupling end, and the fifth port is the second isolation end.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

    The transmitting signals on the primary signal path between the first port and the second port includes:

    Receiving a transmitting signal input through the main signal channel through an input end, so that the transmitting signal is transmitted to a through end through the main signal channel;

    outputting the transmitting signal through the through end, and reversely inputting a reflecting signal and a received signal, wherein the first port is an input end, and the second port is a through end;

    Said coupling said signal into said second coupling path for transmission through said third port and said fourth port; coupling the signal into the third coupling path through the fifth port and the sixth port for transmission includes:

    Sampling the transmitting signal through a first coupling end, sampling the reflecting signal through a first isolation end, outputting the signal received by the through end to the outside of the chip through a second isolation end, and grounding through a second coupling end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, and the sixth port is the second coupling end;

    Or the transmitting signal is sampled through the first coupling end, the transmitting signal is sampled through the second coupling end, the signal received by the through end is output to the outside of the chip through the second isolation end, the reflected signal is sampled through the first isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the second coupling end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, and the sixth port is the first isolation end.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein transmitting signals on the primary signal path between the first port and the second port comprises:

    Receiving a transmitting signal input through the main signal channel through an input end, so that the transmitting signal is transmitted to a through end through the main signal channel;

    outputting the transmitting signal through the through end, and reversely inputting a reflecting signal and a received signal, wherein the first port is an input end, and the second port is a through end;

    Said coupling said signal into said second coupling path for transmission through said third port and said fourth port; coupling the signal into the third coupling path for transmission through the fifth port and the sixth port; coupling the signal into a fourth coupling path through the seventh port and the eighth port for transmission includes:

    The method comprises the steps of sampling a transmitting signal through a first coupling end, sampling a reflecting signal through a first isolation end, outputting a signal received by a straight-through end to the outside of a chip through a second isolation end, sampling the transmitting signal through a second coupling end, grounding through a third coupling end and grounding through a third isolation end, wherein the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the first isolation end, the fifth port is the second isolation end, the sixth port is the third coupling end, the seventh port is the second coupling end, and the eighth port is the third isolation end.
18. A coupling system, comprising:

    the coupler of any one of claims 1-10;

    A transmitter TX connected to the first port of the coupler;

    An antenna connected to the second port of the coupler;

    a first coupler connected to a third port of the coupler;

    The second coupler is connected with the fourth port of the coupler;

    and an external connection point connected with a fifth port of the coupler.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the system further comprises a controller configured to,

    The TX is used for inputting a transmission signal to the coupler through an input end;

    The antenna is used for sending the transmitting signal to an external chip and inputting a reflected signal into the coupler through the through end, and is also used for receiving the signal of the external chip and inputting the received signal into the coupler through the through end;

    The external connection point is configured to receive the received signal through a second isolation end and output the received signal to the outside of the chip, so that the received signal is returned to the receiver RX, where the first port is an input end, the second port is a through end, and the fifth port is a second isolation end, and the coupler, the antenna, the TX, and the RX are integrated on the chip.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the system further comprises a controller configured to control the controller,

    The first coupler is a test receiver MRX, the transmitting signal is calibrated through a first coupling end, the second coupler is a first power monitor PD, and the second coupler is used for monitoring the transmitting signal through a second coupling end, wherein the third port is a first coupling end, and the fourth port is a second coupling end;

    or, the first coupler is a power divider, the power divider is respectively coupled with the first PD and the MRX, and is configured to calibrate and monitor the transmitting signal through a first coupling end, the second coupler is a second PD, monitor the reflected signal through a first isolation end, where the third port is the first coupling end, and the fourth port is the first isolation end.
21. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

    a third coupler connected to a sixth port of the coupler;

    the first coupler is a test receiver MRX, the transmitting signal is calibrated through a first coupling end, the second coupler is a first power monitor PD, the transmitting signal is monitored through a second coupling end, the third coupler is a second PD, the reflected signal is monitored through a first isolation end, the third port is the first coupling end, the fourth port is the second coupling end, and the sixth port is the first isolation end.