90-degree hybrid coupler

Abstract

The invention relates to a 90-degree hybrid coupler. A coupler is provided that includes a first assembly of an input unit element, an intermediate unit element, and an output unit element. Each unit element includes a first coil and a second coil arranged to intersect in a substantially H shape. The first input terminal and the second input terminal of the intermediate unit element are coupled to the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the input unit element, and the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the intermediate unit element are coupled to the first input terminal and the second input terminal of the output unit element. And the input unit element is spatially located between the intermediate unit element and the output unit element.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to French patent application FR 2308118, filed on July 27, 2023, entitled “Coupleur hybride à quatre-vingt-dixdegrés”, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to electronic circuits and devices adapted to use signals, particularly radio frequency signals.The present disclosure relates to a hybrid coupler, and more particularly to a 90 degree hybrid coupler. Background Art

[0004] A coupler is an electronic device for coupling multiple electronic signals, and the multiple electronic signals are, for example, signals used in the radio frequency field, ie signals with a frequency between a few Hertz and above 300 kHz, for example between 3 kHz and 300 GHz.

[0005] It would be desirable to be able to at least partially improve certain aspects of couplers, and in particular hybrid couplers. Summary of the invention

[0006] A higher performance coupler is needed.

[0007] There is a need for a coupler having a smaller size.

[0008] One embodiment overcomes all or some of the disadvantages of known couplers.

[0009] One embodiment provides a coupler with a relatively low volume.

[0010] One embodiment provides a coupler with reduced signal loss.

[0011] One embodiment provides a coupler comprising a first assembly of an input unit cell, an intermediate unit cell, and an output unit cell, each unit cell comprising:

[0012] a first coil and a second coil, the first coil and the second coil being arranged to have an intersecting shape having a generally H-shape;

[0013] a first input terminal corresponding to an input node of the first coil;

[0014] a second input terminal corresponding to an output node of the second coil;

[0015] a first output terminal corresponding to an output node of the first coil; and

[0016] a second output terminal corresponding to an input node of the second coil;

[0017] in:

[0018] A first input terminal of the intermediate unit element is coupled to a first output terminal of the input unit element;

[0019] The second input terminal of the intermediate unit element is coupled to the second output terminal of the input unit element;

[0020] a first output terminal of the intermediate unit element coupled to a first input terminal of the output unit element; and

[0021] The second output terminal of the intermediate unit element is coupled to the second input terminal of the output unit element, and

[0022] The input unit element is spatially positioned between the intermediate unit element and the output unit element.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the first input terminal of the input cell element is the first input of the first component and the second input terminal of the input cell element is the second input of the first component.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the first output terminal of the output cell element is the first output of the first component and the second output terminal of the output cell element is the second output of the first component.

[0025] According to an embodiment, a first input of the component is configured to receive a first signal and a second input of the component is configured to receive a second signal that is equal to the phase-shifted first signal.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the second signal is the first signal phase-shifted by 90 degrees.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the second signal is the first signal phase-shifted by 180 degrees.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the coupler comprises at least one second component which is identical to the first component,

[0029] wherein a first output of the first component is coupled to a first input of the second component, and

[0030] The second output of the first component is coupled to the second input of the second component.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the unit elements all have the same size.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the unit elements have different sizes.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the unit elements are all placed in the same plane.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the unit elements are all placed in different planes.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the unit elements are placed in a stepped arrangement.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the first and second coils of the unit element are windings having a substantially rectangular shape.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the first and second coils of the unit element are windings having a substantially Z-shape.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the coupler is a reversible coupler. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The foregoing features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages, will be described in detail in the remainder of the disclosure of specific embodiments given by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 An electrical symbol and an equivalent electrical diagram showing an embodiment of a hybrid coupler;

[0041] Figure 2 Shows the formation of Figure 1 A top view of a unit element of a coupler of an embodiment;

[0042] Figure 3 Schematically shows Figure 2 An example of an assembly of unit elements;

[0043] Figure 4 Schematically shows the formation Figure 1 The coupler Figure 2 Embodiments of component assemblies;

[0044] Figure 5 Schematically shows the use of Figure 2 The two components form Figure 1 Another embodiment of the coupler;

[0045] Figure 6 Shows the formation Figure 5 A top view of a practical example of an embodiment of; and

[0046] Figure 7 Shows the formation Figure 5 Top view of another practical example of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In the various drawings, the same features are represented by the same reference numerals. In particular, common structural and / or functional features in various embodiments may have the same reference numerals and may be provided with the same structure, dimensions and material properties.

[0048] For clarity, only the steps and elements necessary for understanding the embodiments are described and illustrated in detail.

[0049] Unless otherwise specified, when referring to two elements being connected together, this means a direct connection without any intermediate elements except conductors, and when referring to two elements being coupled together, this means the two elements may be connected or they may be coupled via one or more other elements.

[0050] In the following description, when reference is made to terms defining absolute positions, such as terms "edge", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative positions, such as terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or terms defining directions, such as terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made to the direction of the drawing, unless otherwise specified.

[0051] Unless otherwise indicated, the expressions "about", "approximately", "substantially" and "in the order of" mean plus or minus 10%, preferably plus or minus 5%.

[0052] Figure 1 Schematic diagrams (A) and (B) of a coupler 100 according to an embodiment are shown. FIG. (A) shows an electrical symbol of the coupler 100 , and FIG. (B) shows an equivalent electrical diagram of the coupler 100 .

[0053] According to one embodiment, the coupler 100 is a hybrid coupler. According to a preferred example, the coupler 100 is a 90 degree hybrid coupler. For this purpose, the coupler 100 comprises:

[0054] A first input IN100 adapted to receive a first signal;

[0055] a second input CPL100 adapted to receive a second signal;

[0056] a first output OUT100 adapted to deliver a third signal; and

[0057] The second output ISO100 is adapted to deliver a fourth signal.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the second signal is equal to the first signal phase-shifted. According to a preferred embodiment, the second signal is equal to the first signal phase-shifted by 90 degrees. According to another example within the scope of a person skilled in the art, the second signal is equal to the first signal phase-shifted by 180 degrees.

[0059] When the coupler 100 is a 90 degree hybrid coupler, the third signal delivered by the output OUT100 corresponds to the sum of the signals received at the inputs, and the fourth signal is a zero signal.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the coupler 100 is reversible and can be a signal splitter circuit by inverting the input and output.

[0061] The coupler 100 includes two coils L101 and L102 and two capacitors C101 and C102 .

[0062] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, the input terminal of the coil is represented by a phase point, while the output terminal has no phase point. This means that the current flowing through the coil flows from the input terminal to the output terminal.

[0063] According to one embodiment, an input node of coil L101 is coupled (preferably connected) to input IN100 of coupler 100, and an output node of coil L101 is coupled (preferably connected) to output OUT100 of coupler 100. An input node of coil L102 is coupled, preferably connected to output ISO100 of coupler 100, and an output node of coil L102 is coupled, preferably connected to output OUT100 of coupler 100.

[0064] According to an embodiment, a first node of capacitor C101 is coupled (preferably connected) to input IN100 of coupler 100, and a second node of capacitor C101 is coupled (preferably connected) to output ISO100 of coupler 100. According to one embodiment, a first node of capacitor C102 is coupled (preferably connected) to input CPL100 of coupler 100, and a second node of capacitor C102 is coupled (preferably connected) to output OUT100 of coupler 100.

[0065] Combination Figure 2 The physical implementation of the coupler 100 is described and combined with Figures 4 to 7 Components forming these implementations of the coupler are described.

[0066] Figure 2 It is a combination Figure 1 A top view of a physical implementation of the coupler 100 is depicted. More specifically, Figure 2 is a top view of a unit cell 100 that can form a coupler 100 .

[0067] The unit element 100 includes two coils 201 and 202 arranged in a cross or "x" shape. More specifically, the first coil 201 forms a first branch of the cross or "x", and the second coil 202 forms a second branch of the cross or "x".

[0068] More specifically, the two coils 201 are arranged in the form of a cross having a substantially "H" shape. In other words, all branches of the cross formed by the coils 201 and 202 follow the same direction and are therefore parallel to each other. Therefore, Figure 2 The so-called cross-shaped shape of the coils 201 and 202 shown takes a substantially "H" shape.

[0069] The unit element 200 includes two input terminals and two output terminals similar to the input and output of the coupler 100. More specifically, the unit element 200 includes:

[0070] A first input terminal IN200 corresponding to an input node of the coil 201;

[0071] a second input terminal CPL200 corresponding to an output node of the coil 202;

[0072] a first output terminal OUT200 corresponding to an output node of the coil 202; and

[0073] The second output terminal ISO200 corresponds to the input node of the coil 202 .

[0074] The capacitor of the coupler is actually formed between the crossed branches of the coils 201 and 202. More specifically, the capacitor represents the intrinsic capacitance of the crossed branches formed by the coils. According to a variant, a capacitor may be added to Figure 2 The structure disclosed in .

[0075] The dimensions of the unit element 200 can define the electrical characteristics of the coupler, such as the inductance of the coils 201 and 202 and the capacitance of the capacitor. Therefore, the dimensions of the unit element 200 should be adapted to adjust the functionality of the coupler it forms.

[0076] The unit element 200 enables a coupler of the coupler 100 type to be realized, but it is also possible to assemble a plurality of unit elements 200 to obtain a coupler of the coupler 100 type. One advantage of assembling a plurality of unit elements 200 to form it is that this enables the bulk of the coupler 100 to be limited while enabling it to be given different shapes. Figure 3 A first example of an assembly of the unit cell 200 is described, but this assembly has disadvantages. Figure 4 Embodiments of assemblies that overcome these disadvantages are described.

[0077] Figure 3 Very schematically shows the Figure 2 An example of an assembly 300 of unit cells of the type of unit cell 200 is described.

[0078] exist Figure 3In the diagram, each unit cell is represented very schematically by an overall shape represented in the form of a line. In addition, the current and the direction of the signal applied to the input terminal of the unit cell are represented by an arrow. Since two different signals are applied to the input terminal of the unit cell, two arrow "colors" are used to distinguish them.

[0079] Component 300 forms about Figure 1 A coupler of the described coupler 100 type thus comprises two inputs IN300 and CPL300 and two outputs OUT300 and ISO300.

[0080] The assembly 300 comprises three unit elements, wherein:

[0081] Input unit element 301;

[0082] Intermediate unit element 302; and

[0083] Output unit element 303.

[0084] The input unit element 301 is characterized in that its input terminal is coupled to the input of the component. More specifically, the first input terminal of the element 301 is coupled (preferably connected) to the input IN300 of the component, and the second input terminal of the element 301 is coupled (preferably connected) to the input CPL300 of the component.

[0085] Output cell element 303 is characterized in that its output terminal is coupled to the output of component 300. More specifically, a first output terminal of element 303 is coupled, preferably connected to output OUT300 of component 300, and a second output terminal of element 303 is coupled, preferably connected to output ISO300 of component 300.

[0086] The intermediate unit element 302 is characterized in that it is positioned between the input unit element and the output unit element 301 and 303. More specifically, the first input terminal of the element 302 is coupled (preferably connected) to the first output terminal of the element 301, and the second input terminal of the element 302 is coupled (preferably connected) to the second output terminal of the element 301. The first output terminal of the element 302 is coupled (preferably connected) to the first input terminal of the element 303, and the second output terminal of the element 302 is coupled (preferably connected) to the second input terminal of the element 303.

[0087] A disadvantage of the assembly 300 is that the positioning of the unit elements presents a constraint that may increase the area occupied by the assembly 300. In particular, parasitic coupling phenomena may occur at the connections between the unit elements. In fact, as described above, the unit elements are formed by coils, and at the connections between the unit elements, two side-by-side coils are arranged in parallel and crossed by the same current in different directions, such as Figure 3 To avoid these parasitic coupling phenomena, the unit elements must be separated by a distance d300, which increases the volume.

[0088] Figure 4 Very schematically shows the Figure 2 An embodiment of an assembly 400 of unit cells of the type of unit cell 200 is described.

[0089] Assembly 400 forms about Figure 1 A coupler of the described coupler 100 type thus comprises two inputs IN400 and CPL400 , and two outputs OUT400 and ISO400 .

[0090] Assembly 400 comprises three unit components, including:

[0091] Input unit element 401;

[0092] Intermediate unit element 402; and

[0093] Output unit element 403.

[0094] The input unit element 401 is characterized in that its input terminal is coupled to the input of the component. More specifically, the first input terminal of the element 401 is coupled (preferably connected) to the input IN400 of the component 400, and the second input terminal of the element 401 is coupled (preferably connected) to the input CPL400 of the component 400.

[0095] Output cell element 403 is characterized in that its output terminal is coupled to the output of component 400. More specifically, a first output terminal of element 403 is coupled (preferably connected) to output OUT400 of component 400, and a second output terminal of element 403 is coupled (preferably connected) to output ISO400 of component 400.

[0096] Intermediate unit element 402 is characterized in that it is coupled to input and output unit elements 401 and 403. More specifically, a first input terminal of element 402 is coupled (preferably connected) to a first output terminal of element 401, and a second input terminal of element 402 is coupled (preferably connected) to a second output terminal of element 401. A first output terminal of element 402 is coupled (preferably connected) to a first input terminal of element 403, and a second output terminal of element 402 is coupled (preferably connected) to a second input terminal of element 403.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the input cell element 401 is spatially arranged between the intermediate cell element 402 and the output cell element 403. In other words, the input cell element 401 is physically located between the intermediate cell element 402 and the output cell element 403 without modifying the connection between the cell elements.

[0098] This embodiment has several advantages.

[0099] The first advantage is the ability to increase the distance between consecutive unit elements while optimizing the space loss between the unit elements. Only a minimum distance d400 is imposed between the input unit element and the intermediate unit element to avoid Figure 3 The parasitic coupling phenomenon existing in the component 300 has a lower parasitic coupling phenomenon intensity.

[0100] The second advantage is that it prevents the coils from being crossed by the same current, thus avoiding parasitic coupling.

[0101] The third advantage is that it avoids having new coupling between the two input signals. Figure 4 It is visible between unit element 401 and unit element 403. In fact, Figure 4 As shown, the two coils are placed side by side, each coil being passed through by a different current. Adding this coupling can reduce the losses of the coupler formed by the assembly 400, thereby improving its performance.

[0102] In addition, it should be noted that Figure 4 The unit elements 401 , 402 and 403 schematically shown in FIG. 4 all have similar dimensions, but as a variant, the unit elements 401 , 402 and 403 may have different dimensions, in particular, unit elements of different lengths.

[0103] In addition, Figure 4 In the figure and for the sake of simplicity of understanding, the unit elements 401, 402 and 403 are shown in the same plane. However, those skilled in the art will be able to arrange the unit elements 401, 402 and 403 in a three-dimensional model. Therefore, the unit elements can be arranged one above the other in a stepped arrangement.

[0104] Figure 5 A coupler 500 according to an embodiment is shown very schematically.

[0105] Coupler 500 includes a combination of Figure 4 The component 400 is described as having two components 501 and 502 of the same type.

[0106] Component 501 includes:

[0107] A first input terminal IN501;

[0108] The second input terminal CPL501;

[0109] a first output terminal OUT501; and

[0110] The second output terminal ISO501.

[0111] Component 502 includes:

[0112] A first input terminal IN502;

[0113] The second input terminal CPL502;

[0114] a first output terminal OUT502; and

[0115] The second output terminal is ISO502.

[0116] To form connector 500, components 501 and 502 are connected "in series." In other words, output terminal OUT501 of component 501 is coupled to, preferably connected to input terminal IN502 of component 502, and output terminal ISO501 of component 501 is coupled to, preferably connected to input terminal CPL502 of component 502.

[0117] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Shows the combination Figure 5 A top view of a practical example of an implementation of the described coupler 500. In particular, Figure 6 A coupler 600 is shown, and Figure 7 A coupler 700 is shown.

[0118] The difference between couplers 600 and 700 is that coupler 700 has a zigzag coil, whereas coupler 600 has a substantially rectangular coil. These coils have the advantage of improving the coupling performance of coupler 700. In fact, when the unit elements of the components of coupler 700 are folded in a zigzag pattern, favorable coupling (i.e., coupling required by the coupler) increases, while unfavorable coupling (i.e., coupling to be avoided) decreases.

[0119] Various embodiments and variations have been described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain features of these various embodiments and variations may be combined, and those skilled in the art will recognize other variations.

[0120] Finally, based on the functional indications given above, the actual implementation of the described embodiments and variants is within the capabilities of a person skilled in the art.

[0121] A coupler (100; 400; 500; 600; 700) can be summarized as comprising a first component (400; 501), comprising: an input unit element (401), an intermediate unit element (402) and an output unit element (403), each unit element (200) comprising: a first coil (201, 202) and a second coil (202, 201), the first coil (201, 202) and the second coil (202, 201) being arranged in a cross shape having a substantially "H" shape; a first input terminal (IN200), corresponding to an input node of the first coil (201, 202); a second input terminal (CPL200), corresponding to an output node of the second coil (202, 201); a first output terminal (OUT200), corresponding to the first an output node of the coil (201, 202); a second output terminal (ISO200) corresponding to an input node of the second coil (202, 201); wherein: the first input terminal of the intermediate unit element (402) is coupled to the first output terminal of the input unit element (401); the second input terminal of the intermediate unit element (402) is coupled to the second output terminal of the input unit element (401); the first output terminal of the intermediate unit element (402) is coupled to the first input terminal of the output unit element (403); the second output terminal of the intermediate unit element (402) is coupled to the second input terminal of the output unit element (403), and wherein the input unit element (401) is spatially located between the intermediate unit element (402) and the output unit element (403).

[0122] The first input terminal of the unit input element (401) may be the first input of the first component (400); the second input terminal of the unit input element (401) may be the second input of the first component (400; 501).

[0123] The first output terminal of the output unit element (403) may be the first output of the first component (400; 501), and the second output terminal of the output unit element (403) may be the second input of the first component (400; 501).

[0124] A first input of the component may be configured to receive a first signal, and a second input of the component may be configured to receive a second signal that is equal to a phase shifted version of the first signal.

[0125] The second signal may be the first signal phase-shifted by 90 degrees.

[0126] The second signal may be the first signal phase-shifted by 180 degrees.

[0127] The first input terminal of the unit input element (401) can be the first input terminal of the first component (400); the second input terminal of the unit input element (401) can be the second input of the first component (400; 501), and the coupler can include at least one second component (400; 502) that is identical to the first component (400; 501), wherein the first output of the first component (400; 501) can be coupled to the first input of the second component (400; 502), and the second output of the first component (400; 501) can be coupled to the second input of the second component (400; 502).

[0128] The unit elements may all have the same size.

[0129] The unit elements may have different sizes.

[0130] The unit elements may all be placed in the same plane.

[0131] The unit elements may all be placed in different planes.

[0132] The unit elements may be placed in a stepped arrangement.

[0133] The first and second coils of the unit element may be windings having a substantially rectangular shape.

[0134] The first and second coils of the unit element may be windings having a substantially Z-shape.

[0135] The coupler may be a reversible coupler.

[0136] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide additional embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments according to the above detailed description. Generally, in the following claims, the terms used should not be interpreted as limiting the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, but should be interpreted as including all possible embodiments and the full range of equivalents to which these claims are authorized. Therefore, the claims are not limited by this disclosure.

Claims

1. A coupler, comprising: A first component, the first component comprising: Input unit components, Intermediate unit elements, and Output unit elements, wherein each unit element comprises: a first coil and a second coil, the first coil and the second coil being arranged to have a substantially H-shape; A first input terminal corresponding to an input node of the first coil; a second input terminal corresponding to an output node of the second coil; a first output terminal corresponding to an output node of the first coil; and a second output terminal corresponding to an input node of the second coil; in: The first input terminal of the intermediate unit element is coupled to the first output terminal of the input unit element, the second input terminal of the intermediate unit element being coupled to the second output terminal of the input unit element, The first output terminal of the intermediate unit element is coupled to the first input terminal of the output unit element, and The second output terminal of the intermediate unit element is coupled to the second input terminal of the output unit element, and Wherein the input unit element is spatially positioned between the intermediate unit element and the output unit element. 2 . The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the first input terminal of the input cell element is a first input of the first component, and the second input terminal of the input cell element is a second input of the first component. 3 . The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the first output terminal of the output cell element is a first output of the first component, and the second output terminal of the output cell element is a second output of the first component.

4. The coupler of claim 2, wherein the first input of the first component is configured to receive a first signal, and the second input of the first component is configured to receive a second signal, the second signal being a phase-shifted version of the first signal. The coupler of claim 4 , wherein the second signal is the first signal phase-shifted by 90 degrees. The coupler of claim 4 , wherein the second signal is the first signal phase-shifted by 180 degrees.

7. The coupler of claim 3, wherein: the first input terminal of the input cell element is a first input of the first component, and the second input terminal of the input cell element is a second input of the first component, The coupler comprises at least one second component identical to the first component, The first output of the first component is coupled to the first input of the second component, and The second output of the first component is coupled to a second input of the second component.

8. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the unit elements all have the same size.

9. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the unit elements have different sizes.

10. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the unit elements are all placed in the same plane.

11. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the unit elements are all placed in different planes.

12. The coupler of claim 11, wherein the unit elements are placed in a stepped arrangement.

13. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the first coil and the second coil of the unit element are windings having a substantially rectangular shape.

14. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the first coil and the second coil of the unit element are windings having a substantially Z-shape.

15. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the coupler is a reversible coupler.

16. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the first coil and the second coil each comprise: Multiple arms; as well as A bridge between the plurality of arms.

17. The coupler of claim 16, wherein the bridge is perpendicular to the plurality of arms, and the bridge is centered relative to the plurality of arms, and the plurality of arms each have a length greater than a width of the bridge.

18. The coupler of claim 1, comprising: A patterned shield includes a plurality of arms positioned at a proximal end of the coupler.

19. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the patterned shield is located below one or more levels of the coupler, above one or more levels of the coupler, or around the coupler.

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