Complex impedance matching high-selectivity filtering fusion dielectric waveguide annular coupler

Abstract

The invention provides a complex impedance matching high-selectivity filtering fusion dielectric waveguide annular coupler. The coupler comprises a dielectric block, wherein the outer surface of the dielectric block is metalized; the dielectric block comprises a top surface and a bottom surface; the top surface is provided with a left side area, a center area and a right side area which are arranged in the first direction. The bottom surface is provided with a feed port; resonator units which are annularly arranged and are sequentially and adjacently coupled are arranged in the central area. A first cross coupling structure used for generating a transmission zero point is arranged in the left side area, the first cross coupling structure and the resonator units in the middle area form a filtering power divider, and the feed ports comprise an input feed port and an output feed port of the filtering power divider; a second cross coupling structure used for generating a transmission zero point is arranged in the right side area, the second cross coupling structure and the resonator units in the middle area form a filtering balun, and the feed ports comprise the input feed port and the output feed port of the filtering balun; the size and the weight of the filtering annular coupler can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication equipment component technology, and in particular to a complex impedance-matched high-selectivity filter fused dielectric waveguide ring coupler. Background Technology

[0002] The rapid development of 5G communication technology is driving the miniaturization and functional integration of radio frequency (RF) front-end systems. Filters and ring couplers are crucial components in RF links. Filters can filter out signals from other frequency bands, while ring couplers can perform in-phase and out-of-phase power distribution. In RF links, ring couplers often need to be cascaded with two filters. However, this cascaded structure leads to a larger circuit size and increased circuit losses. To address this issue, functionally integrated filter ring couplers have been extensively studied.

[0003] Currently, the physical implementation of traditional filter ring couplers requires the selection of a suitable resonator, including: filter ring couplers designed with dielectric resonators, or filter couplers that load printed circuit boards and tri-mode dielectric blocks into a metal cavity and achieve power feeding through microstrip lines on the printed circuit board.

[0004] However, the two traditional filter ring couplers mentioned above require the dielectric block to be assembled in a metal cavity, and the dielectric needs to be accurately fixed in the metal cavity by means of screws, etc. Moreover, the external metal cavity will occupy a certain volume and have a large weight, which is not conducive to miniaturization and weight reduction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a complex impedance-matched, high-selectivity filter fusion dielectric waveguide ring coupler to eliminate or improve one or more defects existing in the prior art. It can solve the problem that existing filter ring couplers are large in size and weight, which is not conducive to miniaturization and weight reduction.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a complex impedance-matched high-selectivity filter fusion dielectric waveguide ring coupler, the coupler comprising a dielectric block with an outer surface metallized; The medium block includes a top surface and a bottom surface, with the top surface opposite and parallel to the bottom surface; The top surface has a left-side region, a central region, and a right-side region arranged along a first direction; the central region is located in the middle, and the left-side and right-side regions are located on either side of the central region; the bottom surface has multiple power supply ports to achieve complex impedance matching of the multiple ports; The central region contains several resonator units arranged in a ring and coupled sequentially to each other; The left region is provided with a first cross-coupling structure for generating transmission zeros; the first cross-coupling structure and the resonator unit in the middle region constitute a filter power divider, and the feed ports include the input feed port and the output feed port of the filter power divider; The right-side region has a second cross-coupling structure for generating transmission zeros; the second cross-coupling structure and the resonator unit in the middle region constitute a filter balun, and the feed ports include the input feed port and the output feed port of the filter balun.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first cross-coupling includes a first resonator unit, a second resonator unit, a third resonator unit, and a fourth resonator unit; the central region includes a fifth resonator unit, a sixth resonator unit, a seventh resonator unit, and an eighth resonator unit; The power supply ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port; the first port is positioned opposite to the first resonator unit along the second direction of the dielectric block; the second port is positioned opposite to the sixth resonator unit along the second direction of the dielectric block; and the third port is positioned opposite to the seventh resonator unit along the second direction of the dielectric block. The filtered power divider includes a first resonator unit, a second resonator unit, a third resonator unit, a fourth resonator unit, a fifth resonator unit, a sixth resonator unit, a seventh resonator unit, a first port as an input power supply port, and a second port and a third port as output power supply ports.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, in the left region, the first resonator unit, the second resonator unit, the third resonator unit, and the fourth resonator unit are arranged in a ring and coupled adjacent to each other in sequence; the first resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along a first direction; the second resonator unit and the third resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction. In the central region, the fifth, sixth, eighth, and seventh resonator units are arranged in a ring and coupled adjacent to each other in sequence; the fifth and fourth resonator units are adjacent to each other along the first direction; the third and seventh resonator units are adjacent to each other along the first direction; the fifth and sixth resonator units are adjacent to each other along the first direction; and the seventh and eighth resonator units are adjacent to each other along the first direction.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second cross-coupling structure includes a ninth resonator unit, a tenth resonator unit, an eleventh resonator unit, and a twelfth resonator unit; the feed port also includes a fourth port; the fourth port and the twelfth resonator unit are disposed opposite to each other along the second direction of the dielectric block; The filter balun includes a sixth resonator unit, a seventh resonator unit, an eighth resonator unit, a ninth resonator unit, a tenth resonator unit, an eleventh resonator unit, a twelfth resonator unit, a fourth port as an input feed port, and a second and third port as output feed ports.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ninth resonator unit, the tenth resonator unit, the eleventh resonator unit, and the twelfth resonator unit are arranged in a ring and coupled adjacent to each other in sequence; The ninth resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; the sixth resonator unit and the tenth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; the ninth resonator unit and the twelfth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; the tenth resonator unit and the eleventh resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the dielectric block further includes a plurality of coupling control structures with metallized outer surfaces arranged along a second direction. The coupling control structures are configured to adjust the magnetic coupling component and the electrical coupling component between adjacent resonators. The coupling control structures include coupling blind holes, coupling through holes, or coupling windows. The coupling vias include a first coupling via disposed between a first resonator unit and a second resonator unit, a second coupling via disposed between a third resonator unit and a fourth resonator unit, a third coupling via disposed between a first resonator unit and a fourth resonator unit, a fourth coupling via disposed between a ninth resonator unit and a tenth resonator unit, a fifth coupling via disposed between a ninth resonator unit and a twelfth resonator unit, a sixth coupling via disposed between an eighth resonator unit and a ninth resonator unit, and a seventh coupling via disposed between an eleventh resonator unit and a twelfth resonator unit; The coupling blind hole includes a first coupling blind hole arranged between the second resonator unit and the third resonator unit, a second coupling blind hole arranged between the sixth resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit, and a third coupling blind hole arranged between the tenth resonator unit and the eleventh resonator unit. The coupling window includes a first coupling window arranged between the fifth resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit, a second coupling window arranged between the fifth resonator unit and the sixth resonator unit, a third coupling window arranged between the fifth resonator unit and the seventh resonator unit, a fourth coupling window arranged between the seventh resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit, a fifth coupling window arranged between the sixth resonator unit and the ninth resonator unit, and a sixth coupling window arranged between the sixth resonator unit and the tenth resonator unit.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the coupling window and the coupling via are magnetically coupled structures; the magnetic coupling strength of the second coupling window is equal to that of the fourth coupling window; the coupling blind via is an electrically coupled structure; and the magnetic coupling strength of the third coupling window is equal to that of the second coupling blind via. The filter power divider is of the in-phase type, used to output the signal input at the first port to the second and third ports in an in-phase manner; The power divider controls the coupling strength between adjacent resonator units by adjusting the geometric parameters of the second and third coupling windows, thereby regulating the power distribution ratio of the in-phase output port.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the filter balun is an inverting type, used to output the signal input at the fourth port to the second and third ports in an inverted manner; The filter balun controls the electromagnetic coupling strength between resonators by adjusting the geometric parameters and spatial positions of the second coupling blind hole, the fourth coupling window, and the fifth coupling window, thereby regulating the power distribution ratio of the inverting output port and optimizing the power response flatness in the passband.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the top surface is provided with resonator blind holes corresponding one-to-one with the resonator units; the resonator units control the resonator frequency by adjusting the geometric parameters of the resonator blind holes; the feed port controls the imaginary part of the port impedance by adjusting the geometric parameters of the resonator blind holes arranged opposite each other along the second direction. The bottom surface is provided with four feed blind holes, each of which is equipped with a coaxial connector to form a feed port. The feed port can control the real part of the port impedance by adjusting the geometric parameters of the feed blind holes, and control the electromagnetic coupling strength between the coaxial connector and the corresponding resonator blind hole by adjusting the axial position of the coaxial connector, thereby adjusting the coupling amount.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, an annular non-metallic isolation region is provided around the power supply blind via. The isolation region is formed by removing the metal layer on the surface of the dielectric block and is used to achieve electrical isolation of the power supply port.

[0016] The complex impedance matching high-selectivity filter-integrated dielectric waveguide ring coupler of this invention solves the problem of large size and weight of existing filter ring couplers, which is not conducive to miniaturization and weight reduction. By using a one-piece molded dielectric block with a fully metallized surface as the main body of the dielectric waveguide, replacing the traditional metal cavity or multi-component assembly structure, the external metal shell and assembly structure of the device are significantly reduced. This reduces the overall size and weight while avoiding the tolerance accumulation and connection reliability problems caused by multi-component assembly. At the same time, by setting a shared resonator unit in the middle region and combining the first cross-coupling structure and the second cross-coupling structure, filter power divider and filter balun functional modules are constructed respectively, realizing a high degree of integration of filtering, power distribution and balun transformation functions, and improving space utilization. Among them, the first cross-coupling structure and the second cross-coupling structure can introduce controllable transmission zeros in the filtering response, significantly enhancing out-of-band rejection capability and frequency selectivity. Meanwhile, the zero-point generation mechanism is decoupled from key performance parameters such as power distribution ratio and phase relationship, so the position of the transmission zero can be flexibly adjusted without interfering with the power distribution characteristics, realizing the synergistic optimization of high performance and high degree of freedom.

[0017] Furthermore, a high-order power divider with input at the first port and in-phase filtered outputs at the second and third ports, and a high-order balun with input at the fourth port and out-of-phase filtered outputs at the second and third ports, can be combined to implement the function of a filter ring coupler. In both the power divider and the balun, the coupling amount can be controlled by adjusting the coupling window and the coupling blind aperture, thereby adjusting the power distribution ratio to achieve unequal power distribution ratios and simultaneously adjusting the amplitude flatness of the in-band power distribution.

[0018] In addition, at the four ports of the filter ring coupler, the real impedance of the port can be controlled by changing the axial position of the coaxial interface and adjusting the coupling strength between the feed port and the resonator unit set opposite to it in the second direction. Furthermore, the imaginary impedance of the port can be controlled by optimizing the resonant frequency of the oppositely set resonator unit. The two together achieve complex impedance matching.

[0019] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will also become apparent in part to those skilled in the art upon studying the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention can be realized and obtained by means of the structures specifically pointed out in the description and drawings.

[0020] Those skilled in the art will understand that the objectives and advantages achievable with the present invention are not limited to those specifically described above, and that the above and other objectives achievable with the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a medium block provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a dielectric waveguide filter ring coupler structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the complex impedance reference end face of the feed port of a dielectric waveguide filter ring coupler provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another dielectric waveguide filter ring coupler structure provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the simulation results of the first port input provided for another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the simulation results for the fourth port input provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of simulated phase difference provided for another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the test results of the first port input provided for another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the test results for the fourth port input provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the test phase difference provided for another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. Here, the illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this invention are used to explain the invention, but are not intended to limit the invention.

[0032] It should also be noted that, in order to avoid obscuring the invention with unnecessary details, only the structures and / or processing steps closely related to the solution according to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, while other details that are not closely related to the invention are omitted.

[0033] It should be emphasized that the term "including / comprises" as used herein refers to the presence of a feature, element, step, or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, or components.

[0034] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the term "connection" in this article can refer not only to a direct connection, but also to an indirect connection involving an intermediary.

[0035] In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar parts, or the same or similar steps.

[0036] First, let me introduce some of the terms used in this application.

[0037] Balun Filter: A radio frequency device that combines the functions of a balun (balanced-to-unbalanced converter) and a filter.

[0038] Filtering Power Divider: A radio frequency device that distributes input signal energy to multiple output ports and integrates filtering functions.

[0039] Dielectric waveguide: A waveguide structure that uses a dielectric material (such as ceramics or polymers) as the transmission path for electromagnetic waves.

[0040] A resonator is an electronic / mechanical device that generates strong oscillations or resonances at a specific frequency, used for frequency selection or signal enhancement.

[0041] Feed Port: In radio frequency / microwave systems, it is an interface used to input or output electromagnetic energy to devices / systems.

[0042] The complex impedance matching high selectivity filter fusion dielectric waveguide ring coupler provided in this application will be described in detail below.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the embodiments of this application provide a complex impedance-matched high-selectivity filter fusion dielectric waveguide ring coupler, the coupler including at least a dielectric block with an outer surface metallized.

[0044] Among them, the outer surface metallization treatment refers to depositing or attaching a conductive metal layer on at least a portion of the outer surface of the dielectric block.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, the metallized area may include the sidewall surface, top surface, and bottom surface of the dielectric block. In actual implementation, the specific coverage area of ​​the metal layer can be determined according to the operating mode, resonant characteristics, and coupling requirements of the device. This embodiment does not limit the area of ​​metallization on the outer surface of the dielectric block.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present invention, the metallization of the outer surface of the dielectric block is achieved by a silver plating process.

[0047] Specifically, a silver plating layer with a thickness of several micrometers to tens of micrometers (e.g., 3 to 50 μm) is formed on the surface of a dielectric block by means of chemical plating, electroplating, or physical vapor deposition (PVD).

[0048] In practice, the metallization of the outer surface of the dielectric block is not limited to silver plating. Other highly conductive materials, such as gold plating, copper plating, and aluminum film sputtering, can also be used depending on actual needs (e.g., cost, process compatibility). This embodiment does not limit the implementation method of the metallization of the outer surface of the dielectric block.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, the medium block includes a top surface and a bottom surface, which are opposite and parallel to each other. A plane extending in the top surface is defined as a first direction to indicate the arrangement of structures on the surface.

[0050] The bottom surface has multiple power supply ports to achieve complex impedance matching. Each power supply port corresponds to a power supply blind hole, and each power supply blind hole contains a coaxial connector, forming a power supply port.

[0051] The top surface has a left-side region, a central region, and a right-side region arranged along a first direction. The central region is located in the middle, and the left-side and right-side regions are located on either side of the central region.

[0052] The central region contains several resonator units arranged in a ring and coupled sequentially. The left region contains a first cross-coupling structure for generating transmission zeros. The right region contains a second cross-coupling structure for generating transmission zeros.

[0053] The first cross-coupled structure and the resonator unit in the central region constitute a filter power divider, and the feed ports include the input feed port and the output feed port of the filter power divider.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first cross-coupling structure includes a cross-coupling structure constructed by resonator units. The left region and the central region each include four resonator units arranged in a ring and coupled sequentially to each other.

[0055] Specifically, the first cross-coupling includes a first resonator unit, a second resonator unit, a third resonator unit, and a fourth resonator unit. The central region includes a fifth resonator unit, a sixth resonator unit, a seventh resonator unit, and an eighth resonator unit. The feed ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port.

[0056] In the left region, the first resonator unit, the second resonator unit, the third resonator unit, and the fourth resonator unit are arranged in a ring and coupled to each other in sequence.

[0057] The first resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; the second resonator unit and the third resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction.

[0058] In the central region, the fifth, sixth, eighth, and seventh resonator units are arranged in a ring and coupled sequentially to each other.

[0059] Among them, the fifth resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; the third resonator unit and the seventh resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; the fifth resonator unit and the sixth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; and the seventh resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction.

[0060] Specifically, the filter power divider is a 6th-order filter power divider, including a first resonator unit, a second resonator unit, a third resonator unit, a fourth resonator unit, a fifth resonator unit, a sixth resonator unit, a seventh resonator unit, a first port as an input feed port, and a second port and a third port as output feed ports.

[0061] In traditional filtered ring couplers, due to the complexity of multimode dielectric resonators, the implemented filtered ring couplers are limited to low-order responses (second order). However, practical applications often require high-order filtering responses with high out-of-band rejection. Furthermore, although traditional filtered ring couplers achieve a transmission zero, this transmission zero is far from the passband and uncontrollable, resulting in very limited improvement in performance regarding out-of-band rejection.

[0062] To address the aforementioned technical issues, the first cross-coupling structure is configured to introduce controllable transmission zeros in the transmission path from the input power supply port to each output power supply port, specifically reflected in the zero-point characteristics in the amplitude response of S21 and S31; wherein, S21 is the transmission coefficient from the first port to the second port, and S31 is the transmission coefficient from the first port to the third port.

[0063] like Figure 2As shown, the top surface is provided with resonator blind holes corresponding to the resonator units one by one, including resonator blind hole 1 corresponding to the first resonator unit, resonator blind hole 2 corresponding to the second resonator unit, resonator blind hole 3 corresponding to the third resonator unit, resonator blind hole 4 corresponding to the fourth resonator unit, resonator blind hole 5 corresponding to the fifth resonator unit, resonator blind hole 6 corresponding to the sixth resonator unit, resonator blind hole 7 corresponding to the seventh resonator unit, and resonator blind hole 8 corresponding to the eighth resonator unit.

[0064] The bottom surface is provided with feed blind vias corresponding to the feed ports, including feed blind via 1 corresponding to the first port, feed blind via 2 corresponding to the second port, and feed blind via 3 corresponding to the third port. Each feed blind via has a non-metallic isolation ring etched between it and the surface of the dielectric block body to avoid input and output short circuits.

[0065] Specifically, an annular non-metallic isolation zone is provided around each power supply blind hole. The isolation zone is formed by removing the metal layer on the surface of the dielectric block and is used to achieve electrical isolation of the power supply port.

[0066] The direction from the top surface to the bottom surface is defined as the second direction, or the direction from the bottom surface to the fixed surface is defined as the second direction. The first port is positioned opposite to the first resonator unit 1 along the second direction of the dielectric block; the second port is positioned opposite to the sixth resonator unit 6 along the second direction of the dielectric block; and the third port is positioned opposite to the seventh resonator unit 7 along the second direction of the dielectric block.

[0067] Traditional filter ring couplers are designed with 50 ohms at the ports, without considering the design of the ports with complex impedance, i.e., integrating complex impedance matching function directly into the filter ring coupler.

[0068] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, in some embodiments of the present invention, complex impedance matching is achieved by adjusting the geometric parameters of the feed blind aperture and the resonator frequency of the resonator unit corresponding to the feed port in the second direction. Specifically, the resonator unit adjusts its resonator frequency by adjusting the geometric parameters of the corresponding resonator blind aperture.

[0069] Specifically, the feed port controls the real part of its impedance by adjusting the geometric parameters of the feed blind aperture, and adjusts the electromagnetic coupling strength between the coaxial connector and the oppositely positioned resonator blind aperture by adjusting the axial position of the coaxial connector, thereby adjusting the coupling amount. The feed port controls the imaginary part of its impedance by adjusting the resonator frequency through adjusting the geometric parameters of the oppositely positioned resonator blind aperture in the second direction.

[0070] like Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment, the real part of the impedance of the first port is controlled by adjusting the depth and radius of the power supply blind via 1; the real part of the impedance of the second port is controlled by adjusting the depth and radius of the power supply blind via 2; and the real part of the impedance of the third port is controlled by adjusting the depth and radius of the power supply blind via 3.

[0071] By adjusting the depth of the resonator blind hole 1, the resonator frequency of the first resonator unit is adjusted, thereby controlling the imaginary part of the impedance at the first port; by adjusting the depth of the resonator blind hole 6, the resonator frequency of the sixth resonator unit is adjusted, thereby controlling the imaginary part of the impedance at the second port; by adjusting the depth of the resonator blind hole 7, the resonator frequency of the seventh resonator unit is adjusted, thereby controlling the imaginary part of the impedance at the third port.

[0072] It should be understood that the implementation of the first cross-coupling structure is not limited to the specific structure shown in this embodiment. In practical applications, the first cross-coupling structure can adopt any structural form capable of achieving the cross-coupling effect, or other coupling mechanisms capable of introducing transmission zeros in the filter response. By reasonably designing this coupling structure, one or more controllable transmission zeros can be generated near the filter passband, thereby realizing a highly selective, high-order response complex impedance-matched, highly selective filter-fused dielectric waveguide ring coupler. This embodiment does not limit the specific implementation of the first cross-coupling structure, which may include, but is not limited to: direct coupling between non-adjacent resonators, electrical and magnetic coupling paths achieved through coupling windows or blind holes, coupling structures with loaded disturbance rods or metallized vias, or other equivalent zero-point generation structures.

[0073] In this embodiment, the second cross-coupling structure and the resonator unit in the central region constitute a filter balun, and the feed ports include the input feed port and the output feed port of the filter balun.

[0074] In some embodiments of the invention, the second cross-coupling structure includes a cross-coupling structure constructed from resonator units. The right-hand region includes four resonator units arranged in a ring and coupled sequentially to each other.

[0075] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the second cross-coupling includes a ninth resonator unit, a tenth resonator unit, an eleventh resonator unit, and a twelfth resonator unit. The feed port also includes a fourth port, which is positioned opposite to the twelfth resonator unit along a second direction of the dielectric block.

[0076] In the left region, the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth resonator units are arranged in a ring and coupled sequentially to each other.

[0077] Specifically, the filter balun is a 6th-order filter balun, including a sixth resonator unit, a seventh resonator unit, an eighth resonator unit, a ninth resonator unit, a tenth resonator unit, an eleventh resonator unit, a twelfth resonator unit, a fourth port as the input feed port, and a second and third port as the output feed ports.

[0078] The second cross-coupling structure is configured to introduce controllable transmission zeros in the transmission path from the input feed port to each output feed port, specifically reflected in the zero-point characteristics in the amplitude response of S24 and S34; where S24 is the transmission coefficient from the fourth port to the second port, and S34 is the transmission coefficient from the fourth port to the third port.

[0079] In practice, the power supply port can also be implemented in other ways, such as soldering the power supply port onto a printed circuit board (PCB) and then specifying a complex impedance reference plane on the PCB. This embodiment does not limit the implementation method of the power supply port.

[0080] like Figure 2 As shown, the top surface also includes a resonator blind hole 9 corresponding to the ninth resonator unit, a resonator blind hole 10 corresponding to the tenth resonator unit, a resonator blind hole 11 corresponding to the eleventh resonator unit, and a resonator blind hole 12 corresponding to the twelfth resonator unit.

[0081] Among them, the ninth resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; the sixth resonator unit and the tenth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; the ninth resonator unit and the twelfth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; and the tenth resonator unit and the eleventh resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction.

[0082] The bottom surface also includes a feed blind aperture 4 corresponding to the fourth port. By adjusting the depth and radius of the feed blind aperture 4, the real part of the impedance of the fourth port is controlled. By adjusting the depth of the resonator blind aperture 12, the resonator frequency of the twelfth resonator unit is adjusted, thereby controlling the imaginary part of the impedance of the fourth port.

[0083] It should be understood that the implementation of the second cross-coupling structure is not limited to the specific structure shown in this embodiment. In practical applications, the second cross-coupling structure can adopt any structural form capable of achieving the cross-coupling effect, or other coupling mechanisms capable of introducing transmission zeros in the filter response. By reasonably designing this coupling structure, one or more controllable transmission zeros can be generated near the filter passband, thereby realizing a highly selective, high-order response complex impedance-matched, highly selective filter-fused dielectric waveguide ring coupler. This embodiment does not limit the specific implementation of the second cross-coupling structure, which may include, but is not limited to: direct coupling between non-adjacent resonators, electrical and magnetic coupling paths achieved through coupling windows or blind holes, coupling structures with loaded disturbance rods or metallized vias, or other equivalent zero-point generation structures.

[0084] In some embodiments of the present invention, the dielectric block further includes a plurality of coupling control structures with metallized outer surfaces arranged along a second direction. The coupling control structures are configured to adjust the magnetic coupling component and the electrical coupling component between adjacent resonators.

[0085] In some embodiments of the present invention, the coupling control structure includes a coupling blind hole, a coupling through hole, or a coupling window.

[0086] like Figure 2 As shown, the coupling vias include a first coupling via 12 arranged between the first resonator unit and the second resonator unit, a second coupling via 34 arranged between the third resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit, a third coupling via 14 arranged between the first resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit, a fourth coupling via 910 arranged between the ninth resonator unit and the tenth resonator unit, a fifth coupling via 912 arranged between the ninth resonator unit and the twelfth resonator unit, a sixth coupling via 89 arranged between the eighth resonator unit and the ninth resonator unit, and a seventh coupling via 1112 arranged between the eleventh resonator unit and the twelfth resonator unit.

[0087] The coupling blind hole includes a first coupling blind hole 23 arranged between the second resonator unit and the third resonator unit, a second coupling blind hole 68 arranged between the sixth resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit, and a third coupling blind hole 1011 arranged between the tenth resonator unit and the eleventh resonator unit.

[0088] The coupling windows include a first coupling window 45 arranged between the fifth resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit, a second coupling window 56 arranged between the fifth resonator unit and the sixth resonator unit, a third coupling window 57 arranged between the fifth resonator unit and the seventh resonator unit, a fourth coupling window 78 arranged between the seventh resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit, a fifth coupling window 69 arranged between the sixth resonator unit and the ninth resonator unit, and a sixth coupling window 610 arranged between the sixth resonator unit and the tenth resonator unit.

[0089] like Figure 2 As shown, the module consisting of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth resonator units in the middle region is connected to the remaining resonator units through the first coupling window 45 and the sixth coupling via 89 to achieve a higher-order response. In actual implementation, the seventh and sixth resonator units can also be connected to additional resonator units using the same or similar methods. In this embodiment, the method by which the resonator units in the middle region are connected to the remaining resonator units is not limited.

[0090] In some embodiments of the present invention, the coupling window and the coupling via are magnetically coupled structures; the magnetic coupling strength 56 of the second coupling window is equal to the magnetic coupling strength of the fourth coupling window 78; the coupling blind via is an electrically coupled structure; and the magnetic coupling strength of the third coupling window 57 is equal to the electrical coupling strength of the second coupling blind via 68.

[0091] In the power filter divider, both the second coupling window 56 and the third coupling window 57 are magnetically coupled structures. Therefore, the outputs of the signal input at the first port at the second and third ports are in phase, forming an in-phase power filter divider.

[0092] Traditional filter ring couplers mainly achieve equal power distribution, but fail to achieve unequal power distribution.

[0093] To address the aforementioned technical issues, in this embodiment, the power divider is an in-phase type, used to output the signal input at the first port to the second and third ports in an in-phase manner. The power divider controls the coupling strength between adjacent resonator units by adjusting the geometric parameters of the second coupling window 56 and the third coupling window 57, thereby regulating the power distribution ratio at the in-phase output ports. For example, by adjusting the widths of the second coupling window 56 and the third coupling window 57, the coupling amount can be controlled, thereby adjusting the power distribution ratio of the in-phase signal and achieving unequal power distribution ratios.

[0094] In the filter balun, the fourth coupling window 78 is magnetically coupled and the second coupling blind hole 68 is electrically coupled. Therefore, the signal input at the fourth port is out of phase at the outputs at the second and third ports, thus forming an inverted filter balun.

[0095] Specifically, in this embodiment, the filter balun is an inverting type, used to output the signal input at the fourth port to the second and third ports in an inverted manner.

[0096] Furthermore, to date, there have been no reports on the study of filter ring couplers for dielectric waveguides. Consequently, there is no disclosure or solution regarding the in-band power distribution unevenness caused by complex impedance matching and high selectivity filtering combined with dielectric waveguide ring coupler structures.

[0097] To address the aforementioned technical issues, in this embodiment, the filter balun controls the electromagnetic coupling strength between resonators by adjusting the geometric parameters and spatial positions of the second coupling blind hole 68, the fourth coupling window 78, and the second coupling window 69, thereby achieving regulation of the power distribution ratio at the inverting output port and optimizing the power response flatness within the passband.

[0098] For example, by adjusting the depth and position of the second coupling blind hole 68 and the width of the fourth coupling window 78, the coupling amount can be controlled, thereby adjusting the power distribution ratio of the inverted signal and achieving unequal power ratio. Simultaneously, as... Figure 2 As shown, the fifth coupling window 69 is a special inclined isolation slot used to introduce coupling between the sixth and ninth resonator units, while reducing coupling between the eighth and tenth resonator units. By introducing the fifth coupling window 69, and in conjunction with the depth and position of the second coupling blind aperture 68, the power distribution flatness within the filter passband of the second and third ports can be adjusted, ensuring that the filter responses of S21 and S31, and S24 and S34 remain flat within the passband.

[0099] Furthermore, the second coupling window 56, the third coupling window 57, and the fourth coupling window 78 are all magnetically coupled. In practice, they can also be implemented using coupling vias or other existing magnetic coupling methods in dielectric waveguides. This embodiment does not limit the implementation method of the magnetic coupling structure. The second coupling blind hole 68 is electrically coupled. In practice, it can also be implemented using other existing electrically coupled structures in dielectric waveguides. This embodiment does not limit the implementation method of the electrically coupled structure.

[0100] In summary, this embodiment provides a complex impedance-matched, high-selectivity filter-fused dielectric waveguide ring coupler, comprising: a coupler including a dielectric block with an outer surface metallized; the dielectric block including a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface and the bottom surface being opposite and parallel; the top surface having a left-side region, a central region, and a right-side region arranged along a first direction; the central region being located in the middle, and the left-side and right-side regions being located on either side of the central region; the bottom surface having multiple feed ports to achieve complex impedance matching of the multiple ports; the central region having several resonator units arranged in a ring and coupled sequentially; the left-side region having a first cross-coupling structure for generating transmission zeros; the first cross-coupling structure and the resonator units in the central region forming a filter power divider, the feed ports including the input feed port and the output feed port of the filter power divider; the right-side region having a second cross-coupling structure for generating transmission zeros; the second cross-coupling structure and the resonator units in the central region forming a filter balun, the feed ports including the input feed port and the output feed port of the filter balun; This invention addresses the problem of existing filter ring couplers being bulky and heavy, hindering miniaturization and weight reduction. By employing a fully metallized, one-piece molded dielectric block as the main body of the dielectric waveguide, replacing traditional metal cavities or multi-component assembly structures, it significantly reduces the external metal housing and assembly structure of the device. This reduces overall size and weight while avoiding tolerance accumulation and connection reliability issues caused by multi-component assembly. Furthermore, by setting a shared resonator unit in the central region and combining it with a first cross-coupling structure and a second cross-coupling structure, a filter power divider and a filter balun functional module are constructed, achieving a high degree of integration of filtering, power distribution, and balun transformation functions, thus improving space utilization. The first and second cross-coupling structures can introduce controllable transmission zeros in the filtering response, significantly enhancing out-of-band rejection and frequency selectivity. Simultaneously, this zero-point generation mechanism is decoupled from key performance parameters such as power distribution ratio and phase relationship, allowing flexible adjustment of the transmission zero position without interfering with power distribution characteristics, achieving synergistic optimization of high performance and high degree of freedom.

[0101] Furthermore, a high-order power divider with input at the first port and in-phase filtered outputs at the second and third ports, and a high-order balun with input at the fourth port and out-of-phase filtered outputs at the second and third ports, can be combined to implement the function of a filter ring coupler. In both the power divider and the balun, the coupling amount can be controlled by adjusting the coupling window and the coupling blind aperture, thereby adjusting the power distribution ratio to achieve unequal power distribution ratios and simultaneously adjusting the amplitude flatness of the in-band power distribution.

[0102] In addition, at the four ports of the filter ring coupler, the real impedance of the port can be controlled by changing the axial position of the coaxial interface and adjusting the coupling strength between the feed port and the resonator unit arranged opposite to it in the second direction. Furthermore, the imaginary impedance of the port can be controlled by optimizing the resonant frequency of the resonator unit arranged opposite to it. The two together achieve complex impedance matching.

[0103] To facilitate simulation modeling and performance verification while maintaining the universality of the design principle, this embodiment sets specific reference impedance values ​​for each port in the simulation experiment: the first port is 100Ω, the second and third ports are both (20+10j)Ω, and the fourth port is 50Ω.

[0104] The reference plane for complex impedance is as follows Figure 3 As shown, this plane is defined at the boundary between the device body and the external feed structure. In simulation analysis and subsequent experimental verification, the influence of transition structures such as coaxial connectors is eliminated by de-embedding technology, and the measurement or simulation results are normalized to this reference plane, thereby accurately evaluating the matching characteristics and transmission performance of the device under complex impedance conditions. Example specifications for the dielectric waveguide are: operating frequency 6725-7125 MHz, power distribution ratio k=1.5, and transmission zero location at the normalized frequency [-1.35, 1.35]. The parameters of the example complex impedance matching high-selectivity filter fused dielectric waveguide ring coupler are as follows: Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. Specific dimensions are (unit: millimeters): h1=1.1, h2=1.55, h3=1.59, h4=1.31, h5=1.02, h6=1.41, h7=1.165, h8=1.4, h9=1.265 , h10=1.645, h11=1.51, h12=1.31, h23=3.33, h68=3.62, h1011=2.86, x12=1.33, x23=0 .2, x34=1.67, x68=0.8, x89=0.74, x910=2.1, x1011=1.5, x1112=1.1, w45=4.53, w56=4 .81, w57=4.35, w78=4.93, l610=6, l810=3, ph1=2.32, ph2=0.84, ph3=0.84, ph4=1.64.

[0105] Simulation results are as follows Figures 5 to 7 As shown. Among them, Figure 5 The simulation results are input to the first port (port 1); Figure 6 The simulation results are input to the fourth port (port 4); Figure 7The simulated phase difference is between S12 and S13, and between S24 and S34.

[0106] With a power distribution ratio k=1.5, the ideal insertion losses for S12 (S34) and S13 (S24) should be 1.6dB and 5.1dB, respectively. Simulation results show that the in-band S11 of the complex impedance-matched high-selectivity filter fused dielectric waveguide ring coupler is better than 16dB, with center frequency insertion losses S12 being (1.6+0.51)dB and S13 being (5.1+0.68)dB; the in-band S44 is better than 16dB, with center frequency insertion losses S12 being (1.6+0.5)dB and S13 being (5.1+0.25)dB. Isolation S14 is better than 29dB. The phase difference between S12 and S13 is near 0 degrees with a deviation of less than 4 degrees, and the phase difference between S24 and S34 is near 180 degrees with a deviation of less than 4 degrees.

[0107] Due to manufacturing errors, the test results show a slight frequency shift and a slightly narrower bandwidth, ranging from 6675 to 7045 MHz. The test results are as follows... Figures 8 to 10 As shown. Figure 8 The test result is input to the first port (port 1); Figure 9 The test results are input to the fourth port (port 4); Figure 10 This refers to the test phase difference between S12 and S13, and between S24 and S34.

[0108] The test results show that the complex impedance-matched high-selectivity filter fused dielectric waveguide ring coupler exhibits an in-band S11 better than 13 dB, a center frequency insertion loss S12 of (1.6 + 0.42) dB, and an S13 of (5.1 + 0.55) dB; and an in-band S44 better than 15 dB, with a center frequency insertion loss S12 of (1.6 + 0.43) dB and an S13 of (5.1 + 0.49) dB. Isolation S14 is better than 25 dB. The phase difference between S12 and S13 is near 0 degrees with a deviation of less than 6 degrees, and the phase difference between S24 and S34 is near 180 degrees with a deviation of less than 6 degrees.

[0109] Those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary components, systems, and methods described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this invention. When implemented in hardware, it can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this invention are programs or code segments used to perform the desired tasks. The programs or code segments can be stored in a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried in a carrier wave.

[0110] It should be clarified that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of the present invention is not limited to the specific steps described and shown. Those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of the present invention.

[0111] In this invention, features described and / or illustrated for one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, and / or combined with or in place of features of other embodiments.

[0112] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A complex impedance-matched, high-selectivity filter fusion dielectric waveguide ring coupler, characterized in that, The coupler includes a dielectric block with a metallized outer surface; The medium block includes a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface being opposite to and parallel to the bottom surface; The top surface is provided with a left side region, a central region, and a right side region arranged along a first direction; the central region is located in the middle, and the left side region and the right side region are located on both sides of the central region; the bottom surface is provided with multiple power supply ports to achieve complex impedance matching of multiple ports; The central region is provided with several resonator units arranged in a ring and coupled sequentially to each other; The left region is provided with a first cross-coupling structure for generating transmission zeros; the first cross-coupling structure and the resonator unit in the middle region constitute a filter power divider, and the feed port includes the input feed port and the output feed port of the filter power divider; The right-side region is provided with a second cross-coupling structure for generating transmission zeros; the second cross-coupling structure and the resonator unit in the middle region constitute a filter balun, and the feed port includes the input feed port and the output feed port of the filter balun.

2. The coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first cross-coupling includes a first resonator unit, a second resonator unit, a third resonator unit, and a fourth resonator unit; the central region includes a fifth resonator unit, a sixth resonator unit, a seventh resonator unit, and an eighth resonator unit; The power supply port includes a first port, a second port, and a third port; the first port is disposed opposite to the first resonator unit along the second direction of the dielectric block; the second port is disposed opposite to the sixth resonator unit along the second direction of the dielectric block; and the third port is disposed opposite to the seventh resonator unit along the second direction of the dielectric block. The filtered power divider includes a first resonator unit, a second resonator unit, a third resonator unit, a fourth resonator unit, a fifth resonator unit, a sixth resonator unit, a seventh resonator unit, a first port as an input power supply port, and a second port and a third port as output power supply ports.

3. The coupler according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the left region, the first resonator unit, the second resonator unit, the third resonator unit, and the fourth resonator unit are arranged in a ring and coupled adjacent to each other in sequence; the first resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; The second resonator unit and the third resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; In the central region, the fifth resonator unit, the sixth resonator unit, the eighth resonator unit, and the seventh resonator unit are arranged in a ring and coupled adjacent to each other in sequence; the fifth resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; The third resonator unit and the seventh resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; The fifth resonator unit and the sixth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; The seventh resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction.

4. The coupler according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second cross-coupling structure includes a ninth resonator unit, a tenth resonator unit, an eleventh resonator unit, and a twelfth resonator unit; the feed port also includes a fourth port; the fourth port and the twelfth resonator unit are arranged opposite to each other along the second direction of the dielectric block; The filter balun includes the sixth resonator unit, the seventh resonator unit, the eighth resonator unit, the ninth resonator unit, the tenth resonator unit, the eleventh resonator unit, the twelfth resonator unit, the fourth port as an input feed port, and the second and third ports as output feed ports.

5. The coupler according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ninth resonator unit, the tenth resonator unit, the eleventh resonator unit, and the twelfth resonator unit are arranged in a ring and coupled adjacent to each other in sequence; The ninth resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; The sixth resonator unit and the tenth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; The ninth resonator unit and the twelfth resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction; The tenth resonator unit and the eleventh resonator unit are adjacent to each other along the first direction.

6. The coupler according to claim 5, characterized in that, The dielectric block further includes multiple coupling control structures with metallized outer surfaces arranged along the second direction. The coupling control structures are configured to adjust the magnetic coupling component and the electrical coupling component between adjacent resonators. The coupling control structures include coupling blind holes, coupling through holes, or coupling windows. The coupling vias include a first coupling via disposed between the first resonator unit and the second resonator unit, a second coupling via disposed between the third resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit, a third coupling via disposed between the first resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit, a fourth coupling via disposed between the ninth resonator unit and the tenth resonator unit, a fifth coupling via disposed between the ninth resonator unit and the twelfth resonator unit, a sixth coupling via disposed between the eighth resonator unit and the ninth resonator unit, and a seventh coupling via disposed between the eleventh resonator unit and the twelfth resonator unit; The coupling blind hole includes a first coupling blind hole arranged between the second resonator unit and the third resonator unit, a second coupling blind hole arranged between the sixth resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit, and a third coupling blind hole arranged between the tenth resonator unit and the eleventh resonator unit; The coupling window includes a first coupling window arranged between the fifth resonator unit and the fourth resonator unit, a second coupling window arranged between the fifth resonator unit and the sixth resonator unit, a third coupling window arranged between the fifth resonator unit and the seventh resonator unit, a fourth coupling window arranged between the seventh resonator unit and the eighth resonator unit, a fifth coupling window arranged between the sixth resonator unit and the ninth resonator unit, and a sixth coupling window arranged between the sixth resonator unit and the tenth resonator unit.

7. The coupler according to claim 6, characterized in that, The coupling window and the coupling through hole are magnetically coupled structures; the magnetic coupling strength of the second coupling window is equal to the magnetic coupling strength of the fourth coupling window; The coupling blind hole is an electrically coupled structure; the magnetic coupling strength of the third coupling window is equal to the electrical coupling strength of the second coupling blind hole; The power divider is a non-inverting type, used to output the signal input from the first port to the second port and the third port in a non-inverting manner; The power divider controls the coupling strength between adjacent resonator units by adjusting the geometric parameters of the second and third coupling windows, thereby regulating the power distribution ratio of the in-phase output port.

8. The coupler according to claim 6, characterized in that, The filter balun is an inverting type, used to output the signal input from the fourth port to the second port and the third port in an inverted manner; The filter balun controls the electromagnetic coupling strength between resonators by adjusting the geometric parameters and spatial positions of the second coupling blind hole, the fourth coupling window, and the fifth coupling window, thereby achieving regulation of the power distribution ratio of the inverting output port and optimizing the power response flatness in the passband.

9. The coupler according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top surface is provided with resonator blind holes corresponding to the resonator units one by one; the resonator unit controls the resonator frequency by adjusting the geometric parameters of the resonator blind holes; the feed port controls the imaginary part of the port impedance by adjusting the geometric parameters of the resonator blind holes arranged opposite each other along the second direction. The bottom surface is provided with four power supply blind holes, and each power supply blind hole is provided with a coaxial connector to form a power supply port. The power supply port controls the real part of the port impedance by adjusting the geometric parameters of the power supply blind holes, and controls the electromagnetic coupling strength between the coaxial connector and the corresponding resonator blind hole by adjusting the axial position of the coaxial connector, thereby adjusting the coupling amount.

10. The coupler according to claim 9, characterized in that, An annular non-metallic isolation zone is provided around each of the power supply blind holes. The isolation zone is formed by removing the metal layer on the surface of the dielectric block and is used to achieve electrical isolation of the power supply port.

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