Bidirectional coupler
By combining the PCB board design with a three-layer structure and the external compensation circuit, the existing directional coupler is solved in the ultra-short wave band and cannot meet the high-power design, achieving the improvement of compact structure and high-performance indicators.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421472839.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-06-26
AI Technical Summary
The existing directional couplers have problems such as large size, poor product consistency, and inability to meet high-power design in the ultra-short wave frequency band.
The PCB board design adopts a three-layer structure, including the lower and upper PCB boards. The lower PCB board is arranged with curved three-wire strip coupling lines, and combined with an external compensation circuit, the compact structure and high performance indicators are achieved through positioning pins and grounding pins.
It has achieved volume reduction, compact structure, and improved performance indicators, met the flatness requirements of directional couplers, and can achieve high-performance indicators with standing wave ratio less than 1.32, loss less than 0.3, and power capacity up to 100W.
Smart Images

Figure CN222851652U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to a dual directional coupler, belonging to the technical field of dual directional couplers. Background Art
[0002] In modern communication and microwave systems, directional couplers have extremely wide applications and are an important part of microwave circuits. Directional couplers are passive devices that can be designed with any power distribution ratio and are widely used in power detection, power distribution and power synthesis, such as transmitter power control and standing wave protection. In particular, with the development of modern communication and microwave system miniaturization, the performance requirements for directional couplers are becoming higher and higher, and the development is moving towards small size, wide bandwidth, high power, high directivity and other directions.
[0003] Stripline couplers are composed of two or more striplines that are coupled to each other. When two or more center conductor strips are close to each other, the mutual coupling of electric and magnetic field energies forms a coupled stripline coupler.
[0004] The current technologies and technical solutions on the market and their defects and shortcomings:
[0005] Common couplers in the ultra-short wave band mainly include lumped parameter transformer couplers and stripline couplers. Since the saturation magnetization intensity of the ferrite (commonly known as magnetic ring) of the lumped parameter transformer coupler is closely related to temperature, the coupling degree and isolation degree change accordingly. At the same time, the lumped parameter transformer coupler has a relatively large amount of debugging, poor product consistency, and is not conducive to mass production. At the same time, the lumped parameter transformer coupler cannot meet high-power design, and the stripline coupler just makes up for the above shortcomings, but the three-wire strip coupling line used in the stripline coupler is long and directly laid, the product volume is large, and it is not convenient for miniaturization. Summary of the invention
[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a dual directional coupler to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art.
[0007] The technical solution adopted by the utility model is: a dual directional coupler, including a PCB board, the PCB board adopts a three-layer structure, including a lower PCB board and an upper PCB board covering the upper surface of the lower PCB board, the upper surface of the lower PCB board is arranged with a three-wire strip coupling line that is bent in an arc shape multiple times from left to right, the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the lower PCB board are respectively arranged with an external compensation circuit 1 and an external compensation circuit 2, the upper left corner and the lower right corner are arranged with resistors 1 and 2, the bottom of the upper PCB board is provided with a coupling line groove consistent with the arc shape of the three-wire strip coupling line, the four corners of the upper PCB board are respectively provided with a first through groove, a second through groove, a third through groove and a fourth through groove, the first through groove, the second through groove, the third through groove and the fourth through groove are avoidance spaces for resistor 1, external compensation circuit 1, resistor 2 and external compensation circuit 2 and are filled with glue.
[0008] Furthermore, the four corners of the lower PCB board and the upper PCB board are positioned by four pairs of positioning pins.
[0009] Furthermore, the external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 use RLC network for compensation.
[0010] Furthermore, the external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 are respectively connected to one end of two strip coupling lines in the three-wire strip coupling line, the other ends of the two strip coupling lines are respectively connected to resistor 1 and resistor 2, the other ends of resistor 1 and resistor 2 are connected to the ground of the PCB board, the external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 are connected to the isolation port and the coupling port of the PCB board, and the two ends of the third strip coupling line in the three-wire strip coupling line are respectively connected to the input port and the output port of the PCB board.
[0011] Furthermore, the above-mentioned external compensation circuit 1 and external compensation circuit 2 both include a resistor R1, an inductor L1, a capacitor C2, a resistor R2, a capacitor C1, an inductor L2, a resistor R3, a capacitor C3 and a resistor R4, one end of the resistor R1 connected in parallel with the inductor L1 is connected to the input end and one end of the capacitor C2, the other end of the resistor R1 connected in parallel with the inductor L1 is connected to one end of the resistor R2 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1, the other end of the resistor R2 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 is connected to the output end and one end of the capacitor C3, the other end of the capacitor C3 is connected to one end of the resistor R4, the other end of the capacitor C2 is connected to one end of the inductor L2 connected in parallel with the resistor R3, and the other end of the inductor L2 connected in parallel with the resistor R3 is connected to one end of the resistor R4 and the ground end.
[0012] Furthermore, multiple grounding pins are arranged on both sides of the external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 facing inward, and the multiple grounding pins will be connected to the three-layer grounding terminal of the PCB board.
[0013] Beneficial effects of the utility model: Compared with the prior art, the effects of the utility model are as follows:
[0014] (1) The volume is reduced by bending the coupling line. The coupling generated by the coupling strip line increases with the frequency, and the avoidance groove is set to reduce the overall thickness and make the structure more compact.
[0015] (2) The coupling line is combined with the compensation circuit to achieve high performance indicators and meet the flatness requirements of the directional coupler. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Figure 1 It is the overall three-dimensional perspective view of the dual directional coupler;
[0017] Figure 2 is a top view schematic diagram of a three-line strip coupling line arrangement structure;
[0018] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a dual directional coupler;
[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the dual directional coupler from another perspective;
[0020] Figure 5 It is a top view structural diagram of a dual directional coupler;
[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the AA section structure;
[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the top view of the lower PCB board;
[0023] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the upper PCB board;
[0024] Fig. 9 It is a three-line strip coupling line indicator curve graph;
[0025] Fig.10 It is the compensation circuit schematic diagram;
[0026] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a dual directional coupler;
[0027] Fig.12 It is the compensation circuit index curve diagram;
[0028] Fig.13 is the overall performance graph. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0030] Example 1: Figure 1-13As shown, a dual directional coupler comprises a PCB board 1. The PCB board 1 adopts a three-layer structure, including a lower PCB board 2 and an upper PCB board 3 covering the upper surface of the lower PCB board 2. A three-wire strip coupling line 4 with multiple arc bends from left to right is arranged on the upper surface of the lower PCB board 2. An external compensation circuit 1 and an external compensation circuit 2 are arranged at the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the lower PCB board 2 respectively, and a resistor 1 and a resistor 2 are arranged at the upper left corner and the lower right corner. A coupling line groove 5 with the same arc shape as the three-wire strip coupling line 4 is arranged at the bottom of the upper PCB board 3. A first through groove 6, a second through groove 7, a third through groove 8 and a fourth through groove 9 are arranged at the four corners of the upper PCB board 3 respectively. The first through groove 6, the second through groove 7, the third through groove 8 and the fourth through groove 9 are avoidance spaces for the resistor 1, the external compensation circuit 1, the resistor 2 and the external compensation circuit 2 and are filled with glue.
[0031] In order to achieve accurate positioning of the upper and lower boards, the four corners of the lower PCB board 2 and the upper PCB board 3 are positioned by four pairs of positioning pins 10. The four pairs of positioning pins can stably position the four corners to improve installation efficiency and connection stability after installation.
[0032] In order to achieve better compensation, the external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 use RLC network for compensation.
[0033] In order to improve the performance index of the coupling line, the external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 are respectively connected to one end of two strip coupling lines in the three-line strip coupling line 4, and the other ends of the two strip coupling lines are respectively connected to the resistor 1 and the resistor 2, and the other ends of the resistor 1 and the resistor 2 are connected to the grounding of the PCB board 1. The external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 are connected to the isolation port and the coupling port of the PCB board 1. The two ends of the third strip coupling line in the three-line strip coupling line 4 are respectively connected to the input port and the output port of the PCB board. The coupling line is combined with the compensation circuit to achieve high performance indicators, that is, the standing wave ratio is less than 1.32, the loss is less than 0.3, and the power capacity can reach more than 100W, which is unattainable by other process designs. The symmetrical structure realizes dual-directional use.
[0034] Among them, the external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 both include a resistor R1, an inductor L1, a capacitor C2, a resistor R2, a capacitor C1, an inductor L2, a resistor R3, a capacitor C3 and a resistor R4, one end of the resistor R1 connected in parallel with the inductor L1 is connected to the input end and one end of the capacitor C2, the other end of the resistor R1 connected in parallel with the inductor L1 is connected to one end of the resistor R2 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1, the other end of the resistor R2 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 is connected to the output end and one end of the capacitor C3, the other end of the capacitor C3 is connected to one end of the resistor R4, the other end of the capacitor C2 is connected to one end of the inductor L2 connected in parallel with the resistor R3, and the other end of the inductor L2 connected in parallel with the resistor R3 is connected to one end of the resistor R4 and the ground end.
[0035] In order to achieve sufficient grounding and isolation, multiple grounding pins 11 are arranged on both sides of the external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 facing inward, and an L-shaped surrounding structure is formed. A row of grounding pins is arranged on the rear side of the external compensation circuit 1 and two rows of grounding pins are arranged on the right side, and a row of grounding pins is arranged on the front side of the external compensation circuit 2 and two rows of grounding pins are arranged on the left side. The multiple grounding pins 11 are arranged at intervals and connected to the three-layer grounding terminal of the PCB board 1. On the one hand, sufficient grounding is achieved, and on the other hand, the electromagnetic interference of the supplementary circuit can be isolated to avoid mutual interference between the compensation circuit and the coupling line.
[0036] Embodiment 2: A dual directional coupler with a compensation circuit and a method for manufacturing the same. The overall three-dimensional model of the dual directional coupler is as follows: Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the dual directional coupler product design adopts a 3-layer PCB board design, using Rogers RO4350 board, low loss and good performance. The product consists of a three-wire strip coupling line in the middle, such as Figure 2-8 As shown in the figure, the design uses a curved coupled line to reduce the volume. The coupling generated by the coupled stripline increases with the frequency. The indicators are as follows: Fig. 9 In order to meet the flatness requirements of the directional coupler, a compensation circuit is added to the coupling end to achieve this. The external compensation circuit of the two coupling ends of the three-wire strip coupling line is shown in the schematic diagram. Fig.10 And the connection circuit diagram is as follows Fig.11 , indicators such as Fig.12 (Coupling curve of the compensation circuit). The PCB board adopts a trenching process (four avoidance slots are set at the four corners of the upper PCB board), and the components are embedded in the surface. The PCB board adopts the immersion gold process as a whole, which has the advantages of corrosion resistance and high reliability. In addition, the external compensation circuit is grounded for isolation, and the coupling generated by the designed compensation circuit decreases with increasing frequency. The coupling line is combined with the compensation circuit to achieve high performance indicators (including standing wave ratio, power capacity, insertion loss, etc.; the standing wave ratio is less than 1.2, the loss is less than 0.3, and the power capacity can reach more than 100W, which cannot be achieved by other process designs). In addition, the strip line has a high power resistance, and the selected device adopts 0603 packaging. The product has a power resistance of up to 100W, which far exceeds the performance of the lumped parameter transformer coupler. Product performance indicators Fig.13 (Performance curves of insertion loss, standing wave ratio, coupling and isolation from top to bottom in the figure).
[0037] Furthermore, the external compensation circuit uses an RLC network for compensation.
[0038] Furthermore, the above dual directional coupler has the following specific steps:
[0039] (1) PCB patch
[0040] 1.1 Material preparation:
[0041] Before PCB patch processing, you first need to prepare the required materials, such as circuit boards, electronic components of dual directional couplers, solder paste, flux and other materials. The selection of materials is determined according to the design requirements and production process of the product to ensure the quality and reliability of the materials.
[0042] Component placement:
[0043] The key step of PCB patch processing is to use a high-precision patch machine to accurately mount the electronic components of the dual directional coupler to the corresponding position of the circuit board. The patch machine can achieve fast and accurate patch operation through actions such as suction, movement and placement. The accuracy and position of the patch need to be strictly controlled during the placement process to ensure that the connection between components is correct.
[0044] 1.2 Reflow Oven:
[0045] Reflow soldering is a process in which the circuit board is placed in a reflow soldering oven and, after preheating, soldering and cooling, the solder paste is melted and wets the pins of the electronic components and the pads of the circuit board to form a reliable soldering connection. After the reflow soldering is completed, the PCB board is taken out of the oven, cooled and waits for the soldering to be completed.
[0046] Advantages of PCB patch:
[0047] SMT allows for the use of smaller components, so a higher component density can be achieved on the PCB, making the device more compact. Because the connection distance between components is shortened, signal transmission delays and circuit interference can be reduced. SMT lines can automatically place components at high speed, significantly improving production efficiency and reducing labor costs. Surface mount components generally provide better mechanical stability, especially in terms of vibration and physical shock. SMT is suitable for automated production, reducing human errors and improving product consistency and quality. Less use of copper and other materials is more economical than traditional through-hole soldering (THM).
[0048] (2) Immersion Gold Process
[0049] Process Introduction:
[0050] The immersion gold process is an electrochemical gold plating technology. The immersion gold process deposits a nickel-gold plating layer with stable color, good brightness, flat coating and good solderability on the surface of the printed circuit. It can be basically divided into four stages: pre-treatment (degreasing, micro-etching, activation, post-immersion), nickel immersion, gold immersion, and post-treatment (waste gold washing, DI washing, and drying). It can form a uniform and bright metal film on the surface of the circuit board. This metal film can effectively protect the circuit board from oxidation and corrosion, thereby improving the reliability and durability of the circuit board. In addition, the immersion gold process can also improve the welding performance of the circuit board, making the welding more firm and reliable.
[0051] 2.1 Pre-treatment:
[0052] The pre-treatment of immersion gold generally has the following steps: degreasing, micro-etching, activation, and post-immersion. To remove the oxide on the copper surface of the PCB circuit board, and to precipitate palladium on the copper surface to serve as the activation center for immersion nickel. If any of these links is not handled properly, it will affect the subsequent immersion of nickel and immersion gold, and lead to batch scrapping. During the production process, various potions must be analyzed and supplemented regularly to be controlled within the required range.
[0053] 2.2 Nickel deposition:
[0054] Put the pre-treated PCB into the bath of nickel immersion solution; in the production process, it must be analyzed and tested twice per shift, and Ni reducing agent should be added according to the bare copper area of the PCB. When adding materials, the principle of adding materials in small amounts and dispersed multiple times should be followed, and the temperature of the nickel solution should be controlled at 85℃-90℃;
[0055] The main components of nickel plating solution are Ni, reducing agent sodium hypophosphite and stabilizer. Since chemical nickel has strict requirements on the range of solution components, it must be analyzed and tested twice per shift during the production process, and Ni reducing agent must be added according to the bare copper area of the production board or experience. When adding materials, the principle of small amounts and multiple dispersed additions should be followed to prevent local plating solution from reacting violently and causing accelerated aging of the plating solution. The pH value and plating solution temperature have a greater impact on the nickel thickness. The nickel solution temperature is controlled at 85℃-90℃.
[0056] 2.3 Immersion Gold:
[0057] The pure gold plating layer is replaced on the nickel-phosphorus alloy layer in the bath liquid of the gold-immersion tank of the PCB circuit board after nickel immersion. The pH value of the plating solution is between 4-5, and the temperature is controlled at 85℃-90℃;
[0058] The gold immersion process is a gold immersion process. The main component of the gold immersion tank is Au, and the binder is Ec. It can replace the pure gold plating layer on the nickel-phosphorus alloy layer, making the plating layer smooth and finely crystallized. The pH value of the plating solution is generally between 4-5, and the temperature is controlled at 85℃-90℃
[0059] 2.4 Post-processing:
[0060] Post-processing of printed circuit boards includes: waste gold washing, DI water washing, drying and other steps. You can also use a horizontal board washer to further wash and dry the immersion gold board. The horizontal board washer can be set up in the order of chemical washing (directly mixed sulfuric acid 10% and hydrogen peroxide 30g / L), high-pressure DI water washing, DI water washing, drying, and drying to completely remove the chemical and water stains in the holes and on the surface of the printed circuit board, and obtain an immersion gold board with uniform coating and good brightness.
[0061] Advantages of immersion gold process:
[0062] Immersion gold provides a very flat and solderable surface, promoting better solder joint formation, and the metal gold has excellent oxidation resistance, which can protect the long-term performance of the PCB in harsh environments. The immersion gold layer also has high wear resistance, allowing the PCB to maintain good electrical performance during multiple plug-in and unplug processes. In high-frequency applications, the gold layer can reduce signal loss and improve connection reliability. The gold layer has a certain aesthetics, making the product more visually attractive;
[0063] (3) Lamination: After post-processing, the PCB circuit boards, i.e., the lower PCB board and the upper PCB board, will be laminated with RO4450F prepreg material to obtain a dual directional coupler.
[0064] In summary, in the prepared directional coupler, the coupling line is combined with the compensation circuit to achieve high performance indicators and meet the flatness requirements of the directional coupler.
[0065] The above description is only a specific implementation method of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present utility model, which should be included in the protection scope of the present utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of the present utility model should be based on the protection scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A dual directional coupler, characterized in that: The PCB board (1) comprises a PCB board (1) which is arranged in a three-layer structure and comprises a lower PCB board (2) and an upper PCB board (3) covering the upper surface of the lower PCB board (2). A three-wire strip coupling line (4) which is bent in an arc shape multiple times from left to right is arranged on the upper surface of the lower PCB board (2). An external compensation circuit 1 and an external compensation circuit 2 are arranged at the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the lower PCB board (2), respectively. A resistor 1 and a resistor 2 are arranged at the upper left corner and the lower right corner. A coupling line groove (5) which is consistent with the arc shape of the three-wire strip coupling line (4) is arranged at the bottom of the upper PCB board (3). A first through groove (6), a second through groove (7), a third through groove (8) and a fourth through groove (9) are arranged at the four corners of the upper PCB board (3), respectively. The first through groove (6), the second through groove (7), the third through groove (8) and the fourth through groove (9) are avoidance spaces for the resistor 1, the external compensation circuit 1, the resistor 2 and the external compensation circuit 2 and are filled with glue.
2. A dual directional coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The four corners of the lower PCB board (2) and the upper PCB board (3) are positioned by four pairs of positioning pins (10).
3. A dual directional coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 use RLC network for compensation.
4. A dual directional coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 are respectively connected to one end of two strip coupling lines in the three-wire strip coupling line (4); the other ends of the two strip coupling lines are respectively connected to the resistor 1 and the resistor 2; the other ends of the resistor 1 and the resistor 2 are connected to the ground of the PCB board (1); the external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 are connected to the isolation port and the coupling port of the PCB board (1); and the two ends of the third strip coupling line in the three-wire strip coupling line (4) are respectively connected to the input port and the output port of the PCB board.
5. A dual directional coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 both include a resistor R1, an inductor L1, a capacitor C2, a resistor R2, a capacitor C1, an inductor L2, a resistor R3, a capacitor C3 and a resistor R4. One end of the resistor R1 connected in parallel with the inductor L1 is connected to the input end and one end of the capacitor C2. The other end of the resistor R1 connected in parallel with the inductor L1 is connected to one end of the resistor R2 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1. The other end of the resistor R2 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 is connected to the output end and one end of the capacitor C3. The other end of the capacitor C3 is connected to one end of the resistor R4. The other end of the capacitor C2 is connected to one end of the inductor L2 connected in parallel with the resistor R3. The other end of the inductor L2 connected in parallel with the resistor R3 is connected to one end of the resistor R4 and the ground end.
6. A dual directional coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of grounding pins (11) are arranged on both sides of the external compensation circuit 1 and the external compensation circuit 2 facing inwards, and the plurality of grounding pins are connected to the three-layer grounding terminal of the PCB board (1).
Citation Information
Cited By
High-power bi-directional coupler based on arc-shaped semi-surrounding coupling structure and method
CN122338391A