Low-band power divider

Abstract

This utility model discloses a low-frequency power divider, which includes a cavity with an input port and an output port. The output port is connected to the input port via an impedance transformer. The impedance transformer includes at least two low-impedance inner conductors spaced apart, with a high-impedance inner conductor connected in series between adjacent low-impedance inner conductors. The high-impedance inner conductor is configured as a three-dimensional spiral coil extending spirally between adjacent low-impedance inner conductors. The high-impedance inner conductor serves as a distributed inductance element. This coil structure can achieve a high inductance value within a limited physical space, thereby significantly shortening the required physical length of the high-impedance line and reducing the overall size of the power divider.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microwave communication technology, specifically to a low-frequency power divider. Background Technology

[0002] A power divider is a power distribution device that splits the energy of an input signal into two or more outputs of equal or unequal energy in a microwave network. It can also combine multiple signal energies into a single output, in which case it is also called a combiner. It has wide applications in microwave and wireless communication systems. Generally, the order of power handling capacity of transmission lines from lowest to highest is microstrip line, stripline, coaxial line, and waveguide. Therefore, the specific type of transmission line needs to be selected based on the design requirements.

[0003] In terms of specific structure, power dividers come in various forms, among which the most common is the use of quarter-wavelength impedance transformation sections to achieve power distribution. The distribution ratio can be equal or unequal. To extend the bandwidth of the power divider, multiple quarter-wavelength transformation sections can be cascaded. Essentially, this type of power divider distributes one input power into N outputs according to a certain ratio. Its internal conductors typically employ a wire structure that gradually transitions from high impedance to low impedance, and the length of each impedance line is generally one-quarter of a wavelength.

[0004] However, if the operating wavelength is long (e.g., on the order of meters), the length of each impedance line segment will reach approximately 0.75 meters. If multiple segments are cascaded, the overall structural length will increase further, resulting in an excessively large device size. This contradicts the requirements of modern microwave equipment for miniaturization, low cost, and structural simplification.

[0005] Therefore, existing power dividers suffer from the problem of being too large in size, which is detrimental to system integration. Utility Model Content

[0006] This application provides a low-frequency power divider, which solves the technical problem that existing power dividers are bulky and cannot meet the high integration requirements of modern communication equipment.

[0007] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a low-frequency power divider, including a cavity with an input port and an output port. The output port is connected to the input port via an impedance transformer.

[0008] The impedance transformer includes at least two low-impedance inner conductors spaced apart, with adjacent low-impedance inner conductors connected in series via a high-impedance inner conductor; the high-impedance inner conductor is configured as a three-dimensional spiral coil extending spirally between adjacent low-impedance inner conductors.

[0009] Furthermore, the input port is located at the middle of the cavity along its own axial direction, and the output ports are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the cavity along its own axial direction with respect to the input port.

[0010] Furthermore, all low-impedance inner conductors adjacent to and directly connected to the input port are integrally formed from a single conductor.

[0011] Furthermore, the low-impedance inner conductor and the high-impedance inner conductor are integrally formed.

[0012] Furthermore, the low-impedance inner conductor is plate-shaped.

[0013] Furthermore, the low-impedance inner conductor has a thick strip structure.

[0014] Furthermore, the structural parameters of different high-impedance inner conductors in the same impedance transformer are different.

[0015] Furthermore, the structural parameters of the high-impedance inner conductor refer to the number of coil turns and the outer diameter of the coil.

[0016] Furthermore, the cavity is in the shape of a hollow cylinder.

[0017] Furthermore, the cavity is a metal cavity.

[0018] The low-frequency power divider described in this application embodiment has at least the following technical effects:

[0019] (1) The power divider provided in this application provides a structural basis for the miniaturization and integration of the device by setting the input port in the middle of the cavity and setting the two output ports on both sides of the cavity.

[0020] In addition, its unique port layout allows it to better adapt to the restrictive requirements of port location in specific application scenarios. For example, in an indoor distribution system, if the engineering layout requires the input port to be located in the center of the device and the output ports to be arranged on both sides, this structure can be directly adapted without additional adapters or jumpers. This improves the ease of installation and spatial adaptability while reducing system insertion loss and overall complexity.

[0021] (2) The high-impedance inner conductor is used as a distributed inductance element. Its structure is designed as a three-dimensional spiral coil. This coil structure can achieve a high inductance value in a limited physical space, thereby significantly shortening the required physical length of the high-impedance line. This is the core of miniaturization in this utility model.

[0022] (3) The power divider described in this application constitutes an impedance transformation network implemented by the distribution of lumped parameter elements (inductors and capacitors). Its operating frequency is mainly determined by the LC resonance characteristics formed by the inductive effect provided by the high-impedance inner conductor and the capacitive effect provided by the low-impedance inner conductor. Generally speaking, the larger the impedance value and the longer the length of the high-impedance inner conductor, or the smaller the impedance value and the longer the length of the low-impedance inner conductor, the lower the resulting LC resonance frequency, thereby shifting the operating frequency of the entire power divider to a lower frequency band. By precisely designing the impedance value and geometric dimensions of these conductors, good broadband matching performance can be ensured while achieving miniaturization. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a power divider in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] This application provides a low-frequency power divider, which solves the technical problem that the power divider in the prior art is too large and not conducive to system integration.

[0026] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, one or more embodiments of this application provide a low-frequency power divider. The power divider includes a cavity 10, which is typically made of aluminum or copper and has a surface treated with silver or gold plating to reduce conduction losses. An input port 11 is located at the midpoint of the cavity 10 along its own axial direction, and at least one output port 12 is located at each end of the cavity 10 along its own axial direction, with the output ports 12 symmetrically arranged about the input port 11. Each output port 12 is connected to the input port 11 via an impedance transformer. During operation, the input signal enters from the input port 11 and is transmitted to each output port 12 via the impedance transformer, thus achieving power distribution of the input signal.

[0028] It should be understood that the power divider in this embodiment is configured to achieve power distribution for an even number of channels, wherein multiple output ports 12 are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the input port 11 with respect to the input port 11. For example, in a 1-to-2 power divider configuration, the two output ports 12 are respectively located at both ends of the cavity 10; in a 1-to-4 power divider configuration, the four output ports 12 are arranged in pairs, two at each end.

[0029] Therefore, those skilled in the art should understand that any reasonable changes and expansions to the number and arrangement of the output ports 12 based on the core layout concept of "input port 11 in the center and output ports 12 distributed on both sides" disclosed in this application fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0030] In existing technologies, coaxial cavity power dividers typically place the input and output ports at opposite ends of the coaxial cavity, employing a quarter-wavelength impedance transformation structure. This layout results in a relatively large distance between the input and output ports, making the structure less compact. Furthermore, multiple output ports are often located on the same side, limiting its application flexibility in certain installation scenarios. For example, in some applications, especially indoor distribution systems, this layout often requires additional jumpers to connect the output ports. This not only introduces additional insertion losses, increasing system losses, but also complicates the overall structural layout and increases costs.

[0031] In contrast, the power divider provided in this application, by placing the input port 11 in the middle of the cavity 10 and the two output ports 12 on both sides of the cavity 10, effectively shortens the internal signal transmission path between the input port 11 and each output port 12, providing a structural basis for the miniaturization and integration of the device. Furthermore, the unique port layout allows it to better adapt to the restrictive requirements of specific application scenarios regarding port location. For example, in an indoor distribution system, if the engineering layout requires the input port 11 to be located in the center of the device and the output ports 12 to be arranged on both sides, this structure can be directly adapted without additional adapters or jumpers, thereby improving installation convenience and spatial adaptability while reducing system insertion loss and overall complexity.

[0032] In one embodiment of this application, the impedance transformer includes at least two low-impedance inner conductors 20 spaced apart along the axial direction of the cavity 10, and a high-impedance inner conductor 30 disposed between and connecting adjacent low-impedance inner conductors 20. The high-impedance inner conductor 30 is configured as a three-dimensional spiral coil (similar to a spring structure) extending spirally between adjacent low-impedance inner conductors 20. Since the low-impedance inner conductors 20 significantly affect the return loss of the input port 11 and the output port 12, both ends of the impedance transformer are connected to the low-impedance inner conductors 20, and both the input port 11 and the output port 12 are connected to the low-impedance inner conductors 20.

[0033] For example, when the impedance transformer includes three low-impedance inner conductors 20, the three low-impedance inner conductors 20 arranged sequentially are connected in series through two high-impedance inner conductors 30.

[0034] It should be noted that the structural parameters (such as the number of coil turns and the outer diameter of the coil) of different high-impedance inner conductors 30 in the same impedance transformer can be designed independently according to the needs of circuit performance, and inconsistencies are allowed.

[0035] The high-impedance inner conductor 30 serves as a distributed inductance element, and its structure is designed as a three-dimensional spiral coil. This coil structure can achieve a high inductance value within a limited physical space, thereby significantly shortening the required physical length of the high-impedance line, which is the core of the miniaturization of this utility model.

[0036] Furthermore, the power divider described in this embodiment constitutes an impedance transformation network implemented by the distributed distribution of lumped-parameter elements (inductors and capacitors). Its operating frequency is mainly determined by the LC resonance characteristics formed by the inductive effect provided by the high-impedance inner conductor 30 and the capacitive effect provided by the low-impedance inner conductor 20. Generally speaking, the larger the impedance value and the longer the length of the high-impedance inner conductor 30, or the smaller the impedance value and the longer the length of the low-impedance inner conductor 20, the lower the resulting LC resonance frequency, thereby shifting the operating frequency of the entire power divider to a lower frequency band. By precisely designing the impedance values ​​and geometric dimensions of these conductors, miniaturization can be achieved while ensuring good broadband matching performance.

[0037] Therefore, this alternating layout of "low-impedance capacitor structure - high-impedance inductor coil" not only achieves the necessary high inductance value to improve impedance through the coil, but also saves space effectively due to its meandering structure. It is especially suitable for size-sensitive microwave circuits and integrated device designs, achieving excellent impedance matching while taking into account the requirements of high power capacity and miniaturization.

[0038] Preferably, the low-impedance inner conductor 20 can be a rectangular, circular, or other polygonal plate-shaped or thick strip structure. The low-impedance inner conductor 20 and the high-impedance inner conductor 30 are integrally formed metallized structures (copper, copper alloy, or aluminum, etc.).

[0039] Therefore, the beneficial effects of the power divider described in the embodiments of this application are as follows:

[0040] (1) Significant miniaturization effect: This invention adopts a lumped parameter design approach, realizing the high impedance section as a spiral coil inductor and the low impedance section as a parallel plate capacitor. By cascading the "lumped inductor-capacitor" units, the required reactance value is achieved in a compact space, effectively overcoming the limitations of traditional distributed parameter transmission lines on electrical length. Especially for devices such as power dividers operating in the meter wave band with longer wavelengths, this invention can significantly reduce their physical size, significantly save materials and manufacturing costs, and facilitate system integration and modular design.

[0041] (2) Excellent broadband performance: This structure constitutes a hybrid network combining distributed and lumped parameters. By precisely designing the cascade period and values ​​of the "high inductance-low capacitance" units, a smooth and gradual impedance change is achieved, thus achieving good matching over a wider frequency band. This design method is superior in principle to traditional converters with purely distributed parameters, thereby achieving excellent impedance matching over a wider frequency band and significantly improving bandwidth performance.

[0042] In one embodiment of this application, such as Figure 1 As shown, in order to optimize the structure and improve performance, all low-impedance inner conductors 20 adjacent to and directly connected to the input port 11 are made of a single conductor.

[0043] It should be understood that although quantifiers such as "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various units, these units should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one unit from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments, a first unit may be referred to as a second unit, and similarly, a second unit may be referred to as a first unit.

[0044] The directional terms such as "outer," "middle," and "inner" mentioned or potentially used in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the accompanying drawings. They are relative concepts and may therefore vary depending on their location and usage. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive.

[0045] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application in any form or substance. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and additions without departing from the method of this application, and these improvements and additions should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model. Any modifications, alterations, and equivalent changes made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this application, based on the disclosed technical content, are equivalent embodiments of this application. Furthermore, any modifications, alterations, and evolutions made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of this application still fall within the scope of the technical solution of this application.

Claims

1. A low-frequency power divider, characterized in that, The device includes a cavity, which has an input port and an output port. The output port is connected to the input port via an impedance transformer. The impedance transformer includes at least two low-impedance inner conductors spaced apart, with adjacent low-impedance inner conductors connected in series via a high-impedance inner conductor; the high-impedance inner conductor is configured as a three-dimensional spiral coil extending spirally between adjacent low-impedance inner conductors.

2. A low-frequency power divider as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The input port is located at the middle of the cavity along its own axis, and the output ports are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the cavity along its own axis with respect to the input port.

3. A low-frequency power divider as described in claim 2, characterized in that, All low-impedance inner conductors adjacent to and directly connected to the input port are constructed from a single conductor.

4. A low-frequency power divider as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The low-impedance inner conductor and the high-impedance inner conductor are integrally formed.

5. A low-frequency power divider as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The low-impedance inner conductor is plate-shaped.

6. A low-frequency power divider as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The low-impedance inner conductor has a thick strip structure.

7. A low-frequency power divider as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The structural parameters of different high-impedance inner conductors in the same impedance transformer are different.

8. A low-frequency power divider as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The structural parameters of the high-impedance inner conductor refer to the number of coil turns and the outer diameter of the coil.

9. A low-frequency power divider as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cavity is a hollow cylinder.

10. A low-frequency power divider as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cavity is a metal cavity.

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