Adjustable Power Splitter for Independent Phase and Attenuation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power or signal splitters lack the ability to independently adjust the phase and attenuation of signals at each output, which is critical for optimal processing and combination in applications like Doherty power amplifiers, leading to inefficiencies and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable power splitter is designed with digitally controlled phase shifters and attenuators, allowing for independent adjustment of signals at each output, along with a fixed phase shifter to offset amplifier phase shifts, enabling precise control of signal processing in Doherty amplifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed power splitter is used to divide signals, then the signal division is simple and reliable, but the phase and attenuation cannot be independently adjusted at each output
Solution Approach 1:
The power splitter is divided into multiple independent signal paths, each with its own phase shifter and attenuator. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of phase and attenuation for each output signal while maintaining the overall power splitting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The power splitter transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic, adjustable system. Phase shifters and attenuators are introduced to enable real-time modification of signal characteristics at each output, making the device adaptable to different operational requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If phase adjustment is added to one signal path to address phase criticality, then phase control is improved, but the ability to independently adjust each output signal is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Each signal path is equipped with its own phase shifter and attenuator, allowing local adjustment of signal characteristics. This enables independent control of each output signal without affecting the other paths, providing fine-grained adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power splitter is designed to perform multiple functions: basic power division, independent phase adjustment, and independent attenuation control for each output. This multi-functionality is achieved by integrating phase shifters and attenuators into each signal path.
3Measurement precision
If digitally controlled phase shifters and attenuators are added to each output, then precise control of signal processing is enabled, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical or manual adjustment mechanisms are replaced with digitally controlled phase shifters and attenuators. This substitution enables precise, programmable control of signal characteristics while reducing mechanical complexity and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power splitter enables precise control of signal parameters (phase and attenuation) through digital control. By changing these parameters programmatically, the system can adapt to different operational modes and requirements with high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable power splitter includes: a power divider with an input and a first and second divider output; a first adjustable phase shifter and first adjustable attenuator series coupled to the first divider output and providing a first power output; a second adjustable phase shifter and second adjustable attenuator series coupled to the second divider output and providing a second power output; an interface; and a controller. The controller is configured to receive, via the interface, data indicating phase shifts to be applied by the first and second adjustable phase shifters and attenuation levels to be applied by the first and second adjustable attenuators, and to control, based on the data, the phase shifts and attenuation levels applied by the first and second adjustable phase shifters and the first and second adjustable attenuators.