Integrated Antenna Phase Shifter Board for Phase-Matched Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing 8T8R beamforming and 4×4 MIMO in higher frequency bands faces challenges due to phase mismatches caused by cable length differences, which degrade antenna performance, complicate manufacturing, and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated antenna calibration and phase shifter board that uses phase shifters with identical length RF cables and meander patterns to ensure phase matching, simplifying manufacturing and reducing cable complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cables of different lengths are used for each port to accommodate manufacturing tolerances, then phase matching can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase shifter and calibration board into a single integrated unit. The phase shifter board includes multiple phase shifters, each with multiple output traces that can be configured to provide phase compensation. This integration eliminates the need for separate calibration boards and reduces the number of discrete cable connections, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining phase matching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses variable phase shifters that can adjust their phase shift parameter to compensate for cable length differences. By changing the phase shift parameter dynamically, the system can achieve phase matching without requiring physical cable length adjustments, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If cables of identical length are used across all ports, then manufacturing is simplified, but phase mismatches occur due to cable length differences from cutting tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces phase shifters as intermediary devices between the cable connections and the antenna elements. These phase shifters act as mediators that compensate for the phase mismatches caused by cable length variations. The phase shifters adjust the phase of each signal path individually, ensuring phase coherence is achieved despite using cables of identical length with standard manufacturing tolerances.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple cables with different lengths are used for each port, then phase matching can be achieved, but the number of cables and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cable functions into a single standardized cable length by using phase shifters to provide the necessary phase adjustments. Instead of using multiple cables of different lengths, the system uses one cable length standard and achieves phase matching through electronic phase compensation, thereby reducing the variety of cable specifications needed and simplifying inventory management.
4Manufacturing precision
If phase shifters with meander patterns are used, then phase matching is achieved, but board complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies meander patterns locally only to the extent necessary for phase compensation. Not all trace paths require meander patterns; only those paths that need additional electrical length for phase matching. This selective application of meander patterns minimizes the overall board complexity while achieving the required phase matching precision for each specific signal path.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures phase coherence across radiator columns, reduces manufacturing costs, and minimizes beamforming errors by compensating for phase mismatches, enabling efficient and consistent antenna performance.
Implementation Method 1
each input trace is capacitively coupled to provide a representative power signal to one of a plurality of power dividers
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an antenna having a plurality of radiator columns and an integrated phase shifter/calibration board. The radiator columns have radiator clusters that may be differentially phase to provide beam tilt. The input traces of each of the phase shifters is capacitively coupled to a Wilkinson power divider that sums the power of all the input signals, thereby providing a calibration function. The output traces of each of the phase shifters has a designated meander pattern that provides phase alignment for all the output signals to prevent phase mismatches between signals fed to the radiator clusters.