Antenna Splitter Circuit Reducing Signal Loss via Impedance Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antennas require multiple switching circuits for signal transmission, leading to high signal loss due to the need for two switching circuits per antenna element, which increases the complexity and inefficiency of the splitter circuit.

Innovation Solution

The antenna design incorporates a splitter circuit with n output terminals connected to n antenna elements, utilizing a configuration of parallel lines and switching circuits where the characteristic impedance of each line is adjusted based on the number of connected switching circuits, reducing the number of switching circuits needed and minimizing signal loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two switching circuits are used per antenna element to switch between line and delaying circuit, then directivity can be varied, but signal loss increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectivity variationVSAvoidsignal loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of two switching circuits into a single switching circuit by configuring the parallel connection of multiple lines (first line, second line, and third line) with different characteristic impedances. This single switching circuit can switch between the line and delaying circuit while maintaining signal integrity and reducing signal loss, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of characteristic impedance for each line (first line, second line, and third line have different characteristic impedances) to enable a single switching circuit to achieve the functionality previously requiring two switching circuits. This parameter variation allows directivity control while minimizing signal loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If two switching circuits are used per antenna element, then signal transmission can be controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission controlVSAvoidswitching circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple lines (first line, second line, third line) with different characteristic impedances into a single switching circuit configuration. This merging reduces the number of switching circuits from two per antenna element to one, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining signal transmission control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single switching circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between different lines with different characteristic impedances. This multi-functional design allows the switching circuit to control signal transmission to different antenna elements while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3432412B1Distribution circuit and antenna
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3432412B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3432412B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3432412B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to vary the directivity of an antenna (100a) while reducing the signal loss by switching circuits (5a-5d) in a splitter circuit. The switching circuits (5a-5d) in the splitter circuit connect or disconnect n (n is an integer of 2 or more) second lines (12a) connected in parallel with a first line (10a) to/from output terminals (7) connected to n antenna elements (8) having different directivities of signals. If m (m is an integer ranging from 1 to n-1) switching circuits (5b, 5d) arbitrarily selected from the n switching circuits (5a-5d) are switched to on-states, the characteristic impedance of each of the n second lines (12a) is set to a product between the characteristic impedance of the first line (10a) and the number m of switching circuits (5b and 5d) switched to on-states.