Bent Digital Phase Shifter Connection Circuit for Phase Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In digital phase shifters with a bent configuration, phase shift amount distributions occur due to weak reflections at connection portions, despite favorable input and output impedance matching.

Innovation Solution

The digital phase shifter incorporates a connection circuit with a coil and capacitor configuration that averages phase shift amount distributions by controlling return current paths through inner and outer side lines, using electronic switches to manage delay modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If digital phase shift circuits are connected in cascade to achieve desired phase shift function, then the phase shift capability is improved, but the length of the digital phase shifter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase shift capabilityVSAvoidlength of digital phase shifter
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies bend type connection portions with curved structures to connect digital phase shift circuit groups. This curvature allows the signal path to be folded back on itself, reducing the overall linear length of the device while maintaining the required cascade connection topology for phase shift functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Length of moving object

If bend type connection portions are used to shorten the digital phase shifter length, then the device length is reduced, but phase shift amount distribution occurs due to weak reflections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelength of digital phase shifterVSAvoidphase shift amount distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces connection circuits as intermediary elements between digital phase shift circuits connected by bend type connection portions. These connection circuits include impedance matching components that act as mediators to reduce weak reflections at the connection points, thereby suppressing phase shift amount distribution while maintaining the compact bent configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If favorable input and output impedance matching is achieved in bent configuration, then impedance matching is improved, but weak reflections still generate phase shift amount distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance matchingVSAvoidphase shift amount distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality improvement by adding specific impedance matching components (resistors, capacitors, inductors) at the local connection points between digital phase shift circuits. These localized components are configured to specifically address the reflection issues at bend type connection portions, improving local impedance matching to reduce phase shift amount distribution without affecting the overall device performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration effectively averages phase shift amount distributions, improving impedance matching and reducing convex and concave portions in phase shift distributions.

Implementation Method 1

one element of the first element and the second elements is a coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductance: Inductor

Implementation Method 2

the other element is a capacitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4576417A1Digital phase shifter
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 FUJIKURA LTD
  • EP4576417A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4576417A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4576417A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A digital phase shifter includes a plurality of digital phase shift circuit groups in which a plurality of digital phase shift circuits are connected in cascade, and one or more bend type connection portions that connect two of the digital phase shift circuit groups to each other, in which the connection portion includes a first connection circuit that includes a first element which is connected in series between a signal line of a first digital phase shift circuit and a signal line of a second digital phase shift circuit, of two of the digital phase shift circuits, and a pair of second elements that are connected in parallel on both sides of the first element, the first element is a coil, and the second element is a capacitor.