Butler Matrix Amplifier Switching via Low-Power Phase Shifters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high power transmitter systems face limitations in reliability, speed, and loss due to mechanical switches, PIN diode switches, and ferrite switches, which are heavy and complex, and fail to efficiently select multiple outputs with low loss.
Innovation Solution
An amplifier system with low power phase shifters integrated before high power amplification, connected to a reversed Butler matrix for phase adjustment to maximize output at a selected port while nulling others, utilizing a combination of low power phase shifters and high power amplifiers with a waveguide Butler matrix for low loss and high speed switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mechanical switches are used to select outputs, then the system is simple in structure, but reliability is poor and switching speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with an electronic phase-shifting system. Instead of using mechanical contacts to select outputs, the system uses phase shifters to electronically control signal distribution through a Butler matrix, eliminating mechanical moving parts and improving reliability while enabling faster switching speeds.
2Speed
If PIN diode switches are used to select outputs, then switching speed is improved, but insertion loss increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces PIN diode switches with phase shifters and a Butler matrix configuration. This electronic approach maintains fast switching speeds while reducing insertion loss by using reactive phase-shifting elements rather than resistive switching elements, and eliminates the need for high-voltage driver circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple copies of the same phase shifter modules in a modular architecture. Each output path contains identical phase-shifting elements, allowing the system to achieve multiple output selections through coherent combination rather than requiring separate switching elements for each path, thereby reducing overall loss.
3Power
If ferrite switches are used to select outputs, then power handling capability is improved, but weight increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy ferrite switches with lightweight solid-state phase shifters. The phase-shifting function is achieved through electronic means using standard semiconductor devices rather than bulky ferrite materials, significantly reducing weight while maintaining the ability to handle high power through the distributed amplifier architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the high power amplification function into multiple separate amplifier modules, each handling a portion of the total power. This segmentation allows each individual amplifier to operate at lower power levels with simpler, lighter components, while the overall system achieves high power capability through coherent combination of multiple channels.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional switch circuits are used, then output selection is achieved, but insertion loss is high and driver complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional switch circuits with phase shifters that have no moving parts and require no complex driver circuits. The phase shifters are controlled by simple voltage or current signals that adjust the phase of each channel independently, eliminating the need for complex switching logic and driver stages while maintaining full output selection capability.
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
Enables high speed, low loss switching between multiple outputs with reduced weight and complexity, achieving comparable loss to waveguide mechanical switches without reliability issues and slow switching speeds, and outperforming PIN-diode switches in efficiency and speed.
Implementation Method 1
a power divider for dividing an input RF signal into M RF signals of equal power and phase
Implementation Method 2
M low power selectable phase shifters each for phase shifting one of the M RF signals
Implementation Method 3
The phase of the M phase shifters may be adjusted to obtain a maximum output at the desired output with all the other outputs nulled
Implementation Method 4
M high power amplifiers are coupled to respective ones of the phase shifters
Data Source
AI summary
An amplifier system includes a power divider for dividing an input RF signal into M RF signals of equal power and phase. The system has M low power selectable phase shifters each for phase shifting one of the M RF signals. M high power amplifiers are coupled to respective ones of the phase shifters. The system includes an M×N power distribution network having M input ports and N output ports, such as a Butler matrix. The M high power amplifiers are connected to a respective one of the M input ports of the distribution network. The phase of the M phase shifters may be adjusted to obtain a maximum output at the desired output with all the other outputs nulled.