Circulator-Based Tunable Delay Line for Wideband Beamforming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Phase shifters in communication systems fail to provide true time delay over a wide bandwidth, leading to beam squinting and array inter-symbol interference when transmitting ultra-wideband signals, limiting signal bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A circulator-based tunable delay line structure that includes a transmission line with multiple segments and circuit elements, where the activation of specific circuit elements controls the delay, allowing for programmable time delay while maintaining broadband characteristics and minimizing area and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If phase shifters are used to provide phase delays for beam forming, then beam steering capability is achieved, but true time delay over wide bandwidth is not provided, causing beam squinting and inter-symbol interference
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line is divided into multiple segments with different electrical lengths. By selectively activating specific segments through control signals, the delay line can provide different time delays corresponding to different signal frequencies, achieving true time delay over wide bandwidth without beam squinting
Solution Approach 2:
The delay line uses controllable circuit elements (such as switches or variable impedance components) that can dynamically change the electrical length of transmission line segments based on control signals. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to provide frequency-dependent time delays, achieving broadband true time delay capability
2Loss of time
If transmission line length is increased to achieve maximum delay, then delay capability is improved, but area consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line is segmented into multiple sections with different electrical lengths. By selectively activating specific segments based on the desired delay and signal frequency, the system achieves variable time delay without requiring the maximum possible transmission line length to be always active, thus reducing area consumption while maintaining delay capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of always using the full length of the transmission line, the system activates only the necessary portion (specific segments) required to achieve the desired delay for each signal frequency. This partial action approach reduces the effective area occupied by inactive segments while maintaining the maximum delay capability when needed
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 provides flexible and programmable time delay, doubling the maximum achievable delay without increasing area, and reduces beam squinting and inter-symbol interference, enabling efficient signal processing for ultra-wideband signals.
Implementation Method 1
The circulator can be configured to receive an input signal. The circulator can be further configured to output an output signal.
Implementation Method 2
The method can further include receiving a reflection of the input signal. A delay between the reflection and input signal can be based on the activated state of the at least one circuit element among the plurality of circuit elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for delaying an input signal are described. A device can receive an input signal. The device can activate a state of at least one circuit element among a plurality of circuit elements. The plurality of circuit elements can be connected to a plurality of segments of a transmission line. The device can output the input signal to the transmission line. The device can receive a reflection of the input signal. A delay between the reflection and input signal can be based on the activated state of the at least one circuit element among the plurality of circuit elements. The device can output the reflection of the input signal as an output signal.