Compact 5x6 Butler Matrix Design for Multi-Beam Antennas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5×6 Butler matrices are large in size, have narrow frequency bands, and high loss, which limits their performance in multi-wave beam antennas for mobile communication systems.

Innovation Solution

A compact 5×6 Butler matrix design incorporating a 3×3 Butler matrix structure with directional couplers and fixed phase shifters, utilizing micro-strip or strip-line structures and branch-line couplers, to achieve small size, wide frequency band, low loss, and high isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional Butler matrix structures are used, then the device can generate multi-wave beams, but the size becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-wave beam generation capabilityVSAvoidButler matrix size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The Butler matrix is divided into multiple sub-matrices (first 3×3 Butler matrix and second 3×3 Butler matrix) that can be independently designed and optimized. Each sub-matrix handles specific beam forming tasks, allowing the overall system to achieve complex multi-wave beam generation while keeping individual components compact and manageable in size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional Butler matrix structures are used, then the device can generate multi-wave beams, but the loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-wave beam generation capabilityVSAvoidsignal loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical parameters of the directional couplers and phase shifters are optimized to minimize signal loss. By carefully adjusting coupling coefficients, phase shift values, and impedance matching parameters, the design achieves low insertion loss while maintaining the required beam forming functionality. The parameter optimization ensures efficient signal transmission through each stage of the Butler matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3024297B13x3 butler matrix and 5x6 butler matrix
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 GUANGDONG BROADRADIO COMM TECH
  • EP3024297B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3024297B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3024297B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a 3x3 Butler matrix, comprising a first directional coupler, a second directional coupler, a third directional coupler, a first fixed phase shifter, a second fixed phase shifter and a third fixed phase shifter; and also relates to a 5x6 Butler matrix, comprising a first 3x3 Butler matrix, a second 3x3 Butler matrix, a fourth directional coupler, a fifth directional coupler, a power divider, a fourth fixed phase shifter and a fifth fixed phase shifter. The 3x3 Butler matrix and the 5x6 Butler matrix provided in the present invention have the features of small size, wide frequency band, low loss, high isolation and stable performance, fill the blank of specific technical schemes about the 3x3 Butler matrix and the 5x6 Butler matrix in the prior art, and have broad application prospects and great value.