Compact Co-sited Base Station Signal Combiner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless base station signal combiners are large, expensive, and have high insertion and return losses, making them inefficient for sharing signals between different wireless systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact signal combiner with a four-port network configuration using resonators and transmission lines, where the resonators are arranged in a constant-impedance-bandwidth configuration and the filter parameters are determined based on a scattering matrix with specific polynomials, reducing insertion loss and improving isolation between ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional three-port antenna line devices are used for signal sharing, then signal combining functionality is achieved, but device size becomes large and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the conventional combiner design by changing the scattering matrix parameters from traditional S-parameters to a new parameter set based on polynomial functions F1(s) and F2(s). This parameter transformation enables a compact four-port network topology that achieves the same signal combining functionality with reduced physical size. The new parameters allow for a more efficient spatial arrangement of resonators and transmission lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional three-port configuration to a four-port network configuration, adding an additional dimension to the port structure. This dimensional change allows for a more compact internal arrangement of resonators and transmission lines, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining signal combining functionality.
2Reliability
If conventional combiners are used, then signal sharing is achieved, but insertion loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the scattering matrix parameters to polynomial-based functions F1(s) and F2(s), the patent optimizes the signal transmission characteristics. The new parameter set enables better impedance matching and reduced signal reflections, directly lowering insertion loss while maintaining signal sharing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining multiple resonators with different electrical characteristics (series resonators and parallel resonators) arranged in a specific configuration. This composite arrangement of resonant elements creates optimized signal paths that minimize energy loss during signal combining operations.
3Reliability
If conventional combiners are used, then signal sharing is achieved, but return loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transformation to polynomial-based scattering parameters F1(s) and F2(s) enables optimized impedance matching across all ports. This parameter change directly improves return loss by reducing signal reflections at port interfaces while maintaining the signal sharing function.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional combiners are used, then signal sharing between two wireless systems is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The four-port network is designed with universal functionality to handle signal combining and distribution for multiple wireless systems. The same structural framework supports different signal frequencies and system types, reducing the need for system-specific complex designs while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition to a four-port configuration provides an additional structural dimension that simplifies the internal signal routing. This extra port dimension allows for more straightforward signal paths and reduces the complexity of signal management compared to conventional three-port designs.
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 compact combiner achieves low insertion loss and high isolation between ports, reducing size, weight, and cost while improving signal sharing efficiency between different wireless systems.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of resonators within a plurality of chambers are arranged in a constant-impedance-bandwidth configuration
Implementation Method 2
The resonators and chambers have a structure based on filter parameters that are determined based on a scattering matrix having constituent polynomials F1 and F2
Implementation Method 3
A first transmission line couples the first and third ports to each other and to at least one of the plurality of resonators. A second transmission line couples the second port and the load to each other and to at least an other one of the plurality of resonators
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a compact three-port signal combiner suitable for use in a base station having two different wireless systems. The combiner is designed as a four-port network, but one of the ports is terminated with a predetermined load, thus leaving three ports for connection to user equipment. A first port (A) receives from an antenna a first input signal comprising first and second receive bands and transmits to the antenna a first output signal comprising a transmit band. A second port (R), connected to the first wireless system, outputs to the first wireless system a second output signal comprising the first and second receive bands. A third port (T\R) outputs, to the second wireless system, a third output signal comprising the first and second receive bands and receives from the second wireless system a second input signal that is to be transmitted from the first port.