Differential RF Phase-Shifting Circuit for Low-Loss 360° Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern communication systems require a numerical control phase shifter with a wide bandwidth, low in-band insertion loss, high shift precision, and small size, which existing implementations struggle to simultaneously achieve.

Innovation Solution

A phase-shifting circuit utilizing a differential circuit architecture that includes a first node circuit to split an input signal into orthogonal signals, processed through signal channels with signal attenuation and quadrant transformation circuits, and synthesized by a second node circuit to achieve a phase difference of 0-360 degrees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing numerical control phase shifter implementations are used, then the device can perform phase shifting, but they cannot simultaneously achieve wide bandwidth, low in-band insertion loss, high shift precision, and small size

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidin-band insertion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The phase shifter is divided into multiple independent phase shifting units, each handling a specific phase range. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for minimal insertion loss while collectively covering the full 360-degree phase range, resolving the contradiction between wide bandwidth and low insertion loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multi-dimensional architecture by combining parallel signal paths with hierarchical phase control. This dimensional expansion enables the system to achieve wide bandwidth through parallel processing while maintaining low insertion loss through optimized individual path design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If existing numerical control phase shifter implementations are used, then the device can perform phase shifting, but they cannot simultaneously achieve wide bandwidth, low in-band insertion loss, high shift precision, and small size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshift precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The phase shifter is divided into multiple independent phase shifting units, each handling a specific phase range. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for minimal insertion loss while collectively covering the full 360-degree phase range, resolving the contradiction between wide bandwidth and low insertion loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamically switchable phase shifting units that can be activated based on the required phase range. This dynamic configuration enables high precision phase control by selecting the most appropriate unit for the current operating condition, while managing device complexity through selective activation rather than requiring all units to be simultaneously optimized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If existing numerical control phase shifter implementations are used, then the device can perform phase shifting, but they cannot simultaneously achieve wide bandwidth, low in-band insertion loss, high shift precision, and small size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidbandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested architecture where phase shifting units are hierarchically organized with smaller functional blocks contained within larger control structures. This nesting enables compact device size by efficiently packing multiple phase shifting units in a hierarchical manner, while the modular nested structure allows each level to contribute to the overall wide bandwidth capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple phase shifting units and signal paths are merged into a unified compact structure. This merging reduces the overall device volume by eliminating redundant components and shared resources, while the combined parallel paths maintain wide bandwidth capability through cooperative operation of the merged units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260066879A1Phase-shifting circuits and radio frequency microwave systems

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 ETRA SEMICON SUZHOU CO LTD

AI summary

A phase-shifting circuit and a radio frequency microwave system are provided. The phase-shifting circuit includes a first node circuit, a second node circuit, and a first signal channel and a second signal channel coupled between the first node circuit and the second node circuit. The first node circuit is configured to split an input signal to simultaneously output a first differential signal to the first signal channel, and output a second differential signal to the second signal channel. The first signal channel and the second signal channel are implemented based on an architecture of a differential circuit, and configured to perform at least one of a signal attenuation and a quadrant transformation on the first differential signal and the second differential signal for phase-shifting. The second node circuit is configured to synthesize a first phase shift signal output by the first signal channel and a second phase shift signal output by the second signal channel to obtain an output signal, and a phase difference between the output signal and the input signal is within a range of 0 deg-360 deg.