Directional Coupler Multi-Layer Segmentation for Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional couplers face challenges in simultaneously achieving optimal coupling and isolation characteristics, particularly in satisfying different frequency region specifications, while also dealing with manufacturing inefficiencies and quality variations due to changes in line length, thickness, and gap, which affect productivity and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A directional coupler structure with main and sub-lines divided into multiple sections across separate conductor layers, allowing for parallel electrical connections and electromagnetic coupling, which adjusts coupling and isolation characteristics without increasing line thickness, thereby maintaining high productivity and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the line length, thickness, or gap of the main line and sub-line is changed to adjust coupling and isolation characteristics, then the isolation and coupling performance is improved, but the manufacturing time increases and quality variations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The main line and sub-line are divided into multiple sections (first main-line section, second main-line section, first sub-line section, second sub-line section) that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows adjustment of coupling and isolation characteristics by modifying individual sections without requiring changes to the entire line structure, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and time while maintaining quality consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from adjusting parameters within a single conductor layer to utilizing multiple conductor layers (first conductor layer, second conductor layer). By distributing line sections across different layers and using vertical stacking, the patent achieves isolation and coupling adjustment in a third dimension (layer depth), avoiding the need to modify line length, thickness, or gap within a single plane, thus maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the main line and sub-line are configured to satisfy different frequency region specifications, then the adaptability to various frequency requirements is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-section main line and sub-line configuration across multiple conductor layers serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides coupling characteristic adjustment, isolation characteristic adjustment, and adaptation to different frequency region specifications. This universal design allows a single coupler structure to meet diverse frequency requirements without requiring separate specialized designs for each frequency band.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the main line and sub-line into multiple sections that can be independently configured across different conductor layers, the patent enables different sections to be optimized for different frequency regions. This segmentation allows the coupler to handle multiple frequency specifications within a unified structure, managing complexity through modular organization rather than creating separate devices for each frequency band.
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
This configuration allows for satisfactory adjustment of coupling and isolation characteristics across various frequency regions, reducing manufacturing time and variations, and maintaining low insertion loss, thus enabling high-yield, efficient mass production of couplers.
Implementation Method 1
a main line for transmitting a transmission signal and a sub-line electromagnetically coupled to the main line, wherein part of a transmission signal transmitted through the main line is extracted by the sub-line
Data Source
AI summary
A directional coupler including a main line, a sub-line, an input terminal, an output terminal, a coupling terminal and an isolation terminal, wherein the main line includes a first main-line section formed on a first layer, and a second main-line section formed on a second layer; the first and the second main-line sections are connected in parallel between the input and the output terminals; the sub-line includes a first sub-line section formed on the first layer, and a second sub-line section formed on the second layer; the first and the second sub-line sections are connected in parallel between the coupling and the isolation terminals; the first main-line section and the first sub-line section are disposed in close proximity to each other to generate electromagnetic coupling; and the second main-line section and the second sub-line section are disposed in close proximity to each other to generate electromagnetic coupling.