Directional Coupler and TDC Circuitry for Low-Leakage Phase Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the phase difference in signals suffer from signal leakage and increased circuit complexity due to impedance transitions, leading to inaccurate measurement of standing wave ratios.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuitry system utilizing a directional coupler and a Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) to measure the phase difference between forward and reverse signals, eliminating the need for inductors and enhancing accuracy by using power detectors and attenuators to equalize signal amplitudes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used to determine phase difference, then the measurement can be performed, but signal leakage occurs and circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the inductor component from the circuit, replacing it with a capacitor-based approach. This removes the source of signal leakage while maintaining the phase difference measurement capability, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and circuit complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary element to replace the inductor's function. The capacitor serves as a mediator that achieves the same phase difference measurement objective without causing signal leakage, thereby improving measurement precision while reducing circuit complexity
2Measurement precision
If inductors are used in the circuit, then phase difference can be measured, but signal leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inductor from the circuit configuration, extracting the harmful element that causes signal leakage. By eliminating this component while retaining the essential measurement functionality through alternative means (capacitor-based phase shifting), the patent achieves both reduced signal leakage and maintained measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter used for phase shifting from inductive (inductor-based) to capacitive (capacitor-based). This parameter change fundamentally alters the circuit behavior to eliminate signal leakage while preserving the ability to measure phase differences accurately
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic circuitry is proposed. The electronic circuitry comprises a directional coupler comprising a first port configured to receive an input signal from a signal source, a second port configured to output the input signal for transmission to a load, a third port configured to output a forward signal based on the input signal, and a fourth port configured to output a reverse signal based on a reflection of the input signal received at the second port. The electronic circuitry further comprises a Time-to-Digital converter, TDC, coupled to the third port and the fourth port. The TDC is configured to determine a phase difference between the forward signal and the reverse signal.