Harmonic Combiner Divider Using Stripline Bandpass Filters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current signal combiner and divider technologies are inefficient in combining harmonic signals onto a common transmission line or dividing arbitrary waveforms into their harmonic constituents, especially when signals have different power and frequency.

Innovation Solution

A harmonic combiner and divider using stripline type transmission lines with bandpass filters and strategically located ports to ensure even splitting and constructive recombination of signals, allowing for efficient combination and division of multiple harmonic signals and arbitrary waveforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional combiner technologies (waveguide, hybrid, Wilkinson, tapered line) are used to combine signals, then the device structure is well-established and manufacturable, but the combining efficiency deteriorates when signals have different power and frequency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombining efficiencyVSAvoidsignal frequency and power compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the combining function by providing separate bandpass filters for each harmonic frequency path. Each filter is tuned to a specific harmonic frequency, allowing independent optimization of each signal path while maintaining overall combining efficiency across multiple frequencies and power levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by making each signal path have customized characteristics through individual bandpass filters. Each filter provides localized frequency selection and impedance matching optimized for its specific harmonic, enabling efficient combining of signals with different frequencies and powers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional divider technologies are used to divide signals, then the device structure is well-established and manufacturable, but the division efficiency deteriorates for arbitrary waveforms with different harmonic constituents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedivision efficiencyVSAvoidwaveform type compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The divider function is segmented into multiple independent paths, each with a bandpass filter tuned to a specific harmonic frequency. This allows the arbitrary waveform to be divided into its harmonic constituents efficiently, as each filter independently extracts its designated frequency component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each output path has locally optimized characteristics through dedicated bandpass filters. The filters provide frequency-selective division with optimized impedance matching for each harmonic, enabling efficient division of arbitrary waveforms into their spectral components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple harmonic signals are combined onto a common transmission line, then the signal integration capability is improved, but signal interference and fidelity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integration capabilityVSAvoidsignal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts unwanted frequency components and reflections by using bandpass filters that pass only the desired harmonic frequencies. This removes interfering signals from the common transmission line path, maintaining signal fidelity while enabling multi-signal integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bandpass filters act as intermediaries between the multiple harmonic signal sources and the common transmission line. Each filter mediates its specific frequency component, allowing clean integration of multiple signals while preventing interference between different frequency paths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables the efficient generation of fast, high-fidelity arbitrary waveforms and efficient waveform analysis, with applications in communications and charged particle beam control, while preventing interference from unwanted signals.

Implementation Method 1

bandpass filters (2) that have harmonic passbands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 2

transmission line loop (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

constructively recombine at the loops input/output port (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConstructive interference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS11303005B2Harmonic combiner and divider

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 ROBERTS BROCK FRANKLIN

AI summary

The harmonic combiner and divider efficiently combines multiple harmonic signals onto a common transmission line. Combined harmonic signals can be used to generate fast, high-fidelity arbitrary waveforms by superimposing the harmonics described in their Fourier series. Fast arbitrary waveforms have applications in communications, radar, and can be used for manipulating and controlling charged particle beams. The harmonic combiner and divider also efficiently divides fast arbitrary waveforms into their constituent harmonics and provides an efficient mechanism for waveform analysis and for multi-channel communications.