Hybrid Antenna Circuit for Polarized Wave Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radio communication devices face challenges in reducing unwanted radiation and improving communication quality due to the need for multiple bandpass filters, which increase the device's size and cost, and require additional switches for polarized wave switching.

Innovation Solution

A communication device incorporating a 180-degree hybrid circuit with phase shifters that generates sum and difference signals, eliminating the need for separate bandpass filters by using a single configuration for bandpass filtering, thereby reducing the device's size and signal loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple bandpass filters are installed in the RFIC for polarized wave communication, then communication quality is improved by reducing unwanted radiation and interference, but the mounting area occupied increases and the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidmounting area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple bandpass filter functions into a single shared bandpass filter by using a 180-degree hybrid circuit to generate sum and difference signals from two polarized waves. This allows one filter to perform the filtering function for both polarized waves simultaneously, reducing the number of filters from two to one, thereby decreasing the mounting area while maintaining communication quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single bandpass filter is designed to handle multiple functions by processing both sum signals and difference signals generated by the 180-degree hybrid circuit. This multi-functional approach allows one filter to replace what would traditionally require two separate filters, reducing both area and cost while maintaining the ability to filter unwanted radiation from both polarized waves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple filtering functions into a single bandpass filter component, reducing the bill of materials from two filters to one. This merging approach directly reduces component cost while the 180-degree hybrid circuit enables the single filter to perform the work of multiple filters through signal combining and separation operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single bandpass filter is designed with universal functionality to process both sum and difference signals corresponding to different polarized waves. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to purchase and install multiple specialized filters, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining comprehensive filtering capability for all polarized wave communications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If switches are prepared to switch over connection between antenna elements and RFIC for polarized wave switching, then communication capability is improved, but the circuit scale increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolarized wave switching capabilityVSAvoidcircuit scale

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switching system with an electromagnetic signal processing system using a 180-degree hybrid circuit. Instead of physically switching connections between antenna elements and the RFIC, the system uses phase shifting and signal combining to achieve polarized wave switching capability, thereby eliminating switches and reducing circuit scale while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution allows for efficient bandpass filtering without increasing the circuit scale, reducing the number of filters needed and minimizing signal loss, thus enhancing communication quality and device compactness.

Implementation Method 1

a 180-degree hybrid circuit having a first port configured to generate a sum signal from a plurality of input signals and a second port configured to generate a difference signal from a plurality of input signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal superposition and phase interference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

a first phase shifter coupled with the 180-degree hybrid circuit to carry out a phase shift by a first phase value, and a second phase shifter coupled with the 180-degree hybrid circuit to carry out a phase shift by a second phase value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shifting: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS11862862B2Communication device

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 NEC CORP

AI summary

A communication device includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, a 180-degree hybrid circuit having a first port configured to generate a sum signal from multiple input signals and a second port configured to generate a difference signal from multiple input signals, a first phase shifter coupled with the 180-degree hybrid circuit to carry out a phase shift by a first phase value, and a second phase shifter coupled with the 180-degree hybrid circuit to carry out a phase shift by a second phase value. The first antenna element is connected to the first port of the 180-degree hybrid circuit while the second antenna element is connected to the second port of the 180-degree hybrid circuit.