90° Hybrid Coupler Transceiver Module Impedance Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transmit/receive modules face challenges in achieving identical impedances at the antenna in both receive and transmit modes, leading to insertion losses and non-linearities, making it difficult to maintain consistent signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a trio of 90° hybrid couplers replaces traditional switches, ensuring constant impedance between couplers regardless of amplifier states, allowing for balanced low-noise and power amplifiers and enabling full-duplex transmission by configuring the hybrid couplers in power divider and combiner modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a switch is used to connect the antenna to either the low-noise amplifier or power amplifier, then the module can operate in receive or transmit mode, but the impedance at the antenna varies between modes and insertion losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single switch function into multiple hybrid coupler components, each handling specific signal paths. The first hybrid coupler segments the antenna connections, while the second and third hybrid couplers segment the amplifier connections, allowing impedance matching in both modes without requiring a single complex switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hybrid couplers as intermediary components between the antenna and amplifiers. These couplers act as mediators that maintain constant impedance while routing signals to different amplifiers based on transmit/receive mode, eliminating the direct switch connection that caused impedance variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a switch is used to route signals between antenna and amplifiers, then mode switching is enabled, but insertion losses of 1 to 1.5 dB are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical switch with electromagnetic coupling components (hybrid couplers). This substitution eliminates the physical contact and associated resistance of mechanical switches, reducing insertion losses while maintaining the mode switching capability through electromagnetic signal routing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a switch is used for mode switching, then transmit/receive operation is possible, but non-linearities are introduced into the signal path
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid couplers serve as linear intermediary components that route signals between the antenna and appropriate amplifiers without introducing non-linearities. These passive coupling components maintain signal integrity while enabling mode switching, unlike active switches that can introduce non-linear distortion.
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 solution reduces insertion losses and maintains consistent impedance, enabling efficient two-way signal transmission with reduced sensitivity to antenna impedance changes, supporting circular polarization and instantaneous full-duplex communication.
Implementation Method 1
a first 90° hybrid coupler having a first terminal intended to be coupled to a first antenna terminal of an antenna system, a second terminal intended to be coupled to a second antenna terminal of the antenna system
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a circuit includes first, second, and third 90° hybrid couplers coupled between first and second antenna terminals, a pair of low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), and a pair of power amplifiers (PAs). The pair of LNAs is configured to receive first signals from the first and second antenna terminals and has an output configured to be coupled to a receive path. The second coupler is configured in power combiner mode for receiving the first signals. The pair of PAs is configured to transmit second signals via the first and second antenna terminals and has an input configured to be coupled to a transmit path. The third coupler is configured in power divider mode for transmitting the second signals.