Impedance-Transforming Combiner/Divider With Fewer Matching Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transmission-line combiners and dividers face inefficiencies due to the use of multiple couplers and complex designs, leading to significant losses and narrow bandwidths, especially when handling high-power high-frequency signals, and require complex mathematics for impedance transformation between real impedances.
Innovation Solution
A compact impedance-transforming combiner/divider design that uses a junction network with distributed quarter-wavelength impedance-transformer sections between a sum port and component ports, allowing for impedance transformation between complex impedances with reduced number of sections, thereby simplifying the design and reducing physical size and insertion loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple couplers and connecting transmission-line segments are used to divide or combine signals in stages, then the combiner/divider can handle multiple signal paths, but the number of components increases and losses significantly degrade the overall combining efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple impedance transformation functions into a single integrated radial combiner/divider structure. Instead of using separate couplers and transmission-line segments connected in stages, the invention implements all impedance transformations simultaneously within one radial geometry, eliminating the need for multiple discrete components and their associated losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial combiner/divider structure performs multiple impedance transformation functions universally across all signal paths simultaneously. The single radial geometry handles both the combining and dividing functions while providing impedance matching for all ports at once, rather than requiring dedicated transformation sections for each signal path.
2Reliability
If separate impedance transformers are designed for the sum line and each component line to match real impedances, then impedance matching is achieved, but the device size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all impedance transformation requirements into a single radial structure. The radial geometry inherently provides the necessary impedance transformation from the center feed to all peripheral ports simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate impedance transformer sections for each line.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the radial structure (such as the radial distance, angular spacing, and feed point location) to achieve the desired impedance matching. By adjusting these physical parameters, the single radial structure can transform between different real impedances without requiring multiple discrete transformer sections.
3Productivity
If conventional radial combiner/divider designs are used with low junction impedance, then single-stage combining is achieved, but higher transmission modes propagate and bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the junction impedance parameter by adjusting the radial geometry and feed point characteristics. By changing the physical dimensions and configuration of the radial structure, the junction impedance is tuned to suppress higher transmission modes while maintaining broad bandwidth operation, resolving the contradiction between fast combining and wide bandwidth.
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 achieves efficient impedance transformation with reduced insertion loss and size, enabling the combiner/divider to handle higher power levels and broader bandwidths while minimizing thermal energy production and signal losses, thus improving performance and reducing manufacturing complexities.
Implementation Method 1
A compact impedance-transforming combiner/divider design that uses a junction network with distributed quarter-wavelength impedance-transformer sections between a sum port and component ports, allowing for impedance transformation between complex impedances
Data Source
AI summary
A combiner/divider and method of designing a combiner/divider providing a single impedance transformation between a sum port and component ports with a determined insertion-loss variation over a determined operating bandwidth. Preferably the lowest number impedance-transformer sections are included that provide impedance transformation between the sum port and the component ports. A junction network preferably electrically connects a junction-network sum node to each of N junction-network component nodes. The junction-network sum node is connected to the sum port through at least a first impedance-transformer section of the ZT impedance-transformer sections. Each junction-network component node is connected to a respective one of the plurality of component ports through at least a respective second impedance-transformer section of the ZT impedance-transformer sections.