Integrated Circulator-Coupler Reducing Insertion Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, the combination of a directional coupler and a circulator with a quarter-wave output transformer results in high insertion loss, which becomes more detrimental as operational frequencies increase, and there is a need for reduced system size and cost.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a directional coupler within the circulator device in proximity to its resonator, rather than externally, to form a circulator-coupler device that reduces overall insertion loss and allows for a smaller form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a directional coupler is placed externally near the transmission line between the power amplifier and circulator, then RF feedback is provided for digital predistortion and linearization, but insertion loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the circulator and directional coupler into a single integrated device structure. The coupler elements are formed within the circulator body using the same ferrite material and magnetic field configuration, eliminating the need for separate external coupler components and their associated transmission lines, thereby reducing cumulative insertion loss while maintaining feedback signal quality
2Measurement precision
If separate components (quarter-wave output transformer, directional coupler, and circulator) are used, then RF feedback is enabled, but system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circulator and directional coupler are merged into a single integrated device with shared ferrite elements and magnetic biasing. The coupler's directional coupling capability is achieved through specific geometric arrangements of conductive elements within the circulator structure, reducing component count and system complexity while maintaining feedback functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: the ferrite elements provide both circulator isolation and directional coupling characteristics. The same magnetic field configuration enables signal routing in the circulator mode while also providing the directional coupling needed for feedback extraction, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function
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 circulator-coupler device achieves lower insertion loss and enables a more compact design, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of RF transmitters and transceivers by minimizing signal distortion and size.
Implementation Method 1
a first ferrite element and a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet biases the ferrite element and causes a signal to travel through the resonator in a rotational direction
Implementation Method 2
a resonator over and aligned along an axis with the first ferrite element... a signal travels through the resonator
Implementation Method 3
a first coupler element positioned across a first gap from a first portion of the perimeter of the resonator... arranged to have a coupling factor between them
Data Source
AI summary
A circulator-coupler device includes a ferrite element, a resonator over and aligned along an axis with the ferrite element, and a plurality of resonator ports connected to the resonator. The plurality of resonator ports includes first and second resonator ports, and a first portion of a perimeter of the resonator extends between the first and second resonator ports. The circulator further includes a coupler element positioned across a gap from the first portion of the perimeter of the resonator, and a coupler port connected to the coupler element. The device also may include a permanent magnet aligned along the axis with the ferrite element, where the permanent magnet biases the ferrite element and causes a signal conducted through the resonator to have a directionality along a rotational direction that extends from the first resonator port to the second resonator port.