Integrated Composite Balun with DC Supply and Noise Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing composite baluns for mobile communication apparatuses fail to supply DC voltage to power amplifiers and radio frequency integrated circuits while effectively mitigating noise from power supply circuits, and they complicate the connection patterns on circuit boards due to separate components.

Innovation Solution

A composite balun integrated into a single chip, featuring multiple baluns, capacitors, and DC voltage supply terminals, where baluns are electromagnetically coupled and capacitors absorb noise, simplifying the connection patterns and reducing board space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple baluns are incorporated into a mobile communication apparatus using separate chips, then the functional requirements are met, but the circuit board area increases and mounting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidcircuit board area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple baluns and capacitors into a single integrated chip structure. The composite balun includes first and second baluns with their respective balanced and unbalanced terminals, along with capacitors, all integrated on one chip. This merging eliminates the need for separate chips and reduces the overall circuit board area required for mounting multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Use of energy by moving object

If DC voltage supply is added to the composite balun, then power supply capability is improved, but noise from power supply circuits increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDC voltage supply capabilityVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces capacitors as intermediary elements between the DC voltage supply terminal and the balanced terminals. These capacitors serve as noise filters that block high-frequency noise from the power supply circuit while allowing the DC voltage to pass through, thus mediating between the power supply and the sensitive RF circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful noise from the DC power supply into a beneficial filtering function. By incorporating capacitors in the DC voltage supply path, the noise that would normally be harmful is instead routed through the capacitor's impedance characteristics, which attenuate the noise while maintaining the DC voltage supply function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If separate components are used for baluns and capacitors, then individual component performance is optimized, but connection patterns on circuit board become complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent performanceVSAvoidconnection pattern complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional components (baluns and capacitors) into a single integrated chip. The composite balun structure includes all necessary terminals (first balanced terminals, second balanced terminals, unbalanced terminals, and DC voltage supply terminal) and internal connections, eliminating the need for complex external connection patterns and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient DC voltage supply to power amplifiers and radio frequency integrated circuits while reducing noise and simplifying the mounting process by integrating components into a single chip, thus minimizing circuit board area and facilitating connection patterns.

Implementation Method 1

the third connection line is electromagnetically coupled to the first connection line and connected at one end to the first balanced terminal and at the other end to the DC voltage supply terminal. The fourth connection line is electromagnetically coupled to the second connection line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the capacitor is connected at one end to the DC voltage supply terminal and led at the other end to said ground terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS8324981B2Composite balun

Publication Date: 2012.12.04 TDK CORP

AI summary

A composite balun includes a plurality of baluns, at least one capacitor, a ground terminal, and a DC voltage supply terminal. The plurality of baluns and the capacitor are built into a single chip. Each of the baluns includes first to fourth connection lines, a first balanced terminal, a second balanced terminal, and an unbalanced terminal. The first connection line is connected at one end to the unbalanced terminal. The second connection line is connected at one end to the other end of the first connection line. The third connection line is electromagnetically coupled to the first connection line and connected at one end to the first balanced terminal and at the other end to the DC voltage supply terminal. The fourth connection line is electromagnetically coupled to the second connection line and connected at one end to the second balanced terminal and at the other end to the DC voltage supply terminal. The capacitor is connected at one end to the DC voltage supply terminal and led at the other end to said ground terminal.