Air-Insulated LNA Input Circuit Reduces Signal Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio receiver designs suffer from signal attenuation and increased noise figure due to losses in the transmission path from the antenna to low-noise amplifiers, caused by dielectric losses in circuit board materials and the need for discrete coils in matching circuits, which complicates impedance matching and increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
Combining the low-pass filter, Wilkinson divider, and phase shifter with the matching circuit into physically united air-insulated or low-loss dielectric material elements, reducing the number of lossy components and eliminating the need for discrete coils, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If discrete coils are used in matching circuits, then impedance matching can be achieved, but production costs increase and manufacturing precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the matching circuit with the low-pass filter into a single integrated structure. The matching inductors are formed by extending the inductor windings of the low-pass filter, eliminating the need for separate discrete coils. This integration maintains impedance matching capability while reducing component count and production complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The low-pass filter inductors serve dual purposes: they provide filtering functionality and simultaneously act as matching inductors for impedance matching. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated matching coils, reducing both cost and manufacturing difficulty while maintaining matching precision
2Strength
If circuit board materials with dielectric properties are used for transmission paths, then structural support is provided, but signal attenuation increases due to dielectric losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the low-pass filter and divider into a single air-insulated structure. By removing the filter from the circuit board substrate and suspending it in air, dielectric losses are minimized while the structure itself provides mechanical support. The air insulation eliminates the primary source of dielectric loss in the transmission path
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses air as an insulating medium instead of dielectric circuit board materials for the transmission paths. Air has negligible dielectric loss compared to circuit board materials, significantly reducing signal attenuation. The air-insulated structure maintains structural integrity while minimizing energy loss
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components (filter, divider, phase shifter, matching circuit) are used, then functional flexibility is maintained, but the number of lossy components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the low-pass filter and Wilkinson divider into a single unified structure where the division conductors also serve as filter elements. This reduces the number of separate lossy components while maintaining both filtering and signal division functions. The phase shifter and matching circuits remain separate but are optimized with fewer interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The division conductors of the Wilkinson divider serve dual functions: they divide the signal and simultaneously provide low-pass filtering. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and their associated losses, while the system maintains full functional flexibility through careful design of the multi-functional elements
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 approach reduces signal attenuation, improves the noise figure of the low-noise amplifiers, allows for more accurate impedance matching, and lowers production costs by minimizing the number of lossy components and eliminating the need for discrete coils.
Implementation Method 1
losses in the transmission path from the antenna to low-noise amplifiers, caused by dielectric losses in circuit board materials
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for processing the antenna signal of a radio receiver and for leading it to low-noise amplifiers LNA of parallel amplifier branches. On the transmission path of the receiver from the antenna to the amplifiers LNA, functionally different elements are combined into physically united elements, such as the conductors (432, 433) of the low-passing part of the antenna filter and the division conductors of the Wilkinson divider (430), and the conductor (441) of the phase-shifter and the inductive part (L1) of the LNA matching circuit. Each physically united element is a conductor, which is insulated from the ground plane by air or a low-loss dielectric material. The arrangement reduces the number of lossy parts between the antenna and the amplifiers, and placing these parts on an ordinary circuit board is also avoided. For these reasons, inferior noise values compared to the prior art can be allowed for each LNA. In addition, the matching of the input impedance of the LNA becomes more accurate when no discrete coil is needed in it.