Magnet-Free Circulator with Anti-Phase Time Variance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnet-free circulators suffer from high insertion loss due to power diversion into intermodulation frequencies, and conventional ferrimagnetic circulators are bulky and incompatible with semiconductor IC integration, limiting their application in compact and cost-effective solutions.

Innovation Solution

A circulator device comprising two magnet-free circulators with mutually anti-phase time variance, coupled through transformer baluns to cancel out intermodulation products, allowing for compact and low-cost implementation on semiconductor materials like silicon, and electrical frequency tuning for reconfigurable radio hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If magnet-free circulators are used, then IC compatibility and compactness are improved, but insertion loss increases due to power diversion into intermodulation frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIC compatibilityVSAvoidinsertion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two magnet-free circulators into a single integrated device where their intermodulation products cancel each other out. The first circulator processes signals in one direction while the second circulator processes signals in the opposite direction, and their combined output cancels the harmful intermodulation frequencies, thereby reducing insertion loss while maintaining IC compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful intermodulation products generated by magnet-free circulators into a beneficial cancellation effect. By deliberately designing the system to generate equal but opposite intermodulation products from two circulators, the harmful frequency components cancel each other out, transforming the original harm into a performance improvement.

Inventive Principle:

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

2Loss of energy

If ferrimagnetic circulators are used, then insertion loss is reduced, but device size increases and IC integration becomes incompatible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion lossVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/ferrimagnetic system with an electronic system based on magnet-free circulators implemented on IC substrates. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky ferrimagnetic materials and precision mechanical machining, achieving compact integration while using electronic control to manage the insertion loss characteristic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters by using magnet-free circulators with forced time variance instead of traditional ferrimagnetic materials. This parameter change enables IC compatibility and miniaturization, and the dual-circulator configuration with anti-phase time variance compensates for the insertion loss that results from this fundamental change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If magnet-free circulators with forced time variance are used, then compactness and cost are improved, but intermodulation products are generated that increase insertion loss

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompactnessVSAvoidintermodulation products

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful intermodulation products into a beneficial cancellation mechanism. By using two magnet-free circulators with anti-phase time variance, the system generates intermodulation products that are equal in magnitude but opposite in phase, causing them to cancel each other out and transform the harmful effect into a performance enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces asymmetry in the time variance phase between the two circulators. The first circulator operates with a reference phase while the second circulator operates with an anti-phase (180-degree phase difference) time variance, creating an asymmetric configuration that enables destructive interference of intermodulation products while maintaining the compact magnet-free architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 proposed solution significantly reduces insertion loss while maintaining compactness and IC compatibility, enabling improved performance and cost-effectiveness compared to both magnet-free and ferrimagnetic circulators.

Implementation Method 1

coupled through transformer baluns to cancel out intermodulation products

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3446358B1Circulator device with two magnet-free circulators

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

Figure 1a~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 2d~2e

AI summary

There is provided a circulator device (200a). The circulator device comprises two magnet-free circulators (220a,220b). Each magnet-free circulator has a forced time variance. The circulator device comprises ports (240a,240b,240c). The two circulators are in the circulator device arranged to have mutually anti-phase time variance. Each of the two circulators is coupled to all of the ports. There is also presented an isolator device comprising such a circulator device. There is also presented a radio transceiver device comprising such a circulator device or isolator device.