Magnet-less Multi-port Ring Combiner for Signal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circulators and combiners face limitations in physical size, cost, and performance due to their magnetic components and complex signal path configurations, which hinder efficient signal combining and dividing operations.
Innovation Solution
A magnet-less multi-port ring combiner with ports positioned at λ/4 increments around the circumference, featuring passive components and 180° out-of-phase signal nulls, allowing for scalable and efficient signal combination and division without magnetic fields, and providing high isolation between ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional circulators with magnetic components are used, then signal combining and dividing functions are achieved, but physical size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the magnet from the traditional ring combiner structure, extracting the harmful magnetic field generation while preserving the signal combining function through careful design of the transmission line geometry and port positioning at λ/4 increments around the ring circumference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based signal routing mechanism with an electromagnetic transmission line structure where signal direction is controlled by the geometric configuration of the ring and port positions, eliminating the need for magnetic components
2Reliability
If magnetic ring combiners are used, then signal combining is achieved, but physical size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the expensive magnet component from the ring combiner structure, achieving signal combining through purely planar transmission line geometry that can be manufactured using standard PCB or microwave substrate fabrication processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from magnetic field interaction to electromagnetic wave propagation in transmission lines, allowing the structure to be implemented with conventional planar manufacturing techniques rather than requiring precision magnetic component assembly
3Device complexity
If conventional parallel input configurations are used, then signal paths are simple, but physical size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all signal paths into a single compact ring structure where multiple inputs share common transmission line segments, allowing signals to traverse overlapping paths around the ring circumference rather than requiring separate parallel trace routes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional parallel trace layouts to a topologically optimized ring configuration where signals propagate in multiple directions around the circumference, effectively utilizing the circular geometry to reduce the linear footprint on the circuit board
4Reliability
If magnet-based combiners are used, then signal direction control is achieved, but thermal management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based signal routing with an electromagnetic transmission line structure where thermal energy can be conducted through the continuous planar substrate, enabling efficient heat dissipation pathways that are blocked by magnetic components and air gaps
Data Source
AI summary
A magnet-less multi-port ring combiner comprises a set of ports extending from the circumference of the magnet-less multi-port ring combiner. The set of ports are positioned at ¼ increments around the circumference of the magnet-less multi-port ring combiner. The set of ports comprise a first input port configured to receive a first input signal and a second input port configured to receive a second input signal, wherein the first input signal is 180° out-of-phase with the second input signal. The N-way magnet-less multi-port combiner comprises more than four ports.