Meandered Phase Shifter With Slidable Wiper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase shifters face challenges in efficiently adjusting RF signal phases due to the complexity of rotating wipers and arc-shaped conductive traces, which result in inaccurate phase shifts and increased size, making them difficult to control and miniaturize.
Innovation Solution
The phase shifter employs meandered conductive traces with varying periods, heights, and widths, along with dielectric substrates of different dielectric constants, and a slidable wiper to adjust RF signal phases, allowing for precise phase control and reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional rotating wipers and arc-shaped conductive traces are used, then phase adjustment capability is achieved, but device size increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shifter is divided into multiple independent signal paths (first, second, third, fourth output ports) with separate conductive traces. Each path can be independently controlled by its own wiper, allowing phase adjustment of individual signal components. This segmentation enables compact layout while maintaining full phase control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive traces are configured as meandered patterns extending in the first direction rather than using arc-shaped traces requiring rotational movement. This transforms the phase adjustment from a rotational dimension to a linear sliding dimension, enabling miniaturization while preserving phase control functionality.
2Ease of operation
If arc-shaped conductive traces with rotating wipers are used, then phase shift is achieved, but manufacturing precision and control accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wipers are configured to slide linearly along the meandered conductive traces rather than rotate. This dynamic transformation from rotational to linear movement simplifies the control mechanism and improves manufacturing precision, as linear sliding is easier to control and manufacture accurately than rotational positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive traces use meandered patterns with varying periods, heights, and widths to achieve different phase shifts. By changing the geometric parameters of the traces rather than relying on precise rotational angles, the design achieves accurate phase control with simpler manufacturing requirements.
3Ease of operation
If conventional phase shifter design is used, then phase adjustment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple signal paths are merged into a single planar structure with meandered conductive traces extending in the first direction. The first and second wipers operate on the same structural plane, and the dielectric substrates provide a unified support structure. This merging reduces overall structural complexity compared to conventional designs requiring separate rotational mechanisms for each path.
Solution Approach 2:
The design uses meandered traces extending in the first direction to achieve phase adjustment without requiring rotational movement. This dimensional change from rotational to linear configuration simplifies the mechanical structure and reduces the number of moving parts, thereby reducing device complexity.
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 design enhances the precision and flexibility of phase adjustments while reducing the size of the phase shifter, improving control over phase shifts and enabling more compact implementations.
Implementation Method 1
The phase shifter employs meandered conductive traces with varying periods, heights, and widths, along with dielectric substrates of different dielectric constants, and a slidable wiper to adjust RF signal phases
Implementation Method 2
The phase shifter employs meandered conductive traces with varying periods, heights, and widths, along with dielectric substrates of different dielectric constants, and a slidable wiper to adjust RF signal phases
Implementation Method 3
a first wiper configured to couple the input port to the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace, wherein the first wiper is configured to be slidable in the first direction with respect to the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a phase shifter including an input port configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal; a first output port, a second output port, a third output port, and a fourth output port each configured to output a respective phase-shifted sub-component of the RF signal; a first conductive trace that extends in a first direction, the first conductive trace coupled to the first output port and the second output port; a second conductive trace that extends in the first direction, the second conductive trace coupled to the third output port and the fourth output port; and a first wiper configured to couple the input port to the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace, wherein the first wiper is configured to be slidable in the first direction with respect to the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace.