Measuring Coupler Strip Conductor Ultra-Broadband Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement couplers for microwave technology face challenges such as high insertion loss, high production costs, and limited frequency range, making them unsuitable for ultra-broadband applications that require efficient signal handling across a wide frequency range from 10 MHz to 60 GHz.
Innovation Solution
A test coupler design incorporating coaxial and waveguide connections, along with stripline transitions, that efficiently combines and converts measurement signals from both lower and upper frequency ranges using forward and reverse couplers, minimizing manufacturing effort and ensuring low-reflection conversion with the help of attenuators and absorbers, and a housing structure for mechanical protection and electromagnetic interference reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a switch is used to combine signals from different frequency ranges, then signal switching between frequency ranges is achieved, but insertion loss increases and long-term stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the switch component from the signal combination path. Instead of using a switch to combine signals from different frequency ranges, the invention uses separate signal paths that directly feed into a combined output, removing the source of insertion loss and instability while maintaining the ability to handle multiple frequency ranges.
2Ease of manufacture
If a directional coupler using strip line technology is used, then signal combining is achieved, but it cannot be used as a test coupler for different partial signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a test coupler structure that can handle both lower frequency range signals (via coaxial connection) and upper frequency range signals (via waveguide connection) simultaneously through a common strip conductor output. This multi-functional design allows the same device to process different signal types and frequency ranges without requiring separate specialized couplers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a waveguide-stripline transition is added to convert waves, then conversion from waveguide to strip conductor is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal handling into distinct frequency ranges with dedicated input paths: coaxial connections for lower frequencies and waveguide connections for upper frequencies. Each path has its own transition structure (coaxial-to-stripline or waveguide-to-stripline), allowing complex conversions to be divided into manageable, specialized sections rather than requiring a single complex structure to handle all frequencies.
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 solution enables reliable and efficient signal transmission across the ultra-broadband frequency range with reduced production costs and improved long-term stability, ensuring effective measurement capabilities with minimal manufacturing effort and low electromagnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide-stripline transition converts measurement signals in the upper frequency range from waves preferably guided in the waveguide into waves guided on the second strip conductor
Implementation Method 2
The first strip conductor-coaxial conductor transition preferably converts measurement signals in the lower frequency range from coaxially guided waves into waves guided on the first strip conductor
Implementation Method 3
The second strip conductor-coaxial conductor transition preferably converts the measurement signals from waves guided on the strip conductor into coaxially guided waves
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A measuring coupler for applying measuring signals to a measurement object contains a first coaxial connection (47), a waveguide connection (34), and a first strip conductor (41). Lower frequency range measuring signals are applied to the first coaxial connection (47). Higher frequency range measuring signals are applied to the waveguide connection (34). The measuring coupler routes the measuring signals to the measurement object via the first strip conductor (41).