Modified Hybrid Ring Phase Shifter for Compact Phased Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antennas on mobile platforms face challenges in minimizing size and insertion loss while maintaining low phase delay variation over a wide frequency band, particularly in aeronautical applications where circular polarization is used, due to conflicting design considerations.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter device based on a modified hybrid ring power divider/coupler topology with an additional fifth port and a compact meandering transmission line, combined with a circular polarization quadrature divider, reduces area occupancy and improves insertion loss performance, achieving low phase delay variation and compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional phase shifters and CP forming networks are used, then beam steering capability is achieved, but the device size and area occupancy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase shifter and CP forming network into a single integrated hybrid ring structure. The hybrid ring topology simultaneously provides phase shifting functionality through its four ports and circular polarization capability through its inherent 90-degree phase difference between orthogonal modes, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid ring structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a phase shifter for beam steering, a CP forming network for circular polarization, and a power divider. This multi-functionality is achieved through the symmetric four-port configuration where signals can be input at any port and the structure naturally provides the required phase relationships for both phase shifting and CP generation.
2Loss of energy
If conventional phase shifters are used, then phase shifting capability is achieved, but insertion loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the phase shifter and CP forming network into a single hybrid ring structure, the signal passes through one integrated component rather than multiple cascaded components. This reduces the cumulative insertion loss that would result from multiple connections and component interfaces, while the hybrid ring's symmetric design ensures balanced signal paths with minimal loss.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional phase shifters are used, then phase shifting capability is achieved, but phase delay variation over frequency band increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated hybrid ring structure provides consistent phase relationships across its operating frequency band because all phase shifts are derived from the same physical structure and signal path. The symmetric four-port configuration ensures that phase delay variations are minimized and consistent across all ports, providing stable performance over the required frequency band.
4Area of stationary object
If phase shifters are minimized in size, then area occupancy is reduced, but performance (insertion loss and phase delay variation) may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid ring structure achieves compact size while maintaining performance because it integrates multiple functions into a single symmetric four-port topology. The phase shifter and CP forming network share the same physical structure, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing total area occupancy while maintaining consistent performance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall hybrid ring structure is symmetric, the patent employs asymmetric element placement and positioning within the ring to optimize performance. The asymmetric arrangement of elements within the symmetric topology allows for compact design while maintaining the required phase relationships and performance consistency across the frequency band.
Data Source
AI summary
A phase shifter device is disclosed and comprises a continuous transmission line on a substrate, and a plurality of ports coupled to the continuous transmission line and spaced apart from each other around the continuous transmission line. The plurality of ports comprises a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, and a fifth port. A radio frequency (RF) switch is operative to connect either the first port or the fifth port to a main RF line that is coupled to one or more antennas. The second port is located between the first port and the third port, and the fourth port is located between the fifth port and the third port. In an alternative embodiment, the phase shifter device is combined with a circular polarization quadrature divider.