Multi-Stage Signal Combiner Network Reducing Insertion Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional signal distribution systems face high insertion loss in signal combiners, especially those with a large number of input ports, leading to increased broadband amplifier noise and spurious products, which negatively impact filtering efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage signal combining network is implemented, featuring first and second stage combiner circuits and filters, which improve signal isolation by reducing out-of-band energy leakage without the need for additional amplifiers, using a channel stacking switch system or any signal distribution system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional signal combiner with a large number of input ports is used, then the signal distribution capacity is improved, but the insertion loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large-scale signal combiner into multiple smaller combiners arranged in a multi-stage network. Each combiner handles a subset of signals, and the stages are cascaded to achieve the same overall distribution capacity. This segmentation reduces the insertion loss of each individual combiner while maintaining the total signal distribution capability.
2Power
If higher gain amplifiers are used to overcome combiner insertion loss, then the signal strength is improved, but the broadband amplifier noise and spurious products increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the signal combining function into multiple stages with fewer input ports each, the overall insertion loss is reduced. This eliminates the need for high-gain amplifiers that would generate excessive noise and spurious products, as the signal strength can be maintained with lower gain requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of high insertion loss into a beneficial multi-stage architecture. Instead of using high-gain amplifiers that create noise and spurious products, the system uses multiple moderate-gain stages with filtering, where the filtering removes out-of-band energy that would otherwise be amplified and cause interference.
3Reliability
If additional amplifiers are added to compensate for insertion loss, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the power consumption and spurious products increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-stage combiner network reduces the overall insertion loss through segmentation, which directly improves the signal-to-noise ratio without requiring additional amplifiers. This eliminates the increased power consumption that would result from adding more amplifier stages.
4Device complexity
If a single-stage signal combiner is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the out-of-band energy leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal combining process into multiple stages, where each stage combines a subset of signals. This segmentation enables effective filtering of out-of-band energy at each stage, preventing leakage that would occur in a single-stage combiner with many input ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces filtering stages as intermediaries between the combiner stages. These filters act as mediators that remove out-of-band energy from the signal paths, preventing leakage and interference while allowing the multi-stage combiner network to function effectively.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the number of input ports in a signal combiner is increased, then the signal distribution capability is improved, but the filtering efficacy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high signal distribution capability by segmenting the combiner into multiple stages, each with a manageable number of input ports. This segmentation allows each filter in the network to operate effectively on a smaller number of signals, maintaining high filtering efficacy while providing comprehensive signal distribution capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-stage signal combining network includes two or more first stage combiner circuits, two or more filters, and at least one second stage signal combiner circuit. Each of the first stage combiner circuits has two or more input ports coupled to receive a respective two or more signals, and a first combiner output port. Each of the two or more filters includes an input coupled to one first stage combiner output port and a filter output port. The at least one second stage combiner circuit includes two or more input ports, each coupled to one filter output port, and a second stage combiner output port.