Phase Control System Using Amplitude-Modulated Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current phase control systems for signals face limitations in achieving high phase resolution and amplification of phase shifts, which are essential for precise applications such as measuring small phase changes and internal structures, due to constraints in phase difference manipulation and amplitude ratios.

Innovation Solution

The method involves selecting a phase difference and amplitude ratio between input and reference signals such that changes in the phase difference result in significantly amplified or reduced phase shifts at the output, utilizing a phase-shift division factor to achieve higher resolution and amplification, allowing for precise control of phase shifts and measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional phase control systems are used, then basic phase control is achieved, but phase resolution and amplification capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase resolutionVSAvoidphase control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the phase control system by selecting specific phase differences (e.g., close to 0 or π radians) and amplitude ratios between input and reference signals. This parameter optimization enables the system to achieve high phase resolution and amplification capability, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and control reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic phase-shift division factor that can be adjusted based on operating conditions. By making the phase control system adaptive and dynamic rather than static, the system can maintain high phase resolution across different operating points while ensuring reliable phase control accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If phase difference manipulation is constrained, then system stability is maintained, but phase shift amplification is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase shift amplificationVSAvoidphase control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage that manipulates the phase difference between input and reference signals through controlled amplitude ratios. This intermediary mechanism enables phase shift amplification without requiring complex direct manipulation, thus increasing power capability while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the phase control process into distinct stages: generating input and reference signals with specific phase differences, combining them through amplitude-modulated mixing, and extracting the amplified phase shift. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving high phase shift amplification while keeping individual components manageable in complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3120473B1Method and system for controlling phase of a signal
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 ARIEL UNIV RES & DEV
  • EP3120473B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3120473B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3120473B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method of generating a signal being phase-shifted at a predetermined phase- shift division factor relative to a reference signal is disclosed. The method comprises: using the predetermined phase-shift division factor for selecting a modulation amplitude, modulating a control signal at the selected modulation amplitude, and combining the reference signal and the control signal to form the phase- shifted.