Digital Phase Shifter Ground Layout for Multi-Row Phase Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

The connection of a ground pattern with another circuit in a multi-row digital phase shifter configuration can reduce the phase shift quantity of the digital phase shift circuit, particularly when mounted on a semiconductor substrate.

Innovation Solution

A digital phase shifter with a multi-row structure where the ground pattern is connected to the front row at one point, positioned between the rows, or connected to the rear row at one point, using conductive layers and including capacitors and electronic switches to manage the ground connection effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If digital phase shift circuits are disposed in a multi-row state to save mounting space, then the mounting space efficiency is improved, but the phase shift quantity is reduced due to ground pattern connections between rows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting spaceVSAvoidphase shift quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the ground connection structure into segmented portions, where each digital phase shift circuit unit has its own dedicated ground connection path through the ground pattern. This segmentation prevents ground patterns from other circuits from interfering with the phase shift quantity, while still allowing multi-row disposal to save mounting space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ground pattern is designed with local quality variations, where specific regions have different ground connection characteristics. The ground pattern includes a first ground bar connected to one end of the digital phase shift circuit and a second ground bar connected to the other end, with controlled impedance and ground connection points that are optimized for each local region to maintain phase shift performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If ground patterns of other circuits are connected to the digital phase shifter components, then the circuit integration is improved, but the phase shift quantity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit integrationVSAvoidphase shift quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the ground connection function from the shared ground pattern and creates dedicated ground connection paths for each digital phase shift circuit unit. The ground pattern is designed to provide isolated ground connections to each unit, preventing interference from other circuits while maintaining circuit integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ground pattern acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between multiple digital phase shift circuit units and the ground reference. It provides controlled impedance paths and isolated ground connection points that prevent harmful interactions between adjacent circuits while maintaining overall system integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4277014A1Digital phase shifter
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 FUJIKURA LTD
  • EP4277014A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4277014A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4277014A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A digital phase shifter of the present invention is a digital phase shifter in which digital phase shift circuits are cascade-connected, each of the digital phase shift circuits including a signal line, a pair of inner lines provided on both sides of the signal line, a pair of outer lines provided on outer sides of the inner lines, a first ground conductor connected to one ends of the inner lines and one ends of the outer lines, a second ground conductor connected to the other ends of the outer lines, and a pair of electronic switches provided between the other ends of the inner lines and the second ground conductor. The digital phase shift circuits include a multi-row structure constituted by a front row and a rear row, the front row and the rear row are adjacent to each other, and the ground pattern is connected to the front row at one point.