Compact Phase Shifter Using Microstrip Coplanar Waveguide Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase shifters are large in size and costly, making them unsuitable for multi-phase feed network designs, which require high-precision phase control for efficient data transmission in modern communications systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact phase shifter design utilizing a microstrip/coplanar-waveguide coupling structure with adjustable coupling widths and gaps, and capacitors for fine-tuning phase shifts, allowing for a smaller volume and lower cost while maintaining high precision, integrated into a feed network with a power divider for multi-channel phase shift functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional microstrip coupling phase shifter is used, then phase shift functionality is achieved, but the volume and cost are relatively large and high
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shifter is divided into multiple independent phase shift units, each contributing a specific phase shift amount. By segmenting the total phase shift requirement into discrete units (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°), the design achieves compact individual units that can be selectively combined, reducing overall volume while maintaining precise phase control through digital selection of active units.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase shifter employs switchable phase shift units that can be dynamically activated or deactivated based on the required phase shift value. This dynamic configuration allows the same physical structure to provide multiple phase shift states (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, etc.), reducing the need for multiple fixed phase shifters and thereby reducing total volume while maintaining precision through selective activation.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional phase shifters are used, then phase shift functionality is achieved, but the cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
Each phase shift unit is designed with a universal structure that can serve multiple phase shift functions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) through selective activation. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed, lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable phase shift performance through the standardized, repeatable design of each universal unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase shift units utilize variable coupling widths and gaps as adjustable parameters to achieve different phase shift amounts. By changing these geometric parameters in a standardized way across multiple units, the design achieves cost-effective manufacturing through parameter variation rather than structural complexity, while maintaining reliable performance through controlled parameter optimization.
3Device complexity
If the coupling width and gap are increased, then the structure becomes simpler, but the phase shift accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure employs locally optimized coupling widths and gaps at specific critical positions within each phase shift unit. Rather than uniformly simplifying the entire structure, the design maintains precise local coupling dimensions where they most impact phase shift accuracy, while allowing simpler configurations in less critical areas. This local quality approach reduces overall device complexity while preserving phase shift precision through targeted optimization.
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 achieves a compact and cost-effective phase shifter that ensures accurate differential phase shifts across a wide frequency band, facilitating the design of efficient feed networks with reduced size and cost, while maintaining high phase shift accuracy and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a microstrip/coplanar-waveguide coupling structure 115 including a microstrip 1151 and a coplanar waveguide 1152
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies and discloses a phase shifter and a feed network. The phase shifter includes at least one phase shift component. The phase shift component includes a substrate, a microstrip coupling structure disposed on a first plane of the substrate, a microstrip transmission line connected to and coplanar with the microstrip coupling structure, and a microstrip/coplanar-waveguide coupling structure, where the microstrip/coplanar-waveguide coupling structure includes a microstrip connected to and coplanar with the microstrip transmission line, and a coplanar waveguide disposed opposite to the microstrip on the substrate and coupled with the microstrip. A phase shifter using a microstrip/coplanar-waveguide coupling structure has a small volume and costs low, thereby facilitating feed network design.