Phased Array Circulator Using Magnetic Cylinder Flux
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circulators and isolators face challenges in high-frequency phased array antenna systems due to space limitations and the need for stronger magnetic fields, making it difficult to integrate them into compact RF devices.
Innovation Solution
A circulator/isolator assembly with a magnetic substrate, dielectric layer, and a magnetic cylinder that excites a unidirectional magnetic flux field, allowing for compact integration by using a shared non-magnetic substrate and eliminating the need for a separate magnet, enabling efficient electromagnetic wave propagation in a single direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional microstrip circulator is used, then the circulator provides necessary non-reciprocal electromagnetic energy propagation, but the device occupies excessive space that cannot be accommodated in phased array antenna elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ferrite substrate with the phased array antenna element substrate, eliminating the need for a separate circulator housing and mounting structure. The circulator circuit is integrated directly onto the antenna element's PCB, combining multiple functions into a single planar structure that maintains non-reciprocal propagation while occupying minimal space within the antenna element.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a three-dimensional stacked configuration (separate ferrite substrate, magnet, and circuit board) to a two-dimensional planar integration on the PCB. The circulator is implemented as a printed circuit using microstrip or coplanar waveguide structures with ferrite tiles placed on the surface, eliminating the vertical stacking requirement and reducing overall device volume.
2Productivity
If the operating frequency of the phased array antenna is increased, then the antenna achieves higher performance, but the required magnetic field strength increases necessitating a stronger permanent magnet that cannot be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the permanent magnet from the circulator design, eliminating the need for bulky magnet assemblies. Instead, the magnetic field is generated by external magnets positioned adjacent to multiple antenna elements, or by utilizing the magnetic properties of the ferrite material itself, allowing high-frequency operation without integrating strong permanent magnets into each circulator.
Solution Approach 2:
The external magnetic field source serves multiple antenna elements simultaneously, providing a universal magnetic field that supports high-frequency operation across the entire phased array system rather than requiring individual magnets for each circulator. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity and component count.
3Reliability
If a conventional circulator with separate ferrite substrate and permanent magnet is used, then the circulator functions properly, but the packaging becomes increasingly difficult as operating frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the circulator circuit, ferrite substrate, and mounting structure into a single integrated PCB assembly. The circulator is implemented using printed circuit techniques with ferrite tiles mounted on the board, eliminating the need for separate packaging of multiple components and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining proper circulator function.
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
This configuration allows for compact, efficient, and effective operation within a specific frequency range, reducing the overall footprint of RF devices and overcoming space constraints, while maintaining low loss and high performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetic cylinder disposed proximate the multi-port junction circuit of the dielectric layer, such that the first magnetic cylinder excites a circular, unidirectional magnetic flux field in the first magnetic substrate that limits electromagnetic wave propagation to a single direction
Implementation Method 2
A circulator device uses the gyromagnetic properties of the ferrite material, typically yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG), for its low loss microwave characteristics
Implementation Method 3
The magnetization vector in the ferrite substrate processes in only one circular direction, thus forming a non-reciprocal path for electromagnetic waves to propagate
Data Source
AI summary
A circulator/isolator assembly to operate within a first frequency range is disclosed. The assembly includes a first magnetic substrate having a first surface and a second surface and a first ground plane formed on the first surface, a dielectric layer disposed adjacent the first magnetic substrate, the dielectric layer comprising a multi-port junction circuit disposed on a first side of the dielectric layer and dimensioned to be resonant within the first frequency range, the multi-port junction circuit comprising a conductive disk coupled to a plurality of RF transmission traces, a first RF transmission trace forming an input port and a second RF transmission trace forming an output port, a ground plane disposed on a second side of the dielectric layer, and a first magnetic cylinder disposed proximate the multi-port junction circuit of the dielectric layer.