Phased Array Phase Shifter Architecture for Low Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased arrays face challenges in achieving a large phase-shift range and minimizing insertion and return losses, particularly in high-frequency applications, where precise phase shifts and amplitude balance are required, while also dealing with the complexity and power intensity of digital beamforming and the inefficiencies of RF combining.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of N discrete phase shifters and N-1 variable phase shifters, where the discrete phase shifters reduce the continuous phase shift range and eliminate the need for variable termination impedance, allowing for low insertion and return losses, and enabling single-chip integration with a widely adjustable phase shifter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital beamforming is used to achieve precise phase shifts and amplitude balance, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces digital beamforming (electronic/digital system) with an analog RF combining architecture that uses passive phase shifters and a combiner. This substitution eliminates the need for power-intensive ADCs and digital signal processing while maintaining phase shift precision through analog circuitry, thereby significantly reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the analog-to-digital conversion stage from the signal processing chain by performing beamforming operations in the analog RF domain. By taking out the ADC and subsequent digital processing, the system eliminates the major power consumption sources while preserving the essential phase shifting and signal combining functions through analog components.
2Measurement precision
If digital beamforming is used to achieve precise phase shifts and amplitude balance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex digital beamforming system with a simpler analog RF combining architecture. This substitution reduces device complexity by eliminating ADCs, digital signal processors, and associated control logic, while maintaining phase shift precision through analog phase shifters that operate directly on RF signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the digital processing components (ADCs and digital beamformers) from the system architecture. By taking out these complex elements and replacing them with simple analog phase shifters and a combiner, the overall device complexity is significantly reduced while preserving the essential functionality.
3Use of energy by moving object
If RF combining is used to minimize power consumption and area, then use of energy and device area are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the phase shifting function across multiple discrete phase shifters, each handling a portion of the total phase adjustment range. This segmentation allows each individual phase shifter to operate with relaxed precision requirements while collectively achieving the desired overall phase precision through the combination of multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs N discrete phase shifters that provide partial phase shifts, with the cumulative effect of all phase shifters achieving the complete required phase adjustment. By using partial actions from multiple components rather than requiring a single high-precision phase shifter, the manufacturing precision requirements for each individual component are reduced.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a large phase-shift range is implemented in each phase shifter, then adaptability is improved, but insertion loss and return loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total phase shift range requirement across multiple discrete phase shifters. Each phase shifter handles only a portion of the total phase adjustment range, which reduces the insertion loss and return loss for each individual component. The cumulative effect of all phase shifters together provides the complete required phase shift range, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Improved phased array techniques and architectures are provided. For example, a linear phased array includes N discrete phase shifters and N−1 variable phase shifters, wherein the N−1 variable phase shifters are respectively coupled between adjacent output nodes of the N discrete phase shifters such that the N discrete phase shifters reduce an amount of continuous phase shift provided by the N−1 variable phase shifters. Each of the N discrete phase shifters may select between two or more discrete phase shifts. The N discrete phase shifters also preferably eliminate a need for a variable termination impedance in the linear phased array.