Planar Balun Transformer Using Printed Conductive Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balun transformer devices on printed circuit boards for RF applications suffer from parasitic effects due to inaccurate coaxial cable shaping and welding imprecision, leading to signal distortion and unpredictability, especially at frequencies around 1 GHz.
Innovation Solution
A planar balun transformer device with printed conductive tracks on both faces of a support plate, connected via via holes, which eliminates the need for complex coaxial cable shaping and welding, ensuring precise signal conversion between differential and single-ended signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coaxial cable is used in the balun transformer device, then the signal transmission can be achieved, but parasitic effects and signal distortion occur due to inaccurate shaping and welding imprecision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coaxial cable from the balun transformer device and replaces it entirely with printed conductive tracks on the PCB. This extraction eliminates the manufacturing issues associated with coaxial cable shaping and welding, as the conductive paths are directly printed using standard PCB fabrication processes, thereby improving signal reliability without manufacturing precision compromises
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a planar copy of the traditional three-dimensional coaxial cable structure using printed conductive tracks on the PCB surface. This copying approach maintains the electrical functionality while eliminating the physical defects associated with the original coaxial cable implementation, such as shaping inaccuracies and welding imprecision
2Ease of manufacture
If welding connections are used to connect coaxial cable to printed metal track, then the circuit can be assembled, but parasitic effects increase due to welding imprecision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coaxial cable connection function directly into the PCB structure by printing conductive tracks that extend from the signal source through the grounding structure to the output. This integration eliminates separate welding operations and the associated parasitic effects, while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard PCB fabrication processes
Solution Approach 2:
The printed conductive track serves as an intermediary that replaces the welding connection between the coaxial cable and the printed metal track. This intermediary eliminates the harmful effects of imprecise welding while maintaining the electrical connection function, and can be implemented using standard PCB manufacturing techniques
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional balun transformer structure is used, then signal conversion function is achieved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The printed conductive track structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides signal transmission paths, serves as part of the grounding structure, and implements the balun transformation function. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate coaxial cables, connectors, and discrete transformer components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining signal conversion adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the balun transformer function into distributed printed conductive paths on the PCB rather than using a single complex transformer component. The signal path is divided into multiple printed track segments that collectively perform the transformation function, reducing individual component complexity while maintaining overall system adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
An electric transformer device (balun) is formed on a support plate having a first base face and an opposite second base face. The balun includes a first port (40) connectable to an electrical line for a differential signal and a second port connectable to an electrical line for a single-ended signal. A first printed conductive track is associated to the first base face of the support plate for connecting the first port to the second port. A printed conductive path is associated to the second base face of the support plate for connecting the first port to the second port. The printed conductive path is formed of a symmetric second and third printed conductive tracks.