Planar Balun Layout for Compact mm-Wave Radar Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balun structures for millimetre-wave radar signals occupy significant space, limiting the size that can be allocated to digital and power routing, and restricting the overall package dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A planar balun structure with a half-wavelength path that surrounds the single-ended side, allowing for a compact design by reducing the overall size of the balun structure, and enabling independent tuning of the common-mode rejection resonance frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional balun structure with hairpin-shaped half-wavelength path is used, then the common-mode rejection is maintained high, but the package size occupied is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transforming the conventional linear hairpin-shaped half-wavelength path into a circular conductor path. This circular configuration maintains the electrical length requirement for common-mode rejection while significantly reducing the spatial footprint on the package, directly resolving the contradiction between compact size and maintained performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reconfigures the balun structure from a planar linear arrangement to a circular topology that efficiently utilizes the available package area. By changing the geometric dimensioning approach from straight-line segments to a radial circular path, the design achieves better space utilization while preserving the electromagnetic performance characteristics
2Area of stationary object
If the balun structure size is reduced to save package space, then more space is available for digital and power routing, but the insertion loss and radiation loss may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the circular half-wavelength path length parameter to be between 0.6mm and 2mm, which is specifically tuned to maintain low insertion loss and radiation loss while achieving compact dimensions. This parameter optimization allows the structure to retain low loss characteristics despite the reduced size, resolving the contradiction between compactness and energy efficiency
3Area of stationary object
If the half-wavelength path length is reduced to 0.6-2mm for compact design, then the package footprint is minimized, but the common-mode rejection resonance frequency tuning becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adjustable angle parameter between the radial conductor path and the differential side conductors, enabling dynamic tuning of the common-mode rejection resonance frequency. This adjustable geometric parameter provides a simple mechanism to optimize performance for different frequency requirements without increasing physical size or structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a planar balun structure for routing millimetre-wave radar signals. Example embodiments include a planar balun structure (200) for routing millimetre-wave radar signals, the balun structure (200) comprising: a single-ended side (201); a differential side (203); a half-wavelength path (204) connecting the differential side (203) to the single-ended side (201), wherein the half-wavelength path (204) surrounds the single-ended side (201).