Power Coupler Antenna Element Power Absorbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power couplers face challenges in achieving high performance at millimeter wave frequencies due to imperfections in electronic components and impedance mismatches, leading to reduced performance and increased losses in wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of antenna elements, such as patch radiating elements, as power absorbers integrated into printed circuit board structures, replacing traditional resistive terminations to absorb residual power and improve isolation between ports, thereby enhancing the performance of power couplers operating at millimeter wave frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional resistive terminations are used in power couplers at millimeter wave frequencies, then the device complexity is reduced, but the performance deteriorates due to impedance mismatches and increased losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the termination method from traditional resistive terminations to antenna elements that radiate or absorb residual power. This parameter change in the termination mechanism improves performance at millimeter wave frequencies by reducing impedance mismatches and losses while maintaining acceptable device complexity through integration into the PCB structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes traditional resistive termination components with antenna elements that function as power absorbers. This substitution replaces conventional electronic components with radiating structures that are better suited for millimeter wave frequencies, improving system performance while enabling integration into the PCB layout.
2Loss of energy
If antenna elements are used as power absorbers, then return loss is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antenna elements directly into the PCB structure, integrating the power absorption function into the existing circuit board layout. This merging approach reduces return loss and improves efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity by utilizing the PCB as both a support structure and a functional element.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna elements serve multiple functions: they act as power absorbers for residual signals, provide isolation between ports, and can be integrated into the PCB layout as part of the overall device structure. This multi-functionality improves performance while limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If antenna elements are integrated into PCB structures, then isolation between ports is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the isolation mechanism from traditional component-based approaches to antenna element integration within the PCB. This parameter change improves isolation between ports at millimeter wave frequencies while the manufacturing precision requirements are managed through standard PCB fabrication processes and integration techniques.
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 solution effectively reduces return loss and increases the efficiency of power couplers, ensuring that a significant portion of the input power is either radiated or absorbed, minimizing reflections and improving the overall performance of millimeter wave communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna element that is electrically coupled between the first output port and the second output port or that is electrically coupled to an isolation port of the power coupler
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~6
AI summary
A power coupler includes an input port, first and second output ports and an antenna element that is electrically coupled between the first output port and the second output port or that is electrically coupled to an isolation port of the power coupler. The power coupler is configured to split a radio frequency signal incident at the input port and/or to combine radio signals incident at the respective first and second output ports.