Symmetric Power Divider Layout for Balanced In-Phase Outputs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Wilkinson power dividers occupy a large area, have high manufacturing costs, and suffer from amplitude imbalance and phase differences due to asymmetric layouts, which restrict their efficiency in signal division.
Innovation Solution
A power divider design featuring first and second transmission lines with lengths one-twelfth of the target wavelength, arranged in line symmetry, and incorporating an input capacitor and output capacitors and resistors to achieve in-phase output signals with balanced amplitude and phase, reducing power loss and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the two transmission portions are laid out far apart to avoid electromagnetic coupling, then the electromagnetic coupling between transmission portions is reduced, but the occupied area increases
Solution Approach 1:
A ground connection structure is introduced as an intermediary between the two transmission portions. This ground connection serves as a mediator that provides electromagnetic isolation between the transmission lines, allowing them to be placed closer together while maintaining low coupling. The ground connection structure acts as a shield that prevents direct electromagnetic interaction between the adjacent transmission portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation mechanism is moved from the spatial dimension (separating transmission lines horizontally) to the vertical dimension by introducing ground connections beneath the transmission portions. This allows the transmission lines to be positioned closer in the planar view while maintaining isolation through the vertical grounding structure, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space for isolation.
2Area of stationary object
If the two transmission portions are laid out in an asymmetric way to fit limited chip area, then the chip area is utilized more efficiently, but the amplitude imbalance and phase difference between output signals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetric ground connection structures on each side of the transmission portions. Rather than using a symmetric layout that would require excessive area, asymmetric ground connections are designed with different configurations (different numbers, positions, or shapes of ground segments) to provide optimized isolation for each transmission line. This asymmetric approach allows compact layout while maintaining signal balance through tailored isolation for each path.
3Area of stationary object
If the transmission portions are made shorter to reduce area, then the occupied area is reduced, but the signal transmission performance and frequency selectivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ground connections extending in the vertical dimension (perpendicular to the signal flow direction) to provide isolation and frequency selectivity without requiring longer horizontal transmission paths. The ground connections create electromagnetic boundaries that enhance signal integrity and frequency response, allowing shorter transmission portions to achieve the same performance as longer ones would provide in conventional designs.
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
The design results in a compact, cost-effective power divider with improved amplitude and phase balance, ensuring efficient signal division with minimal power loss across the desired frequency range.
Implementation Method 1
the input capacitor is configured to block a common-mode signal and to allow a differential-mode signal to pass through
Implementation Method 2
Each of the input portion, the first transmission portion and the first output portion is implemented to be a transmission line
Data Source
AI summary
A power divider includes an input capacitor, and first and second transmission lines (TLs). The first TL includes an input portion (IP), a transmission portion (TP) and an output portion (OP). The second TL includes a TP and an OP. The IP is for receiving an input signal, and is connected to the TPs of the first and second TLs. For each of the first and second TLs, the TP has a length that is one-twelfth of a target wavelength, and is connected to the OP. The OPs of the first and second TLs are for cooperatively outputting a pair of output signals which are in-phase and each of which has a frequency equal to that of the input signal. The input capacitor is connected between ground and the IP.