Power Divider Using Mutual Inductance for Compact Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power combiners/dividers used in 4G LTE systems, especially those employing beamforming technology, face challenges in size increase due to power loss, making them unsuitable for compact designs required by millimeter wave band communications.
Innovation Solution
A power divider circuit utilizing mutual inductance with a sub inductor symmetrically influencing primary inductors to reduce size and enhance isolation, thereby minimizing power loss and maintaining performance comparable to Wilkinson power combiners/dividers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional power combiners/dividers are used to implement beamforming technology, then signal transmission in various directions is enabled, but the chip size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the isolation network and power combiner/divider into a single integrated structure. The isolation network is positioned between the input port and output ports while the combiner/divider functions are implemented using shared inductive elements (first, second, and third inductors), eliminating the need for separate isolation components and reducing overall chip area.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductive elements serve multiple functions simultaneously. The first and second inductors provide both power combining/dividing and isolation functions, while the third inductor provides additional isolation between output ports. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed, thereby reducing chip size.
2Loss of energy
If the power combiner/divider is designed to negate power loss, then transmission performance is improved, but the device size enlarges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the inductance values and coupling coefficients of the inductive elements to minimize power loss. By carefully selecting the parameters (inductance L1, L2, L3 and coupling coefficients k12, k13, k23), the system achieves high transmission efficiency without requiring additional compensation components that would increase size.
3Reliability
If isolation between output ports is enhanced, then signal interference is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation network is merged with the power combiner/divider structure. The same inductive elements (first, second, and third inductors) that perform power combining/dividing also provide isolation between output ports, eliminating the need for separate isolation components and reducing overall circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductive elements serve dual purposes: power combining/dividing and isolation. The first and second inductors provide isolation between input and output ports, while the third inductor provides isolation between output ports, all while maintaining power combining/divider functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed.
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 solution results in compact power combiners/dividers with reduced power loss and improved balance performance between output ports, addressing the size and efficiency issues of existing designs.
Implementation Method 1
a first primary inducing element having a first terminal connected with a first output port and a second terminal connected with a second primary inducing element, the second primary inducing element having a first terminal connected with a second output port and a second terminal connected with the first primary inducing element and magnetically and mutually coupled with the first primary inducing element
Implementation Method 2
a first sub inducing element having a first terminal connected with an input port and a second terminal connected with the second terminal of the first primary inducing element and the second terminal of the second primary inducing element, and an isolation network connected between the first output port and the second output port, wherein the first sub inducing element is magnetically and mutually coupled with each of the first primary inducing element and the second primary inducing element
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a power divider circuit providing a mutual inductance and including a first primary inducing element having a first terminal connected with a first output port and a second terminal connected with a second primary inducing element having a first terminal connected with a second output port and a second terminal connected with the first primary inducing element and magnetically and mutually coupled with the first primary inducing element, a sub inducing element having a first terminal connected with an input port and a second terminal connected with the second terminal of the first primary inducing element and the second terminal of the second primary inducing element, and an isolation network connected between the first output port and the second output port. The sub inducing element is magnetically and mutually coupled with each of the first primary inducing element and the second primary inducing element.