QPVS Phase Shifter Circuit for 5G Antenna Switching Loss

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5G communication systems face challenges in minimizing switching loss in phase shifter circuits, which affects beam coverage and antenna gain.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable phase shifter circuit is designed to minimize switching loss by using a quasi-passive vector-sum (QPVS) phase shifter circuit structure, which includes a main path and sub-paths connected in parallel, allowing for wide-range phase shifts without significant insertion loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a conventional phase shifter circuit is used in 5G communication systems, then beamforming capability is achieved, but switching loss increases which reduces antenna gain and beam coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossVSAvoidbeam coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The phase shifter circuit is divided into multiple independent phase shifter units, each handling a portion of the signal. This segmentation reduces the switching loss in each unit compared to a single large phase shifter, while collectively providing the required phase control for beamforming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple phase shifter units are combined in parallel to achieve the overall phase shifting function. By merging multiple low-loss units, the circuit achieves both reduced switching loss and maintained beam coverage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If phase shifting is implemented to achieve wide beam coverage, then antenna gain is improved, but switching loss increases reducing overall system efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam coverageVSAvoidswitching loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The beam coverage function is distributed across multiple phase shifter units operating in parallel. Each unit contributes to the overall beam coverage while consuming less energy individually, reducing total switching loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The phase shifter units are designed to operate continuously with minimal switching transitions. By maintaining continuous useful action and reducing the frequency of switching operations, energy consumption is minimized while beam coverage is sustained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4052334B1Apparatus and method for phase shifting
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4052334B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4052334B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4052334B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). According to various embodiments, an antenna apparatus may include: an array antenna including a sub-array, a power divider, and a reconfigurable phase shifter circuit, the reconfigurable phase shifter circuit may be configured to provide a first phase shift value based on a switch in a first state, and provide a second phase shift value different from the first phase shift value based on the switch in a second state.