Reconfigurable Quadrature Coupler With Switchable Through Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional quadrature couplers lack a third mode of operation where power flows directly from the first quadrature port to the second quadrature port, limiting their reconfigurability.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable quadrature coupler design that includes switchable impedances for coupled, isolation, and through port transformers, controlled by transistors, allowing for selectable reflection coefficients and enabling a through mode of operation by configuring the coupled port transformer, isolation port transformer, and through port transformer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional quadrature coupler design is used, then the structure is simple, but only two modes of operation are available (quadrature mode and bypass mode)
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler structure is made dynamically reconfigurable by replacing fixed connections with switchable elements (PIN diodes or transistors) that can change the coupling behavior between ports. This allows the same physical structure to support multiple operation modes (quadrature, bypass, and through modes) by dynamically altering which ports are connected and how signals are routed through the coupler.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device structure. By incorporating switchable impedance elements and reconfigurable connection paths, the same coupler can operate as a quadrature coupler, a bypass coupler, or a through coupler depending on the switching state, eliminating the need for separate devices for each mode.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reconfigurable elements are added to enable multiple modes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is divided into distinct functional sections (coupled port transformer, isolation port transformer, through port transformer) each with its own switchable impedance elements. This segmentation allows independent control of different signal paths, enabling mode selection by activating specific segments while keeping others inactive, thereby managing complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance parameters of the transformers are made variable through switchable elements (PIN diodes or transistors) that can change the electrical characteristics of each port. By changing the impedance parameters dynamically based on the desired mode of operation, the coupler achieves multi-functionality without requiring completely different physical structures for each mode.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a reconfigurable quadrature coupler is disclosed. The method includes determining a first switchable impedance to provide a second port reflection coefficient by operating a coupled port transformer, which coupled port transformer is coupled to a second port having a coupled port transmission line connected to a first transistor; determining a second switchable impedance to provide a third port reflection coefficient by operating an isolation port transformer, which isolation port transformer is coupled to a third port having an isolation port transmission line connected to a second transistor; and determining a fourth switchable impedance to provide a fourth port reflection coefficient by operating a through port transformer, which through port transformer is coupled to a fourth port having a through port transmission line connected to a third transistor, and switching on or off selected ones of the first, second, and third transistors by operating a controller.