Radar I/Q Coupler Layout for Lower-Mixer Detection Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar devices with I/Q orthogonal signal paths require multiple mixers, increasing substrate area and manufacturing costs, necessitating a more efficient design.
Innovation Solution
A radar device incorporating a signal source, antennas, and a 90-degree coupler to generate and process baseband signals without the need for secondary mixers, using either circular and linear polarization antennas or configuring the coupler to divide and phase-adjust signals, mimicking I/Q orthogonal signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If I/Q orthogonal signal paths are used to deliver signals, then detection performance is improved, but substrate area and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple mixers into a single mixer by using a 90-degree hybrid coupler to generate the I and Q components from a single reference signal. This merging of functions reduces the number of mixers from two to one, thereby reducing substrate area while maintaining detection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The single mixer in the patent performs multiple functions: it mixes both the I and Q components with the reference signal to produce the baseband outputs. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require two separate mixers, reducing the overall substrate area while maintaining the same detection capabilities.
2Reliability
If I/Q orthogonal signal paths are used to deliver signals, then detection performance is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two mixers into one mixer circuit by using a 90-degree hybrid coupler to provide quadrature reference signals. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs while preserving the detection performance benefits of I/Q signal paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The 90-degree hybrid coupler creates copies of the reference signal with 90-degree phase shifts to generate the I and Q components. This copying mechanism allows a single mixer to perform the work of two mixers, reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining detection performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mixers are designed and integrated with I/Q paths, then signal processing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the signal processing functions of multiple mixers into a single mixer by using a 90-degree hybrid coupler to generate quadrature reference signals. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the signal processing capability needed for I/Q demodulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The 90-degree hybrid coupler acts as an intermediary device that takes a single reference signal and produces two quadrature reference signals (I and Q components). This intermediary function allows a single mixer to perform the work of two mixers, reducing device complexity while preserving signal processing capability.
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
Simplifies the design, reduces manufacturing costs, and maintains performance comparable to conventional I/Q systems, suitable for various radar detection applications.
Implementation Method 1
The 90-degree coupler has a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal. The signals input to the first input terminal or the second input terminal are divided into two portions and are respectively output from the first output terminal and the second output terminal. The signal phase difference between the first output terminal and the second output terminal is 90 degrees.
Implementation Method 2
The mixer generates a baseband signal according to the incident signal and the reflective signal.
Implementation Method 3
The signals transmitted or received by the circular polarization antenna have orthogonal polarization directions and phase differences of 90 degrees.
Implementation Method 4
The signals transmitted or received by the linear polarization antenna have orthogonal polarization directions and phase differences of 0 degrees.
Implementation Method 5
The radar device detects the state of the user, and generates a baseband signal.
Data Source
AI summary
A radar device for detecting an OUD (Object Under Detection) includes a signal source, a first antenna, a second antenna, a mixer, and a 90-degree coupler. The signal source is configured to generate an incident signal. The first antenna is configured to transmit the incident signal to the OUD. The second antenna is configured to receive a reflective signal from the OUD. The mixer is configured to generate a baseband signal according to the incident signal and the reflective signal. The second antenna is coupled through the 90-degree coupler to the mixer, or the signal source is coupled through the 90-degree coupler to the first antenna.