Rat-Race Coupler Layout for Phase Error Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rat-race couplers exhibit phase errors in their output signals, which affect their performance and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The rat-race coupler is designed with specific electrical lengths and impedance ratios for its strip-shaped conductors, combined with bandwidth adjustment parts, to reduce phase errors and improve signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional rat-race coupler is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the output signals exhibit phase errors that affect performance
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler structure is divided into multiple strip-shaped conductors (first through fourth strip-shaped conductors) arranged in an annular configuration, with each conductor serving a specific function in the signal path. This segmentation allows precise control of signal propagation and phase relationships while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the coupler are designed with specific electrical length ratios (1:2:4 configuration) to optimize local signal characteristics. The first, second, and third strip-shaped conductors have electrical lengths in a 1:2:4 ratio, creating localized phase relationships that collectively eliminate overall phase errors in the output signals
2Measurement precision
If the electrical lengths and impedances are optimized to reduce phase errors, then signal quality improves, but the design and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler employs specific electrical length ratios (1:2:4) and impedance relationships among the strip-shaped conductors to achieve phase error cancellation. By changing the electrical length parameters to these specific ratios, the design achieves high phase accuracy while the ratios themselves provide clear manufacturing targets that simplify the precision requirements compared to absolute dimension specifications
3Adaptability or versatility
If bandwidth adjustment parts are added to improve performance across frequency bands, then adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular configuration of strip-shaped conductors serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the basic coupling function, establishes the necessary phase relationships, and creates resonant characteristics that broaden the operational bandwidth. This multi-functionality is achieved through the geometric arrangement and electrical length ratios rather than adding separate bandwidth adjustment components
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provided a rat-race coupler, including an annular-shaped conductor and a first bandwidth adjustment part. The annular-shaped conductor includes a first strip-shaped conductor, a second strip-shaped conductor, a third strip-shaped conductor, and a fourth strip-shaped conductor. The first strip-shaped conductor has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second strip-shaped conductor has a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The first terminal is connected to the third terminal through the third strip-shaped conductor, the second terminal is connected to the fourth terminal through the fourth strip-shaped conductor. The first bandwidth adjustment part includes a fifth strip-shaped conductor, a sixth strip-shaped conductor, and a seventh strip-shaped conductor. The seventh strip-shaped conductor has a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal. The fifth terminal is connected to the third terminal through the fifth strip-shaped conductor, the sixth terminal is connected to the fourth terminal through the sixth strip-shaped conductor.