RF Power Coupler Adjustment Circuit for Insertion Loss Notch
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless devices, daisy-chained power couplers cause insertion loss notches at high frequency bands due to interactions, which are severe and cannot be calibrated out, leading to undesirable frequency responses that impact performance.
Innovation Solution
A radio-frequency (RF) circuit with a daisy-chain configuration of power couplers includes an adjustment circuit with inductance and capacitance to move frequency response features, such as notches, to a different frequency range, thereby reducing their impact on operating bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If power couplers are daisy-chained together to share a coupled line, then space on circuit board is saved, but insertion loss notches occur at high frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
An adjustment circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the power couplers in the daisy-chain configuration. This adjustment circuit includes reactive elements (inductors and capacitors) that act as a mediator to cancel out the harmful interactions causing insertion loss notches, while preserving the space-saving benefits of the daisy-chain architecture
2Device complexity
If power couplers are daisy-chained together, then device complexity is reduced, but frequency response degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment circuit serves as a mediator that compensates for the frequency response degradation caused by the daisy-chain configuration. It introduces corrective reactive elements that counteract the harmful interactions between adjacent power couplers, thereby maintaining frequency response reliability while keeping the overall circuit configuration simple
3Measurement precision
If insertion loss notches are present in operating bands, then calibration can be performed, but severe notches cannot be calibrated out
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment circuit converts the harmful insertion loss notches into beneficial effects by using the same reactive elements that cause the notches to create compensating effects. The notches are essentially 'reversed' or cancelled out through the adjustment circuit, transforming them from detrimental features into non-issue characteristics
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 adjustment circuit effectively shifts undesirable frequency responses away from operating bands, maintaining insertion loss performance and reducing the impact of notches, allowing for improved calibration and reduced degradation in wireless device operation.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustment circuit can include an inductance, such as an inductor, implemented between the output match network and the second power coupler
Implementation Method 2
The adjustment circuit can further include a capacitance, such as a capacitor, connected in series with the inductance
Data Source
AI summary
Circuits and methods related to radio-frequency (RF) power couplers. In some embodiments, an RF circuit can include a first circuit having a frequency response that includes a feature within a selected frequency range, and a second circuit coupled to the first circuit such that the feature of the frequency response is at least in part due to the coupling. The RF circuit can further include an adjustment circuit configured to move the feature away from the selected frequency range. In some embodiments, such an RF circuit can be implemented in a packaged module which in turn can be included in a wireless device.