Compact 2x4 RF Divider Bridge Junction Topology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 2×4 RF power dividers are large and have high insertion losses due to the use of 180-degree hybrids, interconnecting transmission lines, resistive loads, and impedance transformers, which are not necessary for all applications and complicate the design, especially at low frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A 2×4 RF power divider design utilizing a single transmission line bridge junction without 180-degree hybrids, interconnecting transmission lines, or impedance transformers, achieving a compact form and reduced insertion loss through a parallel and series connection of coaxial transmission lines, maintaining a 50-ohm impedance match and desired phase progression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 180-degree hybrids, interconnecting transmission lines, resistive loads, and impedance transformers are used to build a 2×4 divider, then the divider can achieve the required power division and phase relationships, but the size becomes large and insertion losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary components (180-degree hybrids, interconnecting transmission lines, resistive loads, and impedance transformers) from the traditional corporate connection architecture. By eliminating these components while retaining the essential power division function through a simplified bridge junction topology, the divider size is dramatically reduced without sacrificing power division accuracy or phase relationship performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate components into a single integrated bridge junction structure. Instead of using separate 180-degree hybrids connected by transmission lines, the invention combines all power division functionality into one compact bridge junction, reducing the overall volume and component count while maintaining the required 2×4 power division capability.
2Reliability
If 180-degree hybrids, interconnecting transmission lines, resistive loads, and impedance transformers are used to build a 2×4 divider, then the divider can achieve the required power division and phase relationships, but insertion losses become high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes sources of insertion loss from the system. By eliminating resistive loads (which dissipate power), minimizing the number of impedance transformers (each introducing matching losses), and removing long interconnecting transmission lines (which have conductor and dielectric losses), the overall insertion loss is significantly reduced while maintaining accurate power division through the efficient bridge junction topology.
3Ease of manufacture
If a traditional corporate connection of three 180-degree hybrids is used, then the 2×4 divider can be constructed, but the design becomes complicated especially at low frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex corporate connection architecture and replaces it with a simple bridge junction topology. This eliminates the need for three separate 180-degree hybrids, multiple interconnecting transmission lines, and multiple impedance transformers, dramatically simplifying the design while maintaining constructibility and ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple complex components into a single simple bridge junction structure. Instead of assembling three separate hybrid devices with multiple connection lines, the invention uses one integrated bridge junction that performs all power division functions, reducing design complexity and easing manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved implementation of a 2×4 divider formed from a bridge junction is described. The bridge junction uses parallel and series connections of coaxial lines to eliminate impedance transformers that are normally required in a 2×4 power divider. In a preferred embodiment, the bridge junction is comprised of UT-085 coax transmission lines, 20 gauge twin lead wire and SB-805-61 ferrite beads with ½ turn windings to provide a wide bandwidth, compact, high power and rugged arrangement.