Phase-Synchronized RF Generator With Dual Phase Shifters

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high-power RF power oscillators face challenges in finely tuning the frequency of RF power signals amplified by GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) power amplifiers, particularly due to the difficulty in precise frequency adjustment in cascade-type power amplifiers.

Innovation Solution

A phase-synchronized RF power generator is developed, utilizing a digital phase shifter and an analog phase shifter to adjust the phase of the RF power signal, with a digital phase shifter adjusting the phase in predetermined intervals and an analog phase shifter providing continuous discrete adjustments, supported by a frequency comparator and directional couplers for feedback and impedance matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a cascade-type power amplifier is used to achieve high-power high-efficiency RF power oscillators, then power and efficiency are improved, but frequency tuning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRF powerVSAvoidfrequency tuning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The phase adjustment function is segmented into two independent parts: a digital phase shifter for coarse adjustment at predetermined intervals and an analog phase shifter for fine continuous adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its adjustment range, achieving both high power output and precise frequency tuning capability in the RF power amplifier system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between digital and analog phase adjustment modes depending on the required precision level. The digital phase shifter provides stable predetermined intervals, while the analog phase shifter enables continuous fine-tuning, creating a dynamic phase adjustment mechanism that maintains both power efficiency and frequency precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If only a digital phase shifter is used for phase adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but frequency tuning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase adjustment structureVSAvoidfrequency tuning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The phase adjustment function is segmented into two independent parts: a digital phase shifter for coarse adjustment at predetermined intervals and an analog phase shifter for fine continuous adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its adjustment range, achieving both high power output and precise frequency tuning capability in the RF power amplifier system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges digital and analog phase shifting techniques into a unified phase adjustment system. The digital phase shifter handles coarse adjustment while the analog phase shifter refines the phase, combining the advantages of both approaches to achieve precise frequency tuning without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If only an analog phase shifter is used for phase adjustment, then frequency tuning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency tuning precisionVSAvoidphase adjustment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The phase adjustment function is segmented into two independent parts: a digital phase shifter for coarse adjustment at predetermined intervals and an analog phase shifter for fine continuous adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its adjustment range, achieving both high power output and precise frequency tuning capability in the RF power amplifier system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between digital and analog phase adjustment modes depending on the required precision level. The digital phase shifter provides stable predetermined intervals, while the analog phase shifter enables continuous fine-tuning, creating a dynamic phase adjustment mechanism that maintains both power efficiency and frequency precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11695376B2Phase-synchronized RF power generator

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 WAVEPIA CO LTD

AI summary

A phase-synchronized RF power generator includes: an RF power amplifier for amplifying an RF power signal; a first directional coupler; an isolator for adjusting impedance mismatch generated by the first directional coupler, and transferring the RF power signal transferred by the first directional coupler to the output terminal; a second directional coupler for transferring part of the feedback signal transferred by the first directional coupler to be compared with a frequency of a reference signal provided by a crystal oscillator, and transferring rest of the feedback signal to a feedback loop; a digital phase shifter for adjusting a phase of the feedback signal transferred by the second directional coupler at predetermined intervals; an analog phase shifter for continuously adjusting the phase of the feedback signal discretely adjusted by the digital phase shifter; and a frequency comparator.