Binary-Weighted RF Phase Shifter With Isolated Unused Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF phase shifters in communication systems face challenges in providing flexible and efficient phase adjustment over a wide angular range with uniform step sizes, especially in advanced cellular technologies like 5G NR, which requires precise beamforming capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design incorporating multiple phase shifting sections with binary weighting, implemented on a semiconductor die, featuring selection switches to connect selected sections in series and isolation/shunt switches to manage unselected sections, allowing for cascading of phase shifts and decoupling from the signal path, enabling precise control of phase shifts across a 360° range in 64 uniform steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple phase shifting sections are connected in series to expand phase shifting range, then phase shifting precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shifter is divided into multiple independent phase shifting sections (first phase shifting section, second phase shifting section, etc.), each capable of providing a specific phase shift range. These sections are connected in series to achieve cumulative phase shifting effect, enabling precise control over a wide phase range while maintaining modular structure that manages complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase shifting sections are nested within a hierarchical structure where selection switches control which sections are active. The binary-weighted connection approach allows sections to be selectively enabled/disabled, creating a nested control architecture that achieves fine-grained phase adjustment without requiring all sections to be simultaneously complex.
2Adaptability or versatility
If selection switches are used to connect phase shifting sections, then phase shifting flexibility is improved, but parasitic impacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
Isolation switches are introduced to extract and remove unselected phase shifting sections from the RF signal path. By actively disconnecting unused sections, their parasitic elements (capacitance, inductance, resistance) are removed from the signal path, preventing them from degrading RF performance while selection switches maintain flexibility for selected sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Isolation switches act as intermediary elements between the selection switches and the phase shifting sections. These isolation switches provide an additional control layer that mediates the connection status, ensuring that unselected sections are completely isolated from the RF path, thereby eliminating their parasitic effects while preserving the flexibility provided by the selection switches.
3Device complexity
If unselected phase shifting sections remain connected to signal path, then device complexity is reduced, but signal interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The potential harm of unselected phase shifting sections remaining connected (signal interference and parasitic effects) is converted into a benefit by introducing isolation switches. These switches actively manage the connection state, allowing the system to maintain simple architecture while preventing interference. The isolation switches transform the problematic presence of unselected sections into a controllable feature where their state can be actively managed.
Data Source
AI summary
Phase shifters for communication systems are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a phase shifter includes a plurality of phase shifting sections and a plurality of selection switches each coupled to a corresponding one of the phase shifting sections. The selection switches are formed on a semiconductor die, and are operable to connect one or more selected phase shifting sections between an input terminal and an output terminal, thereby controlling an overall phase shift provided by the phase shifter.