RF Router Using Resistive Splitters for Compact Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF routers with high input and output capacities are physically large, energy-inefficient, and prone to malfunction due to the use of active components and Wilkinson splitters, limiting their compactness, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A compact RF router design featuring a controller, input modules with resistive signal splitters, backplane signal paths, and output modules with automatic gain control and high isolation stages, allowing for efficient signal routing and impedance matching, while minimizing physical size and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If active components are used to divide incoming signals in RF routers, then the routing functionality is achieved, but the physical size becomes very large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active electronic components with passive resistive splitters that use purely resistive elements to divide incoming RF signals. This substitution eliminates the need for complex active circuitry, dramatically reducing the physical footprint of the router while maintaining full routing functionality across multiple inputs and outputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses resistive splitting networks that create multiple copies of the input signal simultaneously distributed to multiple outputs through a compact planar structure. This copying approach through resistive division achieves the same signal distribution function as active components but in a much smaller area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of active components are used in RF routers, then high input and output capacities are achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-consuming active components with passive resistive elements that require no power supply. The resistive splitters passively divide and distribute RF signals throughout the system without requiring amplification or active switching, thereby eliminating the energy consumption associated with high-capacity routing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of active components are used in RF routers, then high input and output capacities are achieved, but the likelihood of malfunction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces unreliable active components with simple passive resistive elements that have no moving parts, no power requirements, and inherent fail-safe characteristics. The resistive splitting network provides redundant signal paths where if one path fails, signals continue to flow through alternative resistive paths to other outputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistive splitting architecture inherently provides signal redundancy before failure can occur. Multiple resistive paths are established in advance, so that if a component fails, the signal has already been distributed through multiple routes, cushioning against total system failure and maintaining operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If Wilkinson splitters are used to divide incoming signals, then signal division is achieved, but the physical space occupied on the circuit board increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky Wilkinson splitters with compact resistive splitting networks that achieve the same signal division function. The resistive elements can be implemented as simple traces or discrete resistors arranged in a compact planar configuration, occupying minimal circuit board space while providing identical signal division ratios.
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 design achieves a compact, energy-efficient, and cost-effective RF router capable of handling high input and output capacities with reduced likelihood of malfunction, enabling efficient signal processing and routing in complex RF networks.
Implementation Method 1
a resistive input signal splitter coupled to each RF signal input terminals for providing a plurality of split input signals
Implementation Method 2
a resistive backplane signal splitter coupled to each backplane signal input terminal for splitting the corresponding backplane signal into a plurality of split backplane signals
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency (RF) router is disclosed. The RF router utilizes resistive input signal splitters on an input module to divide input RF signals received at RF signal input terminals into a plurality of backplane signals. The backplane signals are transmitted to one or more output modules where the backplane signals are each resistively split into a plurality of split backplane signals. A split backplane signal corresponding to each of the input RF signal is coupled to a backplane signal selection stage. The backplane signal selection stage couples on of the split backplane signals to an RF signal output terminal.