RF Switch Branch Topology for Harmonic Control at High Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radio frequency switched filter banks face challenges with harmonic levels produced by antenna-side switches, which cannot be filtered out, leading to issues with high output power and size limitations of diode switches, as larger switches are limited in frequency capability and smaller ones have smaller capacitance.

Innovation Solution

The electronic radio frequency switch arrangement employs anti-series and anti-parallel couplings of diodes to control harmonics, where specific diode switches are biased into conducting or non-conducting states to allow or block radio frequency signals, using adjustable DC voltages to reduce harmonic distortion, and incorporates connection diodes to manage capacitance and isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If larger diode switches are used to handle high power, then power handling capability is improved, but frequency capability deteriorates due to increased capacitance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower handling capabilityVSAvoidfrequency capability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single large diode switch into multiple smaller diode switches connected in parallel. Each smaller diode handles a portion of the total power, allowing the system to achieve high power handling capability while maintaining the high frequency performance of smaller individual diodes with lower capacitance values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If smaller diode switches are used to achieve high frequency capability, then frequency capability is improved, but power handling capability deteriorates due to smaller capacitance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency capabilityVSAvoidpower handling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple smaller diode switches in parallel to achieve the required power handling capability. By merging several small diodes, the system maintains the high frequency performance of small diodes while collectively handling high power through the combined current capacity of all parallel diodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If high power switches are used to reduce harmonic levels, then harmonic control is improved, but device size increases causing physical size limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharmonic levelVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power handling function across multiple smaller diode switches rather than using a single large diode. This segmentation allows the system to achieve effective harmonic control through the collective operation of smaller diodes, reducing the physical size requirements while maintaining the necessary power handling and harmonic suppression performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach enables the design of high-power, wide-frequency band switched filter banks with smaller diodes, reducing harmonic levels and allowing for active adjustment of the second harmonic, overcoming limitations of current diode technology in size and frequency.

Implementation Method 1

The switch branches (100) have an electrical anti-parallel coupling of the diode switches (102) therebetween, wherein a number of the switch branches (100) is 2*Figure 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnti-series coupling:

Implementation Method 2

The switch branches (100) have an electrical anti-parallel coupling of the diode switches (102) therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnti-parallel coupling:

Implementation Method 3

one of the diode switches (102) is biased into a conducting state for harmonic cancellation on the basis of the anti-series coupling (104)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiode switching: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3826182A1Electronic RF switch arrangement and method of harmonic control of electronic RF switch arrangement

Publication Date: 2021.05.26 BITTIUM WIRELESS OY

Figure 1A~2
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AI summary

An electronic radio frequency switch arrangement comprises switch branches (100), each of which comprises at least one diode switch (102), and the switch branches (100) have an electrical anti-parallel coupling of the diode switches (102) therebetween, a number of the switch branches (100) being 2∗n + 1, where n is a positive integer. One of the diode switches (102), which comprises at least one electrical anti-series coupling (104) of diodes, is configured to be biased into an electrically conductive state for harmonic cancellation on the basis of the electrical anti-series coupling (104), and the diode switches (102) other than said one of the diode switches (102) are configured to be biased in an electrically non-conductive state for harmonic reduction on the basis of the anti-parallel coupling.