RF Switching Circuit Harmonic Suppression via Diode-Inductor Topology

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio-frequency switching chips fail to suppress harmonic magnitudes and are vendor-specific due to fixed sizes and design dependencies, leading to inefficiencies in switching operations and harmonic leakage.

Innovation Solution

A radio-frequency switching circuit incorporating diodes, inductors, and capacitors configured with control voltages to manage signal paths and reduce leakage currents, allowing for flexible design and harmonic suppression, with optional harmonic filters and transistor-based alternatives for enhanced performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional radio-frequency switching chips are used, then switching among radio frequency signals is enabled, but harmonic magnitudes cannot be suppressed and leakage currents are significant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmonic magnitudesVSAvoidswitching performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary circuit comprising inductors and capacitors connected between the switching chip and antenna. This intermediary circuit acts as a filter that suppresses harmonic magnitudes and reduces leakage currents while maintaining the primary switching function. The inductors and capacitors form resonant circuits that selectively attenuate harmonic frequencies without affecting the main radio frequency signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmonic suppression function from the main switching chip by adding separate filtering components. The inductors and capacitors are taken out as distinct elements that specifically target and remove harmful harmonic frequencies, allowing the main switching chip to focus on its primary switching operation without being burdened by harmonic suppression requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If radio-frequency switching chips from different vendors are used, then variety of designs is available, but they have different sizes and cannot be substituted for each other

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidinterchangeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal mounting structure with standardized dimensions and connection interfaces that can accommodate switching chips from different vendors. The circuit board design includes universal mounting holes and connection terminals that work with multiple chip variants, allowing different vendor chips to be interchangeably mounted without requiring custom circuit board designs for each vendor's specific chip dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed-size switching chips are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but peripheral circuit design must depend on specific chip dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip fabricationVSAvoidcircuit board design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic circuit board layout design where component positions and trace lengths are optimized to work with the fixed chip dimensions. The peripheral circuits are arranged flexibly around the fixed chip location, allowing standardization of the chip mounting area while accommodating variations in peripheral component placement based on space availability and electrical performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution effectively reduces harmonic magnitudes and allows for interchangeable designs, improving switching efficiency and flexibility by managing leakage currents and suppressing harmonics, while enabling flexible component configurations on a circuit board.

Implementation Method 1

A first diode and a second diode are provided. A cathode of the first diode is configured to receive a first reference voltage. A cathode of the second diode is configured to receive the first reference voltage. When the first control voltage is lower than the first reference voltage, the first diode is switched off. When the second control voltage is lower than the first reference voltage, the second diode is switched off.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode switching: Diode

Implementation Method 2

A first node of the first inductor is coupled with an anode of the first diode, and a second node of the first inductor is configured to receive a first control voltage. A first node of the second inductor is coupled with an anode of the second diode, and a second node of the second inductor is configured to receive a second control voltage.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The first capacitor is coupled with the first node of the first inductor. The second capacitor is coupled with the first node of the second inductor.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3484050B1Radio-frequency switching circuit
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 PEGATRON
  • EP3484050B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3484050B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3484050B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A radio-frequency switching circuit includes a first diode, a second diode, a first inductor, a second inductor, a first capacitor, and a second capacitor. Cathodes of the first diode and the second diode are configured to receive a first reference voltage. A first inductor is coupled with an anode of the first diode, and configured to receive a first control voltage. A second inductor is coupled with an anode of the second diode, and configured to receive a second control voltage. The first capacitor is coupled with the first node of the first inductor. The second capacitor is coupled with the first node of the second inductor. When the first control voltage is lower than the first reference voltage, the first diode is switched off. When the second control voltage is lower than the first reference voltage, the second diode is switched off.