Rotatable Phase Shifter with Arc Circuit for Precision Beam Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional phase shifters using coaxial lines face inaccuracies due to tangent tolerance issues, leading to errors in phase angle adjustment, particularly in frequency bands 698 to 960 MHz and 1710 to 2690 MHz.

Innovation Solution

A phase shifter design featuring a base, circuit substrate, phase-shifting member, and output cables, where the phase-shifting member is rotatably connected with the circuit substrate and comprises a coupling band, allowing for equal-length coaxial lines to produce different phase values through varying lengths of output circuit sections, thereby minimizing the impact of tangent tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If coaxial lines of different lengths are used to adjust phase difference, then phase adjustment capability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to tangent tolerance accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase adjustment capabilityVSAvoidphase angle accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the output circuit sections have different lengths while keeping the coaxial cables themselves of equal length. Specifically, the first output circuit section has a different length than the second output circuit section, creating local structural differences that provide different phase values without requiring different cable lengths. This resolves the contradiction by localizing the phase adjustment function to the circuit board layout rather than the cable physical dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the phase adjustment function into two independent parts: (1) equal-length coaxial cables for signal transmission with consistent manufacturing tolerance, and (2) unequal-length output circuit sections on the circuit board for phase differentiation. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its own function - cables for mechanical reliability and circuit traces for phase precision - thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If coaxial lines of different lengths are manufactured for phase adjustment, then phase control flexibility is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to multiple product specifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase control flexibilityVSAvoidmass production yield

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the coaxial cables universal by designing them all with the same length and specifications. The cables serve multiple functions: signal transmission, mechanical connection, and phase differentiation (through their connection to different-length circuit sections). This universality allows standardization of the cable component, improving mass production yield while the system maintains phase control flexibility through the circuit board design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the phase adjustment function from the coaxial cables and transfers it to the output circuit sections on the circuit board. By taking out the phase differentiation requirement from the cable specification, the cables can be manufactured as standard uniform components, improving productivity. The phase control flexibility is preserved in the extracted circuit section design where different trace lengths provide the needed phase variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design improves product yield in mass production by maintaining accuracy and reducing phase change errors, ensuring precise beam direction adjustments in wireless communication systems.

Implementation Method 1

A phase shifter is the core assembly that changes the pointing direction of a wave speed of an antenna and can change the beam pointing direction by adjusting the phase difference assigned to each radiating unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shift:

Implementation Method 2

One end of the coupling band corresponds to and is coupled to the main input circuit section while the other end corresponds to and is coupled to the arc circuit section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal transmission:

Data Source

PatentUS11682815B2Phase shifter including a phase shifting member rotatable over an arc circuit section that is connected to cables secured to the phase shifter

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 SUZHOU LUXSHARE TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A phase shifter, comprising a base, a circuit substrate, a phase-shifting member, and a plurality of first output cables. The circuit substrate is disposed on the base, and comprises a main feeder circuit and at least one sub-feeder circuit. The main feeder circuit comprises a main input circuit section. The at least one sub-feeder circuit is disposed on one side of the main feeder circuit, and comprises two output circuit sections and an arc circuit section. The arc circuit section is disposed between the two output circuit sections. The phase-shifting member is rotatably connected with the circuit substrate and comprises a coupling band. One end of the coupling band corresponds to and is coupled to the main input circuit section while the other end corresponds to and is coupled to the arc circuit section.