Shared-Filter RF Phase Shifter for Lower Loss and Smaller Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase shift circuits in RF and microwave applications are large and suffer from excessive losses due to the use of separate and distinct filter components, which are not optimal for many applications.
Innovation Solution
A phase shift circuit design utilizing a first and second switch, with reference and shift state circuits each comprising switch filter circuits and switch capacitor circuits, allowing for reduced component usage and improved phase shifting capabilities through controlled capacitance and inductance adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate and distinct filter components are used for each phase shift bit, then the phase shift circuit can achieve the required phase shifting function, but the circuit size becomes large and losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate filter components into a shared filter structure that serves multiple phase shift bits. Instead of having distinct filters for each bit, a single filter is designed to handle multiple bits simultaneously, reducing the overall circuit area while maintaining the required phase shifting functionality across all bits.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple phase shift bits. By configuring the filter with multiple switches and capacitors that can be selectively activated, a single filter structure performs the filtering function for several different phase shift operations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated filters for each bit.
2Reliability
If separate and distinct filter components are used for each phase shift bit, then the phase shift circuit can achieve the required phase shifting function, but the circuit losses become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple filter functions into a single shared filter, the patent reduces the total number of filter components in the circuit. This consolidation decreases the cumulative losses that would occur through multiple separate filters, as each additional filter introduces its own insertion loss and energy dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts what would traditionally be redundant or harmful separate filter components into a beneficial shared resource. The single multi-functional filter structure reduces overall circuit losses by eliminating duplicate filtering stages, while still providing the necessary phase shifting capabilities for multiple bits through selective switching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate filter components are used, then each phase shift bit can be independently controlled, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the filter into multiple independently controllable sections, each associated with a specific phase shift bit. Each section contains switches and capacitors that can be selectively activated, allowing independent control of each phase shift bit while sharing the overall filter structure, thus reducing complexity compared to fully separate filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter structure is made dynamic through the use of switches that can reconfigure the filter's operation in real-time. This dynamic switching capability allows a single static filter structure to provide multiple different filtering configurations, enabling independent control of multiple phase shift bits without requiring multiple separate static filter components.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for RF and microwave phase shifter are provided. For example, a phase shift circuit may include: a first switch; a second switch; a reference state circuit electrically connected to the first switch first output and the second switch first input and comprising a first switch filter circuit and a first plurality of switch capacitor circuits; and a shift state circuit electrically connected to the first switch second output and the second switch second input and comprising a second switch filter circuit and a second plurality of switch capacitor circuits.