Spatial Power-Combining Devices With Integral Filtering Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spatial power-combining devices amplify unwanted noise and frequency components outside the desired operating range, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity due to the need for external filters.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating integral filtering elements within the amplifier assemblies, which can be either with the input or output signal conductors, or both, to selectively allow or attenuate frequencies, thereby acting as self-filtering devices that only amplify desired signal frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spatial power-combining devices amplify all frequency components including noise, then the device can maintain broadband operation, but unwanted noise and frequency components outside the desired operating range are also amplified leading to inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filtering function with the amplifier assembly by making the filtering element an integral single component with the input or output signal conductor. This merging eliminates the need for separate external filters while maintaining broadband operation, as the filter is seamlessly integrated into the amplifier structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplifier assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: amplification and filtering. The filtering element integrated into the amplifier assembly allows the same device to both amplify desired frequencies and reject unwanted frequencies, eliminating the need for separate filtering devices and reducing system complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If external filters are added to block unwanted frequencies, then noise rejection is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering element is merged with the amplifier assembly as an integral single component with the signal conductor. This integration reduces system complexity by eliminating separate filtering devices and their associated connections, while still achieving effective noise rejection for frequencies outside the desired operating range.
3Measurement precision
If external filters are used to remove unwanted frequencies, then frequency selectivity is improved, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering function is merged into the existing amplifier assembly structure, eliminating the need for bulky external filters. The integral filtering element uses the existing signal conductor as part of the filter structure, significantly reducing the overall device volume while maintaining effective frequency selectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplifier assembly serves dual purposes: amplification and frequency filtering. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate filtering components, thereby reducing the overall device size while achieving the desired frequency selectivity to reject unwanted frequencies.
4Device complexity
If filtering elements are integrated into amplifier assemblies, then the need for external filters is eliminated, but the manufacturing complexity of each amplifier assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering element is designed as an integral single component with the signal conductor, which can be manufactured as a unified structure. This integration, while adding a function to the amplifier assembly, uses standard manufacturing techniques for creating integrated components, balancing the added manufacturing steps with the elimination of separate filtering devices.
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 unwanted frequency amplification, eliminates the need for bulky external filters, and enhances operational efficiency by ensuring only desired frequencies are amplified, thus improving the overall performance and reducing system complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
A filtering element may be an integral single component with an input signal conductor of the input antenna structure or an integral single component with an output signal conductor of the output antenna structure
Implementation Method 2
The amplifiers receive the split signals and in turn transmit amplified split signals across the output antipodal antenna array
Data Source
AI summary
Spatial power-combining devices and, in particular, spatial power-combining devices with filtering elements are disclosed. A spatial power-combining device includes a plurality of amplifier assemblies and each amplifier assembly includes an input antenna structure, an amplifier, an output antenna structure, and a filtering element. A filtering element may be an integral single component with an input signal conductor of the input antenna structure or an integral single component with an output signal conductor of the output antenna structure. In some aspects, a filtering element may be an integral single component with both the input signal conductor and the output signal conductor.