Switch-Type Phase Shifter for Multi-Band 5G Phased Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phase shifters face challenges in achieving good characteristics across multiple frequency bands due to limited bandwidth, which affects the beam forming ability of phased array systems, especially in 5G applications.
Innovation Solution
A switch-type phase shifter design incorporating two half circuits and switches with variable capacitors and inductors, allowing for adjustable phase delay by controlling the capacitors and inductors with control signals, enabling operation across different frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional phase shifter design is used, then the structure is simple, but the bandwidth is limited and cannot achieve good characteristics across multiple frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shifter is divided into multiple independently controllable phase shifting units, each capable of operating at different frequency bands. Each unit contains variable capacitors and variable inductors that can be independently adjusted, allowing the overall system to cover multiple frequency bands while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase shifter employs variable capacitors and variable inductors with adjustable parameters that can be dynamically controlled through control signals. This dynamic adjustability enables the phase shifter to adapt to different frequency bands and maintain optimal performance across multiple bands, resolving the contradiction between bandwidth and structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the phase shifter operates across multiple frequency bands, then the adaptability improves, but the phase error and gain error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shifter utilizes variable capacitors and variable inductors whose electrical parameters can be continuously adjusted. By optimizing the parameter ranges and control strategies for each frequency band, the system maintains low phase error and gain error across multiple bands. The independent control of each phase shifting unit allows for precise parameter tuning to minimize errors at different frequencies.
3Measurement precision
If more phase shifting units are added to increase phase status precision, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple phase shifting units are combined in a modular architecture where each unit contributes to the overall phase control. The variable capacitors and variable inductors within each unit work together to achieve precise phase adjustment. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high phase status precision while managing complexity through integrated design and shared control mechanisms.
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 design achieves consistent phase delay and reduced phase and gain errors across various frequency bands, enhancing the performance of phased array systems without significant cost increase, thus meeting the requirements of 5G technology.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the half circuits includes a first variable capacitor, a second variable capacitor, a second switch and a variable inductor. The first end of the first variable capacitor is coupled to the input node of the half circuit and the second end of the first variable capacitor is coupled to the control node of the half circuit.
Implementation Method 2
The first end of the variable inductor is coupled to the input node of the half circuit and the second end of the variable inductor is coupled to the output end of the half circuit.
Implementation Method 3
a first switch coupled to the half circuits and receiving a first control signal
Data Source
AI summary
A switch-type phase shifter including a phase shifting unit is provided. The phase shifting unit includes two half circuits and a first switch connected to the half circuits and receiving a first control signal. Each half circuit includes a first variable capacitor, a second variable capacitor, a second switch and a variable inductor. The two ends of the first variable capacitor are coupled to the input and the control nodes of the half circuit respectively. The two ends of the second variable capacitor are coupled to the output and control nodes of the half circuit respectively. The first and second ends of the second switch are coupled to the output and input nodes respectively, and the third end thereof is coupled to the control node and receives a second control signal. The two ends of the variable inductor are coupled to the input and output nodes respectively.