Tapped Millimeter-Wave Phase Shifter for Compact Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional millimeter wave RF phase shifters require additional components to adjust phase shift, occupying excessive space on integrated circuits or printed circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A millimeter wave RF phase shifter with a transmission line having multiple taps and switching devices, controlled by a control device to selectively couple taps to the output, adjusting the electrical length of the transmission line for phase shift without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional millimeter wave RF phase shifters use additional components to adjust phase shift, then phase shift control is achieved, but space occupancy on integrated circuits or printed circuit boards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase shift control function directly into the transmission line structure by integrating multiple taps at different electrical lengths along the transmission line. This eliminates the need for separate external components, thereby achieving phase shift control while minimizing space occupancy on the circuit board.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs switching devices that can dynamically connect different taps to the output, allowing the electrical length of the transmission line to be adjusted electronically. This dynamic switching mechanism enables continuous phase shift control without requiring additional static components, thus resolving the space occupancy issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are used for phase shift adjustment, then phase shift control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line structure serves multiple functions: it simultaneously provides signal transmission and phase shift control through its tapped structure. The same transmission line that carries the RF signal also provides the phase adjustment mechanism through selective tap connection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated phase control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission line is divided into multiple segments with different electrical lengths, each accessible through taps. By switching between these segmented portions, the phase shift can be adjusted in discrete steps, providing versatile phase control capability while using a simple segmented structure rather than complex continuous adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A millimeter wave RF phase shifter includes an input and an output. The RF phase shifter further includes a transmission line coupled to the input. The transmission line can include a plurality of taps. The RF phase shifter can further include a plurality of switching devices. Each switching device can be coupled between the output and a corresponding tap of the plurality of taps. The RF phase shifter can include a control device operatively coupled to the plurality of switching devices. The control device can be configured to control operation of the plurality of switching devices to selectively couple one of the plurality of taps to the output to control a phase shift of a RF signal propagating on the transmission line.