Triple Throw Switch Using 6-Way Hybrid Ring Combiner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electro-mechanical switches used in high-power, high-performance applications in the Ku band suffer from slow transition times, limited durability, and mechanical limitations such as vibration and temperature ruggedness, necessitating the need for faster and more durable switching solutions.
Innovation Solution
A 6-way symmetric hybrid ring combiner-based electronic switch with passive microstrip lines driven by power amplifiers, which enables faster transition speeds and greater durability by eliminating electro-mechanical components and utilizing solid-state devices, allowing for higher power handling and improved isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional electro-mechanical switches are used in Ku band applications, then power handling capability is achieved, but transition time becomes slow (greater than 10 ms)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electro-mechanical switch components with solid-state devices including PIN diodes and amplifiers. The switching function is achieved through electronic control of PIN diode states rather than mechanical movement, eliminating the fundamental limitation of mechanical transition speeds while maintaining power handling capability through proper device selection and circuit configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using solid-state devices with different characteristic response times compared to electro-mechanical systems. The PIN diodes enable sub-microsecond switching transitions, representing a parameter change from millisecond-scale mechanical switching to microsecond-scale electronic switching, thereby resolving the transition time limitation.
2Reliability
If conventional electro-mechanical switches are used, then switching function is achieved, but vibration and temperature ruggedness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical components by replacing electro-mechanical switches with solid-state implementations using PIN diodes and amplifiers. This substitution removes moving parts that are susceptible to vibration and thermal stress, thereby improving ruggedness while reducing mechanical complexity. The solid-state devices have no mechanical wear points and can operate reliably in harsh environmental conditions.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If electro-mechanical switches with large packaging are used, then power handling is achieved, but switch lifetime is limited (̃1 million cycles)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electro-mechanical switching mechanisms with solid-state PIN diode-based switching. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact wear that limits electro-mechanical switch lifetime to approximately 1 million cycles. The solid-state devices can withstand billions of switching cycles while maintaining their power handling capability through proper device selection and thermal management.
4Speed
If solid-state devices are used to achieve fast transition times, then transition speed is improved, but power handling capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines solid-state PIN diodes with power amplifiers in a hybrid configuration. The PIN diodes provide fast switching capability while the amplifiers provide the necessary power handling capability. This merging of components allows the system to achieve both fast transition speeds and high power handling, resolving the contradiction between speed and power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid-state switch design incorporates multiple functions within a single system: the PIN diodes provide switching functionality with fast transition times, while the integrated amplifiers provide power amplification and handling capability. This multi-functional design allows the system to simultaneously achieve fast switching and high power handling that would be difficult to obtain with single-component solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic switch for switching between signal outputs comprises a 6-way symmetric hybrid ring combiner. Each port within the 6-way symmetric hybrid ring combiner is positioned at λ/4 wavelength increments around a circumference of the 6-way symmetric hybrid ring combiner.