Tunable Diplexer Junction With Shared Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing diplexer arrangements are costly, space-consuming, and require unique hardware for each frequency band due to frequency dependency, making them inflexible and difficult to maintain across different frequency configurations.

Innovation Solution

A tunable diplexer arrangement with a junction featuring shared tuning elements and a delimiting element, allowing for electromagnetically tunable matching of filter characteristics across different frequency bands, reducing the need for multiple hardware variants by using shared actuators to adjust the junction and filter resonators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional diplexer arrangement with fixed frequency characteristics is used, then the device provides stable filtering performance for a specific frequency band, but it requires separate hardware for each frequency band, increasing cost and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering performance stabilityVSAvoidfrequency band flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the diplexer junction tunable through movable tuning elements (such as adjustable posts or dielectric elements) that can be repositioned to change the electrical characteristics of the junction. This allows the same physical hardware to adapt to different frequency bands by dynamically adjusting the junction's impedance and coupling, eliminating the need for separate fixed diplexers for each frequency band while maintaining stable filtering performance at any selected frequency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the physical parameters of the junction (such as the position, depth, or configuration of tuning elements) to modify the electrical characteristics. By changing these physical parameters, the diplexer can be retuned to different frequency bands, allowing a single device to serve multiple frequency configurations while maintaining optimal performance at each tuned frequency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If separate diplexer hardware is manufactured for each frequency band, then optimal performance is achieved for each specific band, but manufacturing cost and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency-specific performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single diplexer junction structure that can perform the filtering function across multiple frequency bands through tuning mechanisms. The junction is constructed with adjustable elements that allow it to be configured for different frequency specifications, making one universal component replace multiple frequency-specific components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and inventory complexity while maintaining optimal performance for each targeted frequency band

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If fixed frequency characteristic diplexers are used, then hardware is simple and robust, but maintenance and system testing become difficult across different frequency configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware structure simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by incorporating adjustable tuning elements in the junction that can be repositioned or reconfigured. This dynamic capability allows maintenance personnel to retune the diplexer to match the original frequency specifications when replacing or testing components, simplifying maintenance and system testing across different frequency configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall hardware structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution improves return loss and insertion loss performance, enabling cost-effective and versatile diplexer systems that can operate across multiple frequency bands without hardware duplication, simplifying maintenance and system testing.

Implementation Method 1

a distance from the second filter port to a point inside the junction is arranged to be electromagnetically tunable by the first junction tuning element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic tuning: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the first tuning element and the first junction tuning element are arranged to be connected to a first shared tuning actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS11251510B2Tunable diplexer junction

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A tunable diplexer arrangement (100) comprising a first filter arrangement (110) and a second filter arrangement (120) connected to respective first (115) and second (125) filter ports of a junction (130), the junction comprising a common port (140), wherein at least the first filter arrangement (110) is a tunable filter comprising a first tuning element (111), wherein the junction (130) comprises a first junction tuning element (112) corresponding to the first tuning element (111) and arranged in connection to the second filter port (125), thereby enabling a tunable matching of the junction (130) with respect to a first frequency characteristic of the first filter arrangement (110).