Tunable Directional Coupler with Capacitive Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Directional couplers have a fixed frequency response, limiting their power-handling capacity and adaptability to various operating conditions, with waveguide-based couplers having high power-handling but large size and thin-film-based couplers having low power-handling and small size, and existing microstructures face design challenges for miniaturization.

Innovation Solution

A tunable coupler system with a capacitive element and actuator to vary the frequency response, comprising an electrically-conductive housing, suspended electrical conductor, and dielectric tabs, allowing for adjustable reactance and capacitance to optimize frequency response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If waveguide-based couplers are used, then power-handling capacity is improved, but dimensional footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower-handling capacityVSAvoiddimensional footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the electrical conductor within a housing structure, creating a nested configuration where the conductor is suspended inside the housing cavity. This nesting approach allows the coupler to achieve high power-handling capacity through the robust conductor design while containing the overall dimensional footprint within the housing boundaries, effectively resolving the contradiction between power capacity and size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by suspending the electrical conductor within the housing using dielectric supports, transitioning from a planar thin-film structure to a volumetric configuration. This dimensional change enables the coupler to achieve both high power-handling capacity (through the 3D conductor geometry) and compact footprint (by efficient use of the housing volume), resolving the size-power contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed frequency response is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to multiple operating conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency tuning capabilityVSAvoidcoupler structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tuning element with a movable second portion that can adjust the gap distance relative to the first portion. This dynamic structure allows the frequency response of the coupler to be tuned across a range of frequencies (approximately 3.6 GHz tuning range) by varying the gap, enabling adaptability to multiple operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall coupler structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the gap distance between the two portions of the tuning element to achieve frequency tuning. By varying this geometric parameter, the coupler's frequency response can be adjusted without fundamentally changing the device structure, thus achieving high adaptability with minimal increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If thin-film-based couplers are used, then dimensional footprint is reduced, but power-handling capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional footprintVSAvoidpower-handling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure combining dielectric materials (for insulation and mechanical support) and electrically conductive materials (for signal transmission). The electrical conductor is suspended within the housing using dielectric supports, creating a composite assembly that achieves both compact footprint (through efficient material usage) and high power-handling capacity (through the robust conductor-dielectric composite structure), resolving the contradiction between size and power capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 system achieves a high power-handling capacity within a small footprint, enabling frequency tuning and improved performance across multiple operating conditions, with a tuning range of approximately 3.6 GHz and favorable return losses.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitive element configured to introduce a reactance in the signal path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

introduce a reactance in the signal path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReactance: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Implementation Method 3

an actuator element operative to vary a capacitance of the capacitive element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance variation: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9203133B2Directional couplers with variable frequency response

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 HARRIS CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of coupler systems (10) include a directional coupler (12), a tuning element (14a, 14b), and an actuator (16a, 16b). The coupler (12) is configured to split an input signal into two output signals or, alternatively, to combine two input signals into a single output. The tuning element (14a, 14b) is a capacitive device that allows the frequency response of the coupler (12) to be varied, so that the coupler (12) can be tuned to a particular frequency or range of frequencies at a given operating condition. The actuator (16a, 16b) generates a mechanical force that actuates tuning element (14a, 14b).