Tunable Bandpass Filter With Orthogonal Q and Frequency Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing active feedback bandpass filters, particularly those based on single resonator feedback designs, lack stability and controllability, limiting their application in commercial chip implementations and wireless communication devices due to instability issues related to resonant structure changes and environmental factors.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a multi-resonator feedback (MRF) active feedback bandpass filter with an active gain or scaling block in a loop, which allows for tunable filter designs with high Q enhancement and orthogonal control, maintaining stability through careful control of resonator frequency and phase shift to achieve a Nyquist contour that satisfies stability conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single resonator feedback design is used, then the filter structure is simple, but the stability is poor and controllability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter structureVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single resonator system into multiple resonators (first and second resonators) with separate control mechanisms. Each resonator can be independently tuned, allowing the system to achieve both structural simplicity and enhanced stability through modular segmentation of the feedback loop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the resonator bandwidth is decreased or Q is increased, then the selectivity is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to circuit oscillation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveselectivityVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces independent control parameters for each resonator's bandwidth and Q-factor through separate feedback loops. By adjusting these parameters independently, the system can optimize selectivity for each resonator while maintaining overall stability through coordinated control, preventing circuit oscillation even at high Q values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms that monitor and adjust the resonator parameters in real-time. The feedback loops detect instability conditions and automatically adjust the resonator bandwidth or Q-factor to prevent oscillation, enabling the system to maintain high selectivity while ensuring stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the resonator is tuned to increase Q enhancement, then the filter selectivity is improved, but the orthogonal control becomes difficult and calibration is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQ enhancementVSAvoidcalibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control functions by providing independent control interfaces for each resonator's frequency and Q-factor. This segmentation allows calibration to be performed separately for each resonator, simplifying the overall calibration process while achieving high Q enhancement through coordinated tuning of multiple resonators with orthogonal control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3926828A1Tunable bandpass filter with high stability and orthogonal tuning
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 ANLOTEK LTD
  • EP3926828A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3926828A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3926828A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method of stabilizing a variable filter for an analog electromagnetic signal against circuit oscillation includes the steps of: providing a signal loop comprising a signal input, a signal output, and a plurality of variable circuit elements connected in the signal loop, the plurality of variable circuit elements comprising an adjustable resonator and an adjustable gain block, the signal loop having a variable frequency response that is characterized by a central frequency, a frequency passband, a response Q, and an operating point and a resonator response curve that are plottable in a Cartesian s-plane having an origin, a real axis, and an imaginary axis; and maintaining stability of the variable filter within an operating range by controlling the adjustable resonator and the adjustable gain block such that, in the Cartesian s-plane, the resonator response curve satisfies an orthogonality stability condition.