Tunable Passive Phase Shifter for 5G Multi-Band Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passive phase shifters for wireless communications are inadequate for 5G devices due to their size, power consumption, and inefficiency in handling multiple frequency bands, leading to increased costs and space occupation in wireless interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A tunable passive phase shifter design that reuses inductors across multiple frequency bands and reduces the number of switches along the signal path, allowing for efficient phase shifting with reduced insertion loss by using a series-coupled inductor configuration and bypass paths for impedance matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing passive phase shifters are used for 5G devices, then frequency band coverage is limited, but device size and cost increase when multiple phase shifters are deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-band passive phase shifter that can operate across multiple frequency bands (sub-6GHz and mmWave) using a single device. The phase shifter employs switchable inductor networks that can be configured to support different frequency bands, eliminating the need for separate phase shifters for each band and reducing overall device size and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase shifter uses dynamically switchable inductor networks controlled by band selection signals. The inductors can be selectively enabled or disabled based on the operating frequency band, allowing the phase shifter to adapt its electrical characteristics to match different frequency requirements while maintaining a compact physical footprint.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If existing passive phase shifters are used, then power consumption is reduced, but insertion loss increases and signal strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the electrical parameters of the inductor network to minimize insertion loss across different frequency bands. By carefully selecting inductor values and configurations, and by using quality switches with low on-resistance, the design achieves low insertion loss while maintaining passive operation and avoiding the power consumption of active phase shifters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple phase shifters are deployed to cover multiple frequency bands, then frequency band coverage is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple frequency band handling capabilities into a single phase shifter device. By merging the functionality of what would otherwise require multiple separate phase shifters into one integrated design with shared inductor networks and control logic, the system reduces device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining broad frequency band coverage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple phase shifters are deployed per antenna element, then frequency band coverage is improved, but space occupation in wireless interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-band passive phase shifter serves multiple frequency bands with a single device instance per antenna element, rather than requiring multiple phase shifters. This universal design approach dramatically reduces the space occupation in the wireless interface while maintaining the ability to operate across sub-6GHz and mmWave frequency bands.
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 solution enables a smaller footprint and lower power consumption while maintaining signal strength, addressing the inefficiencies of existing passive phase shifters and enabling efficient broadband communication in 5G wireless networks.
Implementation Method 1
The inductive path includes multiple inductors and multiple nodes. The multiple inductors are coupled together in series between the first port and the second port.
Implementation Method 2
A first bypass path is coupled to a first pair of nodes of the multiple nodes, and the second bypass path is coupled to a second pair of nodes of the multiple nodes.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is disclosed including a tunable passive phase shifter. In example implementations, a phase shifter reuses one or more inductors for multiple bands and can reduce switch use along a propagation path to lower insertion loss. In an example aspect, an apparatus for phase shifting includes a phase shifter having a first port and a second port. The phase shifter includes an inductive path, which is coupled between the first and second ports, and first and second bypass paths. The inductive path includes multiple inductors and multiple nodes. The multiple inductors are coupled together in series between the first and second ports. The multiple nodes are interleaved with the multiple inductors along the inductive path. The first bypass path is coupled to a first pair of nodes of the multiple nodes, and the second bypass path is coupled to a second pair of nodes of the multiple nodes.