Waveguide Signal Combining via Half-Patch Launchers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices that use waveguides for signal transmission face inefficiencies due to the need for splitter and combiner circuits, which increase power consumption, occupy device area, and reduce efficiency, especially when amplifying signals to overcome amplifier limitations.
Innovation Solution
The use of half-patch launchers coupled to waveguides, which split and amplify signals to form transmission signals without the need for separate combiner circuits, reducing device size and increasing bandwidth by leveraging the waveguide as a coherent combiner of amplified signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If splitter and combiner circuits are used to amplify signals, then signal transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases and device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the combiner circuit from the signal transmission path. By using a waveguide to naturally combine amplified signals from multiple amplifiers, the design removes the need for a separate combiner circuit, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining signal transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide serves multiple functions: it transmits signals from the launchers and simultaneously acts as a combiner for the amplified signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated combiner circuitry, reducing overall power consumption of the system.
2Power
If splitter and combiner circuits are used to amplify signals, then signal transmission capability is improved, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The combiner circuit is extracted and removed from the system. The waveguide inherently provides signal combination functionality, eliminating the need for additional combiner circuit components and reducing the overall device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal combination function is merged into the waveguide structure itself. Rather than having separate combiner circuit components, the waveguide performs both transmission and combination functions, reducing device area.
3Power
If splitter and combiner circuits are used, then amplifier limitations are overcome, but efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The combiner circuit is removed from the system. By eliminating this intermediate component, signal loss associated with combiner insertion loss is avoided, thereby improving overall system efficiency while still overcoming amplifier power limitations through parallel amplifier architecture.
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 approach enhances signal transmission efficiency by eliminating the need for separate combiner circuits, reducing power consumption, and minimizing device size while maintaining signal integrity, thus improving overall device performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first radiative signal generated by the first launcher responsive to the first amplified sub-signal and a second radiative signal generated by the second launcher responsive to the second amplified sub-signal are combined in the waveguide to form a transmission signal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a signal splitter configured to receive an input signal for transmission and to split the input signal to form two or more sub-signals. The apparatus further includes a first amplifier configured to generate a first amplified sub-signal, a second amplifier configured to generate a second amplified sub-signal, a first launcher coupled to the first amplifier and to a waveguide, and a second launcher coupled to the second amplifier and to the waveguide. The first and second launchers are coupled to the waveguide such that a first radiative signal generated by the first launcher responsive to the first amplified sub-signal and a second radiative signal generated by the second launcher responsive to the second amplified sub-signal are combined in the waveguide to form a transmission signal corresponding to the input signal.