Waveguide-to-Microstrip Power Splitter Impedance Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RF power-splitting and power-combining structures suffer from insertion and mismatch loss due to the use of external impedance matching circuitry, leading to inefficiency in power amplification systems, particularly in spacecraft applications operating at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A power splitting or combining arrangement where each output port is electrically coupled with an active device, eliminating the need for impedance matching circuitry by configuring the output impedance of each port to match the input impedance of the corresponding active device, thereby reducing insertion and mismatch loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external impedance matching circuitry is used to match waveguide impedance to active device impedance, then impedance matching is achieved, but insertion loss and mismatch loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpedance matchingVSAvoidinsertion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the external impedance matching circuitry from the system. By redesigning the waveguide output ports with integrated impedance transformation structures, the separate matching networks are removed, thereby eliminating the insertion loss and mismatch loss they introduced while maintaining proper impedance matching to active devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the impedance matching function into the waveguide structure itself. The output ports are designed with integrated impedance transformation features that combine the waveguide interface and impedance matching into a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate external matching circuits and reducing overall system loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If external impedance matching circuitry is used, then impedance adaptation is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpedance adaptationVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the impedance matching function with the waveguide output port structure. By integrating the impedance transformation capability directly into the waveguide design, the system maintains impedance adaptability while eliminating separate matching circuits, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide output ports are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide the waveguide interface, perform impedance transformation, and directly connect to active devices. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate impedance matching circuits, reducing system complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If conventional power-splitting structures are used, then power distribution is achieved, but efficiency decreases due to matching circuit losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower distributionVSAvoidefficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the lossy external impedance matching circuits from the power distribution system. By eliminating these separate matching networks and integrating impedance transformation into the waveguide structure, the system maintains effective power distribution while significantly reducing energy loss and improving overall efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 configuration achieves a return loss not worse than 15 decibels and an insertion loss not worse than 0.2 decibels, enhancing efficiency and simplifying the design by eliminating the need for high-loss impedance matching circuitry, while maintaining high Q-factor and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an input waveguide that has a plurality of output ports and an input port configured to receive electromagnetic waves having a frequency in a designated frequency band

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaveguide mode propagation: Waveguide

Implementation Method 2

Each output port has an output impedance that is configured to substantially match an input impedance of the corresponding active device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpedance matching: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentUS10177726B1Waveguide to microstrip line N-port power splitter/combiner

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 LANTERIS SPACE LLC

AI summary

A power splitting (or combining) arrangement includes a waveguide having a plurality of output (or input) ports and an input (or output) port configured to receive (or transmit) electromagnetic waves having a frequency in a designated frequency band. Each output (or input) port is configured to electrically couple with an input (or output) terminal of a corresponding one of a plurality of active devices. Each output (or input) port has a respective output impedance associated with the frequency band. The power splitting (or combining) arrangement is configured such that the respective output (or input) impedance of each output (or input) port substantially matches an input (or output) impedance of the corresponding one of the plurality of active devices.