Waveguide Power Divider With Segmented Couplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Wilkinson power dividers have closely located output ports, making them inconvenient for applications where devices are far apart, and they can transmit unwanted electromagnetic signals outside the desired frequency range, leading to signal contamination.
Innovation Solution
A 1×2 waveguide-based power divider design featuring a 1×2 waveguide coupler, primary and secondary transmission lines, and three-port waveguide couplers, with a lumped resistive shunt, allowing for physically separated output ports and frequency blocking capabilities to attenuate undesired signal frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional Wilkinson power divider is used, then power splitting is achieved in a narrow frequency range, but the output ports are located close together making them inconvenient for connecting distant output devices
Solution Approach 1:
The power divider is divided into multiple modular sections including a power dividing section with first and second three-port couplers, and a signal combining section with third and fourth three-port couplers. This segmentation allows the output ports to be physically separated while maintaining electrical connectivity through the distributed structure, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar two-dimensional layout to a three-dimensional distributed structure by stacking multiple coupler sections and using vertical interconnections. This dimensional change enables output ports to be located at different spatial positions (including distant locations) while maintaining compact overall device footprint, thus improving ease of operation without excessive complexity increase.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional Wilkinson power divider is used, then power splitting is achieved, but electromagnetic signals outside the desired frequency range are transmitted causing signal contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate signal combining sections with additional three-port couplers that act as frequency-selective intermediaries. These intermediate sections process signals at different frequency ranges separately before final combination, allowing unwanted frequency components to be filtered or directed to appropriate ports, thus reducing signal contamination while managing device complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the power divider are designed with locally optimized characteristics - the power dividing section handles high-frequency signals while the signal combining section handles lower frequency components. Each section has tailored impedance and coupling characteristics optimized for its specific frequency range, improving overall frequency selectivity and reducing harmful signal transmission without requiring a completely complex redesign.
3Ease of operation
If output ports are physically separated to connect distant devices, then ease of operation improves, but maintaining electrical isolation and signal integrity becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection between separated output ports is segmented into multiple discrete coupling stages through the series of three-port couplers. Each stage provides controlled impedance matching and isolation, ensuring that physical separation does not compromise electrical isolation or signal integrity. The segmented architecture maintains reliability by breaking down the connection into manageable, isolated sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Additional three-port couplers serve as intermediary elements between the physically separated output ports, providing controlled impedance transitions and electrical isolation. These intermediary components ensure that signals maintain their integrity over the extended physical distance while preventing unwanted coupling or interference between the separated ports, thus preserving reliability.
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 design enables the 1×2 waveguide-based power divider to effectively power divide signals within a desired frequency range while blocking unwanted frequencies, providing improved port isolation and allowing for direct connection to distant output devices without signal contamination.
Implementation Method 1
The 1×2 waveguide coupler divides the power of the signal received via input waveguide equally between two output ports
Implementation Method 2
A series of one or more secondary transmission lines connects second ports of the three-port waveguide couplers. In some embodiments, the series includes a lumped resistive shunt
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a 1×2 waveguide-based power divider. The 1×2 waveguide-based power divider includes a 1×2 waveguide coupler, two primary transmission lines, two three-port waveguide couplers, and a series. The series includes one or more secondary transmission lines. Each primary transmission line connects a corresponding output of the 1×2 waveguide coupler to a first port of a corresponding one of the three-port waveguide couplers. The series connects a second ports of the three-port waveguide couplers.