Differential Directional Coupler, Signal Conversion System and Method for Converting a Differential Input Signal
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorsVadim Issakov, Johann Peter Forstner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In accordance with an embodiment, a differential directional coupler includes a first coupler having a first transformer comprising a first input coil and a first output coil, and a second coupler having a second transformer comprising a second input coil and a second output coil. The first input coil and the second input coil each include an input port, the first transformer at least partially covers the second transformer in a top view from a vertical direction onto the differential directional coupler, and the first input coil and the second input coil are configured to be mirror symmetric with respect to one another in the top view with respect to their input ports.
Claims23
A differential directional coupler comprising:
- a first coupler having a first transformer comprising a first input coil and a first output coil;
- and
- a second coupler having a second transformer comprising a second input coil and a second output coil, wherein
- the first input coil and the second input coil each include an input port,
- the first transformer at least partially covers the second transformer in a top view from a vertical direction onto the differential directional coupler, and
- the first input coil and the second input coil are configured to be mirror symmetric with respect to one another in the top view with respect to their input ports.
A signal conversion system comprising
- a transmitter which is configured to generate a differential input signal having a base signal and a reference signal of opposite phase with respect to the base signal;
- and
- a differential directional coupler comprising a first coupler having a first transformer and a second coupler having a second transformer, wherein
- the base signal is coupled to an input port of the first coupler,
- the reference signal is coupled to an input port of the second coupler,
- the differential directional coupler is configured to convert the differential input signal at least partially into at least one differential output signal having a phase shift with respect to the differential input signal,
- a base signal current of the base signal through the first transformer generates a first magnetic field and a reference signal current of the reference signal through the second transformer generates a second magnetic field, and
- the input ports of the first and second coupler are arranged relative to one another in such a manner that the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field are superimposed constructively.
A method for converting a differential input signal, the method comprising:
- providing a transmitter;
- providing a differential directional coupler comprising a first coupler with a first input coil and a first output coil, and a second coupler having a second input coil and a second output coil;
- generating the differential input signal with the transmitter, wherein the differential input signal comprises a base signal and a reference signal of an opposite phase to the base signal;
- coupling the base signal to an input port of the first coupler and coupling the reference signal to an input port of the second coupler, in such a manner that a base signal current of the base signal flows within the first input coil and a reference signal current of the reference signal flows within the second input coil in a same direction;
- and
- converting the differential input signal into at least one differential output signal using the differential directional coupler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.