Impedance controlled by the phase angle between two signals

• US 6,114,930 A
• Filed: 05/26/1998
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Gobbi, Jose-Maria, Johansson, Ted
• Primary Examiner(s): Bettendorf, Justin P.
• Application Number:
  US09/084,705
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 331/115, 323/259, 327/285, 327/553, 333/213, 333/214, 333/216, 333/217
• US Class Current: 333/214
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 11/28 Impedance matching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 5/12 with at least one voltage- or current-dependent element

Abstract

An impedance device has a first conductor and a second conductor, the first and second conductors being positioned in relation to each other so as to provide magnetic coupling between them. The impedance of the impedance device is controlled by receiving, in the first conductor, a first electric signal having a first amplitude and a first phase angle, generating a second electric signal having a second amplitude and a second phase angle, delivering the second electric signal to the second conductor, and controlling the second phase angle.

Claims

1. A method for controlling impedance of a device, the device comprising a first conductor and a second conductor, the first and second conductors being positioned in relation to each other so as to provide electromagnetic coupling between them, the first conductor exhibiting a device resistance and a device reactance, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, in the first conductor, a first electric signal having a first amplitude and a first phase angle;

generating a second electric signal having a second amplitude and a second phase angle;

delivering the second electric signal to the second conductor; and

controlling said second phase angle in relation to said first phase angle such that said device resistance is changed.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of generating a first control signal in response to said first electric signal.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

adjusting said second phase angle in relation to said first phase angle such that a reduction of the resistance of said device is achieved.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

adjusting said second phase angle in relation to said first phase angle such that a phase difference is provided between said first phase angle and said second phase angle.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

adjusting said second phase angle in relation to said first phase angle such that an adjustment of the reactance of said device is achieved.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

maintaining a predetermined difference between said second phase angle and said first phase angle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the impedance is controlled in a high frequency resonator.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the impedance is controlled in a filter.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the impedance is controlled in a radio receiver.

10. In a device having a first conductor and a second conductor, the first and second conductors having a mutual electromagnetic coupling between them, the first conductor exhibiting a device resistance and a device reactance, a method comprising the steps of:

generating a first signal having a first amplitude and a first phase angle;

providing said first signal to said first conductor;

generating a feedforward signal corresponding to said first signal;

generating a second signal in response to said feedforward signal, said second signal having a second amplitude and a second phase angle;

providing said second signal to said second conductor; and

controlling said second phase angle in relation to the first phase angle such that said device resistance exhibited by said first conductor is changed.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of controlling said second phase angle comprises:

controlling said second phase angle such that a phase difference is provided between said first phase angle and said second phase angle.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of controlling said second phase angle comprises:

providing said feedforward signal to a control means having an input for a control signal, and

influencing said second phase angle in response to said control signal.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a first conductor being adapted to receive a first electric signal having a first amplitude and a first phase angle;

the first conductor exhibiting a resistance and a reactance;

a second conductor, said second conductor being positioned in relation to said first conductor such that magnetic coupling is provided between said first and second conductors; and

a signal generator being actuatable to generate a second electric signal, said second electric signal having a second amplitude and a second phase angle;

said signal generator being coupled to said second conductor for providing said second electric signal to said second conductor,

wherein said signal generator is devised to control the second phase angle in relation to the first phase angle such that said resistance exhibited by the first conductor is changed.

14. The circuit component according to claim 13, wherein said first conductor is an inductor, and said second conductor is an inductor.

15. A circuit component having a first terminal and a second terminal for receiving a first electric signal having a first amplitude and a first phase angle, the component having a component resistance between said first and second terminals, the component comprising:

a first conductor coupled to the first terminal and to the second terminal;

a second conductor, said second conductor being electromagnetically coupled to said first conductor;

a sensor for generating an indicator signal corresponding to said first electric signal; and

a controller for controlling the impedance of the component, said controller having a first input for receiving said indicator signal and a second input for receiving an adjustable setting signal, said controller being devised to generate a second electric signal in response to said indicator signal and said setting signal, said second electric signal having a second amplitude and a second phase angle,

said controller being coupled to said second conductor in order to provide said second electric signal to said second conductor, and

said controller comprising means for controlling said second phase angle in relation to the first phase angle such that the component resistance is changed.

16. The circuit component according to claim 15, wherein said controller is devised to generate said second electric signal such that said component resistance is decreased.

17. An apparatus having a first terminal and a second terminal, the apparatus having an apparatus resistance and an apparatus reactance between the first and second terminals, the apparatus comprising:

a first inductor coupled to the terminals for receiving a first oscillating electric signal having a first amplitude and a first phase angle, the first inductor exhibiting the apparatus resistance during operation of the apparatus;

a second inductor, said second inductor having a mutual electromagnetic coupling to said first inductor; and

a signal generator for generating a second oscillating electric signal dependent on said first electric signal, said second electric signal having a second amplitude and a second phase angle,

said signal generator providing said second oscillating electric signal to said second inductor such that a feedback signal is generated in the first inductor in response to the second oscillating electric signal,

wherein said signal generator comprises means for controlling said second phase angle in relation to said first phase angle, thereby controlling the apparatus resistance.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control means is devised to control the second phase angle such that said apparatus resistance is reduced.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said signal generator is devised to provide said second electric signal to said second inductor such that a phase difference is provided between said first phase angle and said second phase angle for controlling the resistance of the apparatus.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said control means is devised to control the phase difference to a pre-set value deviating from zero such that said resistance is changed.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said control means is devised to control the phase difference to a pre-set value deviating from zero such that said resistance is decreased.

22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said control means is devised to adjustably control the phase difference to a value deviating from zero such that said resistance is changed.

23. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said signal generator is devised to adjustably control the phase difference to a value deviating from zero such that said resistance is decreased.

24. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said signal generator is devised to generate said second electric signal such that the phase difference is controlled to deviate from n*[n]π

, where n is an integer.

25. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said signal generator is arranged to generate said second electric signal such that the phase difference is (φ

) controlled to a value in the interval

(p-1)*π

<

φ

<

p*π

where p is an odd integer, and p is not zero.

26. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said signal generator is arranged to generate said second electric signal in response to said first electric signal.

27. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first inductor has a first resistance value and said second inductor having a second resistance value,

said electromagnetically coupled inductors being arranged to generate a third resistance value,

the apparatus resistance between the first and the second terminals being substantially the sum of said first resistance value of said first inductor and said third resistance value of said electromagnetically coupled inductors.

28. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein

said first inductor has a first reactance value and said second inductor has a second reactance value,

said electromagnetically coupled inductors being arranged to generate a third reactance value,

the apparatus reactance between the first and the second terminals depending on said first reactance value of said first inductor and said third reactance value of said electromagnetically coupled inductors.

29. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:

a sensor means for generating said second electric signal in response to said first electric signal.

30. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control means comprises:

an input for an adjustment signal,

said control means being devised to control said second phase angle in response to said adjustment signal.

31. An integrated circuit chip inductance apparatus comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, the inductance apparatus having an apparatus resistance and an apparatus reactance between the first and second terminals, the inductance apparatus comprising:

a first inductor coupled to the terminals for receiving a first oscillating electric signal having a first amplitude and a first phase angle;

a second inductor, said second inductor having a mutual electromagnetic coupling to said first inductor; and

a signal generator for generating a second oscillating electric signal dependent on said first electric signal, said second electric signal having a second amplitude and a second phase angle,

said signal generator providing said second oscillating electric signal to said second inductor such that a feedback signal is electromagnetically generated in the first inductor in response to the second oscillating electric signal,

wherein said signal generator comprises means for controlling said second phase angle in relation to said first phase angle such that said feedback signal affects the apparatus resistance.

32. The integrated circuit chip according to claim 31, wherein said first inductor includes a conductor which is shaped as a spiral;

and

said second inductor includes a conductor which is shaped as a spiral,

said first spiral and said second spiral being intercoiled.

33. The integrated circuit chip according to claim 32, wherein said spirals are substantially square.

34. The integrated circuit chip according to claim 32, wherein said spirals are substantially circular.

35. The integrated circuit chip according to claim 31, wherein

said first inductor includes a conductor which is shaped as a spiral;

said second inductor includes a conductor which is shaped as a spiral; and

said first spiral and said second spiral are formed as substantially flat spirals.

36. An electronically tunable frequency resonant circuit, comprising:

an inductance device having a first terminal and a second terminal, the inductance device having a first resistance and a first inductance between the first and second terminals, the inductance device comprising;

a first inductor coupled to the terminals for receiving a first oscillating electric signal having a first amplitude and a first phase angle;

a second inductor, said second inductor having a mutual electromagnetic coupling to said first inductor; and

a signal generator for generating a second oscillating electric signal dependent on said first electric signal, said second electric signal having a second amplitude and a second phase angle;

said signal generator providing said second oscillating electric signal to said second inductor such that a feedback signal is generated in the first inductor in response to the second oscillating electric signal;

wherein said signal generator comprises means for controlling said second phase angle in relation to said first phase angle such that said feedback signal affects the first resistance; and

a capacitance device having a first capacitance value, said first capacitance value being electronically adjustable;

said capacitance device being coupled in combination with said inductance device so as to resonate at a selected frequency dependent on said first capacitance value and said first inductance.

37. The electronically tunable frequency resonant circuit according to claim 36, wherein said selected frequency depends on a phase difference.

38. An oscillator circuit comprising an inductance device having a resistance and a reactance, the inductance device comprising:

a first terminal and a second terminal, the inductance device having a device resistance and a device reactance between the first and second terminals;

a first inductor coupled to the terminals for receiving a first oscillating electric signal having a first amplitude and a first phase angle;

a second inductor, said second inductor having a mutual electromagnetic coupling to said first inductor; and

a signal generator for generating a second oscillating electric signal dependent on said first electric signal, said second electric signal having a second amplitude and a second phase angle,

said signal generator providing said second oscillating electric signal to said second inductor such that a feedback signal is generated in the first inductor in response to the second oscillating electric signal,

wherein said signal generator comprises means for controlling said second phase angle in relation to said first phase angle such that said feedback signal affects the device resistance.

39. A filter circuit comprising an inductance device having a first terminal and a second terminal, the inductance device having a resistance and a reactance between the first and second terminals, the inductance device comprising:

a first inductor coupled to the terminals for receiving a first oscillating electric signal having a first amplitude and a first phase angle;

a second inductor, said second inductor having a mutual electromagnetic coupling to said first inductor; and

a signal generator for generating a second oscillating electric signal dependent on said first electric signal, said second electric signal having a second amplitude and a second phase angle,

said signal generator providing said second oscillating electric signal to said second inductor such that a feedback signal is generated in the first inductor in response to the second oscillating electric signal,

wherein said signal generator comprises means for controlling said second phase angle in relation to said first phase angle such that said feedback signal affects the resistance between the first and second terminals.

40. The filter circuit according to claim 39, further comprising:

a capacitance device which is coupled such that it co-operates with said inductance device.