High isolation signal routing assembly for full duplex communication

• US 8,750,173 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2011
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael E. Knox
• Original Assignee: Mode-1 Corporation
• Inventors: Knox, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chou, Albert T
• Application Number:
  US13/374,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20120182906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 370/278
• US Class Current: 370/278
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/44 Transmit/receive switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40013 Details regarding a bus controller
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex

Abstract

A signal routing assembly accepts a first transmission signal at an input and outputs a substantial portion of the signal at a common port of the signal routing assembly. A second transmission signal is received at the common port and is routed through the signal routing assembly delivered to output of the signal routing assembly. Leakage signals from routing devices leaking the first transmission signal are terminated inside the signal routing assembly. Leakage signal from a divider/combiner are cancelled by reflect signal from at least one reflector device. A transmitter produces the first transmission signal and the signal routing assembly delivers this signal to the common port of the signal routing assembly. In full duplex operation, second transmission signals received at the common port are routed to the output to be applied to a receiver.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic signal routing assembly for effecting two way duplex transmissions, comprising:

a transmission signal input for receiving a first transmission signal;

a common port for outputting a portion of the first transmission signal from said transmission signal input and receiving, when present, a second transmission signal;

a transmission signal output for outputting a portion of the second transmission signal when present;

a signal divider receiving the first transmission signal from said transmission signal input and dividing the first transmission signal into a first and second divided transmission signals output respectively and having amplitudes within a first amplitude range of each other and a first relative phase shift therebetween;

a first routing device having a first, second and third ports respectively, said first routing device being configured to deliver a portion of signal at said first port to said second port and also being configured to deliver another signal, when present, at said second port to said third port;

a second routing device having a first, second and third ports respectively, said second routing device being configured to deliver a portion of signal at said first port to said second port and also being configured to deliver another signal, when present, at said second port to said third port;

said first and second routing devices, having transmission coefficients as follows;

s21 is a transmission coefficient from said first port to said second port;

s32 is a transmission coefficient from said second port to said third;

s31 is a transmission coefficient from said first port to said third port;

said s21 is greater than said s31; and

said s32 is greater than said s31;

said first and second routing devices being each a power divider;

said first routing device having first divided transmission signal applied to said first port of said first routing device and simultaneously producing a first divided transmission output signal at said second port of said first routing device and a first transmission leakage signal at said third port of said first routing device where each are resultant from said first divided transmission signal;

said first routing device having a third divided transmission signal, when present, applied to said second port of said first routing device and producing, simultaneously with said first divided transmission output signal and said first transmission leakage signal, a third divided transmission output signal at said third port of said first routing device resultant from said third divided transmission signal;

said second routing device having said second divided transmission signal applied to said first port of said second routing device and simultaneously producing a second divided transmission output signal at said second port of said second routing device and a second transmission leakage signal at said third port of said second routing device, each resultant from said second divided transmission signal;

said second routing device having a fourth divided transmission signal, when present, applied to said second port of said second routing device and producing, simultaneously with said second divided transmission output signal and said second transmission leakage signal, a fourth divided transmission output signal at said third port of said second routing device resultant from said fourth divided transmission signal;

a signal divider/combiner having first and second divider/combiner ports respectively for receiving said first and second divided transmission output signals and a configuration for combining these signals at levels within a second relative amplitude range and with a second relative phase shift therebetween to output a portion of said first transmission signal to said common port and the configuration being such that said second transmission signal, when present and received at said common port, is divided into said third and fourth divided transmission signals having amplitudes within said second relative amplitude range and with said second relative phase shift therebetween;

a signal combiner having first and second combiner inputs for receiving said first and second transmission leakage signals and, when present, for receiving said third and fourth divided transmission output signals;

said signal combiner including said transmission signal output and said signal combiner being configured to introduce a third relative phase shift into signals applied to at least one of said first and second combiner inputs and combine signals applied to said first and second combiner inputs at the transmission signal output at levels within said third amplitude range such that;

said first and second transmission leakage signals arrive at said transmission signal output, at levels within an amplitude tolerance range and a total relative phase shift therebetween within a phase tolerance range situated about 180 degrees to effect a destructive combination resulting in at least partial cancellation of said first and second transmission leakage signals at said transmission signal output; and

said third and fourth divided transmission signals, when present, arrive at said transmission signal output to effect a constructive combination of said third and fourth divided transmission signals to output a portion of said second transmission signal at said transmission signal output.

2. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second signal routing device each include a Wilkinson power divider.

3. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second signal routing device each include a quadrature hybrid.

4. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second signal routing device each include a branch-line hybrid coupler.

5. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second signal routing device each include a Lange coupler.

6. An electromagnetic signal routing assembly for effecting two way duplex transmissions, comprising:

a transmission signal input for receiving a first transmission signal;

a common port for outputting a portion of said first transmission signal from said transmission signal input and receiving a second transmission signal when present;

a transmission signal output for outputting a portion of said second transmission signal when present;

a signal divider receiving said first transmission signal from said transmission signal input and dividing said first transmission signal into first and second divided transmission signals having amplitudes within a first amplitude range of each other and a first relative phase shift therebetween;

first and second routing devices each having at least first, second and third ports, said first and second routing devices being configured to simultaneously deliver a signal at said first port to said second port and another signal at said second port to said third port wherein;

s21 is a transmission coefficient from said first port to said second port;

s32 is a transmission coefficient from said second port to said third;

s31 is a transmission coefficient from said first port to said third port;

said s21 is greater than said s31; and

said s32 is greater than said s31;

said first routing device having said first divided transmission signal applied to said first port of said first routing device and simultaneously producing;

a first divided transmission output signal at said second port of said first routing device; and

a first transmission leakage signal at said third port of said first routing device,

each resultant from said first divided transmission signal;

said first routing device also having a third divided transmission signal, when present, applied to said second port of said first routing device and producing, simultaneously with said first divided transmission output signal and said first transmission leakage signal, a third divided transmission output signal at said third port of said first routing device resultant from said third divided transmission signal;

said second routing device having said second divided transmission signal applied to said first port of said second routing device and simultaneously producing;

a second divided transmission output signal at said second port of said second routing device; and

a second transmission leakage signal at said third port of said second routing device,

each resultant from said second divided transmission signal;

said second routing device also having a fourth divided transmission signal, when present, applied to said second port of said second routing device and producing, simultaneously with said second divided transmission output signal and said second transmission leakage signal, a fourth divided transmission output signal at said third port of said second routing device resultant from said fourth divided transmission signal;

a signal divider/combiner having;

first and second divider/combiner ports for receiving said first and second divided transmission output signals and a configuration for combining these signals at levels within a second relative amplitude range and with a second relative phase shift therebetween to output said portion of said first transmission signal to said common port; and

said configuration being such that said second transmission signal, when present and received at said common port, is divided into said third and fourth divided transmission signals having amplitudes within said second relative amplitude range and with said second relative phase shift therebetween;

a signal combiner having first and second combiner inputs for receiving said first and second transmission leakage signals and, when present, for receiving said third and fourth divided transmission output signals, said signal combiner including said transmission signal output, and said signal combiner being configured to introduce a third relative phase shift into signals applied to at least one of said first and second combiner inputs and combine signals applied to said first and second combiner inputs at said transmission signal output at levels within a third amplitude range such that;

said first and second transmission leakage signals arrive at said transmission signal output at levels within an amplitude tolerance range and a total relative phase shift therebetween within a phase tolerance range situated about 180 degrees to effect a destructive combination resulting in at least partial cancellation of said first and second transmission leakage signals at said transmission signal output; and

said third and fourth divided transmission signals, when present, arrive at said transmission signal output to effect a constructive combination of said third and fourth divided transmission signals to output a portion of said second transmission signal at said transmission signal output;

said configuration of said signal divider/combiner being arranged such that there is emitted;

a third transmission leakage signal, at said first divider/combiner port, which is a portion of said second divided transmission output signal; and

a fourth transmission leakage signal, at said second divider/combiner port, which is a portion of said first divided transmission output signal;

said first routing device receiving said third transmission leakage signal at said second port and producing at said third port a third transmission leakage output signal resultant from said third transmission leakage signal;

said second routing device receiving said fourth transmission leakage signal at said second port and producing at said third port a fourth transmission leakage output signal resultant from said fourth transmission leakage signal;

a magnetic biasing device applied to at least one of said first routing device or said second routing device such that;

an imbalance in levels of said first divided transmission output signal and said second divided transmission output signal is effected; and

an imbalance in levels of said first transmission leakage signal and said second transmission leakage signal is effected; and

said signal combiner having said first and second combiner inputs respectively receiving said third and fourth transmission leakage output signals, and respectively receiving, via of said first and second routing devices, said first transmission leakage signal and said second transmission leakage signal, said signal combiner being configured so as to;

destructively combine, at said transmission signal output, said third transmission leakage output signal and said fourth transmission leakage output signals; and

destructively combine, at said transmission signal output, said first transmission leakage signal and said second transmission leakage signal, to effect at least partial cancellation of said third and fourth transmission leakage output signals and said first transmission leakage signal and said second transmission leakage signal arriving at said transmission signal output.

7. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 6 wherein said first and second routing devices each include a circulator.

8. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 1 wherein said magnetic biasing device is a neodymium magnet.

9. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 6 wherein said magnetic biasing device includes a coil disposed to effect magnetic biasing of said at least one of said first routing device or said second routing device.

10. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 6 wherein:

said magnetic biasing device includes a shaped center conductor disposed to effect magnetic biasing of said at least one of said first routing device or said second routing device; and

said at least one of said first routing device or said second routing device being a circulator with said shaped center conductor incorporated therein as a center conductor.

11. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 10 wherein said shaped center conductor has a shape defined by at least one tuning element.

12. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 6 wherein said magnetic biasing device includes one of said first and second routing devices having a physical disposition of components different from a physical disposition another one of said first and second routing devices to effect a magnetic bias of said one of said first and second routing device that imbalances the first and second leakage transmission leakage signals and imbalances the third and fourth transmission leakage output signals resulting in at least a partial cancellation of the first and second leakage transmission leakage signals and the third and fourth transmission leakage output signals at the transmission signal output.

13. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 12 wherein said physical disposition of components which is different from said physical disposition another one of said first and second routing devices is effected by mechanical force applied to said one of said first and second routing devices.

14. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 6 wherein said magnetic biasing device effects said at least a partial cancellation of the first and second leakage transmission leakage signals and the third and fourth transmission leakage output signals at the transmission signal output such that at least 25 dB isolation results.

15. An electromagnetic signal routing assembly for effecting at least one of division of a signal or combination of signals, comprising:

an assembly common port, an assembly first port, and an assembly second port;

a first divider/combiner device having a first divider/combiner common port connected to said assembly common port, a first divider/combiner first port, and a first divider/combiner second port;

a second divider/combiner device having a second divider/combiner common port connected to said assembly common first port, a second divider/combiner first port, and a second divider/combiner second port;

a third divider/combiner device having a third divider/combiner common port connected to said assembly common second port, a third divider/combiner first port, and a third divider/combiner second port;

a first signal routing device having a first routing device first port connected to said third divider/combiner second port, a first routing device second port connected to said first divider/combiner device first port, and a first routing device third port connected to said second divider/combiner device first port;

a second signal routing device having a second routing device first port connected to said third divider/combiner second port, a second routing device second port connected to said first divider/combiner device second port, and a second routing device third port connected to said second divider/combiner device second port;

said first divider/combiner being configured to;

combine signals applied to said first divider/combiner first port and said first divider/combiner second port while introducing a first divider/combiner phase shift into one of said signals relative to another one of said signal, and output the combined signals at said first divider/combiner common port; and

divide a signal applied to said first divider/combiner common port into divided signals shifted in phase relative one another by said first divider/combiner phase shift and output said divided signals respectively at said first divider/combiner first port and said first divider/combiner second port;

said second divider/combiner being configured to;

combine signals applied to said second divider/combiner first port and said second divider/combiner second port while introducing a second divider/combiner phase shift into one of said signals relative to another one of said signal, and output the combined signals at said second divider/combiner common port; and

divide a signal applied to said second divider/combiner common port into divided signals shifted in phase relative one another by said second divider/combiner phase shift and output said divided signals respectively at said second divider/combiner first port and said second divider/combiner second port;

said third divider/combiner being configured to;

combine signals applied to said third divider/combiner first port and said third divider/combiner second port while introducing a third divider/combiner phase shift into one of said signals relative to another one of said signal, and output the combined signals at said third divider/combiner common port; and

divide a signal applied to said third divider/combiner common port into divided signals shifted in phase relative one another by said third divider/combiner phase shift and output said divided signals respectively at said third divider/combiner first port and said third divider/combiner second port;

said first signal routing device being configured to;

combine signals applied to said first signal routing device first port and said first signal routing device third port while introducing a first routing device first phase shift and a first routing device second phase shift respectively into said signals, and output the combined signals at said first routing device second port; and

divide a signal applied to said first signal routing device second port into divided signals each shifted in phase respectively by a first routing device first phase shift and a first routing device second phase shift and output said divided signals respectively at said first signal routing device first port and said first signal routing device third port;

said second signal routing device being configured to;

combine signals applied to said second signal routing device first port and said second signal routing device third port while introducing a second routing device first phase shift and a second routing device second phase shift respectively into said signals, and output the combined signals at said second routing device second port; and

divide a signal applied to said second signal routing device second port into divided signals each shifted in phase respectively by a second routing device first phase shift and a second routing device second phase shift and output said divided signals respectively at said second signal routing device first port and said second signal routing device third port;

said first divider/combiner phase shift, said second divider/combiner phase shift, said first routing device second phase shift, and said second routing device second phase shift being so as to produce a constructive addition, at said second divider/combiner common port, of signals applied to said second divider/combiner first port and said second divider/combiner second port which result when an input signal is applied to said first divider/combiner common port;

said first divider/combiner phase shift, said third divider/combiner phase shift, said first routing device first phase shift, and said second routing device first phase shift being so as to produce a constructive addition, at said third divider/combiner common port, of signals applied to said third divider/combiner first port and said third divider/combiner second port which result when said input signal is applied to said first divider/combiner common port;

said first divider/combiner phase shift, said third divider/combiner phase shift, said first routing device first phase shift, and said second routing device first phase shift being so as to produce a constructive addition, at said first divider/combiner common port, of signals applied to said first divider/combiner first port and said first divider/combiner second port which result when an input signal is applied to said third divider/combiner common port;

said first divider/combiner phase shift, said third divider/combiner phase shift, said first routing device second phase shift, and said second routing device second phase shift being so as to produce a constructive addition, at said first divider/combiner common port, of signals applied to said first divider/combiner first port and said first divider/combiner second port which result when an input signal is applied to said second divider/combiner common port;

said first signal routing device having a configuration allowing a first signal routing device leakage signal to be produced at one of said first signal routing device first port and said first signal routing device third port, by leakage between said first signal routing device first port and said first signal routing device third port, when a signal is applied to another one of said first signal routing device first port and said first signal routing device third port;

said second signal routing device having a configuration allowing a second signal routing device leakage signal to be produced at one of said second signal routing device first port and said second signal routing device third port, by leakage between said second signal routing device first port and said second signal routing device third port, when a signal is applied to another one of said second signal routing device first port and said second signal routing device third port;

said second divider/combiner phase shift and said third divider/combiner phase shift being so as to produce cancellation at said third divider/combiner common port, of said first signal routing device leakage signal and said second signal routing device leakage signal, wherein said first signal routing device leakage signal is applied to said third divider/combiner first port and said second signal routing device leakage signal is applied to said third divider/combiner second port when said first signal routing device leakage signal and said second signal routing device leakage signal are resultant from application of a signal to said second divider/combiner common port is made; and

said second divider/combiner phase shift and said third divider/combiner phase shift being so as to produce cancellation at said second divider/combiner common port, of said first signal routing device leakage signal and said second signal routing device leakage signal, wherein said first signal routing device leakage signal is applied to said second divider/combiner first port and said second signal routing device leakage signal is applied to said second divider/combiner second port when said first signal routing device leakage signal and said second signal routing device leakage signal are resultant from application of a signal to said third divider/combiner common port.

16. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 15, wherein said first signal routing device is one of a power divider or a coupler, and said second signal routing device is said one of a power divider or a coupler.

17. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 16, wherein said cancellation at said third divider/combiner common port and said cancellation at said second divider/combiner common port produce 25 dB isolation between said third divider/combiner common port and said second divider/combiner common port.

18. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

said first divider/combiner having a configuration resulting in leakage of signals between said first divider/combiner first port and said first divider/combiner second port such that an input signal applied at said third divider/combiner common port produces;

a first divider/combiner first leakage signal emitted respectively at said first divider/combiner first port; and

a first divider/combiner second leakage signal emitted respectively at said first divider/combiner second port;

a portion of said first divider/combiner first leakage signal and a portion of said first divider/combiner second leakage signal arriving, respectively via said first signal routing device and said second signal routing device, and constructively adding at said second divider/combiner common port;

a reflector device disposed in one of;

a first path connecting said first signal routing device second port and said first divider/combiner first port;

a second path connecting said second signal routing device second port and said first divider/combiner second port;

or

a third path connecting said first divider/combiner common port and said assembly common port; and

said reflector device being so disposed as to reflect a portion of said input signal as a compensation signal into said second divider/combiner via at least one of said first signal routing device and said second signal routing device such that said compensation signal is phase shifted relative to both said portion of said first divider/combiner first leakage signal and said portion of said first divider/combiner second leakage signal to effect cancellation of said portion of said first divider/combiner first leakage signal and said portion of said first divider/combiner second leakage signal at said second divider/combiner common port.

19. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 18, wherein said cancellation of said first signal routing device leakage signal applied to said second divider/combiner first port and said second signal routing device leakage signal applied to said second divider/combiner second port and said cancellation of said portion of said first divider/combiner first leakage signal and said portion of said first divider/combiner second leakage signal at said second divider/combiner common port produce 25 dB isolation between said third divider/combiner common port and said second divider/combiner common port.

20. The electromagnetic signal routing assembly of claim 19, wherein said first signal routing device is one of a power divider or a coupler, and said second signal routing device is said one of a power divider or a coupler.