Directional couplers having variable power ratios and related devices, systems, and methods

摘要

Variable power ratio (VPR) directional couplers that permit an amount of power directed to different outputs to be varied and managed. In some embodiments, the power ratio of the VPR coupler is represented by an equivalent coupling factor C′ corresponding to a conventional coupling factor C. The VPR coupler may include one or more variable reactive network (VRN) circuits, each configured to reflect a portion of power received from an input back toward the input, and to transmit a remainder of the power toward an output. An amount of power reflected and transmitted by the VRN circuit may be varied based on a control voltage applied to the VRN circuit. In one example, a plurality of VPR couplers can be arranged in series to create a versatile and simplified network for distributing signals to a plurality of end units.

主权项

1. A variable power ratio directional (VPR) coupler, comprising:
a first hybrid coupler having an input and a first coupler output, a second coupler output, and third coupler output; a first variable reactive network (VRN) having a network input connected to the first coupler output of the first hybrid coupler, a network output, and a control voltage input; a second VRN having a network input connected to the second coupler output of the first hybrid coupler, a network output, and a control voltage input; a second hybrid coupler having a first coupler input connected to the network output of the first VRN, a second coupler input connected to the network output of the second VRN, and a coupler output; wherein the VPR coupler is configured to:
receive a first power at the coupler input of the first hybrid coupler;receive a control voltage at the control voltage input of the first VRN and the control voltage input of the second VRN;output a second power to the third coupler output of the first hybrid coupler, based on the control voltage; andoutput a third power to the coupler output of the second hybrid coupler, based on the control voltage, wherein a sum of the second power and the third power is the first power; and an amplifier configured to supply the control voltage to the first and second VRNs, wherein an amplifier input of the amplifier is configured to receive a portion of the third power from the output of the second hybrid coupler.