Dual shifter devices and systems for polarization rotation to mitigate interference
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a double trombone shifter device, signals relating to one or more crossed-dipole radiating elements of an antenna system, performing, by the double trombone shifter device, polarization rotation of the signals to derive output signals having polarizations that are rotated in a manner that results in a virtual physical rotation of the one or more crossed-dipole radiating elements, and providing, by the double trombone shifter device, the output signals to enable avoidance of interference. Other embodiments are disclosed.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a pair of hybrid couplers; and
a dual shifter, the dual shifter being mechanically adjustable to effect polarization rotation of signals relating to a dual-polarized pair of crossed-dipole elements, the polarization rotation mimicking physical rotation of the dual-polarized pair of crossed-dipole elements and enabling avoidance of interference.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the polarization rotation is performed in a radio frequency (RF) domain, and wherein the interference comprises passive intermodulation (PIM).
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a lower substrate having disposed thereon a first pair of transmission lines; and
an upper substrate having disposed thereon a second pair of transmission lines, wherein the first and second pairs of transmission lines form at least a portion of the dual shifter.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pair of hybrid couplers and the dual shifter are arranged in a symmetrical configuration.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dual shifter comprises a double trombone shifter that is mechanically adjustable in a linear manner or a dual overlapping arch shifter that is mechanically adjustable in a rotational manner.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a motor and a drive assembly configured to mechanically adjust the dual shifter to effect the polarization rotation.
7. A method, comprising:
receiving, by a double trombone shifter device, signals relating to one or more crossed-dipole radiating elements of an antenna system;
performing, by the double trombone shifter device, polarization rotation of the signals to derive output signals having polarizations that are rotated in a manner that results in a virtual physical rotation of the one or more crossed-dipole radiating elements; and
providing, by the double trombone shifter device, the output signals to enable avoidance of interference.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the double trombone shifter device has a symmetrical configuration.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the double trombone shifter device comprises a pair of 90 degree hybrid couplers.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the polarization rotation is performed in a radio frequency (RF) domain.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the performing the polarization rotation involves use of a motor and a drive assembly.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the providing the output signals comprises providing the output signals to a radio.
13. The method of claim 7 , wherein the double trombone shifter device is implemented in the antenna system, in a radio, or in a standalone device that interfaces the antenna system and the radio, and wherein the interference comprises passive intermodulation (PIM).
14. A device, comprising:
a pair of hybrid couplers; and
a dual shifter, the dual shifter being physically adjustable to effect polarization rotation of signals relating to a dual-polarized pair of crossed-dipole elements, the polarization rotation resulting in virtual rotation of the dual-polarized pair of crossed-dipole elements and enabling avoidance of interference.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the polarization rotation is performed in a radio frequency (RF) domain, and wherein the interference comprises passive intermodulation (PIM).
16. The device of claim 14 , further comprising:
a lower substrate having disposed thereon a first pair of transmission lines; and
an upper substrate having disposed thereon a second pair of transmission lines, wherein the first and second pairs of transmission lines form at least a portion of the dual shifter.
17. The device of claim 14 , wherein the pair of hybrid couplers and the dual shifter are arranged in a symmetrical configuration.
18. The device of claim 14 , wherein the dual shifter comprises a double trombone shifter that is physically adjustable in a linear manner or a dual overlapping arch shifter that is physically adjustable in a rotational manner.
19. The device of claim 14 , further comprising a motor and a drive assembly configured to physically adjust the dual shifter to effect the polarization rotation.
20. The device of claim 14 , wherein the device is implemented in an antenna, in a radio, or in a standalone apparatus that interfaces the antenna and the radio.