• Journal of electromagnetic engineering and science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.206-209
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• 2016

This letter proposes a reconfigurable directional coupler that uses a variable impedance mismatch reflector to achieve high isolation characteristics in the antenna front end. The reconfigurable coupler consists of a directional coupler and a single-pole four-throw (SP4T) switch with different load impedances as a variable load mismatch reflector. Selection of the load impedance by the reflector allows cancellation of the reflected signal due to antenna load mismatch and the leakage from the input to isolation port of the directional coupler, resulting in high isolation characteristics. The performance of the proposed architecture in separating the received (Rx) signal from the transmitted (Tx) signal in the antenna front end was verified by implementing and testing the reconfigurable coupler at 917 MHz for UHF radio-frequency identification (RFID) applications. The proposed reconfigurable directional coupler showed an improvement in the isolation characteristics of more than 20 dB at the operation frequency band.

• Journal of electromagnetic engineering and science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.199-205
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• 2016

We present a novel schematic using a 3-dB coupler to transmit radiofrequency (RF) power to two receivers selectively. Whereas previous multiple receiver supporting schemes used hardware-switched methods, our scheme uses a soft power-allocating method, which has the advantage of variable power allocation in real time to each receiver. Using our scheme, we can split the charging area and focus the RF power on the targeted areas. We present our soft power-allocating method in three main points. First, we propose a new power distribution hardware structure using a FPGA (field-programmable gate array) and a 3-dB coupler. It can reconfigure the transmitting power to two receivers selectively using accurate FPGA-controlled signals with the aid of software. Second, we propose a power control method in our platform. We can variably control the total power of transmitter using the DC bias of the drain input of the amplifier. Third, we provide the possibility of expansion in multiple systems by extending these two wireless power transfer systems. We believe that this method is a new approach to controlling power amplifier output softly to support multiple receivers.