Abstract: A method for plating a titanium-containing metal, comprising the steps of: (a) surface treating the titanium-containing metal in a solution consisting essentially of an aqueous solvent and hydrochloric acid for a period of time sufficient to activate the surface of the titanium-containing metal; (b) plating the surface of the surface treated titanium-containing metal with a metallic coating in an electrolyte bath; and (c) non-oxidatively heat treating the plated titanium-containing metal for a period of time sufficient to cause diffusion bonding between the metallic coating and the titanium-containing metal. The present invention also provides parts made in accordance with the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for surface treating a titanium-containing metal, comprising the steps of: (a) treating at least a portion of a surface of the titanium-containing metal with an anodic activation in an electrolyte bath; and (b) strike plating at least a portion of the surface of the treated titanium-containing metal with a metallic coating in the same electrolyte bath as in step (a), wherein the titanium-containing metal remains submerged in the electrolyte bath during steps (a) and (b).

Abstract: A waveguide assembly for operation over a range of temperatures includes a waveguide body and a plurality of restraining strips coupled to the waveguide body. The waveguide body includes a pre-curved narrow sidewall of material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The restraining strips are coupled to the waveguide body at first and second lateral points on either side of the pre-curved narrow sidewall laterally and are spaced apart along the length of the waveguide body, and are made from a material having a second CTE much less than the first CTE.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for a adaptively predistorted filter which has a transfer function that satisfies performance criteria specified for at (east one property of the filter. The transfer function is obtained by adaptively predistorting the transfer function poles to meet the performance criteria such that at least one of the poles is shifted by a unique amount.

Abstract: A half wave dielectric resonator assembly including a resonator cavity having a top surface and a bottom surface, an elongated cylindrical dielectric resonator positioned within said resonator cavity and first and second insulative supports to couple and insulate the ends of the cylindrical dielectric resonator from the resonator cavity. The dielectric resonator has a substantially small diameter to length ratio. The resonator assembly provides improved spurious performance and quality factor (Q) at a lower mass. A resonator filter is constructed using a plurality of these resonator assemblies, where adjacent pairs of said resonator cavities are separated from each other by a common cavity wall. By forming a first iris opening formed within a first common cavity wall and forming a second iris opening formed within a second common cavity wall having a position that is vertically offset from the position of the first iris, it is possible to reduce stray coupling.

Abstract: A microwave cavity has a cut resonator therein that is conductor-loaded. Filters made from one or more cavities having cut resonators therein have improved spurious performance over previous filters. A filter can have two conductor loaded resonators in one cavity or a combination of conductor loaded resonators and dielectric resonators in different cavities.

Abstract: A linear switch actuator for actuating a movable element within a microwave switch includes a ferromagnetic shield, a coil positioned within, and a movable armature assembly positioned within the coil. The armature assembly is coupled to the movable element and includes a ferromagnetic rod and first and second permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are coupled on either end of the rod and have opposite pole orientations. The armature assembly moves between first and second stroke end positions. When one of the permanent magnets is positioned substantially outside the shield, the magnetic permeance of the armature assembly is maximized, and the armature assembly experiences bi-stable latching between the two stroke end positions.

Abstract: A switch contact for use in a microwave switch. The contact comprises a probe contact member having a first contact region with a first surface, and a reed contact member having a second contact region with a second surface. The second surface is non-conformal with respect to the first surface for providing an incomplete mechanical contact when the contact members are in contact.

Abstract: A method for plating a titanium-containing metal, comprising the steps of: (a) surface treating the titanium-containing metal in a solution consisting essentially of an aqueous solvent and hydrochloric acid for a period of time sufficient to activate the surface of the titanium-containing metal; (b) plating the surface of the surface treated titanium-containing metal with a metallic coating in an electrolyte bath; and (c) non-oxidatively heat treating the struck titanium-containing metal for a period of time sufficient to cause diffusion bonding between the metallic coating and the titanium-containing metal. The present invention also provides parts made in accordance with the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for surface treating a titanium-containing metal, comprising the steps of: (a) treating at least a portion of a surface of the titanium-containing metal with an anodic activation in an electrolyte bath; and (b) strike plating at least a portion of the surface of the treated titanium-containing metal with a metallic coating in the same electrolyte bath as in step (a), wherein the titanium-containing metal remains submerged in the electrolyte bath during steps (a) and (b).

Abstract: A microwave switch for transmitting signals having a plurality of ports and a plurality of signal paths for selective transmission of the signals. Each signal path is disposed between a respective pair of the ports and each signal path has a conducting state in which signal transmission occurs between the respective pair of ports and a non-conducting state in which signal transmission does not occur between the respective pair of ports. The switch also has a plurality of actuators, each actuator being adapted to actuate at least one of the signal paths between the conducting and non-conducting states. At least one of the ports and at least one of the signal paths are located on a first plane and the remainder of the ports and the signal paths are located on a second plane such that there are no cross over points between the signal paths in any of the planes. A switch matrix can be built using this bi-planar switch such that the switches in the matrix are connected without any cross over points.

Abstract: A device for absorbing at least a portion electromagnetic energy that is provided by a transmission line and transferring the resulting heat generated by absorption to a heat sink. The device has a housing in communication with the transmission line for receiving the electromagnetic energy. The housing also provides at least a portion of an internal transmission line for confining and guiding the electromagnetic energy within the device. The housing is also in communication with the heat sink for transferring the resulting heat thereto. The device also has an absorber that is in communication with the housing for receiving the electromagnetic energy, absorbing at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy and providing resulting heat to the housing. The absorber comprises ferrite.

Abstract: A termination for absorbing electromagnetic energy provided by a transmission line and for transferring any resulting heat to a heat sink. The termination comprises a housing in communication with the transmission line for receiving the electromagnetic energy, and in communication with the heat sink for transferring the resulting heat thereto. The termination also includes a conductor disposed within the housing and cooperating with the housing for providing an internal transmission line structure for confining and guiding the electromagnetic energy within the termination. The termination also includes an absorber comprising a lossy dielectric. The absorber is disposed within the housing and is in communication with the internal transmission line for receiving the electromagnetic energy and absorbing the electromagnetic energy in accordance to an absorption profile of the termination.

Abstract: A switch contact for use in a microwave switch. The contact comprises a probe contact member having a first contact region with a first surface, and a reed contact member having a second contact region with a second surface. The second surface is non-conformal with respect to the first surface for providing an incomplete mechanical contact when the contact members are in contact.

Abstract: An electroplating anode assembly and method for electroplating the plating area of a work-piece. The assembly includes a conductive element and a helical insulating coil. The conductive element can either be a straight conductive wire or a helically coiled conductive wire. The insulating coil is substantially equal in length to the conductive element and positioned around the conductive element for preventing the conductive element from contacting the plating area of the work-piece. The insulating coil extends continuously along the length of the entire electroplating portion of the conductive element. The anode assembly can be used to achieve uniform and adequate electroplating surfaces within recessed and enclosed plating areas of work-pieces that are conventionally difficult to electroplate due to its ability to be readily manipulated into various shapes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for an adaptively predistortion filter which has a transfer function that satisfies performance criteria specified for at least one property of the filter. The transfer function is obtained by adaptively predistorting the transfer function poles to meet the performance criteria such that at least one of the poles is shifted by a unique amount.

Abstract: A coaxial heat sink connector for providing a thermal path from the conductors associated with a coaxial cable connector to a heat sink includes a center conductor, an outer conductor, an insulative layer, TNC connector(s) and a thermal element. The outer conductor is positioned around the center conductor and the insulation layer is positioned between. The insulation layer has high thermal conductivity to provide substantial heat transfer between the center and outer conductors. TNC connector(s) are positioned at the end(s) of the connector and electrically coupled to the center and outer conductors. The thermal element is coupled to the outer conductor to conduct heat from the outer conductor to the heat sink. Heat sink connector providing transfer paths for bolted together RF components as well as individual RF power components.

Abstract: A microwave filter having a temperature compensating element includes a housing wall structure, a filter lid, a resonator rod, a tuning screw and the temperature compensating element. The housing wall structure defines a cavity. The filter lid closes the cavity. The resonator rod is within the cavity. The tuning screw is adjustably mounted through the filter lid and has a portion that protrudes into the cavity and is coaxial with the resonator rod. The temperature compensating element is joined to the filter lid or the housing and forms a bimetallic composite with the filter lid or housing that deforms with a change in ambient temperature.

Abstract: A waveguide assembly for operation over a range of temperatures includes a waveguide body and a plurality of restraining strips coupled to the waveguide body. The waveguide body includes a pre-curved narrow sidewall of material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The restraining strips are coupled to the waveguide body at first and second lateral points on either side of the pre-curved narrow sidewall laterally and are spaced apart along the length of the waveguide body, and are made from a material having a second CTE much less than the first CTE.

Abstract: A non-linear transmission line has high temperature superconductive elements periodically loaded thereon. The elements have non-linear characteristics that provide voltage dependent non-linearity to the transmission line. The line can have a circuit with a first layer and a second layer with the second layer having several interdigital circuits printed thereon. The line can also have a meandering configuration or a spiral configuration.