Abstract: Disclosed herein are power detectors and methods for detecting the average power level of an RF input signal and the voltage envelope of the RF input signal. Also disclosed herein are linear envelope detectors and methods for detecting the voltage envelope of an RF input signal.

Abstract: An integrated ramp, sweep fractional frequency synthesizer system on an integrated circuit chip includes an integrated circuit chip having a fractional frequency synthesizer with a fractional divider responsive to a VCO and a ?? modulator for modifying the divisor of the fractional divider; and a ramp generator on the same integrated circuit chip; the ramp generator being responsive to a trigger signal to generate a ramp for sweeping the frequency of said fractional frequency synthesizer.

Abstract: A mean square power detector in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a gain or attenuation circuit comprising a plurality of gain or attenuation elements arranged for generating a plurality of amplified or attenuated versions of a radio frequency (RF) input signal. The mean square power detector also includes a plurality of mean square detectors coupled to the gain or attenuation circuit. Each of the mean square detectors receives a different one of the plurality of amplified or attenuated versions of the RF input signal. Each of the plurality of mean square detectors generates an output signal representative of the mean square power of the RF input signal for a different input signal level range. A summing element is coupled to the plurality of mean square detectors for combining the output signals of the plurality of mean square detectors to generate a signal representative of the mean square or root mean square of the RF input signal.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier includes a plurality of amplification elements arranged to generate amplified representations of an RF input signal at a plurality of nodes. A plurality of controllable response elements each have an input coupled to a different one of the nodes to receive a different one of the amplified representations of the RF input signal. A scale factor generator is coupled to each of the controllable response elements. The scale factor generator receives a gain control signal and generates scale factor signals for varying the response of each of the controllable response elements such that as the scale factor generator sweeps through a full range of the gain control signal, the response of each of the controllable response elements is, in succession, increased smoothly to a peak and thereafter decreased smoothly to a lower level to produce a scaled output.

Abstract: An RF detector configured to provide two outputs, one being a function of the true RMS power level of an RF input signal, and the other being a function of the instantaneous/peak power of the RF input signal, normalized to the average power level. The RF detector includes a variable gain detection subsystem including a single detector or detector array that provides a representation of the power level of the RF input signal. The detector or detector array is common to both the RMS power detection channel and the instantaneous/peak power detection channel of the RF detector. A method of RF detection includes providing representations of the RF input signal at different gain levels, selecting one or more of the representations, and averaging the selected signals. The gain levels of the selected representations is adjusted to provide information about the average power level of the RF input signal.

Abstract: An improved method of cycle slip prevention in a frequency synthesizer is achieved by determining phase error between a divided VCO and reference, determining whether a phase error of a full cycle slip has occurred and in which direction and altering the phase of the VCO divided signal in the amount and direction to reduce the phase error to less than one reference cycle. The result is an improved transfer function of the PFD, proportional to the phase error in the region ?2*pi to 2*pi, and fixed close to maximum when the phase error exceeds the above interval. This invention is achieved with the addition of digital circuitry to monitor and control the PFD and the VCO divider, and does not require additional analog charge pump circuitry.

Abstract: A hybrid Marchand/back-wave balun includes a first pair of coupled sections having a first primary section and first secondary section; a second pair of coupled sections having a second primary section and second secondary section; a first reactance interconnecting the first and second primary sections and a second reactance interconnecting the first and second secondary sections; one of the reactances being open at high frequency and shorted at low frequency, the other reactance being shorted at high frequency and open at low frequency for selectively providing low frequency Marchand/high frequency back-wave function and high frequency Marchand/low frequency back-wave function; and a double balanced mixer using same.

Abstract: A distributed amplifier system has a predetermined output impedance and input impedance and includes an input transmission circuit; an output transmission circuit; at least two amplifiers connected between the input and output transmission circuits; an input termination on the input transmission circuit; and a feedback output termination on the output transmission circuit connected back to the input transmission circuit for reducing low frequency loss while maintaining the predetermined output impedance and input impedance.

Abstract: An improved spiral coupler including a plurality of parallel, coextensive conductive strips disposed in a planar spiral path, including a first strip having an input port and a direct or through port, a second strip having a coupler port and an isolated port and a first cross-over connection for bridging the strips from the inside to the outside of the spiral path to provide all four the ports external access to the spiral path.

Abstract: An RF detector configured to provide two outputs, one being a function of the true RMS power level of an RF input signal, and the other being a function of the instantaneous/peak power of the RF input signal, normalized to the average power level. The RF detector includes a variable gain detection subsystem including a single detector or detector array that provides a representation of the power level of the RF input signal. The detector or detector array is common to both the RMS power detection channel and the instantaneous/peak power detection channel of the RF detector. A method of RF detection includes providing representations of the RF input signal at different gain levels, selecting one or more of the representations, and averaging the selected signals. The gain levels of the selected representations is adjusted to provide information about the average power level of the RF input signal.

Abstract: An RF detector configured to provide two outputs, one being a function of the true RMS power level of an RF input signal, and the other being a function of the instantaneous/peak power of the RF input signal, normalized to the average power level. The RF detector includes a variable gain detection subsystem including a single detector or detector array that provides a representation of the power level of the RF input signal. The detector or detector array is common to both the RMS power detection channel and the instantaneous/peak power detection channel of the RF detector. A method of RF detection includes providing representations of the RF input signal at different gain levels, selecting one or more of the representations, and averaging the selected signals. The gain levels of the selected representations is adjusted to provide information about the average power level of the RF input signal.

Abstract: A novel package includes a substrate including an upper surface ground plane connected to a lower surface ground plane by vias through the substrate, a die located on the upper ground plane and including a die pad, a transmission path including, on the upper surface of the substrate, a bonding pad connected to a first transmission line itself connected to a transition pad, and on the lower surface of the substrate, a second transmission line connected to the transition pad by a via through the substrate. A wire bond extends from the bonding pad to the die pad. A portion of the upper surface ground plane and the lower surface ground plane are connected by vias defining opposing walls on either side of the transmission path for signal isolation.

Abstract: A multi-sensor anticipatory object detection system for detecting the instantaneous range, relative velocity, collision angle and point of impact of a colliding object includes a plurality of transducer devices angle a fixed distance in which each said transducer device transmits a modulated carrier signal and receives the reflected modulated carrier signal from an object; a detection device for detecting a plurality of Doppler shifted harmonic components from each said reflected signal; a range determining device, responsive to the amplitudes of said harmonic components, for determining the instantaneous range of said object from each said transducer device; a velocity measurement device, responsive to the frequency of said harmonic components, for determining the relative instantaneous velocity of said object; and an impact decision device, responsive to said range determining device and the velocity measurement device, for determining where, if at all, impact with the object will occur and the angle of the

Abstract: A dynamic, self adjusting synchronization system for real time control of the frequency and bandwidth of a modulated signal includes a voltage controlled oscillator for generating a carrier signal to be modulated having a predetermined frequency and bandwidth. There is an adjustment device having a center frequency adjustment circuit for providing a voltage level to the voltage controlled oscillator. A modulation generator generates a modulation signal for modulating the carrier signal to produce a modulated carrier signal and a co-generated measurement signal synchronized with the modulation signal. There is a device for selectively inhibiting the modulation signal.

Abstract: A self-implementing, self-diagnostic system for an anticipatory collision sensor system includes a transducer device for transmitting a modulated carrier signal and receiving the reflected modulated carrier signal from an object; a detection device for detecting a plurality of Doppler shifted harmonic components from the reflected modulated carrier signal; a range determining device responsive to the amplitude of at least two of the harmonic components for determining the instantaneous range of the object; a velocity measurement device, responsive to the frequency of at least one of the harmonic components, for determining the relative, instantaneous velocity of the object; an indicating device, responsive to at least one of the modulated carrier signal, the reflected modulated carrier signal, the amplitude, and the frequency, to indicate the condition of the system.

Abstract: A post launch identification friend or foe fire control system for a munition has an identification and ranging interrogation unit for mounting on a munition. The interrogation unit transmits an interrogation unit which detects and verifies an incoming identification code from a remote transponder unit in reply to the interrogation code. The range of the remote transponder is determined and a decision signal is provided to the fire control circuit of the munition to enable it to avoid a friendly target; a transponder unit receives the rf carrier signal containing an incoming interrogation code from an interrogation unit on board a munition, validates the incoming interrogation code, and extracts a timing signal from it. An identification code is synchronously generated with the incoming interrogation code using the timing signal. The synchronized identification code is then transmitted back to the interrogation unit on board the munition to confirm the identification of the transponder unit and its range.

Abstract: A negative resistance generator includes first and second terminals; first and second inductors connected in series between the terminals; and a semiconductor amplifying device having a first control electrode connected to the first terminal and a first active electrode connected to the second terminal and a second active electrode connected to the junction of the inductors. When employed in an active filter resonator a first variable capacitor is interconnected with the inductors for setting the resonant frequency of the resonator. The resonators may be combined in an active filter with a transmission line where each of the resonators is interconnected to the line by decreasing resistance from the input to the output in order to balance the rf currents to which the resonators are subjected.

Abstract: A "Y" connected three port circulator is disclosed having three transmission mediums interconnected at a bias terminal to form a reciprocal "Y" connection having three distal terminals; a capacitor connecting the bias terminal to ground; and three non-reciprocal coupling circuits, one connected between each pair of distal terminals.

Abstract: A power FET includes a substrate of semi-insulating material having a top side and a ground side; an FET fabricated on the ground side of the substrate; and conductor means in the substrate extending from the drain electrode and the gate electrode on the ground side to the top side of the substrate. A ground plane on the ground side of the substrate contacts the source electrode of the FET and is spaced from the gate and drain electrodes to form a dome for minimizing ground inductance and maximizing heat transfer from the FET independent of the thickness of the substrate.

Abstract: A compact low pass/high pass filter phase shifter including a semiconductor switch having a control electrode and first and second load electrodes; a first inductance connected in series with one load electrode and second inductance connected in series with the other load electrode; a third inductance connected in parallel with one load electrode to ground and a fourth inductance connected in parallel with the other load electrode to ground; a capacitance connected in series between the control electrode and ground; and means for applying a control signal to the control electrode for switching the semiconductor switch between a first state in which it operates as a low pass filter and a second state in which it operates as a high pass filter to introduce a phase shift in a propagated signal.