Abstract: A self-tuned millimeter wave transceiver module includes a microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) having at least one amplifier. A controller is operatively connected to the MMIC for sensing amplifier operating conditions and tuning the at least one amplifier to an optimum operating condition. The controller includes a surface mounted microcontroller chip operatively connected to the MMIC.

Abstract: A radiometer system includes a dual channel, quadrature hybrid amplifier circuit that receives an antenna signal and a known reference signal to equalize gain in two parallel gain stages. A detector circuit receives a signal from the quadrature hybrid amplifier circuit and detects the signals to form a detected output for eliminating sensitivity to gain variations, improving dynamic range of the input signal, and reducing calibration requirements. A log ratio amplifier receives and linearizes the detected output. An integrator circuit receives a signal from the log ratio amplifier and sums the signal over an observation.

Abstract: A microwave directional coupler includes a microstrip conductor formed on a dielectric substrate and forming a main transmission line having in and out ports that receive signals to be coupled. A substantially U-shaped microstrip conductor is formed over the dielectric substrate adjacent to the main transmission line and forms a secondary transmission line having a coupling section and coupler port. A load resistor is formed within the secondary transmission line, and the coupling section is less than a quarter wavelength of a center frequency.

Abstract: A radiometer system includes a housing and an RF board contained within the housing. Balanced radiometer channels receive an unknown signal and known reference. Each balanced radiometer channel includes at least one quadrature hybrid and amplifier circuit to provide distributed gain and an amplified output signal. A detection circuit receives and detects the amplified output signal forming a detected signal. A controller board is contained within the housing and has an integration circuit and microcontroller that receives the detected signal and performs video signal digitization and conditioning and real-time corrections on any radiometer channels to account for changes in temperature or gain.

Abstract: A diplexer includes a diplexer housing having transmit and receive waveguide channels formed therein. A cover is received on the diplexer housing over the transmit and receive waveguide channels. A septum is inserted between the diplexer housing and cover and configured to provide isolation between any transmitter and receiver signals and a desired frequency band of operation.

Abstract: A system for measuring radiant signals includes a detector circuit for detecting a time multiplexed, measured radiant signal and reference signal. A switch is connected to the detector circuit for receiving signals from the detector circuit. A measured signal sampling circuit, a reference signal sampling circuit, a measured alias circuit and a reference alias circuit are connected to the switch, which is operative for switching among the sampling and alias circuits to remove sampling noise and improve switching latency.

Abstract: A radiometer system includes a housing and an RF board contained within the housing. Balanced radiometer channels receive an unknown signal and known reference. Each balanced radiometer channel includes at least one quadrature hybrid and amplifier circuit to provide distributed gain and an amplified output signal. A detection circuit receives and detects the amplified output signal forming a detected signal. A controller board is contained within the housing and has an integration circuit and microcontroller that receives the detected signal and performs video signal digitization and conditioning and real-time corrections on any radiometer channels to account for changes in temperature or gain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to indoor/outdoor wireless communication systems and methods. Communications between an indoor unit and outdoor unit do not require telemetry tones. The input DC voltage level from the indoor unit is reduced to a level below the normal operating range for the outdoor unit. This is recognized by the outdoor unit as a signal to start receiving telemetry data, which is sent from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit by modulating the transmit signal.

Abstract: A radiometer includes a housing and an RF board carried by the housing. A hybrid and amplifier circuit receives an unknown signal and a known reference signal. A switch receives signals as inputs from the hybrid and amplifier circuit and switches between the inputs. A detection circuit receives and detects the signal from the switch forming a detected signal. A controller board is carried by the housing and an integration circuit and processor receive the detected signal and produces a digital output.

Abstract: A direct digital synthesizer (DDS) has reduced spurious signals and includes a DDS core that produces a digital representation of a signal to be synthesized. A plurality of DDS circuits are operatively connected to the DDS core, each having a digital-to-analog converter connected to the DDS core for receiving the digital representation and converting it into a signal. A modulator is operatively connected to an oscillator circuit and digital-to-analog converter for receiving signals from the digital-to-analog converter and producing a modulated output signal. The individual frequencies of the respective DDS circuits are randomly and continuously changed from each other. A mixer receives and mixes the modulated output signals from the plurality of DDS circuits to create a mixed output signal at a selected and fixed frequency.

Abstract: A low cost and high performance millimeter wave (MMW) radio frequency transceiver module includes a substrate board and plurality of microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) chips supported by the substrate board and arranged in a receiver section, a local oscillator section and a transmitter section. A plurality of filters and radio frequency circuit interconnects are formed on the substrate board and operative with and/or connecting the receiver, local oscillator and transmitter sections. A plurality of electrical interconnects are operative with and connect the receiver, local oscillator and transmitter sections. A method of forming the millimeter wave radio frequency transceiver module is also disclosed.

Abstract: A highly integrated radiometer sensor cell includes a base having opposing surfaces with one surface adapted for surface mounting on a board. A radio frequency (RF) feed receives RF signals and at least one MMIC is operatively connected to the RF feed and receives the RF signals from the RF feed. This MMIC can include at least one quadrature hybrid, a low noise amplifier (LNA) connected thereto, and a detector circuit for producing a detected signal for further radiometer processing.

Abstract: The disclosed connector and method transfers high frequency signals from one circuit board to another circuit board, while maintaining good electrical and mechanical performance, at a significantly reduced cost. The connector includes a body member and a conductive pin extending through a center portion of the body member to opposing planar surfaces. An arcuate contact member is positioned within the body member and circumferential to at least a portion of the conductive pin. A flexible conductive material is positioned on an opposing surface and engages the arcuate contact member such that the connector can be positioned between cooperating circuit boards, allowing the conductive pin and arcuate contact member to operatively engage the circuit boards for passing signals therebetween.

Abstract: A radiometer includes a housing and an RF board carried by the housing. A hybrid and amplifier circuit receives an unknown signal and a known reference signal. A switch receives signals as inputs from the hybrid and amplifier circuit and switches between the inputs. A detection circuit receives and detects the signal from the switch forming a detected signal. A controller board is carried by the housing and an integration circuit and processor receive the detected signal and produces a digital output.

Abstract: A Block Up Converter (BUC) chip includes a base board with opposing top and bottom metal layers and having radio frequency (RF) circuits at the top metal layer and ground and signal pads at the bottom metal layer. Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit (MMIC) chips are carried by the base board and operative with the RF circuits and ground and signal pads for receiving and up converting signals. A top cover protects the MMIC chips.

Abstract: A very small aperture terminal (VSAT) transceiver of a VSAT terminal has a ceramic substrate board with transmitter, receiver and local oscillator circuits, including microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) chips positioned on the ceramic substrate board. A microcontroller is operative with the MMIC chips and an indoor unit of the VSAT terminal for controlling transceiver gain and output power. The microcontroller monitors one or both of the received signal strength of a signal received from a satellite in communication therewith and the signal-to-noise information from the indoor unit. The transceiver gain and output power is controlled by the microcontroller based on the received signal strength and/or the signal-to-noise information from the indoor unit.

Abstract: A MMIC includes at least one quadrature hybrid in a plurality of series connected amplifiers connected in two parallel gain stages and operatively connected to the at least one quadrature hybrid such that gain is equalized in the two parallel gain stages.

Abstract: A lightweight millimeter wave outdoor unit includes a lightweight housing with a heat sink and mounting member configured for mounting on the antenna to form a wireless link. A millimeter wave transceiver board is formed of ceramic material and mounted within the housing. It includes a millimeter wave transceiver circuit that has microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) chips and operable with the transmit and receive boards. An intermediate frequency (IF) board has components forming an intermediate frequency circuit operable with the millimeter wave transceiver circuit. A frequency synthesizer board has a signal generating circuit for generating local oscillator signals to the transceiver circuit. A controller board has surface mounted DC and low frequency discrete devices thereon forming power and control circuits that supply respective power and control signals to other circuits on other boards.

Abstract: A receiver is operable at microwave frequencies and includes a substrate and waveguide-to-microstrip transition formed on the substrate for receiving microwave radio frequency (RF) signals. Surface mounted receiver components are interconnected with microstrip formed on the substrate and receive the RF signals from the waveguide-to-microstrip transition and convert the signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) for further processing. The surface mounted receiver components include a mixer circuit that receives a local oscillator (LO) signal and RF signal to produce the IF signal. A diplexer circuit and a temperature compensated attenuator circuit received the IF signal from the mixer and attenuates the IF signal to provide high signal linearity and high order modulation.

Abstract: A radiometer system includes a housing and an RF board contained within the housing. Balanced radiometer channels receive an unknown signal and known reference. Each balanced radiometer channel includes at least one quadrature hybrid and amplifier circuit to provide distributed gain and an amplified output signal. A detection circuit receives and detects the amplified output signal forming a detected signal. A controller board is contained within the housing and has an integration circuit and microcontroller that receives the detected signal and performs video signal digitization and conditioning and real-time corrections on any radiometer channels to account for changes in temperature or gain.