Abstract: A system and method for wideband tunable notch cancellation that is passive and does not require feedback or feed forward circuitry. An input spectrum containing interference is split into two signals that are 180 degrees out of phase with each other. The preferred signal is filtered out of the 180 degree out of phase signal using a notch filter while the original signal is sent through a delay line. Then the two signals are summed with a power summer so that the interference signals that are 180 degrees out of phase with those in the original signal are cancelled out and the preferred signal remains. The notch filter is tunable to different preferred signals.

Abstract: A system and method for wideband tunable notch cancellation that is passive and does not require feedback or feed forward circuitry. An input spectrum containing interference is split into two signals that are 180 degrees out of phase with each other. The preferred signal is filtered out of the 180 degree out of phase signal using a notch filter while the original signal is sent through a delay line. Then the two signals are summed with a power summer so that the interference signals that are 180 degrees out of phase with those in the original signal are cancelled out and the preferred signal remains. The notch filter is tunable to different preferred signals.

Abstract: A time delay circuit including at least one spiral delay line formed on a top surface of a first substrate. In one embodiment, the delay line is defined by two concentric spiral delay line sections. Vias extend through the substrate between the delay line sections to reduce cross-talk therebetween. In another embodiment, the delay circuit includes a second substrate spaced from the first substrate, where a spiral delay line is formed on a top surface of the second substrate. A planar metal layer is provided on a backside surface of the first substrate and a conductive element extends through an opening in the metal layer and is coupled to the spiral delay lines, where the planar member provides magnetic isolation between the delay lines. In yet another embodiment, a multi-bit switched circuit can be provided on one of the substrates and be electrically connected to the delay line.

Abstract: A time delay circuit including at least one spiral delay line formed on a top surface of a first substrate. In one embodiment, the delay line is defined by two concentric spiral delay line sections. Vias extend through the substrate between the delay line sections to reduce cross-talk therebetween. In another embodiment, the delay circuit includes a second substrate spaced from the first substrate, where a spiral delay line is formed on a top surface of the second substrate. A planar metal layer is provided on a backside surface of the first substrate and a conductive element extends through an opening in the metal layer and is coupled to the spiral delay lines, where the planar member provides magnetic isolation between the delay lines. In yet another embodiment, a multi-bit switched circuit can be provided on one of the substrates and be electrically connected to the delay line.

Abstract: A two stage mixer is configured to reduce the power levels of out of band spurious output signals or spurs, such as the leakage from the second stage mixer by way of phase modulation power spreading. The local oscillator signal applied to first mixer stage is phase modulated while the local oscillator signal applied to the second mixer stage is inverse modulated. As such, a problematic spur, such as leakage from the local oscillator applied to the second mixer stage is spread so that the power levels of the spur are distributed a wider bandwidth instead of concentrating the power levels at single frequencies, thus reducing the power level at any single frequency. By utilizing phase modulation, the need for relatively complex and expensive filters is eliminated.

Abstract: A frequency converter (100) is provided, comprising: a pulse generator (150) configured to receive a balanced local oscillator signal pair and to generate a balanced rectangular pulse signal pair having the reference frequency; and a mixer (160) configured to mix an input signal having an input frequency with the balanced rectangular pulse signal pair to generate an output signal having an output frequency. The input frequency is different from the output frequency, and the pulse generator and the mixer are formed on a single integrated circuit (120). The frequency converter may comprise a balanced local oscillator (110) configured to generate the balanced local oscillator signal pair. The balanced local oscillator may comprise: an unbalanced local oscillator (130) configured to provide an unbalanced local oscillator signal having the reference frequency; and a balun (140) configured to generate the balanced local oscillator signal pair based on the unbalanced local oscillator signal.

Abstract: A modulator is provided that comprises a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) that is bias modulated by a baseband signal. A given logic state of the baseband signal determines a delay amount of a first carrier signal through the NLTL. The modulator further comprises an impulse forming network (IFN) that includes a first NLTL that receives the first carrier signal delayed by the determined delay amount and a second NLTL that receives a second carrier signal having a fixed delay amount. The first NLTL and second NLTL within the IFN have opposite diode polarity configurations. The modulator further comprises a power combiner that converts a delta delay of the first carrier signal relative to the second carrier signal to a sharp impulse that represents the given logic state of the baseband signal.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) balun and methods of making the same are provided. A primary spiral winding is spaced apart from a secondary primary winding by a gap in a substantially aligned stacked configuration forming a balun. The gap medium can be a low dielectric constant material if employing a multi-metal process or air if employing a wafer level packaging process.

Abstract: A ferroelectric loaded waveguide resonator capable of operation at microwave, millimeter-wave and higher frequencies and suitable for integration into a three-dimensional monolithic microwave integrated circuit (3D MMIC) is disclosed. The resonator includes a resonator cavity, which, in one form of the invention, is formed by two parallel metal layers and a metallized wall structure extending between the metal layers. The cavity is filled with dielectric material and includes a layer of ferroelectric material, which is used to control the resonant frequency by varying a voltage bias applied to the ferroelectric layer. The cavity includes a slot in one of the metal layers and a coupling strip formed adjacent to the slot to provide electromagnetic coupling to other components, such as a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The invention can also be applied to other multi-metal semiconductor or wafer level packaging technologies.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a differential amplifier and a differential mixer. The differential amplifier is configured to receive a multi-octave differential input signal and output an amplified multi-octave differential output signal. The differential amplifier is also configured to substantially reduce second order harmonic distortion of the amplified multi-octave differential output signal through common mode rejection. The differential mixer configured to multiply the amplified multi-octave differential output signal with a local oscillator input signal and output an up-converted sub-octave differential output signal. The multi-octave differential input signal and the up-converted sub-octave differential output signal comprise a substantially same bandwidth.

Abstract: A modulator is provided that comprises a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) that is bias modulated by a baseband signal. A given logic state of the baseband signal determines a delay amount of a first carrier signal through the NLTL. The modulator further comprises an impulse forming network (IFN) that includes a first NLTL that receives the first carrier signal delayed by the determined delay amount and a second NLTL that receives a second carrier signal having a fixed delay amount. The first NLTL and second NLTL within the IFN have opposite diode polarity configurations. The modulator further comprises a power combiner that converts a delta delay of the first carrier signal relative to the second carrier signal to a sharp impulse that represents the given logic state of the baseband signal.

Abstract: Ultra-high speed semiconductors that are usually very thin and therefore very fragile still require connection to a circuit board and a heat transfer pathway. Ultra-high speed circuits and semiconductor devices are provided with a carrier plate formed on the backside of a wafer or substrate by a variety of deposition methods. The carrier plate is a series of metal layers, each being selected to enable the attachment of a relatively thick copper carrier plate to the backside of the substrate or wafer.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for synthesizing a waveform having pulse segments. An exemplary generator can include units having a time delay element and pulse generator generating the pulse segments. An input divider divides an input signal into signal instances that propagate through the units and an output combiner combines pulse segments to form the waveform. The pulse generators include a sharpening circuit for sharpening a rising edge and a falling edge of the pulse segments. The sharpening circuit includes a tunable delay element coupled to a non-linear transmission line (NLTL). Another NLTL can be coupled in parallel with the tunable delay element and the first NLTL. The NLTLs include input sections coupled to anodes or cathodes of Schottky diode elements, and the respective cathodes or anodes are coupled to a signal ground.

Abstract: A frequency converter (100) is provided, comprising: a pulse generator (150) configured to receive a balanced local oscillator signal pair and to generate a balanced rectangular pulse signal pair having the reference frequency; and a mixer (160) configured to mix an input signal having an input frequency with the balanced rectangular pulse signal pair to generate an output signal having an output frequency. The input frequency is different from the output frequency, and the pulse generator and the mixer are formed on a single integrated circuit (120). The frequency converter may comprise a balanced local oscillator (110) configured to generate the balanced local oscillator signal pair. The balanced local oscillator may comprise: an unbalanced local oscillator (130) configured to provide an unbalanced local oscillator signal having the reference frequency; and a balun (140) configured to generate the balanced local oscillator signal pair based on the unbalanced local oscillator signal.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for synthesizing a waveform having pulse segments. An exemplary generator can include units having a time delay element and pulse generator generating the pulse segments. An input divider divides an input signal into signal instances that propagate through the units and an output combiner combines pulse segments to form the waveform. The pulse generators include a sharpening circuit for sharpening a rising edge and a falling edge of the pulse segments. The sharpening circuit includes a tunable delay element coupled to a non-linear transmission line (NLTL). Another NLTL can be coupled in parallel with the tunable delay element and the first NLTL. The NLTLs include input sections coupled to anodes or cathodes of Schottky diode elements, and the respective cathodes or anodes are coupled to a signal ground.

Abstract: A technique for interconnecting monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICS) on a substrate, and a method for fabricating substrate sections that facilitate such interconnection. A MMIC is positioned in a gap in the substrate, on which are formed conventional microwave transmission lines for purposes of MMIC interconnection. On each side of the gap, the substrate is tapered in thickness between the normal substrate thickness and the much smaller thickness of the MMIC. The transmission lines in this transition region are tapered in width as the substrate is tapered in thickness, thereby maintaining uniform transmission line characteristics, particularly the characteristic impedance of the transmission line. Small connector ribbons provide electrical connection between the tapered transmission lines and the MMIC. A method is also disclosed for fabricating multiple substrate sections for use in the structure of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a differential amplifier and a differential mixer. The differential amplifier is configured to receive a multi-octave differential input signal and output an amplified multi-octave differential output signal. The differential amplifier is also configured to substantially reduce second order harmonic distortion of the amplified multi-octave differential output signal through common mode rejection. The differential mixer configured to multiply the amplified multi-octave differential output signal with a local oscillator input signal and output an up-converted sub-octave differential output signal. The multi-octave differential input signal and the up-converted sub-octave differential output signal comprise a substantially same bandwidth.

Abstract: A pulse generating circuit and related method, for producing extremely narrow pulses for use in monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) for radar, high-speed sampling, pulse radio and other applications. A sinusoidal input signal is supplied to two nonlinear shock wave generators, which are oppositely biased to produce periodic outputs that are mirror images of each other, one with a very steep rising edge and one with a very steep falling edge. The combined outputs would cancel each other completely but for the introduction of a slight time delay in one of them, which results in a narrow peak in the combined signals.

Abstract: An LC filter structure and method for its fabrication, in which multiple shunt capacitors, multiple shunt inductors and multiple coupling inductors are printed on a metal layer formed on a thin dielectric substrate. The capacitors have first electrodes that are formed as spatially separated regions of the metal layer, and a common second electrode formed by a ground plane on the substrate. The shunt inductors are formed as spiral traces connected to the separated regions and to the ground plane, through conductive vias. The coupling inductors are similarly formed as spiral traces in the gaps between the separated regions, the ends of each coupling inductor being connected to respective adjacent regions of the metal layer.

Abstract: An integrated getter structure and a method for its formation and installation in a circuit module enclosure (24). The integrated structure includes a hydrogen getter structure (10) and selected quantities of a material (20) that is formulated to provide both a particle getter function and an RF absorber function. In one embodiment, the material (20) is placed in discrete quantities over the hydrogen getter structure (10). In another embodiment, the hydrogen getter structure (10) is formed over a sheet of the material (20) and is provided with apertures (30) to expose the material (20).