With Waveguide Or Long Line Patents (Class 324/95)
  • Patent number: 11908811
    Abstract: A system for inspecting or screening electrically powered device includes a signal generator inputting a preselected signal into the electrically powered device. There is also an antenna array positioned at a pre-determined distance above the electrically powered device. Apparatus collects RF energy emitted by the electrically powered device in response to input of said preselected signal. The signature of the collected RF energy is compared with an RF energy signature of a genuine part. The comparison determines one of a genuine or counterfeit condition of the electrically powered device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Nokomis, Inc
    Inventors: Walter J. Keller, III, Stephen Dorn Freeman, Jason Galyardt
  • Patent number: 11884165
    Abstract: An object of the disclosure is to provide a technique for identifying an arc position between an overhead line and a pantograph mounted on an electric vehicle. A system according to the disclosure includes: a magnetic field detector configured to detects a magnetic field generated by an arc; and a first processor disposed in an electric vehicle and configured to determine a horizontal position of the arc on a pantograph by using the magnetic field detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Paoletti Umberto, Aya Ohmae
  • Patent number: 11854503
    Abstract: A wireless electronic label comprises a display module, a rectenna module and a control drive module. The display module has a display surface. The rectenna module is disposed on the display surface of the display module. The rectenna module is used to receive an electromagnetic wave signal and convert it into an electrical energy signal. The rectenna module is made of light-transmitting electronically conductive material. The control drive module is used to convert the electrical energy signal into electrical energy to power the wireless electronic label and to send a command signal to the display module. The display module is further used to display a label signal on the display surface according to the command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NANJING SILERGY MICRO (HK) CO., LIMITED
    Inventor: Chia-Lin Chang
  • Patent number: 11830708
    Abstract: A broad-band sensor for a radio frequency plasma processing system that includes a reaction chamber housing an electrode within a vacuum processing environment. The sensor includes an inductive pickup positioned in the vacuum processing environment proximate to the electrode. The inductive pickup includes a wire formed into a loop extending in an azimuthal direction about a symmetry axis of the reaction chamber. A lead carrying an electric signal from the inductive pickup extends through a vacuum wall of the reaction chamber outside the vacuum processing environment. An attenuator circuit including an electrical resistance bridge couples the lead to a signal carrier extending outside the vacuum processing environment. The broad-band sensor has radio frequency detection capability for measuring electromagnetic surface modes within the plasma chamber and coupling the measured electromagnetic surface modes to the signal carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: COMET TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Savas, Alexandre De Chambrier
  • Patent number: 11817296
    Abstract: A radio frequency sensor assembly includes a sensor casing disposed around a central hole, the sensor casing including a first conductive cover and a second conductive cover. The assembly includes a cavity disposed around the central hole and includes a dielectric material, the cavity being bounded by a first major outer surface and a second major outer surface along a radial direction from a center of the central hole, where the first conductive cover is electrically coupled to the second conductive cover through a coupling region beyond the second major outer surface of the cavity, and electrically insulated from the second conductive cover by the cavity and the central hole. The assembly includes a current sensor electrically insulated from the sensor casing and including a current pickup disposed symmetrically around the central hole, the current pickup being disposed within the cavity and being insulated from the sensor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Barton Lane, Merritt Funk, Yohei Yamazawa, Justin Moses, Chelsea DuBose, Michael Hummel
  • Patent number: 11709190
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to devices, wireless communication apparatuses, methods, and circuitry for a RF power sensor. One aspect is an apparatus including a power sensor transistor configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) input signal and to generate an output indicative of a power of the RF input signal. The apparatus further includes a current source configured to generate a bias current. Also, the apparatus includes a current mirror, which is formed by the power sensor transistor and a second transistor, configured to provide the bias current to the power sensor transistor. The apparatus further includes a feedback circuit, which is coupled to the power sensor transistor and the second transistor, configured to control a drain current of the second transistor with respect to the bias current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter J. Shah
  • Patent number: 11609276
    Abstract: A method and device for determining an available capacity of a battery, a battery management system, and a storage medium, relating to the field of battery technologies. The method includes: obtaining the at least one DOD interval corresponding to the SOC interval of the operation of the battery, and the number of cycles and the cycle temperature corresponding to the at least one DOD interval; obtaining a recoverable amount of capacity fade of the battery according to the at least one DOD interval, the number of cycles and the cycle temperature, and determining an actual available capacity of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Jian Ruan, Mingshu Du, Shenzhi Tang, Shichao Li, Yanhua Lu, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 11422172
    Abstract: A coaxial power sensor assembly configured to provide a broadband matched termination utilizing coplanar waveguide topology while simultaneously providing a source of heat energy for a surface mount chip thermistor element to measure applied input power. The coaxial thermal power sensor is comprised of a thin film resistive device on a dielectric substrate and a surface mount chip thermistor element placed in close planar proximity to the resistive device in order to maximize the heat flux via a closely coupled thermal path to the thermistor and alter the bias current through the resistance to be measured. The power sensor is intended to function from DC to 70 GHz, but the same should not be construed as a limitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Jefferson D. Lexa, Andrew S. Brush, Bernd Lecjaks
  • Patent number: 11378602
    Abstract: A power metering device includes a tap unit including a clamp for engaging a coaxial cable and a probe for electrically coupling to a center conductor of the coaxial cable without damaging the center conductor. A power consumption meter and a power port are electrically connected to the probe. A power transformer is optionally connected between the probe and the power port. A housing surrounds the meter and transformer. The power port supplies power to a customer device, and the meter measures an amount of power passing through the power port. The power consumed by the customer device is reported by the meter to a modem within the housing. The modem may utilize the probe and the center conductor of the coaxial cable to send power consumption data to a service provider, so that an operator of the customer device may be billed and/or the customer device may be controlled to limit its power consumption. Further, the modem may transfer data between the customer device and the service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventor: John C. Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 11342953
    Abstract: A controller device for a motor vehicle, in particular for an autonomously operable motor vehicle, having a controller for operating the motor vehicle, and a protective device for protecting the controller from electromagnetic interference fields or interfering signals. The protective device has a receiver device for acquiring electromagnetic interference fields or interfering signals, a processing device for providing information about an electromagnetic interference field or interfering signal acquired by the receiver device, and a control unit that evaluates the acquired field and/or interference signal as a function of the acquired information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Huebl, Peter Kralicek
  • Patent number: 11342679
    Abstract: A monocone antenna with an impedance matching section that may allow a reduction in physical size of the cone while maintaining similar performance as a standard monocone antenna. Alternatively, the present disclosure may provide a monocone antenna with an impedance matching section that may allow operation at a lower frequency while maintaining the same physical size as a standard monocone antenna. Further, the present disclosure may provide a monocone antenna with an impedance matching section that may allow a reduction in physical size and operation at a lower frequency relative to a standard monocone antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: John Marshall, William G. Collins, Peter J. Frappier, Timothy J. McLinden, Robert W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10830630
    Abstract: A TDR fill level measuring device for measuring the fill level of a medium in a container, having a transmitting unit for transmitting a pulse-shaped electromagnetic measuring signal, a receiving unit for receiving a reflection signal, an evaluation unit for evaluating the reflection signal and a waveguide for guiding the measuring signal and the reflection signal, the waveguide having at least two waveguide sections, each of which has a functional waveguide cross-sectional face, wherein the functional waveguide cross-sectional face corresponds to the cross-sectional face of the waveguide conductor, wherein a reference reflector is present, at least a part of the measuring signal being reflected at least once on the reference reflector during operation. High reliability and a simply design are achieved by the reference reflection being formed by a transition between two waveguide sections having different shapes and/or different sizes of the functional waveguide cross-sectional face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: KROHNE S.A.S.
    Inventor: Mahmoud Khodjet Kesba
  • Patent number: 10756408
    Abstract: A directional coupler includes first and second transmission lines, first and second coupling lines, a termination resistor, a coupling signal output terminal, and an impedance-adjusting circuit. The first coupling line is electromagnetically coupled to the first transmission line. The second coupling line is connected in series with the first coupling line and is electromagnetically coupled to the second transmission line. The termination resistor is connected to an end portion of the first coupling line that is on the opposite side from the end portion of the first coupling line that is connected to the second coupling line. The coupling signal output terminal is connected to an end portion of the second coupling line that is on the opposite side from the end portion of the second coupling line that is connected to the first coupling line. The impedance-adjusting circuit is connected between the first and second coupling lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ken Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 10693437
    Abstract: A millimeter-wave, high GAMMA on-wafer load pull system uses a tuner with extended inclined slabline (bend-line) and a manually controlled low profile pre-matching module, mounted on the bent section of the slabline next to the wafer-probe. The pre-matching module uses a mobile sliding rack and a rotating tuning probe; the rack is mounted on the slabline extension and controlled by a fixed pinion. Both the rack and tuning probe position and immersion into the slabline are controlled using sidewise mounted easily accessible manual knobs. The low profile of the pre-matching module is a crucial feature and allows integration on the extended slabline of the tuner in immediate proximity of the wafer-probe, thus minimizing any additional insertion loss and maximizing tuning range. Manual handling of the pre-matching tuning module is easy and a pre-calibration allows efficient on-wafer load pull operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 10673116
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that can be configured for generating an electromagnetic wave and coupling the electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium with a reduced loss of radiation of the electromagnetic wave into free space. The system can also be configured to receive an electromagnetic waves form the transmission medium with a reduced loss of radiation of the electromagnetic wave into free space. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10637410
    Abstract: An amplification device includes a base metallic plate at a ground potential, an amplifier disposed on the base metallic plate, and including a plurality of transistors, and a matcher disposed on the base metallic plate so as to be coupled to the amplifier, the matcher performing impedance matching of output of the amplifier, wherein the matcher includes a first matching circuit board including a first dielectric board disposed on an upper surface of the base metallic plate, the first dielectric board having, on an upper surface, a transmission line coupled to an output electrode of the amplifier, and a second matching circuit board disposed so as to intersect the first matching circuit board, and disposed with a second dielectric board sandwiched by a first metallic film having one end coupled to the transmission line and having another end opened and a second metallic film at the ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Ikuo Soga
  • Patent number: 10431889
    Abstract: An adaptive impedance matching network to implement an impedance match between an RF power device and an antenna comprises a matching network having at least one tunable component, a current sensor providing a current value corresponding to the supply current associated with the RF power device, a power sensor configured to provide an RF power sensor value monotonically related to power delivered to the antenna, and a tuner to provide a tuning signal to the matching network as a function of the current and RF power values. The tuner may adjust the tuning signal so that the RF power sensor value is at least as large as for other settings of the tuning signal, while maintaining the supply current at a predetermined amount corresponding to an amount of supply current occurring when the RF power device is driving a load that produces the desired RF output power and amplifier efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. White, Warner G. Harrison
  • Patent number: 10236553
    Abstract: A method for coupling dielectric waveguide cables is disclosed. The method comprises positioning a first dielectric waveguide cable and a second dielectric waveguide cable such that a first segment of the first dielectric waveguide cable and a second segment of the second dielectric waveguide cable are disposed side by side, generating an electromagnetic coupling between the first segment and the second segment, and transmitting an electromagnetic wave signal from the first dielectric waveguide cable to the second dielectric waveguide cable through the electromagnetic coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Liang Huang
  • Patent number: 9952297
    Abstract: A parallel plate waveguide forms a volume coil used for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. The waveguide includes a first conductor arranged on a first side of the waveguide and a second conductor arranged on a second side of the waveguide. Excitation of the first conductor and the second conductor creates a transverse electromagnetic field between the first conductor and the second conductor which causes a target within the volume coil to emit radio frequency signals used for producing an image of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: AUBURN UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Shumin Wang
  • Patent number: 9935218
    Abstract: A method for generating high power pulsed RF waveforms comprises the steps of charging a transmission line in a pulse forming network with a high-voltage and discharging the voltage on the transmission line to ground utilizing a gallium nitride photoconductive switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integreation Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Kozyrev, John McGeehan, Yannick Morel
  • Patent number: 9921251
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radio frequency (RF) power calorimeter having a load electrically coupled to a RF input, a variable low-frequency power source electrically coupled to the load and configured to apply low-frequency bias to the load. The RF power calorimeter includes a thermal medium thermally coupled to the load. Additionally, the RF power calorimeter includes an outlet temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal medium, the outlet temperature sensor being positioned to measure the temperature of the thermal medium due to heating by the load. The RF power calorimeter also has circuitry configured to use temperature measurements of the thermal medium in thermal contact with an RF load in combination with the low-frequency bias to measure average power of an RF source electrically coupled to the RF input. Also disclosed in a method of measuring RF power using the RF power calorimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: BIRD TECHNOLOGIES GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Joel D. Meltzer, Albert H. Titus, Bilel Neji, Jing Xu
  • Patent number: 9891251
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radio frequency (RF) power calorimeter having a load electrically coupled to a RF input, a variable low-frequency power source electrically coupled to the load and configured to apply low-frequency bias to the load. The RF power calorimeter includes a thermal medium thermally coupled to the load. Additionally, the RF power calorimeter includes an outlet temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal medium, the outlet temperature sensor being positioned to measure the temperature of the thermal medium due to heating by the load. The RF power calorimeter also has circuitry configured to use temperature measurements of the thermal medium in thermal contact with an RF load in combination with the low-frequency bias to measure average power of an RF source electrically coupled to the RF input. Also disclosed in a method of measuring RF power using the RF power calorimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: BIRD TECHNOLOGIES GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Joel D. Meltzer, Albert H. Titus, Bilel Neji, Jing Xu
  • Patent number: 9882262
    Abstract: A domestic appliance includes at least one antenna which is integrated in a handle of the domestic appliance or arranged on a non-conductive wall region. The handle may constitute a door handle, or the at least one antenna may also be integrated in an additional handle of the domestic appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Sippel
  • Patent number: 9844100
    Abstract: A heater with reduced electromagnetic wave emissions, which has two heating elements separated by an insulating layer and receiving opposite-phase alternating current in a way that cancels out electromagnetic wave emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventors: Raleigh C. Duncan, Andrew Kaps, Seunghoon Koh, Manyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 9711837
    Abstract: A multichannel dielectric wave guide includes a set of dielectric core members that have a length and a cross section shape that is approximately rectangular, The core members have a first dielectric constant value. A cladding surrounds the set of dielectric core members and has a second dielectric constant value that is lower than the first dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Floyd Payne, Juan Alejandro Herbsommer, Gerd Schuppener
  • Patent number: 9698463
    Abstract: A power divider including an input port receiving an electrical power input, a coupled port transmitting a portion of the power input, and a transmitted port transferring a remaining portion of the power input from the input port. A first conductor produces an electrical field and electrically connects the input port to the transmitted port. And, a second conductor, disposed within electrical field of the first conductor, electrically connects to the coupled port, the second conductor. The first and second conductors are configured to be variably spaced to vary the coupling factor between the input and transmitted portions of the input power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Werner Wild, Ian J. Baker
  • Patent number: 9651576
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-intrusively measuring flowing currents and/or voltage on the inner conductor of a coaxial cable is introduced herein. In particular, a resultant low-impedance element is coupled concentrically to the shield at a desired insertion point of the coaxial cable. A pair of conductive leads provided by the resultant low-impedance element is thereafter monitored for derived flowing currents that are in direct proportion to but of opposite polarity to the current within the inner conductor of the coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Keytek LLC
    Inventor: Marcos Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9508764
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting electromagnetic radiation in the THz frequency range, comprising at least one transistor (FET1, FET2), which has a first electrode, a second electrode, a control electrode, and a channel between the first electrode and the second electrode, and comprising an antenna structure. An electrode is connected to the antenna structure such that an electromagnetic signal which lies in the THz-frequency range and which is received by the antenna structure (1) can be fed into the channel between electrodes and the control electrode is connected to an electrode via a capacitor and/or the control electrode and the first electrode or the control electrode and the second electrode have an intrinsic capacitor such that no AC voltage drop occurs between the control electrode and the first electrode or the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt a. M.
    Inventors: Sebastian Boppel, Alvydas Lisauskas, Hartmut Roskos, Viktor Krozer
  • Patent number: 9461755
    Abstract: Enhanced RF system measurement including measurement of reflected power of a transmission system using two directional couplers configured to couple reflected power (e.g., isolate forward power). The directional couplers may be placed at a distance of ¼ wave separation and measurements from the two directional couplers may be averaged to obtain a reflected power for the transmission path. The enhanced measurement of reflected power may be used to obtain a more accurate VSWR or return loss measurement. An indication of the reflected power (e.g., VSWR, return loss, etc.) may be fed back to a source, which may adjust transmit power based on the measured VSWR to achieve a certain amount of power conveyed to the load (e.g., target radiated power from an antenna, etc.). Error conditions may be detected and the source may terminate transmission to prevent potential adverse operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Brewer, Salah M. Osman
  • Patent number: 9406990
    Abstract: A waveguide assembly system includes a fixed port, a sliding port, and a transmission path from the fixed port to the sliding port. The transmission path includes a waveguide assembly that includes a first minor face corresponding to the fixed port, a first major face that includes a recess extending from the first minor surface towards the fixed port. The waveguide assembly system also includes a port assembly with a first major surface disposed opposite to the first major surface of the waveguide assembly. The port assembly includes at least one port having a first opening on the first major surface of the port assembly and a second opening on a second major surface of the port assembly. The port assembly includes one or more stubs positioned to impede electromagnetic energy propagation beyond a specified distance within the port tab assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Keyssa, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Sweetman
  • Patent number: 9372248
    Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating the reliability of an electrical power measuring device for measuring high-frequency electrical power. To build an evaluation system, the measuring device, together with a reference electrical power measuring device, is arranged between a high-frequency power supply device and an artificial reproduction load, which includes an impedance conversion device and a reference load. Using this system, an uncertainty range of an electrical power measured value measured by the measuring device is calculated, according to a prescribed calculation formula, from the electrical power measured value, and a judgment is made as to whether or not the electrical power measured value measured by the measuring device is within the uncertainty range. If it is within the uncertainty range, the measuring device is evaluated as being reliable, while if it is not within the uncertainty range, the measuring device is evaluated as being unreliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: DAIHEN Corporation
    Inventor: Ryohei Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9332922
    Abstract: A device, method, and system for monitoring the status of an internal part of a body using an electromagnetic transceiver operating in the microwave regime; a processing unit compares measured data with reference data to determine the status of the internal part. The solution may be arranged to continuously monitor the internal part of the body and the system may be arranged so as to be wearable or portable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: MEDFIELDS DIAGNOSTICS AB
    Inventors: Mikael Persson, Andreas Fhager
  • Patent number: 9234915
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided for use in testing circuit boards. A signal sensing device includes one or more probes. Each probe includes a length of rigid coaxial conductor configured to define a sensing pin at one end. A circuit board defines a number of through vias lined in metal and configured to receive the sensing pin of a corresponding probe. The signal sensing device also includes a ground pin. Electrical pathways extending away from adjacent pairs of the through vias can be tested for electrical impedance and other signal propagating characteristics by way of the signal sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Letha Rousseau, Richard Schumacher
  • Patent number: 9214718
    Abstract: A wireless electronic device may contain at least one antenna tuning element for use in tuning the operating frequency range of the device. The antenna tuning element may include radio-frequency switches, continuously/semi-continuously adjustable components such as tunable resistors, inductors, and capacitors, and other load circuits that provide desired impedance characteristics. A test station may be used to measure the radio-frequency characteristics associated with the tuning element. The test station may provide adjustable temperature, power, and impedance control to help emulate a true application environment for the tuning element without having to place the tuning element within an actual device during testing. The test system may include at least one signal generator and a tester for measuring harmonic distortion values and may include at least two signal generators and a tester for measuring intermodulation distortion values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Mow, Thomas E. Biedka, Liang Han, Rocco V. Dragone, Jr., Hongfei Hu, Dean F. Darnell, Joshua G. Nickel, Robert W. Schlub, Mattia Pascolini, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 9157933
    Abstract: A test device for wireless electronic devices includes a metal casing, a RF-absorbing material, a measurement antenna, and an impedance adjustment module. The impedance adjustment module includes a dielectric layer, a microstrip line, and a slot line, wherein the slot line is electrically connected to the measurement antenna. The microstrip line and the slot line are disposed on two opposite sides of the dielectric layer and respectively include a first body and a second body, which are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron NeWeb Corporation
    Inventors: Huang-Tse Peng, Chin-Lien Huang, Kuang-Yuan Ku
  • Patent number: 9083333
    Abstract: A switching circuit (80) includes: a plurality of insulated gate transistors (30-33) connected in parallel between a high voltage line (L1) and a low voltage line (L2); gate resistors (50-53) each provided for one of the plurality of insulated gate transistors (30-33) and each including a first terminal connected to a gate electrode of each of the insulated gate transistors (30-33); and a single gate voltage application unit (60) configured to apply pulsing gate voltage to the gate electrode of each of the insulated gate transistors (30-33) via the gate resistors (50-53). A second terminal of each of the gate resistors (50-53) provided for each of the plurality of insulated gate transistors (30-33) is connected to the gate voltage application unit (60) via a gate voltage apply line (L3), and a single capacitor is connected between the gate voltage apply line (L3) and the high voltage line (L1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Naohito Kanie, Toshiaki Nagase
  • Patent number: 9000776
    Abstract: A method for estimating the characteristic impedance of a structure comprising the following steps: providing a current probe comprising a magnetic core having an aperture therein and a primary winding wrapped around the core; measuring, with a calibrated vector network analyzer (VNA), the impedance (Zop) of the current probe while in an open configuration wherein nothing but air occupies the aperture and the current probe is isolated from a ground; measuring, with the VNA, the impedance (Zsh) of the current probe while in a short configuration, wherein the current probe is electrically shorted; measuring, with the VNA, the impedance (Zin) of the current probe while the current probe is mounted to the structure such that the structure extends through the aperture; and calculating an estimated characteristic impedance (Z?mast) of the structure according to the following equation: Z?mast=(Zin?Zsh)(Zop?Zsh)/(Zop?Zin).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel W. Tam, Randall A. Reeves, John H. Meloling
  • Patent number: 8970226
    Abstract: An RF current probe is encapsulated in a conductive housing to permit its placement inside a plasma reactor chamber. An RF voltage probe is adapted to have a long coaxial cable to permit a measuring device to be connected remotely from the probe without distorting the voltage measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroji Hanawa, Satoru Kobayashi, Kartik Ramaswamy, Shahid Rauf
  • Patent number: 8963570
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contactless loop probe for the contactless decoupling of an HF signal for a contactless measuring system, comprising at least one coupling structure (10) and at least one first signal conductor (12) electrically connected to the coupling structure (10) by a first transition (20), said signal conductor being electrically connected by a second transition (22) to an output (14) for electrically connecting to the measuring system, wherein the coupling structure (10) is designed as an HF waveguide comprising at least one signal conductor (24; 30) and at least one reference conductor (26; 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Zelder, Bernd Geck
  • Patent number: 8952678
    Abstract: In a gap-mode waveguide embodiment, an interior gap in a tubular waveguide principally condenses a dominant gap mode near the interior gap, and an absorber dissipates electromagnetic energy away from the gap mode. In this manner, the gap mode may dissipate relatively little power in the absorber compared to other modes and propagate with lesser attenuation than all other modes. A gap mode launched into a gap-mode waveguide may provide for low-loss, low-dispersion propagation of signals over a bandwidth including a multimode range of the waveguide. Gap-mode waveguide embodiments of various forms may be used to build guided-wave circuits covering broad bandwidths extending to terahertz frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Kirk S. Giboney
  • Publication number: 20140239940
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radio frequency (RF) power calorimeter having a load electrically coupled to a RF input, a variable low-frequency power source electrically coupled to the load and configured to apply low-frequency bias to the load. The RF power calorimeter includes a thermal medium thermally coupled to the load. Additionally, the RF power calorimeter includes an outlet temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal medium, the outlet temperature sensor being positioned to measure the temperature of the thermal medium due to heating by the load. The RF power calorimeter also has circuitry configured to use temperature measurements of the thermal medium in thermal contact with an RF load in combination with the low-frequency bias to measure average power of an RF source electrically coupled to the RF input. Also disclosed in a method of measuring RF power using the RF power calorimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Joel D. Meltzer, Albert H. Titus, Bilel Neji, Jing Xu
  • Patent number: 8816700
    Abstract: A partial discharge detection device for detecting and measuring partial discharges in electric systems or components, which delivers signals having a form much resembling that of the radiated pulse, for improved identification and analysis. The device is of small size, totally insulated and self-powered, and allows measurements to be performed with the highest safety with no need for direct connection, thereby allowing operators to stand at a distance and avoid any system shutdown while making measurements. Furthermore, it can also detect and deliver the sync signal, which is obtained by picking up the supply voltage of the discharge generating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Prysmian S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Di Stefano, Roberto Candela, Giuseppe Costantino Giaconia, Giuseppe Fiscelli
  • Patent number: 8803531
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for facilitating through-line mismatch RF testing using an air-isolated coaxial line having an inner conductor surrounded by a coaxial shielding. At least one circular opening is provided through the shielding. A radially adjustable piston is provided in each opening such that it is electrically connected to the shielding and such that its protrusion from an inside of the shielding towards the inner conductor is adjustable. The position of the radially adjustable piston is calibrated with a known level of RF mismatch so that a desired level of mismatch can be created through adjustment of the piston. By adjusting the piston so that it does not protrude beyond the inside of the shielding, the arrangement is effectively set to zero and does not have to be disconnected after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventor: Lars Arvidsson
  • Patent number: 8598866
    Abstract: A zero bias power detector comprising a zero bias diode and an output boost circuit is provided. The output boost circuit comprises a zero bias transistor. The zero bias diode is not biased but outputs a rectifying signal according to a wireless signal. The zero bias transistor, not biased but coupled to the zero bias diode, is used for enhancing the rectifying signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chun-Yen Huang, Chin-Chung Nien, Jenn-Hwan Tarng, Chen-Ming Li, Li-Yuan Chang, Ya-Chung Yu
  • Publication number: 20130278241
    Abstract: This present inversion provides a digital closed-loop fiber optical current sensor. The modulation signal of the optical wave “phase modulator” of the fiber optical current sensor system is modulation square wave, signal processing system extracts any harmonic wave of the photoelectric converter output modulation square waves, and extracts the measured current information from it. The preamplifier of signal processing system is transimpedance amplifier TIA, the bandwidth is extracted 1/650 instantaneous amplitude square wave directly from the modulation square wave (existing), thus the thermal noise of the preamplifier output and shot noise level is reduced to the existing technology of below 1/650; the current-voltage gain of transimpedance amplifier TIA does not depend on the feedback network resistance, thus it can have high current-voltage conversion gain and use low resistance in the feedback network TIA at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: China Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Xiangxun Chen, Jianbo Guo, Ping Jing, Shuo Chen, Shujie Yin, Zhanyuan Liu
  • Patent number: 8558549
    Abstract: A detector circuit for detecting degradation in the distortion characteristics of a power amplifier based on signals from both ends of a coupled line of a directional coupler. The detector circuit includes a phase shifter/attenuator for phase shifting and attenuating a signal from a coupled terminal of the coupled line, a differential amplifier for outputting difference between an output signal from the phase shifter/attenuator and a signal from the isolated terminal of the coupled line, a wave detector circuit for converting the difference into a DC signal, and a comparing circuit for determining whether the voltage level of the DC signal exceeds a predetermined level. When degradation in the distortion characteristics of the power amplifier arises, the phase shifter/attenuator phase shifts the signal from the coupled terminal and outputs a signal 180° out of phase with the signal from the isolated terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Yamamoto, Tomoyuki Asada, Miyo Miyashita
  • Patent number: 8525521
    Abstract: A detector circuit for detecting degradation in the distortion characteristics of a power amplifier based on signals from both ends of a coupled line of a directional coupler. The detector circuit includes a phase shifter/attenuator for phase shifting and attenuating a signal from a coupled terminal of the coupled line, a differential amplifier for outputting difference between an output signal from the phase shifter/attenuator and a signal from the isolated terminal of the coupled line, a wave detector circuit for converting the difference into a DC signal, and a comparing circuit for determining whether the voltage level of the DC signal exceeds a predetermined level. When degradation in the distortion characteristics of the power amplifier arises, the phase shifter/attenuator phase shifts the signal from the coupled terminal and outputs a signal 180° out of phase with the signal from the isolated terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Yamamoto, Tomoyuki Asada, Miyo Miyashita
  • Patent number: 8456159
    Abstract: A stabilized field sensor apparatus collects field data, in particular magnetic field data, with reduced motion noise. The apparatus includes a tear drop shaped housing, a tow frame in the housing, a plurality of vibration isolating dampers spaced around the frame, a base assembly mounted to the dampers, a support pedestal having a bottom end fixed to the base assembly and an upper free end, a single spherical air bearing connected to the upper free end of the pedestal, an instrument platform with a lower hollow funnel having an upper inside apex supported on the air bearing for a one point support, principal and secondary gyro stabilizers for maintaining pivotal and rotational stability, and at least one field sensor mounted to the instrument platform for collecting the field data while being stabilized against motion noise including vibration, pivoting and rotation from the base assembly, from the tow frame and from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Vale S.A.
    Inventors: Benjamin David Polzer, Gordon Fox West, Peter Whyte Walker, Peter Anthony Hurley, Robert Leslie Scott Hogg
  • Patent number: 8390493
    Abstract: A voltage reference circuit provides a precision voltage reference output without requiring a filter capacitor. The voltage reference output is generated by a digitally-controlled source, which has a value set by the output of a digital filter that filters the output of a comparison circuit that compares the voltage reference output to another reference. A selectable mode can be provided to provide a fast response during a startup/reset period and an optional hold or narrowband response after startup. The mode selection may also offer selection of an externally-supplied digital control value and/or a resistor divider type voltage reference as an alternative to the digitally-controlled source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Harish Raghavan, John Christopher Tucker, Scott Allan Woodford, Daniel John Allen, Anand Ilango
  • Patent number: 8378866
    Abstract: A heater controller for controlling a heater precisely in the equi-power mode is disclosed. The controller includes a current source, a voltage monitor to detect a voltage drop caused in the heater, and a controller. The voltage drop may be converted to the digital form as refereeing to the first reference, while, the heater current is converted from the digital form as referring to the second reference. The second reference shows substantial temperature dependence, while, the first reference has lesser temperature dependence. The control corrects the temperature dependence of the second reference as referring to the first reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoko Ikagawa