Including Hybrid-type Network Patents (Class 333/117)
  • Patent number: 7834719
    Abstract: A three port circulator capable of simultaneous transmit and receive operations, high frequency, enhanced high isolation, noise suppression at the receive port and broadband performance comprising: an antenna port; a transmission port; a receiving port; wherein each port is connected to a 90 degree combiner/divider or a quadrature hybrid for splitting an input signal into two output components, the said output components have a ninety degrees relative phase difference to each other; each of said 90 degree combiners/dividers or quadrature hybrids in addition to the connection to the above mentioned ports has at least two output connections each of which are connected to a ferrite circulator and if a fourth connection, said fourth connection is attached to a matching load circuit; this arrangement of circuits allows the phase shifted signals from the transmit port to enter the 90 degree combiner/divider or quadrature hybrid and be recombined in phase at the antenna port, any residue signal due to impedance mism
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Radar Inc
    Inventors: Siu K. Cheung, William H. Weedon, III
  • Patent number: 7821355
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, an antenna front end includes at least two diplexers. Each of the diplexers is defined with a channel within a single material block. Each channel is shaped to provide a diplexer which includes a coupler, a receive band filter and a transmit band filter, which are adjoined and matched to form a continuous waveguide channel. Some embodiments further include a transmit hybrid coupler and/or a receive hybrid coupler. The transmit hybrid coupler is formed as a channel within the material block and adjoined and matched to the two transmit band filters. The receive hybrid coupler is formed as a channel within the material block and adjoined and matched to the two receive band filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Starling Advanced Communications Ltd.
    Inventor: Benjamin M. Engel
  • Publication number: 20100259339
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a fully monolithic active hybrid architecture can be configured to replace a ring hybrid, magic tee, branchline coupler, or 180° hybrid by providing similar functionality in an integrated monolithic solution. Exemplary embodiments of the active hybrids combine active implementations of power splitters, power combiners, and phase shifting elements in a novel fashion allowing for ultra-compact size and broadband performance. In an exemplary embodiment, the active hybrid replaces the typical hybrid couplers with active splitters and active combiners. Similarly, the delay lines and amplitude adjustment elements are replaced by active vector generators. Vector generators are magnitude and phase control circuits. The active hybrid results in certain advantages including being size independent of the operating frequency, wide frequency range of operation, and RF signals undergo a neutral or slight positive power gain, rather than power losses that occur in the passive prior art systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventor: David W. Corman
  • Patent number: 7808343
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) communication device may include an RF 90-degree hybrid combiner having stable phase and loss characteristics over greater than one octave of bandwidth, while providing a high degree of isolation between input and isolated port. The structure may include a first element and a second element. The first element includes a first port, a first section for phasing matching, a second section for conductive-layer inversion, a third section for phase-matching section, and a third port. The second element includes a fourth port, a fourth section for phasing matching, a fifth section for conductive-layer inversion, a sixth section for phase-matching, and a second port. In one example, the second and fifth sections are utilized for signal coupling. In another example, the first, third, fourth, and sixth sections are utilized for signal coupling. Different ports may have matched phase differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Alfred Iannotti, William J. Taft
  • Patent number: 7786823
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a power generator includes a first power splitter having an input port, wherein the input port is configured to connect to a power generator, a second power splitter having an output port, wherein the output port is configured to connect to a device that receives power from the power generator, and a first phase shifter assembly coupled to the first power splitter and the second power splitter, wherein the first phase shifter assembly is a non-reciprocal phase shifter. An apparatus for use with a power generator includes a power attenuator having an input for receiving power from a power generator, and a phase shifter, wherein the phase shifter includes a ferrite material and circuitry for electro-magnetically biasing the ferrite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Heisen, Carsten Weil
  • Patent number: 7777591
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a coupling device are shown. In various embodiments, a variable frequency divider comprises a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The first transmission line may comprise a first and a second end. The first end may comprise a first terminal and the second end may comprise a first branch and a second branch. The first transmission line may be configured to receive a first signal at a first frequency at the first terminal and divide the first signal to output the divided first signal at the first branch and the second branch. The second transmission line may be proximate the first transmission line and configured to receive a second signal at a second frequency to control the frequencies of the output divided first signal at the first branch and the second branch through electromagnetic influence between the first transmission line and the second transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Harris Stratex Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Bahram Razmpoosh
  • Publication number: 20100201457
    Abstract: A hybrid balun apparatus are disclosed. The hybrid balun apparatus can support both the reception mode and the transmission mode and be advantageous for a high level of integration, by replacing two transformers disposed at a reception path and a transmission path with a single transformer and integrating a T/R switch and a balun into a one chip. Therefore, an IC according to integration extends to a front stage of an antenna to facilitate interfacing between elements, and a burden for designing at a rear stage (i.e., LNA in the reception mode, and PA in the transmission mode) can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMINICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Young Jae LEE, Cheon Soo KIM, Hyun Kyu YU
  • Publication number: 20100171567
    Abstract: A phase shifter and method include a hybrid coupler being ground shielded. The hybrid coupler with reflective terminations connected to the hybrid coupler is configured to phase shift an applied signal wherein the reflective terminations include a parallel LC circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Harish Krishnaswamy, Arun Sridhar Natarajan, Alberto Valdes Garcia
  • Patent number: 7746193
    Abstract: A 180° hybrid coupler (100) includes a first transmission line transformer (101) and a second transmission line transformer (102). Each of the first and second transmission line transformers is comprised of a coplanar stripline structure disposed in a spiral configuration. Each of the coplanar stripline structures has a first characteristic impedance and is configured to function as a balun. A common input feed (202) is coupled to each of the first and second transmission line transformers. A third transmission line transformer (103) and a fourth transmission line transformer (104) are also provided. Each of the third and fourth transmission line transformers is also configured to function as a balun and is coupled to the first and second transmission line transformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Hash, Kurt W. Wampach
  • Publication number: 20100102899
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, an antenna front end includes at least two diplexers. Each of the diplexers is defined with a channel within a single material block. Each channel is shaped to provide a diplexer which includes a coupler, a receive band filter and a transmit band filter, which are adjoined and matched to form a continuous waveguide channel. Some embodiments further include a transmit hybrid coupler and/or a receive hybrid coupler. The transmit hybrid coupler is formed as a channel within the material block and adjoined and matched to the two transmit band filters. The receive hybrid coupler is formed as a channel within the material block and adjoined and matched to the two receive band filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Starling Advanced Communications Ltd.
    Inventor: Benjamin M. ENGEL
  • Patent number: 7683743
    Abstract: A filtering circuit and a structure thereof are provided. The filtering circuit includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a resonant circuit, a first coupling portion, and a second coupling portion. The resonant circuit is coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal and includes M resonators which are arranged in sequence. A signal received by the input terminal can be transmitted to the output terminal by the resonant circuit through inter-coupling between adjacent resonators. The first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are respectively coupled to non-adjacent resonators. A part of the signal received by the input terminal is transmitted to the second coupling portion via the first coupling portion through cross-couple. Thereby, sideband interference can be further suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Chia-Cheng Chuang
  • Publication number: 20100045403
    Abstract: A 180° hybrid coupler (100) includes a first transmission line transformer (101) and a second transmission line transformer (102). Each of the first and second transmission line transformers is comprised of a coplanar stripline structure disposed in a spiral configuration. Each of the coplanar stripline structures has a first characteristic impedance and is configured to function as a balun. A common input feed (202) is coupled to each of the first and second transmission line transformers. A third transmission line transformer (103) and a fourth transmission line transformer (104) are also provided. Each of the third and fourth transmission line transformers is also configured to function as a balun and is coupled to the first and second transmission line transformers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Hash, Kurt W. Wampach
  • Publication number: 20090302969
    Abstract: A method for communicating over a coaxial cable network is described. The method includes identifying at least one port in the coaxial cable network that provides high mutual isolation among nodes of the coaxial cable network when the port is terminated with an impedance that matches a characteristic impedance of coaxial cable in the coaxial cable network. The method also includes terminating the identified port with an impedance that is substantially mismatched with the characteristic impedance of the coaxial cable, and transmitting a signal from a first node in the network to a second node in the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Gregory Allen Magin
  • Publication number: 20090303145
    Abstract: A short slot directional coupler includes a dielectric substrate having both surfaces each covered by a metal film, a first via-hole string and a second via-hole string, each of which has via-holes penetrating through the substrate, and formed so that a distance between the first via-hole string and the second via-hole string is narrow at a center of a length direction of the string and wider along directions of both ends of the string, and a pair of third via-hole strings each having via-holes penetrating through the substrate, and formed between parts adjacent to both ends of the first via-hole string and parts adjacent to both ends of the second via-hole string to form a first post-wall waveguide along with the first via-hole string and a second post-wall waveguide along with the second via-hole string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Tetsu SHIJO, Shuichi OBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 7623005
    Abstract: The invention presents a filter combiner, in particular for mobile communications applications, adapted to be connected to an antenna (12), comprising a first directional coupler (13), connected to at least one first filter (15, 15a, 15b), to an antenna branch (12a), to at least one second filter (17, 17a, 17b), and to a first signal branch (20), the combiner also comprising a second directional coupler (21), connected to the at least one first filter (15, 15a, 15b), to a second signal branch (25), and to the at least one second filter (17, 17a, 17b). Further, the first directional coupler (13) is adapted to be connected to the first signal branch (20) via at least one third filter (29, 29a, 29b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Rune Johansson, Daniel Källberg
  • Publication number: 20090284326
    Abstract: A balanced hybrid coupler comprising four identical pairs of quarter wavelength parallel coupled lines, 45A, 45B and 46A, 46B a first input port, a second input port, a first output port and a second output port. The first input port comprising a pair of signal carrying terminals 41A, 41B, the second input port comprising a pair of signal carrying terminals 42A, 42B, the first output port comprising a pair of signal carrying terminals 43A, 43B, and the second output port comprising a pair of signal carrying terminals 44A, 44B. A wiring section 49 connects quarter wavelength coupled line pairs 45A and 45B to quarter wavelength coupled line pairs 46A and 46B, and includes a first balanced connection comprising a pair of connection lines 47A, 47B and a second balanced connection comprising connecting lines 48A, 48B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Veljko Napijalo
  • Patent number: 7605676
    Abstract: The invention relates to a directional coupler comprising coupled lines, and a method for achieving coupling in a directional coupler under compensation conditions. The directional coupler comprises coupled lines (8, 9), including a first line (8) and a second line (9), and at least one ground plane (10, 11, 13). At least one of the ground planes is a tuning ground plane (10, 11, 13), and a distance (14, 25), between the first(8) and the second (9) line, and each distance (15, 17, 26, 27), between the first line (8) and the respective tuning ground plane (10, 11, 13), are adapted so as to contribute to a desired coupling level under compensation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Jurek Dabrowski, Andrzej Sawicki
  • Patent number: 7592880
    Abstract: A method for communicating over a coaxial cable network is described. The method includes identifying at least one port in the coaxial cable network that provides high mutual isolation among nodes of the coaxial cable network when the port is terminated with an impedance that matches a characteristic impedance of coaxial cable in the coaxial cable network. The method also includes terminating the identified port with an impedance that is substantially mismatched with the characteristic impedance of the coaxial cable, and transmitting a signal from a first node in the network to a second node in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Intellon Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Allen Magin
  • Patent number: 7592881
    Abstract: A circuit for broadband amplification is provided. The circuit includes an input HF_IN and an output HF_OUT, a first 90° hybrid coupler being connected to the input HF_IN of the circuit and a second 90° hybrid coupler being connected to the output HF_OUT of the circuit, and two amplifier stages being connected in parallel between the first and the second 90° hybrid coupler, the 90° hybrid couplers being hybrid couplers having an operating range of 1/n octaves between a lower frequency value and an upper frequency value, n?N\{0}, i.e., n is an element of the natural positive whole numbers in such a way that the upper frequency value is greater than the lower frequency range and simultaneously less than two times the value of the lower frequency range, and the amplifier stages being based on transistors having a III-nitride, or SiC, or diamond basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Salomon
  • Patent number: 7573839
    Abstract: A second output transmission signal (“TX2”) added to a line driver is a scaled version of the main output transmission signal (“TX1”). TX2 is scaled from TX1 by a variable scale factor K. An adaptive hybrid circuit subtracts TX1 and TX2 from a line signal carrying both a line transmission signal and a line received signal (“RX”). A programmable impedance Ztune is coupled between the TX2 output of the line driver and the RX output of the adaptive hybrid circuit. A transmission echo in the output RX signal is measured. K and Ztune are then adaptively tuned to minimize the transmission echo. The hybrid in this case becomes a 4-port network, one port specifically added to adaptively cancel the transmission echo in the RX output of the adaptive hybrid circuit. Alternatively, the hybrid may be a 3-port hybrid including variable impedances to cancel the line transmission signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Kwan, Sumant Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 7561007
    Abstract: A switchable phase shifter includes an RF coupler arrangement which simultaneously produces 0° and 180° signals, together with controllable switches which select the desired phase of output signal while maintaining the coupler arrangement terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Kennith J. Heissler
  • Publication number: 20090146765
    Abstract: A down-converter includes two low-noise amplifiers, a 90-degree hybrid coupler, two first matching circuits, and a down-converting circuit. The two low-noise amplifiers respectively amplify a first beacon signal and a second beacon signal to generate a first amplified signal and a second amplified signal. The 90-degree hybrid coupler includes two input ports and two output ports for transforming the first amplified signal and the second amplified signal into a first coupler output signal and a second coupler output signal. The two first matching circuits are respectively coupled to the two input ports or the two output ports of the 90-degree hybrid coupler and each first matching circuit has a first tuning mechanism disposed in one side of the first matching circuit and not contacting the first matching circuit. The down-converting circuit performs a frequency down-conversion on the first coupler output signal and the second coupler output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Tzong-Jyh Chen, Min-Chieh Kang
  • Publication number: 20090146764
    Abstract: A down-converter includes two low-noise amplifiers, a 90-degree hybrid coupler, and a down-converting circuit. The 90-degree hybrid coupler is coupled to the two low-noise amplifiers for transforming a first amplified signal and a second amplified signal into a first coupler output signal and a second coupler output signal. The 90-degree hybrid coupler includes a coupler main body, a first transmission line, and a second transmission line, wherein the first and the second transmission lines are coupled to the coupler main body. The coupler main body includes two input ports respectively coupled to the two low-noise amplifiers and two output ports for respectively outputting the first and the second coupler output signals. The first and the second transmission lines are each an open-circuited transmission line or a short-circuited transmission line. The down-converting circuit is coupled to the two output ports of the 90-degree hybrid coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Tzong-Jyh Chen
  • Patent number: 7541890
    Abstract: A circulator capable of simultaneous transmit and receive operations, high frequency, and high isolation and broadband performance comprising: an antenna port; a transmission port; a receiving port; wherein each port is connected to a 90 degree combiner/divider for splitting an input signal into two output components, the said output components have a ninety degrees relative phase difference to each other; each of said 90 degree combiner/dividers in addition to the connection to the above mentioned ports has at least two output connections each of which are connected to a Y-junction and if a fourth connection, said fourth connection is attached to a matching load circuit; this arrangement of circuits allows the portion of the phase shifted signals from the transmit port to enter the antenna 90 degree combiner/divider and be enhanced at the antenna port, while the rest of the signal enters the receive 90 degree combiner/divider and are phased cancelled; said arrangement allows the signals from the antenna port
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Radar, Inc.
    Inventors: Siu K. Cheung, Willam H. Weedon, III, Timothy Philip Halloran
  • Patent number: 7538635
    Abstract: Four variable reactance means are connected, respectively, to the four ports of a quadrature hybrid circuit which is composed of four ring-linked two-port circuits each composed of a transmission line or multiple lumped reactance elements, so that by changing the reactance values of the four variable reactance means, operating frequency of the quadrature hybrid circuit can be selectively changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukuda, Hiroshi Okazaki, Shoichi Narahashi
  • Patent number: 7518467
    Abstract: A monolithic thin film variable power divider is disclosed for variable power level distribution. The thin film power divider includes a substrate having a main surface, a first stage and a second stage, each formed as thin film networks on the main surface of the substrate. The first stage includes a plurality of transmission lines, at least one of the transmission lines having a variable dielectric deposition layer providing variable power level distribution. The variable dielectric deposition is a paraelectric, such as Barium-Strontium-Titanate. The second stage includes a hybrid combiner. The thin film power divider is capable of operating at frequencies extending into the millimeter wave spectrum. The thin film power divider provides a cost effective device that varies the balance of power through a multiport RF distribution network while simultaneously maintaining little, or low, frequency dispersion during the dynamic dissemination process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: William S. McKinley, Jeffery A. Dean
  • Patent number: 7482893
    Abstract: Power combining methods and devices for tunnel diode oscillators using the infinite wavelength phenomenon observed in composite right/left-handed (CRLH) meta-material lines are described. One implementation utilizes a series combiner composed of zero degree lines, with each oscillator output port connected directly to the line and combined in-phase, to equally combine the power in phase. In a second implementation, a section of zero degree transmission line implements a stationary wave resonator with oscillators loosely coupled to the resonator, where the wave amplitude and phase are constant along the line. In one test of this second implementation a maximum power combining efficiency of 131% was obtained with the zeroth order resonator with two tunnel diodes oscillators at 2 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Tatsuo Itoh, Kevin M. K. H. Leong, Alexandre Dupuy
  • Patent number: 7474172
    Abstract: A wiper-type variable power divider with capacitive junctions to minimize the creation of passive intermodulation interference (PIM) during adjustment of the power divider. The variable power divider includes an adjustable, wiper-type phase shifter connected to a hybrid power divider. The output ports of the hybrid power divider produce two RF signals having variable and complementary power amplitudes as the power divider is adjusted throughout its adjustment range. The power divider output signals also have a sum that is substantially equal to a constant quantity throughout the adjustment range of the power divider. The phase shifter is well suitable for use in a base station antenna, where it can be used for be beam steering and beam width adjustment. The variable power divider can also be operated by remote control of a motorized actuator that operates the power divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Runyon
  • Publication number: 20080315969
    Abstract: A waveguide correlation unit and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The waveguide correlation unit includes stacked first and second waveguide plates having an identical configuration, wherein a central coupling plate is disposed therebetween. Due to the identical configuration of the first and second waveguide plates, mechanical uncertainties may significantly be reduced, since both plates may be formed in a common process without the repositioning activities during the manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Riccardo Tascone, Massimo Baralis, Giuseppe Virone, Oscar Antonio Peverini, Augusto Olivieri
  • Publication number: 20080309428
    Abstract: Provided is an antenna with high isolation. The high-isolation antenna has transmission ports of a transmission radiating body and reception ports of a reception radiating body highly isolated from each other by using a quadrature hybrid coupler. The antenna includes: a transmission radiating body having two feed points for transmitting signals; a reception radiating body having two feed points for receiving signals; a transmission hybrid coupler which is connected to the two feed points of the transmission radiating body and transmits transmission signals which have a phase difference of 90° with each other; and a reception hybrid coupler which is connected to the two feed points of the reception radiating body and receives reception signals which have a phase difference of 90° with each other. The signals leaking from the two feed points of the transmission radiating body to the two feed points of the reception radiating body are offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Hae-Won Son, Won-Kyu Choi, Chan-Soo Shin, Gil-Young Choi, Cheol-Sig Pyo
  • Patent number: 7448126
    Abstract: A coupling assembly includes multiple composite substrate layers and a flange layer fusion bonded together in a stacked arrangement. The substrate layers are positioned on top of the flange layer and include embedded signal processing circuitry connected to a signal input and a signal output. A cavity is formed through an area of the substrate layers to expose signal connection terminals. These signal connection terminals are coupled to the embedded signal processing circuitry and they enable the addition of a circuit element to the assembly after the fusion bonding of the flange and substrate layers, and they enable the coupling of that added element to the signal processing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Merrimac Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Logothetis
  • Patent number: 7443266
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing adaptive control of the output of a radio frequency coupler. Adaptive control may include providing a transmission line having a plurality of branches extending therefrom and terminating, correspondingly, with a plurality of terminals and terminating, at its opposite end, with a single terminal, as well as, providing one or more proximate transmission lines inductively coupled with the transmission line and each having an input terminal at one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Stratex Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Bahram Razmpoosh
  • Publication number: 20080174385
    Abstract: The invention presents a filter combiner, in particular for mobile communications applications, adapted to be connected to an antenna (12), comprising a first directional coupler (13), connected to at least one first filter (15, 15a, 15b), to an antenna branch (12a), to at least one second filter (17, 17a, 17b), and to a first signal branch (20), the combiner also comprising a second directional coupler (21), connected to the at least one first filter (15, 15a, 15b), to a second signal branch (25), and to the at least one second filter (17, 17a, 17b). Further, the first directional coupler (13) is adapted to be connected to the first signal branch (20) via at least one third filter (29, 29a, 29b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Rune Johansson, Daniel Kallberg
  • Patent number: 7403081
    Abstract: The hybrid junction includes four electrically conductive planar windings, circular or rectangular, arranged so as to lie along an imaginary spherical or cylindrical surface. Each of the four electrically conductive windings is rotated from adjacent windings by about forty-five degrees. The four electrically conductive windings are electrically insulated from each other and each include a respective signal port. The hybrid junction automatically splits and/or sorts signals. Signals applied to any port will split equally between the opposite port pairs. One output signal will be in-phase with the input signal, and the other output signal will be shifted by 0 or 180 degrees from the input signal. The input signal is split equally, output coupling may be half power or loose, and there is isolation between the output ports. The hybrid junction operates over a broad bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Eugene Parsche
  • Patent number: 7400214
    Abstract: A high power, low loss RF strip transmission line coupling structure is provided. It includes a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB), a top cover and a bottom cover. The top and bottom covers provide the ground reference for the strip transmission line coupling structure. The PCB is fastened to the top and bottom covers and is used for: creating the center conductor of an air dielectric strip transmission line and edge coupler; providing a means to transition from microstrip to air dielectric strip transmission line; supporting the air dielectric strip transmission line; routing of other signals; and passing ground to the top and bottom covers. To create an air dielectric strip transmission line, the PCB material is adequately removed to effectively form a rectangular bar of dielectric and metal layers. This rectangular bar is plated along the edges where the PCB material was removed to ensure that the top and bottom PCB metal layers are at the same potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Powerwave Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Storniolo, Jeremy Monroe, Melanie Daniels, William Veitschegger, Michael Hrybenko, Frank Kimmey
  • Patent number: 7397323
    Abstract: A waveguide orthomode transducer. In a first layer a turnstile junction having a main waveguide and four waveguide ports, and four hybrid tees each have an e-port, two opposed side-ports, and an h-port. The hybrid tees are ring-arranged around the turnstile junction so the waveguide ports each communicate with one h-port, so adjacent hybrid tees inter communicate with their respective side-ports, and so the e-ports form two sets of opposed e-ports. In a second layer two h-plane power dividers/combiners each have an axial-port and two opposed side-ports. The h-plane power dividers/combiners are arranged so their respective side-ports communicate with different ones of the two sets of opposed e-ports and so their axial-ports are polarization ports. This permits a single signal with two fundamental orthogonally polarized modes to enter the main waveguide and exit separated at the polarization ports vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Wide Sky Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Behzad Tavassoli Hozouri
  • Patent number: 7385461
    Abstract: A bias T device (20) and a method for combining a first DC signal with a second RF signal is disclosed. The device (20) is provided with a first signal splitting means (30) in the form of a hybrid 90 degree (quadrature) coupler having at least two isolated transmission lines (34,40). The first signal splitting means (30) is adapted to receive said first signal at one input (22) and said second signal at another input (24). A second signal splitting means (32) having at least two isolated transmission lines (34?, 40?) is also provided. Said second signal splitting means (32) is coupled to said first signal splitting means (30) such that the respective sets of transmission lines (34, 34?, 40, 40?) comprise isolated signal routes (70, 72) through said device (20). An output (26) provides an output signal comprising a combination of said first DC signal and said second RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: University College Cardiff Consultants, Ltd
    Inventor: Johannes Benedikt
  • Patent number: 7375603
    Abstract: A non-directional coupler including a semiconductor junction in series with a capacitor, the semiconductor junction being formed so that the threshold frequency short of which it behaves as a rectifier is smaller than the coupler's operating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: François Dupont, Patrick Poveda
  • Patent number: 7345557
    Abstract: A coupler assembly may include first and second electromagnetic couplers connected together. In some examples, the couplers may be connected in cascade configuration, with at least the second coupler including at least third and fourth couplers connected in tandem configuration. In some examples, a first asymmetric coupler may include a plurality of coupler sections connected in cascade configuration, and a second coupler connected to the first coupler in tandem configuration. In some examples, a direct port of a first coupler section may be conductively connected through a second coupler section to an isolated port of the first coupler section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Werlatone, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen F. Podell
  • Patent number: 7342466
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a hybrid coupler is provided with a resistive coupler to conductively tap a transmission line and an electromagnetic coupler to be disposed next to the transmission line to electromagnetically tap it. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Benham
  • Patent number: 7323950
    Abstract: An electrical processing network including a first set of ports and a second set of ports electrically coupled to the first set of ports. The first set of ports are for a first set of signals with approximately 0° and 180° relative phase. The second set of ports are for a second set of signals with approximately 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° relative phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Lowell R. Hoover
  • Patent number: 7319370
    Abstract: A multilayer 180 degree hybrid coupler comprises a cascaded pair of quarter wavelength directional couplers, one of the connections between the directional couplers being made by direct connection and the other connection being made indirectly via a length of transmission line that introduces a 180 degree phase shift at the operating frequency of the hybrid coupler. Each directional coupler comprises a pair of broadside coupled conductive tracks on opposite sides of a dielectric layer and the length of transmission line comprises a further conductive track on at least one side of the dielectric layer. Both the direct connection and the connection via the length of transmission line extend through the dielectric layer at respective via holes so that the hybrid coupler has two input ports on one side of the dielectric layer and two output ports on the other side of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Veljko Napijalo
  • Patent number: 7307493
    Abstract: A hybrid 180° microwave balun device is provided to convert an unbalanced RF signal at the common port into two radio frequency signals with equal amplitude and 180° phase difference at two differential ports. The hybrid device includes a coplanar waveguide connecting to the common port. A power divider separates the coplanar waveguide into two symmetrical slotline waveguides to carry balanced signals. Two broadband multioctave slotline to microstrip transitions constructed in a way that the microstrip lines carry 180° phase separated signals to the differential output ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Anritsu Company
    Inventor: Alexander Feldman
  • Patent number: 7301422
    Abstract: A variable differential phase shifter including an isolation element providing good isolation between output ports, good return loss and reduced reflections. In one embodiment a Wilkinson divider is incorporated in the wiper arm of a wiper type variable differential phase shifter. In another embodiment a linear phase shifter incorporates a Wilkinson divider. Multistage embodiments are also disclosed. The variable differential phase shifter may be used in combination with a hybrid coupler to provide an isolated variable power divider. The variable differential phase shifter may be utilized in a variety of feed networks and antenna arrays to vary beam tilt, beam azimuth and beam width. Antennas incorporating the phase shifter exhibit low variation of half power beam width with frequency and reduced side lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Martin L. Zimmerman, Jonathon C. Veihl
  • Patent number: 7298229
    Abstract: A coupling device in FIG. 3 consisting of upper and lower connecting plates 100 and 101 with external flanges parallel to transmission line (103) for coupling RF energy for forward power detection. The coupling device (100) incorporates a helix structure with rotation centered near or about transmission line 103 and incorporates embedded secondary structures which are parallel to transmission line and fixed a predetermined distance from the transmission line (103). Theses plurality of parallel flanges are used to increase the coupling coefficient and directivity of the helix coupler (107) and maintain geometries that optimize magnetic field coupling. One or more vias (102) are used to connect individual upper connecting plate (100) and individual lower connecting plate (101) to form the overall helix structure. The addition of the parallel flanges to upper and lower connecting plates allow for a greater coupling efficiency per unit length of transmission line 103.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles R. Ruelke
  • Publication number: 20070216494
    Abstract: A monolithic thin film variable power divider is disclosed for variable power level distribution. The thin film power divider includes a substrate having a main surface, a first stage and a second stage, each formed as thin film networks on the main surface of the substrate. The first stage includes a plurality of transmission lines, at least one of the transmission lines having a variable dielectric deposition layer providing variable power level distribution. The variable dielectric deposition is a paraelectric, such as Barium-Strontium-Titanate. The second stage includes a hybrid combiner. The thin film power divider is capable of operating at frequencies extending into the millimeter wave spectrum. The thin film power divider provides a cost effective device that varies the balance of power through a multiport RF distribution network while simultaneously maintaining little, or low, frequency dispersion during the dynamic dissemination process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: William S. McKinley, Jeffery A. Dean
  • Patent number: 7268606
    Abstract: An electronic signal processing apparatus has a signal switch with a first and a second transistor of normally-on type, having main current channels coupled between an internal node and a switch input and output, respectively. A diode provides a switchable signal coupling between the internal node and ground. A switch control circuit has a control output that is DC coupled to the main current channel of the first and the second transistor via the internal node to control conduction of the main current channels. The diode is also DC-coupled to the internal node so that a DC potential of a terminal of the diode that controls whether the diode is on or off is determined by a potential of the internal node. The diode is preferably incorporated in the DC current path from the control output to the internal node, so that the diode is forward-biased when a control voltage that makes the main current channels non-conductive is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Teunis Hemanus Uittenbogaard
  • Patent number: 7221239
    Abstract: A variable power divider and method can vary the RF power between ports in a high power and multi-carrier RF environment, such as is used in controlling signals sent and received in a base station antenna. The variable power divider can include a single-control phase shifter and a hybrid power divider. The single-control phase shifter can comprise a three-port device having a single input port and two output ports. The single-control phase shifter can further comprise a variable adjuster that can change or adjust the phase between two RF signals. The hybrid power divider can comprise a four-port device having two input ports and two output ports. Both the single-control phase shifter and the hybrid power divider can comprise substantially planar structures that are suitable for high-speed manufacturing. The output ports of the hybrid power divider can be coupled to various devices such antennas or power absorbing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Runyon
  • Patent number: 7218187
    Abstract: A wide bandwidth coupler has two outer elements around a center element. The outer elements are rectangular at their outside portions and each have a tapered nose portion next to the center element. A matching network electrically connects the two outer elements and the center element. The center element is connected to a first portion of a signal feed structure, while one of the outer elements connects to a second portion of a signal feed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Yihong Qi, Perry Jarmuszewski, Michael Certain
  • Patent number: 7212960
    Abstract: A computer program product and method of simulation involve the present computer simulation model of a lossy transmission line. The model uses a hybrid model at each end of the transmission line, each hybrid model coupled to a port of the transmission line. Each hybrid model is coupled to a forward path model and a reverse path model, such that simulated signals pass through the forward path mode enroute from a first hybrid to the second hybrid, and through the reverse path model enroute from the second hybrid to the first hybrid. At each end of the transmission line there is also a reflection model coupling between the reverse path model and the forward path model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David W. Quint, Karl Joseph Bois