Abstract: A phase shifter includes a substrate, a first electrode positioned on a surface of the substrate, a tunable dielectric layer positioned on a surface of the electrode, a microstrip positioned on a surface of the tunable dielectric layer opposite the substrate, an input for coupling a radio frequency signal to the microstrip, an output for receiving the radio frequency signal from the microstrip, and a connection for applying a control voltage to the electrode. In an alternative embodiment, a second electrode can be positioned on the surface of the substrate and separated from the first electrode to form a gap positioned under the microstrip.

Abstract: A left and right hemisphere independently adjustable azimuth antenna with a new method of electrically floating reflector device when used with the cooperating antenna array geometry, yields an modified directed radiated beam which can be actuated by means of a simple mechanical mechanism. The adjustment in the azimuth pattern is accomplished by means of moving the electrically floating reflector device in an arc around a line parallel to the axis of the antenna.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements and a phase shifting device connected to the plurality of antenna elements. The phase shifting device includes a substrate, and a plurality of phase shifters on the substrate. Each phase shifter includes a first conductive portion adjacent the substrate and defining a signal path, and a body adjacent the first conductive portion and comprising a phase shifting material having a controllable dielectric constant for causing a phase shift of a signal being conducted through the signal path. The bodies are laterally spaced apart from one another, and may have a thickness equal to or greater than about 0.002 inches. In forming the phased array antenna, each body is bonded to respective signal paths using production surface mount or similar machines.

Abstract: A circuit element that increases time delay in the propagation of an electromagnetic signal includes a plurality of conductors and bends, the conductors mounted with a gap and in parallel to one another, for generating a time delayed signal. The conductors have a first line width, length, and thickness for generating an impedance. The second end of a conductor is connected to the first end of a following conductor by a bend wherein the bend has a second line width, radius and thickness for electrically connecting said conductors in a series circuit. The conductors and bends are surface etched.

Abstract: The invention relates to phase shifters, especially for millimeter wave applications, which are configured in form of a micromechanical switch and whose insulation layer thickness (d) is selected depending on the connected, desired phase shift &phgr;. The thickness (d) preferably selected according to the ration (I) or according to the ration (II). The invention also relates to arrangements consisting of several of these phase shifters which can be controlled simultaneously through a common signal line and a common coplanar line.

Abstract: A delay circuit for the secondary path of a feed-forward high power amplifier is disclosed. A first 3 dB quadrature hybrid coupler is coupled to first and second resonator circuits that each includes a varactor circuit and are resonant at a first resonant frequency. The output of the first hybrid coupler is coupled to the input of a second 3 dB quadrature hybrid coupler. The second hybrid coupler is coupled to third and fourth resonator circuits that each includes a varactor circuit and are resonant at a second resonant frequency that is greater than the first resonant frequency. The overall combined delay response of the first hybrid coupler and the second hybrid coupler appearing at the fourth node of the second hybrid coupler is substantially constant between the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a delay line comprises a spirally coiled strip transmission line encapsulated within conductive ground discs. In an advantageous embodiment the delay line is a monolithic ceramic structure produced by forming the stripline on green ceramic tape, spirally rolling the green stripline, encasing the rolled stripline in green ceramic encapsulating discs and cofiring the green assembly into a monolithic compact disc.

Abstract: An adjustable delay line phase shifter is configured as a microstrip transmission line having a M×N matrix of conductive elements mounted on a insulating substrate. The squares are connected together using conductive members, such as gold ribbon or wire bonds in a pattern that produces a desired amount of phase shift.

Abstract: A phase shifter, such as for use in phased antenna arrays, comprising thin film BST capacitors periodically loading a transmission line. The BST thin films can be deposited using RF sputtering on a variety of substrates, and the capacitors can be of a parallel plate configuration or of an interdigitated configuration. An aspect of the invention additionally provides for the use of periodically distributed lumped-element inductors comprising the transmission line. A further aspect provides for programmatic determination of circuit design and configuration parameters based on the input of desired characteristics and materials for the phase shifter.

Abstract: A tunable delay line includes an input, an output, a first conductor electrically coupled to the input and the output, a ground conductor, and a voltage tunable dielectric layer positioned between the first conductor and the ground conductor. DC blocks and impedance matching sections are connected between the first conductor and the input and output. Additional layers of tunable dielectric material and additional conductors can be positioned in parallel with the voltage tunable layer.

Abstract: A phase shifter adjusts the phase between two segments of an RF feed line that are fed with the phase shifter. Specifically, the phase shifter adjusts the phase between two signals in RF feed line segments by changing the electrical path lengths that RF energy travels down in each respective RF feed line. The phase shifter includes a coupling arm, a key, a spring, and a support architecture that fastens the phase shifter to a substantially planar surface. The support architecture is rotated manually or with a machine such as a motor. The coupling arm can include a coupling ring, a wiper element, a support trace, and a dielectric spacer. The phase shifting system is a relatively compact structure having a predetermined value of capacitance maintained between a coupling ring disposed on the coupling arm and a coupling ring disposed on a planar surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a T-circuit produced using microstrip technology with two branches (2, 3) of identical length L2 comprising a phase-shifting element (6) producing a given phase shift &PHgr; by extending one of the branches, the T-circuit operating in broadband, the circuit comprises at least one elbow (4) extending the branch (3) without the phase-shifting element and the length L2 is equal to a multiple of &lgr;g/2 where &lgr;g is the guided wavelength.

Abstract: This invention provides a phased array antenna comprising an input, a feed network electronically coupled to the input, a plurality of radiating elements, a plurality of continuously voltage tunable phase shifters for receiving signals from the feed network and providing phase shifts for the signals prior to transmitting the signals to the radiating elements, and a controller for controlling the phase shift provided by the phase shifters. The phased array antennas can be configured to produce beams that can be scanned in one dimension (one-dimensional) or two dimensions (two-dimensional) by using continuously adjustable phase shifters that are based on low cost, low loss voltage-tunable dielectric materials.

Abstract: A voltage tunable dielectric varactor includes a substrate having a low dielectric constant and having generally planar surface, a tunable ferroelectric layer positioned on the generally planar surface of the substrate, and first and second electrodes positioned on a surface of the tunable ferroelectric layer opposite the generally planar surface of the substrate. The first and second electrodes are separated to form a gap therebetween. The varactor includes an input for receiving a radio frequency signal and an output for delivering the radio frequency signal. A bias voltage applied to the electrodes changes the capacitance of the varactor between the input and output thereof. Phase shifters and filters that include the varactor are also described.

Abstract: A magnetic interface generator generates a magnetic interface at a center frequency f0. The magnetic interface generator is a passive array of spirals that are deposited on a substrate surface. The magnetic interface is generated in a plane at a distance Z above the surface of the substrate. The distance Z where the magnetic interface is created is determined by the cell size of the spiral array, where the cell size is based on the spiral arm length and the spacing S between the spirals. The center frequency of the magnetic interface is determined by the average track length DAV of the spirals in the spiral array. In embodiments, the spiral array is one sub-layer in a multi-layer substrate. The spacing S of the spiral array is chosen to project the magnetic interface to another layer in the multi-layer substrate so as to improve performance of a circuit in the plane of the magnetic interface.

Abstract: A variable phase circuit for microwave and millimeter wave applications includes a distributed-constant transmission line, a number of phase shifters respectively responsive to control signals for introducing a desired amount of phase shift to and removing the introduced phase shift from the transmission line. In order to compensate for the frequency-dependent phase deviation of each phase shifter, one or more loading stubs are selectively connected to or disconnected from the transmission line according to operation of the phase shifters.

Abstract: An improved delay line with an input and an output is disclosed wherein a signal passing through the delay line from the input to the output can be optimized regarding the delay line component size, delay time, and signal configuration. The design and use of more than one impedance conductor is taught. The impedance conductors are arranged in specific alignments with each other and with dielectric bases to result in reduced component size, increased delay time, and to adjust the signal configuration. Further optimization of these features is taught through the use of a shield cover in specific alignment to the impedance conductors and dielectric bases.

Abstract: A method of modulating a microwave carrier and a modulating device are disclosed make it possible directly, onto a microwave carrier right at the operating frequency, to modulate an information signal from a digital bit-stream without the use of a conventional up-conversion chain or frequency multiplication after the modulation. A fast ferroelectric element is provided and operated with a variable voltage source controlled directly by the digital bit-stream representing the information to be modulated. The element can either be positioned between a microwave power amplifier and a radiating antenna device or even close in front of the antenna such that a collimated beam must pass through the modulation device. The element will then be able to introduce phase modulation of a passing microwave carrier.

Abstract: An improved delay line with an input and an output is disclosed wherein a signal passing through the delay line from the input to the output can be optimized regarding the delay line component size, delay time, and signal configuration. The design and use of more than one impedance conductor is taught. The impedance conductors are arranged in specific alignments with each other and with dielectric bases to result in reduced component size, increased delay time, and to adjust the signal configuration. Further optimization of these features is taught through the use of a shield cover in specific alignment to the impedance conductors and dielectric bases.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a superconducting phase shift device is presented. The phase shift device can introduce a phase shift between the phases of the order parameters of the device's two terminals. The two terminals can be coupled through an anisotropic superconductor with angled sides, or through two anisotropic superconductors with misaligned phases, or through a ferromagnet in the junction area. The phase shift device can be used in superconducting quantum computing circuitry. A method of fabricating the phase shift device with a technology different from fabrication technology of conventional superconducting materials is described. A method for fabricating a phase shifter chip including an array of phase shift devices is described.

Abstract: An integrated waveguide component has at least one planar microwave conductor with at least one interruption point, a mechanically shiftable microwave conductor segment provided for each of the interruption points, a substrate plate above which the microwave conductor is disposed, a further substrate plate above which the microwave conductor segment is disposed, so that the microwave conductor segment is shiftable parallel to the substrate plate by displacement of the further substrate plate to establish or adjust an effective length, spanning the interruption point of the microwave conductor segment in accordance with the desired phased shift between an input signal are the output signal, the microwave conductor segment being disposed on a side remote from the microwave conductor of the further substrate plate, so that the further substrate plate performs not only a carrier function for the microwave conductor segment but simultaneously a function of a dielectric for an inductive and/or capacitive coupling o

Abstract: A microstrip trombone delay line is used to provide a low cost true time delay device. An array of printed trombone lines arranged in a network is used to implement a linear beamformer. The beamformer forms an array that scans signals in one or more dimensions. Each microstrip trombone delay line includes printed traces on a fixed substrate and a printed trombone line on a movable superstrate. The microstrip trombone delay line may have different dimensions to vary the characteristic impendence at either end for impedance matching purposes. Beamformers using microstrip trombone delay lines and scanning in multiple principal planes require few movable parts and only linear actuators.

Abstract: A phase shifter comprises a coarse phase tuning arrangement and a fine phase tuning arrangement. The coarse phase tuning arrangement provides a discrete number of phase shifts. The fine phase tuning arrangement includes a RLC network, having a resistor, an inductor and a capacitor. The fine phase tuning arrangement also comprises an optical arrangement for varying the resistance value of the resistor. This phase shifter is able to obtain broadband, continuous 360° phase shifting also at Gigahertz frequencies. It also allows close to linear phase shift versus frequency resulting in true time delay capability, very low insertion loss and high value of maximum phase adjust.

Abstract: A delay circuit in which amplitude characteristic and delay time characteristic of the output signals do not have any ripple relative to the length of the transmission line is provided. The delay circuit includes a circuit that makes a part of signals distributed into two parts by the power divider (103) to be identical in amplitude and inverse in phase relative to the component of signals outputted from the terminal-a directly to the terminal-c of the circulator (104). By composing with the power combiner (107) both signals are offset each other at the output terminal. As a result, only the signals that are inputted from the input terminal (101) and transmitted through the circulator (104) and the open-ended transmission line (105) are outputted to the output terminal (102).

Abstract: A signal process apparatus of the present invention is capable of shifting phases of signals inputted thereto and attenuating the signals, simultaneously. The signal process apparatus includes a dielectric member provided with a first and a second portions, a plurality of transmission lines positioned opposite the dielectric member for transmitting the signals and means for rotating the dielectric member to an axis perpendicular to a surface of the dielectric member which is parallel to the transmission lines. In the signal process apparatus, a dielectric constant of the first portion is different from that of the second portion. Each of the signals is inputted to a corresponding transmission line. After each of the signals is passing through the corresponding transmission line, it has a phase shifted by rotating the dielectric member.

Abstract: A phase control device, for providing a plurality of phase values, for utilization by any system having a number of input/output ports with signals requiring control of their relative phases. The phase control device is constructed from phase shift elements electrically connected to a system of electrically interconnected switches separated off from the phase shift elements. The result is a reduction in the number of phase shift elements and switches as compared to conventional phase shifters and a simplification of the resulting architecture, a feature of significant importance in chip miniaturization.

Abstract: A ferroelectric layer is deposited or in close proximity to a ferromagnetic ferrite layer to make a microwave substrate on which conductors can be deposited or placed to make devices. The permittivity of the ferroelectric layer can be changed by applying a voltage and the permeability of the ferromagnetic layer can be changed with a magnetic field. This makes it possible to tune the device characteristics with two different effects taking best advantage of the capabilities of each. A material example is ferromagnetic yttrium-iron-garnet on which is deposited a thin film of ferroelectric barium strontium titanate. To minimize losses, the ferroelectric film should be high quality, but practical yttrium-iron-garnet substrates are polycrystalline so that the use of buffer layers is desirable. At least two methods can be used to deposit the ferroelectric film, pulsed laser deposition and metal-organic chemical liquid deposition.

Abstract: A phase shifter comprises a coarse phase tuning arrangement and a fine phase tuning arrangement. The coarse phase tuning arrangement provides a discrete number of phase shifts. The fine phase tuning arrangement includes a RLC network, having a resistor, an inductor and a capacitor. The fine phase tuning arrangement also comprises an optical arrangement for varying the resistance value of the resistor. This phase shifter is able to obtain broadband, continuous 360° phase shifting also at Gigahertz frequencies. It also allows close to linear phase shift versus frequency resulting in true time delay capability, very low insertion loss and high value of maximum phase adjust.

Abstract: An electrical signal phase compensator includes at least two conductors and a ground wire. In a two conductor system, the length of the first conductor is substantially longer than the second conductor. The first conductor and the second conductor are connected in parallel, with the high frequency current in the first conductor and the low frequency current in the second conductor. In a three conductor system, the length of the second conductor is substantially longer than the third conductor which conducts an intermediate frequency. The second conductor is longer than the first conductor. The first conductor, the second conductor, and the third conductor are connected in parallel. The several conductors are mounted to minimize electromagnetic interaction. The electrical signal phase compensator may include a neutral line which is disposed adjacent to the corresponding signal line. Each respective neutral line is connected in parallel.

Abstract: A resonator can provide good loss characteristics by effectively suppressing power losses due to an edge effect. In addition, a filter, a duplexer, and a communication device incorporating the resonator are formed. In the resonator, a plurality of spiral lines are disposed on a surface of a dielectric substrate in such a manner that the inner and outer ends of the lines are aligned respectively along an inner periphery and an outer periphery which are centered around a central point on the substrate so that the lines do not cross each other. With this arrangement, the edge effect in the spiral lines is substantially canceled, by which power losses due to the edge effect can be effectively suppressed.

Abstract: A multilayer circuit board includes a set of conductors that are coupled with ground to remove undesired high frequency noise. To that end, the multilayer circuit board includes a first layer having a circuit trace in the form of a serpentine, a ground layer set to a reference potential, and the set of conductors noted above. Each of the conductors extends from the first layer to the ground layer from within an interior portion of the serpentine. The set of conductors electrically contact the ground layer.

Abstract: A phase shifter includes upper and lower conductive plates, and a dielectric strip sandwiched between the conductive plates, and a plurality of slots formed in the upper conductive plate, thereby forming a dielectric line. A rotator is positioned at either side of the dielectric strip so that the distance from the rotator to the dielectric strip varies as the rotator rotates. As the rotator rotates, the phase constant of the dielectric line progressively changes in the direction of electromagnetic propagation. The rotation of the rotator causes a change in feed phase with respect to the slots as the rotator rotates, thereby performing beam scanning.

Abstract: A variable phase circuit for microwave and millimeter wave applications includes a distributed-constant transmission line, a number of phase shifters respectively responsive to control signals for introducing a desired amount of phase shift to and removing the introduced phase shift from the transmission line. In order to compensate for the frequency-dependent phase deviation of each phase shifter, one or more loading stubs are selectively connected to or disconnected from the transmission line according to operation of the phase shifters.

Abstract: This invention discloses an adjustable, relatively small phase-shiftable network for an antenna array, which can be incorporated into a PCB distribution network. The network comprises a PCB distribution element (A) comprising a planar dielectric circuit board (2) supporting a pattern of conductive tracks (3). The conductive tracks and the dielectric circuit board form a transmission line network which splits a signal applied to a signal input terminal (I) into three paths that terminate respectively in three terminals (T′, B′and C′) for feeding the input signal to Top (T′), Bottom (B′) and Center (C′) sections of a antenna array. The distribution element (A) is supported in a spaced relationship with a conductive ground plane (B). A moveable planar dielectric element (C) having a series of teeth (4, 5) along opposite edges, is slidably mounted over the top surface of the distribution element (A).

Abstract: A directional coupler including a first transmission line and a second transmission line adjacent to the first transmission line, the relative positions of the first transmission line and the second transmission line being changeable, an antenna element connected to a part of the directional coupler, and a driving mechanism for driving the directional coupler and the antenna element.

Abstract: Suspended single crystal silicon (SCS) beams coated with metal form transmission lines that are used in MEMs type microactuated phase shifters and switches. The characteristic impedance of any section of the transmission lines is a function of the beam spacing in that section. Microactuators, such as comb-drive actuators, are connected to the beams to vary this spacing in a controllable manner. A continuos phase shifter is formed that consists of two tunable capacitance sections connected by a matching section that reduces reflections and improves compliance of the beams to reduce the energy required to move the beams.

Abstract: Fluidic self-assembly of active antenna. An embodiment that is described in the specification and drawings include a strip of substrate material having an antenna on one side, signal and power busses on the other side, and one or more channel laid out across the strip of substrate material from the antenna to the signal and power busses. The strip of substrate material may have a number of recessed regions and shaped blocks disposed in the recessed regions via a fluidic self-assembly process. The shaped blocks may include micro-switches, CMOS control circuitry, and III-V semiconductor amplifiers. The strip may then be stacked together vertically with spacers to form a two dimensional phased-array.

Abstract: A phase shifter element for selectively varying the phase of signals of desired frequencies or frequency range passing through an adjacent transmission line associated with, for example, an antenna array to electrically down-tilt the array's electromagnetic wave pattern. The phase shifter element comprises a planar dielectric member having at least three discrete co-planar interactive segments extending from an edge thereof and arranged to movably overlap the adjacent transmission line to vary its dielectric constant. Optimum dimensions of each interactive segment and optimum widths of gaps defined by opposite edges of adjacent segments being determined by a computer optimisation program, such that the phase shifter element achieves a wide operating frequency and minimum aggregate reflection.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements and a phase shifting device connected to the plurality of antenna elements. The phase shifting device includes a substrate, and a plurality of phase shifters on the substrate. Each phase shifter includes a first conductive portion adjacent the substrate and defining a signal path, and a body adjacent the first conductive portion and comprising a phase shifting material having a controllable dielectric constant for causing a phase shift of a signal being conducted through the signal path. The bodies are laterally spaced apart from one another, and may have a thickness equal to or greater than about 0.002 inches. In forming the phased array antenna, each body is bonded to respective signal paths using production surface mount or similar machines.

Abstract: A 180-degree phase shifter has two sets of transmission signal lines connected to one another and respectively coupled with an unbalanced signal transmission path connected to an input unbalanced signal terminal and a balanced signal transmission path connected output balanced signal terminals so that a designer can independently optimize the position of the input unbalanced signal terminal and the positions of the output balanced signal terminals.

Abstract: A tunable dielectric structure includes a first layer of dielectric material, a second layer of dielectric material positioned adjacent to the first layer of dielectric material, with the second layer of dielectric material having a dielectric constant that is less than the dielectric constant of the first layer of dielectric material, and electrodes for applying a controllable voltage across the first dielectric material, thereby controlling a dielectric constant of the first dielectric material, wherein at least one of the electrodes is positioned between the first and second layers of dielectric material. The dielectric materials can be formed in various shapes and assembled in various orientations with respect to each other. The tunable dielectric structure is used in various devices including a coaxial cables, cavity antenna, microstrip lines, coplanar lines, and waveguides.

Abstract: A tunable phase shifter includes a waveguide, a finline substrate positioned within the waveguide, a tunable dielectric layer positioned on the finline substrate, a first conductor positioned on the tunable dielectric layer, and a second conductor positioned on the tunable dielectric layer, with the first and second conductors being separated to form a gap. By controlling a voltage applied to the tunable dielectric material, the phase of a signal passing through the waveguide can be controlled.

Abstract: A signal process apparatus of the present invention is capable of shifting phases of signals inputted thereto and attenuating the signals, simultaneously. The signal process apparatus includes a dielectric member provided with a first and a second portions, a plurality of transmission lines positioned opposite the dielectric member for transmitting the signals and means for rotating the dielectric member to an axis perpendicular to a surface of the dielectric member which is parallel to the transmission lines. In the signal process apparatus, a dielectric constant of the first portion is different from that of the second portion. Each of the signals is inputted to a corresponding transmission line. After each of the signals is passing through the corresponding transmission line, it has a phase shifted by rotating the dielectric member.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for phase shifting signals wherein the phase shifting circuitry may be disposed in a relatively small footprint. The preferred embodiment utilizes PIN diodes to provide switched line phase shifting, wherein the switched lines are microstrip and/or stripline transmission lines of predetermined lengths. To minimize the space required, the switched lines of the preferred embodiment are disposed on different layers of a multi-layered support structure, such as a multi-layer circuit board. Layer changing vias are preferably adapted to provide a constant impedance to thereby make changes in layers in the transmission path electrically transparent to a transmitted signal.

Abstract: A phase shifter includes a comb-line defined by first and second transmission lines that are electromagnetically coupled with each other and a plurality of variable-capacitance diodes connected to the first and second transmission lines defining the comb-line. In the phase shifter, one end of the first transmission line is connected to an input terminal, one end of the second transmission line is connected to an output terminal, and the variable-capacitance diodes are connected between the other ends of the first and second transmission lines and the corresponding grounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a T-circuit produced using microstrip technology with two branches (2, 3) of identical length L2 comprising a phase-shifting element (6) producing a given phase shift &PHgr; by extending one of the branches, the T-circuit operating in broadband, the circuit comprises at least one elbow (4) extending the branch (3) without the phase-shifting element and the length L2 is equal to a multiple of &lgr;g/2 where &lgr;g is the guided wavelength.

Abstract: A phase shifter includes a substrate, a first electrode positioned on a surface of the substrate, a tunable dielectric layer positioned on a surface of the electrode, a microstrip positioned on a surface of the tunable dielectric layer opposite the substrate, an input for coupling a radio frequency signal to the microstrip, an output for receiving the radio frequency signal from the microstrip, and a connection for applying a control voltage to the electrode. In an alternative embodiment, a second electrode can be positioned on the surface of the substrate and separated from the first electrode to form a gap positioned under the microstrip.

Abstract: This invention discloses an adjustable, relatively small phase-shiftable network for an antenna array, which can be incorporated into a PCB distribution network.

Abstract: A multilayer tunable ferroelectric antenna assembly which includes a first laminar structure that includes a tunable ferroelectric substrate positioned on top of a conducting ground plane and a copper radiating sheet on the other side of the substrate. A second laminar structure includes a single-sided copper cladded high dielectric substrate with the copper sheet acting as the radiator. The passive second laminar structure is electromagnetically coupled to the first laminar structure via an air-gap spacing. Application of a bias voltage across the first laminar structure changes the dielectric permittivity and, hence, the resonating frequency of the antenna structure.

Abstract: The invention is a mechanically or electro-mechanically driven phase shifter for radio frequencies. It is a device for phase shifting a signal propagating through a transmission line by moving a conductive construct between an active line and a ground plane of the transmission line. The conductive construct capacitively couples with either the active line and/or the ground plane, forming a capacitive shunt that reflects a significant part of the signal. The remaining portion of the signal is reflected at a terminated end of the transmission line, resulting in substantially no signal loss. The reflectance of the conductive constructs is determined by its capacitance to active line and ground, by its length, and by the step in the field-distribution at the interface between air-suspended and sledge-suspended sections.