Abstract: The disclosure relates to ferroelectric and superconducting thin films used in combination to produce low-loss passive microwave and millimeter wave devices which are frequency tuneable. Various metal oxide superconducting and ferroelectric thin films can be deposited in numerous multilayer geometries via a variety of deposition techniques to produce devices which can manipulate microwave and millimeter wave signals through the application of voltage bias signals across the ferroelectric films. Numerous superconducting microwave and millimeter wave devices, including delay lines, phase shifters, resonators, oscillators, filters, electrically-small antennas, half-loop antennas, directional couplers, patch antennas, and various radiative gratings, are made frequency-tuneable by utilizing voltage-tuneable capacitor structures fabricated from voltage-biased ferroelectric thin films.

Abstract: A temperature variable phase-shifter formed of passive components. The phase-shifter includes a power divider which is adapted to receive a signal and divide the signal into two components which are 90.degree. out of phase with each other. The outputs of the power divider are connected to positive and negative temperature variable attenuators which attenuated the components of the signal. The temperature variable attenuators are connected to a combiner which sums the attenuated signals from the temperature variable attenuators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power combining or dividing handles high impedance line requirements in n-way combiners (15) and dividers (10) using phase delay networks (12, 14) to transform impedances to a lower, intermediate impedance. Each impedance transformation is accomplished using a stepped impedance or tapered impedance transmission line (26). The method and apparatus provides isolation between input or output ports (11, 22 and 24, 13) in power combining or dividing circuits using an incremental phase delay network (12) of prescribed electrical phase lengths (22, 24) to provide phase cancellation. The power divider (10) and combiner (15) can be used in power amplifiers and in communication devices.

Abstract: A phase shifter having a single or monolithic ferroelectric material and a lurality of ferroelectric transmission lines formed thereon, each having a different effective physical length and associated delay or phase shift. The plurality of different lengths of ferroelectric transmission lines has a voltage source associated therewith for applying a predetermined bias voltage, resulting in a change in permitivity in the ferroelectric substrate material. The different lengths of ferroelectric transmission line formed on the single substrate have a predetermined relationship between their effective physical linear lengths. By selectively activating the different lengths of ferroelectric transmission line by applying a bias voltage in different combinations, a desired or predetermined phase shift is obtained. The single or monolithic ferroelectric substrate used greatly reduces the overall length of the ferroelectric phase shifter.

Abstract: Disclosed are electronic elements with variable electrical characteristics, each element including at least one microcavity in which there shifts, with a limited clearance or range of play, at least one moving element made of an insulator material that is at least partially covered with electrically conductive material, and that works together with at least one microwave circuit of the substrate, and means creating an electrical field to shift the moving element.

Abstract: An electrical delay line is described. Said line is free from early or late arriving false signals of sufficient amplitude to trigger subsequent stages in the circuitry. This has been accomplished through use of a novel approach to designing the delay line. Said approach is described and data is given comparing conventional delay lines with the present invention.

Abstract: A transmission line device (200) employs a first ground plane (118) that is disposed on a first dielectric substrate (202). A first conductive layer (210) that encloses a first area (213)is disposed on a second dielectric substrate (206), which substrate is positioned substantially adjacent to the first dielectric substrate (202). A second conductive layer (211) that encloses an area corresponding to the first area (213) is disposed on a third dielectric substrate (207), which substrate is positioned substantially adjacent to the second dielectric substrate (206). A coil structure is thereby provided that can be employed in the fabrication of a transmission line device, according to the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for gyromagnetic interaction between the electromagnetic field generated by an electromagnetic signal conducted by a superconductor and the magnetization contained in a magnetic structure. A ferrite magnetic structure is disposed in close proximity to a superconductor conducting the electromagnetic signal. A magnetization is induced in the magnetic structure with a geometry such that the magnetic flux is confined within the magnetic structure or eliminated from the magnetic structure so as not to produce an external magnetic field to interfere with the superconducting properties of the superconductor. The electromagnetic field of the signal conducted by the superconductor interacts gyromagnetically with the magnetization of the magnetic structure, inducing a phase shift in the electromagnetic signal traversing the superconductor. Thus, the invention induces a phase shift in the signal with minimum insertion loss due to electrical resistance.

Abstract: A four port coupler includes a first port adapted to impedance match to a first impedance Z.sub.o, a second port adapted to impedance match to a second impedance Z.sub.1 different than the first impedance, a third port adapted to impedance match to the first impedance and a fourth port adapted to impedance match to the second impedance.

Abstract: A multilayer coplanar waveguide having a fine-patterned conductive top cover coated with a photosensitive material for optically controlling the phase shift within the waveguide. The multilayer coplanar waveguide comprises a conductive ground plane, a first dielectric layer formed on the conductive ground plane, a second dielectric layer formed on the first dielectric layer, a conductive signal carrier and a pair of conductive floating ground planes flanking the conductive signal carrier formed on the second dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer formed on the conductive signal carrier, the pair of conductive floating ground planes, and the second dielectric layer, fine-patterned conductive strips formed on the third dielectric layer, and a photosensitive material layer formed on the fine-patterned conductive strips and the third dielectric layer.

Abstract: A ferroelectric phase shifter for shifting the phase of a radio frequency F) signal. The phase shifter includes a conductor line, a ground plane and a ferroelectric element between the conductor line and the ground plane to form a microstrip circuit through which the RF signal propagates. The ferroelectric element has a dielectric constant that can be varied as a function of a DC voltage applied to the ferroelectric element wherein the speed of the RF signal propagating through the ferroelectric element is a function of the dielectric constant. The phase shifter further includes a DC voltage source connected across the conductor line and the ground plane. The DC voltage source applies a variable DC voltage to the ferroelectric element in response to a control signal thereby to vary the dielectric constant of the ferroelectric element.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ferroelectric and superconducting thin films used in combination to produce low-loss passive microwave and millimeter wave devices which are frequency tuneable. Various metal oxide superconducting and ferroelectric thin films can be deposited in numerous multilayer geometries via a variety of deposition techniques to produce devices which can manipulate microwave and millimeter wave signals through the application of voltage bias signals across the ferroelectric films. Numerous superconducting microwave and millimeter wave devices, including delay lines, phase shifters, resonators, oscillators, filters, electrically-small antennas, half-loop antennas, directional couplers, patch antennas, and various radiative gratings, are made frequency-tuneable by utilizing voltage-tuneable capacitor structures fabricated from voltage-biased ferroelectric thin films.

Abstract: An electrical circuit (400) includes a first input means (401) for providing an input signal, a first output means (406) for providing an output signal, and a transmission line device (405) electrically positioned between the first input means (401) and the first output means (406). The first transmission line device includes a first ground plane (409) disposed on a first dielectric substrate (402), a first conductive layer (405-1) enclosing a first area on a second dielectric substrate (403) that is positioned substantially adjacent to the first dielectric substrate (402). The transmission line device (405) further includes a second conductive layer (405-2) that encloses an area corresponding to the first area on a first major surface of a third dielectric substrate (404) that is positioned substantially adjacent to the second dielectric substrate.

Abstract: The high power ferroelectric RF phase shifter contains a ferroelectric material in a microstrip line section. Between the ferroelectric phase shifter and the input, there is a ferroelectric matching transformer. Between the ferroelectric phase shifter and the output, there is a quarter wave ferroelectric matching transformer. A bias field is connected across the top and bottom surfaces of the ferroelectric material. When a bias field is applied across the ferroelectric material, the permittivity is reduced and as such the velocity of propagation is increased. This causes an increase in the effective electrical length of the phase shifter. Increasing the bias voltage increases the phase shift. The ferroelectric RF phase shifter may be constructed of a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC). The ferroelectric material is operated above its Curie temperature.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit has a parallel conductor transmission line including a plurality of signal paths branching at a node. The signal paths have phase compensation section for obtaining a phase constant of the transfer constant thereof, the phase constant being inversely proportional to the length of the signal paths. The phase compensation section is implemented by covering a microstrip line by a insulator layer having a high dielectric constant or implemented by a second ground conductor disposed opposite to the microstrip conductor with a thin insulator layer of a high dielectric constant. The integrated circuit comprises a plurality of square gate blocks having a plurality of logic gates arranged in an array. A signal source node is connected via respective input signal nodes of the gate blocks to the logic gates in the gate blocks through the respective signal paths having the phase compensation section.

Abstract: A microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) differential Schiffman phase shifter includes an input microstrip for receiving an input signal. First and second parallel microstrips produce a phase shifted signal from the input signal. The first microstrip is coupled at a first end to the input microstrip and at a second end to an end microstrip. The second microstrip is coupled at a first end to the end microstrip. An output microstrip is coupled to the second microstrip at a second end of the second microstrip and the input microstrip and the output microstrip are capacitively coupled. The output microstrip produces an output signal from the phase shifted signal.

Abstract: An electrical circuit (500) includes an input means (503) for providing an input signal, an output means for providing an output signal, and a transmission line device (421) disposed substantially between the input means (503) and the output means. The transmission line device inludes a first ground plane (505) disposed on a first dielectric substrate (502), and a first conductive layer (421-1) disposed, and enclosing a first area, on a second dielectric substrate (506) that is positioned substantially adjacent to the first dielectric substrate (502). The transmission line device (421) further includes a second conductive layer (421-2) that encloses an area corresponding to the first area on a first major surface of a third dielectric substrate (504) that is positioned substantially adjacent to the second dielectric substrate (506).

Abstract: A switched line phase shifter includes at least three transmission lines having different electrical lengths disposed between an input terminal and an output terminal and connectable in parallel to each other, at least three input side FET switches for connecting and disconnecting the input terminal and the input ends of the transmission lines, and at least three output side FET switches for connecting and disconnecting the output terminal and the output ends of the transmission lines. As many signal transmission paths as transmission lines are produced between the input terminal and the output terminal by controlling the input side and the output side FET switches. When one of the signal transmission paths is selected as a reference and a signal is transmitted through the remaining at least two signal transmission paths, at least two different phase shift quantities are obtained in the phase shifter.

Abstract: The Ferroelectric high Tc superconductor RF Phase Shifter contains a ferroelectric medium and a film of a single crystal high Tc superconductor is used as the conductors. Between the ferroelectric medium and the input, there is a quarter-wave, dielectric or ferroelectric or the same material as used for the phase shifter, matching transformer. Between the ferroelectric medium and the output, there is a quarter-wave, dielectric, ferroelectric or the same material as used for the phase shifter, matching transformer. A bias field is connected across the top and bottom surfaces of the active ferroelectric medium. When a bias field is applied across the surfaces of the ferroelectric medium, the permittivity is reduced and as such the velocity of propagation is increased. This causes an increase in the effective electrical length of the phase shifter or a phase difference or time delay. Increasing the bias voltage increases the phase shift.

Abstract: A stripline device using at least one strip conductor and at least one ground plane separated therefrom by a dielectric substrate. The ground plane is caused to move relative to the strip conductor so as to change the propagation velocity of the stripline device. In a particular embodiment, a layer of piezoelectric material is positioned adjacent the ground plane and a voltage applied to the piezoelectric layer causes its dimensions to change and provide a changing air gap between the substrate and the ground plane to change the propagation velocity accordingly.

Abstract: A switched line type 90.degree. phase shifter includes two single pole double throw switches, a reference transmission line having an electrical length of .alpha. connected between output terminals of the first and the second single pole double throw switches, a phase difference producing transmission line having an electrical length of (90.degree.+.alpha.) at a usage frequency, connected between other output terminals of the first and the second single pole double throw switches, and a phase inverting circuit switchablely connected for serial connection to and between two parts of the reference transmission line, which two parts produce the entirety of the reference transmission line, the one terminal of the first single pole double throw switch is an input terminal of the entire terminal and one terminal of the second single pole double throw switch is an output terminal.

Abstract: The present invention is a superconducting opto-electronic phase shifter which is achieved by illuminating a superconducting microstrip line, which is fabricated on a dielectric substrate, with an optical beam of a predetermined intensity and shape. Because the superconducting microstrip will exhibit a local surface resistance when and where illuminated, the microstrip line will be artificially narrowed thereby producing a phase shift. This occurs because as the width of a superconducting microstrip line narrows the velocity of the carder signal increases. Therefore, if the illumination of the superconducting microstrip line causes a local surface resistance, then the surface impedance of the microstrip line is increased causing the effective width of the microstrip line to decrease. Hence, the artificial decrease in the width of the microstrip will cause the phase of the carrier signal to shift.

Abstract: A loaded line phase shifter includes a semiconductor substrate; a main transmission line one-quarter wavelength long disposed on the semiconductor substrate; loaded lines connected to opposite ends of the main line; first and second FETs with drain electrodes connected to the other ends of the loaded lines and grounded source electrodes; and a resonant circuit including a third FET and an inductor connected between the drain electrodes of said first and second FETs. A desired phase shift quantity of the phase shifter is determined by the characteristic impedance of the main line, the reactance components of the loaded lines, and the off-capacitances of the FETs. When the resonant circuit is closed in this structure, the susceptance of the loaded lines and the first and second FETs is equal to zero, resulting in a phase shift quantity equivalent to half of the phase shift quantity obtained when the resonant circuit is opened.

Abstract: A wave transmission line, in the slow-wave mode, is of the microstrip type, including a first conductive layer (11) called lower layer which forms the ground plane, a second conductive layer (12) called upper layer in the form of a strip having specific transverse and longitudinal dimensions, and a third material (1,2) which is not conductive and is disposed between these two conductive layers. This transmission line has, in longitudinal direction, a periodic structure while each period L in length is formed of a bridge (4) followed by a column (13). Each bridge is constituted by an upper conductive strip section (12), having a length of L.sub.1 <L, disposed on the surface of one such first part (1) of the third material, which has a dielectric nature. In addition, each column (13) is a capacitor which may be an active or a passive element. The first conductive layer (11) may further have recesses (5) underneath each bridge.

Abstract: A delay line device comprises first and second substrates. The first substrate has a signal line centrally formed on one of main surfaces of a ceramic substrate, bonding electrodes formed in a peripheral portion of the main surface and a ground electrode formed over substantially the entire region of the other main surface thereof. The second substrate has bonding electrodes formed on one of main surfaces of a ceramic substrate identical in thickness and material to the above ceramic substrate and a ground electrode formed over substantially the entire region of the other main surface thereof. The delay line device is formed by superimposing the first and second substrates on one another so that the bonding electrodes of the first substrate face those of the second substrate and bonding the bonding electrodes of both substrates to one another. Such delay line devices can be manufactured using mother substrates and mother dummy substrates.

Abstract: An interdigital capacitor (10) is provided including a plurality of conductive and dielectric finger regions. The conductive finger regions are made of the same material type as a microstrip transmission line (12). The conductive finger regions are comprised of individual conductive fingers (14) and the individual conductive fingers (14) provide a predetermined level of impedance to the microstrip transmission line. The plurality of conductive finger regions are comprised of a first finger region (18) and a second finger region (20). The first finger region (18) is coupled to the microstrip transmission line (12) and the second conductive finger region (20) is coupled to ground (22). The individual conductive fingers (14) of the first conductive region (18) are located parallel and interspersed with the individual conductive fingers (14) of the second conductive finger region (20).

Abstract: A length of strip transmission line uses two symmetrically spaced center conductors between two groundplanes. These conductive strips produce an even-mode electric field between the two groundplanes when excited in-phase and an odd-mode electric field when excited in anti-phase relationship. For the latter case, the phase velocity of the odd-mode is significantly affected by the electric field in the gap region between the conducting strips. By varying the relative dielectric constant of a material located in the gap region, e.g., by means of a voltage-controllable dielectric such as barium-titanate compositions, the phase velocity and, hence, the phase shift of an RF signal propagating through the strip transmission medium can be controlled.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for transmitting or receiving circularly polarized signals is disclosed. The technique employs a phase shifting network for connection between an antenna and a radio transmitter or receiver to produce a phase shift when transmitting or eliminate a phase shift when receiving. In one preferred embodiment, a dielectric substrate has a phase shifting network or printed circuit lines defining a signal transmission paths between a radio connection terminal and a plurality of antenna element connection terminals for coupling a multi-element antenna and a radio. Each transmission path is phase shifted relative to an adjacent path by a predetermined amount by each path having progressively equally different electrical length to provide equal phase shift of a radio frequency signal progressively through the transmission paths.

Abstract: A microwave phase shifter has a plurality of sequentially arranged, independently-actuatable sectiions, the total phase shift is the sum of all of the sections. The phase shifter has a common substrate, supporting several switching elements, with at least one switching element being assigned to each phase section; the switching elements are fastened to the common substrate with the element connections are all substantially in a first plane above the substrate. A first layer of a dielectric material is affixed adjacent to the first plane. Phase shift elements, such as microstriplines of a known length or inductive patterns of conductor, imparting the desired section phase shift, are fabricated upon a surface of the first dielectric layer furthest from the substrate, and are interconnected to and from the sections, or onto or off of the phase shifter at this level.

Abstract: A ferroelectric phase shifter, especially for the X-band, may be made from n elongated slab of ferroelectric material, which has a high dielectric constant that can be varied by applying an electric field. A narrow signal conductor is formed extending across a first surface of the slab, and a ground plane conductor is formed an opposite surface, forming a microstripline. An overall RF phase shifting circuit can be made by forming input and output circuits corresponding to the above-described signal conductor and interposing and connecting the signal conductor between the input and output circuits. The input and output circuits can be formed on respective, discrete substrates, with the ferroelectric slab being interposed between the substrates, or the input and output circuits can be formed on a common substrate, with the ferroelectric material inserted into a slot formed in the common substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switchable bidirectional phase shift network exhibiting a desired differential insertion phase suitable for use as a phase bit in a multi-bit phase shifter. The design is economical in its use of components--six field effect transistors, three inductors and no capacitors, and provides in one switching state a band pass network of low insertion phase and in the other switching state a low pass network of high insertion phase. The rate of change of insertion phase over a range of operating frequencies is substantially equal for the two states.

Abstract: A four way 2:1 bandwidth RF splitter/combiner is described. When used as a splitter, the splitter/combiner provides equal amplitude output signals while maintaining quadrature phase over the entire bandwidth of the input signal. This splitter/combiner also maintains a one to one VSWR and eliminates back door intermodulation. When used as a combiner, the splitter/combiner losslessly combines four equal amplitude quadrature phase signals.

Abstract: A planar stripline type of ferroelectric phase shifter which includes a set f series coupled phase shifter sections, each having mutually different and binary weighted lengths of ferroelectric phase shifting material. Fixed amplitude control voltages are respectively applied to one or more lengths of ferroelectric material the permittivity and effective electrical length of which change to provide a desired composite phase shift. The phase shifter, moreover, employs half wavelength spacings between elements or matching networks therebetween so that the microwave signal propagating through the phase shift will be minimally impeded between the input end and an output end.

Abstract: A phase shifter subarray which is useful with a phased array antenna, includes a plurality of phase shifter elements which have substantially equal finite lengths and which are mounted on a ferri-magnetic substrate. An electrical coil is disposed around selected portions of the substrate and a common feed is connected to each of the phase shifter elements to transmit energy through the phase shifter elements to the radiating elements of the antenna. A driver is connected to the coil, and the driver is activated to induce a magnetic flux in the selected portions of the substrate. This flux influences that part of each phase shifter element which is mounted in the selected portions of the substrate and, consequently, the phase of the wave energy which passes through the influenced part of each phase shifter element is shifted to predictably direct the beam radiated from the antenna.

Abstract: A wideband transmission line balun divides an input signal equally between a single-conductor transmission line and a polarity reversing, two-conductor transmission line thereby providing balanced signals at the transmission line outputs. Simple printed circuit and shielded structures include a ferrite core interactive with the two-conductor transmission line for parasitic mode suppression.

Abstract: A negative slope phase skewer for use between radiating elements of series fed antenna array. The phase skewer has a four part coupler having two segments lying parallel to one another, each segment being a near and a far branch. The two near branches connect to the transmission line, while the far branches are at some distance from the transmission line. A series of spaced apart, progressively longer, high impedance open circuited stubs extends outward perpendicularly from each far branch. Two conductive connections connect the two segments between the transmission line and the stubs. Each stub is designed to be one quarter wavelength long of an average frequency in a band region of an operating band width, and are spaced apart by a quarter wavelength of the midpoint of the operating band.

Abstract: This composite electronic part comprises a dielectric layer on which earth electrodes are formed, a dielectric layer on which conductive lines are formed, and a dielectric layer on which electronic parts are pattern-formed. A plurality of the dielectric layers are so laminated that the dielectric layer with the earth electrodes is disposed next to the dielectric layer with the conductive lines. These conductive lines and earth electrodes form strip lines. A short-stub or an open-stub is formed by connecting one end of the conductive line to the earth electrode or opening that one end. A composite electronic part is obtained by connecting the short-stub, open-stub, and the electronic parts.

Abstract: A microwave ferrite phase shifter wherein three parallel microstrip lines are disposed on a planar ferrite substrate surface opposite a ground plane disposed on an opposite planar surface of the substrate, the lines defining two sets of quadrature E-fields within the substrate to produce a circularly polarized wave therein, the amount of phase shift between the input and output ports of the phase shifter being determined by the magnitude of a magnetic field produced in the substrate in the direction of its axis by a current-carrying coil, for example.

Abstract: A planar ferro-electric phase shifter which is compatible with commonly-u microwave transmission media to include microstrip, inverted microstrip, and slot line. The ferro-electric material, Ba.sub.x Sr.sub.1-x TiO.sub.3, which has a high dielectric-constant, is the phase shifting element. In the microstrip embodiment, the microstrip circuit consists of a ferro-electric element interposed between a conductor line and a ground plane. A DC voltage is applied between the conductor line and the ground plane, thereby controlling the dielectric constant of the ferro-electric material. The dielectric constant of the ferro-electric element in turn controls the speed of the microwave signal, which causes a phase shift. Microwave energy is prevented from entering the DC supply by either a high-impedance, low pass filter, or by an inductive coil. DC voltage is blocked from traveling through the microstrip circuit by a capacitive high-voltage DC bias blocking circuit in the ground plane.

Abstract: A variable superconducting delay line system and method having a high temperature superconducting trace and ground plane characterized by a variable inductance L per unit length and capacitance C per unit length, wherein the system and method permit users to select a delay time for an incoming signal propagating through a the transmission line. The system is adapted to keep the ratio of L/C constant, while independently changing L and C to achieve the desired delay time, which corresponds to the product of L times C.

Abstract: A phase shifting circuit (10) which is especially suitable for use as a 180.degree. phase bit for an antenna element in a phased radar antenna array includes a first transmission line (16) connected between first and second diodes (22,24), which are connected to input and output terminals (12,14) respectively. Second and third transmission lines (18,20) are connected in series with each other between the input and output terminals (12,14). A third diode (26) is connected between the junction (28) of the second and third transmission lines (18,20) and ground. The first transmission line (16) is less than one-quarter wavelength long at the operating frequency of the circuit (10), whereas the second and third transmission lines (18,20) are each approximately three-eighths wavelength long. Forward biasing the diodes (22,24,26) causes substantially all of the signal to propagate from the input terminal (12) to the output terminal (14) through the first transmission line (16), producing minimum phase shift.

Abstract: A delay line device for delaying signal transmission, comprising a dielectric layer, a grounding electrode layer disposed on one surface of the dielectric layer, a strip line conductor layer disposed on the other surface of the dielectric layer, an input terminal and an output terminal respectively connected to the strip line conductor layer at two positions, and a delay time adjusting electrode connected to at least one of the input and output terminals, a capacitance of which influences a delay time being obtained between the delay time adjusting electrode and the grounding electrode layer. The capacitance of the delay time adjusting electrode is adjustable, thereby permitting adjustment of the delay time.

Abstract: A balun structure including a dielectric substrate having top and bottom surfaces on which are formed a splitter/combiner, a reference transmission line of length A and substantially constant characteristic impedance, and an inverting transmission line of length A and substantially constant characteristic impedance. The inverting transmission line in particular includes a first tapered planar section disposed on the top surface of the substrate and transitioning along its length from a narrow width to a wide width, and a second tapered planar section disposed on the bottom surface of the substrate and transitioning along its length from a wide width to a narrow width, such that the first and second tapered planar sections are rotated mirror images of each other.

Abstract: A phased array waveguide antenna having a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel waveguides arranged in rows and columns, and electrically controlled phase shifter strips disposed in longitudinally extending slots centrally located in respective columns of waveguides. The electrically controlled phase shifter strips include conductive patches that are selectively conductively connected together by microwave diodes to provide for variable susceptances.

Abstract: A transmission line comprising first and second planar dielectric layers. Each layer has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of each layer has a plurality of electrical conductors thereon defining a center conductor and at least two other conductors, one on either side of and spaced from the center conductor. The second surface of each layer has an electrically conductive ground plane thereon. The first surface of one layer is opposed to the first surface of the other layer, with the conductors on the first surface of the one layer being in registry with and in physical and electrical contact with the conductors on the first surface of the other layer. A plurality of conductors are provided for making electrical contact with the ground planes and each of the at least two conductors for causing the ground planes and each of the at least two conductors to be at substantially the same electrical potential.

Abstract: A superconducting variable phase shifter providing improved performance in the microwave and millimeter wave frequency ranges. The superconducting variable phase shifter includes a transmission line and an array of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID's) connected in parallel with and distributed along the length of the transmission line. A DC control current I.sub.DC varies the inductance of the individual SQUID's and thereby the distributed inductance of the transmission line, thus controlling the propagation speed, or phase shift, of signals carried by the transmission line. The superconducting variable phase shifter provides a continuously variable time delay or phase shift over a wide signal bandwidth and over a wide range of frequencies, with an insertion loss of less than 1 dB. The phase shifter requires less than a milliwatt of power and, if one or more of the Josephson junctions fails, the whole device remains operational, since the SQUID's are connected in parallel.

Abstract: A delay line device for delaying signal transmission. A lamination comprises an uppermost grounding electrode, a lowermost grounding electrode, a plurality of strip-line conductors, a plurality of intermediate grounding electrodes, dielectric layers, and protective layers. The strip-line conductors and the intermediate grounding electrodes are accumulated alternately and are interposed between the uppermost and the lowermost grounding electrodes. The dielectric layers are each interposed between each adjacent pair of the strip-line conductor and the intermediate grounding electrode. The protective layers are respectively provided on outer surfaces of the uppermost and the lowermost grounding electrodes. The strip-line conductors are connected via a through hole to form a strip-line conductor series and both ends of the series are extended onto a side surface of the lamination. An external input electrode is connected to one of the ends of the strip-line conductor series on the side surface of the lamination.

Abstract: In this invention, a distributed constant line on a microwave IC is formed of a Schottky metal, and a semiconductor conductive layer contacting the distributed constant line at least at one position and an ohmic contact electrode contacting the semiconductor conductive layer are arranged. According to this invention, characteristics of ICs can be optimized against a variation in elements combined with a circuit comprising the distributed constant line after the manufacture of ICs.

Abstract: A hybrid element for phase shifting an input signal and providing a phase shifted output signal includes conductive plates which are capacitive coupled together. The hybrid element includes four terminals: an input terminal for receiving an input signal, an isolation terminal capacitive coupled with the input terminal and for providing an output signal, a through terminal connected directly with the input terminal, and a coupling terminal capacitive coupled with the input terminal. A distributed constant line and an FET are connected in pair with the through and coupling terminals, respectively, the other end of the distributed constant line being connected with earth. When the FET is turned on or off, the amount of phase shift in the phase shifter is controlled. Since the FET and distributed constant line are connected together in parallel, the amount of phase shift can be adjusted easily by turning the FET on or off.

Abstract: A polyphase divider/combiner is provided and which includes a common input/output port and a plurality of N output/input ports, wherein N is an even integer greater than two. N electrical signal transmission paths are provided with each extending from the common input/output port to a respective one of the N output/input ports. The N electrical signal transmission paths are of N different electrical lengths such that the output/input ports are out of phase relative to each other by 180/N degrees.