Abstract: According to an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that produces a small-step switchable capacitor, which can have steps that are smaller in value than the smallest capacitor used in the system. In one embodiment, an input signal is connected to a switchable capacitor system that includes at least one and/or a plurality of small-step, switchable capacitors. In an example embodiment, a capacitor system may be provided that includes a first capacitance block coupled in series with a second capacitance block. In an example embodiment, the second capacitance block may include one or more switchable capacitors to provide a step in capacitance for the capacitor system between a first setting and a second setting using the one or more switchable capacitors. Also, in an example embodiment, the step in capacitance of the capacitor system may be determined based, at least in part, on a ratio of the capacitance of the second capacitance block to the capacitance of the first capacitance block.

Abstract: In a T network tuner, a variable shunt capacitor is provided between the signal input and ground that is ganged to the variable input matching capacitor. The operation is mechanically arranged such that, as one decreases the capacitance of the variable input matching capacitor, one increases the capacitance of the shunt capacitor to assist in high frequency matching, both to increase the maximum matchable load resistance and to decrease the minimum matchable load resistance. The variable shunt capacitor therefore assists at the high frequency ranges to bring the antenna impedances down to the transmitter output impedance, thus to establish an extended matching range tuner capable working between 160 and 10 meters.

Abstract: A semiconductor torsional micro-electromechanical (MEM) switch is described having a conductive movable control electrode; an insulated semiconductor torsion beam attached to the movable control electrode, the insulated torsion beam and the movable control electrode being parallel to each other; and a movable contact attached to the insulated torsion beam, wherein the combination of the insulated torsion beam and the control electrode is perpendicular to the movable contact. The torsional MEM switch is characterized by having its control electrodes substantially perpendicular to the switching electrodes. The MEM switch may also include multiple controls to activate the device to form a single-pole, single-throw switch or a multiple-pole, multiple-throw switch. The method of fabricating the torsional MEM switch is fully compatible with the CMOS manufacturing process.

Abstract: An apparatus for tuning a balanced-to-ground resonator, the resonator including at least one radio-frequency coil, the radio-frequency coil having an inductance forming a resonant circuit in combination with a capacitor, includes two identical differential capacitors which are mechanically coupled so that their respectively capacitances, during tuning, change in a balanced-to-ground fashion. In this tuning arrangement, the dependency of the frequency error on a change of the load of the resonator is negligibly small, so that a separate step or separate circuitry for undertaking frequency correction is not needed.

Abstract: A radio frequency transmitter, amplitude modulated, having a single tuner that tunes the frequency oscillator, the isolating filter and the antenna impedance, all at the same time. The transmitter includes a tunable carrier generator for generating a carrier signal of a desired frequency, and a carrier isolator for filtering the carrier signal so as to ensure a clean, isolated carrier signal. A power amplifier is included for amplifying the signal from the carrier isolator. The power amplifier has a certain output impedance. An antenna is connected for transmitting the amplified signal from the power amplifier. The antenna also has a certain impedance. The transmitter further includes an impedance matching device connected between the antenna and the power amplifier for matching the antenna impedance and the power amplifier impedance. Finally, a single control knob is provided for simultaneously controlling the tunable carrier generator, the carrier isolator and the impedance matching device.