Abstract: A low profile ceramic filter for connection to an antenna, a transmitter and a receiver. The filter filters an incoming signal from the antenna to the receiver and an outgoing signal from the transmitter to the antenna. The filter has a ceramic core with through-holes that extend between sides of the core. The through-holes form coupled resonators and trap resonators. Two trap resonators are located at ends of the block, and two of the trap resonators are located in a central portion of the block. The coupled resonators are located between the end trap resonators and the trap resonators in the central portion. The trap resonators have a resonant frequency that is outside of the desired passband such that trap zeros or poles are provided.

Abstract: An improved high-density digital storage device uses placement of mobile ions within a memory layer to record digital data. In an embodiment of the invention, the mobile ions comprise sodium ions or other alkali metal ions implanted in a silicon oxide memory layer. In a further embodiment of the invention, a scanning nanotip array is used to position the mobile ions via an electric field as well as to read the positions of the mobile ions. In a further embodiment of the invention, a grid-addressable array of transistors is used to provide scanning tips.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a modular card style radio-signal modem suitable for wireless data communication to a personal computer. The modem comprises a main circuit board substrate defining an opening, a card-to-computer connection interface operably linked to the circuit board, a radio transceiver on the circuit board in communication with the connection interface. The radio transceiver has a receiver input and a transmitter output. The card modem also includes a dielectric block antenna duplexer attached to the circuit board and suspended in the opening, the duplexer having a transmit signal input in electric communication with the transmitter output, a receive signal output in electric communication with the receiver input and an antenna connection electrode.

Abstract: A monoblock ceramic triplexer for connection to an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver and a GPS receiver is described. The triplexer includes a solid, monolithic core of dielectric material defining a plurality of through-holes extending between top and bottom surfaces. The surfaces of the core present a pattern of metallized and unmetallized areas including a relatively expansive metallized area, a transmitter coupling area, first and second receiver coupling areas spaced, an antenna coupling metallized area and an unmetallized area circumscribing at least one of the openings on the top surface. The antenna coupling metallized area includes a top surface extension towards the first receiver coupling area, and the expanded metallized area includes a top surface extension between adjacent resonator through-holes.

Abstract: A frequency-adjustable oscillator suitable for digital signal clock synchronization comprises a crystal oscillator circuit for generating a driving signal and having a voltage-variable control input for adjusting a frequency of the driving signal, a phase detector circuit for generating a phase offset signal, a filter which operates on the phase offset signal to produce a VCO control signal, a voltage controlled oscillator circuit operably linked to the filter and responsive to the VCO control signal for generating an analog controlled-frequency signal, a frequency divider circuit for generating a reduced frequency feedback signal in response to the controlled-frequency signal. The frequency-adjustable oscillator also includes a double-sided package including a platform having a central portion and an outer portion with sidewalls extending substantially upwardly and substantially downwardly from the outer portion of the platform.

Abstract: A duplexing communication signal filter has a substantially U-shaped core of dielectric material including a transmit arm, a receive arm and a base portion joining the transmit arm to the receive arm. Both the transmit arm and the receive arm each define a series of through-hole resonators. Present on the core of dielectric material is a surface-layer pattern of metallized and unmetallized areas. The pattern includes a wide area of metallization for providing off-band signal absorption, a first unmetallized area surrounding a plurality of the through-hole openings of the transmit arm, a second contiguous unmetallized area surrounding a plurality of the through-hole openings of the receiver arm, a transmitter pad metallized area on the transmit arm, a receiver pad metallized area on the receive arm, and an antenna pad metallized area.

Abstract: A method of forming metallization patterns on a block of dielectric material wherein the entire surface area of the dielectric block is encased with a conductive material and unwanted conductive metal is ablatively etched from a designated surface area of the dielectric block to form desired metallized circuit patterns.

Abstract: A cost-effective communication filter is prepared by etching the surfaces of a shaped and fired ceramic core, applying an electroless nickel solution to create a nickel layer of limited thickness, electroplating the nickel plated core with a silver layer, patterning the nickel and silver plated core by removing metallization from selected surface areas and then heating the patterned filter block to bond the metal layers. The resulting filters comprise a rigid dielectric core defining a plurality of through-hole passages extending between opposing sides of the core. Present on the core is a pattern of metallized and unmetallized regions wherein the metallized regions of the pattern include an inner layer of nickel and an outer silver-containing layer.

Abstract: A double-sided oscillator package having an open-top oscillator housing adapted to receive electronic components and a hermetically sealed resonator housing containing a piezoelectric element is described. The electronic components and piezoelectric element are electrically connected. The respective housing can be manufactured separately and the components thereof assembled thereafter to form the package.

Abstract: A dual-range crystal oscillator module comprises lower and upper wiring board panels each having a component side, a surface mount side, a central portion and an outer edge portion including a plurality of input-output contacts. A lower set of crystal oscillator components is mounted to the lower wiring board panel such that the lower set and the lower wiring board panel define a first crystal oscillator circuit. An upper set of crystal oscillator components is mounted to upper wiring board panel such that the upper set of crystal oscillator components and the upper wiring board panel together define a second crystal oscillator circuit. A side-wall frame is attached between the upper and the lower wiring boards providing connections between the input-output contacts of the upper wiring board panel and the input-output contacts of the lower wiring panel.

Abstract: A frequency controlled oscillator (100) is manufactured using an array (200) of mechanically interconnected oscillator bases (110) having component cavities (130) and wiring patterns therein. A frequency control component (120) serves as a cover for a cavity within the array, and in addition is electrically connected to oscillator components (140, 150) mounted within the cavity to regulate the frequency of electrical oscillation. Both the oscillator bases and finished oscillators may be tested while still in the array, prior to being separated from each other. In a most preferred embodiment, the array of oscillator bases are manufactured from a polymeric sheet material laminated with electrically conductive traces. The polymeric sheet material is selectively punched or formed prior to lamination so that intermediate and upper layers (112, 113) have predetermined sections removed.

Abstract: A frequency-adjustable oscillator suitable for digital signal clock synchronization comprises a crystal oscillator circuit for generating a driving signal and having a voltage-variable control input for adjusting a frequency of the driving signal, a phase detector circuit for generating a phase offset signal, a filter which operates on the phase offset signal to produce a VCO control signal, a voltage controlled oscillator circuit operably linked to the filter and responsive to the VCO control signal for generating an analog controlled-frequency signal, a frequency divider circuit for generating a reduced frequency feedback signal in response to the controlled-frequency signal, and a sinewave-to-logic level translator circuit for generating a digital output signal having substantially the same frequency as the controlled-frequency signal. The crystal oscillator circuit includes a discrete varactor responsive to the control input and a fundamental mode AT-cut quartz resonator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a control signal for compensating a temperature controlled crystal oscillator system for changes in an ambient temperature. The method includes the steps of providing a set of second-order coefficients relating ambient temperature to frequency drift over at least a portion of an operating temperature range of the temperature controlled crystal oscillator system and calculating a control signal for compensating the temperature controlled crystal oscillator system for the frequency drift due to the ambient temperature based upon the set of second-order coefficients.

Abstract: A frequency-adjustable oscillator suitable for digital signal clock synchronization comprises a SAW oscillator circuit for generating an analog controlled-frequency signal and a sinewave-to-logic level translator circuit in a double-sided package. The SAW oscillator circuit includes a tunable SAW resonator, a gain stage for energizing the SAW resonator, a voltage-variable control input for adjusting a frequency of the controlled-frequency signal, and a voltage-variable capacitive element operably linked to the SAW resonator and responsive to the control input. The sinewave-to-logic level translator circuit is operably linked to the SAW oscillator circuit and configured to generate a digital logic output signal having substantially the same frequency as the controlled-frequency output signal.

Abstract: A duplexing filter 10 suitable for use in a mobile communication system. The filter 10 has a core of dielectric material 12 with several through holes 30 that define resonators 25. The core 12 has metallized surfaces 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 except for the top surface 14. Several metallized resonator pads 60 surround each of the through holes 30 on the top surface 14. A metallized serpentine region 61, 62 extends from one or more of the resonator pads 60 toward a side surface 18 of the core 12. The metallized serpentine region 61, 62 causes attenuation of a third harmonic frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing a startup interval of a temperature controlled crystal oscillator chip. The method includes the steps of connecting an operating circuit of the temperature controlled crystal oscillator chip into a first configuration to reduce the startup interval following application of power and reconnecting the operating circuit into a second configuration after a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for constructing a temperature controlled crystal oscillator chip. The method includes the steps of disposing a connection pad on a surface of the chip, providing a first circuit within the chip for control of a first chip function through a first interconnection with the connection pad and providing a second circuit within the chip for control of a second chip function, unrelated to the first chip function, through a second interconnection with the connection pad.

Abstract: An RF signal filter includes an elongate block of dielectric material having a transmit electrode, an antenna electrode and an array of spaced resonators extending between the transmit electrode to the antenna electrode. A signal trap resonator is positioned adjacent to the transmit electrode but opposite the array of spaced resonators. The filter also includes a isolated electrode positioned between but spaced apart from the trap resonator and a local ground conductive layer. A PIN diode switch is operably connected between the isolated electrode and the local ground conductive layer for shifting of the resonant frequency of the trap resonator.

Abstract: A controllable crystal oscillator includes a crystal resonator having first and second electrodes, a gain stage having first and second terminals connected to the first and second electrodes for starting and maintaining the oscillation, first and second capacitor banks connected to the first and second terminals for providing a capacitive load to the resonator, and first and second dynamic switches interconnected between the terminals and the respective capacitor banks for cycling the capacitor banks in and out of connection.

Abstract: The present invention is a preferred monoblock ceramic bandpass duplexer filter. The preferred filter has at least three I/O pads. One of the pads is coupled to an antenna, another is connected to a transmission circuit and the last pad is connected to a receive circuit. The filter is comprised of two sections: a transmission section and a receive section. The transmission and receive sections include resonators disposed on respective sides of the antenna pad. A first alternative signal path is disposed adjacent the ends of the transmission resonators. A second alternative signal path is disposed adjacent to the ends of the receive resonators. Each alternative signal path couples adjacent and non-adjacent resonators. A further feature of the filter of the present invention includes a shunt zero resonator for the transmission section. To the contrary, the present invention allows the elimination of a shunt zero resonator for the receive section of the filter.