Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for modifying electromagnetic waves by reducing noise in those waves. A transfer function for a plurality of segments is derived through identifying a desired output parameter. That transfer function is then applied, via a plurality of filters or other devices, to a wave, in order to achieve said transfer function.
Abstract: An apparatus for electromagnetic processing comprises a modulator for generating one or more elements representative of an input signal; a divider controlled by the one or more elements and receiving an electromagnetic wave to generate a modified signal; a comparator for comparing the modified signal to a reference signal and for generating a processed signal based upon the comparison; and a channel number calculator for selecting a channel for the processed signal, wherein the input signal incorporated the channel selection.
Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for multiband transmitter power amplification are provided wherein one or more amplifying devices, of which at least one may be one or more current sources, have impedances matched for different input and output frequencies by way of various impedance matching circuits.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 2, 2002
Publication date:
June 3, 2004
Applicants:
M/A-COM Eurotec, M/A-COM, Inc.
Inventors:
Finbarr J. McGrath, Eugene Heaney, Pierce J. Nagle, Andrei V. Grebennikov
Abstract: A high-speed cross-point switch is built on a preferably silicon substrate and uses bipolar transistor switching elements. Preferably, the bipolar transistors are SiGe bipolar junction transistors. Intersecting conductive input and output microstrips are preferably thinned at their intersections to reduce shunt capacitance between the coupled lines. It is also preferred that the input buffer be connected in cascode fashion with the switching transistors in order to create an amplification stage. The signal and its inverse are carried on balanced microstrip pairs in order to reduce electromagnetic field strength at the center of the balanced line pairs thereby improving isolation between two crossing balanced pairs.
Abstract: A method for measuring range and bearing of an object. At least a portion of a first signal is transmitted from a sensor. The transmitted signal is reflected from an object and received by the sensor. At least a portion of the first signal is applied a first mixer and a second mixer. The received signal is applied to the first mixer and the second mixer. A second signal is generated from the first mixer, and a third signal is generated from the second mixer when the portion of the first signal that was transmitted overlaps the reflected signal at least partially. Bearing angle, degree on or off boresight and object range may be determined from the second and third signals, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed is a sensor for object range and bearing measurement.
Abstract: A sharp control voltage switch utilizing a plurality of field effect transistors (FETs) having and a bypass resistance topology to sharpen the control voltage. Utilizing a total of six gates allows the switch to operate at a low control voltage without the need to increase device periphery or die size. Feed-forward capacitors connected between the gate and source of an uppermost FET and the gate and drain of a lowermost FET are used to reduce signal distortion and improve the linearity and harmonic noise rejection characteristics of the FETs within the switch and thus lower the harmonics of the switch.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 18, 2003
Publication date:
March 18, 2004
Applicant:
M/A Com, Inc.
Inventors:
Christopher N. Brindle, Mark F. Kelcourse
Abstract: A low control voltage switch utilizing a plurality of field effect transistors (FETs) having a total of six gates to allow the switch to operate at a low control voltage without the need to increase device periphery or die size. Feed-forward capacitors connected between the gate and source of an uppermost FET and the gate and drain of a lowermost FET are used to reduce signal distortion and improve the linearity and harmonic noise rejection characteristics of the FETs within the switch and thus lower the harmonics of the switch.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 18, 2003
Publication date:
March 18, 2004
Applicant:
M/A Com, Inc.
Inventors:
Christopher N. Brindle, Mark F. Kelcourse
Abstract: Inductor topologies for filters used in broadband applications are described. In one implementation, an apparatus, such as an interface module includes a printed circuit board and a filter. The filter includes a generally circular high Quality factor (Q) value spiral planar inductor etched directly into the printed circuit board. The generally circular high Q value spiral planar inductor is configured to operate in a broadband application. Other implementations involve the use of decoupling structures with respect to the planar inductors as well as a design methodology for the filters.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 28, 2003
Publication date:
February 12, 2004
Applicant:
M/A COM, EUROTEC, B.V.
Inventors:
Deirdre Anne DeBhailis, Bill Allen Keeney, Piotr Miroslaw Solski
Abstract: A high power ferrite microwave phase shifter that is both compact and low cost. The ferrite phase shifter includes a waveguide having a first cylinder and a second cylinder, the radius of the second cylinder being less than the radius of the first cylinder. The second cylinder is disposed within the first cylinder such that the two cylinders have a common axis of symmetry. The waveguide includes a first septum formed as a disk and disposed within the second cylinder. The disk has a pie-shaped aperture formed therethrough and is centrally disposed within the second cylinder so that the two cylinders and the disk share the same axis of symmetry. The second cylinder has an opening formed therethrough that is aligned with the pie-shaped aperture. The waveguide further includes a second septum that extends from the first cylinder to the disk center while bisecting the pie-shaped aperture, thereby separating an input from an output of the ferrite phase shifter.
Abstract: A wide bandwidth bias tee including a high frequency terminal, a first resistor coupled between the high frequency terminal and a capacitor, a second resistor coupled to the capacitor, the second resistor coupled in series with the first resistor, and a low frequency terminal, the low frequency terminal coupled to the second resistor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 1, 2002
Date of Patent:
December 2, 2003
Assignee:
M/A-Com
Inventors:
M. Tekamul Buber, Adil Khalil, Robert Ian Gresham
Abstract: A surface-mountable millimeter-wave waveguide filter is constructed using irises in a rectangular waveguide formed in a dielectric material such as glass. The filter structure is surface-mountable, has a single dielectric layer, and can be manufactured using a suitable monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) process. The filter has potential applications in millimeter-wave systems such as Local Multipoint Distribution System (LMDS) and Autonomous Cruise Control (ACC) radar for automobiles.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 2002
Date of Patent:
November 11, 2003
Assignee:
M/A-Com, Inc.
Inventors:
Noyan Kinayman, Eswarappa Channabasappa, Allan Buckle, Nitin Jain
Abstract: A cable television diplexer and telephony module that can be employed in CATV data transmission systems to enhance performance levels and reduce manufacturing costs. The cable television diplexer and telephony module includes a printed circuit board substrate, and a diplexer having a low pass filter section and a high pass filter section, each of which has components mounted on the substrate. The respective low pass and high pass filter sections of the diplexer include one or more high Q value planar spiral inductors. Each spiral inductor includes a narrow track of metal disposed on the substrate and wound around a center to form a circular spiral curve having a plurality of turns. The spiral inductor may be fabricated on the substrate of the cable television diplexer and telephony module, or on a separate substrate, using a standard PCB fabrication process.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 29, 2002
Publication date:
October 2, 2003
Applicant:
M/A-COM, Inc.
Inventors:
Bill Allen Keeney, Deirdre Anne Wallace
Abstract: A circuit configuration for introducing bias in balanced lines capable of high frequency operation includes top and bottom layers formed on a semiconductor substrate. The circuit includes two balanced metallized lines positioned on the substrate. Each metallized line has a serpentine line configuration connected thereto. The space between the lines is a virtual ground. The serpentine line configurations are congruent with the elements on the substrate layers to provide a completed circuit. The elements are coupled to a central metallic area, which in turn is coupled to a bias line through an open-line stub, which extends beyond the virtual ground and which provides equal capacitive coupling to the balanced lines on the top surface. In this manner, the balanced line configuration includes capacitors and inductors which are symmetrically distributed and which provide resonance at the designed operating frequency.
Abstract: A semiconductor amplifier includes collector straps that form air bridges over a set of transistors and make parallel electrical connections between the collectors of the transistor and collector contact pad. Base straps establish base bias and electrically connect a dc current source with bases of the transistors through resistive elements.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 1, 2001
Date of Patent:
July 29, 2003
Assignee:
M/A-Com, Inc.
Inventors:
Anthony Francis Quaglietta, Allen William Hanson, Thomas Aaron Winslow
Abstract: A radar based sensor detection system comprises a microwave source operative to provide a continuous wave signal at an output. A pulse-former is coupled to the output of the source and is operative to provide at an output a variable length pulse that increases the transmitted energy of the radar system according to the range of object detection. A modulator is coupled to the output of the pulse-former for providing a modulated pulse signal. A transmit receive switch coupled to the output of the modulator is selectively operative between a first transmit position and a second receive position. A transmit channel coupled to the transmit receive switch transmits the pulse signal when the switch is operated in the transmit position. A receiving channel coupled to the transmit receive switch receives the modulator signal when the switch is operated in the receive position.
Abstract: A precision signal delay apparatus and method for introducing time delay to a signal. Precision delay is introduced by a pair of delay locked loops (DLLs) connected in series each with selectable delay (i.e., a Vernier-type circuit). Nonuniformity in the precision delay is compensated with a delay compensation circuit. The apparatus and method may be used for phase shifting, data delay, precision pulse width modulation, and precision time windowing.
Abstract: A planar MESFET transistor includes a plurality of FET elements. Each FET element includes a doped planar channel, and source and drain coupled to the ends of the channel. A gate conductor extends over a portion of the channel at a location lying between the source and drain, a first predetermined distance from the drain. A field plate is connected to the gate conductor, and extends toward the drain a second predetermined distance, isolated from the channel except at its gate conductor connection by a dielectric material.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 22, 2002
Date of Patent:
May 6, 2003
Assignee:
M/A-Com, Inc.
Inventors:
Dain Curtis Miller, Inder J. Bahl, Edward L. Griffin
Abstract: A method for testing a pulse Doppler radar sensor circuit comprising at least one antenna, and a switch circuit, comprising the steps of 1) configuring said switch circuit such that a first path between an input terminal and a first output terminal and a second path between an input terminal and a second output terminal introduce different phase delays to an input signal, 2) providing an input signal to the switch circuit at said input terminal, and 3) comparing a signal at the first output terminal and a signal at the second output terminal to determine if the sensor circuit is functioning.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 2002
Date of Patent:
May 6, 2003
Assignee:
M/A-Com Inc.
Inventors:
Allan Scott Douglas, Peter Anthony Volckman
Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for determining the locations of a plurality of actual objects based on the output of a plurality of range sensors. A multiplicity of range measurements are obtained from a plurality of sensors, each sensor capable of providing a multiplicity of range measurements. The range measurements from the plurality of sensors are correlated with each other to generate a list of potential objects and to order that list of potential objects from highest to lowest likelihood of being an actual object. The order may be based upon a cumulative error of the individual sensor measurements upon which the potential object is based. The ordered list of potential objects is then pared down to a smaller list of actual objects by assuming that the potential object highest in the ordered list as an actual object, and then removing from the list all other lower-ordered potential objects that are based on any of the range measurements upon which the selected object is based.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 9, 2002
Date of Patent:
February 18, 2003
Assignee:
M/A-Com, Inc.
Inventors:
Michael John Paradie, Andrew Evan Hunt, John James Forde
Abstract: Single Channel Autonomous Trunking (SCAT) radio frequency systems and methods use a single duplex Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) channel for the control and working channels thereof. By providing a single duplex TDMA radio frequency channel including a plurality of TDMA time slots in SCAT systems and methods, the SCAT systems and methods can simultaneously operate in a control channel mode and a working channel mode using the single duplex TDMA radio frequency channel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 20, 1998
Date of Patent:
August 13, 2002
Assignee:
M/A-Com Private Radio Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Edward Alexander Combs, William Oscar Janky, Andrew Sam Mack