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: 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: An electronic filter includes a substrate, a ground conductor, an input, an output, a first microstrip line positioned on the substrate and electrically coupled to the input and the output, and a first tunable dielectric varactor electrically connected between the microstrip line and the ground conductor. The input preferably includes a second microstrip line positioned on the substrate and including a portion lying parallel to the first microstrip line. The output preferable includes a third microstrip line positioned on the substrate and including a portion lying parallel to the first microstrip line. The first microstrip line includes a first end and a second end, the first end being open circuited and the varactor being connected between the second end and the ground conductor. The filter further includes a bias voltage circuit including a high impedance line, a radial stub extending from the high impedance line, and a patch connected to the high impedance line for connection to a DC source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electronically tunable dielectric materials which have favorable properties for many applications, including the area of radio frequency (RF) engineering and design. The electronically tunable materials include an electronically tunable dielectric phase such as barium strontium titanate in combination with a metal silicate phase such as Mg2SiO4. The electronically tunable materials may be provided in bulk, thin film and thick film forms for use in devices such as phased array antennas, tunable filters and the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a duplexer including a first tunable bandpass filter, a second tunable bandpass filter and means for coupling the first bandpass filter and the second bandpass filter to an antenna. The method comprises the steps of tuning the first tunable bandpass filter to provide a passband corresponding to an assigned transmit frequency, and tuning the second tunable bandpass filter to provide a passband offset from an assigned receive frequency, when the duplexer is operated in a transmit mode. When the duplexer is operated in a receive mode, the first tunable bandpass filter is tuned to provide a passband offset from an assigned transmit frequency and the second tunable bandpass filter is tuned to provide a passband corresponding to the assigned receive frequency.

Abstract: A voltage tunable dielectric varactor includes a substrate having a first dielectric constant and having generally a planar surface, first and second electrodes positioned on the generally planar surface of the substrate, the first and second electrodes being separated to form a first gap therebetween; a tunable dielectric layer positioned on the first and second electrodes and in the first gap, the tunable dielectric layer having a second dielectric constant greater than the first dielectric constant; and third and fourth electrodes positioned on a surface of the tunable dielectric layer opposite the first and second electrodes, the third and fourth electrodes being separated to form a second gap therebetween.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a plurality of radiating elements, a feed line assembly, a ground plane positioned between the plurality of radiating elements and the feed line assembly, with the ground plane having a plurality of openings positioned between the plurality of radiating elements and the feed line assembly, and a plurality of voltage tunable dielectric phase shifters coupled to the feed line assembly.

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 varactor comprising a substrate, a first conductor positioned on a surface of the substrate, a second conductor positioned on the surface of the substrate forming a gap between the first and second conductors, a tunable dielectric material positioned on the surface of the substrate and within the gap, the tunable dielectric material having a top surface, with at least a portion of said top surface being positioned above the gap opposite the surface of the substrate, and a first portion of the second conductor extending along at least a portion of the top surface of the tunable dielectric material. The second conductor can overlap or not overlap a portion of the first conductor.