Abstract: A consistent, repeatable ground connection between a high frequency circuit board and a mating ground structure within a high frequency system is disclosed. The high frequency circuit board includes a dielectric layer located between a conductive backing and a microstrip transmission line. The conductive backing has a groove formed along one of its edges near the transmission line. An elastic, electrically conductive member is positioned within the groove so that it maintains electrical contact with the conductive backing and the mating ground structure. The invention reduces manufacturing costs by permitting less stringent manufacturing and machining tolerances, by eliminating the need for impedance matching between mating components, and by eliminating the need to utilize copper shims with adhesive backings between mating components. In addition, the invention maintains a consistent ground connection when the high frequency system is exposed to a range of operating temperatures.

Abstract: A circuit for maintaining a constant voltage across and constant current through an RF cavity includes a RF cavity comprising a common-gate or common-base transistor associated with a current control circuit maintains a constant current flowing through the RF cavity. The current control circuit has a current control BJT associated with the RF cavity and a resistor between the emitter of the current control BJT and the negative source voltage of the RF cavity. The current control BJT and resistor operate as a current source or sink as necessary to maintain a constant current flow through said RF cavity. A constant voltage regulation portion of the circuit maintains a constant voltage across the RF cavity and includes a zener reference diode and a voltage regulation BJT.

Abstract: A power coupler that is held in place at two different points along its length to substantially eliminate any movement thereof due to vibration of the environment. One of these holding means comprises a piece of dielectric which snugly encloses the coupler to prevent side-to-side movement while still allowing a vertical adjustment of the coupler element through the holding means. A constant impedance equal to that of an electrically connected circuit is maintained along a portion of the coupler by varying passageway opening sizes. The electrical connection to the circuit, which has a threaded terminal comprising a part of the adjustment means and the other holding means eliminates connector insertion loss and signal reflections inherent in prior art signal interfaces between the coupler and an electrical signal receiving circuit.

Abstract: A connector for connecting coaxial cable to a microstrip transmission line on a substrate is disclosed. The connector includes tapped threaded holes in a mounting plate, and an extended throat between the mounting plate and the threaded coaxial coupler. The threaded holes and extended throat allow for the mounting of the connector on the inner surface of the chassis wall, for example within a machined cavity or within a stamped dimple. The chassis bolt holes are oversized, to allow for fine adjustment of the vertical and lateral position of the connector on the chassis wall relative to the transmission line trace. The resulting connection has reduced UHF signal attenuation, and also a higher reliability connection to the transmission line.

Abstract: In some applications of power amplifiers, a prescribed or given amount of distortion is permissible under many operational conditions, as long as lesser amounts of distortion are available upon command. It has been ascertained as a part of the present invention that, by reducing the bias current in one or more of the output stages of a power amplifier, acceptable distortion specifications can be maintained under conditions of low power consumption and low output power requirements while retaining the ability to have more demanding linearity requirement specifications by increasing the bias current to a more linear portion of the I-V (current-voltage) curve and optionally providing increased output signal power. The bias condition of reduced power results in a conservation of electrical power requirements, a reduction of heat and temperature problems within the amplifier enclosure and accordingly an increase in component life and circuit reliability.

Abstract: The realization that field effect transistor current can be controlled by adjusting the gate voltage and thereby controlling the amplifier power consumption with only a slight degradation of RF gain and signal quality is utilized in a hot standby radio system configuration. The standby amplifier is left in an ON condition with the gate voltage adjusted to a low value until such time as the amplifier is needed for active service. At this time the gate voltage is adjusted to the optimal value and the amplifier is operated in a normal condition. The standby mode still allows tests to ascertain whether or not the amplifier is operational while conserving substantial amounts of power.