Abstract: A multiple band antenna (and an array of such antennas) includes a first radiating element that radiates at a first band, at least one second radiating element that radiates at a second band, and a frame to hold the radiating elements. The frame disposes the first and second radiating elements in different planes so that cross-band interference is substantially avoided. Alternatively, a multiple band array antenna includes a first array of radiating elements in a first plane and a second array of radiating elements in a second plane. The first plane overlays the second plane. As a result, individual radiating elements in the first array are substantially interspersed with individual radiating elements in the second array. But the first array and the second array are arranged so that individual radiating elements in the first array substantially do not overlap individual radiating elements in the second array.

Abstract: An electrical connecting element is disclosed comprised of a dielectric substrate having two conductor paths disposed on opposite sides and being substantially aligned with one another. The electrical connecting element employs differential-mode signaling such that the first conductor path carries a signal of opposite polarity to the second conductor path. A virtual ground exists between the differential + and − lines that permits an otherwise “groundless” differential transmission line. The substantial alignment of the first and second conductor paths improves the space constraints, relative to conventional electrical connecting elements. The characteristic impedance of the disclosed differential transmission line depends on the width of the trace lines the thickness of the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A multiple band antenna (and an array of such antennas) includes a first radiating element that radiates at a first band, at least one second radiating element that radiates at a second band, and a frame to hold the radiating elements. The frame disposes the first and second radiating elements in different planes so that cross-band interference is substantially avoided. Alternatively, a multiple band array antenna includes a first array of radiating elements in a first plane and a second array of radiating elements in a second plane. The first plane overlays the second plane. As a result, individual radiating elements in the first array are substantially interspersed with individual radiating elements in the second array. But the first array and the second array are arranged so that individual radiating elements in the first array substantially do not overlap individual radiating elements in the second array.

Abstract: A tunable microlens uses a layer of photo-conducting material which results in a voltage differential between at least one of a plurality of electrodes and a droplet of conducting liquid when a light beam is incident upon the photo-conducting material. Such droplet, which forms the optics of the microlens, moves toward an electrode with higher voltage relative to other electrodes in the microlens. Thus, for example, when the light beam is misaligned with the microlens, the voltage differential causes the droplet, and hence the microlens, to realign itself with the beam.

Abstract: A tunable microlens uses a layer of photo-conducting material which results in a voltage differential between at least one of a plurality of electrodes and a droplet of conducting liquid when a light beam is incident upon the photo-conducting material. Such a droplet, which forms the optics of the microlens, moves toward an electrode with a higher voltage relative to other electrodes in the microlens. In one embodiment, when a misalignment of the beam and microlens occurs, an electronic circuit creates the aforementioned differential. In a second embodiment, two layers of electrodes are used, an upper layer and a lower layer. Each electrode in a lower layer of electrodes is electrically coupled to an electrode in the upper layer directly opposed to the lower-layer electrode. When the light beam is misaligned with the microlens, a voltage differential between the droplet and the electrodes in the upper layer automatically causes the droplet, and hence the microlens, to realign itself with the beam.

Abstract: A new physical design for electronic devices (100) comprises a multi-layer stacked assembly (104-110) of a plurality of pan-shaped conductive units that form the layers of the assembly. Each unit is preferably formed from a single sheet of metal into which electronic components, such as an antenna array (208) or a filter array (314) of a transceiver, have been stamped, cut, or etched, and which is then bent around its periphery to form a pan shape. The pans are oriented to face the same direction, are stacked one on top of another, and are fixedly attached to each other by weld, solder, or adhesive. The electrical components defined by the different units are electrically interconnected in a connectorless manner, preferably by flanges (122, 124) formed in the same sheets of metal as the units themselves and extending between the units. Adjacent units in the stack define electromagnetically isolated chambers, e.g., for the filter array. Some layers perform double duty, e.g.

Abstract: A patch antenna's resonators are supported by a non-conductive frame. The frame supports the resonators without making holes in the resonators and thereby avoids the problem of creating unwanted electric field polarizations. Additionally, the frame grasps the resonators in areas of low current density and thereby avoids creating additional disturbances in the radiation pattern. In one embodiment of the invention, the frame includes a perimeter lip that snaps over the edges of the feedboard and thereby attaches the frame to the feedboard.

Abstract: An inexpensive, easy to assemble patch antenna is disclosed where unwanted polarizations in the transmitted RF energy are minimized. A feedboard, spacer and resonator are held in a compressed relationship by two halves of the antenna housing. The spacer is a thermo-formed sheet with semi-spherical spacers. The spacers have a height that provides the desired spacing between the feedboard and the resonator.

Abstract: A high-frequency, e.g., microwave, filter (100, 300, 400) is made, e.g., stamped or etched, from a single sheet (110, 310, 410) of electrically conductive material, e.g., a metal plate or a printed circuit board. The sheet defines a frame (112, 312, 412-413), one or more resonant filter elements (114, 311-315, 411-415) inside of the frame, one or more supports (116, 316-317, 416) connecting each resonant filter element to the frame, and a flange (118, 318, 418) on one of the resonant filter elements. The flange serves as an electrical contact to the filter; another flange (317, 417) on another element, or the frame itself, serves as a second contact. An electrically conductive housing (104, 304, 404) encapsulates both faces of the sheet.

Abstract: The specification describes of multilevel printed circuit boards and a process for their manufacture in which capacitors and other passive components are buried between levels of the multilevel board. The capacitor in the multilevel structure is designed so that access is conveniently provided to connect from the parallel plate electrodes of the interlevel capacitor to the board surface or to another board level using plated through hole interconnects.

Abstract: A resonant capacitive coupler (124) couples signals across a gap (126) between signal transmission lines (112, 118) of two printed wiring boards (100, 102). The coupler has a conductive contact member (202 or 302) that is either positioned in close proximity to one of the transmission lines (112) or is connected to the one transmission line via a dielectric (204 or 304), and forms a capacitor therewith. The coupler further has a conductive interconnect member (200 or 300) that is connected to the contact member, and also to the other transmission line (108) either directly (FIG. 3) or via a second conductive contact member (202) (FIG. 2). The conductive interconnect member is dimensioned to have an inductive impedance at the frequency of the signals that equals, and hence cancels out, the capacitive impedance of the one or two capacitors formed by the one or two contact members.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna structure for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals, in particular for mobile telecommunication using the GSM Standard. The antenna structure allows for decoupling between the transmission path and reception path. The antenna structure has two preferably perpendicular couplings with two separate ports, for example for the connection of a transmitting device and a receiving device. Furthermore, the impedances of the two couplings can advantageously be matched, independently of one another, to the transmitting device and receiving device and/or the frequency bands of the signals to be transmitted or received.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable connector assembly comprising two connectors each of which is comprised of a rigid inorganic body which is coated with an organic layer into which grooves are formed which are adapted to restrain the ends of two fiber optic cables. One connector is adapted to fit over the other when inverted to form the assembly with one or more fiber optic cables restrained between them.

Abstract: The specification describes of multilevel printed circuit boards and a process for their manufacture in which capacitors and other passive components are buried between levels of the multilevel board. The capacitor in the multilevel structure is designed so that access is conveniently provided to connect from the parallel plate electrodes of the interlevel capacitor to the board surface or to another board level using plated through hole interconnects.