Abstract: Electrostatic discharge protection for guided wave microwave structures is provided by a protection device that imposes minimal disruption on the microwave structures and negligible interference with the normal operation of the structures. The protection device provides a discharge path between a signal conductor and a ground conductor when electrostatic charges on the signal conductor reach a predetermined voltage level. The protection device includes an insulating base that bridges a space between the signal conductor and the ground conductor and that supports a dispersion of metal particles adhered to the base.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge protection for guided wave microwave structures is provided by a protection device that imposes minimal disruption on the microwave structures and negligible interference with the normal operation of the structures. The protection device provides a discharge path between a signal conductor and a ground conductor when electrostatic charges on the signal conductor reach a predetermined voltage level. The protection device includes an insulating base that bridges a space between the signal conductor and the ground conductor and that supports a dispersion of metal particles adhered to the base.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an antenna that is integrally encompassed within a three-dimensional shaped substance that has a permittivity or permeability constant greater than one. Such an encompassed antenna results in the production of radiated energy at a particular frequency and gain that can conventionally only be produced by a larger antenna.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of (HVAC) equipment or other climate control equipment. The method is executed by a conventional computer with a memory storing a program. The system determines whether the space is not occupied and if the temperature drifts outside an allowed margin, then the system allows the temperature to drift to a maximum allowable margin, or to a newly determined margin, whichever is less. The newly determined margin is based upon a determination of the maximum temperature margin to which the system can drift and still drive the temperature back substantially to the use set point within a predetermined maximum recovery time. The recovery time is calculated based upon past temperature-vs.-time data stored for previous cycles of drift and drive.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic signal processor for processing GHz range R.F. signals employs a transmitter array comprised of an apodized set of subdivided interdigital electrodes mounted on a bulk wave launching crystal, the apodization being defined by the shape of an aperture in a layer of dielectric material on the crystal, over which the electrodes extend into contact with the surface of crystal for stressing the crystal and launching an acoustic wave into the bulk on which the crystal is mounted. Because a respective subdivided set of interdigital electrode elements has an impedance on the order of 0.5 to 6 ohms, each set is driven by a dedicated, impedance-transforming GaAs FET source-follower amplifier. When driven by an R.F.

Abstract: An amplitude modulation apparatus for achieving an extremely deep extinction ratio (in excess of -90 dBc) at nanosecond rise times required by an SAW device comprises the cascaded combination of a controlled switching device (GaAsFET), capable of providing a medium degree (40 dB) of attenuation at nanosecond switching rates, and a double balanced mixer, both multiplier input ports of which are coupled to receive split outputs from the GaAsFET switch. Because of the nonlinearity of the transfer function of the mixer when driven by the same RF carrier input at both multiplier ports, the output of the mixer is in excess of -90 dBc. In an SAW-based signal processing system, the output of the mixer is coupled to RF drive input of the SAW device.

Abstract: A process for forming a stripline interface conductor. A stripline interface conductor receives a circuit element and provides spaced-apart connections to each of the closely spaced leads of the circuit element. A first ground plane layer and an attached dielectric layer are perforated to create a first access opening and a plurality of second access openings. The plurality of second access openings are spaced at a distance from the first access opening so that closely spaced leads of the circuit element can be attached to signal traces at the first access opening and electrical connection can be made to the leads in a spaced-apart geometry at the plurality of smaller access openings. A second dielectric layer including top and bottom metallic layers is attached to the exposed side of the first dielectric layer. Before this attachment the top metallic surface of the second dielectric is etched to form the signal traces and a third access opening is formed through all three layers.

Abstract: An electro-optical phase modulator. The electro-optical modulator incorporates a stripline configuration with a bottom ground plane attached to the bottom surface of the crystal and a signal conductor that is affixed to the top surface of the crystal. The signal conductor is separatred from a top ground plane by a dielectric, usually air. The top ground plane also overhangs the sides of the crystal to lower the effective dielectric constant of the modulating signal that is applied to the signal conductor. In this way, the electric field established in the crystal by the modulating signal has a speed more nearly equal to the speed of the optical beam that passes through the crystal and is modulated by the electrical signal.

Abstract: A sculptured stripline interface conductor for providing spaced apart access to the closely spaced conductors of a circuit element. The low impedance and crosstalk of stripline suggests the use thereof in high-frequency applications. In the sculptured stripline interface conductor of the present invention the circuit traces of the buried signal layer are closely spaced in a first section of the stripline interface conductor and spaced further apart in a second section thereof. In the area where the circuit traces are closely spaced, different-shaped rectangular holes are made in the upper and lower ground plane conductors to expose the inner circuit traces. The upper ground plane conductor also has holes in the second section for exposing a pad in the circuit traces. External connection to each conductor of the circuit element is then made to the circuit trace pad through the holes in the upper ground plane conductor.

Abstract: A Q-switch driver for controlling laser output pulses, so that the laser output pulses are of an approximately equal amplitude. Sequences of light request pulses, each such light request pulse for causing the laser to produce a laser output pulse, are input to the Q-switch driver. The Q-switch is controlled by an RF oscillating signal produced by the Q-switch driver such that when the RF signal is present there is no output signal from the laser, and when the RF signal is zero a laser output pulse is produced. If the time between sequences of light request pulses is greater than a predetermined value, the RF signal from the Q-switch driver is modified by leaving the RF partially on so that there is some Q-spoiling present. The amount of RF produced during each light request pulse is gradually diminished exponentially over a predetermined time so that eventually the RF goes to zero during each light request pulse.

Abstract: In a compensated VCO circuit arrangement for providing constant modulation level over a wide frequency band a VCO is disclosed having a linear VCO gain factor vs. control voltage curve over the wide frequency band of interest. A compensation network is coupled to the VCO to provide an audio output having a linear output level vs. control voltage curve. By appropriately matching the two linear curves the variation in modulation level over the frequency band of interest is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator includes a main varactor diode coupled to a frequency resonating circuit to produce an output frequency in response to a control voltage. A secondary varactor diode of an appreciably lower voltage to frequency sensitivity ratio is coupled to the main varactor diode. A modulation input circuit is coupled to the secondary varactor diode to enable modulation of the resonating output frequency. A linearizing circuit is coupled to the secondary varactor diode and tracks the main varactor diode capacitance to continuously adjust the bias voltage of the secondary varactor diode to provide constant carrier modulation deviation.