Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for employing arrays of coupling strips to measure misalignment of layers of multilayer devices as a function of directional coupling between pairs of strips. Each array is capable of detecting misalignment only in the direction perpendicular to the axes of the coupling strips, although multiple arrays may be employed for measuring misalignment in more than one direction. Such arrays are easily manufactured onto existing multilayer devices, and may be excised from such devices after misalignment has been measured.

Abstract: A microstrip to circular waveguide transition having an elongated circular waveguide portion and a stripline circuit portion disposed within the waveguide portion. The stripline includes a strip conductor disposed in a strip conductor plane. The strip conductor extends along a longitudinal axis of the circular waveguide portion from a first region of the transition to a longitudinally spaced second region of the transition. The stripline circuit portion includes a pair of overlying ground planes extending along the longitudinal axis from the first region to the second region, such pair of ground planes being disposed in overlying planes parallel to the strip conductor plane.

Abstract: A microstrip to circular waveguide transition having an elongated circular waveguide portion and a stripline circuit portion disposed within the waveguide portion. The stripline includes a strip conductor disposed in a strip conductor plane. The strip conductor extends along a longitudinal axis of the circular waveguide portion from a first region of the transition to a longitudinally spaced second region of the transition. The stripline circuit portion includes a pair of overlying ground planes extending along the longitudinal axis from the first region to the second region, such pair of ground planes being disposed in overlying planes parallel to the strip conductor plane.

Abstract: A balun transformer and inductor are proposed having geometries that provide several windings of conductors in small areas. In one embodiment, the windings of the balun transformer and inductor have octagonal shapes with a lower and upper layer of wound conductors. The upper layer lies on supporting posts that stand on pedestals. The lower layer of conductors shadow the upper layer while curving to avoid the pedestals.

Abstract: A balun transformer and inductor are proposed having geometries that provide several windings of conductors in small areas. In one embodiment, the windings of the balun transformer and inductor have octagonal shapes with a lower and upper layer of wound conductors. The upper layer lies on supporting posts that stand on pedestals. The lower layer of conductors shadow the upper layer while curving to avoid the pedestals.

Abstract: An amplifier having an uncompensated gain which decreases with increasing temperature. The amplifier includes an integrated circuit chip having formed thereon a plurality of serially coupled amplifier stages. Each one of a portion of such stages has temperature compensation circuitry. Such circuitry includes a plurality of selectable gains, such gain being selected in accordance with temperature of the chip. The stage has a higher gain at a temperature above a predetermined threshold level associated with such stage and a lower gain at temperature below such predetermined threshold level associated with such stage. Each one of such stages is associated with a different predetermined threshold level. Each one of the stages includes a gain stage having a switchable feedback element, such stage providing a first gain when such element is switched into one state and a second gain when such element is switched into a second state.

Abstract: A mixer circuit is provided which incorporates inductive elements for low voltage applications. The circuit consists of a balanced amplifier and a switch composed of transistor pairs driven by a local oscillator signal for multiplying the signal to produce a circuit output signal having a predetermined intermediate frequency. Inductors are used to provide degenerative feedback in the balanced amplifier portion of the circuit. The inductors generate negligible noise and produce a negligible dc voltage drop. The transistors in the circuit are thereby maintained in saturation regions of operation as desired. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an inductor or, alternatively, a parallel inductor-capacitor circuit, is used as a constant current source in conjunction with the input transistors in the balanced amplifier portion of the circuit.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit power sensor provides a monolithic integrated circuit substrate a conversion element formed either on or in the substrate for converting microwave energy into heat, an electrically insulating dielectric layer affixed to the conversion element, and an integrated circuit, heat sensitive element formed in sufficiently close proximity to the conversion element to be thermally coupled thereto through the dielectric layer for sensing temperature changes in the conversion element.

Abstract: A monolithic microwave integrated circuit device provides a microwave transmission line with a resistor coupled thereto and a heating element thermally coupled to the resistor but electrically insulated therefrom by a dielectric layer. Heating the resistor with the heating element causes either a change in resistance of the resistor or the generation of noise by the resistor. Either the resistor or the heating element is constructed using monolithic integrated circuit construction techniques on the same circuit substrate with the transmission line.

Abstract: A successive detection logarithmic amplifier consists of multiple stages, with each stage containing a field-effect transistor (FET) which functions as both an amplifier and a detector. The FET, having an external gate biasing terminal, is biased to operate in its linear region as an amplifier. The gate-source junction of the FET, which is a diode, functions as the detector. When a signal exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied to the FET, the gate-source junction conducts current in the forward direction during the positive half-cycles of the input signal. During the negative half-cycles of the input signal, very little current flows through the gate-source diode junction. The time average of the forward current peaks produces a voltage across a resistor connected between the external gate bias terminal and ground.