Abstract: A Q-enhanced radio-frequency filter featuring loss-compensating circuits with values that can be controlled to optimize loss compensation. Instabilities are avoided by temporarily introducing a reflection at a port (such as via short-circuiting the port) and testing for the beginning of oscillations. Certain embodiments provide negative-resistance circuits for loss compensation, including cross-coupled transistor pairs and adjustable capacitance. Further embodiments provide loss-compensating RF filters with planar inductors, including overlapping planar inductors.

Abstract: A tapped transmission line for distributing an electrical signal, such as an RF signal, to multiple modules, and/or aggregating signals from multiple modules. Embodiments of the invention provide a tapped transmission line based on a transmission-line medium along which tap elements are dispersed, so that the tap elements have a predominantly capacitive loading of the transmission-line medium. Methods for compensating the loss of the transmission-line medium are presented as well. Applications for distribution of transmitted signals, of local oscillator signals, and to aggregation of signals from multiple oscillators are disclosed. The invention is particularly applicable to integrated circuits (IC, ASIC, RFIC), and to multichannel RF systems such as phased array and MIMO systems.

Abstract: Vehicle cabin monitoring using a radar unit positioned within the cabin to obtain image data of the vehicle cabin, a beam deflector for deflecting electromagnetic waves into obstructed regions of the cabin and a processor to generate detect occupancy of seats within the vehicle cabin, categorize occupants, detect posture, determine seatbelt status and monitor life signs of the occupants.

Abstract: A system for simulating quadrature phase-shift key (QPSK) beam forming in an antenna array, including a transmitter configured and operable to generate an oscillating signal, an antenna array, a binary phase shifter associated with each transmitting antenna, the binary phase shifter configured and operable to selectively apply a phase shift of 180 degrees to the transmitted signal, and a controller configured to send instructions to the binary phase shifters, at least one receiving antenna, and a post processor comprising a memory operable to save received signals and a processing unit operable to apply a 90 degree phase shift to selected received signals stored in the memory, and further operable to sum received signals stored in the memory, operable to manipulate received signals.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided, comprising a horizontally extending dielectric substrate and a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) having at least one ridge. The SIW comprises two horizontally disposed conductive ground planes spaced by a vertical distance, and two vertically disposed conductive fences spanning therebetween. The fences extend in a first horizontal direction, and are spaced from one another in a second horizontal direction, perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. At least one of the fences comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed conductive strips vertically spaced from one another and extending in the first horizontal direction. At least some of the conductive strips are ridge-strips constituting the ridge and extending in the second horizontal direction toward the other of the fences.

Abstract: A printed circuit board mounted radar system for monitoring a target region, including an array of transmitting antennas mounted to a printed circuit board, an array of receiving antennas mounted to the printed circuit board, a wave deflection mechanism mounted to the printed circuit board configured such that waves transmitted perpendicularly to the board by the array of transmitting antennas are incident upon the wave deflection mechanism and are directed radially away from the board, and waves reflected from objects within the target region radially towards the wave deflection mechanism are directed towards the receiving antennas in a direction perpendicular to the board.

Abstract: An imaging system and a device for breast cancer detection are disclosed. The device includes a plurality of antennas arranged to form a polyhedral cup shape against which the breast is pressed. The antennas are mounted flat circuit boards which comprise the antennas and RF transceiver RFICs and are configured to hinge together to form a multichip module. The polyhedral shape allows antennas to be in direct contact with the breast skin without any intermediate medium. This enables dielectric constant of antennas matched with that of the breast skin or tissues thereby reducing reflections from skin-fat boundary.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring life signs in a subject. A radar unit comprising generates raw data and a processor unit receives raw data and identifies oscillating signals in a series of arrays of complex values representing radiation reflected from each voxel of a target region during a given time segment. A phase vaue is determined for each voxel in each frame and a waveform representing phase changes over time for each voxel is generated. Voxels indicating an oscillating signal are selected and life sign parameters are extracted.

Abstract: Antenna array systems and methods for generating an antenna array transmission pattern having a spatial directional distribution of effective power characterized by a low Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR). An excitation phase sequence is generated having elements corresponding antenna elements of the array and having a Fourier Transform with a low PAPR. An excitation phase is assigned to each antenna element according to the corresponding element of the excitation phase sequence.

Abstract: A compact wideband RF antenna for incorporating into a planar substrate, such as a PCB, having at least one cavity with a radiating slot, and at least one transmission line resonator disposed within a cavity and coupled thereto. Additional embodiments provide stacked slot-coupled cavities and multiple coupled transmission-line resonators placed within a cavity. Applications to ultra-wideband systems and to millimeter-wave systems, as well as to dual and circular polarization antennas are disclosed. Further applications include configurations for an antenna based on a monopole element and having a radiation pattern that is approximately isotropic.

Abstract: Antenna array systems and methods for simulating QPSK beam forming having binary phase shifter associated with each transmitting antenna configured to apply a phase shift of 180 degrees to a transmitted signal, and a controller configured to send instructions to the binary phase shifters. The receiving antennas are connected to a post processor comprising a memory operable to save received signals; and a processing unit operable to apply a 90 degree phase shift to selected received signals stored in the memory, and further operable to sum received signals stored in the memory. Optimized antenna array configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided, comprising a horizontally extending dielectric substrate and a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) having at least one ridge. The SIW comprises two horizontally disposed conductive ground planes spaced by a vertical distance, and two vertically disposed conductive fences spanning therebetween. The fences extend in a first horizontal direction, and are spaced from one another in a second horizontal direction, perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. At least one of the fences comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed conductive strips vertically spaced from one another and extending in the first horizontal direction. At least some of the conductive strips are ridge-strips constituting the ridge and extending in the second horizontal direction toward the other of the fences.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing wide field-of-view radar arrays. Quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) beam forming reduces side lobes by applying a phase shift to transmitted signals to selected transmitting antennas. Super-hemispherical radar coverage at high gain in both broadside and end-fire directions is provided by beam directing elements mounted to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided, comprising a horizontally extending dielectric substrate and a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW). The SIW comprises two horizontally disposed conductive ground planes spaced by a vertical distance, and two vertically disposed conductive fences spanning therebetween. The fences extend in a first horizontal direction, and are spaced from one another in a second horizontal direction, perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. A space defined between the ground planes and the fences comprises material of the substrate formed with one or more channels being free of material of the substrate and extending in the first horizontal direction. Each of the channels is formed by a plurality of vertical cylindrical cavities, and each cavity horizontally overlaps one or more adjacent cavities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing wide field-of-view radar arrays. Quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) beam forming reduces side lobes by applying a phase shift to transmitted signals to selected transmitting antennas. Super-hemispherical radar coverage at high gain in both broadside and end-fire directions is provided by beam directing elements mounted to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: Antenna array systems and methods for simulating QPSK beam forming having binary phase shifter associated with each transmitting antenna configured to apply a phase shift of 180 degrees to a transmitted signal, and a controller configured to send instructions to the binary phase shifters. The receiving antennas are connected to a post processor comprising a memory operable to save received signals; and a processing unit operable to apply a 90 degree phase shift to selected received signals stored in the memory, and further operable to sum received signals stored in the memory. Optimized antenna array configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided, comprising a horizontally extending dielectric substrate and a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW). The SIW comprises two horizontally disposed conductive ground planes spaced by a vertical distance, and two vertically disposed conductive fences spanning therebetween. The fences extend in a first horizontal direction, and are spaced from one another in a second horizontal direction, perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. A space defined between the ground planes and the fences comprises material of the substrate formed with one or more channels being free of material of the substrate and extending in the first horizontal direction. Each of the channels is formed by a plurality of vertical cylindrical cavities, and each cavity horizontally overlaps one or more adjacent cavities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving radio frequency integrated circuits. Extended conducting plates having current forming elements are used to equalize return currents from an array of capacitance banks in radio frequency integrated circuits and to reduce crosstalk between crossing signal lines by providing isolation mechanisms for use as a shield between the signal carrying lines. Material encapsulated magneto-electric antennas are configured into antenna arrays on a PCB or a RFIC package. Antenna arrays may comprise antennas having different directivity levels and may have asymmetric arrangement of antenna elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving radio frequency integrated circuits. Extended conducting plates having current forming elements are used to equalize return currents from an array of capacitance banks in radio frequency integrated circuits and to reduce crosstalk between crossing signal lines by providing isolation mechanisms for use as a shield between the signal carrying lines. Material encapsulated magneto-electric antennas are configured into antenna arrays on a PCB or a RFIC package. Antenna arrays may comprise antennas having different directivity levels and may have asymmetric arrangement of antenna elements.

Abstract: A printed circuit board mounted radar system for monitoring a target region, including an array of transmitting antennas mounted to a printed circuit board, an array of receiving antennas mounted to the printed circuit board, a wave deflection mechanism mounted to the printed circuit board configured such that waves transmitted perpendicularly to the board by the array of transmitting antennas are incident upon the wave deflection mechanism and are directed radially away from the board, and waves reflected from objects within the target region radially towards the wave deflection mechanism are directed towards the receiving antennas in a direction perpendicular to the board.