Abstract: An array of dielectric vias formed in the insulating layers of a unitized multilayer circuit structure wherein the dielectric vias have a dielectric constant different from the dielectric constant of the insulating layers in which they are formed.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic material (18,20) in ink or tape form is sinterable using a same firing profile as and has approximately the same thermal shrinkage characteristics as low-temperature-cofired-ceramic (LTCC) tape, and is chemically non-reactive therewith. The ferromagnetic material (18,20) is applied to the surfaces of LTCC tape sheets (12,14,16) to form desired elements such as cores for inductors (22) and transformers and magnetic shields. Ferromagnetic vertical interconnects (vias) (54) can be formed by punching holes (56) through tape sheets (46) and filling them with ferromagnetic ink. The tape sheets (12,14,16) and ferromagnetic elements (18,20) are laminated together and cofired to form an integral structure (10). Ferromagnetic and non-magnetic components (114) can be fabricated separately and inserted into cavities (104a, 106a,108a) in tape sheets (104,106,108) prior to cofiring.

Abstract: A fluorescent lighting structure having an inner glass envelope and an outer glass envelope surrounding the inner glass envelope, an ionizable gas contained within the volume between the inner and outer glass envelopes, an electrode structure disposed on the inside surface of the inner glass envelope, a phosphor coating disposed on the outside surface of the inner glass envelope, and an ultraviolet reflective coating on the inside surface of the outer glass envelope. Excitation of the electrode structure causes discharge of the ionizable gas that produces ultraviolet radiation, which in turn excites the phosphor coating to emit visible light.

Abstract: A power rectifying circuit (10) for converting an AC power signal to DC which includes a plurality of rectifiers (20) that receive power from a single AC power source (12). The AC power signal is power split amongst the plurality of rectifiers (20). Each power split signal is phase shifted by an incremental amount of phase shift and provided to on of the rectifiers (20). The rectified DC output of each rectifier is summed together and provided to a load (22) as DC power.

Abstract: Via resistor structures in a hybrid multilayer circuit having a plurality of insulating layers. One via resistor structure includes a plurality of resistive via fills in vias in respective adjacent insulating layers, a plurality of conductive elements for electrically contacting predetermined tops and bottoms of the resistive via fills, and conductive via fills for providing external electrical connection to selected ones of the conductive elements at locations on the outside the unitized multilayer circuit structure. A further via resistor structure includes a resistive via fill formed in a via in one of the insulating layers, and one or more thermally conductive via fills for thermally conducting heat from said resistive via fill to the outside of the unitized multilayer circuit structure.

Abstract: A power supply including a source of AC power, a filter including inductive elements, and rectifying circuitry. Where the AC source comprises a sinewave source, the filter includes inductive and capacitive elements; and where the AC source comprises a square wave source, the filter includes only inductive elements.

Abstract: A balance circuit for an amplifier circuit having 2.sup.M amplifiers serially biased across a supply potential node and a common potential node, where M is an integer greater than 0, and having respective 2.sup.M -1 interstage bias nodes and voltages between the amplifiers which are driven by respective input drive signals provided by 2.sup.M -1 2-way power splitters. A voltage reference circuit provides as to each power splitter first and second reference potentials respectively associated therewith. A plurality of control circuits are associated with respective power splitters and interstage nodes. Each control circuit is responsive to the associated first and second reference potentials and the interstage bias node for controlling the signal levels of the first and second drive signals provided by the associated 2-way splitter as a function of the associated interstage bias potential relative to the first and second reference potentials.

Abstract: A capacitor structure in a hybrid multilayer circuit having a plurality of insulating layers, the capacitor structure including a dielectric via fill in a via formed in one of the insulating layers, a first conductive element overlying the dielectric via fill, and a second conductive element underlying said dielectric via fill. Each of the first and conductive elements comprises a conductive via fill or a conductive trace.

Abstract: An amplifier drive control circuit having a power combiner for combining an RF input signal with a feedback signal to provide a composite RF signal, a power control circuit for providing a selectively attenuated replica of the composite RF signal to the input of the amplifier, and feedback circuitry connected between the output of the amplifier and the power combiner for providing a level controlled portion of the output of the amplifier as the feedback signal. The power control circuit selectively attenuates the replica of the composite RF signal when the power of the composite RF signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, while the feedback circuitry controls the level of the feedback signal as a function of the gain of the amplifier as determined by the level of the composite RF signal and the level of the amplifier output. The feedback circuitry includes a feedback phase control circuit for controlling the phase of the feedback signal relative to the input to the amplifier.

Abstract: A DC to DC power supply including an RF driver circuit for providing an RF output drive signal having a frequency greater than about 50 MHz, power amplifier circuitry responsive to the RF output drive signal and a DC voltage supply for providing an amplified AC output, and an impedance transforming circuit such as a balun transformer for transforming the AC amplified output to an impedance transformed AC signal. The transformed AC signal is provided to a rectifying circuit which provides a DC output. A feedback regulation control circuit provides for regulation of the power supply output voltage. The DC to DC power supply is advantageously implemented with printed microstrip or stripline passive components.

Abstract: A DC to AC sinewave converter having an FET with its gate terminal coupled to a switching signal which turns the FET on and off. A pair of parallel, oppositely conductive diodes couples the drain terminal of the FET to a resonant circuit that is responsive to a source of DC voltage. A clamping diode is connected between the parallel diodes and the source terminal of the FET for preventing the drain and source terminals from being reverse biased.

Abstract: A rectifying power supply having circuitry for providing AC power, a plurality of capacitors responsive to the AC power for providing DC isolation and for providing capacitively coupled AC power, and a plurality of rectifying circuits responsive to the capacitively coupled AC power for providing respective DC outputs. The outputs of the rectifying circuits are coupled in series or in parallel.

Abstract: A magnetic amplifier including a magnetic core having a primary leg, a secondary leg, and a control leg. A primary winding is wound about the primary leg of the magnetic core for generating a non-saturating magnetic AC flux in the magnetic core, and a secondary winding is wound about the secondary leg of the magnetic core. A control winding for conducting DC current is wound about the control leg of the magnetic core for controlling as a function of the DC current, without saturating the magnetic core, the reluctance of the control leg relative to the reluctance of the secondary leg. By controlling the relative reluctance, the amount of magnetic AC flux coupled to the secondary winding is controlled, thereby relative reluctance, the amount of magnetic AC flux econtrolling the output voltage provided by the secondary winding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for regulating the operation of a TWT. The TWT regulation is achieved by detecting the operating condition of the TWT, e.g., by measuring dynamic gain, and regulating feedback of the TWT output in response to the TWT operating condition. The invention is preferably implemented so as to augment the TWT input drive from an exciter source to induce the TWT to drive itself into saturation. The inventive technique comprises determining whether the TWT is operating in a desired operating condition, e.g., saturation, feeding back to the TWT input a portion of the TWT output power to the TWT input, and regulating the feedback signal to keep the TWT operating in the desired condition. Determination of whether the TWT is operating in a saturation condition may be affected through measurement of the TWT dynamic gain. The invention permits dynamic management of the feedback to accommodate variations in gain of the TWT, e.g.