Abstract: A circulator for radio frequency is provided. The circulator may include a ferrite stripline assembly, which includes a first ferrite layer, a second ferrite layer over the first ferrite layer, and a junction circuit between the first ferrite layer and the second ferrite layer. The circulator may also include a magnet over the second ferrite layer for providing magnetic bias.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for storing and modifying information that is disposed along an outside surface of a container. Optionally, the information is stored onto one or more strips that are each marked with information that facilitates exercise and other types of activity planning.

Abstract: An instrument pickup including a stack of thin laminated printed circuit boards. Each layer includes an etched coil conductor structure with narrow lines and spaces defining the coil structure. The layers are connected via through holes. The etched lines are smaller than the insulated copper wire (also sometimes called magnetic wire) of a conventional instrument pickup, which means that the size, volume and/or height of the pickup may be reduced relative to a conventional wire wound instrument pickup.

Abstract: Various improvements and configurations for magnetic musical instrument pickups. Many of the embodiments discussed herein include printed circuit board (pcb) coils, but other embodiments may involve conventional wire wound coils. In some embodiments, the coils (pcb and/or wire wound) are encased in rigid encasement material (see DEFINITIONS section) to reduce microphony and make a quieter pickup. Also, the use of pcb coils allows for many and various new coil shapes and/or configurations because the footprint and stacking of pcb traces are relatively easy to control and/or change. Also disclosed are electromagnetic field interference reduction techniques and integration of multiple coils directly into a single pcb substrate and/or scratchpate. Also disclosed is the use of Hallbach biasing magnet arrays in connection with wire wound and/or pcb coils.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surface mountable circulator/isolator device that includes a first dielectric layer having an electric circuit formed thereon. A second center dielectric layer is disposed adjacent the first dielectric layer, the center dielectric layer including an opening formed therein, the opening being aligned relative to the electric circuit. A ferrite element is disposed in the opening such that the ferrite abuts the electric circuit and is aligned in two-dimensions relative to the electric circuit. A third dielectric layer is disposed adjacent the second center layer. The third dielectric layer includes a ground plane formed on each major surface thereof. The first dielectric layer, the second center dielectric layer, the ferrite element, and the third dielectric layer are bonded together to form a laminated multi-layer structure. A permanent magnet is bonded to the second ground plane.

Abstract: An instrument pickup including a stack of thin laminated printed circuit boards. Each layer includes an etched coil conductor structure with narrow lines and spaces defining the coil structure. The layers are connected via through holes. The etched lines are smaller than the insulated copper wire (also sometimes called magnetic wire) of a conventional instrument pickup, which means that the size, volume and/or height of the pickup may be reduced relative to a conventional wire wound instrument pickup.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a circulator device that includes a housing defining an interior three-dimensional volume. The housing includes a plurality of port openings disposed therein. A gyromagnetic resonator stack is disposed in the housing. The gyromagnetic resonator stack includes a circuit disposed between a first ferrite disk and a second ferrite disk. The first ferrite disk and the second ferrite disks form a pair of ferrite disks having a ferrite disk centroid and a ferrite disk perimeter. The circuit including an asymmetric center resonator having a eccentric region characterized by a predetermined resonator geometry. The circuit further including an impedance matching transmission line structure coupled to an edge of the eccentric region proximate the ferrite disk perimeter and at least one 50 Ohm transmission line structure coupled to a non-eccentric portion of the asymmetric center resonator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surface mountable circulator/isolator device that includes a first dielectric layer having an electric circuit formed thereon. A second center dielectric layer is disposed adjacent the first dielectric layer, the center dielectric layer including an opening formed therein, the opening being aligned relative to the electric circuit. A ferrite element is disposed in the opening such that the ferrite abuts the electric circuit and is aligned in two-dimensions relative to the electric circuit. A third dielectric layer is disposed adjacent the second center layer. The third dielectric layer includes a ground plane formed on each major surface thereof. The first dielectric layer, the second center dielectric layer, the ferrite element, and the third dielectric layer are bonded together to form a laminated multi-layer structure. A permanent magnet is bonded to the second ground plane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a circulator device that includes a housing defining an interior three-dimensional volume. The housing includes a plurality of port openings disposed therein. A gyromagnetic resonator stack is disposed in the housing. The gyromagnetic resonator stack includes a circuit disposed between a first ferrite disk and a second ferrite disk. The first ferrite disk and the second ferrite disks form a pair of ferrite disks having a ferrite disk centroid and a ferrite disk perimeter. The circuit including an asymmetric center resonator having a eccentric region characterized by a predetermined resonator geometry. The circuit further including an impedance matching transmission line structure coupled to an edge of the eccentric region proximate the ferrite disk perimeter and at least one 50 Ohm transmission line structure coupled to a non-eccentric portion of the asymmetric center resonator.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a circulator comprising the steps of providing a central substrate layer with at least one cut-out section and circuit lines. Next, providing a magnet placed within said cut-out section and a ferrite placed on each side of said substrate layer. A steel plate is placed on each side of the substrate layer. Spacer layers are provided on each side of the substrate layer. Another shim layer is placed on each side of the central substrate layer. Laminate sheets are placed between the substrate layer, the spacer layers, and the outer shim layers. Holes are drilled through each of the substrate, the spacer layers, the outer shims, and the laminate sheets. Heat and pressure are provided to cause the laminate sheets to flow in order to join the substrate, magnets, ferrites, steel plates, spacer layers and outer shim layers into a unitary structure. Finally the structure is plated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a circulator comprising the steps of providing a central substrate layer with at least one cut-out section and circuit lines. Next, providing a magnet placed within said cut-out section and a ferrite placed on each side of said substrate layer. A steel plate is placed on each side of the substrate layer. Spacer layers are provided on each side of the substrate layer. Another shim layer is placed on each side of the central substrate layer. Laminate sheets are placed between the substrate layer, the spacer layers, and the outer shim layers. Holes are drilled through each of the substrate, the spacer layers, the outer shims, and the laminate sheets. Heat and pressure are provided to cause the laminate sheets to flow in order to join the substrate, magnets, ferrites, steel plates, spacer layers and outer shim layers into a unitary structure. Finally the structure is plated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a circulator comprising the steps of providing a central substrate layer with at least one cut-out section and circuit lines. Next, providing a magnet placed within said cut-out section and a ferrite placed on each side of said substrate layer. A steel plate is placed on each side of the substrate layer. Spacer layers are provided on each side of the substrate layer. An outer shim layer is placed on each side of the central substrate layer. Laminate sheets are placed between the substrate layer, the spacer layers, and the outer shim layers. Holes are drilled through each of the substrate, the spacer layers, the outer shims, and the laminate sheets. Heat and pressure are provided to cause the laminate sheets to flow in order to join the substrate, magnets, ferrites, steel plates, spacer layers and outer shim layers into a unitary structure. Finally the structure is plated.