Abstract: A tunable delay line includes an input, an output, a first conductor electrically coupled to the input and the output, a ground conductor, and a voltage tunable dielectric layer positioned between the first conductor and the ground conductor. DC blocks and impedance matching sections are connected between the first conductor and the input and output. Additional layers of tunable dielectric material and additional conductors can be positioned in parallel with the voltage tunable layer.

Abstract: A tunable electrical filter constructed pursuant to the teachings of the present invention includes: (a) a plurality of resonator units coupled between an input locus and an output locus; and (b) a plurality of tunable dielectric varactor units; respective individual varactor units of the plurality of varactor units being coupled between respective pairs of the plurality of resonator units, coupled between the plurality of resonator units and the input locus, and coupled between the plurality of resonator units and the output locus.

Abstract: A voltage tunable dielectric varactor includes a substrate having a low dielectric constant and having generally planar surface, a tunable ferroelectric layer positioned on the generally planar surface of the substrate, and first and second electrodes positioned on a surface of the tunable ferroelectric layer opposite the generally planar surface of the substrate. The first and second electrodes are separated to form a gap therebetween. The varactor includes an input for receiving a radio frequency signal and an output for delivering the radio frequency signal. A bias voltage applied to the electrodes changes the capacitance of the varactor between the input and output thereof. Phase shifters and filters that include the varactor are also described.

Abstract: An electronic filter includes a substrate, a ground conductor, an input, an output, a first microstrip line positioned on the substrate and electrically coupled to the input and the output, and a first tunable dielectric varactor electrically connected between the microstrip line and the ground conductor. The input preferably includes a second microstrip line positioned on the substrate and including a portion lying parallel to the first microstrip line. The output preferable includes a third microstrip line positioned on the substrate and including a portion lying parallel to the first microstrip line. The first microstrip line includes a first end and a second end, the first end being open circuited and the varactor being connected between the second end and the ground conductor. The filter further includes a bias voltage circuit including a high impedance line, a radial stub extending from the high impedance line, and a patch connected to the high impedance line for connection to a DC source.

Abstract: A phase shifter includes a first rat-race ring having four ports, an input coupled to a first one of the ports, an output coupled to a second one of the ports, a first resonant circuit coupled to a third one of the ports, and a second resonant circuit coupled to a fourth one of the ports, each of the first and second resonant circuits including a tunable dielectric varactor. The first rat race ring can be connected to another phase shifting stage including a second rat race ring or a digital switched line phase shifter.

Abstract: A voltage tunable dielectric varactor includes a substrate having a low dielectric constant and having generally planar surface, a tunable ferroelectric layer positioned on the generally planar surface of the substrate, and first and second electrodes positioned on a surface of the tunable ferroelectric layer opposite the generally planar surface of the substrate. The first and second electrodes are separated to form a gap therebetween. The varactor includes an input for receiving a radio frequency signal and an output for delivering the radio frequency signal. A bias voltage applied to the electrodes changes the capacitance of the varactor between the input and output thereof. Phase shifters and filters that include the varactor are also described.

Abstract: This invention provides a voltage tunable filter comprising an input connection point, an output connection point, and at least one circuit branch electrically coupled to the input connection point and the output connection point and including a voltage tunable dielectric varactor electrically connected to an inductor. The voltage tunable filter can be one of a low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, or band-stop filter. The varactor can include built-in DC blocking capacitors.

Abstract: An electronic filter includes a first microstrip line hairpin resonator including first and second arms, a first varactor connected between a first end of the first arm and a first end of the second arm of the first microstrip line hairpin resonator, a first capacitor connected between a second end of the first arm and a second end of the second arm of the first microstrip line hairpin resonator, the first and second arms being coupled to provide a first transmission zero, an input coupled to the first microstrip line hairpin resonator, a second microstrip line hairpin resonator including third and fourth arms, a second varactor connected between a first end of the third arm and a first end of the fourth arm of the second microstrip line hairpin resonator, a second capacitor connected between a second end of the third arm and a second end of the fourth arm of the second microstrip line hairpin resonator, the third and fourth arms being coupled to provide a second transmission zero, and an output coupled to th

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a plurality of radiating elements, a feed line assembly, a ground plane positioned between the plurality of radiating elements and the feed line assembly, with the ground plane having a plurality of openings positioned between the plurality of radiating elements and the feed line assembly, and a plurality of voltage tunable dielectric phase shifters coupled to the feed line assembly.

Abstract: An electronic filter includes a substrate, a ground conductor, a plurality of linear microstrips positioned on a the substrate with each having a first end connected to the ground conductor. A capacitor is connected between a second end of the each of the linear microstrips and the ground conductor. A U-shaped microstrip is positioned adjacent the linear microstrips, with the U-shaped microstrip including first and second extensions positioned parallel to the linear microstrips. Additional capacitors are connected between a first end of the first extension of the U-shaped microstrip and the ground conductor, and between a first end of the second extension of the U-shaped microstrip and the ground conductor. Additional U-shaped microstrips can be included. An input can coupled to one of the linear microstrips or to one of the extensions of the U-shaped microstrips. An output can be coupled to another one of the linear microstrips or to another extension of one of the U-shaped microstrips.

Abstract: A tunable dielectric structure includes a first layer of dielectric material, a second layer of dielectric material positioned adjacent to the first layer of dielectric material, with the second layer of dielectric material having a dielectric constant that is less than the dielectric constant of the first layer of dielectric material, and electrodes for applying a controllable voltage across the first dielectric material, thereby controlling a dielectric constant of the first dielectric material, wherein at least one of the electrodes is positioned between the first and second layers of dielectric material. The dielectric materials can be formed in various shapes and assembled in various orientations with respect to each other. The tunable dielectric structure is used in various devices including coaxial cables, cavity antennas, microstrip lines, coplanar lines, and waveguides.

Abstract: A tunable dielectric structure includes a first layer of dielectric material, a second layer of dielectric material positioned adjacent to the first layer of dielectric material, with the second layer of dielectric material having a dielectric constant that is less than the dielectric constant of the first layer of dielectric material, and electrodes for applying a controllable voltage across the first dielectric material, thereby controlling a dielectric constant of the first dielectric material, wherein at least one of the electrodes is positioned between the first and second layers of dielectric material. The dielectric materials can be formed in various shapes and assembled in various orientations with respect to each other. The tunable dielectric structure is used in various devices including coaxial cables, cavity antennas, microstrip lines, coplanar lines, and waveguides.

Abstract: A tunable dielectric structure includes a first layer of dielectric material, a second layer of dielectric material positioned adjacent to the first layer of dielectric material, with the second layer of dielectric material having a dielectric constant that is less than the dielectric constant of the first layer of dielectric material, and electrodes for applying a controllable voltage across the first dielectric material, thereby controlling a dielectric constant of the first dielectric material, wherein at least one of the electrodes is positioned between the first and second layers of dielectric material. The dielectric materials can be formed in various shapes and assembled in various orientations with respect to each other. The tunable dielectric structure is used in various devices including coaxial cables, cavity antennas, microstrip lines, coplanar lines, and waveguides.

Abstract: A radio frequency electronic filter includes an input, an output, and first and second resonators coupled to the input and the output, with the first resonator including a first voltage tunable dielectric varactor and the second resonator including a second voltage tunable dielectric varactor. The resonators can include a lumped element resonator, a ceramic resonator, or a microstrip resonator. Additional voltage tunable dielectric varactors can be connected between the input and the first resonator and between the second resonator and the output. Voltage tunable dielectric varactors can also be connected between the first and second resonators.

Abstract: A tunable dielectric structure includes a first layer of dielectric material, a second layer of dielectric material positioned adjacent to the first layer of dielectric material, with the second layer of dielectric material having a dielectric constant that is less than the dielectric constant of the first layer of dielectric material, and electrodes for applying a controllable voltage across the first dielectric material, thereby controlling a dielectric constant of the first dielectric material, wherein at least one of the electrodes is positioned between the first and second layers of dielectric material. The dielectric materials can be formed in various shapes and assembled in various orientations with respect to each other. The tunable dielectric structure is used in various devices including coaxial cables, cavity antennas, microstrip lines, coplanar lines, and waveguides.

Abstract: A voltage tunable dielectric varactor includes a substrate having a first dielectric constant and having generally a planar surface, first and second electrodes positioned on the generally planar surface of the substrate, the first and second electrodes being separated to form a first gap therebetween; a tunable dielectric layer positioned on the first and second electrodes and in the first gap, the tunable dielectric layer having a second dielectric constant greater than the first dielectric constant; and third and fourth electrodes positioned on a surface of the tunable dielectric layer opposite the first and second electrodes, the third and fourth electrodes being separated to form a second gap therebetween.

Abstract: A voltage tunable dielectric varactor includes a substrate having a first dielectric constant and having generally a planar surface, first and second electrodes positioned on the generally planar surface of the substrate, the first and second electrodes being separated to form a first gap therebetween; a tunable dielectric layer positioned on the first and second electrodes and in the first gap, the tunable dielectric layer having a second dielectric constant greater than the first dielectric constant; and third and fourth electrodes positioned on a surface of the tunable dielectric layer opposite the first and second electrodes, the third and fourth electrodes being separated to form a second gap therebetween.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a plurality of radiating elements, a feed line assembly, a ground plane positioned between the plurality of radiating elements and the feed line assembly, with the ground plane having a plurality of openings positioned between the plurality of radiating elements and the feed line assembly, and a plurality of voltage tunable dielectric phase shifters coupled to the feed line assembly.

Abstract: A tunable dielectric structure includes a first layer of dielectric material, a second layer of dielectric material positioned adjacent to the first layer of dielectric material, with the second layer of dielectric material having a dielectric constant that is less than the dielectric constant of the first layer of dielectric material, and electrodes for applying a controllable voltage across the first dielectric material, thereby controlling a dielectric constant of the first dielectric material, wherein at least one of the electrodes is positioned between the first and second layers of dielectric material. The dielectric materials can be formed in various shapes and assembled in various orientations with respect to each other. The tunable dielectric structure is used in various devices including a coaxial cables, cavity antenna, microstrip lines, coplanar lines, and waveguides.

Abstract: A varactor comprising a substrate, a first conductor positioned on a surface of the substrate, a second conductor positioned on the surface of the substrate forming a gap between the first and second conductors, a tunable dielectric material positioned on the surface of the substrate and within the gap, the tunable dielectric material having a top surface, with at least a portion of said top surface being positioned above the gap opposite the surface of the substrate, and a first portion of the second conductor extending along at least a portion of the top surface of the tunable dielectric material. The second conductor can overlap or not overlap a portion of the first conductor.