Nonreciprocal Gyromagnetic Type (e.g., Circulators) Patents (Class 333/1.1)
  • Publication number: 20130050041
    Abstract: Disclosed are synthetic garnets and related devices that can be used in radio-frequency (RF) applications. In some embodiments, such RF devices can include garnets having reduced or substantially nil Yttrium or other rare earth metals. Such garnets can be configured to yield high dielectric constants, and ferrite devices, such as TM-mode circulators/isolators, formed from such garnets can benefit from reduced dimensions. Further, reduced or nil rare earth content of such garnets can allow cost-effective fabrication of ferrite-based RF devices. In some embodiments, such ferrite devices can include other desirable properties such as low magnetic resonance linewidths. Examples of fabrication methods and RF-related properties are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David Bowie CRUICKSHANK, Rickard Paul O'DONOVAN, Iain Alexander MACFARLANE, Brian MURRAY, Michael David HILL
  • Patent number: 8384490
    Abstract: A central conductor assembly for use in a non-reciprocal circuit comprising a first inductance element between a first input/output port and a second input/output port, and a second inductance element between the second input/output port and a ground port, a magnetic substrate being integrally provided with a first central conductor constituting the first inductance element and a second central conductor constituting the second inductance element; and the second central conductor being crossing the first central conductor on a main surface side of the substrate via a magnetic layer or a dielectric layer, with at least one end portion thereof bent such that high-frequency current flows therethrough in the same direction as or in an opposite direction to that of high-frequency current flowing through the first central conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 8373516
    Abstract: A waveguide matching unit is disclosed. The waveguide matching unit includes gyrator having first and second waveguides. The first waveguide includes first and second ports that are connected by a first waveguide channel. An RF signal propagating through the first waveguide channel is phase shifted by about 90° when propagating from the first to the second port, and is phase shifted by about 0° when propagating from the second port to the first port. The second waveguide includes third and fourth ports that are connected by a second waveguide channel. An RF signal propagating through the second waveguide channel is phase shifted by about 0° when propagating from the third to the fourth port, and is phase shifted by about 90° when propagating from the fourth port to the third port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Hernandez
  • Patent number: 8354891
    Abstract: A nonreciprocal circuit element includes first and second center electrodes. On a ferrite to which a direct-current magnetic field is applied from a permanent magnet, the first and second center electrodes are insulated and intersect. First and second ends of the first center electrode are connected to an input port and an output port, respectively. First and second ends of the second center electrode are connected to the output port and a ground port, respectively. A first matching capacitor and a resistor are connected between the input port and the output port. A second matching capacitor is connected between the output port and the ground port. A parallel resonant circuit is connected in parallel to the resistor. A coupling element is connected between the parallel resonant circuit and another parallel resonant circuit including the first center electrode and the first matching capacitor so as to the parallel resonant circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seigo Hino, Yoshiki Yamada
  • Patent number: 8344820
    Abstract: A circulator/isolator assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a first magnetic substrate having first surface and a second surface and a first ground plane formed on the first surface. A dielectric layer is disposed adjacent first magnetic substrate. The dielectric layer includes a multi-port junction circuit coupled to transmission traces. One of the traces forms an input port and another forms an output port. A first magnet is disposed proximate the multi-port junction circuit of the dielectric layer. The first magnet excites a circular, unidirectional magnetic flux field in the first magnetic substrate that limits electromagnetic wave propagation to a single direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ming Chen, Jimmy S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8324990
    Abstract: A waveguide assembly comprising at least two waveguide components. The waveguide assembly comprising a first waveguide portion and a second waveguide portion each comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface of the first waveguide portion defining a first portion of a first microwave component and a first portion of a second microwave component. The interior surface of the second waveguide portion defining a second portion of the first microwave component and a second portion of the second microwave component. The first waveguide portion and the second waveguide portion being adapted for being coupled together to form the waveguide assembly such that, when coupled together, the waveguide assembly comprises at least the first microwave component and the second microwave component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Apollo Microwaves, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nick Vouloumanos
  • Publication number: 20120299789
    Abstract: An antenna for transmitting and/or receiving-electromagnetic waves has a flat ground plane, and an array of radiating and/or receiving elements. The radiating and/or receiving element comprises a planar conductor which is arranged in parallel to the ground plane. An L-shaped slot is arranged in the planar conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Orban, Gerald Moernaut
  • Patent number: 8319576
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance isolator includes a ferrite member, a junction conductor that is arranged on the ferrite member and that includes a first port, a second port, and a third port, a permanent magnet that applies a direct current magnetic field to the ferrite member, a capacitor as a reactance element, and a mounting substrate. A main line arranged between the first port and the second port does not resonate, and an end of a sub-line branching from the main line defines the third port. The capacitor is connected to the third port and to the ground. The phase of a wave reflected from the sub-line is adjusted so as to be shifted by about 90 degrees at the intersection of the junction conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8319571
    Abstract: Disclosed are waveguide distortion mitigation devices that produce reduced group delay ripple in communication systems in which they are used. The devices comprise a first and second tapered waveguide sections, a first coupling device coupled to the first tapered waveguide section, and a second coupling device coupled to the second tapered waveguide section and the first waveguide coupling device. A waveguide isolator may optionally be coupled between the first and second waveguide coupling devices. The first and second coupling devices may comprise waveguide circulators or waveguide-hybrid couplers. The tapered waveguide sections may embody a single transition comprising a single waveguide wall, a single transition comprising two waveguide walls, or a plurality of transitions comprising a plurality of waveguide walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Breen, Samuel J. Waldbaum
  • Patent number: 8319575
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance type isolator includes a ferrite; a connection conductor that is arranged on the ferrite and includes first, second and third ports; a permanent magnet that applies a direct current magnetic field to the ferrite; a capacitor (or an inductor) that defines a first reactance element; and a capacitor (or an inductor) that defines a second reactance element. A main line arranged between the first port and the second port of the connection conductor does not resonate, an end portion of a sub-line that branches off from the main line serves as the third port, and a wave reflected from the sub-line is modulated so that its phase is shifted by 90° or about 90° at an intersection of the connection conductor. One of the capacitors is connected to the third port and the other capacitor is connected between the first port and the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20120280760
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to ferrite based circulators are disclosed. A ferrite disk used in a circulator can be configured to reduce intermodulation distortion when routing radio-frequency signals having closely spaced frequencies. Such a reduction in intermodulation distortion can be achieved by adjusting magnetization at the edge portion of the ferrite disk. By way of an example, a ferrite disk with a reduced saturation magnetization (4 PiMs) edge portion can reduce intermodulation distortion. Example configurations with such a reduced 4 PiMs edge portions are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David Bowie Cruickshank, Brian Murray
  • Patent number: 8248179
    Abstract: In a circuit module, a core isolator includes a ferrite and a permanent magnet that is arranged to apply a direct-current field to the ferrite. A switch outputs to a signal path a high-frequency signal outputted from the core isolator. A SAW filter is provided on the signal path. A matching circuit is provided on the signal path and provides impedance matching between the output impedance of the core isolator and the input impedance of the SAW filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8234777
    Abstract: A surface mount circulator. The novel circulator includes a substrate, a predetermined number of microstrip lines disposed on a first surface of the substrate, a ground layer and a predetermined number of electrical contacts disposed on the second surface of the substrate, and a mechanism for coupling each microstrip line to one of the electrical contacts. In an illustrative embodiment, the circulator uses edge wrap metallization to wrap a microstrip line down a side of the substrate to connect with a corresponding contact. A ball grid array can then be used to connect the signal contacts and ground at the second surface of the substrate with a circuit board. The circulator also includes a magnet on first surface of the substrate over a resonator circuit connecting the microstrip lines and a pole piece on the second surface of the substrate beneath the ground to provide magnetic bias to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James A. Carr, Tamrat Akale
  • Patent number: 8217730
    Abstract: A waveguide circulator includes a waveguide junction made from a thermally conductive material and having three ports, and a ferrite cluster housed within the waveguide junction so as to be in communication with the ports. The ferrite cluster includes a plurality of ferrite segments extending from a central point of the ferrite cluster. Each ferrite segment is spaced apart from an adjacent ferrite segments by a gap. Thermal spacers made of a thermally conductive material are disposed in the gaps. Each thermal spacer is thermally coupled to the adjacent ferrite segments and the waveguide junction so as to conduct heat away from the adjacent ferrite segments to the waveguide junction. The ferrite cluster can also be used with other junction circulators including stripline junction circulators designed for high peak power applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Canada Limited
    Inventor: Miron Catoiu
  • Patent number: 8193872
    Abstract: A waveguide circulator which does not cause an arcing phenomenon and deterioration of microwave characteristic, even when a ferrite member generates heat to raise a temperature thereof. The waveguide circulator is composed of a waveguide formed substantially in Y-shape with rectangular waveguides which are provided so as to position horizontally on a predetermined plane, and further they are extended in different three directions from junction positions of the waveguide wherein two ferrite members are placed in the junction positions thereof so as to oppose to each other on the upper and lower sides in the height direction perpendicular to the predetermined plane wherein an extended section extending in the height direction in the vicinities of the junction positions of the waveguides is formed, and a distance between the ferrite members is expanded to compensate decreased impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: SPC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Ikoma, Mina Iwama
  • Publication number: 20120133452
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include methods of modifying synthetic garnets used in RF applications to reduce or eliminate Yttrium or other rare earth metals in the garnets without adversely affecting the magnetic properties of the material. Some embodiments include substituting Bismuth for some of the Yttrium on the dodecahedral sites and introducing one or more high valency ions to the octahedral and tetrahedral sites. Calcium may also be added to the dodecahedral sites for valency compensation induced by the high valency ions, which could effectively displace all or most of the Yttrium (Y) in microwave device garnets. The modified synthetic garnets with substituted Yttrium (Y) can be used in various microwave magnetic devices such as circulators, isolators and resonators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David Bowie Cruickshank, Michael D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20120126910
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonreciprocal device includes a first component portion serving a circulator and a second component portion serving a circulator. The first component portion includes: a first carrier; a first Y junction-shaped line including three branch lines; first, second and third lines respectively connected to the three branch lines of the first Y junction-shaped line; and fourth and fifth lines. The second component portion includes: a second carrier plate provided on a back surface of the first carrier plate; a second Y junction-shaped line including three branch lines; sixth, seventh and eighth lines respectively connected to the three branch lines of the second Y junction-shaped line, one of the sixth, seventh and eighth lines being connected to one of the first, second and third lines, the other two of the sixth, seventh and eighth lines being respectively connected to the fourth and fifth lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki SATAKE, Yuuichi SHIRAISHI, Ryota SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8183952
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Anaren, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Bunce, Thomas Lingel
  • Patent number: 8183953
    Abstract: A multi-junction stripline circulator, comprising a housing with a cavity structure and a plurality of stripline junction circuits stacked within the cavity structure and connected in a cascade arrangement. Each stripline junction circuit comprises a stripline conductor having a plurality of ports, where one of the ports is connected to a port of a stripline conductor of each consecutive junction circuit in a cascade arrangement, and a pair of ferrite elements sandwiching the stripline conductor therebetween. The multi-junction stripline circulator further comprises one or more center ground planes, each having radial arms connected to ground. Each of the center ground planes are disposed between two consecutive stripline junction circuits in said cascade arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: SDP Telecom Inc.
    Inventors: Parmeet Singh Chawla, Nikolay Volobuev, Yong Ju Ban
  • Publication number: 20120092086
    Abstract: A waveguide matching unit is disclosed. The waveguide matching unit includes a gyrator having first and second waveguides. The first waveguide includes first and second ports that are connected by a first waveguide channel. An RF signal propagating through the first waveguide channel is phase shifted by about 90° when propagating from the first to the second port, and is phase shifted by about 0° when propagating from the second port to the first port. The second waveguide includes third and fourth ports that are connected by a second waveguide channel. An RF signal propagating through the second waveguide channel is phase shifted by about 0° when propagating from the third to the fourth port, and is phase shifted by about 90° when propagating from the fourth port to the third port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Victor Hernandez
  • Patent number: 8155602
    Abstract: The invention relates to an RF circulator device with n ports allowing an RF signal to circulate in a single direction, where the circulator has at least three ports, an input port for receiving a radio frequency signal to be transmitted to a second port designed to be connected to an antenna port, an output port capable of being connected to a receiving device or a load, comprising a first and a second microswitches each comprising two armatures of which the first is a flexible membrane and the second comprises at least one zone of a signal line, both armatures being separated by a thickness of void or of gas, the device making it possible to connect the main line to ground planes by self-actuation of the membrane under the effect of an input signal power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Afshin Ziaei, Matthieu Le Baillif
  • Publication number: 20120081189
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a stacked waveguide circulator are described. The stacked waveguide circulator may comprise a first side and a second side. The stacked waveguide circulator may also comprise a top and a bottom opposite the top. The top and the bottom may be adjacent to the first and second sides. The stacked waveguide circulator may also comprise a a first port and a second port on the first side. The first port may be vertically above the second port on the first side. Further, the stacked waveguide circulator may comprise a third port on the second side. The stacked waveguide circulator may comprise a first magnet on the top. The first magnet may be configured to assist in directing signals between the first, second, and third ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Edwin NEALIS, Yeng Shen
  • Publication number: 20120075032
    Abstract: An electronic component is mounted on a substrate so as to be in contact with a non-reciprocal circuit element. Therefore, there is no risk of the electronic component, which is arranged so as to be in contact with the non-reciprocal circuit element, being displaced as a result of being shifted by the magnetic force of permanent magnets included in the non-reciprocal circuit element and displacement of the electronic component as a result of being shifted by the magnetic force of the permanent magnets can be prevented. Therefore, since there is no risk of the electronic component being displaced by being shifted by the magnetic force of the permanent magnets, a space in which to mount a member that would function as an electromagnetic shield, such as a yoke, need not be provided on the substrate and the composite electronic module can be reduced in size and profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takatoshi KATO, Yasuhiro TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 8138848
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Anaren, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Lingel
  • Patent number: 8134422
    Abstract: A non-reciprocal circuit device comprising a ground plate having pluralities of external projections, a resin member having a hole through which the ground plate is exposed, a garnet plate disposed in the hole of the resin member, a microstrip line member disposed on a main surface of the garnet plate, a partition member disposed on the microstrip line member, and a permanent magnet disposed on the partition member between a pair of metal cases in this order from bottom, at least part of the external projections of the ground plate extending through the hole of the resin member over an upper surface of the partition member, and being bent to enclose the garnet plate, the microstrip line member and the partition member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8130054
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a frequency-adjustable radio frequency (RF) isolator that may operate as a bandpass filter when processing RF signals in a forward direction and may operate as a notch filter when processing RF signals in a reverse direction. The notch filter has a notch frequency, which is adjustable to provide adequate isolation from reflected signals at a specific operating frequency. The frequency-adjustable RF isolator may include an electro-magnetic gyrator coupled to a variable impedance circuit, which may present a variable impedance to the electro-magnetic gyrator. The notch frequency may be dependent on the variable impedance. The notch filter may be a single-notch filter or may be a multiple-notch filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Scott Martin, Ruediger Bauder, Erin Spivey
  • Publication number: 20120019332
    Abstract: A nonreciprocal circuit element includes first and second center electrodes. On a ferrite to which a direct-current magnetic field is applied from a permanent magnet, the first and second center electrodes are insulated and intersect. First and second ends of the first center electrode are connected to an input port and an output port, respectively. First and second ends of the second center electrode are connected to the output port and a ground port, respectively. A first matching capacitor and a resistor are connected between the input port and the output port. A second matching capacitor is connected between the output port and the ground port. A parallel resonant circuit is connected in parallel to the resistor. A coupling element is connected between the parallel resonant circuit and another parallel resonant circuit including the first center electrode and the first matching capacitor so as to the parallel resonant circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seigo HINO, Yoshiki YAMADA
  • Patent number: 8058945
    Abstract: A ferrite magnet device, a nonreciprocal circuit device, and a composite electronic component are provided. The ferrite magnet device includes a ferrite element having a plurality of central electrodes arranged to intersect one another in an electrically insulated state, and a pair of permanent magnets fixed to both main surfaces of the ferrite element so as to apply a direct current magnetic field to the ferrite element. The central electrodes are made of metal foils provided on both main surfaces of the ferrite element, with adhesive layers therebetween. Electrodes provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the ferrite element are formed by plating in through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaya Wada, Atsushi Konishi
  • Patent number: 8058944
    Abstract: A microwave circulator having an outer metal housing with a cavity containing at least one magnet and an annular centring arrangement interposed between the outside of the magnet and the cavity. The centring arrangement includes first and second solid metal rings, the two rings having cooperating inclined faces arranged such that when a force is applied to urge the centring arrangement along the cavity, one ring is displaced outwardly into intimate contact with the inside of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
    Inventors: Malcolm William Inglis, Grant David Robertson, Alan Alexander McNeill
  • Patent number: 8040199
    Abstract: A surface mount circulator. The novel circulator includes a substrate, a predetermined number of microstrip lines disposed on a first surface of the substrate, a ground layer and a predetermined number of electrical contacts disposed on the second surface of the substrate, and a mechanism for coupling each microstrip line to one of the electrical contacts. In an illustrative embodiment, the circulator uses edge wrap metallization to wrap a microstrip line down a side of the substrate to connect with a corresponding contact. A ball grid array can then be used to connect the signal contacts and ground at the second surface of the substrate with a circuit board. The circulator also includes a magnet on first surface of the substrate over a resonator circuit connecting the microstrip lines and a pole piece on the second surface of the substrate beneath the ground to provide magnetic bias to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James A. Carr, Tamrat Akale
  • Publication number: 20110234332
    Abstract: In a circuit module, a core isolator includes a ferrite and a permanent magnet that is arranged to apply a direct-current field to the ferrite. A switch outputs to a signal path a high-frequency signal outputted from the core isolator. A SAW filter is provided on the signal path. A matching circuit is provided on the signal path and provides impedance matching between the output impedance of the core isolator and the input impedance of the SAW filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 8022783
    Abstract: The invention relates to a non-reciprocal circuit element (1) having a plurality of strip conductor elements (2) insulated electrically from one another, which conductor elements are embedded in a multilayer core (3) of ferrimagnetic material and are arranged in superposed conductor planes in such a way that the conductor elements (2) cross over one another in at least one crossover area (4, 5). To provide such a circuit element, which is particularly cost-effective to produce and which is suitable in particular for use in mobile phones, the invention proposes that the core (3) comprises, at least in the crossover area of the conductor elements (2), hard magnetic material, which is permanently magnetized in a spatial direction perpendicular to the conductor planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Rainer Pietig
  • Publication number: 20110204989
    Abstract: A non-reciprocal circuit element includes first and second isolators of a high-pass type, each of the first and second isolators including a permanent magnet, a ferrite body to which a direct-current magnetic field is applied by the permanent magnet, and first and second center electrodes arranged on the ferrite body so as to cross each other in an insulated state. The first isolator has a passing frequency band that is higher than a passing frequency band of the second isolator. The first and second isolators include input portions that are electrically connected to define a single input port. A low pass filter is provided between the input port and the input portion of the second isolator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaya WADA
  • Publication number: 20110193649
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a circuit assembly that includes an integrated circulator assembly. The circuit assembly has a first substrate, which contains a continuous circuit trace that includes a circulator component from the circulator assembly and at least one electrical component from the circuit assembly. A second substrate is disposed beneath the first substrate and includes a cladding on one surface. The second substrate contains an aperture that accepts a ferrite element, which is axially aligned with the circulator component of the circuit trace. A conductive material is placed across the ferrite element so that it forms a continuous ground plane with the cladding, which is common to the entire circuit trace. The circulator assembly also contains a magnet bonded to the ferrite element. The circulator assembly may also include a yoke disposed below the magnet to shield the circulator from external magnetic fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: EMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Popelka, Todd Vaughn, John D. Voss
  • Patent number: 7978018
    Abstract: A non-reciprocal circuit device comprising a magnetic plate F1; center conductors L1, L2, and L3 that are mutually insulated and disposed so as to intersect on magnetic plate F1; a plane conductor P1 that is disposed facing the center conductors with magnetic plate F1 placed therebetween, the plane conductor being connected to first ends of all the center conductors; matching capacitors C1 to C3 that have first ends grounded electrically and second ends connected to second ends of the center conductors; first matching circuits that have first ends connected to the second ends of the center conductors and second ends that are input/output ports; and a second matching circuit that has a first end connected to or integrated with the plane conductor and a second end grounded electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Furuta, Hiroshi Okazaki, Shoichi Narahashi
  • Patent number: 7936231
    Abstract: A circulator/isolator housing is provided that includes body and a plurality of slots within the body configured to receive therethrough inserts having magnetic permeability. The housing further includes a plurality of receiving portions within the body corresponding to the plurality of slots and configured to maintain a position of the inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Vincent Paquette, William Callanan, Rjckard O'Donovan, Brian Murray
  • Patent number: 7936230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a non-reciprocal component comprising: a ferrite substrate having a first side and an opposing second side located on a ground layer, a first metal line and a second metal line are located on the ferrite substrate in parallel to each other. To provide a non-reciprocal component having small dimensions and which could be integrated. The ferrite substrate is magnetized parallel to the metal lines and each of the metal lines is running at least from one side of the ferrite substrate to the other side and back forming thereby at least one meander loop, wherein the loops are interlaced to each other and the metal lines are isolated in an area of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventors: Rainer Pietig, Meng Cao
  • Patent number: 7915971
    Abstract: A nonreciprocal circuit device includes a ferrite-magnet element having ferrite provided with first and second central electrodes intersecting each other in an insulated manner and two permanent magnets arranged to sandwich the ferrite to apply a DC magnetic field thereto, a substrate on which the ferrite-magnet element and matching circuit elements are mounted, and a flat plate yoke. A first resin layer made of a cured liquid resin is provided at bonding portions of the ferrite-magnet element to the substrate, and a second resin layer made of a cured soft sheet-shaped resin adhered to a rear surface of the flat plate yoke is provided around the ferrite-magnet element and the matching circuit elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeji Arakawa, Yukihiro Kitaichi, Takashi Kadooka
  • Publication number: 20110068877
    Abstract: A multi-junction stripline circulator, comprising a housing with a cavity structure and a plurality of stripline junction circuits stacked within the cavity structure and connected in a cascade arrangement. Each stripline junction circuit comprises a stripline conductor having a plurality of ports, where one of the ports is connected to a port of a stripline conductor of each consecutive junction circuit in a cascade arrangement, and a pair of ferrite elements sandwiching the stripline conductor therebetween. The multi-junction stripline circulator further comprises one or more center ground planes, each having radial arms connected to ground. Each of the center ground planes are disposed between two consecutive stripline junction circuits in said cascade arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Parmeet Singh Chawla, Nikolay Volobuev, Yong Ju Ban
  • Patent number: 7907030
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a circuit assembly that includes an integrated circulator assembly. The circuit assembly has a first substrate, which contains a continuous circuit trace that includes a circulator component from the circulator assembly and at least one electrical component from the circuit assembly. A second substrate is disposed beneath the first substrate and includes a cladding on one surface. The second substrate contains an aperture that accepts a ferrite element, which is axially aligned with the circulator component of the circuit trace. A conductive material is placed across the ferrite element so that it forms a continuous ground plane with the cladding, which is common to the entire circuit trace. The circulator assembly also contains a magnet bonded to the ferrite element. The circulator assembly may also include a yoke disposed below the magnet to shield the circulator from external magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: EMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Vaughn, David Popelka, John D. Voss
  • Patent number: 7859358
    Abstract: A nonreciprocal circuit device has a structure that allows a direct current magnetic field having an even density to be applied to a necessary portion of a ferrite without impairing a reduction in profile so as to improve insertion loss. The nonreciprocal circuit device, for example, a two-port isolator, includes permanent magnets, a ferrite to which a direct current magnetic field is applied by the permanent magnets, and a first center electrode and a second center electrode that are disposed on the ferrite. The permanent magnets are disposed so as to oppose principal surfaces of the ferrite. Portions of each of the permanent magnets opposing relay electrodes on top and bottom surfaces are preferably thicker than other portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobumasa Kitamori, Takashi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7859357
    Abstract: A non-reciprocal circuit device includes a yoke that is small-sized, has a simple structure, has sufficient adhesive strength, and can achieve favorable performance characteristics. The non-reciprocal circuit device includes a planar yoke, permanent magnets, a ferrite to which a DC magnetic field is applied by the permanent magnets, and first and second center electrodes located on the ferrite. The planar yoke is located on the upper surface of the ferrite-magnet assembly through an adhesive layer. On the rear surface of the yoke, protrusions are arranged in a lattice manner, and the protrusions increase the adhesive strength and facilitate the flow of a high-frequency field generated from the second center electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinsei Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20100315174
    Abstract: A circulator/isolator housing is provided that includes body and a plurality of slots within the body configured to receive therethrough inserts having magnetic permeability. The housing further includes a plurality of receiving portions within the body corresponding to the plurality of slots and configured to maintain a position of the inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Stanley Vincent Paquette, William Callanan, Rjckard O'donovan, Brian Murray
  • Patent number: 7834717
    Abstract: A nonreciprocal circuit device (2-port isolator) includes a ferrite-magnet assembly including a ferrite, a first center electrode, and a second center electrode. The ferrite is sandwiched between a pair of permanent magnets and receives a direct-current magnetic field applied thereto. The first and second center electrodes are arranged on the ferrite. The ferrite includes a center layer and an outer layer ensuring an insulation state of the first and second center electrodes. The saturation magnetization of the outer layer is smaller than that of the center layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaya Wada, Hiroaki Kikuta
  • Patent number: 7834716
    Abstract: A nonreciprocal circuit device (2-port isolator) includes a ferrite-magnet assembly including a ferrite, a first center electrode, and a second center electrode. The ferrite is sandwiched between a pair of permanent magnets and receives a direct-current magnetic field applied thereto. The first and second center electrodes are arranged on the ferrite. The ferrite includes a center layer and an outer layer ensuring an insulation state of the first and second center electrodes. The saturation magnetization of the outer layer is larger than the saturation magnetization of the center layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaya Wada, Hiroaki Kikuta
  • Patent number: 7830222
    Abstract: A non-reciprocal circuit device capable of preventing and minimizing disturbances in magnetic field distribution in a ferrite to thereby improve insertion loss characteristics and isolation characteristics includes a ferrite to which a DC magnetic field is applied by permanent magnets and first and second center electrodes disposed on the ferrite. A conductive material is embedded in a recess provided in an end surface of the ferrite that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first and second principal surfaces of the ferrite, and the first and second center electrodes are electrically connected to the conductive material to define a circuit. Opening portions of the recess facing the first and second principal surfaces are arranged such that the opening portion at a downstream side of a direction of application of the DC magnetic field by the permanent magnets is larger than the opening portion at an upstream side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobumasa Kitamori, Takashi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7825744
    Abstract: A nonreciprocal circuit device attenuates unnecessary waves having a higher frequency than that of a fundamental wave, without increasing insertion loss. The nonreciprocal circuit device in the form of a 2-port type isolator includes a ferrite on which a first central electrode and a second central electrode are arranged to cross each other and so as to be electrically insulated from each other. A bypass circuit including a phase shifter and a filter is provided between an input port and an output port, and the bypass circuit does not allow signals in the fundamental wave band to pass through and also attenuates harmonics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kawanami
  • Patent number: 7821351
    Abstract: An irreversible circuit element is configured by including a magnetic substance, a plurality of central conductors L1 to L3, one ends of which are connected to different input/output ports, arranged on the magnetic substance so as to intersect each other while being insulated from each other, a first conductor P1 connected to the other ends of all the central conductors L1 to L3, a second conductor, a plurality of matching capacitors (each configured by C1 to C3) connecting the one end of the central conductors L1 to L3 and the second conductor and a variable matching mechanism V1, one end of which is connected or integrated with the second conductor, capable of changing reactance between the one end and the other end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Furuta, Atsushi Fukuda, Hiroshi Okazaki, Shoichi Narahashi
  • Patent number: 7816995
    Abstract: A system includes a first circulator, a second circulator connected to the first circulator and a load, a third circulator connected to the second circulator, and a filter connected between the first and third circulators. The filter modifies the phase and amplitude of a first signal from the first circulator to produce a modified first signal. The modified first signal amplitude may be equal to the amplitude of a second signal from the second circulator. The phase of the modified first signal is about 180 degrees out of phase with the second signal phase. The third circulator circulates the modified first signal towards the second circulator. The first signal comprises a coupled signal from the first circulator. The second signal comprises a signal reflected from the load and a coupled signal from the second circulator. The filter may be a passive network having lumped, distributed, and resistive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jeffery C. Allen, John W. Rockway, Diana Arceo, Jeffery Young
  • Patent number: RE41843
    Abstract: A method detects relaying of a contactless data communication by a radio amplifier for intercepting and manipulating the communication to achieve an unauthorized authentication. The method involves transmitting an electromagnetic field successively from at least two spatially separated antennas of a transmitting unit, receiving the transmitted fields in a receiving unit, determining field strength vectors of the received fields allocated to each antenna, and comparing actual values of the vectors with prescribed nominal values stored in a nominal value field that maps the true field strength distribution in multi-dimensional space around the transmitting unit. The actual field strength magnitude and the reception angle between the transmitting antennas can be determined from the vectors and compared with stored nominal values in this manner. When the determined actual values match prescribed nominal values of the nominal value field, the occurrence of a relaying of the signal can be reliably excluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Atmel Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Blatz, Helmut Moser