Using Stripline Patents (Class 333/116)
  • Patent number: 8648675
    Abstract: A planar transmission line may include first and second spaced apart planar conductors. The transmission line may include a first section in which the first and second conductors extend along a first line in respective first and second parallel planes and are broadside coupled, and a second section extending from the first section along a second line transverse to the first line. The first and second conductors in the second section may include respective first portions extending in the respective first and second planes that are broadside coupled. The first conductor may include a second portion in the second section extending in the second plane, with the first portion of the second conductor and the second portion of the first conductor having adjacent edges that are edge-coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Werlatone, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen F. Podell
  • Patent number: 8643431
    Abstract: A Lange coupler having a first plurality of lines on a first level and a second plurality of lines on a second level. At least one line on the first level is cross-coupled to a respective line on the second level via electromagnetic waves traveling through the first and second plurality of lines. The first and second plurality of lines may be made of metal, and the first level may be higher than the second level. A substrate may be provided into which the first and second plurality of lines are etched so as to define an on-chip Lange coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kwan Him Lam
  • Patent number: 8643447
    Abstract: A terminal circuit is applied to a bi-directional coupler. The terminal circuit includes a transmission line having a first end and a second end, a first resistor connecting the first end and a first ground and a second resistor connecting the second end and a second ground. A resistance value of the first resistor is substantially identical to that of the second resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Chen, Chun-Jui Pan
  • Patent number: 8643448
    Abstract: An RF directional coupler fabricated utilizing a printed circuit structure that includes a plated slot or trough as and electrical conduit. The slot intersects a capture pad at the end of the trace. The plating wraps around to this capture pad making the trough a hollow trace. The hollow trace allows a large surface area to be parallel in the same plane. The smooth surface of the routed slot allows for a smooth copper surface unlike a typical wall of a hole or treated copper. These unique vertical edge plated troughs inside the coupler providing two significant advantages over previous coupling techniques. First, the surface area of the lines is greater which greatly increases its power handling capability. Second, the mainline and coupled lines all lie in the same plane simplifying construction of the coupler into a pick and place circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Technical Research and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David V. Kane, Mark A. Stanley, Kevin Devine
  • Patent number: 8633784
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a contactless RF coupling device that includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The RF coupling device may provide a broadband, low loss electrical connection without mechanical contact as would a conventional mechanical connector. The first substrate includes a first ground plane on one side and a first transmission line on an opposing side. The first transmission line includes an enlarged first coupling member at an end of the first transmission line. The second substrate includes a second ground plane on one side and a second transmission line on an opposing side. The second transmission line includes an enlarged second coupling member at an end of the second transmission line. The first ground plane may not extend under the first coupling member and the second ground plane may include an opening that is aligned with the second coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad Ihla, Robert Charles Becker, Glen Backes, Alan Cornett, Matthew S. Marcus
  • Patent number: 8629736
    Abstract: In a directional coupler, a first low pass filter includes a first coil that is connected between a first outer electrode and a main line and has a characteristic in which attenuation increases with increasing frequency in a certain frequency band. A second low pass filter includes a second coil that is connected between a second outer electrode and the main line and has a characteristic in which attenuation increases with increasing frequency in the certain frequency band. A high pass filter is connected, in parallel to the main line, between a point between the first coil and the first outer electrode and a point between the second coil and the second outer electrode and has a characteristic in which attenuation decreases with increasing frequency in the certain frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Tamaru
  • Patent number: 8629735
    Abstract: In an electronic component, a main line includes a spiral-shaped portion having a central axis that is parallel or substantially parallel to a z-axis direction. A sub line is electromagnetically coupled with the main line to define a directional coupler, and includes a spiral-shaped portion having a central axis that is parallel or substantially parallel to the z-axis direction. Outer electrodes are provided on an end surface of a multilayer body and are respectively electrically connected to the two ends of the main line. Outer electrodes are provided on an end surface of the multilayer body and are respectively electrically connected to the two ends of the sub line. A region in which the main line is provided and a region in which the sub line is provided are superposed with each other in the z-axis stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Mori, Hiroshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 8587388
    Abstract: A directional coupler having (a) a first coupled microstrip section having a first terminus (T1) and a second terminus (T2), (b) a second coupled microstrip section having a first terminus at T2 and a second terminus (T3), and (c) a first phase-velocity-compensating capacitor connected across the conductors of the microstrip sections at T2 is disclosed. The coupler also may include a second phase-velocity-compensating capacitor connected at T1, and a third phase-velocity compensating capacitor connected across the conductors at T3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Spectrum Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Ingalls, John Williams, James R. Callaway
  • Patent number: 8570115
    Abstract: The embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a power division network device, which comprises a shielding house and a circuit board. Two opposite surface layers of the circuit board are respectively provided with a signal transmission line and a coupling line. The signal transmission line and the coupling line are suspended in the shielding house. The coupling line comprises a coupling area, and a load interface and an output signal interface connected at the two ends of the coupling area. The projection of the coupling area on the surface layer where the signal transmission line is located falls onto the signal transmission line and forms thereon a projection area. The length of the projection area in the longitudinal direction of the signal transmission line is one quarter wavelength. Broadside coupling by way of making the projection of the coupling line fall onto the signal transmission line can realize the allocation and sampling of the signals transmitted in the signal transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xianzhi Xiong, Bangchang Xu
  • Patent number: 8559186
    Abstract: An inductor with patterned ground plane is described. In one design, the inductor includes a conductor formed on a first layer and a patterned ground plane formed on a second layer under the conductor. The patterned ground plane has an open center area and a shape matching the shape of the conductor. The patterned ground plane includes multiple shields, e.g., eight shields for eight sides of an octagonal shape conductor. Each shield has multiple slots formed perpendicular to the conductor. Partitioning the patterned ground plane into separate shields and forming slots on each shield help prevent the flow of eddy current on the patterned ground plane, which may improve the Q of the inductor. Multiple interconnects couple the multiple shields to circuit ground, which may be located at the center of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM, Incorporated
    Inventor: Zhang Jin
  • Patent number: 8558640
    Abstract: A directional coupler includes a dielectric substrate having at least an input terminal and an output terminal on a surface thereof, a main line disposed in the dielectric substrate and extending between the input terminal and the output terminal, a first coupling line for monitoring a level of an input signal which is input through the input terminal, the first coupling line being disposed in the dielectric substrate and having an end electrically connected to a first terminating resistor, and a second coupling line for monitoring a level of a reflected signal which is input through the output terminal, the second coupling line being disposed in the dielectric substrate and having an end electrically connected to a second terminating resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takami Hirai, Shinsuke Yano, Takanobu Saka
  • Publication number: 20130241668
    Abstract: In a directional coupler, even when parasitic inductance exists, an increase in device size can be suppressed while obtaining good isolation characteristics. A transmission line type directional coupler includes a main line and a sub line that is coupled to the main line through electric field coupling and magnetic field coupling. The main line includes a signal input port and a signal output port, and the sub line includes a coupling port and an isolation port. A series capacitor is connected to only one of the signal output port and the coupling port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke TOKUDA, Kazutaka MUKAIYAMA
  • Patent number: 8536956
    Abstract: In a directional coupler, sub-lines or main lines are electromagnetically coupled to each other to degrade isolation characteristics. A capacitor is located between the sub-lines or between the main lines to cause the isolation characteristics to have poles in order to improve the isolation characteristics of the directional coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Tamaru, Hirokazu Yazaki, Hiroshi Masuda
  • Publication number: 20130229239
    Abstract: A Lange coupler comprises an unbroken peripheral ground conductor surrounding input, through, coupled and isolated conductor strips coupled to input, through, coupled and isolated ports of the Lange coupler respectively, wherein the peripheral ground conductor and input and through conductor strips are arranged on a first metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Olivier Tesson, Patrice Gamand, Sidina Wane
  • Patent number: 8508317
    Abstract: A broadband coupling filter for generating a notch filtering effect is disclosed. In the broadband coupling filter, a substrate includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. A first signal terminal, a second signal terminal, and a block transmission line are formed in the first layer, wherein the first signal terminal is used for receiving a signal, and the second signal terminal is used for outputting a filtering result of the signal. A grounding plate is formed in the second layer, having a hole. A third signal terminal, a forth signal terminal and a second block transmission line are formed in the third layer. A connection unit is further formed in the third layer, for connecting the third signal terminal and the forth signal terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Ralink Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Min-Chung Wu
  • Publication number: 20130194055
    Abstract: A directional coupler has a first line capable of transmitting a high-frequency signal therethrough and a second line arranged for electromagnetic coupling with the first line in a laminated board. The first line and the second line are routed on a first conductor layer to extend in close proximity to and in parallel with each other, to form an intra-layer coupling zone for developing electromagnetic coupling between the first line and the second line. The second line is routed on a second conductor layer such that the second line partially overlaps with the first line disposed on the first conductor layer with respect to a length-wise direction, when viewed in plan, to form an inter-layer coupling space for developing electromagnetic coupling between the second line on the second conductor layer and the first line on the first conductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: TDK Corporation
  • Patent number: 8476987
    Abstract: A distributed-line directional coupler including: a first conductive line between first and second ports intended to convey a signal to be transmitted; and a second conductive line, coupled to the first one, between third and fourth ports, the second line being interrupted approximately at its middle, the two intermediary ends being connected to attenuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: François Dupont, Hilal Ezzeddine, Sylvain Charley
  • Publication number: 20130147576
    Abstract: Systems and methods for achieving high directivity (>20 dB) coupling over a reasonable frequency bandwidth on a microstrip transmission line. An exemplary coupler cancels out-of-phase, coupled reflected power signals on the transmission line thereby increasing the directivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Charles Hanna, Del Brandley
  • Patent number: 8461938
    Abstract: Embodiments include directional couplers, electronic devices within which they are incorporated, and methods for using directional couplers. An embodiment of a directional coupler includes a set of coupled lines and a reflection coefficient manipulator. The set of coupled lines includes first and second conductive structures. The first conductive structure has a first port, a second port, and a substantially linear, first conductive central portion between the first port and the second port. The second conductive structure has a third port, a fourth port, and a substantially linear, second conductive central portion between the third port and the fourth port. The reflection coefficient manipulator is integrated with the set of coupled lines and is disposed in proximity to a gap between the first and second conductive structures. The reflection coefficient manipulator, which includes slots, protrusions, or both, is configured to equate reflection coefficients of the first and second conductive structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Basim Noori, Stephen C. Cripps
  • Publication number: 20130141184
    Abstract: In a directional coupler, sub-lines or main lines are electromagnetically coupled to each other to degrade isolation characteristics. A capacitor is located between the sub-lines or between the main lines to cause the isolation characteristics to have poles in order to improve the isolation characteristics of the directional coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8446230
    Abstract: Directional couplers are provided. In one embodiment, the directional coupler includes first and second transmission line segments positioned on a first plane and spaced apart by a first distance, third and fourth transmission line segments positioned on a second plane and spaced apart by a second distance, the second plane spaced apart from the first plane, a first conductive segment connecting the first and third transmission line segments, and a second conductive segment connecting the second and fourth transmission line segments, where the first and second transmission line segments are configured to couple energy therebetween, and where the third and fourth transmission line segments are configured to couple energy therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Terry Cisco, Mary A. Teshiba
  • Patent number: 8421553
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a directional coupler having favorable characteristics even when a parasite inductance is present on a coupling line. The directional coupler includes resistive elements between at least either a signal input port and a coupling port or between a signal output port and an isolation port. The resistive elements can reduce the output from the ISO port and improve directivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazutaka Mukaiyama
  • Patent number: 8410864
    Abstract: A coupler including: a first conductive line intended to convey a signal to be transmitted between first and second terminals; a second conductive line, coupled to the first one and having one end intended to provide, on a third terminal, data relative to a signal reflected on the second terminal; and an inductive and/or capacitive impedance matching circuit, interposed between the other end of the second line and a fourth terminal of the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Sylvain Charley, François Dupont, Hilal Ezzeddine
  • Patent number: 8384494
    Abstract: A distributed multiband coupling circuit including: a number n of first and of second terminals equal to the number of frequency bands; a third terminal and a fourth terminal; a number n of distributed couplers equal to the number of frequency bands, all couplers being identical and sized according to the highest frequency band, and each coupler including a first conductive line between first and second ports intended to convey a signal to be transmitted in the concerned frequency band, and a second conductive line coupled to the first one between third and fourth ports; a first set of resistive splitters in cascade between the third ports of the couplers, a terminal of the splitter associated with the first coupler being connected to the third terminal of the coupling circuit; and a second set of resistive splitters in cascade between the fourth ports of the couplers, a terminal of the splitter associated with the first coupler being connected to the fourth terminal of the coupling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Claire Laporte, Hilal Ezzeddine
  • Publication number: 20120319797
    Abstract: A directional coupler used in a predetermined frequency band includes a main line connected between a first terminal and a second terminal. A first sub line is connected to a third terminal and is electromagnetically coupled to the main line. A second sub line is connected to a fourth terminal and is electromagnetically coupled to the main line. A low pass filter is connected between the first sub line and the second sub line and causes a phase shift to be generated in a passing signal passing therethrough in such a manner that the phase shift monotonically increases within a range from about 0 to about 180 degrees with increasing frequency in the predetermined frequency band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ikuo TAMARU
  • Patent number: 8330552
    Abstract: A sandwich strip coupled coupler implemented in a multi-layer substrate, such as a multi-layer printed circuit board. In one example, the sandwich strip coupled coupler includes a main arm having a first main arm section and a second main arm section disposed above the first main arm section, the first and second main arm sections being electrically connected together, and a coupled arm disposed between the first and second main arm sections, the first main arm section, the coupled arm and the second main arm section forming a sandwich structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Li, Xuanang Zhu, Dmitri Prikhodko
  • Patent number: 8319574
    Abstract: A printed circuit board and a transmitting/receiving module including the same are disclosed. The printed circuit board in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can include a substrate, a first transmission line, which is formed on one surface of the substrate and transmits an inputted data signal, and a second transmission line, which is capacitively connected to the first transmission line. Here, the first transmission line and the second transmission line transmit an ascending edge and a descending edge of the inputted data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoungho Lee, Yoondong Kim, Su-Bong Jang
  • Patent number: 8314663
    Abstract: A directional coupler that has a degree of coupling that is close to constant and is to be used in a predetermined frequency band includes a main line between a first outer electrode and a second outer electrode. A sub-line is provided between a third outer electrode and a fourth outer electrode and is electromagnetically coupled with the main line. A low pass filter is provided between the third outer electrode and the sub-line and has a characteristic in which attenuation increases with increasing frequency in a predetermined frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Tamaru, Kiyoshi Aikawa
  • Patent number: 8315576
    Abstract: A cascaded directional couplers circuit having capacitive compensation such that the directivity of a resistively terminated one of the cascaded couplers is not degraded by an inductance of the other one of the cascaded directional couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Jones
  • Patent number: 8314664
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power coupler for hyperfrequency signals. The single-section coupler with microstrip lines comprises a dielectric substrate, a main line and a secondary line comprising a coupling section, the lines being deposited on the substrate, the main line being substantially rectilinear and uniform over its entire length, the coupling section comprising a protuberance at each of its ends, the protuberances being interlinked by a portion of conductive line of which the section, the shape and the disposition are adapted to minimize the coupling between said portion and the main line relative to the coupling made between the protuberances and the main line. The invention applies notably to the measurement of the power of a signal passing through a transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Pierre Bertram, Hugues Augereau, Georges Peyresoubes
  • Patent number: 8299871
    Abstract: In a directional coupler having flaps on a pair transmission lines to be coupled, structural characteristics such as the distance between adjacent flaps, the length and width of a flap, the direction of projection of the flaps, and whether and to what degree the flaps on the two transmission lines overlap can be selected in order to optimize electrical characteristics of the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodrigo Carrillo-Ramirez
  • Patent number: 8289102
    Abstract: A directional coupler includes capacitive elements electrically connected to a coupled port and an isolated port, respectively, for a coupled line on a chip (on-chip). The capacitive elements serve as matching capacitive elements and may be MIM (Metal Insulator Metal) capacitors on a substrate. A first end of a first of the capacitive elements is connected between the coupled port and the coupled line and a second end is grounded. A first end of a second of the capacitive elements is connected between the isolated port and the coupled line and a second end is grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Yamamoto, Miyo Miyashita, Hitoshi Kurusu, Tomoyuki Asada
  • Publication number: 20120242423
    Abstract: An integrated coupler may vertically integrate a hybrid coupler and a directional coupler. The hybrid coupler may include a first quarter-wave metallic strip dielectrically coupled to a second quarter-wave strip. The directional coupler may include the second quarter-wave metallic strip dielectrically coupled to a third metallic strip. The first quarter-wave metallic strip may receive a first input signal. The second quarter-wave metallic strip may receive a second input signal, and it may superimpose the first quarter-wave metallic strip along a vertical space, so as to combine power received from the first input signal and the second input signal to form an output signal. The third quarter-wave metallic strip may superimpose the second quarter-wave metallic strip along the vertical space, so as to sample the output signal of the second quarter-wave metallic strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Rob Torsiello, Mark Bailly, Paul Davidsson
  • Publication number: 20120229230
    Abstract: A coupler circuit that includes two parallel coupled transmission lines (first transmission line and second transmission line) and a third transmission line, one end of the third transmission line connects to the end of first transmission line at one side, the other end of the third transmission line connects to the end of the second transmission line at the other side. Various coupling value and impedance transforming ratio can be achieved by select corresponding even and odd mode impedance of the coupled transmission lines and characteristic impedance of the crossing transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: ANAREN, INC.
    Inventors: Chong Mei, Hans P. Ostergaard
  • Patent number: 8258889
    Abstract: A directional coupler for the directional transmission of high-frequency signals provides at least three lines and at least three ports. Two lines of the three lines are connected in a conductive manner at least at their ends. A third line is arranged between the two first lines and coupled to the latter in an electromagnetic manner. In this context, the high-frequency signal is transmitted from the third line to the first line and second line. The coupling is implemented via a coupling gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christoph Fluhrer
  • Patent number: 8232851
    Abstract: A Lange coupler having a first plurality of lines on a first level and a second plurality of lines on a second level. At least one line on the first level is cross-coupled to a respective line on the second level via electromagnetic waves traveling through the first and second plurality of lines. The first and second plurality of lines may be made of metal, and the first level may be higher than the second level. A substrate may be provided into which the first and second plurality of lines are etched so as to define an on-chip Lange coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kwan Him Lam
  • Patent number: 8228136
    Abstract: A coupling loop with each leg connected by two resistors, R1 and R2 going to ground on a disk shaped printed circuit board provides a directional coupler with directivity tuned by rotating this disk assembly and coupling controlled by the distance to the main RF transmission line. Once the desired level of directivity is obtained, this board is locked with screws from the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Powerwave Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Purna C. Subedi
  • Patent number: 8228134
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing signals via directional couplers embedded in a package are disclosed and may include generating via a directional coupler, one or more output RF signals that may be proportional to a received RF signal. The directional coupler may be integrated in a multi-layer package. The generated RF signal may be processed by an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the multi-layer package. The directional coupler may include quarter wavelength transmission lines, which may include microstrip or coplanar structures. The directional coupler may be electrically coupled to one or more variable capacitances in the integrated circuit. The variable capacitance may include CMOS devices in the integrated circuit. The directional coupler may include discrete devices, which may be surface mount devices coupled to the multi-layer package or may be devices integrated in the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be flip-chip bonded to the multi-layer package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8203398
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention includes a directional coupler having a coupling factor in the forward direction determined from the equation Cf=Cf·ej?Cf, a coupling factor in the reverse direction determined from the equation Cr=Cr·ej?Cr, an isolation in the forward direction determined from the equation If=If·ej?If, and an isolation in the reverse direction determined from the equation Ir=Ir·ej?Ir, wherein at least one condition is met from among the group consisting of: (1) the absolute value of ??=?Cr+?Cf?(?Ir+?If) being less than or equal to 20°, K = C f C r * I r I f ( 2 ) is less than or equal to 1.6, and (3) Cf=Cr and If=Ir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Huettinger Elektronik GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Mann, Christoph Gerhardt, Christian Thome, Christian Wangler, Daniel Krausse, Stephan Guenther, Rolf Weber
  • Patent number: 8188808
    Abstract: Branchline coupler structure using slow wave transmission line effect having both large inductance and large capacitance per unit length. The branchline coupler structure includes a plurality of quarter-wavelength transmission lines, at least one of which includes a high impedance arm and a low impedance arm. The high and low impedances are relative to each other. The high impedance arm includes a plurality of narrow cells and having an inductance of nL and a capacitance of C/n, and the low impedance arm includes a plurality of wide cells and having an inductance of L/n and capacitance of nC. The wide and narrow cells are relative to each other, and the wide and narrow cells are adjacent each other to form a signal layer having step discontinuous alternative widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Essam Mina, Guoan Wang, Wayne H. Woods, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120119846
    Abstract: A directional coupler includes: a main strip line connected between a first input terminal and a first output terminal and transmitting high-frequency signals; a sub strip line connected between a second input terminal and a second output terminal, located parallel to the main strip line, and electromagnetically coupled to the main strip line; and a first capacitor connected in parallel with the main strip line or the sub strip line, wherein an LC resonant circuit is constituted by inductances of the main strip line and sub strip line and capacitance of the first capacitor, and the LC resonant circuit resonates with respect to a high-frequency signal propagating from the first input terminal to the second output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takao Haruna
  • Patent number: 8174338
    Abstract: AN RF hybrid coupler is described having a coupling section and impedance matching transformer sections. The coupler, constructed of Strpline patterns, accepts an RF input signal at a first impedance value and outputs a plurality of RF signals at a second impedance value. The output RF signals are at equal amplitudes to one another and at lower amplitude than the input RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Innovative Power Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20120105170
    Abstract: Embodiments include directional couplers, electronic devices within which they are incorporated, and methods for using directional couplers. An embodiment of a directional coupler includes a set of coupled lines and a reflection coefficient manipulator. The set of coupled lines includes first and second conductive structures. The first conductive structure has a first port, a second port, and a substantially linear, first conductive central portion between the first port and the second port. The second conductive structure has a third port, a fourth port, and a substantially linear, second conductive central portion between the third port and the fourth port. The reflection coefficient manipulator is integrated with the set of coupled lines and is disposed in proximity to a gap between the first and second conductive structures. The reflection coefficient manipulator, which includes slots, protrusions, or both, is configured to equate reflection coefficients of the first and second conductive structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Basim H. Noori, Stephen C. Cripps
  • Patent number: 8169277
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a printed circuit board (PCB) including a ground plane and having first and second opposing surfaces. The electronic device may also include a radio frequency (RF) directional coupler carried by the first surface of the PCB and including a housing and circuitry therein defining an input port, an output port, and first and second monitoring ports. A first monitoring circuit may be carried by the first surface of the PCB and connected to the first monitoring port. The electronic device may also include a via conductor connected to the second monitoring port and extending through the PCB to the second surface thereof. A second monitoring circuit may also be carried by the second surface of the PCB and connected to the via conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: John Robert McIntyre, Anthony Clement Manicone
  • Publication number: 20120081191
    Abstract: An RF directional coupler fabricated utilizing a printed circuit structure that includes a plated slot or trough as and electrical conduit. The slot intersects a capture pad at the end of the trace. The plating wraps around to this capture pad making the trough a hollow trace. The hollow trace allows a large surface area to be parallel in the same plane. The smooth surface of the routed slot allows for a smooth copper surface unlike a typical wall of a hole or treated copper. These unique vertical edge plated troughs inside the coupler providing two significant advantages over previous coupling techniques. First, the surface area of the lines is greater which greatly increases its power handling capability. Second, the mainline and coupled lines all lie in the same plane simplifying construction of the coupler into a pick and place circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Putnam R F Components, Inc.
    Inventors: David V. Kane, Mark A. Stanley, Kevin Devine
  • Publication number: 20120068786
    Abstract: A coupler comprises a first line and a second line in each case with two connectors. The lines run in spatial proximity and are coupled. A first connector of the first line and a first connector of the second line are disposed in spatial proximity. A second connector of the first line and a second connector of the second line are disposed in spatial proximity. A signal does not couple or couples only with a high attenuation from the first connector of the first line to the first connector of the second line. The signal is split, in particular, at the design frequency, into largely identical parts to the second connector of the first line and the second connector of the second line. The first line and the second line in this context are strip conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Juenemann, Alexander Bayer, Michael Freissl, Christian Evers
  • Publication number: 20120062333
    Abstract: A distributed coupler including a first line intended to convey a radio signal between its two ends and a second line intended to sample, by coupling, part of the signal, wherein: one of the lines is formed on an insulating substrate; and the other line is formed in a lead frame supporting the substrate, one line being above the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Hilal Ezzeddine, Claire Laporte
  • Publication number: 20120049974
    Abstract: External electrodes are provided on a bottom surface of a laminate, and are connected to both ends of a main line and both ends of a sub-line, respectively. A warpage prevention conductor is provided on an insulating material layer that is provided on a top surface side of the laminate with respect to insulating material layers to which the main line is provided and with respect to insulating material layers to which the sub-line is provided. The warpage prevention conductor overlaps with the external electrodes when seen from a z-axis direction in a plan view. A conductor layer that is not connected to the main line or the sub-line is not provided on any of the insulating material layers provided on a bottom surface side of the laminate with respect to the insulating material layer on which the warpage prevention conductor is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi MASUDA, Takahiro MORI
  • Publication number: 20120019335
    Abstract: A self-compensated strip-coupled directional coupler. In one example, the self-compensated directional coupler includes a main arm formed in a single first layer of a multi-layer substrate, and a coupled arm formed in a single second layer of the multi-layer substrate. One of the coupled arm and the main arm includes a zigzag structure to compensate for misalignment between the first and second layers that can occur during manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Dinhphuoc V. Hoang, Guohao Zhang, Anil Agarwal
  • Patent number: 8093884
    Abstract: One embodiment comprises a directional coupler system comprising a substrate having a top surface and a backside surface, with the backside surface comprising a metalization ground portion and an unmetalized portion. A power line is coupled to the top surface, with the power line having an input adapted to receive a power signal, a first trace coupled to the input, a second trace in parallel with the first trace and coupled to the input, and an output coupled to the first and second traces and adapted to emit the power signal. A sensor line is coupled to the backside surface unmetalized portion, with the sensor line adapted to emit a sensor line signal having a sensor line signal level generally proportional to the power signal. Finally, a thermo-conductive base platform coupled to the metalized portion of the backside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gennady G. Gurov