Switch Patents (Class 333/258)
  • Patent number: 11315825
    Abstract: Structures including electrical isolation and methods associated with forming such structures. A semiconductor layer has a top surface, a polycrystalline region, and a single-crystal region between the polycrystalline region and the top surface. An isolation band is located beneath the single-crystal region. The isolation band contains a first concentration of an n-type dopant and a second concentration of a p-type dopant, and a net difference between the first concentration and the second concentration is within a range of about five percent to about fifteen percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Michel J. Abou-Khalil, Aaron Vallett, Steven M. Shank, Bojidha Babu, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 11108397
    Abstract: Within the integrated circuit there are a significant number of components and not all of them are electronic switches. In an effort to increase data speeds, lower power consumption, simplify circuits increase functionality within the integrated circuit, and increase the overall processing power of the circuit chip the use fiber-optic transmission lines as a communication medium between logic circuits instead of metallic conductors is more effective when utilized within the circuit chip. This would be used purely for the transmission of data and communication. With fiber-optic transmission lines, microscopic LED's and photodiode's the electronic/electrical design of logic gates would become simpler, there would be faster communication, less corrupted data, and a longer lifespan for the semiconductor circuit chips that are data processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Kay C. Robinson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10037447
    Abstract: A method begins with a first reader sending a first radio frequency (RF) signal prior to exposing a vehicle to moisture testing. The method continues with a second reader send a second RF signal after exposing the vehicle to moisture testing. The method continues by a first RF sensor tag receiving the first RF signal and adjusting a tank circuit in response to the first RF signal to produce a first impedance change. The method continues by the first RF sensor tag generating a first digital representation of the first impedance change. The method continues by the first RF sensor tag receiving the second RF signal, adjusting the tank circuit in response to the second RF signal to produce a second impedance change, and generating a second digital representation of the second impedance change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: RFMicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahriar Rokhsaz, Brian David Young
  • Patent number: 9407976
    Abstract: A method of dynamically routing a transmission line in a photosensitive layer including optically switching elements and a system to dynamically route a transmission line are described. The method includes determining dimensions of the transmission line based on a radio frequency signal for transmission through the transmission line. The method also includes controlling a light source to illuminate a portion of the optical switching elements of the photosensitive layer according to the dimensions to route the transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael H. Robson, Michael T. Pace
  • Patent number: 9246205
    Abstract: A signal transmission device comprises a high-frequency signal waveguide. The high-frequency signal waveguide is configured to transmit a high-frequency signal emitted from an electronic device. When the electronic device is at least proximate to a flat surface of the high-frequency signal waveguide, the high-frequency signal is directly coupled from the electronic device to the high-frequency signal waveguide and transmitted via the high-frequency signal waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Takeda, Kenji Komori, Sho Ohashi, Yasuhiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8674784
    Abstract: A microwave pulse compressor has an elongated, cross-sectionally oversized waveguide resonator for decreasing the attenuation of the resonator, thereby increasing the resonator's QO The increased Q of the resonator guide results in more stored energy and greater output pulse power. The pulse compressor is symmetrically constructed to suppress high order modes that can be generated in oversized waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Ray M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120161895
    Abstract: A microwave pulse power switching system 11 includes a waveguide switching section 13 having stacked reduced height waveguides 27, 29, wherein microwave pulse power introduced into a first port of the waveguide switching section is divided between and propagates through the stacked reduced height waveguides. At least one and preferably both of the stacked reduced height waveguides of said waveguide switching section are loaded with a non-reciprocal ferrite material 31, 33. A magnetic field switching circuit, which can include electromagnets 41, 43 and a bifurcating web plate 25 of the waveguide switching section, produces a switchable static magnetic field in the ferrite loaded reduced height waveguides. Actuation of the magnetic field switching circuit will cause pulse power that emerges from the second port of the waveguide switching section to be changed or “switched” relative to the pulse power introduced into the first port of the waveguide switching section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Ray M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7639100
    Abstract: A broadband, high-speed RF step attenuator implemented using long-lifetime PIN diode switches is presented which provides step attenuation across a significant portion of the entire RF frequency spectrum while maintaining minimal insertion loss, return loss, and harmonics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Giga-tronics, Inc
    Inventor: Carlos Fuentes
  • Publication number: 20090315638
    Abstract: A switch for selectively providing an input signal to an output terminal. The switch includes a first waveguide terminal, a second waveguide terminal, a reduced-width waveguide connecting the first waveguide terminal to the second waveguide terminal, and at least one switching element spanning the reduced-width waveguide between the first and second waveguide terminals. The reduced-width waveguide is configured to pass a signal from the first waveguide terminal to the second waveguide terminal when the at least one switching element is in a first state and block a signal when the at least one switching element is in a second state. In some embodiments, the switch also includes at least one additional waveguide terminal and the reduced-width waveguide also connects the first waveguide terminal to the at least one additional waveguide terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Chi Shih, Kiet Mai, Long Bui
  • Patent number: 7382215
    Abstract: In one implementation, a method is provided for an image guide coupler. The method includes controlling a coupling between adjacent waveguides of a propagating wave by controlling a coupling through at least one field pick up probe positioned next to the adjacent waveguides. In some implementations, controlling the coupling through the at least one field pick up probe includes using a series connected switch. In some implementations, the method includes controlling the coupling through the at least one field pick up probe using a pin diode, a transistor, a MEMS switch, or a varactor, in series with the at least one field pick up probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: James H. Schaffner
  • Patent number: 7324350
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to provide a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) radio frequency (RF) switch module with a vertical via. The MEMS RF switch module includes a MEMS die coupled to a cap section. The vertical via passes through the cap section to electrically couple an RF switch array of the MEMS die to a printed circuit board (PCB). In one embodiment, the MEMS die includes a trace ring surrounding at least a portion of the RF switch array so that a signal may enter or exit the MEMS RF switch module using the vertical via without crossing the trace ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Heck, Tsung-Kuan Allen Chou, Joseph S. Hayden, III
  • Patent number: 7292125
    Abstract: A three dimensional waveguide is integrated with a MEMS structure to control a signal in various RF components. The components include switches, variable capacitors, filters and phase shifters. A controller controls movement of the MEMS structure to control a signal within the component. A method of construction and a method of operation of the component are described. The switches have high power handling capability and can be operated at high frequencies. By integrating a three dimensional waveguide with a MEMS structure, the components can be small in size with good operating characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventors: Raafat R. Mansour, Mojgan Daneshmand
  • Patent number: 7109823
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an image guide coupler switch is provided having a dielectric image guide coupler with a coupling control circuit. In this embodiment the coupling control circuit has at least one field pick up probe which extends at least part way across the image guide coupler. A switch is connected in series with the at least one field pick up probe. An optional capacitor my be provided in series with the series with the switch. In some embodiments, a pair of field pick up probes is provided, with the switch being connected in series with and between the pair of field pick up probes. Some embodiments may have multiple pairs of field pick up probes, each having a switch connected in series with a pair of field pick up probes. An optional capacitor may be provided in series with the pair of field pick up probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: James H. Schaffner
  • Patent number: 7045440
    Abstract: A phased-array antenna system and other types of radio frequency (RF) devices and systems using microelectromechanical switches (“MEMS”) and low-temperature co-fired ceramic (“LTCC”) technology and a method of fabricating such phased-array antenna system and other types of radio frequency (RF) devices are disclosed. Each antenna or other type of device includes at least two multilayer ceramic modules and a MEMS device fabricated on one of the modules. Once fabrication of the MEMS device is completed, the two ceramic modules are bonded together, hermetically sealing the MEMS device, as well as allowing electrical connections between all device layers. The bottom ceramic module has also cavities at the backside for mounting integrated circuits. The internal layers are formed using conducting, resistive and high-k dielectric pastes available in standard LTCC fabrication and low-loss dielectric LTCC tape materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Corporation for National Research Initiatives
    Inventors: Michael A. Huff, Mehmet Ozgur
  • Patent number: 6992549
    Abstract: A shutter switch is disclosed and placed in the path of a millimeter beam and is either opaque or transparent to the beam. The shutter switch comprises a number of waveguides placed adjacent to one another to intercept the beam, a portion of the beam passing through each waveguide. The dimensions of each waveguide are such that transmission of the respective portion of the beam would be cut-off if all of the waveguide walls were conductive. However, the waveguides have high impedance structures on at least two of their opposing interior walls that allow the beam at the design frequency to be transmitted through the waveguide with uniform density and minimal attenuation. At this design frequency the shutter switch is essentially transparent to the beam. Each of the high impedance structures can also be changed to a conductive surfaces such that all of the waveguide walls appear conductive and the waveguide takes on the characteristics of a metal rectangular waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Scientific Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: John A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6903624
    Abstract: A center-pivoted, conductive vane equipped with contact-enhancing finger stock on the wiping edges rests during normal operation of a modified waveguide section parallel to and equidistant between the broad faces of the waveguide, where it interacts minimally with RF propagating through the waveguide. When it is desired to provide a short circuit to the waveguide, for a safety lockout or other uses, the vane can be rotated into a position to provide a substantial barrier to RF propagation. Rotating the pivot shaft, to which the vane is rigidly attached, performs rotation of the vane. The shaft is equipped with lockable stops for the open and shorted positions. Multiple center-pivoted vanes in a multiple-branch waveguide can form a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: James Stenberg, Richard Bibber
  • Patent number: 6856211
    Abstract: A coaxial type impedance matching device includes a matching device body including an external conductor and an internal conductor arranged in the external conductor, an input side dielectric disposed in the matching device body and including a first dielectric and a second dielectric, and an output side dielectric disposed in the matching device body and including a third dielectric and a fourth dielectric. Distance between opposed surfaces of the first dielectric and the second dielectric is a predetermined distance, which is in a range of N?/4??/6 to N?/4??/6, where ? represents a guide wavelength of an input signal in the matching device body and N represents odd number. Distance between opposed surfaces of the third dielectric and the fourth dielectric is the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignees: Nagano Japan Radio Co., Ltd., Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Fumio Yamada, Toshiaki Kitamura, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Koichi Rokuyama, Akihiro Kubota, Shigeru Kasai, Takashi Ogino, Yuki Osada
  • Patent number: 6833772
    Abstract: An RF switch (100) which includes a waveguide structure (102) having at least a first (104) and second port (106). The RF switch (100) also includes a dielectric structure defining at least a first cavity (136) disposed at a juncture between the first and second ports. The dielectric structure can define a plurality of elongated fluid cavities (136) at the juncture extending between opposing walls (116, 118) of the waveguide structure (102). The RF switch (100) also can include a fluid control system (150) that moves a conductive fluid (138) into the first cavity (136) in a first operational state and at least partially purges the conductive fluid (136) from the first cavity (138) in a second operational state. A conductive path can be provided between the conductive fluid and at least one wall (1116, 118) of the waveguide structure (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen B. Brown, James J. Rawnick
  • Patent number: 6804828
    Abstract: A part of transmission signal is branched by a directional coupler, and split by a splitting circuit, so that the transmission signal can be outputted to the subscribers' terminal devices via branched output terminals. Latching relays disposed in signal paths to the branched output terminals from the splitting circuit can set the output/stop of the transmission signal to the terminal devices. A control circuit switches the connected/disconnected state of the relays in response to the command signal from the center apparatus. When an operation switch is turned on, all the relays are placed into the connected state. As a result, after the installation of the tap device, by operating the operation switch, the broadcasting signal can be distributed to the terminal devices before the command signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Masprodenkoh Kabushikikaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Shibata
  • Patent number: 6762661
    Abstract: A shutter switch is disclosed the is placed in the path of a millimeter beam and is either opaque or transparent to the beam. The shutter switch comprises a number of waveguides placed adjacent to one another to intercept the beam, a portion of the beam passing through each waveguide. The dimensions of each waveguide are such that transmission of the respective portion of the beam would be cut-off if the all of the waveguide walls were conductive. However, the waveguides have high impedance structures on at least two of their opposing interior walls that allow the beam at the design frequency to be transmitted through the waveguide with uniform density and minimal attenuation. At this design frequency the shutter switch to be essentially transparent to the beam. The high impedance structures can also be changed to a conductive surfaces such that all of the waveguides walls appear conductive and the waveguide takes on the characteristics of a metal rectangular waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Rockwell Scientific Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: John A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6686820
    Abstract: This application discloses a microelectromechanical (MEMS) switch apparatus comprising an anchor attached to a substrate and an electrically conductive beam attached to the anchor and in electrical contact therewith. The beam comprises a tapered portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being attached to the anchor, an actuation portion attached to the distal end of the tapered portion, a tip attached to the actuation portion, the tip having a contact dimple thereon. The switch apparatus also includes an actuation electrode attached to the substrate and positioned between the actuation portion and the substrate. Additional embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Qing Ma, Valluri Rao, John Heck, Li-Peng Wang, Dong Shim, Quan Tran
  • Patent number: 6621387
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical switch includes a transmission line having a gap disposed along it. The switch also includes at least one ground plane located proximal to the transmission line. A first bridge is configured to close the gap along the transmission line, and a second bridge is configured to connect the transmission line to the ground plane. A method of manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical switch includes forming, on a first substrate, a transmission line and at least one ground plane, wherein the transmission line includes a gap along it. The method also includes forming, on a second substrate, a first bridge configured to close the gap disposed along the transmission line, and a second bridge configured to connect the transmission line to the ground plane. Then transferring the first and second bridges to the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Analatom Incorporated
    Inventor: Matthew A. Hopcroft
  • Patent number: 6489858
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for switching waveguides between T switch and a bypass waveguide. The apparatus comprises a housing having a first, second and third housing port and a waveguide rotor, having a first and second rotary position. The waveguide rotor includes a first T waveguide, having a first and second T port, for connecting the second and third housing ports in the first rotary position, a second T waveguide having a third and fourth T port, for connecting the first and fourth housing ports in the first rotary position and a bypass waveguide, having a first and second bypass port, for connecting the first and second housing ports in the second rotary position. The first and second rotary positions are alternately selectable by rotating the waveguide rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James M. Barker, Rolf Kich, Richard L. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20020135437
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for switching waveguides between a junction waveguide and a bypass waveguide among a plurality of housing ports. The apparatus comprises a housing having a first, second and third housing port and a waveguide rotor, having a first and second rotary position. The waveguide rotor includes a junction waveguide, having a first, second and third junction port, for combining the first, second and third housing ports in the first rotary position and a bypass waveguide, having a first and second bypass port, for connecting the first and second housing ports in the second rotary position. The junction and bypass waveguides are alternately selectable by rotating the waveguide rotor to the first and second rotary positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Rolf Kich, Richard L. Bennett, James M. Barker
  • Publication number: 20020135436
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for switching waveguides between T switch and a bypass waveguide. The apparatus comprises a housing having a first, second and third housing port and a waveguide rotor, having a first and second rotary position. The waveguide rotor includes a first T waveguide, having a first and second T port, for connecting the second and third housing ports in the first rotary position, a second T waveguide having a third and fourth T port, for connecting the first and fourth housing ports in the first rotary position and a bypass waveguide, having a first and second bypass port, for connecting the first and second housing ports in the second rotary position. The first and second rotary positions are alternately selectable by rotating the waveguide rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: James M. Barker, Rolf Kich, Richard L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6448869
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for switching waveguides between a junction waveguide and a bypass waveguide among a plurality of housing ports. The apparatus comprises a housing having a first, second and third housing port and a waveguide rotor, having a first and second rotary position. The waveguide rotor includes a junction waveguide, having a first, second and third junction port, for combining the first, second and third housing ports in the first rotary position and a bypass waveguide, having a first and second bypass port, for connecting the first and second housing ports in the second rotary position. The junction and bypass waveguides are alternately selectable by rotating the waveguide rotor to the first and second rotary positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rolf Kich, Richard L. Bennett, James M. Barker
  • Patent number: 6388539
    Abstract: Parallel combined redundancy and switched redundancy are provided for active RF devices (i.e., amplifiers) in a cable plant system with a switch/coupler circuit of passive magnetic devices and switches that respond to an amplifier failure by switching the circuit into a combined or switched redundancy mode as needed to maintain a suitable dynamic range of operation. In either redundancy mode, the switch/coupler circuit operates with a constant 3dB reduction of dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Christopher W Rice
  • Patent number: 6246298
    Abstract: A dielectric line switch is provided which is capable of easily controlling the propagation of an electromagnetic wave. Also provided is an antenna device employing said dielectric line switch. As an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of dielectric lines and a plurality of primary radiators are provided on a rotary unit. With the rotation of the rotary unit, the dielectric lines are switched ON and OFF by virtue of mechanical means, so that a desired change-over may be effected among the plurality of primary radiators in a time sharing manner, and the positions of the primary radiators may be shifted within a plane of the focal point of a dielectric lens, thereby enabling the transmission wave beam and/or reception wave beam to scan in a desired manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Ishikawa, Koichi Sakamoto, Toru Tanizaki, Hiroshi Nishida, Taiyo Nishiyama, Nobuhiro Kondo, Atsushi Saitoh, Yoshinori Taguchi, Hideaki Yamada
  • Patent number: 6144267
    Abstract: A normal NRD guide is constituted in the part to be coupled with a dielectric resonator, a hyper NRD guide for simply transmitting the LSM01 mode is constituted in a multipoints circulator part, the normal NRD guide is constituted in a coupler part, the hyper NRD guide is constituted in the mixer part, and the normal NRD guides are constituted in a dielectric line switch part and in a connection unit between components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Saitoh, Toru Tanizaki, Hiroshi Nishida, Ikuo Takakuwa, Yoshinori Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6034574
    Abstract: A modulation apparatus connected to a termination edge of a waveguide path has a matching circuit, a detection diode for detecting a high-frequency signal inputted from the waveguide path, a resistor consumes a detection output of the detection diode, a transmission signal source controls a bias of the detection diode in accordance with a transmission signal, and a high-frequency choke. The high-frequency signal inputted when the detection diode is in a cut-off condition is reflected to the waveguide path. The high-frequency signal inputted when the detection diode is conductive is detected in the detection diode and consumed in a resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Sato
  • Patent number: 5969581
    Abstract: An opto-electronically controlled waveguide includes a waveguide; a finline mounted in the waveguide; a photovoltaic switch operably electrically cected to the finline; and a light source for generating an optical signal for modulating the photovoltaic switch. Modulation of the photovoltaic switch by intensity modulating the optical signal allows modulation of the insertion loss of the waveguide without the need for a DC bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Stephen M. Hart
  • Patent number: 5936493
    Abstract: Inexpensive and reliable apparatus for blanking the signal path between an antenna and a transmitter or a receiver to protect them from harmful radiation in the absence of power forms supplied thereto. The apparatus is preferably formed as a printed circuit waveguide switch window having a plurality of parallel conductors, such as metal wires or printed circuit traces, disposed on a dielectric substrate. The waveguide switch window is secured between two sections of waveguide. The conductors have a predetermined separation and width that are designed to appear as a solid metal surface that rejects radiation over a wide bandwidth. A bias terminal is coupled to the plurality of conductors, and insulating material is disposed between the bias terminal and the conductors to insulate the top portion of the grid array from the adjacent waveguide. The lower portion of the grid array is grounded to the adjacent waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Garry N. Hulderman, Richard J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5841327
    Abstract: A microwave launcher includes a hollow microwave cavity in the shape of a plus sign, four coplanar exit ports in the arms of the microwave cavity, and a non-coplanar entry port at a central hub of the microwave cavity. A single magnetron is in communication with the entry port. There is a controllable, electrically activated microwave barrier at each of the exit ports. Each microwave barrier includes an electrical signal input whose operation controls the activation of the microwave barrier. A switching circuit has a voltage source for the electrical signal input of each of the microwave barriers. Microwave power output from the single microwave source is launched from the selected exit port by using the switching circuit to selectively block microwave passage through each of the nonselected exit ports, but to leave the selected exit port unblocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: John W. Gerstenberg, Ken W. Brown
  • Patent number: 5729236
    Abstract: An electronic system 8 is disclosed herein. The system includes circuitry 10 for processing a signal and a plurality of antennas 12a-12b. A plurality of switches 22a-22b are also included. Each of the switches 22a-22b is coupled between the processing circuitry 10 and a corresponding one of the antennas 12a-12b. Each of the switches 22a-22b includes first and second power MOSFETs where the source of the first MOSFET is coupled to the source of the second MOSFET. The system further includes circuitry 28 for selecting of one of the plurality of switches 22a-22b to be on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas Flaxl
  • Patent number: 5663694
    Abstract: A microwave switch selectively directs a microwave signal along first and second signal paths. The switch includes a microwave transmission member, a microwave chamber formed by the transmission member for containing an ionizable gas, input and output ports formed by the transmission member to communicate with the microwave chamber and a triggered plasma generator which is configured to generate, in response to a voltage trigger signal, a trigger electron density N.sub.t in the gas. The microwave signal increases the trigger electron density N.sub.t to a reflective electron density N.sub.r. Consequently, the microwave signal is reflected along a first path from the input port when the trigger electron density N.sub.t is present and is directed along a second path to the output port when the trigger electron density N.sub.t is absent. A plurality of these microwave switches is arranged to form a tunable microwave short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics
    Inventors: Dan M. Goebel, Joseph Santoru, Robert L. Poeschel, John W. Gerstenberg
  • Patent number: 5469128
    Abstract: A circuit element for microwave and millimeter-wave bands and a method of producing the same. A dielectric line is made of a pure dielectric resin. A high-frequency wave absorbing member is made of a pure dielectric resin containing at least one of first, second and third powders dispersed therein. The first powder having a high specific inductive capacity, the second powder having a high magnetic permeability, and the third powder having a high specific resistance. A compression molding technique is used to fusion bond the high-frequency wave absorbing member to the dielectric line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Nippon Valqua Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Umeo Kawanishi, Nobuhisa Hirayama, Takeshi Hamabe, Toru Takagi
  • Patent number: 5413983
    Abstract: A tetrahedral junction waveguide switch having a first length of hollow rangular waveguide and a second length of hollow rectangular waveguide adjacent each other with a ferrite rod longitudinally disposed therebetween. A magnetic field is created by a superconducting switching coil placed around the junction of the two lengths of waveguide. The normally magnetically biased ferrite rod permits electromagnetic wave energy to be transmitted through the first and second lengths of waveguide. An open circuit control means selectively and controllably interrupts the current flowing around the superconducting switching coil causing the longitudinal magnetic field to be removed from the normally magnetically biased ferrite rod. The waveguide switch is thereby placed in a cut off, nontransmission, or reflective mode preventing transmission of electromagnetic wave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Richard A. Stern, Richard W. Babbitt, Thomas E. Koscica
  • Patent number: 5347243
    Abstract: A non-contacting waveguide "T" switch (10) is provided including a stator (12), a rotor (14) mounted for rotation relative to the stator, and a coaxial conductor (64) located at the axis of the rotor for carrying a coaxial transmission. The stator (12) has at least one waveguide port (32). The rotor (14) includes a through-waveguide (48) and an impedance matching transformer (52) disposed in the through-waveguide (48) for converting the coaxial transmission into a waveguide transmission. The transformer (52) has a bore which forms a non-contacting sleeve about the coaxial conductor (64). The through-waveguide (48) carries the waveguide transmission radiated from the transformer to the at least one waveguide port (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Rolf Kich, Omar M. Al-Bundak
  • Patent number: 5317293
    Abstract: An RF switch circuit includes a waveguide transmission line having an input port, an output port, a first wall having a first cavity disposed therein and a second wall having a second cavity disposed therein with the first and second cavities being aligned along a centerline of the waveguide transmission line and means for providing a substantially short circuit impedance characteristic between the first cavity and the waveguide transmission line to RF signals propagating along the waveguide transmission line. The circuit further includes an electrically conductive member disposed in a first region of the second cavity, a diode having a first electrode disposed on a first surface of the electrically conductive member and an electrically conductive post having a first end disposed in the first cavity and having a second end disposed in the second cavity with the second end of the post electrically contacting a second electrode of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Donald F. Bacon, Howard M. Richards
  • Patent number: 5214315
    Abstract: An extremely fast high-voltage driver for nanosecond-level switching of gallium arsenide PIN semiconductor devices and other reactive loads utilizes two stages of voltage level translation to permit low voltage TTL logic control signals to control the application of high voltage switching pulses to a load. The circuit utilizes an input stage responsive to TTL level signals to drive a first voltage level translating stage which produces high voltage pulses complementary to the input pulses. The increased voltage pulses are supplied through an intermediate power gain stage to provide amplification of the pulse power level. The amplified pulse is supplied to an output stage for additional level conversion to thereby provide high voltage switching signals to a PIN switch or other reactive load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Curt Dunnam
  • Patent number: 5119052
    Abstract: A GaAs monolithic waveguide switch and system for low power consumption and high frequency switching wherein a single GaAs chip is flip-chip mounted onto a waveguide slot and inserted between interconnecting waveguides to provide single pole single throw switching. The GaAs chip includes an array of MESFETs along with connecting electrodes configured to provide low loss in the biased state and high loss in the unbiased state. The use of a single GaAs monolithic chip provides improved RF performance and manufacturability over discrete devices and provides lower power consumption as compared with silicon PIN diode waveguide switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry C. Witkowski, Hua Q. Tserng, Robert C. Voges, Charles M. Rhoads, Oren B. Kesler
  • Patent number: 5099214
    Abstract: A waveguide having walls defining an opening. An optically transmissive aperture in one wall allows light from an optical illumination source such as a laser diode array to illuminate the opening in which is located a semiconductor slab positioned to be illuminated. When the array illuminates the slab, the propagation characteristics (phase velocity and attenuation constant) of the waveguide changes. A continuous wave signal passing through the waveguide is thus attenuated and phase shifted. The laser array may be pulsed on and off while still maintaining the altered propagation constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arye Rosen, Paul J. Stabile, Walter M. Janton
  • Patent number: 5055805
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a polarization mode selection switch for preselected wavelengths using a waveguide having a first array of PIN type diodes mounted in a plane extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal waveguide axis. The diodes are disposed at one-quarter wavelength intervals along a first series of parallel lines which are separated at about one-half wavelength intervals. A second PIN diode array is also mounted within the waveguide in a second plane extending substantially perpendicular to the waveguide axis with diodes disposed at one-quarter wavelength intervals along a second series of parallel lines that are also spaced about one-half wavelength apart. The second plane is substantially parallel and adjacent to the first plane with the second lines being oriented substantially perpendicular to the first lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Philip T. Kan
  • Patent number: 5053732
    Abstract: A waveguide switch assembly having a common stator in which a network of signal paths are provided inserted by rotors operated by individual motors responsive to a digital computer. An interface including a line receiver the input of which is coupled to the output of the computer. A one-shot multivibrator is coupled to and triggered by the line receiver. A relay driven by the one-shot controls application of current to the switch motor when the computer applies a differential input across the line receiver. A timer and a counter is used to prevent the switch motor from exceeding a defined duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Logus Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Manfred C. Elgass, Vincent A. Colucci
  • Patent number: 4967170
    Abstract: A waveguide switch with four outputs or inputs (A, B, C, D) normally has one rotor (2) with three passages (3, 4, 5) with which, as appropriate, two waveguide connections can be effected in specific rotor positions. In two switching positions only the central waveguide passage (3) conducts HF signals, whereas in the two other switching positions both curved passages (4, 5) simultaneously conduct HF signals. Whereas the transmission losses in the central passage are low, a very high reflection level has hitherto been obtained in the two curved passages because of the points of inflexion. In order to improve the transmission characteristics, it is proposed to design the curved passages with an elliptical shape. For this, the longitudinal passage (3) is narrowed toward the central point of the rotor, so that sufficient space is provided for the curved portion of the lateral passages. The circular shape of the curved passages (4, 5) can also be approximated by a facet-like shaping of the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Teldix GmbH
    Inventors: Eckart Hettlage, Gerd Ruff
  • Patent number: 4876239
    Abstract: A microwave switch comprises a transmission line section which separates into two arms, at least one of which can go from a normal state to a superconductive state at a critical temperature, a junction rejoining the two arms in a second microwave transmission line section, and means to control the normal or superconductive state of one arm or of the two arms. The difference in length between the two arms is chosen to be substantially equal to an odd of half wavelengths of operation of the switch in such a way that the switch is off or on when the two arms are respectively in the same state, namely normal or superconductive, or in a different state. The state of the arms can be controlled by a magnetic field which causes the critical temperature to vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventor: Gerard Cachier
  • Patent number: 4845449
    Abstract: A microstrip switch is provided comprising a rectangular ferrite rod having pair of ramp-shaped dielectric waveguide members at the ends thereof. The ramp members are made of dielectric waveguide material having a dielectric constant which is substantially the same as the dielectric constant of the ferrite. The rod and ramp members are mounted on one surface of a microstrip dielectric substrate having a dielectric constant substantially less than the dielectric constant of the ramp members and a ground plane on the other surface thereof. Input and output sections of microstrip conductor are mounted on the surface of the substrate and the sloping surfaces of the ramp members in axial alignment with the rod and ramp members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Richard A. Stern, Richard W. Babbitt
  • Patent number: 4843357
    Abstract: A tetrahedral junction waveguide switch is provided having two axially juxtaposed sections of hollow rectangular waveguide which are mutually cross-polarized by being rotated 90 degrees with respect to each other. A rod of a ferrite material having gyromagnetic properties is axially disposed within the juxtaposed ends of the waveguide sections and is selectively axially magnetized to control transmission of RF electromagnetic wave energy through the sections. A permanent magnet structure having a unique cladding arrangement which minimizes flux leakage and produces a magnet of high coercive force is employed to produce a unidirectional magnetic bias field along the longitudinal axis of the rod to keep the switch in a low loss transmission state by virtue of Reggia-Spencer effect signal rotation. A selectively operable helical coil is utilized to produce another axial magnetic field which nullifies the bias magnetic field when it is desired to place the switch in a high loss or cut-off transmission state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Richard A. Stern, Herbert A. Leupold
  • Patent number: 4835500
    Abstract: A transmission line comprising a multi-layer dielectric slab structure including: a dielectric substrate layer (30) having a thickness d.sub.s and permittivity .epsilon..sub.s ; a conductive ground plane (31) on the bottom surface of the dielectric substrate layer (30); a dielectric guiding layer (32) having a thickness h and permittivity .epsilon..sub.g, where .epsilon..sub.g >.epsilon..sub.s, attached to the top surface of dielectric substrate layer (30); at least one elongated and relatively narrow dielectric loading strip layer (33) having a width W, thickness d.sub.1, and permittivity .epsilon..sub.1, where .epsilon..sub.g >.epsilon..sub.l, attached to the top surface of the dielectric guiding layer (32); and a conductive coating (34) on the top surface of the dielectric loading strip layer (32). Such a structure permits single mode propagation over a relatively wide frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventor: Hermann B. Sequeira
  • Patent number: 4816785
    Abstract: The disclosed multipactor device has a waveguide bandpass filter structure including a plurality of spaced pairs of opposing electrodes defining respective gaps therebetween in which multipactor action can occur in response to input microwave power in excess of a predetermined level. A radioactive source of beta particles provides electrons within the bandpass filter structure to ensure a very rapid commencement of multipactor action. The radioactive source includes a disk coated with a tritium compound and mounted in a transverse bore adjacent to the bandpass filter structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Carlisle, Mark R. Thek, Rudolph G. Suchannek