Having Long Line Elements Patents (Class 333/26)
  • Patent number: 6580335
    Abstract: In a waveguide-transmission line transition, a short-circuiting metal layer is formed on one surface of a dielectric substrate, and the short-circuiting metal layer has a slit in which a strip line is disposed. The short-circuiting metal layer and the strip line are disposed on the same plane with a predetermined gap formed therebetween. A grounding metal layer having a shape substantially congruent with the cross-sectional shape of the opening surface of the waveguide is formed on the other surface of the dielectric substrate. The short-circuiting metal layer, the grounding metal layer, and the waveguide are maintained at the same potential by metal embedded in through-holes provided along the circumferential edge of the dielectric substrate. Further, a matching element is disposed on the surface of the dielectric substrate on which the grounding metal layer is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Hideo Iizuka, Kunio Sakakibara, Kunitoshi Nishikawa, Kazuo Sato, Toshiaki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20030107451
    Abstract: An orthogonal electrical coupling relies on electromagnetic coupling for the inner connection, as opposed to direct contact between conductors. A conductor on one of the lines is connected to a ground plane which is adjacent to a resonant slot. Microwave energy is coupled to the slot, thereby exciting the slot. A second conductor is on the opposite side of the ground plane from the first conductor. Microwave energy from the excited resonant slot passes to the second conductor, thereby allowing contactless interconnection between the first conductor and the second conductor. The coupling may emphasize certain modes of propagation relative to other possible modes of propagation. Specifically, the ground plane and slot may be enclosed in a cavity of a size such that the cavity does not support any natural mode propagation inside the cavity. Instead, the coupling may have a cavity in which a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode is propagated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Pyong K. Park
  • Publication number: 20030107459
    Abstract: A rectangular penetration hole is formed opening in the opposite two main surfaces of a first dielectric substrate. Conductors for grounding are respectively formed on the main surfaces, to cover the openings of the penetration hole. A conductor layer is formed on opposite inner walls in the penetration hole of the dielectric substrate. A waveguide is structured by a space surrounded by the conductors and the conductor layers. The waveguide is magnetically coupled with an input/output line on a second dielectric substrate through a coupling slot. Because a waveguide has walls made continuous in the dielectric substrate, a low-loss waveguide can be realized. Hence, a high-performance radio frequency module can be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takahashi, Suguru Fujita, Hiroshi Ogura
  • Patent number: 6577206
    Abstract: A converter for satellite broadcast reception superior in productivity and inexpensive with reduced material cost is provided. In this converter, a waveguide is formed by bending a metallic plate and is integrally provided with a holding portion which is positioned outside the waveguide. An insulating portion of a probe is held by the holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6573803
    Abstract: A surface-mountable mm-wave signal source is provided. The surface-mountable mm-wave signal source comprises: a conductive metal base; a mm-wave signal source disposed over an upper portion of the metal base; a first radio frequency transmission line carrying a quasi-TEM signal from the mm-wave signal source, which is disposed over an upper portion of the metal base and proximate the signal source; a first mode transformer at least partially integrated into the upper portion of the metal base to convert the quasi-TEM signal carried by the planar transmission line into a rectangular waveguide mode signal; a waveguide well having upper and lower ends disposed within the base for carrying the rectangular waveguide mode signal from an upper portion of the base to a lower portion of the base; and a second mode transformer at least partially integrated into the lower portion of the base to convert the rectangular waveguide mode signal to a quasi-TEM signal within a second radio frequency transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Bernhard Alphonso Ziegner, Robert John Sletten, Stephen R. Brown, May Kyi Cho, Noyan Kinayman
  • Patent number: 6563395
    Abstract: A balun design incorporating the functions of a splitter (combiner) which can be employed in a high power amplifier circuit configuration. The balun is formed of a dielectric multilayer board with conductor patterns on each conductor pattern layer. The balun includes the propagation of a half of an input signal to an in-phase output terminal, and also propagating a fourth of the input signal to first and second opposite-phase output terminals, the signal propagated to the first and second opposite-phase output terminals lagging 180 degrees behind the signal propagated to the in-phase output terminal. The balun provides the output signals at the first and second opposite-phase output terminals 180° out of phase employing through holes in the main line and coupling lines for promoting electromagnetic coupling therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Ishida, Masayuki Miyaji, Hiroaki Kosugi, Shin'ichi Kugou
  • Publication number: 20030076188
    Abstract: Disclosed are planar structures for coupling electromagnetic signals between planar transmission lines and waveguides. A preferred exemplary structure comprises a shielded patch antenna and one or more capacitive diaphragms disposed adjacent to the patch antenna. This structure is advantageous to MMIC modules in connecting from a planar transmission line of a substrate carrying an MMIC to an external waveguide without the need of a non-planar back metal short, which is normally essential to avoid back scattering from waveguide and also normally needed to achieve impedance matching. In structures according to the present invention, a patch antenna radiates into the waveguide while the antenna's ground plane reduces back scattering from waveguide. The one or more capacitive diaphragms provide impedance matching between the microstrip and the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Debasis Dawn, Edmar Camargo, Yoji Ohashi
  • Publication number: 20030076189
    Abstract: A stipline coupling includes a balun-configured stripline, and a transformer-configured stripline coupled to the balun-configured stripline. The balun-configured stripline includes a pair of conductors, one of which includes a pair of coplanar conductive paths. One of the conductive paths is grounded to provide equal magnitude opposite phase signals to the transformer-configured stripline. The transformer-configured stripline impedance matches the opposite phase signals to the balanced transmission line. The transformer-configured stripline includes two conductive trace sections, one of which includes a pair of substantially abutting non-contacting conductive trace portions. The conductive trace portions of the one trace section includes fingers extending from the respective trace portion. The fingers of one of the fingered traces are interlaced with the fingers of the other fingered traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Calin Moldoveanu
  • Patent number: 6535077
    Abstract: There is disclosed a dielectric filter comprising: a &lgr;/2 resonator for generating resonance of ½-wavelength at a predetermined frequency, having both ends open-circuited or short-circuited; and a pair of &lgr;/4 resonators respectively for generating resonance of ¼-wavelength at a frequency substantially equal to the predetermined frequency, each having one end open-circuited and the other end short-circuited; wherein the pair of &lgr;/4 resonators are disposed in proximity to each of both ends from the vicinity of the center of the &lgr;/2 resonator; a terminal coupling to the &lgr;/2 resonator is provided as an unbalanced terminal; and terminals coupling to the pair of &lgr;/4 resonators is used as a balanced terminal. In the above filter, the balanced-type input/output of signals can be performed without using a balun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Motoharu Hiroshima, Shohachi Nishijima, Hideyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 6535090
    Abstract: A compact high-frequency circuit device including a signal distribution circuit and a signal combining circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Matsuzuka, Takayuki Katoh
  • Patent number: 6531943
    Abstract: A balun-transformer, which is composed of a balun transition and an impedance matching circuit. Chemical etching is employed in the manufacturing process that is compatible with the common microwave circuit manufacturing process. Using the odd mode analysis and commercial microwave software to design the balun-transformer. It is more accurate and more efficient than the conventional method to make balun-transformer that it can only be designed by experience and experiments. These balun-transformers can be used in UHF and VHF band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dow-Chih Niu, Chi-Yang Chang, Lih-Shiang Lin
  • Publication number: 20030042992
    Abstract: A component that includes a first structure that is integrated with a second structure. The first structure is a lumped balanced to unbalanced circuit (balun) and the second structure is a resonator-based filter. The function of the balun is to move a signal from a differential form to a single ended form or from a single ended form to a differential form. The component has an area that is comparable to the area needed to implement the balun alone. However, the component now provides a filter function. Preferably, the substrate of the first structure also acts as a substrate for the second structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Michael L. Frank
  • Publication number: 20030042993
    Abstract: On one surface of a dielectric substrate having a thickness of one quarter of a signal wavelength, a ground electrode, and a strip line, one end thereof being connected to a high-frequency element via a wire, are formed. On the opposite surface thereof, which opposes a waveguide, a ground electrode is formed, a first electrode opening having a predetermined length and width is formed, opposite to a proximity of an open end of the strip line, and a second electrode opening is formed so that a center line of a width thereof is separated outward by one quarter of the signal wavelength from a conductor wall of the wave guide. Furthermore, via holes having a length of one quarter of the signal wavelength, electrically connecting the ground electrodes on either surface, are formed. The waveguide is disposed in proximity to the dielectric substrate so that a center of the first electrode opening coincides with that of the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuya Sayanagi, Ikuo Takakuwa
  • Patent number: 6529099
    Abstract: A 180° phase shift circuit includes a balun having an unbalanced port and a pair of balanced ports, a pair of impedance matching lines each connected between one of the pair of balanced ports and one of a pair of balanced signal terminals, and a &lgr;g/2 distributed parameter line having ends each connected via a resistor to a node connecting together corresponding impedance matching line and corresponding balanced signal terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Compound Semiconductor Devices, Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Takenaka
  • Patent number: 6529090
    Abstract: A balun component or structural subassembly, for use in conjunction with an antenna radome assembly, comprises a two-sided printed circuit board substrate having a longitudinal axis, wherein each side of the two-sided printed circuit board substrate is asymmetric with respect to itself but is in effect anti-symmetric with respect to the opposite side of the two-sided printed circuit board substrate in a 180° out-of-phase manner such that the entire two-sided printed circuit board balun component or structural subassembly exhibits diametrical symmetry with respect to the longitudinal axis of the overall two-sided printed circuit board substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Tommy Lam
  • Publication number: 20030025571
    Abstract: The present invention comprises baluns 2a, 2b which convert balanced line signals and unbalanced line signals mutually, and filters 3a, 3b which are electrically connected to the baluns 2a, 2b and pass or attenuate the predetermined frequency bands. Electrode layers 15a-22a, 25a, 41, 42, 43 which compose the electrode patterns of the baluns 2a, 2b and the filters 3a, 3b, and the dielectric layers 30-39 are integrally stacked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Maekawa, Hiroshi Shigemura, Hideaki Nakakubo, Emiko Kawahara, Toru Yamada
  • Patent number: 6515556
    Abstract: It is to provide a high-frequency component using a small coupling line, capable of easily adjusting an electrical characteristic. A first transmission line including three line sections constructs a ¼-wavelength strip line. A second transmission line including three line sections also constructs a ¼-wavelength strip line. The line section on one-end side in the first transmission line is faced to the line section on one-end side in the second transmission line, while a dielectric sheet is disposed between both of the line sections, thereby mutually coupling both transmission lines electro-magnetically. The line section on another-end side in the first transmission line is also faced to the line section on another-end side in the second transmission line. While the dielectric sheet is disposed between both of the line sections, thereby mutually coupling both transmission lines electro-magnetically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Kato, Noriaki Tsukada
  • Patent number: 6509809
    Abstract: A strip transmission line to waveguide transmission line transition or impedance coupling is described. A strip transmission line is separated from a ground plane by a dielectric therebetween, and an aperture is formed through the ground plane and the wall of a waveguide transmission line on the other side of the ground plane (ground plane and wall may be the same piece). Each transmission line is terminated reactively, or at a port; for simple coupling across the transition, one end of each transmission line forms a reactive stub termination, such as an open circuit end. A waveguide channel waveguide walls and a waveguide base connected therebetween may be provided. The walls of such waveguide are coupled with the ground plane to provide a waveguide top for the waveguide transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan J. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20030001687
    Abstract: An efficient solution to transform an output from a single ended source to a pair of differential signals that are provided to a differential receiver. The differential receiver is any number of devices including a differential clock receiver. The differential signals may be referenced to voltages used to receiver power supply voltages. The present invention obviates the need for an additional differential driver and its required additional devices that are needed to perform transformation of a single ended signal to a pair of differential signals. In one embodiment, two independent power and ground planes are communicatively coupled via a transmission line, or transmission line-like traces on a printed circuit board, and are used to provide uniform impedance control for all return paths within a system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Mitchel E. Wright, Joe D. Stoddard
  • Publication number: 20020196097
    Abstract: A high-frequency module of the present invention includes a laminate ceramic layer including a first layer smaller in area than the other layers. Parts constituting high-frequency circuitry are mounted on the laminate ceramic layer. A single interface substrate is juxtaposed to the first layer and connects the high-frequency circuitry and a waveguide. A metallic casing supports the laminate ceramic substrate and interface substrate with ground held in contact. The metallic casing is formed with at least one waveguide hole. A cover covers the waveguide hole and forms a waveguide end cavity. The interface substrate is positioned on the second layer of the laminate ceramic substrate, which just underlies the first layer, at one side and protrudes from the metallic casing into the waveguide hole at the other side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kouji Okude
  • Publication number: 20020196096
    Abstract: A balun comprises a first conductive layer disposed on a top surface of a substrate, the first conductive layer having first and second end portions, a second conductive layer having a shorter length than the first conductive layer and disposed on the top surface of the substrate, the second conductive layer having first and second end portions, the first end portion of the second conductive layer serving as a balanced transmission line in cooperation with the first end portion of the first conductive layer, the substrate having a through hole electrically connected to the second end portion of the second conductive layer, and a third conductive layer disposed on a bottom surface of the substrate, the third conductive layer having a first end portion electrically connected to the second end portion of the second conductive layer via the through hole, and a second end portion that serves as an unbalanced transmission line in cooperation with the second end portion of the first conductive layer, and the third c
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Minoru Tajima
  • Patent number: 6498540
    Abstract: Wideband balun suitable for millimeter wave applications. An input stripline couples energy equally into branches of a slotline. Output striplines are coupled to the branches of the slotline to produce output signals 180 degrees out of phase. A phase matching section is placed in one output stripline so that the two output striplines are electrically equivalent in length. Using radial stub terminations, the resulting balun is compact and wideband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Blythe C. Deckman
  • Patent number: 6492881
    Abstract: Single to differential interfacing. The present invention provides for an efficient solution to transform an output from a single ended source to a pair of differential signals that are provided to a differential receiver. The differential receiver is any number of devices including a differential clock receiver. The differential signals may be referenced to voltages used to receiver power supply voltages. The present invention obviates the need for an additional differential driver and its required additional devices that are need to perform transformation of a single ended signal to a pair of differential signals. There can be significant cost savings in using the single to differential interfacing that is performed in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
    Inventors: Mitchel E. Wright, Joe D. Stoddard
  • Patent number: 6486749
    Abstract: A four-way power combiner/splitter is disclosed that includes a first transmission line having a first non-grounding conductor and a first grounding conductor, wherein the first grounding conductor is grounded at a first end of the first transmission line. The combiner/splitter also has a second transmission line having a second non-grounding conductor and a second grounding conductor, wherein the second grounding conductor is grounded at a first end of the second transmission line. The non-grounding conductors of the first and second transmission lines are electrically coupled together at the respective first ends of the first and second transmission lines. An output/input port is provided that is electrically coupled to the first and second non-grounding conductors at the respective first ends of the first and second transmission lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ophir RF, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Tichauer, Louis D. Pines
  • Patent number: 6486748
    Abstract: A waveguide-to-microstrip transition (30) for converting and directing electromagnetic wave signals to an electronic signal processing component (53). A waveguide (32) directs the signals to a waveguide input and is received by a probe (36). A bent microstrip line (40A) which is connected to the probe (36) directs the received signals from the probe (36) to the electronic signal processing component (53). An output port (43) provides a connection between the bent microstrip line (40A) and the electronic signal processing component (53). The output port (43) is not inline with respect to the probe (36), but the microstrip line (40A) includes a bend so as to direct the received signals from the probe (36) to the output port (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: David I. Stones, Jerry M. Dickson
  • Publication number: 20020171506
    Abstract: A balun component or structural subassembly, for use in conjunction with an antenna radome assembly, comprises a two-sided printed circuit board substrate having a longitudinal axis, wherein each side of the two-sided printed circuit board substrate is asymmetric with respect to itself but is in effect anti-symmetric with respect to the opposite side of the two-sided printed circuit board substrate in a 180° out-of-phase manner such that the entire two-sided printed circuit board balun component or structural subassembly exhibits diametrical symmetry with respect to the longitudinal axis of the overall two-sided printed circuit board substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tommy Lam
  • Patent number: 6483415
    Abstract: A multi-layer LC resonance balun includes at least a section of broadside coupled lines connected to an input port and two balanced output ports through transmission lines. Each section of coupled lines has two coupled lines. The first embodiment has at least two sections of coupled lines connected to a transmission line and coupled in parallel with at least one capacitor. The coupled lines are connected to an input port and two balanced output ports. The second embodiment has at least a section of coupled lines coupled in parallel with capacitors and then connected to an input port and two balanced output ports through transmission lines. By means of a multiple layer dielectric structure and meandered coupled lines, the size of the blaun is decreased and the frequency bandwidth is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Ching-Wen Tang
  • Publication number: 20020163397
    Abstract: A transition from microstrip to waveguide comprises a rectangular waveguide and a microstrip structure formed by a resilient substrate (24) having a stripline (26) on one surface and a ground plane (44) on an opposite surface, the conductors (26, 44) being interconnected by viaholes. The substrate (24) is disposed between the side walls (36) and the floor (22) of the waveguide with the ground plane contacting the floor. The stripline extends from one end of the waveguide along a portion of its length. A tapered ridge (38) depends from the ceiling (34) of the waveguide and extends from the other end of the waveguide. A terminal end (40) of the ridge contacts a terminal portion of the stripline under mechanical pressure. The ridge (38) may have a choice of profiles such as triangular, half cosine and half cosine with a semicircular cut-out in the upright edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Christopher M. Buck
  • Publication number: 20020149440
    Abstract: Wideband balun suitable for millimeter wave applications. An input stripline couples energy equally into branches of a slotline. Output striplines are coupled to the branches of the slotline to produce output signals 180 degrees out of phase. A phase matching section is placed in one output stripline so that the two output striplines are electrically equivalent in length. Using radial stub terminations, the resulting balun is compact and wideband.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Blythe C. Deckman
  • Patent number: 6466101
    Abstract: There is provided a microstrip line—waveguide conversion structure, an integrated circuit package for high frequency signals provided with this conversion structure, and a manufacturing method therefor, which are capable of reducing the passage loss even when frequencies in the millimeter band are employed, which has a simple structure, and which is capable of application to broadband frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Koki Tanji
  • Publication number: 20020135435
    Abstract: A waveguide is provided with coplanar printed probes that enable the waveguide to have reduced volume and enhanced signal processing ability. The waveguide includes a cup-shaped tube portion, a body portion behind the tube portion, and a circuit board for receiving and processing wave signals. The circuit board is provided at one side facing away from the tube portion with two printed probes that are perpendicular to and spaced from each other by a predetermined distance. And, the tube portion is provided at a position facing one of the two printed probes that is located farther from the tube portion with a guide slot, so that wave could be guided into the guide slot and received by the printed probe facing the guide slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Chen Jun Jie
  • Patent number: 6456171
    Abstract: A waveguide is provided on a circuit board thereof with two printed probes that are perpendicular to and spaced from each other by a predetermined distance to receive electric waves guided into the waveguide in two different directions. The two probes are separately located in two rectangular patterns that are provided outside a round pattern. The two rectangular patterns are separately located at a lower or an upper side and to a lateral side of the round pattern and both have a feed opening provided at an edge adjacent to the round pattern. Thus, it is possible to obtain a good cross-polarization isolation between the two probes for them to more effectively receive electric waves without interfering with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Prime Electronics & Statellitcs Inc.
    Inventor: Mao-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 6452462
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compact slotline balun implemented on a 10-mil thick printed circuit card. The balun utilizes a transition region configuration of a six-port network to achieve a good impedance match and low insertion loss across a wide operating band. The balun is typically manufactured using standard printed circuit techniques which yield a thin, flexible, dimensionally stable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronics Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Zane Lo
  • Patent number: 6448864
    Abstract: Inner conductor formation holes having inner conductors formed on the inner walls thereof are formed in a dielectric block. Both of the ends of one of the inner conductors are open and led out as terminal electrodes which function as balanced ports. Both of the ends of another inner conductor are connected to an outer conductor to be grounded, and the center portion of the inner conductor between the ends is led out as a terminal electrode which functions as an unbalanced port. The circuit can also be realized with striplines or microstriplines on a dielectric substrate. Thus, a balanced-unbalanced converter having these terminal electrodes as balanced and unbalanced ports is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoharu Hiroshima, Shohachi Nishijima, Hideyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 6445345
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low cost microstrip line with low loss and a microwave device using the microstrip line. The microstrip line comprises (a) a dielectric substrate for general purpose use with relatively high loss in a microwave frequency, (b) a strip conductor foil disposed on the front surface of the substrate, (c) a metal plate for grounding disposed in contact with the back of the dielectric substrate, and (d) an air layer formed on a portion of the metal plate for grounding, the portion facing to the strip conductor foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Kamimoto, Hirokazu Kitamura, Kazuyuki Kirimura, Yasuhiro Hibino
  • Patent number: 6441696
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a balun circuit that includes means for transforming a balanced input signal to an unbalanced signal and impedance changing means. The means for transforming the balun input signal to an unbalanced output signal is a &lgr;/2-waveguide (30). A first side of the &lgr;/2-waveguide (30) is connected to a second port (P2) of the balun circuit, while a second side of said &lgr;/2-waveguide (30) is connected to a third port (P3) of the balun circuit. The impedance changing means is a &lgr;/4-waveguide (40) of which a first side is connected to a second side of the &lgr;/2-waveguide (30) and a second side is connected to the first port (P1) of the balun circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: David Westberg
  • Patent number: 6437658
    Abstract: A three-level semiconductor balun is disclosed. In one embodiment, the balun includes a first spiral-shaped transmission line overlying a substrate. The first transmission line has first and second ends. A second spiral-shaped transmission line is substantially vertically aligned with the first transmission line. The second transmission line has a first end electrically connected to the second end of the first transmission line. A third spiral-shaped transmission line is substantially vertically aligned with the first and second transmission lines. The third transmission line has a first end electrically connected to a second end of the second transmission line. The balun may be integrated on the same chip with other RF circuit components, and is suitable for use at higher frequencies than most conventional baluns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Apel, Richard L. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20020101294
    Abstract: Single to differential interfacing. The present invention provides for an efficient solution to transform an output from a single ended source to a pair of differential signals that are provided to a differential receiver. The differential receiver is any number of devices including a differential clock receiver. The differential signals may be referenced to voltages used to receiver power supply voltages. The present invention obviates the need for an additional differential driver and its required additional devices that are need to perform transformation of a single ended signal to a pair of differential signals. There can be significant cost savings in using the single to differential interfacing that is performed in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Mitchel E. Wright, Joe D. Stoddard
  • Publication number: 20020101307
    Abstract: A loop coupled microwave cavity, which uses a cylindrical cavity as the main body and has a lock hole on the top of the cavity in order to connect to a loop-coupling end formed by bending the long pin of a SMA connector. The long pin of the SMA extends into the cavity through the lock hole so that the top end of the long pin will touch the inner wall of the cavity to receive a microwave signal in TM012 mode to excite the cavity. On the other hand, the coaxial structure formed by the long pin and the lock hole is a quarter-wavelength transformer, so the SMA connector has both loop coupling and transforming functions to increase the Q factor of the cavity. A diminutive sample is inserted into the cavity to perform the cavity perturbation method (CPM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Ji-Chyun Liu, Chung-Chi Chang, Ju-Chi Chung
  • Publication number: 20020097107
    Abstract: The invention is a balun transformer that converts a single-ended (or unbalanced) signal to a differential (or balanced) signal. The balun is a printed metal pattern on a circuit board in conjunction with several low cost chip capacitors and a low cost chip inductor. The balun transformer is a modified Marchand balun that is implemented using printed transmission lines. The balun has a plurality of coupled transmission lines to improve tolerances to variations in PC board fabrication. To make the balun compact, it is electrically lengthened through the use of capacitive loading, which reduces the required physical size. Additionally, the capacitors increase the bandwidth due to the resonant interaction between the short inductive balun and the capacitors that are placed in series with the input and the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Burns, Carl W. Pobanz
  • Publication number: 20020097109
    Abstract: A waveguide to microstrip T-junction includes a microstrip transmission line structure having a ground plane separated from a strip conductor by a dielectric layer, the ground plane defining an aperture; a waveguide channel having a conductive periphery being electrically coupled to the ground plane to provide a waveguide short circuit wall located at the end of the waveguide channel; at least one conducting ridge inside the waveguide channel; and an end of the ridge being electrically coupled with the ground plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Cornelis Frederik du Toit, Mangipudi Ramesh
  • Publication number: 20020097108
    Abstract: An ultra broadband, low-loss, transmission line to waveguide mode transformer that can be implemented using PCB technology includes a dielectric substrate on which is disposed an electrically conductive pattern that forms a dielectric waveguide and a dielectric transmission line extending to the waveguide. The electrically conductive pattern includes a waveguide portion that forms the dielectric waveguide. It also includes a transmission line portion with first and second sections that form first and second segments of the dielectric transmission line. The second segment matches the first segment to the waveguide. It may have a greater width (lesser impedance) than the first section or a narrower width (greater impedance) in order to effect a match according to whether a capacitive or inductive matching structure is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Nitin Jain
  • Patent number: 6420942
    Abstract: A &lgr;/2 resonator comprises an inner conductor formed hole having an inner conductor with both open-ends, formed therein, and &lgr;/4 resonators comprise inner conductor formed holes having inner conductors with one short-circuited ends and the other open ends, respectively. The resonators are coupled, whereby a terminal electrode connected to the vicinity of the one open end of one of the &lgr;/4 resonators functions as an unbalanced terminal, and terminal electrodes connected to both open ends of the &lgr;/2 resonator function as balanced terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoharu Hiroshima, Katsuhito Kuroda, Shohachi Nishijima, Hideyuki Kato, Haruo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6396364
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of microwave transitions between a microstrip and a waveguide. With the intention of obtaining a broadband and trimming-free junction, the junction is comprised of a pad which has an underside and an upper side located on respective sides of a tongue that extends into the waveguide. The underside is in contact with the upper side through the medium of a metal layer applied to the edge of the tongue. The upper side is, in turn, connected to the microstrip line which extends to other electronic equipment. Because the two sides can be adapted for different frequencies, the junction can be given a broader band and will also be trimming-free, since it is insensitive to mechanical tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Anders Qvist
  • Patent number: 6396362
    Abstract: A compact BALUN transformer comprises a primary and a secondary conductor loop. Each of these loops are disposed in a substantially flat spiral configuration. However, one of these loops, either the primary or the secondary, is preferably disposed in a multi-layer (stacked) configuration. The stacking of at least one of the primary or secondary layers in a multi-layer arrangement provides an increase of impedance in one of the loops. This increased impedance for impedance matching purposes comes with the advantage that parasitic capacitance between primary and secondary layers as would normally be introduced in a multi-layer configuration is absent. In another embodiment of the present invention, both conductor loops are disposed in a multi-layer configuration. Such configurations are particularly useful for 1 to 1 impedance matching conditions and for somewhat lower frequency BALUN circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Mourant, James Imbornone
  • Patent number: 6396363
    Abstract: A transition from a planar transmission line to a waveguide has a planar transmission line patterned onto a glass substrate. A mode transformer 1 on the substrate 3 is electrically connected to a transmission line 2 and converts a transverse electric or quasi-transverse electric mode signal carried by the transmission line to a waveguide mode signal. A combination of a first extension of the substrate 3 and a dielectric portion having some depth makes up a first impedance matching element 13. A second impedance matching element 14 is a combination of a second extension of the substrate 3 and a dielectric portion having another depth greater than the first depth. The aperture created by the second impedance matching element launches an RF signal into the air for use as a wireless communication signal. Also disclosed is a method for optimizing a transition according to the teachings of the present invention for alternative dimensions and dielectrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Angelos Alexanian, Nitin Jain, Thomas Budka
  • Patent number: 6392502
    Abstract: A Balun assembly has a signal conductor (2) on the balanced side of a Balun, the signal conductor (2) being joined to a microstrip RF launch area 7 on a circuit board 6, the signal conductor (2) having a bend of axial orientation for lower cost, reliability, avoiding contact with a ground circuit path (9), being more suited for higher volume manufacturing, that distributes thermal expansion and contraction thereof substantially throughout to lessen stress at a junction of the signal conductor (2) and the RF launch area (7), and the signal conductor (2) being of minimum length and of smooth and even curvature to lessen impedance mismatch at the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Emil Sweeney, Glen Brian Rochford
  • Patent number: 6380821
    Abstract: A balun transformer having two series connected transformers with each having a primary loop conductor disposed in a stacked configuration. One portion of each primary loop conductors is in a first layer and these two portions of the two primary loop conductors are connected in series. The second portions of the primary loop conductors are in a second layer that is spaced from the first layer with the secondary loop conductors interlaced with these portions of the primary loop conductors in the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Imbornone, Jean-Marc Mourant, Daniel Shkap, Tao Liang
  • Patent number: 6377134
    Abstract: A 180-degree phase shifter has two sets of transmission signal lines connected to one another and respectively coupled with an unbalanced signal transmission path connected to an input unbalanced signal terminal and a balanced signal transmission path connected output balanced signal terminals so that a designer can independently optimize the position of the input unbalanced signal terminal and the positions of the output balanced signal terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Takenaka
  • Patent number: 6363605
    Abstract: A method for fabricating precision non-symmetrical L-shape waveguide end-launching probe for launching microwave signals in both vertical and horizontal polarizations is disclosed. The L-shape waveguide probe is in a form of thin plate, has a first arm and a second arm, and is precisely fabricated and attached to one end of the central metal pin of a feedthrough. The feedthrough is installed to an aperture formed in a major wall of the universal conductive housing to achieve hermetic sealing. The L-shape waveguide probe is aligned by means of a specially designed alignment tool so that long axis of the second arm is always perpendicular to the broad walls of the output waveguide, which is mounted to the universal housing with the broad walls of the output waveguide either horizontally or vertically. Hence, in this invention, an end-launching arrangement using the L-shape probes that could yield a flexible waveguide interface either in horizontal polarization or vertical polarization is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventors: Yi-Chi Shih, Long Q. Bui, Tsuneo C. Shishido