Having Long Line Elements Patents (Class 333/26)
  • Patent number: 6359528
    Abstract: A printed balun satisfies performance requirements for operation at a desired operational frequency (e.g., ƒ=5.3 GHz) while minimizing space requirements on a circuit board. Segments of microstrip are connected at right angles that define fingers whose dimensions can be tailored for operation at a desired operational frequency while minimizing the corresponding space required on a circuit board. Minimal separation between the fingers avoids undesirable internal interference. Mounted at the edges of distinct fingers are the necessary ports for operation of the balun including a single-ended port, an isolation port, and two differential ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Andy Dao
  • Patent number: 6353416
    Abstract: Devices and methods for facilitating the delivery of EM energy between microstrip transmission lines and dielectric-filled waveguides are provided. In a preferred embodiment, a transition for transferring EM energy to and from a microstrip transmission line incorporates a longitudinally extending housing with a first end and a second end, and defining an interior therebetween. An element feed is disposed at least partially within the housing, with a first end of the element feed being configured to electrically communicate with the microstrip transmission line. Additionally, a dielectric material preferably surrounds at least a portion of the element feed and is disposed at least partially within the housing so that the housing and the dielectric material form a dielectric-filled waveguide. So configured, the transition is able to transmit EM energy between the microstrip transmission line and the dielectric-filled waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn D. Hopkins, Kerry P. Pullen, Edward E. Weaver, Duane C. Tate
  • Patent number: 6351192
    Abstract: A balun circuit includes a dielectric substrate having planar opposing surfaces; a groundplane conductor layer disposed on a first opposing surface; an interlayer conductor layer disposed on a second opposing surface and including first and second electrically isolated conducting strips, with a balance point gap between first ends thereof, and second ends thereof being short-circuited; an interlayer dielectric layer having substantially planar opposing surfaces, with a first opposing surface thereof being disposed over the interlayer conductor layer; and a top conductor layer disposed over a second opposing surface of the interlayer dielectric layer and including a third conducting strip overlying the first and second conducting strips, one end of the third conducting strip providing an unbalanced port terminal and another end of the third conducting strip being open-circuited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Jyh-Wen Sheen
  • Publication number: 20020003455
    Abstract: A broadband high frequency device is capable of determining linear combinations of broadband high frequent signals, in particular determining a differential signal, from input signals, being applied substantially simultaneously. One embodiment is based on a plurality of broadband microwave structures, arranged such that symmetry properties can be exploited. The output signal of this differential coupler is proportional to the difference of 2 input ports. This signal is made using a hybrid structure. A pair of broadband impedances are used to scale the 2 incoming signals with 2 complex coefficients. A symmetric structure of two identical broadband directional couplers and a symmetric power combiner are used afterwards to obtain the differential signal. The high bandwidth of both the terminations, the directional couplers and the power combiner make it possible to obtain a differential coupling factor and a common mode rejection ratio which is frequency insensitive over several decades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Gerd Vandersteen, Alain Barel, Yves Rolain
  • Publication number: 20020003454
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: RICHAEL EMIL SWEENEY, GLEN BRIAN ROCHFORD
  • Patent number: 6337608
    Abstract: A transformer for connection between a generator and a load may be formed by connecting n transmission lines together, in series at one end and in parallel at the other end. The transmission lines are configured to each have a characteristic impedance of {square root over (RG+L |ZL+L (f0+L |)}, where f0 is the frequency at which each transmission line is one quarter of a wavelength long (quarter-wavelength frequency), |ZL(f0)| is the magnitude of the load impedance at the quarter-wavelength frequency, and RG is the generator resistance. The transformer exhibits a frequency-dependent impedance transformation ratio, allowing a more efficient impedance match of a generator to a load having a frequency-dependent impedance, such as an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: TDK RF Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James Stuart McLean, Gentry Elizabeth Crook
  • Patent number: 6335664
    Abstract: A circuit assembly having a thin and large-area dielectric substrate and improved grounding. To make the assembly, a circuit board comprising the substrate, and a circuit pattern and a metal layer that are formed on respective sides of the substrate. A bath of conductive bonding material (e.g., a low melting point solder) is made inside a tray-like metal chassis of the assembly. The circuit board is floated on the bath and excessive portion of the conductive material is absorbed. A branch circuit for branching a first path into at least two second paths is provided by mainly using impedance transformers but by using fewest possible stub(s). Also, the elements are arranged in symmetry around the axis through the first path. This yields a wide operating frequency band. A waveguide-microstrip line transition that is easy to work and low in transition loss is provided by shaping the wider walls of the ridge waveguide so as to spread out toward the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ushio Sangawa, Suguru Fujita
  • Patent number: 6331807
    Abstract: A balanced and active coplanar microwave coupler for an MMIC, comprising FETs provided with metal grid, source, and drain electrodes integrated with coplanar plane metal elements combined to constitute the inlet and outlet accesses of the coupler. All of the access are constituted by an association comprising one or more CPSes and one or more CPWs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Didier Prieto, Eric Rogeaux, Jean-Francois Villemazet, Thierry Parra
  • Publication number: 20010043127
    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. This package is provided with a base member 4 on which an MMIC 2 and the like are installed, a dielectric substrate 5 which is provided on this base member 4, a microstrip line 6 which is provided on the dielectric substrate 5 and which is electrically connected to the integrated circuit for high frequency signals, a frame member 7, in which an opening 7a which encloses the integrated circuit for high frequency signals is formed, and in which a concave portion 7b which engages with the dielectric substrate 5 is formed, and a cover member 8 which seals the opening 7a of frame member 7 and creates an airtight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: KOKI TANJI
  • Publication number: 20010043128
    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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Zane Lo
  • Publication number: 20010033205
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6294965
    Abstract: A surface mount balun includes a first stripline segment having a first and second end, a first balanced port connected to the first end, and a second balanced port connected to the second end, a second stripline segment overlapping and coupled to the first stripline segment, and having a third end adjacent to the first end of the first stripline segment and a fourth end disposed approximately adjacent to the center of the first stripline segment, a third stripline segment overlapping and coupled to the first stripline segment, and having a fifth end adjacent to the second end of the first stripline segment and a sixth end disposed approximately adjacent to the center of the first stripline segment, and a third, unbalanced port connected to the sixth end of the third stripline segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Anaren Microwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Craig Merrill, Hans Peter Ostergaard
  • Patent number: 6292070
    Abstract: A balun includes first and second symmetrical couplers, preferably first and second backward wave couplers connected to form a balun having an unbalanced port and a balanced port. More specifically, a balun in accordance wit this invention includes first and second backward wave symmetrical couplers each having an input port, a direct port, coupled port, and an isolate port in which the input port of a first coupler is connected to an input port of the second coupler, and the isolated port of the first coupler and the direct port of the second coupler are connected to the balanced ports of the balun respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Anaren Microwave, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Craig Merrill
  • Patent number: 6285324
    Abstract: An antenna package for use in a wireless communications device. The package includes a metallic leadframe section having a plurality of leads and a paddle shaped as a planar antenna, and dielectric material encapsulating the paddle and portions of the leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya A. Korisch, Louis T. Manzione, Ming-Ju Tsai, Yiu-Huen Wong
  • Patent number: 6278340
    Abstract: A miniaturized wideband balun circuit is disclosed which includes a first dielectric substrate having substantially planar opposing surfaces; first and second conducting strips disposed on a first one of the opposing surfaces of the first dielectric substrate and each having a first terminal and a second terminal; a second dielectric substrate having substantially planar opposing surfaces, with a first one of the opposing surfaces of the second dielectric substrate being disposed over the first and second conducting strips; third and fourth conducting strips disposed on a second one of the opposing surfaces of the second dielectric layer and each having a first terminal and a second terminal The first and second conducting strips overlie the third and fourth conducting strips, respectively. The first and second terminals of the first conducting strip, the first terminal of the second conducting strip and the second terminal of the fourth conducting strip are electrically grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Shih-Ping Liu
  • Patent number: 6268781
    Abstract: A planar waveguide-to-microstrip adapter, a waveguide antenna and a downconverter all formed on a single dielectric substrate. The waveguide-to-stripline adapter is connected to the waveguide antenna and includes a tapered section attached to a microstrip line. The tapered section, which may be linear or may follow some other more complex taper function such as a Chebyshev function, adapts a signal propagating within the waveguide antenna to the microstrip line or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Schaffner
  • Patent number: 6265950
    Abstract: In order for it to be possible to manufacture a transition with a cost-effective stamping or diecasting or cold-molding process or with a plastic injection-molding process with subsequent metal plating, at least one ridge situated in the waveguide, which reduces the waveguide cross section in the direction of the stripline, has a cross section which tapers conically in the direction of the stripline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Dynex Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Ewald Schmidt, Klaus Voigtländer, Hermann Mayer, Bernhard Lucas, Gerd Dennerlein, Thomas Beez, Roland Müller, Herbert Olbrich, Siegbert Martin, Joachim Dutzi, John Bird, David Neil Dawson, Colin Nash, Brian Prime, Cyril Edward Pettit
  • Patent number: 6246299
    Abstract: A signal combiner assembly having a common ground plane and first and second coaxial cable connectors is provided. Each of the first and second coaxial cable connectors includes an inner conductor and an outer conductor, the outer conductors being connected to the common ground plane. First and second coaxial cables, each having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, are also provided. The inner conductor of the first coaxial cable extends between the inner conductor of the first coaxial cable connector and a sum port, while the inner conductor of the second coaxial cable extends between the inner conductor of the second coaxial cable connector and the sum port. The first and second coaxial cables passing through a hole provided in a piece of magnetic material from opposite sides of the hole. Preferably, the piece of magnetic material is formed from a ferrite and takes the shape of a toroid or squaroid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Werlatone, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard J. Werlau
  • Patent number: 6242984
    Abstract: An SSPA module in accordance with the present invention comprises a signal input (102), and a radial splitter (100) connected to the signal input (102) comprising a plurality of radially extending splitter waveguides 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126. The SSPA module also includes a signal output (202), and a radial combiner (200) connected to the signal output (202) comprising a plurality of radially extending combiner waveguides 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226. Connections between the splitter (100) and combiner (200) are provided by a plurality of vertically extending waveguides 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422, 424, 426. The SSPA module also includes a plurality of processing circuits 304, 308, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, for example MMIC amplifiers, connected to the combiner waveguides 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: David I. Stones, Alfred E. Lee
  • Patent number: 6239669
    Abstract: A high-frequency package comprising a dielectric substrate, a high-frequency element that operates in a high-frequency region and is mounted in a cavity formed on said dielectric substrate, and a microstrip line formed on the surface or in an inner portion of said dielectric substrate and electrically connected to said high-frequency element, wherein a signal transmission passage of a waveguide is connected to a linear conducting passage or to a ground layer constituting the microstrip line. In the junction portion of the waveguide, for example, an end of the linear conducting passage is electromagnetically opened, so that the end portion works as a monopole antenna inside the waveguide that is connected. The high-frequency package makes it possible to connect the waveguide without adversely affecting the sealing of the high-frequency element and to transmit high-frequency signals with a low loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Koriyama, Mikio Fujii, Kenji Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20010001548
    Abstract: A high power amplifier has a first balun propagating 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; first and second power amplifier circuits connected to the first and second opposite-phase output terminals of the first balun and having the same characteristics; a third power amplifier circuit connected to the in-phase output terminal of the first balun and having output power substantially twice as much as the output power of the first or second power amplifier circuit; and a second balun having first and second opposite-phase input terminals for receiving the outputs of the first and second power amplifier circuits, having an in-phase input terminal for receiving the output of the third power amplifier circuit, combining the outputs of t
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Kaoru Ishida, Masayuki Miyaji, Hiroaki Kosugi, Shin?apos;ichi Kugou
  • Patent number: 6232849
    Abstract: An RF waveguide signal transition apparatus for minimizing leakage at RF frequency is described which consists of providing a plurality of plated through-holes (16) of blind holes in a circuit board (10). The plated holes (16) are disposed on the circumference of a circle around the RF waveguide to microstrip transition of probe (14) and each of the plated holes (16) is connected to a ground plane (24). The size of distribution of the plated holes provides a barrier to signal leakage at RF frequencies in the range 10.95-11.7 GHz and they also provide a transition impedance similar to the 50 ohm characteristic impedance providing satisfactory matching and minimizing leakage into the board. The apparatus can also be used to minimise leakage from microstrip to microstrip transitions passing through the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventors: Stephen John Flynn, Andrew Patrick Baird
  • Patent number: 6222431
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a balanced dielectric filter used in high-frequency circuits, such as those used for radio apparatuses, and provides a balanced dielectric filter having balanced input/output terminals. Namely, the balanced dielectric filter comprises two resonators, each comprising plural strip-line resonating elements, disposed in parallel and mutually coupled electro-magnetically, and input and output terminals coupled to each resonator so as to function as a pair of balanced input terminals and a pair of balanced output terminals, wherein the two resonators are located in a ceramic dielectric to face each other and to be mirror images of each other. The resonating element is a quarter-wavelength resonating element, the end of the strip line thereof is grounded. The strip lines and coupling electrodes are arranged among ceramic layers, whereby the filter is integrated into a ceramic-multilayered structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Ishizaki, Toru Yamada, Hideaki Nakakubo, Shoichi Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 6218914
    Abstract: A dielectric filter includes a shielding cavity frame having electric conductivity, a dielectric having electrodes formed on two opposing faces and disposed in the shielding cavity frame, and external coupling means, wherein the external coupling means includes an electric probe at least a part of which is covered with a covering dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kubota, Tomoyuki Ise
  • Patent number: 6211813
    Abstract: A monopulse source for a focal feed antenna including at least two waveguides machined in a metal flange supporting a microwave transmission and reception circuit of the antenna, and a dielectric substrate on the metal flange. Also included is a microwave short-circuit having an opening with a smaller dimension than a dimension of a respective waveguide. The microwave short-circuit is mounted on the dielectric substrate such that an axis of the microwave short-circuit coincides with an axis of the respective waveguide. Further, a transition positioned on the dielectric substrate and within the opening of the microwave short-circuit is configured to couple the respective waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventors: Thierry Dousset, Xavier Delestre
  • Patent number: 6211751
    Abstract: A balun is used in electric communications for supplying power to a balanced line from an unbalanced circuit, a power feeder consisting of a microstrip line. Two microstrip center conductors are connected to the balanced line, and are supplied with signals of opposite phases. This makes it possible to convert an unbalanced current flowing through the microstrip line to a balanced current flowing through the balanced line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Aoki
  • Patent number: 6204736
    Abstract: A double-balanced ring mixer is provided in the form of a microwave integrated circuit that has a homogeneous, multilayer structure. The mixer utilizes baluns comprising rectangular coaxial transmission lines that are capable of operating over a wide range of frequencies while taking up little space. A typical implementation operates at frequencies from approximately 0.9 to 6 GHz, although other frequencies, such as approximately 0.1 to 10 GHz, are achievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Merrimac Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Logothetis
  • Patent number: 6201439
    Abstract: A high power amplifier has a first balun propagating 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; first and second power amplifier circuits connected to the first and second opposite-phase output terminals of the first balun and having the same characteristics; a third power amplifier circuit connected to the in-phase output terminal of the first balun and having output power substantially twice as much as the output power of the first or second power amplifier circuit; and a second balun having first and second opposite-phase input terminals for receiving the outputs of the first and second power amplifier circuits, having an in-phase input terminal for receiving the output of the third power amplifier circuit, combining the outputs of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Ishida, Masayuki Miyaji, Hiroaki Kosugi, Shin'ichi Kugou
  • Patent number: 6201453
    Abstract: An H-plane waveguide probe includes a microstrip formed on a dielectric substrate with a loop conductor generally configured in the shape of waveguide on one side and adapted to capture an incoming H-plane signal. A transition conductor formed on an opposing side of the substrate with a first leg and a second leg, connected together by a bend portion. The first leg of the transition conductor is generally parallel to the H-plane for coupling microwave energy from the waveguide to the microstrip. The second leg of the transition conductor is parallel to the E-field and is used to change the direction of the captured microwave energy along the H-plane direction to the E-plane direction. In order to optimize power transfer, the impedance of the loop conductor is selected to be about the same as the waveguide. The transition conductor is used to convert the E-field energy to a 50&OHgr; impedance, for example, for connection to an external microwave circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Chan, Daniel C. Yang, Jerry M. Dickson
  • Patent number: 6150897
    Abstract: A Marchand balun cirucit having a pair of coupled lines of quarter wavelength for dividing and/or combining signals with the same amplitude and opposite phase with each other is improved by inserting a cancellation element between said pair of coupled lines. Said cancellation element may be a transmission line, a capacitor, or an inductor which improves amplitude difference error and phase difference error of a pair of outputs by controlling phase velocity for an even mode so that phase velocity for an even mode becomes equal to that for an odd mode. Thus, a balun circuit with wide operation band, and less error of amplitude difference and phase difference is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Kenjiro Nishikawa, Ichihiko Toyoda, Tsuneo Tokumitsu
  • Patent number: 6144266
    Abstract: A transition between a microstrip line and waveguide is proposed, wherein the ground surface of the microstrip line has an aperture and the ground surface of the microstrip line forms at least part of a wall of the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Rolf Heidemann, Bernhard Junginger
  • Patent number: 6140886
    Abstract: A transmission line balun transformer for providing a single ended output signal from a pair of differential input signals includes two transmission line signal couplers. The couplers are individually designed to be relatively loosely coupled devices, i.e. having a coupling factor greater than 3 dB, but are coupled together with proper phase relationships so as to achieve a relatively tighter composite coupling characteristic in the order of 3 dB, thereby resulting in an increase in bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Anthony Fratti, John Wayne Bowen, Melvin West
  • Patent number: 6137376
    Abstract: A planar BALUN circuit comprises two separate parallel branches with three capacitive elements. The values of the capacitive elements are selected to provide impedances which first of all enhance balanced current flow and which also impede and reduce unbalanced current flow. The circuit is provided so as to lie substantially in a single plane as a pattern disposed on a printed circuit board together with either certain discrete capacitive elements or with capacitive structures which are also printed on the board. The BALUN circuits of the present invention are particularly useful for circuits operating in the gigahertz range and are particularly useful in light weight devices such as cellular telephones and cellular telephone systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Imbornone, Jean-Marc Mourant
  • Patent number: 6133806
    Abstract: A balun circuit includes a dielectric substrate having planar opposing surfaces: a groundplane conductor layer disposed on a first opposing surface; an interlayer conductor layer disposed on a second opposing surface and including first and second electrically isolated conducting strips, with a balance point gap between first ends thereof, and second ends thereof being short-circuited; an interlayer dielectric layer having substantially planar opposing surfaces, with a first opposing surface thereof being disposed over the interlayer conductor layer; and a top conductor layer disposed over a second opposing surface of the interlayer dielectric layer and including a third conducting strip overlying the first and second conducting strips, one end of the third conducting strip providing an unbalanced port terminal and another end of the third conducting strip being open-circuited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Jyh-Wen Sheen
  • Patent number: 6127901
    Abstract: A microstrip transmission line to waveguide transmission line transition. A microstrip transmission line is separated from a ground plane by a dielectric therebetween. The microstrip transmission line terminates at a microstrip transmission line open circuit end. A waveguide channel having narrow dimension waveguide walls and a broad dimension base waveguide wall connected therebetween is provided. The waveguide channel has a waveguide short circuit wall located along the channel. The narrow dimension waveguide walls are coupled with the ground plane to provide a broad dimension top waveguide wall for the waveguide transmission line. An aperture is located transverse to the microstrip transmission line and passes through an aperture ground plane opening in the ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan J. Lynch
  • Patent number: 6111474
    Abstract: In a low-noise amplifying device, an antenna point is attached to a tip portion of a microstrip line and an end surface of a printed wiring board. The printed wiring board is fixed to a chassis by a screw, a rivet, a projecting portion of a frame or a conductive adhesive in the vicinity of a connection of the antenna pin to the microstrip line. Thereby, even a slight warp that might exist on the board is corrected, so that adhesion between the board and the chassis is reinforced and the low-noise amplifying device stably operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayuki Nibe
  • Patent number: 6111465
    Abstract: An input transformer, used as a transmission-line transformer (11), is provided for connection between an unbalanced transmission line (10) and a balanced broadband amplifier (12), in which the input transformer has a fixed middle potential. The transmission-line transformer (11) converts an input signal into two output signals having opposite phase with respect to each other and which are supplied to the broadband amplifier (12). It is therefore possible to cancel secondary distortion in an amplifying unit. As the transmission-line transformer (11) a forced-balun type transmission-line transformer is used which has two input ports (P1, P2) and three output ports (P3, P4, P5), one (P4) of which is grounded. First and second two-wire parallel lines are arranged between the input ports and the output ports via a single glasses-shaped core. The input port and the two output ports have a respective impedance ratio of 1:(1/2):(1/2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Kakuta, Yoshiaki Fukasawa, Yasuhiro Shirakawa, Yoshiaki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 6100853
    Abstract: A low profile, low cost receiver/transmitter system includes a planar waveguide-to-microstrip adapter, a dielectric loaded waveguide fed slot array antenna, and a downconverter all formed on a single dielectric substrate made of polytetrafluoroethylene. The waveguide antenna includes a set of slots disposed in a surface thereof to receive/transmit a microwave/millimeter wave signal. The waveguide-to-stripline adapter is connected to the waveguide antenna and includes a taper section attached to a microstrip line. The taper section, which may be linear or may follow some other more complex taper function such as a Chebyshev function, adapts a signal propagating within the waveguide antenna to the microstrip line or vise versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Schaffner, Jim C. Williams, Patrick J. Loner
  • Patent number: 6097349
    Abstract: A feed circuit connects an antenna to a communications circuit to achieve an increased operating bandwidth. The feed circuit includes a folded balun having a balanced port configured to connect the antenna and an unbalanced port configured to connect to the communications circuit. In addition, a resonating capacitance is connected across the balanced port of the folded balun. The resonating capacitance has a value that provides resonance with an inductance of the balun in such a way that the operating bandwidth of the combined feed circuit and antenna is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventor: Gary G. Sanford
  • Patent number: 6097265
    Abstract: A waveguide structure (10) that provides a transition from a polymeric waveguide (26) to a coaxial connection (48). The coaxial connection (48) includes an outer conductor (50) electrically connected to a top ground plate (36) of the waveguide (26) and an inner conductor (52) that extends into the polymeric material within the waveguide (26). The inner conductor (52) is electrically connected to a capacitive plate (56), and the capacitive plate (56) is electrically connected to an elongated conductive probe (58). The conductive probe (58) is electrically connected to a conductive post (60), which is electrically connected to a bottom ground plate (38) opposite to the top ground plate (36). The conductive probe (58) extends in a direction transverse to the propagation direction of electromagnetic waves, and acts to pick up the energy in the electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Chan, Roger A. Davidheiser, Alfred E. Lee, D. Ian Stones
  • Patent number: 6087907
    Abstract: A transverse electric or quasi-transverse electric mode to rectangular waveguide mode transformer converts an electrical signal propagating in a transmission line from the TE or quasi-TEM transmission mode to a rectangular waveguide transmission mode for propagating in a waveguide. The transformer comprises a trace printed on a substrate, the substrate having first and second major surfaces and first, second, third, and fourth minor surfaces. The transformer is logically divided into a quasi-TEM mode portion, a conversion portion, and a waveguide mode portion. The quasi-TEM mode comprises a length of microstrip. The microstrip widens to a conversion trace in the conversion portion where there is one or more converting fins oriented perpendicularly to the direction of signal propagation. The conversion portion is adjacent the waveguide mode portion comprising metalized first and second major surfaces and third and fourth minor surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Nitin Jain
  • Patent number: 6084485
    Abstract: The invention provides a balun capable of operation over a range including micro and millimeter wavelengths. The balun includes a set of ferrite beads, and a set of polyiron cones. The ferrite beads and polyiron cones together provide signal balancing operable across a bandwidth together provide a signal balancing operable across a range of bandwidths of about 5000 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel David Bickford, Julius K Botka
  • Patent number: 6081241
    Abstract: A device for the power transmission of microwaves between a strip-line and a number of parallel cavity waveguides arranged in a group antenna. The strip-line includes H-shaped slots. These slots are centered with respect to a central conductor. Opposite each of the slots, a corresponding slot is arranged through the wall of the cavity waveguide. Electrically conducting seals are arranged to follow immediately outside the contours of the slots. The strip-line is fixedly fastened to the seals and the ridge waveguide, whereby good electrical coupling is achieved. Simultaneously, small cavities are formed between the slots. These cavities have a leveling effect such that the demands on mechanical precision is appreciably lowered, such that the tolerance to placement of the slots opposite to each other is increased substantially as compared to the case of the waveguides directly abutting the strip-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
    Inventors: Lars Gustaf Josefsson, Mats Gunnar H.ang.kan Eriksson, Lars Bertil Malm, Jan Michael Bergendahl
  • Patent number: 6060959
    Abstract: A transducer is connected between a wave-guide tube and a microstrip line, has an antenna probe formed on a multi-layered insulating structure over the opening of the wave-guide tube and connected between the microstrip line and a ground plane, and an inter-level conductive pattern is formed around the zone over the opening so that the zone propagates electromagnetic wave between the wave-guide tube and the microstrip line without undesirable electromagnetic influences from a semiconductor bare chip mounted on the multi-layered insulating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Yakuwa
  • Patent number: 6040739
    Abstract: A new amplifier module construction enhances the manufacturer's ability to repetitively construct multiple copies of millimeter microwave amplifiers having performance characteristics that are consistent with one another, particularly in input VSWR ratio characteristic, and which performance characteristic do not significantly change following any necessary rework of the amplifier module, including any MMIC chip replacement. In this module, a waveguide to microstrip transition is formed of a backshort member that is separate from the metal base or cover and that backshort member is held pressed in place against the substrate by force exerted by the module's cover plate through a spring member against the exterior of the backshort member. The spring member is formed by a resilient compressible gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Wedeen, Arthur J. Durham, Matthew D. Ferris, G. Sam Dow
  • Patent number: 6040745
    Abstract: An unbalanced-to-balanced converter (balun) comprising three distributed-constant lines. In one distributed-constant line, a standing wave is generated. Disposed adjacent thereto is another distributed-constant line to which the power of the standing wave is transferred. A signal input to the unbalanced-to-balanced converter is divided into two signals having phases 180 degrees apart and the same level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tanaka, Yutaka Sasaki, Takuya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6031433
    Abstract: A dielectric waveguide which has a pair of dielectric substrates affixed to each other and a pair of electrically-conductive layers on the external surfaces of the two dielectric substrates. Each dielectric substrate has a projecting part that is thicker than other parts. A propagating region is formed where the projecting parts on the two opposing dielectric substrates are put together. Furthermore, a circuit is formed on the contact surface between the dielectric substrates. The circuit may include an electronic component. A part of the circuit is arranged in the propagating region so as to provide electromagnetic-field coupling between the circuit and the dielectric waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Tanizaki, Hiroshi Nishida, Atsushi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 6028497
    Abstract: A hermetic RF pin grid array package methodology is described that obviates the need for glass to metal feedthroughs, simplifying construction, improving reliability and reducing the cost of RF multi-chip modules. An array of cylindrical passages (13, 15) through the module's base plate (3) are aligned with and receive respective associated conductor pins (7, 9) depending from the module substrate (1). Cylindrical metal shrouds (11) are positioned within some passages (15) combine with associated pins (9) to define coaxial RF transmission lines and support for an external RF coax coupling. Unshrouded pins (7) serve to connect DC to the integrated circuit chips in the module. Waveguide interfaces, if required, are provided by conductive coupling structures patterned on the substrate, suspended over a waveguide (17) formed in or about the baseplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Barry R. Allen, Edwin D. Dair, Randy J. Duprey
  • Patent number: 6018276
    Abstract: A waveguide input apparatus of two orthogonally polarized waves includes a waveguide having two cavities passing through the outer wall thereof to the interior, a first probe provided protruding from an inner wall of the waveguide via a first cavity so that the leading end is parallel to a first plane of polarization, a second probe provided protruding from the inner wall of the waveguide via a second cavity so that the leading end is parallel to a second plane of polarization, and a circuit board provided at the outer wall of the waveguide so as to be parallel to the second plane of polarization, and having the first probe and the second probe connected thereto. A converter for satellite broadcasting receiver employing this apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Hirota, Atsushi Nagano
  • Patent number: H1959
    Abstract: A single balanced to dual unbalanced transformer containing within it two quarter wave transformers and seven matching network impedances. The quarter wave transformers are of common ground reference, feed a balanced output, and are coupled to and fed by two unbalanced feeds. The single balanced to dual unbalanced transformer may also contain within it a variable impedance transmission line, a power amplifier, and a low noise amplifier. The single balanced to dual unbalanced transformer provides transmit/receive paths to a passive radiator load by utilizing dynamic impedances presented by the power amplifier, the low noise amplifier, a switch, or a variable impedance transmission line that makes the active radiator concept feasible and is a new concept For solid state phased array radars and communication systems that reduces losses, improves efficiency, and ultimately reduces cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Anthony Kikel