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EP0843374A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Voltage-controlled variable-passband filter and high-frequency circuit module incorporating same

Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1997-11-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-11-12
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Abstract

Abstract The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter in accordance with the present invention is structured so that conductive patterns, R, L, and C, and other circuit elements are embedded in a ceramic substrate. Within this substrate is also embedded an insulating layer made of the same ceramic material, the capacitance of which changes in response to an electric field applied thereto. On one surface of the insulating layer is provided a control electrode, and on the other surface are provided adjacent to one another a resonator pattern, to which high-frequency signals are applied, and a ground pattern. Accordingly, two capacitors connected in series are formed between the resonator pattern and the ground pattern, and the capacitance of these series capacitors can be adjusted by an integrated circuit mounted on the ceramic substrate, thus reducing size and weight, and simplifying adjustment.

Inventors

  • 👤 Yoichi Tsuda

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 14:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01P; H01P1/00; H01P1/20; H01P1/201; H01P1/203; H01P1/20327; H01P1/20336; H01P1/20345; H01P1/207; H01P1/208; H01P1/2088; H01P7/00; H01P7/08

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim 101 words
A voltage-controlled variable-passband filter comprising: a voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor and a control voltage applying means for applying a control voltage; said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor including: an insulating layer having a first surface and a second surface, said insulating layer being made of a dielectric material the dielectric constant of which changes according to an electric field applied thereto; a first electrode, provided on said first surface, to which the control voltage for producing the electric field is applied; and second and third electrodes, provided adjacent to and parallel with one another on said second surface, to which are applied high-frequency signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 51 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 1, wherein: said insulating layer and said first through third electrodes are provided such that a first capacitor provided between said second and first electrodes and a second capacitor provided between said first and third electrodes have substantially the same capacitance and electrical characteristics.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 2, wherein: said second electrode is a quarter-wavelength resonator, and said third electrode is grounded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 1, wherein: the control voltage is applied to said first electrode through a series connection of a resistor and an inductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 62 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 1, wherein: said insulating layer is made of a ceramic material, and said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor, along with the remainder of the filter circuit, is integrally provided within a substrate made of a ceramic material; and said control voltage applying means is an integrated circuit mounted on said substrate so as to be integral therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 5, wherein: said integrated circuit is capable of storing software for switching control of the control voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 69 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 1, wherein: said insulating layer is made of a dielectric thin-film material, and said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor is integrally provided on an upper layer of a substrate made of a ceramic material within which is provided the remainder of the filter circuit; and said control voltage applying means is an integrated circuit mounted on said substrate so as to be integral therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 7, wherein: said integrated circuit is capable of storing software for switching control of the control voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 52 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 1, wherein: said insulating layer is made of a ceramic material selected from the group consisting of BaTiO 3 , SrTiO 3 , Ba x Sr 1-x TiO 3 , PbLaTiO 3 , Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 , PZT, and PbTiO 3 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 129 words
A voltage-controlled variable-passband filter comprising: a voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor and a control voltage applying means for applying a control voltage; said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor including: an insulating layer having a first surface and a second surface, said insulating layer being made of a dielectric material the dielectric constant of which changes according to an electric field applied thereto; a plurality of first electrodes, provided on said first surface at a certain interval, to which the control voltage for producing the electric field is applied; second and third electrodes, provided on said second surface, to which are applied high-frequency signals; and a plurality of ground electrodes, provided between said second and third electrodes opposite said plurality of first electrodes, so as to be staggered with said plurality of first electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 28 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 10, wherein: the control voltage is applied to said first electrodes through a series connection of a resistor and an inductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 62 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 10, wherein: said insulating layer is made of a ceramic material, and said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor, along with the remainder of the filter circuit, is integrally provided within a substrate made of a ceramic material; and said control voltage applying means is an integrated circuit mounted on said substrate so as to be integral therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 24 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 12, wherein: said integrated circuit is capable of storing software for switching control of the control voltage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 68 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 10, wherein: said insulating layer is made of a dielectric thin-film material, and said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor is integrally provided on an upper layer of the substrate made of a ceramic material wherein is provided the remainder of the filter circuit; and said control voltage applying means is an integrated circuit mounted on said substrate so as to be integral therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 24 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 14, wherein: said integrated circuit is capable of storing software for switching control of the control voltage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 52 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 10, wherein: said insulating layer is made of a ceramic material selected from the group consisting of BaTiO 3 , SrTiO 3 , Ba x Sr 1-x TiO 3 , PbLaTiO 3 , Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 , PZT, and PbTiO 3 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 39 words
A high-frequency circuit module for use with a multi-layer high-frequency circuit substrate, in which components other than said integrated circuit of the voltage-controlled variable-passband filter set forth in claim 5 are provided in a multi-layer substrate partially or entirely.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 39 words
A high-frequency circuit module for use with a multi-layer high-frequency circuit substrate, in which components other than said integrated circuit of the voltage-controlled variable-passband filter set forth in claim 7 are provided in a multi-layer substrate partially or entirely.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 39 words
A high-frequency circuit module for use with a multi-layer high-frequency circuit substrate, in which components other than said integrated circuit of the voltage-controlled variable-passband filter set forth in claim 12 are provided in a multi-layer substrate partially or entirely.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 39 words
A high-frequency circuit module for use with a multi-layer high-frequency circuit substrate, in which components other than said integrated circuit of the voltage-controlled variable-passband filter set forth in claim 14 are provided in a multi-layer substrate partially or entirely.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 140 words
A voltage-controlled variable-passband filter comprising: a voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor including an insulating layer made of a dielectric material the dielectric constant of which changes according to an electric field applied thereto, a first electrode, provided on one surface of said insulating layer, to which is applied a control voltage for producing the electric field, and second and third electrodes, provided adjacent to and parallel with one another on the other surface of said insulating layer, to which are applied high-frequency signals; said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor having a two-stage series structure in which the respective conductive areas of said first electrode opposite said second and third electrodes act as capacitive electrodes, said capacitive electrodes and said second and third electrodes providing two capacitors connected in series; and a control voltage applying means for applying the control voltage to said first electrode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 65 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 1, wherein: said first electrode includes a plurality of electrodes connected in parallel with one another, and said second and third electrodes are provided opposite first- and last-stage electrodes of said first electrode, said filter further comprising: a plurality of ground electrodes, provided opposite said plurality of electrodes of said first electrode, so as to be staggered therewith.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 28 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 21, wherein: the control voltage is applied to said first electrode through a series circuit of a resistor and an inductor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 35 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 22, wherein: the control voltage is applied to said plurality of electrodes of said first electrode through a plurality of series circuits of a resistor and an inductor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 62 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 21, wherein: said insulating layer is made of a ceramic material, and said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor, along with the remainder of the filter circuit, is integrally provided within a substrate made of a ceramic material; and said control voltage applying means is an integrated circuit mounted on said substrate so as to be integral therewith.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 62 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 22, wherein: said insulating layer is made of a ceramic material, and said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor, along with the remainder of the filter circuit, is integrally provided within a substrate made of a ceramic material; and said control voltage applying means is an integrated circuit mounted on said substrate so as to be integral therewith.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 24 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 25, wherein: said integrated circuit is capable of storing software for switching control of the control voltage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 24 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 26, wherein: said integrated circuit is capable of storing software for switching control of the control voltage.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 69 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 21, wherein: said insulating layer is made of a dielectric thin-film material, and said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor is integrally provided on an upper layer of a substrate made of a ceramic material within which is provided the remainder of the filter circuit; and said control voltage applying means is an integrated circuit mounted on said substrate so as to be integral therewith.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 69 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 22, wherein: said insulating layer is made of a dielectric thin-film material, and said voltage-controlled variable-capacity capacitor is integrally provided on an upper layer of a substrate made of a ceramic material within which is provided the remainder of the filter circuit; and said control voltage applying means is an integrated circuit mounted on said substrate so as to be integral therewith.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 24 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 29, wherein: said integrated circuit is capable of storing software for switching control of the control voltage.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 24 words
The voltage-controlled variable-passband filter according to claim 30, wherein: said integrated circuit is capable of storing software for switching control of the control voltage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 38 words
A high-frequency circuit module for use with a multi-layer high-frequency circuit substrate, in which components other than said integrated circuit of the voltage-controlled variable-passband filter set forth in claim 25are provided in a multi-layer substrate partially or entirely.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 39 words
A high-frequency circuit module for use with a multi-layer high-frequency circuit substrate, in which components other than said integrated circuit of the voltage-controlled variable-passband filter set forth in claim 26 are provided in a multi-layer substrate partially or entirely.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 39 words
A high-frequency circuit module for use with a multi-layer high-frequency circuit substrate, in which components other than said integrated circuit of the voltage-controlled variable-passband filter set forth in claim 29 are provided in a multi-layer substrate partially or entirely.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 39 words
A high-frequency circuit module for use with a multi-layer high-frequency circuit substrate, in which components other than said integrated circuit of the voltage-controlled variable-passband filter set forth in claim 30 are provided in a multi-layer substrate partially or entirely.

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