Microwave switch utilizing waveguide filter having capacitance diode means for detuning filter

Claim 1

IN A MICROWAVE SWITCH FOR CONTROLLING THE TRANSMISSION OF MICROWAVE ENERGY ALONG A WAVEGUIDE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING, (A) A FILTER STRUCTURE POSITIONED IN SAID WAVEGUIDE AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF INDUCTIVE POST ELEMENTS, SAID FILTER HAVING A DESIRED PASSBAND FOR TRANSMITTING MICROWAVE ENERGY SUBSTANTIALLY WITHOUT ATTENUATION, (B) A DIODE ELEMENT INCORPORATED IN ONE OF THE POSTS FORMING SAID FILTER, SAID DIODE HAVING A RESISTIVE AND A REACTIVE STATE, (C) BIASING MEANS COUPLED TO SAID DIODE ELEMENT FOR SELECTIVELY FORWARD AND REVERSE BIASING SAID DIODE TO PLACE IT IN SAID RESISTIVE AND REACTION STATES RESPECTIVELY WHEREBY SAID FILTER IS DETUNED WHEN SAID DIODE IS IN THE REACTIVE STATE AND THE MICROWAVE ENERGY IS REFLECTED THEREBY PREVENTING FURTHER TRANSMISSION ALONG SAID WAVEGUIDE AND HAS THE DESIRED PASSBAND WHEN SAID DIODE IS IN THE RESISTIVE STATE.