Patent US3659205A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3659205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Varactor tuned microstrip tuner
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-17
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Granted: 1972-04-25
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Expires: 1990-12-17
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a microstrip TV Tuner which is electronically tuned and the film portions of the tuner are photographically delineated on an insulating substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry F Cooke
- 👤 Roger L Weber
- 👤 Donald B Hall
- 👤 Darrell W Whitten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01P; H01P5/00; H01P5/08; H01P5/10; H01P1/00; H01P1/20; H01P1/201; H01P1/203; H03; H03J; H03J3/00; H03J3/02; H03J3/16; H03J3/18; H03J3/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
462 words
A microstrip frequency converter of the type having a Balun input circuit, a microstrip preselector circuit, a microstrip tunable oscillator circuit, and a microstrip mixer circuit overlying and secured to a first major surface of an insulating substrate, and a ground plane secured to a second major surface of said substrate, comprising in combination: a. an insulating substrate having an electrically conductive layer selectively overlying and secured to a first major surface thereof to form a ground plane for said frequency converter; b. a Balun input circuit having 1. first and second spaced microstrip members overlying in nonintersecting relationship and secured to a second major surface of said substrate, said first microstrip member having one of its ends electrically connected to said ground plane; 2. a first ferrite member overlying and secured to said one major surface of said substrate below said first and second microstrip members; and 3. a second ferrite member overlying and secured to said second major surface of said substrate above said first and second microstrip members; c. a microstrip preselector circuit having first and second substantially T-shaped microstrip members in which the horizontal portions thereof are in spaced parallel relationship, a first end of each of said horizontal portions being connected to said ground plane and a second end of each of said horizontal portions being respectively connected to one terminal of a varactor diode tuning means, and in which thE vertical portion of said first T-shaped microstrip member is coupled to said Balun input circuit, said first and second microstrip members being coupled together by a U-shaped microstrip member, and in which each of said varactor diode tuning means have their other terminals connected to said ground plane, thereby forming said microstrip varactor diodetuned preselector circuit; d. a varactor diode-tuned oscillator circuit having a third substantially T-shaped microstrip member, a varactor diode and an amplifying circuit, in which the horizontal portion of said third T-shaped microstrip member is positioned substantially parallel to said L-shaped microstrip member and has one end connected to said ground plane and the other end connected to one terminal of said varactor diode, and in which said amplifying circuit is coupled to the vertical portion of said third T-shaped microstrip member, thereby forming a varactor diode-tuned oscillator circuit; e. a mixer circuit coupled to said preselector circuit and said oscillator circuit and having an L-shaped microstrip member and a mixer diode, one terminal of said mixer diode being connected to one end of said L-shaped microstrip member and the second terminal of said mixer diode being connected to said vertical portion of said second T-shaped microstrip member, thereby forming said mixer circuit; whereby f. said Balun circuit, said preselector circuit, said mixer circuit, and said oscillator circuit form said microstrip frequency converter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
462 words
A microstrip frequency converter of the type having a Balun input circuit, a microstrip preselector circuit, a microstrip tunable oscillator circuit, and a microstrip mixer circuit overlying and secured to a first major surface of an insulating substrate, and a ground plane secured to a second major surface of said substrate, comprising in combination: a. an insulating substrate having an electrically conductive layer selectively overlying and secured to a first major surface thereof to form a ground plane for said frequency converter; b. a Balun input circuit having 1. first and second spaced microstrip members overlying in nonintersecting relationship and secured to a second major surface of said substrate, said first microstrip member having one of its ends electrically connected to said ground plane; 2. a first ferrite member overlying and secured to said one major surface of said substrate below said first and second microstrip members; and 3. a second ferrite member overlying and secured to said second major surface of said substrate above said first and second microstrip members; c. a microstrip preselector circuit having first and second substantially T-shaped microstrip members in which the horizontal portions thereof are in spaced parallel relationship, a first end of each of said horizontal portions being connected to said ground plane and a second end of each of said horizontal portions being respectively connected to one terminal of a varactor diode tuning means, and in which thE vertical portion of said first T-shaped microstrip member is coupled to said Balun input circuit, said first and second microstrip members being coupled together by a U-shaped microstrip member, and in which each of said varactor diode tuning means have their other terminals connected to said ground plane, thereby forming said microstrip varactor diodetuned preselector circuit; d. a varactor diode-tuned oscillator circuit having a third substantially T-shaped microstrip member, a varactor diode and an amplifying circuit, in which the horizontal portion of said third T-shaped microstrip member is positioned substantially parallel to said L-shaped microstrip member and has one end connected to said ground plane and the other end connected to one terminal of said varactor diode, and in which said amplifying circuit is coupled to the vertical portion of said third T-shaped microstrip member, thereby forming a varactor diode-tuned oscillator circuit; e. a mixer circuit coupled to said preselector circuit and said oscillator circuit and having an L-shaped microstrip member and a mixer diode, one terminal of said mixer diode being connected to one end of said L-shaped microstrip member and the second terminal of said mixer diode being connected to said vertical portion of said second T-shaped microstrip member, thereby forming said mixer circuit; whereby f. said Balun circuit, said preselector circuit, said mixer circuit, and said oscillator circuit form said microstrip frequency converter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
a first ferrite member overlying and secured to said one major surface of said substrate below said first and second microstrip members; and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
a first ferrite member overlying and secured to said one major surface of said substrate below said first and second microstrip members; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A microstrip TV tuner, comprising in combination: a. an insulating substrate having an electrically conductive layer selectively overlying and secured to a first major surface thereof to form a ground plane for said tuner; b. a Balun input circuit comprising:
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A microstrip TV tuner, comprising in combination: a. an insulating substrate having an electrically conductive layer selectively overlying and secured to a first major surface thereof to form a ground plane for said tuner; b. a Balun input circuit comprising:
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
a first ferrite member overlying and secured to said one major surface of said substrate below said first and second microstrip members; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
a first ferrite member overlying and secured to said one major surface of said substrate below said first and second microstrip members; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
a fourth microstrip member overlying and secured to said second major surface of said substrate and having a first end electrically connected to said ground plane and a second end connected to a varactor diode tuning means, thereby forming a second tuned circuit; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
a fourth microstrip member overlying and secured to said second major surface of said substrate and having a first end electrically connected to said ground plane and a second end connected to a varactor diode tuning means, thereby forming a second tuned circuit; and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
a sixth microstrip member overlying and connected to said second major surface of said substrate and having a first end connected to the central portion of said fourth microstrip member, a second end connected to the other terminal of said mixer diode, thereby forming said mixer circuit; and f. a low pass filter circuit coupled to said mixer circuit comprising:
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
a sixth microstrip member overlying and connected to said second major surface of said substrate and having a first end connected to the central portion of said fourth microstrip member, a second end connected to the other terminal of said mixer diode, thereby forming said mixer circuit; and f. a low pass filter circuit coupled to said mixer circuit comprising:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
a capacitor having one terminal coupled to said common terminal of said first and second inductors and a second terminal connected to said ground plane, thereby forming said low pass filter circuit; whereby g. said Balun circuit, preselector circuit, oscillator circuit, mixer circuit and filter circuit form said microstrip TV tuner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
a capacitor having one terminal coupled to said common terminal of said first and second inductors and a second terminal connected to said ground plane, thereby forming said low pass filter circuit; whereby g. said Balun circuit, preselector circuit, oscillator circuit, mixer circuit and filter circuit form said microstrip TV tuner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
said base electrode is coupled to a reference potential through a parallel R-C circuit and to a bias voltage through a series resistive circuit, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
said base electrode is coupled to a reference potential through a parallel R-C circuit and to a bias voltage through a series resistive circuit, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
said emitter electrode is coupled to said bias voltage through a series L-R circuit and to said reference potential through a series L-C circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
said emitter electrode is coupled to said bias voltage through a series L-R circuit and to said reference potential through a series L-C circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
313 words
a second ferrite member overlying and secured to said second major surface of said substrate above said first and second microstrip members; c. a microstrip preselector circuit having first and second substantially T-shaped microstrip members in which the horizontal portions thereof are in spaced parallel relationship, a first end of each of said horizontal portions being connected to said ground plane and a second end of each of said horizontal portions being respectively connected to one terminal of a varactor diode tuning means, and in which thE vertical portion of said first T-shaped microstrip member is coupled to said Balun input circuit, said first and second microstrip members being coupled together by a U-shaped microstrip member, and in which each of said varactor diode tuning means have their other terminals connected to said ground plane, thereby forming said microstrip varactor diode-tuned preselector circuit; d. a varactor diode-tuned oscillator circuit having a third substantially T-shaped microstrip member, a varactor diode and an amplifying circuit, in which the horizontal portion of said third T-shaped microstrip member is positioned substantially parallel to said L-shaped microstrip member and has one end connected to said ground plane and the other end connected to one terminal of said varactor diode, and in which said amplifying circuit is coupled to the vertical portion of said third T-shaped microstrip member, thereby forming a varactor diode-tuned oscillator circuit; e. a mixer circuit coupled to said preselector circuit and said oscillator circuit and having an L-shaped microstrip member and a mixer diode, one terminal of said mixer diode being connected to one end of said L-shaped microstrip member and the second terminal of said mixer diode being connected to said vertical portion of said second T-shaped microstrip member, thereby forming said mixer circuit; whereby f. said Balun circuit, said preselector circuit, said mixer circuit, and said oscillator circuit form said microstrip frequency converter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
313 words
a second ferrite member overlying and secured to said second major surface of said substrate above said first and second microstrip members; c. a microstrip preselector circuit having first and second substantially T-shaped microstrip members in which the horizontal portions thereof are in spaced parallel relationship, a first end of each of said horizontal portions being connected to said ground plane and a second end of each of said horizontal portions being respectively connected to one terminal of a varactor diode tuning means, and in which thE vertical portion of said first T-shaped microstrip member is coupled to said Balun input circuit, said first and second microstrip members being coupled together by a U-shaped microstrip member, and in which each of said varactor diode tuning means have their other terminals connected to said ground plane, thereby forming said microstrip varactor diode-tuned preselector circuit; d. a varactor diode-tuned oscillator circuit having a third substantially T-shaped microstrip member, a varactor diode and an amplifying circuit, in which the horizontal portion of said third T-shaped microstrip member is positioned substantially parallel to said L-shaped microstrip member and has one end connected to said ground plane and the other end connected to one terminal of said varactor diode, and in which said amplifying circuit is coupled to the vertical portion of said third T-shaped microstrip member, thereby forming a varactor diode-tuned oscillator circuit; e. a mixer circuit coupled to said preselector circuit and said oscillator circuit and having an L-shaped microstrip member and a mixer diode, one terminal of said mixer diode being connected to one end of said L-shaped microstrip member and the second terminal of said mixer diode being connected to said vertical portion of said second T-shaped microstrip member, thereby forming said mixer circuit; whereby f. said Balun circuit, said preselector circuit, said mixer circuit, and said oscillator circuit form said microstrip frequency converter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The microstrip TV tuner of claim 2 wherein: a. said amplifying means is a transistor having emitter, base and collector electrodes; and wherein
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
a U-shaped microstrip member overlying and secured to said second major surface of said substrate and being positioned between and parallel to said third and fourth microstrip members, thereby coupling said first and second tuned circuits to form said varactor diode-tuned preselector circuit; d. a varactor diode-tuned oscillator circuit comprising:
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
a U-shaped microstrip member overlying and secured to said second major surface of said substrate and being positioned between and parallel to said third and fourth microstrip members, thereby coupling said first and second tuned circuits to form said varactor diode-tuned preselector circuit; d. a varactor diode-tuned oscillator circuit comprising:
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
a second ferrite member overlying and secured to said second major surface of said substrate above said first and second microstrip members; c. a varactor diode-tuned preselector circuit coupled to said Balun circuit comprising:
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
a second ferrite member overlying and secured to said second major surface of said substrate above said first and second microstrip members; c. a varactor diode-tuned preselector circuit coupled to said Balun circuit comprising:
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
106 words
A microstrip TV tuner in accordance with claim 2 wherein: a. said first tuned circuit includes a varactor diode coupled to a tuning voltage source through a low pass filter comprising a first lead wire passing through a first ferrite bead; and wherein b. said second tuned circuit includes a varactor diode coupled to a tuning voltage source through a low pass filter comprising a second lead wire passing through a second ferrite bead; and wherein c. said oscillator circuit includes a varactor diode coupled to a tuning voltage source through a low pass filter comprising a third lead wire passing through a third ferrite bead.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A microstrip TV tuner in accordance with claim 2 wherein said amplifying means is connected to a voltage source through a low pass filter comprising a lead wire passing through a ferrite bead.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3571722A
Cited
US3550043A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |