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US3683298A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Microwave apparatus using multiple avalanche diodes operating in the anomalous mode

Assignee: RCA Corp
•
Filing: 1971-03-31
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1991-03-31
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Abstract

Abstract The terminals of a first avalanche diode are shunt coupled to a microwave transmission line. The terminals of opposite polarity of at least one other avalanche diode are also shunt coupled to the microwave transmission line. Complementary microwave circuitry and proper location within a suitable microwave resonant circuit enables the multiple avalanche diodes to operate in the anomalous mode in an oscillator, amplifier, or frequency multiplier when reversed biased by an appropriate signal.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hirohisa Kawamoto

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 03:28
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03B; H03B9/00; H03B9/12; H03B9/14; H03B9/143

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 220 words
Microwave apparatus operative at a desired frequency, said apparatus comprising: first and second avalanche diodes each having terminals, a microwave structure, the terminals of both said first and second avalanche diodes being shunt coupled to said microwave structure with the terminal polarity of said first avalanche diode being opposite to said second avalanche diode terminal polarity. means for applying a reverse bias signal, exceeding a predetermined threshold value, across the terminals of each of said diodes, to effect said avalanche diodes being triggered into their anomalous mode of operation, said microwave structure and said respective diodes being arranged in cooperative relationship with respect to one another to provide a predetermined delay of a microwave signal propagated through said microwave structure between said respective diodes, said desired frequency being dependent on said predetermined delay, means for coupling a microwave resonant circuit to said microwave structure, said circuit being resonant at said desired frequency and providing a path of low microwave attenuation for energy at said desired frequency, said circuit being anti-resonant at undesired frequencies harmonically related to said desired frequency to thereby reflect energy at said undesired frequencies, said diodes being positioned with respect to said microwave resonant circuit so that said reflected energy is of proper phase to aid in triggering said avalanche diodes into the anomalous mode of operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 220 words
Microwave apparatus operative at a desired frequency, said apparatus comprising: first and second avalanche diodes each having terminals, a microwave structure, the terminals of both said first and second avalanche diodes being shunt coupled to said microwave structure with the terminal polarity of said first avalanche diode being opposite to said second avalanche diode terminal polarity. means for applying a reverse bias signal, exceeding a predetermined threshold value, across the terminals of each of said diodes, to effect said avalanche diodes being triggered into their anomalous mode of operation, said microwave structure and said respective diodes being arranged in cooperative relationship with respect to one another to provide a predetermined delay of a microwave signal propagated through said microwave structure between said respective diodes, said desired frequency being dependent on said predetermined delay, means for coupling a microwave resonant circuit to said microwave structure, said circuit being resonant at said desired frequency and providing a path of low microwave attenuation for energy at said desired frequency, said circuit being anti-resonant at undesired frequencies harmonically related to said desired frequency to thereby reflect energy at said undesired frequencies, said diodes being positioned with respect to said microwave resonant circuit so that said reflected energy is of proper phase to aid in triggering said avalanche diodes into the anomalous mode of operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 88 words
Microwave apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said microwave structure comprises a microwave transmission line, and wherein said diode arrangement comprises spacing said first and second diodes by a given distance of said line, wherein said given distance has an electrical length, S, of substantially, S lambda /2 - Tau d Vp where lambda is the wavelength at said desired frequency, Tau d is the response time exhibited by a triggered avalanche diode in achieving operation, and Vp is the phase velocity in the media of microwave transmission.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 77 words
Microwave apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said position of said microwave resonant circuit with respect to the closest of said diodes is determined by an effective electrical separation, S1, of substantially, S1 lambda /2 - ( Tau d Vp/2 where lambda is the wavelength at said desired frequency and Tau d is the response time exhibited by a triggered avalanche diode in achieving operation, and Vp is the phase velocity in the media of microwave transmission.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 38 words
Microwave apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reverse bias signal is a D.C. voltage having a magnitude which in and of itself exceeds said predetermined threshold level, whereby said avalanche diodes oscillate at said desired frequency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 67 words
A microwave apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reverse bias signal is the sum of a D.C. voltage having a magnitude less than the predetermined threshold value and the amplitude of an applied microwave bias signal at said desired frequency of operation, said sum having a value exceeding said predetermined threshold value, whereby said avalanche diodes are triggered into amplifying said applied microwave bias signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 59 words
A microwave apparatus in accordance with claim 3, including a directional circulator having one port coupled to said microwave resonant circuit, said circulator having a second port for applying said microwave biaS signal to said avalanche diode terminals through said microwave resonant circuit and a third port for applying said amplified microwave bias signal to a terminating load impedance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 98 words
A microwave apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reverse bias signal is the sum of a D.C. voltage having a magnitude less than the predetermined threshold value and the amplitude of an applied microwave bias signal, having a given frequency, said sum having a value exceeding said predetermined threshold value, and said apparatus further including tuning means for enhancing a desired harmonic of said given frequency, said harmonic being said desired frequency of operation, whereby said avalanche diodes are triggered into generating and amplifying said desired harmonic of the given frequency of said microwave bias signal.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

No citation records indexed.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-08-08 1976-02-07 1976-08-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-08-08 1980-02-07 1980-08-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-08-08 1984-02-07 1984-08-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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