Microwave modulator having input modulation signal probe with adjustable electrical characteristics

Claim 2

In combination with a microwave resonant cavity modulator, a modulation input signal probe with adjustable electrical characteristics for improving modulation sensitivity and linearity over a frequency range comprising an adjustable coupling portion including a housing variably insertable through the wall of the resonant cavity and having a coupling plate for variably coupling an input signal to said resonant cavity and contact means within said housing and interconnected with said coupling plate for insertably receiving an inductive means; and an adjustable feed portion insertable into said coupling portion and including an adjustable inductive conductor means variably insertable in said contact means, connector means for receiving an input signal, and means including frequency trap means interconnecting said connector means and said inductive conductor means.

Claim 3

A modulator input signal probe as defined by claim 1 wherein said coupling plate is mounted to said housing by stand-off means including an electrically variable capacitive means.

Claim 4

A modulator input signal probe as defined by claim 2 wherein said contact means comprises a cylindrical member including a spring contact threin, and said inductive means comprises a length of wire insertable into said cylindrical means in electrical contact with said spring contact.

Claim 5

A modulator input signal probe as defined by claim 3 wherein said frequency trap means comprises a by-pass capacitor and a RF choke.

Claim 6

A microwave modulator comprising a resonant cavity; a center conductor within said cavity; input signal means for coupling an input signal to said center conductor; output signal means for coupling a modulated signal from said center conductor; said input signal means comprising a modulation input probe with adjustable electrical characteristics for improving modulation sensitivity and linearity over a frequency range comprising an adjustable coupling portion including a housing variably insertable through the wall of the resonant cavity and having a coupling plate for variably coupling an input signal to said resonant cavity and contact means within said housing and interconnected with said coupling plate for insertably receiving an inductive means, and an adjustable feed portion insertable into said coupling portion and including an adjustable inductive conductor means variably insertable in said contact means, connector means for receiving an input signal, and means including frequency trap means interconnecting said connector means and said inductive conductor means; whereby modulation sensitivity may be adjusted by the spacing between said couplinG plate and said center conductor, and modulation linearity may be adjusted by varying the effective inductance of said inductive conductor portion.

Claim 7

A microwave modulator comprising a resonant cavity; a center conductor within said cavity; input signal means for coupling an input signal to said center conductor; output signal means for coupling a modulated signal from said center conductor; said input signal means comprising a modulation input probe with adjustable electrical characteristics for improving modulation sensitivity and linearity over a frequency range comprising an adjustable coupling portion including a housing variably insertable through the wall of the resonant cavity and having a coupling plate for variably coupling an input signal to said resonant cavity and contact means within said housing and interconnected with said coupling plate for insertably receiving an inductive means, and an adjustable feed portion insertable into said coupling portion and including an adjustable inductive conductor means variably insertable in said contact means, connector means for receiving an input signal, and means including frequency trap means interconnecting said connector means and said inductive conductor means; whereby modulation sensitivity may be adjusted by the spacing between said couplinG plate and said center conductor, and modulation linearity may be adjusted by varying the effective inductance of said inductive conductor portion.

Claim 8

A microwave modulator as defined by claim 5 wherein said coupling plate is mounted to said housing by stand-off means including an electrically variable capacitive means, said contact means comprises a cylindrical member including a spring contact therein, and said inductive means comprises a length of wire insertable in said cylindrical means, and said frequency trap means comprises a by-pass capacitor and a RF choke.