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US3700832A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

N-port circulator

Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1971-08-19
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1991-08-19
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Abstract

Abstract This application describes an n-port circulator comprising n identical circuit units arranged in a closed loop configuration. Each unit is a three terminal circuit including two transistors and two equal, impedance-matching impedances. The first terminal is connected to the base of the first transistor, and to the emitter of the second transistor through one of the impedances. The second terminal is connected to the collector of the second transistor, and to the emitter of the first transistor through the other impedance. The third terminal is connected to the collector of the first transistor, while the base of the second transistor is grounded. The units are interconnected such that the third terminal of each is coupled to the first terminal of the next adjacent unit in the loop. The second terminals of the units constitute the ports of the circulator.

Inventors

  • 👤 Henry Richard Beurrier

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 10:18
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B1/40; H04B1/54; H04B1/58; H03; H03H; H03H11/00; H03H11/02; H03H11/38

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 114 words
A three terminal, pseudo circulator comprising: first and second active elements, each of which has an emitting electrode, a control electrode and an emission collector electrode; the first terminal of said circulator being connected to the control electrode of said first active element and to the emitting electrode of said second active element through a first series impedance; the second terminal of said circulator being connected to the collector electrode of said second element and to the emitting electrode of said first element through a second series impedance; the control electrode of said second element being grounded; and the third terminal of said circulator being connected to the collector electrode of said first element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 114 words
A three terminal, pseudo circulator comprising: first and second active elements, each of which has an emitting electrode, a control electrode and an emission collector electrode; the first terminal of said circulator being connected to the control electrode of said first active element and to the emitting electrode of said second active element through a first series impedance; the second terminal of said circulator being connected to the collector electrode of said second element and to the emitting electrode of said first element through a second series impedance; the control electrode of said second element being grounded; and the third terminal of said circulator being connected to the collector electrode of said first element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
The combination according to claim 1 including: a signal transmitter connected to said first terminal; a two way transmission link connected to said second terminal; and a signal receiver connected to said third terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 29 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein: said first and second impedances are equal and provide an impedance match for external loads connected to said first and second terminals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 33 words
A two way ciRcuit comprising: a pair of pseudo circulators in accordance with claim 1, including: means for coupling the third terminal of each circulator to the first terminal of the other circulator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The circuit according to claim 4, wherein: each of said coupling means includes an amplifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 159 words
An n-port circulator comprising: n identical three terminal circuit units, each of which includes: first and second transistors, each having an emitter electrode, a base electrode and a collector electrode; the first terminal of each unit being connected to the base electrode of said first transistor and to the emitter electrode of said second transistor through a first series impedance; the second terminal of said unit being connected to the collector electrode of said second transistor and to the emitter electrode of said first transistor through a second series impedance; the third terminal of each unit being connected to the collector electrode of said first transistor; the base electrode of said second transistor being grounded; said units being connected in a loop configuration, with the third terminal of each unit being coupled to the first terminal of the next adjacent unit in said loop; and the second terminal of said n units being the n ports of said circulator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 159 words
An n-port circulator comprising: n identical three terminal circuit units, each of which includes: first and second transistors, each having an emitter electrode, a base electrode and a collector electrode; the first terminal of each unit being connected to the base electrode of said first transistor and to the emitter electrode of said second transistor through a first series impedance; the second terminal of said unit being connected to the collector electrode of said second transistor and to the emitter electrode of said first transistor through a second series impedance; the third terminal of each unit being connected to the collector electrode of said first transistor; the base electrode of said second transistor being grounded; said units being connected in a loop configuration, with the third terminal of each unit being coupled to the first terminal of the next adjacent unit in said loop; and the second terminal of said n units being the n ports of said circulator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 29 words
The circulator according to claim 6 wherein the third terminal of each unit is coupled to the first terminal of the next adjacent unit by means of an amplifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 72 words
The circulator according to claim 6 wherein each unit includes, in addition; a third transistor having an emitter electrode, a base electrode and a collector electrode; the collector of said third transistor being grounded; the emitter of said third transistor being connected to the collector of said first transistor through a third series impedance; and means for coupling the voltage across said second impedance to the base electrode of said third transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 59 words
The circulator according to claim 6 wherein each unit includes, in addition: a differential amplifier having an output terminal and two input terminals; said output terminal being connected to the collector of said first transistor through a third series impedance; and means for connecting opposite ends of said second series impedances to a different one of said input terminals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 29 words
The circulator according to claim 9 wherein; said three series impedances are equal, and provide an impedance match for equal external loads connected to the terminals of said units.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2885492A Cited
US3513401A Cited
US3586881A Cited
US3612780A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-10-24 1976-04-24 1976-10-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-10-24 1980-04-24 1980-10-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-10-24 1984-04-24 1984-10-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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