US3702971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Broadband microwave apparatus using multiple avalanche diodes operating in the anomalous mode
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-20
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Granted: 1972-11-14
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Expires: 1991-09-20
Abstract
Abstract The electrodes of a first avalanche diode are shunt coupled to a microwave transmission line. The electrodes of at least two other avalanche diodes are also shunt coupled in opposite polarity to the microwave transmission line. The electrical separation between the diodes connected in opposite polarity and a broadband matching structure increase the bandwidth of operation of the avalanche diodes operating in the anomalous mode as an amplifier or oscillator when the diodes are reverse biased by an appropriate signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshisa Kawamoto
- 👤 Elmer Lawrence Allen Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:36
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/04; H03F3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
Microwave apparatus operative over a desired band of frequencies, said apparatus comprising: first, second and third avalanche diodes operative in the anomalous mode and each having electrodes, a microwave structure, the electrodes of said first, second and third avalanche diodes being shunt coupled across said microwave structure with the electrode polarity of said first and second avalanche diodes being opposite to said third avalanche diode electrode polarity, means for applying a reverse bias signal, exceeding a predetermined threshold value, across said electrodes of each of said diodes, to effect said avalanche diodes being triggered into said anomalous mode of operation, said microwave structure and said first and second diodes being arranged in cooperative relationship with respect to one another and said third diode to provide a predetermined delay of a microwave signal propagated along said microwave structure between said first and third diodes and a different predetermined delay of a microwave signal propagated along said microwave structure between said secoNd and third diodes, said desired band of frequencies being dependent on said predetermined delays, means for coupling a variable position microwave matching circuit to said microwave structure, the microwave impedance of said matching circuit being substantially the complex conjugate of the impedance of said diodes over said desired band of frequencies and providing a path of low microwave attenuation for energy in said desired band of frequencies, said circuit being a reactive termination at frequencies harmonically related to said desired band of frequencies to thereby reflect energy at said harmonically related frequencies, said diodes being positioned with respect to said microwave matching circuit so that said reflected energy is of proper phase to aid in triggering said avalanche diodes into said anomalous mode of operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
Microwave apparatus operative over a desired band of frequencies, said apparatus comprising: first, second and third avalanche diodes operative in the anomalous mode and each having electrodes, a microwave structure, the electrodes of said first, second and third avalanche diodes being shunt coupled across said microwave structure with the electrode polarity of said first and second avalanche diodes being opposite to said third avalanche diode electrode polarity, means for applying a reverse bias signal, exceeding a predetermined threshold value, across said electrodes of each of said diodes, to effect said avalanche diodes being triggered into said anomalous mode of operation, said microwave structure and said first and second diodes being arranged in cooperative relationship with respect to one another and said third diode to provide a predetermined delay of a microwave signal propagated along said microwave structure between said first and third diodes and a different predetermined delay of a microwave signal propagated along said microwave structure between said secoNd and third diodes, said desired band of frequencies being dependent on said predetermined delays, means for coupling a variable position microwave matching circuit to said microwave structure, the microwave impedance of said matching circuit being substantially the complex conjugate of the impedance of said diodes over said desired band of frequencies and providing a path of low microwave attenuation for energy in said desired band of frequencies, said circuit being a reactive termination at frequencies harmonically related to said desired band of frequencies to thereby reflect energy at said harmonically related frequencies, said diodes being positioned with respect to said microwave matching circuit so that said reflected energy is of proper phase to aid in triggering said avalanche diodes into said anomalous mode of operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
182 words
Microwave apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said microwave structure comprises a first, second and output microwave transmission lines, and wherein said diode arrangement comprises spacing said first and third diodes by a given distance of said first line, wherein said given distance has an electrical length, S, of substantially, S lambda /2 -Tau d Vp where lambda is a first wavelength within said desired band of frequencies, 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, said second and third diodes being spaced by a given distance of said second line, wherein said given distance has an electrical length, S2, of substantially, S2 lambda 2/2- Tau d Vp where lambda 2 is a second wavelength within said desired band of frequencies, 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, said output transmission line being coupled between said third diode and said microwave matching circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
Microwave apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said microwave matching circuit comprises a series of parallel strip like conductors having different electrical lengths and magnitudes of impedance and a center strip like conductor bisecting said parallel conductors, said strip like conductors being adjacent to one surface of a first and second dielectric substrate, said second dielectric substrate forming part of said microwave structure and separating said strip like conductors from a ground conductor on a surface opposite said one surface.
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 a 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 said predetermined threshold value and the amplitude of an applied microwave bias signal having said desired band of frequencies, said sum having a magnitude 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 5, including a directional circulator having one port coupled to said microwave matching circuit, said circulator having a second port for applying said microwave bias signal to said avalanche diode terminals through said microwave matching circuit and a third port for applying said amplified microwave bias signal to a terminating load impedance.
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) | 1975-11-14 | 1976-05-15 | 1976-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-14 | 1980-05-15 | 1980-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-14 | 1984-05-15 | 1984-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |