US3710281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lossless n-port frequency multiplexer
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1970-12-10
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-12-10
Abstract
Abstract An N-port multiplexer for separating a single input signal into N distinct isolated frequency components on discrete output terminals. The device is adapted to accomplish this function in a reciprocal, passive, lossless manner, in respect to an arbitrarily large number of such components. The multiplexer basically comprises two known microwave circuit devices uniquely combined. One of these is a frequency sensitive delay line with a plurality of taps and the other is a beam-forming matrix, such as a Butler matrix, or the so-called equal-path-length cross-line matrix. In a receiving mode, the delay line input is the signal to be separated and the taps are fed to the radiating element terminals of the beam-forming matrix. The matrix output terminals then provide the discrete frequency output lines.
Inventors
- 👤 D Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/22; H01P; H01P1/00; H01P1/20; H01P1/213; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/30; H04; H04J; H04J1/00; H04J1/02; H04J1/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An N-port frequency multiplexer comprising: a frequency sensitive delay line having an input terminal and a plurality of spaced taps for generating a set of output signals along said taps exhibiting a phase distribution which is a predetermined function of the frequency of the signal at said input terminal; a beam-forming matrix, of the type including the Butler matrix and the series fed multi-beam matrix, having a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second terminals for converting each set of signals at said first terminals having a predetermined phase distribution into a corresponding output signal from a discrete one of said second terminals, said plural first and second terminals being the set of antenna radiator and beam terminals, respectively, of said-beam forming matrix; and means interconnecting said delay line taps discretely with corresponding ones of said first terminals of said beam-forming matrix, whereby the location of each output signal among said second terminals is a function of each corresponding signal at said input terminal of said delay line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
An N-port frequency multiplexer comprising: a frequency sensitive delay line having an input terminal and a plurality of spaced taps for generating a set of output signals along said taps exhibiting a phase distribution which is a predetermined function of the frequency of the signal at said input terminal; a beam-forming matrix, of the type including the Butler matrix and the series fed multi-beam matrix, having a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second terminals for converting each set of signals at said first terminals having a predetermined phase distribution into a corresponding output signal from a discrete one of said second terminals, said plural first and second terminals being the set of antenna radiator and beam terminals, respectively, of said-beam forming matrix; and means interconnecting said delay line taps discretely with corresponding ones of said first terminals of said beam-forming matrix, whereby the location of each output signal among said second terminals is a function of each corresponding signal at said input terminal of said delay line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said beam-forming matrix is a Butler matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said beam-forming matrix is a series-fed multi-beam matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention set forth in claim 3 further defined in that said frequency sensitive delay line is of the general class of tapped travelling-wave lines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said taps are equally spaced in terms of electrical line length between successive taps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said beam-forming matrix is further defined as comprising a first plurality of transmission lines within which each line is connected to a corresponding one of said first terminals, a second plurality of transmission lines within which each line is connected to a corresponding one of said second terminals, and coupling means are included for cross-coupling said first and second transmission lines in an intersecting grid pattern having predetermined spacings in each coordinate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said cross-coupling means between intersections of lines of said first and second sets comprises a crossed-line directional coupler at each intersection of each of said line with a line of the other set.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |