US3753170A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Step attenuator apparatus having attenuator stages selectively connected in cascade by cam actuated switches
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-10
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A step attenuator device has a plurality of attenuator stages interconnected via uniform impedance transmission lines. The attenuator stages are switched in a cascade mode of operation using a high frequency contact arrangement permitting high bandwidths. This mode of operation has the advantage of being adapted for use with both high and low impedance circuitry.
Inventors
- 👤 K Holland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:15
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03H; H03H7/00; H03H7/24; H01; H01P; H01P1/00; H01P1/22; H01P1/227; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/0213; H05K1/0237; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
An attenuator device comprising: a first resistor having resistance distributed along its length connected between the input and output terminals of the device; a second resistor connected between said output and ground; a first conductor plane extending along in spaced relationship to an input part of said first resistor to form a plurality of first distributed capacitances between said first conductor plane and the distributed resistance portions of said input part; a second conductor plane extending along in a spaced relationship to an output part of said first resistor to form a plurality of second distributed capacitances between said second conductor plane and the distributed resistance portions of said output part; and a third conductor plane extending along in spaced relationship to both the input and output parts on the opposite side of the first resistor from said first and second conductor planes to form a plurality of third distributed capacitances between said third conductor plane and the distributed resistances of the input and output parts of said first resistor; said distributed capacitances being of a small value so that the series current flowing through two aDjacent distributed resistances of the first resistor is many times the value of the shunt current flowing through the two distributed capacitances connected to the junction of said adjacent resistances and including one of the third capacitances and one of the first or second capacitances.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
An attenuator device comprising: a first resistor having resistance distributed along its length connected between the input and output terminals of the device; a second resistor connected between said output and ground; a first conductor plane extending along in spaced relationship to an input part of said first resistor to form a plurality of first distributed capacitances between said first conductor plane and the distributed resistance portions of said input part; a second conductor plane extending along in a spaced relationship to an output part of said first resistor to form a plurality of second distributed capacitances between said second conductor plane and the distributed resistance portions of said output part; and a third conductor plane extending along in spaced relationship to both the input and output parts on the opposite side of the first resistor from said first and second conductor planes to form a plurality of third distributed capacitances between said third conductor plane and the distributed resistances of the input and output parts of said first resistor; said distributed capacitances being of a small value so that the series current flowing through two aDjacent distributed resistances of the first resistor is many times the value of the shunt current flowing through the two distributed capacitances connected to the junction of said adjacent resistances and including one of the third capacitances and one of the first or second capacitances.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An attenuator device in accordance with claim 1 in which said shunt current is less than 5 percent of said series current over the operating frequency range of the device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An attenuator device in accordance with claim 1 in which the third conductor plane is grounded, the first conductor plane is connected to the input terminal, and the second conductor plane is connected to the output terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An attenuator device in accordance with claim 3 in which a first coupling capacitor is connected between the input and output terminals, and the terminal plates of the coupling capacitor form the first and second conductor planes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An attenuator device in accordance with claim 4 in which the second conductor plane is connected to ground through a second coupling capacitor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
184 words
An attenuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of attenuator devices containing attenuator circuits of different attenuation values; an electrical circuit board having conductive strips divided into portions electrically insulated from each other on an insulator member; mounting means for mounting said attenuator devices on the circuit board to connect the attenuator circuits between certain of said portions of said conductive strips; and switch means for selectively electrically connecting said portions to connect said attenuator devices in cascade between an input terminal and an output terminal on said circuit board; said switch means including a plurality of switches formed by fixed contacts on said portions, movable contacts carried by said circuit board and an actuation means for selectively moving the movable contacts between an open position disengaged from the fixed contacts and a closed position engaging the fixed contacts; said movable contacts each including two spaced leg portions joined together at one end by a common connector portion and extending substantially parallel from said one end to their free ends which engage two different fixed contacts to short-circuit them in the closed position of the switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
184 words
An attenuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of attenuator devices containing attenuator circuits of different attenuation values; an electrical circuit board having conductive strips divided into portions electrically insulated from each other on an insulator member; mounting means for mounting said attenuator devices on the circuit board to connect the attenuator circuits between certain of said portions of said conductive strips; and switch means for selectively electrically connecting said portions to connect said attenuator devices in cascade between an input terminal and an output terminal on said circuit board; said switch means including a plurality of switches formed by fixed contacts on said portions, movable contacts carried by said circuit board and an actuation means for selectively moving the movable contacts between an open position disengaged from the fixed contacts and a closed position engaging the fixed contacts; said movable contacts each including two spaced leg portions joined together at one end by a common connector portion and extending substantially parallel from said one end to their free ends which engage two different fixed contacts to short-circuit them in the closed position of the switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which the mounting means is a plug-in mounting for releasable attachment to the circuit board.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which the common connector portion of the movable contact is attached to an insulator member of electrical insulating material and a mounting spring is attached between said insulator member and the circuit board.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
Attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which a ground member is attached to the circuit board and connected to ground conductors thereon, said ground member including a plurality of partition portions each extending between two adjacent attenuator devices to form a plurality of compartments each containing a different attenuator device to shield them from each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
An attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which a signal input means for applying an input signal to said input terminal on said circuit board, is mounted on said ground member so that said ground member also provides a ground connection for said signal input means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
215 words
An attenuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of attenuator devices containing attenuator circuits of different attenuation values; an electrical circuit board having a plurality of conductive strips on one side of an insulator member; mounting means for mounting said attenuator devices on the circuit board to connect the attenuator circuits to said conductive strips; and switch means for selectively connecting said attenuator devices in cascade between an input terminal and an output terminal on said circuit board; said plurality Of conductive strips including a first signal conductor divided into portions electrically insulated from each other, and a pair of first ground conductors spaced from said first signal conductor and on opposite sides thereof to form a first transmission line of substantially uniform characteristic impedance; said attenuator devices each having ground terminals at their opposite ends which are connected to said pair of first ground conductors, and have input and output signal terminals intermediate said ends which are connected to different insulated portions of the first signal conductor; said switch means including a plurality of switches formed by fixed contacts on said portions, movable contacts carried by said circuit board, and an actuation means for selectively moving the movable contacts between an open position disengaged from the fixed contacts and a closed position engaging the fixed contacts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
215 words
An attenuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of attenuator devices containing attenuator circuits of different attenuation values; an electrical circuit board having a plurality of conductive strips on one side of an insulator member; mounting means for mounting said attenuator devices on the circuit board to connect the attenuator circuits to said conductive strips; and switch means for selectively connecting said attenuator devices in cascade between an input terminal and an output terminal on said circuit board; said plurality Of conductive strips including a first signal conductor divided into portions electrically insulated from each other, and a pair of first ground conductors spaced from said first signal conductor and on opposite sides thereof to form a first transmission line of substantially uniform characteristic impedance; said attenuator devices each having ground terminals at their opposite ends which are connected to said pair of first ground conductors, and have input and output signal terminals intermediate said ends which are connected to different insulated portions of the first signal conductor; said switch means including a plurality of switches formed by fixed contacts on said portions, movable contacts carried by said circuit board, and an actuation means for selectively moving the movable contacts between an open position disengaged from the fixed contacts and a closed position engaging the fixed contacts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
Attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which the circuit board also has a plurality of conductive strips on its other side including a second signal conductor divided into portions electrically insulated from each other and connected to the fixed contacts of others of said switches and a pair of second ground conductors spaced from said second signal conductor on opposite sides thereof to form a second transmission line of substantially uniform characteristic impedance equal to that of said first transmission line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
Attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which the pair of second ground conductors are connected together and the pair of first ground conductors are connected together to form ground planes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which the second signal conductor is laterally displaced from the first signal conductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
Attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in which the switches are arranged in pairs of first and second switches on opposite sides of the circuit board with the movable contacts of the first and second switches being ganged together by a movable coupling member extending through a hole in said circuit board.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
Attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 15 in which the actuation means includes a cam actuator means mounted on the circuit board for engagement with a cam follower connected to the movable contact of the first switch of each pair of switches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
Attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 16 in which the cam actuator means includes a rotary cam drum on the opposite side of the circuit board from the attenuator devices.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
74 words
Attenuator apparatus in accordance with claim 17 in which another rotary cam drum is mounted on the circuit board to rotate between AC, DC and ground positions for actuating switches thereon which selectively connect the inputs of the transmission lines to an AC coupling network or a DC coupling, or grounds the inputs of the attenuator devices or the output of the transmission lines depending upon the position of the first mentioned cam drum.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
192 words
An attenuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of attenuator devices containing attenuator circuits of different attenuation values; an electrical circuit board having conductive strips divided into portions electrically insulated from each other on an insulator member providing a signal conductor and a ground conductor spaced from each other to form a transmission line of substantially uniform characteristic impedance; mounting means for mounting said attenuator devices on the circuit board to connect the attenuator circuits to said conductive strips; switch means for selectively connecting said attenuator devices in cascade through said signal conductor between an input terminal and an output terminal on said circuit board; said switch means including a plurality of switches formed by fixed contacts on said portions and movable contacts carried by said circuit board and an actuation means for selectively moving the movable contacts betweeN an open position disengaged from the fixed contacts and a closed position engaging the fixed contacts; said attenuator devices each having ground terminals at their opposite ends which are connected to the ground conductor, and having input and output signal terminals intermediate said ends which are connected to different insulated portions of the signal conductor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
192 words
An attenuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of attenuator devices containing attenuator circuits of different attenuation values; an electrical circuit board having conductive strips divided into portions electrically insulated from each other on an insulator member providing a signal conductor and a ground conductor spaced from each other to form a transmission line of substantially uniform characteristic impedance; mounting means for mounting said attenuator devices on the circuit board to connect the attenuator circuits to said conductive strips; switch means for selectively connecting said attenuator devices in cascade through said signal conductor between an input terminal and an output terminal on said circuit board; said switch means including a plurality of switches formed by fixed contacts on said portions and movable contacts carried by said circuit board and an actuation means for selectively moving the movable contacts betweeN an open position disengaged from the fixed contacts and a closed position engaging the fixed contacts; said attenuator devices each having ground terminals at their opposite ends which are connected to the ground conductor, and having input and output signal terminals intermediate said ends which are connected to different insulated portions of the signal conductor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |