US3783382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and a method for employing said apparatus to determine the low field resistance of dc-biased gunn diodes
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1973-02-05
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1993-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A Gunn diode is DC-biased to its operating point. A negative pulse having an amplitude equal to the bias voltage is applied across the Gunn diode. A first sinewave signal having a given frequency and a selected magnitude is applied across the Gunn diode. A voltage probe is coupled by a switch to one input of a dual-trace oscilloscope to display the waveform of the voltage across the Gunn diode on the oscilloscope. A second sinewave signal having the given frequency is applied to the other input of the dual-trace oscilloscope. The displayed waveform of the second signal is adjusted in magnitude until it is superimposed upon the first waveform on the oscilloscope. A RMS voltmeter is coupled across the second input of the oscilloscope to measure the value of the voltage of the second signal and, hence, the voltage across the Gunn diode, after the two sinewave signals are superimposed. The switch is moved to a second position so that the output of an AC current probe is coupled to the first input of the oscilloscope. The current probe converts the current through the Gunn diode to a voltage and has a known calibration or ampere to voltage conversion factor. The voltage waveform produced by the current probe is displayed on the oscilloscope and the magnitude of the second sinewave signal is adjusted until it is superimposed upon this displayed waveform. The RMS voltmeter measures the value of this second sinewave signal after these two sinewave signals are superimposed. This latter value is equal to the voltage at the output of the current probe. This latter reading of the voltmeter is multiplied by the calibration factor to provide the value of the current flowing through the Gunn diode. Then the first reading of the voltmeter is divided by the second reading of the voltmeter to determine the low field resistance of the Gunn diode.
Inventors
- 👤 A Reynolds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/26; G01R31/2607; G01R31/2632
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
313 words
A method for determining the low field resistance of a Gunn diode comprising the steps of: direct current biasing said Gunn diode to a selected operating point; applying across said Gunn diode negative pulses having a first given amplitude and a given width; applying a first alternating current signal having a second given amplitude different than said first given amplitude and a predetermined frequency; coupling one trace input of a dual-trace oscilloscope across said Gunn diode to display a first waveform having a first value of peak-to-peak voltage equal to the value of the peakto-peak voltage across said Gunn diode; coupling a second alternating current signal having said predetermined frequency to the other trace input of said oscilloscope to display a second waveform; adjusting the magnitude of said second waveform to superimpose said second waveform on said first waveform in said display of said oscilloscope; measuring the value of the peak-to-peak voltage of said second waveform when it is superimposed on said first waveform, the last mentioned value of peak-to-peak voltage being equal to said first value; coupling said one input of said oscilloscope to a given electrode of said Gunn diode to display a third waveform having a second value of peak-to-peak voltage related by a predetermined calibration factor to the current flowing through said Gunn diode; adjusting the magnitude of said second waveform to superimpose said second waveform on said third waveform in said display of said oscilloscope; measuring the value of the peak-to-peak voltage value of said second waveform when it is superimposed on said third waveform, said last mentioned value of peak-to-peak voltage being equal to said second value; multiplying said second value by said calibration factor to obtain a value of the current flowing through said Gunn diode; and dividing said first value by said multiplied second value to determine the low field resistance of said Gunn diode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
313 words
A method for determining the low field resistance of a Gunn diode comprising the steps of: direct current biasing said Gunn diode to a selected operating point; applying across said Gunn diode negative pulses having a first given amplitude and a given width; applying a first alternating current signal having a second given amplitude different than said first given amplitude and a predetermined frequency; coupling one trace input of a dual-trace oscilloscope across said Gunn diode to display a first waveform having a first value of peak-to-peak voltage equal to the value of the peakto-peak voltage across said Gunn diode; coupling a second alternating current signal having said predetermined frequency to the other trace input of said oscilloscope to display a second waveform; adjusting the magnitude of said second waveform to superimpose said second waveform on said first waveform in said display of said oscilloscope; measuring the value of the peak-to-peak voltage of said second waveform when it is superimposed on said first waveform, the last mentioned value of peak-to-peak voltage being equal to said first value; coupling said one input of said oscilloscope to a given electrode of said Gunn diode to display a third waveform having a second value of peak-to-peak voltage related by a predetermined calibration factor to the current flowing through said Gunn diode; adjusting the magnitude of said second waveform to superimpose said second waveform on said third waveform in said display of said oscilloscope; measuring the value of the peak-to-peak voltage value of said second waveform when it is superimposed on said third waveform, said last mentioned value of peak-to-peak voltage being equal to said second value; multiplying said second value by said calibration factor to obtain a value of the current flowing through said Gunn diode; and dividing said first value by said multiplied second value to determine the low field resistance of said Gunn diode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said selected operating point is determined by a given direct current voltage, and said first given amplitude is equal to said given direct current voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined frequency is selected to provide a plurality of cycles of said first and second alternating current signals during said given width of said negative pulses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said first and second alternating current signals are each sinewave signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said negative pulses are low duty cycle pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined frequency is selected to provide a plurality of cycles of said first and second alternating current signals during said given width of said negative pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said first and second alternating current signals are each sinewave signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said negative pulses are low duty cycle pulses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second alternating current signals are each sinewave signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said negative pulses are low duty cycle pulses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said negative pulses are low duty cycle pulses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
224 words
Apparatus for determining the low field resistance of a Gunn diode comprising: a first source of direct current bias coupled across said Gunn diode to bias said Gunn dIode to a selected operating point; a second source of negative pulses having a first given amplitude and a given width, said second source being coupled across said Gunn diode; a third source of adjustable alternating current signals having a second given amplitude different than said first given amplitude and a predetermined frequency, said third source being coupled across said Gunn diode; a dual-trace oscilloscope having a first trace input and a second trace input; a fourth source of adjustable alternating current signals having said predetermined frequency, said fourth source being coupled to one of said first and second inputs of said oscilloscope; a voltmeter coupled across the output of said fourth source; a voltage probe coupled to one electrode of said Gunn diode; an alternating current probe coupled to said one electrode of said Gunn diode; and a switch to couple said voltage probe to the other of said first and second inputs of said oscilloscope for a first given period of time and to couple said current probe to said other of said first and second inputs of said oscilloscope for a second given period of time immediately following said first period of time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
224 words
Apparatus for determining the low field resistance of a Gunn diode comprising: a first source of direct current bias coupled across said Gunn diode to bias said Gunn dIode to a selected operating point; a second source of negative pulses having a first given amplitude and a given width, said second source being coupled across said Gunn diode; a third source of adjustable alternating current signals having a second given amplitude different than said first given amplitude and a predetermined frequency, said third source being coupled across said Gunn diode; a dual-trace oscilloscope having a first trace input and a second trace input; a fourth source of adjustable alternating current signals having said predetermined frequency, said fourth source being coupled to one of said first and second inputs of said oscilloscope; a voltmeter coupled across the output of said fourth source; a voltage probe coupled to one electrode of said Gunn diode; an alternating current probe coupled to said one electrode of said Gunn diode; and a switch to couple said voltage probe to the other of said first and second inputs of said oscilloscope for a first given period of time and to couple said current probe to said other of said first and second inputs of said oscilloscope for a second given period of time immediately following said first period of time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said voltmeter is a root mean square voltmeter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said selected operating point is determined by a given direct current voltage delivered by said first source; and said first given amplitude is equal to said given direct current voltage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said predetermined frequency is selected to provide a plurality of cycles of said first and second alternating current signals during said given width of said negative pulses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said first and second alternating current signals are each sinewave signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said negative pulses are low duty cycle pulses.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said predetermined frequency is selected to provide a plurality of cycles of said first and second alternating current signals during said given width of said negative pulses.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said first and second alternating current signals are each sinewave signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said negative pulses are low duty cycle pulses.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first and second alternating current signals are each sinewave signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said negative pulses are low duty cycle pulses.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said negative pulses are low duty cycle pulses.
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) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |