US3835397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digitally controlled phase shift network
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-10-23
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1993-10-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a digitally controlled phase shift network for use with an individual antenna element, as would form a part of a phased array radar system wherein a directional beam is formed and electrically scanned by control of the phase of each individual antenna element. The phase shift network here described is responsive to a computed digital signal which it converts in an electrically switched resistancecapacitance timing network to a pulse whose duration is an analog quantity stepped in equivalence to the digital input. The variable duration pulse is used to control the volt time area of a source of magnetizing energy to achieve stepped remanent states in the ferrite phase shifters corresponding to stepped angles of phase shift. A direct conversion of a digital signal into an analog phase shift angle is achieved while also providing electronic compensation for nonlinearity in the magnetization characteristics of the ferrite and for temperature drift. The invention herein described was made in the performance of a contract with the Department of the Army.
Inventors
- 👤 Antonio N D
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:04
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03H; H03H17/00; H03H17/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A digitally controlled phase shift network comprising A. a source of a digital electrical quantity available on N output terminals of consecutive place significance and representAtive of a desired analog phase shift, B. means for producing a pulse whose duration is an analog function of said digital electrical quantity comprising: 1. a monostable multivibrator whose output pulse duration is proportional to a resistance element, 2. a resistance element of controllable value coupled to said monostable multivibrator comprising: a. N serially connected resistances having consecutive values corresponding approximately to said place significance, and b. N switches shunting each of said serially connected resistances and responsive to the quantity of the corresponding place significant terminal of said digital source to produce a resultant resistance whose value is the analog equivalent of said digital electrical quantity, C. a ferrite phase shifter having a core of square loop material exhibiting plural magnetic states and whose phase angle is substantially proportional to the time of an applied pulse of constant voltage, and D. a power switch responsive to said output pulse of said monostable multivibrator for coupling electrical energy to said phase shifter for a period corresponding to said pulse duration to produce an analog phase shift corresponding to said digital electrical quantity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A digitally controlled phase shift network comprising A. a source of a digital electrical quantity available on N output terminals of consecutive place significance and representAtive of a desired analog phase shift, B. means for producing a pulse whose duration is an analog function of said digital electrical quantity comprising: 1. a monostable multivibrator whose output pulse duration is proportional to a resistance element, 2. a resistance element of controllable value coupled to said monostable multivibrator comprising: a. N serially connected resistances having consecutive values corresponding approximately to said place significance, and b. N switches shunting each of said serially connected resistances and responsive to the quantity of the corresponding place significant terminal of said digital source to produce a resultant resistance whose value is the analog equivalent of said digital electrical quantity, C. a ferrite phase shifter having a core of square loop material exhibiting plural magnetic states and whose phase angle is substantially proportional to the time of an applied pulse of constant voltage, and D. a power switch responsive to said output pulse of said monostable multivibrator for coupling electrical energy to said phase shifter for a period corresponding to said pulse duration to produce an analog phase shift corresponding to said digital electrical quantity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
a resistance element of controllable value coupled to said monostable multivibrator comprising: a. N serially connected resistances having consecutive values corresponding approximately to said place significance, and b. N switches shunting each of said serially connected resistances and responsive to the quantity of the corresponding place significant terminal of said digital source to produce a resultant resistance whose value is the analog equivalent of said digital electrical quantity, C. a ferrite phase shifter having a core of square loop material exhibiting plural magnetic states and whose phase angle is substantially proportional to the time of an applied pulse of constant voltage, and D. a power switch responsive to said output pulse of said monostable multivibrator for coupling electrical energy to said phase shifter for a period corresponding to said pulse duration to produce an analog phase shift corresponding to said digital electrical quantity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
a resistance element of controllable value coupled to said monostable multivibrator comprising: a. N serially connected resistances having consecutive values corresponding approximately to said place significance, and b. N switches shunting each of said serially connected resistances and responsive to the quantity of the corresponding place significant terminal of said digital source to produce a resultant resistance whose value is the analog equivalent of said digital electrical quantity, C. a ferrite phase shifter having a core of square loop material exhibiting plural magnetic states and whose phase angle is substantially proportional to the time of an applied pulse of constant voltage, and D. a power switch responsive to said output pulse of said monostable multivibrator for coupling electrical energy to said phase shifter for a period corresponding to said pulse duration to produce an analog phase shift corresponding to said digital electrical quantity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A temperature compensated phase shift network as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pulse duration is proportional to the time constant of said resistance element and a serially connected capacitor and having in addition thereto a negative temperature coefficient resistance provided in an electrical path which shunts said serially connected resistances and which is physically disposed in the same temperature environment as the core of said phase shifter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said negative temperature coefficient resistance is in circuit with a compensating resistance to provide curvature and slope control, the compensating element being selected to provide the resistance sought at the two extremities and a mid-point of the operating temperature range of the phase shifter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said pulse duration is porportional to the time constant of said resistance element and a controllable capacitance in series therewith, said capacitance having a reduced value for higher phase shifts, said prior and subsequent capacitance being selected to match the magnetization curve of said ferrite phase shifter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said pulse duration is proportional to the time constant of said resistance element and a pair of capacitances in series circuit therewith, and having in addition thereto a switch operated in synchronism with the switch corresponding to the highest place significant terminal for reducing the capacitance for higher phase shifts, said capacitance values being selected to match the slopes of the upper and lower portions of the magnetization curve of said ferrite phase shifter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said pulse duration is proportional to the time constant of said resistance element and a pair of capacitances in series circuit therewith, and having in addition thereto a negative temperature coefficient resistance provided in a path which shunts said serially connected resistances and which is disposed in the same temperature environment as the the core of said phase shifter, and a switch operated in synchronism with the switch corresponding to the highest place significant terminal for reducing the capacitance for higher phase shifts, said capacitance values being selected to match the slopes of the upper and lower portions of the magnetization curve of said ferrite phase shifter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said N output terminals correspond to binary coding and said resistances are scaled to have consecutive values of approximately R, 2R, 4R, etc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said resistances are iNdividually adjustable about said binary scaling in order to compensate for nonlinearity in the magnetic properties of said ferrite core.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said resistances are offset from precise binary scaling in order to compensate for nonlinearity in the magnetic properties of said ferrite core.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3747098A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |