US3860879A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Broadband low noise parametric amplifier
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-26
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-12-26
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a low noise parametric amplifier for use with a radar receiver. A Gunn diode oscillator is provided to generate a pump frequency. A bandpass filter filters the pump frequency and applies the pump power through a waveguide having a reduced height portion employing a multi-section Chebycheff transformer. A coaxial signal input line connects through the waveguide to a coaxial idler section which is provided to terminate the signal input line and to match the signal and idler frequencies. A varactor diode assembly is mounted on the center conductor of the signal input line and the idler section. A cup member is attached to the diode assembly for matching the parallel resonance of the diode assembly to the pump frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr David N Mcquiddy
- 👤 Truman G Blocker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:35
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F7/00; H03F7/04; H03F2200/00; H03F2200/372
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A low noise parametric amplifier for use with a radar receiver comprising: a Gunn diode oscillator for generating a pump frequency, a bandpass filter for filtering said pump frequency, a waveguide for transmitting said filtered pump frequency, said waveguide having a reduced height portion employing a multisection Chebycheff transformer, a coaxial signal input line extending to said waveguide, a coaxial idler section havinG a center conductor for terminating said signal input line and for providing matching at the signal and idler frequencies, a varactor diode assembly mounted on said center conductor between said signal input line and said idler section, and a cup member attached to said diode assembly for matching the parallel resonance of said diode assembly to said pump frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A low noise parametric amplifier for use with a radar receiver comprising: a Gunn diode oscillator for generating a pump frequency, a bandpass filter for filtering said pump frequency, a waveguide for transmitting said filtered pump frequency, said waveguide having a reduced height portion employing a multisection Chebycheff transformer, a coaxial signal input line extending to said waveguide, a coaxial idler section havinG a center conductor for terminating said signal input line and for providing matching at the signal and idler frequencies, a varactor diode assembly mounted on said center conductor between said signal input line and said idler section, and a cup member attached to said diode assembly for matching the parallel resonance of said diode assembly to said pump frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The parametric amplifier of claim 1 and further comprising: a dielectric tunable spacer mounted in said waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The parametric amplifier of claim 1 and further comprising: radial chokes formed in said coaxial signal input line to isolate the pump and idler frequencies from said signal input line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The parametric amplifier of claim 1 and further comprising: a waveguide short connected to the end of said waveguide opposite said bandpass filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The parametric amplifier of claim 4 and further comprising: a second reduced height portion of said waveguide employing a multi-section Chebycheff transformer and located between said waveguide short and said varactor diode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The parametric amplifier of claim 1 wherein said varactor diode assembly includes a band lead having an inductance such that the series resonance of said diode assembly matches said pump frequency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The parametric amplifier of claim 1 wherein said bandpass filter comprises a single section iris coupled resonant element tuned to the pump frequency.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The parametric amplifier of claim 1 and further comprising: a compressed metallic fuzzy button mounted within the center conductor of said signal input line for providing positive mechanical contact against said varactor diode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The parametric amplifier of claim 1 wherein said diode assembly comprises: a varactor diode, a conductive support for said diode, a nonconductive spacer mounted on said support, a conductive cap connected to said spacer remote from said support and including an extension for being mounted in said center conductor of said coaxial idler section, and a conductive lead connected between said diode and said cap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The parametric amplifier of claim 1 wherein said Gunn diode oscillator operates in the Ka-band and said varactor diode assembly has a cutoff frequency exceeding 500 GHz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The parametric amplifier of claim 1 and further comprising: series quarter wave filters connected to said signal input line to broadband the gain-frequency response of the amplifier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3718866A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |