Patent US4092617A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4092617A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Wide power range microwave feedback controller
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1977-03-29
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Granted: 1978-05-30
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Expires: 1997-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A substantially constant power level is derived over a predetermined frequency band, in each of a plurality of relatively widely spaced power ranges, from a microwave load having a predetermined amplitude versus frequency response, such as an antenna. A microwave source of substantially constant amplitude drives a forward path connected between the source and the load. The forward path includes a voltage controlled, PIN diode, variable microwave attenuator. A feedback path responsive to the microwave power level in the forward path derives a control voltage for the PIN attenuator. The feedback path includes a microwave equalizer attenuator having an amplitude versus frequency response corresponding substantially with the amplitude versus frequency response of the load. The equalizer attenuator drives a linear, crystal amplitude detector. Attenuating means included in the forward and feedback paths are selectively connected in circuit to maintain the power level of the microwave input to the amplitude detector substantially constant, even though different power ranges ae supplied to the load by the forward path.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Fletcher James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 Leo E. Titus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:12
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03H; H03H7/00; H03H7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for deriving a substantially constant power level in each of a plurality of relatively widely spaced power ranges from a microwave load having a predetermined amplitude versus frequency response over a predetermined frequency band, the apparatus being responsive to a microwave source of substantially constant amplitude, comprising a forward path between the source and load, said forward path including a voltage controlled variable microwave gain device having a substantially constant gain versus frequency response over the predetermined frequency band, a feedback path responsive to the microwave power level in the forward path for deriving a control voltage for the variable gain device, said feedback path including a microwave device having an output amplitude versus frequency response corresponding substantially with the amplitude versus frequency response of the load and an amplitude detector responsive to the microwave device, and a plurality of attenuating means selectively connected in the feedback and forward paths for varying the power range supplied to the load.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for deriving a substantially constant power level in each of a plurality of relatively widely spaced power ranges from a microwave load having a predetermined amplitude versus frequency response over a predetermined frequency band, the apparatus being responsive to a microwave source of substantially constant amplitude, comprising a forward path between the source and load, said forward path including a voltage controlled variable microwave gain device having a substantially constant gain versus frequency response over the predetermined frequency band, a feedback path responsive to the microwave power level in the forward path for deriving a control voltage for the variable gain device, said feedback path including a microwave device having an output amplitude versus frequency response corresponding substantially with the amplitude versus frequency response of the load and an amplitude detector responsive to the microwave device, and a plurality of attenuating means selectively connected in the feedback and forward paths for varying the power range supplied to the load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attenuating means includes means for maintaining the power level of the microwave input to the detector substantially constant even though different power ranges are supplied to the load.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the attenuating means includes means for selectively inserting a first predetermined attenuation into the forward path while a second predetermined attenuation is inserted into the feedback path and for inserting the second predetermined attenuation into the forward path while the first predetermined attenuation is inserted into the feedback path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the attenuating means includes: a power divider in the forward path for coupling forward path power to the feedback path and to the load via microwave switch while the switch is in a first position, a directional coupler in the forward path having one output arm for driving the power divider and a second output arm for coupling forward path power to the load via the switch while the switch is in a second position, the forward path power coupled out of the second arm being attenuated differently from the forward path power coupled to the load via the switch while the switch is in the first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the attenuating means includes: a power divider in the forward path for coupling forward path power to the feedback path and to the load via a microwave switch while the switch is in a first position, a directional coupler in the forward path having one output arm for driving the power divider and a second output arm for coupling forward path power to the load via the switch while the switch is in a second position, the forward path power coupled out of a second arm being attenuated differently from the forward path power coupled to the load via the switch while the switch is in the first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
187 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the forward path includes a first directional coupler having an input arm responsive to microwave power derived from the variable gain device and output arms connected to input ports of a first switch having an output port selectively responsive to microwave power derived from one of the output arms of the first directional coupler, a second directional coupler having an input arm responsive to a replica of the power at the output port of the first switch and a pair of output arms, a power divider having an input port responsive to microwave power derived from one of the output arms of the second coupler and a pair of outlet ports, a second switch having first and second input ports respectively responsive to the power at the other output arm of the second coupler and power derived from one port of the power divider and an output port connected to the load, and a third switch responsive to power derived from the other output port of the power divider for selectively connecting a predetermined attenuation in series with the microwave device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for deriving a substantially constant power level in each of a plurality of relatively widely spaced power ranges from a microwave load, the apparatus being responsive to a microwave source of substantially constant amplitude, comprising a forward path between the source and load, said forward path including a voltage controlled variable microwave gain device, a feedback path responsive to the microwave power level in the forward path for deriving a control voltage for the variable gain device, said feedback path including a microwave device having an amplitude detector with a desired input-output response over a relatively narrow amplitude range of inputs to it so that the input to the detector should be maintained in the narrow range over all of the plural power ranges, and attenuating means selectively connected in the feedback and forward paths for varying the power range supplied to the load while maintaining the power level of the microwave input to the detector substantially constant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for deriving a substantially constant power level in each of a plurality of relatively widely spaced power ranges from a microwave load, the apparatus being responsive to a microwave source of substantially constant amplitude, comprising a forward path between the source and load, said forward path including a voltage controlled variable microwave gain device, a feedback path responsive to the microwave power level in the forward path for deriving a control voltage for the variable gain device, said feedback path including a microwave device having an amplitude detector with a desired input-output response over a relatively narrow amplitude range of inputs to it so that the input to the detector should be maintained in the narrow range over all of the plural power ranges, and attenuating means selectively connected in the feedback and forward paths for varying the power range supplied to the load while maintaining the power level of the microwave input to the detector substantially constant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the attenuating means includes means for selectively inserting a first predetermined attenuation into the forward path while a second predetermined attenuation is inserted into the feedback path and for inserting the second predetermined attenuation into the forward path while the first predetermined attenuation is inserted into the feedback path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the attenuating means includes: a power divider in the forward path for coupling forward path power to the feedback path and to the load via a microwave switch while the switch is in a first position, a directional coupler in the forward path having one output arm for driving the power divider and a second output arm for coupling forward path power to the load via the switch while the switch is in a second position, the forward path power coupled out of the second arm being attenuated differently from the forward path power coupled to the load via the switch while the switch is in the first position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
115 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the attenuating means includes: a power divider in the forward path for coupling forward path power to the feedback path and to the load via a microwave switch while the switch is in a first position, a directional coupler in the forward path having one output arm for driving the power divider and a second output arm for coupling forward path power to the load via the switch while the switch is in a second position, the forward path power coupled out of the second arm being attenuated differently from the forward path power coupled to the load via the switch while the switch is in the first position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3119077A
Cited
US3226653A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-29 | 1981-11-28 | 1982-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-29 | 1985-11-28 | 1986-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-29 | 1989-11-28 | 1990-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |