US4280112A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical coupler
Assignee: FormFactor Beaverton Inc
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Filing: 1979-02-21
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Granted: 1981-07-21
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Expires: 1999-02-21
Abstract
Abstract An electrical coupler for transmitting high frequency electrical signals from a coaxial transmission to a microstrip transmission line. The coupler is adapted to match the characteristic impedance of the two media and the electromagnetic field patterns of the two media at the interfaces therewith. The coupler provides a transition having a very low reflections at frequencies at least up to 18 GHz. The preferred embodiment transitions utilize a cylindrical outer conductor and an inner conductor which is centered relative the outer conductor at the coaxial end of the coupler and gradually shifted offcenter so that it is very near the outer conductor at the microstrip end of the coupler. The characteristic impedance of the coupler is maintained at a constant value by appropriate variation of the inner conductor. Other features are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Eisenhart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01P; H01P5/00; H01P5/08; H01P5/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An electrical coupler for electrically connecting a coaxial transmission line to a microstrip transmission line comprising: outer conductor means having first and second ends, said first end adapted for coupling to the outer conductor of said coaxial line, said second end adapted for coupling to a first conductor of such microstrip transmission line; inner conductor means adapted for disposition within said outer conductor means, having first and second ends, said first end adapted for coupling to the inner conductor of said coaxial line, said second end disposed offset relative to the axis of said outer conductor of said microstrip transmission line, said inner conductor means gradually shifted off-center relative to said axis of said outer conductor means from said first end to said second end thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An electrical coupler for electrically connecting a coaxial transmission line to a microstrip transmission line comprising: outer conductor means having first and second ends, said first end adapted for coupling to the outer conductor of said coaxial line, said second end adapted for coupling to a first conductor of such microstrip transmission line; inner conductor means adapted for disposition within said outer conductor means, having first and second ends, said first end adapted for coupling to the inner conductor of said coaxial line, said second end disposed offset relative to the axis of said outer conductor of said microstrip transmission line, said inner conductor means gradually shifted off-center relative to said axis of said outer conductor means from said first end to said second end thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of the outer and inner conductor means and the offcenter position of said inner conductor means relative to said outer conductor means along the length thereof are such that a substantially constant characteristic impedance is maintained along the length of the coupler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said second end of said inner conductor means is disposed a predetermined distance from said second end of said outer conductor means, said distance determined by the parameters of the microstrip transmission line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupler of claim 1 further comprising positioning means for positioning said coupler relative to the end surface of said microstrip line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said positioning means comprises a block member disposed adjacent said second end of said outer conductor means for butting against said end surface of said microstrip line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The coupler of claim 1 further comprising positioning means for positioning said coupler in relation to a planar surface of the microstrip line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The coupler of claim 6 wherein said positioning means comprises a step surface disposed at said second end of said outer conductor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The coupler of claim 6 wherein said second end of said inner conductor means is adapted for disposition a predetermined distance from said second end of said outer conductor means, and said offset is larger than required for disposition of said second end of said inner conductor means at said predetermined distance, said positioning means urging said second end of said inner conductor means into location at said predetermined distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupler of claim 1 wherein said outer conductor means is a substantially cylindrical member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The coupler of claim 8 wherein said first end of said inner conductor means is disposed generally concentrically with said outer conductor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
An electrical coupler electrically coupling a coaxial transmission line to a transmission medium comprising a planar dielectric layer having first and second conductors on opposite sides thereof, the coupler comprising: outer conductor means having a first end adapted for coupling to the outer conductor of the coaxial line and a second end adapted for coupling to the first conductor of such transmission medium; and inner conductor means disposed within said outer conductor means and having a first end adapted for coupling to the inner conductor of the coaxial line and a second end adapted for coupling to the second conductor of such transmission medium and disposed offset relative to the axis of said outer conductor means, said inner conductor tapered from said first end to said second end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
An electrical coupler electrically coupling a coaxial transmission line to a transmission medium comprising a planar dielectric layer having first and second conductors on opposite sides thereof, the coupler comprising: outer conductor means having a first end adapted for coupling to the outer conductor of the coaxial line and a second end adapted for coupling to the first conductor of such transmission medium; and inner conductor means disposed within said outer conductor means and having a first end adapted for coupling to the inner conductor of the coaxial line and a second end adapted for coupling to the second conductor of such transmission medium and disposed offset relative to the axis of said outer conductor means, said inner conductor tapered from said first end to said second end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coupler of claim 11 further comprising centering means for concentrically disposing said first end of said inner conductor means relative to said outer conductor means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coupler of claim 12 wherein said centering means is adapted to support said coupling means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coupler of claim 11 wherein said inner conductor means is gradually shifted off-center relative to said axis of said outer conductor means from said first end to said second end thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupler of claim 14 wherein said inner conductor means is of substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The coupler of claim 11 wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of the inner and outer conductor means and the off-center position of said inner conductor means along the length thereof relative to the outer conductor means are such that a substantially constant impedance is maintained along the length of such coupler.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The coupler of claim 16 wherein said second end of said inner conductor is disposed a predetermined distance from second end of said outer conductor means, said distance being dependant upon the parameters of such transmission medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electrical coupler for electrically connecting a coaxial transmission line to a microstrip transmission line comprising: generally cylindrical outer conductor means having first and second ends, said first end having means for coupling to the outer conductor of said coaxial line, said second end having means for coupling to a first conductor of the microstrip line; inner conductor means adapted for disposition within said outer conductor means and having first and second ends, said first end having means for coupling to the inner conductor of said coaxial line, said second end adapted to couple to a second conductor of the microstrip line, said inner conductor means being shifted gradually offset relative said outer conductor means from said first end to second thereof, said inner conductor means tapered from said first end to said second end thereof; the dimensions of said outer and inner conductor means such that a substantially constant characteristic impedance is maintained along the length of the coupler.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electrical coupler for electrically connecting a coaxial transmission line to a microstrip transmission line comprising: generally cylindrical outer conductor means having first and second ends, said first end having means for coupling to the outer conductor of said coaxial line, said second end having means for coupling to a first conductor of the microstrip line; inner conductor means adapted for disposition within said outer conductor means and having first and second ends, said first end having means for coupling to the inner conductor of said coaxial line, said second end adapted to couple to a second conductor of the microstrip line, said inner conductor means being shifted gradually offset relative said outer conductor means from said first end to second thereof, said inner conductor means tapered from said first end to said second end thereof; the dimensions of said outer and inner conductor means such that a substantially constant characteristic impedance is maintained along the length of the coupler.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
126 words
An electrical coupler to provide interconnection between a symmetrical transmission line and an asymmetrical transmission line, the coupler comprising: outer conductor means having first and second ends, said first end adapted for coupling to a first conductor of such symmetrical transmission line, said second end adapted for coupling to a first conductor of such asymmetrical transmission line; inner conductor means adapted for disposition within said outer conductor means, having first and second ends, said first end adapted for coupling to a second conductor of said symmetrical transmission line, said second end disposed offset relative to the axis of said symmetrical transmission line, said inner conductor means shifted off-center relative to said axis of said symmetrical transmission line from said first end to said second end thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
126 words
An electrical coupler to provide interconnection between a symmetrical transmission line and an asymmetrical transmission line, the coupler comprising: outer conductor means having first and second ends, said first end adapted for coupling to a first conductor of such symmetrical transmission line, said second end adapted for coupling to a first conductor of such asymmetrical transmission line; inner conductor means adapted for disposition within said outer conductor means, having first and second ends, said first end adapted for coupling to a second conductor of said symmetrical transmission line, said second end disposed offset relative to the axis of said symmetrical transmission line, said inner conductor means shifted off-center relative to said axis of said symmetrical transmission line from said first end to said second end thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus electrically coupling a coaxial transmission line having inner and outer conductors to a transmission medium comprising a planar dielectric layer having first and second conductors on opposite sides thereof, comprising: first conductor means for electrically coupling said outer conductor to such first conductor of such transmission medium; second conductor means having a first end adapted for coupling to the second conductor of such transmission medium and disposed offset relative to the axis of said outer conductor means, a predetermined length of said second conductor means adjacent said second conductor adapted to be gradually shifted off-center relative to the center axis of said outer conductor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus electrically coupling a coaxial transmission line having inner and outer conductors to a transmission medium comprising a planar dielectric layer having first and second conductors on opposite sides thereof, comprising: first conductor means for electrically coupling said outer conductor to such first conductor of such transmission medium; second conductor means having a first end adapted for coupling to the second conductor of such transmission medium and disposed offset relative to the axis of said outer conductor means, a predetermined length of said second conductor means adjacent said second conductor adapted to be gradually shifted off-center relative to the center axis of said outer conductor.
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) | 1984-07-20 | 1985-01-19 | 1985-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-20 | 1989-01-19 | 1989-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-20 | 1993-01-19 | 1993-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |