High isolation multicoupling apparatus

Claim 2

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such as receivers and the like comprising a matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a substantially frequency insensitive amplifier including at least one amplifying device having an output terminal, a high input impedance and a very low output impedance, a connection between the output of said matching network and the input of said amplifier, at least two passive isolation networks each having an input and an output for connection to a utilization device, and a direct coupling between the output terminal of said amplifying device and the input of each isolation network whereby each isolation network will directly view only the output impedance of the output terminal of said amplifying device in parallel with the input impedance of the other isolation network, said isolation networks each presenting a substantially resistive load to said amplifier, draw substantially zero DC current and produce outputs having substantially matched amplitude and phase characteristics.

Claim 3

A multicoupler according to claim 1 wherein said matching network comprises an impedance transformer for increasing the impedance of said source.

Claim 4

A multicoupler according to claim 1 wherein said isolation networks each comprise at least one impedance connecting the input thereof to the output thereof and at least one impedance in shunt with the last said output whereby the sum of said impedances forms the input impedance of said isolation network.

Claim 5

A multicoupler according to claim 3 wherein the first said impedance comprises a resistor and capacitor in series and said parallel impedance comprises a resistor.

Claim 6

A multicoupler according to claim 1 wherein the output impedance of said amplifier is of the order of 1 ohm.

Claim 7

A multicoupler according to claim 1 wherein the output impedance of said amplifier does not exceed 1 ohm.

Claim 8

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such as receivers and the like comprising an impedance matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a first emitter follower having an input terminal connected to the output of said network, a base, and an output terminal and a second emitter follower having an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the first emitter follower and an output terminal, at least two passive isolation networks coupling at least two utilization devices to the output terminal of said second emitter follower, each isolation network having an input directly-coupled to the output terminal of said second emitter follower and an output and each isolation network comprising at least one impedance connected between the input and output thereof and presenting a substantially resistive load to the output terminal of said second emitter follower and drawing substantially zero DC current, the impedance seen by each isolation network constituting the output impedance of said second emitter follower in parallel with the combined input impedance of the remaining isolation networks connected in parallel.

Claim 9

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such as receivers and the like comprising an impedance matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a first emitter follower having an input terminal connected to the output of said network, a base, and an output terminal and a second emitter follower having an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the first emitter follower and an output terminal, at least two passive isolation networks coupling at least two utilization devices to the output terminal of said second emitter follower, each isolation network having an input directly-coupled to the output terminal of said second emitter follower and an output and each isolation network comprising at least one impedance connected between the input and output thereof and presenting a substantially resistive load to the output terminal of said second emitter follower and drawing substantially zero DC current, the impedance seen by each isolation network constituting the output impedance of said second emitter follower in parallel with the combined input impedance of the remaining isolation networks connected in parallel.

Claim 10

A multicoupler according to claim 7 wherein said impedance of each isolation network includes a resistor and said isolation network further includes an impedance connected across the output thereof.

Claim 11

A multicoupler according to claim 8 wherein the last said impedance is an inductive impedance.

Claim 12

A multicoupler according to claim 9 wherein said inductive impedance constitutes the primary of an impedance transformer.

Claim 13

A multicoupler according to claim 7 wherein the output impedance of the second emitter follower is of the order of 1 ohm.

Claim 14

A multicoupler according to claim 7 wherein the output impedance of the second emitter follower is less than 1 ohm.

Claim 15

A multicoupler according to claim 7 wherein said emitter followers are direct coupled, the base of the first said emitter follower is biased at 1.4 volts above ground and the emitter of said second emitter follower is at zero DC potential.

Claim 16

A multicoupler according to claim 1 including a signal distribution plate of appreciable area, substantially non-reactive means electrically connecting said plate to the output of said amplifier and connections of negligible length between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate.

Claim 17

A multicoupler according to claim 14 wherein each of said isolation networks includes a series network having at least one resistive element connecting the input and output terminals thereof with one terminal of said isolation network comprising the input and means electrically connecting said one terminal of said isolation network to said signal distribution plate with a negligible length of conductor.

Claim 18

A multicoupler according to claim 15 wherein at least one of said series network elements has terminals extending from opposite ends thereof, and one end of said element is in closely abutting relationship to said plate.

Claim 19

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such receivers and the like comprising a matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a substantially frequency insensitive amplifier having a high input impedance and a very low output impedance, a connection between the output of said matching network and the input of said amplifier, at least two passive isolation networks each having an input and an output for connection to a utilization device, and a direct coupling between the output of said amplifier and the input of each isolation network whereby each isolation network will directly view only the output impedance of the amplifier in parallel with the input impedance of the other isolation network, said isolation networks each presenting a substantially resistive load to said amplifier and producing outputs having substantially matched amplitude and phase characteristics, a signal distribution plate of appreciable area, substantially non-reactive means electrically connecting said plate to the output of said amplifier and connections of negligible length between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate, each of said isolation networks includes a series network having at least one resistive element connecting the input and output terminals thereof with one terminal of said isolation network comprising the input and means electrically connecting said one terminal of said isolation network to said signal distribution plate with a negligible length of conductor, at least one of said series network elements having terminals extending from opposite ends thereof, and one end of said element is in closely abutting relationship to said plate, said plate being positioned within a housing having at least one wall of substantial thickness, said distribution plate is positioned adjoining said wall and has a plurality of spaced openings to receive said element leads and said wall has a plurality of openings aligned with the openings in said plate to accommodate said elements.

Claim 20

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such receivers and the like comprising a matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a substantially frequency insensitive amplifier having a high input impedance and a very low output impedance, a connection between the output of said matching network and the input of said amplifier, at least two passive isolation networks each having an input and an output for connection to a utilization device, and a direct coupling between the output of said amplifier and the input of each isolation network whereby each isolation network will directly view only the output impedance of the amplifier in parallel with the input impedance of the other isolation network, said isolation networks each presenting a substantially resistive load to said amplifier and producing outputs having substantially matched amplitude and phase characteristics, a signal distribution plate of appreciable area, substantially non-reactive means electrically connecting said plate to the output of said amplifier and connections of negligible length between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate, each of said isolation networks includes a series network having at least one resistive element connecting the input and output terminals thereof with one terminal of said isolation network comprising the input and means electrically connecting said one terminal of said isolation network to said signal distribution plate with a negligible length of conductor, at least one of said series network elements having terminals extending from opposite ends thereof, and one end of said element is in closely abutting relationship to said plate, said plate being positioned within a housing having at least one wall of substantial thickness, said distribution plate is positioned adjoining said wall and has a plurality of spaced openings to receive said element leads and said wall has a plurality of openings aligned with the openings in said plate to accommodate said elements.

Claim 21

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such as receivers and the like comprising a matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a substantially frequency insensitive amplifier having a high input impedance and a very low output impedance, a connection between the output of said matching network and the input of said amplifier, at least two passive isolation networks each having an input and an output for connection to a utilization device, and a direct coupling between the output of said amplifier and the input of each isolation network whereby each isolation network will directly view only the output impedance of the amplifier in parallel with the input impedance of the other isolation network, said isolation networks each presenting a substantially resistive load to said amplifier and producing outputs having substantially matched amplitude and phase characteristics, a signal distribution plate of appreciable area, substantially non-reactive means electrically connecting said plate to the output of said amplifier and connections of negligible length between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate, said signal distribution plate including at least two interconnected portions angularly disposed one relative to the other.

Claim 22

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such as receivers and the like comprising a matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a substantially frequency insensitive amplifier having a high input impedance and a very low output impedance, a connection between the output of said matching network and the input of said amplifier, at least two passive isolation networks each having an input and an output for connection to a utilization device, and a direct coupling between the output of said amplifier and the input of each isolation network whereby each isolation network will directly view only the output impedance of the amplifier in parallel with the input impedance of the other isolation network, said isolation networks each presenting a substantially resistive load to said amplifier and producing outputs having substantially matched amplitude and phase characteristics, a signal distribution plate of appreciable area, substantially non-reactive means electrically connecting said plate to the output of said amplifier and connections of negligible length between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate, said signal distribution plate including at least two interconnected portions angularly disposed one relative to the other.

Claim 23

A multicoupler according to claim 18 wherein said signal distribution plate is polygonal.

Claim 24

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such as receivers and the like comprising a matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a substantially frequency insensitive amplifier having a high input impedance and a very low output impedance, a connection between the output of said matching network and the input of said amplifier, at least two passive isolation networks each having an input and an output for connection to a utilization device, and a direct coupling between the output of said amplifier and the input of each isolation network whereby each isolation network will directly view only the output impedance of the amplifier in parallel with the input impedance of the other isolation network, said isolation networks each presenting a substantially resistive load to said amplifier and producing outputs having substantially matched amplitude and phase characteristics, a signal distribution plate of appreciable area, substantially non-reactive means electrically connecting said plate to the output of said amplifier and connections of negligible length between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate, said signal distribution plate being circular.

Claim 25

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such as receivers and the like comprising a matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a substantially frequency insensitive amplifier having a high input impedance and a very low output impedance, a connection between the output of said matching network and the input of said amplifier, at least two passive isolation networks each having an input and an output for connection to a utilization device, and a direct coupling between the output of said amplifier and the input of each isolation network whereby each isolation network will directly view only the output impedance of the amplifier in parallel with the input impedance of the other isolation network, said isolation networks each presenting a substantially resistive load to said amplifier and producing outputs having substantially matched amplitude and phase characteristics, a signal distribution plate of appreciable area, substantially non-reactive means electrically connecting said plate to the output of said amplifier and connections of negligible length between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate, said signal distribution plate being circular.

Claim 26

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such as receivers and the like comprising a matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a substantially frequency insensitive amplifier having a high input impedance and a very low output impedance, a connection between the output of said matching network and the input of said amplifier, at least two passive isolation networks each having an input and an output for connection to a utilization device, and a direct coupling between the output of said amplifier and the input of each isolation network whereby each isolation network will directly view only the output impedance of the amplifier in parallel with the input impedance of the other isolation network, said isolation networks each presenting a substantially resistive load to said amplifier and producing outputs having substantially matched amplitude and phase characteristics, a signal distribution plate of appreciable area, substantially non-reactive means electrically connecting said plate to the output of said amplifier and connections of negligible length between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate, said amplifier including an output transistor with the output terminal forming the output of said amplifier being in the form of a flat strip of conductive material connected to said distribution plate.

Claim 27

A multicoupler for coupling a single energy source to at least two or more utilization devices such as receivers and the like comprising a matching network having an input connected to said source and an output, a substantially frequency insensitive amplifier having a high input impedance and a very low output impedance, a connection between the output of said matching network and the input of said amplifier, at least two passive isolation networks each having an input and an output for connection to a utilization device, and a direct coupling between the output of said amplifier and the input of each isolation network whereby each isolation network will directly view only the output impedance of the amplifier in parallel with the input impedance of the other isolation network, said isolation networks each presenting a substantially resistive load to said amplifier and producing outputs having substantially matched amplitude and phase characteristics, a signal distribution plate of appreciable area, substantially non-reactive means electrically connecting said plate to the output of said amplifier and connections of negligible length between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate, said amplifier including an output transistor with the output terminal forming the output of said amplifier being in the form of a flat strip of conductive material connected to said distribution plate.

Claim 28

A multicoupler according to claim 21 wherein said flat strip comprises said signal distribution plate.

Claim 29

Means for feeding a high frequency signal from at least one output terminal of an amplifying device to a plurality of utilization devices with the introduction of negligible reactive effects comprising a signal distribution plate of conductive material and appreciable area and negligible thickness as compared to the area, means having negligible reactance connecting said terminal to said distribution plate, a plurality of isolation networks each having an input and output terminal and a series network including at least a resistive element connecting said terminals, a substantially non-reactive coupling between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate with one element of said series network positioned with said one end in close abutting relationship to said plate, means connecting the output terminals of each of said isolation networks to a utilization device, and means electromagnetically shielding each of said one elements one from the others.

Claim 30

Means for feeding a high frequency signal from at least one output terminal of an amplifying device to a plurality of utilization devices with the introduction of negligible reactive effects comprising a signal distribution plate of conductive material and appreciable area and negligible thickness as compared to the area, means having negligible reactance connecting said terminal to said distribution plate, a plurality of isolation networks each having an input and output terminal and a series network including at least a resistive element connecting said terminals, a substantially non-reactive coupling between the input of each isolation network and said distribution plate with one element of said series network positioned with said one end in close abutting relationship to said plate, means connecting the output terminals of each of said isolation networks to a utilization device, and means electromagnetically shielding each of said one elements one from the others.

Claim 31

Means for feeding a high frequency signal to a plurality of utilization devices according to claim 23 wherein said shielding means comprises a wall of appreciable thickness positioned in closely spaced insulating relationship to said plate and having a plurality of openings extending therethrough and the last said elements being disposed in insulating relationship to and within said openings.

Claim 32

Means for feeding a high frequency signal to a plurality of utilization devices according to claim 23 wherein the first said terminal comprises the output terminal of a transistor in the form of a conductive strip having appreciable width as compared to its thickness.

Claim 33

Means for feeding a high frequency signal to a plurality of utilization devices according to claim 23 wherein said distribution plate is polygonal in cross section.

Claim 34

Means for feeding a high frequency signal to a plurality of utilization devices according to claim 23 wherein said distribution plate is cylindrical.

Claim 35

Means for feeding a high frequency signal to a plurality of utilization devices according to claim 23 wherein said series network further includes a capacitive element.

Claim 36

Means for feeding a high frequency signal to a plurality of utilization devices according to claim 23 wherein the last said connecting means includes an impedance connected between the other end of each of said one elements and ground.

Claim 37

A multicoupler according to claim 23 wherein said series network has input and output terminals and includes a capacitive element and a resistor element connected in series.

Claim 38

A multicoupler according to claim 30 wherein said plate is positioned within a housing having at least one wall of substantial thickness, said distribution plate is positioned adjoining said wall and has a plurality of spaced openings for attachment of one terminal of each network and said wall has a plurality of openings each aligned with the openings in said plate to accommodate one of said elements.