US4445098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for fast-switching dual-toroid microwave phase shifter
Assignee: EMS Technologies Canada Ltd
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Filing: 1982-02-19
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Granted: 1984-04-24
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Expires: 2002-02-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is for an apparatus and method of fast-switching a dual-toroid microwave ferrite phase shifter. A first circuit is provided for controllably switching the ferrite in one of the toroids between a saturated and partially saturated states. A second conduit is provided for controllably switching the ferrite in the other of the toroids between a saturated and partially saturated states. A control circuit is provided for controlling the first and second circuits such that the ferrite in at least one of the toroids is maintained in the saturated state at any given time such that any desired phase shift may be achieved with only one switching operation for each toroid. The present invention provides new reference states such that there are two reciprocal phase states for any given phase state such that a reciprocal phase state may always be achieved with only one switching operation for each toroid.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Sharon
- 👤 Roger G. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01P; H01P1/00; H01P1/18; H01P1/19; H01P1/195
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 87
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A fast-switching, dual toroid microwave phase shifter, comprising: first and second toroids having ferrite cores and disposed in a microwave waveguide; first means for controllably switching the ferrite in one of the toroids between a saturated state and a partially saturated state; second means for controllably switching the ferrite in the other of said toroids between a saturated state and a partially saturated state; and control means for controlling said first and said second means such that the ferrite in at least one of said toroids is maintained in the saturated state at any given time such that any desired phase shift may be achieved with only one switching operation for each toroid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A fast-switching, dual toroid microwave phase shifter, comprising: first and second toroids having ferrite cores and disposed in a microwave waveguide; first means for controllably switching the ferrite in one of the toroids between a saturated state and a partially saturated state; second means for controllably switching the ferrite in the other of said toroids between a saturated state and a partially saturated state; and control means for controlling said first and said second means such that the ferrite in at least one of said toroids is maintained in the saturated state at any given time such that any desired phase shift may be achieved with only one switching operation for each toroid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A phase shifter as in claim 1 wherein said first and second toroids are disposed in parallel in the microwave waveguide and separated by a dielectric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A phase shifter as in claim 2 further including a mode suppressor and a matching transformer disposed in the waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A phase shifter as in claim 1 wherein said first and second toroids are disposed in series in the microwave waveguide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A phase shifter as in claim 1 wherein said first and second toroids comprise a single overall toroid structure having a first portion acting as said first toroid and a second portion acting as said second toroid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A phase shifter as in claim 1 wherein said control means includes means for simultaneously causing said switching of the ferrites in the first and second toroids.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A phase shifter as in claim 1 wherein the first means includes a first and a second driver each switching one of the ferrites of one of the toroids between opposite saturated and partially saturated states and wherein the second means includes a third and a fourth driver each switching the other of the ferrites of the other toroids between opposite saturated and partially saturated states.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A phase shifter as in claim 7 wherein the first, second, third and fourth drivers each contain a set driver for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states and a reset driver for driving the ferrites to saturated states.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A phase shifter as in claim 8 wherein each of the set drivers produces fixed amplitude variable width voltage pulses for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A phase shifter as in claim 8 wherein each of the set drivers produces variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulses for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A phase shifter as in claim 8 including means for sensing the voltage induced in each ferrite and wherein each of the set drivers produces variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulses responsive to said sensed voltage for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A phase shifter as in claim 8 including means for integrating the voltage applied to each ferrite and wherein each of the set drivers produces variable amplitude quasi-constant width voltage pulses responsive to said means for integrating for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A phase shifter as in claim 1 wherein the control means includes a programmable memory, a digital-to-analog converter responsive to said memory for inputting control signals to the first and second switching means and timing means for activating said first and second switching means for receiving said control signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A phase shifter as in claim 13 wherein the timing means includes a timing control circuit and a timing demultiplexer responsive to said timing control circuit for activating said first and second switching means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A phase shifter as in claim 13 wherein the programmable memory contains a unique linearizing function for the phase shifter.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for switching of a dual toroid microwave ferrite phase shifter wherein the ferrite of at least one of said toroids is maintained in a saturated state at any given time; said method comprising: switching the ferrite of said saturated toroid to a predetermined partially saturated state; and switching said other ferrite of said other toroid to a saturated state such that any desired change in phase shift may be achieved with only one switching operation for each ferrite of each toroid.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for switching of a dual toroid microwave ferrite phase shifter wherein the ferrite of at least one of said toroids is maintained in a saturated state at any given time; said method comprising: switching the ferrite of said saturated toroid to a predetermined partially saturated state; and switching said other ferrite of said other toroid to a saturated state such that any desired change in phase shift may be achieved with only one switching operation for each ferrite of each toroid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of switching said saturated ferrite to a predetermined partially saturated state includes the steps of generating a digital signal representative of said partially saturated state and converting said digital signal to an analog signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 wherein both of said switching steps are performed substantially simultaneously.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 16 including the step of activating the toroid drivers before the switching steps.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of switching one of the ferrites to a partially saturated state includes the step of producing a fixed amplitude variable width voltage pulse for driving said ferrite to said partially saturated stated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of switching one of the ferrites to a partially saturated state includes the step of producing a variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulse for driving said ferrite to said partially saturated stated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 including the step of sensing the voltage induced in each ferrite for controlling the switching to a partially saturated state.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 including the step of integrating the voltage applied to each ferrite for controlling the switching to a partially saturated state.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
157 words
A fast-switching dual toroid microwave transmit/receive mode phase shifter, comprising: first and second toroids having ferrite cores disposed in a microwave waveguide; first means for switching one of the ferrites in one of the toroids to a partially saturated state; second means for switching the other of the ferrites in the other of the toroids to a partially saturated state; third means for switching both of said ferrites to a saturated state; and control means for controlling said first, second and third means such that when said switch is in a transmit mode, at least a first one of said ferrites is maintained in the saturated state and wherein a receive mode is achieved by switching the other ferrite to a saturated state while simultaneously switching the first ferrite to a partially saturated state such that the opposite mode of operation is achieved in a minimum time corresponding to only one simultaneous switching operation for each ferrite.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
157 words
A fast-switching dual toroid microwave transmit/receive mode phase shifter, comprising: first and second toroids having ferrite cores disposed in a microwave waveguide; first means for switching one of the ferrites in one of the toroids to a partially saturated state; second means for switching the other of the ferrites in the other of the toroids to a partially saturated state; third means for switching both of said ferrites to a saturated state; and control means for controlling said first, second and third means such that when said switch is in a transmit mode, at least a first one of said ferrites is maintained in the saturated state and wherein a receive mode is achieved by switching the other ferrite to a saturated state while simultaneously switching the first ferrite to a partially saturated state such that the opposite mode of operation is achieved in a minimum time corresponding to only one simultaneous switching operation for each ferrite.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A phase shifter as in claim 24 wherein the dual toroids include two toroids disposed in parallel in the microwave waveguide and separated by a dielectric.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
A phase shifter as in claim 25 further including a mode suppressor and a matching transformer disposed in the waveguide.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
A phase shifter as in claim 24 wherein each of the first and second means produces fixed amplitude variable width voltage pulses for driving the ferrites to partially set states.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A phase shifter as in claim 24 wherein each of the first and second means produces variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulses for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
46 words
A phase shifter as in claim 24 including means for sensing the voltage induced in each ferrite and wherein each of the first and second means produces variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulses responsive to said sensed voltage for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
A phase shifter as in claim 24 including means for integrating the voltage applied to each ferrite and wherein each of the first and second means produces variable amplitude quasi-constant width voltage pulses responsive to said means for integrating for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
A phase shifter as in claim 24 wherein the control means includes a programmable memory, a digital-to-analog converter responsive to said memory for inputting control signals to the first, second and third switching means and timing means for activating said first, second and third switching means for receiving said control signals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
A phase shifter as in claim 31 wherein the timing means includes a timing control circuit and a timing demultiplexer responsive to said timing control circuit for activating said first, second and third switching means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A phase shifter as in claim 31 wherein the programmable memory contains a unique linearizing function for the phase shifter.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for switching a dual toroid microwave transmit/receive mode ferrite phase shifter, comprising: initially setting said phase shifter in one of said transmit and receive modes wherein at least a first one of said toroids is maintained in a saturated state; switching the other toroid to a saturated state; and simultaneously switching the first toroid to a partially saturated state such that the opposite mode is achieved in a minimum time corresponding to only one simultaneous switching operation for each toroid.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for switching a dual toroid microwave transmit/receive mode ferrite phase shifter, comprising: initially setting said phase shifter in one of said transmit and receive modes wherein at least a first one of said toroids is maintained in a saturated state; switching the other toroid to a saturated state; and simultaneously switching the first toroid to a partially saturated state such that the opposite mode is achieved in a minimum time corresponding to only one simultaneous switching operation for each toroid.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the step of initially setting said phase shifter includes the step of switching the other toroid to a saturated state and switching the first of said toroids to a partially saturated state.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the step of simultaneously switching the first toroid to a predetermined partially saturated state includes the steps of generating a digital signal representative of said partially saturated state and converting said digital signal to an analog signal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 34 including the step of activating toroid drivers before the switching steps.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the step of simultaneously switching the first toroid to a partially saturated state includes the step of producing a fixed amplitude variable width voltage pulse for driving said toroid to said partially saturated state.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the step of simultaneously switching the first toroid to a partially saturated state includes the step of producing a variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulse for driving said toroid to said partially saturated state.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 34 including the step of sensing the voltage induced in each toroid for controlling the switching to a partially saturated state.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 34 including the step of integrating the voltage applied to each toroid for controlling the switching to a partially saturated state.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
152 words
A reciprocal, constant amplitude, four port microwave switch, comprising: a first input port; output means having two output ports; a first microwave path extending between said first input port and said output means and including two toroids with ferrite cores disposed in said path; a second microwave path extending between said first input port and said output means in parallel with said first path and including two toroids with ferrite cores disposed in said path; a set driver for switching the ferrite in said toroids to partially saturated states; a reset driver for switching the ferrite in said toroids to saturated states; and control means for controlling said set and reset drivers such that at least one of the ferrites of said toroids within each pair is maintained in the saturated state at any given time such that the reciprocal mode may be achieved with only one switching operation for each toroid.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
152 words
A reciprocal, constant amplitude, four port microwave switch, comprising: a first input port; output means having two output ports; a first microwave path extending between said first input port and said output means and including two toroids with ferrite cores disposed in said path; a second microwave path extending between said first input port and said output means in parallel with said first path and including two toroids with ferrite cores disposed in said path; a set driver for switching the ferrite in said toroids to partially saturated states; a reset driver for switching the ferrite in said toroids to saturated states; and control means for controlling said set and reset drivers such that at least one of the ferrites of said toroids within each pair is maintained in the saturated state at any given time such that the reciprocal mode may be achieved with only one switching operation for each toroid.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
A switch as in claim 42 wherein the first and second microwave paths each introduce a differential phase shift of zero or one hundred and eighty degrees.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
A switch as in claim 42 wherein each pair of toroids includes two toroids disposed in parallel in the first and second microwave paths.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
A switch as in claim 44 further including a mode suppressor and a matching transformer disposed in the first and second microwave paths.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
A switch as in claim 42 wherein the set driver produces fixed amplitude variable width voltage pulses for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
A switch as in claim 42 wherein the set driver produces variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulses for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
41 words
A switch as in claim 42 including means for sensing the voltage induced in each ferrite and wherein the set driver produces variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulses responsive to said sensed voltage for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
42 words
A switch as in claim 42 including means for integrating the voltage applied to each ferrite and wherein the set driver produces variable amplitude quasi-constant width voltage pulses responsive to said means for integrating for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
46 words
A switch as in claim 42 wherein the control means includes a programmable memory, a digital-to-analog converter responsive to said memory for inputting control signals to the set and reset drivers and timing means for activating said set and reset drivers for receiving said control signals.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
A switch as in claim 50 wherein the timing means includes a timing control circuit and a timing demultiplexer responsive to said timing circuit for activating said set and reset drivers.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
20 words
A switch as in claim 50 wherein the programmable memory contains a unique linearizing function for each pair of toroids.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of switching a reciprocal constant amplitude four port microwave switch having two dual toroid ferrite phase shifters, comprising: maintaining, at any given time, the ferrite of at least one of the toroids in each of the dual toroid ferrite phase shifters in a saturated state; driving each of said saturated toroids to predetermined partially saturated states complementary of the states of the remaining toroid in the other phase shifter; and simultaneously driving said remaining toroids to saturated states complementary of the states of the previously saturated toroids such that the reciprocal mode is achieved with only one simultaneous switching operation for each toroid.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of switching a reciprocal constant amplitude four port microwave switch having two dual toroid ferrite phase shifters, comprising: maintaining, at any given time, the ferrite of at least one of the toroids in each of the dual toroid ferrite phase shifters in a saturated state; driving each of said saturated toroids to predetermined partially saturated states complementary of the states of the remaining toroid in the other phase shifter; and simultaneously driving said remaining toroids to saturated states complementary of the states of the previously saturated toroids such that the reciprocal mode is achieved with only one simultaneous switching operation for each toroid.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the step of driving said saturated ferrites to predetermined partially saturated states includes the steps of generating digital signals representative of said partially saturated states and converting said digital signals to analog signals.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 53 including the step of activating the toroid drivers before the driving steps.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the step of driving the ferrites to partially saturated states includes the step of producing fixed amplitude variable width voltage pulses for driving said ferrites to said partially saturated states.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the step of driving the ferrites to partially saturated states includes the step of producing variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulses for driving said ferrites to said partially saturated states.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 53 including the step of sensing the voltage induced in each of the ferrites for controlling the driving to partially saturated states.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 53 including the step of integrating the voltage applied to each ferrite for controlling the switching to partially saturated states.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
142 words
An anti-reciprocal, four port microwave switch, comprising: an input port; a sidewall hybrid; a first microwave path extending between said input port and said sidewall hybrid and including two toroids with ferrite cores disposed in said path; a second microwave path extending between said input port and said sidewall hybrid in parallel with said first path and including two toroids with ferrite cores disposed in said path; first means for switching the ferrite of said toroids to partially saturated states; second means for switching the ferrite of said toroids to saturated states; and control means for controlling said first and second means such that at least one of said ferrites within each pair is maintained in the saturated state, at any given time, such that any subsequently desired phase shift may be achieved with only one simultaneous switching operation for each ferrite.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
142 words
An anti-reciprocal, four port microwave switch, comprising: an input port; a sidewall hybrid; a first microwave path extending between said input port and said sidewall hybrid and including two toroids with ferrite cores disposed in said path; a second microwave path extending between said input port and said sidewall hybrid in parallel with said first path and including two toroids with ferrite cores disposed in said path; first means for switching the ferrite of said toroids to partially saturated states; second means for switching the ferrite of said toroids to saturated states; and control means for controlling said first and second means such that at least one of said ferrites within each pair is maintained in the saturated state, at any given time, such that any subsequently desired phase shift may be achieved with only one simultaneous switching operation for each ferrite.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
36 words
A switch as in claim 60 wherein the first and second microwave paths each provide a ninety degree differential phase shift for both directions of propagation such that said switch provides a four port circulator function.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
56 words
A switch as in claim 60 wherein the first microwave path provides a differential phase shift of between -45° and +45° degrees and wherein the second microwave path provides a complementary differential phase shift of between +45° and -45° degrees thereby providing a constant insertion phase such that said switch provides a variable power divider function.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
24 words
A switch as in claim 60 wherein each pair of toroids includes two toroids disposed in parallel in the first and second microwave paths.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
23 words
A switch as in claim 63 further including a mode suppressor and a matching transformer disposed in the first and second microwave paths.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
27 words
A switch as in claim 60 wherein the first means includes a first and a second set drivers and wherein the second means includes a reset driver.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
27 words
A switch as in claim 65 wherein each of the set drivers produces fixed amplitude variable width voltage pulses for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
27 words
A switch as in claim 65 wherein each of the set drivers produces variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulses for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
43 words
A switch as in claim 65 including means for sensing the voltage induced in each ferrite and wherein each of the set drivers produces variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulses responsive to said sensed voltage for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
44 words
A switch as in claim 65 including means for integrating the voltage applied to each ferrite and wherein each of the set drivers produces variable amplitude quasi-constant width voltage pulses responsive to said means for integrating for driving the ferrites to partially saturated states.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
48 words
A switch as in claim 60 wherein the control means includes a programmable memory, a digital-to-analog converter responsive to said memory for inputting control signals to the first and second switching means and timing means for activating said first and second switching means for receiving said control signals.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
33 words
A switch as in claim 70 wherein the timing means includes a timing control circuit and a timing demultiplexer responsive to said timing control circuit for activating said first and second switching means.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
20 words
A switch as in claim 70 wherein the programmable memory contains a unique linearizing function for each pair of toroids.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of switching an anti-reciprocal, four port, microwave switch having two dual toroid ferrite phase shifters, comprising: maintaining, at any given time, the ferrite of at least one of the toroids in each of the dual toroid phase shifters in a saturated state; driving said saturated ferrites to predetermined partially saturated states; and simultaneously driving the remaining ferrites of the other toroids to saturated states such that any desired phase change may be achieved with only one simultaneous switching operation for each ferrite.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of switching an anti-reciprocal, four port, microwave switch having two dual toroid ferrite phase shifters, comprising: maintaining, at any given time, the ferrite of at least one of the toroids in each of the dual toroid phase shifters in a saturated state; driving said saturated ferrites to predetermined partially saturated states; and simultaneously driving the remaining ferrites of the other toroids to saturated states such that any desired phase change may be achieved with only one simultaneous switching operation for each ferrite.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 73 wherein the step of driving said saturated ferrites to predetermined partially saturated states includes the steps of generating a digital signal representative of said partially saturated states and converting said digital signal to an analog signal.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 73 including the step of activating the toroid drivers before the driving steps.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 73 wherein the step of driving the ferrites to partially saturated states includes the step of producing fixed amplitude variable width voltage pulses for driving said ferrites to said partially saturated states.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 73 wherein the step of driving the ferrites to partially saturated states includes the step of producing variable amplitude fixed width voltage pulses for driving said ferrites to said partially saturated states.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 73 including the step of sensing the voltage induced in each ferrite for controlling the driving to partially saturated states.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 73 including the step of integrating the voltage applied to each ferrite for controlling the driving to partially saturated states.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-24 | 1987-10-24 | 1988-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-24 | 1991-10-24 | 1992-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-24 | 1995-10-24 | 1996-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |