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US4491977A
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US
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Millimeter-wave quasi-optical planar balanced mixer
Assignee: The AT&T MVPD Group LLC
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Filing: 1982-06-10
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Granted: 1985-01-01
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Expires: 2002-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A millimeter-wave, planar, balanced mixer having optical means for coupling radio frequency waves to the mixer circuit. The optical coupling means may comprise a dielectric lens and particularly a spherical dielectric lens. The spherical lens not only provides a gain for the radio frequency energy but overcomes the severe tolerance requirements and size restrictions encountered in fabrication of conventional waveguides for millimeter waves in the range of 100 to 300 GHz.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey A. Paul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:21
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03D; H03D9/00; H03D9/06; H03D9/0608; H03D9/0633; H03D9/0641; H03D7/00; H03D7/14; H03D7/1408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A millimeter-wave mixer comprising: a planar balanced mixer circuit fabricated as a microwave integrated circuit on a first major surface of a substrate said mixer circuit including a planar intermediate frequency filter; a source of local oscillator power coupled to said substrate via the opposite major surface of said substrate; and a free-space optical coupling means for coupling radio frequency power to said first major surface; whereby said planar balanced mixer circuit produces an intermediate frequency signal output through the planar intermediate frequency filter of said mixer circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A millimeter-wave mixer comprising: a planar balanced mixer circuit fabricated as a microwave integrated circuit on a first major surface of a substrate said mixer circuit including a planar intermediate frequency filter; a source of local oscillator power coupled to said substrate via the opposite major surface of said substrate; and a free-space optical coupling means for coupling radio frequency power to said first major surface; whereby said planar balanced mixer circuit produces an intermediate frequency signal output through the planar intermediate frequency filter of said mixer circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mixer according to claim 1 wherein said optical coupling means is a dielectric lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mixer according to claim 2 wherein said dielectric lens is spherical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mixer according to claim 2 wherein said dielectric lens is comprised of a material selected from the group of, polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene and polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mixer according to claim 2 wherein the dielectric lens has a dielectric constant within the range of 2.0 to 2.5.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mixer according to claim 2 wherein said lens is mounted in a support structure juxtaposed with said first major surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The mixer according to claim 6 wherein said support structure can be moved closer to or farther away from said first major surface so as to adjust the focus of radio frequency power by said lens upon said first major surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
The mixer according to claim 1 wherein said planar balanced mixer circuit comprises: a pair of slot antennas for receiving RF power; a planar waveguide section coupled to said antennas; a crossbar in said planar waveguide section, said crossbar having a first end coupled to one of said antennas, and a second end coupled to said intermediate frequency filter; and a pair of high cutoff frequency beam lead diodes coupling said crossbar to said waveguide section for mixing local oscillator power with radio frequency power said pair of diodes being spaced from one antenna by a distance which differs from their distance to the other antenna by an odd multiple of one-half the wavelength of the center frequency of the radio frequency signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mixer according to claim 8 wherein said odd multiple is a single one-half wavelength.
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) | 1988-01-01 | 1988-07-02 | 1989-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-01 | 1992-07-02 | 1993-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-01 | 1996-07-02 | 1997-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |