US4571545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Six-port reflectometer
Assignee: SECRETAY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE IN HER MAJESTY'S OF GREAT BRITIAN WHITEHALL LONDON SW1A 2HB ENGLAND
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Filing: 1984-04-18
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Granted: 1986-02-18
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Expires: 2004-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A six-port reflectometer includes first, second and third forward directional couplers to transmit power from a source for reflection at a measurement port. The couplers also divert incident and reflected wave samples for subsequent measurements. A fourth forward directional coupler receives samples of incident and reflected waves from the second coupler, the reflected waves being received directly and the incident waves via a waveguide appropriate to equalize wave path lengths. The first coupler is connected to a matched load and the third coupler to a short circuit. The first coupler may be a 6 dB device and the second, third and fourth couplers 3 dB devices. Power detectors are connected to the first, third and fourth couplers. The reflectometer has the band-width of its components.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric J. Griffin
- 👤 Gordon J. Slack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R27/00; G01R27/02; G01R27/04; G01R27/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A six-port reflectometer including (1) first, second and third directional coupler means arranged in sequence to provide a series path for transmission of electromagnetic waves from a source of incidence on a reflecting load and to divert samples of incident and reflected waves, (2) a fourth directional coupler means arranged to receive a combination of incident and reflected waves from the second coupler means, (3) a waveguide arranged to transmit incident waves from the second coupler means to the fourth coupler means, and (4) four detector means arranged respectively to receive a proportion of incident waves from the first coupler means, a combination of incident and reflected waves from the third coupler means and two further combinations of incident and reflected waves from the fourth coupler means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A six-port reflectometer including (1) first, second and third directional coupler means arranged in sequence to provide a series path for transmission of electromagnetic waves from a source of incidence on a reflecting load and to divert samples of incident and reflected waves, (2) a fourth directional coupler means arranged to receive a combination of incident and reflected waves from the second coupler means, (3) a waveguide arranged to transmit incident waves from the second coupler means to the fourth coupler means, and (4) four detector means arranged respectively to receive a proportion of incident waves from the first coupler means, a combination of incident and reflected waves from the third coupler means and two further combinations of incident and reflected waves from the fourth coupler means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A six-port reflectometer according to claim 1 wherein the first coupler means is connected to a matched load for absorption of diverted reflected waves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A six-port reflectometer according to claim 2 wherein the third coupler means is connected to a short circuit for reflection of diverted incident waves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A six-port reflectometer according to claim 3 wherein the waveguide angular length is appropriate to ensure that incident and reflected waves received by the fourth coupler means traverse equivalent physical path lengths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A six-port reflectometer according to claim 4 wherein the second, third and fourth coupler means are 3 dB couplers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A six-port reflectometer according to claim 5 wherein the first coupler means is a 6 dB device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A six-port reflectometer according to claim 6 wherein the coupler means are forward directional couplers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A six-port reflectometer according to claim 7 formed from two plates having complementary formations providing E-plane transmission line couplers and waveguide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A six-port reflectometer according to claim 8 having rectangular waveguide channels with branch guide couplers realised by interchannel posts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4489271A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-17 | 1989-08-19 | 1990-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-17 | 1993-08-19 | 1994-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-17 | 1997-08-19 | 1998-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |