US4680538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Millimeter wave vector network analyzer
Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 1985-01-15
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Granted: 1987-07-14
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Expires: 2005-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A vector network analyzer system for measuring the complex impedance of devices and components at millimeter wavelengths is disclosed. A pair of directional couplers provide samples of the signal incident on and reflected from the element under test through reference and test channels, respectively. A 180° hybrid, or magic tee, device receives the samples, mixes them vectorially, and produces outputs to two power detectors which provide amplitude and phase information about the complex reflection coefficient. Similar measurements are obtained for the complex transmission coefficient. A 90° phase shifter consisting of a second magic tee and a PIN diode is connected in the reference channel to eliminate a phase measurement ambiguity. A computer processes the power detector output to determine the value of the unknown impedence. An electronically swept signal source allows measurements to be made automatically over a wide frequency band.
Inventors
- 👤 G. Conrad Dalman
- 👤 Hiroshi Kondoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R27/00; G01R27/02; G01R27/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A millimeter wave vector network analyzer, comprising: a source of millimeter wave signals; waveguide means for directing said signals onto a device to be tested; a first directional coupler connected to said waveguide means for providing a reference sample of the signal incident on said device; a reference waveguide channel for receiving said reference sample; a second directional coupler connected to said waveguide means for providing a test sample of the signal reflected from said device; a test waveguide channel for receiving said reflected signal test sample; a magic tee hybrid, having two inputs and two outputs; controllable phase shifter means connected in at least one of said reference and test waveguide channels; means connecting said reference channel to a first input of said hybrid to direct said reference sample to said hybrid; means connecting said test channel to a second input of said hybrid to direct said test sample to said hybrid, said hybrid combining said reference and said test samples vectorially; first and second power detectors connected to first and second outputs, respectively, of said hybrid, said power detectors providing scalar information which is a function of the magnitude of the reflection coefficient of said device and the phase of the reflection coefficient of said device; and means responsive to said scalar information to provide the phase and magnitude of the reflection coefficient of said device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A millimeter wave vector network analyzer, comprising: a source of millimeter wave signals; waveguide means for directing said signals onto a device to be tested; a first directional coupler connected to said waveguide means for providing a reference sample of the signal incident on said device; a reference waveguide channel for receiving said reference sample; a second directional coupler connected to said waveguide means for providing a test sample of the signal reflected from said device; a test waveguide channel for receiving said reflected signal test sample; a magic tee hybrid, having two inputs and two outputs; controllable phase shifter means connected in at least one of said reference and test waveguide channels; means connecting said reference channel to a first input of said hybrid to direct said reference sample to said hybrid; means connecting said test channel to a second input of said hybrid to direct said test sample to said hybrid, said hybrid combining said reference and said test samples vectorially; first and second power detectors connected to first and second outputs, respectively, of said hybrid, said power detectors providing scalar information which is a function of the magnitude of the reflection coefficient of said device and the phase of the reflection coefficient of said device; and means responsive to said scalar information to provide the phase and magnitude of the reflection coefficient of said device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The analyzer of claim 1, further including output waveguide means receiving signals transmitted through said device from said source; a third directional coupler connected to said output waveguide means for providing a test sample of the signal transmitted through said device; and switch means for selectively directing said transmitted signal test sample or said reflected signal test sample into said test waveguide, whereby said power detectors provide amplitude and phase information about the transmission or reflection coefficients, respectively, of said device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The analyzer of claim 1, where said source is a variable frequency signal generator for producing millimeter wave signals over a selected frequency band.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The analyzer of claim 3, wherein said variable frequency signal generator produces signals in the range of 20-100 GHz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The analyzer of claim 1, further including variable attenuator means connected in at least one of said reference and said test waveguide channels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The analyzer of claim 1, wherein said phase shifter is connected to said reference waveguide channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The analyzer of claim 6, wherein said phase shifter comprises an electronically controlled PIN diode in one colinear arm of a second magic tee hybrid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The analyzer of claim 6, wherein said means responsive to said scalar information includes computer means responsive to said first and second power detectors for computing amplitude and phase coefficients for said device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The analyzer of claim 6, wherein said source is a variable frequency signal generator for producing millimeter wave signals over a selected frequency band, and further including computer means controlling said signal generator to select the frequency of said millimeter wave signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The analyzer of claim 9, further including means for turning said phase shifter on and off, selectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The analyzer of claim 10, wherein said means for turning said phase shifter on and off comprises said computer means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The analyzer of claim 2, wherein said source is a variable frequency signal generator for producing millimeter wave signals over a selected frequency band.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The analyzer of claim 12, wherein said phase shifter means is connected in said reference waveguide channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The analyzer of claim 13, wherein said phase shifter comprises an electronically controlled PIN device in one colinear arm of a second magic tee hybrid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The analyzer of claim 14, further including computer means for selecting the frequency of said source, for activating said switch means for selecting one of said test samples, for controlling said PIN device and for computing, from the outputs of said power detectors, the impedance coefficients of said device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
228 words
A millimeter wave vector network analyzer, comprising: a source of millimeter wave signals; waveguide means for directing said signals onto a device to be tested; a first directional coupler connected to said waveguide means for providing a reference sample of the signal incident on said device; a reference waveguide channel for receiving said reference sample; a second directional coupler connected to said waveguide means for providing a test sample of any signal transmitted through said device; a test waveguide channel for receiving said transmitted signal test sample; controllable phase shifter means connected in at least one of said reference and test waveguide channels; a magic tee hybrid, having two inputs and two outputs; means connecting said reference channel to a first input of said hybrid to direct said reference sample to said hybrid; means connecting said test channel to a second input of said hybrid to direct said test sample to said hybrid, said hybrid combining said reference and said test samples vectorially; first and second power detectors connected to first and second outputs, respectively, of said hybrid, said power detectors providing scalar information which is a function of the magnitude of the transmission coefficient of said device and the phase of the transmission coefficient of said device; and means responsive to said scalar information to provide the phase and magnitude of the transmission coefficient of said device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
228 words
A millimeter wave vector network analyzer, comprising: a source of millimeter wave signals; waveguide means for directing said signals onto a device to be tested; a first directional coupler connected to said waveguide means for providing a reference sample of the signal incident on said device; a reference waveguide channel for receiving said reference sample; a second directional coupler connected to said waveguide means for providing a test sample of any signal transmitted through said device; a test waveguide channel for receiving said transmitted signal test sample; controllable phase shifter means connected in at least one of said reference and test waveguide channels; a magic tee hybrid, having two inputs and two outputs; means connecting said reference channel to a first input of said hybrid to direct said reference sample to said hybrid; means connecting said test channel to a second input of said hybrid to direct said test sample to said hybrid, said hybrid combining said reference and said test samples vectorially; first and second power detectors connected to first and second outputs, respectively, of said hybrid, said power detectors providing scalar information which is a function of the magnitude of the transmission coefficient of said device and the phase of the transmission coefficient of said device; and means responsive to said scalar information to provide the phase and magnitude of the transmission coefficient of said device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The analyzer of claim 16, wherein said source is a variable frequency signal source for producing millimeter wave signals over a selected frequency band, and further including means for controlling said source to produce a signal having a selected frequency.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The analyzer of claim 1, wherein said source is a variable frequency signal source for producing millimeter wave signals over a selected frequency band, and further including means for controlling said source to produce signals having a selected frequency.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The analyzer of claim 18, further including means to control said phase shifter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The analyzer of claim 19, wherein said phase shifter is connected in only said reference waveguide channel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The analyzer of claim 16, further including variable attenuator means connected in at least one of said reference and said test waveguide channels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-07-13 | 1991-01-12 | 1991-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-13 | 1995-01-12 | 1995-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-13 | 1999-01-12 | 1999-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |