US5116807A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monolithic MM-wave phase shifter using optically activated superconducting switches
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
•
Filing: 1990-09-25
•
Granted: 1992-05-26
•
Expires: 2010-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A phase shifter having a reference path and a delay path, light sources, and superconductive switches. Each of the superconductive switches is terminated in a virtual short circuit, which may be a radial stub. Switching between the reference path and delayed path is accomplished by illuminating the superconductive switches connected to the desired path, while not illuminating the superconductive switches connected to the other path.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Romanofsky
- 👤 Kul B. Bhasin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01P; H01P1/00; H01P1/18; H01P1/185; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/70; Y10S505/701; Y10S505/703; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/848; Y10S505/866
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A monolithic phase shifter having an input and an output, comprising: a substrate; a bifurcation junction operatively connected to the input and forming a reference path and a delay path; a rejoining junction operatively connected to the output and joining said reference and delay paths; first and second light-activated, superconducting switches disposed in said reference and delay paths, respectively, each switch being about one quarter wavelength from the bifurcation junction; third and fourth light-activated, superconducting switches disposed in said reference and delay paths, respectively, each switch being about one quarter wavelength away from the rejoining junction; first illumination means for providing light to said first and third switches; second illumination means for providing light to said second and fourth switches, said first and second illumination means providing light alternately, and wherein said bifurcation and rejoining junctions, said reference and delay paths, and said switches are formed on said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A monolithic phase shifter having an input and an output, comprising: a substrate; a bifurcation junction operatively connected to the input and forming a reference path and a delay path; a rejoining junction operatively connected to the output and joining said reference and delay paths; first and second light-activated, superconducting switches disposed in said reference and delay paths, respectively, each switch being about one quarter wavelength from the bifurcation junction; third and fourth light-activated, superconducting switches disposed in said reference and delay paths, respectively, each switch being about one quarter wavelength away from the rejoining junction; first illumination means for providing light to said first and third switches; second illumination means for providing light to said second and fourth switches, said first and second illumination means providing light alternately, and wherein said bifurcation and rejoining junctions, said reference and delay paths, and said switches are formed on said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A phase shifter as recited in claim 15, further comprising: stub means operatively connected to said superconducting switches for terminating said superconducting switches in a virtual short circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A phase shifter as recited in claim 2, wherein: said stub means includes a radial stub.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A phase shifter as recited in claim 1, wherein: said superconductive material is Yttrium-Barium-Copper-Oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A phase shifter as recited in claim 4, wherein: said reference and delay paths include silver.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A phase shifter as recited in claim 1, wherein: said illumination means includes at least one light emitting diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A phase shifter as recited in claim 1, wherein: said superconducting switches each have an aspect ratio of about 25:1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A phase shifter as recited in claim 7, wherein: said superconducting switches each have a width of about 0.0002 inches and a length of about 0.005 inches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A phase shifter as recited in claim 8, wherein: said superconducting switches each have a thickness of about one micron.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2916615A
Cited
US3202836A
Cited
US3917943A
Cited
US4074343A
Cited
US4305052A
Cited
US4370568A
Cited
US4396833A
Cited
US4441088A
Cited
US4586062A
Cited
US4499441A
Cited
US4616196A
Cited
US4675624A
Cited
DE3529560A1
Cited
SU1406667A1
Cited
US4837536A
Cited
US4990487A
Cited
US4876239A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-26 | 1995-11-25 | 1996-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-26 | 1999-11-25 | 2000-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-26 | 2003-11-25 | 2004-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |