US5378999A
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Hybrid matrix amplifier
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1993-08-16
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Granted: 1995-01-03
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Expires: 2013-08-16
Abstract
Abstract The present invention comprises a novel matrix amplifier. The matrix amplifier includes an active superconducting power divider (ASPD) having N output ports; N distributed amplifiers each operatively connected to one of the N output ports of the ASPD; and a power combiner having N input ports each operatively connected to one of the N distributed amplifiers. The distributed amplifier can included M stages of amplification by cascading superconducting active devices. The power combiner can include N active elements. The resulting (N×M) matrix amplifier can produce signals of high output power, large bandwidth, and low noise.
Inventors
- 👤 Jon S. Martens
- 👤 Vincent M. Hietala
- 👤 Thomas A. Plut
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:36
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/60; H03F3/602; H03F3/604; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/855
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A matrix amplifier for amplifying an input signal S, comprising: a) an active superconducting divider circuit having an input port for receiving an input signal S and N output ports for dividing the input signal S into N separate signals S n , where N≧1; b) N distributed amplifiers each operatively connected to a respective output port of the superconducting divider circuit for receiving and amplifying the signal S n and producing an amplified signal σ n ; and c) a combiner circuit having N input ports and an output port, wherein each input port is operatively connected to one of the distributed amplifiers for receiving and combining the amplified signals σ n of each distributed amplifier and producing an output signal Σ.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A matrix amplifier for amplifying an input signal S, comprising: a) an active superconducting divider circuit having an input port for receiving an input signal S and N output ports for dividing the input signal S into N separate signals S n , where N≧1; b) N distributed amplifiers each operatively connected to a respective output port of the superconducting divider circuit for receiving and amplifying the signal S n and producing an amplified signal σ n ; and c) a combiner circuit having N input ports and an output port, wherein each input port is operatively connected to one of the distributed amplifiers for receiving and combining the amplified signals σ n of each distributed amplifier and producing an output signal Σ.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 1, wherein the superconducting divider circuit comprises N superconducting flux flow transistors (SFFTs).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 1, wherein each distributed amplifier comprises at least M stages of amplification, where M≧2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 1, wherein each distributed amplifier comprises at least M cascaded super conducting flux flow devices, where M≧2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 4, wherein the superconducting flux flow devices comprise superconducting flux flow transistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 4, wherein the superconducting flux flow devices comprise Josephson Junctions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 1, wherein the combiner circuit comprises N field effect transistors (FETs).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 7, wherein the FETs are arranged in a distributed amplifier structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 1, further including a time delay element operatively connected between the output of each distributed amplifier and one of the input ports of the combiner circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
A hybrid matrix amplifier, comprising: a) a superconducting weak link device for dividing and amplifying an input signal S and producing N output signals S n , where N≧1; b) N superconducting distributed amplifier means each operatively connected to receive one of the output signals S n and to produce an amplified signal σ n ; and c) combiner means operatively connected to receive the amplified signals σ n , and combine them to produce an output signal Σ.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A hybrid matrix amplifier, comprising: a) a superconducting weak link device for dividing and amplifying an input signal S and producing N output signals S n , where N≧1; b) N superconducting distributed amplifier means each operatively connected to receive one of the output signals S n and to produce an amplified signal σ n ; and c) combiner means operatively connected to receive the amplified signals σ n , and combine them to produce an output signal Σ.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 10, wherein the superconducting weak link device can be selected from the group consisting of SFFTs and Josephson Junctions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 10, wherein said superconducting distributed amplifier means comprises a cascade arrangement of superconducting weak link devices.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 10, wherein said combiner means comprises a passive device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 10, wherein said combiner means comprises an active device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 14, wherein the active device is a field effect transistor (FET).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The matrix amplifier of claim 10, wherein said combiner means comprises N FETs in a distributed amplifier structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
98 words
A hybrid (N×M) matrix amplifier, comprising: a) an array of N flux flow distributed amplifiers, wherein each flux flow distributed amplifier has an input port and output port and each flux flow distributed amplifier comprises M cascaded superconducting devices, wherein N≧1 and M≧2; b) a combiner device comprising N active devices, wherein each active device is operatively connected to one of the output ports of the N flux flow distributed amplifiers; and, c) a divider device comprising N superconductive flux flow devices each operationally connected to one of the input ports of the N flux flow distributed amplifiers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
98 words
A hybrid (N×M) matrix amplifier, comprising: a) an array of N flux flow distributed amplifiers, wherein each flux flow distributed amplifier has an input port and output port and each flux flow distributed amplifier comprises M cascaded superconducting devices, wherein N≧1 and M≧2; b) a combiner device comprising N active devices, wherein each active device is operatively connected to one of the output ports of the N flux flow distributed amplifiers; and, c) a divider device comprising N superconductive flux flow devices each operationally connected to one of the input ports of the N flux flow distributed amplifiers.
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) | 1998-01-02 | 1998-07-04 | 1999-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-02 | 2002-07-04 | 2003-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-02 | 2006-07-04 | 2007-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |