US5633613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modulator-coupled transmission structure and method
Assignee: The AT&T MVPD Group LLC
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Filing: 1995-02-22
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Granted: 1997-05-27
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Expires: 2015-02-22
Abstract
Abstract The microwave impedance across an aperture in a conductive shield member of a transmission structure is varied as a microwave signal transits the aperture. The impedance is changed by positioning a variable impedance device across the aperture. A slit divides the shield member into two portions to facilitate the application of a modulating signal (56) across the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Perry A. Macdonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q21/00; H01Q21/0006; H01Q21/0075; H01Q21/06; H01Q21/061; H01Q21/065; H01Q9/00; H01Q9/04; H01Q9/0407; H01Q9/045; H01Q9/0457
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A modulator for modulating a microwave signal with a modulation signal, comprising: an input signal member for receiving a microwave signal; an output signal member; a shield member positioned between said input and output signal members with each of said input and output signal members spaced from said shield member; an aperture formed by said shield member and positioned to couple at least a portion of said microwave signal from said input signal member to said output signal member; and a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to a modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A modulator for modulating a microwave signal with a modulation signal, comprising: an input signal member for receiving a microwave signal; an output signal member; a shield member positioned between said input and output signal members with each of said input and output signal members spaced from said shield member; an aperture formed by said shield member and positioned to couple at least a portion of said microwave signal from said input signal member to said output signal member; and a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to a modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
140 words
A modulator for modulating a microwave signal with a modulation signal, comprising: an input signal member for receiving a microwave signal; an output signal member; a shield member positioned between said input and output signal members; an aperture formed by said shield member and positioned to couple at least a portion of said microwave signal from said input signal member to said output signal member; a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to a modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture; and at least one slit formed by said shield member, said slit extending from said aperture and dividing said shield member into first and second shield member portions with said microwave variable impedance device connected between said first and second shield member portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
A modulator for modulating a microwave signal with a modulation signal, comprising: an input signal member for receiving a microwave signal; an output signal member; a shield member positioned between said input and output signal members; an aperture formed by said shield member and positioned to couple at least a portion of said microwave signal from said input signal member to said output signal member; a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to a modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture; and at least one slit formed by said shield member, said slit extending from said aperture and dividing said shield member into first and second shield member portions with said microwave variable impedance device connected between said first and second shield member portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modulator of claim 1, wherein said microwave variable impedance device is a variable reactance device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The modulator of claim 3, wherein said variable reactance device is a varactor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modulator of claim 1, wherein said microwave variable impedance device is a variable resistance device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The modulator of claim 5, wherein said variable resistance device is a p-i-n diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The modulator of claim 1, wherein said input signal member and said shield member form an input microstrip transmission line, and said output signal member and said shield member form an output microstrip transmission line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The modulator of claim 1, wherein said input signal member and said shield member form an input microstrip transmission line, and said output signal member and said shield member form an output patch radiator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
A microwave radiator, comprising: a signal member for receiving a microwave signal; a shield member spaced from said signal member having first and second shield member portions; an aperture formed by said shield member and positioned to couple through said aperture at least a portion of said microwave signal from said signal member; and a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to a modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
A microwave radiator, comprising: a signal member for receiving a microwave signal; a shield member spaced from said signal member having first and second shield member portions; an aperture formed by said shield member and positioned to couple through said aperture at least a portion of said microwave signal from said signal member; and a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to a modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The radiator of claim 9, wherein said microwave variable impedance device is a variable reactance device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The radiator of claim 9, wherein said microwave variable impedance device is a variable resistance device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The radiator of claim 9, wherein said signal member and said shield member form a microstrip transmission line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
A microwave radiator, comprising: a signal member for receiving a microwave signal; a shield member spaced from said signal member; an aperture formed by said shield member and positioned to couple through said aperture at least a portion of said microwave signal from said signal member; a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to a modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture; and at least one slit formed by said shield member, said slit extending from said aperture and dividing said shield member into first and second shield member portions with said microwave variable impedance device connected between said first and second shield member portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
121 words
A microwave radiator, comprising: a signal member for receiving a microwave signal; a shield member spaced from said signal member; an aperture formed by said shield member and positioned to couple through said aperture at least a portion of said microwave signal from said signal member; a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to a modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture; and at least one slit formed by said shield member, said slit extending from said aperture and dividing said shield member into first and second shield member portions with said microwave variable impedance device connected between said first and second shield member portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
122 words
A modulator for modulating and radiating a microwave signal with a modulation signal, comprising: an input microstrip signal line for receiving a microwave signal; an output microstrip signal line; a microstrip shield member positioned between said input and output microstrip signal lines with each of said input and output microstrip signal lines spaced from said shield member; an aperture formed by said microstrip shield member and positioned to couple at least a portion of said microwave signal from said input microstrip signal line to said output microstrip signal line; and a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to said modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
122 words
A modulator for modulating and radiating a microwave signal with a modulation signal, comprising: an input microstrip signal line for receiving a microwave signal; an output microstrip signal line; a microstrip shield member positioned between said input and output microstrip signal lines with each of said input and output microstrip signal lines spaced from said shield member; an aperture formed by said microstrip shield member and positioned to couple at least a portion of said microwave signal from said input microstrip signal line to said output microstrip signal line; and a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to said modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modulator of claim 14, wherein said microwave variable impedance device is a variable reactance device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modulator of claim 14, wherein said microwave variable impedance device is a variable resistance device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
108 words
A microwave radiator, comprising: a microstrip signal line for receiving a microwave signal; a radiator patch; a microstrip shield member positioned between said microstrip signal line and said radiator patch with each of said microstrip signal line and said radiator patch spaced from said shield member; an aperture formed by said microstrip shield member and positioned to couple at least a portion of said microwave signal from said microstrip signal line to said radiator patch; and a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to a modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
108 words
A microwave radiator, comprising: a microstrip signal line for receiving a microwave signal; a radiator patch; a microstrip shield member positioned between said microstrip signal line and said radiator patch with each of said microstrip signal line and said radiator patch spaced from said shield member; an aperture formed by said microstrip shield member and positioned to couple at least a portion of said microwave signal from said microstrip signal line to said radiator patch; and a microwave variable impedance device which is responsive to a modulation signal and is positioned across said aperture to modulate said portion of said microwave signal as it passes through said aperture.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The radiator of claim 17, wherein said microwave variable impedance device is a variable reactance device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The radiator of claim 17, wherein said microwave variable impedance device is a variable resistance device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
The modulator of claim 14, further including at least one slit formed by said shield member, said slit extending from said aperture and dividing said shield member into first and second shield member portions with said microwave variable impedance device connected between said first and second shield member portions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
The radiator of claim 17, further including at least one slit formed by said shield member, said slit extending from said aperture and dividing said shield member into first and second shield member portions with said microwave variable impedance device connected between said first and second shield member portions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-26 | 2000-11-25 | 2001-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-11-25 | 2005-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-26 | 2008-11-25 | 2009-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |