Apparatus and methods for phase tuning adjustment of signals

A method of combining signals in a signal distribution network apparatus, comprising:

• providing a signal distribution network apparatus that comprises:
• at least one electrically conductive ground plane,
• a dielectric material disposed adjacent said at least one electrically conductive ground plane,
• two or more electrical conductors disposed in spaced relationship to said at least one electrically conductive ground plane with said dielectric material disposed therebetween, each of said two or more electrical conductors having a signal input and a signal output, each given one of said two or more electrical conductors being disposed in spaced relationship to said at least one electrically conductive ground plane at a position between said signal input and said signal output of said given one of said two or more electrical conductors,
• at least one first adjustable conductive member corresponding to a first one of said two or more electrical conductors, said at least one first adjustable conductive member being disposed adjacent said first one of said two or more electrical conductors at a point between said signal input and said signal output of said first one of said two or more electrical conductors and being disposed closer to said first one of said two or more electrical conductors than it is disposed to any other of said two or more electrical conductors, and
• at least one second adjustable conductive member corresponding to a second one of said two or more electrical conductors, said at least one second adjustable conductive member being disposed adjacent said second one of said two or more electrical conductors at a point between said signal input and said signal output of said second one of said two or more electrical conductors and being disposed closer to said second one of said two or more electrical conductors than it is disposed to any other of said two or more electrical conductors,
• wherein each of said at least one adjustable conductive members is disposed in electrical contact with said at least one electrically conductive ground plane;
• providing a first signal at an input of said first one of said two or more electrical conductors such that said first signal is communicated through said first one of said two or more electrical conductors to an output of said second of said two or more electrical conductors;
• providing a second signal at an input of a second one of said two or more electrical conductors such that said second signal is communicated through said second one of said two or more electrical conductors to an output of said second of said two or more electrical conductors;
• adjusting said at least one first adjustable conductive member between at least two positions that are each spaced apart from said first one of said two or more electrical conductors while said first signal is being communicated through said first electrical conductor, said at least one first adjustable conductive member being closer in distance to said first one of said two or more electrical conductors when disposed in a first one of said at least two positions than when disposed in a second one of said at least two positions, and such that a phase delay of said first signal being communicated by said first one of said two or more electrical conductors when said at least one first adjustable conductive member is disposed in said first one of said at least two positions is different than a phase delay of said first signal when said at least one first adjustable conductive member is disposed in said second one of said at least two positions;
• adjusting said at least one second adjustable conductive member between at least two positions that are each spaced apart from said second one of said two or more electrical conductors while said second signal is being communicated through said second electrical conductor, said at least one second adjustable conductive member being closer in distance to said second one of said two or more electrical conductors when disposed in a first one of said at least two positions than when disposed in a second one of said at least two positions, and such that a phase delay of said second signal being communicated by said second one of said two or more electrical conductors when said at least one second adjustable conductive member is disposed in said first one of said at least two positions is different than a phase delay of said second signal when said at least one second adjustable conductive member is disposed in said second one of said at least two positions;
• and
• combining said first signal received from said output of said first one of said two or more electrical conductors with said second signal received from said second one of said two or more electrical conductors, or dividing an incoming signal into said first and second signals prior to providing said first signal at said input of said first one of said two or more electrical conductors and prior to providing said second signal at said input of said second one of said two or more electrical conductors.

A signal transmission circuit apparatus, comprising:

• a first electrically conductive ground plane;
• a dielectric material disposed adjacent said first electrically conductive ground plane;
• and
• an electrical conductor disposed in spaced relationship to said first electrically conductive ground plane with said dielectric material disposed therebetween;
• wherein a spacing between said electrical conductor and at least a portion of said first electrically conductive ground plane is adjustable to vary the phase delay of a signal communicated by said electrical conductor.

A method of adjusting a phase delay of a signal, comprising:

• providing a signal transmission circuit apparatus that comprises:
• at least one electrically conductive ground plane,
• a dielectric material disposed adjacent said at least one electrically conductive ground plane, and
• an electrical conductor disposed in spaced relationship to said at least one electrically conductive ground plane with said dielectric material disposed therebetween, said electrical conductor having a signal input and a signal output, and said electrical conductor being disposed in spaced relationship to said at least one electrically conductive ground plane at a position between said signal input and said signal output, wherein a spacing between said electrical conductor and at least a portion of said at least one electrically conductive ground plane is adjustable;
• providing a signal at said input of said electrical conductor such that said signal is communicated through said electrical conductor to said output of said electrical conductor;
• and
• adjusting a spacing between said electrical conductor and at least a portion of said first electrically conductive ground plane to vary the phase delay of said signal communicated by said electrical conductor.

A signal transmission circuit apparatus, comprising:

• a first electrically conductive ground plane;
• a dielectric material disposed adjacent said first electrically conductive ground plane;
• an electrical conductor disposed in spaced relationship to said first electrically conductive ground plane with said dielectric material disposed therebetween;
• and
• at least one adjustable member configured to be adjustable between at least two positions that are each spaced apart from said electrical conductor, said at least one adjustable member being closer in distance to said electrical conductor when disposed in a first one of said at least two positions than when disposed in a second one of said at least two positions;
• wherein said adjustable member comprises a material effective to vary an electromagnetic field of a signal communicated by said electrical conductor when said at least one adjustable member is disposed in said first one of said at least two positions such that a phase delay of said signal communicated by said electrical conductor when said at least one adjustable member is disposed in said first one of said at least two positions is different than a phase delay of the same signal communicated by said electrical conductor when said at least one adjustable member is disposed in said second one of said at least two positions.

A method of adjusting a phase delay of a signal, comprising:

• providing a signal transmission circuit apparatus that comprises:
• at least one electrically conductive ground plane,
• a dielectric material disposed adjacent said at least one electrically conductive ground plane,
• an electrical conductor disposed in spaced relationship to said at least one electrically conductive ground plane with said dielectric material disposed therebetween, said electrical conductor having a signal input and a signal output, and said electrical conductor being disposed in spaced relationship to said at least one electrically conductive ground plane at a position between said signal input and said signal output, and
• at least one adjustable member in electrical contact with said at least one electrically conductive ground plane and being disposed adjacent said electrical conductor at a point between said signal input and said signal output of said electrical conductor, said adjustable member comprising a material effective to vary an electromagnetic field of a signal communicated by said electrical conductor when disposed adjacent said electrical conductor;
• providing a signal at said input of said electrical conductor such that said signal is communicated through said electrical conductor to said output of said electrical conductor;
• and
• adjusting said adjustable member between at least two positions that are each spaced apart from said electrical conductor while said signal is being communicated through said electrical conductor to vary an electromagnetic field of said signal communicated by said electrical conductor, said at least one adjustable member being closer in distance to said electrical conductor when disposed in a first one of said at least two positions than when disposed in a second one of said at least two positions, and such that a phase delay of said signal being communicated by said electrical conductor when said at least one adjustable member is disposed in said first one of said at least two positions is different than a phase delay of said signal when said at least one adjustable member is disposed in said second one of said at least two positions.