Impedance matching/power splitting network for a multi-element antenna array
AssigneeWorldCom, Inc.
InventorBilly G. Echols, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for impedance matching a signal generator to a plurality of elements of a multi-element load. The device includes an outer conductor having an inner surface and an inner conductor positioned within the outer conductor, and having an outer surface. The device further includes a first and second set of transformation sections, which provide a particular separation distance between the inner surface of the outer conductor and the outer surface of the inner conductor to yield a particular characteristic impedance for each of the first and second sets of transformation sections, thereby substantially matching the impedance of the generator to the elements of the load.
Claims28
An apparatus for impedance matching a signal generator to a plurality of elements of a multi-element load, comprising:
- an outer conductor having an inner surface;
- an inner conductor positioned within the outer conductor, and having an outer surface;
- a first set of transformation sections for impedance matching a first impedance of the signal generator to a second impedance;
- a second set of transformation sections for matching the second impedance to a third impedance of the plurality of elements of the multi-element load;
- and
- wherein each of the first and second sets of transformation sections provides a particular separation distance between the inner surface of the outer conductor and the outer surface of the inner conductor to yield a particular characteristic impedance for each of the first and second sets of transformation sections, thereby substantially matching the first impedance to the third impedance, and wherein each of the first and second sets of transformation sections includes at least one shim disposed along the inner surface of the outer conductor, with each shim yielding the particular characteristic impedance.
A method for impedance matching a signal generator to a plurality of elements of a multi-element load, comprising:
- providing an outer conductor having an inner surface;
- providing an inner conductor positioned within the outer conductor, and having an outer surface;
- providing a first set of transformation sections for impedance matching a first impedance of the signal generator to a second impedance;
- providing a second set of transformation sections for matching the second impedance to a third impedance of the plurality of elements of the multi-element load, the first and second transformation sections providing a particular separation distance between the inner surface of the outer conductor and the outer surface of the inner conductor to yield a particular characteristic impedance for each of the plurality of transformation sections;
- and
- providing a first and second set of shims disposed along the inner surface of the outer conductor, with each shim yielding the particular characteristic impedance.
A method for impedance matching a signal generator to a plurality of elements of a multi-element load, comprising:
- providing an outer conductor having an inner surface;
- providing an inner conductor positioned within the outer conductor, and having an outer surface;
- providing a first set of transformation sections for impedance matching a first impedance of the signal generator to a second impedance;
- and
- providing a second set of transformation sections for matching the second impedance to a third impedance of the plurality of elements of the multi-element load, the first and second transformation sections providing a particular separation distance between the inner surface of the outer conductor and the outer surface of the inner conductor to yield a particular characteristic impedance for each of the plurality of transformation sections, wherein providing a second set of transformation sections further comprises providing a power splitter.
An apparatus for impedance matching a signal generator to a plurality of elements of a multi-element load, comprising:
- an outer conductor having an inner surface;
- an inner conductor positioned within the outer conductor, and having an outer surface;
- a first set of transformation sections for impedance matching a first impedance of the signal generator to a second impedance, wherein the second impedance is the first impedance divided by the number of elements in the multi-element load;
- a second set of transformation sections for matching the second impedance to a third impedance of the plurality of elements of the multi-element load;
- and
- wherein each of the first and second sets of transformation sections provides a particular separation distance between the inner surface of the outer conductor and the outer surface of the inner conductor to yield a particular characteristic impedance for each of the first and second sets of transformation sections, thereby substantially matching the first impedance to the third impedance.
An apparatus for impedance matching a signal generator to a plurality of elements of a multi-element load, comprising:
- a first set of transformation sections for impedance matching a first impedance of the signal generator to a second impedance;
- and
- a second set of transformation sections for matching the second impedance to a third impedance of the plurality of elements of the multi-element load;
- and
- wherein the second impedance is the first impedance divided by the number of elements of the multi-element load.
An apparatus for impedance matching a signal generator to a plurality of elements of a multi-element load, comprising:
- an outer conductor having an inner surface;
- an inner conductor positioned within the outer conductor, and having an outer surface;
- a first set of transformation sections for impedance matching a first impedance of the signal generator to a second impedance;
- a second set of transformation sections for matching the second impedance to a third impedance of the plurality of elements of the multi-element load, wherein the second set of transformation sections includes a power splitter;
- and
- wherein each of the first and second sets of transformation sections provides a particular separation distance between the inner surface of the outer conductor and the outer surface of the inner conductor to yield a particular characteristic impedance for each of the first and second sets of transformation sections, thereby substantially matching the first impedance to the third impedance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.