US 7,256,661 B2Granted

Multi-channel circulator/isolator apparatus and method

AssigneeThe Boeing Company

InventorsMing Chen, Jimmy S Takeuchi, Douglas A Pietila

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Abstract

A multi-channel circulator or isolator well suited for use in phased array antennas or other RF devices where space and packaging constraints make the implementation of a conventional circular or isolator difficult or impossible. The multi-channel circulator/isolator can be configured as an isolator by the inclusion of one or more load resistors at one of its ports. In various configurations two or more ferrite substrates are provided that each provide a plurality of transmission ports. One or more permanent magnets are used to simultaneously provide the magnetic flux field through both of the substrates. The substrates can be configured such that they are spaced apart by a small distance, or positioned face to face in contact with one another. One or a plurality of magnets can be used depending upon RF requirements. Each substrate forms an independent electromagnetic wave propagation channel that limits the propagation of RF energy between its ports in one direction only.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A multi-channel, non-reciprocal, microstrip, electromagnetic wave propagation apparatus comprising:

a first ferromagnetic substrate forming a first energy propagation channel, and having a plurality of RF transmission traces on a first surface and a ground plane on a second surface, one of said traces forming an input port and a different one of said traces forming an output port;
a second ferromagnetic substrate forming a second energy propagation channel, and having a plurality of RF transmission traces on a first surface and a ground plane on a second surface, one of said traces on said second substrate forming an input port and a different one of said traces on said second substrate forming an output port;
the first and second ferromagnetic substrates placed against one another so that their respective said ground planes are facing one another and in abutting contact;
and
a magnet disposed against one of said first and second substrates so as to be disposed against said RF transmission traces of said one substrate, to excite a circular, unidirectional magnetic flux field in each of the substrates that limits electromagnetic wave propagation to one direction only in each said energy propagation channel.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.