Robert Joseph Carl

US Patent:

45020256, Feb 26, 1985

Filed:

Apr 23, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/371247

Inventors:

Robert H. Carl - Rochester NY
Floyd Koontz - Holcomb NY
Daniel F. Pedtke - Fairport NY

Assignee:

Harris Corporation - Melbourne FL

International Classification:

H03H 100
H03H 700

US Classification:

333 24R

Abstract:

A high speed antenna coupler and method for rapidly switching binary weighted values of inductance and capacitance into and out of the circuit between an antenna and a utilization circuit without unacceptably degrading the coupler or slowing the switching action. PIN diodes are utilized as switches and the control wires for the PIN diodes are disposed interiorly of the copper tubing which forms the inductance elements. The control wire for a particular inductor is withdrawn from the interior of that inductor adjacent the mid-point thereof so that the control wire will be at the same RF potential as the inductor being controlled. Two diodes are utilized for each inductor, one connected to each end thereof, so that only half of the normal reverse bias is required for switching purposes. Where a transformer is utilized to couple the antenna to the utilization circuit, the control wires may be disposed interiorly of the copper tubing which forms the winding of the transformer. A novel high voltage drive circuit is also disclosed.