Article comprising a multi-port variable capacitor
US6242989A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C23/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An article comprising a multi-port variable capacitor is disclosed. In one embodiment, a movable plate is suspended above at least a first and a second, fixed, electrically-isolated electrode. The first electrode is electrically connected to a bias supply, and the second electrode is electrically connected to an AC signal-carrying line. As bias is applied across the first electrode and the movable plate, an electrostatic attraction is developed therebetween that causes the movable plate to move downwardly towards the first electrode. The capacitance of the variable capacitor increases as the separation distance between the movable plate and the fixed electrodes decreases. Unlike conventional variable capacitors, in the present multi-port variable capacitors, the bias (delivered via the first electrode) and the signal (delivered via the second electrode) are electrically isolated from one another. As such, the bias (DC) and signal (AC) paths are advantageously electrically isolated. In an additional embodiment, the movable plate of the present variable capacitor is operable to tilt. The ability to tilt provides additional "signal processing" (i.e., logic) capabilities to the present…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.