Low phase shift, high frequency attenuator
US9602091B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2015 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/687
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A wideband RF attenuator circuit that has a reduced impact on the phase of an applied signal when switched between an attenuation state and a non-attenuating reference or bypass state. A low phase shift attenuation at high RF frequencies can be achieved by utilizing a switched signal path attenuator topology with multiple distributed transmission line elements per signal path to provide broadband operation, distribute parasitic influences, and improve isolation to achieve higher attenuation at higher frequencies while still maintaining low phase shift operational characteristics. In an alternative embodiment, extension to even higher frequencies can be achieved by utilizing a quarter-wave transmission line element at the signal interfaces of each signal path, thereby improving insertion loss and power handling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.