U.S. patent application number 14/201552 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for active lumped element circulator.
The applicant listed for this patent is ViaSat, Inc.. Invention is credited to David W. Corman, Donald E. Crockett, III, Glenn Diemond, David W. Self.
Application Number | 20140266399 14/201552 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51524881 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140266399 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Corman; David W. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
ACTIVE LUMPED ELEMENT CIRCULATOR
Abstract
An integrated circuit can comprise: a first port, a second port,
and a third port; and a plurality of microwave operational
amplifiers coupled to each other and the first port, the second
port, and the third port. The plurality of microwave operational
amplifiers can be arranged to substantially pass a signal provided
to the first port to the second port while substantially isolating
the signal provided to the first port from the third port; the
plurality of microwave operational amplifiers can be arranged to
substantially pass a signal provided to the second port to the
third port while substantially isolating the signal provided to the
second port from the first port; and the plurality of microwave
operational amplifiers can be arranged to substantially pass a
signal provided to the third port to the first port while
substantially isolating the signal provided to the third port from
the second port.
Inventors: |
Corman; David W.; (Gilbert,
AZ) ; Diemond; Glenn; (Commerce, GA) ;
Crockett, III; Donald E.; (Mesa, AZ) ; Self; David
W.; (Tempe, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ViaSat, Inc. |
Carlsbad |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51524881 |
Appl. No.: |
14/201552 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61790966 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
327/415 ;
29/25.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H03F 3/193 20130101;
H03H 11/38 20130101; H03F 3/189 20130101; H01P 1/38 20130101; H03H
3/00 20130101; H01P 1/36 20130101; H03H 11/02 20130101; H03H 11/48
20130101; H03K 17/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
327/415 ;
29/25.01 |
International
Class: |
H03K 17/00 20060101
H03K017/00; H03H 3/00 20060101 H03H003/00 |
Claims
1. An integrated circuit comprising: a first port, a second port,
and a third port; and a plurality of microwave operational
amplifiers coupled to each other and the first port, the second
port, and the third port; wherein the plurality of microwave
operational amplifiers are arranged to substantially pass a signal
provided to the first port to the second port while substantially
isolating the signal provided to the first port from the third
port; wherein the plurality of microwave operational amplifiers are
arranged to substantially pass a signal provided to the second port
to the third port while substantially isolating the signal provided
to the second port from the first port; wherein the plurality of
microwave operational amplifiers are arranged to substantially pass
a signal provided to the third port to the first port while
substantially isolating the signal provided to the third port from
the second port; wherein the integrated circuit comprises an active
circulator; and wherein the active circulator is configured as one
of: an active isolator, an active duplexer, an active diplexer, and
an active reflection amplifier.
2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a
substrate; a transmitter portion; and a receiver portion, wherein
the active circulator, the transmitter portion, and the receiver
portion are all located on the substrate.
3. The integrated circuit of claim 2, wherein the first port is in
signal communication with the transmit portion, wherein the second
port is in signal communication with an antenna, and wherein the
third port is in signal communication with the receive portion.
4. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a
substrate having both the active circulator and a transceiver
integrated thereon, wherein the transceiver comprises a transmitter
portion and a receiver portion, wherein the substrate is configured
to communicate with a phased array antenna; wherein the first port
is in signal communication with the transmit portion, wherein the
second port is in signal communication with the phased array
antenna, and wherein the third port is in signal communication with
the receive portion.
5. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
microwave operational amplifiers each provide a unity gain
bandwidth of at least three times a frequency of a signal provided
to the first port.
6. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
microwave operational amplifiers each provide a unity gain
bandwidth of at least 10 GHz.
7. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
microwave operational amplifiers are implemented on a monolithic
semiconductor substrate.
8. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
microwave operational amplifiers are implemented in silicon
germanium.
9. The integrated circuit of claim 6, wherein the active circulator
is a lumped element integrated circuit active circulator.
10. An active integrated circuit circulator comprising: a
semiconductor substrate having an active circulator formed thereon,
wherein the active circulator is a lumped element active device,
and wherein the active circulator comprises: at least three ports;
and at least three microwave operational amplifiers, wherein the at
least three ports are arranged logically in a circle, wherein each
port of the at least three ports is coupled to a respective one of
the at least three microwave operational amplifiers, and wherein
the at least three microwave operational amplifiers are each
configured to substantially pass a signal provided to each one of
the at least three ports to the next of the at least three ports
while substantially isolating the signal provided to each one of
the at least three ports from all other ports.
11. The active integrated circuit circulator of claim 10, wherein
the at least three ports comprise: a first port, a second port, and
a third port; wherein the at least three microwave operational
amplifiers comprise: a first microwave operational amplifier, a
second microwave operational amplifier, and a third microwave
operational amplifier; wherein the first port is coupled to an
input of the first microwave operational amplifier; wherein the
second port coupled to an input of the second microwave operational
amplifier; wherein the third port coupled to an input of the third
microwave operational amplifier; wherein the active circulator is
configured to substantially pass a signal provided to the first
port to the second port while substantially isolating the signal
provided to the first port from the third port; wherein the active
circulator is configured to substantially pass a signal provided to
the second port to the third port while substantially isolating the
signal provided to the second port from the first port; and wherein
the active circulator is configured to substantially pass a signal
provided to the third port to the first port while substantially
isolating the signal provided to the third port from the second
port.
12. The active integrated circuit circulator of claim 10, wherein
the at least three microwave operational amplifiers each provide a
unity gain bandwidth of at least 1 GHz.
13. The active integrated circuit circulator of claim 10, wherein
the semiconductor substrate further comprises a transceiver having
a transmit portion and a receive portion, and wherein the active
circulator is further configured as one of: an active isolator, an
active duplexer, an active diplexer, and an active reflection
amplifier.
14. The active integrated circuit circulator of claim 13, wherein a
first port of the at least three ports is in signal communication
with the transmit portion, wherein a second port of the at least
three ports is in signal communication with a phased array antenna,
and wherein a third port of the at least three ports is in signal
communication with the receive portion.
15. The active integrated circuit circulator of claim 10, wherein
the active circulator is a lumped element integrated circuit active
circulator.
16. A method of making an integrated circuit comprising: providing
a semiconductor substrate; forming thereon an active circulator as
a lumped element device, wherein forming the active circulator
further comprises: forming a first port, a second port and a third
port, and forming a plurality of microwave operational amplifiers
coupled to each other and to the first port, the second port and
the third port, wherein the plurality of microwave operational
amplifiers are arranged to substantially pass a signal provided to
the first port to the second port while substantially isolating the
signal provided to the first port from the third port; wherein the
plurality of microwave operational amplifiers are arranged to
substantially pass a signal provided to the second port to the
third port while substantially isolating the signal provided to the
second port from the first port; and wherein the plurality of
microwave operational amplifiers are arranged to substantially pass
a signal provided to the third port to the first port while
substantially isolating the signal provided to the third port from
the second port.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of microwave
operational amplifiers each provide a unity gain bandwidth of at
least three times the highest operating frequency of the individual
signals provided to one of the first port, the second port and the
third port.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming a
transceiver, having a transmit portion and a receive portion, on
the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate is
a monolithic semiconductor substrate, and wherein the active
circulator is further configured as one of: an active isolator, an
active duplexer, an active diplexer, and an active reflection
amplifier.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first port is connected to
the transmit portion, wherein the second port is connected to an
antenna, and wherein the third port is connected to the receive
portion.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the active circulator is formed
as a lumped element on the semiconductor substrate.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/790,966, entitled "ACTIVE LUMPED ELEMENT
CIRCULATOR/ISOLATOR," which was filed on Mar. 15, 2013. All of the
contents of the previously-identified application are hereby
incorporated by reference for any purpose in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various non-reciprocal devices, such as circulators and
isolators are helpful devices in radio frequency (RF) electronics
systems. RF circulators and isolators typically comprise magnetized
ferrite materials. Unfortunately, conventional ferrite-based
devices tend to be expensive, narrow-band, and bulky. Integration
of such devices (e.g., onto a monolithic substrate) is also
impractical or impossible. Moreover, discrete component,
non-ferrite solutions do not tend to work well at higher
frequencies.
SUMMARY
[0003] In an example embodiment, an integrated circuit can
comprise: a first port, a second port, and a third port; and a
plurality of microwave operational amplifiers coupled to each other
and the first port, the second port, and the third port. In this
example embodiment, the plurality of microwave operational
amplifiers can be arranged to substantially pass a signal provided
to the first port to the second port while substantially isolating
the signal provided to the first port from the third port; the
plurality of microwave operational amplifiers can be arranged to
substantially pass a signal provided to the second port to the
third port while substantially isolating the signal provided to the
second port from the first port; and the plurality of microwave
operational amplifiers can be arranged to substantially pass a
signal provided to the third port to the first port while
substantially isolating the signal provided to the third port from
the second port.
[0004] In another example embodiment, an active integrated circuit
circulator can comprise: a semiconductor substrate having an active
circulator formed thereon, wherein the active circulator can be a
lumped element active device. In this example embodiment, the
active circulator can comprise: at least three ports; and at least
three microwave operational amplifiers. In this example embodiment,
the at least three ports can be arranged logically in a circle, and
each port of the at least three ports can be coupled to a
respective one of the at least three microwave operational
amplifiers, and the at least three microwave operational amplifiers
can each be configured to substantially pass a signal provided to
each one of the at least three ports to the next of the at least
three ports while substantially isolating the signal provided to
each one of the at least three ports from all other ports.
[0005] In an example embodiment, a method of making an integrated
circuit can comprise: providing a semiconductor substrate; and
forming thereon an active circulator as a lumped element device. In
this example embodiment, forming an active circulator can further
comprise: forming a first port, a second port and a third port; and
forming a plurality of microwave operational amplifiers coupled to
each other and to the first port, the second port and the third
port. The method, in an example embodiment, can further comprise
forming a transceiver, having a transmit portion and a receive
portion, on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor
substrate can be a monolithic semiconductor substrate. In this
embodiment, the active circulator can further be configured as one
of: an active isolator, an active duplexer, an active diplexer, and
an active reflection amplifier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0006] A more complete understanding of this disclosure may be
derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when
considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like
reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the drawing
figures, and:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example circulator;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an integrated circuit
implemented lumped element active circulator in accordance with an
example embodiment;
[0009] FIGS. 3-8 are example S-parameter graphs for an example
ideal active circulator;
[0010] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing an example unity gain
bandwidth operational amplifier;
[0011] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example integrated circuit
comprising a lumped element active circulator and additional
components;
[0012] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example method of making an
integrated circuit by forming an active circulator thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used
herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive
features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the
principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would
occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of
this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the
invention.
[0014] In accordance with an example embodiment, an integrated
circuit can comprise a first port, a second port, a third port, and
a plurality of microwave operational amplifiers. The operational
amplifiers can be coupled to each other and to the first port,
second port, and third port. The integrated circuit can be
configured such that a signal applied to one port can be provided
to the next port and blocked from the subsequent port. For example,
the integrated circuit can be configured such that a signal applied
to the first port can be passed to the second port, a signal
applied to the second port can be passed to the third port, and a
signal applied to the third port can be passed to the first
port.
[0015] Although described herein, at times, in terms of a signal
from one port being passed to or blocked from another identified
port, this is only for convenience in description. The description
herein of a signal being passed from a first port to a second port,
can encompass where an input signal at the first port substantially
passes (i.e., with some desired maximum amount of attenuation) to
the second port. Similarly, the description of a signal from a
first port being blocked from a third port, can encompass where the
signal from the first port can be substantially isolated (i.e.,
with some minimum amount of attenuation) from the third port. Thus,
throughout, and where appropriate, the term "passed" and its
synonyms can be interpreted as "substantially passed," and the term
"blocked" and its synonyms (e.g., "isolating") can be interpreted
as "substantially blocked" or "substantially isolating."
[0016] Stated another way, the active device can be configured to
provide a minimum loss in the signal passed from one port to
another, and to provide a maximum of isolation for that signal with
respect to yet another port. For example, one example active
circulator can be configured to pass a signal from one port to
another with less than 0.5 dB loss, or less than 1 dB loss. In
another example embodiment, an active circulator can be configured
to pass a signal from one port to another passing at least 90% of
the signal with only about 10% attenuation. Moreover, the
attenuation can be configured to a be suitable level of
attenuation. Similarly, in an example embodiment, an active
circulator can be configured to block about 99% of the signal, have
approximately 20 dB attenuation, or other suitable attenuation so
as to substantially block the signal to the other port.
[0017] In an example embodiment, the integrated circuit can be an
active circulator (active integrated circuit circulator)
implemented on an integrated circuit. An active circulator, in an
example embodiment, can comprise active components, such as
operational amplifiers. In one example embodiment, the active
circulator can be configured to have no discrete components. In
another example embodiment, the active circulator can be configured
to comprise at least some non-passive devices. The active
circulator can be formed of power consuming components. In an
example embodiment, the active circulator can be a solid state
active circulator. Moreover, the active circulator can be formed
with non-ferrite components. Nevertheless, the active circulator
can be configured to emulate a ferrite circulator. In an example
embodiment, the active circulator can be a non-reciprocal
device.
[0018] FIG. 1, illustrates a block diagram of a circulator 100. In
an example embodiment, an input signal to port 1 (101)
substantially passes (i.e., with some desired maximum amount of
attenuation) to port 2 (102), while being substantially isolated
(i.e., with some minimum amount of attenuation) to port 3 (103).
Similarly, a signal provided to port 2 (102) substantially passes
to port 3 (103) while being substantially isolated from port 1
(101); and, a signal provided to port 3 (103) substantially passes
to port 1 (101) while being substantially isolated from port 2
(102).
[0019] In this example embodiment, the ports 101-103 can be
arranged, logically, in a circle. By this, it is meant that there
can be, for example a first port, a second port, and a third port,
wherein the signal from one port is substantially passed to the
next port and blocked from the other port (including from the input
port). In an embodiment with three ports, the second port can be
the "next" port to the first port, the third port can be the "next"
port to the second port, and the first port can be the "next" port
to the third port. In an embodiment with four ports, the first port
can be the "next" port to the fourth port. And in general, the
first port can be the "next" port to the last port. Thus, the ports
can be considered in a logical circle, and the microwave
operational amplifiers configured to substantially pass a signal
provided to each one of the at least three ports to the next of the
at least three ports while substantially isolating the signal
provided to each one of the at least three ports from all other
ports.
[0020] In an example embodiment, circulator 100 can be an active
circulator. The active circulator can, in an example embodiment,
comprise a lumped element active circulator (lumped element active
device or lumped element integrated circuit active circulator). By
"lumped element," it is intended to convey that the active
circulator circuitry can be small enough in size to avoid
introducing phase lengths causing parasitics and performance
degradation. For example, the lumped element active circulator can
be less than five to 10 degrees phase length in terms of the
distance across the circuitry. In another example, the lumped
element active circulator can be less than 1/20.sup.th of a
wavelength or less than 5% of a wavelength in terms of the distance
across the circuitry. Moreover, the lumped element active
circulator can be dimensioned as appropriate for avoiding
substantial performance reduction.
[0021] In an example embodiment, the active circulator can comprise
more than three ports. For example, the active circulator can
comprise four ports. In another example, the active circulator
comprises at least three ports and at least three microwave
operational amplifiers. Moreover, the active circulator can
comprise a suitable number of ports greater than two ports.
[0022] In one example embodiment, and with reference to the
schematic drawing in FIG. 2, an active circulator 200 can be formed
on an integrated circuit 250. Active circulator 200 can comprise a
first port 201, second port 202, and third port 203. Active
circulator 200 can further comprise a first operational amplifier
210, second operational amplifier 220, and third operational
amplifier 230. The operational amplifier (210, 220, 230) can be
formed using various semiconductor processes. For example, in some
embodiments, the operational amplifier may be implemented in
silicon germanium (SiGe). In other example embodiments, the
operational amplifier may be implemented on a suitable
semiconductor substrate (e.g., SiGe, Gallium Arsenide,
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS), etc.). Moreover, in
one example embodiment, the entire circuit of active circulator 200
can be implemented on a single semiconductor substrate.
[0023] In various example embodiments, active circulator 200 can be
configured with an arrangement of resistors in a voltage divider
implementation. The resistors can be connected to the operational
amplifiers such that a signal applied to an Nth port (e.g., in a
three port system, where N=1 to 3, and where N>3 wraps back
around starting at N=1) can be passed via an Nth operational
amplifier to an N+1 port, but not to the N+2 port. This can be
done, for example, by a resistor configuration that makes the
signal from the Nth operational amplifier cancel itself out as an
input to the N+1th operational amplifier. However, the input to the
N+1 port may not be canceled out by the N+1th operational
amplifier. Moreover, signals from an N+1 port can be shielded from
the Nth port by the high output impedance of the Nth operational
amplifier. [please confirm this paragraph] Although one example
active circulator has been set forth in detail here, other suitable
active circulators implementations can be used as appropriate to
achieve the circulator functionality described herein.
[0024] In some embodiments, the microwave operational amplifiers
may have a unity gain bandwidth (UGBW) greater than two to three
times a frequency of operation for the device. In an example
embodiment, the operating frequency can be approximately the
frequency of the signals input/output to/from the ports of the
active circulator. In an example embodiment, the operating
frequency can be a range of frequencies. In the event that a range
of frequencies are used with the active circulator or that a
different frequency is applied to one port versus another, the
highest frequency can be used for purposes of determining this
relationship between the unity gain bandwidth and the operation
frequency of the active circulator.
[0025] In one example embodiment, the active circulator comprises
microwave operational amplifiers having a unity gain bandwidth of
about 20 to 25 GHz that can provide for circulator operation at
operational frequencies of about 7 to 8 GHz. In various example
embodiments, the operating frequency can be an X band frequency, a
Ku band frequency, a Ka band frequency, a frequency range centered
about 24 GHz or 77 GHz, and/or other suitable frequencies or
frequency ranges. Thus, for example, the UGBW for operational
amplifiers in an active circulator having a 24 GHz operating
frequency can be 48 GHz or higher. In general, the microwave
operation amplifier may have a unity gain bandwidth of about two to
three times the desired frequency of operation of the active
circulator.
[0026] FIGS. 3-8 illustrate simulation results of a
circulator/isolator using a theoretically ideal operational
amplifier. For simulation purposes, the parameters of the
operational amplifier were as follows:
[0027] Gain=100 dB
[0028] Rout-100 Ohm
[0029] Rdiff=1 MOhm
[0030] CDiff=0 F
[0031] RCom=1 MOhm
[0032] CCom=0 F
[0033] SlewRate=1e+6
[0034] IOS=0 A
[0035] VOS=0 V
[0036] VEE=-15V
[0037] VCC=15V
[0038] FIGS. 3-5 show simulated performance (in S parameters) as a
function of operating frequency when the unity gain bandwidth
(UGBW) of the operational amplifier is assumed to be 100 GHz (and
the DC gain is assumed to be 100 dB). As can be seen, depending on
the desired attenuation and isolation, suitable performance of the
simulated device may be obtained at operating frequencies on the
order of 10 GHz.
[0039] FIGS. 6-8 show simulated performance when the UGBW is varied
over a range of frequencies from 100 MHz to 100 GHz to illustrate
the performance of the resulting active circulator. FIG. 6
illustrates the input return loss for various unity gain bandwidths
over a wide frequency range. FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively,
illustrate the signal loss (for one port) and signal isolation (for
the other port) of the active circulator. As the UGBW becomes
smaller, the useful frequency range of the active circulator can be
reduced. Useful performance can be provided over a substantial
portion of the UGBW of the operational amplifiers. More
particularly, depending on the desired level of isolation and
attenuation, operation at frequencies of about 1/5, 1/4, 1/3, or
any other suitable fraction or percentage of the UGBW of the
operational amplifier can be provided.
[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic of one example implementation
of a microwave operational amplifier suitable for fabrication in
silicon germanium. An operational amplifier 900 can comprise a
first input 911, a second input 912, and an operational amplifier
output 920. Such an amplifier may be capable of UGBW on the order
of 20 to 25 GHz. Simulation of the resulting circuit shows an open
loop gain of 56.7 dB, and a unity gain bandwidth of 21.65 GHz.
Other suitable implementations of a microwave operational amplifier
can also be used in a practical active circulator.
[0041] The active circulator can be useful in various applications
and may be implemented in different ways depending on the
application. In one example embodiment, the active circulator can
comprise one of: an active isolator, active diplexer, active
duplexer, active reflection amplifier, and the like. Moreover, all
references to an "active circulator" herein, can be considered to
apply to an active isolator, active diplexer, active duplexer,
active reflection amplifier, when appropriate. In various example
embodiments, the active circulator can be used in conjunction with
an antenna. The antenna can be a phased array antenna, a feed horn
type antenna, or other antenna.
[0042] In an example embodiment, the active circulator can comprise
an active isolator. For example, the isolator can comprise a
three-port circulator with one port terminated in a matched load.
In such a case, an isolator can serve to primarily only allow
signals to pass in one direction through the isolator. In this
respect, an isolator may be configured to shield equipment on an
input side of the isolator from effects of conditions on an output
side of the isolator.
[0043] In another example embodiment, the active circulator can be
configured as an active duplexer or active diplexer. In an example
embodiment, the term a duplexer can be more appropriate where a
single frequency is used for bi-directional (duplex) communication
over a single path. The term diplexer may be more appropriate where
two different frequencies may be communicated over a single path.
In either case, the active duplexer/diplexer can be configured to
isolate a first port from a third port, where both ports are in
communication with a common second port (bi-directional second
port). For example, in radar and radio communications systems, the
duplexer/diplexer can be configured to isolate a receiver from a
transmitter while permitting them to share a common antenna.
[0044] In one example embodiment, a radio repeater system can
comprise an active duplexer. In another example embodiment a radar
system can comprise an active duplexer. In this embodiment, signals
from the transmitter (or transmit portion of a transceiver) can be
routed to the antenna and signals from the antenna can be routed to
the receiver without allowing these signals to pass directly from
the transmitter to the receiver. For example, a radar transmit
signal can be injected at a first port and passed to the second
port attached to the antenna. The antenna can transmit the radar
transmit signal. Radar receive signals received back at the antenna
can be passed back to the second port, and can be passed from the
second port to the third port. The third port can be connected to
the receiver (or receive portion of a transceiver).
[0045] In another example embodiment, the active circulator can be
used as an active reflection amplifier.
[0046] More generally, the individual ports of the active
circulator can be connected, ultimately, to suitable RF devices,
transmitters, receivers, transceivers, components, antennas,
circuits, and the like. In some example embodiments, one or more of
these can be located off of the integrated circuit upon which the
active circulator exists. In various other example embodiments, one
or more of these RF devices, transmitters, receivers, transceivers,
components, antennas, circuits, and the like, can be located on the
integrated circuit with the active circulator. Moreover, an
antenna, receiver, transmitter, components, circuits, devices or
the like can be connected to an individual port of the active
circulator. For example, a transmitter can be connected to a first
port of the active circulator, an antenna can be connected to the
second port, and a receiver can be connected to the third port.
[0047] With reference now to FIG. 10, in an example embodiment, an
integrated circuit 1000 can comprise a substrate 1001. The
substrate can comprise an active circulator 1010 formed on
substrate 1001. The substrate can further comprise a transceiver
1040. Transceiver 1040 can further comprise a receiver portion 1030
and a transmitter portion 1020. In an example embodiment, a first
port of active circulator 1010 can be configured in signal
communication with transmitter portion 1020 via a transmit path. A
second port of active circulator 1010 can be configured in signal
communication with an antenna (or the like). A third port of active
circulator 1010 can be configured in signal communication with a
receiver portion 1030 via a receive path. In an example embodiment,
the active circulator can be configured to facilitate full duplex
transmit and receive communication between the transceiver 1040
(comprising the transmitter portion 1020 and receiver portion 1030)
and the antenna. In this example, a signal can be provided by a
transmitter (or from a transmit portion 1020 of a transceiver 1040)
to the first port via the transmit path, and communicated to the
antenna via the second port. At the same time, a signal received at
the antenna (for example from a satellite) can be provided to the
second port and communicated to the third port. This received
signal can be communicated from the third port to a receiver (or to
a receive portion 1030 of the transceiver 1040). In this manner, an
integrated circuit can comprise a monolithic device (monolithic
semiconductor substrate) with both an active circulator and one or
more other circuits, transmitters, receivers, electrical
components, and the like combined on the single substrate.
[0048] Moreover, the connection of the active circulator ports to
such devices and the like can be a direct connection or an indirect
connection via an intermediary pathway. For example, the ports can
be connected to a waveguide, a transmission line, a microstrip,
and/or other suitable structures for conveying RF signals.
[0049] With reference now to FIG. 11, in an example embodiment, a
method 1100 of making an integrated circuit can comprise: providing
a semiconductor substrate 1110; and forming thereon an active
circulator as a lumped element device 1120. In this example
embodiment, forming an active circulator 1120 can further comprise:
forming a first port, a second port and a third port 1121; and
forming a plurality of microwave operational amplifiers coupled to
each other and to the first port, the second port and the third
port 1122. The plurality of microwave operational amplifiers can be
arranged, for example, to substantially pass a signal provided to
the first port to the second port while substantially isolating the
signal provided to the first port from the third port. The
plurality of microwave operational amplifiers can be arranged, for
example, to substantially pass a signal provided to the second port
to the third port while substantially isolating the signal provided
to the second port from the first port. Furthermore, the plurality
of microwave operational amplifiers can be arranged, for example,
to substantially pass a signal provided to the third port to the
first port while substantially isolating the signal provided to the
third port from the second port.
[0050] The method, in an example embodiment, can further comprise
forming a transceiver, having a transmit portion and a receive
portion, on the semiconductor substrate 1130. In an example
embodiment, the semiconductor substrate can be a monolithic
semiconductor substrate, In this embodiment, the active circulator
can further be configured as one of: an active isolator, an active
duplexer, an active diplexer, and an active reflection
amplifier.
[0051] While several illustrative applications have been described,
many other applications of the presently disclosed techniques may
prove useful. Accordingly, the above-referenced arrangements are
illustrative of some applications for the principles of the present
invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from
the principles and concepts disclosed herein.
[0052] In describing the present invention, the following
terminology will be used: The singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes
reference to one or more items. The term "ones" refers to one, two,
or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or all of a
quantity. The term "plurality" refers to two or more of an item.
The term "about" means quantities, dimensions, sizes, formulations,
parameters, shapes and other characteristics need not be exact, but
may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired,
reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off,
measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of
skill in the art. The term "substantially" means that the recited
characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly,
but that deviations or variations, including for example,
tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and
other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in
amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was
intended to provide. Numerical data may be expressed or presented
herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range
format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should
be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values
explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also interpreted
to include all of the individual numerical values or sub-ranges
encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and
sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical
range of "about 1 to 5" should be interpreted to include not only
the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also to
include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated
range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values
such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as 1-3, 2-4 and 3-5, etc.
This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical
value (e.g., "greater than about 1") and should apply regardless of
the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. A
plurality of items may be presented in a common list for
convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though
each member of the list is individually identified as a separate
and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should
be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the
same list solely based on their presentation in a common group
without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms
"and" and "or" are used in conjunction with a list of items, they
are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the
listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed
items. The term "alternatively" refers to selection of one of two
or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection to
only those listed alternatives or to only one of the listed
alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise.
[0053] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However,
the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s)
that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or
become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical,
required, or essential features or elements of any or all the
claims. As used herein, the terms "includes," "including,"
"comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements
does not include only those elements but may include other elements
not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article,
or apparatus. Further, no element described herein is required for
the practice of the invention unless expressly described as
"essential" or "critical."
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