U.S. patent number 3,829,770 [Application Number 05/192,529] was granted by the patent office on 1974-08-13 for directional coupler for transmission lines.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Coaxial Dynamics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Harold E. Stevens.
United States Patent |
3,829,770 |
Stevens |
August 13, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
DIRECTIONAL COUPLER FOR TRANSMISSION LINES
Abstract
A directional coupler for detecting and measuring unidirectional
wave signals propagated along a transmission line. The coupler
includes an insulative board, having a first layer of conductive
material secured to one of the faces of the insulative board and a
second layer of conductive material secured to the other face of
the insulative board to define a predetermined impedance with
respect to a ground plane partition member. A coupling element
comprising a third layer of conductive material is also secured to
the other face of the insulative board to define a predetermined
impedance with respect to the second layer of conductive material.
The ground plane partition member and the second layer of
conductive material serve as a section of the transmission line.
The coupling element is connected to a signal measuring network for
developing an output signal having a value representative of the
value of an unidirectional wave signal propagated along the
transmission line. The assembly including the insulative board and
plural conductive layers is mounted in a housing, and the partition
member is electrically bonded to four of the side walls of the
housing in order to define a pair of chambers within the housing
and serves the function of substantially preventing the passage of
electrical fields between these chambers.
Inventors: |
Stevens; Harold E. (Lyndhurst,
OH) |
Assignee: |
Coaxial Dynamics, Inc.
(Cuyahoga, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
22710054 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/192,529 |
Filed: |
October 26, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
324/95;
333/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01P
5/184 (20130101); G01R 19/28 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01P
5/18 (20060101); H01P 5/16 (20060101); G01R
19/28 (20060101); G01r 021/04 (); H01p
005/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;324/95 ;333/10 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Rowe, J.; "SWR . . ."; Electronics Australia; April 1971; pg.
41-52. .
Fisher et al.; "UHF Directional . . ."; QST; Sept. 1970; pg.
26-31..
|
Primary Examiner: Smith; Alfred E.
Assistant Examiner: Karlsen; Ernest F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher &
Heinke Co.
Claims
Having thus described my invention I claim:
1. A directional coupler for detecting and measuring undirectional
flow of power in a transmission line comprising
an elongated housing of conductive material having a transmission
line input and output connectors mounted thereon,
a partition member of conductive material positioned within said
housing to define a first and a second chamber for substantially
preventing the passage of electrical fields from said first chamber
to said second chamber,
an insulative board having first and second oppositely facing
surfaces,
a first film layer of conductive material secured to said first
surface of said insulative board, said board secured to at least a
portion of said partition member with said first film layer
sandwiched therebetween,
a second film layer of conductive material secured to at least a
portion of said second surface of said insulative board thereby
defining a predetermined impedance between said first and second
film layers,
a third film layer of conductive material having first and second
terminal ends and secured to at least a portion of said second
surface of said board in spaced relation with respect to said
second film layer thereby defining a predetermined impedance
between said second and third film layers,
said transmission line input and output connectors respectively
having one terminal coupled to said first film layer and its other
terminal coupled to said partition member,
a signal developing network mounted on the side of said partition
member opposite said insulative board and coupled to said first and
third film layers to develop an output signal representative of the
unidirectional line voltage of the signal propagated along the
transmission line for a given line characteristic impedance,
and
indicator means connected to receive said output signal for
producing a visual presentation representative of the value of said
output signal.
2. A directional coupler used for detecting and measuring
unidirectional flow of power in a transmission line comprising
an elongated hollow metallic housing,
a transmission line input and output terminal at the ends of said
housing with each terminal providing a means for connection to the
primary and secondary conductors of a transmission line,
a partition member for the full length of said housing and secured
to sides and ends thereof forming two separate chambers therein for
substantially preventing the passage of electrical fields between
said chambers,
the respective ends of said partition members secured to said
terminal secondary connection means,
an insulative board secured to a portion of one face of said
partition member in one of said chambers,
said board having a first conductive layer secured to one face of
said board and in electrical contact with said partition
member,
a first elongated strip layer secured to the opposite face of said
board from said first layer with its opposite ends connected to
said terminal primary connection means,
said insulative board and said layers forming a predetermined
impedance coupling,
a second elongated strip layer secured to said board opposite face
and positioned in juxtaposed relation to said first elongated strip
layer,
a signal developing and measuring network mounted on the other face
of said partition member in the other of said chambers and
electrically coupled to both said first conductive layer and said
second elongated strip layer to develop an output signal
representative of the unidirectional line voltage of the signal
propagated along the transmission line for a given line
characteristic impedance and produce a visual representation
thereof.
3. The coupler of claim 2 characterized in that said partition
member comprises a central portion and a pair of end portions, said
end portions in a plane parallel to said central portion, said end
portions secured to the ends of said housing, said network mounted
on the top face of said central portion and said insulative board
with said conductive layers mounted on the bottom face of said
central portion.
4. The coupler of claim 3 characterized in that each of said
terminal primary connection means includes a mounting bracket
positioned in the space provided below one of said end portions to
connect an end of said first strip layer to one of said
terminals.
5. The coupler of claim 2 characterized by resistive and diode
rectifier means included in said signal developing and measuring
network and shield means surrounding said resistive and diode
rectifier means for further isolating said resistive and rectifier
means from stray electrical fields.
6. The coupler of claim 2 characterized by a third elongated strip
layer secured to said board opposite face and positioned in
juxtaposed relation to said first conductive layer opposite to said
second strip layer, and
a second signal developing network also mounted on the other face
of said partition member and electrically coupled to both said
first conductive layer and said third elongated strip layer to
develop a second output signal representative of the unidirectional
line voltage of said propagated signal in a direction opposite to
that developed in connection with said second strip layer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to the art of electrical devices for
detecting and measuring wave signals propagated along a
transmission line, and more particularly, to directional couples
for measuring unidirectional radio-frequency wave signals on a
transmission line.
In the operation of radio-frequency transmitting equipment, it is
frequently necessary to measure radio-frequency wave signals
propagated along a transmission line. The data obtained by such
measurements may be utilized to compute the standing-wave ratio of
the transmission line, forward power propagated along the
transmission line, reflected power propagated along the
transmission line, et cetera.
Directional couplers have become an important component of
transmitting systems. These couplers have been utilized in
conjunction with electronic control circuitry for continuously
monitoring forward and reflected power on a transmission line and
for automatically reducing the input power to a transmitter when
the forward or reflected power on the transmission line exceeds a
predetermined level.
Various electronic instruments have been employed to monitor and
measure wave signals propagated along transmission lines. These
instruments have included various types of coupler arrangements and
configurations between a primary transmission line and secondary
line, or coupling circuit. For example, capacitative coupling
circuits, inductive coupling circuits, and resistive bridge
networks have been employed either separately, or in various
combinations, to transfer a portion of the energy on a primary
transmission line to a secondary line for measurement.
These conventional directional couplers have generally comprised a
section of coaxial transmission line which is machined in a
cylindrical configuration from metal. Normally, inductive and
capacitive elements extend through slotted apertures in the side
walls of the couplers for connecting a signal measuring network to
the transmission line. The coupling elements generally take the
form of wire coils and capacitive probes which are supported at one
end, and extend into and intercept an electrical field which exists
between the center conductor and the outer conductor of the coaxial
transmission line. One example of this type of coupler is that
shown in conjunction with the directional wattmeter disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 2,852,741, to J. R. Bird et al, entitled "Directional
Wattmeter" and issued on Sept. 16, 1958.
One of the problems associated with directional couplers which are
machined as a cylindrical section of a transmission line is that
the machining operations in the manufacture of these couplers are
quite expensive because the component part must be manufactured to
exacting specifications in order to interlock with or threadably
engage an adjacent component. Unless exacting specifications are
maintained between adjacent components, leakage between components
may cause stray electrical fields resulting in inaccuracies of
measurement.
Another problem associated with these known directional couplers is
the importance of having the various inductive elements and
capacitive probes precisely positioned in order to establish a
predetermined reactance or inductance with respect to the
transmission line. The requirement for exact positioning of these
elements creates additional problems and increased manufacturing
cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the ever-increasing use of directional couplers as a single
component in transmitting systems, as opposed to the use of
directional couplers as a major component of relatively expensive
test equipment, it has been found to be highly desirable to provide
a directional coupler which may be manufactured at a substantial
reduction in cost, as well as a directional coupler which may be
mass produced with a high degree of reliability.
Also, transmitting systems are frequently subjected to greater
mechanical shock than is normally encountered by test equipment.
Thus, it has been found to be desirable to provide a directional
coupler which is rugged in construction and immune to damage as a
result of normal mechanical shock.
The present invention is directed toward a directional coupler
which incorporates mechanical, as well as electrical features, for
overcoming the noted disadvantages, and others, of conventional
coupler systems.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a
directional coupler for detecting unidirectional wave singles
signals a transmission line. The coupler includes a housing member
having a transmission line input connector and output connector
mounted thereon and a ground plane partition member mounted within
so as to define a first and second chamber within the housing. The
ground plane is electrically bonded to the walls of the housing in
order to substantially prevent the passage of electrical fields
between the two chambers. One of the surfaces of an insulative
board having secured thereon a layer of conductive material is
attached to the partition member, and a layer of conductive
material is secured to the other surface of the insulative board so
as to act as a primary transmission conductor to define a
predetermined impedance between the conductive layer and the ground
plane. In addition, a coupling element comprised of another layer
of conductive material, is also secured to the insulative board in
spaced relation with respect to the first conductive layer for
receiving a portion of the energy of a wave signal which is
propagated along the primary transmission line.
The ground plane partition member and the conductive layer
comprising the primary transmission line secured to the other side
of the insulative board are coupled between the input and output
connectors so as to define a section of a transmission line, and
the coupling element is connected to an output circuit carried by
the partition member at the side opposite to the insulative board
to provide an output signal having a value representative of a
unidirectional wave signal on the transmission line.
The primary transmission line or first conductive layer is
comprised of a thin film or strip of conductive material of a
generally elongated rectangular configuration, and includes a pair
of L-shaped terminal members each having one leg portion
electrically connected to one of the ends of the elongated film of
conductive material and another leg portion connected to one
terminal of one of the input connectors.
The coupling element is also comprised of a thin film of conductive
material of a generally elongated rectangular configuration and is
secured to the same face of the insulataive board as the first
conductive layer and in spaced parallel relationship with respect
thereto. Thus, the coupling element is capacitively coupled to the
primary transmission line conductive layer to thereby define a
secondary or coupling circuit.
The secondary circuit includes an adjustable capacitive element for
varying the capacitance between the primary circuit and the
secondary output circuit in order to increase or decrease the
coupling between these circuits.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
directional coupler which is simple in construction and which lends
itself to being manufactured with a high degree of reliability when
mass produced.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a
directional coupler which is of rugged construction and immune to
damage as a result of normal mechanical shock.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a
directional coupler which may be produced at a substantial savings
in manufacturing costs.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a
direction coupler having improved shielding between a radio
frequency section of the coupler and electrical components in a
signal measuring section of the coupler.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment
of the invention as read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevational view partly in section illustrating a
directional coupler embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the directional coupler as
illustrated in FIG. 1, as viewed along the line 2--2;
FIG. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the directional coupler
illustrated in FIG. 1, as viewed along the line 3--3;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the directional coupler illustrated
in FIG. 2, as viewed along the line 4--4;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the directional coupler as
illustrated in FIG. 1, as viewed along the line 5--5;
FIG. 6 is an oblique view of the directional coupler as illustrated
in FIG. 1 with the housing member removed and the component parts
separated for purposes of illustration; and,
FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic diagram in conjunction with a
mechanical elevational view of the directional coupler of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a directional coupler in accordance
with the present invention which generally comprises a conductive
rectangular housing member 10 having an input coaxial connector 12
mounted on one end and an output coaxial connector 14 mounted on
the other end thereof. For purposes of discussion, the coaxial
connector 12 will be referred to as the input connector and coaxial
connector 14 will be referred to as an output connector, however,
it is to be understood that the circuitry in the directional
coupler is symmetrical, and accordingly, the coupler may be
connected in a transmission line such that the coaxial connector 14
serves as an input connector and the coaxial connector 12 serves as
an output connector.
The outer conductors 16, 18 of the coaxial connectors 12, 14 are
electrically bonded to the end walls of the conductive housing
member 10, and the inner conductors 20, 22 of the connectors 12, 14
pass through and are insulated from the end walls of the
housing.
A ground plane conductive partition member 24 is positioned within
the housing member 10 and is electrically bonded to four of the
walls of the housing so as to define an upper chamber 26 and a
lower chamber 28. The partition member 24 serves as an electrical
shield to prevent radio-frequency fields which exist in the lower
chamber 28 from passing into the upper chamber 26 and adversely
affecting the operation of the voltage measuring circuitry in this
chamber.
The partition member 24 is comprised of a generally rectangular
plate having a central portion 30 which extends in a horizontal
plane, a pair of vertical portions 32, 34, and a pair of outer
portions 36, 38 which extend in a horizontal plane above the
horizontal plane of the central portion 30, as viewed in FIG.
1.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, partition member 24 is electrically and
mechanically bonded to the end walls of the conductive housing 10
through a pair of flange portions 40, 42, and is similarly bonded
to the side wall of the housing member through the flange portions
44, 46, 48, 50. The partition member 24 is also bonded to the
opposite side wall of the housing member through the tab portions
52, 54, 56, as illustrated in FIG. 6, which extend through
interlocking apertures in that wall.
An insulative board 58 which takes the form of a printed circuit
board is secured to the central portion 30 of the partition member
24 with three rivets 61, 63, 64. The rivets extend through aligned
apertures in the central portion of the partition member 24 and the
insulative board 58.
Superimposed between a face of printed circuit board 58 and the
partition member 24 is a thin film of conductive material or layer
60 which is secured to the insulative board by conventional printed
circuit techniques. The primary line conductor 62 takes the form of
strip layer of thin film conductive material which is similarly
secured to an opposite face of the insulative board 58. The primary
line conductor includes an elongated rectangular central portion
having a pair of terminal strips 66, 68 extending from the ends
thereof.
Electrical connection is made between the terminal strips 66, 68
and the conductors 20, 22 of the coaxial connectors 12, 14 through
a pair of generally L-shaped conductive bracket members 70, 72. The
bracket member 70 is secured to the terminal strip 66 of the
primary line conductor 62 and the insulative board 58 by a pair of
rivets 74, 76. The rivets 74, 76 extend through aligned apertures
in one leg portion of the L-shaped bracket member 70, the terminal
strip 66, and the insulative board 58. The inner conductor 20 of
the coaxial connector 12 extends through an aperture 78 in the
other leg portion of the bracket member 70 and is electrically
bonded to that leg portion at this aperture.
The bracket member 72 is similarly secured to the terminal strip 68
of the primary line conductor or strip layer 62 and the insulative
board 58 by a pair of rivets 80, 82 which extend through aligned
apertures in one leg portion of the L-shaped bracket member 72, the
terminal strip 68, and the insulative board 58. The inner conductor
22 of the coaxial connector 14 extends through an aperture 84 in
the other leg portion of the bracket member 72 and is electrically
bonded to that leg portion at this aperture.
It will be noted that the rivets 74, 76, 80, and 82 do not engage
or contact the conductive layer 60.
The primary line conductor or strip layer 62 is of a configuration
and is spaced from the thin film of conductive material 60 so as to
define a predetermined characteristic impedance between the primary
line 62 and the thin film of conductive material 60. In view of the
fact that the film of conductive material 60 is in direct
electrical contact with the partition member 24, the predetermined
chacteristic impedance is also maintained between the primary line
conductor 62 and the partition member 24.
A forward coupler 86 which takes the form of a generally
rectangular thin film conductive strip is secured to an opposite
face of the insulative board from the conductive layer 60 in
parallel spaced relation with respect to the primary line conductor
or layer 62. Similarly, a reverse coupler 88 which also takes the
form of a rectangular thin film conductive strip is secured to an
opposite face of the insulative board from the conductive layer 60
and in parallel spaced relation with respect to the primary line
conductor, but on an opposite side of the conductor from that of
the forward coupler 86.
One of the leads of a diode 90 extends through an eyelet 92 of a
disc mica capacitor 94 and is electrically bonded to the eyelet 92
and to a terminal of the forward coupler 86. The other lead of the
diode 90 extends through an eyelet of another disc mica capacitor
96 and is electrically bonded to the eyelet. The mica capacitor 96
includes a terminal connector 98 which is connected to and extends
from the eyelet of this capacitor. The outer conductor of the
capacitor 96 is connected through a cylindrical shield 100 to the
outer conductor of the capacitor 94, and the outer conductor of the
capacitor 94 is electrically bonded to the conductive layer 60 and
is therefore in electrical contact with the partition member 24.
The shield 100 not only serves to electrically connect the outer
conductor of the capacitor 94 and the capacitor 96 to the plate 60,
but this shield also serves as a secondary shield for the diode 90
to prevent radio frequency fields which exist in the lower chamber
28 from adversely affecting the operation of the diode.
One of the leads of a resistor 102 is connected to the other
terminal of the forward coupler 86 and the other lead of this
resistor is connected to a cylindrical shield 104 which is in turn
bonded to the conductive layer 60. The terminal 98 of the mica
capacitor 96 is connected through a resistor 106 to a forward
output terminal 108, and a capacitor 110 is connected between the
forward output terminal 108 and the conductive housing member
10.
Similarly, one of the leads of a diode 112 extends through an
eyelet 114 of a disc mica capacitor 116 and is electrically bonded
to the eyelet 114 and to a terminal of the reverse coupler 88. The
other lead of the diode 112 extends through the eyelet in another
disc mica capacitor 118 and is electrically bonded to the eyelet.
The mica capacitor 118 includes a terminal connector 119 which is
connected to and extends from the eyelet of this capacitor. The
outer conductor of the capacitor 118 is connected through a
cylindrical shield 120 to the outer conductor of the capacitor 116,
which is in turn electrically bonded to the conductive plate 60.
Thus, the cylindrical shield 120 serves to connect the outer
conductor of the capacitors 116, 118 as well as to provide a
secondary shield for the diode 112.
One of the leads of a resistor 122 is connected to the other
terminal of the reverse coupler 88 and the other lead of this
resistor is connected to a shield 124 which is grounded to the
conductive plate 60. In addition, the center terminal 120 of the
mica capacitor 118 is connected through a resistor 126 to a reverse
output terminal 128. A capacitor 130 is then coupled between the
reverse output terminal 128 and the conductive housing member
10.
As illustrated, the forward coupler 86 includes a variable
capacitive balance tab 132. The balance tab 132 takes the form of a
thin apertured rectangular plate. The lead of the resistor which is
bonded to the terminal of the forward coupler 86 extends through an
aperture in the terminal, through an aperture in a spacer bushing
133, and through the aperture in the balance tab 132. The balance
tab 132 is bonded to the resistor lead at the aperature and is
positioned to overlay in a spaced relation to the primary
conductive line 62. Thus, the balance tab 132 may be bent slightly
toward or away from the primary line conductor or strip layer 62,
or the tab may be rotated about the resistor lead to vary the
amount of capacitive coupling between the forward coupler 86 and
the primary line conductor or strip layer 62. A similar balance tab
134 and spacer bushing 135 are bonded to a lead of the resistor 122
at a terminal of the reverse coupler 88.
Reference is now made to FIG. 7 which illustrates in more detail
the electrical circuitry of the directional coupler. For purposes
of discussion, reference will be made to lumped impedances as
opposed to a detailed consideration of the distributed parameters
in the circuit.
As previously discussed, one of the terminals of the forward
coupler 86 is connected through a resistor 102 to a common ground
point. The other terminal of this coupler is connected to one of
the terminals of an inductance L which represents the distributed
inductance in the secondary circuit. The other terminal of the
inductance L is connected to one terminal of a capacitor 94, and
the other terminal of this capacitor is connected to ground and to
the anode of a diode 90. The cathode of the diode 90 is connected
through a capacitor 96 to ground, and the cathode of this diode is
also connected through a resistor 106 to the forward output
terminal 108. The capacitor 110 is connected directly between the
forward output terminal and ground.
A mutual impedance M exists between the strip layer 62 and the
forward coupler 86. This mutual impedance is a result of a magnetic
field which surrounds the strip layer 62 and intercepts the forward
coupler 86 to thereby induce a current in this coupler. A similar
current is induced in the strip layer 62 as a result of a magnetic
field which surrounds the forward coupler 86. Thus, this mutual
coupling or inductance is illustrated as the lumped mutual
inductance M. The capacitive coupling between the strip layer 62
and the forward coupler 86 is represented by the lumped capacitance
C.sub.4. As discussed previously, this coupling capacitance may be
varied by changing the position of the capacitance balance tab 132
with respect to the strip layer 62.
One of the terminals of the reverse coupler 88 is connected through
the resistor 122 to ground and the other terminal of this coupler
is connected to one of the terminals of a secondary inductance L'.
The other terminal of the inductance L' is connected to one
terminal of a capacitor 116, and the other terminal of this
capacitor is connected to ground and to the anode of the diode 112.
The cathode of the diode 112 is connected to one terminal of a
capacitor 118 and the other terminal of this capacitor is connected
to ground and through a resistor 126 to the reverse output terminal
128. The reverse output terminal 128 is also connected through a
capacitor 130 to ground.
As in the case of the forward directional circuit, a mutual
inductance exists between the primary line conductor or strip layer
and the secondary circuit which is represented by the lumped mutual
inductance M'. The capacitive coupling between the primary line
conductor and the reverse coupler is indicated as a lumped
capacitance C.sub.4 '.
The operation of the forward coupling circuit is substantially
similar to that of the reverse coupling circuit. Thus, only the
forward circuit will be considered for purposes of discussion.
With a radio frequency signal applied through the directional
coupler, a portion of the wave energy in the primary line is
transferred from the primary line conductor 62 to the forward
coupler 86. The wave energy applied to the forward coupler
represents both the forward and reflected traveling wave energy
transmitted through the primary line conductor.
The coupler 86 is connected to ground through the resistor 102 and
through the inductance L and the capacitor 94. Thus, a current
signal induced in coupler 86 is caused to flow from the coupler 86
to ground. This current signal developed across the capacitor 94 is
applied to a peak voltmeter comprised of the capacitors 96, 110,
the diode 90 and the resistor 106. Accordingly, the current signal
on the capacitor 94 is applied to the input capacitor 96 through
the diode 90 to thereby cause this capacitor to charge to a voltage
equal to the peak voltage of the signal appearing across the
capacitor 94. The peak voltage developed across the capacitor 96 is
then applied through the resistor 106 to the forward output
terminal 108. The capacitor 110 serves primarily as a filtering
capacitor for the output signal.
With a direct-current voltmeter G connected between the forward
output terminal 108 and ground, it is possible to measure the
direct current output signal developed by the forward circuitry in
order to determine the value of a forward wave signal propagated
along the transmission line.
With traveling wave energy transmitted through the directional
coupler from left to right as viewed in FIG. 1, the capacitive
balance tab 132 is adjusted so that the voltage which is developed
across C.sub.1, which is a function of the primary line voltage, is
made equal to the voltage developed across capacitor 94, which is a
function of line current. Thus, there will be a 180 degree phase
difference at capacitor 94 in the two like magnitude signals,
voltage will be approximately zero volts, thereby producing a
reading of zero volts on voltmeter G.
With traveling wave energy transmitted from right to left through
the coupler as viewed in FIG. 1, the voltage across the capacitor
94 is a function of the primary line voltage and approximates the
voltage coupled from the primary line through the mutual impedance
M, lumped inductance L, the resistor 102, and the capacitor 94. The
phase relation of these voltage signals is equal to zero.
Accordingly, the circuit supplies a voltage across the capacitor 94
to thereby provide a direct current signal which is applied through
the network including the diode 90, the capacitor 96, the resistor
106, and the capacitor 110 to the voltmeter G.
In other words, if a radio frequency signal is transmitted in one
direction only through a transmission line of impedance Z.sub.0,
the line current I will be equal to a voltage E divided by the
characteristic impedance Z.sub.0 of the line. If the line voltage
and current are assumed to be in a zero angular relation with
respect to each other, the voltage and current will be at a 180
degree phase relationship with respect to each other for a signal
traveling in the opposite direction. At a given frequency, the
reactance X.sub.L across the lumped impedance L, and the reactance
X.sub.94 across the capacitor 94 become equal to each other. Also,
the reactance X.sub.C4 across the capacitance C.sub.4 is relatively
large with respect to the reactance X.sub.L across the impedance L
and the reactance X.sub.94 across the capacitor 94.
Thus, a current flowing through the inductance L and the capacitor
94 as a result of this line voltage may be defined as E.sub.1, or
the line voltage divided by the reactance X.sub.C4. If the
reactance X.sub.94 is small relative to the reactance X.sub.C4, the
ratio of the voltage across the capacitor 94 to the line voltage
will be approximately equal to the ratio of the capacitor C.sub.4
to the capacitance 94.
Thus, assuming that the capacitance C.sub.4 is very small in
comparison to the capacitance C.sub.94 across the capacitor 94, and
that the capacitance C.sub.94 is very large in comparison to the
resistance R.sub.1 of the resistor 102, and that the inductance L
is very small in comparison to the resistance R.sub.1 of resistor
102, the above relationships give rise to the following
equation:
E.sub.94 = -j (1/.omega.C.sub.94)/-j (1/.omega.C.sub.4) (E.sub.1
(1)
or,
E.sub.94 = C.sub.4 /C.sub.94 (E.sub.1) (2)
where E.sub.94 is equal to the voltage acorss the capacitor 94,
C.sub.94 is equal to the capacitance of the capacitor 94, and
C.sub.4 is equal to the capacitance of the capacitor C.sub.4.
It should be noted that the "-j" and ".omega." terms in equation
(1) do not appear in equation (2) thereby indicating that there is
no phase shift and that the circuit is not responsive to changes in
frequency.
At a frequency where the reactance X.sub.L of the inductor L is
equal to the reactance X.sub.94 of the capacitor 94, the voltage
across the capacitor 94 may be represented by the following
equation:
E.sub.94 = ( -j.omega.MI/R.sub.1) ( -j)(1/.omega.C.sub.1) (3)
e.sub.94 = - mi/r.sub.1 c.sub.1 (4)
where E.sub.94 equals the voltage across the capacitor 94, M equals
the impedance of the mutual inductor M, and I equals the current
passing through the capacitor 94. The equations (3) and (4) are
essentially correct assuming that the capacitance C.sub.94 is large
in comparison to the resistance R.sub.1 across the resistor 102 and
that the inductance L is small in comparison to the resistance
R.sub.1 of the resistor 102. Again, it should be noted that the
"-j" and ".omega." in equation (3) do not appear in equation (4)
thereby indicating that there is no phase shift and that the
circuit is not responsive to change in frequency.
In view of the fact that equations (3) and (4) include no phase
shift factors or frequency factors, and in view of the fact that
the voltage and current in a transmission line for a given single
direction of wave transmission are defined by the characteristic
impedance Z.sub.0, and that the voltage and current on the line are
related angularly as either zero or 180 degrees dependent upon the
direction of inspection, it is possible to combine the voltage and
current coupling. Thus, the voltage E.sub.C1 across the capacitor
94 is of equal magnitude for equal line voltages and currents for a
given transmission line at a given characteristic impedance
Z.sub.0. Accordingly, by subtracting equation (3) from equation
(2), the following equation is derived:
E.sub.94 - E.sub.94 = 0 = (C.sub.4 /C.sub.94) (E.sub.1) +
(MI/R.sub.1 C.sub.94 ) (5)
thus, for a wave propagated in a given direction, the voltage
across the capacitor is equal to zero indicating that the circuit
achieves the desired directivity.
The equation (5) may be re-written as follows:
(C.sub.4 /C.sub.94) (E.sub.1)= - (MI/R.sub.1 C.sub.94) (6)
and substituting (Z.sub.0) (I) for E.sub.1 in equation (6), the
following equation is derived:
(C.sub.4 /C.sub.94) (Z.sub.0)(I) = - (MI/R.sub.1 C.sub.94) (7)
or,
Z.sub.0 = (M/R.sub.1 C.sub.4) (8)
thus, equation (8) sets forth the relationship of component values
which provide a frequency independent solution to the computation
of component values for achieving directivity. Accordingly, the
values of the coupling components may be computed from equation (8)
in order to achieve directivity.
Although the invention has been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled
in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts
may be made to suit requirements without departing from the spirit
and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *