Abstract:
Circuits and methods are provided for building integrated transformer-coupled amplifiers with on-chip transformers that are designed to resonate or otherwise tune parasitic capacitances to achieve frequency tuning of amplifiers at millimeter wave operating frequencies.
Abstract:
A case-burning rocket booster includes a combustible case containing a solid rocket fuel, a combustion chamber adjustably coupled to the case for burning the case and the solid rocket fuel, a nozzle connected to the combustion chamber for expelling the burned case and fuel to generate thrust, and a drive system for pulling the combustion chamber and nozzle up the case as the case and fuel burn. A hybrid version of the case-burning rocket also includes an oxygen supply system for supplying varying amounts of oxygen to the combustion chamber to vary the thrust generated by burning the case and the fuel.
Abstract:
A radio-frequency integrated circuit chip package has at least one integrated antenna. The package includes at least one generally planar ground plane formed with at least one slot therein. A first substrate structure has an outer surface and an inner surface. The at least one generally planar ground plane is formed on the outer surface of the first substrate structure. At least one feed line is spaced inwardly from the ground plane and parallel thereto. The at least one feed line has an inner surface and an outer surface and is a transmission line formed on the inner surface of the first substrate structure with the outer surface of the at least one feed line adjacent the inner surface of the first substrate structure. At least one radio frequency chip is coupled to the feed line and the ground plane. A second substrate structure, spaced inwardly from the feed line, defines a chip-receiving cavity. The chip is located in the chip-receiving cavity. The inner surface of the at least one feed line borders the chip-receiving cavity. An antenna patch may be provided. Planar phased array embodiments, assemblies with motherboards and heat sinks, and fabrication techniques are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A radio-frequency integrated circuit chip package has N integrated aperture-coupled patch antennas, N being at least two, and includes N generally planar patches, and at least one generally planar ground plane spaced inwardly from the N generally planar patches and substantially parallel thereto. The ground plane is formed with at least N coupling aperture slots therein, and the slots are substantially opposed to the patches. N feed lines are spaced inwardly from the ground plane and substantially parallel thereto, and at least one radio frequency chip is spaced inwardly from the feed lines and coupled to the feed lines and the ground plane. A first substrate layer is spaced inwardly from the feed lines, and is formed with a chip-receiving cavity, with the chip located in the chip-receiving cavity. A second substrate layer is interposed in a region between the ground plane and a plane defined by the patch, the patch is formed in a first metal layer, the ground plane is formed in a second metal layer, and the second substrate layer defines an antenna cavity in which the N generally planar patches are located. “Island” and “offset” configurations, as well as fabrication methods, are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A system and method is shown for receiving microwave/millimeter-wave signals. The system and method are balanced and can be effectively implemented on a silicon substrate using single pole double throw switches.
Abstract:
A staged rocket apparatus includes first and second stages connected by a releasable connector. A plurality of pressurized gas struts are connected between the first and second stages and provide a separating force urging the first and second stages apart. The gas struts are held in a telescopingly collapsed first position by the releasable connector. The separating force is maintained at a minimum value so long as the releasable connector holds the struts in their first position. When the releasable connector is disconnected the separating force increases due to gas flow through a metering passage having a progressively increasing flow area from a high pressure chamber to a low pressure chamber.
Abstract:
A system and method is shown for receiving microwave/millimeter-wave signals. The system and method are balanced and can be effectively implemented on a silicon substrate using single pole double throw switches.
Abstract:
A phased-array transmitter and receiver that may be effectively implemented on a silicon substrate. The transmitter distributes to front-ends, and the receiver combines signals from front-ends, using a power distribution/combination tree that employs both passive and active elements. By monitoring the power inputs and outputs, a digital control is able to rapidly provide phase and gain correction information to the front-ends. Such a transmitter/receiver includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) front-ends and a power splitting/combining network that includes active and passive components configured to distribute signals to/from the front-ends.
Abstract:
A radio-frequency integrated circuit chip package has N integrated aperture-coupled patch antennas, N being at least two, and includes N generally planar patches, and at least one generally planar ground plane spaced inwardly from the N generally planar patches and substantially parallel thereto. The ground plane is formed with at least N coupling aperture slots therein, and the slots are substantially opposed to the patches. N feed lines are spaced inwardly from the ground plane and substantially parallel thereto, and at least one radio frequency chip is spaced inwardly from the feed lines and coupled to the feed lines and the ground plane. A first substrate layer is spaced inwardly from the feed lines, and is formed with a chip-receiving cavity, with the chip located in the chip-receiving cavity. A second substrate layer is interposed in a region between the ground plane and a plane defined by the patch, the patch is formed in a first metal layer, the ground plane is formed in a second metal layer, and the second substrate layer defines an antenna cavity in which the N generally planar patches are located. “Island” and “offset” configurations, as well as fabrication methods, are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Circuits and methods are provided for building integrated transformer-coupled amplifiers with on-chip transformers that are designed to resonate or otherwise tune parasitic capacitances to achieve frequency tuning of amplifiers at millimeter wave operating frequencies.