Fast tuning RF network inductor
First Claim
1. An inductor switching circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal, comprising:
- an inductor having first and second terminals and having its first terminal coupled to the input terminal;
a diode having first and second terminals and having its first terminal coupled to the input terminal;
switching means for coupling the output terminal alternately to the second terminal of the inductor and the second terminal of the diode;
control means for selectively controlling the switching means to switch between the second terminal of the inductor and the second terminal of the diode;
a capacitor coupled between the second terminal of the diode and the output terminal; and
biasing means for providing bias energy through the input terminal and the output terminal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variable inductor usable in a fast tuning RF network comprises a plurality of inductor switching circuits connected in series. Each inductor switching circuit includes an input terminal connected to a discrete inductor and to a PIN diode, and includes an output terminal connected to switches which are in turn connected to the parallel connected discrete inductor and PIN diode. The PIN diode operates in either the forward bias mode for switching out the respective discrete inductor, or in the reverse bias mode for switching in the respective discrete inductor. The PIN diode is forward or reverse biased by MOSFET switches one of which has a parasitic capacitor used to provide a charged rectified reverse bias voltage to the PIN diode to insure reverse bias operation during large voltage changes in the conducted RF signals. The MOSFET switches are controlled by logic signals so that rapid switching by computer or other processor control is possible. Electrical isolation of the logic control circuitry is provided by optically coupling the control signals to the MOSFET switches.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An inductor switching circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal, comprising:
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an inductor having first and second terminals and having its first terminal coupled to the input terminal; a diode having first and second terminals and having its first terminal coupled to the input terminal; switching means for coupling the output terminal alternately to the second terminal of the inductor and the second terminal of the diode; control means for selectively controlling the switching means to switch between the second terminal of the inductor and the second terminal of the diode; a capacitor coupled between the second terminal of the diode and the output terminal; and biasing means for providing bias energy through the input terminal and the output terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An inductor switching circuit having a main input terminal and a main output terminal, and having a plurality of inductors coupled in a series relationship, comprising:
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each inductor having first and second terminals; a plurality of input terminals, one each of which is coupled to the first terminal of an associated inductor, and one of which is coupled to the main input terminal; a plurality of diodes, one each of which is associated with a respective inductor, each diode having first and second terminals, the first terminal of each of the diodes being coupled to the respective input terminal to which the associated inductor is coupled; a plurality of output terminals one each of which is associated with a respective inductor and associated diode; switching means for coupling a respective output terminal alternately to the second terminal of the inductor and the second terminal of the respective diode; control means for selectively controlling the switching means to switch between the second terminal of the inductor and the second terminal of the diode; a plurality of capacitors, one each of which is coupled between the second terminal of a respective diode and the respective output terminal; the plurality of inductors and respective switching means being coupled in series such that the respective output terminal associated with one inductor is coupled to the respective input terminal associated with another inductor, the input terminal associated with one inductor being coupled to the main input terminal and the output terminal associated with a different inductor being coupled to the main output terminal; and biasing means for providing bias energy through the main input terminal and the main output terminal.
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11. An inductor switching circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal, comprising:
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an inductor having first and second terminals and having its first terminal coupled to the input terminal; a diode having first and second terminals and having its first terminal coupled to the input terminal; first switching means for coupling the second terminal of the inductor to the output terminal; second switching means for coupling the second terminal of the diode to the output terminal; control means for controlling the first and second switching means to couple the output terminal alternately to the second terminal of the inductor and the second terminal of the diode respectively; a capacitor coupled between the second terminal of the diode and the output terminal; and biasing means for providing bias energy through the input terminal and the output terminal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An inductor switching circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal, comprising:
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an inductor having first and second terminals and having its first terminal coupled to the input terminal; a PIN diode having first and second terminals and having its first terminal coupled to the input terminal; first solid state switching means for coupling the second terminal of the inductor to the output terminal; second solid state switching means for coupling the second terminal of the diode to the output terminal, the second solid state switching means comprising capacitance disposed between the second terminal of the diode and the output terminal; processor means for providing first and second electrical control signals for controlling the first and second switching means to couple the output terminal alternately to the second termnal of the inductor and the second terminal of the diode respectively; first light generating means for providing first light control signals in response to the first electrical control signals; second light generating means for providing second light control signals in response to the second electrical control signals; first light receiving means for controlling the switching of the first solid state switching means in response to the first light control signals; second light receiving means for controlling the switching of the second solid state switching means in response to the second light control signals; and biasing means for providing a constant current through the input and output terminals. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification