Laser tunable thick film microwave resonator for printed circuit boards

• US 6,181,225 B1
• Filed: 02/17/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Bettner, Allen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benny
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Patricia T.
• Application Number:
  US09/250,816
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 333/202, 333/204, 333/235, 333/205
• US Class Current: 333/235
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 7/088 Tunable resonators
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 5/1847 the active element in the amplifier being a semiconductor device

Abstract

The resonator of the present invention is preferably made of low cost alumina offering performance in a variable frequency oscillator application that is nearly equivalent to that of a high Q dielectric design. The resonator structure is tunable over a wide range with substantially no effect on oscillator phase noise or signal amplitude. The resonator utilizes a unique geometric structure which employs a transmission line preferably on alumina, conducting via holes (called castellations) and a topside ground pattern formed with a thick film of silver and/or palladium. A plurality of resonators may be formed by a step and repeat pattern then snapped apart for low cost, high volume manufacture. The resonator may be tuned in both a vertical and horizontal direction by removing topside metal from the resonator, to raise and lower the frequency, until the desired frequency is met. Low phase noise is preferably achieved by using a slab resonator that is short in length in combination with a fairly large loading capacitor. This provides maximum phase change versus frequency, and the best phase noise response of the oscillator.

Claims

1. A resonator having a resonant frequency that is adjustable, comprising:

a base having a bottom side and a top side, wherein said bottom side includes a transmission line and said top side includes a metallized thick film;

a plurality of conducting vias electrically connecting said transmission line and said thick film; and

wherein said resonant frequency is altered by trimming said thick film in a first direction.

2. The resonator of claim 1, wherein said resonant frequency is oppositely altered by trimming said thick film is a second direction.

3. The resonator of claim 1, wherein said thick film is formed by laser trimming.

4. The resonator of claim 1, wherein said base includes alumina.

5. The resonator of claim 1, wherein said thick film comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of silver, palladium, and a mixture thereof.

6. The resonator of claim 1, further comprising a capacitor, wherein said capacitor is operably coupled between said transmission line and an electrical ground.

7. The resonator of claim 6, wherein said capacitor is in the range of 1.0 pF to 4.0 pF.

8. The resonator of claim 1, wherein said base has a length between about 0.2 inches and 0.35 inches.

9. The resonator of claim 1, wherein said base includes a perimeter and wherein said perimeter includes said plurality of vias.

10. The resonator of claim 9, wherein said plurality of vias are formed through laser scribing.

11. The resonator of claim 1, wherein said resonant frequency is between about 900 and 1400 MHz.

12. A resonator having a frequency that is adjustable comprising:

a base having a bottom side and a top side, said bottom side including a transmission line, said top side including a metallized thick film;

a plurality of conducting vias electrically connecting said transmission line and said thick film;

means for transmitting said frequency;

adjustment means operably coupled to said means for transmitting, for adjusting said frequency; and

wherein said adjustment means alters said frequency in a first direction.

13. The resonator of claim 12, wherein said adjustment means alters said frequency in a second direction.

14. The resonator of claim 12, wherein said adjustment means comprises laser trimming.

15. The resonator of claim 12, wherein said adjustment means comprises a metallic, thick film.

16. The resonator of claim 15, wherein said metallic thick film comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silver, palladium, and any mixture thereof.

17. The resonator of claim 12, wherein said resonator is configured to operate in the range of 900 to 1400 MHz.

18. A method of achieving a desired frequency of a resonator having a starting frequency distinct from said desired frequency, wherein said resonator comprises a base having a bottom side, a top side, and a plurality of conducting vias, wherein said bottom side includes a transmission line and said top side includes a metallized thick film, and wherein said top side is operably coupled to said bottom side, the plurality of vias electrically connecting the transmission line and thick film, the method comprising the steps of:

trimming said thick film along a first direction to raise the frequency of said resonator if necessary to achieve said desired frequency;

trimming said thick film along a second direction to lower the frequency of said resonator if necessary to achieve said desired frequency;

repeating said trimming steps if necessary to achieve said desired frequency.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said trimming steps are performed manually.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said trimming steps are performed with a laser.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said thick film is selected from the group consisting of silver, palladium, and any mixture thereof.

22. A resonator comprising:

a base having a bottom side and a top side, wherein said bottom side includes a transmission line and said top side includes a thick film, and wherein said transmission line is separated from said thick film by a moat, and wherein said transmission line is in electrical communication with said thick film by a plurality of conducting vias.

23. The resonator of claim 22, wherein said base has a perimeter and wherein said plurality of conducting vias are spaced about said perimeter.

24. The resonator of claim 22, wherein said base comprises alumina.

25. The resonator of claim 22, wherein said thick film is selected from the group consisting of silver, palladium, and any mixture thereof.

26. The resonator of claim 22, further comprising a capacitor, wherein said capacitor is operably connected between said transmission line and an electrical ground.

27. The resonator of claim 26, wherein said capacitor is in the range of 1.0 pF to 4.0 pF.

28. The resonator of claim 22, wherein said base has a length in the range of 0.2 inches to 0.35 inches.

29. The resonator of claim 22, wherein said moat and said plurality of conducting vias are created by laser scribing.

30. The resonator of claim 22, wherein said resonator operates in the range of 900 to 1400 MHz.

31. The resonator of claim 22, wherein a resonator resonant frequency is increased by trimming said thick film in a first direction and wherein said resonator resonant frequency is decreased by trimming said thick film in a second direction.