Waveguide with adjustable backshort

• US 6,549,106 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2001
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cascade Microtech Incorporated (FormFactor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cascade Microtech Incorporated (FormFactor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Martin, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tokar, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHAI M
• Application Number:
  US09/948,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20030043002A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 333/248, 333/135, 333/137
• US Class Current: 333/248
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/28 Short-circuiting plungers

Abstract

A waveguide assembly including a waveguide, a backshort member, and an adjustment member, where the adjustment member is capable of receiving or input and transforming it into an output that causes the backshort member to be displaced in response to said input.

Claims

1. A waveguide assembly comprising:

(a) a waveguide;

(b) a backshort member movably engaged with said waveguide so as to be relatively displaced with respect to said waveguide in response to an input;

(c) an adjustment member capable of receiving said input and transforming said input into an output that differs from said input; and

(d) said output causing.said backshort member to be displaced relative to said waveguide in response to said input.

2. The waveguide assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) said backshort member including a surface; and

(b) said waveguide assembly including at least one resiliently flexible member in pressing engagement with said surface.

3. The waveguide assembly of claim 1 wherein said adjustment member is a screw.

4. The waveguide assembly of claim 1 wherein said backshort member includes a surface capable of reflecting an alternating signal traveling within said waveguide.

5. The waveguide assembly of claim 4 further comprising a transmission line operably electrically connected with said waveguide so as to sense said alternating signal.

6. The waveguide assembly of claim 5 wherein said transmission line may is capable of carrying said alternating signal toward a device under test.

7. The waveguide assembly of claim 6 further comprising a DC signal provided to said transmission line.

8. A bias tee comprising:

(a) a waveguide;

(b) a backshort member movably engaged with said waveguide so as to be relatively displaced with respect to said waveguide in response to an input;

(c) an adjustment member capable of receiving said input and transforming said input into an output that differs from said input;

(d) said output causing said backshort member to be displaced relative to said waveguide in response to said input;

(e) a transmission line operably electrically connected with said waveguide so as to sense said alternating signal; and

(f) said transmission line is capable of receiving a DC signal.

9. The bias tee of claim 8 further comprising:

(a) said backshort member including a surface; and

(b) said bias tee including at least one resiliently flexible member in pressing engagement with said surface.

10. The bias tee of claim 8 wherein said adjustment member is a screw.

11. The bias tee of claim 8 further comprising a DC signal provided to said transmission line.

12. The bias tee of claim 8 wherein said backshort member includes a surface capable of reflecting an alternating signal traveling within said waveguide.

13. The bias tee of claim 12 wherein said transmission line is capable of carrying said alternating signal toward a device under test.

14. A transition comprising:

(a) a waveguide;

(b) a backshort member movably engaged with said waveguide so as to be relatively displaced with respect to said waveguide in response to an input;

(c) an adjustment member capable of receiving said input and transforming said input into an output that differs from said input;

(d) said output causing said backshort member to be displaced relative to said waveguide in response to said input;

(e) a transmission line operably electrically connected with said waveguide so as to sense said alternating signal.

15. The transition of claim 14 further comprising:

(a) said backshort member including a surface; and

(b) said transition including at least one resiliently flexible member in pressing engagement with said surface.

16. The transition of claim 14 wherein said adjustment member is a screw.

17. The transition of claim 14 further comprising a DC signal provided to said transmission line.

18. The transition of claim 14 wherein said backshort member includes a surface capable of reflecting an alternating signal traveling within said waveguide.

19. The transition of claim 18 wherein said transmission line is capable of carrying said alternating signal toward a device under test.