US3593139A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transponder
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1968-06-28
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1988-06-28
Abstract
Abstract An RF signal in one RF range is amplified and amplitude limited by a three stage tunnel diode amplifier, a mixer and local oscillator operate on the RF signal output of the three stage amplifier to translate the RF signal to a different RF range, a single stage tunnel diode amplifier amplifies and amplitude limits the output of the mixer and a TWT amplifier transmits the output of the single stage amplifier. Where tracking is required, such as in a satellite transponder, a frequency multiplier coupled to the oscillator produces an RF tracking signal outside the translation frequency range which is transmitted by the TWT amplifier simultaneously with the translated RF signal.
Inventors
- 👤 David E Hershberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A transponder comprising: first means to receive a first radio frequency signal disposed in a first radio frequency range; a first tunnel diode amplifier having at least one stage, said first amplifier operating in its amplitude limiting mode and coupled to said first means to both amplify and amplitude limit said first radio frequency signal; third means coupled to said second means to frequency translate said first radio frequency signal to a second radio frequency range different than said first radio frequency range; and fourth means coupled to said third means to transmit said frequency translated radio frequency signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A transponder comprising: first means to receive a first radio frequency signal disposed in a first radio frequency range; a first tunnel diode amplifier having at least one stage, said first amplifier operating in its amplitude limiting mode and coupled to said first means to both amplify and amplitude limit said first radio frequency signal; third means coupled to said second means to frequency translate said first radio frequency signal to a second radio frequency range different than said first radio frequency range; and fourth means coupled to said third means to transmit said frequency translated radio frequency signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A transponder according to claim 1, wherein said fourth means includes a second tunnel diode amplifier having one stage, said second amplifier operating in its amplitude limiting mode and coupled to said third means to both amplify and amplitude limit said frequency translated radio frequency signal, and fifth means coupled to said second amplifier to increase the power of and transmit said frequency translated radio frequency signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A transponder according to claim 2, wherein said fifth means includes a traveling wave tube amplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transponder according to claim 1, wherein said first amplifier includes three stages, each of said stages operating in its amplitude-limiting mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A transponder according to claim 1, wherein said third means includes mixer means coupled to said second means, a crystal oscillator, and a frequency multiplier means coupled between said oscillator and said mixer means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
A transponder according to claim 1, wherein said first amplifier includes three stages having its first stage coupled to said first means, each of said stages operating its amplitude limiting mode; said third means includes mixer means coupled to the last stage of said three stages, a crystal oscillator, and a first frequency multiplier means coupled between said oscillator and said mixer means; and said fourth means includes a second tunnel diode amplifier having one stage, said second amplifier operating in its amplitude limiting mode coupled to said mixer means, and a traveling wave tube amplifier coupled to said second amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
A transponder comprising: first means to receive a first radio frequency signal disposed in a first radio frequency range; second means coupled to said first means to amplify and amplitude limit said first radio frequency signal; third means coupled to said second means to frequency translate said first radio frequency signal to a second radio frequency signal range different than said first radio frequency range; fourth means coupled to said third means to transmit said frequency-translated radio frequency signal; and fifth means coupled to said third means and said fourth means to produce a fixed frequency radio frequency signal in juxtaposition with said second radio frequency range for transmission by said fourth means simultaneously with said frequency translated radio frequency signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
A transponder comprising: first means to receive a first radio frequency signal disposed in a first radio frequency range; second means coupled to said first means to amplify and amplitude limit said first radio frequency signal; third means coupled to said second means to frequency translate said first radio frequency signal to a second radio frequency signal range different than said first radio frequency range; fourth means coupled to said third means to transmit said frequency-translated radio frequency signal; and fifth means coupled to said third means and said fourth means to produce a fixed frequency radio frequency signal in juxtaposition with said second radio frequency range for transmission by said fourth means simultaneously with said frequency translated radio frequency signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
221 words
A transducer comprising: first means to receive a first radio frequency signal disposed in a first radio frequency range; second means coupled to said first means to amplify and amplitude limit said first radio frequency signal; third means coupled to said second means to frequency translate said first radio frequency signal to a second radio frequency range different than said first radio frequency range; fourth means coupled to said third means to transmit said frequency translated radio frequency signal; said second means including a three stage tunnel diode amplifier having its first stage coupled to said first means, each of said stages operating in its amplitude limiting mode; said third means including mixer means coupled to the last stage of said three-stage amplifier, a crystal oscillator, and a first frequency multiplier means coupled between said oscillator and said mixer means; said fourth means including a one stage tunnel diode amplifier operating in its amplitude limiting mode coupled to said mixer means, and a traveling wave tube amplifier coupled to said one-stage amplifier; and a second frequency multiplier means coupled to said first multiplier means and said traveling wave tube amplifier to produce a fixed radio frequency signal in juxtaposition with said second radio frequency range for transmission by said traveling wave tube amplifier simultaneously with said frequency translated radio frequency signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
221 words
A transducer comprising: first means to receive a first radio frequency signal disposed in a first radio frequency range; second means coupled to said first means to amplify and amplitude limit said first radio frequency signal; third means coupled to said second means to frequency translate said first radio frequency signal to a second radio frequency range different than said first radio frequency range; fourth means coupled to said third means to transmit said frequency translated radio frequency signal; said second means including a three stage tunnel diode amplifier having its first stage coupled to said first means, each of said stages operating in its amplitude limiting mode; said third means including mixer means coupled to the last stage of said three-stage amplifier, a crystal oscillator, and a first frequency multiplier means coupled between said oscillator and said mixer means; said fourth means including a one stage tunnel diode amplifier operating in its amplitude limiting mode coupled to said mixer means, and a traveling wave tube amplifier coupled to said one-stage amplifier; and a second frequency multiplier means coupled to said first multiplier means and said traveling wave tube amplifier to produce a fixed radio frequency signal in juxtaposition with said second radio frequency range for transmission by said traveling wave tube amplifier simultaneously with said frequency translated radio frequency signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |