Transformer coupler for communication over various lines

Claim 2

A communications apparatus for communicating electrical signals through an electrical line having a characteristic impedance comprising: modulator means for modulating the electrical signals to produce a modulated carrier signal having a first preselected frequency; transmitter means having an output impedance, electrically connected to said modulator means for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; and first coupler means connected between the electrical line and the transmitter means for matching the output impedance of said transmitter means to the characteristic impedance of the electrical line and for communicating the modulated carrier signal to the electrical line without substantial phase distortion; and said first coupler including a transformer having a non-magnetic core.

Claim 3

The communications apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said transformer is an air core transformer.

Claim 4

A communications apparatus for communicating electrical signals through an electrical line having a characteristic impedance comprising: modulator means for modulating the electrical signals to produce a modulated carrier signal having a first preselected frequency; transmitter means having an output impedance, electrically connected to said modulator means for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; first coupler means connected between the electrical line and the transmitter means for matching the output impedance of said transmitter means to the characteristic impedance of the electrical line, said first coupler means comprising linear phase means for communicating the modulated carrier signal to the electrical line without significant phase distortion and capacitor means for resonating with the linear phase means at the first preselected frequency; receiver means having an input impedance for receiving the modulated carrier signal; demodulator means electrically connected to said receiver means for demodulating said modulated carrier signal to produce a demodulated carrier signal having a second preselected frequency; and second coupler means connected between the electrical line and the receiver means for matching the input impedance of said receiver means to the characteristic impedance of the electrical line, said second coupler means comprising linear phase means for communicating the modulated carrier signal to the receiver means without significant phase distortion and capacitor means for resonating with the linear phase means at the second preselected frequency; and said linear phase means of said first and second coupler means comprising an air-core transformer.

Claim 5

A communications apparatus for communicating electrical signals through an electrical line having a characteristic impedance comprising: modulator means for modulating the electrical signals to produce a modulated carrier signal having a first preselected frequency; transmitter means having an output impedance, electrically connected to said modulator means for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; first coupler means connected between the electrical line and the transmitter means for matching the output impedance of said transmitter means to the characteristic impedance of the electrical line, said first coupler means comprising linear phase means for communicating the modulated carrier signal to the electrical line without significant phase distortion and capacitor means for resonating with the linear phase means at the first preselected frequency; receiver means having an input impedance for receiving the modulated carrier signal; demodulator means electrically connected to said receiver means for demodulating said modulated carrier signal to produce a demodulated carrier signal having a second preselected frequency; and second coupler means connected between the electrical line and the receiver means for matching the input impedance of said receiver means to the characteristic impedance of the electrical line, said second coupler means comprising linear phase means for communicating the modulated carrier signal to the receiver means without significant phase distortion and capacitor means for resonating with the linear phase means at the second preselected frequency; and said linear phase means of said first and second coupler means comprising an air-core transformer.

Claim 6

A communications apparatus for coupling electric signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal at a first frequency; a transmitter having an output impedance electrically connected to said modulator for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter for matching the output impedance of said transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and for coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler including a transformer having a non-magnetic core.

Claim 7

A communications apparatus for coupling electric signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal at a first frequency; a transmitter having an output impedance electrically connected to said modulator for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter for matching the output impedance of said transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and for coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler including a transformer having a non-magnetic core.

Claim 8

The communications apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said transformer is an air core transformer.

Claim 9

The communications apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said electric line is a telephone line.

Claim 10

The communications apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said electric line is a DC power line.

Claim 11

The communications apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said electric line is an AC power line.

Claim 12

The communications apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said electric line is a co-axial line.

Claim 13

The communications apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said electric line is a DC electric line.

Claim 14

The communications apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said electric line is an AC electric line.

Claim 15

The communications apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said electric line is a twisted pair.

Claim 16

A communications apparatus for communicating electric signals through an electric line having a characteristic impedance, said apparatus including: a transmitter for transmitting a carrier signal, said transmitter being adapted to be electrically connected to the electric line; and a coupler for matching the output impedance of the transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electrical line and coupling the carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler coming a transformer having a non-magnetic core.

Claim 17

A communications apparatus for communicating electric signals through an electric line having a characteristic impedance, said apparatus including: a transmitter for transmitting a carrier signal, said transmitter being adapted to be electrically connected to the electric line; and a coupler for matching the output impedance of the transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electrical line and coupling the carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler coming a transformer having a non-magnetic core.

Claim 18

The communication apparatus of claim 13 wherein said coupler further comprises a capacitor connected in series with the primary of the non-magnetic transformer, said capacitor being configured to resonate with the transformer primary at the carrier signal frequency.

Claim 19

The communications apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein a resistor is connected in parallel with the capacitor.

Claim 20

A communication apparatus for communicating electrical signals through an electric line having a characteristic impedance, the apparatus comprising: modulator means for modulating the electrical signals to produce a modulated carrier signal having a preselected frequency; transmitter means having an output impedance connected to the modulator means for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; and transmitter coupler means adapted to be connected between the electric line and the transmitter means for matching the output impedance of the transmitter means to the characteristic impedance of the electric line, the coupler means comprising linear phase means for communicating the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion and capacitor means for resonating with the linear phase means at the preselected frequency; said linear phase means comprising an non-magnetic air core transformer means comprising a primary coil having a first diameter, and a secondary coil having a second smaller diameter, the secondary coil extending coaxially within the primary coil such that an air gap is created between the primary and the secondary coils.

Claim 21

A communication apparatus for communicating electrical signals through an electric line having a characteristic impedance, the apparatus comprising: modulator means for modulating the electrical signals to produce a modulated carrier signal having a preselected frequency; transmitter means having an output impedance connected to the modulator means for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; and transmitter coupler means adapted to be connected between the electric line and the transmitter means for matching the output impedance of the transmitter means to the characteristic impedance of the electric line, the coupler means comprising linear phase means for communicating the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion and capacitor means for resonating with the linear phase means at the preselected frequency; said linear phase means comprising an non-magnetic air core transformer means comprising a primary coil having a first diameter, and a secondary coil having a second smaller diameter, the secondary coil extending coaxially within the primary coil such that an air gap is created between the primary and the secondary coils.

Claim 22

A communications apparatus for coupling electrical signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electrical signals to produce a modulated carrier signal at a first frequency; a transmitter having an output impedance electrically connected to said modulator for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter for matching the output impedance of said transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler including a transformer having a non-magnetic core; said transformer including a primary coil having a first diameter; and a secondary coil having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the primary coil, said secondary coil being positioned coaxially within said primary coil such that a non-magnetic gap is created between said primary and said secondary coils; and a capacitor for electrical connection between said primary coil and the electric line, wherein said primary coil and said capacitor are matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line at a preselected frequency bandwidth.

Claim 23

A communications apparatus for coupling electrical signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electrical signals to produce a modulated carrier signal at a first frequency; a transmitter having an output impedance electrically connected to said modulator for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter for matching the output impedance of said transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler including a transformer having a non-magnetic core; said transformer including a primary coil having a first diameter; and a secondary coil having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the primary coil, said secondary coil being positioned coaxially within said primary coil such that a non-magnetic gap is created between said primary and said secondary coils; and a capacitor for electrical connection between said primary coil and the electric line, wherein said primary coil and said capacitor are matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line at a preselected frequency bandwidth.

Claim 24

A communications apparatus for coupling electric signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal; a transmitter for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter, said coupler comprising a transformer with a non-magnetic core, the primary of said transformer being connected in series with a capacitor network, said capacitor network being configured to resonate with the transformer primary at the transmitter's carrier signal frequency so the coupler provides a resistive impedance matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line.

Claim 25

A communications apparatus for coupling electric signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal; a transmitter for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter, said coupler comprising a transformer with a non-magnetic core, the primary of said transformer being connected in series with a capacitor network, said capacitor network being configured to resonate with the transformer primary at the transmitter's carrier signal frequency so the coupler provides a resistive impedance matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line.

Claim 26

The communications apparatus of claim 18 wherein the capacitor network includes at least one capacitor connected in parallel with a resistor.

Claim 27

A communication apparatus for coupling electric signals through an electric line having characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal; a transmitter for transmitting a modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter, said coupler comprising a transformer with a non-magnetic core, the primary of said transformer being connected in series with a capacitor network, said capacitor network being configured to resonate with the transformer primary at the transmitter's carrier signal frequency; whereby any impedance change in the primary winding of the transformer does not reflect to the secondary winding of the transformer and any impedance change in the secondary winding of the transformer does not reflect to the primary transformer.

Claim 28

A communication apparatus for coupling electric signals through an electric line having characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal; a transmitter for transmitting a modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter, said coupler comprising a transformer with a non-magnetic core, the primary of said transformer being connected in series with a capacitor network, said capacitor network being configured to resonate with the transformer primary at the transmitter's carrier signal frequency; whereby any impedance change in the primary winding of the transformer does not reflect to the secondary winding of the transformer and any impedance change in the secondary winding of the transformer does not reflect to the primary transformer.

Claim 29

A communications apparatus for coupling electric signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier a signal at a carrier signal frequency; a transmitter having an output impedance electrically connected to said modulator for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; coupler means adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter for matching the output impedance of said transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and for coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler means including a capacitive transformer comprising a primary coil having a first diameter, and a secondary coil having a second diameter, the primary coil and secondary coil being coaxial with each other and spaced apart such that there is a dielectric gap and static capacitance between the primary and secondary coils whereby the coils are both capacitively and inductively coupled to each other; and a capacitor connected to the primary coil, said primary coil and capacitor being impedance matched to the characteristic frequency of the electric line at the carrier frequency.

Claim 30

A communications apparatus for coupling electric signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier a signal at a carrier signal frequency; a transmitter having an output impedance electrically connected to said modulator for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; coupler means adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter for matching the output impedance of said transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and for coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler means including a capacitive transformer comprising a primary coil having a first diameter, and a secondary coil having a second diameter, the primary coil and secondary coil being coaxial with each other and spaced apart such that there is a dielectric gap and static capacitance between the primary and secondary coils whereby the coils are both capacitively and inductively coupled to each other; and a capacitor connected to the primary coil, said primary coil and capacitor being impedance matched to the characteristic frequency of the electric line at the carrier frequency.

Claim 31

A communications apparatus for coupling electric signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal at a carrier signal frequency; a transmitter having an output impedance electrically connected to said modulator for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter for matching the output impedance of said transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler including a capacitive transformer having a dielectric core; said transformer including a primary coil having a first diameter and a secondary coil having a second diameter different from the diameter of the primary coil, said secondary coil being positioned coaxially with said primary coil such that there is a dielectric gap and static capacitance between the primary and secondary coils whereby the coils are both capacitively and inductively coupled to each other; and a capacitor for electrical connection between the primary coil and the electric line, the primary coil and the capacitor being impedance matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line.

Claim 32

A communications apparatus for coupling electric signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal at a carrier signal frequency; a transmitter having an output impedance electrically connected to said modulator for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter for matching the output impedance of said transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler including a capacitive transformer having a dielectric core; said transformer including a primary coil having a first diameter and a secondary coil having a second diameter different from the diameter of the primary coil, said secondary coil being positioned coaxially with said primary coil such that there is a dielectric gap and static capacitance between the primary and secondary coils whereby the coils are both capacitively and inductively coupled to each other; and a capacitor for electrical connection between the primary coil and the electric line, the primary coil and the capacitor being impedance matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line.

Claim 33

A communications apparatus for coupling electric signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal at a carrier signal frequency; a transmitter having an output impedance electrically connected to said modulator for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter for matching the output impedance of said transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler including a transformer exhibiting both inductive and capacitive coupling between its primary winding and secondary winding, said primary winding being separated from said secondary winding by a dielectric core; a capacitor connected to the primary winding for impedance matching of the coupler to the electric line at the characteristic impedance of the electric line, and said secondary winding being impedance matched to the output impedance of the transmitter.

Claim 34

A communications apparatus for coupling electric signals to an electric line having a characteristic impedance comprising: a modulator adapted to modulate electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal at a carrier signal frequency; a transmitter having an output impedance electrically connected to said modulator for transmitting the modulated carrier signal; a coupler adapted for connection between the electric line and the transmitter for matching the output impedance of said transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion; said coupler including a transformer exhibiting both inductive and capacitive coupling between its primary winding and secondary winding, said primary winding being separated from said secondary winding by a dielectric core; a capacitor connected to the primary winding for impedance matching of the coupler to the electric line at the characteristic impedance of the electric line, and said secondary winding being impedance matched to the output impedance of the transmitter.