MICROWAVE MULTIPLEXER WITH CHANNELS OF VARYING FRACTIONAL BANDWIDTHS

Abstract: A microwave multiplexer includes a first channel segment (8) having first components (Ai, Bi, Ci, Ji) derived from a first log-periodically scaled prototype. The first channel segment (8) receives a composite signal from a composite-signal port (PC), selects a first channel (CH1, CH2, CH3) having a first bandwidth (BW1, BW2, BW3) and first center frequency (f1, f2, f3) from the composite signal, and directs a first channelized signal to a first channelized-signal port (PN) responsive to the first channel (CH1, CH2, CH3). In addition, the multiplexer includes a second channel segment (4, 6), connected to the first channel segment (8) and having second components (Ai, Bi, Ci, Ji) derived from a second log-periodically scaled prototype. The second channel segment (4, 6) receives the composite signal from the composite-signal port (PC) via the first segment (8), selects a second channel (CH1, CH2, CH3) having a second bandwith (BW1, BW2, BW3) and second center frequency (f1, f2, f3) from the composite signal, and directs a second channelized signal to a second channelized-signal port (P1, P2) responsive to the second channel (CH1, CH2, CH3).

Description: MICROWAVE MULTIPLEXER WITH CHANNELS OF VARYING FRACTIONAL BANDWIDTHS Background of the Invention Field of the invention The present invention relates to the construction and design of microwave multiplexers with contiguous or non- contiguous frequency channels and, in particular, to the construction and design of microwave multiplexers with channels exhibiting channel center frequencies that vary from one channel to the next in a monotonic fashion and exhibiting fractional bandwidths that vary from one channel to the next in a systematic, but otherwise arbitrary, user-defined manner. The present invention provides a non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer which multiplexes channels having various fractional bandwidths by use of one or more idealized infinite-array multiplexer prototypes for designing network segments which provide frequency selective filtering between individual composite-signal ports and associated channelized- signal ports. Description of the Related Art Presently, frequency multiplexers having channel fractional bandwidths which vary from one channel to the next are difficult to design and implement and generally require sophisticated computer-aided design tools. The prior art on constant-fractional-bandwidth multiplexers includes a logarithmic-periodic microwave multiplexer which can be efficiently designed and implemented as an array of logarith ic-periodically scaled sub-structures or segments. Logarithmic periodicity rigidly links circuit parameter values and characteristic frequencies defining a particular multiplexer segment to corresponding quantities of neighboring segments through a fixed logarithmic-periodic scaling factor. Accordingly, the logarithmic-periodic multiplexer of the prior art is made up of segments which share the same topology and which have circuit element values rigidly linked to one another from one channel segment to another channel segment through a fixed scaling factor. This basically confines independent design variables to those of a single segment and allows optimization of the entire logarithmic-periodic multiplexer by only requiring the optimization of one channel segment of the multiplexer. All other segments are merely frequency-scaled replicas of the one reference segment with their respective design parameters being implicitly determined by the reference segment parameters through the fixed frequency scaling factor. What is needed is a non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer which is more suitable than the prior-art logarithmic-periodic microwave multiplexer for multiplexing contiguous or non- contiguous frequency channels whose fractional bandwidths are allowed to vary from one channel to the next in a systematic, but otherwise arbitrary, user-defined manner. In addition, what is also needed is a non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer which limits the number of variables to be optimized to avoid dimensionality concerns that burden conventional optimization approaches for designing multiplexers. Further, what is needed is a non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer whose array of channel segments may be arbitrarily expanded without materially degrading the performance of previously incorporated channels in the channel array. Summary of the Invention It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer which can be efficiently and effectively designed to implement frequency multiplexing with contiguous or non-contiguous channels whose fractional bandwidths vary from one channel to the next in a systematic, but otherwise arbitrary, user-defined manner. It is another object of the present invention to provide a non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer which exploits the elegance and efficiency of the logarithmic-periodic approach while eliminating the equal-fractional-bandwidth restriction of the logarithmic-periodic multiplexer. Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer which conceptually views each of its specified channels, one at a time, as a reference channel of a whole separate idealized infinite-array logarithmic-periodic multiplexer prototype of a respective fractional bandwidth. Each of the specified reference channel segments, which is designed according to the logarithmic- periodic approach, are then isolated from their respective prototype circuits and combined to form a new non-logarithmic- periodic structure, with individual channel segments arranged within the structure so as to establish from one channel to the next a sequence of channel center frequencies that vary monotonically. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer which multiplexes constant-absolute-bandwidth channels to provide constant-absolute-bandwidth multiplexing. In carrying out the above objects of the present invention, there is provided a non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer which includes a first channel segment having first components derived from a first log-periodically scaled prototype, where the first channel segment receives a composite signal from a composite-signal port, selects a first channel frequency band having a first bandwidth and first center frequency from the composite signal, and forwards a first channelized signal to the first channelized-signal port responsive to the first channel. In addition, the multiplexer includes a second channel segment, connected to the first channel segment and having second components derived from a second log-periodically scaled prototype. The second channel segment receives a composite signal from the composite-signal port, selects a second channel frequency band having a second bandwidth and second center frequency from the composite signal, and forwards a second channelized signal to a second channelized-signal port responsive to the second channel. Further channel segments may be added in analogous fashion. These, together with other objects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation, as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1(a) is a block diagram of the general structural configuration of the present invention; Fig. 1(b) is a block diagram of the general structural configuration of the network blocks shown in Fig. 1(a) of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a spectrum diagram of a frequency plot showing various center frequencies and bandwidths which are used to conceptually describe the principles of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the structural configurations relating to a specific channel segment of the multiplexer of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a diagram of the structural configuration of a five-channel contiguous-band constant-absolute-bandwidth multiplexer of the present invention having 800-MHz-wide channel bandwidths illustrating the principles of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the calculated or simulated performance of the five-channel contiguous-band constant-absolute-bandwidth multiplexer of the present invention having 800-MHz-wide channel bandwidths; Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the actual performance measurements of the five-channel contiguous-band constant- absolute-rbandwidth multiplexer of the present invention having 800-MHz-wide channel bandwidths; and Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the various parameter values for each channel segment of the five-channel contiguous-band constant-absolute-bandwidth multiplexer of the present invention having 800-MHz-wide channel bandwidths, with all parameters normalized to those of a specific channel. Description of the Preferred Embodiment The non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer, which is the present invention, is - unlike the prior art logarithmic- periodic microwave multiplexer - suitable for multiplexing contiguous or non-contiguous frequency channels whose fractional bandwidths vary from one channel to the next in a systematic, but otherwise arbitrary, user-defined manner. The non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer of the present invention circumvents the dimensionality problems typically encountered in conventional design approaches by using techniques which are based on logarithmic periodicity. The present invention designs or constructs a segment for each channel to be multiplexed which is a frequency-transformed version of another channel segment. Accordingly, the number of variables to be optimized for a given multiplexer are limited to variables of one representative segment plus a small number of channel-dependent variable transformation parameters for each channel segment, thereby virtually eliminating dimensionality concerns that burden conventional optimization approaches for designing multiplexers. The non-logarithmic-periodic microwave multiplexer of the present invention is not based on each channel being integrated one at a time until the channel array is complete for multiplexing, and therefore, avoids having to cope with interference from new channels being added to the channel array which typically affect the performance of previously incorporated channels in the channel array. The basic construction of the non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1(a). Fig. 1(a) shows a one-port array termination segment S τ connected to a three-port multiplexer core segment S.,. Segment S 1 is connected to a second core segment S 2 . The core segments are cascaded together for up to N such segments. The Nth core segments S N is then connected to an impedance matching segment S H . The above general construction of the non-logarithmic- periodic multiplexer of the present is conventional as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,101,181 which is incorporated herein by reference. Each of the core segments S.,-S N are preferably three-port networks which may be further decomposed into two-port sections A,, B,., and C^, and three-port junction J } as illustrated in Fig. 1(b). The B. section represents channelizing filters that are used to primarily define the individual channel frequency responses. Sections A, and C, also help define the individual channel frequency responses but are mainly tasked with forming a trunk distribution cascade for signal distribution and impedance transformation. In the present invention, section B. is preferably a conventional bandpass filter. A, and C. are made up of conventional passive circuit elements and preferably one of A, and C. will be a conventional frequency selective filtering network to help shape channel bandpass characteristics and help prevent unwanted out-of-band spurious channel responses. Junction J j can be either a simple three-way connection, as it is in conventional multiplexers of the manifold type, or it may contain more general three-port elements such as directional couplers or circulators. It should be noted that the core segments S.,-S N are not limited to a construction with three two-port subnetworks and one three-port subnetwork and that the core segments may contain any number of two-port and multiport subnetworks, including means for providing feed- forward and feedback signal paths within the core segment. The circuit components of the termination segment S τ , core segments S.-.-S,, and matching segment S M may include circuit elements such as transmission line segments, lumped circuit elements, active components, ferrite elements, superconductors and any other active or passive reciprocal or nonreciprocal components. The three-port core segments S.,-S N are specifically tasked with providing frequency selective filtering between respective individual composite-signal ports and associated channelized-signal ports, as well as between composite-signal ports and connection points to subsequent subnetworks. The present invention revolves around the utilization of multiplexer structures with topologies analogous to topologies disclosed for the logarithmic-periodic multiplexer of the prior art, but applied to non-logarithmic-periodic situations using frequency transformations. This extension encompasses a larger number of important multiplexer applications which cannot use the logarithmic-periodic multiplexers of the prior art. For example, the present invention is able to provide a non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer which provides constant- absolute-bandwidth multiplexing which is important for use in commercial and military communication systems. Conceptually, the non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer of the present invention may be arrived at by viewing each of the specified channels as a reference channel with the desired bandwidth and center frequency of an entire separate idealized infinite-array logarithmic-periodic multiplexer prototype having a respective fractional bandwidth. Once a separate logarithmic-periodic multiplexer has been designed for each channel to be used in the multiplexer using conventional logarithmic periodic techniques, these individual reference channel segments are then taken and combined to form a new non-logarithmic-periodic array. Starting from the composite- signal side of the resultant structure, the reference segments are stacked together in a fashion that establishes a sequence of monotonically decreasing channel center frequencies, with the highest-frequency segment ending up closest to the multiplexer composite-signal port. For example, as illustrated in the spectrum diagram of Fig. 2, three separate channels CH,, CH 2 and CH 3 may be desired, each having bandwidths of BW,, BW 2 and BW 3 , respectively. Each of these three bandwidths are centered around frequencies f 1f f 2 and f 3 , respectively. Thus, in order to design the non-logarithmic- periodic multiplexer of the present invention to multiplex these channels, individual conventional constant-fractional- bandwidth logarithmic-periodic multiplexer prototypes are designed for each of channels CH,, CK 2 or CH 3 having reference channel responses of bandwidths BW,, BW 2 and BW 3 , respectively, and with center frequencies f,, f 2 , and f 3 , respectively. The reference channel network segments of these individual conventional infinite-array logarithmic-periodic multiplexer prototypes are subsequently extracted from respective prototype circuits and connected together to arrive at the non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer of the present invention, with all multiplexer core segments being of same topology and arranged to form an array with channel center frequencies varying monotonically across the array. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a multiplexer core segment for a first channel used to multiplex an 800-MHz bandwidth centered around a frequency of 6.4 GHz which was generated using conventional logarithmic-periodic techniques. The logarithmic-periodic technique generated the following parameter values for the elements of the first-channel core segment of the multiplexer according to the present invention to perform the multiplexing as described above. The electrical length at band center for transmission line TL,(1) was equal to 40°, for TL^l) the length was equal to 45°, for TL j l) it was equal to 8°, for TL A (1) it was equal to 38", for TL g fl) it was equal to 45°, for TL 6 (1) it was equal to 6°, for ^l) it was equal to 36°, and for TL g (l) the length was equal to 8°. The impedances of the transmission lines were determined to be the following: for TL, 3 4 6 8 the impedance was equal to 50 ohms, for TI^ 7 the characteristic impedance was equal to 100 ohms, and for TL j it was equal to 75 ohms. Finally, the capacitance C,(1) was equal to .151pF and the capacitance C 2 (l) was equal to .0578 pF. Transmission line sections TL, and TI^ together with capacitors C, and C 2 form a bandpass filter, and transmission line sections TL j -TL g form a low-pass filter in the core segment as shown in Fig. 3. The element values for the remaining four core segments may be derived from the first-channel core segment using frequency transformations. For the 800-MHz-bandwidth multiplexer of the present invention, the frequency transformation involves various parameter scaling factors used for each of the core segments which is discussed in greater detail below. Fig. 4 shows the basic structure of the non-logarithmic- periodic multiplexer of the present invention. Fig. 4 thereby depicts the microstrip pattern layout for the non-logarithmic- periodic multiplexer implemented as conducting strips on a circuit board with a conducting ground plane on the back side of the circuit board. As indicated in Fig. 4, each of the core segments S,-S 5 comprises the basic structure as described with reference to Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, an incident signal to be demultiplexed will enter a composite signal port 16 and propagate along trunk feeder section 14 until the signal reaches each of filters 14(5)-14(1). Trunk distribution filter networks 14(5)-14(1) are designed to have lowpass characteristics which encompass frequencies of the incident signal. From each of the trunk distribution filter networks 14(5)-14(1), respective frequency components of the signal are channeled off* to channelized-signal ports 17(5)-17(1) via frequency-selective channelizing filters 15(5)-15(1). The present invention preferably uses conventional capacitively end-coupled strip resonator channelizing filters which are comprised of barbell combinations of three shorter transmission line segments that include a low-high-low characteristic impedance profile. The conventional barbell configurations are shown in Fig. 4 as conventional strip resonator filters 15(1)-15(5). Capacitors C,(1)-C,(5) and C 2 (l)-C 2 (5) are preferably constructed with a dielectric between two conductive plates with gaps between strip resonator elements bridged with wire connections as described in the prior art. To realize the multiplexer of the present invention, the non-logarithmic-periodic array of segments must be bounded in a reasonable manner. This can be accomplished by designing the composite-signal-port matching segment S H to mimic or simulate the two-port characteristics of an array extension with channel segments of monotonically increasing center frequencies and thereby establish proper impedance matching conditions at multiplexer composite-signal port 16. The matching segment S H preferably includes a continuation of the core segment array toward port 16 by at least one additional segment with respective channelizing filters terminated in dummy loads as represented in Fig. 4 by channel filter 18 and its load 19. Termination segment S τ in Fig. 4 is preferably an equivalent one-port substitution circuit which is used to mimic a diverging array of hypothetical core segments beyond the lowest frequency channel of interest, and to emulate for the core portion of the multiplexer the truncated portion of the segment array extended toward infinity. This equivalent circuit may simply be an open circuit or other conventional circuits described in the prior art. As can be readily seen from Fig. 4, with reference to Fig. 1(b), the B j section channelizing filter 15(1)-15(5) includes conventional capacitively end-coupled barbell resonators comprised of transmission line sections TL, and L j with small coupling capacitors C, and C 2 between each barbell section. Preferably, two resonators are used in each B. section channel filter, with higher-order filter structures to be used if enhanced channel selectivity is desired. Each A* section 14(1)-14(5) preferably comprises a filter structure such as the low-pass cascade connection in Fig. 3 of five transmission line segments, TI^ 467 8 , and an open ended transmission line stub TL j . With the multiplexer structure of Fig. 4 being of the manifold type, sections J ? are simple three-way parallel connections. No C, sections were used for the preferred embodiment of the multiplexer of the present invention shown in Fig. 4. For microstrip implementation, the 5-channel non-logarithmic-periodic constant-absolute-bandwidth multiplexer of the preferred embodiment may preferably be constructed on a conventional .25-mm-thick fiberglass reinforced teflon surface or substrate. The small coupling capacitors between each strip section , i.e., C, and C 2 , may preferably be made from conventional copper-clad .125-mm-thick fiberglass reinforced teflon as well. Figs. 5 and 6 show the measured and simulated performance of the non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer circuit of the present invention shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 5, the measured performance of the 800-MHz constant-absolute- bandwidth multiplexer shown in Fig. 4 is in excellent agreement with the simulated performance of the 800-MHz constant-absolute-bandwidth multiplexer shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a graph of the channel segment parameters for each of the five channel segments of the non-logarithmic- periodic multiplexer shown in Fig. 4 normalized about the channel parameters for core segment one (S,) of the 800-MHz constant-absolute-bandwidth multiplexer. Thus, a set of parameter scaling factors may be defined for each core segment based upon the normalizing of parameters of core segments two through five S 2~ S 5 about the parameters of core segment one S,. As shown in Fig. 7, curve (a) depicts the normalized electrical lengths of transmission lines TL, and TL j in terms of their common parameter scaling factor versus or with respect to a specific core segment. Thus, the electrical length of TL, (2) is equal to that of TLι,(l) multiplied by the parameter scaling factor which has been previously determined by normalizing all parameter values about the parameter values of core segment one S, as discussed above. Curve (b) is a graph of the normalized electrical length of the transmission lines TL j -TL g plotted as a function of channel index numbers one through five. In addition, curves (c) and (d) are graphs of normalized capacitances C, and C 2 given in terms of their respective parameter scaling factors versus specific channel index number. Note also that the specific fractional bandwidth in percent is also shown with respect to each of the above curves (a)-(d), in addition to these curves being plotted as a function of channel index numbers 1-5. Thus, if specific fractional bandwidths were desired for a particular non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer of same general topology, the designer need only pick the transmission line lengths and capacitances corresponding to the desired fractional bandwidth off curves (a)-(d) shown in Fig. 7. Conventional curve fitting techniques can also be used to closely approximate each parameter curve. Such techniques are of particular benefit if the resulting approximation functions derived for describing the transformation characteristics from one channel segment to another involve fewer transformation variables than there otherwise would be discrete scaling factor data points needed to represent the same transformation characteristics. For example, the logarithmic-periodic multiplexer has the transformation characteristic where C(i)=T ,'"1 *C,(1) , C 2 (i)=T' "1 *C 2 (l) , etc. where T is equal to the parameter scaling factor for the logarithmic-periodic multiplexer which is the same for each channel segment parameter from one channel to the next. For a logarithmic- periodic design, all parameter transformations are hence simply and elegantly defined by a single transformation constant, namely T. In the case of a non-logarithmic-periodic structure of the present invention, this efficient feature is fully exploited through the use of the logarithmic-periodic prototype circuits. The present invention also permits the pre-calculation of logarithmic-periodic multiplexer prototypes which may be compiled in, for example, a textbook, and which then permits the designer of the multiplexer to selectively choose transmission line lengths and capacitance parameters from a textbook based upon, for example, a desired fractional bandwidth. As for parameter transformations among segments of the actual non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer structures, the respective curves, as illustrated by curves (a)-(d) in Fig. 7, are generally smooth and well-behaved and can typically be described by approximation functions with only one or two transformation variables in lieu of a number of scaling factor data points equal to or greater than the number of channels multiplied by the number of parameter sets - 5 times 4 in the present example. While Figs. 3-8 apply the principles and features of the present invention to a preferred embodiment of an 800-MHz constant-absolute-bandwidth multiplexer, the present invention can also be applied to other non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer applications as well. As discussed above, the multiplexer designer need only select the desired center frequency and bandwidth for each channel to be multiplexed, and thereafter, simply design a logarithmic-periodic multiplexer prototype of suitable network topology for each of the channels to be multiplexed. Then, the designer combines selected prototype segments as discussed above with a commensurate composite-signal-port matching network and a suitable array termination segment to form the non- logarithmic-periodic multiplexer. A principal feature of the present invention, is the efficient utilization of logarithmic-periodic prototype structures in the design of a non-logarithmic-periodic microwave multiplexer circuit. The approach of the present invention, which is applicable in both the contiguous-band and non-contiguous-band situations is able to cope with an arbitrarily large number of channels while requiring only a minimum set of design variables. This design approach can also be used to accommodate specific bandwidth requirements. Thus, the present invention is not limited to contiguous-band multiplexers or multiplexers having a specified fractional channel bandwidth. Neither is the approach limited to multiplexers with manifold configurations. A characteristic of the present invention is that the core segment used for the logarithmic-periodic prototype structures all have similar topologies with circuit element values linked from one core segment to another within a particular prototype structure via a scaling factor which typically differs from one prototype to the next. Consequently, the core segments of the final non-logarithmic- periodic multiplexer will also be of a common topology. Through derivation and subsequent utilization of above described core segment variable scaling functions, only a small set of parameters pertaining to specific core segments plus a few transformation coefficients are all that is essentially needed to define the multiplexer circuit in x accordance with the principles of the present invention. The resultant efficiency of the design method of the present invention is particularly significant in the design of sophisticated multiplexer circuits with a large number of channel segments. In addition, the non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer circuit of the present invention (in a manifold configuration) also has the advantage of yielding better channel selectivity for a given substrate area than has been demonstrated by the prior art in view of the structure of the present invention which incorporates filtering networks in the trunk portions of the manifold (that is between respective connection points of the main channelizing filters) tasked with distribution of a multiplexer composite signal to the various main channelizing filters. Conventional computer- aided circuit design techniques may also be engaged to fine- tune the resulting design of the non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer of the present invention and to synthesize an optimum composite-signal-port matching network and a low- frequency-end truncation network. Any structure that meets the non-logarithmic-periodic structure of the present invention including different realizations for the branch filters, trunk network segment networks falls within the scope of the present invention. Alternative segment structures which may be used with this invention include structures that are not truly compatible with prototype logarithmic-periodic design constraints as they pertain to manifold type multiplexer realizations, but which may be termed quasi-logarithmic-periodic by being compatible with logarithmic-periodic prototype design within a limited frequency band. An example of such a structure is one that utilizes parallel-coupled-line filters with short-circuit resonator ends. Further, the present invention may also include feedback between nodes internal to each multiplexer segment, feedback or feedforward signal paths between nodes of different segments, and such paths between nodes of segments and the composite-signal-port matching circuit using conventional feedback and feed forward techniques and circuitry. Finally, the present invention may also include active circuit elements and devices as well as other nonreciprocal elements which are scaled in accordance with the non-logarithmic-periodic multiplexer frequency plan of the present invention. The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the detailed specification and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A multiplexer having a composite-signal port receiving a composite signal and first and second channelized- signal ports outputting first and second channelized signals, comprising: a first channel segment comprising first components determined from a first log-periodically scaled prototype, said first channel segment receiving said composite signal from said composite-signal port, selecting a first channel having a first bandwidth and first center frequency from said composite signal, and outputting the first channelized signal to the first channelized-signal port responsive to said first channel; and a second channel segment, connected to said first channel segment and comprising second components determined from a second log-periodically scaled prototype, said second channel segment receiving said composite signal from said composite- signal port, selecting a second channel having a second bandwidth and second center frequency from said composite signal, and outputting the second channelized signal to the second channelized-signal port responsive to said second channel. 2. A multiplexer as recited in claim 1, further comprising impedance matching means for simulating an array extension towards the multiplexer composite-signal port with channel segments of monotonically increasing center frequencies. 3. A multiplexer as recited in claim 1, further comprising array termination means for simulating an array extension with channel segments of monotonically decreasing center frequencies. 4. A multiplexer as recited in claim 1, further comprising feedback circuitry for feeding the first channelized signal from the first channelized-signal port to other ports in the multiplexer. 5. A multiplexer as recited in claim 1, further comprising feedback circuitry for feeding the first channelized signal from the first channelized-signal port to the composite-signal port. 6. A multiplexer as recited in claim 1, further comprising a low-pass filter structure including a transmission line stub, located between the channelized-signal port and the first and second composite-signal ports. 7. A multiplexer as recited in claim 6, wherein said first and second center frequencies and bandwidths define different first and second fractional bandwidths. 8. A multiplexer as recited in claim 6, wherein said low-pass filter prototype includes third components forming a third log-periodically scaled prototype. 9. A multiplexer as recited in claim 7, wherein said first and second channel segements are topologically equivalent frequency-scaled versions of each other arranged in a sequence of decending channel center frequencies. 10. A multiplexer multiplexing channels having varying fractional bandwidths, comprising: a composite-signal port; first and second channelized-signal ports; a first channel segment, connected to said composite- signal and first channelized-signal ports and comprising first components determined from a first log-periodically scaled prototype; and a second channel segment, connected to said first channel segment and to said composite-signal and second channelized- signal ports and comprising second components determined from a second log-periodically scaled prototype. 11. A multiplexer as recited in claim 10, further comprising impedance matching means for simulating an array extension toward the multiplexer composite-signal port with channel segments of monotonically increasing center frequencies. 12. A multiplexer as recited in claim 10, further comprising array termination means for simulating an array extension with channel segments of monotonically decreasing center frequencies. 13. A multiplexer as recited in claim 10, further comprising a low-pass filter structure including third components forming a third log-periodically scaled prototype located between the composite-signal port and the first and second channelized-signal ports. 14. A multiplexer as recited in claim 10, wherein said first and second center frequencies and bandwidths define different first and second fractional bandwidths. 15. A multiplexer as recited in claim 14, wherein said first and second channel segements are topologically equivalent frequency-scaled versions of each other arranged in a sequence of decending channel center frequencies. 16. A multiplexer multiplexing channels having varying fractional bandwidths, comprising: a composite-signal port; first and second channelized-signal ports; a first channel segment, connected to said composite- signal and first channelized-signal ports and comprising first components determined from a first log-periodically scaled prototype having a first fractional bandwidth; a second channel segment, connected to said first channel segment and to said composite-signal and second channelized- signal ports and comprising second components determined from a second log-periodically scaled prototype having a second fractional bandwidth different from said first fractional bandwidth, and said first and second channel segements are topologically equivalent frequency-scaled versions of each other arranged in a sequence of decending channel center frequencies; impedance matching means for simulating an array extension toward the multiplexer composite-signal port with channel segments of monotonically increasing center frequencies; array termination means for simulating an array extension with channel segments of monotonically decreasing center frequencies; and a low-pass filter structure, connected between the composite-signal port and the first and second channelized- signal ports. 17. A multiplexer multiplexing channels having varying fractional bandwidths, comprising: a composite-signal port; first and second channelized-signal ports; a first • channel segment, connected to said co posite- signal and first channelized-signal ports and comprising first components having first values generated according to log- periodic principles responsive to a first bandwidth and a first center frequency of a first channel; and a second channel segment, connected to said first channel segment and to said composite-signal and second channelized- signal ports and comprising second components having second values generated according to the log-periodic principles responsive to a second bandwidth and a second center frequency of a second channel. 18. A multiplexer as recited in claim 17, further comprising impedance matching means for simulating asn array extension toward the multiplexer composite-signal port with channel segments of monotonically increasing center frequencies. 19. A multiplexer as recited in claim 17, further comprising array termination means for simulating an array extension with channel segments of monotonically decreasing center frequencies. 20. A multiplexer as recited in claim 17, further comprising a low-pass filter structure, located between the composite-signal port and the first and second channelized- signal ports including third components forming a third log- periodically scaled prototype. 21. A multiplexer as recited in claim 17, wherein said first and second center frequencies and bandwidths define different first and second fractional bandwidths. 22. A multiplexer as recited in claim 14, wherein said first and second channel segements are topologically equivalent frequency-scaled versions of each other arranged in a sequence of decending channel center frequencies. 23. A multiplexer design, comprising: first circuit element values generated in accordance with log-periodic principles responsive to a first bandwidth and a first center frequency of a first channel having a first fractional bandwidth; and second circuit element values generated in accordance with the log-periodic principles responsive to a second bandwidth and a second center frequency of a second channel having a second fractional bandwidth, wherein said first and second fractional bandwidths are different. 24. A method of multiplexing signals using a multiplexer having a composite-signal port receiving a composite signal and first and second channelized-signal ports outputting first and second channelized signals, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a first channel having a first bandwidth and first center frequency from the composite signal using a first channel segment comprising first components determined from a first log-periodically scaled prototype, and outputting the first channelized signal to the first channelized-signal port responsive to the first channel; and (b) selecting a second channel having a second bandwidth and second center frequency from the composite signal using a second channel segment comprising second components determined from a second log-periodically scaled prototype, and outputting the second channelized signal to the second channelized-signal port responsive to the second channel. 25. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the step of simulating an array extension toward the multiplexer composite-signal port with channel segments of monotonically increasing center frequencies. 26. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the step of simulating an array extension with channel segments of monotonically decreasing center frequencies. 27. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the step of feeding the first channelized signal from the first channelized-signal port to other ports in the multiplexer. 28. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the step of feeding the first channelized signal from the first channelized-signal port to the composite-signal port. 29. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the step of filtering the composite signal using a low-pass filter structure, located between the composite-signal port and the first and second channelized-signal ports. 30. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the first and second center frequencies and bandwidths define different first and second fractional bandwidths. 31. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein said first and second channel segements are topologically equivalent frequency-scaled versions of each other arranged in a sequence of decending channel center frequencies. 32. A method of constructing a multiplexer, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting first and second channels having first and second bandwidths and first and second center frequencies for first and second channelized-signal ports; (b) selecting first and second component structures determined from first and second log-periodically scaled prototypes responsive to the first and second bandwidths and center frequencies; and (c) connecting the first and second component structures to the first and second channelized-signal ports, to a composite-signal port and to each other. 33. A method of generating multiplexer parameters for constructing a multiplexer, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting first and second channels having first and second bandwidths and first and second center frequencies for first and second channelized-signal ports; and (b) generating first and second component values representing first and second log-periodically scaled prototypes for constructing the multiplexer responsive to the first and second bandwidths and center frequencies. 34. A multiplexer design, comprising: a substrate; first circuit element values generated in accordance with log-periodic principles responsive to a first bandwidth and a first center frequency of a first channel fixed on said substrate; and second circuit element values generated in accordance with the log-periodic principles responsive to a second bandwidth and a second center frequency of a second channel fixed on said substrate.

Inventors: RAUSCHER CHRISTEN, RAUSCHER, CHRISTEN
Applicants: US HEALTH, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS
Application year: 1993
Main classification: H04J1
IPC codes: H01P1, H04J1