Patent Publication Number: US-9425493-B2

Title: Cavity resonator filters with pedestal-based dielectric resonators

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The current disclosure relates to cavity-resonator filters, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to cavity-resonator filters with pedestal-based dielectric resonators. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional dielectric-loaded cavity resonators are devices that include one dielectric posts inside one metallic chamber, while conventional dielectric-loaded cavity filters are devices that include one or more dielectric-loaded resonators interconnected in metallic chambers. Dielectric-loaded cavity resonators are used as radio-frequency (RF) filters thanks to their high Q factors. The Q, or quality, factor is a parameter that indicates a resonator&#39;s level of under-damping, where a higher Q factor indicates that resonant oscillations in the resonator die out more slowly. 
     Conventional dielectric-loaded cavity resonators use cylindrical dielectric posts. Individual dielectric-loaded resonators may couple to other dielectric-loaded resonators by capacitive coupling or inductive coupling. Couplings between resonators of a filter correspond to zeros and poles in the frequency-response characteristics of the filter. The numbers of poles in the frequency-response characteristics of a resonant filter may be increased by increasing the number of resonators. The number of zeros in the frequency-response characteristics of a resonant filter may be increased by increasing the number of cross coupled dielectric-loaded resonators as opposed to serial coupled resonators. Generally, the greater the number of zeros and poles in the frequency-response characteristics, the more flexibly the frequency-response curve can be shaped. More zeros can help define a sharper drop-off from the pass-band and, consequently, provide a higher Q factor. 
     Capacitive coupling between dielectric-loaded resonators is conventionally accomplished using a conductor between the coupled posts. Inductive coupling is conventionally accomplished using openings between the chambers of the coupled resonators. These openings are sometimes referred to as irises. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an uncovered conventional resonator filter  100 . The top side (not shown) of the filter  100  is a rectangular metal plate that covers the shown uncovered portion. Filter  100  comprises metal housing  101 , which houses four dielectric resonator posts  102 ( 1 ),  102 ( 2 ),  102 ( 3 ), and  102 ( 4 ) arranged within a 2×2 array of corresponding resonant cavities  103 ( 1 ),  103 ( 2 ),  103 ( 3 ), and  103 ( 4 ). Filter  100  includes source port  105 ( 1 ) and load port  105 ( 2 ), which connect to input and output, respectively, of filter  100 . Ports  105  are in the form of apertures in conductive micro-strips. 
     Some of the walls separating adjoining resonant cavities have openings between them, such as opening  104 ( 1 ) between cavities  103 ( 1 ) and  103 ( 2 ). As noted above, opening  104 ( 1 ) between cavities  103 ( 1 ) and  103 ( 2 ) allows for inductive coupling between the corresponding dielectric resonators  102 ( 1 ) and  102 ( 2 ). 
     Capacitive coupling between pairs of dielectric resonators may be accomplished using coupling conductive wires, such as conductor  106  between dielectric resonators  102 ( 1 ) and  102 ( 4 ). Note that coupling conductor  106  comes close to, but does not contact, dielectric resonators  102 ( 1 ) and  102 ( 4 ). The incorporation of conductor  106  into filter  100  increases the costs of production for filter  100  and restricts the filter topology such that length of  106  is short. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the disclosure can be a cavity-resonator filter comprising (1) a first set of one or more pedestal-based dielectric resonators, each mounted in a corresponding resonant cavity and oriented in a first direction and (2) a second set of one or more pedestal-based dielectric resonators, each mounted in corresponding resonant cavity and oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Each dielectric resonator of the first and second sets comprises only one post connected to only one pedestal. 
     Another embodiment of the disclosure can be a method for filtering a signal to generate a filtered signal, the method comprising applying the signal to a filter comprising (1) a first set of one or more pedestal-based dielectric resonators mounted in corresponding resonant cavities and oriented in a first direction and (2) a second set of one or more pedestal-based dielectric resonators mounted in corresponding resonant cavities and oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Each dielectric resonator of the first and second sets comprises only one post connected to only one pedestal. The method further comprises receiving the filtered signal from the filter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. 
         FIG. 1 . shows a perspective view of an uncovered conventional resonator filter. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a side cross-section view of a dielectric-loaded cavity resonator in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of the dielectric resonator of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  shows a side cross-section view of a dielectric-loaded cavity resonator in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of the dielectric resonator of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a filter, with its top side removed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  shows a graph that includes the frequency response and phase shift for the filter of  FIG. 4  at a first harmonic mode. 
         FIG. 6A  shows a side cross-section view of an in-line filter, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6B  shows a perspective view of the in-line-configuration filter of  FIG. 6A  with its top side removed. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a folded-configuration filter in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure with its top side removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 2A  shows a side cross-section view of dielectric-loaded cavity resonator  200  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Resonator  200  comprises single-pedestal dielectric resonator  201  located within metallic rectilinear cavity  202 . Dielectric resonator  201  comprises cylindrical post  203  topped by cylindrical pedestal  204 . Note that, while architecturally, pedestals are placed below their corresponding columns or posts, as used herein, a pedestal refers to a capping structure that may be located at either end of a post. Furthermore, note that “top” and “bottom” are used herein for convenience in reference to particularly illustrated exemplary embodiments and are not limiting in terms of particular orientation with respect to any global coordinate systems. In addition, note that, as used herein, cylinder refers to a solid having congruent, parallel, elliptical bases and a substantially uniform cross-section along its height. 
     Dielectric resonator  201  may be made of a suitable ceramic material having a dielectric constant greater than but not limited to 10. In one implementation, the ceramic material has a dielectric constant of 43. Resonant cavity  202  may be made of a suitable metal, for example, copper or aluminum. The bottom of post  203  is placed on the thin layer of insulator supports (not shown) which are in contact with the inner surface of the bottom side  206  of cavity  202  and form gap  205  between the distal end of post  203  and the inner surface of bottom side  206  of cavity  202 . In one implementation, the thin insulator has a thickness of 200 μm. In alternative embodiments, the insulator supports can be omitted and the bottom of post  203  can be in direct contact with the inner surface of the bottom side  206  of cavity  202 . The top of pedestal  204  is separated from the inner surface of the top side  207  of cavity  202  by air gap  208 . In one implementation, air gap  208  is 0.2 mm and is maintained by a plurality of 0.2 mm thick insulating pads (not shown) that may be made of a suitable insulating material, such as, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or an Alumina-based ceramic or thin film material, and located between the top of pedestal  204  and the top side  207  of cavity  202 . In one implementation, the inner dimensions of cavity  202  are 20 mm (long)×20 mm (wide)×15 mm (high). Note that the dominant mode of the fundamental resonance of the dielectric-loaded resonator described above is the TM (transversal magnetic) mode. 
       FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of dielectric resonator  201  of  FIG. 2A . Post  203  and pedestal  204  are right circular cylinders having a common axis but different diameters. In one implementation, the dimensions of pedestal  204  are a height of 2 mm and radius of 10 mm (consequently, in contact with the side walls of cavity  202 ) and the dimensions of post  203  are a height of 12.8 mm and radius of 3.65 mm. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a side cross-section view of dielectric-loaded cavity resonator  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Resonator  300  comprises single-pedestal dielectric resonator  301  located within metallic rectilinear cavity  302 . Dielectric resonator  301  comprises cylindrical post  303  topped by rectangular pedestal  304 . 
     Dielectric resonator  301  may be made of a suitable ceramic material, as described above. Cavity  302  may be substantially similar to cavity  202  of  FIG. 2A . The bottom of post  303  is in contact directly with the inner surface of bottom side  306  of cavity  302 . In alternative embodiments, the bottom of post  303  may be separated from the inner surface of bottom side  306  by a thin insulator, as described above in reference to post  203  of  FIG. 2A . The top of pedestal  304  is separated from the inner surface of the top side  307  of cavity  302  by air gap  308 . In one implementation, air gap  308  is 0.2 mm and is maintained by a plurality of 0.2 mm thick insulating pads (not shown) that may be made of PTFE and located between the top of pedestal  304  and the top side  307  of cavity  302 . 
       FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of dielectric resonator  301  of  FIG. 3A . Post  303  is a right circular cylinder, while pedestal  304  is a square prism, the two having a common central axis but different cross-sections. In one implementation, the dimensions of pedestal  304  are 20 mm (width)×20 mm (length)×2 mm (height) (and, consequently, in contact with the side walls of cavity  302 ) and the dimensions of post  303  are height of 12.8 mm and radius of 3.64 mm. 
     Particular novel configurations of pluralities of single-pedestal dielectric-loaded cavity resonators such as resonator  200  of  FIG. 2A  or resonator  300  of  FIG. 3A  allows for the creation of filters having capacitive coupling between pairs of dielectric-loaded resonators—and, consequently, transmission zeros in the corresponding frequency-response characteristics—without the use of conductive coupling wires between them. In particular, configuring the plurality of pedestal-based dielectric resonators of the filter so that at least one dielectric resonator is oriented upside-down—in other words, has its pedestal on the bottom of its post—creates capacitive coupling between that dielectric resonator and one or more other dielectric resonators of the plurality that are oriented right-side up. This means that zeros may be added to the frequency-response characteristics of the filter with the flipping of one or more dielectric resonators and without the use of conductive wires between resonant cavities. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective cross-section view of filter  400 , with its top side (not shown) removed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Filter  400  comprises two dielectric resonators  401 ( 1 )- 401 ( 2 ) within two corresponding resonant cavities  402 ( 1 )- 402 ( 2 ) within housing  403 . Dielectric resonator  401 ( 1 ) is oriented so that its pedestal is on top of its post, while dielectric resonator  401 ( 2 ) is oriented in the opposite direction so that its pedestal is below its post. The pedestals of dielectric resonators  401 ( 1 )- 401 ( 2 ) are separated from the near inner surfaces of the corresponding cavities  402 ( 1 )- 402 ( 2 ) by an air gap, as described above. Filter  400  further comprises coaxial source port  404  connected to resonant cavity  402 ( 1 ) and coaxial load port  405  connected to resonant cavity  402 ( 2 ). Wall  406  separating resonant cavities  402 ( 1 ) and  402 ( 2 ) has an opening  407 . Opening  407  inductively couples dielectric resonators  401 ( 1 ) and  401 ( 2 ), while the mirrored orientations of dielectric resonators  401 ( 1 ) and  401 ( 2 ) capacitively couples them and creates transmission zeros in the filter&#39;s frequency response. 
       FIG. 5  shows graph  500 , which includes the frequency-response curve of the amplitude 501 and the frequency-response curve of the phase  502  for the filter  400  of  FIG. 4  at a first harmonic mode, which is the dominant harmonic mode for filter  400 , where the dimensions of dielectric resonators  401 ( 1 )- 401 ( 2 ) and cavities  402 ( 1 )- 402 ( 2 ) are the same as the exemplary dimensions provided above for dielectric resonator  201  and cavity  202  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Specifically, (i) exemplary curve  501  plots the power loss, in decibels shown on the right vertical axis, from an input signal at source port  404 , at the frequencies in GHz shown on the horizontal axis, as measured at load port  405  and (ii) exemplary curve  502  plots the phase shift, in degrees (i.e., ang deg) shown on the left vertical axis, from an input signal at source port  404 , at the frequencies shown on the horizontal axis, as measured at load port  405 . Note that additional harmonic modes occur at higher frequencies. Frequency-response curve  501  shows the forward-gain coefficient—sometimes referred to as S 21 —for filter  400  over a range of frequencies. As can be seen, the center frequency for filter  400  is approximately 2.6 GHz, and there are two transmission zeros at approximately 2.44 GHz and 2.77 GHz. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a side cross-section view of in-line filter  600 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Filter  600  comprises four pedestal-based dielectric resonators  601 ( 1 ),  601 ( 2 ),  601 ( 3 ), and  601 ( 4 ) located within four corresponding metallic resonant cavities  602 ( 1 ),  602 ( 2 ),  602 ( 3 ), and  602 ( 4 ) within housing  603 . The walls  606 ( 1 ),  606 ( 2 ), and  606 ( 3 ) between adjoining resonant cavities  602  have openings (not shown) in them to allow for inductive or capacitive coupling between dielectric resonators. Dielectric resonators  601 ( 2 )- 601 ( 4 ) are oriented in a first direction with their respective pedestals on top, while dielectric resonator  601 ( 1 ) is oriented in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, with its pedestal on the bottom. 
     The distal ends of the posts of the dielectric resonators are separated by a thin insulator (not shown) from the near walls of the corresponding resonant chambers, and the distal ends of the pedestals of the dielectric resonators are similarly separated by thin insulators (not shown) from the opposing walls, as discussed above. In other words, (i) the bottoms of the posts of dielectric resonators  601 ( 2 )- 601 ( 4 ) are separated by thin insulators from the bottom sides of resonant cavities  602 ( 2 )- 602 ( 4 ), (ii) the top of the post of dielectric resonator  601 ( 1 ) is separated by a thin insulator from the top side of resonant cavity  602 ( 1 ), (iii) the tops of the pedestals of dielectric resonators  601 ( 2 )- 601 ( 4 ) are separated by an air gap from the top sides of resonant cavities  602 ( 2 )- 602 ( 4 ), and (iv) the bottom of the pedestal of dielectric resonator  601 ( 1 ) is separated by an air gap from the bottom side of resonant cavity  602 ( 1 ). This configuration of the flipped pedestal-based dielectric resonators  601 ( 1 )- 601 ( 4 ) in filter  600  allows for capacitive coupling between pairs of dielectric resonators  601 ( 1 )- 601 ( 4 ) without the use of conductive wires. 
     Filter  600  further comprises coaxial source port  604 —whose center line couples to dielectric resonator  601 ( 1 )—and coaxial load port  605 —whose center line couples to dielectric resonator  601 ( 4 ). The center lines of the source and load ports  604  and  605  are bent—or L-shaped—so that their respective terminal lengths  604   a  and  605   a  run parallel to the posts of the corresponding dielectric resonators  601 ( 1 )- 601 ( 4 ) and their respective ends  604   b  and  605   b  point away from the corresponding pedestal. This bending of the center lines helps enhance coupling between the center line and the corresponding dielectric resonator. Note that terminal lengths  604   a  and  605   a  come close to, but do not contact, the posts of dielectric resonators  601 ( 1 ) and  601 ( 4 ). 
       FIG. 6B  shows a perspective view of in-line-configuration filter  600  of  FIG. 6A , with its top side (not shown) removed. The walls separating adjoining resonant cavities  602 ( 1 )- 602 ( 4 ) include openings  607 ( 3 ) such as, for example, opening  607 ( 3 ) in wall  606 ( 3 ) between resonant cavities  602 ( 3 ) and  602 ( 4 ). Using the same exemplary dimensions for dielectric resonators  601 ( 1 )- 601 ( 4 ) and cavities  602 ( 1 )- 602 ( 4 ) of  FIG. 6A  as for resonator  201  and cavity  202  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  above would result in frequency-response characteristics for filter  600  that include a center frequency at 2.60 GHz and zeros at approximately 2.49 GHz and 2.70 GHz—which are closer to the center frequency—and indicative of a higher Q factor—than the above-described zeros of the two-resonator filter  400  of  FIG. 4  and shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of folded-configuration filter  700  in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The top side of filter  700 —which forms the top surface of the cavities—is not shown. Filter  700  comprises four dielectric resonators  701 ( 1 ),  701 ( 2 ),  701 ( 3 ), and  701 ( 4 ) disposed within four corresponding resonant cavities  702 ( 1 ),  702 ( 2 ),  702 ( 3 ), and  702 ( 4 ) arranged as a 2×2 grid within metallic housing  703 . The walls  706 ( 2 ) separating adjoining resonant cavities  702 ( 1 )- 702 ( 4 ) have openings  707 ( 1 ),  707 ( 2 ),  707 ( 3 ), and  707 ( 4 ) in them—such as, for example, opening  707 ( 2 ) in wall  706 ( 2 ) between resonant cavities  702 ( 2 ) and  702 ( 3 ). Opening  707 ( 4 )—between resonant cavities  702 ( 4 ) and  702 ( 1 )—includes tuning screw  709  whose adjustment varies the size of opening  707 ( 4 ). The adjusting of tuning screw  709  allows for the adjustment of the location of zeros in the frequency-response characteristics of filter  700 . 
     Similarly to the dielectric resonators  601 ( 1 )- 601 ( 4 ) of  FIGS. 6A and 6B , dielectric resonators  701 ( 2 )- 701 ( 4 ) are oriented in a first direction with their respective pedestals on top, while dielectric resonator  701 ( 1 ) is oriented in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, with its pedestal on the bottom. In addition, the distal ends of the posts—i.e., the post ends away from the pedestals—of the dielectric resonators  701 ( 1 )- 701 ( 4 ) are separated from the near walls of the corresponding resonant chambers  702 ( 1 )- 702 ( 4 ) by thin insulators (not shown), while the pedestals of the dielectric resonators  701 ( 1 )- 701 ( 4 ) are separated from the opposing walls by an air gap, as described above. This configuration of the pedestal-based dielectric resonators  601 ( 1 )- 601 ( 4 ) in filter  600  allows for capacitive coupling between pairs of dielectric resonators  701 ( 1 )- 701 ( 4 ) without the use of conductive wires. 
     Filter  700  further includes coaxial source port  704  and coaxial load port  705 . Similarly to the center lines of the ports of filter  600  described above, the center lines of the ports are bent so that their terminal lengths run parallel to the posts of the corresponding dielectric resonators  701 ( 1 )- 701 ( 4 ) and their ends point away from the corresponding pedestal. Dielectric resonator  701 ( 1 ) forms a first set of dielectric resonators oriented in one direction and dielectric resonators  701 ( 2 )- 701 ( 4 ) form a second set of dielectric resonators oriented in the opposite direction. As can be seen, in this embodiment, (i) source port  704  couples with a resonator of the first set and (ii) load port  705  couples with a resonator of the second set of the filter  700 . In alternative embodiments, both source and load ports might couple to two dielectric resonators of the same set—in other words, to two dielectric resonators oriented in the same direction. 
     Using the same exemplary dimensions for dielectric resonators  701 ( 1 )- 701 ( 4 ) and cavities  702 ( 1 )- 702 ( 4 ) as for resonators  601 ( 1 )- 601 ( 4 ) and cavities  602 ( 1 )- 602 ( 4 ) of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  above would result in frequency-response characteristics including a center frequency at 2.60 GHz and zeros at approximately 2.51 GHz and 2.70 GHz, which are closer to the center frequency—and indicative of a higher Q factor—than the above-described zeros of the in-line-configuration filter  600 . 
     Embodiments of the disclosure have been described where the pedestal is separated from the top side or bottom side of the corresponding resonant cavity by an air gap. However, the invention is not so limited. In some alternative embodiments, the distal end of the pedestal—i.e., the pedestal end away from the post—is in contact with the top side or bottom side of the corresponding resonant cavity. In some alternative embodiments, the distal ends of both the pedestal and the post are separated from the nearby sides of the corresponding resonant cavity by respective air gaps. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure have been described where the post and the corresponding pedestal of a dielectric resonator are solid. However, the invention is not so limited. In some alternative embodiments, the post and/or pedestal have hollowed-out centers. The hollows may be cylindrical or of other shapes. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure have been described where the pedestals of the dielectric resonators are either circular or square and extend to the side walls of the corresponding cavity. However, the invention is not so limited. In some alternative embodiments, the pedestals have other shapes and/or are of a shape and/or size that does not contact the side walls of the corresponding cavity. In some embodiments, the area of the cross-section of the pedestal is greater than the area of the cross-section of the post so that the pedestal extends beyond the post. In some embodiments, the area of the cross-section of the pedestal that extends beyond the post is at least as great as the area of the cross-section of the post. In other words, in these embodiments, if the cross-sectional area of the post is x, then the cross-sectional area of the pedestal is at least 2x and the area of the pedestal overhang is at least x. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure have been described where the plurality of dielectric resonators and corresponding resonator cavities are arranged either in-line or in a rectangular grid. However, the invention is not so limited. In alternative embodiments, the dielectric resonators are arranged in non-rectangular-grid patterns. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure have been described where the filter comprises two or four dielectric resonators and corresponding resonant cavities. However, the invention is not so limited. In alternative embodiments, filters have different numbers of dielectric resonators and corresponding resonant cavities. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure have been described where only one dielectric resonator has an orientation opposite to the orientation of the other dielectric resonators. However, the invention is not so limited. In alternative embodiments, a first plurality of dielectric resonators is oriented in a first direction and a second plurality of dielectric resonators is oriented in a second direction that is the reverse of the first direction. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure have been described where coaxial ports are used to feed the dielectric and cavity resonators. However, the invention is not so limited. In some alternative embodiments, other feed means—such as, for example, micro-strip lines—are used to feed the resonators. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure have been described where all of the pedestal-based dielectric resonators of a filter are substantially identical. However, the invention is not so limited. In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the dielectric resonators of a filter are different from other dielectric resonators of the filter. For example, in some embodiments, a filter comprises some resonators with a cylindrical pedestal and some resonators with a rectangular-prism pedestal. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure have been described where the separation—via air gap or thin insulator—between parts of a dielectric resonator and a near wall is 0.2 mm (or 200 m). In some alternative embodiments, the separation may as narrow as 50 μm or as wide as 300 μm. 
     In some embodiments of the disclosure, the Q factor associated with the ceramic material of the dielectric resonator is greater than 1000. 
     Signals and corresponding nodes or ports may be referred to by the same name and are interchangeable for purposes here. 
     It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims. 
     Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term “implementation.” 
     Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about” or “approximately” preceded the value of the value or range. As used in this application, unless otherwise explicitly indicated, the term “connected” is intended to cover both direct and indirect connections between elements. 
     For purposes of this description, the terms “couple,” “coupling,” “coupled,” “connect,” “connecting,” or “connected” refer to any manner known in the art or later developed in which energy is allowed to be transferred between two or more elements, and the interposition of one or more additional elements is contemplated, although not required. The terms “directly coupled,” “directly connected,” etc., imply that the connected elements are either contiguous or connected via a conductor for the transferred energy. 
     The use of figure numbers and/or figure reference labels in the claims is intended to identify one or more possible embodiments of the claimed subject matter in order to facilitate the interpretation of the claims. Such use is not to be construed as limiting the scope of those claims to the embodiments shown in the corresponding figures. 
     The embodiments covered by the claims in this application are limited to embodiments that (1) are enabled by this specification and (2) correspond to statutory subject matter. Non-enabled embodiments and embodiments that correspond to non-statutory subject matter are explicitly disclaimed even if they fall within the scope of the claims. 
     Although the steps in the following method claims are recited in a particular sequence with corresponding labeling, unless the claim recitations otherwise imply a particular sequence for implementing some or all of those steps, those steps are not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that particular sequence.