Tunable microwave devices with auto adjusting matching circuit

Abstract

An impedance matching circuit includes a matching network for coupling to a variable load, where the matching network has a first port and a second port, and where the variable load is coupled to one of the first port or the second port. The matching network can have one or more variable dielectric capacitors, where the one or more variable dielectric capacitors are operable to receive one or more variable voltage signals to cause the one or more variable dielectric capacitors to change an impedance of the matching network, and where the change in the impedance of the matching network causes an increase in power transferred from the first port to the second port or from the second port to the first port.

1 . An impedance matching circuit, comprising:
 a matching network for coupling to a variable load;   wherein the matching network comprises a first port and a second port;   wherein the variable load is coupled to one of the first port or the second port;   wherein the matching network comprises one or more variable dielectric capacitors;   wherein the one or more variable dielectric capacitors are operable to receive one or more variable voltage signals to cause the one or more variable dielectric capacitors to change an impedance of the matching network; and   wherein the change in the impedance of the matching network causes an increase in power transferred from the first port to the second port or from the second port to the first port.   
     
     
         2 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more variable dielectric capacitors comprises a tunable dielectric material. 
     
     
         3 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 2 , wherein the tunable dielectric material comprises a composition of barium strontium titanate. 
     
     
         4 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more variable dielectric capacitors comprises:
 a first conductor coupled to one of the first port or the second port;   a second conductor;   a tunable dielectric material positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor; and   wherein at least one of the first conductor or the second conductor, or both are adapted to receive the one of the one or more variable voltage signals to cause the change in the impedance of the matching network.   
     
     
         5 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 4 , wherein the tunable dielectric material comprises a composition of barium strontium titanate. 
     
     
         6 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more variable dielectric capacitors comprises a tunable dielectric material. 
     
     
         7 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 6 , wherein the tunable dielectric material comprises a composition of barium strontium titanate. 
     
     
         8 . An impedance matching circuit, comprising:
 a matching network for coupling to a variable load;   wherein the matching network comprises a first port and a second port;   wherein the variable load is coupled to one of the first port or the second port;   wherein the matching network comprises one or more variable capacitors;   wherein the one or more variable capacitors are operable to receive one or more variable voltage signals to cause the one or more variable capacitors to change an impedance of the matching network; and   wherein the change in the impedance of the matching network causes an increase in power transferred from the first port to the second port or from the second port to the first port.   
     
     
         9 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more variable capacitors comprises one or more variable dielectric capacitors. 
     
     
         10 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more variable dielectric capacitors comprises a tunable dielectric material that comprises a composition of barium strontium titanate. 
     
     
         11 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 8 , wherein the variable load is an antenna. 
     
     
         12 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more variable capacitors comprises:
 a first conductor coupled to one of the first port or the second port;   a second conductor;   a tunable dielectric material positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor; and   wherein at least one of the first conductor and the second conductor are adapted to receive the one or more variable voltage signals to cause the change in the impedance of the matching network.   
     
     
         13 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more variable capacitors comprises composition of barium strontium titanate. 
     
     
         14 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more variable capacitors comprises one or more variable dielectric capacitors. 
     
     
         15 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 14 , wherein each of the one or more variable dielectric capacitors comprises a tunable dielectric material comprising a composition of barium strontium titanate. 
     
     
         16 . An impedance matching circuit, comprising:
 a matching network;   wherein the matching network comprises a first port and a second port;   wherein the matching network comprises one or more variable reactance elements;   wherein the one or more variable reactance elements are operable to receive one or more variable voltage signals to cause the one or more variable reactance elements to change an impedance of the matching network; and   wherein the change in the impedance of the matching network causes a change in power transferred from the first port to the second port or from the second port to the first port.   
     
     
         17 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 16 , wherein each of the one or more variable reactance elements comprises one or more variable capacitors. 
     
     
         18 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 17 , wherein each of the one or more variable capacitors comprises one or more variable dielectric capacitors. 
     
     
         19 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 18 , wherein each of the one or more variable dielectric capacitors comprises a tunable dielectric material. 
     
     
         20 . The impedance matching circuit of  claim 19 , wherein the tunable dielectric material comprises a composition of barium strontium titanate.