Alternating current (AC) coupler for wideband AC signals and related methods

摘要

An AC coupler for transmitting high-frequency components of a wideband signal includes a signal conductor and a shielding structure arranged as a transmission line. The signal conductor includes a conductive element and a capacitor configured to block direct current (DC) components of the wideband signal while transmitting high-frequency alternating current (AC) components of the wideband signal. The shielding structure is configured for conducting at least the AC components of the wideband signal while confining electric fields and currents in the shielding structure substantially to a region proximate to the signal conductor. The shielding structure has a width substantially greater than a width of the signal conductor. The difference between the shielding structure width and the signal conductor width may be substantially greater than an offset distance between the signal conductor and the shielding structure.

主权项

1. An AC coupler for transmitting high-frequency components of a wideband signal, the AC coupler comprising:
an input end for receiving the wideband signal; an output end for transmitting an output signal; a signal conductor in electrical communication between the input end and the output end, the signal conductor comprising a conductive element and a signal conductor capacitor configured to block direct current (DC) components of the wideband signal on the order of kilovolts or greater while transmitting high-frequency alternating current (AC) components of the wideband signal; and a shielding structure defining a signal return path between the input end and the output end, the shielding structure being configured for conducting at least the AC components of the wideband signal in the signal return path, wherein: the signal conductor has a signal conductor width; the shielding structure has a width substantially greater than the signal conductor width to confine electric fields and currents in the shielding structure substantially to a region proximate to the signal conductor; and the signal conductor and the shielding structure are arranged as a transmission line.