Mechanism for elimination of corona effect in high power RF circuitry at extended altitudes

摘要

An improved electrical circuit particularly adapted to operate in an extremely thin atmosphere such as above fifty thousand feet. The circuitry of the invention is preferably formed on a circuit board and has an exposed conductive element such as a harmonic filter. This exposed conductive element is encased by a thin dielectric which is preferably formed using a solder mask having dielectric properties which prevent the conductive element from creating a corona during electrical operation in the contemplated thin atmosphere. In the preferred embodiment, the solder mask has a thickness of less than 0.002 inches and exhibits a dielectric strength of at least 1000 V/0.001 inch. The solder mask, for the preferred embodiment, is positioned to cover the conductive element and extends onto the circuit board only minimally.