Slotted waveguide antenna assembly for saving manufacturing cost

Abstract

The present invention discloses a radio frequency transmit and receive assembly kit comprising a slotted waveguide antenna assembly (100) wherein the slotted waveguide antenna assembly (100) comprises a plurality of sets of slotted waveguide antennas wherein each of the plurality of sets of slotted waveguide antennas comprises antenna feed elements forming a set of a plurality of antenna feed elements; and a circuit arrangement (306) for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals wherein the circuit arrangement further comprises one or more circuit connection elements adapted to form an RF feed connection with an antenna feed element of the plurality of antenna feed elements, the slotted waveguide antenna assembly is mountable to the circuit arrangement in a plurality of different orientations, where, in each orientation, a particular one of the antenna feed elements forms an RF feed connection with a respective one of the circuit connection elements.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of slotted waveguide antenna assemblies and to a method of mounting a radio frequency transmitting and receiving assembly kit. BACKGROUND

[0002] Waveguide antennas or slotted waveguide antennas are state of the art in radar sensors as well as in communication systems. They have desirable properties such as a smaller standard deviation of their performance, i.e. gain and phase, compared to typical microstrip antennas, and are flatter and easier to integrate into devices than typical horn antennas.

[0003] US20200220273A1 describes a waveguide antenna apparatus comprising a lower layer of non-radio frequency (RF) material and a first layer of conductive material formed on a top surface of the lower layer of non-RF material. US20210382135A1 describes a vehicle radar sensing system comprising a radar sensor disposed at a vehicle.

[0004] It is an object to provide a system and a method for mounting a radio frequency transmitting and receiving assembly kit. The objects of the present invention are solved by the features of the independent claims. SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention relates to a radio frequency transmitting and receiving assembly kit comprising a slotted waveguide antenna assembly, wherein the slotted waveguide antenna assembly comprises a plurality of slotted waveguide antenna groups, wherein each slotted waveguide antenna group of the plurality of slotted waveguide antenna groups comprises antenna feed elements forming a group of a plurality of antenna feed elements and a circuit arrangement for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency, RF, signals. The circuit arrangement further comprises one or more circuit connection elements adapted to form an RF feed connection with an antenna feed element of the plurality of antenna feed elements, wherein the slotted waveguide antenna assembly is mountable to the circuit arrangement in a plurality of different orientations, wherein in each orientation a specific antenna feed element of the group of a plurality of antenna feed elements forms an RF feed connection with a respective one of the circuit connection elements.

[0006] In an example, the number of slotted waveguide antenna groups is equal to the number of different orientations, which for example means that for each specific slotted waveguide antenna group of the plurality of slotted waveguide antenna groups a different dedicated orientation of mounting the assembly to the circuit arrangement is available. An advantage of the presented features can be that a plurality of different types of slotted waveguide antenna groups with different characteristics for different use cases can be combined on one slotted waveguide antenna assembly, wherein the active slotted waveguide antenna group can be selected by changing the orientation of mounting the slotted waveguide antenna group to the circuit arrangement. This can reduce manufacturing costs, as only one slotted waveguide antenna assembly needs to be manufactured which can be used for different purposes depending on the use case.

[0007] In another example, there can be a plurality of antenna feed elements, where the number of antenna feed elements can correspond to the number of slotted waveguide antenna groups on the slotted waveguide antenna assembly, but there can be only one circuit connection element. In this example, the plurality of antenna feed elements can also correspond to the number of different orientations, and each of these plurality of antenna feed elements can be capable of forming an RF feed connection with the one circuit connection element. This would provide a simple and cost saving manufacturing of the circuit arrangement that can then feed RF signals to a particular slotted waveguide antenna group of the plurality of slotted waveguide antenna groups through the same circuit connection element. The active slotted waveguide antenna group can be selected by changing the orientation of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly to the circuit arrangement.

[0008] In an example, one antenna feed element can be capable of combining a plurality of RF connections, e.g. for transmitting and receiving RF signals to and from a respective slotted waveguide antenna group, when forming an RF feed connection with one circuit connection element, for example.

[0009] In a different example, there can be a plurality of antenna feed elements, where the number of antenna feed elements can correspond to the number of slotted waveguide antenna groups on the slotted waveguide antenna assembly, and there can also be a plurality of circuit connection elements. The number of circuit connection elements can be equal to or less than the number of antenna feed elements. In this example, one circuit connection element can correspond to and be connected to one or more antenna feed elements. In this case, the active slotted waveguide antenna group can also be selected by changing the orientation of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly to the circuit arrangement.

[0010] For example, the assembly kit can also comprise a printed circuit board, PCB, comprising the circuit arrangement; or a radio frequency integrated circuit, RFIC, comprising the circuit arrangement; or a system on a chip, SOC, wherein the SOC comprises the circuit arrangement. The advantage of providing a PCB or RFIC or SOC, each of which comprises the circuit arrangement, can be to provide a simple platform for mounting and securing the slotted waveguide antenna assembly, while providing an RF feed platform comprising the circuit connection element to feed the slotted waveguide antenna assembly. Preferably, the PCB or RFIC or SOC can provide specific mounting mechanisms to enable different dedicated orientations of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly to the circuit arrangement.

[0011] In the example of the assembly kit comprising the RFIC, the RFIC can serve the purpose of enabling the circuit arrangement to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves and / or radio frequencies. This can serve the purpose of enabling a compact form factor of the combination of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly and the circuit arrangement, as the components of the combination can not rely on an integrated circuit external to the arrangement.

[0012] In an example of a component kit comprising a SOC, the SOC further comprises units for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic waves and / or radio frequencies, e.g. via an integrated RFIC, or a combined unit for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves and / or radio frequencies. In this example, the SOC can also be mounted directly to the component kit without a PCB. The SOC can further comprise other interfaces, such as a digital signal processor, DSP, or an Ethernet / network interface. Preferably, these additional units can enable the component kit to comprise, but are not limited to, processing, storing, analyzing, pre-processing or post-processing radio frequency, RF, data or any kind of data. By providing a compact SOC, miniaturization of the device and reduction of production costs can be feasible by mass producing the same circuitry and mounting it to various slotted waveguide antenna component kits, as the produced hardware can be similar in case of a SOC, but different sets of slotted waveguide antenna component kits can be mounted, fed and supplied.

[0013] In an example, the slotted waveguide antenna component is adapted to indicate its mounting orientation relative to the circuit arrangement using contacts, which are broken or closed upon mounting specific to different orientations, the circuit arrangement being adapted to control its operation in dependence of the indicated mounting orientation. Preferably, this can enable the circuit arrangement to determine the active slotted waveguide antenna group of the plurality of slotted antenna groups by relying on the information provided by the contacts. In this case, the determination of the active slotted waveguide antenna element can not (only) be made in the way that the antenna feed element is connected to the circuit connection element, but in the way how one or more of the plurality of contacts are open or closed. Exemplary contacts can be, but are not limited to, e.g. mechanical, optical or electrical connections between the slotted waveguide antenna component and the circuit arrangement.

[0014] In another example, in case of a plurality of circuit connection elements in the circuit connection elements, the circuit arrangement is adapted to perform control of the operation by activating only the circuit connection elements that are currently forming the RF feed connection with the antenna feed element as indicated by the indicated mounting orientation. In an example, when only one RF connection element is available, it can not be necessary to feed the RF signal through a plurality of RF connection elements. By deactivating RF connection elements that can not be necessary for the current operation, energy can be saved.

[0015] In an example, the circuit arrangement is adapted to perform control of the operation by adjusting the generation of RF signals matched to the slotted waveguide antenna group currently connected to the circuit connection element and indicated by the indicated installation orientation and / or the analysis of received RF signals. In an example, different slotted waveguide antenna groups of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly can have different characteristics, such as including but not limited to different wavelengths, different antenna gains, different antenna directivities or different antenna patterns. In an example, the operation of the circuit arrangement can be adapted to the characteristics of the slotted waveguide antenna group currently active to ensure that in case of a transmitted signal the signal fed to the antenna has the correct characteristics (e.g. frequency, modulation, and power) and in case of a received signal the signal received from the antenna is correctly e.g. amplified, filtered and / or interpreted.

[0016] For example, adjusting the generation of RF signals matched to the slotted waveguide antenna group includes using at least one of an RF frequency, a power, an antenna element spacing and a modulation specific to the slotted waveguide antenna group. Different slotted waveguide antenna groups of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly can be used for different purposes, such that different characteristics of each antenna group can be desired. In this way, each slotted waveguide antenna group can be defined by specific characteristics, e.g. by its RF transmission / reception wavelength, such that it can be advantageous to feed the antenna with RF signals having a specific frequency range. An advantage of such a design can be that one slotted waveguide antenna assembly can be used for different scenarios, where for each scenario at different RF frequencies, powers and modulations is desirable to meet the needs. In one example, multiple configurations of the assembly can be installed to different locations in a vehicle, where one slotted waveguide antenna group of the antenna assembly can be used for mid- and long-range radar functions, e.g. including but not limited to front- and corner radars for adaptive cruise control. Different configurations of slotted waveguide antenna groups of the antenna assembly can be used for close-range applications, such as including but not limited to blind spot detection, curb detection in parking assistance, or obstacle, pedestrian and cyclist detection for door opening warning. In those examples, different frequency, power and modulation characteristics of the RF signals can be advantageous, and for each of the specific characterized signals it can be desirable to use a specific slotted waveguide antenna. The RF receive chain can be adapted accordingly. In another example, different or the same waveforms can be used for different slotted waveguide antenna groups, and the spacing between the antenna elements compared between different slotted waveguide antenna groups can be different. This would allow for different sensor performance characteristics.

[0017] In one example, each slotted waveguide antenna group comprises 1 to 8 slotted waveguide antennas for receiving radio frequency signals and 1 to 8 slotted waveguide antennas for transmitting radio frequency signals, preferably 3 to 5 slotted waveguide antennas for receiving radio frequency signals and 3 to 5 slotted waveguide antennas for transmitting radio frequency signals, most preferably 3 to 4 slotted waveguide antennas for receiving radio frequency signals and 3 to 4 slotted waveguide antennas for transmitting radio frequency signals. In an example, a slotted waveguide antenna group can comprise four transmitter (Tx) and four receiver (Rx) elements. In another example of a minimum configuration, there can be one TRx transmit and receive channel with a single transceiver antenna, wherein the antenna element can perform both the function of a transmitter and a receiver antenna.

[0018] Preferably, the slotted waveguide antenna group further comprises a fixing device for fixing the waveguide antenna assembly to the circuit arrangement, which fixing device is adapted to exclusively allow fixing in a plurality of different orientations. The fixing device can comprise opposing connections or opposing joints, such as, but not limited to, a clamping connection, a welding connection, a riveting connection, a soldering connection and / or a screw connection. At least one fixing point can be on the slotted waveguide antenna assembly, and opposing at least one fixing point can be on the PCB and / or on the RFIC and / or on the SOC, each of these comprising the circuit arrangement.

[0019] In an example, the slots of the plurality of slotted waveguide antenna groups are comprised in a common radiating surface. An advantage of this solution can be a compact form factor, as only a single radiating surface can be needed. The antenna assembly can be flatter and easier to integrate into a device.

[0020] Preferably, the radiating surface is a one-piece surface. This can further reduce production costs and increase production speed, as only one piece of material needs to be machined in order to manufacture one slotted waveguide antenna assembly, which material can then comprise a plurality of slotted waveguide antenna groups. In an example, the material can be metal, metalized plastic or any kind of electrically conductive material. In another example, instead of milling slots, the slotted waveguide antenna assembly can be produced in multiple layers to form the slots and holes. In another example, the common radiating surface can be 3D-printed. Preferably, there can typically be one layer of feed network that can be connected to the circuit arrangement, RFIC or SOC via RF connections between the antenna feed elements and the circuit connection elements, one layer of resonant cavities / coupling holes that can be a sandwich transition layer, and one radiating layer on which the slots can be located.

[0021] In another aspect, a method of mounting a radio frequency transmit and receive assembly kit is described, the method comprising providing a slotted waveguide antenna assembly, wherein the slotted waveguide antenna assembly comprises a plurality of slotted waveguide antenna groups, wherein each waveguide antenna group of the plurality of slotted waveguide antenna groups comprises antenna feed elements forming a group of a plurality of antenna feed elements; and providing a circuit arrangement for transmitting and receiving radio frequency, RF, signals, wherein the circuit arrangement further comprises one or more circuit connection elements adapted to form RF feed connections with antenna feed elements of the plurality of antenna feed elements, mounting the slotted waveguide antenna assembly to the circuit arrangement in one of a plurality of different orientations, wherein in each orientation a particular one of the antenna feed elements forms an RF feed connection with a respective one of the circuit connection elements.

[0022] It will be appreciated that one or more of the preceding examples can be combined, as long as the combined examples do not exclude each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] In the following, examples are described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a side view of a radio frequency transmit and receive assembly kit.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a front side of a slotted waveguide antenna assembly.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a back side of a slotted waveguide antenna assembly.

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a side view of a radio frequency transmit and receive assembly kit.

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a side view of a radio frequency transmit and receive assembly kit.

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a side view of a radio frequency transmit and receive assembly kit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In the following, like elements are denoted by like reference signs.

[0031] Figure 1A schematic diagram showing a side view of a radio frequency transmit and receive assembly kit comprising a slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 having a slotted waveguide antenna group with a respective waveguide antenna group. Each group comprises, for example, a plurality of antennas, each antenna being formed by one or more respective slots 102 and 104. The slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 comprises a plurality of antenna feed elements 106 and is mounted to a PCB 108. One of the antenna feed elements 106 is coupled to a circuit connection element 110 that is part of the PCB 108. The PCB 108 further comprises a circuit arrangement 112 on an opposite side of the PCB 108 to the slotted waveguide antenna assembly.

[0032] In the present example, it is assumed that the slotted waveguide antenna assembly comprises two slotted waveguide antenna groups with respective slots 102 and 104. Here, the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 can be mounted on the PCB 108 in two dedicated orientations. For example, the dedicated orientations can be selected by rotating the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 in a horizontal plane by 90°. Figure 1 In the present example, the horizontal plane is defined as follows: the circuit arrangement 112 is mounted on the underside of the PCB 108 and the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 is mounted on the top side of the PCB 108. In case the PCB 108 defines a plane, rotating the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 in the horizontal plane by 90° means that the axis of rotation will be an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the PCB.

[0033] Depending on which dedicated orientation is selected by mounting the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 to the PCB 108, for example, one of the two antenna feed elements 106 can be connected with the circuit arrangement 112 by forming an RF feed connection with the circuit connection element 110. Each antenna feed element and circuit connection element can have a plurality of RF channels to convey RF signals between the waveguide antennas and the circuit arrangement 112. In the present example, the antenna feed elements 106 are coupled to the waveguide antenna group comprising slots 102. Figure 1 In the example shown, the antenna feed elements 106 are coupled to the waveguide antenna group comprising slots 102. For example, by mounting the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 to the PCB in a different one of the dedicated orientations, the other one of the two antenna feed elements with slots 104 will form an RF feed connection with the circuit connection element 110. Thus, a single assembly kit can be used with multiple waveguide antenna groups, wherein depending on the mounting orientation of the waveguide antenna assembly 100 on the PCB 108, a particular waveguide antenna group with slots 102 or 104 can be used.

[0034] Figure 2A schematic view of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 is shown. In this example, the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 comprises two groups of slotted waveguide antennas, each group comprising, for example, a plurality of antennas, each antenna being formed, for example, by one or more respective slots. The slots 102 and 104 each correspond to a different group of the two groups of waveguide antennas. Furthermore, Figure 2 Eight slots of each group of slotted waveguide antennas are shown, wherein 4 of the 8 slots are used as receive (RX) antenna channels and the other 4 of the 8 slots are used as transmit (TX) antenna channels. In this example, each of the 4 receive channels and the 4 transmit channels of each group of slotted waveguide antennas are paired, forming an array of 4 slots of each receive / transmit pair. The slots of each channel can have different widths and lengths, which determine the different characteristics of each group of antennas (i.e. the specific RF frequencies, power and modulation of each slotted waveguide antenna).

[0035] Figure 2 The slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 of Figure 2 is also comprised of two antenna feed elements 106 and 202, which are, for example, located on the back side of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly. Thus, the antenna feed elements are not present on the front side of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly presented in Figure 2 In the example of , it is assumed that the antenna feed element 106 is the antenna feed element that is currently in use and is, therefore, the active antenna feed element, which, thus, forms an RF feed connection with the circuit connection element, which is not visible in the figure. In this example, the other antenna feed element 202 is not currently forming an RF feed connection with the circuit connection element and is passive. The antenna feed element 106, for example, feeds and receives RF signals to and from the group of slotted waveguide antennas having the waveguide antenna slots 102. If the antenna feed element 202 were active, the antenna feed element 202 would feed and receive RF signals to and from the group of slotted waveguide antennas having the waveguide antenna slots 104. In the present example, the waveguide antenna slots 102 of the respective group of slotted waveguide antennas and its 4 transmit channels and 4 receive channels are currently active.

[0036] Figure 2 Figure 2 The slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 of

[0037] In Figure 2In the present example, in case the waveguide antenna slot 102 is the slot of an active slotted waveguide antenna group and 106 is the currently used antenna feed element, the hole 204 is used to fix the slotted waveguide antenna assembly to the PCB, RFIC or SOC and allows mounting in one of the two possible dedicated orientations of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly. The slotted waveguide antenna assembly can be mounted (and fixed via hole 206) in the correct direction rotated by 90°, so that the antenna feed element 202 will then establish an RF connection with the circuit connection element. In this case, the hole 206 will be aligned with the corresponding hole on the PCB, RFIC or SOC, allowing the slotted waveguide antenna assembly to be fixed in the other dedicated orientation of the two possible orientations. As a result, the waveguide antenna slot 104 of the other of the two slotted waveguide antenna groups will become active to emit and receive radio frequencies.

[0038] In Figure 2 the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100, the waveguide antenna slot 104 is larger and longer, while the waveguide antenna slot 102 is generally shorter and more compact. The larger the antenna element with the larger waveguide antenna slot 104, the more directional its radiation pattern is, and thus it can radiate more power in the desired direction. Therefore, the slotted waveguide antenna group with the waveguide antenna slot 104 can be used in vehicles for mid-range to long-range radar functions, for example, for front and corner radars that can be used for adaptive cruise control (ACC) or parking assistance purposes. The slotted waveguide antenna group with the waveguide antenna slot 102 can be used for close-range applications, for example, blind spot detection; curb detection in parking assistance; obstacle or pedestrian and cyclist detection for door opening warning.

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic view of the back side of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 (e.g., the slotted waveguide antenna assembly discussed above in Figure 2 is shown. In this example, the antenna feed elements 106 and 202 are located at the back side of the arrangement shown in the figure. Furthermore, the back side comprises, for example, the holes 204 and 206, which allow the slotted waveguide antenna assembly to be mounted on the circuit arrangement in one of the two possible dedicated orientations.

[0040] Figure 4 Another schematic view of a side view of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 mounted to the PCB 108 is shown. In this example, the characteristics of this schematic view are similar to Figure 1 , but in the present example, the circuit arrangement 112 is on the same side of the PCB 108 as the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100, adjacent to the RF feed connection formed by the antenna feed element 106 and the circuit connection element 110.

[0041] Figure 5Another schematic showing a side view of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 mounted to the PCB 108. In this example, the circuit arrangement 112 is located on the opposite side of the PCB 108 compared to Figure 1 However, in this example, the circuit connection element 110 is now directly comprised by the circuit arrangement 112 and the antenna feed element 106 passes through the PCB 108 to form the RF feed connection.

[0042] Figure 6 Another schematic showing a side view of the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 mounted to the PCB 108. In this example, the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 is directly mounted to the circuit arrangement 112 and the circuit arrangement 112 is further attached to the PCB 108. In addition, the circuit arrangement 112 comprises two circuit connection elements 106 and 202 and the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 comprises two antenna feed elements 106 and 202. Figure 6 Also comprised is a contact 604, whose current state (e.g. open or closed) indicates that the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 is mounted in a first dedicated orientation of two possible dedicated orientations, for example in case of an open contact 604, and in a second dedicated orientation of two possible dedicated orientations, for example in case of a closed contact 604.

[0043] In the first dedicated orientation, the antenna feed element 106 is coupled to the circuit connection element 110, while in the second dedicated orientation, the antenna feed element 202 is coupled to the circuit connection element 602.

[0044] For example, in Figure 6 The contact is open, indicating that the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 is mounted in the first dedicated orientation, it is then determined that the antenna feed element 106 and the corresponding circuit connection element 110 are the active elements forming the RF feed connection. In this example, there is currently no active RF feed connection between the antenna feed element 202 and the circuit connection element 602. For example, if the slotted waveguide antenna assembly 100 would be mounted in the second dedicated orientation, the contact 604 would be closed, so there would be an RF feed connection between the antenna feed element 202 and the circuit connection element 602. In this example, there would be no RF feed connection between the antenna feed element 106 and the circuit connection element 110 when the contact 604 is closed.

[0045] It has to be noted that the contact 604 can also be used in combination with the example of Figures 1-5 where only a single circuit connection element 602 is used. In this case, the state of the contact 604 can indicate the currently used orientation of the assembly 100, i.e. which antenna feed element and thus which set of waveguide antennas is currently in use and coupled to the circuit arrangement 112.

[0046] While the application has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the application is not limited to the disclosed examples.

[0047] List of reference signs

[0048] 100 slotted waveguide antenna assembly

[0049] 102 waveguide antenna slot

[0050] 104 waveguide antenna slot

[0051] 106 antenna feed element

[0052] 108 printed circuit board, PCB

[0053] 110 circuit connection element

[0054] 112 circuit arrangement

[0055] 202 antenna feed element

[0056] 204 aperture

[0057] 206 aperture

[0058] 602 circuit connection element

[0059] 604 contact

Claims

1. A radio frequency transmitting and receiving assembly kit, comprising: a slotted waveguide antenna assembly (100), wherein the slotted waveguide antenna assembly (100) comprises a plurality of slotted waveguide antenna groups, wherein each slotted waveguide antenna group of the plurality of slotted waveguide antenna groups comprises antenna feed elements forming a group of a plurality of antenna feed elements; and a circuit arrangement (112) for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency, RF, signals, wherein the circuit arrangement further comprises one or more circuit connection elements adapted to form RF feed connections with the antenna feed elements of the plurality of antenna feed elements, wherein the slotted waveguide antenna assembly is mountable to the circuit arrangement in a plurality of different orientations, wherein in each orientation a specific one of the antenna feed elements forms the RF feed connection with a respective one of the circuit connection elements.

2. The assembly kit according to claim 1, further comprising: a printed circuit board, PCB, (108) comprising the circuit arrangement (112), or a radio frequency integrated circuit, RFIC, comprising the circuit arrangement (112), or a system on chip, SOC, wherein the SOC comprises the circuit arrangement (112).

3. The assembly kit according to claim 1 or 2, the slotted waveguide antenna assembly being adapted to indicate its mounting orientation to the circuit arrangement using contacts (604) that are broken or closed upon mounting specific to different orientations, the circuit arrangement being adapted to control its operation in accordance with the indicated mounting orientation.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein, In case of a plurality of circuit connection elements in the circuit arrangement, the circuit arrangement is adapted to perform the control of the operation by activating only the circuit connection elements that currently form the RF feed connections with the antenna feed elements as indicated by the indicated mounting orientation.

5. The assembly according to claim 3 or 4, the circuit arrangement being adapted to perform the control of the operation by adjusting the generation of the RF signals and / or analysis of received RF signals that match the slotted waveguide antenna group currently connected to the circuit connection elements and indicated by the indicated mounting orientation.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, adjusting the generation of the RF signals that match the slotted waveguide antenna group comprises using at least one of RF frequencies, power, antenna element spacing and modulation specific to the slotted waveguide antenna group.

7. The assembly kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each slotted waveguide antenna group comprises 1 to 8 slotted waveguide antennas for receiving radio frequency signals and 1 to 8 slotted waveguide antennas for transmitting radio frequency signals, preferably 3 to 5 slotted waveguide antennas for receiving radio frequency signals and 3 to 5 slotted waveguide antennas for transmitting radio frequency signals, most preferably 3 to 4 slotted waveguide antennas for receiving radio frequency signals and 3 to 4 slotted waveguide antennas for transmitting radio frequency signals.

8. The assembly kit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a fixing device for fixing the waveguide antenna assembly to the circuit arrangement, the fixing device being adapted to exclusively allow fixing in the plurality of different orientations.

9. The assembly kit according to any of the preceding claims, the slots of the plurality of sets of slotted waveguide antennas being comprised in a common radiating surface.

10. The assembly kit according to claim 9, the radiating surface being a one-piece surface.

11. A method of installing a radio frequency transmitting and receiving assembly kit, the method comprising: providing a slotted waveguide antenna assembly (100), wherein the slotted waveguide antenna assembly comprises a plurality of sets of slotted waveguide antennas, wherein each set of slotted waveguide antennas of the plurality of sets of slotted waveguide antennas comprises antenna feed elements forming a set of a plurality of antenna feed elements; and providing a circuit arrangement (112) for transmitting and receiving radio frequency, RF, signals, wherein the circuit arrangement further comprises one or more circuit connection elements adapted to form an RF feed connection with an antenna feed element of the plurality of antenna feed elements, installing the slotted waveguide antenna assembly (100) to the circuit arrangement (112) in one of a plurality of different orientations, wherein in each orientation a specific one of the antenna feed elements forms the RF feed connection with a respective one of the circuit connection elements.

Images