An integrated TE 21 Mode Coupler

Abstract

This invention discloses an integrated TE 21 This is a mode coupler, belonging to the field of communication and telemetry antenna technology. Its main waveguide is a circular waveguide transmission line; eight waveguide feed lines are arranged on the sidewall of the main waveguide, coupling eight signals from the sidewall of the main waveguide. These eight signals enter their respective irregular waveguide coaxial converters via corresponding ridge-shaped waveguide structures. A flange for fixing the coaxial power divider bridge assembly is located on the circumference of the main waveguide, and fixing optical holes are provided at the corresponding positions of the coaxial power divider bridge assembly. The coaxial power divider bridge assembly has a ring structure with space left in the center for the main waveguide traces. Its eight entrance positions correspond to the positions of the eight-channel waveguide coaxial converter connectors (SMP). One end of the main waveguide is inserted into the trace space of the coaxial power divider bridge assembly and is fixedly connected to the flange mounted on the main waveguide through the fixing optical holes. This invention significantly reduces the physical size of the extension, completing the TE (Transmission Transformer) within a small space. 21 Eight-channel microwave signal synthesis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication and telemetry antenna technology, and in particular to an integrated TE antenna. 21 Mode coupler. Background Technology

[0002] Relevant literature reports TE 21 The design of mode couplers can be traced back to 1982, when this paper analyzed and designed a Ku-band TE. 21 Mode coupler. In the mid-1990s, the first shipborne C-band 3.8-meter antenna TE appeared in China. 21 Mode coupler. Subsequently, with the development of satellite communication and mobile communication products, TE... 21 Mode couplers are covering an increasingly wider frequency range and are becoming more diverse. Numerous related products have emerged both domestically and internationally. With the growing demand for airborne products and small-aperture antennas, cable-composite TE... 21 Mode couplers also gradually emerged. Around 2002, a research institute reported a cable-synthesized Ku-band TE converter. 21 Mode coupler products. In 2004, domestic researchers developed the first cable-synthetic TE (Transformer-Type Coupler). 21 These are mode coupler products, and they were widely used in small-aperture antennas on early air platforms.

[0003] In subsequent developments, conventional electrical design was no longer TE 21 The main challenges facing mode couplers are wide bandwidth and miniaturization. In recent years, both domestic and international products have primarily focused on these areas, leading to the development of coaxial TE couplings. 21 Modular coupler structure.

[0004] The operating frequency bands include: S, C, X, Ku, Ka, and Q frequencies. TE is constructed. 21 For mode field distribution, the traditional method uses an eight-arm waveguide coupling. This method has the advantages of low loss and high transmitted signal power; however, it has disadvantages such as large structural size, complex wiring, and high manufacturing and debugging costs. To address this technical problem, a TE (Transmission Transformer) approach combining cable and coaxial power divider bridge has emerged. 21 Mode couplers, while offering advantages such as smaller size and lower cost compared to waveguide synthesis, have disadvantages including less aesthetically pleasing appearance, less flexibility in assembly, and still relatively large dimensions in some applications. A key characteristic is that cable assembly can lead to amplitude and phase deviations, affecting electrical performance. In small-aperture antenna systems requiring dual-frequency monopulse tracking, the TE... 21 The physical dimensions of mode couplers now face more stringent requirements. Traditional waveguide combining and cable combining methods for TE... 21Neither of the mode coupler methods can meet the antenna installation size requirements, directly hindering the effective improvement of system performance.

[0005] From an application perspective, due to its mature implementation technology and high tracking accuracy, TE 21 Analog single-pulse diodes remain the preferred choice in many situations. Therefore, integrated TE... 21 The successful development and standardization of mode couplers have great potential for engineering applications.

[0006] The aforementioned research can largely solve the existing technical problems under conventional structural space conditions. However, when the antenna aperture is small and the external cable network layout is limited, traditional connection methods cannot meet the technical requirements. Therefore, to address this technical need, there is an urgent need to research compact, integrated feeder networks for TE antennas. 21 Coupler technology meets engineering needs. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an integrated TE 21 Mode couplers, with their significantly reduced epitaxial physical size, enable TE to be performed within a smaller physical space. 21 Eight-channel microwave signal synthesis.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0009] An integrated TE 21 The mode coupler includes a main waveguide and a coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3. The main waveguide 1 is a circular waveguide transmission line. Eight waveguide feed lines are provided on the sidewall of the main waveguide, which couple eight signals out from the sidewall of the main waveguide 1. The eight signals enter their respective irregular waveguide coaxial conversion devices 2 through corresponding ridge structure waveguides. A flange 4 for fixing the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 is provided on the circumference of the main waveguide, and fixing optical holes are provided at the corresponding positions of the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3.

[0010] The coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 has a circular ring structure with a main waveguide 1 routing space in the center. Its eight entrance positions correspond to the SMP positions of the eight-way waveguide coaxial converter connector, enabling high-precision plug-in installation and fixation. One end of the main waveguide is inserted into the routing space of the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 and is fixedly connected to the flange mounted on the main waveguide through a fixed optical hole.

[0011] Furthermore, the output end of the irregular waveguide coaxial converter 2 is provided with a pluggable radio frequency interface structure for connecting the SMP connector.

[0012] Furthermore, the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 is internally equipped with two sets of four-in-one power dividers and a 90° phase-shifting bridge; eight waveguides coupling out eight signals are distributed circumferentially on the sidewalls of the main waveguide with the axis of the main waveguide as the center; the eight waveguides are divided into two groups, with waveguides in the same group spaced apart; the two groups of waveguides are combined into one signal through the four-in-one power divider, and the two combined signals are combined into two left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized microwave signals through the 90° bridge.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a waveguide flange 5, which is threadedly connected to the main waveguide port; the waveguide flange 5 is installed on the outside of the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0015] This invention, through the study of an eight-way sidewall coupling structure feeder for circular waveguides, cleverly introduces SMP pluggable RF connectors and utilizes a coaxial power divider bridge assembly with multilayer board vertical interconnect technology to achieve high-precision plug-in feeding, realizing equal amplitude and in-phase power combining of signals. Furthermore, it innovatively proposes a flange threaded installation process to solve the technical challenge of coaxial assembly of components. This invention has a clear design concept, is easy to implement, and solves the problems of traditional TE... 21 The complex wiring structure and large space occupation present practical problems, and this is an innovative improvement on the existing single-pulse tracking technology of reflector antennas. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the coaxial power divider bridge assembly in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the coaxial conversion of irregular waveguides in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the SMP connector in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the waveguide flange in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the numbering of the eight-arm waveguide in an embodiment of the present invention; Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. However, the embodiments described herein are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] The main waveguide 1 is a circular waveguide transmission line with eight waveguide feed lines on its sidewall. Eight signals are coupled out from the sidewall of the main waveguide 1 and labeled as waveguides A to H. They then pass through the ridge-shaped waveguides and enter the eight corresponding irregular waveguide coaxial converters 2.

[0025] Furthermore, the irregular waveguide coaxial converter 2 adopts a pluggable SMP quick-connect RF connector structure, and its RF signal output corresponds to the eight-arm waveguide signal output.

[0026] The four arms A, C, E, and G need to be combined into one signal by a four-in-one power divider, and the four arms B, D, F, and H need to be combined into one signal by a four-in-one power divider. In order for the receiver to successfully extract the azimuth and elevation difference signals, the two combined signals also need to be combined into two left- and right-polarized microwave signals by passing them through a 90° bridge.

[0027] Furthermore, the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 is a microwave device that realizes the above functions, and it is equipped with two sets of four-in-one power dividers and a 90° phase-shifting bridge.

[0028] Furthermore, since the eight-arm output ports need to be power combined at intervals, the corresponding planar circuit traces will have a line crossing phenomenon. Therefore, a multi-layer PCB manufacturing process is adopted to realize the circuit structure of the three devices on different layers. This reduces the horizontal circumferential size and realizes microwave trace power combining.

[0029] Furthermore, by utilizing interlayer via structures, signal transmission between printed circuit board layers can be achieved;

[0030] Furthermore, the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 has a circular structure with space left in the center for the main waveguide trace. Its eight entry positions correspond to the SMP positions of the eight-way irregular waveguide coaxial converter 2 RF connectors, enabling high-precision plug-in installation and fixation.

[0031] Furthermore, for further mechanical fixation, a flange 4 for fixing the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 is provided at the circumference of the main waveguide 1.

[0032] Furthermore, the two outputs of the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 are SMA RF connector structures, and their output signals are sent to the receiver.

[0033] Furthermore, the main waveguide feed port passes through the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 and connects to the back-end network, where a waveguide flange 5 is installed;

[0034] Furthermore, the waveguide flange 5 is installed to the main waveguide port using a threaded screw-in installation process;

[0035] Furthermore, after the waveguide flange 5 is installed, the installation interface between the back-end network and the waveguide flange 5 is made by drilling holes to ensure the coaxial design of the back-end network and the main waveguide system.

[0036] Furthermore, the waveguide flange 5 is prone to loosening under external force after being screwed in. To solve this problem, a process of installing rivets at the threads is adopted.

[0037] The above steps complete the process of transferring TE. 21 The core network components of the module are integrated into a single design, enabling ingenious routing and installation of complex networks within a relatively small space.

[0038] Eight electromagnetic signals are coupled from the side wall of the main waveguide 1. The four arms A, C, E, and G need to be combined into one signal by a four-in-one power divider. The signals of the four arms B, D, F, and H also need to be combined into one signal by a four-in-one power divider. In order for the receiver to successfully extract the azimuth and elevation difference signals, the two combined signals also need to be combined into two left and right rotation signals by passing them through a 90° bridge.

[0039] The eight signal outputs enter the irregular waveguide coaxial converter 2, controlled by TE. 21 Due to the dual constraints of the mode-side arm waveguide size and the main waveguide inner diameter, there is only a few millimeters of space in the inner diameter direction. To address this issue, an SMP quick-connect design is adopted in the microwave passive network, and the structure adopts a double female adapter semi-escapement structure.

[0040] The coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 internally includes two four-in-one power dividers and a 90° phase-shifting bridge; the four-in-one power dividers adopt a "T-type" cascaded Wilkinson power divider configuration to achieve equal amplitude and in-phase power combining of the four-port signals.

[0041] Since the output ports of the eight walls need to be power combined at intervals, in order to avoid the problem of crossover of planar circuit traces, a multi-layer PCB processing technology is adopted to implement two four-in-one Wilkinson power divider circuit structures and a 90-degree phase-shifting bridge on different layers. Then, with the help of PCB via technology, the signals of each device are introduced into the same layer of the circuit board for power combining. This reduces the lateral circumferential size and realizes microwave trace power combining.

[0042] The aforementioned multilayer circuit board is encapsulated in a ring-shaped electromagnetic shielding box. It is mounted on the main waveguide 1 as a coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3. A flange 4 for fixing the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 is provided on the circumference of the main waveguide 1. The eight SMP interfaces of the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 are connected to the eight waveguide coaxial conversion interfaces for power supply. The flange 4 of the main waveguide 1 is provided with four M3 screw holes, and four optical holes are provided at the corresponding positions on the ring power divider assembly. During assembly, four M3 long screws are used for positioning, and the four screws are tightened evenly and sequentially. This makes the assembly process of the ring coaxial power divider assembly 3 and the main waveguide 1 more convenient, realizes the fixation of the ring power divider bridge assembly, ensures the assembly strength of each component, and can meet the harsh vibration conditions of the moving carrier.

[0043] When the main waveguide 1 passes through the coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3 on the other side, the waveguide network system components are fed in. A corresponding waveguide flange is required to cooperate with and fix it. Therefore, a waveguide flange 5 needs to be installed on the transmission line of the main waveguide 1 passing through the annular coaxial power divider bridge assembly 3. The method of tapping threads on the outer ring of the root of the main waveguide and the inner ring of the flange is adopted. Compared with other methods, this method does not require the use of circumferential space.

[0044] The waveguide flange 5 is installed using a threaded mounting method, which is prone to loosening under external force. To solve this problem, a device with flush-joint studs at the thread is used to ensure a tight and secure fit between the two.

[0045] The above description is merely the preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any simple modifications, alterations, or equivalent structural changes made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated TE 21 A mode coupler, including a main waveguide, is characterized in that, It also includes a coaxial power divider bridge assembly (3); the main waveguide (1) is a circular waveguide transmission line; eight waveguide feed lines are provided on the side wall of the main waveguide, and eight signals are coupled out from the side wall of the main waveguide (1) respectively. The eight signals enter their respective irregular waveguide coaxial conversion devices (2) through the corresponding ridge structure waveguides; a flange (4) for fixing the coaxial power divider bridge assembly (3) is provided on the circumference of the main waveguide, and a fixing optical hole is provided at the position of the corresponding coaxial power divider bridge assembly (3); The coaxial power divider bridge assembly (3) has a circular ring structure with a main waveguide (1) routing space in the center. Its eight entrance positions correspond to the SMP positions of the eight-way waveguide coaxial converter connector, achieving high-precision plug-in installation and fixation. One end of the main waveguide is inserted into the routing space of the coaxial power divider bridge assembly (3) and fixedly connected to the flange installed on the main waveguide through a fixed optical hole. The output end of the irregular waveguide coaxial converter (2) is provided with a pluggable radio frequency interface structure for connecting the connector SMP. The coaxial power divider bridge assembly (3) is equipped with two sets of four-in-one power dividers and a 90° phase-shifting bridge; eight waveguides that couple out eight signals are distributed circumferentially on the sidewall of the main waveguide with the axis of the main waveguide as the center; the eight waveguides are divided into two groups, and the waveguides in the same group are spaced apart; the two groups of waveguides are combined into one signal through the four-in-one power divider, and the two combined signals are combined into two left and right circular polarized microwave signals through the 90° bridge.

2. An integrated TE according to claim 1 21 The mode coupler is characterized in that, It also includes a waveguide flange (5), which is threaded to the main waveguide port; the waveguide flange (5) is installed on the outside of the coaxial power divider bridge assembly (3).

Images