Antenna arrangement and automated test device comprising an

Abstract

The present invention relates to an antenna device comprising: a quadruple-ridged waveguide, an open end of which is configured as a radiation aperture; and an orthogonal mode converter (OMT) configured to couple the quadruple ridge waveguide to the two feed structures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to an antenna device and an automated test equipment, and particularly include a four-ridge waveguide coupled to a feed structure.

[0002] In addition, embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to a single-aperture broadband dual-polarized waveguide antenna for an air interface socket.

[0003] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to an antenna for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves of different spatial modes or polarizations. Background Art

[0004] Modern devices such as mobile phones are being used more and more frequently. For example, 5G NR (New Radio) technology uses two frequency ranges, where the second frequency range FR2 can use a bandwidth of, for example, 24 to 53 GHz, which spans an octave bandwidth.

[0005] For example, testing such a device can utilize multiple antenna devices that cover the entire bandwidth and multiple electromagnetic field polarizations. Alternatively, in some cases, the antenna devices used have poor performance at at least one end of the bandwidth to be tested. In addition, it has been recognized that traditional antenna devices with improved performance (such as four-ridge horn antennas) may encounter difficulties and cost issues in manufacturing.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an antenna device that improves the balance between bandwidth performance, multi-polarization reception, and manufacturing cost. Summary of the Invention

[0007] An embodiment in accordance with the present invention is directed to an antenna device, including a four-ridge waveguide, the open end of which is configured to serve as a radiation aperture. The antenna device further includes an Orthomode Transducer (OMT) configured to couple the four-ridge waveguide to two feed structures.

[0008] It has been recognized that a four-ridge waveguide can transmit (or receive) two different modes (i.e., electric field patterns), such as two different polarizations (where the term "different polarizations" can be, for example, the orthogonal (H / V) modes). Since the four-ridge waveguide is coupled to an OMT, the two different electric field modes can be coupled to the four-ridge waveguide through the OMT. For example, a first mode in the four-ridge waveguide (e.g., having a first orientation or a first polarization) can be excited by an input signal at the first port of the OMT (e.g., through the corresponding mode in the first feed structure), and a second mode in the four-ridge waveguide (e.g., having a second orientation or a second polarization) can be excited by an input signal at the second port of the OMT (e.g., through the corresponding mode of the second feed structure). Since the OMT is also coupled to two feed structures, the OMT enables the coupling of two different modes excited using the corresponding feed structures into the four-ridge waveguide. In the case where the four-ridge waveguide has an open end as a radiation aperture, the two modes guided by the four-ridge waveguide can be radiated (i.e., transmitted via air). Thus, the antenna device allows the combination and transmission of two different polarization modes of the electric field. The signal direction can also be reversed. For example, a signal containing an electric field with two modes (e.g., orthogonal polarization) can be received at the "radiation aperture" and guided by the four-ridge waveguide to the OMT. In other words, the reciprocity principle can apply in embodiments according to the present invention (e.g., in the absence of non-reciprocal materials). The OMT can split the signal into its two modes, which are then "coupled to" the two feed structures (e.g., exciting the corresponding signals or modes in the two feed structures). Splitting into two modes allows the determination of the polarization angle of the electromagnetic radiation received at the radiation aperture, or two independent modes are received at the radiation aperture, which are split by the OMT. In addition, the antenna device is also capable of receiving or transmitting circularly polarized or elliptically polarized radiation, for example, using circuitry for providing a phase shift to the input signal to the feed structure or for processing the received signal from the feed structure).

[0009] It should be noted that, in general, the polarization of the incident wave can be different from H / V linear, such as oblique polarization. Thus, in some embodiments, with this antenna device, we can only guess the H or V or "mixed polarization" wave. However, other embodiments may allow for a more precise determination of the polarization characteristics.

[0010] Such an antenna device is capable of forwarding more than one polarization mode, which can be used, for example, for more efficient testing of devices capable of multi-mode transmission and / or reception. The coupling between the four-ridge waveguide, the OMT, and the feed structures can be implemented using simple geometries that can be manufactured at low cost.

[0011] In addition, it has been found that the use of a four-ridge waveguide provides an extremely wide usable frequency range, which in some cases can exceed a frequency ratio of 2:1. In particular, the ridges provide a wide bandwidth range in which there is only a single non-attenuating mode for each polarization within the waveguide. Thus, in the case of considering two different polarizations or circular or elliptical polarization, a single antenna structure is sufficient to test a broadband device under test.

[0012] The antenna device can be, for example, part of an over-the-air (OTA) socket measurement device. The antenna design has been found to be very suitable for OTA socket integration. The socket allows, for example, alignment between the device under test (also referred to as the device under test (DUT)) and the antenna device, thus optimizing the communication therebetween. The antenna device can be, for example, a near-field test antenna device. The antenna device can be, for example, a broadband antenna device. The antenna device can be, for example, a dual-polarized single-aperture antenna. The four-ridge waveguide can be, for example, a rectangular (e.g., square or rectangular rectangle) four-ridge waveguide. For example, the radiation aperture can be configured to radiate electromagnetic waves having a first polarization and electromagnetic waves having a second polarization. For example, the first polarization and the second polarization can be oriented perpendicular to each other. The OMT can be, for example, a broadband orthomode transducer. The two feed structures can be, for example, configured to transmit (e.g., guide) electromagnetic waves. The two feed structures can, for example, comprise waveguides. The two feed structures can be, for example, or comprise two (or more) dual-ridge waveguides. The four-ridge (e.g., square) waveguide can be, for example, provided as the dual-polarized interface of the OMT, thus forming a four-ridge Boifot design. The antenna device can, for example, use the concept of a Boifot orthomode transducer (OMT) to convert a single radiation aperture into two polarizations (e.g., horizontal and vertical), and then, for example, route them to respective dual-ridge waveguides for wideband operation.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the orthomode transducer is configured to couple a first feed structure to a four-ridge waveguide of a first mode having a first orientation. The orthomode transducer can be configured to couple a second feed structure to a four-ridge waveguide of a second mode having a second orientation.

[0014] The first feed structure can, for example, be coupled to two lateral ports of the orthomode transducer (e.g., the two lateral ports are arranged opposite to each other at the OMT). The second feed structure can be, for example, a feed structure coupled to the axial port of the orthomode transducer. The first orientation can be, for example, at least substantially orthogonal to the second orientation (e.g., within a tolerance of + / -10 degrees). Alternatively, the first orientation and the second orientation can be, for example, oriented at different angles (e.g., 30°, 45°, or 60°) relative to each other. The first mode and the second mode can, for example, excite the radiation of waves having at least approximately orthogonal polarizations.

[0015] Thus, it is possible to have good separation between different polarizations. For example, signals applied to different feed structures can be used to excite radiation of different (e.g., orthogonal) polarizations, and incident radiation of different polarizations can excite separate signals at different feed structures, such that radiation of different polarizations can be detected separately.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the transverse ports of the orthogonal mode converter are arranged in the same plane. For example, the transverse ports can be coupled to a double-ridge waveguide, and the ridges of the double-ridge waveguide can be arranged in a common plane. This arrangement reduces the phase difference that can occur when the transverse ports are arranged axially offset with respect to each other. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be kept relatively small. For example, the number of layers available for manufacturing can be kept small by having the transverse ports of the orthogonal mode converter in the same plane. In addition, the symmetry of the orthogonal mode converter can result in particularly good polarization separation.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the antenna device forms a dual-polarized single-aperture antenna. For example, the antenna device can be a dual-polarized waveguide antenna, where two polarizations (e.g., vertical polarization and horizontal polarization) can be excited in a single four-ridge waveguide aperture. The antenna device can be configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation from a single radiation aperture, which is formed by combining two electromagnetic radiation modes received from the feed structure (and vice versa). This antenna structure is small in volume while allowing good polarization separation. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be kept relatively small, for example when the antenna is implemented using a small number of layers structured using, for example, a grinding process. For example, it has been found that the four-ridge waveguide and the orthogonal mode converter can be easily manufactured using a layered structure comprising a small number of layers, where simple surface treatments can be applied to shape the layers. In addition, by using only a single aperture, the size of the antenna can be kept small, and good antenna characteristics can be achieved relatively close to the radiation aperture, since the two polarizations are effectively emitted from a single common aperture.

[0018] According to an embodiment, at least one of the two feed structures includes a dual-ridge waveguide. Alternatively, at least one of the two feed structures includes a single-ridge waveguide. At least one of the dual-ridge waveguides can be configured to define the modes (and to some extent also the polarizations) that can be excited therein. The ridges increase the bandwidth of the electromagnetic radiation that can be excited inside the waveguide (or in other words, only increase the frequency range in which a single non-attenuating mode of a given polarization can be excited in the waveguide). Additionally, in some cases, the ridges can define a preferred direction for the polarization of the electromagnetic wave. The dual-ridge waveguides of the first feed structure and the second feed structure can be configured, for example, such that the polarizations of at least one of the dual-ridge waveguides of the first feed structure and at least one of the dual-ridge waveguides of the second feed structure are arranged, for example, perpendicular (or at least substantially perpendicular) to each other (e.g., when feeding to or being fed by an OMT). For example, a first common plane spanned by the ridges of the dual-ridge waveguide of the first feed structure can be oriented perpendicular to a second common plane spanned by the ridges of the dual-ridge waveguide of the second feed structure (and optionally, perpendicular to the extension direction of the dual-ridge waveguide of the second feed structure).

[0019] According to an embodiment, the two feed structures extend between an orthomode transducer and respective blind-mate waveguide connectors. The blind-mate waveguide connectors can include, for example, self-aligning features. For example, the blind-mate waveguide connectors can include at least one of a tapered opening or a protrusion. At least one of the two feed structures can include one or more waveguides (e.g., one or more dual-ridge waveguides) between the orthomode transducer and the respective blind-mate waveguide connectors. The two feed structures can be configured to transmit an electromagnetic field between the orthomode transducer and the respective blind-mate waveguide connectors.

[0020] The blind-mate waveguide connectors allow the antenna device to be easily and repeatedly (e.g., more than 100,000 times or one million times) coupled to a device for receiving and / or transmitting electromagnetic signals. For example, the antenna device can thus be easily and repeatedly coupled to a generator device and / or an analysis device (e.g., of an automated test equipment) for generating and / or detecting signals to be transmitted and / or received by the radiation aperture.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the antenna device comprises a layered structure, wherein the layered structure comprises: a first layer (or first housing part) comprising a four-ridge waveguide and a first part of a waveguide structure (such as a ridge line, or a groove having one or more ridge lines, where the groove may form, for example, the interior of the waveguide and / or the waveguide channel) extending on the inner surface between the transverse ports of the orthomode transducer and the T-waveguide joint. The layered structure may further comprise a second layer comprising, on a first side, a second part of the waveguide structure extending between the transverse ports of the orthomode transducer and the T-waveguide joint (such as a groove having a ridge line), and further comprising, on a second side, a first part of the waveguide structure extending from the T-waveguide joint to a first external connection (and optionally also comprising a first part of the waveguide structure extending from the axial port of the orthomode transducer to a second external connection, such as a ridge line or a groove having a ridge line). The layered structure may further comprise: a third layer comprising a second part of the waveguide structure extending from the T-waveguide joint to a first external connection (such as a first blind-mate waveguide connection) and an optional (second) part of the waveguide structure extending from the axial port of the orthomode transducer to a second external connection (such as a second blind-mate waveguide connection) (such as a groove having a ridge line).

[0022] This layered structure allows the use of simple metalworking techniques (such as grinding and / or micromachining) to fabricate the internal hollow structure of the antenna device. Additionally, the antenna device can be fabricated from metal. However, different manufacturing techniques may also be used to fabricate the surface-structured layer.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the four-ridge waveguide may be tapered gradually or in discrete steps in a direction from the first surface of the first layer towards the second (inner) surface of the first layer. This tapering allows for a shorter antenna height and thus reduces the size of the antenna device. In other words, while the "aperture" generally describes the lateral size, the stepped tapering can, for example, reduce the antenna height (such as the axial size).

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the T-waveguide joint (or any other form of combiner / splitter structure) may split a signal into two signal portions that are shifted relative to each other by half a wavelength (or shifted by approximately 180 degrees, for example, within a tolerance of + / - 10 degrees) with respect to each other (at least substantially within a tolerance of + / - one-tenth of a wavelength). If the OMT also has a combiner / splitter structure (for example, the OMT has a main port of the four-ridge waveguide and two transverse ports of a first feed structure), then the two signal portions can thus be combined in phase, which results in a half-wavelength shift. Thus, the T-waveguide joint enables the use of an OMT having a combiner / splitter structure. Additionally, a highly symmetric structure can be obtained in this way.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the orthogonal mode transducer includes two transverse ports and one axial port. The axial port may be arranged, for example, opposite to the main port that couples the four-ridge structure to the OMT, such that the second feed structure (e.g., a double-ridge waveguide) coupled to the axial port is oriented at least substantially coaxially (e.g., with an angular difference of no more than 10 degrees) with the four-ridge waveguide. The two transverse ports may be arranged, for example, at opposite sides of the OMT. The two transverse ports may be arranged such that the (double-ridge) waveguide of the first feed structure (with an angular tolerance of no more than 10 degrees) coupled to the transverse port extends at least substantially perpendicular (e.g., with an angular tolerance of no more than 10 degrees) to the four-ridge waveguide.

[0026] The two transverse ports provide greater symmetry compared to a single transverse port (particularly in the case where the transverse ports, the axial port, and the main port are configured at 90° angles relative to each other). The symmetric configuration of the out-of-phase transverse ports and the axial port also improves the cross-port isolation.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the first transverse port of the orthogonal mode transducer includes a transition portion between the four-ridge waveguide and the first double-ridge waveguide, where the first ridge line of the four-ridge waveguide transitions to the first ridge line of the first double-ridge waveguide (e.g., the first ridge line of the four-ridge waveguide lies in the same plane as the first ridge line of the first double-ridge waveguide). The second transverse port of the orthogonal mode transducer may include a transition portion between the four-ridge waveguide and the second double-ridge waveguide, where the second ridge line of the four-ridge waveguide (which may be opposite to the first ridge line of the four-ridge waveguide) transitions to the first ridge line of the second double-ridge waveguide (e.g., the second ridge line of the four-ridge waveguide lies in the same plane as the first ridge line of the second double-ridge waveguide).

[0028] The axial port of the orthogonal mode transducer may include a transition portion between the four-ridge waveguide and the third double-ridge waveguide, where the third ridge line of the four-ridge waveguide may transition to the first ridge line of the third double-ridge waveguide, and the fourth ridge line of the four-ridge waveguide may extend into the second ridge line of the third double-ridge waveguide.

[0029] The transition between the ridge lines (e.g., a gradient transition of a discrete stepped transition) improves the coupling of the modes between the feed structure and the four-ridge waveguide. This transition reduces the discontinuity of the structures within the antenna device, which improves the return loss. In addition, using this concept, the conversion of non-desired modes is well suppressed.

[0030] For example, the first ridge of the four-ridge waveguide, the second ridge of the four-ridge waveguide, the first ridge of the first double-ridge waveguide, and the first ridge of the second double-ridge waveguide may all be in the same (first) plane. The third ridge of the four-ridge waveguide, the fourth ridge of the four-ridge waveguide, the first ridge of the third double-ridge waveguide, and the second ridge of the third double-ridge waveguide may all be in the same (second) plane, where, for example, the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane (e.g., within a tolerance of + / - 10 degrees). This arrangement improves the discrimination of two electromagnetic wave modes that are perpendicular (orthogonal) to each other.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the antenna device (e.g., the antenna structure) includes a waveguide structure (e.g., the first double-ridge waveguide and the second double-ridge waveguide), which connects the first transverse port of the orthomode transducer and the second transverse port of the orthomode transducer to a combiner / splitter structure (e.g., a T-junction; e.g., an E-plane T-junction).

[0032] Using two transverse ports improves symmetry and thus improves cross-port isolation. For example, unwanted mode conversion is well suppressed. The combiner / splitter structure at least partially compensates for the phase shift between the two signals combined at the two transverse ports.

[0033] For example, at least a part of the waveguide structure and the combiner / splitter structure may be in the same layer of the antenna structure, such as the first transverse port and the second transverse port, or may be configured at the same transition part between two layers of the antenna device, such as the first transverse port and the second transverse port. Such a configuration in the same layer facilitates manufacturing and improves symmetry and, extendedly, cross-port isolation.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the antenna device (e.g., the antenna structure) includes a part of the waveguide structure, which is coupled to the combiner / splitter structure (and extends from the combiner / splitter to the first external connection), where the part of the waveguide structure extending from the axial port of the orthomode transducer to the second external connection (e.g., the second blind-mate waveguide connection) and the part of the waveguide structure coupled to the combiner / splitter structure are arranged in the same (common) layer of the antenna device (e.g., the antenna structure) and / or arranged at the same (common) transition between two layers of the antenna device.

[0035] In the case where the parts of the waveguide structure are arranged in the same layer and / or the same transition region between two layers, the two structures (which may be long hollow structures) can be manufactured using simple metallization techniques, such as grinding (e.g., using a CNC-grinding center) and / or micromachining. However, other techniques for producing surface-structured layers can also be applied.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the antenna device is implemented in an antenna housing, where the antenna housing includes at least two parts.

[0037] An antenna housing having two or more than two parts provides easy assembly, maintenance, and can be manufactured using simple metalworking techniques such as grinding and / or micromachining.

[0038] The antenna housing can be or can include a metal structure in which at least a four-ridge waveguide, an orthomode transducer, and a feed structure are formed. For example, the entire antenna device can be made of metal. The antenna housing can contain or be composed of metal (or metal alloy). At least two (e.g., two, three, four, five, or more) housing parts can include at least two structured metal layers attached to each other (e.g., by screws or welded joints). The metal layers can be at least, for example, substantially isomorphic. The metal layers can have, for example, a thickness in the range of 2 mm to 7 mm. The antenna housing can have, for example, a thickness between 10 and 15 mm.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the antenna housing includes a first housing part (e.g., a first layer) and a second housing part (e.g., a second layer), wherein the four-ridge waveguide is ground and / or micromachined in the first housing part, and wherein the first double-ridge waveguide and the second double-ridge waveguide are at least partially (or optionally, completely) ground and / or micromachined in the second housing part, or ground and / or micromachined between the first housing part and the second housing part. The third double-ridge waveguide can be, for example, ground and / or micromachined in the second housing part, wherein the inner surface of the first housing part forms a part (e.g., a wall, e.g., a cover, e.g., a hood) of the first double-ridge waveguide and the second double-ridge waveguide.

[0040] Grinding and micromachining are energy-efficient (e.g., without metal melting) and can be largely automated (e.g., using computer numerical control CNC) processes. Grinding and / or micromachining a hollow structure between two layers reduces the limitations of metalworking techniques in forming long hollow structures. However, different manufacturing techniques can also be applied in some embodiments.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the ridge lines of the third double-ridge waveguide are connected to (e.g., transition to) the (opposite) ridge line (vertical) pair of the four-ridge waveguide via a ridge line step. The ridge line step can be formed, for example, in the second housing part.

[0042] The ridge line step can, for example, improve the smooth transition of polarization (e.g., vertical polarization) between the third double-ridge waveguide and the four-ridge waveguide.

[0043] According to another embodiment, the antenna housing includes a first housing portion (e.g., a first layer), a second housing portion (e.g., a second layer), and a third housing portion (e.g., a third layer). The four-ridge waveguide can be milled and / or micromachined in the first housing portion. The first double-ridge waveguide and the second double-ridge waveguide can be at least partially (or optionally, completely) milled and / or micromachined in the second housing portion, or milled and / or micromachined at the transition portion between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The third double-ridge waveguide can be milled and / or micromachined in the second housing portion, and a combiner / splitter structure (e.g., a T-junction; e.g., an E-plane T-junction) can be milled and / or micromachined in the second housing portion (and optionally can also include structures in the first housing portion). The second housing portion can form a part (e.g., a wall, e.g., a cover, e.g., a shroud) of the first double-ridge waveguide and the second double-ridge waveguide.

[0044] As described above, the distribution of mechanical features among the three housing portions will form a structural arrangement of the waveguide structure on two housing portions, which simplifies the milling and / or micromachining process. Since the waveguide structure (for the most part) is arranged between the housing structures (or at the transition portion between the housing structures, or between the housing structures), the waveguide structure can extend parallel to the extension direction of the layer (e.g., in a meandering staircase). For example, waveguide channels are formed inside / among these housing structures. Therefore, the waveguide structure does not have to extend perpendicular to the layer, and the layer can be made thinner, resulting in a more compact antenna device.

[0045] According to another embodiment, the transverse port is electromagnetically isolated (e.g., polarization isolated) from the axial port. This means that, for example, the transverse port and the axial port have a low coupling (high electromagnetic isolation). For example, the transverse port and the axial port can have a coupling less than -10 dB or less than -20 dB or less than -30 dB.

[0046] The isolation of the axial port and the transverse port reduces the mixing of the coupled modes in the first feeding structure and the second feeding structure, and thus improves the signal quality.

[0047] The transverse port can be isolated (e.g., polarization isolated) from the axial port such that the transverse port is coupled to an electromagnetic wave of a first polarization, and such that the axial port is coupled to an electromagnetic wave of a second polarization, which can be, for example, orthogonal to the first polarization. The attenuation between the transverse port and the axial port can be, for example, higher than 10 dB, or even higher than 20 dB, or even higher than 30 dB. Therefore, a signal with sufficiently clean polarization characteristics can be transmitted by the antenna device, or different polarization components (e.g., linear polarization components) of the received signal can be effectively separated.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the four-ridge waveguide extends perpendicular to the radiation aperture. This allows for simple fabrication, e.g., by using grinding, and provides good and predictable radiation characteristics.

[0049] Thus, the difference in the antenna beam direction for the two polarizations transmitted (or received) by the radiation aperture is eliminated.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the ridges of the four-ridge waveguide extend upward to the radiation aperture. The ridges can extend upward to the radiation aperture in a wedge or non-wedge (e.g., gradient) form.

[0051] In the case where the ridges extend upward to the radiation aperture, mode mixing inside the four-ridge waveguide is reduced. Additionally, the wedge-shaped ridges improve the antenna impedance matching, and thus, widen the operating bandwidth - similar to the four-ridge horn antenna principle.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the four-ridge waveguide includes a constant (e.g., immutable) cross-section (e.g., non-wedge; e.g., including a cube shape with 4 ridges) along its longitudinal extension. The ridges of the four-ridge waveguide can have a variable cross-section (e.g., due to tapering) along the extension of the waveguide.

[0053] The variation in the cross-section (shape of the ridges) of the ridges is adjusted to provide broadband impedance matching of the antenna, while the constant cross-section of the waveguide (inside the cube waveguide) can result in good producibility and good electrical characteristics.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the antenna device provides broadband antenna operation (e.g., having a bandwidth of more than one octave, e.g., having a frequency ratio of >2:1). The antenna device can, for example, provide a broadband antenna that operates in the range of 20 GHz to 60 GHz (such as 24 GHz to 53 GHz).

[0055] Thus, a single antenna device can cover a wide variety of applications, which reduces the user's test cost and the manufacturer's development and support costs. Additionally, the antenna device has improved compatibility with broadband cellular network standards such as 5G (e.g., 5G NR) or higher. The antenna device can, for example, cover one or more frequency ranges of the 5G (e.g., 5G NR) standard, such as the FR2 and / or FR1 frequency ranges.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the antenna device is an over-the-air (OTA) socket measurement device (or part thereof).

[0057] The socket allows for testing of fixtures and thus enables the device's transmission / reception to be directed in such a way that the over-the-air transmission can be aimed at the radiation aperture, which improves repeatable and iterative testing.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the antenna device is a near-field test antenna device.

[0059] The four-ridge antenna allows for very close proximity (e.g., 1 cm) to the device under test. Thus, the antenna device is suitable for near-field testing. This allows for smaller sizes of the antenna device and the test configuration including the antenna device.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the antenna device includes an electromagnetically permeable (e.g., radio-transparent or electromagnetic-transparent) cover that covers at least a portion of the antenna device (or antenna) and / or covers at least a portion of the waveguide.

[0061] For example, depending on the size of the DUT, the cover can be larger than the four-ridge waveguide or aperture. The purpose of the cover is, for example, to push the device into an electrical socket. In some embodiments, the purpose of the cover is not to cover or protect the measurement antenna. The measurement antenna is made of, for example, metal, which does not require protection in some embodiments.

[0062] In other words, for example, the purpose (or main purpose) of the cover can be to push the device, and it is determined by the DUT size in some cases. In some embodiments, covering the waveguide opening is not the purpose of the cover.

[0063] The cover allows for mechanical touching and / or pushing of the device under test (e.g., pushing or holding the device to be tested in a socket and / or reducing the distance for near-field testing), while reducing the risk of the device under test touching the housing of the antenna device, and while still allowing for the transmission of electromagnetic waves between the antenna device and the device under test.

[0064] According to another embodiment, the cover is configured to push the device under test into the device-under-test position (e.g., push into a test socket), while allowing electromagnetic radiation to be transmitted from the waveguide to the device under test, or vice versa. Thus, the testing can be accelerated, and an appropriate distance can be achieved between the antenna aperture and the device under test.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated test equipment (ATE) is provided, wherein the automated test equipment includes an antenna device as described herein, and wherein the automated test equipment is configured to use the antenna device to test a device under test (e.g., a wireless device under test; e.g., an antenna package device under test).

[0066] The automated test equipment according to this embodiment is based on the same considerations as the antenna device described above. Additionally, the disclosed embodiment can optionally be supplemented by any other features, functionality, and details disclosed herein in combination with the antenna device (individually and in combination).

[0067] According to an embodiment, the automated test equipment includes a device-under-test socket and one or more (e.g., blind mate) high-frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connectors) (e.g., for establishing a high-frequency connection with the antenna device), wherein the one or more high-frequency connectors are disposed next to the test socket.

[0068] The configuration of the socket and the high-frequency connector other than the socket allows for the simultaneous and simple establishment of the (wireless) connection (or coupling) between the antenna device and the test socket and the connection to the connector. The blind mating connector results in a higher success rate of the coupling process, with less wear during multiple coupling steps. Additionally, the coupling can be automated, for example, using a handler or a robotic arm.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the high-frequency connector is a blind mating waveguide connector including a double-ridge waveguide.

[0070] The double-ridge waveguide connector provides an increased bandwidth. Additionally, having a feed structure with a double-ridge waveguide connector provides improved compatibility.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the test socket and one or more high-frequency connectors are arranged such that one or more external connectors of the antenna device are docked with one or more high-frequency connectors, and when one or more external connectors of the antenna device are docked with one or more high-frequency connectors, the cover of the antenna device pushes the device under test into the device under test socket.

[0072] When the cover of the antenna device pushes the device under test into the device under test socket, the alignment of the external connectors of the antenna device with the high-frequency connectors is facilitated. Additionally, the blind mating high-frequency connectors can well-align the antenna device, such that the device under test is also properly pushed by the antenna device into its device under test socket. Thus, the blind mating connector not only establishes a microwave connection but also acts as a mechanical alignment component simultaneously.

[0073] One or more external connectors of the antenna device may include double-ridge waveguide connectors, and the double-ridges of the high-frequency connectors can be oriented and / or sized such that when docked with the external connectors of the antenna device, the double-ridges of the one or more external connectors and the high-frequency connectors are at least substantially along the connector transition of the corresponding double-ridge waveguide (e.g., due to the cross-section of the double-ridge waveguide being at least substantially the same shape). This transition between the two double-ridge waveguides improves the return loss. Additionally, broadband operation of the antenna device is ensured by this design.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the cover of the antenna device is formed of a low dielectric constant material (such as a plastic pusher). Thus, the cover has less dielectric loss. Additionally, the field distribution hardly experiences deterioration due to such a cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] The drawings are not necessarily to scale; in fact, the emphasis is generally on showing the principles of the present invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, where:

[0076] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an antenna device including a four-ridge waveguide is shown;

[0077] Figure 2A A perspective view of an embodiment of an antenna device in the form of a four-ridge horn antenna design having a stepped ridge geometry is shown;

[0078] Figure 2B Shows Figure 2A The perspective assembly view of the QHRA depicted in;

[0079] Figure 3A Shows along Figure 2A The cross-sectional view of the line A-A' depicted in;

[0080] Figure 3B Shows Figure 2A The graphical representation of the E-field pattern in the antenna structure of;

[0081] Figure 4A Shows Figures 2A to 3B The graphical representation of the simulated scattering parameters (S-parameters) and gain of the QRHA depicted in;

[0082] Figure 4B Shows Figures 2A to 3B The three-dimensional far-field (3d FF) pattern of the QRHA simulation depicted in;

[0083] Figure 5A The graphical representation of the far-field radiation pattern in polar coordinates in the elevation plane, which includes the first feeding structure when the antenna is fed through the first feeding structure (vertical port) at three different frequencies F1 = 24.25 GHz, F2 = 38.5 GHz, F3 = 53 GHz;

[0084] Figure 5B The graphical representation of the far-field radiation pattern in polar coordinates in the azimuth plane, which includes the second feeding structure when the antenna is fed through the second feeding structure (horizontal port) at three different frequencies F1 = 24.25 GHz, F2 = 38.5 GHz, F3 = 53 GHz;

[0085] Figure 6 A perspective view of an embodiment of an antenna device having a four-ridge horn antenna concept with a double-ridge waveguide interface is shown;

[0086] Figure 7A A perspective view of the Boifot OMT design is shown;

[0087] Figure 7B A sectional view of the OMT modification with stepped ridges is shown;

[0088] Figure 8A A 3D model of a two-piece OMT housing with vertical ridges is shown;

[0089] Figure 8B shows a Figure 8A two-piece OMT housing;

[0090] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the antenna device;

[0091] Figure 10A shows a Figure 9 perspective view of an embodiment of the antenna device, where the solid structure is not visible (or hardly visible);

[0092] Figure 10B shows a Figure 10A cross-sectional view of the antenna device through plane B;

[0093] Figure 10C shows a Figure 10A cross-sectional view of the antenna device through plane C;

[0094] Figure 10D shows a Figure 10A cross-sectional view of the antenna device through plane D;

[0095] Figure 10E shows a Figure 10A cross-sectional view of the antenna device through plane E;

[0096] Figure 11 shows a graphical representation of the simulated reflection coefficients (S 11 , S 22 ) for horizontal and vertical polarization (it should be noted that, by definition, the return loss RL is positive, e.g., abs(S11));

[0097] Figure 12A shows a simulation of the vertical polarization E-field pattern (real-time vector pattern) through the vertical cross-section of the antenna device;

[0098] Figure 12B shows a simulation of the vertical polarization E-field pattern (real-time field distribution) through the horizontal cross-section of the antenna device;

[0099] Figure 13A shows a simulation of the horizontal polarization E-field pattern (real-time vector pattern) through the horizontal cross-section of the antenna device;

[0100] Figure 13B shows a simulation of the horizontal polarization E-field pattern (real-time field distribution) through the horizontal cross-section of the antenna device;

[0101] Figure 14A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the antenna device;

[0102] Figure 14B Shows Figure 14A a perspective view of the antenna device of , which provides views of the lateral arm and the axial arm;

[0103] Figure 15A Shows Figure 14A a perspective view of the antenna device of , which provides a view of the first inner surface of the first housing part;

[0104] Figure 15B Shows Figure 14A a perspective view of the antenna device of , which provides a view of the second inner surface of the second housing part;

[0105] Figure 16A Shows Figures 14A to 15B a perspective view of a cross-section of the antenna device shown in , wherein the cross-section extends along a vertical plane (ZY);

[0106] Figure 16B Shows a cross-section similar to Figure 16A the cross-section depicted in , wherein the cross-section is offset in the positive x direction;

[0107] Figure 17A Shows Figure 14A a perspective view of a cross-section of the antenna device of , wherein the cross-section extends along a horizontal plane (ZX);

[0108] Figure 17B Shows a cross-section similar to Figure 17A the cross-section depicted in , wherein the cross-section is offset in the negative y direction;

[0109] Figure 18A Shows Figure 14A a perspective view of a cross-section of the antenna device of , wherein the plane of the cross-section is positioned at 7 mm along the Z axis;

[0110] Figure 18B Shows Figure 14A a perspective view of a cross-section of the antenna device of , wherein the plane of the cross-section is positioned at 5.5 mm along the Z axis;

[0111] Figure 18C Shows Figure 14A a perspective view of a cross-section of the antenna device of , wherein the plane of the cross-section is positioned at 3 mm along the Z axis;

[0112] Figure 18D Shows Figure 14A a perspective view of a cross-section of the antenna device of , wherein the plane of the cross-section is positioned at 2.5 mm along the Z axis;

[0113] Figure 18E Shows Figure 14APerspective view of a cross-section of the antenna device, where the plane of the cross-section is positioned at 1.5 mm along the Z-axis;

[0114] Figure 18F Shows Figure 14A Perspective view of a cross-section of the antenna device, where the plane of the cross-section is positioned at -0.5 mm;

[0115] Figure 19A Shows a first perspective view of another embodiment of the antenna device;

[0116] Figure 19B Shows Figure 19A A second perspective view of the antenna device;

[0117] Figure 20A Shows a perspective view of the first surface of the first housing part;

[0118] Figure 20B Shows a perspective view of the second surface of the first housing part;

[0119] Figure 21A Shows a perspective view of the first surface of the second housing part;

[0120] Figure 21B Shows a perspective view of the second surface of the second housing part;

[0121] Figure 22A Shows a perspective view of the first surface of the third housing part;

[0122] Figure 22B Shows a perspective view of the second surface of the third housing part;

[0123] Figure 23A Shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the antenna device;

[0124] Figure 23B Shows Figure 23A A front wireframe view of the antenna device;

[0125] Figure 24A Shows Figure 23A A perspective view of the hollow structure inside the antenna device;

[0126] Figure 24B Shows Figure 24A A perspective view of the antenna device, whose viewing angle is substantially opposite to that of Figure 24A ;

[0127] Figure 25A Shows Figure 23A An exploded view of the antenna device, having a view of the top surface of each of the three housing parts;

[0128] Figure 25B shows Figure 23A an exploded view of the antenna device, with a view of the bottom surface of each of the three housing parts;

[0129] Figure 26A shows the antenna device (such as Figure 23A the antenna device of) the simulation of the reflection coefficient (S 11 , S 22 ) and the gain of the graphical representation;

[0130] Figure 26B shows the simulation of the far - field pattern of horizontal polarization at 24 GHz;

[0131] Figure 26C shows the simulation of the far - field pattern of horizontal polarization at 53 GHz;

[0132] Figure 26D shows the simulation of the far - field pattern of vertical polarization at 24 GHz;

[0133] Figure 26E shows the simulation of the far - field pattern of vertical polarization at 53 GHz;

[0134] Figure 27A shows the graphical representation of the simulation of the far - field radiation pattern in polar coordinates, for horizontal polarization at frequencies F1 = 24 GHz, F2 = 37 GHz, F3 = 53 GHz;

[0135] Figure 27B shows the graphical representation of the simulation of the far - field radiation pattern in polar coordinates, for vertical polarization at frequencies F1 = 24 GHz, F2 = 37 GHz, F3 = 53 GHz;

[0136] Figure 27C shows the graphical representation of the simulation of the magnitude of the E - field components (X, Y) of the probe pair placed 11 mm above the antenna aperture;

[0137] Figure 28 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an automated test equipment with an antenna device without a cover;

[0138] Figure 29 shows Figure 28 a perspective view of an embodiment of, where the antenna device further includes a cover; and

[0139] Figure 30 shows the Figure 28 , Figure 29 antenna device of paired with a test socket and a high - frequency connector. Detailed Description

[0140] Even if one or more identical or equivalent elements having the same or equivalent functionality appear in different diagrams, the one or more elements are still represented by the same or equivalent component symbols in the following description.

[0141] In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide a more thorough explanation of embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail to avoid obscuring embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, unless otherwise specifically indicated, the features of the different embodiments described below may be combined with each other.

[0142] To improve the understanding of the present disclosure, terms such as "feed" and "radiation" are used to indicate an exemplary signal direction, e.g., a signal traveling from a "feed" structure to a "radiating" four-ridge waveguide. However, it should be understood that the antenna devices disclosed herein also allow signal propagation in the opposite direction (e.g., from the radiation aperture of the four-ridge waveguide to the feed structure) (e.g., due to antenna or passive device reciprocity).

[0143] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of an antenna device 100 is shown. It should be noted that Figure 1 the schematic diagram does not imply any specific geometry of the antenna device 100.

[0144] The antenna device 100 includes a four-ridge waveguide 110 having an open end that is configured as a radiation aperture 112. The antenna device 100 further includes an orthomode transducer OMT 120 configured to couple the four-ridge waveguide 110 to two feed structures 130a, 130b.

[0145] The four-ridge waveguide 110 may, for example, have a rectangular (e.g., square or rectangular rectangle-shaped) cross-section. Alternatively, the four-ridge waveguide may, for example, have a cross-section of a different shape, such as circular, elliptical, or polygonal. The four-ridge waveguide 110 may include ridges on each of the four inner surfaces (e.g., along the centerline of the corresponding inner surface). The four-ridge waveguide 110 may be configured to transmit (or guide) electromagnetic waves in at least a first mode and a second mode. The first mode and the second mode may be oriented at least substantially orthogonally with respect to each other. The four-ridge waveguide 110 may be configured to transmit (or guide) the two modes at least substantially independently. The four-ridge waveguide 110 may have only a straight extension direction (e.g., not bent) between the radiation aperture 112 and the OMT 120.

[0146] The radiating aperture 112 can be configured to radiate electromagnetic waves of a first polarization and electromagnetic waves of a second polarization, i.e., based on a first mode and a second mode (wherein, for example, the field distribution in the radiating aperture can be defined by the respective modes). The radiating aperture 112 can be formed, for example, at the flat end of the four-ridge waveguide 110. The flat end of the four-ridge waveguide 110 can be oriented, for example, perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular, e.g., within a tolerance of + / - 10 degrees) to the extending direction of the four-ridge waveguide 110, i.e., the four-ridge waveguide 110 can extend (at least substantially) perpendicular to the radiating aperture 112. The ridges of the four-ridge waveguide 110 can extend, for example, upward to the radiating aperture 112. Alternatively, the ridges of the four-ridge waveguide 110 may not reach the radiating aperture 112.

[0147] The two feeding structures 130a, 130b can include a waveguide structure and a second waveguide structure. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the first feeding structure 130a and the second feeding structure 130b can include at least one of a coaxial line and an end-band waveguide adapter (e.g., for coupling a waveguide to a coaxial line and / or vice versa). At least one of the two feeding structures 130a, 130b can include one or more waveguides. At least one of the two feeding structures 130a, 130b can include more than two waveguides coupled to the OMT 120. In Figure 1 the depicted embodiment, each feeding structure 130a, 130b includes a single waveguide coupled to the OMT 120. The feeding structures 130a, 130b (or their waveguides) can be coupled to the OMT 120 at a 90° angle or at a 180° angle (or any other angle such as 30°, 45°, 60°, 120°, or 180°).

[0148] The OMT 120 may include three (or more) ports coupled to the four-ridge waveguide 110 and the feed structures 130a, 130b. For example, the OMT 120 may include three ports, where the main port 122 is coupled to the four-ridge waveguide 110, the first lateral port is coupled to the first feed structure 130a, and the axial port is coupled to the second feed structure 130b. At least a pair of ports may be coaxially configured. For example, the four-ridge waveguide 110 may extend in the axial direction and be coupled to the OMT 120 at the main port 122. The OMT 120 may include an axial port that is opposite and coaxial with the main port 122. Thus, the second feed structure 130b is coaxially configured with the four-ridge waveguide 110 (at least near the OMT 120, i.e., without considering subsequent bends of the second feed structure 130b). The OMT 120 may include one or more lateral ports coupled to the first feed structure 130a. The one or more lateral ports may be oriented at a 90° angle (or any other angle such as 30°, 45°, 60°, or 120°) with respect to the axial direction of the four-ridge waveguide 110. Thus, the first feed structure 130a (which may include one or more waveguides) may be oriented perpendicular to the four-ridge waveguide 110 (and optionally the second feed structure 130b) at least near the OMT 120. The OMT 120 may have more than one lateral port ( Figure 1 not shown in). For example, the OMT 120 may include a first lateral port and a second lateral port, where the first lateral port and the second lateral port may be coaxially arranged. Thus, the waveguides coupling the first port and the second port may be configured in a common plane.

[0149] It should be noted that Figure 1 the antenna structure 100 of may optionally be supplemented by any one of the features, functionalities, and details disclosed herein, either individually or in combination.

[0150] 1. Four-ridge horn antenna (QHRA) design

[0151] Hereinafter, the four-ridge horn antenna design will be described. It should be noted that optionally, any one of the features, functionalities, and details of this four-ridge horn antenna design may optionally be introduced into any one of the embodiments of the present invention, either individually or in combination.

[0152] Based on the antenna review results, assuming a low-profile antenna housing is required, a design for a four-ridge horn antenna (QRHA) for 24 to 53 GHz operation is developed.

[0153] Figure 2AAn embodiment of an antenna device 200 in the form of a four-ridge horn antenna design with a stepped-ridge geometry is shown. Thus, the antenna device 200 has a four-ridge waveguide 210, which includes a four-ridge horn antenna and a radiation aperture 212 at the end face. The horn aperture is shortened with a stepped-ridge geometry (see Figure 2A ) Thus, the antenna height is only about 9 mm. It can be compatible with the lower operating frequency of the antenna up to 24 GHz (supporting the lower frequency can cause an increase in the horn aperture). In addition, the shape of the stepped ridge is quite suitable for the computer numerical control (CNC) grinding process.

[0154] Figure 2B is shown Figure 2A a perspective assembly view of the QRHA depicted in Figure 3A is shown Figure 2A a cross-sectional view along line A-A' depicted in

[0155] The QRHA includes an antenna housing 202, ridges 240, and a backshort 290. The antenna housing 202 includes a first feed structure 230a and a second feed structure 230b. The first feed structure 230a and the second feed structure 230b are configured to receive a coaxial cable or form part of a coaxial cable 232 (such as a 50 Ω coaxial cable). For example, the coaxial cable 232 can be formed by an opening and a pin 233 in the antenna housing 202, where the pin 233 can have a diameter of, for example, 0.3 mm (or another diameter between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm). The pin 233 can, for example, reach and make electrical contact with the bottom ridge (for example, the surface of the ridge 240 opposite the opening of the coaxial cable 232 inside the antenna housing 202). The antenna device 200 includes an orthomode transducer 220 coupled to the first feed structure 230a and the second feed structure 230b.

[0156] Figure 3B is shown Figure 3A the electric field pattern of a cross-sectional view during the coupling of the electromagnetic field to the antenna housing 202 via the coaxial cable 232.

[0157] Figure 4A is shown Figures 2A to 3B a graphical representation of the simulated scattering parameters (S-parameters) and gain of the QRHA depicted in

[0158] Figure 4B is shown Figures 2A to 3B a graphical representation of the simulated three-dimensional far-field (3D FF) pattern of the QRHA depicted in

[0159] The simulated performance of the antenna shows a return loss (RL) of 12 dB and a cross-port crosstalk of < -30 dB in the 24 to 53 GHz frequency band (see Figure 4A)。In the far field, the far-field pattern is smooth and symmetric between two ports (e.g., coupled to the first feed structure 230a and the second feed structure 230b), with a gain range of 6.1 to 9 dBi and a cross-polarization discrimination > 25 dB in the quasi-axial direction.

[0160] Figure 5A A graphical representation of the far-field radiation pattern in polar coordinates is shown, which includes the first feed structure 230a when the antenna is fed via the first feed structure at three different frequencies F1 = 24.25 GHz, F2 = 38.5 GHz, F3 = 53 GHz.

[0161] Figure 5B A graphical representation of the far-field radiation pattern in polar coordinates is presented, which includes the second feed structure 230b when the antenna is fed via the second feed structure at three different frequencies F1 = 24.25 GHz, F2 = 38.5 GHz, F3 = 53 GHz.

[0162] It has been recognized that coaxial connectors may not be very suitable for connecting measurement antennas in a manipulator arm to automated test equipment (ATE) measurement test equipment in an automated high-volume manufacturing test unit, for example due to complex coupling procedures and wear caused by repeated coupling and decoupling of coaxial connectors. Therefore, it has been recognized that a waveguide interface can be advantageous (or even necessary in some cases).

[0163] Nevertheless, it has been recognized that the QRHA (e.g., the antenna device 200) exhibits suitable performance and has extremely compact dimensions and a low profile. In addition, it has been recognized that the antenna device 200 allows the reception of electric fields with different modes in each of the first feed structure 230a and the second feed structure 230b, and the transmission of a combination of different modes (or vice versa) at the radiation aperture 212 of the four-ridge waveguide 210.

[0164] Figure 6 An embodiment of an antenna device 600 with a four-ridge horn antenna concept having a double-ridge waveguide interface is presented. The antenna device includes a feed structure 620 coupled to a four-ridge waveguide 610 and coupled to a first feed structure 630a and a second feed structure 630b, which is similar to Figures 2A to 3B the antenna device 200 shown in. The four-ridge waveguide 610 has an end face with a radiation aperture 612. For example, the four-ridge waveguide 610 includes ridge lines 638, 639.

[0165] Next, as Figure 6The idea of further developing the QRHA concept by attaching terminal-emitting waveguide adapters 634, 634a to a coaxial port (which can, for example, act as a feed structure), as depicted. In this case, the center conductor of the coaxial feed (such as pin 633 or pin 633a) extends towards the four-ridge waveguide. For example, one of the pins (such as pin 633) is connected to one of the ridges (such as ridge 638). For example, in Figure 3B As can be seen, the pin (such as pin 633) is mechanically and electrically connected to a ridge (with respect to the hole into which the pin is inserted) that is, for example, opposite to ridge 638. Additionally, for example, each center conductor of the coaxial feed (such as pin 633 or pin 633a) can be connected to an impedance transformer (such as impedance transformer 635 or impedance transformer 635a) of each adapter 634a, 634a (such as the first feed structure 630630 and the second feed structure 630a that each include terminal-emitting waveguide adapters 634, 634a and pins 633, 633a).

[0166] It has been recognized that Figure 6 One disadvantage of the proposed concept as depicted is the need for a complex mechanism because each pin 633, 633a may need to be accurately positioned between the micro-components and the ridge 640. Additionally, it has been recognized that the CNC grinding process has limited applicability for single-piece antenna ridge manufacturing, for example, because the slot line is narrow (such as a width of about 0.5 mm).

[0167] Therefore, it has been recognized that a multi-component assembly or a cutting line process can be advantageous or, in some cases, even the only applicable process (critical).

[0168] Finally, it has also been recognized that there can be an additional return loss (RL) degradation in the hybrid antenna device because of the implementation of the additional terminal-emitting waveguide adapters 634, 634a.

[0169] 2. OMT-based antenna

[0170] According to an aspect of the present invention, it has been recognized that the implementation of an orthomode transducer (OMT) in a dual-polarized antenna design reduces the need for a complex coaxial feed used in a four-ridge horn antenna. Hereinafter, aspects of the present invention and embodiments according to the present invention will be described. However, it should be noted that any of the features, functionalities, and details disclosed herein can optionally be introduced, individually and in combination, into any of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0171] 2.1BOIFOT OMT

[0172] The OMT technology selected for the antenna (or generally, for any of the antenna devices according to the present invention) isFigure 7A The so-called "Boifot" OMT design depicted in [1] (the design is named after the original author of [1]). In the basic representation, the Boifot OMT is formed from a rod-type OMT by rotating the adjacent arms (the arms shown in red and dash-dotted lines in Figure 7A ) in the XZ plane. Thus, it has been recognized that the overall feed network can be placed in a horizontal plane (e.g., the plane spanned by the Z-axis and the Y-axis). It has been recognized that this allows for a significant improvement in the manufacture of the Boifot OMT, as the OMT can be made in two (or more) ground housings.

[0173] It has been found that a drawback of the traditional Boifot OMT design is the need for a metal wall between the adjacent arms (the so-called vanes or septa) and the additional waveguide junctions for the vertical arms (e.g., the adjacent arms in the XZ plane, shown as a red curve in Figure 7A ). This problem is solved in the dual-ridged Boifot OMT modification [2]. Figure 7B A cross-sectional view showing such an OMT modification is presented, where the stepped ridges provide impedance transformation between the dual-polarized waveguide and the axially polarized vertical arms.

[0174] Thus, the dual-ridged Boifot OMT (as depicted in Figure 7B ) does not require vanes / septa and additional T-junctions for the vertical arm combination (compared to the vanes / septa and additional T-junctions shown in Figure 7A ). Additionally, as seen in the form of the model in Figure 8A and in the form of the schematic shown in Figure 8B , the vertical ridges can be naturally fabricated in a two-piece OMT housing. Many studies have demonstrated the manufacturability and broadband performance of the dual-ridged Boifot OMT design [3] to [7], as its performance is similar to that of a typical rod-type OMT.

[0175] Thus, it has been recognized that the proposed design is of interest for developing solutions to integrate measurement antennas on the processors of ATE test units, considering, for example, 5G FR2 applications, with the following proposals:

[0176] · Due to the requirement for extended bandwidth, both the feed waveguide and the dual-polarized waveguide can be dual-ridged waveguides;

[0177] · The lateral arm routing (see Figure 8A ) can be redesigned to make the antenna housing an axial "sheet" (e.g., the feed waveguide and the arms are placed in a plane perpendicular to the dual-polarized waveguide or the antenna aperture).

[0178] Thus, considering the four-ridged square waveguide as a common dual-polarized interface for the OMT (see Figure 9)。 In fact, it has been found that the ridge line provides a natural transformation for both: the V pole of the axial arm (e.g., a vertically polarized electric field) and the H pole of the transverse arm (e.g., a horizontally polarized electric field) (see Figure 9 ). Thus, the four-ridge Boifot OMT exhibits broadband performance in the desired frequency band as depicted in Figure 11 : >20 dB RL.

[0179] Figure 9 A perspective view of another embodiment of the antenna device is shown. The antenna device 900 is mainly defined by an internal hollow space, and it is complex to depict this internal hollow space from the outside. Thus, Figure 9 A perspective view is presented where both the internal hollow space and the internal structure (e.g., ridge lines or waveguides) are shown as solid volumes. The ridge lines 940a, 940b, 940c, 940d, 937a, 937b, 937c are shown as gray volumes (e.g., volumes extending inward from the inner surface), and the hollow space is shown as a blue volume.

[0180] Figure 10A A perspective view of an embodiment of the antenna device 900 is shown where the solid structure is not visible (or hardly visible), and Figures 10B to 10E A perspective view showing cross-sections through different planes B to E of Figure 10A is presented. In other words, Fig. 10a depicts the hollow region of the antenna device (i.e., the interior of the waveguide), and the material surrounding the hollow region is omitted for the sake of observation.

[0181] The antenna device 900 includes a four-ridge waveguide 910 coupled to the OMT 920. The four-ridge waveguide 910 has an aperture 912, which can serve as a radiation aperture in some (simple) embodiments. The four-ridge waveguide 910 is illustratively depicted in Figure 9 as having a square cross-section, but can have any other shape (e.g., as described herein). The four-ridge waveguide 910 includes four ridge lines 940a to 940d. These ridge lines extend inward from the four peripheral surfaces of the cubic basic form of the waveguide 910. For example, each ridge line is arranged along the midline of each peripheral surface of the basic form of the waveguide. For example, the resulting waveguide can include symmetry with respect to two planes, where the first symmetry plane is in the middle of two opposite peripheral surfaces of the cubic basic form, and where the second symmetry plane is in the middle between two other opposite peripheral surfaces of the cubic basic form. Figure 9 The ridge lines shown in Figure 9For the ridges 940a, 940b) in the x - direction, it can be less than one - third (e.g., at least 10%) of the total width of the waveguide. In contrast, the radial extension of the ridges 940c, 940d (in Figure 9 For the ridges 940c, 940d) in the y - direction, it can be greater than one - third (e.g., at least 10%) of the total width of the waveguide. Alternatively, the ridges 940a to 940d can have the same size and different shapes, or have the same size and shape.

[0182] Figure 9 The ridges shown in have a cubic shape, where the trapezoidal cross - section is on the side facing the center of the four - ridge waveguide 910. The ridges 940a to 940d can have different shapes, such as a cubic shape with a semi - circular cross - section at the center side or just a cubic shape. In some embodiments (e.g., in a simple embodiment), the four - ridge waveguide 910 has an end face (opposite to the OMT 920), and the end face forms an aperture 912 that can act as a radiation aperture.

[0183] The antenna device 900 includes a first feeding structure 930a in the form of (or including) two transverse arms. The first feeding structure 930a includes a first double - ridge waveguide 936a coupled to the OMT 920 at a first transverse port 924a and a second double - ridge waveguide 936b coupled to the OMT 920 at a second transverse port 924b. In Figure 9 the example shown in, the first double - ridge waveguide 936a and the second double - ridge waveguide 936b are arranged coaxially with respect to each other. The transverse ports 924a, 924b are arranged in a common plane. In addition, the cross - sections of the first double - ridge waveguide 936a and the second double - ridge waveguide 936b have at least substantially the same shape and orientation, where the sides of the first double - ridge waveguide 936a are arranged in the same plane as the corresponding sides of the second double - ridge waveguide 936b. In other words, the first double - ridge waveguide 936a and the second double - ridge waveguide 936b basically form a single straight waveguide except for the discontinuity at the OMT 920.

[0184] The antenna device 900 further includes a second feeding structure 930b in the form of (or including) an axial arm. The second feeding structure 930b includes a third double - ridge waveguide 936c. The third double - ridge waveguide 936c is coupled to the OMT 920 at an axial port 923. The third double - ridge waveguide 936c is arranged coaxially with, for example, the four - ridge waveguide 910. In other words, the central axis of the four - ridge waveguide 910 coincides with the central axis of, for example, the third double - ridge waveguide 936c. In addition, the third double - ridge waveguide 936c is arranged such that its two ridges (e.g., ridge 937c and the ridge opposite to ridge 937c and in Figure 9Another ridge line (invisible in the figure) and two ridge lines of the four-ridge waveguide 910 (extending, for example, in the vertical direction) (for example, ridge lines 940c, 940d) are arranged in a common plane (for example, the Y-Z plane). However, the third double-ridge waveguide 936c and the four-ridge waveguide 910 can optionally be oriented in a different manner. The third double-ridge waveguide 936c has a rectangular cross-section (according to its outer contour), which has two wide sides and two narrow sides (or the peripheral surface of the basic form), where the width of the wide side (for example, parallel to the X-Z plane) is, for example, at least substantially equivalent to the width of the four-ridge waveguide 910. In addition, the wide side is arranged parallel to one side of the four-ridge waveguide 910.

[0185] The antenna device 900 substantially intersects the OMT 920 in the middle, where the four-ridge waveguide 910 and the third double-ridge waveguide 936c extend at a 90° angle with respect to the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b.

[0186] The ridge lines of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b extend in a common plane (for example, parallel to the X-Z plane). However, the ridge lines of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c extend in a plane that is oriented perpendicular (for example, parallel to the Y-Z plane) to the common plane of the ridge lines of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b.

[0187] The first transverse port 924a of the OMT 920 includes a transition portion between the four-ridge waveguide 910 and the first double-ridge waveguide 936a, where the first ridge line 940a of the four-ridge waveguide 910 transitions into the first ridge line 937a of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a (for example, the first ridge line 940a of the four-ridge waveguide is in the same plane as the first ridge line 937a of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a).

[0188] The second transverse port 924b of the OMT 920 includes a transition portion between the four-ridge waveguide 910 and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b, where the second ridge line 940b of the four-ridge waveguide 910 (which is opposite to Figure 9 the first ridge line 940a of the four-ridge waveguide 910 in the embodiment shown in the figure) transitions into the first ridge line 937b of the second double-ridge waveguide 936b (for example, the second ridge line 940b of the four-ridge waveguide 910 is in the same plane as the first ridge line 937b of the second double-ridge waveguide 936b). The first ridge line 940a of the four-ridge waveguide 910, the second ridge line 940b of the four-ridge waveguide 910, the first ridge line 937a of the first double-ridge waveguide 936b, and the first ridge line 937b of the second double-ridge waveguide 936b can all be in the same (first) plane.

[0189] The axial port 923 of the OMT 920 includes a transition portion between the four-ridge waveguide 910 and the third double-ridge waveguide 936c, where the third ridge line 940c of the four-ridge waveguide 910 transitions into the first ridge line 937c of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c, and where the fourth ridge line 940d of the four-ridge waveguide 910 transitions into the second ridge line 937d of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c (see Figure 10B ). The third ridge line 940c of the four-ridge waveguide 910, the fourth ridge line 940d of the four-ridge waveguide 910, the first ridge line 937c of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c, and the second ridge line of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c are all in the same (second) plane. In the Figure 9 illustrated embodiment, the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane.

[0190] Figure 10A An antenna device 900 is shown, where four planes B to E intersect the antenna device 900. Cross-sections of the antenna device 1000 generated by the planes B to E are shown in Figures 10B to 10E .

[0191] Figure 10B A cross-sectional view of the antenna device 900 through plane B is shown. Plane B intersects the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b at the ridge lines. Thus, only portions (e.g., hollow waveguide portions) above and below the ridge lines of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b are visible in Figure 10B . Figure 10B A cross-section of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c is further shown, which is a double-ridge waveguide (and it may, for example, include an "H"-type shape of the waveguide structure). The corners of the cross-sectional shape of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c can be rounded, as visible in Figure 10B . The rounded corners can be the result of the grinding tool size or the grinding tool path. However, any corner of the antenna device 900 can be rounded or angled. The ridge lines 937c, 937d of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c have a rectangular cross-section or a substantially rectangular cross-section, which optionally has an open base (as seen in Figure 10B ). However, any ridge line of the antenna device 900 may not have an open base, as illustratively seen for the ridge lines of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b (e.g., see Figure 9 or Figure 10A ).

[0192] Figure 10C A cross-sectional view of the antenna device 900 through plane C is shown, which plane intersects the antenna device 900 substantially between the ridge lines of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b. Thus, the internal hollow space has Figure 10CThe transverse portions of the cross-section, which extend along the entire width of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b. However, the internal hollow space is reduced to the cross-section of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c, where the internal hollow space meets the third double-ridge waveguide 936c. Thus, the internal hollow volume is reduced in two steps, starting from the width of the wide sides of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b, first reduced to the width of the short side of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c, and second reduced to the width between the ridge lines 937c, 936d of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c.

[0193] Figure 10D A cross-sectional view showing the antenna device 900 passing through plane D, which intersects the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b at the ridge lines 937a, 937b opposite to the third double-ridge waveguide 936c. Figure 10D The cross-section of is similar to Figure 10B the cross-section shown in, because it shows the internal hollow space of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b above and below their respective ridge lines. However, Figure 10D shows the intersection with the four-ridge waveguide 910 (instead of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c as shown in Figure 10B ). Thus, Figure 10D shows the transition between the first ridge line 940a of the four-ridge waveguide 910 and the first ridge line 937a of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the transition between the second ridge line 940b of the four-ridge waveguide 910 and the first ridge line 937b of the second double-ridge waveguide 936.

[0194] Figures 10B to 10D It also shows the transition of the ridge lines 937c, 936d of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c into the third ridge line 940c and the fourth ridge line 940d of the four-ridge waveguide 910.

[0195] Figure 10E A cross-sectional view showing the antenna device 900 passing through plane E, which intersects the four-ridge waveguide 910. It can be seen that the ridge lines of the first, second, and third double-ridge waveguides 936a to 936c that transition into the ridge lines 940a to 940d continue to extend along the extension of the four-ridge waveguide 910.

[0196] In Figures 10B to 10E the example shown in, the shape of the ridge line is slightly changed because the first ridge line 937c of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c has a rectangular shape with an open base (see Figure 10B ), which transitions to a pure rectangular shape (see Figure 10D , reference numeral 940c), and then transitions to a rectangle with a trapezoid (see Figure 10E, reference numeral 940c). Thus, the ridge lines can have different shapes during the transition. Alternatively, the shape of any of the ridge lines can remain at least substantially the same during the transition (e.g., having one of the three shapes described above along the entire transition between the four-ridge waveguide 910 and the third dual-ridge waveguide 936c).

[0197] Figures 9 to 10E Shows that the ridge lines 940 (940a to 940d) of the four-ridge waveguide 910 are not tapered. However, the ridge lines 940 may or may not have (e.g., stepwise) tapering (as Figure 6 shown).

[0198] Conclude that Figure 9 shows the antenna device 900. For example, in a simple embodiment, the aperture 912 can act as a radiation aperture. Figure 9 The antenna device 900 shown in is based on an orthomode transducer. Thus, in general, the radiation aperture 912 can be the four-ridge port of the OMT or can be coupled to the four-ridge port of the OMT.

[0199] In a preferred embodiment, a flared extension can be attached (e.g., attached to the four-ridge port 910 of the orthomode transducer OMT), and the antenna effect occurs (or is improved).

[0200] Further conclude that the radiation aperture 912 can be the port of the four-ridge waveguide (910) and / or the dual-polarized waveguide port.

[0201] Figure 11 Shows a graphical representation of the simulated reflection coefficients (S 11 、S 22 ) for horizontal and vertical polarizations. It can be seen that for the 24 to 53 GHz band, the return loss is particularly high (e.g., >20 dB).

[0202] Figure 12A Shows the simulation results of the E-field vector pattern of the vertical polarization (first polarization) through the vertical cross-section of the antenna device 900.

[0203] Figure 12B Shows the simulation results of the E-field pattern of the vertical polarization through the horizontal cross-section of the antenna device 900.

[0204] The E-field with vertical polarization is largely contained within the four-ridge waveguide and within the third dual-ridge waveguide 936c (e.g., the Y-port), and there is (almost) no excitation in the first dual-ridge waveguide 936a and the second dual-ridge waveguide 936b. Thus, when the vertically polarized electric field is coupled between the four-ridge waveguide 910 and the third dual-ridge waveguide 936c, the first dual-ridge waveguide 936a and the second dual-ridge waveguide 936b are well isolated from the four-ridge waveguide 910 and from the third dual-ridge waveguide 936c.

[0205] Figure 13A Shows the simulation results of the E-field vector pattern of horizontal polarization (second polarization) through the horizontal cross-section of the antenna device 900.

[0206] Figure 13B Shows the simulation results of the horizontal polarization E-field pattern through the vertical cross-section of the antenna device 900.

[0207] The E-field with horizontal polarization is largely contained within the quadruple-ridge waveguide and the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b (e.g., X-port 1 and X-port 2), and there is (almost) no excitation in the third double-ridge waveguide 936c. Therefore, when the horizontally polarized electric field is coupled between the quadruple-ridge waveguide 910 and the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b, the third double-ridge waveguide 936c is well isolated from the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b.

[0208] Notably, the simulated cross-port isolation (which is usually positive) is extremely good (e.g., >80 dB) (or in other words, the cross-port transmission or cross-port crosstalk (S21) is negligible), because of the complete symmetry of the OMT model (simulated >80 dB). It should be noted that the (cross-port) isolation is positive (e.g., when measured in decibels), e.g., >80 dB, and the cross-port crosstalk (e.g., S21) is negative (e.g., when measured in decibels), e.g., < -80 dB. Figure 12A , Figure 12B The vertically polarized E-field pattern depicted in shows that the transverse arms are independent in this case. Vice versa, the horizontal polarization of the quadruple-ridge waveguide effectively matches the pair of transverse arms (e.g., the first double-ridge waveguide 936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b), while the Y-port (e.g., the third double-ridge waveguide 936c) becomes the isolated arm ( Figure 13B , Fig. 13C).

[0209] Such results show that the quadruple-ridge modification of the Boifot OMT effectively achieves more than an octave bandwidth and high polarization discrimination, and this design does not require a septum or additional waveguide junctions when there is only one axial arm (e.g., the third double-ridge waveguide 936c).

[0210] From a mechanical perspective, the OMT housing may need to be considered because, as shown in Figure 8B , it may be difficult to grind the quadrilateral ridge line in the two-part housing separated in the YZ plane.

[0211] 2.2 Dual-polarized waveguide antenna based on four-ridge Boifot OMT

[0212] Figures 14A to 15BA perspective view of a solid model of a dual-polarized waveguide antenna based on a four-ridge Boifot OMT according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0213] Figure 14A A perspective view of another embodiment of the antenna device 1400 is shown, thereby providing a view of a four-ridge aperture having a four-ridge waveguide 1410 and lateral arms. The lateral arms may include, for example, a first feed structure 1430a having a first dual-ridge waveguide 1436a (indicated by a dashed line in Figure 14A ), and a second dual-ridge waveguide 1436b. The four-ridge waveguide 1410 can be used to feed the radiation aperture 1412, as Figure 14A shown. The four-ridge waveguide 1410, the first dual-ridge waveguide 1436a, and the second dual-ridge waveguide 1436b are coupled to the OMT 1420.

[0214] The antenna device 1400 is implemented in an antenna housing 1470, where the antenna housing 1470 includes two parts in the form of a first housing part 1472 and a second housing part 1474. The antenna housing 1470 (or at least a part thereof) may include a metal structure (or be composed of) in which at least one of the four-ridge waveguide 1410, the OMT 1420, the first feed structure 1430a, and the second feed structure 1430b is formed (or preferably, all of the four-ridge waveguide 1410, the OMT 1420, the first feed structure 1430a, and the second feed structure 1430b are formed). The first housing part 1472 and the second housing part 1474 (and optional additional housing parts) may be provided as at least two structured metal layers stacked on top of each other (and optionally attached to each other).

[0215] Figure 14B A perspective view of Figure 14A the antenna device 1400 is shown, thereby providing a view of the lateral arms (e.g., the first feed structure 1430a including the first dual-ridge waveguide 1436a and the second dual-ridge waveguide 1436b) and the axial arms (e.g., the second feed structure 1430b including the third dual-ridge waveguide 1436c). The second feed structure 1430b is (at least partially) disposed in the second housing part 1474.

[0216] Figure 15A A perspective view of Figure 14A the antenna device 1400 is shown, thereby providing a view of the first inner surface 1473b of the first housing part 1472 in a translucent illustrated version facing the second housing part 1474.

[0217] The first housing part 1472 includes first ridge lines 1437a, 1437b of the first feed structure 1430a (e.g., the first dual-ridge waveguide and the second dual-ridge waveguide).

[0218] Figure 15B shows Figure 14A a perspective view of the antenna device 1400 of Figure 14A , thereby providing a view of the inner surface 1475a of the second housing portion 1474 in a translucent pictorial version facing the first housing portion 1472.

[0219] The second housing portion 1474 includes a first ridge line 1437c and a second ridge line 1437d of a second feed structure 1430b (such as a third double-ridge waveguide). When the first housing portion 1472 and the second housing portion 1474 are combined, the faces of the first ridge line 1437c and the second ridge line 1437d of the second feed structure 1430b can be against the faces of the third ridge line 1440c and the fourth ridge line 1440d of the four-ridge waveguide 1410. Accordingly, the first ridge line 1437c of the second feed structure 1430b transitions to the third ridge line 1440c of the four-ridge waveguide 1410, and the second ridge line 1437d of the second feed structure 1430b transitions to the fourth ridge line 1440d of the four-ridge waveguide 1410.

[0220] It should be noted that the first housing portion 1472 and the second housing portion 1474 can be separated at other surfaces (such as by translating the separation surface somewhere along the Z-axis (i.e., in the axial direction)). However, if at least one of the inner surfaces 1473b, 1475a (along which the antenna housing 1470 is separated) is aligned with a structural surface (such as a double-ridge waveguide wide wall) inside the antenna housing 1470, the manufacturing (such as grinding and / or micromachining) and / or assembly of the antenna housing 1470 can be less complex. In Figures 14A to 15A the example shown, the first housing portion 1472 and the second housing portion 1474 can include the structural surface of the first feed structure 1430a such that the first inner surface 1473b is aligned with (or flush with) the wide inner surface of the first feed structure 1430a.

[0221] The second housing portion 1474 includes an E-plane step 1425 disposed at the transverse ports 1424a, 1424b (or at the OMT 1420). The E-plane step 1425 is configured to gradually narrow / taper in a direction toward (or depending on the distance therefrom) the first ridge line 1437c and the second ridge line 1437d of the second feed structure 1430b (or toward the center or central region of the OMT) to a shorter width of the first feed structure 1430a (such as the extension in the Z-direction) (such as the widths of its first double-ridge waveguide and second double-ridge waveguide). In Figure 15BIn the example depicted, the E-plane step 1425 includes, for example, two steps. The first step has, for example, a rise height equal to the height of the ridges of the first dual-ridge waveguide 1436a and the second dual-ridge waveguide 1436b. And the second step has, for example, a rise height equal to one of the first steps. However, any other number of steps with any other rise (e.g., equal or different rises) height can be alternatively used.

[0222] The transition between the four-ridge waveguide 1410 and the radiating aperture 1412 can be formed, for example, by a wedge waveguide step and ridges, similar to the QRHA design mentioned in §1 (see Figures 2A to 6 ). The four-ridge aperture 1409 enables the use of the antenna device 1400 over an extremely wide bandwidth range and provides an effective design of a dual-polarized waveguide antenna based on the developed OMT. Both: the sections of the four-ridge waveguide 1410 and the four-ridge aperture 1409 can be milled in the first housing part 1472. It should be noted that for the milling process, all internal corners can be rounded with a tool radius (typically 0.5 mm). Alternatively or additionally, a cut-line process can be implemented to preserve sharp edges.

[0223] On the back side, the first housing part 1472 serves as a cover for the dual-ridge waveguide of the transverse arm (see Figure 15A ). Further, for smooth impedance transformation, there is an E-plane waveguide step 1425 in the joint of the transverse arm and the four-ridge waveguide 1410 (see Figure 15B ). This allows for the excitation of the horizontal (X-axis) polarization in the four-ridge aperture 1409 when an out-of-phase signal (λ / 2 + 2πn) is supplied to the transverse arm 1430a.

[0224] For the smooth transformation of the vertical polarization (Y-axis), the ridges of the axial arm 1430b are connected to the vertical pair of ridges in the four-ridge aperture 1409 via a ridge step 1426 ( Figure 17A ). The ridges of the axial arm are made in the second housing part 1474 (see Figure 15B ).

[0225] Figure 16A A perspective view of a cross-section of the antenna device 1400 shown in Figures 14A to 15B is shown, where the cross-section extends along a vertical plane (e.g., a cut-plane view in a plane perpendicular to the X-axis and in the following configuration: X = 0 mm, X = 1.5 mm).

[0226] The four-ridge waveguide 1410 is in the axial direction from the radiating aperture 1412 towards the second feed structure 1430b (e.g., in Figure 16Atapers gradually or step - by - step gradually in the negative Z - direction. For example, both the total width and the gap between the ridge lines are wedge - shaped. For example, the total width in the x - direction, the total width in the y - direction, the gap between ridge lines 1440a and 1440b in the x - direction, and the gap between ridge lines 1440c and 1440d in the y - direction can all be wedge - shaped. In Figure 16A it can be seen the step - by - step tapering of the first ridge line 1440a, the third ridge line 1440c, and the fourth ridge line 1440d. Since the cross - section extends through the third ridge line 1440c and the fourth ridge line 1440d, the steps are clearly visible in the cross - section.

[0227] Figure 16B shows a perspective view of a cross - section similar to Figure 16A the cross - section depicted in, where the cross - section is offset in the positive x - direction. Thus, the (step - wedge - shaped) third ridge line 1440c and the fourth ridge line 1440d are fully visible (i.e., not cut).

[0228] Figure 17A shows a perspective view of a cross - section of the antenna device 1400, where the cross - section extends along a horizontal plane (e.g., a cut - plane view in a plane perpendicular to the Y - axis and configured as: Y = 0.5, Y = - 1.5 mm). Since the cross - section extends through the first ridge line 1440a and the second ridge line 1440b, the steps of the first ridge line 1440a and the second ridge line 1440b are clearly visible in the cross - section.

[0229] Figure 17B displays a perspective view of a cross - section similar to Figure 17A the cross - section depicted in, where the cross - section is offset in the negative y - direction. Thus, the E - plane step 1425 is visible. It should be noted that the E - plane step 1425 is only visible in the bottom half of the antenna device 1400 in Figure 17B but as visible in Figure 15B the E - plane step 1425 can also be arranged at the top half. Generally, the E - plane step 1425 can be arranged at at least one of the lateral sides (leading to the lateral arms) and at least one of the bottom half and the top half.

[0230] Figures 18A to 18E shows a perspective view of a cross - section of the antenna device 1400, where the plane of the cross - section is translated along the z - axis from 7 mm to - 0.5 mm to different positions. Thus, Figures 18A to 18E more detailed observations in the cut - plane are presented in.

[0231] Figure 18A shows a perspective view of a cross - section of the antenna device 1400, where the plane of the cross - section is positioned at 7 mm.

[0232] Figure 18BA perspective view showing a cross-section of the antenna device 1400, wherein the plane of the cross-section is located at 5.5 mm.

[0233] Figure 18C A perspective view showing a cross-section of the antenna device 1400, wherein the plane of the cross-section is located at 3 mm.

[0234] Figure 18D A perspective view showing a cross-section of the antenna device 1400, wherein the plane of the cross-section is located at 2.5 mm.

[0235] Figure 18E A perspective view showing a cross-section of the antenna device 1400, wherein the plane of the cross-section is located at 1.5 mm.

[0236] Figure 18F A perspective view showing a cross-section of the antenna device 1400, wherein the plane of the cross-section is located at -0.5 mm.

[0237] Figures 19A to 22B A perspective view showing three housing parts 1972, 1974, 1976 of another embodiment of the antenna device 1900.

[0238] The antenna device 1900 includes an antenna housing 1970 having three housing parts 1972, 1974, 1976, which can be provided in the form of three layers, as Figures 19A to 22B depicted. Figures 19A to 22B Show a physical model of the antenna device 1900, wherein a feed network is formed in the first housing part ( Figure 20A , Figure 20B ), the second housing part ( Figure 21A , Figure 21B ) and the third housing part ( Figure 22A , Figure 22B ).

[0239] Figure 19A A first perspective view of the antenna device 1900 is shown.

[0240] Figure 19B A second perspective view of the antenna device 1900 is shown.

[0241] Figure 20A A perspective view of the first surface 1973a of the first housing part 1972 is shown, wherein the first surface (or main surface) 1973a faces away from the second housing part 1974.

[0242] Figure 20B A perspective view of the second surface 1973b (or main surface) (or inner surface) of the first housing part 1972 is shown, wherein the second surface 1973b faces the second housing part 1974.

[0243] Figure 21A A perspective view of a first surface (or main surface) 1975a of a second housing portion 1974 is shown, wherein the first surface 1975a faces a first housing portion 1972.

[0244] Figure 21B A perspective view of a second surface (or main surface) 1975b of a second housing portion 1974 is shown, wherein the second surface 1975b faces a third housing portion 1976.

[0245] Figure 22A A perspective view of a first surface (or main surface) 1977a of a third housing portion 1976 is shown, wherein the first surface 1977a faces a second housing portion 1974.

[0246] Figure 22B A perspective view of a second surface (or main surface) 1977b of a third housing portion 1976 is shown, wherein the second surface 1977b faces away from a second housing portion 1974.

[0247] An antenna housing 1970 includes a first housing portion 1972 (e.g., a first layer), a second housing portion 1974 (e.g., a second layer), and a third housing portion 1976 (e.g., a third layer). The housing portions may be configured in a stack of layers such that the second housing portion 1974 is located between the first housing portion 1972 and the third housing portion 1976. Refer to Figure 19A the antenna device 1900 depicted in

[0248] Figures 19A to 20A Figures 19A to 20A for an illustrative description of an antenna device including three (or more) housings (or housing portions). It should be noted that any other antenna device described herein may also include (or be divided into) three or more housing portions. Figure 19A

[0249]

[0249] The first housing portion 1972 includes, on its second surface 1973b, a first portion 1938a of a waveguide structure (e.g., ridges 1937a, 1937b, or one or more grooves having one or more ridges) that extends between the transverse ports 1924a, 1924b of the orthomode transducer 1920 and the T-waveguide junction 1980.

[0250] The second housing portion 1974 includes, on its first side (e.g., on the first surface 1975a of the second housing portion 1974), a second portion 1938b of a waveguide structure (e.g., one or more grooves having one or more ridges) that extends between the transverse ports 1924a, 1924b of the orthomode transducer 1920 and the T-waveguide junction 1980.

[0251] At least a portion of the first portion 1938a and the second portion 1938b of the waveguide structure that extends between the transverse ports 1924a, 1924b of the orthomode transducer 1920 and the T-waveguide junction 1980 can at least partially form a first dual-ridge waveguide 1936a and a second dual-ridge waveguide 1936b that utilize a number of waveguide bends (e.g., right-angle or 90° bends in a plane parallel to the broad wall of the waveguide, i.e., magnetic field or H-plane bends). For ease of fabrication (e.g., grinding), the H-plane bends can incorporate a number of circular / expanding steps. The H-plane bends facilitate the routing of the dual-ridge waveguides 1936a, 1936b and help reduce the lateral size of the feed network. The first dual-ridge waveguide 1936a and the second dual-ridge waveguide 1936b form at least a portion of the first feed structure 1930a. For example, the boundaries of the first dual-ridge waveguide and the second dual-ridge waveguide can be formed by constructing the second surface of the first housing portion and the first surface of the second housing portion.

[0252] The second housing portion 1974 further includes, on its second side (e.g., on the second surface 1975b of the second housing portion 1974), a first portion 1984a of a waveguide structure (e.g., a ridge, or a groove having a ridge) that extends from the T-waveguide junction 1980 to the first external connector 1986a, and optionally (as Figure 21B and Figure 22A seen), also includes a first portion 1984a of a waveguide structure (e.g., a ridge or a groove having a ridge) that extends from the axial port 1923 of the orthomode transducer 1920 to the second external connector 1984b.

[0253] The third housing 1976 includes a second portion 1984b (e.g., a groove with a ridge line) of the waveguide structure that extends from the T-waveguide joint 1980 to the first external connector 1986a (e.g., the first blind-mate waveguide connector), and a (second) portion 1984b (e.g., a groove with a ridge line) of the waveguide structure that extends from the axial port 1923 of the orthomode transducer 1920 to the second external connector 1986b (e.g., the second blind-mate waveguide connector).

[0254] The first dual-ridge waveguide 1936a and the second dual-ridge waveguide 1936b are at least partially (or alternatively, completely) formed (e.g., ground and / or micromachined) in the second housing portion 1974 or at the transition portion between the first housing portion 1792 and the second housing portion 1974. In other words, the second housing portion 1972 forms a part (e.g., a wall, e.g., a cover, e.g., a shroud) of the first dual-ridge waveguide 1936a and the second dual-ridge waveguide 1936b. For this purpose, the first ridge line 1937a of the first dual-ridge waveguide 1936a and the first ridge line 1937b of the second dual-ridge waveguide 1936b are formed at the first housing portion 1972 (see Figure 20B ). The remaining portions (e.g., the second portion 1938b) of the first dual-ridge waveguide 1936a and the second dual-ridge waveguide 1936b are formed in the second housing portion 1974 (see Figure 21A ). Alternatively, the first dual-ridge waveguide 1936a and the second dual-ridge waveguide 1936b may be completely formed in one of the first housing portion 1972 and the second housing portion 1074 or at a different transition portion between the first housing portion 1972 and the second housing portion 1974.

[0255] The third dual-ridge waveguide 1936c is formed (e.g., ground and / or micromachined) in the second housing portion 1974 (see Figure 21A 、 Figure 21B ). The third dual-ridge waveguide 1936c forms at least a part of the second feed structure 1930b.

[0256] The antenna device 1900 has two ports (or three ports when counting the lateral ports as two ports) for coupling to the first feed structure and the second feed structure, e.g., two lateral ports 1924a, 1924b for horizontal polarization (see Figure 20B ) and an axial port 1923 for vertical polarization (see Figure 21A)。For OMT operation, the transverse arms are preferably fed out of phase by (λ / 2 + 2πn), so a specific waveguide T-junction (for connecting the two transverse arms of the OMT to a common double-ridge waveguide) can be used to combine the signals of the transverse arms losslessly to a common port. The E-plane T-junction naturally provides a 180° phase shift at the output waveguide, thus combining the differential signals. Conversely, due to reciprocity, the excitation of the horizontal polarization in the OMT preferably requires feeding out-of-phase signals in the transverse arms. For this purpose, the E-plane T-junction 1980 splits the signal at the common port into two out-of-phase signals with preferably equal amplitudes.

[0257] The antenna device 1900 includes a combiner / splitter structure 1980 (such as a T-junction or a T-waveguide joint; such as an E-plane T-junction) formed (e.g., ground and / or micromachined) in the second housing portion 1974 (and optionally also includes structures in the first housing portion 1972 and / or on the third housing portion).

[0258] The T-junction (such as the combiner / splitter structure 1980) is formed (e.g., ground) inside the second housing portion 1974 ( Figure 21A , Figure 21B ) which also serves as a cover for the first output double-ridge waveguide 1982a and the second output double-ridge waveguide 1982b ground in the third housing portion 1976 ( Figure 22A , Figure 22B ).

[0259] Thus, due to the low antenna thickness (e.g., only between 10.0 mm and 15.0 mm, such as 13.5 mm), a very low-profile antenna (such as the antenna device 1900) and a waveguide feeding network can be obtained. For example, commercial four-ridge horn antennas or OMTs are typically each greater than 30 mm in height. The developed waveguide distribution network benefits from only 3 arms in the Boifot OMT instead of 4 arms in the traditional pole-mounted OMT.

[0260] Figure 23A Another embodiment of the antenna device 2300 is shown. The antenna device 2300 includes a first housing (or housing portion) having a thickness of, for example, 5.0 mm, a second housing (or housing portion) having a thickness of, for example, 5.0 mm, and a third housing (or housing portion) having a thickness of, for example, 3.5 mm. Thus, the antenna device 2300 has a total thickness of, for example, 13.5 mm. The three housing portions have at least substantially similar shapes (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to their corresponding thicknesses). In other words, the three housing portions at least substantially coincide when stacked on top of each other. Figure 23A The shapes of the three housing portions in

[0261] Figure 23AThe antenna device 2300 and Figure 19A The antenna device 1900 has similar (or identical) central features (such as a four-ridge waveguide, an OMT, a first feeding structure, and a second feeding structure), and the difference lies essentially in the shape of the antenna device and the routing of the waveguide structure (feeding waveguide), which extends from the axial port and the transverse port of the orthomode transducer to the first external connector 2386a and the second external connector 2386b (for example, includes or consists of a first output double-ridge waveguide 2382a and a second output double-ridge waveguide 2382b; for example, axial arm (Y) routing and transverse arm (X) routing). Figure 23A The first external connector 2386a and the second external connector 2386b (for example, ports X, Y) are shown, which form an opening of the first housing part 2372. The openings of the first external connector 2386a and the second external connector 2386b can be arranged in the same plane as the radiation aperture 2312 of the four-ridge waveguide 2310. In addition, the waveguide structure at the first external connector 2386a and the second external connector 2386b can extend parallel to the extending direction of the four-ridge waveguide 2310.

[0262] At least one of the first external connector 2386a and the second external connector 2386b can be a blind-mate waveguide connector. For this purpose, at least one of the first external connector 2386a and the second external connector 2386b can include self-aligning features (such as one or more tapered grooves and / or protrusions).

[0263] Figure 23B A front view of Figure 23A the antenna device 2300 is shown. Figure 23B Holes around the four-ridge waveguide of the antenna device 2300 are further shown. These holes can be used to mechanically connect the housing parts to each other (for example, using screws). Alternatively, the holes can be used to dock (for example, blind-mate) the antenna device 2300 with another device (such as a test socket of an automated test equipment).

[0264] Figure 23B The hollow structure (such as a double-ridge waveguide, a four-ridge waveguide, and an OMT) inside the antenna device 2300 is also indicated, which is in the form of being projected onto a plane perpendicular to the extending direction of the four-ridge waveguide (i.e., projected onto the drawing plane).

[0265] Figure 24A A perspective view of the hollow structure (indicated semi-transparently) inside the antenna device 2300 is shown. The hollow structure is only schematically drawn and not all details (such as the ridges of the four-ridge waveguide) are shown.

[0266] Figure 24B A perspective view of the antenna device 2300 is shown, and its perspective is substantially opposite to Figure 24A compared.

[0267] As Figure 24A 、 Figure 24B can be seen, the first output double-ridge waveguide 2382a connects the first external connector 2386a (e.g., port X) to the T-shaped waveguide joint 2380 (and extends through two transverse ports of the OMT 2320), and the second double-ridge waveguide 2382b connects the second external connector 2386b (e.g., port Y) to the axial port of the OMT 2320. The first output double-ridge waveguide 2382a and the second output double-ridge waveguide 2382b have a transverse extension formed by a first part and a second part in the second housing part 2374 and the third housing part 2374, similar to the first part 1984a and the second part 1984b described above with reference to the antenna device 1900. The first output double-ridge waveguide 2382a and the second output double-ridge waveguide 2382b also have an axial extension through the second housing part 2374 and the first housing part 2372 (reaching the first external connector 2386a and the second external connector 2386b respectively).

[0268] Figure 25A An exploded view of the antenna device 2300 is shown, with a view of the top surfaces of the respective housing parts 2372, 2374, 2376.

[0269] Figure 25A An exploded view of the antenna device 2300 is shown, with a view of the bottom surfaces of the respective housing parts 2372, 2374, 2376.

[0270] The first housing part and the second housing part 2374 have congruent openings for forming the axial extension (at least a part thereof) of the first output double-ridge waveguide 2382a and the second output double-ridge waveguide 2382b. These openings can have a double-ridge shape as shown in Figure 25A 、 Figure 25B .

[0271] 2.3 ATE Measurement Antenna Design

[0272] Considering the application of an automated test equipment (ATE) handling the antenna, a low-profile antenna (e.g., the first housing part 2372, the second housing part 2374, and the third housing part 2376) made in a "wafer" housing can be suitable. Thus, the transverse arms of the four-ridge OMT are routed in the XY plane (e.g., perpendicular to the extension direction of the four-ridge waveguide) and parallel to the housing wafer (e.g., parallel to the extension direction of the layers of the antenna housing) (see Figure 24A 、 Figure 24B)。It can be observed that the transverse ports (e.g., in other embodiments, transverse ports 1924a, 1924b, or similar ports) are fed with a λ / 2 phase shift (Figure 23b), which is preferred for OMT operation. Thus, the transverse ports (or signals from the transverse ports) are combined with an E-plane T-junction ( Figure 25A , Figure 25B ) because the junction provides a differential output (or combines the incoming signals in a different way). The remaining waveguide feed network can use E / H-plane waveguide bends / turns for the required placement of the output ports (e.g., blind mate interconnects).

[0273] For broadband radiation characteristics, the antenna uses a stepped ridged line 2340 (see Figure 23A ). This allows for a low-profile aperture to be milled in a housing or housing portion, such as 5 mm thick (see Figure 23A and Figure 25A , Figure 25B for the housing portion 2372). The second housing or housing portion 2374 contains an axial arm waveguide (e.g., the third double-ridged waveguide 2336c; e.g., the second feed structure 2330b). The second housing portion 2374 contains a transverse arm waveguide (e.g., the first double-ridged waveguide 2336a and the second double-ridged waveguide 2336b, e.g., the first feed structure 2330a) and an E-plane T-junction 2380 for differential combination, while the third housing portion 2376 contains a waveguide feed network for the X and Y double-ridged waveguide interfaces (e.g., the first and second output double-ridged waveguides 2382a and the second output double-ridged waveguide 2382b) (see Figure 25A , Figure 25B ). The inner edges of the housing portions 2372, 2374, 2376 have been rounded, for example, for end mill tools. However, end mill tools with other diameters (e.g., 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm) can alternatively be used. According to double-ridged waveguide simulations, larger diameter inner circles degrade waveguide performance. However, tools for fine grinding seem reasonable.

[0274] Figure 26A A graphical representation of the simulation results of the reflection coefficients (S11, S22) and antenna gain of an antenna device (such as antenna device 2300) is shown.

[0275] Figure 26A The simulated RL and antenna quasi-omnidirectional gain performance depicted show RL > 15 dB in the operating frequency band of 23.2 to 54.6 GHz. The cross-port isolation > 50 dB across the entire frequency band (or the cross-port transmission / cross-port crosstalk across the entire frequency band is below -50 dB).

[0276] Figure 26B The simulation results of the far-field radiation pattern at horizontal polarization at 24 GHz are shown.

[0277] Figure 26C Shows the simulation results of the far - field radiation pattern with horizontal polarization at 53 GHz.

[0278] Figure 26D Shows the simulation results of the far - field radiation pattern with vertical polarization at 24 GHz.

[0279] Figure 26E Shows the simulation results of the far - field radiation pattern with vertical polarization at 53 GHz.

[0280] As Figures 26B to 26E can be seen, the far - field patterns of the two polarizations are symmetric and stable in the 24 - 53 GHz frequency band.

[0281] Figure 27A Shows the graphical representation of the simulation results of the cross - section of the far - field radiation pattern in polar coordinates, with horizontal polarization at frequencies F1 = 24 GHz, F2 = 37 GHz, and F3 = 53 GHz.

[0282] Figure 27B Shows the graphical representation of the simulation results of the cross - section of the far - field radiation pattern in polar coordinates, with vertical polarization at frequencies F1 = 24 GHz, F2 = 37 GHz, and F3 = 53 GHz.

[0283] For horizontal and vertical polarizations, the antenna gain varies in the ranges of 6.9 to 10.2 / 6.2 to 8.7 dBi respectively, while the cross - polarization discrimination in the far - field is > 25 dB in the quasi - boresight direction (see Figure 27A , Figure 27B ).

[0284] Figure 27C Shows the graphical representation of the simulation results of the magnitude of the E - field components within the frequency of the virtual orthogonal probe pair (probe X, probe Y) placed 11 mm above the antenna aperture.

[0285] When the virtual E - field probe pair is placed 11 mm above the antenna aperture, the diversity between the orthogonal E - field components in the near - field is > 40 dB as recorded by simulation.

[0286] A possible application of the antenna device as described herein is in automated test equipment (ATE), as exemplarily depicted in Figures 28 to 30 .

[0287] Figure 28 Shows an embodiment of an ATE 2801 with an antenna device 2800 without a cover.

[0288] The ATE 2801 is configured to test a device under test using the antenna device 2800, which substantially corresponds to the antenna device 2300. For this purpose, the ATE 2801 may include a device under test socket 2803 (e.g., an electrical socket) and one or more high-frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connectors) 2804a, 2804b. The high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b may be located at the ends of the waveguides. The waveguides of the high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b may be double-ridge waveguides, for example, double-ridge waveguides leading to the high-frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connectors) 2804a, 2804b. The high-frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connectors) 2804a, 2804b may be configured to match the first external connector 2886a and the second external connector 2886b (e.g., match in at least one of size, orientation, and cross-section).

[0289] At least one of the first external connector 2886a, the second external connector 2886b, and the high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b may be configured for blind mating. For example, the first external connector 2886a and the second external connector 2886b may have (e.g., in their surrounding areas) conical protrusions, and the high-frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connectors) 2804a, 2804b may have (e.g., in their surrounding areas) conical openings configured to receive the conical protrusions (or vice versa). The high-frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connectors) 2804a, 2804b may be configured to establish a high-frequency connection with the antenna device (e.g., via the first external connector 2886a and the second external connector 2886b).

[0290] The high-frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connectors) 2804a, 2804b may be disposed beside the test socket 2803 as depicted in Figure 28 The first external connector 2886a, the second external connector 2886b, and the radiation aperture 2812 may be configured in a first geometric relationship that matches the second geometric relationship of the high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b and the test socket 2803. Thus, the antenna device 2801 may be placed on top of the test socket 2803, and the high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b may be placed in a manner that aligns (e.g., docks) with the radiation aperture 2812 and the first external connector 2886a and the second external connector 2886b.

[0291] The test socket 2803 may be configured to couple to a device to be tested 2805 (e.g., an antenna in package or an antenna device in package).

[0292] Figure 29 Shown is similar to Figure 28Another embodiment of the embodiment, wherein in addition to the features of the antenna device 2800, the antenna device 2900 further includes a cover 2992 (e.g., a pusher). The antenna device 2900 may include the cover 2992 as part of a system including an ATE 2901 as shown in Figure 29 , or the separate antenna device 2900 may include the cover 2992.

[0293] The cover is intended to push the device, for example. Its size is determined by the DUT size, for example. The size may (but not necessarily) deviate from the antenna aperture size. In other words, preferably, the cover (i.e., the pusher) is defined by the DUT size. In some embodiments, the cover 2992 may cover the radiation aperture ( Figure 29 not depicted). The cover 2992 may be removable and attachable (e.g., by screws or a latch mechanism). The cover 2992 may be (at least partially) radio transparent (or electromagnetic transparent). Thus, the cover does not (or to a large extent does not) prevent the transmission of electromagnetic waves between the radiation aperture and the test socket 2903 (or a device coupled to the test socket 2803).

[0294] The cover 2892 forms a physical barrier between the radiation aperture 2812 and the test socket 2803 (and / or the device under test 2805 coupled thereto), and can reduce or avoid mechanical damage to the device under test 2805 coupled to the test socket 2803. The cover 2892 may include or be composed of a polymer (e.g., plastic). The polymer has increased deformability (e.g., compared to metal), which further increases the protection of the device under test 2805. Polymers generally have a high resistance and thus also increase the protection against an unintended short circuit of the device under test 2805.

[0295] The device under test 2805 can be fixed to the test socket 2803 by applying pressure on the device under test 2805 through the cover 2892. Alternatively or additionally, the test socket 2803 (and / or the antenna device 2800) may have an attachment component (e.g., at least one of a clamp, a pusher, and a suction cup). The cover 2892 allows the radiation aperture 2812 to be adjacent to the device under test 2805 (e.g., within a range of 10 mm to 20 mm or 40 mm), which improves the measurement of the near field (e.g., within two wavelengths or more of the electric field under test) of the device under test 2805.

[0296] Figure 30 The antenna device 2800 is shown docking with the test socket 2803 and the high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b. Figure 28 , Figure 29 .

[0297] The antenna device 2800 may include a clamp 2893 configured to engage an engagement component (e.g., a dent of the test socket 2803 or a dent below the test socket). However, alternatively, the clamp may be fixed to the test socket or the load board carrying the test socket and engage with the antenna device. The clamp 2893 is configured to attach the antenna device 2800 to the socket 2803 (or any other part of the ATE 2801, such as the high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b). The clamp 2893 may be biased into the engaged position. The clamp 2893 may have, for example, an inclined surface that causes the clamp 2893 to move into the disengaged position when the clamp is pushed against the test socket 2803. Thus, the antenna device 2800 may be coupled to the test socket 2803 by pushing the antenna device 2800 onto the test socket 2803. Alternatively or additionally, the clamp 2893 may have a handle or a built-in actuator that allows switching between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

[0298] The clamp 2803 may be configured to hold the high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b and the first external connection member 2886a and the second external connection member 2886b in a docking configuration. Alternatively or additionally, the high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b and / or the first external connection member 2886a and the second external connection member 2886b may include attachment features for attaching the first external connection member 2886a and the second external connection member 2886b to the high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b.

[0299] Implement Alternative Solutions

[0300] Although some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is evident that such aspects also represent a description of a corresponding method, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus.

[0301] The embodiments described above merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. It should be understood that modifications and variations to the configurations and details described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims for patent, rather than by the specific details presented as the description and explanation of the embodiments herein..

[0302] 3. References

[0303] [1]. A. Boifot, E. Lier, T. Schaug-Pettersen, “Simple and broadband orthomode transducer,” in IEEE Proceedings, vol. 137, no. 6, Dec 1990

[0304] [2]. A. Gonzalez, Sh. Asayama, “Double-ridged waveguide orthomode transducer (OMT) for the 67-116-GHz band,” in J Infrated Milli Terahz Waves, pp. 723-737, 2018

[0305] [3]. M. Abdelaal, Sh. Shams, M. Moharram, M. Elsaadany and A. Kishk, “Compact full band OMT based on dual-mode double-ridge waveguide,” in IEEE Trans. on Micr.Th.and Tech., 2018

[0306] [4]. Sh. Asayama, T. Nakajima, “Development of a smooth taper double-ridge waveguide orthomode transducer for a new 100GHz band Z-machine receiver for the NRO 45-m radio telescope,” in Publications of the astronomical society of the Pacific, 2013

[0307] [5]. E. Menargues, S. Capdevila, T. Debogovic, A. Dimitriades, L. Simon, M. Garcias-Vigueras, J. Mosig, A. Skrivervik and E. Rijk, “Four-port broadband orthomode transducer enabling arbitrary interelement spacing,” in IEEE Trans. on Micr.Th.and Tech., 2018

[0308] [6].T.Zhang, Z.Yan, L.Chen and F.Fan, “Design of broadband orthomodetransducer based on double-ridged waveguide,” in ICMMT Proceedings, 2010

[0309] [7].L.Shu, J.Noh, B.Enkhbayar, J.Bang and B.Ahn, “Design of E-band Boifotortho-modetransducer,” in J.of KIIT, vol.14, no.8, pp.1-9, Aug 2016。

Claims

1. An antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800), comprising: A four-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810), an open end of the four-ridge waveguide being configured as a radiation aperture (112; 212; 612; 912; 1412; 1912; 2312; 2812); and A orthogonal mode transducer OMT (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320), configured to couple the four-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) to two feed structures (130a, 130b; 230a, 230b; 630a, 630b; 930a, 930b; 1430a, 1430b; 1930a, 1930b; 2330a, 2330b).

2. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 1, wherein the orthomode transducer (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) is configured to couple a first feed structure (130a; 230a; 630a; 930a; 1430a; 1930a; 2330a) to a four-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) is coupled; and Wherein the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) is configured to couple the second feed structure (130b; 230b; 630b; 930b; 1430b; 1930b; 2330b) to the four-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) having a second mode with a second orientation.

3. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the transverse ports (924a, 924b; 1424a, 1424b; 1924a, 1924b) of the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) are arranged in the same plane.

4. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna device forms a dual-polarized single-aperture antenna.

5. The antenna device (100; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the two feed structures (130a, 130b; 230a, 230b; 630a, 630b; 930a, 930b; 1430a, 1430b; 1930a, 1930b; 2330a, 2330b) comprises a dual-ridge waveguide.

6. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed waveguide structure extends between the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) and the corresponding blind-mate waveguide connectors (1986a, 1986b; 2386a, 2386b; 2886a, 2886b).

7. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna device comprises a layered structure, and the layered structure comprises: A first layer (1472; 1972; 2372), comprising a four-ridge waveguide (1410; 1910; 2310) and a first part (1938a) of a waveguide structure extending between the transverse ports (924a, 924b; 1424a, 1424b; 1924a, 1924b) of the orthomode transducer (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) and a T-shaped waveguide joint (1980; 2380) on the inner surface (1473b; 1973b); A second layer (1474; 1974; 2374), comprising on a first side (1475a; 1975a) a second part (1938b) of a waveguide structure extending between the transverse ports (924a, 924b; 1424a, 1424b; 1924a, 1924b) of the orthomode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) and a T-shaped waveguide joint (1980; 2380), and further comprising on a second side (1975b) a first part (1984a) of a waveguide structure extending from the T-shaped waveguide joint (1980; 2380) to a first external connection member (1986a) and a first part (1984a) of a waveguide structure extending from the axial port (923; 1923) of the orthomode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) to a second external connection member (1984b); and A third layer (1976; 2376), comprising a second part (1984b) of a waveguide structure extending from the T-shaped waveguide joint (1980; 2380) to a first external connection member (1986a) and a part of a waveguide structure extending from the axial port (923; 1923) of the orthomode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) to a second external connection member (1984b).

8. The antenna device (100; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the orthomode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) comprises two transverse ports (924a, 924b; 1424a, 1424b; 1924a, 1924b) and one axial port (923; 1923).

9. The antenna device (100; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 8, The first transverse port (924a; 1424a; 1924a) of the orthomode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) includes a transition portion between a quadruple-ridge waveguide (110; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) and a first double-ridge waveguide (936a; 1436a; 1936a; 2336a), wherein a first ridge line (940a; 1440a) of the quadruple-ridge waveguide transitions into a first ridge line (937a; 1437a; 1937a) of the first double-ridge waveguide; The second transverse port (924b; 1424b; 1924b) of the orthomode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) includes a transition portion between a quadruple-ridge waveguide (110; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) and a second double-ridge waveguide (936b; 1436b; 1936b; 2336b), wherein a second ridge line (940b) of the quadruple-ridge waveguide transitions into a first ridge line (937b; 1437b; 1937b) of the second double-ridge waveguide; The axial port (923; 1923) of the orthomode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) includes a transition portion between a quadruple-ridge waveguide (110; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) and a third double-ridge waveguide (936c; 1936c), wherein a third ridge line (940c; 1440c) of the quadruple-ridge waveguide transitions into a first ridge line (937c; 1437c) of the third double-ridge waveguide, and wherein a fourth ridge line (940d; 1440d) of the quadruple-ridge waveguide transitions into a second ridge line (937d; 1437d) of the third double-ridge waveguide.

10. The antenna device (100; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna device includes a waveguide structure that connects the first transverse port (1424a; 1924a) of the orthomode transducer (120; 1420; 1920; 2320) and the second transverse port (1424b; 1924b) of the orthomode transducer to a combiner / splitter structure (1980; 2380).

11. The antenna device (100; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna device includes a portion of the waveguide structure coupled to the combiner / splitter structure (1980; 2380). The portion of the waveguide structure extending from the axial port (923; 1923) of the orthomode transducer (120; 1420; 1920; 2320) to the second external connector (1984b), and the portion of the waveguide structure coupled to the combiner / splitter structure (1980; 2380), are arranged in the same layer of the antenna device and / or at the same transition portion between two layers of the antenna device.

12. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna device is implemented in an antenna housing (1470; 1970), and the antenna housing (1470; 1970) comprises at least two parts (1472, 1474; 1972, 1974).

13. The antenna device (100; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 12, where the antenna housing (1470; 1970) includes a first housing portion (1472; 1972) and a second housing portion (1474; 1974), where the quadruple-ridge waveguide (1410; 1910) is milled and / or micromachined in the first housing portion (1472), and where the first double-ridge waveguide (1436a; 1936a) and the second double-ridge waveguide (1436b; 1936b) are in the second housing portion (1474; 1974) is at least partially ground and / or micromachined, or ground and / or micromachined at the transition portion between the first housing part (1472; 1972) and the second housing part (1474; 1974); wherein the third double-ridge waveguide (1436c; 1936c) is ground and / or micromachined in the second housing part (1474; 1974), and the inner surface (1473b; 1973b) of the first housing part (1472; 1972) forms part of the first and second double-ridge waveguides (1436a, 1436b; 1936a, 1936b).

14. The antenna device (100; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 13, wherein the ridge lines (1437c, 1437d) of the third double-ridge waveguide (1436c; 1936c) are connected to the pair of ridge lines (1440c, 1440d; 1949c, 1949d) of the four-ridge waveguide via a ridge step (1426).

15. The antenna device (100; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 12, wherein the antenna housing includes a first housing portion (1472; 1972; 2372), a second housing portion (1472; 1972; 2372), and a third housing portion (1976; 2376), wherein the quadruple-ridge waveguide (120; 920; 1490; 1920; 2320) is milled and / or micromachined in the first housing portion (1472; 1972; 2372), and wherein the first double-ridge waveguide (936a; 1436a; 1936a; 2336a) and the second double-ridge waveguide (936b; 1436b; 1936b; 2336b) are in the second housing portion (1474; 1974; 2374) is at least partially ground and / or micromachined, or ground and / or micromachined at the transition portion between the first housing part and the second housing part; wherein the third double-ridge waveguide (936c; 1436c; 1936c; 2336c) is ground and / or micromachined in the second housing part (1474; 1974; 2374), and the combiner / splitter structure (1980; 2380) is ground and / or micromachined in the second housing part, and the second housing part forms part of the first and second double-ridge waveguides.

16. The antenna device (100; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse ports (924a, 924b; 1424a, 1424b; 1924a, 1924b) are electromagnetically isolated from the axial port (923; 1923).

17. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the four-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) extends perpendicular to the radiation aperture (112; 212; 612; 912; 1412; 1912; 2312; 2812).

18. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ridges (240; 640; 940; 1440; 1940; 2340) of the four-ridge waveguide extend upward to the radiation aperture (112; 212; 612; 912; 1412; 1912; 2312; 2812).

19. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the four-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) has a constant cross-section along its longitudinal extension.

20. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna device provides a broadband antenna.

21. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna device is an over-the-air (OTA) socket measurement device.

22. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna device is a near-field test antenna device.

23. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna device includes an electromagnetically permeable cover (2892) that covers at least a part of the antenna device and / or at least a part of the waveguide.

24. The antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 24, The cover (2892) is configured to push the device under test (2805) into the device-under-test position while allowing electromagnetic radiation to be transmitted from the four-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) to the device under test (2805) or vice versa.

25. An automated test equipment (2801), wherein the automated test equipment includes an antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) as described in one of the preceding claims, and the automated test equipment is configured to use the antenna device to test the device under test (2805).

26. An automated test equipment (2801), wherein the automated test equipment includes a device-under-test socket (2803) and one or more high-frequency connectors (2804a, 2804b), and the one or more high-frequency connectors are arranged beside the test socket (2803).

27. The automated test equipment (2801) according to claim 27, wherein the high-frequency connectors (2804a, 2804b) are blind-mate waveguide connectors including double-ridge waveguides.

28. The automated test equipment (2801) according to any one of claims 27 or 28, wherein the test socket (2803) and the one or more high-frequency connectors (2804a, 2804b) are arranged such that: enable one or more external connectors (1986a, 1986b; 2386a, 2386b; 2886a, 2886b) are docked with the one or more high-frequency connectors (2804a, 2804b), and when one or more external connectors (1986a, 1986b; 2386a, 2386b; 2886a, 2886b) of the antenna device are docked with the one or more high-frequency connectors (2804a, 2804b), the cover (2892) of the antenna device pushes the device under test (2805) into the device-under-test socket (2803).

29. The automated test equipment (2801) according to claim 29, wherein the cover (2892) of the antenna device is formed of a low-dielectric constant material.

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