A Ka-band wave conversion structure
By designing a three-layer gradient composite plate structure, the problems of narrow bandwidth and impedance mismatch in Ka-band wave-to-wave converters are solved, achieving efficient electromagnetic wave mode conversion over a wide frequency band, reducing reflection loss and manufacturing difficulty, and making it suitable for modern communication and radar technologies in the Ka-band.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANJING RUIDA ELECTRONIC TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing Ka-band wave-to-wave converters have narrow bandwidth, impedance mismatch in the high-frequency band, large reflection loss, severe signal distortion, high manufacturing difficulty, and high cost, and cannot meet the wideband requirements of modern communication and radar technologies.
It adopts a three-layer gradient composite board structure, including a top gradient dielectric layer, a middle gradient metal coupling layer and a bottom ground layer. The dielectric constant, metal finger length and gap gradually change along the propagation direction. Combined with the insulating adhesive layer, it forms an integral composite board that supports standard K-type RF interfaces.
It achieves ultra-wideband electromagnetic wave mode conversion, reduces reflection loss, lowers processing difficulty and cost, has a compact size, is suitable for Ka-band broadband applications, and improves system performance and integration.
Smart Images

Figure CN224384499U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of millimeter-wave communication and radar technology, and in particular to a Ka-band wave-to-wave conversion structure. Background Technology
[0002] In the fields of modern communication and radar technology, the Ka band (26.5-40GHz) is increasingly widely used, such as in satellite communication, vehicle-mounted radar, and 5G base stations. In these applications, wave-to-wave conversion, i.e., the conversion between different electromagnetic wave modes such as linearly polarized waves and circularly polarized waves, and TE mode and TM mode, is a key technology for improving system performance.
[0003] Existing wave-to-wave converters (WBCs) have significant shortcomings. Traditional WBCs, due to their fixed-parameter dielectric substrate and metal coupling structure, have narrow bandwidths, failing to meet the wide bandwidth requirements of the Ka-band. Furthermore, impedance mismatch is prominent at high frequencies, leading to significant reflection losses and easily exciting higher-order modes, causing signal distortion, high losses, and mode leakage. In addition, traditional structures are large and require high manufacturing precision, resulting in high processing difficulty and cost, limiting their widespread application. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a Ka-band wave-to-wave conversion structure for achieving efficient conversion of electromagnetic wave modes over a wide bandwidth.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0006] A Ka-band wave-to-co-conversion structure includes a three-layer gradient composite plate structure, consisting of a top gradient dielectric layer, a middle gradient metal coupling layer, and a bottom ground layer, from top to bottom. The dielectric constant of the top gradient dielectric layer changes exponentially and continuously along the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation. The middle gradient metal coupling layer is composed of a finger-shaped metal array, with the length and gap of the metal fingers gradually changing along the propagation direction. The bottom ground layer is an all-metal copper-clad layer.
[0007] Optionally, the dielectric constant of the top gradient dielectric layer varies exponentially from the input end to the output end, and its corresponding width also changes accordingly with the gradual change of the dielectric constant.
[0008] Optionally, the intermediate gradient metal coupling layer includes a plurality of metal fingers, the length and / or width of which are gradually distributed from the input end to the output end to adjust the coupling strength.
[0009] Optionally, the top gradient dielectric layer, the middle gradient metal coupling layer, and the bottom ground layer are fixedly connected by an insulating adhesive layer to form an integral composite plate structure.
[0010] Optionally, the top gradient dielectric layer is made of a high-frequency dielectric, and the middle gradient metal coupling layer is made of a high-conductivity metal material.
[0011] Optionally, it also includes a standard K-type RF interface, which is connected to the input and output ends of the three-layer gradient composite board structure to achieve integration with external devices.
[0012] Compared with existing technologies, the Ka-band wave-to-wave converter structure provided by this invention achieves ultra-wideband operating performance by employing a gradient dielectric-metal composite structure and a wideband energy coupling mechanism; it also greatly expands the operating bandwidth, meeting the application requirements of the Ka-band wideband; through the design of the gradient structure, it effectively solves the problem of impedance mismatch at the waveguide interface in the high-frequency band in traditional technologies, reducing reflection loss; compared with traditional multi-section impedance transformers and other structures, the three-layer gradient composite plate structure of this invention is more compact and significantly reduces the volume. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the Ka-band wave-to-wave conversion structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] Figure 2 This is a front view of the Ka-band wave-to-wave conversion structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of plane AA.
[0016] Figure label:
[0017] 100-Ka band wave-to-wave conversion structure; 1-gradient dielectric layer; 2-gradient metal coupling layer; 21-metal finger; 3-ground layer; 4-RF interface. Detailed Implementation
[0018] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.
[0019] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.
[0020] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. "Several" means one or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0021] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0022] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0023] Please see Figures 1-3 The Ka-band wave co-conversion structure 100 provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a three-layer gradient composite plate structure, which consists of a top gradient dielectric layer 1, a middle gradient metal coupling layer 2, and a bottom ground layer 3 from top to bottom. The dielectric constant of the top gradient dielectric layer 1 changes exponentially and continuously along the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation. The middle gradient metal coupling layer 2 is composed of a finger-shaped metal array, and the length and gap of the metal fingers 21 change gradually along the direction of propagation. The bottom ground layer 3 is an all-metal copper-clad layer.
[0024] Specifically, the top graded dielectric layer 1 is made of a high-frequency dielectric material, and its dielectric constant varies gradually from the input to the output, meaning the dielectric constant changes exponentially from the input to the output. Simultaneously, to match this gradual change in dielectric constant, its corresponding width also changes accordingly. This gradient design of the dielectric constant allows for effective control of the phase delay of electromagnetic waves. Under wideband operating conditions, the wavelengths of electromagnetic waves at different frequencies change, leading to phase mismatch. The gradient dielectric constant characteristic of the top graded dielectric layer 1 can compensate for this phase mismatch caused by wavelength changes, ensuring good phase consistency of electromagnetic waves during transmission and laying the foundation for subsequent mode conversion.
[0025] An intermediate gradient metal coupling layer 2 is located between the top gradient dielectric layer 1 and the bottom ground layer 3. It is used to achieve energy coupling and conversion between electromagnetic waves of different frequencies. The geometry of the intermediate gradient metal coupling layer 2 is gradually distributed from the input end to the output end. Specifically, this can be achieved by setting multiple metal fingers 21. At the input end, the metal fingers 21 are longer and wider, while as they extend towards the output end, their length gradually shortens and their width gradually narrows. This gradual design of the metal finger 21's geometry allows for adjustment of the coupling strength. For low-frequency electromagnetic waves (such as around 26.5 GHz), the longer metal fingers 21 and wider width provide stronger coupling strength, enabling efficient energy conversion for long waves. For high-frequency electromagnetic waves (such as around 40 GHz), the shorter metal fingers 21 and narrower width reduce coupling strength, enabling efficient energy conversion for short waves as well. This ensures that electromagnetic waves of different frequencies achieve good energy conversion effects throughout the entire Ka-band range.
[0026] The bottom grounding layer 3 is an all-metal copper-clad layer, whose main function is to provide an electromagnetic reflection boundary. The all-metal copper-clad design enhances the ability to control the distribution of electromagnetic wave fields, enabling electromagnetic waves to better perform mode conversion in the three-layer composite board structure, thereby improving conversion efficiency and stability.
[0027] In this application, the dielectric constant of the top gradient dielectric layer 1 changes exponentially from the input end to the output end, and its corresponding width also changes accordingly with the change of dielectric constant.
[0028] In one embodiment provided in this application, the intermediate gradient metal coupling layer 2 includes a plurality of metal fingers 21, the length and / or width of which are gradually distributed from the input end to the output end to adjust the coupling strength.
[0029] In this application, the top gradient dielectric layer, the middle gradient metal coupling layer 2, and the bottom ground layer 3 are fixedly connected by an insulating adhesive layer to form an integral composite board structure. The insulating adhesive layer is made of a material with good insulation properties and bonding strength, such as epoxy resin. This connection method ensures that the three layers are tightly bonded to form an integral composite board structure, while ensuring electrical insulation between the layers to avoid short circuits and other problems, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the wave converter.
[0030] In this application, the top gradient dielectric layer 1 is made of high-frequency dielectric, and the middle gradient metal coupling layer 2 is made of high-conductivity metal material.
[0031] To enable integration with external millimeter-wave antenna arrays, RF chipsets, and other devices, a standard K-type RF interface 4 is also included. The standard K-type RF interface 4 is connected to the input and output ends of the three-layer gradient composite board structure to achieve integration with external devices. This interface has good compatibility and can be directly connected to existing devices without the need for additional adapters or conversion devices, which greatly improves the practicality and applicability of the wave converter.
[0032] Working principle: When an electromagnetic wave is incident on the wave converter of this invention, it first enters the top graded dielectric layer 1. Because the dielectric constant of the top graded dielectric layer 1 is gradually distributed, electromagnetic waves of different frequencies will produce different phase delays in this layer. For the conversion of a circularly polarized wave to a linearly polarized wave, the graded structure can maintain the phase difference Δφ between the two orthogonal polarization components Ex and Ey within a suitable range over a wide frequency band.
[0033] In the low-frequency band, the long metal finger 21 and the high dielectric constant medium work together to provide a large phase delay for electromagnetic waves, making Δφ close to 90°; while in the high-frequency band, the short metal finger 21 and the low dielectric constant medium reduce the phase delay, so that Δφ can still be maintained at a level close to 90°, thus achieving phase matching in a wide frequency band.
[0034] Simultaneously, as the incident wave passes through the intermediate gradient metal coupling layer 2, the energy gradually transfers from one polarization mode to another due to the gradually varying geometric dimensions of the metal fingers 21. For example, the left-handed component (LCP) of a circularly polarized wave gradually transforms into the horizontal component of a linearly polarized wave after passing through the gradient coupling structure, while the right-handed component (RCP) transforms into the vertical component. Ultimately, the target linearly polarized wave is synthesized at the output end, achieving efficient wave-to-wave conversion.
[0035] As can be seen from the structure and specific implementation process of the Ka-band wave-to-wave converter 100 described above, due to the adoption of a graded dielectric-metal composite structure and a wideband energy coupling mechanism, the wave-to-wave converter of this invention achieves ultra-wideband operating performance. Throughout the entire Ka-band range, it can stably achieve electromagnetic wave mode conversion, maintaining a high conversion efficiency and low insertion loss. Compared with traditional wave-to-wave converters, it greatly expands the operating bandwidth, meeting the application requirements of the Ka-band wideband. Through the design of the graded structure, it effectively solves the impedance mismatch problem at the waveguide interface in the high-frequency band in traditional technologies, reducing reflection loss. At the same time, the reasonable structural design also reduces the possibility of higher-order mode excitation, reducing signal distortion, thereby significantly reducing high-frequency band losses. Compared to traditional metal waveguides, this invention significantly reduces losses at high frequencies (e.g., 40GHz), improving energy conversion efficiency and enhancing overall system performance. The waveguide converter supports a standard K-type RF interface, enabling direct integration with existing devices such as millimeter-wave antenna arrays and RF chipsets without requiring large-scale modifications, thus reducing system integration difficulty and cost. Compared to traditional multi-section impedance transformers, this invention's three-layer gradient composite plate structure is more compact and significantly smaller in size. While the gradient structure requires a certain level of precision in fabrication, its processing difficulty is reduced compared to traditional structures, which helps lower production costs, increase production efficiency, and facilitate large-scale application.
[0036] In the description of the above embodiments, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0037] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A Ka-band wave co-conversion structure, characterized in that, It includes a three-layer gradient composite plate structure, consisting of a top gradient dielectric layer, a middle gradient metal coupling layer, and a bottom ground layer from top to bottom. The dielectric constant of the top gradient dielectric layer changes exponentially and continuously along the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation. The middle gradient metal coupling layer is composed of a finger-shaped metal array, with the length and gap of the metal fingers gradually changing along the propagation direction. The bottom ground layer is an all-metal copper-clad layer.
2. The Ka-band wave conversion structure of claim 1, wherein, The dielectric constant of the top gradient dielectric layer changes exponentially from the input end to the output end, and its corresponding width also changes accordingly with the change of dielectric constant.
3. The Ka-band wave conversion structure of claim 1, wherein, The intermediate gradient metal coupling layer includes multiple metal fingers, the length and / or width of which are gradually distributed from the input end to the output end to adjust the coupling strength.
4. The Ka-band wave conversion structure of claim 1, wherein, The top gradient dielectric layer, the middle gradient metal coupling layer, and the bottom grounding layer are fixedly connected by an insulating adhesive layer to form an integral composite plate structure.
5. The Ka-band waveguide-to-waveguide transition structure of claim 1, wherein, The top gradient dielectric layer is made of high-frequency dielectric, and the middle gradient metal coupling layer is made of high-conductivity metal material.
6. The Ka-band wave conversion structure according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, It also includes a standard K-type RF interface, which is connected to the input and output ends of the three-layer gradient composite board structure to achieve integration with external devices.