Integrated coaxial resonator interconnection device and associated filter structure

Abstract

Interconnection device with integrated coaxial resonator and filter structure thereof The present invention relates to an interconnection device (1) comprising: a coaxial resonator (2) comprising a central core (3) and an outer conductor (4) connected to each other at a first end (2a) of the coaxial resonator (2); and at least two first coaxial lines (6) each comprising a central core (6a) and an outer conductor (6b), wherein, for each of the at least two first coaxial lines (6), the central core (6a) passes through the central core (3) of the coaxial resonator (2) and is connected to the inner surface of the outer conductor (4) of the coaxial resonator (2) at the second end (2b) of the coaxial resonator (2), and the outer conductor (6b) is constituted by the central core (3) of the coaxial resonator (2). Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Interconnection device with integrated coaxial resonator and associated filter structure

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of radiofrequency coaxial lines, and relates in particular to an interconnection device with an integrated coaxial resonator and to an associated filter structure.

[0002] Radio frequency (RF) coaxial lines (also called coaxial cables or waveguides) are transmission lines for carrying high frequency or radio frequency electrical signals. They consist of a central conductive core and an outer conductor, said central conductive core and said outer conductor being concentric and separated from each other by an insulator such as vacuum, gas, air or a dielectric material.

[0003] There are coaxial line connectors on the market, such as T-adapters for connecting three coaxial lines or cross-adapters for connecting four coaxial lines, with which the coaxial lines are connected orthogonally, so that these existing connectors are bulky and cause a significant loss of space.

[0004] It is also known to connect two coaxial lines together by means of a coaxial connecting line from which a coaxial stub resonator extends perpendicularly. However, the presence of the stub which extends perpendicularly to the coaxial connecting line also makes this interconnection bulky and complex.

[0005] US patent application US2266502A discloses an integrated coaxial resonator coupling system, comprising a symmetrical circuit each side of which comprises a coaxial line, an unsymmetrical circuit, and a quarter-wave resonator coupled between the symmetrical and unsymmetrical circuits, a connection from the inner conductor of one coaxial line of the symmetrical circuit to the outer surface of the inner conductor of the resonator, another connection from the inner conductor of the other coaxial line of the symmetrical circuit to the inner surface of the outer conductor of the resonator while passing through the inner conductor of the resonator, means being provided for connecting the unsymmetrical circuit to the inner conductor of the resonator at an intermediate point at the ends of the inner conductor of the resonator, the outer conductors of the coaxial lines of the symmetrical circuit being connected to the outer surface of the outer conductor of the resonator.This existing coupling system thus makes it possible to connect three coaxial lines together. However, given that the coaxial line of the non-symmetrical circuit is orthogonal to each of the two . coaxial lines of the symmetrical circuit, this existing coupling system has a large footprint, is complex and does not allow all the coaxial lines to be connected in a collinear manner at the coupling system level.

[0006] The present invention aims to resolve the drawbacks of the prior art, by proposing an interconnection device with an integrated coaxial resonator, making it possible to connect several RF coaxial lines together through a quarter-wave coaxial resonator, with reduced bulk and reduced complexity.

[0007] The present invention therefore relates to an interconnection device with an integrated coaxial resonator, characterized in that it comprises: - a quarter-wave coaxial resonator comprising a central conductive core and an external conductor which are concentric, said central core and said external conductor of the coaxial resonator being connected to each other at a first of the two ends of the coaxial resonator and being separated by an insulator over the remainder of their length up to the second of the two ends of the coaxial resonator;and - at least two first coaxial lines each comprising a central conductive core and an external conductor separated by an insulator, wherein, for each of the at least two first coaxial lines, the associated central core passes through the entire length of the central core of the coaxial resonator via a respective channel formed in the central core of the coaxial resonator, and is connected to the inner surface of the external conductor of the coaxial resonator at the second of the two ends of the coaxial resonator, and the associated external conductor is constituted by the central core of the coaxial resonator. ;

[0008] Thus, the interconnection device according to the present invention makes it possible to connect, via a quarter-wave coaxial resonator, several RF coaxial lines to each other, with reduced bulk and reduced complexity.

[0009] Advantageously, said at least two first coaxial lines are parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator.

[0010] Thus, the interconnection device according to the present invention makes it possible to connect several RF coaxial lines together collinearly, via a quarter-wave coaxial resonator (by connecting them respectively to the at least two first coaxial lines of the interconnection device). The connection of the RF coaxial lines is thus collinear at the level of the interconnection device, then the RF coaxial lines which leave from the same side of the interconnection device can be inclined relative to each other.A distinction must therefore be made between the at least two first coaxial lines of the interconnection device (which are part of the interconnection device and are therefore collinear) and the so-called RF coaxial lines which are respectively connected to the at least two first coaxial lines of the interconnection device and which, as in the case of flexible RF coaxial lines, can be inclined relative to each other beyond the device. interconnection.

[0011] The quarter-wave coaxial resonator of the interconnection device allows the appropriate electrical conditions to be brought back to the same point, i.e., at the connection point at the second end of the coaxial resonator.

[0012] The collinear connection of the RF coaxial lines thus makes it possible to reduce the size and complexity of the coaxial interconnection, while facilitating the multiplication of the number of RF coaxial lines to be connected.

[0013] According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the interconnection device with integrated coaxial resonator further comprises at least one second coaxial line comprising a central conductive core and an external conductor separated by an insulator, the central core of the at least one second coaxial line being connected to the central core of the coaxial resonator on the second end side of the coaxial resonator, and the external conductor of the at least one second coaxial line being connected to the external conductor of the coaxial resonator on the second end side of the coaxial resonator.

[0014] Thus, the at least two first coaxial lines of the interconnection device are connected to the at least one second coaxial line of the interconnection device, said connection based on the inversion, at the open end of the resonator (i.e., at the second end of the resonator), of the hot and cold points of the coaxial lines coming from one side and the other of the interconnection device. On one side, the central cores of the second coaxial lines are connected to the open end of the resonator (on its central core), and on the other side, the first coaxial lines pass through the central core of the resonator over its entire length to connect to the external conductor of the resonator.

[0015] The interconnection device thus makes it possible to connect several RF coaxial lines together at two opposite sides of the latter.

[0016] Advantageously, the at least one second coaxial line is parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator.

[0017] The interconnection device according to the present invention thus makes it possible to connect RF coaxial lines coming from either side of the interconnection device in a colinear manner. On one side of the interconnection device, at least two RF coaxial lines can be connected to the at least two first coaxial lines of the interconnection device and, on the other side of the interconnection device, at least one other RF coaxial line can be connected to the at least one second coaxial line of the interconnection device.

[0018] As indicated previously, it is thus necessary to make a distinction between the first and second coaxial lines of the interconnection device (which are part of the interconnection device and may be collinear) and the so-called RF coaxial lines which are respectively connected to the first and second coaxial lines of the interconnecting device and which, as in the case of flexible RF coaxial lines, can be inclined relative to each other beyond the interconnecting device.

[0019] The interconnection device according to the present invention makes it possible to reduce discontinuities, and to simplify the interconnection by promoting in particular the increase in the number of RF coaxial lines to be connected.

[0020] The interconnection device according to the present invention can, for example, find an application in passive devices of the type: radiofrequency resonator, radiofrequency filter based on direct couplings, combiner, divider (for example, Wilkinson), feed network, antenna network, electromagnetic sensor, etc. It can allow the collinearity of the devices, the facilitated integration of a resonator between two access lines, the facilitated multiplication of the number of RF coaxial lines to be connected on one side and the other, the modification of the dimensional form factor, the relaxation of dimensional constraints, the reduction of complexity, the reduction of bulk, the increase of electrical performances, the facilitated widening of addressable bandwidths, the increase of power handling, etc. In addition, it naturally integrates a resonance in the responses of the devices.

[0021] The interconnection device according to the present invention is suitable for all varieties of coaxial resonators (single-section or multi-section).

[0022] It should be noted that, given that this is an interconnection integrating a resonator, it is therefore narrow band and requires that the frequency of the resonator be tuned to the characteristics of the other elements of the application: length of the lines of a combiner, lengths of the inverters of a filter, etc.

[0023] According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the insulator of the coaxial resonator is one of vacuum, gas, air and a dielectric material.

[0024] The dielectric material may, for example, be ceramic.

[0025] According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the insulator of the at least two first coaxial lines and, where appropriate, of the at least one second coaxial line is one of vacuum, gas, air and a dielectric material.

[0026] The dielectric material may, for example, be ceramic.

[0027] According to a particular characteristic of the invention, for each of the coaxial resonator, the at least two first coaxial lines and, where appropriate, the at least one second coaxial line, the central core and the external conductor are made of at least one electrically conductive metallic material.

[0028] The electrically conductive metallic material may, for example, be copper.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a filter structure comprising a succession of interconnection devices with integrated coaxial resonator as described above, each of said interconnection devices comprising at least two first coaxial lines and a second coaxial line, the central core of one of the at least two first coaxial lines, hereinafter referred to as the first connecting coaxial line, not being connected to the central core of the coaxial resonator on the first end side of the coaxial resonator, while the central core of the other or more first coaxial lines among the at least two first coaxial lines is connected to the central core of the coaxial resonator on the first end side of the coaxial resonator,

[0030] wherein, for each of said interconnection devices except the last in the filter structure, the center core of the second coaxial line is connected to the center core of the first connecting coaxial line of the next interconnection device, and the outer conductor of the second coaxial line is connected to the center core on the first end side of the coaxial resonator of the next interconnection device.

[0031] Thus, unlike existing filters with perpendicularly extending stub resonators, in the present invention, the tee interconnections can be replaced by collinear interconnections, which simplifies the geometry of the filter and makes it possible to considerably reduce its size.

[0032] According to a particular characteristic of the invention, for each of said interconnection devices, the at least two first coaxial lines comprise a first central coaxial line and at least one first peripheral coaxial line, the first central coaxial line being aligned on the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator and constituting the first coaxial connection line.

[0033] Unlike existing stub filters which are rather dedicated to broadband filters (given that it is difficult to produce low impedance stubs), the filter structure according to the present invention is narrowband. The filter structure according to the present invention in fact makes it possible to solve the problem of low impedance by placing several coaxial sections in parallel in the resonator. For example, four coaxial sections (peripheral coaxial lines) can be placed in parallel in order to benefit from an impedance division of the order of four.

[0034] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, some embodiments will be described below, by way of illustration and not limitation, in particular in terms of the number of connected lines, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0035] In these drawings:

[0036] [Fig. 1] is a longitudinal sectional view of a four-coaxial line interconnection device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0037] [Fig.2] is a longitudinal sectional view of a four-way interconnection device coaxial lines according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0038] [Fig.3] is a longitudinal sectional view of a four-way interconnection device coaxial lines according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0039] [Fig.4a] is a perspective view of a six-line interconnection device coaxial according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0040] [Fig.4b] is a longitudinal sectional view of the interconnection device of the [Fig.4a] ;

[0041] [Fig.5a] is a perspective view of a three-line interconnection device coaxial according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

[0042] [Fig.5b] is a longitudinal sectional view of the interconnection device of the [Fig.5a] ;

[0043] [Fig.6a] is a perspective view of a five-line interconnection device coaxial according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

[0044] [Fig.6b] is a longitudinal sectional view of the interconnection device of the [Fig.6a] ;

[0045] [Fig.7a] is a perspective view of a five-line interconnection device coaxial according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;

[0046] [Fig.7b] is a longitudinal sectional view of the interconnection device of the [Fig.7a] ;

[0047] [Fig.8a] is a perspective view of a five-line interconnection device coaxial according to an eighth embodiment of the invention;

[0048] [Fig.8b] is a longitudinal sectional view of the interconnection device of the [Fig.8a] ;

[0049] [Fig.8c] is another longitudinal sectional view of the interconnection device of the [Fig.8a] ;

[0050] [Fig.9a] is a longitudinal sectional view of a multi-re filter structure sounders according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0051] [Fig.9b] is a sectional view of the filter structure of [Fig.9a] at one of its interconnection devices.

[0052] Referring to [Fig. 1], it can be seen that there is shown an interconnection device 1 with four coaxial lines according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] The interconnection device 1 comprises a quarter-wave coaxial resonator 2 comprising a central conductive core 3 and an external conductor 4 which are concentric, said central core 3 and said external conductor 4 of the coaxial resonator 2 being connected to each other at a first 2a of the two ends of the coaxial resonator 2 and being separated by an insulator 5 over the remainder of their length up to the second 2b of the two ends of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0054] The interconnection device 1 further comprises four first coaxial lines 6 each comprising a central conductive core 6a and an external conductor 6b which are separated by an insulator 6c, said first four coaxial lines 6 being parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0055] For each of the first four coaxial lines 6, the central core 6a of the first coaxial line 6 passes through the entire length of the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2 via a respective channel 7 formed in the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2 (and containing the insulator 6c), and is connected to the inner surface of the outer conductor 4 of the coaxial resonator 2 at the second 2b of the two ends of the coaxial resonator 2, and the outer conductor 6b of the first coaxial line 6 is constituted by the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0056] It should be noted that the first coaxial lines 6 could also not be parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2, and furthermore not be parallel to each other, without departing from the scope of the present invention, each of the first coaxial lines 6 having to however cross the entire length of the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0057] The insulator 5 of the coaxial resonator 2 and the insulator 6c of each first coaxial line 6 are constituted by vacuum, but could also be constituted by gas, air or a dielectric material such as ceramic, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058] The central core 3 and the external conductor 4 of the coaxial resonator 2 are made of an electrically conductive metallic material such as copper, just like the central core 6a and the external conductor 6b of each first coaxial line 6.

[0059] The interconnection device 1 according to the first embodiment thus makes it possible to obtain a collinear interconnection with 4 coaxial lines on the first end 2a side of the coaxial resonator 2 and with 0 coaxial lines on the second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0060] It should be noted that the interconnection device 1 according to the first embodiment could also comprise any number (greater than or equal to two) of first coaxial lines 6, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0061] The interconnection device 1 according to the first embodiment thus makes it possible to connect collinearly (at the level of the interconnection device 1), via the quarter-wave coaxial resonator 2, four RF coaxial lines to each other by connecting them respectively to the first four coaxial lines 6 of the interconnection device 1 on the first end 2a side of the coaxial resonator 2. Beyond the interconnection device 1 (to which the four output RF coaxial lines are connected) the four output RF coaxial lines can either remain collinear or be inclined relative to each other in the case of flexible RF coaxial lines.

[0062] Collinear connection of RF coaxial lines at the device interconnection 1 thus makes it possible to reduce the size and complexity of the coaxial interconnection, while facilitating the multiplication of the number of RF coaxial lines to be connected.

[0063] It should be noted that, in the case of first coaxial lines 6 not parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2, the connection is no longer collinear but nevertheless retains a small footprint and low complexity.

[0064] Referring to [Fig.2], it can be seen that there is shown an interconnection device 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] The elements common to the first embodiment of the invention in [Fig.l] and this second embodiment of the invention bear the same reference number, and will not be described in more detail here when they are of identical structures.

[0066] The interconnection device 11 according to the second embodiment is identical to the interconnection device 1 according to the first embodiment, except that it comprises only two first coaxial lines 6 and that it further comprises two second coaxial lines 8 each comprising a central conductive core 8a and an external conductor 8b which are separated by an insulator 8c, the two second coaxial lines 8 also being parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0067] For each of the two second coaxial lines 8, the central core 8a is connected to the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2 on the second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2, and the external conductor 8b is connected to the external conductor 4 of the coaxial resonator 2 on the second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0068] It should be noted that the first coaxial lines 6 and the second coaxial lines 8 could also not be parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2, and furthermore not be parallel to each other, without departing from the scope of the present invention, each of the first coaxial lines 6 having to however cross the entire length of the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0069] The insulator 8c of each second coaxial line 8 is constituted by vacuum, but could also be constituted by gas, air or a dielectric material such as ceramic, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0070] The central core 8a and the external conductor 8b of each second coaxial line 8 are made of an electrically conductive metallic material such as copper.

[0071] The interconnection device 11 according to the second embodiment thus makes it possible to obtain a collinear interconnection with 2 coaxial lines on the first end 2a side of the coaxial resonator 2 and with 2 coaxial lines on the second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0072] It should be noted that the interconnection device 11 according to the second mode of rea The arrangement could also comprise any number (greater than or equal to one) of second coaxial lines 8 and any number (greater than or equal to two) of first coaxial lines 6, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0073] In the interconnection device 11, the two first coaxial lines 6 are connected to the two second coaxial lines 8 in a collinear manner, said connection relying on the inversion, at the open end (i.e., at the second end 2b) of the coaxial resonator 2, of the hot and cold points of the coaxial lines coming from one side and the other of the interconnection device 11.

[0074] The interconnection device 11 according to the second embodiment thus makes it possible to connect RF coaxial lines coming from either side of the interconnection device 11 in a collinear manner. On one side of the interconnection device 11, two RF coaxial lines can be connected to the first two coaxial lines 6 of the interconnection device 11 and, on the other side of the interconnection device 11, two other RF coaxial lines can be connected to the second two coaxial lines 8 of the interconnection device 11. In particular in the case of flexible RF coaxial lines, beyond the interconnection device 11, the RF coaxial lines respectively connected to the first and second coaxial lines 6, 8 of the interconnection device can be inclined relative to each other.

[0075] It should be noted that, in the case of first and second coaxial lines 6, 8 not parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2, the connection is no longer collinear but nevertheless retains a small footprint and low complexity.

[0076] Referring to [Fig. 3], it can be seen that there is shown an interconnection device 21 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] The elements common to the second embodiment of the invention in [Fig.2] and this third embodiment of the invention bear the same reference number, and will not be described in more detail here when they are of identical structures.

[0078] The interconnection device 21 according to the third embodiment is identical to the interconnection device 11 according to the second embodiment, except that it comprises three first coaxial lines 6 and a single second coaxial line 8.

[0079] The interconnection device 21 according to the third embodiment thus makes it possible to obtain a collinear interconnection with 3 coaxial lines on the first end 2a side of the coaxial resonator 2 and with 1 coaxial line on the second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0080] It should be noted that the first coaxial lines 6 and the second coaxial line 8 could also not be parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2, and furthermore not be parallel to each other, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0081] Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, it can be seen that there is shown an interconnection device 31 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] The elements common to the third embodiment of the invention in [Fig. 3] and this fourth embodiment of the invention bear the same reference number, and will not be described in more detail here when they are of identical structures.

[0083] The interconnection device 31 according to the fourth embodiment is identical to the interconnection device 21 according to the third embodiment, except that it comprises four first coaxial lines 6 and two second coaxial lines 8.

[0084] The interconnection device 31 according to the fourth embodiment thus makes it possible to obtain a collinear interconnection with 4 coaxial lines on the first end 2a side of the coaxial resonator 2 and with 2 coaxial lines on the second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0085] It should be noted that the first coaxial lines 6 and the second coaxial lines 8 could also not be parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2, and furthermore not be parallel to each other, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0086] Referring to Figures 5a and 5b, it can be seen that there is shown an interconnection device 41 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] The elements common to the fourth embodiment of the invention in Figures 4a and 4b and this fifth embodiment of the invention bear the same reference number, and will not be described in more detail here when they are of identical structures.

[0088] The interconnection device 41 according to the fifth embodiment is identical to the interconnection device 31 according to the fourth embodiment, except that it comprises two first coaxial lines 6 and a single second coaxial line 8.

[0089] The interconnection device 41 according to the fifth embodiment thus makes it possible to obtain a collinear interconnection with 2 coaxial lines on the first end 2a side of the coaxial resonator 2 and with 1 coaxial line on the second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0090] The interconnection device 41 according to the fifth embodiment can, for example, be applied to a 1 to 2 way divider or combiner (for example, Wilkinson).

[0091] For example, each of the first two coaxial lines 6 may have an impedance of 70Q, and the second coaxial line 8 may have an impedance of 50Q.

[0092] It should be noted that the first coaxial lines 6 and the second coaxial line 8 could also not be parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2, and furthermore not be parallel to each other, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0093] Referring to Figures 6a and 6b, it can be seen that there is shown an interconnection device 51 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] The elements common to the fifth embodiment of the invention in Figures 5a and 5b and this sixth embodiment of the invention bear the same reference number, and will not be described in more detail here when they are of identical structures.

[0095] The interconnection device 51 according to the sixth embodiment is identical to the interconnection device 41 according to the fifth embodiment, except that it comprises four first coaxial lines 6 and a single second coaxial line 8.

[0096] The interconnection device 51 according to the sixth embodiment thus makes it possible to obtain a collinear interconnection with 4 coaxial lines on the first end 2a side of the coaxial resonator 2 and with 1 coaxial line on the second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0097] The interconnection device 51 according to the sixth embodiment can, for example, be applied to a 1 to 4 way divider or combiner (for example, Wilkinson).

[0098] For example, each of the first four coaxial lines 6 may have an impedance of 100Q, and the second coaxial line 8 may have an impedance of 50Q.

[0099] In this sixth embodiment, the insulator 5 of the coaxial resonator 2 is furthermore present in an annular recess 9 formed in the external conductor 4 of the coaxial resonator 2 at its first end 2a. This annular recess 9 allows a correction of the physical length of the coaxial resonator 2 by extending it, which makes it possible to correct the effects of the discontinuities. Indeed, given that the theoretical electrical length of the filter / combiner / divider inverter must be equal to that of the coaxial resonator 2, this requires in practice a correction of the physical length of the coaxial resonator 2, by lengthening or reducing, as the case may be, the physical length of the coaxial resonator 2. This correction will be all the more important as the frequency is high.

[0100] It should be noted that the first coaxial lines 6 and the second coaxial line 8 could also not be parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2, and furthermore not be parallel to each other, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0101] Referring to Figures 7a and 7b, it can be seen that a device is shown therein interconnection 61 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] The common elements between the fifth embodiment of the invention in Figures 5a and 5b and this seventh embodiment of the invention bear the same reference number, and will not be described in more detail here when they are of identical structures.

[0103] The interconnection device 61 according to the seventh embodiment is identical to the interconnection device 41 according to the fifth embodiment, except that it comprises four first coaxial lines 6 and a single second coaxial line 8.

[0104] Furthermore, in this seventh embodiment, the outer conductor 8b of the second coaxial line 8 is extended inside the coaxial resonator 2 through a channel 10 formed in the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2, the insulator 5 also being present between the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2 and the extended outer conductor 8b of the second coaxial line 8, such that the interconnection device 61 integrates two quarter-wavelength line lengths 50Q at its second coaxial line 8.

[0105] The interconnection device 61 according to the seventh embodiment thus makes it possible to obtain a collinear interconnection with 4 coaxial lines on the first end 2a side of the coaxial resonator 2 and with 1 coaxial line on the second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0106] The interconnection device 61 according to the seventh embodiment can, for example, be applied to a 1-to-4-way divider or combiner (for example, Wilkinson).

[0107] For example, each of the first four coaxial lines 6 may have an impedance of 100Q.

[0108] It should be noted that the first coaxial lines 6 and the second coaxial line 8 could also not be parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2, and furthermore not be parallel to each other, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0109] Referring to Figures 8a, 8b and 8c, it can be seen that there is shown an interconnection device 81 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] The common elements between the sixth embodiment of the invention in Figures 6a and 6b and this eighth embodiment of the invention bear the same reference number, and will not be described in more detail here when they are of identical structures.

[0111] The interconnection device 81 according to the eighth embodiment is identical to the interconnection device 51 according to the sixth embodiment, except for the fact that it comprises two first coaxial lines 6 and three second coaxial lines 8.

[0112] The interconnection device 81 according to the eighth embodiment thus makes it possible to obtain a collinear interconnection with 2 coaxial lines on the first end 2a side of the coaxial resonator 2 and with 3 coaxial lines on the second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0113] It should be noted that the first coaxial lines 6 and the second coaxial lines 8 could also not be parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2, and furthermore not be parallel to each other, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0114] If we refer to Figures 9a and 9b, we can see that there is shown a filter structure 100 according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0115] The filter structure 100 comprises a succession of identical integrated coaxial resonator interconnection devices 91,91'.

[0116] It should be noted that, in [Fig.9a], only the first two interconnection devices 91 and 91' of the filter structure 100 have been shown, but that the filter structure 100 could also comprise any number of interconnection devices 91, 91' arranged successively, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0117] The interconnection devices 91 and 91' each comprise five first coaxial lines 6, 6' and a second coaxial line 8.

[0118] More specifically, each of the interconnection devices 91 and 91' comprises a quarter-wave coaxial resonator 2, five first coaxial lines 6, 6' and a single second coaxial line 8 whose central core 8a is connected (second end 2b side of the coaxial resonator 2) to the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0119] For each of said interconnection devices 91 and 91', the first five coaxial lines 6 and 6' consist of a first central coaxial line 6' and four first peripheral coaxial lines 6, the first central coaxial line 6' being aligned on the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator 2 and constituting a first coaxial connection line.

[0120] It should be noted that the interconnection devices 91 and 91' could also each comprise any number of first peripheral coaxial lines 6, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0121] For each of said interconnection devices 91 and 91', the central core 6a of the first central coaxial connecting line 6' is not connected to the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2 at the first end 2a of the coaxial resonator 2, while the central cores 6a of the other four first peripheral coaxial lines 6 are connected to the central core 3 of the coaxial resonator 2 at the first end 2a of the coaxial resonator 2.

[0122] Furthermore, for each of the interconnection devices 91 except the last one 91' in the filter structure 100, the central core 8a of the second coaxial line 8 of the interconnection device in question 91 is connected to the central core 6a of the first central coaxial connecting line 6' of the next interconnection device 91', and the external conductor 8b of the second coaxial line 8 of the interconnection device in question 91 is connected to the central core 3 on the first end side 2a of the coaxial resonator 2 of the next interconnection device 91'.

[0123] Thus, given that the filter structure 100 is made up of a succession of collinear interconnections, the geometry of the filter structure 100 is simplified and its size is considerably reduced.

[0124] Unlike existing stub filters which are rather dedicated to broadband filters, the filter structure 100 according to the present invention is narrowband, and makes it possible to solve the problem of low impedance by placing in parallel in the coaxial resonator 2 four first peripheral coaxial lines 6.

[0125] It is understood that the particular embodiments which have just been described have been given for informational and non-limiting purposes, and that modifications may be made without departing from the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Interconnection device with integrated coaxial resonator (1; 11; 21; 31; 41; 51; 61; 81; 91), characterized in that it comprises: - a quarter-wave coaxial resonator (2) comprising a central conductive core (3) and an external conductor (4) which are concentric, said central core (3) and said external conductor (4) of the coaxial resonator (2) being connected to each other at a first (2a) of the two ends of the coaxial resonator (2) and being separated by an insulator (5) over the remainder of their length up to the second (2b) of the two ends of the coaxial resonator (2);and - at least two first coaxial lines (6) each comprising a central conductive core (6a) and an external conductor (6b) separated by an insulator (6c), wherein, for each of the at least two first coaxial lines (6), the associated central core (6a) passes through the entire length of the central core (3) of the coaxial resonator (2) via a respective channel (7) formed in the central core (3) of the coaxial resonator (2), and is connected to the inner surface of the external conductor (4) of the coaxial resonator (2) at the second (2b) of the two ends of the coaxial resonator (2), and the associated external conductor (6b) is constituted by the central core (3) of the coaxial resonator (2).;

2. Interconnection device with integrated coaxial resonator (1; 11; 21; 31; 41; 51; 61; 81; 91) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least two first coaxial lines (6) are parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator (2).

3. Interconnection device with integrated coaxial resonator (11; 21; 31; 41; 51; 61; 81; 91) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises at least one second coaxial line (8) comprising a central conductive core (8a) and an external conductor (8b) separated by an insulator (8c), the central core (8a) of the at least one second coaxial line (8) being connected to the central core (3) of the coaxial resonator (2) on the second end (2b) side of the coaxial resonator (2), and the external conductor (8b) of the at least one second coaxial line (8) being connected to the external conductor (4) of the coaxial resonator (2) on the second end (2b) side of the coaxial resonator (2).

4. Interconnection device with integrated coaxial resonator (11; 21; 31; 41; 51; 61; 81; 91) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one second coaxial line (8) is parallel to the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator (2).

5. Interconnection device with integrated coaxial resonator (1; 11; 21; 31; 41; 51; 61; 81; 91) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the insulator (5) of the coaxial resonator (2) is one of vacuum, gas, air and a dielectric material.

6. Interconnection device with integrated coaxial resonator (1; 11; 21; 31; 41; 51; 61; 81; 91) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the insulator (6c) of the at least two first coaxial lines (6) and, where appropriate, of the at least one second coaxial line (8) is one of vacuum, gas, air and a dielectric material.

7. Interconnection device with integrated coaxial resonator (1; 11; 21; 31; 41; 51; 61; 81; 91) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, for each of the coaxial resonator (2), the at least two first coaxial lines (6) and, where appropriate, the at least one second coaxial line (8), the central core (3, 6a, 8a) and the external conductor (4, 6b, 8b) are made of at least one electrically conductive metallic material.

8. Filter structure (100) comprising a succession of interconnection devices with integrated coaxial resonator (91, 91') according to one of claims 3 to 7, each of said interconnection devices (91, 91') comprising at least two first coaxial lines (6, 6') and a second coaxial line (8), the central core (6a) of one (6') of the at least two first coaxial lines (6, 6'), hereinafter referred to as the first coaxial connecting line (6'), not being connected to the central core (3) of the coaxial resonator (2) on the first end (2a) side of the coaxial resonator (2), while the central core (6a) of the other or more first coaxial lines (6) among the at least two first coaxial lines (6, 6') is connected to the central core (3) of the coaxial resonator (2) on the first end (2a) side of the coaxial resonator (2), wherein, for each of said interconnecting devices (91) except the last one in the filter structure (100),the central core (8a) of the second coaxial line (8) is connected to the central core (6a) of the first connecting coaxial line (6') of the next interconnection device (91'), and the external conductor (8b) of the second coaxial line (8) is connected to the central core (3) on the first end (2a) side of the coaxial resonator (2) of the next interconnection device (91').,

9. Filter structure (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that, for each of said interconnection devices (91, 91'), the at least two first coaxial lines (6, 6') comprise a first central coaxial line (6') and at least one first peripheral coaxial line (6), the first central coaxial line (6') being aligned on the axis of revolution of the coaxial resonator (2) and constituting the first coaxial connecting line.

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