Antenna arrangement with orthomode transducer and automatic test equipment - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to an antenna device comprising a quad-ridge waveguide configured with its open ends acting as radiating apertures, and an orthogonal mode transducer (OMT) configured to couple the quad-ridge waveguide to two feed structures.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to antenna devices and automatic test equipment, particularly those comprising a quad-ridge waveguide coupled to a feed structure.

[0002] Further, embodiments according to the present invention relate to a single aperture wideband dual polarised waveguide antenna for a wireless socket.

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments according to the present invention relate to antennas that transmit or receive electromagnetic waves of different spatial modes or polarizations. [Background technology]

[0004] Modern devices such as mobile phones use increasingly higher frequencies. For example, 5G NR (New Radio) technology uses two frequency ranges, the second frequency range FR2 may employ a bandwidth of, for example, 24-53 GHz, which spans more than an octave.

[0005] Testing such devices may involve, for example, the use of multiple antenna devices that cover the entire bandwidth with multiple polarizations of the electromagnetic field. Alternatively, antenna devices may be used that have poor performance at at least one end of the bandwidth to be tested. Furthermore, it has been recognized that conventional antenna devices with improved performance (e.g., quad-ridge horn antennas) can present manufacturing challenges and cost issues.

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

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention relates to an antenna apparatus comprising a quad-ridge waveguide, the open ends of which are configured to function as radiating apertures, and an orthogonal mode transducer (OMT) configured to couple the quad-ridge waveguide to two feed structures.

[0008] It is recognized that a quad-ridge waveguide can transmit (or receive) two different modes (i.e., electric field patterns), such as two different polarizations (e.g., the term “different polarizations” may refer to orthogonal (H / V) modes). Because the quad-ridge waveguide is coupled to an OMT, two different electric field modes are coupled to the quad-ridge waveguide by the OMT. For example, a first mode (e.g., having a first direction or first polarization) in the quad-ridge waveguide may be excited by an input signal at a first port of the OMT (e.g., by a respective mode in a first feed structure), and a second mode (e.g., having a second direction or second polarization) in the quad-ridge waveguide may be excited by an input signal at a second port of the OMT (e.g., by a respective mode in a second feed structure). Because the OMT is also coupled to two feed structures, the OMT enables two different modes, excited using the respective feed structures, to be coupled to the quad-ridge waveguide. The quad-ridge waveguide has an open end as the radiating aperture, allowing it to radiate (i.e., transmit / transmit in air) two modes guided by the quad-ridge waveguide. Therefore, the antenna device can transmit and mix electric fields of two different polarization modes. Signal direction reversal is also possible; for example, a signal with electric fields having two modes (e.g., orthogonal polarizations) can be received at the "radiating aperture" and guided to the OMT by the quad-ridge waveguide. In other words, the principle of reciprocity may be applied to embodiments of the present invention (e.g., in the absence of non-reciprocal materials). The OMT splits the signal into two modes, which are then "coupled" to two feed structures (e.g., by exciting each signal or mode within the two feed structures). Separating the two modes allows for the determination of the polarization angle of the electromagnetic radiation received at the radiating aperture and the reception of two independent modes at the radiating aperture split by the OMT. Additionally, the antenna apparatus may receive or transmit circularly or elliptically polarized radiation, for example, using circuitry to provide a phase shift for the input signal to the feed structure and circuitry for processing the received signal from the feed structure.

[0009] It should be noted that in general, the polarization of the incident wave may differ (e.g., tilt) from the H / V line. Thus, in some embodiments, the antenna device can only make an inference about H or V waves or "mixed polarization." However, other embodiments may be able to more accurately determine polarization characteristics.

[0010] The antenna device therefore allows for the transfer of two or more polarization modes and can be used, for example, for more efficient testing of devices capable of multimode transmission and / or reception. The coupling between the quad-ridge waveguide, OMT and feed structure can be implemented using simple geometries that can be manufactured at low cost.

[0011] Furthermore, the use of quad-ridge waveguides has been found to provide a very wide usable frequency range, potentially exceeding a 2:1 frequency ratio. In particular, the ridges provide a wide frequency range in which only a single non-evanescent mode exists per polarization within the waveguide. Therefore, considering two different polarizations, either circular or elliptical, a single antenna structure is sufficient to test a wideband device under test.

[0012] The antenna device may be part of an over-the-air (OTA) socket measurement device, for example. The antenna design has been found to be highly suitable for OTA socket integration. The socket, for example, allows alignment between a device to be tested (also called a device under test (DUT)) and the antenna device, optimizing communication therebetween. The antenna device may be, for example, a near-field test antenna device. The antenna device may be, for example, a wideband antenna device. The antenna device may be, for example, a dual-polarized single-aperture antenna. The quad-ridge waveguide may be, for example, a rectangular (e.g., square or oval) quad-ridge waveguide. The radiating aperture may be configured to radiate, for example, a first-polarized electromagnetic wave and a second-polarized electromagnetic wave. For example, the first polarization and the second polarization may be oriented perpendicular to each other. The OMT may be, for example, a wideband orthogonal-mode transducer. The two feed structures may be configured to transmit (e.g., guide) the electromagnetic waves, for example. The two feed structures may comprise, for example, waveguides. The two feed structures may be or comprise, for example, two (or more) double-ridge waveguides. A quad-ridge (e.g., square) waveguide may be provided, for example, as a dual-polarization interface for an OMT, forming a quad-ridge Boifot design. An antenna device may, for example, use concepts based on a Boifot orthogonal-mode transducer (OMT) to convert a single radiating aperture into two polarizations (e.g., horizontal and vertical) and then route them to, for example, separate double-ridge waveguides for broadband operation.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the orthomode transducer is configured to couple the first feed structure to a first mode having a first direction of the quad-ridge waveguide, and the orthomode transducer may be configured to couple the second feed structure to a second mode having a second direction of the quad-ridge waveguide.

[0014] The first feed structure may, for example, be coupled to two lateral ports of the orthogonal-mode transducer (e.g., the two lateral ports are located opposite each other on the OMT). The second feed structure may, for example, be a feed structure coupled to an axial port of the orthogonal-mode transducer. The first direction may, for example, be at least essentially orthogonal to the second direction (e.g., within a tolerance of ±10 degrees). Alternatively, the first and second directions may, for example, be oriented at different angles relative to each other (e.g., 30°, 45°, or 60°). The first and second modes may, for example, excite radiation waves having at least approximately orthogonal polarizations.

[0015] Thus, good isolation between different polarizations is possible. For example, radiation of different (e.g., orthogonal) polarizations may be excited using signals applied to different feed structures, and incident radiation of different polarizations may excite separate signals in the different feed structures, which may be configured to allow radiation of different polarizations to be detected separately.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the multiple transverse ports of the orthogonal mode transducer are arranged in the same plane. For example, the multiple transverse ports may be coupled to a double-ridge waveguide, and the multiple ridges of the double-ridge waveguide may be arranged in a common plane. This arrangement reduces phase differences that may occur with transverse ports that are arranged axially offset from one another. Furthermore, manufacturing costs can be kept reasonably low. For example, having the multiple transverse ports of the orthogonal mode transducer in the same plane reduces the number of layers that can be used in manufacturing. Furthermore, the symmetry of the orthogonal mode transducer may result in particularly good polarization isolation.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the antenna device forms a dual-polarized single-aperture antenna. For example, the antenna device may be a dual-polarized waveguide antenna, in which two polarizations (e.g., vertical and horizontal polarizations) can be excited within a single quad-ridge waveguide aperture. The antenna device may be configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation from a single radiating aperture, which is formed by mixing two modes of electromagnetic radiation received from a feed structure (and vice versa). This antenna structure has a small size while providing good polarization isolation. Furthermore, if the antenna is implemented using a small number of structured layers, for example, using a milling process, manufacturing costs can be kept reasonably low. For example, it has been found that quad-ridge waveguides and orthogonal-mode transducers can be easily manufactured using stacked structures with a small number of layers, and simple surface treatments can be applied to shape the multiple layers. Furthermore, using only a single aperture keeps the antenna size small, and good antenna characteristics can be achieved relatively close to the radiating aperture because the two polarizations are actually radiated from a single common aperture.

[0018] According to one embodiment, at least one of the two feed structures comprises a double-ridge waveguide. Alternatively, at least one of the two feed structures comprises a single-ridge waveguide. At least one of the double-ridge waveguides may be configured to define the modes (and, to some extent, the polarization) that can be excited therein. The ridge increases the bandwidth of the electromagnetic radiation that can be excited in the waveguide (in other words, expands the frequency range over which only a single non-evanescent mode of a given polarization can be excited in the waveguide). Furthermore, the ridge can, in some cases, define a preferred direction of polarization of the electromagnetic wave. The double-ridge waveguides of the first and second feed structures may, for example, be configured such that the polarizations of the at least one double-ridge waveguide of the first feed structure and the at least one double-ridge waveguide of the second feed structure are orthogonal (or at least nearly orthogonal) to each other (e.g., when fed to or by an optical multi-mode transistor). For example, a first common plane spanned by the multiple ridges of the double-ridge waveguide of the first feed structure may be oriented perpendicular to a second common plane spanned by the multiple ridges of the double-ridge waveguide of the second feed structure (and, optionally, perpendicular to the direction in which the double-ridge waveguide of the second feed structure extends).

[0019] According to one embodiment, two feed structures extend between the orthogonal-mode transducers and respective blind-mate waveguide connections. The blind-mate waveguide connections may, for example, comprise self-alignment features. For example, the blind-mate waveguide connections may comprise at least one of a conical opening or a protrusion. At least one of the two feed structures may comprise one or more waveguides (e.g., one or more double-ridge waveguides) between the orthogonal-mode transducers and the respective blind-mate waveguide connections. The two feed structures may be configured to transmit electromagnetic fields between the orthogonal-mode transducers and the respective blind-mate waveguide connections.

[0020] The blind-mate waveguide connection allows the antenna apparatus to be easily and repeatedly coupled (e.g., 100,000 or more times or 1,000,000 or more times) to devices that receive and / or transmit electromagnetic signals. Thus, for example, the antenna apparatus may be easily and repeatedly coupled to generating and / or analyzing devices (e.g., of automatic test equipment) that generate and / or detect signals to be radiated and / or received by the radiating aperture.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the antenna device comprises a laminate structure comprising a first layer (or first housing part) comprising a quad-ridge waveguide and comprising, on an inner surface thereof, a first part of a waveguide structure (e.g., a ridge or a recess with one or more ridges, which may for example form a waveguide interior and / or a waveguide channel) extending between a lateral port of an orthogonal-mode transducer and a T-shaped waveguide joint. The laminated structure further comprises a second layer, the second layer comprising, on a first surface, a second portion of the waveguide structure (e.g., a recess having a ridge) extending between the lateral port of the orthogonal mode transducer and the T-shaped waveguide joint, and, on a second surface, a first portion of the waveguide structure (e.g., a ridge or a recess having one or more ridges) extending from the T-shaped waveguide joint to the first external connection (optionally also comprising a first portion of the waveguide structure, e.g., a ridge or a recess having ridges), extending from the axial port of the orthogonal mode transducer to the second external connection). The laminated structure may further comprise a third layer, which comprises a second portion (e.g., a recess with a ridge) of the waveguide structure extending from the T-shaped waveguide joint to a first external connection (e.g., a first blind-mate waveguide connection), and an optional (second) portion (e.g., a recess with a ridge) of the waveguide structure extending from the axial port of the orthogonal mode transducer to a second external connection (e.g., a second blind-mate waveguide connection).

[0022] The laminated structure allows the fabrication of the internal hollow structure of the antenna device using simple metal processing techniques such as milling and / or micromachining. Furthermore, the antenna device may be fabricated from metal. However, different manufacturing techniques can also be used to fabricate the surface structure layer.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, the quad-ridge waveguide may taper in a gradual or discontinuous stepwise manner from the first surface of the first layer toward the second surface (internal surface) of the first layer. The tapering allows the height of the antenna to be reduced, thereby reducing the size of the antenna device. In other words, while the "aperture" typically refers to the lateral size, the stepwise tapering may also reduce, for example, the height (e.g., axial size) of the antenna.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, a T-shaped waveguide joint (or any other form of combiner / splitter structure) can split a signal into two signal parts, which are shifted (at least essentially, for example, within a tolerance of ±1 / 10 wavelength) by half a wavelength (or approximately 180 degrees, for example, within a tolerance of ±10 degrees) from each other. Therefore, if the OMT also includes a combiner / splitter structure that provides a half-wavelength shift (for example, an OMT with a main port for a quad-ridge waveguide and two side ports for a first feed structure), the two signal parts can be mixed in phase. Therefore, the T-shaped waveguide joint enables the use of an OMT with a combiner / splitter structure. Also, in this way, a highly symmetrical structure is obtained.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the orthogonal mode transducer comprises two lateral ports and one axial port. The axial port may be located, for example, opposite the main port that couples the quad-ridge structure to the OMT, and may be configured, for example, such that a second feed structure (e.g., a double-ridge waveguide) coupled to the axial port is oriented at least essentially coaxially with the quad-ridge waveguide (e.g., with an angular difference of 10 degrees or less). The two lateral ports may be located, for example, on opposite sides of the OMT. The two lateral ports may be arranged such that the (double-ridge) waveguide of the first feed structure (with an angular tolerance of 10 degrees or less) coupled to the lateral port extends at least essentially perpendicularly (e.g., with an angular tolerance of 10 degrees or less) to the quad-ridge waveguide.

[0026] Two lateral ports offer greater symmetry than a single lateral port, especially when the lateral, axial, and main ports are positioned at 90° angles to each other. Symmetrical placement of anti-phase lateral and axial ports also improves cross-port isolation.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the first transverse port of the orthogonal mode transducer comprises a transition between a quad-ridge waveguide and a first double-ridge waveguide, where the first ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide transitions to the first ridge of the first double-ridge waveguide (e.g., the first ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide is coplanar with the first ridge of the first double-ridge waveguide). The second transverse port of the orthogonal mode transducer may comprise a transition between a quad-ridge waveguide and a second double-ridge waveguide, where the second ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide (which may be on the opposite side of the quad-ridge waveguide from the first ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide) transitions to the first ridge of the second double-ridge waveguide (e.g., the second ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide is coplanar with the first ridge of the second double-ridge waveguide). The axial port of the orthogonal mode transducer may comprise a transition between the quad-ridge waveguide and the third double-ridge waveguide, wherein the third ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide transitions to the first ridge of the third double-ridge waveguide and the fourth ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide extends to the second ridge of the third double-ridge waveguide.

[0028] The transitions between the ridges (e.g., sloped transitions or discontinuous step transitions) improve mode coupling between the feed structure and the quad-ridge waveguide. The transitions reduce structural discontinuities within the antenna device, improving return loss. Furthermore, using such concepts, unwanted mode conversion is significantly suppressed.

[0029] For example, the first ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide, the second ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide, the first ridge of the first double-ridge waveguide, and the first ridge of the second double-ridge waveguide may all lie in the same (first) plane. The third ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide, the fourth ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide, the first ridge of the third double-ridge waveguide, and the second ridge of the third double-ridge waveguide may all lie in the same (second) plane, e.g., the second plane is perpendicular (within a tolerance of, e.g., ±10 degrees) to the first plane. Such an arrangement improves discrimination between two electromagnetic wave modes that are perpendicular (orthogonal) to each other.

[0030] According to one embodiment, an antenna device (e.g., an antenna structure) comprises a waveguide structure (e.g., a first double-ridge waveguide and a second double-ridge waveguide) connecting a first transverse port of an orthogonal mode transducer and a second transverse port of the orthogonal mode transducer to a combiner / splitter structure (e.g., a T-junction, e.g., an E-plane T-junction).

[0031] The use of two lateral ports improves symmetry and therefore cross-port isolation, e.g., unwanted mode conversion is better suppressed. The combiner / splitter structure at least partially compensates for the phase shift between the two signals combined at the two lateral ports.

[0032] For example, at least a portion of the waveguide structure and the combiner / splitter structure may be located in the same layer of the antenna structure as the first and second transverse ports, or may be located in the same transition between two layers of the antenna device as the first and second transverse ports, which may facilitate fabrication and improve symmetry, thereby improving cross-port isolation.

[0033] According to one embodiment, an antenna device (e.g., antenna structure) comprises a portion of a waveguide structure coupled to a combiner / splitter structure (and extending from the combiner / splitter to a first external connection), wherein the portion of the waveguide structure extending from the axial port of the orthogonal mode transducer to a second external connection (e.g., a second blind-mate waveguide connection) and the portion of the waveguide structure coupled to the combiner / splitter structure are located within the same (common) layer of the antenna device (e.g., antenna structure) and / or at the same (common) transition between two layers of the antenna device.

[0034] When parts of the waveguide structure are located in the same layer and / or at the same transition between two layers, both structures (which may be long hollow structures) can be manufactured using simple metal processing techniques such as milling (e.g. using a CNC milling center) and / or micromachining, although other techniques may also be applied for manufacturing the surface structure layer.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the antenna device is mounted in an antenna housing, the antenna housing comprising at least two parts.

[0036] An antenna housing having two or more sections facilitates assembly and maintenance and can be manufactured using simple metalworking techniques such as milling and micromachining.

[0037] The antenna housing may be or comprise a metal structure in which at least the quad-ridge waveguide, the orthogonal mode transducer, and the feed structure are formed. For example, the entire antenna device may be fabricated from metal. The antenna housing may comprise or be made of metal (or a metal alloy). At least two (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 or more) housing sections may comprise at least two metal structure layers attached to each other (e.g., by screws or welding). The metal layers may, for example, be at least essentially congruent. The metal layers may, for example, have a thickness in the range of 2 mm to 7 mm. The antenna housing may, for example, have a thickness of 10 mm to 15 mm.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the antenna housing comprises a first housing portion (e.g., a first layer) and a second housing portion (e.g., a second layer), wherein the quad-ridge waveguide is milled and / or micromachined into the first housing portion, and the first and second double-ridge waveguides are at least partially (or optionally entirely) milled and / or micromachined into the second housing portion or milled and / or micromachined between the first and second housing portions. A third double-ridge waveguide may, for example, be milled and / or micromachined into the second housing portion, and the inner surface of the first housing portion forms portions (e.g., walls, e.g., caps, e.g., covers) of the first and second double-ridge waveguides.

[0039] Milling and micromachining are processes that are energy efficient (e.g., no melting of metal is required) and can be largely automated (e.g., using computer numerical control (CNC)). Milling and / or micromachining the hollow structure between two layers reduces the limitations of metal processing techniques for forming long hollow structures. However, in some embodiments, different manufacturing techniques may be applied.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the ridges of the third double-ridge waveguide are connected (e.g., transitioned) to a pair of (opposing) (perpendicular) ridges of the quad-ridge waveguide via ridge steps, which may be formed in, for example, the second housing portion.

[0041] The ridge step can improve the smooth conversion of polarization (eg, vertical polarization) between, for example, the third double-ridge waveguide and the quad-ridge waveguide.

[0042] According to another embodiment, the antenna housing comprises a first housing portion (e.g., first layer), a second housing portion (e.g., second layer), and a third housing portion (e.g., third layer). The quad-ridge waveguide may be milled and / or micromachined into the first housing portion. The first and second double-ridge waveguides may be at least partially (or optionally entirely) milled and / or micromachined into the second housing portion, or may be milled and / or micromachined into the transition between the first and second housing portions. The third double-ridge waveguide may be milled and / or micromachined into the second housing portion, and a combiner / splitter structure (e.g., a T-junction, e.g., an E-plane T-junction) may be milled and / or micromachined into the second housing portion (and may optionally include structure of the first housing portion). The second housing portion may form portions (e.g., walls, e.g., caps, e.g., covers) of the first and second double-ridge waveguides.

[0043] Distributing the mechanical features across three housing sections as described above simplifies the milling and / or micromachining process, since the structures forming the waveguide structure are located on two housing sections. Because the waveguide structure is located (for the most part) between the housing sections (or at the transitions between or between the housing sections), the waveguide structure can extend parallel to the direction in which the layers extend (e.g., in a serpentine manner). For example, the waveguide channel can be formed inside or between these housing sections. As a result, the waveguide structure does not need to extend perpendicular to the layers, allowing the layers to be made thinner, resulting in a more compact antenna device.

[0044] According to another embodiment, the transverse ports are electromagnetically isolated (e.g., polarization-isolated) from the axial ports. This means, for example, that the transverse ports have low coupling (high electromagnetic isolation) with the axial ports. For example, the transverse ports may have coupling with the axial ports of less than -10 dB, less than -20 dB, or less than -30 dB.

[0045] Separation of the axial and lateral ports reduces mixing of modes coupled into the first and second feed structures, resulting in improved signal quality.

[0046] The transverse port may be separated (e.g., polarization-separated) from the axial port, and may be configured such that the transverse port couples to electromagnetic waves of a first polarization and the axial port couples to electromagnetic waves of a second polarization (which may be orthogonal to the first polarization). The attenuation between the transverse port and the axial port may be, for example, 10 dB, or even 20 dB, or even higher than 30 dB. This allows the antenna device to radiate signals with sufficiently clean polarization characteristics and effectively separate different polarization components (e.g., linear polarization components) of the received signal.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the quad-ridge waveguide runs perpendicular to the radiating aperture, which makes it easy to manufacture, for example using milling, and provides good and predictable radiation characteristics.

[0048] Therefore, the difference in the antenna beam direction between the two polarized waves transmitted (or received) by the radiation aperture is eliminated.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the ridges of the quad-ridge waveguide extend to the emitting aperture. The ridges may extend to the emitting aperture in a tapered or non-tapered (e.g., sloped) shape.

[0050] Mode mixing inside the quad-ridge waveguide is reduced when the ridge extends to the radiating aperture, and the tapered ridge improves the antenna impedance matching and therefore extends the operating bandwidth, similar to the principle of the quad-ridge horn antenna.

[0051] According to one embodiment, a quad-ridge waveguide has a constant (e.g., unvarying) cross-section along its length (e.g., non-tapered, e.g., having a rectangular parallelepiped shape with four ridges). The ridges of a quad-ridge waveguide may have a cross-section that varies along the length of the waveguide (e.g., by tapering).

[0052] The variability of the cross section of the ridge (shape of the ridge) can be tailored to provide broadband impedance matching of the antenna, while the constant cross section of the waveguide (inside the rectangular waveguide) can result in good manufacturability and good electrical properties.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the antenna arrangement provides wideband antenna operation (e.g., having a bandwidth of more than one octave, e.g., having a frequency ratio of more than 2:1). The antenna arrangement may provide a wideband antenna operating in the range of 20 to 60 GHz, e.g., 24 to 53 GHz.

[0054] As a result, a single antenna device can cover a wide range of applications, reducing user testing costs and manufacturer development and support costs. Furthermore, the antenna device has improved compatibility with 5G (e.g., 5GNR) and higher broadband cellular network standards. For example, the antenna device may cover one or more frequency ranges of the 5G (e.g., 5GNR) standard, such as the FR2 and / or FR1 frequency ranges.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the antenna device is (or is part of) an over-the-air (OTA) socket measurement device.

[0056] The socket allows for fixation of the device to be tested and therefore allows for adjustment of the transmit / receive orientation of the device in a way that allows for directing the radio transmission towards the radiating aperture, improving repeatable and reproducible testing.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the antenna arrangement is a near field test antenna arrangement.

[0058] The quad-ridge antenna is suitable for near-field testing because it can be placed very close (e.g., 1 cm) to the device under test, which allows for miniaturization of the antenna device and the test setup that includes the antenna device.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the antenna device comprises an electromagnetically transparent (e.g., radio-transparent or electromagnetically transparent) cover covering at least a portion of the antenna device (or antenna) and / or covering at least a portion of the waveguide.

[0060] For example, depending on the size of the DUT, the cover can be larger than the quad-ridge waveguide or the aperture. The purpose of the cover is, for example, to allow the device to be pressed into an electrical socket. In some embodiments, the purpose of the cover is not to cover or protect the measurement antenna. In some embodiments, the measurement antenna is, for example, made of metal and does not require protection.

[0061] In other words, for example, the purpose (or primary purpose) of the cover may be to press the device in, and in some cases may be determined by the size of the DUT. In some embodiments, the purpose of the cover is not to cover the waveguide opening.

[0062] The cover allows contact and / or pressure to be applied to the device to be tested (e.g., to press or hold the device to be tested in a socket and / or reduce the distance for near-field testing), while reducing the risk of the device to be tested contacting the housing of the antenna device, and also allows transmission of electromagnetic waves between the antenna device and the device to be tested.

[0063] According to another embodiment, the cover is configured to press the device under test into the device under test location (e.g., test socket) while allowing propagation of electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide to the device under test (or vice versa), thereby accelerating testing and ensuring an appropriate distance between the antenna aperture and the device under test.

[0064] One embodiment of the present invention relates to automatic test equipment (ATE), the automatic test equipment comprising an antenna apparatus as described herein, the automatic test equipment being configured to test a device under test (e.g., a wireless device under test, e.g., an antenna-in-package device under test) using the antenna apparatus.

[0065] The automatic test equipment according to this embodiment is based on the same considerations as the antenna device described above. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments may optionally be supplemented by other features, functions and details disclosed herein relating to the antenna device, either individually or in combination.

[0066] According to one embodiment, an automatic 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 an antenna arrangement), the one or more high-frequency connectors being positioned adjacent to the test socket.

[0067] The socket and adjacent high frequency connector allow for simultaneous and easy establishment of the (wireless) connection (or coupling) of the antenna device to the test socket and to the connector. The blind-mate connector provides a high coupling success rate while reducing wear over multiple coupling procedures. Furthermore, coupling can be achieved automatically, for example, using a handler or robotic arm.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the high frequency connector is a blind-mate waveguide connector comprising a double-ridge waveguide.

[0069] The double-ridge waveguide connector provides increased bandwidth and, furthermore, improved compatibility is provided if the feed structure also has a double-ridge waveguide connector.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the test socket and one or more high-frequency connectors are arranged so that one or more external connection portions of the antenna device mate with the one or more high-frequency connectors, and the cover of the antenna device is arranged so that when the one or more external connection portions of the antenna device mate with the one or more high-frequency connectors, the cover of the antenna device presses the device under test into the device under test socket.

[0071] The blind-mate radio-frequency connector facilitates alignment of the antenna device's external connection with the radio-frequency connector when the antenna device cover presses the device under test into the device under test socket. Furthermore, the blind-mate radio-frequency connector may sufficiently align the antenna device so that the device under test is also properly pressed into the device under test socket by the antenna device. In this way, the blind-mate connector not only establishes a microwave connection but also simultaneously functions as a mechanical alignment element.

[0072] One or more external connections of the antenna device may comprise a double-ridge waveguide connector, and the double-ridge waveguide of the radio frequency connector may be oriented and / or dimensioned such that, when mated with the external connection of the antenna device, the one or more external connections and the double ridges of the radio frequency connector at least essentially transition along the connecting portions of the corresponding double-ridge waveguides (e.g., because the cross sections of the double-ridge waveguides at least essentially match). Such a transition between the two double-ridge waveguides improves return loss. This design also ensures broadband operation of the antenna device.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the cover of the antenna device is made of a low dielectric constant material (e.g. a plastic pusher). Therefore, the cover has low dielectric loss. Furthermore, the electric field distribution is hardly degraded by such a cover. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0074] The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings: [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an antenna device comprising a quad-ridge waveguide; [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an antenna device in the form of a quad-ridge horn antenna design having a stepped ridge shape. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is an assembled perspective view of the QHRA shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2B shows the electric field pattern in the antenna structure of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4A] 3C is a graph showing the scattering parameters (S-parameters) and gain of a simulation of the QRHA shown in FIGS. 2A-3B. [Figure 4B] FIG. 3C shows the three-dimensional far-field (3dFF) patterns of a simulation of the QRHA shown in FIGS. 2A to 3B. [Figure 5A] 1 is a graph showing the far-field radiation pattern in the elevation plane in polar coordinates with the first feed structure (vertical port) when the antenna is fed at three different frequencies F1=24.25 GHz, F2=38.5 GHz, F3=53 GHz via the first feed structure. [Figure 5B] 10 is a graph showing the far-field radiation pattern in the azimuth plane in polar coordinates with the second feed structure (horizontal port) when the antenna is fed at three different frequencies F1=24.25 GHz, F2=38.5 GHz, F3=53 GHz via the second feed structure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an antenna device incorporating the quad-ridge horn antenna concept with a double-ridge waveguide interface. [Figure 7A]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Boifot OMT design. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a variation of an OMT having stepped ridges. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 shows a 3D model of a two-part OMT housing with vertical ridges. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B shows the two-piece OMT housing of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of an antenna device. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the antenna device of FIG. 9 (the three-dimensional structure is (almost) invisible). [Figure 10B] 10B is a cross-sectional view of the antenna device of FIG. 10A taken along plane B. FIG. [Figure 10C] 10B is a cross-sectional view of the antenna device of FIG. 10A taken along plane C. FIG. [Figure 10D] 10B is a cross-sectional view of the antenna device of FIG. 10A taken along plane D. FIG. [Figure 10E] 10B is a cross-sectional view of the antenna device of FIG. 10A taken through plane E. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a graph showing simulated reflection coefficients (S11, S22) for horizontal and vertical polarization (note that return loss RL is, by definition, a positive value, e.g., abs(S11)). [Figure 12A] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a simulation of an electric field pattern (instantaneous vector pattern) of vertically polarized waves in a vertical cross section passing through the antenna device. [Figure 12B] 10 is a diagram showing a simulation of an electric field pattern (instantaneous electric field distribution) of a vertically polarized wave in a horizontal cross section passing through the antenna device. FIG. [Figure 13A] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a simulation of an electric field pattern (instantaneous vector pattern) of a horizontally polarized wave in a horizontal cross section passing through the antenna device. [Figure 13B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a simulation of the electric field pattern (instantaneous electric field distribution) of a horizontally polarized wave in a vertical cross section passing through the antenna device. [Figure 14A]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of an antenna device. [Figure 14B] 14B is a perspective view of the antenna device of FIG. 14A, showing the transverse and axial arms. [Figure 15A] 14B is a perspective view of the antenna device of FIG. 14A showing a first inner surface of the first housing portion. [Figure 15B] 14B is a perspective view of the antenna device of FIG. 14A showing a second inner surface of the second housing portion. [Figure 16A] 14A to 15B, the cross section of the antenna device shown in FIG. 14A to FIG. 15B extending along a vertical plane (ZY). [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B is a perspective view of a cross section similar to that shown in FIG. 16A, with the cross section offset in the +x direction. [Figure 17A] 14B is a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device of FIG. 14A, the cross section extending along a horizontal plane (ZX). [Figure 17B] FIG. 17B is a perspective view of a cross section similar to that shown in FIG. 17A, with the cross section offset in the −y direction. [Figure 18A] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device of FIG. 14A, the cross section being located at 7 mm along the Z axis. [Figure 18B] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device of FIG. 14A, the cross section being located at 5.5 mm along the Z axis. [Figure 18C] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device of FIG. 14A, the cross section being located 3 mm along the Z axis. [Figure 18D] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device of FIG. 14A, the cross section being located at 2.5 mm along the Z axis. [Figure 18E] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device of FIG. 14A, the cross section being located at 1.5 mm along the Z axis. [Figure 18F] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device of FIG. 14A, the cross section being located at −0.5 mm along the Z axis. [Figure 19A] FIG. 10 is a first perspective view showing another embodiment of an antenna device. [Figure 19B]FIG. 19B is a second perspective view showing the antenna device of FIG. 19A. [Figure 20A] 1 is a perspective view of a first surface of the first housing portion. FIG. [Figure 20B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second surface of the first housing portion. [Figure 21A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first surface of the second housing portion. [Figure 21B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second surface of the second housing portion. [Figure 22A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first surface of the third housing portion. [Figure 22B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second surface of the third housing portion. [Figure 23A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of an antenna device. [Figure 23B] FIG. 23B is a front view showing the wire frame of the antenna device of FIG. 23A. [Figure 24A] FIG. 23B is a perspective view showing the hollow structure inside the antenna device of FIG. 23A. [Figure 24B] 24B is a perspective view of the antenna arrangement of FIG. 24A from an essentially opposite perspective as compared to FIG. 24A. FIG. [Figure 25A] 23B is an exploded view of the antenna device of FIG. 23A showing the top surfaces of each of the three housing portions. [Figure 25B] 23B is an exploded view of the antenna device of FIG. 23A showing the underside of each of the three housing portions. [Figure 26A] 23B is a graph showing simulation results of the reflection coefficients (S11, S22) and gain of an antenna device such as the antenna device of FIG. 23A. [Figure 26B] FIG. 10 shows the simulation results of the far-field pattern of horizontally polarized waves at 24 GHz. [Figure 26C] FIG. 10 shows the simulation results of the far-field pattern of horizontally polarized waves at 53 GHz. [Figure 26D] FIG. 10 shows the simulation results of the far-field pattern of vertically polarized waves at 24 GHz. [Figure 26E]FIG. 10 shows the simulation results of the far-field pattern of vertically polarized waves at 53 GHz. [Figure 27A] 10 is a graph showing simulation results of far-field radiation patterns in polar coordinates for horizontal polarization at frequencies F1=24 GHz, F2=37 GHz, and F3=53 GHz. [Figure 27B] 10 is a graph showing simulation results of far-field radiation patterns in polar coordinates for vertical polarization at frequencies F1=24 GHz, F2=37 GHz, and F3=53 GHz. [Figure 27C] 10 is a graph showing the simulation results of the magnitude of the electric field components (X, Y) of a probe pair placed 11 mm above the antenna aperture. [Figure 28] 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an automatic test equipment having an antenna device without a cover. [Figure 29] 29 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 28, the antenna device further comprising a cover. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the antenna device of FIGS. 28 and 29 mated with a test socket and a high-frequency connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0075] Identical or equivalent elements, or elements having identical or equivalent functions, are designated in the following description by the same or equivalent reference numerals, even if they appear in different figures.

[0076] In the following description, numerous details are set forth to more comprehensively describe 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 these specific details. Additionally, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, unless otherwise noted, features of different embodiments described herein may be combined with each other.

[0077] To facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, the terms "feed" and "radiate" are used to indicate, by way of example, the signal direction of a signal traveling from a "feed" structure toward a quad-ridge waveguide that "radiates." However, it will be understood that the antenna arrangements disclosed herein also allow for signal propagation in the opposite direction (e.g., from the radiating aperture of a quad-ridge waveguide toward the feed structure) (e.g., due to reciprocity of the antenna or passive elements).

[0078] 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an antenna device 100. It should be noted that the schematic diagram of FIG.

[0079] The antenna apparatus 100 comprises a quad-ridge waveguide 110 having an open end configured to serve as a radiating aperture 112. The antenna apparatus 100 further comprises an orthogonal mode transducer (OMT) 120 configured to couple the quad-ridge waveguide 110 to two feed structures 130a, 130b.

[0080] The quad-ridge waveguide 110 may have, for example, a rectangular (e.g., square or rectangular) cross-section. Alternatively, the quad-ridge waveguide may have a cross-section of a different shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. The quad-ridge waveguide 110 may include a ridge on each of its four inner surfaces (e.g., along the centerline of the corresponding inner surface). The quad-ridge waveguide 110 may be configured to transmit (or guide) electromagnetic waves having at least a first mode and a second mode. The first mode and the second mode may be oriented at least essentially orthogonal to each other. The quad-ridge waveguide 110 may be configured to transmit (or guide) two modes at least essentially independently. The quad-ridge waveguide 110 may have only a linear extension direction (e.g., no bends) between the radiating aperture 112 and the OMT 120.

[0081] The radiation aperture 112 may be configured to emit electromagnetic waves of a first polarization and electromagnetic waves of a second polarization, i.e., may be configured based on first and second modes (e.g., the electric field distribution within the radiation aperture may be defined by the respective modes). The radiation aperture 112 may be formed, for example, at a flat end of the quad-ridge waveguide 110. The flat end of the quad-ridge waveguide 110 may be oriented, for example, perpendicular to the extension direction of the quad-ridge waveguide 110 (or approximately perpendicular, for example, within a tolerance of ±10 degrees), i.e., the quad-ridge waveguide 110 may extend (at least approximately) perpendicular to the radiation aperture 112. The ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide 110 may extend, for example, all the way to the radiation aperture 112. Alternatively, the ridge of the quad-ridge waveguide 110 may not reach the radiation aperture 112.

[0082] The two feed structures 130a, 130b may comprise a waveguide structure and a second waveguide structure. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the first and second feed structures 130a, 130b may comprise at least one of a coaxial line and an end-launch waveguide adapter (e.g., to couple a waveguide to a coaxial line and / or vice versa). At least one of the two feed structures 130a, 130b may comprise one or more waveguides. At least one of the two feed structures 130a, 130b may comprise two or more waveguides coupled to the OMT 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each feed structure 130a, 130b comprises a single waveguide coupled to the OMT 120. The feed structures 130a, 130b (or their waveguides) may couple to the OMT 120 at a 90° angle or a 180° angle (or any other angle such as 30°, 45°, 60°, 120°, 180°, etc.).

[0083] The OMT 120 may have three (or more) ports coupled to the quad-ridge waveguide 110 and the feed structures 130a, 130b. For example, the OMT 120 has three ports: a main port 122 coupled to the quad-ridge waveguide 110, a first lateral port coupled to the first feed structure 130a, and an axial port coupled to the second feed structure 130b. At least one pair of ports may be coaxially arranged. For example, the quad-ridge waveguide 110 may extend axially and be coupled to the OMT 120 at the main port 122. The OMT 120 may have an axial port that is coaxial with the main port 122 on the opposite side. As a result, the second feed structure 130b is coaxially arranged with the quad-ridge waveguide 110 (at least near the OMT 120, i.e., without considering subsequent bending of the second feed structure 130b). The OMT 120 may include one or more transverse ports coupled to the first feed structure 130a. The one or more transverse ports may be oriented at 90° (or any other angle, such as 30°, 45°, 60°, or 120°) relative to the axial direction of the quad-ridge waveguide 110. As a result, the first feed structure 130a (which may include one or more waveguides) may be oriented perpendicular to the quad-ridge waveguide 110 (and optionally the second feed structure 130b), at least in the vicinity of the OMT 120. The OMT 120 may have two or more transverse ports (not shown in FIG. 1 ). For example, the OMT 120 may include first and second transverse ports, which may be coaxially arranged. As a result, the waveguides coupled to such first and second ports may be arranged in a common plane.

[0084] It should be noted that the antenna structure 100 of FIG. 1 may optionally be supplemented by any of the features, functions and details disclosed herein, either individually or in combination.

[0085] <1. Quad Ridged Horn Antenna (QHRA) Design> Quad-ridge horn antenna designs are described below, and it should be noted that these quad-ridge horn antenna design features, functions, and details may optionally be incorporated into any embodiment of the present invention, individually or in combination.

[0086] Based on the antenna study results, and assuming a low profile antenna housing is required, a Quad Ridge Horn Antenna (QRHA) design for 24-53 GHz operation was developed.

[0087] FIG. 2A shows one embodiment of an antenna device 200 in the form of a quad-ridge horn antenna design with a stepped ridge geometry. Accordingly, the antenna device 200 includes a quad-ridge waveguide 210 with a quad-ridge horn antenna and a radiating aperture 212 at its end face. Because the horn aperture is shortened by the stepped ridge geometry (see FIG. 2A), the antenna height is only approximately 9 mm. This allows for lower operating frequencies down to 24 GHz (which would require a larger horn aperture). Furthermore, the stepped ridge geometry is well suited to computer numerically controlled (CNC) milling.

[0088] Figure 2B shows an assembled perspective view of the QRHA depicted in Figure 2A. Figure 3A shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' depicted in Figure 2A.

[0089] The quad-ridge horn antenna (QRHA) includes an antenna housing 202, a ridge 240, and a backshort 290. The antenna housing 202 includes a first feed structure 230a and a second feed structure 230b. The first and second feed structures 230a, 230b are configured to receive a coaxial line or form a portion of a coaxial line 232 (e.g., a 50 Ω coaxial line). For example, the coaxial line 232 is formed by an opening in the antenna housing 202 and a pin 233, which may have a diameter of, for example, 0.3 mm (or another diameter between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm). The pin 233 may reach and make electrical contact with, for example, the lower ridge (e.g., the surface of the ridge 240 opposite the opening for the coaxial line 232 in the antenna housing 202). The antenna arrangement 200 comprises an orthomode transducer 220 coupled to first and second feed structures 230a, 230b.

[0090] FIG. 3B shows the electric field pattern of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A while an electromagnetic field is coupled to the antenna housing 202 via the coaxial line 232.

[0091] FIG. 4A shows graphs of scattering parameters (S-parameters) and gain for a simulation of the QRHA depicted in FIGS. 2A-3B.

[0092] FIG. 4B shows a graph of the three-dimensional far-field (3DFF) pattern of the simulation of the QRHA depicted in FIGS. 2A to 3B.

[0093] The simulated performance of the antenna shows a return loss (RL) of 12 dB in the 24-53 GHz band and cross-port talk of less than -30 dB (see FIG. 4A). The far-field pattern is smooth and symmetric between both ports (e.g., coupled to the first and second feed structures 230a, 230b), with a gain range of 6.1-9 dBi and cross-polarization discrimination of more than 25 dB in the boresight direction in the far field.

[0094] FIG. 5A shows a graph of the far-field radiation pattern in polar coordinates with 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, and F3=53 GHz.

[0095] FIG. 5B shows a graph of the far-field radiation pattern in polar coordinates with the second feed structure 230b when the antenna is fed via the second feed structure 230b at three different frequencies F1=24.25 GHz, F2=38.5 GHz, and F3=53 GHz.

[0096] It is recognized that in automated production test cells, coaxial connectors may not be well suited to connecting measurement antennas in handler arms to measurement test equipment in automated test equipment (ATE) due to complex connection procedures and wear from repeated mating and unmating of coaxial connectors. It is therefore recognized that a waveguide interface may be advantageous (and in some cases may even be required).

[0097] Nevertheless, it is recognized that the QRHA (e.g., antenna apparatus 200) exhibits adequate performance and has very small dimensions and a low profile. Furthermore, it is recognized that antenna apparatus 200 enables reception of electric fields of different modes at each of first and second feed structures 230a, 230b, and transmission of a mixture of different modes at radiation aperture 212 of quad-ridge waveguide 210 (or vice versa).

[0098] Figure 6 shows an embodiment of an antenna apparatus 600 incorporating the quad-ridge horn antenna concept with a double-ridge waveguide interface. Similar to the antenna apparatus 200 shown in Figures 2A-3B, this antenna apparatus includes a quad-ridge waveguide 610 and a feed structure 620 coupled to first and second feed structures 630a, 630b. The quad-ridge waveguide 610 has an end face with a radiating aperture 612. For example, the quad-ridge waveguide 610 includes ridges 638, 639.

[0099] The idea of ​​the QRHA concept is then further developed by attaching an end-launch waveguide adapter 634, 634a to the coaxial port (which may function, for example, as a feed structure), as depicted in FIG. 6. In this case, the center conductor of the coaxial feed (e.g., pin 633 or pin 633a) extends toward the quad-ridge waveguide. For example, one of the pins (e.g., pin 633) is connected to one of the ridges (e.g., ridge 638). For example, in FIG. 3B, it can be seen that the pin (e.g., pin 633) is mechanically and electrically connected to the ridge on the opposite side (with respect to the hole into which the pin is inserted). Further, for example, each center conductor (e.g., pin 633 or pin 633a) of the coaxial feed may be connected to a respective impedance transformer (e.g., impedance transformer 635 or impedance transformer 635a) of a respective adapter 634, 634a (e.g., first and second feed structures 630, 630a each comprising an end-launch waveguide adapter 634, 634a and pin 633, 633a).

[0100] It is recognized that one drawback of the proposed concept depicted in Figure 6 is the need for sophisticated mechanics, as each pin 633, 633a may need to be precisely positioned between the small part and the ridge 640. It is also recognized that CNC milling processes have limited applicability for manufacturing antenna ridges in a single piece, for example due to the narrowness of the slot line (width of about 0.5 mm).

[0101] It is therefore recognized that a multi-part assembly or wire cutting process may be advantageous and in some cases may be the only applicable process (critical).

[0102] Finally, it is also recognized that the return loss (RL) of the hybrid antenna device may be further degraded due to the implementation of the additional end-launch waveguide adapters 634, 634a.

[0103] <2. OMT-based antenna> According to one aspect of the present invention, it is recognized that implementing an orthogonal mode transducer (OMT) into a dual-polarized antenna design reduces the need for sophisticated coaxial feeds used in quad-ridged horn antennas. Below, aspects of the present invention and embodiments in accordance with the present invention are described. However, it should be noted that the features, functions, and details disclosed herein may optionally be incorporated into any embodiment of the present invention, individually or in combination.

[0104] <2.1 Boifot OMT> The OMT technology of choice for the antenna (or, more generally, usable for any of the antenna devices of the present invention) is the so-called "Boifot" OMT design [1] (named after the author of the paper [1]), shown in Figure 7A. In its basic description, the Boifot OMT is formed from a turnstile OMT by rotating adjacent arms in the XZ plane (shown as the red dashed-dotted arms in Figure 7A). It is recognized that the entire feed network can therefore be placed in a horizontal plane (e.g., the plane spanned by the Z and Y axes). It is recognized that this significantly improves the manufacturing of the Boifot OMT, since the OMT can be manufactured with two (or more) machined housings.

[0105] One drawback of the conventional Boyfot OMT design is the need for metal walls (so-called vanes or septa) between adjacent arms and an additional waveguide branch for the vertical arm (e.g., the adjacent arm in the XZ plane, shown by the red curve in Figure 7A). These problems are solved by the double-ridge Boyfot OMT variant [2]. Figure 7B shows a cross-section of such an OMT variant, with a stepped ridge that provides impedance transformation between the dual-polarization waveguide and the vertical-polarization axial arm.

[0106] Therefore, the double-ridged Boyfot OMT (depicted in Figure 7B) does not require vanes / septa and additional T-junctions for mixing vertical arms (compared to those shown in Figure 7A). Furthermore, as can be seen from the model configuration in Figure 8A and the drawing configuration in Figure 8B, the vertical ridges can be naturally fabricated within the two-piece OMT housing. Numerous studies have demonstrated the manufacturability and broadband performance of the double-ridged Boyfot OMT design [3]-[7], with performance comparable to that of a conventional turnstile OMT.

[0107] Therefore, the proposed design was recognized as interesting for the development of solutions for integrating measurement antennas into handlers for ATE test cells, for example considering 5GFR2 applications, with the following suggestions: For extended bandwidth requirements, both the feed and polarization waveguides may be double-ridge waveguides. The routing of the transverse arms (see Figure 8A) may be redesigned to position the antenna housing in an axial "slice" (e.g., the feed waveguide and arms are positioned in a plane perpendicular to the polarization waveguide or antenna aperture).

[0108] Therefore, a quad-ridge square waveguide is considered as a common dual-polarization interface for OMT (see Figure 9). In fact, it has been found that the ridge provides a natural transformation between V polarization (e.g., vertically polarized field) in the axial arm and H polarization (e.g., horizontally polarized field) in the transverse arm (see Figure 9). Thus, the quad-ridge Boyfot OMT exhibits broadband performance exceeding 20 dB BRL in the required band, as depicted in Figure 11.

[0109] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an antenna device. The antenna device 900 is largely defined by an internal hollow space, which is difficult to illustrate from the outside. Therefore, Figure 9 shows a perspective view in which both the internal hollow space and internal structures (e.g., ridges and waveguides) are shown as three-dimensional volumes. Ridges 940a, 940b, 940c, 940d, 937a, 937b, and 937c are shown as gray volumes (e.g., volumes extending from the interior surface), and the hollow space is shown as a blue volume.

[0110] Figure 10A shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the antenna device 900, with (almost) no three-dimensional structure visible. Figures 10B to 10E show perspective views of cross sections through different planes B to E of Figure 10A. In other words, Figure 10A shows the hollow region of the antenna device (i.e., the inside of the waveguide), with the material surrounding the hollow region omitted for visualization purposes.

[0111] The antenna device 900 comprises a quad-ridge waveguide 910 coupled to an OMT 920. The quad-ridge waveguide 910 has an aperture 912, which in some (simple) embodiments serves as a radiating aperture. The quad-ridge waveguide 910 is illustrated in FIG. 9 as having a square cross-section, but may have any other shape (e.g., shapes described herein). The quad-ridge waveguide 910 comprises four ridges 940a-d. These ridges extend inward from the four peripheries of the rectangular parallelepiped basic shape of the waveguide 910. For example, each ridge is positioned along the centerline of a respective periphery of the waveguide basic shape. For example, the resulting waveguide may have symmetry with respect to two planes, with a first plane of symmetry located midway between two opposing peripheries of the rectangular parallelepiped basic shape and a second plane of symmetry located midway between the other two opposing peripheries of the rectangular parallelepiped basic shape. The ridges shown in FIG. 9 have similar shapes but different sizes. In particular, the first and second ridges 940a, 940b are shorter (e.g., by at least 10%, or at least 20%) than the third and fourth ridges 940c, 940d (i.e., in a direction extending from their respective inner surfaces toward the center of the quad-ridge waveguide 910). For example, the radial extension of the ridges 940a, 940b (x-direction for the ridges 940a, 940b in FIG. 9) may be less than one-third (e.g., by at least 10%) of the total width of the waveguide. In contrast, the radial extension of the ridges 940c, 940d (y-direction for the ridges 940c, 940d in FIG. 9) may be greater than one-third (e.g., by at least 10%) of the total width of the waveguide. Alternatively, the ridges 940a-d may have different shapes but the same size, or may have the same shape and the same size.

[0112] 9 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a trapezoidal cross section on the side facing the center of the quad-ridge waveguide 910. The ridges 940a-d may have different shapes, such as a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a semicircular cross section on the central side, or a rectangular parallelepiped shape only. In some embodiments (e.g., simple embodiments), the quad-ridge waveguide 910 has an end face (opposite the OMT 920) that forms an aperture 912 that can function as a radiating aperture.

[0113] The antenna device 900 includes a first feed structure 930a in the shape of (or including) two transverse arms. The first feed 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 the example shown in FIG. 9 , the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b are arranged coaxially with each other. The transverse ports 924a, 924b are arranged in a common plane. Furthermore, the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b have at least essentially the same shape and cross-sectional orientation, with the side of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a being coplanar with the corresponding side of the second double-ridge waveguide 936b. In other words, the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b essentially form a single straight waveguide, except for the discontinuity at the OMT 920.

[0114] The antenna device 900 further includes a second feed structure 930b in the shape of (or including) an axial arm. The second feed structure 930b includes a third double-ridge waveguide 936c. The third double-ridge waveguide 936c couples to the OMT 920 at an axial port 923. The third double-ridge waveguide 936c is arranged coaxially with, for example, the quad-ridge waveguide 910. In other words, the central axis of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 coincides with the central axis of, for example, the third double-ridge waveguide 936c. Furthermore, the third double-ridge waveguide 936c is configured such that its two ridges (e.g., ridge 937c and another ridge opposite ridge 937c, not visible in FIG. 9 ) are arranged in a common plane (e.g., in the YZ plane) with the two ridges (e.g., vertically extending ridges) of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 (e.g., ridges 940c and 940d). However, the third double-ridge waveguide 936c and the quad-ridge waveguide 910 may optionally be oriented differently. The third double-ridge waveguide 936c has a rectangular cross-section (according to its outer contour) with two wide sides and two narrow sides (or the periphery of the basic shape), and the width of the wide sides (e.g., parallel to the XZ plane) is at least essentially the same as the width of one of the quad-ridge waveguides 910, for example. Furthermore, the wide sides are oriented parallel to the sides of the quad-ridge waveguide 910.

[0115] The antenna device 900 intersects the OMT 920 essentially in the middle, with the quad-ridge waveguide 910 and the third double-ridge waveguide 936c extending at a 90 degree angle to the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b.

[0116] The ridges of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b extend in a common plane (e.g., parallel to the XZ plane), while the ridges of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c extend in a plane oriented perpendicular to the common plane of the ridges of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b (e.g., parallel to the YZ plane).

[0117] The first lateral port 924a of the OMT 920 comprises a transition between the quad-ridge waveguide 910 and the first double-ridge waveguide 936a, where the first ridge 940a of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 transitions to the first ridge 937a of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a (e.g., the first ridge 940a of the quad-ridge waveguide is coplanar with the first ridge 937a of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a).

[0118] The second transverse port 924b of the OMT 920 comprises a transition between the quad-ridge waveguide 910 and the second double-ridge waveguide 936b, where the second ridge 940b of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 (opposite the first ridge 940a of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 in the example shown in FIG. 9 ) transitions to the first ridge 937b of the second double-ridge waveguide 936b (e.g., the second ridge 940b of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 is coplanar with the first ridge 937b of the second double-ridge waveguide 936b). The first ridge 940a of the quad-ridge waveguide 910, the second ridge 940b of the quad-ridge waveguide 910, the first ridge 937a of the first double-ridge waveguide 936b, and the first ridge 937b of the second double-ridge waveguide 936b may all lie in the same (first) plane.

[0119] The axial port 923 of the OMT 920 comprises a transition between the quad-ridge waveguide 910 and the third double-ridge waveguide 936c, where the third ridge 940c of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 transitions to the first ridge 937c of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c, and the fourth ridge 940d of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 transitions to the second ridge 937d of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c (see FIG. 10B). The third ridge 940c of the quad-ridge waveguide 910, the fourth ridge 940d of the quad-ridge waveguide 910, the first ridge 937c of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c, and the second ridge of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c all lie in the same (second) plane. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane.

[0120] Figure 10A shows the antenna device 900 together with four planes B to E that intersect the antenna device 900. Cross sections of the antenna device 1000 created by the planes B to E are shown in Figures 10B to 10E.

[0121] FIG. 10B shows a cross-sectional view of the antenna device 900 through plane B. Plane B intersects the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b at the ridges. Therefore, only the upper and lower portions (e.g., hollow waveguide portions) of the ridges of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b are shown in FIG. 10B. FIG. 10B also shows a cross-section of a third double-ridge waveguide 936c, which is a double-ridge waveguide (which may have, for example, an "H"-shaped waveguide structure). As can be seen in FIG. 10B, the corners of the cross-sectional shape of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c may be rounded. These rounded corners may be caused by the dimensions of the milling tool or the trajectory of the milling tool. However, the corners of the antenna device 900 may be rounded or sharp. The ridges 937c, 937d of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c have a rectangular or nearly rectangular cross-section, and optionally have flared bases (see FIG. 10B). However, the ridges of the antenna device 900 need not have flared bases, as exemplified by the ridges of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b (see, for example, FIG. 9 or 10A).

[0122] 10C shows a cross-section of the antenna device 900 through plane C, which intersects the antenna device 900 at a location between the ridges of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b. Thus, in the cross-section of FIG. 10C, the internal hollow volume has a lateral portion extending along the entire width of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b. However, the internal hollow volume narrows to the cross-section of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c where the internal hollow volume meets the third double-ridge waveguide 936c. As a result, the internal hollow volume narrows in two stages, first from the width of the wide sides of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b, then narrows to the width of the narrow side of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c, and then narrows a second time to the width between the ridges 937c, 937d of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c.

[0123] Figure 10D shows a cross-section of the antenna apparatus 900 through plane D, which intersects the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b at ridges 937a, 937b on the opposite side of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c. The cross-section of Figure 10D is similar to that shown in Figure 10B, showing the internal hollow spaces above and below the ridges of each of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b. However, Figure 10D shows the intersection with the quad-ridge waveguide 910 (rather than the third double-ridge waveguide 936c shown in Figure 10B). Thus, Figure 10D shows the transition from the first ridge 940a of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 to the first ridge 937a of the first double-ridge waveguide 936a, and the transition from the second ridge 940b of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 to the first ridge 937b of the second double-ridge waveguide 936.

[0124] 10B-10D also show that the ridges 937c, 936d of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c transition into the third ridge 940c and fourth ridge 940d of the quad-ridge waveguide 910.

[0125] 10E shows a cross-sectional view of the antenna apparatus 900 through plane E, which intersects with the quad-ridge waveguide 910. As can be seen, the ridges of the first, second and third double-ridge waveguides 936a-c, which transition into ridges 940a-d, continue over the extension of the quad-ridge waveguide 910.

[0126] 10B-10E, the ridge shapes vary slightly, with the first ridge 937c of the third double-ridge waveguide 936c having a rectangular shape with a flared base (see FIG. 10B), transitioning to a full rectangular shape (see 940c in FIG. 10D), and then transitioning to a trapezoidal rectangle (see 940c in FIG. 10E). Thus, the ridges may have different shapes throughout the transition. Alternatively, the shape of any ridge may remain at least essentially the same throughout the transition (e.g., having one of the three shapes across the transition between the quad-ridge waveguide 910 and the third double-ridge waveguide 936c).

[0127] 9 through 10E show that the ridges 940 (940a-940d) of the quad-ridge waveguide 910 are not tapered. However, the ridges 940 may have no taper or may have a taper (e.g., a step-like shape) (as shown in FIG. 6).

[0128] In conclusion, Fig. 9 shows an antenna device 900. For example, in a simple embodiment, the aperture 912 can function as a radiating aperture. The antenna device 900 shown in Fig. 9 is based on an orthogonal mode transducer. Therefore, in general, the radiating aperture 912 can be a quad-ridge port of an OMT or can be coupled to a quad-ridge port of an OMT.

[0129] In a preferred embodiment, a horn-shaped extension may be attached (eg, to the quad-ridge port 910 of the orthogonal mode transducer OMT) to create (or improve) an antenna effect.

[0130] As a further conclusion, the radiating aperture 912 may be a port of a quad-ridge waveguide (910) and / or a dual polarization waveguide port.

[0131] Figure 11 shows a graph of the simulated reflection coefficients (S11, S22) for horizontal and vertical polarization. As can be seen, the return loss is particularly high (e.g., greater than 20 dB) in the 24-53 GHz band.

[0132] FIG. 12A shows a simulation result of an electric field vector pattern of vertically polarized waves (first polarization) in a vertical cross section passing through antenna device 900. FIG.

[0133] FIG. 12B shows the simulation results of the electric field pattern of vertically polarized waves in a horizontal cross section passing through antenna device 900.

[0134] The electric field with vertical polarization is largely confined within the quad-ridge waveguide and within the third double-ridge waveguide 936c (e.g., the Y-port) and is (almost) not excited in the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b. Thus, even if an electric field with vertical polarization is coupled between the quad-ridge waveguide 910 and the third double-ridge waveguide 936c, the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b are sufficiently isolated from the quad-ridge waveguide 910 and from the third double-ridge waveguide 936c.

[0135] FIG. 13A shows a simulation result of an electric field vector pattern of a horizontally polarized wave (second polarized wave) in a horizontal cross section passing through antenna device 900. As shown in FIG.

[0136] FIG. 13B shows the simulation results of the electric field pattern of horizontally polarized waves in a vertical cross section passing through antenna device 900.

[0137] The electric field with horizontal polarization is largely confined within the quad-ridge waveguide and the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b (e.g., X-port 1 and X-port 2), and is (almost) not excited in the third double-ridge waveguide 936c. Thus, even if an electric field with horizontal polarization is coupled between the quad-ridge waveguide 910 and the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b, the third double-ridge waveguide 936c is sufficiently isolated from the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b.

[0138] Notably, the simulated cross-port isolation (typically positive) is very good (e.g., greater than 80 dB) (or, in other words, the cross-port transmission or cross-port talk (S21) is negligibly small). This is due to the perfect symmetry of the OMT model (over 80 dB in the simulation). Note that the (cross-port) isolation is positive (e.g., measured in decibels), e.g., greater than 80 dB, while the cross-port talk (e.g., S21) is negative (e.g., measured in decibels), e.g., less than -80 dB. The vertically polarized field patterns depicted in Figures 12A and 12B show that the transverse arms are separated in this case. Conversely, the horizontal polarization of the quad-ridge waveguide is effectively matched with the pair of transverse arms (e.g., the first and second double-ridge waveguides 936a, 936b), while the Y-port (e.g., the third double-ridge waveguide 936c) becomes a separated arm (Figures 13B and 13C).

[0139] These results demonstrate that the quad-ridge modification of the Boyfodt OMT is effective in achieving over one octave of bandwidth and high polarization discrimination, while the design does not require a septum or additional waveguide branches due to the single axial arm (e.g., the third double-ridge waveguide 936c).

[0140] From a mechanical standpoint, OMT housings may require consideration because it may be difficult to mill the quad ridges in a two-piece housing separated in the YZ plane as shown in FIG. 8B.

[0141] 2.2 Dual-polarized waveguide antenna based on quad-ridge Boyfodt OMT 14A-15B show perspective views of a three-dimensional model of a dual-polarized waveguide antenna based on a quad-ridge Boyfodt OMT, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0142] FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an antenna device 1400, illustrating a quad-ridge aperture with a quad-ridge waveguide 1410 and a transverse arm. The transverse arm may comprise, for example, a first feed structure 1430a having a first double-ridge waveguide 1436a (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 14A) and a second double-ridge waveguide 1436b. The quad-ridge waveguide 1410 may be used to feed the radiating aperture 1412, as shown in FIG. 14A. The quad-ridge waveguide 1410, the first double-ridge waveguide 1436a, and the second double-ridge waveguide 1436b are coupled to an OMT 1420.

[0143] The antenna device 1400 is mounted within an antenna housing 1470, which comprises two portions in the form of a first housing portion 1472 and a second housing portion 1474. The antenna housing 1470 (or at least a portion thereof) may comprise (or consist of) a metal structure in which at least one of the quad-ridge waveguide 1410, the OMT 1420, and the first and second feed structures 1430a, 1430b are formed (preferably, the metal structure in which all of the quad-ridge waveguide 1410, the OMT 1420, and the first and second feed structures 1430a, 1430b are formed). The first and second housing portions 1472, 1474 (and optionally other housing portions) may be provided as at least two metal structure layers laminated (and optionally bonded) to each other.

[0144] 14B shows a perspective view of the antenna apparatus 1400 of FIG. 14A, showing a transverse arm (e.g., a first feed structure 1430a comprising first and second double-ridge waveguides 1436a, 1436b) and an axial arm (e.g., a second feed structure 1430b comprising a third double-ridge waveguide 1436c). The second feed structure 1430b is provided (at least in part) in the second housing portion 1474.

[0145] FIG. 15A shows a perspective view of the antenna device 1400 of FIG. 14A, showing the first inner surface 1473b of the first housing portion 1472 facing the second housing portion 1474, which is shown semi-transparent.

[0146] The first housing portion 1472 comprises first ridges 1437a, 1437b of a first feed structure 1430a (eg, first and second double-ridge waveguides).

[0147] FIG. 15B shows a perspective view of the antenna device 1400 of FIG. 14A, showing the inner surface 1475a of the second housing portion 1474 facing the first housing portion 1472, which is shown semi-transparent.

[0148] The second housing portion 1474 comprises the first ridge 1437c and the second ridge 1437d of the second feed structure 1430b (e.g., 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 1437c and the second ridge 1437d of the second feed structure 1430b can be adjacent to the faces of the third ridge 1440c and the fourth ridge 1440d of the quad-ridge waveguide 1410. As a result, the first ridge 1437c of the second feed structure 1430b transitions to the third ridge 1440c of the quad-ridge waveguide 1410, and the second ridge 1437d of the second feed structure 1430b transitions to the fourth ridge 1440d of the quad-ridge waveguide 1410.

[0149] The first and second housing portions 1472, 1474 can separate at other planes (e.g., by moving the separating plane anywhere along the Z axis, i.e., axially). However, the complexity of manufacturing (e.g., milling and / or micromachining) and / or assembling the antenna housing 1470 can be reduced if at least one of the inner surfaces 1473b, 1475a (where the antenna housing 1470 separates) is aligned with an internal structural surface of the antenna housing 1470 (e.g., a wide wall of a double-ridge waveguide). In the example shown in FIGS. 14A-15A, the first and second housing portions 1472, 1474 may be configured to include the surface structure of the first feed structure 1430a, with the first inner surface 1473b aligned with (or flush with) the wider inner surface of the first feed structure 1430a.

[0150] The second housing portion 1474 includes an E-plane step 1425 located at the position of the lateral ports 1424a, 1424b (or at the position of the OMT 1420). The E-plane step 1425 is configured to gradually narrow / taper the short width (e.g., Z-direction extension) of the first feed structure 1430a (e.g., the width of the first and second double-ridge waveguides of the first feed structure 1430a) along (or over distance) the first and second ridges 1437c, 1437d of the second feed structure 1430b (or toward the center or central region of the OMT). In the example depicted in FIG. 15B , the E-plane step 1425 includes, for example, two steps. The first step has, for example, a rise height equal to the ridge height of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 1436a, 1436b. The second step then has, for example, the same ridge height as the first step, although any other number of steps with any other ridge (for example the same or a different ridge) may be used instead.

[0151] The transition between the quad-ridge waveguide 1410 and the radiating aperture 1412 may be formed, for example, by tapered waveguide steps and ridges similar to the QRHA design described in Chapter 1 (see Figures 2A through 6). The quad-ridge aperture 1409 allows the antenna device 1400 to be used over a very wide frequency range and provides an effective design for a dual-polarized waveguide antenna based on the developed OMT. Sections of both the quad-ridge waveguide 1410 and the quad-ridge aperture 1409 can be milled into the first housing part 1472. Note that during the milling process, all internal corners may be rounded with a tool radius (typically 0.5 mm). Alternatively or additionally, a wire cutting process may be performed to preserve sharp edges.

[0152] On the backside, the first housing portion 1472 functions as a cap for the double-ridge waveguide of the transverse arm (see FIG. 15A). For smooth impedance transformation, an E-plane waveguide step 1425 exists at the junction between the transverse arm and the quad-ridge waveguide 1410 (see FIG. 15B). This allows for excitation of horizontally (X-axis) polarized light in the quad-ridge aperture 1409 when an antiphase signal (λ / 2+2πn) is fed to the transverse arm 1430a.

[0153] For smooth conversion of vertical polarization (Y-axis), the ridges of axis arm 1430b are connected to the vertical pair of ridges in quad-ridge opening 1409 via ridge steps 1426 (FIG. 17A). The ridges of the axis arms are fabricated in second housing portion 1474 (see FIG. 15B).

[0154] FIG. 16A shows a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna apparatus 1400 shown in FIGS. 14A to 15B, the cross section extending along a vertical plane (e.g., the cutting plane is shown on a plane perpendicular to the X axis and located at X=0 mm, X=1.5 mm).

[0155] The quad-ridge waveguide 1410 tapers axially (e.g., in the −Z direction in FIG. 16A ) from the radiating aperture 1412 toward the second feed structure 1430b in a gradual or stepwise manner. For example, the overall width and the gaps between the ridges may both taper. For example, the overall width in the x-direction, the overall width in the y-direction, the gap in the x-direction between ridges 1440a and 1440b, and the gap in the y-direction between ridges 1440c and 1440d may all taper. This stepwise taper can be seen in FIG. 16A for the first, third, and fourth ridges 1440a, 1440c, and 1440d. The steps are clearly visible in the cross-section as the cross-section extends through the third and fourth ridges 1440c and 1440d.

[0156] Figure 16B shows a perspective view of a cross section similar to that depicted in Figure 16A, but offset in the +x direction, so that the (step-tapered) third and fourth ridges 1440c, 1440d are visible in their entirety (i.e., uncut).

[0157] 17A shows a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device 1400, with the cross section extending along a horizontal plane (e.g., the cut plane is shown on a plane perpendicular to the Y axis and located at Y=0.5 mm, Y=−1.5 mm). Because the cross section extends through the first and second ridges 1440 a, 1440 b, the steps of the first and second ridges 1440 a, 1440 b are clearly visible in the cross section.

[0158] Figure 17B shows a perspective view of a cross section similar to that depicted in Figure 17A, but offset in the -y direction. As a result, the E-plane step 1425 is visible. Note that while the E-plane step is only shown on the bottom half of the antenna device 1400 in Figure 17B, the E-plane step 1425 may also be located on the top half, as seen in Figure 15B. In general, the E-plane step 1425 may be located on at least one of the side surfaces (connected to the lateral arms) and at least one of the bottom and top halves.

[0159] Figures 18A to 18E show perspective cross-sectional views of the antenna device 1400, with the plane of the cross section shifted to different positions along the Z axis from 7 mm to -0.5 mm, so that a more detailed visualization of the cross section is shown in Figures 18A to 18E.

[0160] FIG. 18A shows a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device 1400, with the plane of the cross section located at 7 mm.

[0161] FIG. 18B shows a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device 1400, with the plane of the cross section located at 5.5 mm.

[0162] FIG. 18C shows a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device 1400, with the plane of the cross section located at 3 mm.

[0163] FIG. 18D shows a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device 1400, with the plane of the cross section located at 2.5 mm.

[0164] FIG. 18E shows a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device 1400, with the plane of the cross section located at 1.5 mm.

[0165] FIG. 18F shows a perspective view of a cross section of the antenna device 1400, with the plane of the cross section located at −0.5 mm.

[0166] 19A-22B show perspective views of three housing portions 1972, 1974, 1976 of another embodiment of an antenna device 1900. FIG.

[0167] The antenna device 1900, as depicted in Figures 19A to 22B, comprises an antenna housing 1970 having three housing sections 1972, 1974, and 1976, which may be arranged in a three-layer configuration. Figures 19A to 22B show a three-dimensional model of the antenna device 1900 with a feed network formed in the first housing section (Figures 20A and 20B), the second housing section (Figures 21A and 21B), and the third housing section (Figures 22A and 22B).

[0168] FIG. 19A shows a first perspective view of an antenna device 1900. FIG.

[0169] FIG. 19B shows a second perspective view of the antenna device 1900.

[0170] FIG. 20A shows a perspective view of a first surface 1973 a of the first housing portion 1972 , the first surface (or main surface) 1973 a facing away from the second housing portion 1974 .

[0171] FIG. 20B shows a perspective view of the second surface 1973b (or main surface) (or inner surface) of the first housing portion 1972, the second surface 1973b facing towards the second housing portion 1974.

[0172] FIG. 21A shows a perspective view of a first surface (or major surface) 1975a of the second housing portion 1974, the first surface 1975a facing towards the first housing portion 1972.

[0173] FIG. 21B shows a perspective view of the second surface (or major surface) 1975b of the second housing portion 1974, which faces towards the third housing portion 1976.

[0174] FIG. 22A shows a perspective view of a first surface (or major surface) 1977a of the third housing portion 1976, the first surface 1977a facing towards the second housing portion 1974.

[0175] FIG. 22B shows a perspective view of the second surface (or major surface) 1977b of the third housing portion 1976, the second surface 1977b facing away from the second housing portion 1974.

[0176] The 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). These housing portions may be arranged in a stack such that the second housing portion 1974 is located between the first housing portion 1972 and the third housing portion 1976. With reference to the antenna device 1900 depicted in FIG. 19A , an antenna device including three (or four or more) housings (or housing portions) is illustratively described. It should be noted that any other antenna device described herein may also include three or more housing portions (or may be divided into three or more housing portions).

[0177] A quad-ridge waveguide 1910 having an emitting aperture 1912 is formed in the first housing portion 1972 (see FIGS. 19A-20A). To this end, the quad-ridge waveguide 1910 may be milled and / or micromachined into the first housing portion 1972. The quad-ridge waveguide 1910 shown in FIG. 19A tapers gradually or stepwise in a direction from the first surface 1973 a to the second surface 1973 b (or inner surface) of the first housing portion 1972. Alternatively, the quad-ridge waveguide 1910 may have a different taper or no taper at all.

[0178] The first housing portion 1972 has on its second surface 1973b a first portion 1938a of a waveguide structure (e.g., ridges 1937a, 1937b or one or more recesses with one or more ridges) extending between the lateral ports 1924a, 1924b of the orthogonal mode transducer 1920 and the T-shaped waveguide joint 1980.

[0179] The second housing portion 1974 has on its first side (e.g., on the first surface 1975a of the second housing portion 1974) a second portion 1938b of the waveguide structure (e.g., one or more recesses with one or more ridges) extending between the lateral ports 1924a, 1924b of the orthogonal mode transducer 1920 and the T-shaped waveguide joint 1980.

[0180] At least a portion of the first and second portions 1938a of the waveguide structure extending between the lateral ports 1924a, 1924b of the orthogonal-mode transducer 1920 and the T-shaped waveguide joint 1980 may at least partially form first and second double-ridge waveguides 1936a, 1936b, which may utilize multiple waveguide bends (e.g., right-angle or 90° bends in a plane parallel to the wide walls of the waveguide, i.e., magnetic-plane bends or H-plane bends). The H-plane bends may include multiple rounded / flared steps to facilitate fabrication (e.g., milling). The H-plane bends facilitate routing of the double-ridge waveguides 1936a, 1936b and help reduce the lateral dimensions of the feed network. The first and second double-ridge waveguides 1936a, 1936b form at least a portion of the first feed structure 1930a. For example, the boundaries of the first and second double-ridge waveguides may be formed by structures on the second surface of the first housing portion and the first surface of the second housing portion.

[0181] The second housing portion 1974 further comprises, 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 recess with a ridge) extending from the T-shaped waveguide joint 1980 to the first external connection portion 1986a, and optionally (as shown in Figures 21B and 22A), a first portion 1984a of a waveguide structure (e.g., a ridge, or a recess with a ridge) extending from the axial port 1923 of the orthogonal mode transducer 1920 to the second external connection portion 1984b.

[0182] The third housing 1976 comprises a second portion 1984b (e.g., a recess with a ridge) of the waveguide structure extending from the T-shaped waveguide joint 1980 to the first external connection 1986a (e.g., a first blind-mate waveguide connection), and a (second) portion 1984b (e.g., a recess with a ridge) of the waveguide structure extending from the axial port 1923 of the orthogonal mode transducer 1920 to the second external connection 1986b (e.g., a second blind-mate waveguide connection).

[0183] The first double-ridge waveguide 1936a and the second double-ridge waveguide 1936b are at least partially (or optionally completely) formed (e.g., milled and / or micromachined) in the second housing portion 1974 or in the transition between the first housing portion 1972 and the second housing portion 1974. In other words, the second housing portion 1972 forms part (e.g., a wall, e.g., a cap, e.g., a cover) of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 1936a, 1936b. To this end, the first ridge 1937a of the first double-ridge waveguide 1936a and the first ridge 1937b of the second double-ridge waveguide 1936b are formed in the first housing portion 1972 (see FIG. 20B ). The remaining portions of the first and second double-ridge waveguides 1936a, 1936b (e.g., second portion 1938b) are formed in the second housing portion 1974 (see FIG. 21A). Alternatively, the first and second double-ridge waveguides 1936a, 1936b may be formed entirely in either the first or second housing portion 1972, 1974, or may be formed at different transitions between the first and second housing portions 1972, 1974.

[0184] A third double-ridge waveguide 1936c is formed (e.g., milled and / or micromachined) in the second housing portion 1974 (see Figures 21A, 21B). The third double-ridge waveguide 1936c forms at least a portion of the second feed structure 1930b.

[0185] The antenna device 1900 has two ports (or three ports if the transverse ports are counted as two ports) for coupling to the first and second feed structures, e.g., two transverse ports 1924a, 1924b (see FIG. 20B) for horizontal polarization and one axial port 1923 (see FIG. 21A) for vertical polarization. For OMT operation, the transverse arms are preferably fed in antiphase (λ / 2 + 2πn), so a special T-shaped waveguide (connecting the two transverse arms of the OMT to a common double-ridge waveguide) may be used to losslessly combine the transverse arm signals into a common port. The E-plane T-junction naturally imparts a 180° phase shift at the output waveguide, allowing differential signals to be combined. Conversely, due to reciprocity, horizontally polarized excitation in the OMT requires a signal of preferably antiphase in the feeding transverse arm. Therefore, the E-plane T-junction 1980 splits the common port signal into two antiphase signals of preferably equal magnitude.

[0186] The antenna apparatus 1900 comprises a combiner / splitter structure 1980 (e.g., a T-junction or T-shaped waveguide junction, e.g., an E-plane T-junction) formed (e.g., milled and / or micromachined) in the second housing portion 1974 (optionally including structures in the first housing portion 1972 and / or the third housing portion).

[0187] A T-section (e.g., combiner / splitter structure 1980) is formed (e.g., milled) inside the second housing portion 1974 (Figures 21A, 21B), which also serves as a cap for first and second output double-ridge waveguides 1982a, 1982b milled into the third housing portion 1976 (Figures 22A, 22B).

[0188] Therefore, due to the small antenna thickness (e.g., only 10.0 mm to 15.0 mm, e.g., 13.5 mm), very low-profile antennas (e.g., antenna device 1900) and waveguide feed networks can be realized. For example, commercially available quad-ridged horn antennas or OMTs are typically over 30 mm high each. The developed waveguide distribution network benefits from only three arms in a Boyfot OMT instead of four arms in a conventional turnstile OMT.

[0189] FIG. 23A illustrates another embodiment of an antenna device 2300. 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 an overall thickness of, for example, 13.5 mm. The three housing portions have at least essentially similar shapes (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to their corresponding thicknesses). In other words, the three housing portions are at least essentially congruent when stacked on top of each other. The shapes of the three housing portions in FIG. 23A have lengths of, for example, 102.0 mm and widths of, for example, 54.0 mm.

[0190] While the antenna device 2300 of Figure 23A and the antenna device 1900 of Figure 19A have similar (or identical) central features (e.g., quad-ridge waveguide, OMT, first and second feed structures), they differ essentially in the shape of the antenna device and the routing of the waveguide structure (feed waveguide) extending from the axial and lateral ports of the orthogonal-mode transducer to first and second external connections 2386a, 2386b (e.g., first and second output double-ridge waveguides 2382a, 2382b, e.g., axial arm (Y) routing and lateral arm (X) routing). Figure 23A shows the first and second external connections 2386a, 2386b (e.g., port X, port Y) forming openings in the first housing portion 2372. The openings of the first and second external connections 2386 a, 2386 b may be located in the same plane as the radiation opening 2312 of the quad ridge waveguide 2310. Furthermore, the waveguide structures in the first and second external connections 2386 a, 2386 b may extend parallel to the extension direction of the quad ridge waveguide 2310.

[0191] At least one of the first and second external connections 2386a, 2386b may be a blind-mate waveguide connection, and to this end, at least one of the first and second external connections 2386a, 2386b may include self-alignment features (e.g., one or more conical recesses and / or protrusions).

[0192] Figure 23B shows a front view of the antenna apparatus 2300 of Figure 23A. Figure 23B further shows holes formed around the quad-ridge waveguide of the antenna apparatus 2300. These holes may be used to mechanically connect the housing portions to one another (e.g., with screws). Alternatively, these holes may be used to mate (e.g., blind-mate) the antenna apparatus 2300 to other devices (e.g., test sockets on automatic test equipment).

[0193] FIG. 23B shows the internal hollow structure (e.g., double-ridge waveguide, quad-ridge waveguide, and OMT) of the antenna device 2300 in the form of a projection onto a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the quad-ridge waveguide (i.e., projection onto the drawing plane).

[0194] 24A shows a perspective view of the internal hollow structure (shown semi-transparently) of the antenna device 2300. The hollow structure is shown only schematically and not all of the details (e.g., the ridges of the quad-ridge waveguide) are shown.

[0195] FIG. 24B shows a perspective view of the antenna arrangement 2300 from essentially the opposite perspective as compared to FIG. 24A.

[0196] 24A and 24B, the first output double-ridge waveguide 2382a connects a first external connection 2386a (e.g., port X) to the T-shaped waveguide joint 2380 (and by extensions to two lateral ports of the OMT 2320), and the second double-ridge waveguide 2382b connects a second external connection 2386b (e.g., port Y) to an axial port of the OMT 2320. The first and second output double-ridge waveguides 2382a, 2382b have lateral extensions formed by the first and second portions of the second and third housing portions 2374, 2376, similar to the first and second portions 1984a, 1984b described above with reference to the antenna arrangement 1900. The first and second output double-ridge waveguides 2382a, 2382b also have axial extensions through the second housing portion 2374 and the first housing portion 2372 (to first and second external connections 2386a, 2386b, respectively).

[0197] FIG. 25A shows an exploded view of antenna device 2300, showing the top surfaces of each of housing portions 2372, 2374, 2376.

[0198] FIG. 25B is an exploded view of antenna device 2300 showing the underside of each of housing portions 2372, 2374, 2376.

[0199] The first and second housing portions 2374 have congruent openings to form (at least a portion of) the axial extensions of the first and second output double-ridge waveguides 2382a,b. The openings may have a double-ridge shape, as shown in Figures 25A and 25AB.

[0200] <2.3 ATE measurement antenna design> Considering antenna applications in automatic test equipment (ATE) handlers, a low-profile antenna fabricated in a "sliced" housing (e.g., first, second, and third housing portions 2372, 2374, 2376) may be suitable. Thus, the transverse arms of a quad-ridge Boyfot OMT are routed in the XY plane (e.g., perpendicular to the extension of the quad-ridge waveguide) and routed in the housing slices (e.g., parallel to the extension of the layers of the antenna housing) (see FIGS. 24A and 24B). It can be seen that the transverse ports (e.g., transverse ports 1924a, 1924b, or similar ports in other embodiments) are fed with a λ / 2 phase shift (FIG. 23B), which is favorable for OMT operation. Therefore, the transverse ports (or signals from the transverse ports) are coupled in E-plane T-junctions (FIGS. 25A and 25B), since such junctions provide differential outputs (or differential combinations of input signals). The remainder of the waveguide feed network may use E / H plane waveguide bends / turns for desired placement of output ports (eg, blind-mate connections).

[0201] For broadband radiation capability, the antenna uses a stepped ridge 2340 (see FIG. 23A), which allows for a thin aperture to be milled into, for example, a 5 mm thick housing or housing portion (see FIG. 23A and housing portion 2372 in FIGS. 25A and 25B). A second housing or housing portion 2374 houses an axial arm waveguide (e.g., third double-ridge waveguide 2336c, e.g., second feed structure 2330b). The second housing portion 2374 contains the transverse arm waveguides (e.g., first and second double-ridge waveguides 2336a, 2336b, e.g., first feed structure 2330a) and an E-plane T-junction for differential coupling, while the third housing portion 2376 contains the waveguide feed network for the X and Y double-ridge waveguide interfaces (e.g., first and second output double-ridge waveguides 2382a, 2382b) (see FIGS. 25A, 25B). The inner edges of the housing portions 2372, 2374, 2376 are radiused for, e.g., a 1 mm diameter end mill tool. However, end mill tools with other diameters (e.g., 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm) may be used instead. Simulations of the double-ridge waveguides indicate that the larger the diameter of the inner radius, the worse the waveguide performance. However, a 1 mm diameter tool appears reasonable for fine milling.

[0202] FIG. 26A shows a graph of simulation results for the reflection coefficients (S11, S22) and antenna gain of an antenna device such as antenna device 2300.

[0203] The simulated RL and antenna boresight gain performance depicted in Figure 26A shows an operating band of 23.2 to 54.6 GHz with RL greater than 15 dB. Cross-port isolation is greater than 50 dB across the band (or cross-port transmission / cross-port talk is less than -50 dB across the band).

[0204] FIG. 26B shows the simulated far-field radiation pattern for horizontal polarization at 24 GHz.

[0205] FIG. 26C shows the simulated far-field radiation pattern for horizontal polarization at 53 GHz.

[0206] FIG. 26D shows the simulated far-field radiation pattern for vertical polarization at 24 GHz.

[0207] FIG. 26E shows the simulated far-field radiation pattern for vertical polarization at 53 GHz.

[0208] As shown in Figures 26B to 26E, the far-field patterns are symmetric and stable over the band from 24 to 53 GHz in both polarizations.

[0209] FIG. 27A shows a graph in polar coordinates of the simulation results of the cross section of the far-field radiation pattern of horizontally polarized waves at frequencies F1=24 GHz, F2=37 GHz, and F3=53 GHz.

[0210] FIG. 27B shows a graph in polar coordinates of the simulation results of the far-field radiation pattern cross section of vertically polarized waves at frequencies F1=24 GHz, F2=37 GHz, and F3=53 GHz.

[0211] The antenna gain varies from 6.9 to 10.2 dBi / 6.2 to 8.7 dBi for horizontal and vertical polarization, respectively, while the cross-polarization discrimination in the far field exceeds 25 dB in the boresight direction (see Figures 27A and 27B).

[0212] FIG. 27C shows a graph of the simulated results of the magnitude of the electric field components versus frequency for a hypothetical orthogonal probe pair (probe X, probe Y) placed 11 mm above the antenna aperture.

[0213] With a virtual field probe pair positioned 11 mm above the antenna aperture, simulations record over 40 dB of diversity between orthogonal field components in the near field.

[0214] A possible application of the antenna apparatus described herein is in automatic test equipment (ATE), as illustrated in Figures 28 to 30.

[0215] FIG. 28 shows an embodiment of an ATE 2801 having an antenna device 2800 without a cover.

[0216] The ATE 2801 is configured to test a device under test using an antenna apparatus 2800 (which essentially corresponds to the antenna apparatus 2300). To this end, 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 connections) 2804a, 2804b. The high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b may be disposed at the ends of waveguides. The waveguides of the high-frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b may be double-ridge waveguides, for example, double-ridge waveguides that extend to the high-frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connections) 2804a, 2804b. The high-frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connections) 2804a, 2804b may be configured to match (e.g., match in at least one of size, orientation, and cross-section) the first and second external connections 2886a, 2886b.

[0217] At least one of the first and second external connections 2886a, 2886b and the radio frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b may be configured for blind mating. For example, the first and second external connections 2886a, 2886b may have conical protrusions (e.g., at their periphery) and the radio frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connections) 2804a, 2804b may have conical openings (e.g., at their periphery) configured to receive the conical protrusions (or vice versa). The radio frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connections) 2804a, 2804b may be configured to establish radio frequency connections with antenna devices (e.g., via the first and second external connections 2886a, 2886b).

[0218] 28, the radio frequency connectors (e.g., waveguide connections) 2804a, 2804b may be positioned beside the test socket 2803. The arrangement of the first and second external connections 2886a, 2886b and the radiating aperture 2812 may be arranged in a first geometric relationship that may match a second geometric relationship between the radio frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b and the test socket 2803. As a result, the antenna apparatus 2801 may be positioned above the test socket 2803, and the radio frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b may be positioned to align (e.g., mate) with the radiating aperture 2812 and the first and second external connections 2886a, 2886b.

[0219] Test socket 2803 may be configured to couple to a device to be tested 2805 (eg, an antenna in a package or a package-in-package device).

[0220] Figure 29 shows another embodiment similar to the embodiment of Figure 28, in which antenna device 2900 further includes a cover 2992 (e.g., a pusher) in addition to the features of antenna device 2800. Antenna device 2900 may include cover 2992 as part of a system including ATE 2901 as shown in Figure 29, or antenna device 2900 alone may include cover 2992.

[0221] The cover is for pushing, for example, a device. Its size is determined, for example, by the size of the DUT. Its size may (but need not necessarily) be different from the size of the antenna aperture. In other words, the cover (i.e., pusher) is preferably defined by the DUT size. In some embodiments, the cover 2992 may cover the radiating aperture (not shown in FIG. 29). The cover 2992 may be removable (e.g., by a screw or latch mechanism). The cover 2992 may be (at least partially) radio-transparent (or electromagnetically transparent). As a result, the cover does not block (or does not block most of) the transmission of electromagnetic waves between the radiating aperture and the test socket 2903 (or a device coupled to the test socket 2803).

[0222] 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 prevent mechanical damage to the device under test 2805 coupled to the test socket 2803. The cover 2892 can comprise or be constructed of a polymer (e.g., plastic). Polymers have high deformability (e.g., compared to metals), providing additional protection for the device under test 2805. Polymers also generally have high electrical resistance, providing increased protection against unintentional shorting of the device under test 2805.

[0223] The device under test 2805 may be secured to the test socket 2803 by applying pressure to the device under test through the cover 2892. Alternatively or additionally, the test socket 2803 (and / or the antenna apparatus 2800) may have attachment elements (e.g., at least one of a clamp, a pusher, and a suction cup). The cover 2892 allows the radiating aperture 2812 to be closer to the device under test 2805 (e.g., in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm or 40 mm), improving the accuracy of measurements of the near field of the device under test 2805 (e.g., within two wavelengths of the electric field to be tested).

[0224] FIG. 30 shows the antenna arrangement 2800 of FIGS. 28 and 29 mated with a test socket 2803 and high frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b.

[0225] The antenna apparatus 2800 may include a clamp 2893 configured to engage an engagement element (e.g., a recess or bottom portion of the test socket 2803). However, alternatively, the clamp may be fixed to the test socket or to a load board carrying the test socket and engage the antenna apparatus. The clamp 2893 is configured to attach the antenna apparatus 2800 to the socket 2803 (or any other portion of the ATE 2801, such as radio frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b). The clamp 2893 may be biased to the engaged position. For example, the clamp 2893 may have a sloped surface that, when pressed into the test socket 2803, moves the clamp 2893 to the released position. As a result, the antenna apparatus 2800 can be coupled to the test socket 2803 by pressing the antenna apparatus 2800 into the test socket 2803. Alternatively or additionally, the clamp 2893 may have a handle or built-in actuator that can be switched between the engaged and released positions.

[0226] The clamp 2803 may be configured to hold the high frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b and the first and second external connection portions 2886a, 2886b in a mated state. Alternatively or additionally, the high frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b and / or the first and second external connection portions 2886a, 2886b may include attachment features for attaching the first and second external connection portions 2886a, 2886b to the high frequency connectors 2804a, 2804b.

[0227] <Alternative implementation> While some aspects are described in the context of an apparatus, it will be apparent that these aspects also represent a description of a corresponding method, where a block or device corresponds to a method step or feature of a method step, and similarly, aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block, item, or feature of a corresponding apparatus.

[0228] The above-described embodiments merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. It is understood that variations and modifications of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the present invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims, and not by the specific details presented by way of description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

[0229] <3. References> [1] A. Boifot, E. Lier, T. Schaug-Pettersen, "Simple and broadband orthomode transducer," in IEE Proceedings, vol. 137, no. 6, Dec 1990 [2] A. Gonzalez, Sh. Asayama, "Double-ridged waveguide orthomode transducer (OMT) for the 67-116-GHz band," in J Inflated Milli Terahz Waves, pp. 723-737, 2018 [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 [4] Sh. Asayama, T. Nakajima, "Development of a smooth taper double-ridge waveguide orthomode transducer for a new 100 GHz band Z-machine receiver for the NRO 45-m radio telescope," in Publications of the astronomical society of the Pacific, 2013 [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 [6] T. Zhang, Z. Yan, L. Chen and F. Fan, "Design of broadband orthomode transducer based on double-ridged waveguide," in ICMMT Proceedings, 2010 [7] L. Shu, J. Noh, B. Enkhbayar, J. Bang and B. Ahn, "Design of E-band Boifot orthomode transducer," in J. of KIIT, vol. 14, no. 8, pp. 1-9, Aug 2016

Claims

1. a quad-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) configured such that the open ends function as radiating apertures (112; 212; 612; 912; 1412; 1912; 2312; 2812); an orthogonal mode transducer, OMT (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320), configured to couple the quad-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) to two feed structures (130a,b; 230a,b; 630a,b; 930a,b; 1430a,b; 1930a,b; 2330a,b), Antenna device (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800).

2. the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) is configured to couple a first feeding structure (130a; 230a; 630a; 930a; 1430a; 1930a; 2330a) to a first mode having a first direction of the quad-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810); the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) is configured to couple a second feed structure (130b; 230b; 630b; 930b; 1430b; 1930b; 2330b) into a second mode having a second direction of the quad-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810); 2. An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 1.

3. the plurality of lateral ports (924a,b; 1424a,b; 1924a,b) of the orthomode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) are arranged in the same plane; An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

4. The antenna device forms a dual polarized single aperture antenna. An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. at least one of the two feeding structures (130a,b; 230a,b; 630a,b; 930a,b; 1430a,b; 1930a,b; 2330a,b) comprises a double-ridge waveguide; An antenna arrangement (100; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. a feed waveguide structure extending between said orthogonal mode transducer (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) and a respective blind-mate waveguide connection (1986a,b; 2386a,b; 2886a,b); An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The antenna device has a laminated structure, and the laminated structure includes: a first layer (1472; 1972; 2372) comprising the quad-ridge waveguide (1410; 1910; 2310) and comprising, on an inner surface (1473b; 1973b), a first portion (1938a) of a waveguide structure extending between a lateral port (924a,b; 1424a,b; 1924a,b) of the orthogonal-mode transducer (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) and a T-shaped waveguide joint (1980; 2380); On a first surface (1475a; 1975a), a second portion (1938b) of the waveguide structure extends between the lateral ports (924a, b; 1424a, b; 1924a, b) of the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) and the T-shaped waveguide joint (1980; 2380), and on a second surface (1975b), a second portion (1938b) of the waveguide structure extends between the lateral ports (924a, b; 1424a, b; 1924a, b) of the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) and the T-shaped waveguide joint (1980; 2380). a second layer (1474; 1974; 2374) comprising a first portion (1984a) of a waveguide structure extending from the axial port (923; 1923) of said orthogonal mode transducer (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) to a first external connection (1986a); and a second layer (1474; 1974; 2374) comprising a first portion (1984a) of a waveguide structure extending from the axial port (923; 1923) of said orthogonal mode transducer (120; 220; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) to a second external connection (1984b); a third layer (1976; 2376) comprising a second portion (1984b) of a waveguide structure extending from the T-shaped waveguide joint (1980; 2380) to the first external connection (1986a), and a third layer (1976; 2376) comprising a portion of a waveguide structure extending from the axial port (923; 1923) of the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) to the second external connection (1984b); An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the orthomode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) comprises two lateral ports (924a, b; 1424a, b; 1924a, b) and one axial port (923; 1923); An antenna arrangement (100; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. a first transverse port (924a; 1424a; 1924a) of the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) comprising a transition between the quad-ridge waveguide (110; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) and a first double-ridge waveguide (936a; 1436a; 1936a; 2336a), a first ridge (940a; 1440a) of the quad-ridge waveguide transitioning to a first ridge (937a; 1437a; 1937a) of the first double-ridge waveguide (936a; 1436a; 1936a; 2336a); a second lateral port (924b; 1424b; 1924b) of the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) comprising a transition between the quad-ridge waveguide (110; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) and a second double-ridge waveguide (936b; 1436b; 1936b; 2336b), a second ridge (940b) of the quad-ridge waveguide transitioning to a first ridge (937b; 1437b; 1937b) of the second double-ridge waveguide (936b; 1436b; 1936b; 2336b); the axial port (923; 1923) of the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 920; 1420; 1920; 2320) comprises a transition between the quad-ridge waveguide (110; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) and a third double-ridge waveguide (936c; 1936c), wherein a third ridge (940c; 1440c) of the quad-ridge waveguide transitions to a first ridge (937c; 1437c) of the third double-ridge waveguide (936c; 1936c), and a fourth ridge (940d; 1440d) of the quad-ridge waveguide transitions to a second ridge (937d; 1437d) of the third double-ridge waveguide (936c; 1936c); 9. An antenna arrangement (100; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 8.

10. the antenna device comprises a waveguide structure connecting a first transverse port (1424a; 1924a) of the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 1420; 1920; 2320) and a second transverse port (1424b; 1924b) of the orthogonal mode transducer to a combiner / splitter structure (1980; 2380), An antenna arrangement (100; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. the antenna device comprising a portion of a waveguide structure coupled to a combiner / splitter structure (1980; 2380); the portion of the waveguide structure extending from the axial port (923; 1923) of the orthogonal mode transducer (120; 1420; 1920; 2320) to the second external connection (1984b) and the portion of the waveguide structure coupled to the combiner / splitter structure (1980; 2380) are arranged on the same layer of the antenna device and / or on the same transition between two layers of the antenna device, An antenna arrangement (100; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The antenna device is mounted in an antenna housing (1470; 1970), the antenna housing (1470; 1970) comprising at least two portions (1472, 1474; 1972, 1974). An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. the antenna housing (1470; 1970) comprises a first housing portion (1472; 1972) and a second housing portion (1474; 1974), the quad-ridge waveguide (1410; 1910) being milled and / or micromachined into the first housing portion (1472), and the first double-ridge waveguide (1436a; 1936a) and the second double-ridge waveguide (1436b; 1936b) being at least partially milled and / or micromachined into the second housing portion (1474; 1974) or being milled and / or micromachined at the transition between the first housing portion (1472; 1972) and the second housing portion (1474; 1974); a third double-ridge waveguide (1436c; 1936c) is milled and / or micromachined into said second housing part (1474; 1974), and the inner surface (1473b; 1973b) of said first housing part (1472; 1972) forms part of said first and second double-ridge waveguides (1436a,b; 1936a,b); 13. An antenna arrangement (100; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 12.

14. a ridge (1437c, d) of the third double-ridge waveguide (1436c; 1936c) is connected to a pair of ridges (1440c, d; 1949c, d) of the quad-ridge waveguide via a ridge step (1426); An antenna arrangement (100; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 13.

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

16. the lateral ports (924a, b; 1424a, b; 1924a, b) are electromagnetically isolated from the axial ports (923; 1923); An antenna arrangement (100; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. the quad-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) extends perpendicular to the radiating aperture (112; 212; 612; 912; 1412; 1912; 2312; 2812); An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. the ridges (240; 640; 940; 1440; 1940; 2340) of the quad-ridge waveguide extend to the radiation aperture (112; 212; 612; 912; 1412; 1912; 2312; 2812); An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. the quad-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) has a constant cross section along its length; An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. The antenna device provides a wideband antenna.

20. An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. The antenna device is an over-the-air (OTA) socket measurement device; An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. The antenna device is a near-field test antenna device.

22. An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. the antenna device comprises an electromagnetically transparent cover (2892) covering at least a portion of the antenna device and / or covering at least a portion of a waveguide; 22. An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

24. the cover (2892) is configured to press the device under test (2805) into position in the device under test while simultaneously allowing electromagnetic radiation to pass from the quad-ridge waveguide (110; 210; 610; 910; 1410; 1910; 2310; 2810) to the device under test (2805) and vice versa.

25. An antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to claim 24.

25. An automatic test equipment (2801), The automatic test equipment comprises an antenna arrangement (100; 200; 600; 900; 1400; 1900; 2300; 2800) according to any one of claims 1 to 24, the automatic test equipment being configured to test a device under test (2805) using the antenna arrangement. Automatic test equipment.

26. An automatic test equipment (2801), The automatic test equipment includes a device under test socket (2803) and one or more high frequency connectors (2804a, b), the one or more high frequency connectors being disposed near the test socket (2803). Automatic test equipment.

27. The high frequency connector (2804a, b) is a blind-mate waveguide connection comprising a double-ridge waveguide.

28. The automatic test equipment (2801) of claim 27.

28. The test socket (2803) and the one or more high frequency connectors (2804a, b) one or more external connection portions (1986a, b; 2386a, b; 2886a, b) of the antenna device are arranged to mate with one or more high frequency connectors (2804a, b); and a cover (2892) of the antenna apparatus is arranged to press the device under test (2805) into the device under test socket (2803) when the one or more external connection parts (1986a, b; 2386a, b; 2886a, b) of the antenna apparatus are mated with the one or more high-frequency connectors (2804a, b); 29. Automatic test equipment (2801) according to claim 27 or 28.

29. the cover (2892) of the antenna device is formed from a low dielectric constant material.

30. The automatic test equipment (2801) of claim 29.

Images