Waveguide member, method for manufacturing the waveguide member, and high-frequency device and radar system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a waveguide member for conducting electromagnetic waves, and more particularly to a hollow waveguide. The waveguide member has a cavity surrounded by a conductive material. The cavity is configured such that the effective width for electromagnetic waves is greater than the actual dimensions of the cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a waveguide member and a method for manufacturing a waveguide member. The present invention also relates to a high-frequency device and a radar system provided with such a waveguide member.

Background Art

[0002] For the transmission of high-frequency signals, waveguide members such as hollow waveguides are known. Such hollow waveguides can have different geometric shapes, for example, a rectangular, circular, or elliptical cross-section. The minimum width of the hollow waveguide usually needs to be slightly larger than half of the wavelength of the radio wave that can propagate in the hollow waveguide. From this, the lower limit frequency called the cut-off frequency can be known from the geometric shape of the hollow waveguide.

[0003] For example, the document of European Patent Application Publication No. 3903376 describes a hollow waveguide device for conducting electromagnetic waves.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention provides a waveguide member having the features of the independent claims, a method for manufacturing a waveguide member, and a high-frequency device and a radar system. Other advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] According to this, the following is intended. A waveguide member for conducting electromagnetic waves. This waveguide member is formed from a conductive material surrounding a cavity. This cavity is provided for conducting electromagnetic waves. This cavity has a cross-section that is, in principle, perpendicular to the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation. However, this cavity may, in principle, have a curvature that conforms to the waveform. This cavity has an alternating regular structure along a virtual line in the cross-sectional direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the following is intended: A high-frequency device comprising a waveguide member and a high-frequency circuit according to the present invention. This high-frequency circuit is connected to the waveguide member.

[0008] Furthermore, the following is intended: A radar system comprising a transmitting and / or receiving unit and a waveguide member according to the present invention connected to the transmitting and / or receiving unit.

[0009] Finally, the following is intended: A method for manufacturing a waveguide member. This method includes the steps of providing a body and forming a cavity continuous with the body. The cavity can be formed by drilling, milling, or other mechanical processing methods. The body is preferably made of metal, i.e., a conductive body. Alternatively, a non-conductive material may be used, and after forming the cavity, a conductive coating may be applied to its edge region. The cavity has a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation. This cross-section has an alternating regular structure along imaginary lines in the cross-sectional direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] Waveguide components, such as hollow waveguides used to transmit high-frequency signals, typically require a minimum width slightly greater than half the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave propagating within the waveguide. Therefore, the lower frequency limit (cutoff frequency) can be determined from the dimensions, particularly the width, of such waveguide components. Conversely, the minimum dimensions of each waveguide component can be determined from the minimum frequency transmitted through it.

[0011] Based on this finding, the idea of ​​the present invention is to create a waveguide member in the form of a hollow waveguide or a waveguide filled with dielectric material and edged with metal, which has improved characteristics in relation to dimensions and lower frequency limit.

[0012] This requirement can be achieved according to the present invention by providing a special configuration in the internal region of such a waveguide member. In particular, the cavity of such a waveguide member can be formed in the form of a geometric structure consisting of alternating regular structures along imaginary lines in the cross-section of the waveguide member. As will be described in more detail below, this regular structure can be formed in a variety of ways.

[0013] In particular, a geometric structure that can be easily realized can be formed in the internal region of the waveguide member by mechanical methods such as drilling or milling. Therefore, the waveguide member according to the present invention can be manufactured very easily.

[0014] The edges of the cavity have a conductive structure. For example, the waveguide member can be formed from a conductive material in which the cavity is formed. Alternatively, the conductive material may be applied only to the edge region between the main body and the cavity. In this case, the entire edge region may be formed from the conductive material. For example, the edge region may be covered with the conductive material. Alternatively, other conductive structures, such as a lattice structure, which are not necessarily the entire structure, are also possible for the edge region. Here, the conductive edge region needs to have sufficient thickness for the reflection of electromagnetic waves.

[0015] As will be explained in more detail below, the cavity can be filled with air, gas, or other suitable, preferably solid, dielectric material. According to one embodiment, the cross-section of the cavity has a periodic and regular structure. A periodic structure can be understood as any suitable structure that is repeated multiple times along a virtual line in the cross-section of the waveguide member.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the cross-section includes a plurality of overlapping circles or polygons. Circles can be realized particularly easily, for example, by drilling or milling at the corresponding diameter. Polygons may be quadrilaterals, particularly rectangles or squares. However, in principle, polygons, especially regular polygons having four or more angles, are also possible. Because the individual geometric members overlap, a continuous cavity is created.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the overlapping circles or polygons have the same size. This allows the structure according to the invention for waveguide members to be manufactured particularly easily, without tool changes. Alternatively, structures of circles or polygons having different sizes are also possible.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the cross-section of the cavity has a structure consisting of multiple overlapping, alternating structures. For example, the geometric shape of the cross-section may consist of two structures that are axially symmetric with respect to a virtual line.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the cavity is filled with a gaseous or solid dielectric. For example, air may be used as the gaseous dielectric. Furthermore, depending on the application, a dielectric with a higher dielectric constant may be provided.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the waveguide member includes a metal body. Cavities can be formed in this metal body by drilling, milling, or other mechanical processing methods. In this way, the waveguide structure according to the present invention can be realized particularly easily by a mechanical manufacturing process.

[0021] Alternatively, the waveguide may be formed from a body not entirely composed of metal or conductive material. In this case, the desired structure of the cavity can similarly be formed by drilling, milling, or other mechanical processing methods. The edges of the cavity can then be covered with a conductive material. For this purpose, any suitable method for covering the edge region within the cavity can be used.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the waveguide member can be realized by an extrusion method or a similar method. The above-described configurations and improved configurations can be arbitrarily combined if significant. Further configurations, improved configurations, and implementations of the present invention include combinations that are not explicitly described of the features of the present invention described above or below with respect to the examples. In particular, those skilled in the art will be able to add individual aspects as improvements or supplements to each basic form of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a cross-section of a waveguide member according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of a cross-section of a waveguide member according to another embodiment. [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of a cross-section of a waveguide member according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of a cross-section of a waveguide member according to still another embodiment. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram of a cross-section of a waveguide member according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram of a cross-section of a waveguide member according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram of a cross-section of a waveguide member according to still another embodiment. [Figure 8] Flowchart based on a manufacturing method of a waveguide member according to an embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a waveguide member 1 according to one embodiment. The waveguide member 1 is formed by a cavity 10 surrounded by a conductive material 20, such as metal. The cavity 10 is filled with a dielectric, such as a solid or gaseous dielectric. In particular, such a dielectric may be air. The waveguide member 1 extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, having at least a substantially constant cross-section. This allows electromagnetic waves to propagate within the cavity 10 of the waveguide member 1.

[0025] Such waveguide members 1 can be used in any product of high-frequency technology, for example, and can be used in applications where hollow waveguides are used for electromagnetic wave transmission. For example, such waveguide members can be used in radar systems, such as automotive radar. Here, waveguide members 1 can be used in particular for signal output and signal transmission from radar circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits, to circuit boards, or through circuit boards.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the cross-section of the cavity 10 of the waveguide member 1 has a structure having an alternating regular pattern along the imaginary line 12. In Figure 1, this regular pattern is formed by a plurality of circular members 11 whose center points alternately above and below the imaginary line 12.

[0027] This structure of the cavity 10 causes the effective width w_eff of the electromagnetic wave in the waveguide member 1 to be significantly larger than the width B of the cavity 10 along the imaginary line 12. Therefore, this increase in the effective width w_eff also increases the lower limit frequency (cutoff frequency) of the waveguide member 1. In particular, this configuration of the waveguide member 1 provides a much higher lower limit frequency than a waveguide member having a rectangular cross-section with width B.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the cavity 10 is formed, for example, from four circular members 11, all having the same diameter. As will be described in more detail below, the present invention is not limited to embodiments having four circles or other geometric members. Rather, the cavity 10 can also be realized by other suitable structures that can increase the effective width w_eff relative to the width B.

[0029] In the case of a cavity 10 having a cross-section made up of multiple overlapping circular members, the cavity 10 can be formed, for example, by drilling a (solid) metal body. However, other mechanical processing methods, such as milling, are also possible.

[0030] In principle, the waveguide member 1 can also be realized by other manufacturing processes, such as extrusion molding. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a waveguide member 1 according to another embodiment. The waveguide member 1 according to Figure 2 differs from the previously shown embodiment in that the cavity 10 is formed by only three geometric members, particularly by circles. Furthermore, all the descriptions already given in Figure 1 apply to this embodiment.

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a waveguide member 1 according to another embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the cavity 10 of the waveguide member 1 may be formed from three or more geometric members 11 that are arranged and superimposed side by side.

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a waveguide member 1 according to yet another embodiment. The cavity 10 of the waveguide member 1 according to Figure 4 differs from the previously described embodiment in that the individual geometric members 11 have partially different sizes.

[0033] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a waveguide member 1 according to another embodiment. The waveguide member 1 according to Figure 5 differs from the previously described embodiment in that, instead of a circular member 11, a rectangular member 11 is provided to form the cavity 10. The individual rectangular members 11 are arranged in a zigzag structure, alternating along the dashed line 12.

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the waveguide member 1 according to another embodiment. The cavity 10 of the waveguide member 11 is realized as a waveform structure similar to a sinusoidal function. This structure also has a regular alternating shape with respect to the virtual line 12.

[0035] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the waveguide member 1 according to yet another embodiment. The cavity 10 in this embodiment can be formed, for example, from a combination of the two symmetrical structures shown in Figure 2. For clarity, each structure is shown with different hatching. The geometric member 11a of the first structure is axially symmetric with respect to the geometric member 11b of the second structure. This also allows for an increase in the effective length w_eff with respect to the width B.

[0036] Figure 8 is a flowchart based on a method for manufacturing a waveguide member according to one embodiment. In principle, this method can include any steps that may be necessary to realize one of the waveguide members 1 described above.

[0037] In step S1, the main body is first provided. Here, the main body is, for example, made of a solid metal body or a conductive material, and has the desired external dimensions of the waveguide member 1. In step S2, a continuous cavity 10 is formed in the main body. This formation can be carried out, for example, by drilling, milling, or other mechanical processing methods. If the main body is not made of a conductive material, a conductive material may be applied to the edge region of the cavity in a further step.

[0038] Furthermore, waveguides can be realized by methods such as extrusion molding, and a waveguide structure with the desired cavity can be formed from a material (for example, the body shape). The cavity 10 formed within the main body has a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation, and this cross-section has an alternating regular structure along the virtual axis 12. In particular, the cavity 10 may have any of the structures already described in relation to Figures 1 to 7. If necessary, the cavity may be filled with a desired dielectric material.

[0039] In summary, the present invention relates to a waveguide member for transmitting electromagnetic waves, and more particularly to a hollow waveguide. This waveguide member has a cavity surrounded by a conductive material. This cavity is configured such that the effective width for electromagnetic waves is greater than the actual dimensions of the cavity.

Claims

1. A waveguide member (1) for conducting electromagnetic waves, comprising a cavity (10) surrounded by a conductive material (20), The cavity (10) has a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation, and the cross-section has an alternating regular structure along imaginary lines (12) in the plane of the cross-section. Waveguide member (1).

2. Waveguide member (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the cavity (10) has a periodic and regular structure.

3. Waveguide member (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-section includes a plurality of overlapping circles (11) or polygons.

4. Waveguide member (1) according to claim 3, wherein the overlapping circles (11) or polygons have the same size.

5. Waveguide member (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cross section of the cavity (10) has a structure consisting of a plurality of overlapping alternating structures (11a, 11b).

6. Waveguide member (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cavity (10) is filled with a gas or solid dielectric.

7. The waveguide member includes a metal body, The metal body has the cavity (10) formed in it by drilling, milling, or other mechanical processing methods. Waveguide member (1).

8. Waveguide member (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A high-frequency circuit connected to the waveguide member (1), A high-frequency device equipped with this device.

9. Transmit and / or receive unit, Waveguide member (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A radar system equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

10. Step (S1) provides the main body, particularly the metal body, Step (S2) of forming a continuous cavity (20) in the main body by drilling, milling, or other mechanical processing method, A method for manufacturing a waveguide member (1) comprising, The cavity (10) has a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation, and the cross-section has an alternating regular structure along the imaginary lines (12) in the plane of the cross-section. The cavity (10) has a conductive edge. method.

Images