Coaxial conductor comprising an inner conductor and an outer conductor and a void volume between the inner conductor and the outer conductor

Abstract

Disclosed is a coaxial conductor (1) for conducting electromagnetic waves, the coaxial conductor (1) comprising an inner conductor (2), an outer conductor (3) and supports (4.1, 4.2), wherein the inner conductor (2) is formed from a metal layer (23) and the inner conductor (2) is fixed within the outer conductor (3) by means of the supports (4.1, 4.2) and the coaxial conductor (1) comprises a longitudinal direction (10) and the inner conductor (2) extends centrally with respect to the outer conductor (3) along the longitudinal direction (10) and at a distance from the outer conductor (3) by means of a cavity (23.1, 23.2).

Description

1 2023PF03222COAXIAL CONDUCTOR COMPRISING AN INNER CONDUCTOR AND AN OUTER CONDUCTOR AND A VOID VOLUME BETWEEN THE INNER CONDUCTOR AND THE OUTER CONDUCTORFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a coaxial conductor. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a coaxial conductor.BACKGROUND

[0002] In US 10957971 B2 a feed component is described comprising a conductive ground layer, a conductive top layer, and a substrate disposed between the conductive ground layer and the conductive top layer. A first portion of the conductive top layer defines a resonating patch coupled to a feed input of the waveguide module.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an objective to provide an improved coaxial conductor and an improved method for producing coaxial conductor. The objectives underlying the invention are solved by the features of the independent claims.

[0004] In one aspect a coaxial conductor for conducting electromagnetic waves is disclosed. The coaxial conductor comprises an inner conductor, an outer conductor and supports. The inner conductor is formed by a metal layer. Furthermore, the inner conductor is fixed inside the outer conductor by means of the supports. The coaxial conductor comprises a longitudinal direction. The inner conductor extends centrally with respect to the outer conductor along the longitudinal direction and at a distance from the outer conductor by means of a cavity.

[0005] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a coaxial conductor for conducting electromagnetic waves is disclosed. The coaxial conductor comprises an inner conductor, an outer2 2023PF03222 conductor and supports. The method comprises providing the inner conductor by manufacturing and processing a metal layer. The method further comprises providing the supports. The method further comprises fixing the inner conductor by means of the supports within the outer conductor, wherein the coaxial conductor comprises a longitudinal direction and the inner conductor extends centrally with respect to the outer conductor along the longitudinal direction and at a distance from the outer conductor by means of a cavity.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In the following, examples are described in greater detail making reference to the drawings in which:

[0007] Fig. 1 shows a coaxial conductor for conducting electromagnetic waves with an inner conductor and an outer conductor and supports for attaching the inner conductor to the outer conductor,

[0008] Fig. 2 shows the coaxial conductor shown in Figure 1 in a perspective view,

[0009] Fig. 3 shows an extended variant of the coaxial conductor shown in Figure 1,

[0010] Fig. 4 depicts the coaxial conductor shown in Fig. 1 with a patch for introducing the waves into the inner conductor from above,

[0011] Fig. 5 illustrates the patch shown in Fig. 4 and a section of the inner conductor and the outer conductor in a cross-section from below,

[0012] Fig. 6 depicts a first end of the coaxial conductor with the patch shown in Fig. 4 and 5 from below.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The proposed coaxial conductor may be used, for example, to conduct the waves from a first end of the coaxial conductor to a second end of the coaxial conductor. In this case, the coaxial conductor may be set up to receive the waves at the first end and to output them at the second end. A distribution network or an antenna, for example, may be connected or connectable to the second end.3 2023PF03222

[0014] As the inner conductor extends at a distance from the outer conductor by means of the cavity, an air volume may be formed between the inner conductor and the outer conductor, which may act as a dielectric between the inner conductor and the outer conductor. The cavity could thus replace a substrate layer, which is usually used as a dielectric between the inner conductor and the outer conductor. The proposed coaxial conductor thus may represent an alternative design to a variant in which the dielectric between the inner and outer conductor is provided in the form of a substrate. This could significantly simplify the production of the coaxial conductor. In particular, the amount of material required to produce the coaxial conductor could be reduced.

[0015] According to one example, the outer conductor completely surrounds the inner conductor in a cross section of the coaxial conductor that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coaxial conductor. The inner conductor may extend centrally with respect to the outer conductor in such a way that a centroid of a cross-sectional area of the outer conductor, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, lies within a cross-sectional area of the inner conductor, which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. By having the inner conductor in a central position in relation to the outer conductor, losses during transmission of a signal using the electromagnetic waves via the inner conductor could be reduced.

[0016] In a further example, the supports and the inner conductor lie in a common plane. In this embodiment, the inner conductor may divide the common plane into two opposite sides. Furthermore, the supports may be arranged at equal distances from each other when viewed in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the supports may be arranged alternately on opposite sides within the plane along the longitudinal direction.

[0017] Because the supports and the inner conductor are arranged in the common plane, an upper cavity may be formed between the inner conductor and the outer conductor above the common plane and a lower cavity between the inner conductor and the outer conductor may be formed below the common plane. This could further increase the isolation between the inner conductor and the outer conductor. By arranging the supports alternately on opposite sides within the plane, the risk of a high-frequency short circuit between the inner conductor and the outer conductor could be reduced.4 2023PF03222

[0018] As a further example, an operating range of the coaxial conductor may be specified by a wavelength range in which a wavelength of the waves lies. The coaxial conductor may be adapted to conduct the electromagnetic waves in such a way that the distances are each a quarter of the wavelength.

[0019] The wavelength range may be limited by a lower limit of the wavelength of the waves, for example 3.61 mm, and by an upper limit of the wavelength of the waves, for example 4.11 mm. As a result, the distances may take on values that lie within a range limited by a lower limit corresponding to one-quarter of the lower limit of the wavelength range and an upper limit corresponding to one-quarter of the upper limit of the wavelength range.

[0020] Adapting the coaxial conductor in such a way that the distances are each a quarter of the wavelength might further reduce the risk of a high-frequency short circuit between the inner conductor and the outer conductor. This has been shown by simulations of propagations of electromagnetic fields within the coaxial conductor. The values of 3.61 mm for the lower limit and 4.11 mm for the upper limit of the wavelength correspond to a frequency range of about 73 GHz to 83 GHz, in which the coaxial conductor may conduct the waves with the lowest possible energy transfer from the inner conductor to the outer conductor, provided that the distances are a quarter of the wavelength in each case.

[0021] According to another example, an extension of the respective support in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction is about half the wavelength. It has been shown that this could also reduce the transfer of energy from the inner conductor to the outer conductor and the risk of a high-frequency short cuts between the inner conductor and the outer conductor.

[0022] According to a further example, the supports and the inner conductor may be formed integrally. Alternatively or additionally, the supports may be X-shaped. The supports and the inner conductor may be formed from the metal layer, according to one possible variant. In particular, the supports and the inner conductor may be formed by etching holes in the metal layer. The X-shaped supports represent a variant that, on the5 2023PF03222 one hand, enables stable fastening of the inner conductor in relation to the outer conductor and, on the other hand, could reduce the risk of high-frequency short circuits. This has been shown in particular by the simulations mentioned above.

[0023] According to a further example, the coaxial conductor comprises further supports and a patch for introducing the electromagnetic waves into the inner conductor. The patch may be arranged at the first end of the coaxial conductor mentioned above. According to one variant, the further supports, the inner conductor and the supports may lie within the common plane. The common plane may comprise a middle stripe and two outer stripes adjacent to the outer conductor. The middle stripe and the two outer stripes may lie within the outer conductor. The inner conductor may be arranged in the middle stripe. The further supports may engage the patch in the middle stripe. The coaxial conductor may comprise a connection between the patch and the inner conductor, which lies in one of the outer stripes.

[0024] According to one possible variant, the further supports comprise a first further support and a second further support, which are each connected to the patch on opposite sides of the patch in order to support the patch in the common plane. The first further support may extend parallel to the longitudinal direction towards a head piece of the outer conductor and may be connected to the outer conductor at the head piece. The second further support may, according to a possible variant, extend in an arch shape from the patch to an inner wall of the outer conductor. The second further support may be connected to the inner wall of the outer conductor in order to support the patch in the common plane.

[0025] Because the connection between the patch and the inner conductor lies in one of the outer stripes, the further supports, for example the first and the second further support, may be attached to the patch in the middle stripe without the further supports touching the connection between the patch and the inner conductor. This could further reduce the risk of high-frequency short circuits. Preferably, the patch and / or the further supports are formed integrally with the inner conductor. In this case, the metal layer may comprise both the inner conductor and the supports as well as the patch and / or the further supports.6 2023PF03222

[0026] According to a further example, the outer conductor may comprise an upper part and a lower part. In this example, the metal layer may be arranged between the upper part and the lower part of the outer conductor. The lower part of the outer conductor may have a C- or U-shaped cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, the lower part of the outer conductor may be formed by a cutout in a printed circuit board.

[0027] Because the lower part of the outer conductor is formed by the cutout in the printed circuit board, the lower part of the outer conductor may be produced in the course of conventional processing steps when the printed circuit board is being manufactured. For example, the cutout may be produced by milling the printed circuit board. Parts of the printed circuit board are usually milled out, for example, to create isolation distances, to reduce weight in certain applications, or to create cutouts that may provide paths for optical or acoustic signals. It is also possible that the printed circuit board is milled at various points to adapt the printed circuit board to a specific housing or mechanical structure.

[0028] Accordingly, this variant of the outer conductor, in particular this variant of the lower part of the outer conductor, represents a particularly practical embodiment of the coaxial conductor, in which no additional step is required to manufacture the lower part of the outer conductor when manufacturing the printed circuit board. In this case, a milling of all cutouts of the printed circuit board is considered to be a single processing step.

[0029] According to a further example, the cutout in the printed circuit board may comprise a metal coating. In particular, the metal coating of the cutout may be a copper coating. The metal coating of the cutout may in particular allow the inner conductor to be completely surrounded by a metal sheath formed by the lower and upper parts of the outer conductor. Preferably, the upper part of the outer conductor is formed from metal. Furthermore, the upper part of the outer conductor may comprise a C- or U-shaped cross section.

[0030] In the following, the above-mentioned method for manufacturing the coaxial conductor will be described in more detail by way of example. The inner conductor may7 2023PF03222 be provided by producing and processing the metal layer, for example by etching the metal layer. The metal layer may be a copper layer. According to one possible variant, the supports together with the inner conductor may be produced in a step of etching the metal layer. In this case, both the supports and the inner conductor are produced as parts of the metal layer.

[0031] The upper part of the outer conductor may be produced, for example, by milling. The upper part of the outer conductor may, for example, comprise a U- or C-shaped cross-section. A lower part of the outer conductor may be produced by milling the cutout in the printed circuit board and then applying a further metal layer, for example a further copper layer. The metal layer may be placed, in particular attached, on the lower part of the outer conductor. Subsequently, the upper part of the outer conductor may be placed, in particular attached, on the metal layer. According to one possible variant of the method, the metal layer may be glued or soldered to the lower part of the outer conductor. In the same way, the upper part of the outer conductor may be glued or soldered to the metal layer. In principle, it is also possible to fix the upper part of the outer conductor to the metal layer by means of spot welding. The same may apply to a possible attachment between the lower part of the outer conductor and the metal layer.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a coaxial conductor 1 for conducting electromagnetic waves. The coaxial conductor 1 comprises an inner conductor 2, an outer conductor 3 and supports. The supports may comprise at least a first support 4.1 and a second support 4.2 and are referred to below as supports 4. The inner conductor 2 is formed from a metal layer. Furthermore, the inner conductor 2 is attached inside the outer conductor 3 by means of the supports 4. The coaxial conductor 1 comprises a longitudinal direction 10, with the inner conductor extending centrally with respect to the outer conductor 3 along the longitudinal direction 10. The expression "centrally with respect to the outer conductor 3" means that at least a main axis 20 of the inner conductor 2 is arranged centrally with respect to opposite inner walls 3.1 and 3.2 of the outer conductor 3.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a possible design of the coaxial conductor 1 shown in Fig. 1 in a perspective view. In this variant, the inner conductor 2 is formed from a first metal layer 23. The first metal layer 23 may be considered as a possible variant of the metal layer8 2023PF03222 mentioned above. In this variant, outer parts of the first metal layer 23, i.e. the parts of the first metal layer 23 shown in Figure 2 furthest from the main axis 20 of the inner conductor 2, may form part of the outer conductor 3. The first metal layer 23 is bounded at the top by an upper plane 21 and at the bottom by a lower plane 22. The two planes 21, 22 extend parallel to the main axis 20. The main axis 20 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction 10.

[0034] The coaxial conductor 1 may comprise a first cavity 23.1 between the upper plane 21 and the outer conductor 3. The coaxial conductor 1 may comprise a second cavity 23.2 between the lower plane 22 and the outer conductor 3. Due to the first cavity 23.1, the inner conductor 2 may run along the longitudinal direction 10 at a distance from an upper part 31 of the outer conductor 3. Similarly, the inner conductor 2 may run along the longitudinal direction 10 at a distance from a lower part 32 of the outer conductor 3 due to the second cavity 23.2.

[0035] Fig. 2 also shows a variant in which the upper part 31 and the lower part 32 are in the form of two components of the outer conductor 3. In this variant, the first metal layer 23 may be arranged between the upper part 31 and the lower part 32 of the outer conductor 3. Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows a possible design of the outer conductor 3, in which the lower part 32 of the outer conductor 3 comprises a C- or U-shaped cross section and is formed by a cutout in a printed circuit board 33. In particular, the lower part 32 of the outer conductor 3 is formed in the form of a copper layer that is coated on the cutout of the printed circuit board 33. The cutout in the printed circuit board 33 may be produced, for example, by milling the printed circuit board 33. In particular, the second cavity 23.2 may be provided through the cutout. The second cavity 23.2 may be provided by the volume located between the lower plane 22 and the copper layer applied to the cutout in the printed circuit board 33.

[0036] The outer parts of the first metal layer 23 may form a central part of the outer conductor 3, as shown in Fig. 2, with the central part of the outer conductor 3 being arranged between the upper part 31 of the outer conductor 3 and the lower part 32. The upper part 31 may, for example, be glued or soldered to the middle part or attached to the middle part by means of spot welding.9 2023PF03222

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a design of the coaxial conductor 1 in which the supports 4, in particular the first support 4.1, the second support 4.2, a third support 4.3 and a fourth support 4.4, and the inner conductor 2 lie in a common plane 30. The inner conductor 2, in particular the main axis 20 of the inner conductor 2, divides the common plane 30 into two opposite sides, such as, for example, a first side 30.1 and a second side 30.2. In the variant shown in Fig. 3, the supports 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 comprise an equal distance 34 from one another.

[0038] Furthermore, the supports 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 may be arranged along the longitudinal direction 10 alternately on the opposite sides, i.e. first on the first side 30.1, then on the second side 30.2 and then again on the first side 30.1, and so on, within the plane 30. Fig. 3 shows a design in which the coaxial conductor 1 comprises four supports. Depending on the length of the coaxial conductor 1, the coaxial conductor may also comprise only two supports, i.e. the first support 4.1 and the second support 4.2, or more than four supports. In this case, the two supports 4.1, 4.2 are arranged on the opposite sides 30.1, 30.2. The distance 34 may be equal to a quarter of the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves that lie in the above-mentioned wavelength range for which the coaxial conductor 1 is designed, in order to reduce the risk of a high-frequency short circuit between the inner conductor 2 and the outer conductor 3.

[0039] Fig. 3 also shows a variant of the coaxial conductor 1 in which the supports 4 are X-shaped. An X-shape of the respective support may be realized by two struts of the respective support extending diagonally with respect to the main axis 20. The struts each comprise an acute angle 35 to the main axis 20 within the plane 30. The angle 35 may, for example, be 14.5 degrees. Furthermore, Fig. 3 shows a possible design in which at least one strut of a subsequent support, viewed in the longitudinal direction 10, is in the form of an extension of one of the two struts of a previous support. For example, a first strut 42.1 of the second support 4.2 may be considered as an extension of a second strut 41.2 of the first support 4.1. In other words, the first strut 42.1 of the second support 4.2 lies in line with the second strut 41.2 of the first support 4.1. Such a configuration of the supports in relation to one another might be a good compromise between mechanical durability, which the supports provide for the inner conductor 2, and the lowest possible10 2023PF03222 risk of a high-frequency short circuit between the inner conductor 2 and the outer conductor 3.

[0040] In the variant of the coaxial conductor 1 shown in Fig. 3, the supports 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 and the inner conductor 2 may be formed in one piece. In this case, the supports4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 are part of the first metal layer 23 shown in Fig. 2. The first metal layer may be, for example, a copper layer.

[0041] An extension of the respective support 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 in the direction of the main axis 20 of the inner conductor 2 is approximately half a wavelength of the electromagnetic waves with which the coaxial conductor 1 is operated. The lower limit of a frequency range to which the coaxial conductor 1 is adapted may, for example, be approximately 73 GHz. An upper limit of the frequency range may, for example, lie at 83 GHz. Accordingly, the distance 34 may be in a range from about 0.9125 mm to about 1.1 mm, but may also, in particular, be 1.08 mm. The extensions 36 along the main axis 20 may be, for example, about 2.1 mm, in particular 2.1733 mm, in the case of such an adaptation of the coaxial conductor 1.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the coaxial conductor 1 shown in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the coaxial conductor 1 comprises further supports, such as a first further support 41 and a second further support 42, and a patch 40 for introducing the electromagnetic waves into the inner conductor 2. The further supports 41, 42, the inner conductor 2 and the supports 4.1, 4.2 lie within a further common plane 43. According to one possible variant, the further common plane 43 may be located in the plane 30. It is also possible that the plane 30 coincides with the further plane 43. In Fig. 3, plane 30 is shown larger than the further plane 43 for the sake of clarity.

[0043] The further common plane 43 extends from the first vertical inner wall 3.1 of the outer conductor 3 to the second vertical inner wall 3.2 of the outer conductor 3.Furthermore, the further plane 43 comprises the main axis 20 of the inner conductor 2. The further plane 43 may comprise a middle stripe 43.1 and two outer stripes, namely a second stripe 43.2 and a third stripe 43.3, adjoining the outer conductor 2, the stripes43.1, 43.2, 43.3 extending parallel to the main axis 20. The inner conductor 2 is arranged11 2023PF03222 in the middle stripe 43.1 of the further plane 43. The further supports 41, 42 engage with areas of the patch 40 that lie in the middle stripe 43.1 of the further plane 43. The coaxial conductor 1 comprises a connection 44 between the patch 40 and the inner conductor 2 for transmitting the electromagnetic waves from the patch 40 to the inner conductor 2. The connection 44 may be located in one of the outer stripes, such as, for example, in the third stripe 43.3 of the further plane 43, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0044] According to one variant, the patch 40 and / or the further supports 41, 42 are formed in one piece with the inner conductor 2. In this variant, the patch 40, the further supports 41, 42 and the inner conductor 2 are part of the first metal layer 23 shown in Fig. 2.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 4 by way of example, the first further support 41 may extend in an arcuate manner on the second inner wall 3.2 of the outer conductor 3 to a first area of the patch 40, which lies within the central stripe 43.1 of the further plane 43. The second further support 42 may extend in a direction parallel to the main axis 20 of the inner conductor 2 in the direction of a head piece 45 of the outer conductor 3, starting from a second area of the patch 40, which may, for example, lie opposite the first area of the patch 40 within the further plane 43. The second further support 42 is rigidly connected to the head piece 45 in order to fix the patch 40 to the head piece 45. Similarly, the first further support 41 is rigidly connected to the second inner wall 3.2 in order to fix the patch 40 to the second inner wall 3.2.

[0046] Fig. 5 shows the patch 40 with a section of the inner conductor 2 from below. A first extent 51 of the patch 40, which extends parallel to the main axis 20 and within the further plane 43, may be, for example, about 1.2 mm, in particular 1.197 mm. A second extension 52 of the patch 40, which extends perpendicular to the main axis 20 within the further plane 43, may be in a range of about 1.1 mm to 1.3 mm and may, for example, be 1.184 mm. A distance 53 between the first inner wall 3.1 and the second inner wall 3.2 of the outer conductor 3 within the further plane 43 may lie in a range of about 1.50 mm and 1.60 mm and, for example, be 1.54 mm. A distance 54 between the two inner walls 3.1, 3.2 of the outer conductor 3 and the inner conductor 2 within the further plane 43 may lie in a range of approximately 0.5 mm and 0.55 mm and may, for example, be 0.53212 2023PF03222 mm. A width 59 of the first further support 41 and the second further support 42 within the further plane 43 may be about 0.1 mm. The stated values relate to an application of the coaxial conductor 1 for conducting electromagnetic waves in a frequency range of about 68 to 82 gigahertz. The wavelength of the waves in this frequency range is about 3.9 mm. A thickness of the first metal layer 23 may lie in a range of 70 to 100 pm.

[0047] Fig. 5 further shows a variant of the patch 40, in which the patch 40 comprises lateral cutouts, such as, for example, a first cutout 56 and a second cutout 57 arranged opposite to the first cutout 56 within the further plane 43. Simulations have indicated that such cutouts of the patch 40 may reduce the risk of high-frequency short cuts and / or reduce losses in the transmission of the electromagnetic waves from the patch 40 to the inner conductor 2. In one practical embodiment, the cutouts 56, 57 are rounded as shown in Fig. 5. An adapting slot 58 of the patch 40 facing the inner conductor 2 may also reduce transmission losses of the electromagnetic waves from the patch 40 to the inner conductor 2 and / or reduce the risk of high-frequency short circuits. Fig. 5 also shows a variant in which the first metal layer 23 extends further in the horizontal direction beyond the outer conductor 3 within the further plane 43. The first metal layer 23 may be connected to an earth contact of the printed circuit board 33.

[0048] Fig. 6 shows the patch 40 and the upper part 31 of the outer conductor 3 in a perspective view from below. The patch 40 is located above a waveguide 60 or at least partially enters an opening of the waveguide 60. The waveguide 60 may be formed in the form of a further cutout of the printed circuit board 33, wherein the further cutout may be coated with a further metal layer. In a possible use of the coaxial conductor 1, the waveguide 60 may be arranged above a radio-frequency chip mounted on the printed circuit board 33. This allows the radio-frequency chip to introduce the electromagnetic waves into the waveguide 60. The waveguide 60 is designed to guide the electromagnetic waves to the patch 40. The patch 40 is configured to conduct the electromagnetic waves from the waveguide 60 to the inner conductor 2.

Claims

13 2023PF03222CLAIMS1. A coaxial conductor (1) for conducting electromagnetic waves, the coaxial conductor (1) comprising an inner conductor (2), an outer conductor (3) and supports (4.1, 4.2), wherein the inner conductor (2) is formed from a metal layer (23) and the inner conductor (2) is fixed within the outer conductor (3) by means of the supports (4.1, 4.2) and the coaxial conductor (1) comprises a longitudinal direction (10) and the inner conductor (2) extends centrally with respect to the outer conductor (3) along the longitudinal direction (10) and at a distance from the outer conductor (3) by means of a cavity (23.1, 23.2).

2. The coaxial conductor (1) according to claim 1, wherein the supports (4.1, 4.2) and the inner conductor (2) lie in a common plane (30, 43) and the inner conductor (2) divides the common plane (30, 43) into two opposite sides (30.1, 30.2) and the supports (4.1, 4.2) are arranged, as viewed in the longitudinal direction (10), at equal distances (34) from one another and are arranged, as viewed in the longitudinal direction (10), alternately on the opposite sides (30.1, 30.2) within the plane (30, 43).

3. The coaxial conductor (1) according to claim 2, wherein an operating range of the coaxial conductor (1) is specified by a wavelength range in which a wavelength of the waves lies, and the coaxial conductor (1) is adapted to conduct the electromagnetic waves such that the distances (34) are respectively a quarter of the wavelength.

4. The coaxial conductor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an operating range of the coaxial conductor (1) is specified by a wavelength range in which a wavelength of the waves lies, and an extension of the respective support (4.1, 4.2) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (10) is approximately half the wavelength.

5. The coaxial conductor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein— the supports (4.1, 4.2) and the inner conductor (2) are formed in one piece and / or— the supports (4.1, 4.2) are X-shaped.

6. The coaxial conductor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coaxial conductor (1) comprises further supports (41, 42) and a patch (40) for introducing the electromagnetic waves into the inner conductor (2), wherein the further supports (41, 42),14 2023PF03222 the inner conductor (2) and the supports (4.1, 4.2) lie within the common plane (30, 43) and the common plane (30, 43) comprises a middle stripe (43.1) and two outer stripes (43.2, 43.3) adjacent to the outer conductor (3), and the inner conductor (2) is arranged in the middle stripe (43.1) and the further supports (41, 42) engage the patch (40) in the middle stripe, and the coaxial conductor (1) comprises a connection between the patch (40) and the inner conductor (2), which lies in one of the outer stripes (43.2, 43.3), wherein preferably the patch (40) and / or the further supports (41, 42) are formed integrally with the inner conductor (2).

7. The coaxial conductor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer conductor (3) comprises an upper part and a lower part, wherein the metal layer (23) is arranged between the upper part and the lower part of the outer conductor (3) and the lower part of the outer conductor (3) comprises a C- or U-shaped cross section and / or is formed by a cutout of a printed circuit board (33).

8. The coaxial conductor (1) according to claim 7, wherein the cutout of the printed circuit board (33) comprises a metal coating.

9. The coaxial conductor (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the upper part of the outer conductor (3) comprises a C- or U-shaped cross section and is formed from metal.

10. A method for manufacturing a coaxial conductor (1) for conducting electromagnetic waves, comprising an inner conductor (2), an outer conductor (3) and supports (4.1, 4.2), the method comprising:— providing the inner conductor (2) by producing and processing a metal layer (23),— providing the supports (4.1, 4.2),— fixing the inner conductor (2) by means of the supports (4.1, 4.2) inside the outer conductor (3), wherein the coaxial conductor (1) comprises a longitudinal direction (10) and the inner conductor (2) extends centrally with respect to the outer conductor (3) along the longitudinal direction (10) and at a distance from the outer conductor (3) by means of a cavity (23.1, 23.2).

Images