Clone Carousel Waveguide Feed Network Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna waveguide feed networks that cover wide bandwidths are complex and costly, requiring precise tuning and multiple parts, which increases manufacturing risks and costs.

Innovation Solution

A super-broadband dual-polarized waveguide feed network is designed with a TX junction, multiple RX reject full filters, and RX reject clone filters disposed symmetrically around an aperture port, along with a branch line coupler and RX polarizer, to achieve circular polarization and suppress higher order modes, reducing complexity and mass while maintaining performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional wide bandwidth waveguide feed networks are used, then bandwidth coverage is achieved, but device complexity and mass increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth coverageVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide feed network is divided into multiple functional modules including TX junction, RX reject full filters, RX reject clone filters, branch line coupler, and RX polarizer. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the overall system to achieve wide bandwidth coverage through coordinated operation of segmented components rather than a single complex structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where RX reject clone filters are positioned within the same waveguide structure as RX reject full filters, and multiple filter stages are arranged in a compact nested configuration. This nesting reduces the overall footprint and number of discrete parts while maintaining the required bandwidth performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional wide bandwidth waveguide feed networks are used, then bandwidth coverage is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to precise tuning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing precision requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide feed network components are pre-designed with optimized dimensions and configurations during the design phase to achieve the desired bandwidth performance. The filter lengths, junction geometries, and component placements are predetermined through simulation and calculation, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing tuning and adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses RX reject clone filters that are simplified copies of the full filter design, positioned symmetrically around the aperture port. These clone filters replicate the essential rejection function without requiring the same level of manufacturing precision as the full filters, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple filters and components are added to achieve wide bandwidth, then bandwidth coverage improves, but mass of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth coverageVSAvoidmass of waveguide feed network

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional components including filters, couplers, and polarizers are merged into a single integrated waveguide structure. The components share common waveguide walls and support structures, eliminating redundant materials and reducing the total mass compared to separate discrete components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs nested filtering stages where inner filter elements are positioned within outer waveguide structures. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of shared structural materials and minimizes the total volume and mass required to achieve wide bandwidth coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11710907B1Clone carousel waveguide feed network

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

AI summary

A super-broadband waveguide feed network includes multiple receive (RX) full reject waveguide filters and multiple RX reject clone waveguide filters disposed in a clone carousel about an aperture port and configured to reject RX frequencies, and a branch line coupler configured to couple the multiple RX full reject waveguide filters and RX reject clone waveguide filters to other components of a waveguide feed network. The super-broadband waveguide feed includes an RX polarizer configured to couple to an end of the aperture port. The super-broadband waveguide feed is configured to be fabricated in one to three pieces composed of a single split plane on the zero-current region, and the super-broadband waveguide feed is circularly polarized.