Contactless Microstrip-Waveguide Transition With Gap Waveguide Aperture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waveguide transition arrangements between microstrip and tubular waveguides require high precision assembly, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs due to the need for precise positioning of feeding probes or ridges.

Innovation Solution

A waveguide module with a repetitive structure that acts as a gap waveguide, allowing for efficient and cost-effective assembly by attenuating electromagnetic signal propagation in specific frequency bands while enabling propagation through a defined passage, thus eliminating the need for precise electrical contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If feeding probes or ridges are used for waveguide transition, then signal transmission between microstrip and waveguide is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission performanceVSAvoidpositioning precision of feeding probes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the feeding probe component entirely from the transition structure, replacing it with a direct aperture coupling between microstrip and waveguide. This eliminates the need for precise positioning of feeding probes while maintaining signal transmission performance through the aperture and surrounding ridge structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using protruding feeding probes that extend into the waveguide, the patent inverts the approach by creating a recessed aperture structure where the microstrip feeds through an opening in the waveguide wall. The surrounding ridges then guide the signal, reversing the traditional probe-extending-into-waveguide configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If feeding probes are precisely positioned in waveguide structure, then transition performance is improved, but assembly difficulty increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransition performanceVSAvoidassembly convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding probe is completely removed from the structure, replacing it with a simple aperture and ridge configuration. This allows the waveguide to be manufactured as a single piece or easily assembled from standard components without requiring precise positioning of additional elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the aperture and surrounding ridges to optimize transition performance. By carefully controlling the aperture size, ridge dimensions, and spacing, high-performance transitions are achieved through geometric optimization rather than precise component positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If frequency of operation is increased, then signal bandwidth is improved, but precision requirements for transition structure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal frequencyVSAvoidcomponent sizing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the aperture and ridges as functions of operating frequency. By scaling the aperture dimensions and ridge spacing appropriately for different frequency bands, the transition maintains high performance across a wide frequency range without requiring excessively tight tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The aperture-ridge transition structure is designed to be universally applicable across multiple frequency bands. The same basic structure can be used for different frequencies by adjusting the aperture size and ridge dimensions, eliminating the need for completely different transition designs for each frequency band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides high-performance transitions with improved return loss and insertion loss, while simplifying assembly by eliminating the need for precise alignment and electrical contact, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the repetitive structure is configured to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in a frequency band past the repetitive structure while allowing propagation via the passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250044336A1Contactless Microstrip To Waveguide Transition

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 GAPWAVES AB

AI summary

A micro strip to waveguide transition includes a waveguide module and a section of printed circuit board (PCB). The waveguide module includes a waveguide aperture and a repetitive structure. The waveguide aperture is arranged extending through the module for attaching a waveguide to an external side of the module. The repetitive structure includes a plurality of protruding elements arranged to surround the waveguide aperture on an internal side of the module and to define a passage into the waveguide aperture on the internal side. The repetitive structure is configured to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in a frequency band past the repetitive structure while allowing propagation via the passage. The transition further includes a PCB with a patch antenna connected to a transmission line and arranged to face the passage into the waveguide aperture.