Contactless Microstrip-Waveguide Transition With Gap Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waveguide transitions between microstrip and tubular waveguides require high precision assembly, which increases costs and complicates manufacturing due to the need for precise positioning of probes or ridges, especially at higher frequencies where components become smaller.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide module with a repetitive structure that forms a gap waveguide interface between a microstrip transmission line and a tubular waveguide, allowing for contactless transition and efficient assembly, where the repetitive structure is either integrally formed with the waveguide flange or configured on a separate carrier, and alignment is enhanced using alignment taps and holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If feeding probes or ridges are used for waveguide transition, then signal transmission between microstrip and waveguide is achieved, but assembly precision requirements increase and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the electrical contact function from the transition structure by using a repetitive structure that creates electromagnetic coupling without physical electrical contact between the microstrip and waveguide. This eliminates the need for precisely positioning probes or ridges while maintaining signal transmission performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The repetitive structure acts as an intermediary between the microstrip and waveguide, providing electromagnetic coupling through a controlled gap rather than direct electrical contact. This intermediary structure enables signal transmission while relaxing assembly precision requirements.
2Reliability
If feeding probes are used for waveguide transition, then signal transmission is enabled, but device complexity increases due to precise positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex positioning requirements by extracting the electrical contact function and replacing it with a repetitive structure that provides electromagnetic coupling through a gap, significantly simplifying the assembly process while maintaining signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the coupling mechanism from direct electrical contact to electromagnetic coupling through a gap, altering the fundamental parameter of how signals are transmitted between microstrip and waveguide. This parameter change simplifies the device while maintaining functionality.
3Speed
If higher frequencies are used for operation, then communication performance improves, but component size decreases and precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the frequency-dependent positioning precision requirement by using a repetitive structure that provides robust electromagnetic coupling over a broad frequency range. This allows higher frequency operation without proportionally increasing precision requirements, as the gap structure maintains coupling effectiveness across frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the coupling approach to be less sensitive to frequency variations by using a repetitive gap structure rather than resonant probes or ridges. This parameter change enables higher frequency operation while maintaining relaxed tolerance requirements.
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 enables high-performance transitions with reduced assembly complexity and cost, maintaining high mechanical precision and efficiency across various frequency bands without the need for precise electrical contact, thus simplifying the manufacturing process.
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
Data Source
AI summary
A microstrip to waveguide transition comprising a waveguide module and a section of printed circuit board (PCB). The waveguide module comprises a waveguide aperture and a repetitive structure, the waveguide aperture being arranged extending through the module for attaching a waveguide to an external side of the module, the repetitive structure comprising 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, wherein 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 comprising a PCB with a patch antenna connected to a transmission line and arranged to face the passage into the waveguide aperture.