Dielectric Waveguide Input/Output Coupling Structure for Wideband Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dielectric waveguide input/output coupling structures have a narrow applicable relative bandwidth, especially at frequencies less than 5 GHz, and increasing complexity and component count to achieve wider bandwidth leads to downsizing and weight reduction issues.
Innovation Solution
A dielectric waveguide input/output coupling structure with a generally circular input/output electrode and a short stub crossing through the exposed dielectric portion to couple with a conductor film, paired with a printed circuit board having a circular island-shaped electrode and surrounding ground patterns, allowing for alignment and coupling with reduced component count and misalignment tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional dielectric waveguide input/output coupling structure is used, then the structure is simple, but the applicable relative bandwidth is narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure is segmented into distinct functional regions: a first region with a first ground pattern and second region with a second ground pattern, allowing independent optimization of each region's electromagnetic characteristics to achieve wider bandwidth without increasing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from planar coupling to three-dimensional coupling by introducing vertical spacing between the dielectric waveguide and printed circuit board, and by creating overlapping ground patterns in different planes, thereby expanding the coupling mechanism across multiple spatial dimensions to achieve wideband performance
2Adaptability or versatility
If components are added to widen bandwidth, then the applicable relative bandwidth increases, but downsizing and weight reduction are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The ground patterns are merged with the signal transmission paths, and the input/output electrodes are integrated directly into the dielectric waveguide structure, eliminating the need for separate coupling components and reducing overall weight while achieving wideband performance
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric waveguide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides signal transmission, electromagnetic coupling, and grounding functions through its integrated electrodes and surrounding ground patterns, eliminating the need for additional dedicated components
3Adaptability or versatility
If components are added to widen bandwidth, then the applicable relative bandwidth increases, but the input/output coupling structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure is segmented into distinct functional regions: a first region with a first ground pattern and second region with a second ground pattern, allowing independent optimization of each region's electromagnetic characteristics to achieve wider bandwidth without increasing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from planar coupling to three-dimensional coupling by introducing vertical spacing between the dielectric waveguide and printed circuit board, and by creating overlapping ground patterns in different planes, thereby expanding the coupling mechanism across multiple spatial dimensions to achieve wideband performance
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 structure achieves wideband and low-loss characteristics without increasing the number of components, facilitating alignment and coupling with a simple configuration, and enhancing electromagnetic isolation.
Implementation Method 1
a short stub crossing through the exposed dielectric portion to couple the input/output electrode and the conductor film together
Implementation Method 2
the dielectric waveguide, and a strip line used in the printed circuit board, are different from each other in terms of a transmission mode of electromagnetic wave. Thus, as a prerequisite to using the dielectric waveguide filter while being directly mounted on the printed circuit board, it is necessary to provide, between the strip line and the dielectric waveguide, an input/output coupling structure for performing mode conversion.
Data Source
AI summary
Dielectric waveguide comprising a circular input/output electrode on its bottom surface and surrounded by an exposed dielectric portion thereof around which a conductor film is disposed. A short stub crosses through the exposed dielectric portion to couple the electrode and film together. The printed circuit board has a front surface formed with a generally-circular island-shaped electrode surrounded by a front surface-side ground pattern in a spaced-apart relation thereto, and a back surface formed with a strip line surrounded by a back surface-side ground pattern in spaced-apart relation thereto. An approximate center of the island-shaped electrode and one end of the strip line are coupled together, and the front surface-side ground pattern and the back surface-side pattern are coupled together. The input/output electrode of the dielectric waveguide and the island-shaped electrode of the printed circuit board are coupled together.