Orthomode Transducer Layout for Compact Multi-Band Polarization Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthomode transducers for miniaturized satellites, such as Cubesats, face challenges in being compact, lightweight, and capable of maintaining high performance across multiple frequency bands while effectively separating and processing polarizations for both reception and transmission.

Innovation Solution

A compact orthomode transducer design featuring a cylindrical waveguide body with a junction body and dichroic separator, allowing for efficient frequency and polarization separation, integrated with a polarizer and interception member to form an antenna that operates over a broad frequency band and supports circular to linear polarization conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional orthomode transducers are used, then polarization separation function is achieved, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolarization separation functionVSAvoidtransducer weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the waveguide body and junction body into a single integrated orthomode transducer structure. The junction body is positioned inside the waveguide body with shared walls, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall weight while maintaining polarization separation functionality through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The junction body is nested within the waveguide body, with the junction body's outer surface forming part of the waveguide body's internal structure. This nesting arrangement allows both components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, minimizing total device size and weight while preserving the orthomode transducer's polarization separation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If traditional orthomode transducers are used, then polarization separation function is achieved, but device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolarization separation functionVSAvoidtransducer volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the waveguide body and junction body into a single integrated orthomode transducer structure. The junction body is positioned inside the waveguide body with shared walls, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall volume while maintaining polarization separation functionality through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The junction body is nested within the waveguide body, with the junction body's outer surface forming part of the waveguide body's internal structure. This nesting arrangement allows both components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, minimizing total device volume while preserving the orthomode transducer's polarization separation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Weight of moving object

If miniaturized components are used, then satellite size and weight are reduced, but antenna performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesatellite weightVSAvoidantenna performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the integrated orthomode transducer, including the dimensions and positioning of the junction body within the waveguide body, to maintain antenna performance while minimizing size. The design carefully controls the physical parameters to ensure proper electromagnetic wave propagation and polarization separation in the miniaturized structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 a compact, high-performance antenna that can efficiently process signals across a wide frequency band, ensuring effective signal reception and transmission with reduced size and weight, suitable for integration into miniaturized satellites like Cubesats.

Implementation Method 1

a waveguide body (21), which acts as a waveguide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaveguide: Waveguide

Implementation Method 2

dichroic separator, allowing for efficient frequency and polarization separation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDichroic separation: Dichroic Filter

Implementation Method 3

the antenna must separate the received signal into two signals with linear polarizations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization conversion: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP3893323B1Orthomode transducer for an antenna, and antenna for satellites
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 PICOSATS SRL
  • EP3893323B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5B
  • EP3893323B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3893323B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B

AI summary

The orthomode transducer for antenna comprises a waveguide body extended along a longitudinal axis and comprising a first end and a second end, a first port connected to the first end of the waveguide body, and a second port, the two ports being suitable to be connected to an electronic circuit. The application also describes an antenna for satellites that comprises the orthomode transducer, a polarizer connected to the orthomode transducer, and an interception member connected to the polarizer.