RF Antenna Feed Assembly With Tunable Probes for Low-Loss Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing and assembling interconnect solutions between RF circuitry and radiative components in large antenna arrays is challenging due to misalignment issues, high RF losses, and complex, expensive designs, especially in electronically steered arrays (ESAs).
Innovation Solution
The use of enhanced coaxial connector assemblies with radiating probe components that couple RF signals from printed circuit boards to waveguides, featuring tunable radiating probes and interface plates for mechanical mounting and RF sealing, reducing insertion forces and misalignment, and allowing for flexible frequency configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coaxial connectors are used to couple RF signals across circuit boards, then RF signal transmission is achieved, but misalignment issues and high RF losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RF signal coupling function from traditional coaxial connectors and implements it through radiating probes that extend through the circuit board. This eliminates the need for separate connectors and reduces the number of interfaces, thereby reducing RF losses and misalignment issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiating probes serve as intermediaries between the transmission line and the RF signal path. These probes are conductively coupled to the transmission line and radiatively coupled to the RF signal, providing an efficient coupling mechanism that reduces RF losses compared to traditional connector interfaces.
2Reliability
If large arrays of antenna elements are assembled using traditional interconnect solutions, then RF signal coupling is achieved, but complex and expensive designs with manufacturing difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interconnect solution into modular radiating probes that can be individually assembled and tuned. Each probe is a discrete component that can be independently manufactured and adjusted, simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing design complexity for large arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiating probes can be tuned across multiple frequency ranges by modifying one or various components of the probes. This parameter adjustability allows the same basic probe design to be used across different frequency bands, reducing design complexity and manufacturing costs for large arrays operating at different frequencies.
3Productivity
If blind mate connections are used for RF signal coupling, then connection speed is improved, but alignment difficulty and hardware damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radiating probes are pre-positioned and conductively coupled to the transmission line before final assembly. This preliminary coupling ensures proper alignment and reduces the risk of hardware damage during the final assembly process, while still maintaining fast assembly speeds.
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
This approach enables low-cost, high-performance RF interfaces with reduced RF losses and improved reliability by allowing individual alignment and tuning of radiating elements, facilitating the assembly of large arrays with reduced complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
radiating probe components that carry RF signals from conductive connections of a circuit board to radiative RF waveguide cavities
Data Source
AI summary
Enhanced components and assemblies for microwave radio frequency (RF) antenna feed systems are provided. One example includes radiating probes that propagate RF signals to intermediate waveguides that feed polarizers or filters associated with horn antenna elements. The radiating probes can couple to corresponding transmit/receive circuitry using coaxial link elements. The radiating probes comprise tunable components which can be shaped/sized to produce desired output characteristics (e.g., frequency ranges and gain properties). Many radiating probes can be integrated into a cover plate assembly that feeds an array of horn antennas. Interface elements with integrated waveguides can provide RF sealing between radiating probes and provide radiative coupling from radiating probes to corresponding waveguides that feed the array of horn antennas.