Rotatable Waveguide Filter Structure for Compact Dual-Band Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite terminal designs for dual-band operation require swapping key components when switching between frequency bands, leading to inconvenience, time consumption, and potential malfunctions, especially in mobile setups, and lack a compact, volume-efficient solution.

Innovation Solution

A dual-filter structure with rotatable waveguide conduits and filter compartments that allow seamless switching between high and low frequency bands, enabling a low-profile design suitable for integration into mobile terminals, with manual or automated rotation options and leakage reduction components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If component swapping is used for dual-band operation, then frequency band switching capability is achieved, but terminal complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual-band operation capabilityVSAvoidterminal complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a rotatable filter compartment that can dynamically switch between different filter configurations for dual-band operation. Instead of requiring physical component swapping, the system uses a rotating mechanism to bring different filters into the signal path, enabling adaptive frequency band switching while maintaining a unified terminal structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional filter compartment that houses multiple filters within a single rotating unit. This universal structure can accommodate both Ku-band and Ka-band filters, allowing the same physical component to serve multiple frequency bands without requiring separate dedicated components for each band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If component swapping is used for dual-band operation, then frequency band switching capability is achieved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual-band operation capabilityVSAvoidcomponent swapping time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-positions multiple filters within the rotating compartment before operation begins. When band switching is needed, the system simply rotates the compartment to bring the appropriate pre-positioned filter into place, eliminating the time-consuming process of physically swapping components during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating mechanism enables rapid, dynamic switching between filters by simply changing the rotational position rather than performing physical removal and installation operations. This dynamic approach reduces switching time from minutes to seconds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interchangeable components are carried for mobile terminal, then dual-band operation capability is maintained, but terminal volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual-band operation capabilityVSAvoidterminal volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places multiple filters inside a single rotating compartment structure, creating a nested arrangement where several functional elements are contained within one unified housing. This eliminates the need to carry separate interchangeable components, reducing the overall volume required for mobile dual-band operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple filter functions into a single integrated rotating compartment assembly. By combining what would traditionally be separate interchangeable components into one unified structure, the system reduces the total volume and simplifies the mobile terminal configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If filter compartment rotation is implemented, then filter switching capability is improved, but mechanical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter switching capabilityVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual filter swapping operations with a simple rotational mechanism. Instead of requiring users to physically remove and install filters, the system uses a rotation action to bring different filters into the signal path, simplifying the user interface while maintaining filtering functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12470286B2Dual-band radio terminal and filter structure

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 OVZON SWEDEN AB

AI summary

A filter structure has a frame carrying a filter compartment that holds first and second waveguide filters (F1H, F2H; F1L, F2L). The filter compartment is rotatable a predetermined angle around a rotation axis (AV) relative to the frame so as to either engage the first waveguide filter (F1H, F2H) or the second waveguide filter (F1L, F2L) in a waveguide conduit, thus rendering the waveguide conduit adapted for forwarding radio-frequency signals at a higher band or a lower band respectively. Consequently, the filter structure is suitable for inclusion in a dual-band radio terminal for communication with spacecrafts via an antenna unit exchanging radio-frequency signals bidirectionally with the spacecrafts.