Waveguide Branching Recesses for Impedance Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Waveguide devices with branching portions face impedance mismatching issues, leading to signal propagation loss and noise due to unwanted reflection of electromagnetic waves, which conventional impedance transformer structures fail to adequately address in ridge waveguide technology.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating recesses in the side faces of the waveguide member at the branching portion, with the recesses reaching the waveguide face, to enhance impedance matching by reducing parasitic capacitance and adding inductance components, thereby suppressing signal wave reflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a branching portion is provided in the waveguide member, then the waveguide can distribute signals to multiple directions, but impedance mismatching occurs causing signal reflection and propagation loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal distribution capabilityVSAvoidsignal propagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing recesses specifically at the branching portion of the waveguide member rather than uniformly throughout the structure. These localized recesses create specific electrical properties (inductance and reduced parasitic capacitance) only where needed at the impedance discontinuity, improving matching without affecting other portions of the waveguide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the waveguide at the branching portion by introducing recesses with specific dimensions. The depth, width, and position of these recesses are optimized to transform the impedance characteristics, converting the harmful impedance mismatch into a matched condition that reduces reflection and propagation loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional impedance transformer structures are used at the branching portion, then some impedance matching is achieved, but the matching is insufficient and unwanted reflection still occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpedance matching degreeVSAvoidsignal wave reflection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses introduced in the waveguide member create curved surfaces that smoothly transition the electromagnetic field at the branching portion. This curvature effect helps to gradually transform the impedance rather than creating abrupt discontinuities, thereby reducing reflection and improving the degree of impedance matching beyond what conventional sharp-edged transformers achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the waveguide member has a simple rectangular cross-section, then manufacturing is easy, but impedance matching at branching portions cannot be adequately achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaveguide fabrication simplicityVSAvoidimpedance matching performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the waveguide member by introducing recesses that divide the otherwise continuous rectangular cross-section. This segmentation creates distinct regions with different electrical properties at the branching portion, enabling impedance transformation while maintaining the overall simple rectangular structure that is easy to manufacture using standard techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhanced impedance matching at the branching portion improves propagation efficiency, reduces noise, and enhances the performance of waveguide and antenna devices by minimizing signal wave reflection and power losses across a broad frequency range.

Implementation Method 1

enhance impedance matching by reducing parasitic capacitance and adding inductance components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParasitic capacitance: Parasitic Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

enhance impedance matching by reducing parasitic capacitance and adding inductance components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductance: Inductor

Implementation Method 3

An artificial magnetic conductor functions as a perfect magnetic conductor in a specific frequency band which is defined by its structure. An artificial magnetic conductor restrains or prevents an electromagnetic wave of any frequency that is contained in the specific frequency band (propagation-restricted band) from propagating along the surface of the artificial magnetic conductor.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArtificial magnetic conductor:

Data Source

PatentUS10333227B2Waveguide device, and antenna device including the waveguide device

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 WGR CO LTD

AI summary

A waveguide device according to an embodiment includes an electrically conductive member having an electrically conductive surface, a waveguide member extending so as to face along the electrically conductive surface, and stretches of artificial magnetic conductor on both sides of the waveguide member. The waveguide member includes a first portion extending in one direction, and at least two branches extending in mutually different directions from one end of the first portion, the at least two branches including a second portion and a third portion. The second portion has a recess in a side face that connects to one side face of the first portion, the recess reaching the waveguide face.