Waveguide Busbar Thermal Expansion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Waveguide busbars in output multiplexers experience unwanted phase relation changes due to temperature fluctuations, particularly in high-power and high-channel-count systems, where the high thermal expansion coefficient of aluminum leads to degradation of filter parameters, and existing compensation methods like Invar bolts are not suitable for frequencies above 13 GHz.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide busbar with adjustable parallel resonators that can alter their volume using actuators, such as thermomechanical or electromechanical components, to maintain constant phase lengths and compensate for temperature-induced changes, allowing for adjustable phase relations between input ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If aluminum is used for the waveguide busbar to ensure good thermal conductivity and minimize thermomechanical problems, then thermal conductivity and weight are improved, but phase relation stability deteriorates due to high thermal expansion coefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the a-dimension parameter of the waveguide busbar using Invar bolts and aluminum fins to compensate for thermal expansion effects, thereby maintaining stable phase relations despite temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines aluminum (for thermal conductivity and lightweight) with Invar bolts (for dimensional stability) to create a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both materials while mitigating their individual disadvantages
2Adaptability or versatility
If Invar bolts are used to compensate for thermal expansion in the Ku band, then phase relation compensation is achieved within certain limits, but the method becomes unsuitable for frequencies higher than 13 GHz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable parallel resonators that can be dynamically tuned to compensate for thermal expansion effects across different frequency ranges, making the system adaptable from Ku band to Ka band and beyond
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the resonator parameters (inductance and capacitance) to match different operating frequencies, enabling effective compensation across a broad frequency spectrum from 10.7 GHz to 40 GHz and higher
3Productivity
If the waveguide busbar length is increased to accommodate high channel count multiplexers, then channel count capacity is improved, but temperature-related phase degradation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the long waveguide busbar into multiple sections, each with its own parallel resonator for thermal compensation, allowing independent optimization and compensation of each segment to maintain overall phase stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses adjustable parallel resonators with tunable inductance and capacitance parameters to compensate for cumulative thermal expansion effects in long busbars, maintaining phase relations even in high-channel-count configurations
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 effectively reduces temperature-related fluctuations in phase relations, maintaining stable filter parameters across varying temperatures and frequencies, even in high-power and high-channel-count systems, by using adjustable parallel resonators to compensate for thermal expansion.
Implementation Method 1
due to the relatively high thermal expansion coefficient of aluminum, unwanted changes in phase relations occur in the waveguide busbar during temperature fluctuations
Implementation Method 2
the actuator comprises a thermomechanical actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A waveguide busbar for converting a plurality of high-frequency input signals into high-frequency output signals, includes a waveguide, a plurality of input ports, which are arranged along the waveguide, such that each input port is intended to receive a high-frequency input signal, an output port on the waveguide for delivering the high-frequency output signal and at least one parallel resonator, which is connected to the waveguide busbar between two input ports. The parallel resonator has a mechanically adjustable volume with which a phase relation of the waveguide is adjustable between the two input ports.