Waveguide Coupler Alignment via Elliptical Patch Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency applications such as millimeter wave or terahertz radiation require precise alignment for effective coupling between antennas and waveguides, which is costly and challenging to achieve with conventional methods.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit (IC) with a circuit trace assembly, a coupler featuring symmetric circular and elliptical patch antennas, and a high impedance surface, along with an alignment assembly and a rectangular waveguide, facilitates efficient coupling by aligning the antennas with the waveguide through a conductive window region and dielectric layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coupling methods are used for high-frequency applications, then coupling between antenna and waveguide can be achieved, but alignment precision requirements become extremely high and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alignment assembly with alignment features as an intermediary component between the antenna and waveguide. This alignment assembly provides mechanical guidance and positioning structures that automatically align the antenna with the waveguide during assembly, eliminating the need for high-precision manual alignment and reducing alignment precision requirements while maintaining coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment assembly incorporates pre-formed alignment features and positioning structures that are prepared in advance during manufacturing. These preliminary alignment structures guide the antenna into the correct position relative to the waveguide before final assembly, ensuring proper alignment without requiring high-precision adjustment during assembly
2Reliability
If conventional coupling methods are used for high-frequency applications, then coupling can be achieved, but the alignment structure becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment assembly serves as a mediator that simplifies the overall coupling structure by incorporating all necessary alignment features in one component. This intermediary structure provides mechanical guidance, positioning, and alignment in a single assembly piece, reducing the complexity of the overall system compared to multiple separate alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, guides alignment, positions the antenna relative to the waveguide, and ensures proper coupling. By combining these multiple functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining coupling efficiency
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 configuration simplifies the alignment process, enhancing the coupling efficiency for high-frequency applications by redirecting energy from circular patch antennas to elliptical patch antennas, which then transmit it into the waveguide, thereby improving the alignment precision and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an elliptical patch antenna that is located within the window region, that is extends over at least a portion of the circular patch antenna, and that is in communication with the circular patch antenna
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided. In the apparatus, there is an antenna package and an integrated circuit (IC). A circuit trace assembly is secured to the IC. A coupler (with an antenna assembly and a high impedance surface (HIS)) is secured to the circuit trace assembly. An antenna assembly has a window region, a conductive region that substantially surrounds the window region, a circular patch antenna that is in communication with the IC, and an elliptical patch antenna that is located within the window region, that is extends over at least a portion of the circular patch antenna, and that is in communication with the circular patch antenna. The HIS substantially surrounds the antenna assembly.