Multi-Frequency Waveguide Feed Line With Angled Vias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waveguides degrade in performance when frequency changes, leading to instability and energy loss, limiting their operation to a single frequency and reducing gain consistency across a frequency range.
Innovation Solution
A multi-frequency electromagnetic feed line with laterally arranged slots and vias at predetermined angles, allowing for adaptable termination distances to maintain in-phase radiation patterns and improved gain performance across a frequency band, including configurations with varying slot dimensions and angled termination constructs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional waveguides are designed for single frequency operation, then they achieve good matching and stability at that frequency, but they degrade in performance when frequency changes
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide incorporates discontinuities at specific locations along its length, where each discontinuity has locally different properties (varying distances from reference planes) to compensate for frequency-dependent phase variations at different positions, enabling multi-frequency operation while maintaining overall system performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention varies the distances of discontinuities from reference planes to optimize performance across multiple frequencies. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the waveguide compensates for frequency-induced phase changes and maintains consistent electrical characteristics over a broad frequency range
2Adaptability or versatility
If waveguides operate over a frequency range, then they improve adaptability, but they experience gain fluctuations and energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
Strategic placement of discontinuities at specific locations creates localized impedance variations that compensate for frequency-dependent losses, maintaining consistent gain across the frequency band by addressing energy loss issues at critical points along the waveguide
Solution Approach 2:
The discontinuities act as reflective elements that provide feedback to compensate for signal attenuation and gain fluctuations, creating constructive interference patterns that maintain consistent output levels across different frequencies
3Ease of manufacture
If waveguides use standard termination configurations, then they simplify manufacturing, but they produce reflections and degrade performance at frequencies other than the design frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The termination construct uses asymmetric via hole arrangements and varying distances from the reference plane, breaking the symmetry of conventional terminations to achieve frequency-independent impedance matching and reduce reflections across a broad frequency range
Solution Approach 2:
The termination is divided into multiple via holes at different positions rather than a single continuous structure, allowing each segment to compensate for frequency variations and maintain consistent performance across the frequency band
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 enhances gain stability and reduces fluctuations, maintaining peak realized gain across a broad frequency range, such as 76 GHz to 80 GHz, by ensuring in-phase alignment and reduced reflections, thereby improving matching and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of slots arranged laterally along a length of the waveguide that corresponds to a first axis, in which the plurality of slots are configured to radiate electromagnetic signaling from an input end of the waveguide to a terminal end of the waveguide
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of vias arranged proximate to the terminal end of the waveguide in a predetermined angle relative to a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, in which the plurality of vias are configured to terminate the plurality of slots for different frequencies of an operating frequency band
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to a multi-frequency electromagnetic feed line. The multi-frequency electromagnetic feed line includes a waveguide that has a plurality of slots arranged laterally along a length of the waveguide that corresponds to a first axis, in which the plurality of slots are configured to radiate electromagnetic signaling from an input end of the waveguide to a terminal end of the waveguide. The waveguide also has a plurality of vias arranged proximate to the terminal end of the waveguide in a predetermined angle relative to a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, in which the plurality of vias are configured to terminate the plurality of slots for different frequencies of an operating frequency band. A first slot of the plurality of slots that is arranged closest to the terminal end has varying distances to different vias. Other examples disclosed herein relate a method of fabricating a waveguide.