Waveguide to Microstrip Transition with Reduced Scale Backshort
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waveguide to microstrip transitions face challenges in impedance matching due to large impedance differences and require long backshorts, leading to large device sizes, high costs, and reduced reliability, making them unsuitable for portable applications.
Innovation Solution
A transition apparatus featuring a reduced-scale backshort, a resonator, and a microstrip line electromagnetically coupled to the resonator, with a conductor pad offset from the resonator's center line, allowing for efficient electromagnetic wave propagation and resonance, reducing the device size while maintaining effective power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional backshort with length at least quarter wavelength is used, then proper impedance matching is achieved, but device size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the backshort by introducing a resonant circuit that creates an artificial impedance characteristic. The backshort is designed with specific inductance and capacitance values to resonate at the operating frequency, creating a virtual open circuit effect at a much shorter physical length than the conventional quarter-wavelength requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a resonant circuit as an intermediary element between the waveguide and microstrip. This resonant circuit acts as a mediator that transforms the impedance relationship, allowing the backshort to achieve the required electrical length through resonance rather than physical length alone.
2Reliability
If sophisticated three-dimensional circuit design is used for matching, then impedance matching is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex three-dimensional circuit design with a resonant circuit approach that uses fundamental RLC resonance principles. Instead of sophisticated 3D electromagnetic field manipulation, the solution uses a simpler resonant structure with defined inductance and capacitance values that can be designed using standard circuit theory.
3Length of moving object
If backshort length is reduced, then device size is reduced, but impedance matching performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the backshort by introducing a resonant circuit that creates an artificial impedance characteristic. The backshort is designed with specific inductance and capacitance values to resonate at the operating frequency, creating a virtual open circuit effect at a much shorter physical length than the conventional quarter-wavelength requirement.
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 enables efficient electromagnetic signal transfer between waveguides and microstrips with reduced size, improved impedance matching, and enhanced reliability, suitable for portable applications by minimizing backshort length and optimizing resonance frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
generating first wave having a resonance at a predetermined frequency using the incident portion of the received electromagnetic wave
Implementation Method 2
reflecting a portion of the received electromagnetic wave off of a reduced scale backshort, back towards a collector
Implementation Method 3
generating a second wave having a resonance at a predetermined frequency using the reflected portion of the received electromagnetic wave
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are directed to a transition between a waveguide and a microstrip. One embodiment features an open-ended waveguide having an exposed side at a distal end, a substrate coupled to the open-ended waveguide at a proximate end, a resonator coupled to the substrate, a microstrip line electromagnetically coupled to the resonator, and a backshort coupled to the substrate. Another embodiment features receiving an electromagnetic wave, collecting an incident portion of the received electromagnetic wave, generating first wave having a resonance at a predetermined frequency using the incident portion of the received electromagnetic wave, reflecting a portion of the received electromagnetic wave off of a reduced scale backshort, back towards a collector, generating a second wave having a resonance at a predetermined frequency using the reflected portion of the received electromagnetic wave, and combining the first wave and the second wave in phase.