Waveguide Polarizer with Serial Delay Elements for Low-Loss Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
High signal losses occur when electromagnetic waves are coupled into or received from waveguides due to misalignment of polarization axes, particularly in dielectric waveguides, leading to limited signal bandwidth and increased costs for achieving high transmission bandwidth over long distances.
Innovation Solution
A polarizer system using serial delay elements within the waveguide's base body to rotate the polarization axis of electromagnetic waves from linear to circular or elliptical, allowing for low-loss transmission with improved alignment and bandwidth, featuring a first delay element with a small rotation followed by a second delay element for complete polarization conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single delay element is used for polarization conversion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the signal bandwidth is too limited for many applications
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizer is divided into multiple delay elements (first delay element and second delay element) with different polarization axes orientations. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to the overall polarization conversion function, enabling broader signal bandwidth while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional dimension of design by orienting the polarization axes of the delay elements at different angles (e.g., 45 degrees and 135 degrees). This angular dimension allows the system to handle multiple polarization states simultaneously, thereby expanding the usable signal bandwidth without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the waveguide and antenna arrangement are not optimally aligned, then mechanical stress and assembly tolerance are reduced, but high signal losses occur due to polarization axis misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizer with multiple delay elements is installed beforehand in the waveguide to compensate for potential polarization misalignment. By pre-converting the linearly polarized wave into circularly polarized wave, the system cushions against signal losses that would otherwise occur due to assembly tolerances and mechanical stress during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the polarization state parameter from linear to circular by introducing delay elements with specific orientations. This parameter change makes the system less sensitive to alignment errors, as circular polarization maintains its properties regardless of the receiver's orientation, thereby reducing signal losses while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Device complexity
If conventional electrical conductors are used for signal transmission, then the device complexity is low, but heavy signal attenuation occurs at high frequencies over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical conductor-based transmission with a waveguide system that uses electromagnetic wave propagation. This substitution eliminates the heavy signal attenuation inherent in electrical conductors at high frequencies, while the added complexity of the waveguide structure is offset by the removal of amplification and signal regeneration equipment that would be needed for long-distance electrical transmission.
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 solution enables high-bandwidth, low-loss transmission of electromagnetic signals over long distances, reducing signal attenuation and mechanical stress-related losses, and allows for the use of existing antenna arrangements for linearly polarized waves, enhancing data transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first delay element (5) is provided in the base body (3), whose polarization axis (P1) is rotated through a first delay angle (α) with respect to a polarization axis (PL) of the electromagnetic wave (4) from the first antenna arrangement (10)
Implementation Method 2
a second delay element (6) is provided in the base body (3) downstream of the first delay element (5) in the direction of propagation (A) of the electromagnetic wave (4), whose polarization axis (P2) is rotated through a second delay angle (β) with respect to the polarization axis (P1) of the first delay element (5)
Data Source
AI summary
A polarizer for a waveguide, comprising a main body for transmitting an electromagnetic wave, a first delay member being provided in the main body. A second delay member arranged downstream of the first delay member in the working direction (A) of the electromagnetic wave is provided in the main body, and the polarization axis (P2) of the second delay member is rotated relative to the polarization axis (P1) of the first delay member by a delay angle (β).