EP2132825A1

EP2132825A1 - Microwave transmit/receive antenna feed

Info

Publication number: EP2132825A1
Application number: EP08724386A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ales Zeleznik; Boris Sijanec
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-06
Filing date: 2008-03-19
Publication date: 2009-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-19
Also published as: WO2008123836A1; DK2132825T3; PL2132825T3; SI2132825T1; SI22517A; EP2132825B1; ATE545172T1; CY1112803T1; PT2132825E; ES2382020T3; HRP20120374T1

Abstract

The present microwave transmit/receive antenna feed of a microwave communication system for transmitting and/or receiving orthogonal components of a linearly polarized microwave radio signal, enabling reception in one or two frequency ranges, reception and transmission in two frequency ranges, or transmission in one or two frequency ranges, has a waveguide of a circular or rectangular cross-section and is characterized in that there is at least one plane with a recess (6) fashioned on the lateral side of the body (5) of the feed (1), into which recess (6) at least one electronic circuitry (14) is placed and fixed. There is at least one bore through the plane into the waveguide (10, 11), wherein a probe (12, 13) is inserted, protruding into the waveguide (10, 11) and outwards, and is electrically and mechanically coupled to the electronic circuitry (14). The configuration according to the invention allows antenna feeds of exceptional compactness, reliability and simplicity to be manufactured.

Description

Microwave Transmit/Receive Antenna Feed

The present invention relates to a microwave transmit and/or receive antenna feed configuration for a microwave communication system. The scope of the present invention encompasses an antenna feed for transmitting and/or receiving orthogonal components of a linearly polarized microwave radio signal which enables reception in one or two frequency ranges, reception and transmission in two frequency ranges, or transmission in one or two frequency ranges. The antenna feed of the invention is utilized in conjunction with a reflective surface, usually a parabolic dish, or in an embodiment with a funnel-shaped radiator.

The most familiar prior-art antenna feed configuration is set forth e.g. in patent application PCT/IB95/00313 and in US Patent No. 5,594,937, wherein the electronic transmitting and/or receiving section is physically separated from the antenna feed and/or the antenna, and the signal between the electronic section and the antenna feed/antenna is routed via a coaxial line. It is a disadvantage with said configuration that the coaxial line has additional connectors which are a potential source of failures, and, furthermore, the coaxial line introduces an additional attenuation to the signal. This type of configuration is difficult to manufacture and unreliable.

The antenna feed configuration according to US Patent No. 5,463,407 overcomes many of the said disadvantages by employing a structure with two resonators, wherein the smaller resonator in the form of an independent mechanical assembly is built into the bigger resonator, while the electronic section in the form of an independent unit is mounted directly to the side of the antenna feed. It is a disadvantage of such arrangement that it comprises a greater number of components and thus requires precision in the process of assembling the antenna feed. Although the coaxial lines between the electronic circuitry and the antenna feed are substantially shorter, they nevertheless still subsist and require additional U-shaped channels to be arranged within the resonator.

It is an object of the present invention to disclose a microwave transmit and/or receive antenna feed of such configuration for a microwave communication system, enabling reception in one or two frequency ranges, reception and transmission in two frequency ranges, or transmission in one or two frequency ranges of orthogonal components of a linearly polarized microwave radio signal. The inventive antenna feed is used in combination with a reflective surface, usually a parabolic dish, or in an embodiment with a funnel-shaped radiator, wherein the antenna feed and the related electronic circuitry constitute one compact physical unit having no, or only a bare minimum of, coaxial lines between the electronic circuitry and the antenna.

According to the invention, the object is attained by a microwave transmit/receive antenna feed as per the independent patent claim (s). The invention shall hereinafter be described according to the preferred embodiment thereof and with reference to the appended drawings, representing:

Figure 1 : the inventive antenna feed in combination with a parabolic reflector,

Figure 2 : the cylindrically shaped antenna feed according to the first embodiment in perspective view,

Figure 3: the cylindrically shaped antenna feed according to the first embodiment in frontal view,

Figure 4 : the cylindrically shaped antenna feed according to the first embodiment, as viewed in longitudinal cross-section,

Figure 5 : the cylindrically shaped antenna feed according to the first embodiment, as viewed frontally, namely in the direction of reception and/or transmission of electromagnetic radiation,

Figure 6: the cylindrically shaped antenna feed according to the first embodiment, as viewed frontally, namely in the direction of reception and/or transmission of electromagnetic radiation, in cross-section,

Figure 7 : the cylindrically shaped antenna feed according to the first embodiment in its assembled state,

Figure 8 : the cylindrically shaped antenna feed according to the second embodiment in perspective view,

Figure 9: the cylindrically shaped antenna feed according to the second embodiment, as viewed in longitudinal cross-section,

Figure 10: the antenna feed in the shape of a rectangular prism according to the third embodiment, as viewed in perspective. Figure 1 shows the inventive antenna feed 1 in combination with a parabolic reflector 4. The feed 1 is fixed to the reflector 4 by means of a support 3 and is energywise and signalwise connected at a substantially lower frequency, in the order of several tens of MHz, to the corresponding electrical device via a coaxial line 2. According to the present invention the transmit frequencies are in the range of 5 GHz to 6 GHz, whereas the receive frequencies are in the range of 11 GHz to 13 GHz. In the embodiment at hand, the transmit frequency range is from 5.470 GHz to 5.725 GHz and the receive frequency range is from 11.7 GHz to 12.1 GHz.

The antenna feed 1 according to the first embodiment as seen in Figure 2 is substantially cylinder-shaped. This means that it is fashioned in the shape of a metal cylinder internally comprising two longitudinal circular concentric cylindrical cavities, wherein the larger-diameter cavity is situated at the front end of the feed 1 and the smaller- diameter cavity extends toward the rear end of the feed 1. Herein, the term "rear end of the feed 1" is used to designate the end where the cap 9 with the attachment connector 8 is located. The said two cavities are circular waveguides, the diameters whereof are adapted to the two frequency ranges of operation of the antenna feed. The waveguides are shown in Figure 3, the waveguide with the larger diameter being designated by the numeral 10 and the waveguide with the smaller diameter being designated by the numeral 11. According to the first embodiment, the cylinder wall or mantle of the basic cylinder shape is removed along most of its length, leaving four mutually perpendicular planes 7, which, in turn, define a square with rounded-off corners as may be seen in Figure 6. The planes 7 may have equal or different lengths. The said planes 7 have recesses which, in the embodiment at hand, are shaped so as to allow the electronic components of the electronic circuitry 14 to sink either individually separated or in separate groups into single recesses 6. The electronic circuitry 14 comprises a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, and the electronic components mounted thereon, wherein the electronic components are only disposed on one side of the substrate. The electronic circuitry 14 is of such dimensions that the substrate thereof rests on the edge of the recess of the plane 7 and is accommodated by a depression having a depth approximately equal to the thickness of the substrate of the electronic circuitry 14. The structure is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The function of such shaped recesses 6 is to reduce the mutual effects of the electromagnetic emissions generated by the electronic components of the electronic circuitry 14. All the required electronic components of the transmitter and/or receiver are disposed on one side of each electronic circuitry 14 functionally coupled to some of the neighboring electronic circuitries 14. As may be observed in Figure 2, there are two bores in planes 7 for accommodating the two probes 12 and 13. The probes 12 and 13 perform the function of a transmit and/or receive antenna. The probe 12 is inserted through the first plane 7 so as to protrude into the larger-diameter waveguide 10. The probe 13 is inserted through the second plane 7, which is perpendicular to the first plane 7, so as to protrude into the smaller-diameter waveguide 11. According to this particular embodiment, into the body of the antenna feed 1 fashioned in the said manner electronic circuitries 14 are laid and fixed to the said planes 7 in such a way that the electronic components mounted thereon fit into the recesses 6. The probes 12 and 13, which are already disposed inside the body 5 of the antenna feed 1 and also project outward of it, are electrically and mechanically coupled to the electronic circuitry 14. The electronic circuitries 14 may have convenient electrical and mechanical shielding on the outer side, while a convenient prior-art protective cover may be fixed in manners known in the art over the entire body of the antenna feed 1. In Figure 7, the antenna feed 1 according to the first embodiment may be seen in its assembled state. The body 5 of the antenna feed 1 is covered on the rear side by a cover 9, which is screwed into the thread of the antenna feed body 5 and has an attachment connector 8 at the center of the cover. The probes 12 and 13 are always disposed so as to be mutually perpendicular, as indicated in Figures 5 and 6.

In accordance with the second embodiment, illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, all the planes inside the mantle of the basic cylinder shape are preferably of equal length and comparatively shorter than in the first embodiment. The purpose of such arrangement is in that the recesses 6 are only fashioned in the section in which the smaller-diameter waveguide 11 extends on the inside of the cylinder. That way, an antenna feed body 5 having a smaller diameter than in the first embodiment may be fashioned. It is however a consequence of the arrangement according to the second embodiment that the probe 12 must be routed along the antenna feed body 5 to the appropriate opening in the larger-diameter waveguide 10. The remaining structural characteristics are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to the third embodiment, shown in Figure 10, the antenna feed 1 is shaped basically as a rectangular prism. On the rear side thereof there is a cover 9 whereon an attachment connector 8 is fixed. The dimensions of the sides of the waveguide with a rectangular cross-section are defined conveniently for operating within two frequency ranges of transmission and/or reception. In this embodiment, the dimensions of the inner sides of the rectangular cross-section take on the function performed by the different diameters of the circular waveguides in the first and second embodiments. In the outer walls of the antenna feed body 5 shaped as a rectangular prism recesses 6 are fashioned. The said recesses 6 are fashioned in such a way as to accommodate the electronic components of the electronic circuitry 14. All the required electronic components of the transmitter and/or receiver are disposed on one side of the electronic circuitry 14 which is functionally coupled to some of the neighboring electronic circuitries. There are two bores in the planes for accommodating the two probes 12 and 13. The probe 12 is inserted through the first plane so as to protrude through the wider side into the waveguide. The probe 13 is inserted through the second plane, which is perpendicular to the first plane, so as to protrude through the narrower side into the waveguide. Into the antenna feed 1 body fashioned in the said manner electronic circuitries 14 are laid and fixed to the said planes in such a way that the electronic components mounted thereon fit into the recesses 6. The probes 12 and 13, which are already disposed inside the body 5 of the antenna feed 1 and also project outward of it, are electrically and mechanically coupled to the two electronic circuitries 14. The remaining structural characteristics are the same as in the first embodiment.

Within the scope of the invention it is also possible to fashion the said recesses as integral spaces having the shape of a flat-bottomed basin, wherein the electronic circuitries are inserted in such a way as to fit with their rear side, i.e. with the substrate side where there are no electronic components, on the bottom of the said spaces, while facing the antenna feed body, to which they are fixed. The substrates of the electronic section, accordingly placed on the bottom of the spaces in the antenna feed body, may also be fixed to the antenna feed body by means of metal partitions separating the individual electronic components and/or groups of electronic components. Aptly disposed metal partitions set up boundaries between electronic components and/or electronic circuitries, thereby reducing the mutual effects of the electromagnetic emissions generated by the electronic components of the electronic circuitry. The partitions are shaped as vertical walls having vertical through bores for fixing screws, by means of which fixing screws they are secured together with the electronic circuitries to the antenna feed body. The height of the partition serving as a separator wall is smaller by the thickness of the substrate than the depth of the recess in the plane of the antenna body. There is at least one bore through the plane into the waveguide, wherein the probe is inserted, protruding into the waveguide. The probe is situated in the antenna feed body, projecting outward of it, and is electrically and mechanically coupled to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry, especially if the electronic components are mounted so as to be extending into the recess, may have convenient electrical and mechanical shielding on the outer side, while a convenient prior-art protective cover may be fixed in manners known in the art over the entire body of the antenna feed.

To sum up, the proposed microwave transmit/receive antenna feed for a microwave communication system is characterized in that it has at least one plane with a recess fashioned on the lateral side of the antenna feed body, into which recess at least one electronic circuitry is placed and fixed in such a manner as to fit into the said recess. The number of planes and recesses may be from one to four. The electronic circuitry has electronic components disposed only on one side. The recesses are shaped so as to allow the electronic components of the electronic circuitry to sink either individually separated and/or in separate groups into single recesses, or, alternatively, they may be shaped as an integral space having the shape of a basin, wherein the electronic components or groups of electronic components are not physically separated. The electronic circuitry is placed on and fixed to the edge of the recess of the plane, in a depression having a depth approximately equal to the thickness of the substrate of the electronic circuitry, or, alternatively, it may be placed with its substrate on the bottom of the recess and fixed thereto by means of metal partitions. There is at least one bore into the waveguide, wherein a probe is inserted, protruding into the waveguide. The probe is situated in the antenna feed body, projecting outward of it, and is electrically and mechanically coupled to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry may have convenient electrical and mechanical shielding on the outer side, while a convenient prior-art protective cover may be fixed in manners known in the art over the entire body of the antenna feed.

All the foregoing embodiments have been described for reception in two frequency ranges, or simultaneous reception and transmission, or transmission in two frequency ranges of two orthogonal components of a linearly polarized microwave radio signal. It is, however, apparent that comparable embodiments with only a single probe for reception in one frequency range or for transmission in one frequency range are also within the scope of the invention. It is likewise self-evident that in cases of operation within a single frequency range, a single electronic circuitry may suffice, and/or in cases of operation in two frequency ranges a minimum of two electronic circuitries may be sufficient, notwithstanding that all the foregoing embodiments have been described as having four electronic circuitries. The number of planes with recesses and corresponding electronic circuitries may be from one to four. The number of planes with recesses corresponds to the number of required electronic circuitries. In the above- disclosed embodiments the recesses have been described as being conveniently shaped so as to match the arrangement and the physical separation of the electronic components of the electronic circuitry. It is readily apparent that the recesses may also be fashioned differently within the scope of the invention, for example as a space of a rectangular or some other shape, wherein the electronic components or groups of electronic components are not physically separated but located within the same space of the recess.

The configuration according to the invention allows antenna feeds of exceptional compactness, reliability and simplicity to be manufactured.

Claims

Patent Claims

1. A microwave transmit/receive antenna feed of a microwave communication system for transmitting and/or receiving orthogonal components of a linearly polarized microwave radio signal, enabling reception in one or two frequency ranges, reception and transmission in two frequency ranges, or transmission in one or two frequency ranges, having a waveguide of a circular or rectangular cross-section, wherein the antenna feed is utilized in conjunction with a reflective surface, usually a parabolic dish, or in an embodiment with a funnel- shaped radiator, the frequency range of operation of the antenna feed being in the microwave frequency range, characterized in that there is at least one plane (7) with a recess (6) fashioned on the lateral side of the body (5) of the feed (1), into which recess (6) at least one electronic circuitry (14) is placed and fixed in such a manner as to fit inside the recess (6) .

2. A microwave antenna feed according to Claim 1, characterized in that the number of planes and recesses (6) is from one to four.

3. A microwave antenna feed according to Claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuitry (14) has electronic components disposed only on one side.

4. A microwave antenna feed according to Claim 1, characterized in that the recesses (6) are shaped so as to allow the electronic components of the electronic circuitry (14) to sink either individually separated and/or in separate groups into single recesses.

5. A microwave antenna feed according to Claim 1, characterized in that the recesses (6) in the antenna feed body are shaped as an integral space, wherein the electronic components or groups of electronic components are not physically separated.

6. A microwave antenna feed according to Claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuitry (14) is laid on and fixed to the edge of the recess (6) of the plane, in a depression having a depth approximately equal to the thickness of the substrate of the electronic circuitry (14).

7. A microwave antenna feed according to Claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuitry (14) is laid with its substrate on the bottom of the recess (6) and fixed thereto, preferably by means of metal partitions .

8. A microwave antenna feed according to Claim 1, characterized in that there is at least one bore through the plane into the waveguide (10, 11), wherein a probe (12, 13) is inserted, protruding into the waveguide (10, 11) .

9. A microwave antenna feed according to Claim 1, characterized in that the probe (12, 13) is situated in the body (5) of the antenna feed (1), projecting outward of it, and is electrically and mechanically coupled to the electronic circuitry (14) .

10. A microwave antenna feed according to Claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuitry (14) may have convenient electrical and mechanical shielding on the outer side, while a convenient prior-art protective cover may be fixed in manners known in the art over the entire body (5) of the antenna feed (1) .