Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
  • H01P1/00—Auxiliary devices
  • H01P1/165—Auxiliary devices for rotating the plane of polarisation
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
  • H01P1/00—Auxiliary devices
  • H01P1/165—Auxiliary devices for rotating the plane of polarisation
  • H01P1/17—Auxiliary devices for rotating the plane of polarisation for producing a continuously rotating polarisation, e.g. circular polarisation
  • H01P1/173—Auxiliary devices for rotating the plane of polarisation for producing a continuously rotating polarisation, e.g. circular polarisation using a conductive element
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
  • H01Q13/02—Waveguide horns
  • H01Q13/025—Multimode horn antennas; Horns using higher mode of propagation
  • H01Q13/0258—Orthomode horns
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
  • H01Q13/20—Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
  • H01Q13/28—Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave comprising elements constituting electric discontinuities and spaced in direction of wave propagation, e.g. dielectric elements or conductive elements forming artificial dielectric
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q15/00—Devices for reflection, refraction, diffraction or polarisation of waves radiated from an antenna, e.g. quasi-optical devices
  • H01Q15/24—Polarising devices; Polarisation filters 
  • H01Q15/242—Polarisation converters
  • H01Q15/244—Polarisation converters converting a linear polarised wave into a circular polarised wave
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
  • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a radio frequency component comprising several waveguide devices equipped with grooves.
• the present invention relates in particular to components equipped with devices according to the first category above.
• Examples of such devices include waveguides as such, filters, polarizers, antennas, mode converters, etc. They can be used for signal routing, frequency filtering, separation, or signal recombination, the transmission or reception of signals into or from free space, etc.
• the device may, for example, consist of a compact antenna, a polarizer, a waveguide, or a set of such elements connected in series.
• direct radiation antennas generally combine several phase-shifted radiating elements (elementary antennas) to improve gain and directivity.
• the signals received at or emitted by the different radiating elements are amplified with varying gains and phase-shifted relative to each other to control the shape of the receive and transmit lobes of the array.
• the different radiating elements are each connected to a waveguide that transmits the received signal to the radio frequency electronic modules, or that feeds the radiating element with a radio frequency signal to be transmitted.
• the signals transmitted or received by each radiating element can also be separated according to their polarization by means of a polarizer.
• Such an arrangement with several waveguide devices is also used, for example, in electronically controlled antennas, array-fed reflector antennas, compact fixed multibeam antennas, etc.
• WO2015/134772 discloses a sub-array of a radio frequency component comprising several waveguide devices.
• This sub-array may include sixteen waveguide devices, which comprise sixteen septum polarizers, split waveguide ports, and radiating elements.
• the sixteen waveguide devices in the sub-array are arranged in four rows.
• the septum polarizer of the waveguides in the first and third rows has the same initial orientation, while the septum polarizer of the waveguides in the third and fourth rows has the same orientation but is rotated 180° relative to the initial orientation.
• septum polarizers are combined by a series of combiners into a common input. Rotating the septum polarizers allows for adjacent ports of the same polarization, thus simplifying the combiners.
• US2011/133863 discloses high-power, wide-bandwidth, low-loss waveguide polarizers.
• One aim of the present invention is to provide a radio frequency component, for example a passive radio frequency component intended to form the passive part of an antenna array or a direct radiation array (DRA), which offers more freedom to the designer in order to reduce the performance limitations of known radio frequency components.
• a radio frequency component for example a passive radio frequency component intended to form the passive part of an antenna array or a direct radiation array (DRA), which offers more freedom to the designer in order to reduce the performance limitations of known radio frequency components.
• DPA direct radiation array
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide a radio frequency component with a larger bandwidth.
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide a compact radio frequency component.
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide a radio frequency component that makes it easier to discriminate between the fundamental transmission mode and the first higher order mode.
• grooves makes it possible to promote the transmission of a preferred mode of transmission in a compact device.
• the arrangement of the striations in the openings upstream of the radio frequency component is different from the arrangement of the striations in the openings downstream of the radio frequency component.
• the ability to provide different grooves upstream and downstream allows for additional freedom in component design, for example to modify the polarization and/or phase shift of the signal within a device, or between different devices of the same component.
• the component can be a polarizer equipped with a septum, for example a septum of variable height forming steps in a staircase pattern.
• septum allows for the creation of circular polarization. Septums can also be used to combine two orthogonal polarizations.
• the arrangement of the different grooves in front and behind allows this circular polarization to be maintained stably and in a compact waveguide.
• the arrangement of the grooves in the openings downstream of the different devices may be different.
• the arrangement of the upstream grooves can be designed to facilitate coupling with active electronic circuits.
• the arrangement of the downstream striations may differ between the different antennas, so as to reduce mutual coupling between signals emitted or received by the different antennas.
• the number of grooves upstream of at least one device differs from the number of grooves on the downstream aperture of that device.
• the component may include one or more waveguides that are grooved downstream but not upstream.
• the angular spacing between the different grooves of the upstream aperture of a device may differ from the angular spacing between the grooves of the downstream aperture of that device.
• the component may include one or more waveguides whose upstream grooves are spaced at an angle ⁇ and whose downstream grooves are spaced at an angle ⁇ other than ⁇ .
• the component may include one or more devices equipped with a curved groove.
• a curved groove allows the position of the grooves to be rearranged so as to position the grooves differently between the upstream and downstream sides.
• At least one of the curved striations may have two curved walls that are nevertheless parallel to each other.
• the height of at least one of the striations can be constant.
• the height of at least one of the grooves may vary.
• the height of at least one of the grooves of at least one of said devices may vary progressively over at least a portion of the length of that groove.
• At least one of the curved grooves can open into said downstream opening and into said upstream opening in radial planes.
• the radial position of the striation(s) of the upstream opening of at least one said device may be different from the radial position of the three striations of the downstream opening of that device.
• the external section of at least one of said devices may be identical upstream and downstream.
• each device has a single upstream opening and a single downstream opening.
• the radio frequency component comprises a plurality of said devices, the upstream openings of the different devices being in one plane, the downstream openings of the different devices being in a second plane parallel to the first plane.
• This phase shift allows, for example, the control of interference between signals emitted or received by adjacent antennas.
• the invention also relates to a radio frequency component comprising an antenna array, each antenna being at least partially surrounded by a rim in order to minimize mutual coupling between antennas.
• the invention also relates to a radio frequency component comprising an antenna array, said antennas progressively widening towards the downstream direction by forming several steps. This improves the performance of the array in terms of return losses and bandwidth.
• the invention also relates to a radio frequency component comprising a ribbed antenna array, the height of said ribs gradually decreasing towards the downstream direction, forming several steps. This improves the array's performance in terms of return losses and bandwidth.
• component 1 comprising several waveguide devices 2.
• component 1 is a passive radio frequency module intended to form the passive part of a direct radiation array (DRA).
• DPA direct radiation array
• the radio frequency module 1 comprises a plurality of devices, each device comprising, for example, four layers from the top of the figure downwards.
• the first layer at the top of the figure consists of a radiant element 30 (antennas) for emitting electromagnetic signals into the ether, and for receiving received signals.
• This layer is downstream of the component.
• the second layer contains a 40 waveguide.
• the third layer is optional; it can also be integrated into the second layer.
• the third layer includes an element such as a polarizer or a section adapter.
• the fourth layer at the bottom of the figure contains a waveguide port 60.
• Each port 60 interfaces with an active element of the DRA, such as an amplifier and/or a phase shifter, which is part of a beamforming array.
• a port thus allows a waveguide to be connected to an electronic circuit, in order to inject a signal into the waveguides or, conversely, to receive electromagnetic signals into the waveguides.
• This Module 1 is designed for use in a multibeam environment.
• the radiating elements are preferably placed close together, as on the figure 17 Specifically, this ensures that the pitch p1 between two adjacent radiating elements is smaller than the wavelength at the nominal frequency at which module 1 is intended to be used. This reduces the amplitude of the secondary emission and reception lobes.
• the pitch p1 between two adjacent radiating elements is greater than the pitch between two waveguide ports 60, which allows the creation of a module with large antennas. It is also possible to use a module in which the pitch p1 between two adjacent radiating elements is equal to, or less than, the pitch between two waveguide ports 60, as on the figure 17 , in order to bring the radiating elements closer together without having to resort to miniaturized active electronic elements on the 60 ports.
• the different devices 2 form a network, for example a matrix.
• the invention aims on the one hand to optimize each device 2 as such, and to optimize component 1 by minimizing disturbances between devices and/or by preventing the defects of the different devices from adding up.
• FIG 1 schematically illustrates a component 1 viewed from the downstream side, i.e., from the radiating elements (antennas) as waveguide devices 2.
• This component can be used, for example, as the passive part of a DRA antenna similar to the one illustrated in the figure 16 .
• the different devices 2 are arranged in a plane and form a matrix network or with positional phase shifts between lines as shown in this figure 1
• the distance between adjacent devices is preferably less than the nominal wavelength ⁇ of the signal to be transmitted.
• the antenna devices shown in this example have a circular downstream aperture. Their inner face 3 is provided with three grooves 23 spaced angularly at 120° and parallel to the direction of signal propagation.
• the use of three grooves in a waveguide with a circular, square or rectangular cross-section has the advantage of favoring the transmission of the fundamental transmission mode, by accentuating the frequency difference between the fundamental mode and the first higher order mode.
• FIG 18a This illustrates the evolution of the fundamental mode cutoff frequency and that of the first higher-order mode in a cylindrical waveguide without grooves, and with three grooves respectively, as a function of groove height.
• the x-axis represents the normalized groove height
• the y-axis represents the normalized frequency.
• the upper curve (dashed line with solid squares) represents the frequency of the first higher-order mode as a function of groove height h in a three-groove waveguide.
• the solid line with solid squares represents the fundamental mode frequency as a function of groove height h.
• the dashed line with white circles represents the frequency of the first higher-order mode in an ungrooved waveguide.
• the solid line with white circles represents the fundamental mode frequency in an ungrooved waveguide.
• the frequency difference between the fundamental mode and the first upper mode is significantly greater in a three-groove cylindrical waveguide than in an ungrooved cylindrical waveguide, making it easier to filter out modes other than the fundamental mode.
• figure 18b illustrates the normalized BW bandwidth in single-mode mode as a function of the normalized striate height, for a waveguide with three striates (curve with solid squares) and for a waveguide without striates (curve with white circles).
• FIG 19a is comparable to the figure 18a but illustrates the comparison between a cylindrical waveguide with four grooves (curves with black squares) and a cylindrical waveguide without grooves (curves with (white circles).
• the frequency difference between the fundamental mode (solid curve) and the first higher-order mode (dashed lines) is significantly smaller than in a three-stripe waveguide, especially for large stripe heights that favor wide bandwidths. Filtering the first higher-order mode is therefore easier in the case of a three-stripe waveguide than in an unstriped or four-stripe waveguide.
• figure 19b illustrates the normalized BW bandwidth in single-mode operation as a function of the normalized striation height, for a four-striated waveguide (curve with solid squares) and for a waveguide without striations (curve with white circles).
• the bandwidth of a four-striated waveguide is only marginally better than that of a non-striated waveguide when the striation height is very low; for higher striation heights, the bandwidth is lower in single-mode operation than that of a cylindrical non-striated waveguide, and even significantly lower than that of a three-striated waveguide as illustrated in the figure 18b .
• Antennas with square, rectangular, hexagonal, or octagonal cross-sections can also be used.
• the number of grooves can differ from three, although three grooves is the preferred configuration given the advantages described above. All the antennas or waveguide devices described in the remainder of this document can be used instead of the antennas shown in this figure.
• the various waveguide devices 2 are oriented differently, as can be seen from the position of the grooves 23.
• the rotation angles between devices can be regular or more random, as in this example. These rotations allow by adding together the imperfections inherent to each antenna, which cancel each other out by adding together, preferably in a destructive manner. This avoids multiplying the imperfections of each device 2 if they were all identically aligned.
• THE figures 2 And 3 illustrate another component 1 comprising several waveguide devices of antenna type 2, seen in perspective from the downstream side.
• the antennas 2 of the figure 2 have 25 circular downstream openings, while those of the figure 3 have square openings.
• Other sections can be considered, for example rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, elliptical, semi-circular, semi-elliptical sections, etc.
• the antennas are arranged in a network in a single plane, with a triangular arrangement; other arrangements, for example matrix arrangements, can be considered.
• One or more ribs form a rim 20 which at least partially surrounds each antenna. This rim reduces mutual coupling between antennas 2, thereby improving the performance of the array.
• the antennas 2 have an aperture whose cross-section gradually widens towards the downstream direction, forming one or more steps 21. These steps reduce return losses and improve bandwidth performance.
• the septum also creates the desired downstream polarization.
• the antennas 2 are equipped with at least one septum 26 in order to generate and discriminate between two signals with linear or circular polarizations orthogonal to each other.
• Each antenna can be equipped with one or more septums to create one or two circular polarizations, or to combine two linear polarizations, which allows, for example, the protection of active antennas with linear polarizations. It is also possible to design antennas with multiple septums to create elliptical polarizations.
• Each antenna can be fitted with one or more grooves 23 whose height gradually decreases in the downstream direction, forming one or more steps. These steps help to reduce return losses and improve bandwidth performance.
• the antennas are equipped with two grooves, two of which are curved, meaning that they do not extend exclusively in radial planes.
• THE figures 4 to 6 They illustrate sections of waveguide devices that are respectively square, octagonal, and circular. Other sections, including hexagonal, elliptical, semi-circular oval, or semi-elliptical sections, may be used.
• These devices 2 can, for example, constitute polarizers and be used individually, or in a network within a component 1 of the DRA antenna type, for example.
• the devices in these figures have two inputs 24, for example, two upstream inputs separated by a vertical septum 26 in the figure and juxtaposed to the left and right of this septum at the rear of the figure.
• a single output 25 is provided, for example, an upstream output at the front of the figure.
• the inner face 3 of each of the two inputs has a single groove 23.
• the output 25 at the front of the figure has three grooves 23 and a septum 26 spaced 90° apart.
• the two inputs can individually be extended into a waveguide with a rectangular cross-section and one groove.
• the output can be extended into a waveguide with a square cross-section and four grooves, or be connected to a waveguide with this cross-section.
• the device 24 allows the generation of two signals which, after passing through the septum, will have two distinct polarities, or conversely, the joining of two signals corresponding to the two received polarities.
• THE figures 7 to 9 They illustrate sections of waveguide devices that are respectively square, hexagonal, and circular. Other sections, including octagonal, elliptical, semi-circular oval, or semi-elliptical sections, may be used.
• These devices can, for example, be used as polarizers and can be used individually, or in a network within a component such as a DRA antenna.
• the devices in these figures have two inputs 24, for example, two upstream inputs separated by a vertical septum 26 in the figure and placed side-by-side to the left and right of the device at the rear of the figure.
• a single output 25 is provided, for example, an upstream output at the front of the figure.
• Each of the two inputs has a single groove 23.
• the output 25 at the front of the figure can be connected to a waveguide with three grooves spaced 90° apart.
• the two inputs can individually extend into a waveguide with a rectangular cross-section and one groove, or be connected to a waveguide with this cross-section.
• the device thus constitutes a polarizer and allows two signals of distinct polarities to be joined into a single signal combining the two polarities, or conversely, a signal to be separated into two signals of distinct polarities, and connected to grooved waveguides.
• the inner face 3 of the device is provided with a septum 26 to separate a signal into two polarizations, and with striations 23 whose height gradually decreases from the downstream end until it disappears completely before the upstream end.
• Other striations 23 originate between the upstream and downstream ends of the device, and their height gradually increases.
• This configuration allows for the replacement of an arrangement of striations at the upstream end, for example, four striations spaced at 90°, by another arrangement of grooves at the downstream end, for example three grooves spaced 120° apart. It is thus possible to modify the number of grooves and/or their angular spacing between the two ends, in order to connect them to waveguides or other devices with suitable groove configurations.
• the inner face 3 of the device is provided with a septum 26 to separate a signal into two polarizations, and with curved striations 23, that is, striations which, instead of extending in a radial direction as in most of the examples described above, are curved.
• This curved striation has two walls that are not planar but are nevertheless parallel to each other. It is also possible to provide a similar configuration but with non-parallel striation faces.
• the same striation can thus emerge in different axial positions upstream and downstream, which makes it possible to modify the phases of the striations, and/or their relative phase shifts.
• the devices 2 described individually in relation to the figures 4 to 15 can all be used either individually or in connection with one or more waveguide devices connected upstream and/or downstream, and/or assembled in a single component grouping several devices of the same type, or of different types.
• These devices... figures 4 to 15 They can, for example, be used as an antenna, polarizer, or waveguide between the active part of a component containing multiple antennas and the individual antennas of that component.
• the features of these devices can be combined; for example, it is possible to design devices with curved grooves and variable heights.
• a radio frequency component can, for example, be designed by grouping several devices according to one of the figures 4 to 15 , or a combination thereof, to transmit signals between the active components and the radiating elements. As illustrated in the figure 1 These different devices can be oriented differently. In any case, the orientation of the grooves 23 on the downstream openings 25 can be different between the different devices 2 of such a component 1.

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• Waveguide Aerials (AREA)
• Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
• Waveguide Switches, Polarizers, And Phase Shifters (AREA)
• Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)

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• 2019
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  • 2020-03-27 WO PCT/IB2020/052961 patent/WO2020194270A1/fr not_active Ceased
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