WO2015159088A1 - Data transmission and/or receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Data transmission and/or receiving apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015159088A1
WO2015159088A1 PCT/GB2015/051154 GB2015051154W WO2015159088A1 WO 2015159088 A1 WO2015159088 A1 WO 2015159088A1 GB 2015051154 W GB2015051154 W GB 2015051154W WO 2015159088 A1 WO2015159088 A1 WO 2015159088A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ports
data
channels
input
output
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PCT/GB2015/051154
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French (fr)
Inventor
Alan Pratt
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Mm Microwave Limited
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Publication of WO2015159088A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015159088A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
    • H03F3/68—Combinations of amplifiers, e.g. multi-channel amplifiers for stereophonics
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/14—Relay systems
    • H04B7/15—Active relay systems
    • H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
    • H04B7/1851—Systems using a satellite or space-based relay
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
    • H01P5/00—Coupling devices of the waveguide type
    • H01P5/12—Coupling devices having more than two ports
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
    • H03F3/189—High-frequency amplifiers, e.g. radio frequency amplifiers
    • H03F3/19—High-frequency amplifiers, e.g. radio frequency amplifiers with semiconductor devices only
    • H03F3/195—High-frequency amplifiers, e.g. radio frequency amplifiers with semiconductor devices only in integrated circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
    • H03F3/20—Power amplifiers, e.g. Class B amplifiers, Class C amplifiers
    • H03F3/24—Power amplifiers, e.g. Class B amplifiers, Class C amplifiers of transmitter output stages
    • H03F3/245—Power amplifiers, e.g. Class B amplifiers, Class C amplifiers of transmitter output stages with semiconductor devices only
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
    • H03F3/60—Amplifiers in which coupling networks have distributed constants, e.g. with waveguide resonators
    • H03F3/602—Combinations of several amplifiers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers
    • H03F2200/198—A hybrid coupler being used as coupling circuit between stages of an amplifier circuit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers
    • H03F2200/294—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers the amplifier being a low noise amplifier [LNA]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers
    • H03F2200/405—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers the output amplifying stage of an amplifier comprising more than three power stages

Definitions

  • the invention to which this application relates is apparatus for use in the transmission and/or reception of data, and particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, digital data for use in communications, such as telecommunications and, yet further, most typically, for use in satellite apparatus which is used to relay said data between first and second locations.
  • the transmission of data between first and second locations and more typically, between at least a first and a plurality of second locations, is well known.
  • the data which is transmitted can be transmitted to specific user locations or alternatively, may be transmitted to one or more locations from which the digital data is then transmitted onwardly.
  • the satellite itself is required to be provided to be as light in weight or payload as possible in order to allow the same to be launched and orbit successfully.
  • the satellite to be economically viable, there is a need to be able to provide as great a capacity as possible in terms of the handling of the data whilst, at the same time, minimising the weight of the apparatus and components which are provided to do so.
  • the apparatus there are typically provided a number of input ports, each of which can receive a data stream.
  • the data typically is required to then be amplified and be made available through, typically, the same number of output ports as those ports which are available at the input side.
  • One approach to do this would be to provide an amplification path for each of the input ports but, in practice, it is necessary to provide more than one amplification path for each of the data ports in order to ensure that should, for example, one of the amplification paths fail, then another amplification path is available so as to allow the data to be continued to be processed and transmitted from the satellite.
  • there is required to be provided an inherent overcapacity within the apparatus so as to ensure that it is possible to always process the various data streams.
  • An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide the ability for a sufficient number of amplification paths to be provided to deal with the number of data streams which are to be processed at any given time and, at the same time, to do this in a manner which minimises the number of amplification paths which are required to be provided whilst still maintaining the required capacity for processing of the data received.
  • apparatus for the passage therethrough of data from a plurality of data streams, said apparatus comprising a set of n input ports and a set of n output ports, a plurality of channels which connect said input and output ports and wherein each of the ports in one of the said sets of ports provides data for one of the said data streams and the said channels are configured and joined such that each of the ports in the other of the set of ports provides data for all of the said data streams and wherein the said channels are joined intermediate the respective input and out ports by at least one hybrid coupler in a first plane and at least one hybrid coupler in a second plane.
  • the apparatus is input apparatus for data processing apparatus in which each of the ports of the set of input ports receives data from one of the datastreams and the said data from the respective ports is combined as it passes along the channels such that each of the ports of the output set of ports outputs data for all of the datastreams.
  • the apparatus is connected as output apparatus for data processing apparatus and each of the ports in the input set of ports receives data for all of the datastreams and the data is separated into data for respective data streams as it passes through the said channels such that each of the ports in the output set of ports has available therefrom data for one of said data streams.
  • each of the output ports is connected to an amplification path downstream and each of the output ports has all of the data streams available therefrom.
  • the data processing apparatus includes a first apparatus in accordance with the invention in which the same acts in an input format and a second apparatus in accordance with the invention in which the same acts in an output format.
  • the output ports of the said first of the apparatus are connected to the input ports of the second of the apparatus by amplification paths.
  • the number of amplification paths provided are only required to equal the number of output ports at the input apparatus as each of the amplification paths is connected to receive each of the data streams which are received by the input apparatus.
  • the said channels are electrically connected intermediate the input and output ports by side and end wall connections so as to allow the passage of the data to each of the output ports when the apparatus is connected in an input apparatus mode and the separation of the data streams to each of the output ports when the apparatus is connected in an output mode.
  • At least some of the channels include a bend and overlap portion.
  • each channel is such that the input port and part of the channel therefrom to said bend is provided in a first plane and the part of the channel from said bend to the output port is offset to lie in a second plane.
  • said first and second planes are substantially parallel.
  • the respective longitudinal axes of the said input and output ports of the channel are substantially parallel with the said planes.
  • the provision of bends and/or off set of the channels is performed to minimise the overall size of the apparatus and hence reduce the weight of the same.
  • the apparatus is provided in a form of n by n inputs and outputs.
  • the apparatus is provided in a modular form.
  • each module includes four inputs and four outputs with the modules thereafter being joined together mechanically and electrically to form 8x8, 16x16, 32x32 and so on forms of the apparatus.
  • the modules are joined together along an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channels.
  • the input and output ports are located so as to ease the integration of the apparatus into the larger apparatus.
  • each of the channels in the apparatus is of the same length and the apparatus is electrically symmetrical.
  • the channels are shaped and orientated such that each has the same effective length with respect to the data carried between the input and output of the apparatus.
  • a method of manufacturing apparatus for the passage therethrough of data from a plurality of data streams including the step of forming a module comprising a set of n input ports and a set of n output ports and a plurality of channels which connect said input and output ports, connecting each of the ports in one of the said sets of ports to receive data for one of the said data streams and wherein the steps include configuring and joining the said channels are configured and joined such that each of the ports in the other of the set of ports provides data for all of the said data streams and electrically joining the channels intermediate the respective input and output ports by at least one hybrid coupler in a first plane and at least one hybrid coupler in a second plane.
  • the method further includes the steps of mechanically joining together a plurality of said modules to provide the required matching number of ports in each of the sets of ports.
  • Figures l a— i illustrate one form of apparatus schematically in accordance with the invention in an 8x8 format.
  • Figures 2a and b illustrate, schematically, the apparatus of Figures l a— f and show the channels of the same;
  • FIG 3 illustrates in a schematic manner, transmission apparatus incorporating the apparatus shown in Figures l a— 2b;
  • Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a channel in accordance with the apparatus of the invention.
  • the apparatus comprises a body 2 formed of a plurality of modules in this case module 3 and module 3' which can be formed from a body of metal using machining techniques.
  • each module includes four input ports 6 and four output ports 6'.
  • the modules are joined together along a common axis 7 using, for example, dip braising techniques to form the apparatus of the required size and with the required number of input and output ports.
  • the body as formed has a series of channels 4 which connect the input ports 6 and output ports 6'.
  • the apparatus determines what the first and second sets of ports are connected to receive and emit.
  • the apparatus is provided to allow the passage of data from a plurality of data streams and a first of the sets of ports is provided and connected such that each of the ports receive or output data for a specific datastream and each of the ports of the other or second set of ports are provided and connected to receive or output data for all of the datastreams .
  • each of the ports 6 in the first set of ports is connected to receive data from one data stream therethrough.
  • the data from each of the streams then pass along the respective channels 4 from their respective ports 6.
  • the channels are respectively electrically connected by couplers in a manner to allow the data for the data streams carried by the respective channels to be added or coupled to the data being carried along the other channels in the body 2 and combined and carried together along the remainder of each of the channels such that at each of the output ports 6' the data signals from all of the streams which entered the body via one of the inlet ports 6 is available from each of the outlet ports 6'.
  • hybrid couplers 10 illustrated in Figures 2a and b, which are located on a first plane (typically located on the top and bottom faces 12, 14 of the modules) and which connect the channels electrically and hybrid couplers 16 which are located on a second plane (typically the side walls 18,20) .
  • first plane typically located on the top and bottom faces 12, 14 of the modules
  • second plane typically the side walls 18,20
  • the hybrid couplers 10,16 allow the connection of all of the channels between the input and output ports and thereby allow the transfer of a data stream from one of the inputs to each of the outputs as the same passes through the apparatus in one format when operating as input apparatus.
  • the hybrid coupler connection allows the separation of each of the datastreams from each of the ports 6' so that a single data path leaves an output port 6 when the apparatus is in the second format of use.
  • the data streams made available from the output ports 6' are then connected to amplification paths 8 as illustrated in Figure 3 and, as each of the data streams is available from each of the data paths, so the appropriate data streams can be selected and amplified on the respective amplification paths 8. It also means that the conventional requirement for overcapacity by having to provide a larger number of amplification paths is removed as each of the data streams is available from each of the data outlets.
  • Figure 3 shows an example in which there is provided a first format of the apparatus 22 provided as the input apparatus (INET) and a second format of the apparatus 24 in which the same is provided as output apparatus (ONET) and the two apparatus 22, 24 are interconnected by the amplification paths 8.
  • the output apparatus 24 format the first set of ports 6' are connected to the amplification paths so that each port will receive all of the amplified data streams and these are then split out as they pass along the channels to the ports 6 and at which a data stream is available from each of the ports 6.
  • Figure 4 illustrates one of the channels 4 from the apparatus and is channel 4' as indicated in Figure 2b. It will be seen that the port 6, 6' openings have a longitudinal axis 26.
  • the port 6 is provided to lie on a first plane 28 along with the portion 4a of the channel leading from the port 6 until it reaches a bend 30. This bend acts to change the plane of the remainder 4b of the channel and port 6'so that they now lie in a plane 32.
  • the planes 28 and 32 are substantially parallel with each other and are also substantially parallel with the axes 26 of the respective ports 6, 6'.
  • the Insertion Loss of the INET+ONET combination was found to be less than 0.55dB over the operating frequency range, which equates to 0.25dB per device when the loss of the interconnecting waveguide is removed.
  • An INET structure waveguide was found to exhibit a low insertion loss with a base material of aluminium. This combination with the light weight made it suitable for use in a satellite communication multiport power amplifier.
  • the measured unwanted output port isolation was predicted to exceed the 30dB minimum requirement using HFSS with the nominal dimensions.
  • the hardware results were also in excess of 30dB and showed a high degree of correlation with the predicted results. This demonstrated it was possible to manufacture the complete INET using the accuracy of precision high speed milling machines combined with the assembly.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus for use in the passage therethrough of data from a plurality of data streams such as those transmitted by satellite. The apparatus includes a set of n input ports and a set of n output ports and channels which connect said input and output ports. Each of the ports in one of the said sets of ports provides data for one of the said data streams and the said channels are configured and joined such that each of the ports in the other of the set of ports provides data for all of the said data streams. The said channels are joined intermediate the respective input and output ports by at least one hybrid coupler in a first plane and at least one hybrid coupler in a second plane so as to minimise the size and weight of the apparatus whilst ensuring the data transfer is achieved.

Description

Data transmission and/or receiving apparatus
The invention to which this application relates is apparatus for use in the transmission and/or reception of data, and particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, digital data for use in communications, such as telecommunications and, yet further, most typically, for use in satellite apparatus which is used to relay said data between first and second locations.
The transmission of data between first and second locations and more typically, between at least a first and a plurality of second locations, is well known. The data which is transmitted can be transmitted to specific user locations or alternatively, may be transmitted to one or more locations from which the digital data is then transmitted onwardly. In either case, the satellite itself is required to be provided to be as light in weight or payload as possible in order to allow the same to be launched and orbit successfully. Furthermore, for the satellite to be economically viable, there is a need to be able to provide as great a capacity as possible in terms of the handling of the data whilst, at the same time, minimising the weight of the apparatus and components which are provided to do so.
As part of the apparatus, there are typically provided a number of input ports, each of which can receive a data stream. The data typically is required to then be amplified and be made available through, typically, the same number of output ports as those ports which are available at the input side. One approach to do this would be to provide an amplification path for each of the input ports but, in practice, it is necessary to provide more than one amplification path for each of the data ports in order to ensure that should, for example, one of the amplification paths fail, then another amplification path is available so as to allow the data to be continued to be processed and transmitted from the satellite. Thus, there is required to be provided an inherent overcapacity within the apparatus so as to ensure that it is possible to always process the various data streams. Conventionally, in order to provide this, there will be required to be a relatively large number of amplification paths for the number of data inputs and outputs which are required. This, in turn, means that there is a substantial additional quantity of apparatus required to be provided which, in turn, represents a significant additional weight to be added to the weight or payload of the satellite.
An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide the ability for a sufficient number of amplification paths to be provided to deal with the number of data streams which are to be processed at any given time and, at the same time, to do this in a manner which minimises the number of amplification paths which are required to be provided whilst still maintaining the required capacity for processing of the data received.
In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for the passage therethrough of data from a plurality of data streams, said apparatus comprising a set of n input ports and a set of n output ports, a plurality of channels which connect said input and output ports and wherein each of the ports in one of the said sets of ports provides data for one of the said data streams and the said channels are configured and joined such that each of the ports in the other of the set of ports provides data for all of the said data streams and wherein the said channels are joined intermediate the respective input and out ports by at least one hybrid coupler in a first plane and at least one hybrid coupler in a second plane. In one embodiment, the apparatus is input apparatus for data processing apparatus in which each of the ports of the set of input ports receives data from one of the datastreams and the said data from the respective ports is combined as it passes along the channels such that each of the ports of the output set of ports outputs data for all of the datastreams.
In an alternative embodiment the apparatus is connected as output apparatus for data processing apparatus and each of the ports in the input set of ports receives data for all of the datastreams and the data is separated into data for respective data streams as it passes through the said channels such that each of the ports in the output set of ports has available therefrom data for one of said data streams.
Typically, when the apparatus as used as data input apparatus each of the output ports is connected to an amplification path downstream and each of the output ports has all of the data streams available therefrom.
Typically the data processing apparatus includes a first apparatus in accordance with the invention in which the same acts in an input format and a second apparatus in accordance with the invention in which the same acts in an output format.
Typically the output ports of the said first of the apparatus are connected to the input ports of the second of the apparatus by amplification paths.
Typically, the number of amplification paths provided are only required to equal the number of output ports at the input apparatus as each of the amplification paths is connected to receive each of the data streams which are received by the input apparatus. Thus, it will be appreciated that it is no longer necessary to provide amplification paths for each of the data streams and additional amplification paths in order to provide the required capacity.
Typically, the said channels are electrically connected intermediate the input and output ports by side and end wall connections so as to allow the passage of the data to each of the output ports when the apparatus is connected in an input apparatus mode and the separation of the data streams to each of the output ports when the apparatus is connected in an output mode.
In one embodiment, at least some of the channels include a bend and overlap portion.
Typically at least one of the bends in each channel is such that the input port and part of the channel therefrom to said bend is provided in a first plane and the part of the channel from said bend to the output port is offset to lie in a second plane. Typically said first and second planes are substantially parallel. In one embodiment the respective longitudinal axes of the said input and output ports of the channel are substantially parallel with the said planes.
Typically, the provision of bends and/or off set of the channels is performed to minimise the overall size of the apparatus and hence reduce the weight of the same.
In one embodiment, the apparatus is provided in a form of n by n inputs and outputs.
In one embodiment, the apparatus is provided in a modular form. In one embodiment each module includes four inputs and four outputs with the modules thereafter being joined together mechanically and electrically to form 8x8, 16x16, 32x32 and so on forms of the apparatus.
Typically, the modules are joined together along an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channels.
Typically the input and output ports are located so as to ease the integration of the apparatus into the larger apparatus.
Typically each of the channels in the apparatus is of the same length and the apparatus is electrically symmetrical.
Typically the channels are shaped and orientated such that each has the same effective length with respect to the data carried between the input and output of the apparatus.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing apparatus for the passage therethrough of data from a plurality of data streams, said method including the step of forming a module comprising a set of n input ports and a set of n output ports and a plurality of channels which connect said input and output ports, connecting each of the ports in one of the said sets of ports to receive data for one of the said data streams and wherein the steps include configuring and joining the said channels are configured and joined such that each of the ports in the other of the set of ports provides data for all of the said data streams and electrically joining the channels intermediate the respective input and output ports by at least one hybrid coupler in a first plane and at least one hybrid coupler in a second plane.
In one embodiment the method further includes the steps of mechanically joining together a plurality of said modules to provide the required matching number of ports in each of the sets of ports.
Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figures l a— i illustrate one form of apparatus schematically in accordance with the invention in an 8x8 format.
Figures 2a and b illustrate, schematically, the apparatus of Figures l a— f and show the channels of the same;
Figure 3 illustrates in a schematic manner, transmission apparatus incorporating the apparatus shown in Figures l a— 2b; and
Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a channel in accordance with the apparatus of the invention.
In apparatus such as Mulitport amplifiers, (MP A) , which are used to process radio frequency data signals at Ka-band frequencies for use in Communication Satellites, typically require Input and Output Networks, (INET) and (ONET) , which have a minimum insertion loss so as to maintain the data signals in usable form. The basic building blocks used to achieve these networks are 3dB hybrid couplers.
Referring to the Figures l a- i there is illustrated an embodiment of apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
The apparatus comprises a body 2 formed of a plurality of modules in this case module 3 and module 3' which can be formed from a body of metal using machining techniques. In this embodiment each module includes four input ports 6 and four output ports 6'.
The modules are joined together along a common axis 7 using, for example, dip braising techniques to form the apparatus of the required size and with the required number of input and output ports.
The body as formed has a series of channels 4 which connect the input ports 6 and output ports 6'.
Depending on whether the apparatus is being used as an input apparatus or output apparatus determines what the first and second sets of ports are connected to receive and emit. However, in principle, the apparatus is provided to allow the passage of data from a plurality of data streams and a first of the sets of ports is provided and connected such that each of the ports receive or output data for a specific datastream and each of the ports of the other or second set of ports are provided and connected to receive or output data for all of the datastreams .
For example, when the apparatus is used as input apparatus, each of the ports 6 in the first set of ports is connected to receive data from one data stream therethrough. The data from each of the streams then pass along the respective channels 4 from their respective ports 6. Intermediate the ports 6 and the output ports 6', the channels are respectively electrically connected by couplers in a manner to allow the data for the data streams carried by the respective channels to be added or coupled to the data being carried along the other channels in the body 2 and combined and carried together along the remainder of each of the channels such that at each of the output ports 6' the data signals from all of the streams which entered the body via one of the inlet ports 6 is available from each of the outlet ports 6'. Typically the electrical coupling is achieved using hybrid couplers 10 illustrated in Figures 2a and b, which are located on a first plane (typically located on the top and bottom faces 12, 14 of the modules) and which connect the channels electrically and hybrid couplers 16 which are located on a second plane (typically the side walls 18,20) . Typically the respective planes are substantially perpendicular and thus in combination the hybrid couplers 10,16 allow the connection of all of the channels between the input and output ports and thereby allow the transfer of a data stream from one of the inputs to each of the outputs as the same passes through the apparatus in one format when operating as input apparatus. Alternatively when the apparatus is in a format to operate as output apparatus the hybrid coupler connection allows the separation of each of the datastreams from each of the ports 6' so that a single data path leaves an output port 6 when the apparatus is in the second format of use.
In the input format of operation the data streams made available from the output ports 6' are then connected to amplification paths 8 as illustrated in Figure 3 and, as each of the data streams is available from each of the data paths, so the appropriate data streams can be selected and amplified on the respective amplification paths 8. It also means that the conventional requirement for overcapacity by having to provide a larger number of amplification paths is removed as each of the data streams is available from each of the data outlets.
Figure 3 shows an example in which there is provided a first format of the apparatus 22 provided as the input apparatus (INET) and a second format of the apparatus 24 in which the same is provided as output apparatus (ONET) and the two apparatus 22, 24 are interconnected by the amplification paths 8. With the output apparatus 24 format the first set of ports 6' are connected to the amplification paths so that each port will receive all of the amplified data streams and these are then split out as they pass along the channels to the ports 6 and at which a data stream is available from each of the ports 6.
Figure 4 illustrates one of the channels 4 from the apparatus and is channel 4' as indicated in Figure 2b. It will be seen that the port 6, 6' openings have a longitudinal axis 26. The port 6 is provided to lie on a first plane 28 along with the portion 4a of the channel leading from the port 6 until it reaches a bend 30. This bend acts to change the plane of the remainder 4b of the channel and port 6'so that they now lie in a plane 32. The planes 28 and 32 are substantially parallel with each other and are also substantially parallel with the axes 26 of the respective ports 6, 6'. This is repeated for each of the channels 4 between the ports 6 and 6's which they connect and so the effective length along which the data signals pass is the same for each channel and each of the channels are electrically connected using the hybrid couplers 10, 16 with which they connect. The planes 28, 32 are offset by a distance X.
In tests, the measured result on the INET connected to the ONET through eight phases matched waveguide channels were plotted over a wider frequency range to show the lower limit for the 30dB Unwanted Isolation. Over the operating frequency range the results are similar to the predicted values.
The Insertion Loss of the INET+ONET combination was found to be less than 0.55dB over the operating frequency range, which equates to 0.25dB per device when the loss of the interconnecting waveguide is removed. An INET structure waveguide was found to exhibit a low insertion loss with a base material of aluminium. This combination with the light weight made it suitable for use in a satellite communication multiport power amplifier.
The measured unwanted output port isolation was predicted to exceed the 30dB minimum requirement using HFSS with the nominal dimensions. The hardware results were also in excess of 30dB and showed a high degree of correlation with the predicted results. This demonstrated it was possible to manufacture the complete INET using the accuracy of precision high speed milling machines combined with the assembly.
The frequency bandwidth over which the Insertion Loss and Unwanted Isolation parameters met acceptable figures of 0.25dBminimum and 30dB maximum respectively, was found to be at least 1.6GHz compared to the operating bandwidth of 0.8GHz.

Claims

Claims
1. Apparatus for the passage therethrough of data from a plurality of data streams, said apparatus comprising a set of n input ports and a set of n output ports, a plurality of channels which connect said input and output ports and wherein each of the ports in one of the said sets of ports provides data for one of the said data streams and the said channels are configured and joined such that each of the ports in the other of the set of ports provides data for all of the said data streams and wherein the said channels are joined intermediate the respective input and output ports by at least one hybrid coupler in a first plane and at least one hybrid coupler in a second plane.
2 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the said channels are electrically connected intermediate the input and output ports to a further channel by side wall and/ or end wall couplers .
3 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the said channels are connected to a further channel by at least one hybrid coupler in a first plane and at least one hybrid coupler in a second plane.
4 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said first and second planes are substantially perpendicular.
5 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein each of the channels include a bend and an overlapping portion.
6 Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein at least one bend is provided in each channel such that the input port and part of the channel therefrom to said bend lies in a first plane and the part of the channel from said bend to the output port is offset to lie in a second plane.
7 Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said first and second planes are substantially parallel.
8 Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the respective longitudinal axes of the said input and output ports of the channel are substantially parallel with said planes .
9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is formed by a plurality of modules, each module including four inputs and four outputs connected by respective channels.
10 Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each module is formed as a unitary item by machining the same from a metal or metal alloy material.
11 Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the respective modules are joined mechanically using dipbraising.
12. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the required number of modules are selected and joined to form the apparatus with the required matching number of inputs and outputs.
13 Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the said modules are joined together along a common axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the channels.
14 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein each of the channels in the apparatus has the same effective length with respect to the data path between the respective input and output of the channels.
15 Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the apparatus is electrically symmetrical.
16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is input apparatus for data processing apparatus in which each of the ports of the set of input ports receives data from one of the datastreams and the said data from the respective ports is combined as it passes along the channels such that each of the ports of the output set of ports outputs data for all of the datastreams.
17. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is connected as output apparatus for data processing apparatus and each of the ports in the input set of ports receives data for all of the datastreams and the data is separated into data for respective data streams as it passes through the said channels such that each of the ports in the output set of ports has available therefrom data for one of said data streams.
18 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus acts as a waveguide.
19. A data processing assembly said assembly including a first of the apparatus of claim 1 at an input and a second of the apparatus of claim 1 at an output.
20 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said channels are electrically connected intermediate the input and output ports by said hybrid couplers.
21 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the channels include a bend and an overlapping portion.
22 An assembly according to claim 19 wherein the output ports of the said first of the apparatus are connected to the input ports of the second of the apparatus by respective amplification paths.
23 An assembly according to claim 22 wherein the number of amplification paths provided equal the number of output ports at the said first of the apparatus.
24. A method of manufacturing apparatus for the passage therethrough of data from a plurality of data streams, said method including the step of forming a module comprising a set of n input ports and a set of n output ports and a plurality of channels which connect said input and output ports, connecting each of the ports in one of the said sets of ports to receive data for one of the said data streams and wherein the steps include configuring and joining the said channels are configured and joined such that each of the ports in the other of the set of ports provides data for all of the said data streams and electrically joining the channels intermediate the respective input and output ports by at least one hybrid coupler in a first plane and at least one hybrid coupler in a second plane.
25 A method according to claim 24 wherein the method further includes the steps of mechanically joining together a plurality of said modules to provide the required matching number of ports in each of the sets of ports.
PCT/GB2015/051154 2014-04-16 2015-04-16 Data transmission and/or receiving apparatus WO2015159088A1 (en)

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988001455A2 (en) * 1986-08-14 1988-02-25 Hughes Aircraft Company Filter interconnection matrix
WO2011134905A1 (en) * 2010-04-26 2011-11-03 Astrium Limited Hybrid networks

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103022701A (en) * 2012-11-16 2013-04-03 北京航空航天大学 Novel 8*8 Butler matrix feed network

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988001455A2 (en) * 1986-08-14 1988-02-25 Hughes Aircraft Company Filter interconnection matrix
WO2011134905A1 (en) * 2010-04-26 2011-11-03 Astrium Limited Hybrid networks

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