A method and apparatus for converting electromagnetic surface waves from TE mode to TM mode or from TM mode to TE mode. The apparatus includes a dielectric surface having an anisotropic impedance tensor which is preferably obtained by a plurality of electrically conductive unit cells disposed on the dielectric surface and arranged in a two dimensional array of unit cells, a majority of the unit cells in said array being divided into at least two portions, with at least one gap separating the at least two portions from each other into two or more patches or plates, the array of unit cells having a surface wave input end and a surface wave output end, gaps in the unit cells disposed closest to the surface wave input end having a first orientation and gaps in said unit cells disposed closest to the surface wave output end having a second orientation different than said first orientation. The electromagnetic surface waves have a frequency greater than a TE cutoff frequency determined by a second solution of Maxwell's equations for said dielectric surface.

A method and apparatus for converting electromagnetic surface waves from TE mode to TM mode or from TM mode to TE mode. The apparatus includes a dielectric surface having an anisotropic impedance tensor which is preferably obtained by a plurality of electrically conductive unit cells disposed on the dielectric surface and arranged in a two dimensional array of unit cells, a majority of the unit cells in said array being divided into at least two portions, with at least one gap separating the at least two portions from each other into two or more patches or plates, the array of unit cells having a surface wave input end and a surface wave output end, gaps in the unit cells disposed closest to the surface wave input end having a first orientation and gaps in said unit cells disposed closest to the surface wave output end having a second orientation different than said first orientation. The electromagnetic surface waves have a frequency greater than a TE cutoff frequency determined by a second solution of Maxwell's equations for said dielectric surface.

A matched horn coupler assembly is used in a RF rotational joint for conveying an electromagnetic signal. The coupler assembly includes first and second feed horns defining respective first and second horn longitudinal axes intersecting one another at an intersection point. The first and second feed horns connect to a mirror for conveying the signal there between with the intersection point lying on a reflecting surface of the mirror which defines a normal direction thereof at the intersection point. The normal direction is equally angularly spaced from both the first and second horn longitudinal axes. First and second lenses connect to the respective first and second feed horns and focus the signal there between and at the intersection point. At least one of the first and second feed horns is rotatably connected relative to the mirror about the respective horn longitudinal axis.

A matched horn coupler assembly is used in a RF rotational joint for conveying an electromagnetic signal. The coupler assembly includes first and second feed horns defining respective first and second horn longitudinal axes intersecting one another at an intersection point. The first and second feed horns connect to a mirror for conveying the signal there between with the intersection point lying on a reflecting surface of the mirror which defines a normal direction thereof at the intersection point. The normal direction is equally angularly spaced from both the first and second horn longitudinal axes. First and second lenses connect to the respective first and second feed horns and focus the signal there between and at the intersection point. At least one of the first and second feed horns is rotatably connected relative to the mirror about the respective horn longitudinal axis.

The waveguide connector assembly includes a waveguide connector having a first end, a second end, and a body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the waveguide connector being configured to receive a waveguide in a first orientation or a second orientation at the first end, the second orientation being a rotation of the waveguide from the first orientation by either 45 degrees or 90 degrees to change polarizations. The waveguide connector assembly includes a movable sleeve having a first end, a second end, a body, and an engaging surface, the movable sleeve being configured to slide axially along the exterior surface of the waveguide connector, the engaging surface being configured to prevent axial movement of the waveguide when the movable sleeve is in an engaged position.

The waveguide connector assembly includes a waveguide connector having a first end, a second end, and a body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the waveguide connector being configured to receive a waveguide in a first orientation or a second orientation at the first end, the second orientation being a rotation of the waveguide from the first orientation by either 45 degrees or 90 degrees to change polarizations. The waveguide connector assembly includes a movable sleeve having a first end, a second end, a body, and an engaging surface, the movable sleeve being configured to slide axially along the exterior surface of the waveguide connector, the engaging surface being configured to prevent axial movement of the waveguide when the movable sleeve is in an engaged position.

A waveguide connector assembly includes a waveguide connector having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body having a length that extends axially between the first end and the second end. The body has an interior surface and an exterior surface, the waveguide connector being configured to receive a waveguide at the first end. The waveguide connector assembly further includes a movable sleeve having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a body extending axially between the first end and the second end, and an actuating surface. The movable sleeve is configured to slide axially along the exterior surface of the waveguide connector, the actuating surface being configured to prevent axial movement of the waveguide when the movable sleeve is in an actuating position.

A waveguide connector assembly includes a waveguide connector having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body having a length that extends axially between the first end and the second end. The body has an interior surface and an exterior surface, the waveguide connector being configured to receive a waveguide at the first end. The waveguide connector assembly further includes a movable sleeve having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a body extending axially between the first end and the second end, and an actuating surface. The movable sleeve is configured to slide axially along the exterior surface of the waveguide connector, the actuating surface being configured to prevent axial movement of the waveguide when the movable sleeve is in an actuating position.

A polarizer apparatus for RF communications including an in-line waveguide switch having a first port with a rectangular waveguide shape, and a second port having a circular waveguide shape. The waveguide switch includes a plurality of rotatable disks coupled and arranged between the input and output of said waveguide switch, each of the disks having an opening provided therein which defines at least a portion of a signal path configured to allow RF signals to propagate therethrough. The waveguide switch includes an actuating mechanism arranged to rotate the disks to positions relative to each other which modify the polarization of RF signals propagating through the openings. The polarizer apparatus includes a feed coupled to the output of the waveguide switch, the feed including a vane polarizer arranged to circularly polarize signals provided thereto from the output of the waveguide switch.

A polarizer apparatus for RF communications including an in-line waveguide switch having a first port with a rectangular waveguide shape, and a second port having a circular waveguide shape. The waveguide switch includes a plurality of rotatable disks coupled and arranged between the input and output of said waveguide switch, each of the disks having an opening provided therein which defines at least a portion of a signal path configured to allow RF signals to propagate therethrough. The waveguide switch includes an actuating mechanism arranged to rotate the disks to positions relative to each other which modify the polarization of RF signals propagating through the openings. The polarizer apparatus includes a feed coupled to the output of the waveguide switch, the feed including a vane polarizer arranged to circularly polarize signals provided thereto from the output of the waveguide switch.