Curved filter high density microwave feed network

Abstract

A method and apparatus forming an efficient and compact waveguide feed with all components for processing signals in multi-frequency band antenna feeds with single/dual linear/circular polarizations with/without tracking. This layout results in a very compact feed, which has excellent electrical characteristics, is mechanically robust, eliminates flange connections between components, and is very cost effective. The new layout eliminates the dummy ports and bends at least one filter element is bent to an acute angle, thereby enabling a high density packaging of the microwave feed network; and wherein a plurality of single sided corrugations are located along the bent filter element. In this design high density arrays of feeds can be realized for satellite communication.

Claims

1. A multilayered assembly forming a microwave feed network, the assembly comprising: a first common junction means functioning to send/receive microwave signals; the first common junction means connected to a second junction and to a low frequency modular area; wherein the low frequency modular area comprises a low pass filter and low frequency ports; wherein an interface between the first common junction means and the second junction functions as a high pass filter; the second junction connected to the first common junction means and to a high frequency modular area; wherein the high frequency modular area comprises high frequency ports; wherein all components of the first common junction means, the second junction, the low frequency modular area, and the high frequency modular area are built in a modular split block configuration; and wherein the modular split block configuration comprises a plurality of split blocks; wherein at least one low pass filter element is bent to an angle from about 20 degrees to about 175 degrees, thereby enabling a high density packaging of the microwave feed network; and wherein a plurality of single sided corrugations are located along the bent filter element.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of single sided corrugations further comprise at least one inward facing corrugation and at least one outward facing corrugation.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the inward facing corrugation has a longitudinal axis orientation at about a 90° orientation to a longitudinal axis orientation of the outward facing corrugation.

4. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising an unbalanced low frequency coupler having at least one bent non-linear segment, thereby shortening a width of the assembly.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one bent, non-linear segment is central to the microwave feed network assembly so as to reduce a width of the assembly.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein a second bend of the unbalanced coupler is located at an outbound side of the assembly so as to reduce the width of the assembly.

7. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one bend is located at an outbound side of the assembly so as to reduce a width of the assembly.

8. The assembly of claim 7 further comprising a second unbalanced coupler having at least one bent, non-linear segment central to the microwave feed network assembly.

9. A multilayered assembly forming a microwave feed network, the assembly comprising: a first common junction means functioning to send/receive microwave signals; the first common junction means connected to a second junction and to a low frequency modular area; wherein the low frequency modular area comprises a low pass filter and low frequency ports; wherein an interface between the first common junction means and the second junction functions as a high pass filter; the second junction connected to the first common junction means and to a high frequency modular area; wherein the high frequency modular area comprises high frequency ports; wherein all components of the first common junction means, the second junction, the low frequency modular area, and the high frequency modular area are built in a modular split block configuration; and wherein the modular split block configuration comprises a plurality of split blocks; wherein at least one unbalanced coupler element is bent, thereby enabling a high density packaging of the microwave feed network; and wherein the bend is located central to the assembly and facing outbound so as to place a bent segment adjacent a central asymmetric junction, thereby reducing a width of the assembly.

10. The assembly of claim 9 further comprising a second bend of the unbalanced coupler located outbound of the most outbound coupler slot.

11. The assembly of claim 9 further comprising at least one filter element that is bent and comprises a plurality of single sided corrugations.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the assembly further comprises a dual frequency, four port layout.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the central asymmetric junction further comprises a low frequency junction.

14. The assembly of claim 13 further comprising a third layer comprising a high frequency asymmetric function having a bend located central to the assembly and facing outbound so as to place a bent segment adjacent the high frequency asymmetric junction.

15. An array of multilayered feed network modules comprising: each module having: a first common junction means functioning to send/receive microwave signals; the first common junction means connected to a second junction and to a low frequency modular area; wherein the low frequency modular area comprises a low pass filter and low frequency ports; wherein an interface between the first common junction means and the second junction functions as a high pass filter; the second junction connected to the first common junction means and to a high frequency modular area; wherein the high frequency modular area comprises high frequency ports; wherein all components of the first common junction means, the second junction, the low frequency modular area, and the high frequency modular area are built in a modular split block configuration; and wherein the modular split block configuration comprises a plurality of split blocks; wherein at least one low pass filter element is bent to an angle from about 20 degrees to about 175 degrees, thereby enabling a high density packaging of the microwave feed network; and wherein a plurality of single sided corrugations are located along the bent filter element; said array comprising at least two side by side adjacent modules, wherein each module is manufactured in three parts.

16. The array of claim 15, wherein a horn input port for each module is coaxial with the adjacent module, and the horn input ports are facing in a common direction.

17. The array of claim 16, wherein each module further comprises a common horizontal plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.

(2) FIG. 1A (prior art) is a solid rear left side perspective view of the assembly of the multi-frequency waveguide internal structure for an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 1B (prior art) is a simplified block diagram of the assembly of the multi-frequency waveguide internal structure of FIG. 4A.

(4) FIG. 2A (prior art) is a left side frontal perspective view of the exterior portions of the antenna feed assembly of an embodiment of present invention as viewed from the horn side.

(5) FIG. 2B (prior art) is a left side frontal perspective view also showing the interior of the antenna feed assembly of an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the horn side.

(6) FIG. 3A (prior art) is an exploded right side frontal perspective view of the compact multi-frequency feed and its three blocks of an embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 4A (prior art) shows the front side view of the center block of the compact multi-frequency feed.

(8) FIG. 4B (prior art) shows the rear side view of the center block of the compact multi-frequency feed.

(9) FIG. 5 is a right side perspective view of the preferred embodiment waveguide.

(10) FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the FIG. 5 embodiment.

(11) FIG. 7 is a left side perspective view of the FIG. 5 embodiment.

(12) FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the FIG. 5 embodiment.

(13) FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an array of waveguides.

(14) FIG. 10 (prior art) is a front perspective view of array of prior art waveguides.

(15) FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of the waveguide shown in FIG. 5.

(16) Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(17) The present invention provides an efficient selection and layout of waveguide components for multi-frequency band antenna feeds. Optimization of layout eliminates components otherwise needed in prior art configurations. The layout of components in a systematic fashion starting from the horn input area and progressing from the lowest frequency to the next highest frequency, and so forth, results in an optimization of layout, and the number of components required. This process leads to the ability to manufacture an apparatus such that components can be machined (or otherwise manufactured) in a split block configuration or produced by other manufacturing means including brazing, electroforming, machining, etc.

(18) The optimization of layout is most effective and is able to be totally produced in a split-block construction, in which the waveguide components are formed in the recesses split about the zero current line. This layout results in a very compact feed, which has excellent electrical characteristics, is mechanically robust, eliminates flange connections between components, and is very cost effective to produce. An embodiment of the present invention will be described herein with a dual frequency, four port layout.

(19) FIG. 5 shows a complete microwave antenna feed in one exemplary embodiment, including a horn 10 and network 12. The horn 10 includes an aperture 18 at one end. The horn 10 may be separable from the network at flange interface 11. FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the network 12, showing internal cavities. FIG. 7 shows a detailed internal cavity view of the network 12 shown in FIG. 5 in one exemplary embodiment. FIG. 8 is an alternative view of the same network shown in FIG. 7 in one exemplary embodiment, viewed from the horn interface. FIG. 9 shows one exemplary embodiment of an array configuration. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the complete microwave antenna feed shown in FIG. 5 in one exemplary embodiment.

(20) The function of the feed components shown in FIG. 11 is described below for one exemplary embodiment: A horn 70 may radiate signals into and out of the network of subcomponents An unbalanced coupler 72 may convert linear polarization to circular polarization for the low frequency Two low pass filters 76 may reject one or more higher frequency bands in a lower frequency band path An asymmetric 4 port waveguide junction 78 may combine the two orthogonal 90 degree phase shifted signals into circular polarization. A circular waveguide interface may be provided to the horn A high frequency band filter 80 may reject lower frequency bands in the higher frequency band path An asymmetric 3 port waveguide junction 79 may combine the two orthogonal 90 degree phase shifted signals into circular polarization. A circular waveguide interface may be provided to the high pass 80 filter or to the 4 port waveguide junction 78. An unbalanced coupler 73 may convert linear polarization to circular polarization for the high frequency

(21) FIG. 5 shows one embodiment in which one sided folded filters with asymmetric couplers are used, which may provide an extremely compact layout. The layout shows the two major components for the feed. The horn 10, and the network 12. The network 12 in this embodiment is made up of three components.

(22) FIG. 6, shows one embodiment in which the network from FIG. 5 is manufactured in three parts, first 20, second 21, and third 22. The horn input port 19, is where the horn connects to the network. The internal cavity is shown for the low frequency junction 24, this is connected to the one sided low pass waveguide filter 28. The one sided low pass waveguide filter 28, connects to the low frequency asymmetric coupler 26. A network of bends 29 connects to a waveguide pass through 30, which goes to the waveguide interface 33. The internal cavity is shown for the high frequency junction 25, this is connected, bends 36, then to the low frequency asymmetric coupler 27. The coupler is connected with bends 37a and 37b to a pass through 34 which toes to the waveguide interface 35.

(23) FIG. 7, shows the internal cavity of the feed. Split lines 50, are shown where the blocks are split as shown in FIG. 6.

(24) FIG. 8 is a view from the horn input port 19. Angle A can range from about 20 degrees to about 175 degrees. The range of length L1 can be from about 0.1 to about 1 wavelengths. The feed junction 24, is connected to the one sided low pass folded waveguide filter 28. The low pass folded waveguide filter 28, has bend 60, and bend 61, which could be of any angle to fold the filter into a compact shape. One filter element is bent to an angle A, thereby enabling a high density packaging of the microwave feed network; and wherein a plurality of single sided corrugations are located along the bent filter element. The low pass folded waveguide filter 28, has single sided corrugations 65 which may be on either side of the filter, enabling a very compact layout. Further bends 70 allow the unbalanced coupler 26, to be packed tightly to the asymmetric low frequency junction 24. The coupler slots 71 create an electrical unbalance to compensate for the asymmetric junction 24. The output of the unbalanced coupler 26, goes to bends 29, which tightly fold around to the waveguide pass through 30. These bends 29, could be of any angle that helps to insure a compact layout.

(25) FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the feed 12, where they are arranged into an array. The compact feed 12, allows for very tight array spacing, which may improve satellite performance. The center point to center point distances D1, D2 can range from about 1.3 inch to about 2 inch (wavelengths being about one to about ten).

(26) FIG. 10 shows prior art waveguide 20 from the '427 patent and larger point to point dimensions D3, D4 could be from about 4 to about 10 wavelengths.

(27) Naturally, the configuration and space utilization principles discussed herein should be understood to be illustrative in nature and should not be construed to be limited only to the specific network embodiments described, but rather should be understood to encompass any configuration and space utilization principles consistent with the inventive principles discussed herein.

(28) The components or subcomponents that may form the inventive technology discussed herein may be manufactured using any suitable manufacturing method, including electroforming, brazing, 3D printing or machining, and may be made of any suitable material or combinations of materials. Furthermore, the microwave antenna feed application may be used for any electromagnetic wave frequency band within the microwave band or any other frequency band or combinations of extended and or narrow frequency bands.

(29) As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present inventive technology may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both compact configuration techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate compact configuration. In this application, the compact configuration techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

(30) The discussion included in this provisional application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the inventive technology and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the inventive technology is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions the inventive technology and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

(31) It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the inventive technology. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this inventive technology. A broad disclosure encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting the claims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the inventive technology both independently and as an overall system.

(32) Further, each of the various elements of the inventive technology and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the inventive technology, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this inventive technology is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “fold” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “folding”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “folding”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “fold” and even a “means for folding” Such changes and alternative terms including the terms “curved” and “bent” are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description. Further, each such means (whether explicitly so described or not) should be understood as encompassing all elements that can perform the given function, and all descriptions of elements that perform a described function should be understood as a non-limiting example of means for performing that function.

(33) Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. Any priority case(s) claimed by this application is hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the list of References To Be Incorporated By Reference In Accordance With The Provisional Patent Application or other information statement filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these invention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

(34) Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the compact configuration devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the subsequent application are considered as made to avoid such prior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims or the like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested in existing or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at any time been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender of potential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimer is ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent application. Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this or any subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments.

(35) Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. The use of the phrase, “or any other claim” is used to provide support for any claim to be dependent on any other claim, such as another dependent claim, another independent claim, a previously listed claim, a subsequently listed claim, and the like. As one clarifying example, if a claim were dependent “on claim 20 or any other claim” or the like, it could be re-drafted as dependent on claim 1, claim 15, or even claim 25 (if such were to exist) if desired and still fall with the disclosure. It should be understood that this phrase also provides support for any combination of elements in the claims and even incorporates any desired proper antecedent basis for certain claim combinations such as with combinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

(36) Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the inventive technology, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

(37) Although the present invention has been described with reference to the disclosed embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Each apparatus embodiment described herein has numerous equivalents.