RADIO-FREQUENCY COMPONENT COMPRISING SEVERAL WAVEGUIDE DEVICES WITH RIDGES

Abstract

Radio-frequency component including several waveguide devices, for example antennas or polarizers, arranged in an array for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic signals. The radio-frequency component includes several ridges and each waveguide device includes: at least one inner wall; an upstream opening in the direction of propagation of the signals during emission; and a downstream opening in the direction of propagation of the emitting signals, linked to the upstream opening so that the emitting signals are transmitted from the upstream opening to the downstream opening. The arrangement of the ridges in the openings upstream of the radiofrequency component may be different from the arrangement of the ridges in the openings downstream of the radio-frequency component. The arrangement of ridges in the downstream openings of each waveguide device includes no more and no less than three ridges.

Claims

1. Radio-frequency component comprising several waveguide devices arranged in an array for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic signals, the radio-frequency component comprising several ridges, each waveguide device comprising: at least one inner wall; an upstream opening in the direction of propagation of said signals during emission; a downstream opening in said direction of propagation of said emitting signals, linked to said upstream opening so that said emitting signals are transmitted from said upstream opening to said downstream opening; wherein the arrangement of ridges in the downstream openings of each waveguide device comprises no more and no less than three ridges.

2. Radio frequency component of claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the ridges in the upstream opening of at least one said device is different from the arrangement of the ridges in the downstream opening of the same device.

3. Radio-frequency component of claim 2, wherein the component is a polarizer provided with a septum enabling circular polarization to be obtained.

4. Radio-frequency component of claim 1, wherein the orientation of the ridges in the downstream openings of the different devices is different.

5. Radio-frequency component of claim 4, said devices comprising antennas, the arrangement of downstream ridges reducing the mutual coupling between signals transmitted or received by the different antennas.

6. Radio-frequency component of claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the ridges in the upstream openings of the different devices is different.

7. Radio-frequency component of claim 1, wherein the number of ridges of the upstream opening of at least one device is different from the number of ridges of the downstream opening of this device.

8. Radio-frequency component of claim 1, wherein the angular space between the different ridges of the upstream opening of a device is different from the angular space between the ridges of the downstream opening of this device.

9. Radio-frequency component of claim 1, wherein at least one of said ridges is curved.

10. Radio frequency component of claim 8, wherein at least one of the ridges has two walls parallel to each other, said walls being curved.

11. Radio-frequency component of claim 10, each ridge opening into said downstream opening of the device and into said upstream opening of the device in a radial plane.

12. Radio-frequency component of claim 1, wherein the radial position of the ridges of the upstream opening of at least one said device is different from the radial position of the three ridges of the downstream opening of this device.

13. Radio-frequency component of claim 1, the outer section of at least one said device being identical upstream and downstream.

14. Radio frequency component of claim 1, wherein the height of at least one of the ridges of at least one said device varies over at least a portion of the length of this ridge.

15. Radio-frequency component of claim 1, each device comprising a single upstream opening and a single downstream opening.

16. Radio-frequency component of claim 1, comprising a plurality of said devices, the upstream openings of the different devices being in a first plane, the downstream openings of the different devices being in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

17. Radio-frequency component of claim 16, each device comprising a waveguide and an antenna with an opening linked to this waveguide and intended to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals, each antenna defining a said downstream opening, each antenna comprising at least one internal wall with three ridges, wherein the orientation of the ridges between adjacent antennas is out of phase.

18. Radio frequency component of claim 16, each said downstream opening being at least partially surrounded by a rim to minimize mutual coupling between antennas.

19. Radio-frequency component of claim 16, each downstream opening gradually widening in the downstream direction forming several steps.

20. Radio-frequency component of claim 16, each downstream opening being ridged, the height of said ridges gradually decreasing in the downstream direction forming several steps.

21. Radio-frequency component of claim 3, wherein the septum is of variable height forming staircase steps.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0059] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the annexed figures in which:

[0060] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the downstream side of a component comprising an antenna array with different orientations.

[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates a component with an array of antennas with circular openings, each antenna being ridged.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a component with an array of antenna array with a square openings, each antenna being ridged.

[0063] FIG. 4 illustrates a section of a waveguide device according to an aspect of the invention, having a square or rectangular cross-section and forming two ridged waveguides upstream converging into a single waveguide with four ridges downstream.

[0064] FIG. 5 illustrates a section of a waveguide device according to an aspect of the invention, having an octagonal cross-section and forming two upstream ridged waveguides converging into a single downstream waveguide with four ridges.

[0065] FIG. 6 illustrates a section of a waveguide device according to an aspect of the invention, having a circular cross-section and forming two upstream ridged waveguides converging into a single downstream waveguide with four ridges.

[0066] FIG. 7 illustrates a section of a waveguide device according to an aspect of the invention, having a square or rectangular cross-section, and forming two upstream ridged waveguides converging into a single downstream waveguide with three ridges.

[0067] FIG. 8 illustrates a section of a waveguide device according to an aspect of the invention, having a hexagonal cross-section, and forming two upstream ridged waveguides converging into a single downstream waveguide with three ridges.

[0068] FIG. 9 illustrates a section of a waveguide device according to an aspect of the invention, having an octagonal cross-section, and forming two upstream ridged waveguides converging into a single downstream waveguide with three ridges.

[0069] FIGS. 10 to 12 show different views of a waveguide device with a rearrangement of ridges and a different number of ridges upstream and downstream, with the ridges gradually disappearing.

[0070] FIGS. 13 to 15 show different views of a waveguide device with a rearrangement ridges and a different number of upstream and downstream ridges, with the ridges being curved.

[0071] FIG. 16 shows an example of a component according to the invention, with radiating elements spaced further apart than the entry ports.

[0072] FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a component according to the invention, with radiating elements less spaced than the entry ports.

[0073] FIG. 18a illustrates the evolution of the cut-off frequency of the fundamental mode and of the first higher order mode in a cylindrical waveguide without ridges, respectively with 3 ridges, as a function of the height of the ridge.

[0074] FIG. 18b illustrates the relative single mode bandwidth (defined as the ratio between the cut-off frequency of the fundamental mode and that of the first higher order mode) in a cylindrical waveguide without ridges, respectively with 3 ridges, as a function of the ridge height.

[0075] FIG. 19a shows the evolution of the cut-off frequency of the fundamental mode and of the first higher order mode in a cylindrical waveguide without ridges, respectively with 4 ridges, as a function of the ridge height.

[0076] FIG. 19b illustrates the relative single mode bandwidth (defined as the ratio between the cut-off frequency of the fundamental mode and that of the first higher order mode) in a cylindrical guide without ridges, respectively with 4 ridges, as a function of the ridge height.

EXAMPLE(S) OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0077] FIG. 16 shows an example of a component 1 comprising several waveguide devices 2. In this example, the component 1 is a passive RF module intended to form the passive part of a direct radiating array (DRA).

[0078] The RF module 1 comprises a plurality of devices, each device comprising for example four layers from the top to the bottom of the figure.

[0079] Among these layers, the first layer at the top of the figure consists of a radiating element 30 (antennas) for emitting electromagnetic signals into ether, respectively for receiving the received signals. This layer is downstream of the component.

[0080] The second layer comprises a waveguide 40.

[0081] The third layer is optional; it can also be integrated into the second layer. When present, the third layer includes an element such as a polarizer or a section adapter.

[0082] The fourth layer at the bottom of the figure (upstream) comprises a waveguide port 60. Each port 60 is an interface to an active element of the DRA, such as an amplifier and/or a phase shifter, which is part of a beamforming array. One port thus allows a waveguide to be connected to an electronic circuit, in order to inject a signal into the waveguides or in the opposite direction to receive electromagnetic signals in the waveguides.

[0083] This module 1 is intended for use in a multi-beam environment. The radiating elements are preferably close together, as shown in FIG. 17 in particular, so that the pitch p1 between two adjacent radiating elements is smaller than the wavelength at the nominal frequency at which the module 1 is intended to be used. This reduces the amplitude of the transmission and reception side lobes.

[0084] In FIG. 16, the pitch p1 between two adjacent radiating elements is larger than the pitch between two waveguide ports 60, which allows to create 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 smaller than the pitch between two waveguide ports 60, as in FIG. 17, in order to bring the radiating elements closer to each other without having to use miniaturized active electronics on the ports 60.

[0085] The different devices 2 form an array, for example a grid.

[0086] The invention aims to optimize each device 2 as such, and to optimize the component 1 by minimizing the disturbances between devices and/or by preventing the defects of the different devices from adding up.

[0087] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a component 1 seen from the downstream side, i.e. from the radiating elements (antennas) as waveguide devices 2. This component can be used, for example, as a passive part of an DRA antenna similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0088] The individual devices 2 are arranged in a plane and form a grid array or with position shifts between lines as shown in FIG. 1. The distance between adjacent devices is preferably less than the nominal wavelength of the signal to be transmitted.

[0089] The antenna devices shown in this example have a circular downstream opening. Their inner face 3 is provided with three ridges 23 angularly spaced by 120° and parallel to the direction of signal propagation.

[0090] Unexpectedly, the use of three ridges in a waveguide with a circular, square or rectangular 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.

[0091] FIG. 18a illustrates the evolution of the cut-off frequency of the fundamental mode and of the first higher order mode in a cylindrical waveguide without ridges, respectively with 3 ridges, as a function of the ridge height. The x-axis scale represents the normalized ridge height and the y-axis scale represents the normalized frequency. The upper curve (dotted line with solid squares) represents the frequency of the first upper mode as a function of the ridge height h in a waveguide with three ridges. The solid line curve with solid squares represents the frequency of the fundamental mode as a function of the ridge height h. The dotted curve with white circles represents the frequency of the first higher mode in a non-ridged waveguide. The solid line curve with white circles represents the frequency of the fundamental mode in a non-ridged waveguide. As can be seen, the difference in frequency between the fundamental mode and the first higher mode is much larger in a cylindrical waveguide with three ridges than in a cylindrical non-ridged waveguide, making it easier to filter modes other than the fundamental mode.

[0092] The use of waveguides with three ridges also makes it possible to widen the signal bandwidth in single mode. FIG. 18b shows the normalized single mode bandwidth as a function of the normalized ridge height for a waveguide with three ridges (curve with solid squares) and for a waveguide without ridges (curve with white circles).

[0093] FIG. 19a is comparable to FIG. 18a, but illustrates the comparison between a cylindrical waveguide with four ridges (curved with black squares) and a cylindrical waveguide without ridges (curved with white circles). As can be seen, the frequency difference between the fundamental mode (solid curve) and the first higher order mode (dotted-line) is much smaller than in a waveguide with three ridges, especially for large heights of ridge favorable to large bandwidths. The filtering of the first higher order mode is therefore easier in the case of a waveguide with three ridges than in a non ridged or four ridged waveguide.

[0094] The use of a waveguides with four ridges is also less favorable than the use of waveguides with three ridges in terms of single mode bandwidth. FIG. 19b shows the normalized single-mode bandwidth as a function of the normalized ridge height for a waveguide with four ridges (curve with solid squares) and for a waveguide without ridges (curve with white circles). As can be seen, the bandwidth of a waveguide with four ridges is only marginally better than that of a non-ridged waveguide when the ridge height is very low; for higher ridge heights, the bandwidth is lower in single mode than that of a non-ridged cylindrical waveguide, and even significantly lower than that of a waveguide with three ridges as shown in FIG. 18b.

[0095] Square, rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal section antennas can also be used. Similarly, the number of ridges can be different from three, although three ridges is a preferred embodiment in view of the advantages described above. In particular, all the antennas or waveguide devices described in the rest of this description can be used instead of the antennas shown in this figure.

[0096] According to one aspect of the invention, the different waveguide devices 2 are oriented differently, as can be seen with the position of the ridges 23. The angles of rotation between devices can be regular or more random as in this example. These rotations make it possible to add up the imperfections specific to each antenna, which compensate each other by adding up, preferably in a destructive way. This avoids multiplying the imperfections of each device 2 if they were all aligned identically.

[0097] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate another component 1 comprising several waveguide devices of the type of antenna 2, seen in perspective from the downstream side. The antennas 2 in FIG. 2 have circular downstream openings 25 while those in FIG. 3 have square openings. Other sections can be considered, for example rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, elliptical, semi-circular, semi-elliptical, etc. The antennas are arranged in an array in a single plane, with a triangular arrangement; other arrangements, for example grid arrangements, may be considered.

[0098] One or more ribs form a rim 20 that at least partially surrounds each antenna. This rim reduces the mutual coupling between antennas 2, thus improving the performance of the array.

[0099] Antennas 2 have an opening whose section widens progressively towards the downstream direction, forming one or more steps 21. These steps reduce return losses and improve performance in terms of bandwidth. The septum also forms the desired downstream polarization.

[0100] Antennas 2 are provided with at least one septum 26 in order to generate respectively to discriminate between two signals with linear or circular polarizations orthogonal to each other.

[0101] Each antenna can be provided with several septa to create one or two circular polarizations, or to combine two linear polarizations, which allows for example to protect active antennas with linear polarizations. It is also possible to provide antennas with several septa to create elliptical polarizations.

[0102] Each antenna can be provided with one or more ridges, the height of which is progressively reduced in the downstream direction, forming one or more steps. These steps help to reduce return losses and improve performance in terms of bandwidth.

[0103] In FIG. 2, the antennas are provided with two ridges, two of which are curved, i.e. they do not extend exclusively in radial planes.

[0104] FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate sections of waveguide devices respectively square, octagonal and circular. Other sections, including hexagonal, elliptical, semicircular oval, or semi-elliptical sections may be used.

[0105] These devices 2 can constitute for example polarizers and be used in isolation, or in an array in a component 1 such as an DRA antenna for example.

[0106] The devices of these figures having two inputs 24, for example two upstream inputs, separated by a vertical septum 26 on the figure and juxtaposed to the left and right of this septum at the back of the figure. Only one output 25 is provided, for example one upstream output, at the front of the figure. The inner face 3 of each of the two inputs is provided with a single ridge 23. The output 25 at the front of the figure is provided with three ridges 23 and a septum 26 spaced 90° apart. The two inputs can individually extend into a waveguide with a rectangular cross-section with one ridge. The output can extend into a waveguide with a square section with four ridges, or be connected to a waveguide with this section. The device 24 allows to generate two signals which after their passage through the septum will have two distinct polarities, or conversely to join two signals corresponding to the two received polarities.

[0107] FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate sections of waveguide device respectively square, hexagonal and circular. Other sections, including octagonal, elliptical, semicircular oval or semi-elliptical sections may be used.

[0108] These devices may constitute, for example, polarizers and be used in isolation, or as an array in a component of the type of DRA antenna for example.

[0109] The devices in these figures have two inputs 24, for example two upstream inputs, separated by a vertical septum 26 on the figure and juxtaposed to the left and right of the device at the back of the figure. Only one output 25 is provided, for example one upstream output, at the front of the figure. Each of the two inlets is provided with a single ridge 23. The output 25 at the front of the figure can be connected to a waveguide with three ridges spaced 90° apart. The two inputs can individually extend into a waveguide with a rectangular section with one ridge, or be connected to a waveguide with this section. The device thus constitutes a polarizer and allows to join two signals of distinct polarity into a single signal combining the two polarities, or conversely to separate a signal into two signals of distinct polarity, and to be connected to ridged waveguides.

[0110] FIGS. 10 to 12 show three views of a portion of a circular-section waveguide device; again, the section could be different and any of the other sections described in this application can also be implemented with this embodiment. The inner face 3 of the device is provided with a septum 26 in order to separate a signal into two polarizations, and with ridges 23 whose height progressively reduces from the downstream end, until it disappears completely before the upstream end. Other ridges 23 are formed between the upstream and downstream ends of the device, and their height gradually increases. This configuration makes it possible to replace an arrangement of ridges at the upstream end, for example four ridges spaced at 90°, with another arrangement of ridges at the downstream end, for example three ridges spaced at 120°. In this way, the number of ridges and/or their angular spacing between the two ends can be changed, in order to connect them to waveguides or other devices with suitable configurations of ridges.

[0111] FIGS. 13 to 15 show three views of a portion of a circular-section waveguide device; again, the section could be different and any of the other sections described in this application can also be implemented with this embodiment. The inner face 3 of the device is provided with a septum 26 in order to separate a signal into two polarizations, and with curved 23 ridges, i.e. ridges that instead of extending in a radial direction as in most of the examples described above, are curved. This curved ridge has two walls which are non-planar but nevertheless parallel to each other. It is also possible to have a similar configuration but with non-parallel ridge faces.

[0112] The same ridge can thus lead to different axial positions upstream and downstream, which makes it possible to modify the phases of the ridges, and/or their relative phase shifts.

[0113] The embodiments described above can be used independently or in combination. For example, the devices 2 described individually in relation to FIGS. 4 to 15 may all be used either individually or in connection with one or more waveguide devices connected upstream and/or downstream, and/or combined in a single component with several devices of the same or different types. These devices in FIGS. 4 to 15 may for example be used as an antenna, polarizer or waveguide between the active part of a component grouping several antennas, and the individual antennas of this component. In addition, the features of these devices can be combined with each other; for example, it is possible to provide devices with curved ridges of variable height.

[0114] A radio-frequency component may, for example, be designed by grouping several devices according to one of FIGS. 4 to 15, or according to a combination of these devices, so as to transmit signals between the active components and the radiating elements. As shown in FIG. 1, these different devices can be oriented differently. In any case, the orientation of the ridges 23 on the downstream openings 25 may be different between the different devices 2 of such a component 1.