Waveguide Assembly, Waveguide Transition, and Use of a Waveguide Assembly

Abstract

A waveguide assembly, comprising an electrical circuit assembly, a dielectric waveguide with a longitudinal axis (A), and a waveguide transition lying therebetween for transmitting an electromagnetic wave between the electrical circuit assembly and the dielectric waveguide. The waveguide transition has a first electrically conductive plate and a second electrically conductive plate which are arranged between the electrical circuit assembly and the dielectric waveguide in an offset manner to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide.

Claims

1. A waveguide assembly comprising: an electrical circuit arrangement; a dielectric waveguide having a longitudinal axis (A); and a waveguide transition positioned between the electrical circuit arrangement and the dielectric waveguide for the transmission of an electromagnetic wave between the electrical circuit arrangement and the dielectric waveguide, the waveguide transition having a first electrically conductive plate and a second electrically conductive plate, and the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate are arranged between the electrical circuit arrangement and the dielectric waveguide and are offset from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide, and wherein the first electrically conductive plate is a conductive metallized area of the circuit arrangement, and wherein the circuit arrangement for exciting the first electrically conductive plate has an electrical line to transmit the electromagnetic wave.

2. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the electrical circuit arrangement is at least one of an electrical printed circuit board, an integrated circuit, a system-in-package, a multi-chip module, and a package-on-package.

3. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide is oriented orthogonally to a surface of the electrical circuit arrangement, said surface of the electrical circuit arrangement facing the dielectric waveguide.

4. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the first electrically conductive plate and the electrical circuit arrangement are arranged relative to one another so the first electrically conductive plate is electromagnetically excited directly by the electrical circuit arrangement to transmit the electromagnetic wave.

5. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the ene electrical line is a microstrip line or a coplanar waveguide.

6. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the electrical circuit arrangement excites the first electrically conductive plate so that a dual-polar transmission, is formed.

7. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the second electrically conductive plate is attached to an end face of the dielectric waveguide, said end face of the dielectric waveguide facing the electrical circuit arrangement.

8. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the first and second electrically conductive plates are axially spaced apart from one another by a dielectric.

9. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the second electrically conductive plate has a round cross section.

10. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the first and second electrically conductive plates are plane-parallel to one another.

11. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein at least one of the first electrically conductive plate, the second electrically conductive plate and the dielectric waveguide are in an electromagnetic near field of the electrical circuit arrangement and are spaced apart from the electrical circuit arrangement by a distance that is less than a wavelength of the electromagnetic wave.

12. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a waveguide piece which extends between the second electrically conductive plate and the dielectric waveguide in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide.

13. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 12 further comprising: a waveguide transition piece that extends between the waveguide piece and the dielectric waveguide in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide.

14. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 13 and wherein the waveguide transition piece forms at least one of a continuous transition or discretely stepped transition between the waveguide piece and the dielectric waveguide.

15. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a waveguide base, which has a first end for attachment to the circuit arrangement, and a second end facing the dielectric waveguide; and wherein the first end of the waveguide base has a cross section that has a first diameter and the second end of the waveguide base has a cross section that has a second diameter, and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.

16. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein at least one of the dielectric waveguide, the waveguide piece, the waveguide transition piece and the waveguide base is encased by a dielectric casing material that has a permittivity greater than the permittivity of air.

17. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein at least one of the dielectric waveguide, the waveguide piece, the waveguide transition piece and the waveguide base defines a recess to receive at least one of the first or second electrically conductive plates.

18. A waveguide transition for the transmission of an electromagnetic wave the waveguide transition comprising: a first electrically conductive plate and a second electrically conductive plate, and the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate can be arranged between a circuit arrangement and a dielectric waveguide and the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate are offset from one another and the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate transmit the electromagnetic wave.

19. A method for using a waveguide assembly, the method comprising the steps: providing an electrical circuit arrangement; providing a dielectric waveguide having a longitudinal axis (A); and providing a waveguide transition that is positioned between the electrical circuit arrangement and the dielectric waveguide for transmission of an electromagnetic wave between the electrical circuit arrangement and the dielectric waveguide, the waveguide transition having a first electrically conductive plate and a second electrically conductive plate, and the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate are arranged between the electrical circuit arrangement and the dielectric waveguide and are offset from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide, and wherein the first electrically conductive plate is a conductive metallized area of the electrical circuit arrangement, and wherein the electrical circuit arrangement has an electrical line to transmit the electromagnetic wave for exciting the first electrically conductive plate; and data is transmitted by the waveguide assembly by means of electromagnetic waves.

20. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: a support structure for attaching the dielectric waveguide to the electrical circuit arrangement.

21. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the second electrically conductive plate is embedded in the dielectric waveguide.

22. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 15 and wherein the waveguide base has a round annular cross section or a cross section with a plurality of ring segments.

23. The waveguide assembly as claimed in claim 12 and wherein the waveguide piece is a single-mode waveguide piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

[0161] In the Figures, in each case schematically:

[0162] FIG. 1 shows a waveguide assembly according to the invention in accordance with a first embodiment, using an electrical conductor of the electrical circuit arrangement for exciting the first electrically conductive plate.

[0163] FIG. 2 shows a waveguide assembly according to the invention in accordance with a second embodiment, using a coplanar waveguide of the electrical circuit arrangement for exciting the first electrically conductive plate.

[0164] FIG. 3 shows a waveguide assembly according to the invention in accordance with a third embodiment with dual-polar waveguide transmission and a second electrically conductive plate embedded in the dielectric waveguide.

[0165] FIG. 4 shows a waveguide assembly according to the invention in accordance with a fourth embodiment with a waveguide piece and a waveguide transition piece.

[0166] FIG. 5 shows a waveguide assembly according to the invention in accordance with a fifth embodiment with a waveguide base.

[0167] FIG. 6 shows a waveguide assembly according to the invention in accordance with a sixth embodiment with dual-polar transmission, a coplanar waveguide of the electrical circuit arrangement for exciting the first electrically conductive plate, a waveguide piece, a waveguide transition piece and a waveguide base.

DETAILED WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0168] This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the Constitutional purposes of the US Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

[0169] FIG. 1 shows a waveguide assembly 1 according to the invention in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The waveguide assembly 1 comprises an electrical circuit arrangement 2, a dielectric waveguide 3 and a waveguide transition 4 present in between for the transmission of an electromagnetic wave 5 between the electrical circuit arrangement 2 and the dielectric waveguide 3.

[0170] The electrical circuit arrangement 2 can be, for example, an electrical printed circuit board or an integrated circuit. It can also be a system-in-package, a multi-chip module and/or a package-on-package. The waveguide assembly 1 according to the invention can preferably be used for use with a printed circuit board or for a chip-to-chip communication connection. In the exemplary embodiments, the electrical circuit arrangement 2 is essentially described as a printed circuit board for the sake of simplicity, but this is not to be understood as restrictive.

[0171] The dielectric waveguide 3, illustrated as an example, has a core material 3.1 with a permittivity that is greater than the permittivity of the casing material 3.2 (cf. dashed line representation in FIG. 1), which runs around the core material 3.1. The casing material 3.2 can also be air, for example. The casing material 3.2 can also, however, be a material that has a higher permittivity than air. In this way, the cross-sectional diameter of the core material 3.1 of the dielectric waveguide 3 can be increased without undesired modes becoming capable of propagation in the dielectric waveguide 3. In the disclosed exemplary embodiments, the casing material 3.2 of the dielectric waveguide 3 is not illustrated any further for the sake of simplicity.

[0172] The longitudinal axis A of the dielectric waveguide 3 is preferably oriented orthogonally to a surface 6 of the circuit arrangement 2, said surface facing the dielectric waveguide 3. In the context of the orthogonal orientation, however, tolerance-related deviations, for example a tilt of up to 15 degrees, can also be provided.

[0173] The waveguide transition 4 has at least one first electrically conductive plate 7 and a second electrically conductive plate 8, which are arranged in different axial planes between the electrical circuit arrangement 2 and the dielectric waveguide 3 and in a manner offset from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the dielectric waveguide 3 (that is to say in the axial direction). In principle, still further electrically conductive plates can also be provided, but these are not illustrated in the exemplary embodiments for the sake of simplification.

[0174] A configuration illustrated in the exemplary embodiments is preferably provided, according to which the first electrically conductive plate 7 and the electrical circuit arrangement 2 are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the first electrically conductive plate 7 is electromagnetically excited directly by the electrical circuit arrangement 2 in order to transmit the electromagnetic wave 5. For this purpose, the electrical circuit arrangement 2 for exciting the first electrically conductive plate 7 can have at least one electrical line 9, as shown, for example, in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1.

[0175] The first electrically conductive plate 7 shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 is designed to be rectangular, preferably square. The first electrically conductive plate 7 is conductively connected to an electrical line 9 in the form of a microstrip line, which, together with the first electrically conductive plate 7, is located in the top plane or layer of the electrical circuit arrangement 2 in the form of a printed circuit board. On the underside of the printed circuit board or electrical circuit arrangement 2, an electrically conductive base surface 10 is provided as a reference conductor, which is separated from the structures of the top layer of the printed circuit board by a non-conductive dielectric substrate 11 suitable for high frequencies.

[0176] In order to excite the first electrically conductive plate 7, it is fundamentally not absolutely necessary for the microstrip line or the electrical line 9 to be conductively connected to the first plate 7. An electromagnetic field coupling (not illustrated) can also be provided by, for example, an electrical line or strip line located in a lower plane of the printed circuit board or the electrical circuit arrangement 2.

[0177] Furthermore, the base surface 10 serving as an electrical (ground) reference does not necessarily have to be arranged on the underside of the electrical circuit arrangement 2 or the printed circuit board, but can, for example, also be arranged in a middle plane or layer. The base surface 10 or some other electrical reference can also be arranged at a distance from the printed circuit board or from the circuit arrangement 2, for example can be designed as a housing component, with air or preferably a solid material being able to be provided between the circuit arrangement and the housing component.

[0178] The first electrically conductive plate 7, the second electrically conductive plate 8 and/or the dielectric waveguide 3 can be arranged in the electromagnetic near field of the electrical circuit arrangement 2, in particular can be spaced apart by less than the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave 5 from the electrical circuit arrangement 2 (and/or from one another), preferably less than 50% of the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave 5 from the electrical circuit arrangement 2 (and/or from one another), particularly preferably less than 10% of the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave 5 from the electrical circuit arrangement 2 (and/or from one another).

[0179] For example, the dielectric waveguide 3 can be located directly on the surface of the second electrically conductive plate 8 facing it or at a short distance above it, with the result that the end of the dielectric waveguide 3 facing the second electrically conductive plate 8 is located in the near field of the second electrically conductive plate 8. Furthermore, the first electrically conductive plate 7 can be located directly on the electrical circuit arrangement 2 or at a small distance therefrom. Finally, the electrically conductive plates 7, 8 used can also be positioned within their near field relative to one another, for example axially spaced from one another by at least one dielectric (not illustrated).

[0180] The coupling efficiency and the type of excited modes within the dielectric waveguide 3 can depend on the positioning, orientation and/or cross-sectional area of the core material 3.1 of the dielectric waveguide 3, as well as on the permittivities of the core material 3.1 and the casing material 3.2 and the resonance of the electrically conductive plates 7, 8.

[0181] The second electrically conductive plate 8 is arranged axially above the directly fed, first electrically conductive plate 7. Both electrically conductive plates are able to be electromagnetically coupled to one another, wherein the distance between the two electrically conductive plates 7, 8 and their geometry can be decisive for the frequency bandwidth and the actual frequency position.

[0182] In the exemplary embodiments, the second electrically conductive plate 8 is designed to be round, which can be particularly advantageous in order to position the dielectric waveguide 3, which is also round, in a rotationally invariant manner on the second electrically conductive plate 8 or on the second electrically conductive plate 8, which can simplify assembly.

[0183] FIG. 2 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of the waveguide assembly 1, in which the second electrically conductive plate 8 is attached to an end face of the dielectric waveguide 3, said end face facing the electrical circuit arrangement 2, and is arranged in the near field of the first electrically conductive plate 7.

[0184] In contrast to the electrically conductive plate 7 of FIG. 1, the electrically conductive plate 7 of FIG. 2 is fed by a coplanar waveguide of the circuit arrangement 2. The coplanar waveguide is designed in the manner of a GCPW (“grounded coplanar waveguide”). For this purpose, the electrical circuit arrangement 2 has a reference layer 12 in the top layer and optionally an electrically conductive base surface 10 in the bottom layer. The reference layer 12 and the base surface 10 are connected to one another by conductive vias 13. The first electrically conductive plate 7 is insulated from the reference layer 12 by a slot 14. In this way, the edges of the first electrically conductive plate 7 continue to form open ends with respect to the reference layer 12 and the base surface 10 and thus form a resonator.

[0185] In principle, even in the case of the coplanar waveguide, it is not absolutely necessary for the electrical line 9 to be arranged in an electrically conductive manner with the first electrically conductive plate 7 and/or with the second electrically conductive plate 8 in the same plane or layer.

[0186] Furthermore, the reference layer 12 can be made smaller and the number of vias 13 can be reduced.

[0187] FIG. 3 illustrates a further waveguide assembly 1 in accordance with a third embodiment, which combines two further aspects of the invention with one another by way of example.

[0188] The dielectric waveguide 3 illustrated in FIG. 3 has a recess 15 in which the second electrically conductive plate 8 is received. The distance between the electromagnetically coupled plates 7, 8 can be defined by the depth of the recess 15 and the electrical behavior of the waveguide transition 4 can thus be determined. The recess is preferably filled with air, but can also be completely or partly filled with a foam or other material. The losses of the waveguide assembly 1 can, however, as a rule be further minimized and the frequency bandwidth can be maximized if the recess 15 remains filled with air. The recess 15 can (as illustrated) run conically or alternatively also cylindrically.

[0189] One possibility for mounting a conductive surface to form, for example, the second electrically conductive plate 8 on an inner surface of the recess 15 can be laser direct structuring (LDS), for example.

[0190] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the circuit arrangement 2 is also designed to excite the first electrically conductive plate 7 in such a way that a dual-polar transmission with orthogonal polarization is formed. The first electrically conductive plate 7 of the circuit arrangement 2, which excites the second electrically conductive plate 8, is in this case fed by the (first) microstrip line or electrical line 9 and also by a second microstrip line or second electrical line 16 positioned orthogonally to the first electrical line 9. Accordingly, two different resonance modes can be excited in the first electrically conductive plate 7, which are polarized orthogonally to one another. These are finally able to excite the dielectric waveguide 3, which is preferably positioned in the center and is as perpendicular as possible, with two mutually orthogonal and thus independent polarizations of the basic mode via the second electrically conductive plate 8, which polarizations are then guided independently of each other via the dielectric waveguide 3.

[0191] In this variant, too, it is not absolutely necessary for the feed lines or the electrical lines 9, 16 to be electrically conductively connected to the first electrically conductive plate 7. The electrical lines 9, 16 can, for example, also be arranged in a lower plane of the printed circuit board or electrical circuit arrangement 2 and feed the first electrical plate 7 by means of electromagnetic field coupling.

[0192] Furthermore, the first electrically conductive plate 7 does not necessarily have to be designed to be rectangular or square, but can also be round or elliptical. In the case of dual-polar excitation, however, the first electrically conductive plate 7 is preferably designed to be square or circular.

[0193] In addition, it is also not necessary for the microstrip lines or the electrical lines 9, 16 to run centrally towards the first electrically conductive plate 7, as illustrated. The feed lines 9, 16 can each also have a lateral offset. A lateral offset of at least one of the electrical lines 9, 16 can, for example, improve the insulation from the different modes in the dielectric waveguide 3 or the insulation from the modes of both electrical lines 9, 16.

[0194] It should be noted that the aspect of the invention relating to a recess 15 for receiving the second electrically conductive plate 8, for example, and the aspects of dual-polar waveguide transmission can of course also be implemented independently of one another and are only illustrated by way of example in combination in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3. As already mentioned at the beginning, this applies in principle to all further developments and features of the invention illustrated and described in the exemplary embodiments.

[0195] FIG. 4 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The waveguide transition 4 has a waveguide piece 17, preferably a single-mode waveguide piece, which extends between the first electrically conductive plate 7 and the dielectric waveguide 3 in the axial direction along the extended longitudinal axis A of the dielectric waveguide 3.

[0196] The second electrically conductive plate 8 is preferably embedded in the waveguide piece 17; a recess 15, for example, can be provided for this purpose, as has already been described in FIG. 3 with respect to the dielectric waveguide 3. However, the second electrically conductive plate 8 does not necessarily have to be embedded in the waveguide piece 17, but can also merely be placed on an end face of the waveguide piece 17 or be further spaced from the waveguide piece in the axial direction.

[0197] Furthermore, the waveguide transition 4 has a waveguide transition piece 18, which extends between the waveguide piece 17 and the dielectric waveguide 3 in the axial direction along the longitudinal axis A of the dielectric waveguide 3. The waveguide transition piece 18 forms a continuous transition between the waveguide piece 17 and the dielectric waveguide 3 in order to adjust the different cross sections to one another.

[0198] In order to achieve the most efficient possible excitation of the desired basic mode of the dielectric waveguide 3, it can in principle be advantageous to adapt the dimensions of the dielectric waveguide 3 to the dimensions of the exciting plate, that is to say in particular the size or the diameter of the second electrically conductive plate 8, and to choose the diameter of the dielectric waveguide 3 to be as similar as possible. In particular, if this is not easily possible, the waveguide transition piece 18 can be used for adjustment.

[0199] In order to avoid the undesired excitation of higher modes in the waveguide transition 4 (for example, even if the dielectric waveguide 3 is not positioned ideally), a waveguide piece 17 designed as a single-mode waveguide piece can be attached, together with the second electrically conductive plate 8, above the first electrically conductive plate 7 and then transferred through the waveguide transition piece 18 into a dielectric waveguide 3 designed as a multi-mode waveguide.

[0200] However, the waveguide transition piece 18 does not necessarily have to continuously (for example in a cosine, linear or exponential manner) transform the geometry of the waveguide piece 17 and the dielectric waveguide 3 into one another, as shown in FIG. 4, but can also form a discretely stepped transition with any desired number of steps.

[0201] It can also be provided that the waveguide transition piece 18 forms a continuous or discretely stepped transition between different permittivities of the waveguide piece 17 and the dielectric waveguide 3, in particular with regard to their core materials and/or casing materials.

[0202] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention in which the waveguide transition 4 has a waveguide base 19, which has a first end 19.1 for attachment to the electrical circuit arrangement 2, wherein the first end 19.1 has a cross section with a first diameter that is larger than a second diameter of a cross section of a second end 19.2 of the waveguide base 19, said second end facing the dielectric waveguide 3.

[0203] The waveguide base 19 can have an annular cross section (in particular a round annular cross section) or a cross section with a plurality of ring segments 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5. For example, the widespread base can serve for improved attachment of the dielectric waveguide 3 on the electrical circuit arrangement 2 and can be designed in the manner of supports.

[0204] The second electrically conductive plate 8 can be accommodated within the waveguide base 19. The waveguide base 19 is preferably designed to be hollow or has a recess 15, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0205] In principle, a widening of the cross-sectional area of the dielectric waveguide 3 through the waveguide base 19 in the waveguide transition 4 can make improved coupling into the dielectric waveguide 3 possible if the dimensions are correct. In addition, a widening of the cross-sectional area through the waveguide base 19 can also be used for the defined positioning of the dielectric waveguide 3.

[0206] As already mentioned, the illustrated developments and variants of the invention can be combined with one another as desired. A combination to be understood purely as an example is illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0207] For improved coupling and attachment, the waveguide transition 4 according to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 6 has a waveguide base 19 with the second electrically conductive plate 8 received therein. The waveguide piece 17 and the waveguide transition piece 18 are arranged between the waveguide base 19 and the dielectric waveguide 3. At this point it should be mentioned that the dielectric waveguide 3, the waveguide piece 17, the waveguide transition piece 18 and/or the waveguide base 19 can also be formed in one piece. In the exemplary embodiment, however, these are designed in several parts.

[0208] The first electrically conductive plate 7 is excited by two identical coplanar waveguides, as described in the context of FIG. 2, whereby dual-polar use is possible and parasitic radiation can be reduced compared to excitation by simple microstrip lines or electrical lines 9, 16. By way of example, the first electrically conductive plate 7 in FIGS. 5 and 6 is designed to be round. As a result, the assembly of the waveguide assembly 1 can be simplified and incorrect orientations can be prevented.

[0209] The increased base surface within the waveguide base 19 can improve the transmission into the dielectric waveguide 3. The reduction in diameter in the waveguide base 19 in the direction of the waveguide piece 17 can further improve the transmission and prevent the guidance of undesired modes of the dielectric waveguide 3, which are instead emitted at the conical reduction.

[0210] Finally, the continuous widening of the cross-sectional area of the core material by the waveguide transition piece 18 can make the excitation of a multi-mode waveguide 3 possible while preventing the excitation of higher modes.

[0211] To attach the dielectric waveguide 3 and/or the waveguide transition 4 to the electrical circuit arrangement 2, it can be provided that the waveguide transition 4 and/or the dielectric waveguide 3 can be adhesively bonded, mechanically attached and/or foamed onto the electrical circuit arrangement 2. Foaming can preferably be effected by means of a material having a permittivity that corresponds approximately to the permittivity of air. For example only, and without limitation, polystyrene foam, including that known under the brand “Styrodur” from the BASF Group or “ROHACELL” from Evonik, can be suitable for foaming. A comparable material can of course also be suitable.

Operation

[0212] Having thus described the structure of our Waveguide Assembly, Waveguide Transition, and Use of a Waveguide Assembly its operation is briefly described.

[0213] A principal object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1), comprising: an electrical circuit arrangement; (2), a dielectric waveguide (3) having a longitudinal axis (A); and a waveguide transition (4) positioned between the electrical circuit arrangement (2) and the dielectric waveguide (3) for the transmission of an electromagnetic wave (5) between the circuit arrangement (2) and the dielectric waveguide (3), the waveguide transition (4) having a first electrically conductive plate (7) and a second electrically conductive plate (8), and the first electrically conductive plate (7) and the second electrically conductive plate (8) are arranged between the circuit arrangement (2) and the dielectric waveguide (3) and are offset from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide (3), and wherein the first electrically conductive plate (7) is a conductive metallized area of the electrical circuit arrangement (2), and wherein the electrical circuit arrangement (2) for exciting the first electrically conductive plate (7) has an electrical line (9, 16) to transmit the electromagnetic wave (5).

[0214] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) and wherein the electrical circuit arrangement (2) is at least one of an electrical printed circuit board, an integrated circuit, a system-in-package, a multi-chip module, and a package-on-package.

[0215] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) and wherein the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide (3) is oriented orthogonally to a surface (6) of the electrical circuit arrangement (2), said surface of the electrical circuit arrangement (2) facing the dielectric waveguide (3).

[0216] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) and wherein the first electrically conductive plate (7) and the electrical circuit arrangement (2) are arranged relative to one another so the first electrically conductive plate (7) is electromagnetically excited directly by the electrical circuit arrangement (2) to transmit the electromagnetic wave (5).

[0217] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein the electrical line (9, 16) is a microstrip line or a coplanar waveguide.

[0218] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein the electrical circuit arrangement (2) excites the first electrically conductive plate (7) so that a dual-polar transmission is formed.

[0219] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein the second electrically conductive plate (8) is attached to an end face of the dielectric waveguide (3), said end face of the dielectric waveguide (3) facing the electrical circuit arrangement (2).

[0220] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein the first and second electrically conductive plates (7, 8) are axially spaced apart from one another by a dielectric.

[0221] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein the second electrically conductive plate (8) has a round cross section.

[0222] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein the first and second electrically conductive plates (7, 8) are plane-parallel to one another.

[0223] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein at least one of the first electrically conductive plate (7), the second electrically conductive plate (8) and the dielectric waveguide (3) are in an electromagnetic near field of the electrical circuit arrangement (2), and are spaced apart from the electrical circuit arrangement (2) by a distance that is less than a wavelength of the electromagnetic wave (5).

[0224] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) further comprising: a waveguide piece (17), which extends between the second electrically conductive plate (8) and the dielectric waveguide (3) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide (3).

[0225] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) further comprising: a waveguide transition piece (18), that extends between the waveguide piece (17) and the dielectric waveguide (3) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide (3).

[0226] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein the waveguide transition piece (18) forms at least one of a continuous transition or discretely stepped transition between the waveguide piece (17) and the dielectric waveguide (3).

[0227] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) and further comprising: a waveguide base (19), which has a first end (19.1) for attachment to the electrical circuit arrangement (2), and a second end facing the dielectric waveguide; and wherein the first end (19.1) of the waveguide base (19) has a cross section that has a first diameter and the second end (19.2) of the waveguide base (19) has a cross section that has a second diameter, and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.

[0228] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein at least one of the dielectric waveguide (3), the waveguide piece (17), the waveguide transition piece (18) and the waveguide base (19) is encased by a dielectric casing material (3.2) that has a permittivity greater than the permittivity of air.

[0229] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein at least one of the dielectric waveguide (3), the waveguide piece (17), the waveguide transition piece (18) and the waveguide base (19) defines a recess (15) to receive at least one of the first or second electrically conductive plates (7, 8).

[0230] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide transition (4) for the transmission of an electromagnetic wave (5) the waveguide transition (4) comprising: a first electrically conductive plate (7) and a second electrically conductive plate (8), and the first electrically conductive plate (7) and the second electrically conductive plate (8) can be arranged between a circuit arrangement (2) and a dielectric waveguide (3) and the first electrically conductive plate (7) and the second electrically conductive plate (8) are offset from one another and the first electrically conductive plate (7) and the second electrically conductive plate (8) transmit the electromagnetic wave (5).

[0231] A further object of the present invention is a method for using a waveguide assembly (1), the method comprising the steps: providing an electrical circuit arrangement (2); providing a dielectric waveguide (3) having a longitudinal axis (A); and providing a waveguide transition (4) that is positioned between the electrical circuit arrangement (2) and the dielectric waveguide (3) for transmission of an electromagnetic wave (5) between the electrical circuit arrangement (2) and the dielectric waveguide (3), the waveguide transition (4) having a first electrically conductive plate (7) and a second electrically conductive plate (8), and the first electrically conductive plate (7) and the second electrically conductive plate (8) are arranged between the electrical circuit arrangement (2) and the dielectric waveguide (3) and are offset from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the dielectric waveguide (3), and wherein the first electrically conductive plate (7) is a conductive metallized area of the electrical circuit arrangement (2), and wherein the electrical circuit arrangement (2) has an electrical line (9, 16) to transmit the electromagnetic wave (5) for exciting the first electrically conductive plate (7); and data is transmitted by the waveguide assembly (3) by means of electromagnetic waves (5).

[0232] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) further comprising: a support structure for attaching the dielectric waveguide (3) to the electrical circuit arrangement (2).

[0233] A further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein the second electrically conductive plate (8) is embedded in the dielectric waveguide (3).

[0234] A still further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein the waveguide base (19) has a round annular cross section or a cross section with a plurality of ring segments.

[0235] An even still further object of the present invention is a waveguide assembly (1) wherein the waveguide piece (17) is a single-mode waveguide piece.

[0236] In compliance with the statute, the present invention has been described in language more or less specific, as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the Doctrine of Equivalents.