Coupling for connecting at least one amplifier unit with at least one antenna, system and method for transmitting a signal between an antenna and an amplifier unit or an analyzing unit

Abstract

A coupling for interconnecting at least one amplifier unit with at least one antenna is described, wherein the coupling has a first interface that is standardized according to Electronic Industries Alliance with regard to the imperial system and a second interface that is standardized according to 13-30 DIN. Further, a system and a method for transmitting a signal between an antenna and an amplifier unit or an analyzing unit are described.

Claims

1. A system comprising a coupling and at least one of an amplifier, an analyzer, or an antenna, which is connected to said coupling, said coupling having a housing that defines a main body of said coupling, said coupling further having a first interface that is standardized according to Electronic Industries Alliance with regard to the imperial system and a second interface that is standardized according to 13-30 DIN, said first interface and said second interface being located at first and second axial ends of said housing, respectively, said first and second axial ends being opposite to each other, said coupling being configured to transmit signals having a frequency higher than 2 GHz and up to 6 GHz at a power more than 800 W and up to 2 kW, wherein said housing encompasses a space that is vented via venting openings that are provided in the housing, wherein the venting openings are in flow connection with the space that is located between an inner conducting portion and an outer conducting portion of said coupling, and wherein the venting openings are connected to a pumping unit or a suction unit.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said amplifier or said analyzer is connected with said first interface.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said antenna is connected with said second interface.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a coupling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed.

(5) In FIG. 1, a coupling 10 for interconnecting at least one amplifier unit with at least one antenna is shown. The coupling 10 comprises a housing 12 that defines the main body of the coupling 10 wherein the coupling 10 has a first interface 14 and a second interface 16 at its axial ends being opposite to each other.

(6) The first interface 14 is standardized according to Electronic Industries Alliance with regard to the imperial system (inch). In the shown embodiment, the first interface 14 is configured to be connected with a cable.

(7) In contrast thereto, the second interface 16 is standardized according to 13-30 DIN which means the metric system. Accordingly, the second interface 16 has an inner conducting portion 18 having a diameter of 13 mm and an outer conducting portion 20 having a diameter of 30 mm. Both conducting portions 18, 20 are coaxially formed around an axis S that corresponds to the axis of symmetry. In the shown embodiment, the second interface 16 is configured to be connected with a coaxial hollow conductor, for example, a high frequency pipe being formed coaxially.

(8) As both conducting portions 18, 20 have different diameters, a space 22 is provided that is located between both conducting portions 18, 20. This space 22 can be filled with air or any other suitable gas. Further, the space 22 is vented such that ionization of its filling material, in particular air or the suitable gas, is at least minimized as the filling material is exchanged continuously. For venting purposes, the coupling 10 has venting openings 24 that are in flow connection with the space 22 such that the filling material of the space 22 can be exchanged via these venting openings 24. Therefore, the venting openings 24 can be connected to a pumping and/or suction unit, appropriately.

(9) The coupling 10 is configured to transmit signals up to 6 GHz at a power up to 2 kW such that signals being transmitted via a hollow conductor having the metric size 13-30 can be transmitted via the coupling 10 without any losses or restrictions with regard to the power and/or frequency range.

(10) Generally, the interfaces 14, 16 can be formed as a plug for being connected with a socket and/or a socket for being connected with a plug, respectively.

(11) According to an alternative embodiment, the first interface 14 is configured to be connected with a hollow conductor and the second interface 16 is configured to be connected with a cable, for example, a coaxial cable. Thus, a hollow conductor standardized according to EIA standard can be connected to a cable standardized according to the metric system via the coupling 10.

(12) In general, the coupling 10 can be used for transmission and receiving purposes, respectively. Furthermore, the coupling 10 in some embodiments can be part of a system that comprises the coupling 10 and a cable 28 that is connected to the coupling 10, for example, the first interface 14. Accordingly, this system corresponds to a connector 30 having a cable 28 standardized according to EIA and one interface provided by the second interface 14 that is standardized according to 13-30 DIN.

(13) Such a system is shown in FIG. 2 as a part of a superior system 32 that also comprises the coupling 10 among other parts. The whole system 32 shown in FIG. 2 comprises an antenna 34, a waveguide 36, the coupling 10, the cable 28 and an amplifier unit 38 or an analyzing unit 40.

(14) The antenna 34 is connected to the coupling 10 via the waveguide 36 being a coaxially formed high frequency pipe that has an inner conducting part with a diameter of 13 mm and an outer conducting part with a diameter of 30 mm.

(15) As the second interface 16 is standardized according to 13-30 DIN, the hollow conductor or waveguide 36 matches exactly the second interface 16 of the coupling 10, in particular the conducting portions 18, 20. Therefore, high frequency signals having a frequency up to 6 GHz at a power up to 2 kW that can be transmitted via the 13-30 hollow conductor 36 may be forwarded via the coupling 10 to the cable 28 standardized according to EIA standard. The high frequency signals can be analyzed in the analyzing unit 40.

(16) Furthermore, the system 32 and the coupling 10 can be operated inversely. Thus, the amplifier unit 38 transmits a high frequency signal via the cable 28, the coupling 10 and the 13-30 hollow conductor 36 connected to the coupling 10 such that the high frequency signal is forwarded to the antenna 34 for broadcasting purposes.

(17) Therefore, the system 32 and the coupling 10 are configured to transmit signals having a frequency up to 6 GHz at a power up to 2 kW wherein the power of the signal typically transmitted is between 0.5 kW and 2 kW.

(18) Generally, a coupling and a system are provided that can be used for processing signals that are used in high frequency applications nowadays.

(19) The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.