Wave transmission lines and networks – Wave mode converters
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-24
2001-05-08
Lee, Benny (Department: 2817)
Wave transmission lines and networks
Wave mode converters
C333S157000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229407
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of connecting two linearly-polarized waveguides for guided wave transmission. and to a transition plate for connecting said linearly-polarized waveguides.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of data transmission by radio beams, the radio-wave transmitters and receivers generally comprise a radio cabinet incorporating a modulator and a demodulator, a radio antenna connected to the radio cabinet and a management cabinet comprising a multiplexer and a management microcontroller connected to the radio cabinet.
In order to connect the radio antenna to the radio cabinet, the antenna and the cabinet each comprise a connecting waveguide provided at its free end with a fixing flange. The polarization of the connecting waveguides is generally either horizontal or vertical.
In order to connect two waveguides having the same two polarization directions, all that is required is to connect the two waveguides directly by fastening their fixing flanges together.
On the other hand, if the polarization directions of the two connecting waveguides are different, respectively vertical and horizontal, it is necessary to modify the polarization direction between the two connecting waveguides. For example, it is possible to use a coaxial cable or to insert a flexible waveguide between the antenna and the radio cabinet and twist the flexible waveguide into a twisted waveguide.
However, the use of flexible waveguides, which inordinately extends the distance of the antenna from the radio cabinet, significantly increases the losses.
In order to connect the antenna to the radio cabinet, while bringing them as close together as possible, it is conceivable to connect the antenna directly to the cabinet by rotating them through 90°, one with respect to the other. In this case, the waveguide for connecting the antenna or the radio cabinet must comprise two different fixing systems.
However, the fixing flanges of standard connecting waveguides often provide fixing holes placed in the form of a rectangle, for indexing, and therefore do not allow various orientations of the flanges when fixing them.
A twisted waveguide, intended to be inserted between the radio antenna and the radio cabinet, before use, so as to convert a vertical linear polarization into a horizontal linear polarization, or vice versa, is also known.
In this case, after the twisted waveguide has been installed, the radio antenna can no longer be subsequently replaced by a new antenna having a polarization direction identical to that of the radio cabinet unless the twisted waveguide is removed.
The invention is therefore based on a problem of connection between a radio antenna and a radio cabinet. However, the Applicant does not mean to limit the scope of its application to this particular example but, on the contrary, to extend it to any connection of two devices for a guided wave transmission such as between an upstream transmitter and a downstream connection between a downstream receiver and an upstream connection, etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,729,794 teaches a device for connecting two waveguides which comprises a diaphragm inserted between the two waveguides and provides a straight slot inclined at 45° with respect to the polarization directions of each of the two waveguides. This diaphragm acts as means of rotation which are intended to rotate the polarization of the waves leaving one of the two waveguides. Here, the Applicant has sought to make the means of rotation have another function so as to make the two waveguides easier to connect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
For this purpose, the invention relates to a method of connecting two linearly-polarized waveguides for guided wave transmission, wherein means for rotating the polarization of the waves leaving one of the guides into an intermediate transition polarization, which is not parallel to the polarizations of the two guides, are inserted between the two waveguides, wherein the means of rotation are fixed to one of the two waveguides and one end of the other waveguide is introduced into a recess for housing the means of rotation.
The invention also relates to a transition plate for connecting two linearly-polarized waveguides, for the implementation of the above method, comprising a straight wave-transit slot and fixing means designed to fix the slot to the two waveguides, in at least two different relative positions compatible with the orientation of the slot in the transition plate.
Advantageously, the means for fixing the two waveguides include means for indexing one of the two waveguides and means for fixing the other waveguide in two different positions.
Preferably, the means for fixing said other waveguide comprise a housing recess intended to house a fixing flange in two positions rotated approximately 90° one with respect to the other.
By virtue of this arrangement, it is possible to connect commercially available waveguides with the usual fixing flange.
The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a transition plate as defined above and locking means, wherein the transition plate provides a plurality of holes for housing screws for fixing the locking means, these being intended to lock the fixing flange of said other waveguide in the recess in the transition plate.
The invention will be more clearly understood with the aid of the following description of one particular way of implementing the method of connection of the invention and of one particular embodiment of the transition plate for the implementation of the method, with reference to the appended drawing in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 2985850 (1961-05-01), Crawford et al.
patent: 3164789 (1965-01-01), Grosbois et al.
patent: 4222017 (1980-09-01), Foldes
patent: 4260961 (1981-04-01), Beis
patent: 4755777 (1988-07-01), Cohen et al.
Follet Thierry
Roger Christian
Greenberg & Traurig, LLP
Lee Benny
Sagem SA
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