Wave transmission lines and networks – Plural channel systems – Having branched circuits
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-06
2001-01-30
Lee, Benny (Department: 2817)
Wave transmission lines and networks
Plural channel systems
Having branched circuits
C333S137000, C333S02100R, C333S157000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181221
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an electromagnetic power divider/combiner and, more particularly, to a power divider/combiner having a movable slow-wave structure disposed in a portion of the cylindrical waveguide.
(b) Description of Related Art
A vertically oriented electromagnetic signal can be described as having two orthogonal components: a first component oriented at +45 degrees relative to the vertical and a second component oriented at −45 degrees relative to the vertical. Similarly, a horizontally oriented electromagnetic signal can be described as having two orthogonal components: a first component oriented at +45 degrees relative to the vertical and a second component oriented at +135 degrees relative to the vertical. The differential phase differences between the vertical and horizontal orientations (180 degrees) form the basis for the operation of a variable power divider/combiner (VPD/C). The orthogonal components of the two orientations can be manipulated using the VPD/C to create power splits at the output ports of the VPD/C.
One form of microwave circuit of interest herein provides for a switching of power from any one of two input ports to any one of two output ports, as well as dividing the power of either of the two input ports among the two output ports. The circuit also operates in reciprocal fashion to enable a combining of power received at the two output ports to exit one of the input ports.
An example of such a device is disclosed in the form of a rotary vane power divider in U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,905, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The power divider disclosed in the '905 patent includes two orthomode tee to cylindrical waveguide adapters coupled by a slow-wave structure (also known as a phase shifter or delay line). The slow-wave structure is disposed between the orthomode tee adapters and includes a plurality of vanes movable to adjust their penetration through the sidewall of the waveguide section. A motor mounted to the side of the waveguide section is used to move the vanes with respect to the waveguide section.
The length and therefore the weight of such a unit is larger than desired for some applications, such as on spacecraft, where the weight and volume of equipment is preferably minimal. In addition, the weight taken up by the gearing for the side drive motor can be burdensome. An alternative to such a motor arrangement is to have a relatively complex and heavy circumference drive unit to rotate the waveguide.
Accordingly, there is a need for a small, light-weight VPD/C, to minimize or eliminate the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an electromagnetic power divider/combiner comprises a waveguide, a first input port and a first output port. The first ports are operative to couple an electromagnetic wave at a first orientation to the waveguide. The electromagnetic power divider/combiner further comprises a second input port and a second output port, each being operative to couple an electromagnetic wave at a second orientation (e.g., orthogonal to the first orientation) to the waveguide, and a slow-wave structure. A short circuit is disposed at an end of the waveguide opposite the first and second ports for reflecting electromagnetic energy.
Preferably, the waveguide is cylindrically shaped and the slow-wave structure comprises a series of fins oriented transversely of a longitudinal axis of the waveguide and spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. The slow-wave structure preferably includes a plurality of pairs of fins, each of which comprises an upper fin and a lower fin substantially coplanar with the upper fin. Also preferably, a septum is mounted to the short circuit and the slow-wave structure is rotatably movable with respect to the first input port, the first output port, the second input port and/or the second output port. A motor, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide is used to rotate the slow-wave structure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for splitting an electromagnetic signal between two orthogonal orientations is provided. The method comprises the steps of propagating the signal in a first direction through a plurality of fins, reflecting the signal and propagating the signal in a second direction opposite to the first direction through the plurality of fins.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3166724 (1965-01-01), Allen
patent: 3622921 (1971-11-01), Heeren
patent: 3668567 (1972-06-01), Rosen
patent: 5376905 (1994-12-01), Kich
patent: 572293 (1993-12-01), None
Barker James M.
Kich Rolf
Gudmestad Terje
Hughes Electronics Corporation
Lee Benny
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