Compact millimeter-wave radio systems and methods

• US 20120256796A1
• Filed: 06/20/2012
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siklu Communication Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Siklu Communication Ltd.
• Inventors: Leiba, Yigal
• Granted Patent: US 9,774,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73265 Layer and wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2283 mounted in or on the surface of a semiconductor substrate as a chip-type antenna or integrated with other components into an IC package
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/48 Earthing means; Earth screens; Counterpoises
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/02 Waveguide horns
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0407 Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna dipole H01Q9/285; monopole H01Q9/40
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/38 with counterpoise with counterpoise comprising elongated elements coplanar with the active element H01Q9/44
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/40 Element having extended radiating surface

Abstract

A compact millimeter-wave radio system is comprised of an antenna body with reflector region and waveguide region all made from a single piece of material, and a radio receiver that is mounted on a substrate which is mechanically fixed to and held by the waveguide region. The system presents compact, relatively inexpensive, and relatively effective heat dissipation, solution for receiving and transmitting millimeter waves.

Claims

1. A millimeter-wave radio system, comprising:

an antenna body made from a single piece of material, the antenna body comprising a reflector region and a waveguide region; and

a radio receiver mounted on a substrate, wherein the substrate is mechanically fixed to the waveguide region such that the substrate is mechanically held by the waveguide region;

wherein the system is operative to;

(i) reflect millimeter-waves from the reflector region toward an aperture of the waveguide region, then (ii) guide the millimeter-waves through the waveguide region, and then (iii) feed the radio receiver with the millimeter-waves.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a printed circuit board.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a laminate waveguide structure, and the printed circuit board is mechanically fixed to the waveguide region such that the laminate waveguide structure together with the waveguide region create a concatenated waveguide operative to guide the millimeter-waves directly to the radio receiver.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the radio receiver comprises a probe located above the laminate waveguide structure or inside the laminate waveguide structure, and the probe is operative to transform the millimeter-waves into a corresponding electrical signal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the probe is printed on one lamina of the printed circuit board.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the radio receiver comprises a radio frequency integrated circuit, and the radio frequency integrated circuit is connected to the probe via a microstrip.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a low temperature co-fired ceramic.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the substrate is mechanically fixed to the waveguide region such that the substrate directly touches the waveguide region at least at one point.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the substrate is mechanically fixed to the waveguide region via a coupling surface, such that the substrate does not necessarily directly touch the waveguide region.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the thickness of the coupling surface is less than 5 millimeters.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the waveguide region is operative to guide the millimeter-waves from a location in front of the reflector region, to a location behind the reflector region.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the radio receiver is located behind the reflector region.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a sub-reflector located in front of the reflector, wherein the sub-reflector is operative to reflect millimeter-waves from the reflector region toward the aperture, thereby implementing a cassegrain antenna.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the sub-reflector is connected to the waveguide region via a second waveguide, and the second waveguide together with the waveguide region form a feed.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the waveguide region is operative to guide the millimeter-waves from a first location in front of the reflector region, to a second location in front of the reflector region.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the radio receiver is located in front of the reflector region, thereby implementing a front fed reflector antenna.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the antenna body doubles as a part of a box, and the box is operative to house electronic components comprising the radio receiver.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the part of the box comprises a radiator fins region operative to remove heat from the radio receiver, and the radio receiver is thermally coupled to the part of the box via the waveguide region and the substrate.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflector is operative to focus millimeter-waves toward the aperture.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the single mechanical part is formed using metal injection molding.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the single mechanical part is formed using a milling machine.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the single mechanical part is made from a material selected for a group of aluminum and magnesium.

23. A millimeter-wave radio system, comprising:

an antenna body made from a single mechanical part, the antenna body comprising a reflector region and a waveguide region having first and second apertures; and

a radio receiver mounted on a substrate, wherein the substrate is mechanically fixed to the antenna body such that (i) the substrate is mechanically held by the antenna body, and (ii) the radio receiver is placed directly behind the first aperture;

wherein the system is operative to;

(i) reflect millimeter-waves from the reflector region toward the second aperture, then (ii) guide the millimeter-waves through the waveguide region, and then (iii) feed the radio receiver with the millimeter-waves exiting from the first aperture.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the radio receiver comprises a probe.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the substrate is mechanically fixed to the antenna body such that (i) the probe is located less than 1 millimeter behind the first aperture, and (ii) the probe is separated from the first aperture by an air gap.

26. A millimeter-wave radio system, comprising:

a part of a box made from a single mechanical part, the part of the box comprising a reflector region and a waveguide region; and

a radio receiver mounted on a substrate, wherein the substrate is mechanically and thermally coupled to the waveguide region;

wherein the part of the box is operative;

(i) to guide millimeter-waves from the reflector region toward the waveguide region, and from the waveguide region toward the radio receiver, and (ii) to remove heat from at least the radio receiver.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the substrate is mechanically and thermally fixed to the waveguide region such that the substrate directly touches the waveguide region at one point.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the substrate is mechanically and thermally fixed to the waveguide region via a coupling surface, such that the substrate does not directly touch the waveguide region.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the part of the box further comprises a radiator fins region operative to remove heat from the part of the box.

30. A method for focusing and guiding millimeter-waves, comprising:

reflecting millimeter-waves from the reflector region of an antenna body toward an aperture of a waveguide region of said antenna body;

guiding the millimeter-waves through the waveguide region; and

feeding a radio receiver, mounted on the waveguide region, with said millimeter-waves.

31. A method for removing heat from a millimeter-wave radio system, comprising:

generating heat by a radio receiver module thermally coupled to a waveguide region of an antenna body;

conducting the heat, by the waveguide region, to a reflector region of said antenna body; and

radiating the heat, from the reflector region, to surrounding air.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

conducting the heat, via the waveguide region, to a radiator fins region of said antenna body; and

radiating the heat from the radiator fins region to surrounding air.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

conducting the heat, via the reflector region, to a radiator fins region of said antenna body; and

radiating the heat from the radiator fins region to surrounding air.