Mode filter for connecting two electromagnetic waveguides

• US 6,130,586 A
• Filed: 08/21/1998
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Schulz, Dietmar
• Primary Examiner(s): GENSLER, PAUL L
• Application Number:
  US09/137,948
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 333/21 R, 333/157, 333/251, 333/254
• US Class Current: 333/21.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/082 Transitions between hollow waveguides of different shape, e.g. between a rectangular and a circular waveguide

Abstract

A mode filter for connecting two electromagnetic waveguides with different cross-sections includes a tubular section (4) with openings at both ends. The cross-sections of the openings match the cross-sections of the two different waveguides, while the interior space (11) of the tubular section (4) transitions from one cross-sectional shape into the other cross-sectional shape. Undesirable modes of the electromagnetic waves which are to be transmitted, are minimized by flat elements (14, 15) protruding radially inwardly into the transition region and extending axially along the tubular section (4). The flat elements (14, 15) are made of a material with a high electrical conductivity. The elements (14, 15) are arranged diametrically opposed from each other and aligned in the same plane and separated by a gap (16). The axial length of the flat elements is short in relation to the length of the tubular section (4). The length of the flat elements in the axial direction and the spacing (A) between them is dimensioned so as to minimize the ripple in the group velocity and the amplitude of the wave to be transmitted. The ripple is caused by the superposition of the excited modes.

Claims

1. Mode filter for connecting two electromagnetic waveguides with different first and second cross-sectional shapes, the electromagnetic waveguides for transmitting an electromagnetic wave having modes of propagation, the mode filter comprising:

(a) a tubular section having an axial length, a wall, and openings at both ends, the openings having first and second cross-sectional shapes corresponding to the first and second cross-sectional shapes of the two electromagnetic waveguides, the tubular section defining an interior space which forms a continuous smooth transition from the first cross-sectional shape of the tubular section into the second cross-sectional shape of the tubular section;

(b) two flat elements, for minimizing unwanted modes of propagation to be transmitted, are arranged in the interior space of the tubular section between the first and second cross-sectional shapes of the tubular section, the two flat elements being made of a material with a high electrical conductivity and projecting inwardly toward, and extending along an axis of, the tubular section and

wherein the flat elements extend from the walls of the tubular section and are arranged opposing each other and in a common plane, the flat elements are aligned with respect to each other and are separated by a space, an axial length of the flat elements is short in relation to the axial length of the tubular section, and the axial length of the flat elements and the space between the flat elements are selected so as to minimize ripple in group velocity and in amplitude of the electromagnetic wave to be transmitted, wherein the ripple is caused by superposition of all excited modes.

2. Mode filter according to claim 1, wherein the flat elements are sheet metal sections.

3. Mode filter according to claim 1, wherein the flat elements are formed by rods.

4. Mode filter according to claim 1, wherein the first cross-sectional shape of the tubular section is elliptical in shape and has a major axis, and the plane in which the flat elements are arranged coincides with the major axis.

5. Mode filter according to claim 1, wherein the flat elements are made of bronze.

6. Mode filter according to claim 1, wherein the flat elements are made of brass.