Systems and methods for coaxially coupling an antenna through an insulator

• US 6,215,449 B1
• Filed: 02/11/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Cellular Technology LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: OʼNeill, Gregory A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benny T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jones, Stephen E.
• Application Number:
  US09/248,887
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 333/24.R, 333/24.C, 333/255, 343/713, 343/859, 343/700.MS
• US Class Current: 343/713
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1264 Adjusting different parts or elements of an aerial unit
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 23/00 Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them

Abstract

Coaxial coupling systems and methods couple a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces. A first center plate and a first surrounding plate are adapted for attachment to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface. The first center plate is electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate is electrically connected to the first shield conductor. A second center plate and a second surrounding plate are adapted for attachment to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another and the insulator therebetween. The second center plate is electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate is electrically connected to the second shield conductor. The coaxial coupling systems and methods can allow communication signals to pass with low insertion loss, over a desired frequency range, between an antenna mounted outside a window and a radio transceiver mounted inside the window. Transmission takes place via a coaxial transmission line on each side of the window.

Claims

1. A system that couples a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces, the system comprising:

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate that are adapted for attachment to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface, the first center plate being electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate being electrically connected to the first shield conductor;

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate that are adapted for attachment to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween, the second center plate being electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate being electrically connected to the second shield conductor;

a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate;

wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second center plates are first and second disks and wherein the first and second surrounding plates are first and second rings.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the first and second rings are first and second continuous rings.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first position on the first center plate is adjacent the second position on the second center plate and wherein the second position on the first center plate is adjacent the first position on the second center plate.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon that is remote from the first position on the first surrounding plate.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon that is opposite the first position on the first surrounding plate.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon that is opposite the first position on the first surrounding plate.

8. A system that couples a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces, the system comprising:

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate that are adapted for attachment to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface, the first center plate being electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate being electrically connected to the first shield conductor; and

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate that are adapted for attachment to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween, the second center plate being electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate being electrically connected to the second shield conductor;

wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon that is not adjacent the first position on the first surrounding plate.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the first and second center plates are first and second disks and first and second surrounding plates are first and second rings.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the first and second rings are first and second continuous rings.

11. A system according to claim 8 further comprising a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate.

12. A system according to claim 11:

wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

13. A system that couples a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces, the system comprising:

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate that are adapted for attachment to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface, the first center plate being electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate being electrically connected to the first shield conductor; and

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate that are adapted for attachment to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween, the second center plate being electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate being electrically connected to the second shield conductor;

wherein the first center plate and the first surrounding plate define a first gap therebetween, wherein the second center plate and the second surrounding plate define a second gap therebetween, wherein the first shield conductor extends into the first gap and wherein the second shield conductor extends into the second gap.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein the first shield conductor extends midway into the first gap and wherein the second shield conductor extends midway into the second gap.

15. A system according to claim 13 wherein the first and second center plates are first and second disks and first and second surrounding plates are first and second rings.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the first and second rings are first and second continuous rings.

17. A system according to claim 13 further comprising a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate.

18. A system according to claim 17:

wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

19. A system that couples a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces, the system comprising:

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate that are adapted for attachment to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface, the first center plate being electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate being electrically connected to the first shield conductor;

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate that are adapted for attachment to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween, the second center plate being electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate being electrically connected to the second shield conductor;

a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate;

a pair of first pads, a respective one of which is on the first center plate and on the first surrounding plate, the first inductor being electrically connected between the pair of first pads; and

a pair of second pads, a respective one of which is on the second center plate and on the second surrounding plate, the second inductor being electrically connected between the pair of second pads.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein the first and second center plates are first and second disks and first and second surrounding plates are first and second rings.

21. A system according to claim 20 wherein the first and second rings are first and second continuous rings.

22. A system according to claim 19:

wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

23. A system that couples a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces, the system comprising:

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate that are adapted for attachment to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface, the first center plate being electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate being electrically connected to the first shield conductor;

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate that are adapted for attachment to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween, the second center plate being electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate being electrically connected to the second shield conductor;

a first housing that contains the first center plate and the first surrounding plate;

a second housing that contains the second center plate and the second surrounding plate; and

an alignment key on at least one of the first and second housings that facilitates alignment of the first housing and the second housing relative to one another on the respective first and second surfaces of the insulator.

24. A system according to claim 23 wherein the first and second center plates are first and second disks and first and second surrounding plates are first and second rings.

25. A system according to claim 24 wherein the first and second rings are first and second continuous rings.

26. A system according to claim 23 further comprising a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate.

27. A system according to claim 26:

wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

28. A system that couples an antenna to a radiotelephone through a window including an outside surface and an inside surface, the system comprising:

a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor that are coupled to the antenna;

a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor that are coupled to the radiotelephone;

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate that are attached to the outside surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first surface, the first center plate being electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate being electrically connected to the first shield conductor;

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate that are attached to the inside surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the inside surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the window therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the window therebetween, the second center plate being electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate being electrically connected to the second shield conductor; and

a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate;

wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

29. A system according to claim 28 wherein the first and second center plates are first and second disks and wherein the first and second surrounding plates are first and second rings.

30. A system according to claim 29 wherein the first and second rings are first and second continuous rings.

31. A system according to claim 28 wherein the first position on the first center plate is adjacent the second position on the second center plate and wherein the second position on the first center plate is adjacent the first position on the second center plate.

32. A system according to claim 31 wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon that is remote from the first position on the first surrounding plate.

33. A system according to claim 32 wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon that is opposite the first position on the first surrounding plate.

34. A system according to claim 28 wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon that is opposite the first position on the first surrounding plate.

35. A system that couples an antenna to a radiotelephone through a window including an outside surface and an inside surface, the system comprising:

a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor that are coupled to the antenna;

a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor that are coupled to the radiotelephone;

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate that are attached to the outside surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first surface, the first center plate being electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate being electrically connected to the first shield conductor; and

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate that are attached to the inside surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the inside surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the window therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the window therebetween, the second center plate being electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate being electrically connected to the second shield conductor;

wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon that is not adjacent the first position on the first surrounding plate.

36. A system according to claim 35 wherein the first and second center plates are first and second disks and first and second surrounding plates are first and second rings.

37. A system according to claim 36 wherein the first and second rings are first and second continuous rings.

38. A system according to claim 35 further comprising a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate.

39. A system according to claim 38:

wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

40. A system that couples an antenna to a radiotelephone through a window including an outside surface and an inside surface the system comprising:

a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor that are coupled to the antenna;

a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor that are coupled to the radiotelephone;

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate that are attached to the outside surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first surface, the first center plate being electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate being electrically connected to the first shield conductor; and

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate that are attached to the inside surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the inside surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the window therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the window therebetween, the second center plate being electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate being electrically connected to the second shield conductor;

wherein the first center plate and the first surrounding plate define a first gap therebetween, wherein the second center plate and the second surrounding plate define a second gap therebetween, wherein the first shield conductor extends into the first gap and wherein the second shield conductor extends into the second gap.

41. A system according to claim 40 wherein the first shield conductor extends midway into the first gap and wherein the second shield conductor extends midway into the second gap.

42. A system according to claim 40 wherein the first and second center plates are first and second disks and first and second surrounding plates are first and second rings.

43. A system according to claim 42 wherein the first and second rings are first and second continuous rings.

44. A system according to claim 40 further comprising a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate.

45. A system according to claim 44:

wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

46. A system that couples an antenna to a radiotelephone through a window including an outside surface and an inside surface, the system comprising:

a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor that are coupled to the antenna;

a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor that are coupled to the radiotelephone;

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate that are attached to the outside surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first surface, the first center plate being electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate being electrically connected to the first shield conductor; and

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate that are attached to the inside surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the inside surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the window therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the window therebetween, the second center plate being electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate being electrically connected to the second shield conductor;

a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate;

a pair of first pads, a respective one of which is on the first center plate and on the first surrounding plate, the first inductor being electrically connected between the pair of first pads; and

a pair of second pads, a respective one of which is on the second center plate and on the second surrounding plate, the second inductor being electrically connected between the pair of second pads.

47. A system according to claim 46 wherein the first and second center plates are first and second disks and first and second surrounding plates are first and second rings.

48. A system according to claim 47 wherein the first and second rings are first and second continuous rings.

49. A system according to claim 46:

wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

50. A system that couples an antenna to a radiotelephone through a window including an outside surface and an inside surface, the system comprising:

a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor that are coupled to the antenna;

a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor that are coupled to the radiotelephone;

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate that are attached to the outside surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first surface, the first center plate being electrically connected to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate being electrically connected to the first shield conductor; and

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate that are attached to the inside surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the inside surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the window therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the window therebetween, the second center plate being electrically connected to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate being electrically connected to the second shield conductor;

a first housing that contains the first center plate and the first surrounding plate;

a second housing that contains the second center plate and the second surrounding plate; and

an alignment key on at least one of the first and second housings that facilitates alignment of the first housing and the second housing relative to one another on the respective outer and inner surfaces of the window.

51. A system according to claim 50 wherein the first and second center plates are first and second disks and first and second surrounding plates are first and second rings.

52. A system according to claim 51 wherein the first and second rings are first and second continuous rings.

53. A system according to claim 50 further comprising a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate.

54. A system according to claim 53:

wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

55. A system that couples a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces, the system comprising:

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate;

means for attaching the first center plate and the first surrounding plate to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface;

means for electrically connecting the first center plate to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate to the first shield conductor;

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate;

means for attaching the second center plate and the second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween; and

means for electrically connecting the second center plate to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate to the second shield conductor; and

first means for inductively coupling the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and second means for inductively coupling the second center plate and the second surrounding plate;

wherein the first means for inductively coupling comprises a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate, wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second means for inductively coupling comprises a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate, wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

56. A system according to claim 55 wherein the first position on the first center plate is adjacent the second position on the second center plate and wherein the second position on the first center plate is adjacent the first position on the second center plate.

57. A system according to claim 55 wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon that is opposite the first position on the first surrounding plate.

58. A system according to claim 55 further comprising:

first means for containing the first center plate and the first surrounding plate;

second means for containing the second center plate and the second surrounding plate; and

means for facilitating alignment of the first means for containing and the second means for containing relative to one another on the respective first and second surfaces of the insulator.

59. A system according to claim 55 further comprising means for coupling at least two ports to at least one of the first and second coaxial cables.

60. A system that couples a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces, the system comprising:

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate;

means for attaching the first center plate and the first surrounding plate to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface;

means for electrically connecting the first center plate to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate to the first shield conductor;

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate;

means for attaching the second center plate and the second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween; and

means for electrically connecting the second center plate to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate to the second shield conductor;

wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon that is not adjacent the first position on the first surrounding plate.

61. A system according to claim 60 further comprising first means for inductively coupling the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and second means for inductively coupling the second center plate and the second surrounding plate.

62. A system according to claim 61:

wherein the first means for inductively coupling comprises a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate, wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second means for inductively coupling comprises a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate, wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

63. A system according to claim 60 further comprising:

first means for containing the first center plate and the first surrounding plate;

second means for containing the second center plate and the second surrounding plate; and

means for facilitating alignment of the first means for containing and the second means for containing relative to one another on the respective first and second surfaces of the insulator.

64. A system according to claim 60 further comprising means for coupling at least two ports to at least one of the first and second coaxial cables.

65. A system that couples a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces the system comprising:

a first center plate and a first surrounding plate;

means for attaching the first center plate and the first surrounding plate to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface;

means for electrically connecting the first center plate to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate to the first shield conductor;

a second center plate and a second surrounding plate;

means for attaching the second center plate and the second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween; and

means for electrically connecting the second center plate to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate to the second shield conductor;

wherein the first center plate and the first surrounding plate define a first gap therebetween, wherein the second center plate and the second surrounding plate define a second gap therebetween, wherein the first shield conductor extends into the first gap and wherein the second shield conductor extends into the second gap.

66. A system according to claim 65 further comprising first means for inductively coupling the first center plate and the first surrounding plate and second means for inductively coupling the second center plate and the second surrounding plate.

67. A system according to claim 66:

wherein the first means for inductively coupling comprises a first inductor that is electrically connected between the first center plate and the first surrounding plate, wherein the first inner conductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the first inductor is electrically connected to the first center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position; and

wherein the second means for inductively coupling comprises a second inductor that is electrically connected between the second center plate and the second surrounding plate, wherein the second inner conductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second inductor is electrically connected to the second center plate at a second position that is remote from the first position.

68. A system according to claim 65 further comprising:

first means for containing the first center plate and the first surrounding plate;

second means for containing the second center plate and the second surrounding plate; and

means for facilitating alignment of the first means for containing and the second means for containing relative to one another on the respective first and second surfaces of the insulator.

69. A system according to claim 65 further comprising means for coupling at least two ports to at least one of the first and second coaxial cables.

70. A method for coupling a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching a first center plate and a first surrounding plate to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface;

electrically connecting the first center plate to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate to the first shield conductor;

attaching a second center plate and a second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween; and

electrically connecting the second center plate to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate to the second shield conductor;

wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon, and wherein the step of attaching a second center plate and a second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface comprises the step of attaching the second center plate and the second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface such that the second position is not adjacent the first position on the first surrounding plate.

71. A method according to claim 70 further comprising the steps of:

inductively coupling the first center plate to the first surrounding plate; and

inductively coupling the second center plate to the second surrounding plate.

72. A method according to claim 70 further comprising the step of coupling at least two ports to at least one of the first and second coaxial cables.

73. A method for coupling a first coaxial cable that includes a first inner conductor and a first shield conductor to a second coaxial cable that includes a second inner conductor and a second shield conductor, through an insulator that includes first and second insulator surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching a first center plate and a first surrounding plate to the first insulator surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface;

electrically connecting the first center plate to the first inner conductor and the first surrounding plate to the first shield conductor;

attaching a second center plate and a second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface, the first and second center plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween and the first and second surrounding plates are adjacent one another with the insulator therebetween;

electrically connecting the second center plate to the second inner conductor and the second surrounding plate to the second shield conductor; and

wherein the step of attaching a first center plate and a first surrounding plate to the first insulator surface comprises the step of attaching a first housing that contains the first center plate and the first surrounding plate to the first surface such that the first surrounding plate surrounds the first center plate on the first insulator surface;

wherein the step of attaching a second center plate and a second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface comprises the step of attaching a second housing that contains the second center plate and the second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface such that the second surrounding plate surrounds the second center plate on the second insulator surface; and

wherein at least one of the steps of attaching is preceded by the step of aligning the first housing and the second housing relative to one another on the respective first and second surfaces of the insulator.

74. A method according to claim 73 further comprising the steps of:

inductively coupling the first center plate to the first surrounding plate; and

inductively coupling the second center plate to the second surrounding plate.

75. A method according to claim 73 wherein the first shield conductor is electrically connected to the first surrounding plate at a first position thereon and wherein the second shield conductor is electrically connected to the second surrounding plate at a second position thereon, and wherein the step of attaching a second center plate and a second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface comprises the step of attaching the second center plate and the second surrounding plate to the second insulator surface such that the second position is opposite the first position on the first surrounding plate.

76. A method according to claim 73 further comprising the step of coupling at least two ports to at least one of the first and second coaxial cables.