Universitat Politècnica de València Technology Overview
Microwave crossover device that allows two microwave signals to cross in a relative way with minimum interference.
It is the most compact crossover device possible, which also includes filtering features.
It is of particular interest when designing very compact microwave components, where space is limited, and where the structures are forced to be in the same plane ().
A microwave crossover device is a special type of device that enables two microwave signals to intersect relatively to each other without (ideally) a power exchange occurring (without cross-coupling).
The microwave crossover device described implements integrated microwave filter and crossover functions in a rectangular waveguide and double-ridge guide.
The device consists of two filters (1 and 2) divided into two parts (“a” and “b”) connected through a common cavity. The different parts of the filters are located in such a way that the common cavity implements a waveguide crossover to guide the signal from filter 1-a to filter 1-b, and from filter 2-a to filter 2-b, without energy coupling to the other filter.
The crossover function can be carried out in two different ways:
using cross filters in a rectangular guide
using cross filters in double ridge waveguide
In both cases the device is designed in such a way that the two signal channels display a microwave filter-like behaviour, where the central frequency, the bandwidth and the order of the filters can be designed and manufactured in accordance with the specifications of the system in which the device has to operate.
The implementation of the double-ridge guide is more compact than in a rectangular guide, and allows in turn the filters implemented to have a much better response in the eliminated band.
Stage of Development: R & D
The researchers have designed two prototypes: one in guided technology and the other in a double ridge waveguide whose results have been validated with different electromagnetic simulation software.
It is expected to be able to implement experimental prototypes in the framework of a forthcoming collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).
Benefits
The main advantage offered by this invention is that the position of the output ports of the two filters can be exchanged in parallel with respect to the position of their input ports in the same volume taken by the two filters, that is, without expanding to the surrounding space, while the signals are filtered independently along the two channels.
This way the most compact crossover device possible can be obtained, also including filtering features.
When used in space related applications, thanks to this invention, the weight of the satellite and its payload are reduced, which also results in lower satellite costs.
Applications
The main application area is in telecommunications satellites, mostly in satellite payloads with multiple spot beams.
This microwave crossover device may also be used for any other application that requires a compact beam network with channels crossovering each other along the distribution network. For example, in the networks for feeding antennas to be used in 5G communications.
Opportunity
The inventors are looking for companies interested in establishing patent license agreements for its use, manufacture or sale.