Planar transmission line to waveguide transition for a microwave signal

摘要

A transition from a planar transmission line to a waveguide has a planar transmission line patterned onto a glass substrate. A mode transformer 1 on the substrate 3 is electrically connected to a transmission line 2 and converts a transverse electric or quasi-transverse electric mode signal carried by the transmission line to a waveguide mode signal. A combination of a first extension of the substrate 3 and a dielectric portion having some depth makes up a first impedance matching element 13. A second impedance matching element 14 is a combination of a second extension of the substrate 3 and a dielectric portion having another depth greater than the first depth. The aperture created by the second impedance matching element launches an RF signal into the air for use as a wireless communication signal. Also disclosed is a method for optimizing a transition according to the teachings of the present invention for alternative dimensions and dielectrics.