Reconfigurable switching element for operation as a circulator or power divider

摘要

A device comprises a waveguide structure that includes multiple arms extending from the structure, wherein the arms connect to the structure; a switching element disposed in the structure and having multiple segments, each segment being associated with a waveguide arm, wherein the switching element has an E-plane aperture extending through the switching element, wherein the E-plane aperture is aligned perpendicularly to the H-plane; and an E-plane magnetizing winding inserted through the E-plane aperture such that current applied to the E-plane magnetizing winding establishes a magnetic field in the switching element that is aligned with the H-plane. In a further embodiment, the structure includes an H-plane aperture formed through each segment, the H-plane aperture aligned with the H-plane; and an H-plane magnetizing winding inserted through the H-plane apertures, wherein current applied to the H-plane magnetizing winding establishes a magnetic field in the switching element that is not aligned with the H-plane.

主权项

1. A waveguide device, comprising:
a waveguide structure, the waveguide structure comprising a plurality of arms extending from the waveguide structure, wherein the plurality of arms connect to the waveguide structure, the longitudinal axes of the plurality of arms defining an H-plane; a switching element disposed in the waveguide structure and having a plurality of segments, each segment in the plurality of segments being associated with a waveguide arm in the plurality of arms, wherein the switching element has at least one E-plane aperture extending through the switching element, wherein the at least one E-plane aperture is aligned perpendicularly to the H-plane; and at least one E-plane magnetizing winding inserted through the at least one E-plane aperture such that current applied to the at least one E-plane magnetizing winding establishes a magnetic field in the switching element that is aligned with the H-plane.