Microwave television system

Abstract

A microwave television system comprising, a probe excited waveguide, an electronics circuit package contained within the waveguide, and a support for mounting the waveguide. The probe excited waveguide is an open-end waveguide which can be used as an independent antenna or a launcher for an end fire radiator, and which achieves a higher gain than conventional waveguides without an increase in size. The waveguide is formed of an elongated metallic container and includes a metal structure positioned within the container spaced from the side walls of the container and located within one half of the volume of the container, this volume being defined by cutting the cylinder along its elongated axis. A probe extends from the metal structure into the other half of the container for excitation of the waveguide. The electronics package conventionally utilized in conjunction with the waveguide can be positioned in the container beneath the metal structure. The electronics package does not interfere with the operation of the antenna. The antenna achieves higher gain as a result of the presence of the metal structure. In one embodiment the electronics package comprises a down-converter which receives for example a 2 GHz signal containing information, amplifies and then converts it to a signal at a frequency employed by conventional television receivers, i.e. for displaying the information on the receiver.