Circuit component for separating and/or combining two isofrequential but

Abstract

A circuit component for separating and/or combining two pairs of high-frequency signal waves lying in different frequency bands, the waves of each pair having the same frequency but mutually orthogonal planes of polarization, comprises two mutually identical and aligned 3dB couplers bracketing a filtering assembly between them. Each 3dB coupler has a central guide of square cross-section surrounded by four collateral guides, each connected with the central guide by a coupling guide letting only the waves polarized in one plane--regardless of frequency--pass therebetween. The filtering assembly has sets of baffles in line with the central and collateral guides of both couplers, these baffles defining slots giving passage to only the waves of one of the two bands while reflecting the others. Waves in the pass band of the filtering assembly, admitted at an input end of the central guide of the first coupler, appear separately at output ends of the two collateral guides of the second coupler; waves rejected by the filtering assembly are reflected toward the input side of the first coupler and appear separately at the free ends of its collateral guides. Conversely, two isofrequential waves of mutally orthogonal polarization applied to the output ends of the collateral guides of the second coupler appear combined at the central input of the first coupler so that pairs of outgoing and incoming signal waves may be simultaneously transmitted to and received from an antenna connected to that input end.