The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 02, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 31, 2000
Gregory P. Junker, El Segundo, CA (US);
Vrage Minassian, Burbank, CA (US);
Northrop Grumman Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A coaxial turnstile junction ( ) for combining and directing both satellite uplink and downlink signals. The junction ( ) includes a tapered section ( ) to provide better impedance matching of the downlink signal between a waveguide structure ( ) and a plurality of symmetrically disposed downlink waveguides ( ). The junction ( ) includes a first end ( ) that is in signal communication with an antenna feed horn ( ). The junction ( ) includes a cylindrical outer wall ( ) and a cylindrical inner wall ( ) that are coaxial and define an outer chamber ( ) and an inner chamber ( ). The outer wall ( ) extends into the tapered section ( ) where the tapered section ( ) contacts the inner wall ( ) and closes the outer chamber ( ). The waveguides ( ) are positioned around the outer wall ( ) and are in signal communication with the outer chamber ( ) through openings in the tapered section ( ). Irises ( ) are provided at the connection between the downlink waveguide ( ) and the outer chamber ( ) for impedance matching purposes. Satellite downlink signals from the downlink waveguides ( ) are sent to the feed horn ( ) through the outer chamber ( ). Satellite uplink signals received by the feed horn ( ) are directed through the inner chamber ( ) to receiver circuitry. The dimensions of the irises ( ) and the flare angle of the tapered section ( ) are selected and optimized so that the downlink signal propagating down the waveguides ( ) is impedance matched to the downlink signal propagating through the outer chamber ( ).