Distributed three port stacked waveguide circulator

US6407646B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventor

• Ray M. Johnson · Shady Cove, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 23, 2000
• Grant date: Jun 18, 2002
• Expiry date: Mar 23, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01P1/39
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A three port distributed waveguide circulator has a hybrid coupler section connected to a waveguide section which is bifurcated by a central web plate to produce reduced height stacked waveguides and which is loaded with a distributed non-reciprocal ferromagnetic material for producing relative phase shifting of the microwave power traveling through the reduced height guides. In one embodiment, the coupler output is stepped down to the reduced height waveguides by a stepped transformer between the output of the hybrid coupler and the bifurcated input end of the bifurcated waveguide section. Alternatively, a tapered transformer is provided. A static magnetic circuit is provided for producing transverse static magnetic fields in the reduced height waveguides necessary for the distributed ferromagnetic material to exhibit non-reciprocal properties. The ferromagnetic material in the reduced height waveguides of the bifurcated waveguide is preferably in the form of ferromagnetic strips which are secured to the outer broadwalls of the bifurcated guides and which are cooled by cooling tubes running along the outside of the broadwalls.