Radar assembly with rectangular waveguide to substrate integrated waveguide transition

Abstract

A radar assembly includes a rectangular-waveguide (RWG) and a printed-circuit-board. The rectangular-waveguide (RWG) propagates electromagnetic energy in a transverse electric mode (TE10) and in a first direction. The printed-circuit-board includes a plurality of conductor-layers oriented parallel to each other. The printed-circuit-board defines a substrate-integrated-waveguide (SIW) that propagates the electromagnetic energy in a transverse electric mode (TE10) and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and defines a transition that propagates the electromagnetic energy between the rectangular-wave-guide and the substrate-integrated-waveguide. The transition includes apertures defined by at least three of the plurality of conductor-layers.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

This disclosure generally relates to a radar assembly, and more particularly relates to a transition between a rectangular-waveguide (RWG) and a substrate-integrated-waveguide (SIW) where the transition includes apertures defined by at least three of a plurality of conductor-layers of a printed circuit board that also defines the SIW.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Wideband Transitions are used in wide band radar systems such as Automotive Radar. Known transitions with sufficient bandwidths include undesirably expensive waveguide flanges or metal structures, where critical tolerances add to the cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described herein is a wideband transition that is formed using standard printed circuit board (PCB) processes, so is able to avoid using expensive waveguide flanges or metal structures. The non-limiting example described herein provides a transition between a Rectangular Waveguide (RWG) to a Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) suitable for use with, for example, electromagnetic energy having a 16 GHz bandwidth around a 79 GHz fundamental frequency. The transition is suitable for compact multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) construction like Ultra Short Range Radar (USRR), using standard PCB fabrication processes.

In accordance with one embodiment, a radar assembly is provided. The assembly includes a rectangular-waveguide (RWG) and a printed-circuit-board. The rectangular-waveguide (RWG) propagates electromagnetic energy in a transverse electric mode (TE10) and in a first direction. The printed-circuit-board includes a plurality of conductor-layers oriented parallel to each other. The printed-circuit-board defines a substrate-integrated-waveguide (SIW) that propagates the electromagnetic energy in a transverse electric mode (TE10) and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and defines a transition that propagates the electromagnetic energy between the rectangular-wave-guide and the substrate-integrated-waveguide. The transition includes apertures defined by at least three of the plurality of conductor-layers.

Further features and advantages will appear more clearly on a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which is given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a radar assembly in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is top view of part of the radar assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 3 is sectional side view of part of the radar assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 cooperate to illustrate a non-limiting example of a radar assembly 10, hereafter referred to as the assembly 10. The assembly 10 may be part of a larger radar system (not shown), where the assembly 10 provides a transition means between different types of waveguides used to propagate electromagnetic energy in the radar system from one location to another location.

The assembly 10 includes a rectangular-waveguide 12 or RWG 12 that propagates the electromagnetic energy 14 in a transverse electric mode (TE10) and in a first direction 16. The first direction 16 is illustrated as a double-ended arrow because, as will be recognized by those in the art, the RWG 12 can be used to propagate the electromagnetic energy 14 into (i.e. towards) the assembly 10, or out of (i.e. away from) the assembly 10. The physical size of the RWG 12 is selected based on the operating frequency of the radar system using well-known design rules.

The assembly 10 also includes a printed-circuit-board 18 that includes a plurality of conductor-layers 20 oriented parallel to each other. The physical dimensions and materials used for dielectric-layers 22 and the plurality of conductor-layers 20 are selected based on the operating frequency of the radar system using well-known design rules. By way of example and not limitation, the plurality of conductor-layers 20 may include eight conductor layers: L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, and L8 (FIG. 3). Some of these conductor layers (e.g. L3-L8) may be configured (e.g. processed using known photo-etching techniques) to define a substrate-integrated-waveguide 24 or SIW 24 that propagates the electromagnetic energy 14 in or using a transverse electric mode (TE10) to propagate the electromagnetic energy 14 in a second direction 26 perpendicular to the first direction 16. In this example layer L8 is further configured to define a slot-radiator 28 that may be used to couple the electromagnetic energy 14 from the SIW 24 to, for example, and antenna (not shown).

The assembly 10, or more specifically the printed-circuit-board 18, also includes or defines a transition 30 that propagates the electromagnetic energy 14 between the rectangular-wave-guide 12 and the substrate-integrated-waveguide 24. As noted above, it is contemplated that the electromagnetic energy 14 could be in either direction; either from the rectangular-wave-guide 12 to the substrate-integrated-waveguide 24, or from the substrate-integrated-waveguide to the rectangular-wave-guide 12. The transition 30 includes a plurality of apertures 32 defined by at least three (e.g. L1-L3) of the plurality of conductor-layers 20. That is, the transition 30 includes or is defined by at least three instances of apertures. In this example, the transition 30 includes or is defined by a first layer 20A (L1) of the plurality of conductor-layers 20 that is adjacent to or in contact with the rectangular-waveguide 12. The first layer 20A defines a first aperture 32A characterized by a first-size 34. The transition 30 also includes a last layer 20B (L3) of the plurality of conductor-layers 20 that is adjacent to the substrate-integrated-waveguide 24, where the last layer 20B also defines a horizontal-boundary 36 of the substrate-integrated-waveguide 24. With respect to the transition 30, the last layer 20B defines a last aperture 32B characterized by a last-size 34B that is greater than the first-size 34A.

The transition 30 also includes or is defined by one or more instances of an intermediate layer 20C of the plurality of conductor-layers 20 located between the first layer 20A and the last layer 20B of the transition 30. The intermediate layer 20C defines an intermediate aperture 32C characterized by an intermediate-size 34C with a value between the last-size 34B and the first-size 34A. It is contemplated that the transition 30 could have more than a single instance of the intermediate layer 20C between the first layer 20A and the last layer 20B so that the transition 30 would include or be formed by more than three instances of the apertures 32. That is, it is contemplated that the transition 30 could consist of additional apertures in addition to the intermediate aperture 32C between the first aperture 32A and the last aperture 32B. The progression or variation of the sizes of the apertures 32 may be determine or optimized using known design techniques. For example, the dimensions of the apertures 32 may be optimized on 3D-EM software HFSS for efficient transfer of energy and impedance matching between the RWG 12 and the SIW 24 over wide frequency range.

In order to reduce the amount of the electromagnetic energy 14 that leaks out of the transition 30 so is not communicated between the rectangular-wave-guide 12 and the substrate-integrated-waveguide 24. The transition 30 may also include one or more instances of a short wall 38 that serves to define a vertical-boundary 40 of the transition 30. The short wall 38 may be formed of an arrangement of vias 42, which may be part of the vias 42 used to define the SIW 24.

Accordingly, a radar assembly (the assembly 10) is provided. The assembly 10 provides a wideband transition (the transition 30) between the rectangular waveguide 12 (RWG 12) to the substrate integrated waveguide 24 (SIW 24) using the inner layers of a multilayer PCB (printed-circuit-board 18) for operation in the W-band of the electromagnetic spectrum. The transition is formed by a series of apertures through conductive layers (e.g. L1 thru L3). The transition 30 is advantageously and economically provided by using a multi-layered PCB processed using standard PCB processing technology typically used for the W-band. As such, no special flanges or metal structures are necessary, so the expense and critical tolerances associated features are avoided.

While this invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board (PCB) configured for use in a radar assembly, the method comprising: forming a bottom substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) conductive layer configured to interface with an antenna of the radar assembly;forming a plurality of SIW dielectric layers interleaved with a plurality of SIW conductive layers on top of the bottom SIW conductive layer starting with a bottom SIW dielectric layer and ending with a top SIW dielectric layer, the SIW dielectric layers and the SIW conductive layers forming an SIW configured to propagate electromagnetic energy in a first direction that is parallel to a plane of the PCB; andforming one or more waveguide transition conductive layers interleaved with one or more waveguide transition dielectric layers on top of the top SIW dielectric layer starting with a bottom waveguide transition conductive layer of the waveguide transition conductive layers and ending with a top waveguide transition conductive layer of the waveguide transition conductive layers, the waveguide transition conductive layers comprising respective apertures, an aperture of the top waveguide transition conductive layer configured to interface with a rectangular integrated waveguide that propagates the electromagnetic energy in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and normal to the plane of the PCB, the waveguide transition conductive layers and the waveguide transition dielectric layers forming a transition configured to direct the electromagnetic energy between the SIW and the rectangular waveguide.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the conductive layers comprises using photo-etching techniques.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the waveguide transition conductive layers comprises forming at least three waveguide transition conductive layers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the dielectric layers comprises forming the dielectric layers such that at least two of the dielectric layers have different thicknesses.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein forming the waveguide transition dielectric layers comprises forming the waveguide transition dielectric layers such that the waveguide transition dielectric layers have similar thicknesses.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the SIW dielectric layers comprises forming a quantity of the SIW dielectric layers that is at least double a quantity of the waveguide transition dielectric layers.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the bottom conductive layer comprises forming a slot radiator configured to couple the electromagnetic energy from the SIW to the antenna.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming vias through the dielectric layers effective to electrically couple the conductive layers.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the vias comprises filling holes formed in the dielectric layers with a conductive material.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the vias comprises forming a plurality of the vias that form perimeter walls through the dielectric layers.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein forming the vias further comprises forming another plurality of vias that form a short wall through the waveguide transition dielectric layers.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the short wall bisects the waveguide transition dielectric layers proximate the apertures.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the waveguide transition conductive layers comprises forming the apertures such that the apertures have different sizes.

14. A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board (PCB) configured for use in a radar assembly, the method comprising: forming one or more waveguide transition dielectric layers interleaved with a plurality of waveguide transition conductive layers starting with a bottom waveguide transition conductive layer of the waveguide transition conductive layers and ending with a top waveguide transition conductive layer of the waveguide transition conductive layers, the waveguide transition conductive layers comprising respective apertures, the aperture of the bottom waveguide transition conductive layer configured to interface with a rectangular integrated waveguide of the radar assembly that propagates electromagnetic energy in a first direction that is normal to a plane of the PCB; andforming a plurality of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) dielectric layers interleaved with a plurality of SIW conductive layers on top of the top waveguide transition conductive layer starting with an SIW dielectric layer and ending with a top SIW conductive layer of the SIW conductive layers, the SIW dielectric layers and the SIW conductive layers forming an SIW configured to propagate electromagnetic energy in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to a plane of the PCB, the top SIW conductive layer configured to interface with an antenna of the radar assembly.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the PCB is configured to automotive use.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the dielectric layers comprises forming the dielectric layers such that at least two of the dielectric layers have different thicknesses.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the waveguide transition conductive layers comprises forming the apertures such that the apertures have different sizes.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the top SIW conductive layer comprises forming a slot radiator configured to couple the electromagnetic energy from the SIW to the antenna.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising forming vias through the dielectric layers effective to electrically couple the conductive layers, wherein forming the vias comprises forming a plurality of the vias that form perimeter walls through the dielectric layers.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein forming the vias further comprises forming another plurality of vias that form a short wall through the waveguide transition dielectric layers and that bisects the waveguide transition dielectric layers proximate the apertures.