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Title:
CONNECTION ARRANGEMENT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/115201
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a connection arrangement (1) for the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves, in particular in the millimeter-wave frequency range, the arrangement comprising at least one antenna member (3) for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves and at least one waveguide member (5) for transporting said waves, wherein, at least in a transmission state (T), at least an end section (6) of the at least one waveguide member (5) is arranged at the at least one antenna member (3) such that electromagnetic radiation can be transmitted between these. The invention further relates to a method for assembling a connection arrangement (1), the arrangement comprising at least one antenna member (3) for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves, in particular in the millimeter-wave frequency range, and at least one waveguide member (5) for transporting said waves. In order to provide a solution that facilitates coupling of an antenna member (3) with a waveguide member (5) and which reduces signal loss, it is intended according to the invention that the at least one waveguide member (5) is provided with at least one recess (25) which extends from a free end (7) of the at least one waveguide member (5) into the same, and in that, at least in the transmission state (T), the at least one antenna member (3) is at least partially inserted in the at least one recess (25).

Inventors:
PANIS MARTINUS E J J (NL)
ROUSSTIA MOHADIG WIDHA (NL)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2017/083951
Publication Date:
June 28, 2018
Filing Date:
December 20, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
TE CONNECTIVITY NEDERLAND BV (NL)
International Classes:
H01P1/17; H01P5/107; H01P3/12; H01Q13/02
Domestic Patent References:
WO2011065778A22011-06-03
Foreign References:
US20150185425A12015-07-02
US20020171503A12002-11-21
CA2449596A12005-06-05
Other References:
KARSTEN KUHLMANN ET AL: "Circularly Polarized Substrate-Integrated Waveguide Antenna Array at Ka-Band", PROC. OF GERMAN MICROWAVE CONFERENCE (GEMIC), 2008, 10 March 2008 (2008-03-10), Hamburg-Harburg, Germany, pages 471 - 474, XP055244686, ISBN: 978-3-8007-3086-5, Retrieved from the Internet [retrieved on 20160126]
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
MURGITROYD & COMPANY (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

Connection arrangement (1) for the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves, in particular in the millimeter-range, the arrangement comprising at least one antenna member (3) for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves and at least one waveguide member (5) for transporting said waves, wherein, at least in a transmission state (T), at least an end section (6) of the at least one waveguide member (5) is arranged at the at least one antenna member (3) such that electromagnetic radiation can be transmitted between these, characterized in that the at least one waveguide member (5) is provided with at least one recess (25) which extends from free end (7) of the at least one waveguide member (5) into the same, and in that, at least in the transmission state (T), the at least one antenna member (3) is at least partially inserted in the at least one recess (25).

Connection arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one recess (25) and the at least one antenna member (3) are at least partially formed complementary to each other.

Connection arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one waveguide member (5) has an overall longitudinal shape, at least in parts, and the at least one recess (25) extends along a longitudinal direction (L) of the at least one waveguide member (5).

Connection arrangement (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one recess (25) is formed as a slit (27) extending into the at least one waveguide member (5).

Connection arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one slit (27) extends through a center (29) of a cross section of the at least one waveguide member (5).

Connection arrangement (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one waveguide member (5) is laterally opened by the at least one slit (27).

Connection arrangement (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one recess (25) has a penetration depth (33) measured from the free end (7) of the at least one waveguide member (5) to a bottom portion (31) of the recess (25), which is larger than 0% and u to 200% a diameter (35) of the at least one waveguide member (5).

Connection arrangement (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one waveguide member (5) is solid.

9. Connection arrangement (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one waveguide member (5) is made from polymer material (19).

10. Connection arrangement (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one antenna member (3) is at least partially formed as printed circuit board (11, 43).

11. Connection arrangement (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the at least one antenna member (3) is provided with at least one polarizer (55), wherein the at least one polarizer (55) is at least partially arranged in the at least one recess (25) in the transmission state (T).

12. Method for assembling a connection arrangement (1), the arrangement comprising at least one antenna member (3) for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves, in particular in the millimeter-wave frequency range, and at least one waveguide member (5) for transporting said waves, characterized in that the at least one antenna member (3) is at least partially inserted into at least one recess (25) of the at least one waveguide member (5) for transmitting

electromagnetic waves between the at least one waveguide member (5) and the at least one antenna member (3).

13. Set of waveguide members (5) for transporting electromagnetic waves, in particular in the

millimeter-wave frequency range, characterized in that each waveguide member (5) comprises at least one recess (25) at at least one free end (7) for at least partially receiving at least one antenna member (3), the at least one recess (25) extending from the at least one free end (7) into the waveguide member (5).

14. Use of a waveguide member (5) for transporting electromagnetic waves, in particular in the

millimeter-wave frequency range, for insertion of at least one antenna member (3) into at least one recess (25) extending from at least one free end (7) of the waveguide member (5) into same.

15. Use of an antenna member (3) for electromagnetic waves, in particular in the millimeter-range, for at least partially inserting into at least one waveguide member (5).

Description:
Connection Arrangement

The invention relates to a connection arrangement for the transmission and reception of

electromagnetic waves, in particular in the millimeter-wave frequency range, the arrangement comprising at least one antenna member for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves and at least one waveguide member for transporting said waves, wherein, at least in a transmission state, at least an end section of the at least one waveguide member is arranged at the at least one antenna member such that electromagnetic radiation can be transmitted between these. The invention further relates to a method for assembling a connection arrangement, the arrangement comprising at least one antenna member for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves, in particular in the millimeter-wave frequency range, and at least one waveguide member for transporting said waves. Finally, the invention relates to a set of waveguide members and to using waveguide members and antenna members.

Connection arrangements as described above are known in the prior art. Generally, a waveguide member is brought close to or into direct contact with an antenna member for allowing coupling of electromagnetic waves from the antenna member into the waveguide member and vice versa. A proper alignment of these components relatively to each other is important in order to reduce loss and in order to achieve a good coupling efficiency. However, the alignment may be time and cost consuming.

Further, the arrangement of the antenna member and the waveguide member often requires a large volume. It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome at least one of these issues and to provide a solution which facilitates the alignment, which allows establishing a good coupling between at least one antenna member and at least one waveguide member, and which allows to save space.

This object is achieved for the above-mentioned connection arrangement in that the at least one waveguide member is provided with at least one recess which extends from a free end of the at least one waveguide member into the same, and in that at least in the transmission state, the at least one antenna member is at least partially inserted in the at least one recess.

For the above-mentioned method for assembling, the object is achieved in that the at least one antenna member is at least partially inserted into at least one recess of the at least one waveguide member for transmitting electromagnetic waves between the at least one waveguide member and the at least one antenna member. For the above-mentioned set of waveguide members, the object is achieved in that each waveguide member comprises at least one recess at at least one free end for at least partially receiving at least one antenna member, the at least one recess extending from the at least one free end into the waveguide member. For the above-mentioned use of a waveguide member, the object is achieved by using a waveguide member for transporting electromagnetic waves, in particular in the millimeter-range, for insertion of at least one antenna member into at least one recess extending from at least one free end of the waveguide member into same. For using the antenna member, the object is achieved by using an antenna member for electromagnetic waves, in particular in the millimeter-range, for at least partially inserting into at least one waveguide member.

The solution according to the invention facilitates the assembling of an antenna member with a waveguide member and the coupling of these. Inserting the antenna member at least partially into at least one recess of the waveguide member can guarantee that both components are afterwards arranged in a predefined position relative to each other. Further, the presence of at least a part of the antenna member in the at least one recess of the waveguide member may guarantee a good coupling of the components with each other and thereby ensure a high transmission quality and reduce signal loss. Finally, the arrangement helps to save space.

In the following, further improvements of the invention are described. The additional improvements may be combined independently of each other, depending on whether a particular advantage of a particular improvement is needed in a specific application.

According to a first advantageous improvement, the at least one recess and the at least one antenna member may at least partially be formed complementary to each other. This may facilitate assembling of these, ensure a defined relative position between these and may also lead to securely fixating these components with respect to each other and therefore reduce loss. The at least one waveguide member may have an overall longitudinal shape, at least in parts and the at least one recess may extend along a longitudinal direction of the at least one waveguide member. The at least one waveguide member may have in particular a circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the at least one waveguide member may have any other suita ble cross section, for example rectangular or polygonal. If the at least one recess extends along the longitudinal direction, then the at least one antenna member may extend into the waveguide member along said direction. This may facilitate coupling because electromagnetic waves which can be radiated from the at least one antenna member in the longitudinal direction may easily follow the shape of the at least one waveguide member.

The at least one waveguide member may, in the alternative, be short compared to the above mentioned longitudinal embodiment. In this case, the at least one waveguide member may form a cap for the antenna which can be connected to other waveguiding components. Thereby, the at least one waveguide member may act as interface between the at least one antenna member and at least one other waveguiding component.

The at least one antenna members may have a flat shape, at least in parts. Especially for this case, the at least one recess may be formed as a slit extending into the at least one waveguide member. In particular, said slit may extend parallel with the longitudinal direction of the waveguide member. A flat antenna member may easily be inserted into the slit. Preferably, the slit has a width which is identical to a thickness of the antenna member with typical production tolerances. This may enable a secure seat of the at least one antenna member in the at least one slit.

For a good coupling quality, the at least one slit may extend through a centre of a cross section of the at least one waveguide member. Thereby, the at least one antenna member may be inserted in a centre region of the waveguide member.

Especially in the case that the at least one antenna member has a length that extends beyond an overall thickness of the waveguide member, the at least one waveguide member may be laterally opened by the at least one slit. The length of the antenna member is thereby measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide member in the transmission state. Consequently, a length of the slit is thereby identical to a thickness of the waveguide member. In the case that the slit extends through a centre of a cross section of the at least one waveguide member, the lateral openings in the waveguide member are arranged diametrically to each other.

The at least one recess may have a penetration depth measured from the free end of the at least one waveguide member to a bottom portion of the recess, which is preferably larger than 0% and up to

200%, in particular between 25 % and 200%, of a diameter of the at least one waveguide member. The penetration depth is preferably measured parallel to the longitudinal direction of the at least one waveguide member.

The at least one waveguide member is preferably made from a solid material, in particular a core may be made from a solid material. The at least one waveguide member may thereby be made from a polymer material. A polymer waveguide member allows the setup of cost efficient connection arrangements. Further, at least one recess can easily be formed in a waveguide member made from polymer material, for example by molding, cutting or other suitable techniques. The waveguide member may have at least one metal shielding which circumferentially surrounds the core. The at least one antenna member may at least partially be formed as a printed circuit board. For assembling of the connection arrangement, at least parts of the printed circuit board may be inserted into the at least one recess of the waveguide member. Especially in the case that the at least one antenna member is at least partially formed as a printed circuit board, the at least one recess may be formed as a slit. In this case, a plane defined by the slit, which extends along a longitudinal direction of the waveguide member and a length direction of the slit extends preferably parallel to a plane which is defined by the printed circuit board. Said plane is consequently perpendicular to the direction of the width of the slit.

In order to further improve the coupling and the assembly of the connection arrangement, the at least one antenna member may be provided with at least one, in particular circular, polarizer, wherein the at least one polarizer is at least partially arranged in the at least one recess in the transmission state.

Thereby, electromagnetic radiation which was polarized by the polarizer may directly enter the at least one waveguide member and vice versa. If, as preferred, the at least one polarizer is a circular polarizer and is adapted for polarizing electromagnetic radiation circularly with respect to a longitudinal direction of the waveguide member, then the waveguide member and the antenna member can be assembled to form a connection arrangement according to the invention independently from a rotational position with respect to the longitudinal direction. If, for example, the at least one recess is formed as a slit which extends through a centre of the cross section of the waveguide member, then the waveguide member and the antenna member can be rotated by 180 degrees around the longitudinal direction and will achieve the same coupling results in the transmission state. This leads to easier assembly of the arrangement.

The at least one polarizer may in particular be formed by at least one microstrip arrangement inside an antenna arrangement that is formed by printed circuit board. In particular, the microstrip arrangement may be formed by at least one microstrip in a central layer, or septum, of the printed circuit board. For easily forming a circular polarizer, the microstrip may have an overall U-shape, wherein two legs of the U-extend towards the waveguide member and are at least partially located in the recess in the transmission state. At least one of the legs may be provided with a stepped structure on its inside extending from the free end of the leg towards the bottom of the U-shape. The step-like structure may be formed such that the distance between the two legs of the U-shape increases with each step towards the free ends of the legs.

In the following, the invention and its improvements are described in greater details using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings. As described above, the various features shown in the embodiments may be used independently of each other in specific applications.

In the following figures, elements having the same function and/or the same structure will be referenced by the same reference signs.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a connection arrangement according to the invention in a transmission state;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the waveguide member according to the invention without antenna member;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a connection arrangement according to the invention in a transmission state;

Fig. 4 shows a cut-away view of the embodiment of Fig. 3 showing a central layer of the antenna member; and

Fig. 5 shows another preferred embodiment of an antenna member for a connection arrangement according to the invention in a schematic perspective view.

In the following, a first preferred embodiment of a waveguide member and a connection arrangement according to the invention is described with respect to Fig. 1 and 2. The connection arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is thereby provided with a waveguide member as shown in Fig. 2.

The connection arrangement 1 may comprise an antenna member 3 and a waveguide member 5. The arrangement 1 is shown in a transmission state T in Fig. 1. In the transmission state T, the antenna arrangement 3 and the waveguide member 5 are arranged such that electromagnetic waves can be coupled from the antenna member 3 into the waveguide member 5 and vice versa.

The waveguide member 5 has an end section 6 with a free end 7. The end section 6 is connected to the antenna member 3. It should be noted that the waveguide member 5 is preferably provided with a second free end (not shown) is which is formed similar to the free end 7 and which may be connected to a similar antenna arrangement (not shown). In this case, the connection arrangement 1 may comprise one waveguide member 5 and two antenna members 3.

The antenna member 3 is preferably connected to at least one communication circuit 9 which may be a transmitter, a receiver or a combined transceiver. Further, the antenna member 3 is preferably connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) 11 or monolithically integrated with the same. The antenna member 3 itself is preferably formed as PCB, in particular a low-loss PCB. The antenna member 3 may be rigid or flexible.

The antenna member 3 has preferably an overall rectangular shape (indicated by dashed line in Fig.l). The rectangular shape preferably extends parallel to or identical with the plane 13 of the printed circuit board 11. The antenna member 3 preferably protrudes away from the PCB 11, such that it extends beyond a front edge 15 of the PCB 11, such that a connection with the waveguide member 5 is possible.

The waveguide member 5 has an overall longitudinal shape and extends along a longitudinal direction L. Preferably, at least a core 17 of the waveguide member 5 is made from polymer fibers 19. Alternatively, the core 17 may be made from other materials, in particular polymer materials. For example, foamed polymer material. According to another alternative, the core 17 may be made from materials such as glass. At least the core 17 is preferably solid, except for the free ends where recesses may be present.

The core 17 may be surrounded along a circumferential direction by additional outer layers which can be chosen according to the required electric and/or mechanic properties. In particular, the layers may surround the core 17 in a sleeve-like manner. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the core 17 is surrounded by a dielectric layer 21, a shield 22 and an outer layer 23.

Just by way of example, the dielectric layer 21 is made from a material with a dielectric constant that is lower than that of the core 17. The shield 22 is preferably formed as metallic shield 22 for signal confinement and the outer layer 23 may be made from plastic material for protection of the transmission member 5. In the end section 6, the waveguide member 5 is provided with a recess 25 which is formed as slit 27. The recess 25 extends through a center 29 of the cross section of the waveguide member 5. Thereby, the cross section runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The recess 25 extends from the free end 7 into the waveguide member 5 along the longitudinal direction L. The end of the recess 25 is formed by the bottom 31. The waveguide member 5 is laterally opened by the recess 25 in the end section 6. In other words, the recess 25 also extends through the first and second layers 21, 22 and 23. The openings in the layers 21, 22 and 23 are arranged diametrically to each other across the center 29. A penetration depth 33 of the recess 25 into the waveguide member 5 is, in the first embodiment, larger than an outer diameter 35 of the waveguide member 5.

However, this is not mandatory. Preferably, the penetration depth 33, which is measured from the free end 7 to the bottom 31 along the longitudinal direction L is preferably larger than 0% and up to 200% of the diameter 35.

Preferably, the recess 25 is formed complementary to the antenna member 3 such that the antenna member 3 can be received in the recess 25. This transmission state T is shown in Fig. 1. Preferably, the antenna member 3 abuts the bottom 31 in the transmission state T.

A thickness 37 of the antenna member is preferably identical to a width 39 of the slit 27. Preferably, the thickness 37 and the width 39 are measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and perpendicular to the plane 41 of the antenna member 3 in the transmission state T. The plane 41 of the antenna member 3 is preferably parallel to or identical with the plane 13 of the PCB 11. In the case that the thickness 37 and the width 39 are identical, the antenna member 3 may be tightly fitted in the recess 25 such that no or only a very small amount of a surrounding medium such as air is present between the antenna member 3 and the material of the core 17 in the transmission state T. It should be noted that "being identical" includes typical deviations due to the production, which may sum up to around 5% of the thickness 37 and or the width 39. The thickness 37 of the antenna member 3 is preferably less than 25% of the diameter 35 of the waveguide member 5 in this embodiment.

In the transmission state T, the plane 41 of the antenna member 3 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction L thereby, the antenna member 3 and the waveguide member 5 are arranged along the same axis, which is defined by the longitudinal direction L. This improves the signal transmission between the antenna member 3 and the waveguide member 5 and may reduce signal loss.

Inserting the antenna member 3 into the recess 25 of the waveguide member 5 facilitates coupling of these components. Thereby, a compact design is achieved and the coupling performance between the antenna member 3 and the waveguide member 5 may be improved.

Another preferred embodiment of a connection arrangement 1 is now described with respect to Figs. 3 and 4, wherein Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of Fig. 3 in a cut-out view. For the sake of brevity, only the differences to the aforementioned embodiments are described in detail.

The recess 25, which is formed as slit 27 has a penetration depth 33 which is smaller than 50% of the diameter 35 of the waveguide member 5. Alternatively, the depth 33 may preferably be larger than 0% and up to 200 % of the diameter 35. The width 39 of the slit 27 is, in this embodiment, larger than the penetration depth 33.

The antenna member 3 is formed as a printed circuit board 43 with two outer layers 45 and 47 and a central layer, or septum, 49. The central layer is preferably formed as microstrip 51. The microstrip 51 is preferably made from copper or metal which contains mostly copper.

The layers 45 and 47 are provided with a plurality of through holes, or vias, 53. The through holes 53 can be used for adjusting the electromagnetic properties of the antenna member 3. The through holes 53 basically extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to a plane defined by the central layer 49. The through holes 53 are preferably provided with metalized inner walls (not shown).

The central layer 49 comprises a structure which is capable of polarizing electromagnetic radiation which is emitted from the antenna member 3. The antenna member 3 is therefore provided with a polarizer 55. Preferably, the polarizer 55 is a circular polarizer 57.

The structure has an overall U-shape 59 which is formed as a recess 61 which extends from the waveguide member 5 into the central layer 49 along the longitudinal direction L. The U-shape comprises a first leg 63 and a second leg 65 which extend along the longitudinal direction L, wherein free ends 67 and 69 of the legs 63 and 65 point in the direction of the waveguide member 5.

The free space 71 between the legs 63 and 65, which is formed by the recess 61, tapers from the free ends 67 and 69 towards the bottom 73 of the U-shape 59 along the longitudinal direction L. Thereby, the first leg 63 comprises an inner side 75 which runs basically parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

The opposite second leg 65 comprises a stepped structure 77 on its inner side 79 such that a width 81 of the second leg 65 stepwise increases from the free end 69 towards the bottom 73. The width 81 of the leg 65 is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and in the plane of the central layer 49.

Each of the steps 83 has a first edge 85 and a second edge 87, which are arranged perpendicular to each other. The first edge 85 basically extends parallel with the longitudinal direction L and, consequently, the second edge 87 basically extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The lengths of the first edges 85 increases for each step 83 along the longitudinal direction L from the bottom 73 towards the free end 69.

In the transmission state T, the polarizer 55 is at least partially inserted in the recess 25.

In Fig. 5, another preferred embodiment of an antenna member 3 for a connection arrangement 1 according to the invention is shown. The antenna member 3 may for example be used in the arrangement 1 as described with respect to Figs. 3 and 4. For the sake of brevity, only the differences to the aforementioned embodiments are described in detail.

The antenna member 3 has an overall longitudinal shape extending along the longitudinal direction L. In the longitudinal direction L, the antenna member 3 has a connection end 89 and a waveguide end 91. The connection end 89 can be used for connecting the antenna member 3 to a communication circuit 9 (not shown here). The waveguide end 91 can be used for being coupled to a waveguide member 5 (not shown here). In particular, the waveguide end 91 can be used for being coupled to a waveguide member 5 as described with respect to Figs. 3 and 4.

The antenna member 3 has a constant thickness 37 along the longitudinal direction L. However, a width 93 of the antenna member 3 varies along the longitudinal direction L. The width 93 of the antenna member 3 is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and perpendicular to the direction of the thickness 37.

The width 93 of the antenna member 3 varies such that a first section 95 is formed, which has a constantly shaped cross section along the longitudinal direction L. In other words, the width 93 and the thickness 37 of the antenna member 3 remain constant along the longitudinal direction L in the first section 95. The first section 95 starts at the connection end 89 and extends in the direction of the waveguide end 91.

In a second section 97 of the antenna member 3, the width 93 of the antenna member 3 varies along the longitudinal direction L. Thereby, the width 93 varies such that it is larger than in the first section 95 at the waveguide end 91 and decreases towards the first section 95. In other words, the antenna member 3 tapers towards the first section 95 in the second section 97. Seen along the direction of the thickness 37 of the antenna member 3, the antenna member 3 thereby has an overall funnel-like shape.

As the embodiment described with respect to Figs. 3 and 4, the antenna member 3 in this embodiment comprises two outer layers 45 and 47 and a central layer 49, which is arranged between the outer layers 45 and 47. The outer layers 45 and 47 are preferably made from a dielectric material, for example the material of a printed circuit board.

The central layer 49 comprises a polarizer 55, in particular a circular polarizer 57 which is formed as a microstrip 51. The circular polarizer 57 comprises steps 83 which form a step structure 77. A width 99 of the circular polarizer 57 decreases with every step 83 in the longitudinal direction L towards the second section 97. In other words, the polarizer 57 is basically shaped as the second leg 65 as described with respect to Fig. 4

The outer layers 45 and 47 are not provided with vias or through holes 53 as the embodiment described above. Instead, the antenna member 3 comprises metalized sidewalls 101 and 103. Thereby, the sidewalls 101 are arranged on top and bottom of the antenna member 3 and are consequently even and flat along the longitudinal direction L. The sidewalls 101 are arranged parallel with each other and extend parallel with the direction of the width 93 of the antenna member 3 and the longitudinal direction L.

The sidewalls 103 are arranged opposite to each other along the direction of the width 93 of the antenna member 3. Consequently, the sidewalls 103 extend parallel with each other in the first section 95 and diverge in the second section 97.

REFERENCE SIGNS connection arrangement

antenna member

waveguide member

end section

free end of waveguide member

communication circuit

printed circuit board (PCB)

plane of printed circuit board

front edge of printed circuit board

core

polymer material

dielectric layer

shield

outer layer

recess

slit

center

bottom

penetration depth

diameter of the waveguide member

thickness of antenna member width plane of the antenna member printed circuit board outer layer

outer layer

central layer

microstrip

through holes

polarizer

circular polarizer

U-shape

recess

first leg

second leg

free end of first leg free end of second leg free space between legs bottom of the U-shape inner side of the first leg stepped structure inner side of the second leg width of the second leg step 85 first edge of the step

87 second edge of the step

89 connection end

91 waveguide end

93 width of the antenna member

95 first section

97 second section

99 width of the polarizer

101 sidewall

103 sidewall

L longitudinal direction

T transmission state