Switchless combiner for addressing of radiofrequency signals and system for transmission of radiofrequency signals comprising said combiner

A method for introducing a phase delay on a signal in transit in a switchless combiner comprising a circuit having a delay line that includes a constant-impedance transmission line and a device adapted to vary the electric length of said transmission line, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning said transmission line into a cavity of the device, wherein the device includes a metallic body with an outer wall and an inner wall adapted to define said cavity, said walls being interrupted in a manner such as to define a slot, said cavity and said slot extending along at least a portion of the length of said device, wherein said cavity comprises a first portion having a first cross-section and a second portion having a second cross-section whose area is greater than an area of said first cross-section, said second portion comprising a dielectric element with a cutout corresponding to said slot, said first and second portions extending in the longitudinal direction of said device and said transmission line being positioned, inside said first portion and inside said second portion, in said cutout of said dielectric element, said dielectric element being adapted to occupy the cavity of said second portion, said device including a casing adapted to shield said device from an environment outside said casing, said metallic body being cylindrical, and said first and second cross-sections being circular;
• and
• translating said device on said circuit in the direction of its length through means for translating integral with said metallic body, so as to obtain a desired operating frequency.

A switchless combiner comprising:

• a circuit having a delay line that includes a constant-impedance transmission line having a fixed length;
• and
• a device adapted to vary an electric length of said transmission line,
• wherein said device comprises a metallic body with an outer wall and an inner wall adapted to define a cavity, said walls being interrupted in a manner such as to define a slot, said cavity and said slot extending along at least a portion of a length of said device, wherein said cavity comprises a first portion having a first cross-section and a second portion having a second cross-section whose area is greater than an area of said first cross-section, said second portion comprising a dielectric element with a cutout corresponding to said slot, said first and second portions extending in the longitudinal direction of said device and said transmission line being positioned, inside said first portion and inside said second portion, in said cutout of said dielectric element, said dielectric element being adapted to occupy the cavity of said second portion;
• translating means integral with said metallic body for translating said dielectric element on said circuit in the longitudinal direction of said device;
• wherein said metallic body is cylindrical, and said first and second cross-sections are circular.