Waveguide connector with tapered slot launcher

A co-planar tapered slot launcher traveling wave transmission method, comprising:

• providing signals to a slot line signal converter communicably coupled to a semiconductor package and physically coupled to an external surface of the semiconductor package;
• wherein the slot line signal converter comprises a slot line signal converter channel that extends at least partially through an exterior plane of the slot line signal converter;
• converting the signals to slot line signals, via a balun structure formed at least partially in the slot line signal converter;
• and
• converting the slot-line signals to closed waveguide mode signals via a stacked slot launcher insert comprising a first tapered slot launcher and a second tapered slot launcher,
• wherein the first tapered slot launcher includes a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member including spaced apart co-planar members that form a first open-ended, tapered slot co-aligned with an axis of propagation of the traveling wave signal,
• wherein the second tapered slot launcher includes a third member and a fourth member, the third member and the fourth member including spaced apart co-planar members that form a second open-ended, tapered slot co-aligned with an axis of propagation of the traveling wave signal,
• wherein the first open-ended, tapered slot is co-planar with the second open-ended, tapered slot,
• wherein the second slot launcher is stacked on the first slot launcher forming a three-dimensional open-ended, tapered slot array;
• wherein the stacked slot launcher insert is at least partially deposited in the slot line signal converter channel such that the first open-ended, tapered slot and the second open-ended, tapered slot are perpendicular to the exterior plane of the slot-line signal converter, and the first traveling wave signal and second traveling wave signal are parallel to the exterior plane of the slot-line signal converter;
• wherein the first open-ended, tapered slot has a first geometry to emit the first traveling wave signal having a first frequency;
• wherein the second open-ended, tapered slot has a second geometry to emit the second traveling wave signal having a second frequency;
• and
• wherein the first and second frequencies are different.

A microwave waveguide connector and slot launcher apparatus, comprising:

• a slot line signal converter that includes:
• a first electrically conductive member communicably coupleable to a semiconductor package;
• a planar second electrically conductive member conductively coupled to the first electrically conductive member, at least a portion of the second electrically conductive member communicably coupleable to a waveguide member;
• and
• a balun structure to convert a signal to a slot-line signal;
• wherein the slot line signal converter comprises a slot line signal converter channel that extends at least partially through the plane of the second electrically conductive member;
• a stacked slot launcher insert comprising:
• a first tapered slot launcher to emit a first traveling wave signal having an axis of propagation parallel to the plane of the second electrically conductive member, the first tapered slot launcher including a first member and a second member;
• wherein the first member and the second member include spaced apart coplanar members that form a first open-ended, tapered slot co-aligned with the axis of propagation of the first traveling wave signal;
• wherein the first member communicably couples to the second electrically conductive member at a first location proximate the balun structure;
• wherein the second member communicably couples to the second electrically conductive member at a second location proximate the balun structure;
• and
• a second tapered slot launcher to emit a second traveling wave signal having an axis of propagation parallel to the first traveling wave signal, the second tapered slot launcher including a third member and a fourth member;
• wherein the third member and the fourth member forming the second tapered slot launcher include spaced apart coplanar members that form a second open-ended, tapered slot co-aligned with the axis of propagation of the second traveling wave signal,
• wherein the first open-ended, tapered slot is co-planar with the second open-ended, tapered slot,
• wherein the second slot launcher is stacked on the first slot launcher forming a three-dimensional open-ended, tapered slot array;
• wherein the stacked slot launcher insert is at least partially deposited in the slot line signal converter channel such that the first open-ended, tapered slot and the second open-ended, tapered slot are perpendicular to the plane of the second electrically conductive member, and the first traveling wave signal and second traveling wave signal are parallel to the plane of the second electrically conductive member;
• wherein the first open-ended, tapered slot has a first geometry to emit the first traveling wave signal having a first frequency;
• wherein the second open-ended, tapered slot has a second geometry to emit the second traveling wave signal having a second frequency;
• and
• wherein the first and second frequencies are different.