Transition between a tubular waveguide body and an external planar connection portion through a planar matching ridge in the waveguide body

A waveguide arrangement, comprising:

• a waveguide, wherein the waveguide comprises:
• a tubular, electrically conductive waveguide body;
• an electrically conductive foil, the foil comprising:
• at least one planar matching portion arranged within the waveguide body and extending along a propagation direction of the waveguide body;
• and
• at least one planar connection portion arranged in a same plane as the at least one planar matching portion, the at least one planar connection portion disposed outside of the waveguide body for connecting the waveguide to a component;
• wherein the at least one planar matching portion of the foil is tapered in the propagation direction of the waveguide and arranged to form a ridge protruding from a sidewall of the waveguide along part of the length of the waveguide;
• wherein the at least one planar connection portion is disposed outside of the waveguide body and extends beyond an end of the waveguide body in the propagation direction of the waveguide;
• and
• wherein the waveguide has a rectangular cross-section, and is oriented relative to a substrate such that an elongated side of the waveguide is orthogonal to the substrate;
• wherein the component is configured to generate a signal to be provided to the waveguide;
• wherein the at least one planar connection portion of the foil is connected to the component;
• and
• wherein the component is a power amplifier or a low noise amplifier.

A method for manufacturing a waveguide arrangement, the method comprising:

• providing a waveguide, the waveguide comprising:
• a tubular, electrically conductive waveguide body;
• an electrically conductive foil, the foil comprising:
• at least one planar matching portion arranged within the waveguide body and extending along a propagation direction of the waveguide body;
• and
• at least one planar connection portion arranged in a same plane as the at least one planar matching portion, the at least one planar connection portion disposed outside of the waveguide body for connecting the waveguide to a component;
• wherein the at least one planar matching portion of the foil is tapered in the propagation direction of the waveguide and arranged to form a ridge protruding from a sidewall of the waveguide along part of the length of the waveguide;
• wherein the at least one planar connection portion is disposed outside of the waveguide body and extends beyond an end of the waveguide body in the propagation direction of the waveguide;
• and
• wherein the waveguide has a rectangular cross-section;
• providing a microwave component comprising at least one connection port for connecting to the waveguide, wherein the microwave component is a power amplifier or a low noise amplifier;
• and
• forming an electrical connection between the least one connection port of the component and the at least one planar connection portion of the foil.