Apparatus, system, and method for transferring radio frequency signals between waveguides and radiating elements in antennas

An antenna comprising:

• a bottom Radio Frequency (RF) guide plate rotatably coupled to a base via a first shaft controlled by an azimuth motor;
• a top array plate rotatably coupled to the base via a second shaft controlled by an elevation motor, the top array plate and the bottom RF guide plate collectively forming a waveguide configured to direct radio frequency signals in a specific direction;
• and
• a plurality of radio frequency coupling structures disposed on a substrate of the top array plate, the plurality of radio frequency coupling structures comprising:
• a first conductive layer disposed on a bottom side of the substrate;
• a second conductive layer incorporated within the substrate;
• a through via that is communicatively coupled to the first conductive layer and extends through an opening in the second conductive layer toward a top side of the substrate;
• and
• a ring slot formed around the through via in the first conductive layer.

A method comprising:

• fabricating, on a substrate that forms a top side of a waveguide, a through via that is communicatively coupled to a first conductive layer disposed on a bottom side of the substrate;
• extending the through via from the first conductive layer through an opening in a second conductive layer incorporated within the substrate toward a top side of the substrate;
• fabricating, in the first conductive layer, a ring slot that substantially surrounds the through via and exposes the substrate to the waveguide;
• and
• fabricating a plurality of cavity vias that:
• are communicatively coupled between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer;
• and
• are arranged radially around the ring slot and the through via within the substrate.