Integrated circuit to waveguide transitional structures and related sensor assemblies
AssigneeMagna Electronics Inc.
InventorScott B. Doyle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Antenna structures and assemblies for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a printed circuit board, an integrated circuit coupled to the printed circuit board on a first surface of the printed circuit board, and an antenna coupled to the printed circuit board on a second surface of the printed circuit board opposite the first surface. A vertical waveguide may extend through the printed circuit board from the integrated circuit to the antenna and may be configured to deliver and/or receive electromagnetic energy between the integrated circuit and the antenna.
Claims20
A vehicle sensor assembly, comprising:
- a printed circuit board comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
- a monolithic microwave integrated circuit coupled to the printed circuit board on the first surface;
- a waveguide extending through the printed circuit board from the first surface to the second surface;
- and
- an antenna structure, the antenna structure being separate from the printed circuit board and coupled with the printed circuit board, wherein the waveguide is configured to receive electromagnetic energy from the monolithic microwave integrated circuit and inject the electromagnetic energy into the antenna structure, and wherein the waveguide comprises a ridge waveguide comprising at least one ridge protruding into the waveguide and extending longitudinally along the waveguide along a propagation direction of the waveguide from the first surface to the second surface.
A sensor assembly, comprising:
- a printed circuit board;
- an integrated circuit coupled to the printed circuit board on a first surface of the printed circuit board;
- an antenna coupled to the printed circuit board on a second surface of the printed circuit board opposite the first surface;
- and
- a waveguide extending through the printed circuit board from the integrated circuit to the antenna, wherein the waveguide is configured to deliver electromagnetic energy between the integrated circuit and the antenna, wherein the waveguide comprises at least one ridge extending along the waveguide, and wherein the at least one ridge extends to the first surface of the printed circuit board.
A vehicle RADAR sensor assembly, comprising:
- a printed circuit board comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
- a monolithic microwave integrated circuit;
- a ball grid array package electrically coupling the monolithic microwave integrated circuit to the printed circuit board on the first surface;
- a waveguide positioned adjacent to the monolithic microwave integrated circuit and extending through the printed circuit board from the first surface to the second surface;
- a ridge extending along the waveguide, wherein the ridge extends within and along a propagation direction of the waveguide and terminates at the first surface of the printed circuit board;
- and
- an antenna structure comprising one or more waveguides, the antenna structure coupled to the second surface of the printed circuit board and configured to facilitate transfer of electromagnetic energy to and from the monolithic microwave integrated circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.