Slot transmission line patch connector

A patch connector, capable of bridging first and second slot transmission lines comprising:

• an elongated dielectric connector body having:
• first and second opposing ends separated by a length L;
• first and second opposing sides that extend between said first and second ends;
• a top surface and a bottom between said first and second opposing sides and between said first and second ends;
• said elongated connector body having a first circuit board attachment structure proximate to said first end and having a second circuit board attachment structure proximate to said second end;
• and,
• a first slot transmission line formed in said first side, said first slot transmission line being comprised of a slot in said first side, the sides of said slot each having a conductive coating material that form opposing conductors of said first slot transmission line, said first slot transmission line having a first end that terminates on said bottom proximate to said first end of said connector body, said first slot transmission line having a second end that terminates on said bottom surface, proximate to said second end of said connector body, said length L and said first slot transmission line being of a length sufficient to extend between a slot transmission line on a first circuit board and a slot transmission line on a second circuit board.

A patch connector, capable of bridging a plurality of slot transmission lines comprising:

• an elongated dielectric connector body having:
• first and second opposing ends separated by a length L;
• first and second metal-coated opposing sides that extend between said first and second ends;
• a top surface and a bottom between said opposing sides and first and second ends;
• said elongated connector body having a first circuit board attachment structure proximate to said first end and having a second circuit board attachment structure proximate to said second end;
• a first slot transmission line substrate coupled to the metal coated first side of said connector body, said first slot transmission line substrate including a first side adjacent to and coupled to the first side of said connector body, a second surface opposing its first side, a top and a bottom;
• the bottom of said first slot transmission line substrate being substantially coplanar with the bottom of said connector body, said first slot transmission line substrate having a first slot transmission line formed by a slot in a side of said first transmission line substrate, the sides of said slot being coated with conductive material that form opposing conductors of said first slot transmission line, said first slot transmission line having a first end that terminates on the bottom of said first slot transmission line substrate proximate to said first end of said connector body, said first slot transmission line having a second end that terminates on said bottom of said first slot transmission line substrate proximate to said second end of said connector body, said length L and said first slot transmission line being of a length sufficient to extend between slot transmission lines on said first and second circuit boards;
• and,
• a second slot transmission line substrate coupled to the metal coated second side of said connector body, said second slot transmission line substrate including a first side adjacent and coupled to the second side of said connector body, a second surface opposing its first side, a top and a bottom, the bottom of said second slot transmission line substrate being substantially coplanar with the bottom of said connector body, said second slot transmission line substrate having a second slot transmission line formed by a slot in a side of said second slot transmission line substrate, the sides of said slot being coated with conductive material that form opposing conductors of said second slot transmission line, said second slot transmission line having a first end that terminates on the bottom of said first slot transmission line substrate proximate to said first end of said connector body, said second slot transmission line having a second end that terminates on said bottom of said second slot transmission line substrate proximate to said second end of said connector body, said length L and said second slot transmission line being of a length sufficient to extend between slot transmission lines on said first and second circuit boards.