Dual mode rotary joint for propagating RF and optical signals therein
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsDerek E. Iverson, Jonathan M. Saint Clair
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dual mode rotary joint as described herein can be utilized in an electromagnetic communication system such as a radar system. The dual mode rotary joint can be used to rotatably couple an antenna architecture to its mounting structure. One embodiment of the dual mode joint includes a waveguide configured to propagate radio frequency (RF) signals, and endcaps coupled to the ends of the waveguide. Each endcap is reflective for RF signals and transmissive for optical signals.
Claims18
A dual mode rotary joint for an electromagnetic communication system, the dual mode rotary joint comprising:
- a waveguide configured to propagate radio frequency (RF) signals;
- and
- an endcap coupled to the waveguide, the endcap being reflective for RF signals and transmissive for optical signals, wherein the endcap comprises:
- an optically transmissive substrate;
- and
- an optically transmissive electrically conductive element on the optically transmissive substrate.
A dual mode rotary electromagnetic communication system comprising:
- an antenna mounting structure;
- an antenna architecture;
- a dual mode rotary joint coupled between the antenna mounting structure and the antenna architecture, the dual mode rotary joint being configured to accommodate rotation of the antenna architecture relative to the antenna mounting structure, and the dual mode rotary joint comprising a waveguide structure configured to propagate radio frequency (RF) signals in a transmit direction;
- and
- means for modulating an optical carrier signal in response to at least one RF signal received by the antenna architecture thereby resulting in optical signals propagating in a receive direction.
A dual mode rotary joint for an electromagnetic communication system, the dual mode rotary joint comprising:
- a first waveguide section configured to propagate radio frequency (RF) signals in a transmit direction and optical signals in a receive direction;
- a second waveguide section configured to propagate the radio frequency (RF) signals in the transmit direction and the optical signals in the receive direction, the second waveguide section being rotatably coupled to the first waveguide section to accommodate rotation of the first waveguide section and the second waveguide section relative to one another;
- a first optically transmissive electrically conductive endcap coupled to the first waveguide section and configured to reflect the RF signals and transmit the optical signals, the first optically transmissive electrically conductive endcap being positioned to allow the optical signals to enter the first waveguide section;
- and
- a second optically transmissive electrically conductive endcap coupled to the second waveguide section and configured to reflect the RF signals and transmit the optical signals, the second optically transmissive electrically conductive endcap being positioned to allow the optical signals to exit the second waveguide section;
- wherein each of the first optically transmissive electrically conductive endcap and the second optically transmissive electrically conductive endcap comprises:
- a corresponding optically transmissive substrate;
- and
- a corresponding optically transmissive electrically conductive material formed on the corresponding optically transmissive substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.