Systems and methods for a stacked waveguide circulator

#1. Field of the Invention(s)

#The present invention(s) generally relate to waveguide circulators. More particularly, the invention(s) relate to systems and methods for stacked waveguide circulators.

#2. Description of Related Art

#FIG. 1 depicts a waveguide circulator in the prior art.

#FIG. 2 depicts a rack with five compact antenna combing units (ACU) installed with an RF unit section in some embodiments.

#FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a compact antenna combing unit (ACU) in some embodiments.

#Various embodiments of systems and methods described herein discuss a stacked waveguide circulator as well as the use of a stacked waveguide circulator with antenna combining units and radio frequency units that may be used with a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be, for example, a microwave wireless communication system. In some embodiments, several stacked waveguide circulators may be used in conjunction with several transmit filters, receive filters, receivers, transmitters, and antenna waveguides. The stacked waveguide circulator may allow for more components to be placed together in an apparatus (e.g., a rack) thereby potentially allowing additional receivers and/or transmitters within a rack and/or local facility.

#In some embodiments, the stacked waveguide circulator allow for the creation of a compact antenna combining system for point-to-point microwave equipment. Stacked circulator components may be designed to allow compact system design. Stacked filter configurations and the design of stacked waveguide circulators with integrated interconnection may allow for great flexible in antenna coupling unit (ACU) configuration in a very compact area with reduced or minimal power loss.

#In various embodiments, one or more stacked waveguide circulators may reduce or minimize a size of ACU. The stacked waveguide circulators may allow for a greater level of flexibility. As a result, multiple configurations of one or more ACUs may be created through the use of a few common building blocks. Further the cost of building and configuring an ACU may be reduced by reducing or eliminating costly interconnection parts and large support structures.