TRANSFORMATIVE APPARATUS, ARRAYED TRANSFORMATIVE APPARATUS, AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE

A transformative apparatus includes a transmission member, a converter antenna, a first waveguide, and a first guiding member. The transmission member is configured to receive and transmit an electrical signal having a first mode. The converter antenna is configured to receive the electrical signal from the transmission member, form local radiation, and excite an electrical signal having a second mode in the first waveguide. The first waveguide is configured to receive and transmit the electrical signal having the second mode. The first guiding member is configured to guide an electrical signal output from the converter antenna into the first waveguide. The transformative apparatus changes a mode of an electrical signal on the transmission member by using the converter antenna, and guides the electrical signal to the first waveguide by using the first guiding member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a transformative apparatus, an arrayed transformative apparatus, and a communication device.

BACKGROUND

An electrical signal transmission condition in an existing communication system is complex. To meet requirements of indicators such as costs, a loss, a power capacity, and reliability, and to meet different requirements imposed due to different features of different transmission lines, transmission lines corresponding to different transmission conditions are usually used. It is not difficult to learn of transformation between different transmission lines in many places in the communication system, and efficiency is quite important. It is quite common to perform structure transformation between a planar transmission line suitable for a circuit process and a low-loss waveguide.

However, there is a problem that a microwave cannot be efficiently transferred between different types of transmission lines, and it is difficult to ensure stability and continuity of an electrical signal transmitted between the different types of transmission lines.

SUMMARY

An objective of this disclosure is to provide a transformative apparatus, an arrayed transformative apparatus, and a communication device. The transformative apparatus provided in this disclosure can reduce a leakage of an electrical signal in a transfer process between different types of transmission lines, so that the electrical signal can be stably and efficiently transmitted between the different types of transmission lines.

According to a first aspect, this disclosure provides a transformative apparatus. The transformative apparatus provided in this disclosure includes a first substrate, a transmission member, a converter antenna, and a first waveguide, where the first waveguide and the transmission member and converter antenna are respectively fastened on two sides of the first substrate, the transmission member is configured to receive and transmit an electrical signal having a first mode, the converter antenna is connected to the transmission member, and is configured to: receive the electrical signal from the transmission member, form local radiation, and excite an electrical signal having a second mode in the first waveguide, and the first waveguide is configured to receive and transmit the electrical signal having the second mode.

In addition, the transformative apparatus further includes a first guiding member, where the first guiding member is fastened between the first substrate and the first waveguide, an extension direction of the first guiding member is a first direction, the first direction is parallel to a polarization direction of the second mode, and the first guiding member is configured to guide an electrical signal output from the converter antenna into the first waveguide.

In this disclosure, the transformative apparatus changes the mode of the electrical signal on the transmission member by using the converter antenna, to receive the electrical signal from the transmission member, form local radiation, and excite the electrical signal having the second mode in the first waveguide. This reduces a leakage of the electrical signal in a transfer process from the transmission member to the first waveguide, and improves transfer efficiency of the electrical signal between different types of transmission lines, so that the electrical signal can be stably and efficiently transmitted.

In some embodiments, the first waveguide includes a hollow metal structure, and the first guiding member is connected to the hollow metal structure, or the first guiding member is located inside the hollow metal structure.

In this embodiment, the first guiding member is connected to the hollow metal structure of the first waveguide, so that an induced current on the first guiding member can be directly transmitted to the first waveguide. This reduces a loss and improves transmission efficiency.

In addition, the first guiding member is located inside the hollow metal structure of the first waveguide, that is, the first guiding member is not in contact with the hollow metal structure of the first waveguide. In this case, the induced current on the first guiding member is transferred to the first waveguide in an indirect coupling manner.

In some embodiments, a region of a projection of the first waveguide onto a first plane is a first projection region, the first plane is parallel to a surface that is of the first substrate and that faces the first waveguide, and at least a part of the first guiding member falls into the first projection region.

In this embodiment, at least a part of the first guiding member falls into the first projection region, to restrict the electrical signal inside the first waveguide. This reduces a leakage of the electrical signal in a transfer process and improves transfer efficiency.

In some embodiments, the converter antenna includes a first radiator and a second radiator, and extension directions of the first radiator and the second radiator are both parallel to the first direction.

In this embodiment, an extension direction of the converter antenna is parallel to the first direction, that is, the extension direction of the converter antenna is parallel to the extension direction of the first guiding member, so that an induced current in the first mode can be excited on the first guiding member.

In some embodiments, a region of projections of the first radiator and the second radiator onto the first plane is a second projection region, and at least a part of the first guiding member falls into the second projection region.

In this embodiment, at least a part of the first guiding member falls into the second projection region, so that the first radiator and the second radiator can excite an induced current on the first guiding member in a coupled transmission manner.

In some embodiments, the first guiding member, the first radiator, and the second radiator are all of a bar-like structure, and a middle line of the first guiding member coincides with a middle line of the first radiator and/or a middle line of the second radiator.

In this embodiment, the middle line of the first guiding member coincides with the middle line of the first radiator and/or the middle line of the second radiator, that is, the first guiding member may be located right above the converter antenna, to improve coupling efficiency.

In some embodiments, the transformative apparatus further includes a second waveguide, the second waveguide is located on a side that is of the transmission member and the converter antenna and that faces away from the first substrate, and the second waveguide is fastened to the first substrate.

In this embodiment, the second waveguide may also include a hollow metal structure, and an end part that is of the second waveguide and that is away from a planar transmission assembly is of a sealed structure, to implement a short circuit, so that the electrical signal is transmitted between the first waveguide and the planar transmission assembly. For example, the electrical signal may be transmitted bidirectionally between the first waveguide and the planar transmission assembly, that is, the electrical signal may be transmitted from the first waveguide to the planar transmission assembly, or may be transmitted from the planar transmission assembly to the first waveguide.

In addition, the end part that is of the second waveguide and that is away from the planar transmission assembly may alternatively be of an opening structure. In this case, the electrical signal may be transmitted from the planar transmission assembly to the first waveguide and the second waveguide on two sides. This increases transmission paths, connects the waveguides to more communication structures, and improves transmission efficiency.

In some embodiments, the transformative apparatus includes a planar transmission assembly, the planar transmission assembly includes the first substrate, the transmission member, the converter antenna, and the first guiding member, and a manner of fastening between the first waveguide and the planar transmission assembly is the same as a manner of fastening between the planar transmission assembly and the second waveguide.

In this embodiment, the transformative apparatus is highly modularized and integrated. This can reduce a space occupation rate of the transformative apparatus in a communication device and disassembly and maintenance costs, and facilitate large-scale production of the transformative apparatus.

In some embodiments, the first waveguide falls into a range of a region of a projection of the first substrate onto the first plane.

In this embodiment, the first waveguide falls into the range of the region of the projection of the first substrate onto the first plane, so that the planar transmission assembly can completely separate the first waveguide and the second waveguide into two independent parts.

In some embodiments, the transformative apparatus further includes a second substrate and an adjustable material layer, the second substrate is fastened to the first substrate and is disposed opposite to the first substrate, the second substrate is located on the side that is of the transmission member and the converter antenna and that faces away from the first substrate, and the adjustable material layer is filled between the first substrate and the second substrate.

In this embodiment, the adjustable material layer is configured to regulate an output signal of the planar transmission assembly.

In some embodiments, the transformative apparatus further includes a second guiding member, the second guiding member is located between the second substrate and the second waveguide, an electrical signal transmitted in the second waveguide has the second mode, and an extension direction of the second guiding member is parallel to the first direction, and the second guiding member is configured to guide the electrical signal output from the converter antenna into the second waveguide.

In this embodiment, the electrical signal may be transmitted from the planar transmission assembly to the first waveguide and the second waveguide on two sides. This increases transmission paths, connects the waveguides to more communication structures, and improves transmission efficiency.

In some embodiments, the converter antenna includes the first radiator and the second radiator, the first radiator includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion that are sequentially connected, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the first radiator form a U shape, the second radiator also includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion that are sequentially connected, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the second radiator form an inverse U shape, extension directions of the first portion of the first radiator and the first portion of the second radiator are both parallel to the first direction, the first portion of the first radiator and the first portion of the second radiator form a first converter antenna, extension directions of the third portion of the first radiator and the third portion of the second radiator are both parallel to the first direction, and the third portion of the first radiator and the third portion of the second radiator form a second converter antenna.

There are two first guiding members, and the two first guiding members are respectively disposed corresponding to the first converter antenna and the second converter antenna.

In this embodiment, the converter antenna is of a dual-dipole structure, so that an input direction of an electrical signal of the planar transmission assembly can be changed.

According to a second aspect, this disclosure further provides an arrayed transformative apparatus. The arrayed transformative apparatus provided in this disclosure includes a plurality of transformative apparatuses.

In this disclosure, the arrayed transformative apparatus can reduce a leakage of an electrical signal in a transfer process between different types of transmission lines, so that the electrical signal can be stably and efficiently transmitted between the different types of transmission lines.

According to a third aspect, this disclosure provides a communication device. The communication device provided in this disclosure includes a transformative apparatus.

In this disclosure, the communication device can reduce a leakage of an electrical signal in a transfer process between different types of transmission lines, so that the electrical signal can be stably and efficiently transmitted between the different types of transmission lines.

According to a fourth aspect, this disclosure further provides a communication device. The communication device provided in this disclosure includes an arrayed transformative apparatus.

In this disclosure, the communication device can reduce a leakage of an electrical signal in a transfer process between different types of transmission lines, so that the electrical signal can be stably and efficiently transmitted between the different types of transmission lines.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings in embodiments of this disclosure. In the descriptions of embodiments of this disclosure, “a plurality of” means two or more than two, unless otherwise specified. In addition, the “connection” in this specification should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the “connection” may be a detachable connection, a non-removable connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. In addition, “fastened” in this specification should also be understood in a broad sense. For example, “fastened” may be directly fastened, or may be indirectly fastened by using an intermediate medium.

FIG.1is a diagram of a structure of a transformative apparatus100in some embodiments according to this disclosure. For example, the transformative apparatus100may be used in a communication device. The communication device may be configured to transmit an electrical signal. A plurality of communication devices may form a communication system. Specifically, the plurality of communication devices have a specific function, interact with each other, and depend on each other, to form an organic whole for achieving a unified objective. A communication system usually includes a signal source (e.g. a communication device at a transmit end), a signal sink (e.g. a communication device at a receive end), a channel (e.g. a transmission medium), and the like, to complete an electrical signal transmission process.

For example, communication devices are classified into wired communication devices and wireless communication devices. The wired communication device may include serial communication, professional bus communication, industrial Ethernet communication, and a transformative device between various communication protocols. The wireless communication device may include devices such as a wireless access point (e.g. hotspot), a wireless bridge, a wireless network adapter, a wireless lightning arrester, and an antenna.

For example, the communication device may include a structure such as a transmitter, a receiver, and/or an antenna. A transmission line is connected between the foregoing structures, and is configured to enable the foregoing structures to be in a communication connection, to transmit an electrical signal.

For example, the communication device transmits an electrical signal by using a plurality of types of transmission lines. The electrical signal may be an electromagnetic wave that carries specific information, and the electromagnetic wave can be propagated along a transmission line, to implement transmission of the electrical signal. The transmission line includes any linear structure that transmits an electromagnetic wave between endpoints of the transmission line. The transmission line is mainly configured to transmit microwaves. The microwaves refer to electromagnetic waves whose frequencies range from 300 MHz to 300 GHz.

For example, the transmission line may include a waveguide, a microstrip, a strip line, a coaxial line, a coplanar waveguide, a slotline, a parallel line, and the like.

In this disclosure, the waveguide is specifically a hollow metal structure configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave.

The microstrip may include a dielectric substrate and a strip fastened to the dielectric substrate. Because one side of the strip is a dielectric (e.g. a dielectric substrate), and the other side is air, and a relative dielectric constant of the dielectric may be greater than a relative dielectric constant of the air, a transmission speed of an electrical signal in the microstrip is high. This facilitates transmission of a signal that has a high requirement for a speed.

The strip line includes two dielectric substrates and a strip located between the two dielectric substrates. Because the strip of the strip line is located between the two dielectric substrates, an electrical signal transmitted along the strip of the strip line is less affected by the outside.

The coaxial line may be a microwave transmission structure including two coaxial cylindrical conductors, and air or a high-frequency medium is filled between the inner and the outer cylindrical conductors. A conductor located on an outer side of the coaxial line may be grounded, and an electromagnetic field of the electrical signal transmitted on the coaxial line is limited between an inner conductor and an outer conductor, so that the coaxial line basically has no radiation loss, is hardly interfered by an external signal, and has a wide operating frequency band.

In addition, when an electromagnetic wave is propagated in free space, a propagation direction is not limited. When the electromagnetic wave is propagated in a transmission line, the electromagnetic wave is limited in one dimension. In this case, mode distribution is generated in a limited direction. A propagation mode of the electromagnetic wave is a definite electromagnetic field distribution rule that may exist independently, that is, a polarization direction of the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic wave may have modes such as a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) wave, a transverse electric (TE) wave, a transverse magnetic (TM) wave, a quasi-TEM, a quasi-TE, a longitudinal section electric (LSE) wave, and a longitudinal section magnetic (LSM) wave. The propagation mode of the electromagnetic wave is related to a shape and a size of a cross section of the transmission line. Due to limitations on cross-sectional shapes and sizes of different types of transmission lines, different types of transmission lines have corresponding specific modes, and only electromagnetic waves that can meet a specific propagation mode can be propagated on the corresponding transmission lines. The mode of the transmission line can be solved through a combination of Maxwell's equations and a boundary condition of the transmission line, and the boundary condition of the transmission line is determined by the shape and the size of the cross section of the transmission line.

For example, a rectangular waveguide may transmit an electromagnetic wave in a TE10 mode, and a circular waveguide may transmit an electromagnetic wave in a TEn mode. In addition, a size of the transmission line is adjusted, so that single-mode transmission and multi-mode transmission of the transmission line can also be controlled. For an electromagnetic wave with a definite frequency, a transmission line size is appropriately selected to cut off a higher-order mode and transmit only a dominant mode, that is, single-mode transmission. The multi-mode transmission allows simultaneous transmission of the dominant mode and one or more higher-order modes.

Because different types of transmission lines have different modes, a transformative structure needs to be disposed between the different types of transmission lines, and the transformative structure is configured to convert a mode of an electromagnetic wave. For example, a mode of an electrical signal transmitted on a first transmission line matches the first transmission line, and a mode of an electrical signal transmitted on a second transmission line matches the second transmission line. In a process in which the electrical signal is transferred from the first transmission line to the second transmission line, a mode is changed by using the transformative structure, so that the mode of the electrical signal matches the second transmission line, and the electrical signal can be transferred from the first transmission line to the second transmission line and transmitted along the second transmission line. The first transmission line and the second transmission line may be of a same type, but corresponding electrical signal modes are different. Alternatively, the first transmission line and the second transmission line may be of different types. This disclosure is described by using an example in which the first transmission line and the second transmission line are of different types.

Refer toFIG.1andFIG.2.FIG.2is an exploded view of a part of the structure of the transformative apparatus100shown inFIG.1.

For example, the transformative apparatus100may include a first waveguide1, a second waveguide2, and a planar transmission assembly3fastened between the first waveguide1and the second waveguide2. The planar transmission assembly3is configured to receive and transmit an electrical signal having a first mode, and output an electrical signal having a second mode. The first waveguide1may include a hollow metal structure10, configured to receive and transmit the electrical signal having the second mode. A middle part of the hollow metal structure10may be filled with air, or may be filled with another medium. The medium can support the hollow metal structure10and maintain a shape of the hollow metal structure10.

For example, the planar transmission assembly3may include a first guiding member4, that is, the transformative apparatus100may include the first guiding member4. The first guiding member4is located on a side that is of the planar transmission assembly3and that faces the first waveguide1, and an extension direction of the first guiding member4is a first direction X. In this disclosure, the first direction X is parallel to a polarization direction of the second mode corresponding to the first waveguide1, and is configured to guide the electrical signal output by the planar transmission assembly3into the first waveguide1, or guide an electrical signal output by the first waveguide1into the planar transmission assembly3, to reduce a leakage of the electrical signal in a transfer process between the planar transmission assembly3and the first waveguide1, that is, a leakage in a transfer process between different types of transmission lines, and improve transfer efficiency. In this disclosure, a direction from one end of any structure to the other end is defined as an extension direction of the structure. Any structure may include the first guiding member4, and a first strip33, a second strip34, a first radiator361, a second radiator362, a main body333, a branch334, a strip38b, and the like in the following. For example, the extension direction of the first guiding member4is a direction in which one end of the first guiding member4points to the other end. In addition, in this disclosure, provided that some electrical signals in electrical signals output by a transmission line of one type have not entered a transmission line of another type or are not transmitted along the transmission line of another type, it may be considered that a “leakage” of the electrical signals occurs in a transfer process between different types of transmission lines. For example, provided that some electrical signals in the electrical signals output by the planar transmission assembly3have not entered the first waveguide1or are not transmitted along the first waveguide1, it may be considered that a leakage of the electrical signals occurs in a transfer process between the planar transmission assembly3and the For example, the first waveguide1may include the hollow metal structure10. For example, the hollow metal structure10may be a rectangle. The first waveguide1has two short edges disposed opposite to each other and two long edges disposed opposite to each other. When the first waveguide1is of the rectangular hollow metal structure10, the second mode may be a TE10 mode, and a direction of the short edge of the first waveguide1is parallel to a polarization direction of the TE10 mode, that is, the direction of the short edge of the first waveguide1is parallel to the first direction X. In this disclosure, a direction of the long edge of the first waveguide1is defined as a second direction Y, a plane parallel to the first direction X and the second direction Y is defined as a first plane XY, and a direction perpendicular to the first plane XY is defined as a third direction Z.

In some other embodiments, the first waveguide1may alternatively be of a square tubular structure, a circular tubular structure, or an elliptical tubular structure. An example in which the first waveguide1is of the circular tubular structure is used, and a cross section of the circular tubular structure is a concentric circle. In this embodiment, the second mode may alternatively be a TEn mode, and a polarization direction of the TEn mode passes through a center of the cross section of the circular tubular structure, that is, the first direction X is parallel to a direction of the center of the cross section of the circular tubular structure.

For example, an extension direction of the first waveguide1and/or an extension direction of the second waveguide2may be parallel to the third direction Z. In this case, a plane on which an opening of the first waveguide1and/or an opening of the second waveguide2are/is located may be parallel to the plane XY. In some other embodiments, the extension direction of the first waveguide1and/or the extension direction of the second waveguide2may be inclined or bent relative to the third direction Z. In this case, there may alternatively be an included angle between the plane XY and the plane on which the opening of the first waveguide1and/or the opening of the second waveguide2are/is located. This is not limited in this disclosure.

For example, the first guiding member4may be made of a metal material, for example, gold, silver, or copper. This is not limited in this disclosure.

The second waveguide2may also include a hollow metal structure20, and an end part that is of the second waveguide2and that is away from a planar transmission assembly3is of a sealed structure, to implement a short circuit, so that the electrical signal is transmitted between the first waveguide1and the planar transmission assembly3. For example, the electrical signal may be transmitted bidirectionally between the first waveguide1and the planar transmission assembly3, that is, the electrical signal may be transmitted from the first waveguide1to the planar transmission assembly3, or may be transmitted from the planar transmission assembly3to the first waveguide1.

In some other embodiments, the end part that is of the second waveguide2and that is away from the planar transmission assembly3may alternatively be of an opening structure. In this case, the electrical signal may be transmitted from the planar transmission assembly3to the first waveguide1and the second waveguide2on two sides. This increases transmission paths, connects the waveguides to more communication structures, and improves transmission efficiency. In addition, if frequencies of electrical signals transmitted in the first waveguide1and the second waveguide2are the same, the electrical signals may also be transmitted from the first waveguide1and the second waveguide2to the planar transmission assembly3. In this embodiment, the first guiding member4may alternatively be located between the planar transmission assembly3and the second waveguide2, and is configured to guide the electrical signal output by the planar transmission assembly3into the second waveguide2, or guide an electrical signal output by the second waveguide2into the planar transmission assembly3. This reduces a leakage of the electrical signal in a transfer process and improves transfer efficiency. In addition, there may alternatively be two first guiding members4, and the two first guiding members4may be respectively located between the planar transmission assembly3and the first waveguide1and between the planar transmission assembly3and the second waveguide2, and are configured to guide the electrical signal output by the planar transmission assembly3into the first waveguide1and the second waveguide2, or guide the electrical signals output by the first waveguide1and the second waveguide2into the planar transmission assembly3. This reduces a leakage of the electrical signal in a transfer process and improves transfer efficiency.

For example, a shape of a cross section of the metal structure20may be a rectangle, or may be a square, a circle, or an ellipse. This is not limited in this disclosure. In this disclosure, the cross section of the metal structure20is a region enclosed by an outer contour that is of the metal structure20and that is parallel to the first plane XY.

For example, mechanical processing is performed on a metal blank, so that the first waveguide1and/or the second waveguide2may be manufactured, and a process is simple. This facilitates large-scale production. In addition, alternatively, a metal material or a non-metal material is electroplated and a layer of metal covers a surface of either the metal material or the non-metal material, so that the first waveguide1and/or the second waveguide2may be manufactured. A middle part of the metal structure20is filled with air, or may be filled with another medium. The medium can support the metal structure20and maintain a shape of the metal structure20.

In some other embodiments, the transformative apparatus100may not include the second waveguide2. In this embodiment, a metal reflective surface (not shown in the figure) may be provided on a side that is of the planar transmission assembly3of the transformative apparatus100and that faces away from the first waveguide1, and a short circuit is performed on the side that is of the planar transmission assembly3and that faces away from the first waveguide1, so that the electrical signal is transmitted between the first waveguide1and the planar transmission assembly3. An area of the metal reflection surface may be greater than an area of a hollow part in the first waveguide1. The metal reflective surface may be an entire metal surface, or may include a metal surface with a gap, and a pattern formed by the gap enables the metal surface with the gap to reflect an electromagnetic wave.

FIG.3is an exploded view of a structure of the planar transmission assembly3shown inFIG.2.

For example, the planar transmission assembly3may include a transmission member301and a dielectric member302. Shapes and quantities of transmission members301and dielectric members302are designed, to obtain different types of planar transmission assemblies3. The transmission member301is configured to receive and transmit the electrical signal having the first mode, and the dielectric member302is configured to adjust an electrical property such as impedance of the planar transmission assembly3, to adapt to different disclosure environments.

For example, as shown inFIG.3, the planar transmission assembly3may include a planar parallel line structure. The dielectric member302of the planar transmission assembly3includes the first substrate31and the second substrate32that are spaced and disposed opposite to each other. The second substrate32is fastened to the first substrate31. The transmission member301of the planar transmission assembly3includes a first strip33and a second strip34that are located between the first substrate31and the second substrate32. The transmission member301is configured to receive and transmit the electrical signal having the first mode.

The first strip33is fastened to the first substrate31, and the second strip34is fastened to the second substrate32. The first substrate31and the second substrate32are configured to support and protect the first strip33and the second strip34. An electrical signal is propagated on the first strip33and the second strip34. The first substrate31and/or the second substrate32may be a high-frequency substrate. In this disclosure, the high-frequency substrate may be a substrate that can be used in an operating condition in which an operating frequency is higher than 1 GHz. The first strip33and the second strip34may be manufactured through a process such as printing, etching, or surface mounting. Costs are low and efficiency is high.

The planar transmission assembly3may further include an adjustable material layer35filled between the first substrate31and the second substrate32. The adjustable material layer35is configured to regulate an output signal of the planar transmission assembly3. Specifically, the electrical signal transmitted along the first strip33and the second strip34can excite the adjustable material layer35, and the adjustable material layer35can present different electrical characteristics as the electrical signal changes. This affects a phase delay of the electrical signal by the planar transmission assembly3, to adjust the electrical signal output by the planar transmission assembly3.

For example, a converter antenna36may be of a dipole antenna structure. In this embodiment, the transmission member301of the planar transmission assembly3includes the first strip33and the second strip34, and the converter antenna36is connected to the transmission member301of the planar transmission assembly3.

Refer toFIG.2andFIG.3. The planar transmission assembly3may further include a converter antenna36. The converter antenna36is located between the first substrate31and the second substrate32, and is connected to the transmission member301. That is, the first waveguide1and the transmission member301and converter antenna36are respectively fastened on two sides of the first substrate31, and the second substrate32is located on a side that is of the transmission member301and the converter antenna36and that faces away from the first substrate31. The electrical signal can be transmitted along the transmission member301to the converter antenna36and output from the converter antenna36. The converter antenna36is configured to receive an electrical signal from the transmission member301, form local radiation, and excite the electrical signal having the second mode in the first waveguide1.

For example, as shown inFIG.3, the converter antenna36is located between the first substrate31and the second substrate32, and is connected to the first strip33and the second strip34. The converter antenna36may be of a dipole antenna structure. Specifically, the converter antenna36may include the first radiator361and the second radiator362. The first radiator361and the second radiator362are respectively fastened to the first substrate31and the second substrate32, and are respectively connected to the first strip33and the second strip34. Both the converter antenna36and the parallel line structure of the planar transmission assembly3include two conductors, so that an electrical signal mode between the converter antenna36and the parallel line structure is easily converted. It may be understood that the converter antenna36may alternatively include another antenna structure that is configured to convert a mode of an electrical signal propagated on the first strip33and the second strip34, for example, an array antenna including a single patch antenna, a multi-patch antenna, or a multi-stage guiding antenna, to implement transfer of the electrical signal between the planar transmission assembly3and the first waveguide1. This is not limited in this disclosure.

In some embodiments, the second waveguide2may be located on the side that is of the transmission member301and the converter antenna36and that faces away from the first substrate31, and the second waveguide2is fastened to the first substrate31. In this embodiment, the dielectric member302of the planar transmission assembly3may not include the second substrate32, and the second waveguide2may be directly fastened to the first substrate31. In some other embodiments, the dielectric member302of the planar transmission assembly3may include the second substrate32, and the second waveguide2may be fastened to the second substrate32, to be indirectly fastened to the first substrate31.

Refer toFIG.3andFIG.4.FIG.4is a diagram of a projection of a part of the structure shown inFIG.3onto the first plane XY.FIG.4shows projections of the first substrate31, the first strip33, the second strip34, the first radiator361, and the second radiator362onto the first plane XY. As shown inFIG.4, the first plane XY is parallel to a surface that is of the first substrate31and that faces the first waveguide1, and a dashed line region represents the projection of the second radiator362.

For example, both the first strip33and the second strip34may be of a linear structure and disposed in parallel. In some other embodiments, the first strip33and/or the second strip34may alternatively be of a non-linear structure, for example, a sheet structure or an annular structure. This is not limited in this disclosure.

For example, a first end331of the first strip33and a first end341of the second strip34are located in a middle part of the second substrate32, that is, located inside the planar transmission assembly3. A second end332of the first strip33and a second end342of the second strip34extend from the inside of the planar transmission assembly3to an end surface of the planar transmission assembly3, and are respectively connected to two poles of an external signal source. The external signal source (not shown in the figure) can emit an electrical signal, and the electrical signal emitted by the external signal source can be transmitted along the first strip33and the second strip34.

For example, the first strip33and the second strip34may be in a straight line shape, or may be in an irregular linear shape such as a curve shape, a fold line shape, or a serpentine line shape. An extension direction of the first strip33may be parallel to the second direction Y.

For example, projections of the first strip33and the second strip34onto the first plane XY overlap. The first radiator361is connected to the first end331of the first strip33, and the second radiator362is connected to the first end341of the second strip34. The first radiator361and the second radiator362respectively extend from the first end331of the first strip33and the first end341of the second strip34in opposite directions, that is, an extension direction of the first radiator361is parallel to an extension direction of the second radiator362, and the extension directions of the first radiator361and the second radiator362are opposite. The extension direction of the first radiator361is defined as a fourth direction L, and an extension direction of the converter antenna36is parallel to the extension direction of the first radiator361and/or the extension direction of the second radiator362, that is, the extension direction of the converter antenna36is parallel to the fourth direction L.

For example, an end part of the first radiator361of the converter antenna36may be bent, that is, an end part that is of the first radiator361and that is away from the first strip33may be bent or curly relative to the first end. This is not limited in this disclosure.

For example, shapes of the first radiator361and the second radiator362may be the same or may be different. In some embodiments, both the first radiator361and the second radiator362may be of a straight line structure, and sizes of the first radiator361and the second radiator362in the second direction Y may be the same or may be different. In some other embodiments, the first radiator361and/or the second radiator362may be a non-straight-line structure, for example, a curve structure, a broken line structure, or a serpentine structure. This is not limited in this disclosure, provided that it is ensured that the extension directions of the first radiator361and the second radiator362are opposite.

For example, the planar transmission assembly3may further include a first transition structure371and a second transition structure372. The first transition structure371is connected between the first strip33and the first radiator361, and the second transition structure372is connected between the second strip and the second radiator362. A first part3711that is of the first transition structure371and that is close to the first strip33may be inclined relative to the second direction Y, and a second part3712that is close to the first radiator361may have a specific radian, so that smooth transition can be performed between the converter antenna36and the parallel line structure. This avoids a rectangular structure and charge accumulation. A first part3721that is of the second transition structure372and that is close to the second strip34may be inclined relative to the second direction Y, and an inclination direction of the first part3711of the first transition structure371and an inclination direction of the first part of the second transition structure372relative to the second direction Y are opposite. The second part that is of the second transition structure372and that is close to the second radiator352may also have a specific radian.

In this embodiment, because the projections of the first strip33and the second strip34onto the first plane XY overlap, the first radiator361and the second radiator362can be separated in opposite directions relative to the first strip33(or the second strip34) by using a structure design in which the inclination directions of the first transition structure371and the second transition structure372are opposite, so that the first radiator361and the second radiator362are spaced to form a dipole antenna structure.

FIG.5is a diagram of a projection of a part of the structure shown inFIG.2onto the first plane XY.FIG.5shows projections of the first substrate31, the first guiding member4, the first strip33, the second strip34, and the converter antenna36onto the first plane XY, and a dashed line represents the projection of the second radiator362.

For example, both extension directions of the first radiator361and the second radiator362are parallel to the first direction X, that is, the fourth direction Lis parallel to the first direction X.

For example, the first guiding member4may be of a linear structure, and the extension direction of the converter antenna36is parallel to the extension direction of the first guiding member4, so that the converter antenna36can receive the electrical signal from the transmission member301, form local radiation, and excite the electrical signal having the second mode in the first waveguide1.

In addition, a size of the first guiding member4in the first direction X may be larger than a size of the converter antenna36in the first direction X, or may be smaller than a size of the converter antenna36in the first direction X. A maximum size of the first guiding member4in the second direction Y may be smaller than a maximum size of the converter antenna36in the second direction Y, or may be larger than a maximum size of the converter antenna36in the second direction Y. This is not limited in this disclosure. In this disclosure, a distance between two points that are of any structure and that are farthest from each other in the second direction Y is defined as a maximum size of the structure in the second direction Y. Any structure may include the first guiding member4, the converter antenna36, and the like.

In this embodiment, the fourth direction Lis parallel to the first direction X, that is, an included angle between the fourth direction L and the first direction X is 0 degrees. In some other embodiments, the included angle between the fourth direction L and the first direction X may alternatively have a slight deviation relative to 0 degrees, for example, 3 degrees or 5 degrees. It may also be considered that the fourth direction L is parallel to the first direction X. This is not limited in this disclosure.

In some embodiments, a shape of the first guiding member4may be in a straight line shape, or may be in an irregular linear shape such as a curve shape, a fold line shape, or a serpentine line shape, provided that the extension direction of the first guiding member4is parallel to the extension direction of the converter antenna36.

For example, a region of projections of the first radiator361and the second radiator362onto the first plane XY is a second projection region, and at least a part of the first guiding member4falls into the second projection region, so that the first radiator361and the second radiator362can excite an induced current on the first guiding member4in a coupled transmission manner. It may be understood that a region of a projection of a structure onto the first plane XY is a region enclosed by an outer contour of the projection of the structure, for example, the first radiator361, the second radiator362, the first guiding member4, and the first substrate31.

FIG.6is a diagram of an internal structure of a part of the structure shown inFIG.2.FIG.6shows internal structures of the first guiding member4and the planar transmission assembly3.

The first radiator361and the second radiator362are respectively fastened to the first substrate31and the second substrate32. That is, the converter antenna36is located between the first substrate31and the second substrate32. For example, the first guiding member4is located on a side that is of the first substrate31and that faces away from the converter antenna36. The first guiding member4and the converter antenna36are separated by the first substrate31, and energy is transmitted between the first guiding member4and the converter antenna36in a coupling manner.

Refer toFIG.5andFIG.6. For example, the first guiding member4may be located right above the converter antenna36, to improve coupling efficiency. For example, the first guiding member4, the first radiator361, and the second radiator362are all of a bar-like structure, and a middle line of the first guiding member4coincides with a middle line of the first radiator361and/or a middle line of the second radiator362, that is, a connection line between midpoints of two ends of the projection of the first guiding member4coincides with a connection line between midpoints of two ends of the projection of the converter antenna36. In some other embodiments, the first guiding member4may alternatively slightly deviate from the top of the converter antenna36. That is, a spacing may exist between the connection line between midpoints of two ends of the projection of the first guiding member4and the connection line between midpoints of two ends of the projection of the converter antenna36. It may also be considered that the first guiding member4may be located right above the converter antenna36. This is not limited in this disclosure.

FIG.7is a diagram of a projection of the transformative apparatus100shown inFIG.1onto the first plane XY.FIG.8is a diagram of an internal structure of the transformative apparatus100shown inFIG.1.

For example, a region of a projection of the first waveguide1onto the first plane XY is a first projection region. At least a part of the first guiding member4, or at least a part of the first guiding member4and at least a part of the converter antenna36fall into the first projection region, to restrict the electrical signal inside the first waveguide1. This reduces a leakage of the electrical signal in a transfer process and improves transfer efficiency. This is not limited in this disclosure.

In some other embodiments, the first end331of the first strip33, the first end341of the second strip34, the converter antenna36, and the first guiding member4fall into the first projection region, to restrict the electrical signal inside the first waveguide1. This further reduces a leakage of the electrical signal in a transfer process and improves transfer efficiency.

In some embodiments, the first guiding member4may be connected to the hollow metal structure10of the first waveguide1, so that the induced current on the first guiding member4can be directly transmitted to the first waveguide1. This reduces a loss and improves transmission efficiency. For example, two ends of the first guiding member4may be connected to the hollow metal structure10of the first waveguide1. In addition, one end of the two ends of the first guiding member4may be connected to the hollow metal structure10of the first waveguide1.

In some other embodiments, the first guiding member4may alternatively be located inside the hollow metal structure10of the first waveguide1, that is, the first guiding member4is not in contact with the hollow metal structure10of the first waveguide1. In this case, the induced current on the first guiding member4is transferred to the first waveguide1in an indirect coupling manner.

For example, the extension direction of the first guiding member4is parallel to a polarization direction of the first mode corresponding to the first waveguide1, that is, the extension direction of the first guiding member4is parallel to the first direction X. It may be understood that a polarization direction of a mode of an induced current excited on the first guiding member4is parallel to the extension direction of the first guiding member4. That is, the polarization direction of the mode of the induced current is parallel to the first direction X. That is, the mode of the induced current excited on the first guiding member4is the first mode. In this way, the mode of the induced current matches the first waveguide1, and the induced current can be transmitted in the first waveguide1.

For example, the extension direction of the converter antenna36is parallel to the first direction X, and a polarization direction of a radiation field of the converter antenna36is parallel to the extension direction of the converter antenna36. That is, the polarization direction of the radiation field of the converter antenna36is parallel to the first direction X. That is, a polarization direction of a radiation field of an electrical signal transmitted on the converter antenna36is parallel to the polarization direction of the first mode. That is, a mode of the electrical signal transmitted on the converter antenna36is the first mode. In addition, the extension direction of the converter antenna36is parallel to the extension direction of the first guiding member4, so that an induced current in the first mode can be excited on the first guiding member4.

In this disclosure, a first electrical signal emitted by an external communication device is transmitted on the first strip33and the second strip34. When the first electrical signal is transmitted from the first strip33and the second strip34to the converter antenna36, a mode of the first electrical signal changes, the first electrical signal changes to a second electrical signal, and a mode of the second electrical signal is the first mode. The second electrical signal on the converter antenna36excites an induced current in the first mode on a guiding metal. The induced current is transmitted in the first waveguide1in a direct transmission manner or in an indirect coupled excitation manner.

Refer toFIG.3. The transformative apparatus100receives the electrical signal from the transmission member301by using the converter antenna36, and guides the electrical signal to the first waveguide1by using the first guiding member4. This reduces a leakage of the electrical signal in a transfer process from the transmission member301to the first waveguide1, and improves transfer efficiency of the electrical signal between different types of transmission lines, so that the electrical signal can be stably and efficiently transmitted. In this embodiment, the converter antenna36and the first guiding member4jointly implement efficient transfer of an electrical signal between the transmission member301and the first waveguide1.

For example, two ends of the first guiding member4may be respectively connected to midpoints of two long edges of the first waveguide1. A mode of an electrical signal in the first waveguide1, that is, a strength distribution rule of an electromagnetic field, is decreasing from a middle part of the long edge to two ends. The first guiding member4is disposed in a middle part of the first waveguide1, that is, the first guiding member4is disposed in a region with the highest electromagnetic field strength, so that efficiency of transmitting the electrical signal on the first guiding member4to the first waveguide1can be improved. In some other embodiments, the first guiding member4may alternatively deviate from the middle part of the long edge of the first waveguide1. That is, the first guiding member4may be disposed between the middle part of the long edge and an end part of the long edge of the first waveguide1. This is not limited in this disclosure.

For example, the first guiding member4may be of a metal patch structure, and is fastened between the first waveguide1and the first substrate31, to be connected to the first waveguide1. The first guiding member4may be connected to an end part of the first waveguide1through welding, to improve connection reliability. The first guiding member4may alternatively be manufactured, in a manner of printing, etching, surface mounting, or the like, on a surface that is of the first substrate31and that faces the first waveguide1. When the first waveguide1is fastened to the planar transmission assembly3, the first guiding member4is in contact with the first waveguide1, to be connected to the first waveguide1.

In this embodiment, the first waveguide1and the first guiding member4may be assembled into a first module, the planar transmission assembly3is considered as a second module, and the second waveguide2is considered as a third module. The first module, the second module, and the third module may be separately manufactured at the same time, and the first module, the second module, and the third module are assembled. This improves efficiency and reduces costs. In addition, composition of the first module, the second module, and the third module is clear, and a separate assembly process is simple. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the first waveguide1may be considered as the first module, and the planar transmission assembly3may be considered as the second module. In this embodiment, the planar transmission assembly3may include the first guiding member4. This is not limited in this disclosure.

For example, the first module, the second module, and the third module may be automatically aligned, fastened, and installed by using an industrial technology, so that the first module, the second module, and the third module can be accurately aligned, to reduce assembly costs of the transformative apparatus100, reduce a processing error, and improve a yield rate.

For example, the first module, the second module, and the third module may be connected to each other by using a fastener, be welded, be locked by using a screw, be locked by using a clamp, or be connected by using a spline, to facilitate disassembly of and exchange between modules.

For example, a manner of fastening between the first waveguide1and the planar transmission assembly3is the same as a manner of fastening between the planar transmission assembly3and the second waveguide2.

Therefore, the transformative apparatus100is highly modularized and integrated. This can reduce a space occupation rate of the transformative apparatus100in a communication device and disassembly and maintenance costs, and facilitate large-scale production of the transformative apparatus100.

In some embodiments, the transformative apparatus100may not include the first guiding member4. In this embodiment, a first electrical signal emitted by an external communication device is transmitted on the first strip33and the second strip34. When the first electrical signal is transmitted from the first strip33and the second strip34to the converter antenna36, the first electrical signal changes to a second electrical signal in the first mode. The second electrical signal is coupled to the first waveguide1to excite an induced current in a coupled transmission manner, so that the second electrical signal is transmitted along the first waveguide1in a coupled excitation manner. In this embodiment, the converter antenna36implements transfer of an electrical signal between the planar transmission assembly3and the first waveguide1.

Refer toFIG.1,FIG.7, andFIG.8. For example, the first waveguide1or the first waveguide1and the second waveguide2may fall into a range of a region of a projection of the first substrate31onto the first plane XY, so that the planar transmission assembly3can completely separate the first waveguide1and the second waveguide2into two independent parts. This facilitates separate manufacturing of the first waveguide1and the second waveguide2during manufacturing of a large-scale array, and improves efficiency.

For example, a shape of a cross section of the second waveguide2may be the same as a shape of a cross section of the first waveguide1. For example, both the cross section of the second waveguide2and the cross section of the first waveguide1are rectangular. In this case, a mode of an electrical signal transmitted in the second waveguide2is the same as a mode of an electrical signal transmitted in the first waveguide1. In this disclosure, the cross section of the first waveguide1is a region enclosed by an outer contour that is of the first waveguide1and that is parallel to the first plane XY, and the cross section of the second waveguide2is a region enclosed by an outer contour that is of the second waveguide2and that is parallel to the first plane XY.

In some other embodiments, the shape of the cross section of the second waveguide2may be different from the shape of the cross section of the first waveguide1. For example, the cross section of the first waveguide1may be a rectangle, and the cross section of the second waveguide2may be a circle. In this case, the second mode of the electrical signal transmitted in the first waveguide1may be a TE10 mode. The cross section of the first waveguide1and the cross section of the second waveguide2may alternatively be in another shape. This is not limited in this disclosure.

For example, the transformative apparatus100may further include a second guiding member (not shown in the figure), and the second guiding member may be located between the second substrate32and the second waveguide2. In this embodiment, the mode of the electrical signal transmitted in the second waveguide2is the same as the mode of the electrical signal transmitted in the first waveguide1, that is, the electrical signal transmitted in the second waveguide2may have the second mode. Correspondingly, an extension direction of the second guiding member is parallel to the first direction X, and the second guiding member is configured to guide the electrical signal output from the converter antenna36into the second waveguide2. It may be understood that in some other embodiments, the electrical signal transmitted in the second waveguide2may alternatively have another mode different from the second mode.

For example, a size of the cross section of the second waveguide2may be completely the same as or may be slightly different from a size of the cross section of the first waveguide1. This is not limited in this disclosure.

FIG.9is a diagram of a part of a structure of a transformative apparatus100ain some other embodiments according to this disclosure.

In this embodiment, the transformative apparatus100amay include a first waveguide1a, a second waveguide (not shown in the figure), and a planar transmission assembly3a. The planar transmission assembly3aincludes a first substrate31a, a second substrate32a, a first strip33a, a second strip34a, an adjustable material layer35a, and a converter antenna36a. The transformative apparatus100amay further include a first guiding member4a.

In this embodiment, for a relative location relationship and a connection structure between the first waveguide1a, the second waveguide, the first guiding member4a, the first substrate31a, the second substrate32a, the first strip33a, the second strip34a, the adjustable material layer35a, and the converter antenna36a, refer to corresponding components in the transformative apparatus100shown inFIG.3. A difference between this embodiment and the transformative apparatus100shown inFIG.3lies in that a structure of the converter antenna36ais different from a structure of the converter antenna36shown inFIG.3. Only the structure of the converter antenna36ain this embodiment and a manner of connecting the converter antenna36ato the first strip33aand the second strip34aare described herein. It should be understood that in this embodiment of this disclosure, when a component is designed with reference to another component, structures of the two components may be completely the same, or core structures of the two components may be the same, but a few structures may be different. This is not strictly limited in this disclosure.

The first waveguide1amay be of a rectangular hollow metal structure for receiving and transmitting an electrical signal having a TE10 mode. A direction of a short edge of the first waveguide1ais parallel to a polarization direction of the TE10 mode, that is, the direction of the short edge of the first waveguide1ais parallel to a first direction X1. In this disclosure, a direction of a long edge of the first waveguide1ais defined as a second direction Y1, a plane parallel to the first direction X1 and the second direction Y1 is defined as a second plane X1Y1, and a direction perpendicular to the second plane X1Y1 is defined as a third direction Z1.

In some other embodiments, the first waveguide1amay alternatively be of a square tubular structure, a circular tubular structure, or an elliptical tubular structure. An example in which the first waveguide1ais of the circular tubular structure is used, and a cross section of the circular tubular structure is a concentric circle. In this embodiment, the second mode may alternatively be a TEn mode, and a polarization direction of the TEn mode passes through a center of the cross section of the circular tubular structure, that is, the first direction X1 is parallel to a direction of the center of the cross section of the circular tubular structure.

Refer toFIG.9,FIG.10, andFIG.11.FIG.10is a diagram of structures of the first strip33a, the second strip34a, and the converter antenna36ashown inFIG.9.FIG.11is a diagram of projections of the structures shown inFIG.10onto the second plane X1Y1. The second plane X1Y1 is parallel to a surface that is of the first substrate31aand that faces the first waveguide1a.

For example, the converter antenna36amay be of a dual-dipole structure. Specifically, the converter antenna36amay include a first radiator361aand a second radiator362a. The first radiator361aand the second radiator362aare respectively connected to a first end331aof the first strip33aand a first end341aof the second strip34a.

The first radiator361amay include a first portion3611a, a second portion3612a, and a third portion3613athat are sequentially connected, the first portion3611a, the second portion3612a, and the third portion3613aform a U shape, the second radiator362amay also include a first portion3621a, a second portion3622a, and a third portion3623athat are sequentially connected, the first portion3621a, the second portion3622a, and the third portion3623aform an inverse U shape, the first radiator361aand the second radiator362aare symmetrically disposed, and openings of the first radiator361aand the second radiator362aface opposite directions. A middle part of the second portion3612aof the first radiator361ais fastened to the first end331aof the first strip33a, and the first radiator361ais symmetrically distributed relative to an extension direction of the first strip33a. A middle part of the second portion3622aof the second radiator362ais fastened to the first end341aof the second strip34a, and the second radiator362ais symmetrically distributed relative to an extension direction of the second strip34a.

Projections of the second portion3612aof the first radiator361aand the second portion3622aof the second radiator362aonto the second plane X1Y1 overlap, an extension direction of the first portion3611aof the first radiator361ais the same as an extension direction of the first portion3621aof the second radiator362a, and an extension direction of the third portion3613aof the first radiator361ais the same as an extension direction of the third portion3623aof the second radiator362a. The extension directions of the first portion3611aof the first radiator361aand the first portion3621aof the second radiator362aare both parallel to the first direction X1, and the extension directions of the third portion3613aof the first radiator361aand the third portion3623aof the second radiator362aare both parallel to the first direction X1.

The first radiator361aand the second radiator362aform a dual converter antenna36astructure, and the first portion3611aof the first radiator361aand the first portion3621aof the second radiator362aform a first converter antenna363a. InFIG.11, an extension direction of the first converter antenna363ais defined as a fifth direction L1, and the extension direction of the first converter antenna363ais parallel to the first direction X1. The third portion3613aof the first radiator361aand the third portion3623aof the second radiator362aform a second converter antenna364a. InFIG.11, an extension direction of the second converter antenna364ais defined as a sixth direction L2, and the extension direction of the second converter antenna364ais parallel to the first direction X1.

Correspondingly, there may be two first guiding members4a, and the two first guiding members4amay be respectively disposed corresponding to the first converter antenna363aand the second converter antenna364a. In some other embodiments, there may alternatively be one first guiding member4a. The first guiding member4amay be disposed between the first converter antenna363aand the second converter antenna364a, or may be disposed close to the first converter antenna363aor the second converter antenna364a. This is not limited in this disclosure, provided that an extension direction of the first guiding member4ais parallel to the first direction X1.

In this embodiment, the converter antenna36ais of a dual-dipole structure, so that an input direction of an electrical signal of the planar transmission assembly3acan be changed. Specifically, as shown inFIG.4, when the converter antenna36is of a structure shown inFIG.4, the extension directions of the first strip33and the second strip34of the planar transmission assembly3may be both perpendicular to the extension direction of the converter antenna36, that is, parallel to the second direction Y or the third direction Z (not shown in the figure, and an adaptive design may be performed with reference toFIG.4). In this way, input ends of the first strip33and the second strip34may extend to an end surface that is of the planar transmission assembly3and that is perpendicular to the second direction Y, or extend to an end surface that is of the planar transmission assembly3and that is perpendicular to the third direction Z, and are connected to an external communication device. As shown inFIG.11, when the converter antenna36ais of the dual-dipole structure shown inFIG.11, the extension directions of the first strip33aand the second strip34aof the planar transmission assembly3amay be parallel to the extension direction of the converter antenna36a, that is, parallel to the first direction X1, and input ends of the first strip33aand the second strip34amay extend to an end surface that is of the planar transmission assembly3aand that is perpendicular to the first direction X1, and are connected to an external communication device. Therefore, a structure of the converter antenna36may be designed based on an arrangement location of the transformative apparatus100, to facilitate transmission of an electrical signal to an external communication device.

FIG.12Ais a diagram of a structure of a planar transmission assembly3bin some other embodiments according to this disclosure.FIG.12Bis a diagram of the structure of the planar transmission assembly3bshown inFIG.12Afrom another perspective.FIG.13is an exploded view of the structure of the planar transmission assembly3bshown inFIG.12A. A viewing angle shown inFIG.12Bis flipped relative to a viewing angle shown inFIG.12A.

For example, the planar transmission assembly3in the transformative apparatus100shown inFIG.2andFIG.3may alternatively be of another structure such as a microstrip. Due to a limitation of structures of different planar transmission assemblies3, a structure other than the planar parallel line structure cannot be directly connected to the converter antenna36, and needs to be indirectly connected to the converter antenna36by using the planar parallel line structure. As shown inFIG.12A, an example in which the planar transmission assembly3bis a microstrip is used for specific description in this disclosure.

For example, the planar transmission assembly3bmay usually be a microstrip. Specifically, the planar transmission assembly3bmay include a dielectric substrate37band a strip38bfastened to the dielectric substrate37b. A metal layer39bis coated on a side that is of the dielectric substrate37band that faces away from the strip38b. The converter antenna36band the metal layer39bare disposed on a same side of the dielectric substrate37b. A first end381bof the strip38bis located at an end part of the dielectric substrate37b, to be connected to an external communication device. A second end382bthat is of the strip38band that is opposite to the first end381bextends to a middle part of the dielectric substrate37b. An electrical signal emitted by the external communication device can be transmitted along the strip38b.

For example, the strip38bmay be of a linear structure such as a straight line structure, a curve structure, a fold line structure, or a serpentine line structure. A thickness and a width of the strip38band a material and a thickness of the dielectric substrate37bare adjusted, so that characteristic impedance of the microstrip can be controlled. For example, a size of a cross section area of the strip38bmay be increased, to reduce a loss of an electrical signal and improve an antenna gain. It may be understood that the cross section area of the strip38bis an area that is of the strip38band that is in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the strip38b.

The metal layer39bextends from the end part of the dielectric substrate37bto the middle part of the dielectric substrate37b. A connection end390bthat is of the metal layer39band that is close to the second end382bof the strip38bis deformed into a parallel line structure, to adapt to the converter antenna36b. The microstrip is connected to the converter antenna36bby using the parallel line structure.

For example, a gap391bmay be disposed at the connection end390bof the metal layer39b. The gap391bhas a first end part3911b, a second end part3912b, and a mid part3913bconnected between the first end part3911band the second end part3912b. The first end part3911bof the gap391bis located in a middle part of the metal layer, and the second end part3912bof the gap391bextends to an end surface of the connection end390bof the metal layer39b.

For example, the first end part3911bmay be enlarged relative to the mid part3913b, that is, a size of the first end part3911bis larger than a size of the mid part3913b, to avoid charge accumulation at the first end part3911b. For example, the first end part3911bmay be deformed into a circle, or may be deformed into a square, an ellipse, or another irregular shape.

For example, the planar transmission assembly3bmay include the converter antenna36b, and the converter antenna36bmay include a first radiator361band a second radiator362b. The planar transmission assembly3bmay further include a first strip33band a second strip34bthat are disposed in parallel and are spaced. The first strip33band the second strip34bare both fastened to the connection end390bof the metal layer39b, and are respectively disposed on two sides of the gap391b. The first strip33band the second strip34bform a parallel line structure, and are configured to connect to the converter antenna36b. The first radiator361band the second radiator362bare respectively connected to the first strip33band the second strip34b.

In this embodiment, for structures of the first radiator361band the second radiator362band a structure of connection to each of the first strip33band the second strip34b, refer to embodiments shown inFIG.3andFIG.4. Details are not described herein again. In addition, the converter antenna36bmay alternatively be of a dual-dipole structure. For details, refer to the structures of the converter antenna36bshown inFIG.10andFIG.11. Details are not described herein again.

In some embodiments, the first strip33and/or the second strip34of the planar transmission assembly3shown inFIG.3may alternatively be of another structure.

FIG.14Ais a diagram of structures of the first strip33and the second strip34shown inFIG.3in some other embodiments.FIG.14Bis a diagram of structures of the first strip33and the second strip34shown inFIG.3in some other embodiments.

For example, the first strip33and/or the second strip34may include a main body333and a branch334. The main body333may be of a linear structure such as a straight line structure, a curve structure, a fold line structure, or a serpentine line structure. The branch334may be of a linear structure such as a straight line structure, a curve structure, a fold line structure, or a serpentine line structure. An included angle may exist between an extension direction of the branch334and an extension direction of the main body333. It may be understood that the extension direction of the branch334is a direction in which one end of the branch334points to the other end, and the extension direction of the main body333is a direction in which one end of the main part333points to the other end.

For example, as shown inFIG.14A, when each of the first strip33and the second strip34includes the main body333and the branch334, the branch334of the first strip33and the branch334of the second strip34may be spaced. In some other embodiments, there may be a plurality of branches334of the first strip33and the second strip34, and the plurality of branches334of the first strip33and the plurality of branches334of the second strip34may be arranged alternately. In some other embodiments, there may be a plurality of branches334of the first strip33or the second strip34, and the branches334of the first strip33and the branches334of the second strip34may be spaced. This is not limited in this disclosure.

For example, the first strip33and the second strip34may be of a mirror-symmetric structure, and some regions of the first strip33and the second strip34may overlap. For example, as shown inFIG.14B, both the first strip33and the second strip34may be of a fold line structure, and some regions of the first strip33and the second strip34overlap.

For example,FIG.15Ais a diagram of a structure of the transformative apparatus100according to some other embodiments of this disclosure.

A horn antenna5may be disposed on a port on a side that is of the first waveguide1and/or the second waveguide2and that faces away from the planar transmission assembly3, and a cross section area of the horn antenna5increases as a distance between the horn antenna5and the planar transmission assembly3increases. It may be understood that a cross section of the horn antenna5is a region enclosed by an outer contour that is of the horn antenna5and that is parallel to the first plane XY, and the cross section area of the horn antenna5is an area of the region enclosed by the outer contour that is of the horn antenna5and that is parallel to the first plane XY. The horn antenna5has a simple structure, a wide frequency band, and a large power capacity.

For example, a shape of the cross section of the horn antenna5may be a rectangle, a circle, a square, an ellipse, or an irregular shape. This is not limited in this disclosure.

In some other embodiments, an antenna structure of another type, such as a parabolic antenna, a horn parabolic antenna, a lens antenna, a slotted antenna, a dielectric antenna, or a periscope antenna, may alternatively be disposed on the port on the side that is of the first waveguide1and/or the second waveguide2that faces away from the planar transmission assembly3. This is not limited in this disclosure.

In this embodiment,FIG.15Bis a diagram of the transformative apparatus100shown inFIG.15Ain some disclosure environments. The transformative apparatus100may be connected to a radio frequency front-end module. A microwave circuit (not shown in the figure) may be disposed inside the radio frequency front-end module. The planar transmission assembly3(not shown in the figure) of the transformative apparatus100may be connected to the microwave circuit, and an electrical signal processed by the circuit is transferred to the waveguide (the first waveguide1and/or the second waveguide2, not shown in the figure), and is radiated by using a port of the waveguide, to reduce a transmission path loss and improve radiation efficiency.

FIG.16is a diagram of an arrayed transformative apparatus200according to this disclosure.

For example, the arrayed transformative apparatus200may include a plurality of transformative apparatuses100that are shown inFIG.1and that are arranged in an array, to expand an disclosure scope. For example, the arrayed transformative apparatus200may include four, seven, nine, or any quantity of transformative apparatuses100. This disclosure is described by using an example in which the arrayed transformative apparatus200includes nine transformative apparatuses100, and the nine transformative apparatuses100are arranged in an array structure of three rows and three columns.

The plurality of transformative apparatuses100may be spaced in the first direction X and the second direction Y, where end surfaces of eight transformative apparatuses100located at the outermost periphery of the arrayed transformative apparatus200may be exposed relative to other transformative apparatus100. In addition, the transformative apparatuses100located at the outermost periphery of the arrayed transformative apparatus200may include a first transformative apparatus101and a second transformative apparatus102. An end surface that is of the first transformative apparatus101and that is perpendicular to the second direction Y is exposed relative to the arrayed transformative apparatus200, and the planar transmission assembly3may be connected to an external communication device from the end surface that is of the first transformative apparatus101and that is perpendicular to the second direction Y. Specifically, the converter antenna36of the first transformative apparatus101of the planar transmission assembly3may be of a structure shown inFIG.5. The input ends of the first strip33and the second strip34of the planar transmission assembly3may extend to the end surface that is of the planar transmission assembly3and that is perpendicular to the second direction Y, and are connected to the external communication device.

An end surface that is of the second transformative apparatus102and that is perpendicular to the first direction X is exposed relative to the arrayed transformative apparatus200, and the planar transmission assembly3may be connected to an external communication device from the end surface that is of the second transformative apparatus102and that is perpendicular to the first direction X. Specifically, the converter antenna36of the second transformative apparatus102may be of the dual converter antenna36astructure shown inFIG.11. End parts of the first strip33aand the second strip34aof the planar transmission assembly3amay extend to the end surface that is of the planar transmission assembly3aand that is perpendicular to the first direction X1, and are connected to the external communication device.

In addition, a third transformative apparatus103is located on an inner side of a region enclosed by the first transformative apparatus101and the second transformative apparatus102, and the planar transmission assembly3of the third transformative apparatus103may be connected to an external communication device from an end surface that is of the third transformative apparatus103and that is perpendicular to the third direction Z. Specifically, an adaptive design may be performed on the converter antenna36of the third transformative apparatus103of the planar transmission assembly3with reference to the structure of the converter antenna36of the first transformative apparatus101. End parts of the first strip33and the second strip34of the planar transmission assembly3may extend to the end surface that is of the planar transmission assembly3and that is perpendicular to the third direction Z, and are connected to the external communication device.

The transformative apparatus100provided in this disclosure guides, by using the first guiding member4, an electrical signal output by the converter antenna36into the first waveguide1, to reduce a leakage of the electrical signal in a transfer process between different types of transmission lines. In this way, the transformative apparatus100has little impact on an external structure and is slightly affected by an external environment. Therefore, a small distance may be set between the plurality of transformative apparatuses100of the arrayed transformative apparatus200. For example, the distance between the plurality of transformative apparatuses100may be one-fourth of a wavelength, where the wavelength is a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave propagated in the transformative apparatus100. It may be understood that the distance between the plurality of transformative apparatuses100of the arrayed transformative apparatus200may alternatively be greater than one-fourth of a wavelength, for example, a half of a wavelength or 1.5 times of a wavelength. This is not limited in this disclosure. The plurality of transformative apparatuses100of the arrayed transformative apparatus200are closely arranged, so that the arrayed transformative apparatus200is small in size. This facilitates integration of the arrayed transformative apparatus200, facilitates matching with a feed network, and reduces a radiation loss of the arrayed transformative apparatus200.

In some embodiments, the arrayed transformative apparatus200may be configured to transmit electrical signals between different power modules. For example, output power of a microwave source is high, and use of the waveguide (e.g. the first waveguide1) can withstand the high power and have a low loss. The transformative apparatus100may transmit an output signal and allocate power of the electrical signal, divide a high-power electrical signal into a plurality of low-power electrical signals, and connect to an external communication device by using a plurality of planar transmission assemblies3to process the signal.

For example,FIG.17is a diagram of a structure of the transformative apparatus100in some other embodiments according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

The first waveguide1may alternatively include one main waveguide11and a plurality of sub-waveguides12, for example, two sub-waveguides12, four sub-waveguides12, five sub-waveguides12, or the like. The plurality of sub-waveguides12are all connected to the main waveguide11, there may be a plurality of planar transmission assemblies3and a plurality of second waveguides2, and both a quantity of planar transmission assemblies3and a quantity of second waveguides2are equal to a quantity of sub-waveguides12. Each sub-waveguide12corresponds to one planar transmission assembly3, or one planar transmission assembly3and one second waveguide (not shown in the figure). It may be understood that a boundary condition of the waveguide determines a mode of an electrical signal transmitted on the waveguide, and the sub-waveguide12may provide a favorable additional boundary condition for another adjacent sub-waveguide12, so that the another sub-waveguide12has a boundary condition for reducing an electrical signal leakage. This further reduces a leakage of the electrical signal in a transfer process from the first waveguide1to the planar transmission assembly3, so that the electrical signal can be stably and efficiently transmitted. In addition, the main waveguide11may be connected to an external microwave source, an input electrical signal output by the external microwave source may be transmitted to the plurality of sub-waveguides12along the main waveguide11, and the input electrical signal is divided into a plurality of electrical signals, and the plurality of electrical signals are respectively transmitted along the plurality of sub-waveguides12. Power of the plurality of electrical signals is less than power of the input electrical signal, and power of an electrical signal output from the external microwave source is high. Power allocation may be implemented by using the plurality of sub-waveguides12.

For example, the plurality of sub-waveguides12may include a first sub-waveguide (not shown in the figure) and a second sub-waveguide (not shown in the figure), and the second sub-waveguide is connected between the first sub-waveguide and the planar transmission assembly3. A quantity of first sub-waveguides is less than a quantity of second sub-waveguides, and each first sub-waveguide corresponds to at least one second sub-waveguide. That is, the main waveguide, the first sub-waveguide, and the second sub-waveguide may form a tree-shaped bifurcation structure. This is not limited in this disclosure.

This embodiment may be applied to a communication apparatus having a plurality of separated transmission lines, for example, a phased array antenna. In addition, in this embodiment, the input electrical signal can be divided into a plurality of electrical sub-signals by using the plurality of sub-waveguides12, and the plurality of divided electrical sub-signals are respectively transmitted to corresponding planar transmission assemblies3, to simultaneously implement a plurality of processing requirements for the electrical signal.

In some embodiments,FIG.18Ais a diagram of some application scenarios of the transformative apparatus100according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Dashed lines inFIG.18Arepresent signal transmission between communication modules. The transformative apparatus100may be configured to perform transmission between communication modules with the same power, to implement short-distance transmission between different communication modules, reduce a transmission loss, and improve transmission efficiency.

In some embodiments,FIG.18Bis a diagram of some application scenarios of the arrayed transformative apparatus200according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Dashed lines inFIG.18Brepresent signal transmission between communication modules. The arrayed transformative apparatus200may be configured to perform transmission between communication modules with the same power, to implement arrayed transmission between different communication modules, reduce a transmission loss, and improve transmission efficiency.

The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations and embodiments of this disclosure, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this disclosure. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of this disclosure. Embodiments in this disclosure and the features in embodiments may be mutually combined in a case of no conflict. Therefore, the protection scope of this disclosure shall be subject to a protection scope of the claims.