1.

Waveguide Joints

Since an entire waveguide system cannot possibly be molded into one piece, the
waveguide must be constructed in sections and the sections connected with joints.
The three basic types of waveguide joints are the PERMANENT, the
SEMIPERMANENT, and the ROTATING JOINTS. Since the permanent joint is a
factory-welded joint that requires no maintenance, only the semi-permanent
and rotating joints will be discussed.

Figure 1- Choke Joint

Sections of waveguide must be taken apart for maintenance and repair. A semi-
permanent joint, called a CHOKE JOINT, is most commonly used for this
purpose. The choke joint provides good electromagnetic continuity between the
sections of the waveguide with very little power loss.

A cross-sectional view of a choke joint is shown in figure 1. The pressure

gasket shown between the two metal surfaces forms an airtight seal. Notice
in view B that the slot is exactly from the “a” wall of the waveguide.
The slot is also deep, as shown in view A, and because it is shorted at point 1,
high impedance results at point 2. Point 3 is from point 2. The high
impedance at point 2 results in a low impedance, or short, at point 3. This
effect creates a good electrical connection between the two sections that
permits energy to pass with very little reflection or loss.

Whenever a stationary rectangular waveguide is to be connected to a rotating

antenna, a rotating joint must be used. A circular waveguide is normally used in a
rotating joint. Rotating a rectangular waveguide would cause field pattern
distortion. The rotating section of the joint, illustrated in figure 2, uses a
choke joint to complete the electrical connection with the stationary section. The
circular waveguide is designed so that it will operate in the TM0, 1 mode.

Figure 2 - Rotating Joint

The rectangular sections are attached as shown in the illustration to prevent the circular
waveguide from operating in the wrong mode. Distance “O” is so that a high
impedance will be presented to any unwanted modes. This is the most common design
used for rotating joints, but other types may be used in specific applications.

2. Waveguide Bends and Twists

The size, shape, and dielectric material of a waveguide must be constant

throughout its length for energy to move from one end to the other without
reflections. Any abrupt change in its size or shape can cause reflections and
a loss in overall efficiency. When such a change is necessary, the bends,
twists, and joints of the waveguides must meet certain conditions to prevent
reflections.
Waveguides maybe bent in several ways that do not cause reflections. One way is
the gradual bend shown in figure 3. This gradual bend is known as an E bend
because it distorts the E fields. The E bend must have a radius greater than two
wavelengths to prevent reflections.

Figure 3 - Gradual E Bend

Another common bend is the gradual H bend (fig. 4). It is called an H bend
because the H fields are distorted when a waveguide is bent in this manner.
Again, the radius of the bend must be greater than two wavelengths to
prevent reflections. Neither the E bend in the “a” dimension nor the H bend
in the “b” dimension changes the normal mode of operation.

Figure 4 - Gradual H Bend

A sharp bend in either dimension may be used if it meets certain

requirements. Notice the two 45-degree bends in figure 5; the bends are 1/4l
apart. The reflections that occur at the 45-degree bends cancel each other,
leaving the fields as though no reflections have occurred.

Figure 5 - Sharp Bend

In some circumstances a much shorter or sharper bend may be required. This can
be accomplished in a slightly different manner. The technique is to use a 45° bend
in the waveguide. Effectively the signal is reflected, and using a 45° surface the
reflections occur in such a way that the fields are left undisturbed, although the
phase is inverted and in some applications this may need accounting for or
correcting.

Figure 6 - Waveguide sharp E bend.

This for of waveguide bend is the same as the sharp E bend, except that the
waveguide bend affects the H field rather than the E field.

Figure 7 - Waveguide sharp H bend

Sometimes the electromagnetic fields must be rotated so that they are in the
proper phase to match the phase of the load. This may be accomplished by
twisting the waveguide as shown in figure 8. The twist must be gradual and
greater than .

Figure 8 - Waveguide Twist

In order to prevent undue distortion on the waveform a 90° twist should be
undertaken over a distance greater than two wavelengths of the frequency in use. If
a complete inversion is required, e.g. for phasing requirements, the overall
inversion or 180° twist should be undertaken over a four wavelength distance.

The flexible waveguide (fig. 9) allows special bends, which some equipment
applications might require. It consists of a specially wound ribbon of
conductive material, the most commonly used is brass, with the inner surface
plated with chromium. Power losses are greater in the flexible waveguide because
the inner surfaces are not perfectly smooth. Therefore, it is only used in short
sections where no other reasonable solution is available.

Figure 9 - Flexible Waveguide

3. Different Types of Waveguides

1. Electromagentic waveguides

Waveguides can be constructed to carry waves over a wide portion of the

electromagnetic spectrum, but are especially useful in the microwave and optical
frequency ranges. Depending on the frequency, they can be constructed from either
conductive or dielectric materials. Waveguides are used for transferring both power
and communication signals.

2. Optical waveguides

An optical waveguide is a physical structure that guides electromagnetic waves in

the optical spectrum. Common types of optical waveguides include optical fiber and
rectangular waveguides. Optical waveguides are used as components in integrated
optical circuits or as the transmission medium in local and long haul optical
communication systems.

They can be classified according to their geometry (planar, strip, or fiber

waveguides), mode structure (single-mode, multi-mode), refractive index
distribution (step or gradient index) and material (glass, polymer, and
semiconductor).

3. Acoustic waveguides
An acoustic waveguide is a physical structure for guiding sound waves. A duct for
sound propagation also behaves like a transmission line. The duct contains some
medium, such as air, that supports sound propagation.

Types of RF waveguide

There is a number of different types of RF waveguide that can be used, bought and
designed. Typically waveguides are thought of as being rectangular in cross section
as this is the most common form of waveguide. However other types and
approaches may be used.

• Rectangular waveguide: This is the most commonly used form of waveguide

and has a rectangular cross section.

• Circular waveguide: Circular waveguide is less common than rectangular

waveguide. They have many similarities in their basic approach, although
signals often use a different mode of propagation.

• Circuit board stripline: This form of waveguide is used on printed circuit

boards as a transmission line for microwave signals. It typically consists of a
line of a given thickness above an earth plane. Its thickness defines the
impedance.

In addition to these basic forms, there are also flexible waveguides. These are most
widely seen in the rectangular format. Flexible waveguide is often used to connect
to antennas, etc that may not be fixed or may be moveable.