System and method with multilayer laminated waveguide antenna

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a lower laminate layer of non-radio-frequency (RF) material, the non-RF material being glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material;

a middle layer of the non-RF material formed over the first layer of conductive material, the middle layer of the non-RF material comprising a waveguide cavity formed through the middle layer of the non-RF material, such that air forms a propagation medium for radiation in the waveguide cavity, a thickness of the middle layer of the non-RF material defining a dimension of the waveguide cavity;

an upper layer of the non-RF material formed over the middle layer of the non-RF material;

a first layer of conductive material formed under the middle layer of the non-RF material; and

a second layer of conductive material formed over the middle layer of the non-RF material, the first and second layers of conductive material and the waveguide cavity being part of a waveguide antenna.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second layer of conductive material comprises a pattern of openings.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the pattern of openings comprises a pattern of slots such that the waveguide antenna is a slot antenna.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the pattern of openings comprises a pattern of patch openings such that the waveguide antenna is a slotted waveguide antenna.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the pattern of openings comprises a pattern of patch openings such that the waveguide antenna can be configured as a differential pair antenna.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a protecting layer of the non-RF material formed over the second layer of conductive material to seal the openings, the protecting layer functioning as a radome.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of through vias formed through the layers of the non-RF material and surrounding the waveguide cavity to define a boundary of the waveguide cavity.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a feeding structure for coupling the waveguide antenna to associated circuitry.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the associated circuitry is formed on at least one of the lower and upper layers of the non-RF material.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the associated circuitry is formed on both of the lower and upper layers of the non-RF material.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the associated circuitry comprises a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC).

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:

the associated circuitry comprises a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) mounted over the top surface of the upper layer of the non-RF material and other associated circuitry mounted under a bottom surface of the lower layer of the non-RF material; and

the feeding structure comprises a first connection between the MIMIC and the other associated circuitry and a second connection between the MIMIC and the waveguide antenna.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:

the associated circuitry comprises a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) and other associated circuitry mounted under a bottom surface of the lower layer of the non-RF material; and

the feeding structure comprises a connection between the MIMIC and the waveguide antenna.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:

the associated circuitry comprises a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) mounted under a bottom surface of the upper layer of the non-RF material and within the waveguide cavity and other associated circuitry mounted under a bottom surface of the lower layer of the non-RF material; and

the feeding structure comprises a connection between the MIMIC and the waveguide antenna.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide antenna is a receive antenna structure.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide antenna is a transmit antenna structure.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising multiple waveguide cavities and radiating slots forming multiple transmit and receive antennas tightly placed in a single laminar package.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a configuration of radiating slots is selected to radiate various polarizations such as vertical and/or horizontal polarizations.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the first layer of conductive material is formed on a top surface of the lower laminate layer of the non-RF material; and

the second layer of conductive material is formed on a top surface of the upper layer of the non-RF material.