Oscillating waveguides and related sensor assemblies
Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide groove extending along an elongated axis. An antenna structure may be operably coupled with the waveguide groove and may comprise one or more slots extending within the waveguide groove along the elongated axis. The antenna structure may be positioned and configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide groove therethrough. The waveguide groove and/or the slot(s) of the antenna structure may intermittently oscillate on opposite sides of the elongated axis, in some embodiments in a periodic manner, along at least a portion of the elongated axis.
1. A waveguide assembly, comprising:
a waveguide groove extending along an elongated axis; and
an antenna structure operably coupled with the waveguide groove and comprising a continuous, elongated slot extending within the waveguide groove along the elongated axis, wherein the antenna structure is positioned and configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide groove therethrough, and wherein at least one of the waveguide groove and the continuous, elongated slot of the antenna structure intermittently oscillates on opposite sides of the elongated axis along at least a portion of the elongated axis.
2. The waveguide assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the waveguide groove and the continuous, elongated slot of the antenna structure intermittently oscillates on opposite sides of the elongated axis in a periodic manner along at least a portion of the elongated axis.
3. The waveguide assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the waveguide groove and the continuous, elongated slot of the antenna structure intermittently oscillates on opposite sides of the elongated axis in a pattern that smoothly curves between opposite sides of the elongated axis.
4. The waveguide assembly of claim 3 , wherein the pattern is at least substantially a sinusoidal pattern.
5. The waveguide assembly of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide groove intermittently oscillates on opposite sides of the elongated axis in a periodic manner along at least a portion of the elongated axis, and wherein the waveguide groove comprises a plurality of protruding members positioned adjacent to opposing walls of the waveguide groove.
6. The waveguide assembly of claim 5 , wherein the antenna structure comprises a single, elongated slot that extends in at least substantially a straight line along the elongated axis within the waveguide groove.
7. The waveguide assembly of claim 6 , wherein the single, elongated slot is at least substantially centered with respect to the waveguide groove.
8. The waveguide assembly of claim 5 , wherein an amplitude of a periodic pattern defined by the waveguide groove tapers along the elongated axis.
9. The waveguide assembly of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide block, wherein the waveguide groove is formed in the waveguide block, wherein the waveguide groove is defined by one or more opposing rows of posts, and wherein the continuous, elongated slot is formed in the waveguide block.
10. An antenna module, comprising:
an antenna block defining a waveguide groove on a first side of the antenna block, the waveguide groove comprising opposing walls that intermittently oscillate; and
an antenna structure operably coupled with the waveguide groove, wherein the antenna structure is positioned and configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide groove therethrough, wherein the antenna structure comprises one or more slots formed in the antenna block, and wherein the one or more slots extends at least substantially along a straight line within the waveguide groove.
11. The antenna module of claim 10 , wherein the antenna structure comprises a single, elongated slot extending within the waveguide groove.
12. The antenna module of claim 10 , wherein the antenna structure comprises a plurality of adjacent slots extending within the waveguide groove.
13. The antenna module of claim 10 , wherein the waveguide groove oscillates, at least in part, in an at least substantially sinusoidal pattern.
14. The antenna module of claim 13 , wherein the sinusoidal pattern comprises an amplitude that tapers along an axis of the waveguide groove.
15. The antenna module of claim 10 , wherein the waveguide groove comprises a point along the waveguide groove measured along a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the waveguide groove defines a shape having reflectional symmetry along the longitudinal axis about the point.
16. An antenna module, comprising:
an antenna block defining a waveguide groove on a first side of the antenna block, the waveguide groove extending along an elongated axis; and
an antenna structure operably coupled with the waveguide groove, the antenna structure comprising a single, elongated slot that intermittently oscillates back and forth along the elongated axis, wherein the antenna structure is positioned and configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide groove therethrough.
17. The antenna module of claim 16 , wherein the single, elongated slot oscillates smoothly back and forth along the elongated axis.
18. The antenna module of claim 17 , wherein the single, elongated slot oscillates in an at least substantially sinusoidal pattern.
19. The antenna module of claim 18 , wherein the at least substantially sinusoidal pattern comprises an amplitude that tapers along the elongated axis.
20. The antenna module of claim 16 , wherein the single, elongated slot oscillates back and forth along the elongated axis in an at least substantially square wave pattern.
21. The antenna module of claim 20 , wherein the at least substantially square wave pattern comprises an amplitude that tapers along the elongated axis.
22. The antenna module of claim 16 , wherein the single, elongated slot is formed in the antenna block.