Combined air waveguide antenna and housing
A waveguide antenna assembly includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a printed circuit board (PCB). The lower housing is formed, at least in part, from a conductive material. The upper housing is coupled to the lower housing and is formed, at least in part, from a conductive material. The upper housing and the lower housing define a slot. The printed circuit board (PCB) is disposed within the slot and includes a first side and a second side. The first side faces the lower housing and includes a first plurality of components arranged in a first circuit. The second side faces the upper housing and includes a second plurality of components arranged in a second circuit.
1 . A waveguide antenna assembly comprising:
a lower housing formed at least in part from a conductive material;
an upper housing coupled to the lower housing and formed at least in part from a conductive material, the upper housing and the lower housing defining a slot;
a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the slot and including a first side and a second side, the first side facing the lower housing and including a first plurality of components arranged in a first circuit, the second side facing the upper housing and including a second plurality of components arranged in a second circuit, the first side and the lower housing defining a first waveguide channel in communication with the slot; and
a first pedestal disposed within the first waveguide channel and engaging the lower housing and at least one component of the first plurality of components.
2 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper housing and the lower housing are configured to provide heat-sinking to the PCB.
3 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper housing and the lower housing are configured to provide shielding to the PCB.
4 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the lower housing or the upper housing defines an opening in communication with the slot, and wherein the PCB is disposed within the opening.
5 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 4 , wherein the slot and the opening are defined at least in part by an upper surface of the upper housing, and wherein the upper surface is planar.
6 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide antenna assembly does not include a radome.
7 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a thermal interface material disposed between the first pedestal and the at least one component of the first plurality of components.
8 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper housing includes at least one radiator opening.
9 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a dielectric material disposed within the at least one radiator opening.
10 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 8 , wherein the upper housing includes a waveguide channel in fluid communication with the at least one radiator opening.
11 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a connector coupled to the lower housing and in communication with the PCB.
12 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper housing or the lower housing replaces a radome.
13 . A vehicle comprising the waveguide antenna assembly of claim 1 .
14 . A waveguide antenna assembly comprising:
a lower housing formed at least in part from a conductive material;
an upper housing coupled to the lower housing and formed at least in part from a conductive material, the upper housing and the lower housing defining a slot;
a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the slot and including a first side and a second side, the first side facing the lower housing and including a first plurality of components arranged in a first circuit, the second side facing the upper housing and including a second plurality of components arranged in a second circuit, the second side and the upper housing defining a cavity in communication with the slot; and
a second pedestal disposed within the cavity and engaging the upper housing and at least one component of the second plurality of components.
15 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a first pedestal disposed within a first waveguide channel and engaging the lower housing and at least one component of the first plurality of components.
16 . The waveguide antenna assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a thermal interface material disposed between the second pedestal and the at least one component of the second plurality of components.
17 . A waveguide antenna assembly comprising:
a lower housing formed at least in part from a conductive material;
an upper housing coupled to the lower housing and formed at least in part from a conductive material, the upper housing and the lower housing defining a slot, the upper housing including (i) at least one radiator opening disposed on an outer surface of the upper housing and (ii) a waveguide channel in fluid communication with the at least one radiator opening; and
a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the slot and including a first side and a second side, the first side facing the lower housing and including a first plurality of components arranged in a first circuit, the second side facing the upper housing and including a second plurality of components arranged in a second circuit.