The latest addition to Link Microtek’s extensive range of microwave rotary joints is a device featuring three X-band channels, one of which is used for transmit and the others for receive signals in radar systems for coastal/border surveillance or critical infrastructure protection. Designed and manufactured at Link Microtek’s facility in Basingstoke, UK, the new AMCORJD-3 device enables microwave signals to be fed to or from a compact radar antenna rotating continuously at in excess of 60rpm and typically exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as wind, rain and salt spray. The design brief was particularly challenging as it had to fit in the same space as the previous two channel version.
Both channels cover the frequency range 8.5 to 9.5GHz and can handle average microwave powers in excess of 50W and peak powers of over 200W. Microwave performance is excellent, with a maximum insertion loss of only 1.2dB, maximum VSWR of 1.5:1 and an isolation of 80dB.
In order to satisfy requirements for long life and continuous operation, this robustly constructed rotary joint uses a non-contacting design, so the only wearing parts are the bearings. It is fabricated from lightweight aluminium with a Surtec finish and incorporates IP65 sealing to protect it from the ingress of moisture and dust. Featuring N-type connectors on the rotating side and SMA-type connectors on the fixed side, the rotary joint has overall dimensions of 84mm (D) x 150mm (L), excluding the connectors and bulkhead mounting flange. Other rotary-joint configurations and sizes can be supplied on request, customised to suit specific radar antenna requirements.
