Microwave switch arrangement
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a microwave switch arrangement for the selective connection of n input lines with n+a output lines including microwave switches (m≧n), with each of the switches having at least two waveguide passages in its rotor and having waveguide switch inputs and outputs in its stator, and waveguides for connecting the microwave switches. 
     Such microwave switch arrangements are disclosed, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5 of German Offenlegungsschrift (published, unexamined application) 37 04 875, which is a counterpart to U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,320. The configuration of such microwave switches as internal waveguide switches is also disclosed in this laid-open patent application. The internal waveguide switch of this reference is provided with waveguide passages having reduced dimensions, particularly the smaller dimension of the waveguide cross section. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, a microwave switch arrangement of the initially mentioned type is provided wherein the microwave switches are all fastened to a carrier plate by waveguide flanges, and waveguide connections corresponding in their dimensions to the waveguide passages of the switches are formed in the carrier plate, and connected to an input or output of the respective switches. The solution according to the invention permits a particularly favorable configuration of a microwave switch arrangement, particularly if a large number of microwave switches are to be employed. The input and output lines to be connected may likewise be waveguide lines or also coaxial lines or part waveguide lines, part coaxial lines. Further advantages and features are defined in the dependent claims and will become evident from the description of the drawing figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawing figures wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a section of a microwave switch arrangement according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 shows a possible microwave switch arrangement in a schematic interconnected illustration; 
     FIGS. 3a-3f show the possible configuration of a carrier plate; 
     FIG. 3g is a partial longitudinal view of the partial plate of FIG. 3f, and 
     FIGS. 4a-4c are views of a different microwave switch configuration. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In FIG. 1, a carrier plate is designated 1 which in its interior is provided with waveguide connections in the required configuration. On both sides of this carrier plate 1, microwave switches 2 are fastened which are configured as internal waveguide switches, are interconnected by means of waveguides 3 and 4 and are provided with coaxial terminals 5 that are connected by means of plug-in connectors 7 with coaxial cables 6. The coaxial terminals 5 constitute adapters to the waveguides. At least one side, i.e., input/output port, of each of the microwave switches 2 is connected with a waveguide extending in the interior of the plate 1. At least some of these waveguides end in adapter chambers in a cover plate 1a. These chambers are connectable with coaxial lines by means of coaxial plug-in connectors 8. 
     FIG. 2 shows eleven coaxial inputs J 1  to J 11  which can be connected by means of microwave switches M 1  to M 17  with fifteen coaxial outputs O 1  to O 15 . Outputs O 1  to O 15  lead to amplifiers A 1  to A 15 . Four of these amplifiers are provided as substitute amplifiers A 12  to A 15  which are employed if one or several of the primary amplifiers are malfunctioning. Adjacently disposed microwave switches are interconnected by means of waveguide sections. 
     If, for example, amplifier A 3  were malfunctioning, actuation of switches M 4  and M 8  would switch input J 3  to substitute amplifier A 14 . The arrangement permits a maximum of four switches to be connected in series. 
     FIG. 3a shows the principle of the configuration of the carrier plate 1. It is composed of partial plates 31 to 33 and cover plates 34 and 35. A side view of plate 32, namely viewed in direction C and in direction D as well as the associated sectional views are shown respectively in FIGS. 3b and 3c. 
     In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c, a plurality of recesses 36 (five as shown) are made in each surface of plate 32. If cover plates 31 and 33, respectively, which are each configured as shown in FIG. 3d, are placed onto the respective surfaces of plate 32, plates 31 to 33 together form waveguides (ten in total) which are brought laterally through cover plates 31 and 33 via openings 50 at a total of twelve locations i.e. six on each side. This is where the respective waveguide terminals or flanges of the microwave switches 2 are connected. Several of the waveguides 36 are also brought or extended to the upper edge 51 of plates 31 to 33. The recesses 58 in cover plate 34, configured as shown in FIG. 3e (as seen in direction B of FIG. 3a), form extensions of these extended waveguides which are connected to adapter chambers 37 in the bottom surface of cover plate 35 (see FIG. 3f) into which then project the adapters connected with the plug-in connectors 8. 
     Cover plate 35 is additionally provided with connecting waveguides 38 which are brought or extended to its edge and may be connected with microwave switches that are fastened to the upper edge of the overall carrier plate 1. These connecting waveguides 38 may also be connected with an input or output by way of adapters and plug-in connectors. 
     This can be seen in FIG. 4a which is a view toward the narrow side of a microwave switch arrangement. The three-part carrier plate is designated 40, the switches fastened thereon are designated 41. Here, such a connecting waveguide 45 changes from the output of microwave switch 41a to an adapter chamber which is connected with plug-in connector 44a by way of the adapter. An additionally indicated waveguide connection 42 connects switch 41b with an adapter chamber 43 which is connected with a coaxial plug-in connector 44b by way of an adapter. In planes parallel to plate 40, further connecting waveguides 46 are shown some of which are connected with the coaxial plug-in connector by way of adapters. 
     FIG. 4b is a side view of this microwave switch arrangement, with microwave switches 41 and the additional connecting waveguides 46 here being visible. 
     FIG. 4c is a front view of carrier plate 40 equipped with plug-in connectors 44a and 44b and the additional connecting conductors.