This makes the swivel joint ideal for applications where polarisation needs to be changed – for example, when using a horn antenna in an EMC test chamber. In field applications, the device can be used in place of flexible waveguide or as an alternative to a rotary joint on a dithering antenna.
Measuring just 50.8 (L) x 19.0 (D) mm, the new swivel joint is well matched across its full frequency band and compares favourably with 360-degree rotary joints, which are larger, more expensive and can usually only offer narrow-band performance.
As well as the new WR28 device, Link Microtek also manufactures swivel joints in WR42 waveguide for applications in the frequency range 18-26GHz and WRD180 double-ridge waveguide, which covers the whole range from 18 to 40GHz.