Method and apparatus for enhanced radiation characteristics from antennas and related components

• US 10,014,586 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2017
• Issued: 07/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fractal Antenna Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fractal Antenna Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Cohen, Nathan, Chin, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Graham
• Application Number:
  US15/483,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20170214144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 343899
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/042 PV modules or arrays of single PV cells supporting structures for PV modules H02S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/288 Satellite antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/0093 having a fractal shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/00 Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic combination of horns with slotted waveguide array H01Q13/0233
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

Aspect of the present disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus producing enhanced radiation characteristics, e.g., wideband behavior, in or for antennas and related components by providing concentric sleeves, with air or dielectric material as a spacer, where the sleeves include one or more conductive layers, at least a portion of which includes fractal resonators closely spaced, in terms of wavelength. A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to surfaces that include dual-use or multiple-use apertures. Such aperture engine surfaces can include a top (or first) layer of antenna arrays, a middle (or second) layer of a metal-fractal backplane player, and a third (or bottom) layer for solar cell or solar oriented power collection.

Claims

1. An aperture engine surface comprising:

a plurality of layers stacked in the same surface area, wherein the top layer is comprised of at least one antenna array, each of configured to receive and or transmit radio frequencies over a range of frequencies, wherein each array comprised of fractal resonators of desired shape or shapes so as to additionally allow incident radiation providing power to pass through to lower layers;

a lower layer at least a portion of which contains a metal surface that acts as a reflective backplane for the antenna array while allowing incident radiation to pass to a lower layer; and

a lowest layer comprising a panel of solar cells that absorbs the incident radiation providing power thus provide a power source for the transmission and or reception of said radio waves.

2. The aperture engine surface of claim 1, wherein a plurality are configured to comprise a larger surface for greater gathering of incident radiation and greater gain for the function of the antennae.

3. The aperture engine surface of claim 1 wherein said aperture is part of a satellite or spacecraft.

4. The aperture engine surface of claim 2, wherein the surface is attached to a satellite or spacecraft.

5. The aperture engine surface of claim 1, wherein a transmitting apparatus is attached to the aperture and is powered by the collected power derived from the solar cells of the lowest layer.

6. The aperture engine surface of claim 1, wherein a receiving apparatus is attached to the aperture and is powered by the collected power derived from the solar cells of the lowest layer.

7. The aperture engine surface of claim 2, wherein the plurality is placed in a remote environment.