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

• US 10,283,872 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2018
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fractal Antenna Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fractal Antenna Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Cohen, Nathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Graham P
• Application Number:
  US16/019,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20190020117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 314 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 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/0013 said selective devices working as frequency-selective reflecting surfaces, e.g. FSS, dichroic plates, surfaces being partly transmissive and reflective
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/0026 said selective devices having a stacked geometry or having multiple layers
• 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: H01Q 19/08 for modifying the radiation pattern of a radiating horn in which it is located corrugated horns H01Q13/0208; producing a circular polarisation H01Q13/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/446 the radiating element being at the centre of one or more rings of auxiliary elements
• 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 first layer of antenna arrays, a second layer including a metal-fractal backplane player, and a third layer including solar cells for solar cell or solar oriented power collection. Fractal metamaterial ribbons with multiple closely-packed fractal resonators are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An aperture engine array having a plurality of aperture engine panels, wherein each panel comprises:

an antenna layer having at least one antenna array, each array configured to receive and/or transmit radio frequency (RF) energy over a range of frequencies, wherein each array comprises fractal resonators configured to allow incident radiation to pass through to an adjacent layer;

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

a solar cell layer including a panel of solar cells configured to absorb incident radiation and providing power thus provide a power source for the transmission and reception of the RF energy.

2. The aperture engine array of claim 1, wherein the aperture engine array, wherein each of the plurality of aperture engine panels is configurable in multiple positions for optimum reception and/or transmission in a particular direction or directions.

3. The aperture engine array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of aperture engine panels is configured as a surface, larger than an individual panel, for greater gathering of incident radiation and greater antenna gain.

4. The aperture engine array of claim 2, wherein the array is part of a satellite or spacecraft.

5. The aperture engine array of claim 3, wherein the aperture engine array is attached to a satellite or spacecraft.

6. The aperture engine array of claim 1, wherein a transmitting apparatus is attached to the aperture engine array and is powered by power derived from the solar cells of the lowest layers of the aperture engine array panels.

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

8. The aperture engine array of claim 3, wherein the plurality of aperture engine panels is placed in a remote environment and controlled by remote means.

9. The aperture engine array of claim 1, wherein the aperture engine array is utilized for radar transmissions and reception.

10. The aperture engine array of claim 3, wherein the aperture engine array is utilized for radar transmissions and reception.

11. The aperture engine array of claim 4, wherein the aperture engine array is utilized for radar transmissions and reception.

12. The aperture engine array of claim 5, wherein the aperture engine array is utilized for radar transmissions and reception.

13. The aperture engine array of claim 6, wherein the aperture engine array is utilized for radar transmissions and reception.

14. The aperture engine array of claim 6, wherein the aperture engine array is utilized for transmissions and reception.

15. The aperture engine array of claim 8, wherein the aperture engine array is utilized for radar transmission and reception.

16. An aperture engine panel comprising:

an antenna layer having at least one antenna array, each array configured to receive and/or transmit radio frequency (RF) energy over a range of frequencies, wherein each array comprises fractal resonators configured to allow incident radiation to pass through to an adjacent layer;

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

a solar cell layer including a panel of solar cells configured to absorb incident radiation and providing power thus provide a power source for the transmission and reception of the RF energy.