Curved surface scattering antennas
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An antenna, comprising:
- a waveguide configured to propagate a guided wave along a curved manifold; and
a plurality of adjustable subwavelength radiators positioned along the curved manifold and coupled to the waveguide;
wherein the adjustable subwavelength radiators are configured to define a holographic function on the curved manifold;
wherein the guided wave has a propagation direction, and the subwavelength radiators have inter-element spacings along the propagation direction substantially less than a free-space wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna; and
wherein each of the plurality of subwavelength radiators includes an adjustable surface mount component connected to a surface of the curved circuit board.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Surface scattering antennas on curved manifolds provide adjustable radiation fields by adjustably coupling scattering elements along a wave-propagating structure.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An antenna, comprising:
-
a waveguide configured to propagate a guided wave along a curved manifold; and a plurality of adjustable subwavelength radiators positioned along the curved manifold and coupled to the waveguide; wherein the adjustable subwavelength radiators are configured to define a holographic function on the curved manifold; wherein the guided wave has a propagation direction, and the subwavelength radiators have inter-element spacings along the propagation direction substantially less than a free-space wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna; and wherein each of the plurality of subwavelength radiators includes an adjustable surface mount component connected to a surface of the curved circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of making a curved antenna, comprising:
-
identifying a desired curvature for the curved antenna; obtaining a circuit board that includes a waveguide and a plurality of adjustable subwavelength radiators coupled to the waveguide; and bending the circuit board to conform to the desired curvature; wherein the adjustable subwavelength radiators are configured to define a holographic function for the desired curvature; wherein the waveguide has a propagation direction, and the adjustable subwavelength radiators have inter-element spacings along the propagation direction substantially less than a free-space wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna; and wherein the obtaining of the circuit board includes, prior to the bending; selectively applying solder paste to an upper surface of the circuit board; and placing a plurality of adjustable surface mount components on the circuit board to form connections via the selectively applied solder paste, the plurality of adjustable surface mount components corresponding to the plurality of adjustable subwavelength radiators. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A curved antenna fabricated by a method that includes:
-
identifying a desired curvature for the curved antenna; obtaining a circuit board that includes a waveguide and a plurality of adjustable subwavelength radiators coupled to the waveguide; and bending the circuit board to conform to the desired curvature; wherein the adjustable subwavelength radiators are configured to define a holographic function for the desired curvature; wherein the waveguide has a propagation direction, and the adjustable subwavelength radiators have inter-element spacings along the propagation direction substantially less than a free-space wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna; and wherein the obtaining of the circuit board includes, prior to the bending; selectively applying solder paste to an upper surface of the circuit board; and placing a plurality of surface mount components on the circuit board to form connections via the selectively applied solder paste, the plurality of surface mount components corresponding to the plurality of adjustable subwavelength radiators. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification