Antenna elements for a missile

• US 20040196196A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lfk-Lenkflugkã¶Rpersysteme GmbH (MBDA)
• Original Assignee: Lfk-Lenkflugkã¶Rpersysteme GmbH (MBDA)
• Inventors: Stiller, Axel
• Granted Patent: US 7,030,820 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/708
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/306 for transmitting guidance signals; F41G7/308 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/085 Slot-line radiating ends

Abstract

The invention relates to antenna elements for the UHF and VHF range for antennas of an airborne vehicle with empennage parts. These antenna elements are integrated into the empennage parts (L) which are made of a dielectric material and are configured in such a way that they radiate directionally broadband in flight direction. The empennage parts are made, for example, of ceramic, and the antenna elements are embedded therein or are applied to their surface.

The antenna elements (A) are preferably expanding Vivaldi-type slot radiators that are halved along their axis of symmetry and use the airborne vehicle (F) as an electrical mirror.

Arranging the antenna elements in the area of the rudder maximizes both the aperture and the distance between the phase centers of the individual elements, but no additional volume is required for the antennas.

Claims

1-5. -5 (canceled).

6. An antenna for ultra high frequency (UHF) and very high frequency (VHF) range incorporated into an airborne vehicle, comprising:

empennage parts made of a dielectric material; and

antenna elements integrated with said empennage parts, wherein the antenna elements are configured to radiate directionally broadband in flight direction.

7. The antenna of claim 6, wherein the empennage parts are made of a ceramic material and the antenna elements are embedded within the ceramic material.

8. The antenna of claim 6, wherein the empennage parts are made of a ceramic material and the antenna elements are disposed on said ceramic material.

9. The antenna of claim 6, wherein said antenna elements comprise expanding slot radiators that are halved along an axis of symmetry and use the airborne vehicle as an electrical mirror.

10. The antenna of claim 9, wherein the empennage parts comprises four antenna elements arranged on or within respective empennage parts and are orthogonally polarized in pairs such that the antenna system is oriented at a 45°

angle.

11. An airborne vehicle, comprising:

an empennage comprising a plurality of empennage members extending radially in different directions, wherein said empennage members respectively comprise a dielectric material; and

a plurality of antenna elements integrated respectively with said empennage members.

12. The airborne vehicle of claim 11, wherein said empennage members respectively comprise ceramic materials and said antenna elements are respectively embedded within said ceramic materials.

13. The airborne vehicle of claim 11, The airborne vehicle of claim 11, wherein said empennage members respectively comprise ceramic materials and said antenna elements are respectively disposed on said ceramic materials.

14. The airborne vehicle of claim 11, wherein said antenna elements respectively comprise expanding slot radiators.

15. The airborne vehicle of claim 14, wherein said expanding slot radiators are configured to use said airborne vehicle as an electrical mirror.

16. The airborne vehicle of claim 11, wherein the empennage members respectively comprise four antenna elements orthogonally polarized in pairs such that the antenna is oriented at a 45°

angle.

17. The airborne vehicle of claim 11, wherein at least one of said empennage member comprises a rudder.

18. An empennage for an airborne vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of empennage members, wherein said empennage members are respectively formed of a dielectric material; and

a plurality of antenna elements integrated respectively with said empennage members.

19. The empennage of claim 18, wherein said empennage members respectively comprise ceramic materials and said antenna elements are respectively embedded within said ceramic materials.

20. The empennage of claim 18, wherein said empennage members respectively comprise ceramic materials and said antenna elements are respectively disposed on said ceramic materials.

21. The empennage of claim 18, wherein said antenna elements respectively comprise expanding slot radiators.

22. The airborne vehicle of claim 21 wherein said expanding slot radiators are configured to use said airborne vehicle as an electrical mirror.

23. The airborne vehicle of claim 18, wherein the empennage members respectively comprise four antenna elements orthogonally polarized in pairs such that the antenna is oriented at a 45°

angle.

24. The airborne vehicle of claim 18, wherein at least one of said empennage member comprises a rudder.