Dielectric-resonator array antenna system
First Claim
1. A dielectric resonator antenna system comprising:
- a ground plain;
a feed structure;
an array of dielectric resonator elements electrically coupled to the feed structure, each dielectric element having a relatively high permittivity;
a radome close to or in contact with the array of dielectric resonator elements;
an object mounting apparatus for mounting the antenna system on an object; and
a beam shaping and steering controller, the beam shaping and steering controller controlling the feed structure to thereby control excitation phases of the dielectric resonator elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dielectric resonator element array (DRA) antenna system that is small, compact, has high gain in the direction of intended communication, minimized interference in unintended directions of communication and a wide bandwidth. The antenna system comprises a ground plane, a feed structure, a beam shaping and steering controller, a mounting apparatus, an array of dielectric resonator elements and a radome that is close to or in contact with the array. The mounting apparatus preferably is configured so as not to appreciably increase the size of the system when mounted. The controller receives and processes information relating to one or more of object latitude, longitude, attitude, direction of travel, intended direction of communication and unintended directions of communication. The controller processes this information and determines excitation phase for the array elements.
58 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A dielectric resonator antenna system comprising:
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a ground plain;
a feed structure;
an array of dielectric resonator elements electrically coupled to the feed structure, each dielectric element having a relatively high permittivity;
a radome close to or in contact with the array of dielectric resonator elements;
an object mounting apparatus for mounting the antenna system on an object; and
a beam shaping and steering controller, the beam shaping and steering controller controlling the feed structure to thereby control excitation phases of the dielectric resonator elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of communicating with a dielectric resonator array antenna, the method comprising:
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receiving information in real-time in a beam shaping and steering controller, the information including one or more of object latitude, longitude, attitude, direction of travel, intended direction of communication and unintended directions of communication; and
processing the information in real-time in the controller in accordance with a beam shaping and steering control algorithm being executed by the controller to determine excitation phases for the array elements; and
exciting phases of the array elements in real-time based on the determinations made by the controller. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification