Millimeter wave phased array systems with ring slot radiator element
First Claim
1. A ring slot radiator structure for use in a phased array antenna system, the ring slot radiator structure comprising:
- a dielectric substrate, having a top face and a bottom face;
a conductive layer formed over the top face of the substrate and having an annular gap that in part defines a radiator element;
a conductive feed via extending part-way through the substrate in a direction normal to the conductive layer, to transmit radio-frequency (RF) energy from a location located at the bottom of the substrate to transition point located outside the annular gap in the conductive layer and spaced beneath the conductive layer;
a strip line feed probe extending from the transition point in a generally radial direction parallel to the conductive layer and at least partially across the annual gap; and
a plurality of mode suppressor posts extending through the substrate in a direction parallel to the conductive feed via and spaced in a generally uniform array around the conductive feed via;
wherein the plurality of mode suppressor posts effect a smooth transition from a coaxial mode of transmission through the conductive feed via to a strip line mode of transmission along the strip line feed probe that couples RF energy to the ring slot radiator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A phased array antenna structure capable of operation at millimeter-wave frequencies and having multiple ring slot radiator elements (10). The RF feed structure for each radiator element includes a feed via (28) extending part-way through a multi-layer structure (FIG. 3) on which the radiator elements (10) are formed and a strip line feed probe (30) extending from the via (28) toward the radiator element. A key feature facilitating high-frequency operation is the inclusion of multiple mode suppressors (32) surrounding the via (28) and providing a smooth transition from a coaxial mode of RF transmission to a strip line mode of RF transmission. The feed probe (30) is tailored to provide either a narrow-band or a wideband frequency characteristic.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A ring slot radiator structure for use in a phased array antenna system, the ring slot radiator structure comprising:
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a dielectric substrate, having a top face and a bottom face;
a conductive layer formed over the top face of the substrate and having an annular gap that in part defines a radiator element;
a conductive feed via extending part-way through the substrate in a direction normal to the conductive layer, to transmit radio-frequency (RF) energy from a location located at the bottom of the substrate to transition point located outside the annular gap in the conductive layer and spaced beneath the conductive layer;
a strip line feed probe extending from the transition point in a generally radial direction parallel to the conductive layer and at least partially across the annual gap; and
a plurality of mode suppressor posts extending through the substrate in a direction parallel to the conductive feed via and spaced in a generally uniform array around the conductive feed via;
wherein the plurality of mode suppressor posts effect a smooth transition from a coaxial mode of transmission through the conductive feed via to a strip line mode of transmission along the strip line feed probe that couples RF energy to the ring slot radiator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A miniature phased array antenna system capable of operation at millimeter-wave frequencies and formed as a unitary structure, comprising:
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a multilayer structure having an upper face from which radiation is transmitted in a transmit mode of operation and which receives radiation in a receive mode of operation, and a lower face to accommodate radio-frequency (RF) feed and control circuitry;
a conductive layer formed over the top face of the substrate and having a plurality of annular gaps formed in a geometric array, wherein each annular gap in part defines one of a plurality of ring slot radiator elements;
an equal plurality of conductive feed vias extending part-way through the multi-layer structure in a direction normal to the conductive layer, each capable of transmitting radio-frequency (RF) energy from a location located at the bottom of the substrate to transition point located outside one of the annular gaps in the conductive layer and spaced beneath the conductive layer;
an equal plurality of strip line feed probes, each extending from the transition point associate with one of the plurality of radiator elements in a generally radial direction with respect to its annular gap, parallel to the conductive layer and at least partially across the annual gap;
an RF divider/combiner, integrated into the multi-layer structure and coupled to each of the conductive feed vias and to an RF transmitter/receiver connector; and
an equal plurality of sets of mode suppressor posts, each set being associated with a corresponding one of the conductive feed vias, and extending through the multi-layer structure in a direction parallel to the conductive feed via and spaced in a generally uniform array around the conductive feed via;
wherein each set of mode suppressor posts effects a smooth transition from a coaxial mode of transmission through the conductive feed via to a strip line mode of transmission along the strip line feed probe that couples RF energy to the ring slot radiator. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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Specification