Very high frequency line of sight winglet antenna

• US 20080210822A1
• Filed: 03/01/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems LP (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems LP (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: May, Vincent A., Redus, Wesley D., Stuart, SueAnn, Hanusa, John H., Hein, Paul W., Tignor, Claude W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,737,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/129.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/287 integrated in a wing or a stabiliser

Abstract

A line of sight antenna supported in an upturned terminal winglet or similar vertical member of an aircraft is disclosed. An aperture is formed in the conductive winglet or vertical member, and the antenna is supported within the aperture by a support mechanism such that the antenna is exposed to the line of sight transmissions. A non-conductive covering may also be used for the aperture. Using the cover, the antenna within the winglet can be configured so that it does not alter the appearance or aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft. Alternatively, the antenna can be coupled to the outside of the winglet or vertical member if cosmetics are not a concern. The frequency range of the antenna can be tuned to cover desired frequency ranges. The antenna position at the winglet maintains a large physical separation from fuselage-mounted antennas thereby reducing interference.

Claims

1. A line of sight antenna supported in a vertical portion of an aircraft, comprising:

an aperture in an upturned terminal winglet of an aircraft wing or similar vertical member of an aircraft, the winglet or member being conductive;

a supporting mechanism configured to support an antenna in the aperture;

an antenna supported by the supporting mechanism and configured to remain exposed to line of sight transmissions;

a connecting mechanism configured for electrically connecting the antenna to an aircraft system; and

a non-conductive covering for the aperture.

2. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the antenna is mounted by physically embedding it within the aperture in a leading edge of the winglet or vertical member.

3. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the leading edge is substantially unaltered cosmetically by the mounting of the antenna within the terminal winglet or vertical member.

4. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the aircraft wing is substantially unaltered aerodynamically by the mounting of the antenna within the terminal winglet or vertical member.

5. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the cutaway aperture is cut away for vertical length corresponding to a desired frequency range of reception for the antenna.

6. The antenna of claim 5, further comprising a non-conductive dielectric radome configured to create a cavity in the conductive winglet.

7. The antenna of claim 6, further comprising a shunt radiating element.

8. The antenna of claim 7, wherein the shunt radiating element is supported at a fixed separation from a floor of the cutaway aperture by non-conductive dielectric brackets.

9. The antenna of claim 8, further comprising a coaxial connector affixed to a floor of the cutaway floor by a bracket at a bottom end of the shunt radiating element.

10. The antenna of claim 9, further comprising a ground strap having a first end affixed to the antenna and a second end affixed to an aircraft structure, the ground strap being configured to provide an electrical grounding path.

11. The antenna of claim 1, wherein frequency range of the antenna is configured to cover a frequency range within from about 30 MHz to about 3000 MHz.

12. The antenna of claim 11, wherein the frequency range of the antenna covers a frequency range from about 118 MHz to about 152 MHz.

13. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the antenna is mounted to an outside surface of the winglet or vertical member.

14. An aircraft having a wing antenna, comprising:

an aperture in a conductive upturned terminal winglet or vertical member of an aircraft;

a supporting mechanism for an antenna configured within the aperture;

a line of sight antenna supported within the upturned terminal winglet or vertical member by the supporting mechanism, the antenna configured to remain exposed to line of sight transmissions;

a connecting mechanism configured to electrically connect the antenna to an aircraft system; and

a non-conductive covering for the aperture.

15. The aircraft of claim 14, wherein the antenna is mounted by physically embedding it within an aperture in a leading edge of the terminal winglet or vertical member.

16. The antenna of claim 15, wherein the aircraft wing is substantially unaltered cosmetically by the mounting of the antenna within the terminal winglet or vertical member.

17. The antenna of claim 15, wherein the aircraft wing is substantially unaltered aerodynamically by the mounting of the antenna within the terminal winglet or vertical member.

18. The aircraft wing of claim 17, wherein the frequency range of the antenna covers a frequency range from about 118 MHz to about 152 MHz.

19. The aircraft wing of claim 14, wherein the antenna is mounted to an outside surface of the winglet or vertical member.

20. A method of receiving line of sight signals with an aircraft wing antenna, comprising:

supporting an antenna within an aperture of an upturned terminal winglet or vertical member of an aircraft, the terminal winglet or vertical member being conductive;

receiving line of sight transmissions with the antenna; and

coupling signals received by the antenna to an aircraft system.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising mounting the antenna by physically embedding it within an aperture in a leading edge of the terminal winglet or vertical member.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising receiving the line of sight transmissions with the antenna through a non-conductive covering.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein frequency range of the antenna can be adapted to cover frequency ranges within from about 30 MHz to about 3000 MHz

24. The method of claim 20, wherein frequency range of the antenna covers a very high frequency (VHF) radio spectrum from 118 to 152 MHz.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising mounting the antenna to an outside surface of the winglet or vertical member.