Compact top-loaded, tunable fractal antenna systems for efficient ultrabroadband aircraft operation
First Claim
1. An antenna system, comprising:
- a conductive fractal member that extends from a first end to a second end; and
a top load coupled to said second end.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Compact top-loaded, fractal monopole antenna system embodiments are provided for multi-band airborne operation over ultrabroadband ranges (e.g., 30 to 2000 MHz). These multi-band embodiments are self-contained, aerodynamic and compact (e.g., blade height less than 9.5 inches) and are power efficient with a low return loss (e.g., less than −7 dB). System embodiments include a set of impedance-matching circuits configured to substantially match an antenna impedance to a predetermined system impedance over a set of predetermined frequency bands. In an embodiment, at least one impedance-matching circuit includes a chain of selectable air-core inductors which are novelly arranged to improve radiation efficiency and prevent damage to support substrates. In an embodiment, a lowest-frequency one of the impedance-matching circuits is configured to process signals having a maximum wavelength λmax wherein a fractal member is configured with a length that does not exceed λmax/40. System embodiments are configured to respond to a variety of existing radio systems that send commands via different encoding formats.
22 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. An antenna system, comprising:
-
a conductive fractal member that extends from a first end to a second end; and a top load coupled to said second end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An antenna system, comprising:
-
a conductive member that extends from a first end to a second end; a top load coupled to add capacitance to said second end; and a set of impedance-matching circuits each configured to substantially match an antenna impedance at said first end to a predetermined system impedance over a respective one of a set of predetermined frequency bands. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. An antenna system configured to respond to control commands, comprising:
-
a conductive fractal member that extends from a first end to a second end; a top load coupled to said second end; a set of impedance-matching circuits each configured to substantially match a first end impedance to a predetermined system impedance over a respective one of a set of predetermined frequency bands; and a controller configured to couple any selected one of said circuits to said first end in response to said control commands. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification