ANTENNA SYSTEM

• US 20120306708A1
• Filed: 02/09/2011
• Published: 12/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Plc
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Plc
• Inventors: Henderson, Robert Ian, Pescod, Christopher Ralph, Nawaz, Shahbaz
• Granted Patent: US 9,203,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/754
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/08 formed of solid dielectric material
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/062 for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/065 Patch antenna array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/30 varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array H01Q3/2605, H01Q3/2658, H01Q3/2682, H01Q3/44 take precedence

Abstract

An antenna system, comprising: a phased array antenna (4); and a dielectric lens arrangement (6), for example a single solid dielectric lens (6) comprising a substantially spherical convex surface (12) and a concave surface (14); wherein the dielectric lens arrangement (6) is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna (4). The concave surface (14) is positioned within the near field of the phased array antenna (4). The phased array antenna (4) is operated at a frequency greater than or equal to 50 GHz. The antenna system retains some ability to electronically scan the beam. The antenna system may be for transmission and/or reception. The antenna system may be used for example for communication between two vehicles.

Claims

1. An antenna system, comprising:

a phased array antenna; and

a dielectric lens arrangement;

wherein the dielectric lens arrangement is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna.

2. An antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric lens arrangement is a single solid dielectric lens.

3. An antenna system according to claim 2, wherein the solid dielectric lens comprises a convex surface and a concave surface.

4. An antenna system according to claim 3, wherein the convex surface is substantially spherical.

5. An antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the side of the dielectric lens arrangement closest to the phased array antenna is positioned within the near field of the phased array antenna.

6. An antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the phased array antenna is adapted to be operated at a frequency greater than or equal to 50 GHz.

7. An antenna system according to claim 2, wherein the dielectric lens is of a material having a dielectric constant greater than or equal to 2.

8. An antenna system according to claim 7, wherein the dielectric lens is of a material having a dielectric constant greater than or equal to 5.

9. An antenna system according to claim 1, arranged such that the antenna system retains some ability to electronically scan the beam provided by and/or being received by the antenna system.

16. An antenna system as in claim 2 wherein the outer surface of the dielectric lens is provided with troughs and ridges, for minimising the mismatch between the high dielectric constant of the lens and that of free space.

17. An antenna system as in claim 16 wherein the troughs and ridges are arranged to form concentric grooves.

18. An antenna system as in claim 16 wherein the inner surface of the dielectric lens is provided with troughs and ridges, for minimising the mismatch between the high dielectric constant of the lens and that of free space.

10. An antenna system comprising:

a phased array antenna; and

a dielectric lens arrangement;

wherein the dielectric lens arrangement is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna,

the antenna system being adapted to be used as a transmission antenna system.

11. An antenna system comprising:

a phased array antenna; and

a dielectric lens arrangement;

wherein the dielectric lens arrangement is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna,

the antenna system being adapted to be used as a reception antenna system.

12. A wireless communication system comprising, as a transmission antenna system, at least one antenna system comprising:

a phased array antenna; and

a dielectric lens arrangement;

wherein the dielectric lens arrangement is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna.

13. A wireless communication system comprising, as a reception antenna system, at least one antenna system comprising:

a phased array antenna; and

a dielectric lens arrangement;

wherein the dielectric lens arrangement is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna.

14. A wireless communication system comprising, as a transmission antenna system, at least one antenna system comprising:

a phased array antenna; and

a dielectric lens arrangement;

wherein the dielectric lens arrangement is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna,

and further comprising, as a reception antenna system, at least one antenna system comprising;

a phased array antenna; and

a dielectric lens arrangement;

wherein the dielectric lens arrangement is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna.

15. A system for communication between two vehicles, the system comprising one or more antenna systems comprising:

a phased array antenna; and

a dielectric lens arrangement;

wherein the dielectric lens arrangement is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna.