ANTENNA SYSTEM WITH PLANAR ANTENNA AND DIRECTORS AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH
First Claim
1. An antenna system comprising:
- at least one transmitter configured to generate signals; and
a planar antenna configured to transmit the signals as a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the planar antenna includes an array of patch antennas that generates first near field signals in response to the signals and a plurality of directors configured to guide a portion of the first near field signals from the array of patch antennas to the surface of the transmission medium, and wherein the portion of the first near field signals combines to induce the first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by the surface of the transmission medium.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include a planar antenna configured to transmit first signals as a first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the planar antenna includes an array of patch antennas that generates first near field signals in response to the first signals and a plurality of directors configured to guide a portion of the first near field signals from the array of patch antennas to the surface of the transmission medium, and wherein the portion of the first near field signals combines to induce the first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to the surface of the transmission medium.
271 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An antenna system comprising:
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at least one transmitter configured to generate signals; and a planar antenna configured to transmit the signals as a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the planar antenna includes an array of patch antennas that generates first near field signals in response to the signals and a plurality of directors configured to guide a portion of the first near field signals from the array of patch antennas to the surface of the transmission medium, and wherein the portion of the first near field signals combines to induce the first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by the surface of the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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transmitting, via an array of patch antennas of a planar antenna, first near field signals; transmitting, via an array of additional antennas of the planar antenna, second near field signals; guiding, via a plurality of directors, a portion of the first near field signals from the array of patch antennas to a surface of a transmission medium; and guiding, via the plurality of directors, a portion of the second near field signals from the array of additional antennas to the surface of the transmission medium; wherein the portion of the first near field signals combines with the portion of the second near field signals to induce a first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to the surface of the transmission medium, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An antenna system comprising:
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an array of patch antennas configured to generate first near field signals; and an array of monopole antennas configured to generate second near field signals; and a plurality of directors configured to; guide a portion of the first near field signals from the array of patch antennas to a surface of a transmission medium; and guide a portion of the second near field signals from the array of monopole antennas to the surface of the transmission medium; wherein a portion of the first near field signals combines with a portion of the second near field signals to induce a guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to the surface of the transmission medium; and wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification