Semiconductor waveguide antenna with diode control for scanning
First Claim
1. A single line scanner comprising:
- a semiconductor waveguide of rectangular cross section adapted to propagate wave energy in the E11y mode along a prescribed axis transverse to the dimensions of said cross section;
said waveguide having top and bottom surfaces parallel to said axis;
a plurality of spaced parallel radiator elements on said top surface transverse to said prescribed axis in the path of said propagated wave energy;
means affixed to another surface to prevent outward radiation therefrom as wave energy is propagated along said waveguide; and
means in circuit with said radiation prevention means for changing the wavelengths in said waveguide at a given frequency of operation to control the wavelength spacing between said radiator elements whereby radiated energy is reinforced to produce a radiation lobe pattern at a prescribed angle with respect to said propagating axis.
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Abstract
A single element line scanner applicable to millimeter or submillimeter w beam steering which includes a semiconductor waveguide made of a high resistivity bulk single crystal intrinsic semiconductor material such as silicon. Parallel spaced radiator elements are disposed on one major or top surface of the semiconductor waveguide transverse to the direction of wave propagation along the waveguide. Parallel spaced PIN diodes are disposed on the other or bottom major surface of the semiconductor waveguide transverse to the direction of wave propagation. The PIN diodes are spaced close enough to prevent radiation from escaping outwardly from the bottom major surface and are provided with a variable forward bias to produce a conductivity sheet. The conductivity sheet on the bottom major surface is electronically modulated as a function of the bias current for a given frequency and the variation of such a conductivity sheet changes the wavelengths in the semiconductor waveguide. The changing wavelengths provide variable wavelength spacing between the spaced radiator elements. Each variation of wavelength corresponds to a discrete angle of radiation reinforcement from the radiator elements such that there is provided a single radiation lobe pattern which may be scanned through 180 degrees.
229 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A single line scanner comprising:
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a semiconductor waveguide of rectangular cross section adapted to propagate wave energy in the E11y mode along a prescribed axis transverse to the dimensions of said cross section; said waveguide having top and bottom surfaces parallel to said axis; a plurality of spaced parallel radiator elements on said top surface transverse to said prescribed axis in the path of said propagated wave energy; means affixed to another surface to prevent outward radiation therefrom as wave energy is propagated along said waveguide; and means in circuit with said radiation prevention means for changing the wavelengths in said waveguide at a given frequency of operation to control the wavelength spacing between said radiator elements whereby radiated energy is reinforced to produce a radiation lobe pattern at a prescribed angle with respect to said propagating axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification