Dual polarization microstrip array antenna

• US 5,045,862 A
• Filed: 12/07/1989
• Issued: 09/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Her Majesty The Queen In Right of Canada As Represented By The Minister of National Defence
• Original Assignee: Her Majesty The Queen In Right of Canada As Represented By The Minister of National Defence
• Inventors: Alden, Adrian W., Ohno, Tom T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wimer, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US07/447,401
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700 MS, 343/829, 343/846, 343/848
• US Class Current: 343/700.0MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/065 Patch antenna array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/001 Crossed polarisation dual antennas orthomode horns H01Q13/0258; cross-polarised rear feeds H01Q19/136; orthomode transducers H01P1/161
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0435 using two feed points

Abstract

Dual polarization microstrip array antennas for high efficiency power reception or transmission of electro-magnetic waves are described. The antennas are easy to manufacture, applicable over a wide range of frequencies and angles of incidence, and permit true conformal application and high power handling. The antenna, according to an embodiment, has an array of microstrip patch antenna elements, wave filters, matching stubs and rectifier terminals, all highly symmetrically arranged to each other on one side of a dielectric layer. A common ground plane is provided on the other side of the dielectric layer. Rectifiers are connected to the terminals to produce rectified outputs of each patch antenna element.

Claims

1. A dual polarization microstrip array antenna for power reception or transmission of electromagnetic waves comprising:

a plurality of identical antenna units facing the same direction, arranged symmetrically in an array in two orthogonal directions,

each of the said antenna units comprising a patch antenna element and a plurality of substantially identical feedlines extending along axes, each axis being in a respective one of said two directions, said feedlines being attached symmetrically to the said patch antenna element on opposite sides thereof along respective axes microstrip filters connected to each of the said plurality of feedlines, microstrip matching stubs connected to each of the feedlines at positions remote from the patch antenna element and microstrip filters for shorting electromagnetic waves propagating along the said feedlines at fundamental and second harmonic frequencies, and a terminal for a rectifier connected to each feedline between said filters and said matching stubs,

a dielectric layer of a predetermined thickness,

said plurality of identical antenna units being arranged symmetrically in the said array on said dielectric layer,

means for dc connecting feedlines of adjacent antenna units at positions to the side of said stubs remote from the patch elements, and

a common ground plane disposed on the other side of the said dielectric layer,

whereby isolated transmission lien cells and separate antenna units connected in parallel are formed.

2. The dual polarization microstrip antenna according to claim 1 wherein the said plurality of identical antenna units are arranged symmetrically in a square array in the said two directions.

3. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 2 wherein each of the said antenna units comprises a square patch antenna element having four sides and four feedlines, each of which said feedlines is attached symmetrically to the said square patch antenna element at the middle of each of the said sides in the said two directions.

4. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 3 wherein the said four feedlines of the said each antenna unit are arranged in two orthogonal directions.

5. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 4 wherein in each of the said feedlines, the said microstrip filters are connected to the square patch antenna element, the said microstrip matching stubs are connected to the said microstrip filters and the said terminal is located on the feedline between the said filters and the said stubs.

6. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 2 wherein the patch antenna elements and said feedlines are coplanar in a single conductive layer and are integral to each other.

7. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 3 wherein the square patch antenna elements and said feedlines are coplanar in a single conductive layer and are integral to each other.

8. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 4 wherein the square patch antenna elements and said feedlines are coplanar in a single conductive layer and are integral to each other.

9. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 5 wherein the square patch antenna elements and said feedlines are coplanar in a single conductive layer and are integral to each other.

10. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 6 wherein the said dielectric layer is curved.

11. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 7 wherein the said dielectric layer is curved.

12. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 8 wherein the said dielectric layer is curved.

13. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 9 wherein the said dielectric layer is curved.

14. A dual polarization microstrip array antenna for power reception or transmission of electromagnetic waves comprising:

a plurality of identical antenna units facing the same direction, arranged symmetrically in an array in two orthogonal directions,

each of the said antenna units comprising a patch antenna element and a plurality of substantially identical feedlines extending along axes, each axis being in a respective one of said two directions, said feedlines being attached symmetrically to the said patch antenna element on opposite sides thereof along respective axes, microstrip filters connected to each of the said plurality of feedlines, microstrip matching stubs connected to each of the feedlines at positions remote from the patch antenna element and microstrip filters for shorting electromagnetic waves propagating along the said feedlines at the fundamental and second harmonic frequencies, and a terminal for a rectifier connected to each feedline between said filters and said matching stubs,

a dielectric layer of a predetermined thickness,

said plurality of identical antenna units being arranged symmetrically in the said array on said dielectric layer,

means for dc connecting feedlines of adjacent antenna units at positions to the side of said stubs remote from the patch elements,

a common round plane disposed on the other side of the said dielectric layer,

each of said antenna units comprising a square patch antenna element having four sides and four feedlines, sad feedlines being attached symmetrically to said square patch antenna element at the middle of each of said sides in said two directions,

each of said feedlines of each antenna unit being arranged in two orthogonal directions,

in each of said feedlines, each microstrip filters being connected to the square patch antenna element, said microstrip matching stubs being connected to said microstrip filters, said terminal being located on the feedline between said filters and said stubs,

wherein the dimension 1_m of the side of the said square patch antenna element is determined by the following equation;

##EQU2## where;

f--frequency of the waves,

C_d --capacitive diaphragm (antenna) across parallel plate line

C_x --filter and stub elements of x feedline

L_y --inductive coupling of y feedline between halves of diaphragm (antenna)

C_s --reactances modelling the distortion of the electric field at the edges of the antennas

C_m --discontinuity due to junction of y feedline and antenna, and

Z_m, λ

_m, 1_m /² --characteristic impedance, wavelength, and length of microstrip transmission line comprising each patch antenna half.

15. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 14 wherein the square patch antenna elements and said feedlines are coplanar in a single conductive layer and are integral to each other.

16. The dual polarization microstrip array antenna according to claim 15 wherein the said dielectric layer is curved.