Microstrip wide band antenna
First Claim
1. A microstrip antenna, comprising:
- a metallic and generally planar ground plane element occupying a first physical plane, said ground plane element being formed as first quadrilateral having a first shape and a first physical size;
a metallic and generally planar radiating element, said radiating element being formed as second quadrilateral having second shape that is generally identical to said first shape of said first quadrilateral, said second shape being of a second physical size that is equal to or smaller than said first physical size;
mounting means positioning said radiating element at a fixed position and so as to be generally centered over said first physical size of said ground plane element, said mounting means operating to physically mount said radiating element away from said ground plane element so as to define a dielectric space between said radiating element and said ground plane element, said mounting means operating to mount said planar radiating element in an inclined attitude relative to said planar ground plane element; and
signal feed means extending into said dielectric space, said signal feed means including metallic electrical conductor means fixed to a feed point on a surface of said radiating element that faces said ground plane element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Radio Frequency (RF) microstrip antenna employs a planar or curved radiator element that is mounted or supported in spaced relation to a planar or curved ground plane element. A RF feed is attached near one edge of the radiator element for receiving and/or transmitting RF signals in a lobe that is substantially perpendicular to the ground plane element. The radiator element and the ground plane element are maintained in a converging or tilted physical relationship. When a coaxial cable is employed as the antenna feed, the cable'"'"'s outer insulation is secured to the ground plane element, the cable'"'"'s center conductor extends away from the ground plane element to provide a signal feed to the radiator element and to provide physical support for one edge of the radiator element, and two insulator posts extend away from the ground plane element to provide support for the opposite edge of the radiator element.
121 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A microstrip antenna, comprising:
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a metallic and generally planar ground plane element occupying a first physical plane, said ground plane element being formed as first quadrilateral having a first shape and a first physical size; a metallic and generally planar radiating element, said radiating element being formed as second quadrilateral having second shape that is generally identical to said first shape of said first quadrilateral, said second shape being of a second physical size that is equal to or smaller than said first physical size; mounting means positioning said radiating element at a fixed position and so as to be generally centered over said first physical size of said ground plane element, said mounting means operating to physically mount said radiating element away from said ground plane element so as to define a dielectric space between said radiating element and said ground plane element, said mounting means operating to mount said planar radiating element in an inclined attitude relative to said planar ground plane element; and signal feed means extending into said dielectric space, said signal feed means including metallic electrical conductor means fixed to a feed point on a surface of said radiating element that faces said ground plane element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A microstrip antenna, comprising:
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a flat ground plane member; said ground plane member having a flat top metallic surface that defines a first metallic area; said first metallic area having first and second sides that are mutually parallel, and having second and third sides that are mutually parallel, and are perpendicular to said first and second sides; a flat radiating member; said radiating member having a flat bottom metallic surface that defines a second metallic area that is equal to or smaller than said first metallic area; said second metallic area having first and second sides that are mutually parallel, and having second and third sides that are mutually parallel, and are perpendicular to said first and second sides; dielectric mounting means physically engaging said first and second metallic surfaces and operating to mount said radiating member at a fixed position on said ground plane member with said second metallic area generally centered over said first metallic area; said fixed position providing that respective first, second, third and fourth sides of said first and second metallic areas are parallel; said mounting means operating to mount said radiating member out of physical engagement with said ground plane member, so as to define a dielectric space between said radiating member and said ground plane member; said mounting means operating to mount said radiating member at an incline relative to said ground plane members so that said first edge of said second metallic area is positioned a first distance from said first metallic area, and so that said second edge of said second metallic area is positioned a second distance from said second metallic area; said first and second distance being unequal; and antenna signal feed means extending into said dielectric space, said signal feed means including a metallic electrical conductor that is fixed to a feed point on said bottom surface of said radiating member that is adjacent to said first edge of said radiating member. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of making a microstrip antenna in accordance with a desired standing wave ratio, said antenna having a ground plane member and a radiating member, said ground plane member providing a top metallic surface with a first edge and an opposite edge, and said radiating member providing a bottom metallic surface that faces said top metallic surface, said radiating member having a first edge and a second edge, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing first mounting means physically engaging said top and bottom metallic surfaces adjacent to said first edges, and mounting said radiating member at a position overhanging said ground plane member, with said first edge of said bottom metallic surface being located a first distance from said top metallic surface; providing adjustable length dielectric mounting means engaging said top and bottom metallic surfaces adjacent to said second edges, and mounting said radiating member at said position overhanging said ground plane member, with said second edge of said bottom metallic surface being located at a second distance from said top metallic surface; said first and second distances being unequal so as to position said second metallic surface at an incline to said first metallic surface; applying a signal to a feed point on said second metallic surface adjacent to said first edge of said second metallic surface; monitoring a standing wave ratio of said antenna for an occurrence of said desired standing wave ratio; iteratively (1) moving said feed point relative to said first edge of said second metallic surface, and/or (2) changing said second distance, until said monitored standing wave ratio is generally equal to said desired standing wave ratio; and upon said monitored standing wave ratio being generally equal to said desired standing wave ratio, measuring a location of said feed point on said second metallic surface, and measuring said second distance. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A microstrip antenna, comprising:
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a metallic ground plane element having a first shape and a first size; a metallic radiating element, said radiating element having second shape that is generally identical to said first shape, said second shape being of a second size that is equal to or smaller than said first size; mounting means positioning said radiating element at a fixed position and so as to be generally centered over said ground plane element, said mounting means operating to physically mount said radiating element away from said ground plane element so as to define a dielectric space between said radiating element and said ground plane element, said mounting means operating to mount said radiating element in an inclined attitude relative to said ground plane element; and signal feed means extending into said dielectric space, said signal feed means including metallic electrical conductor means fixed to a feed point on a surface of said radiating element that faces said ground plane element. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A microstrip antenna, comprising:
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a ground plane member formed as a partial cylinder, said ground plane member having a curved top metallic surface with a plurality N of sides; a radiating member formed as a partial cylinder, said radiating member having a curved bottom metallic surface with said plurality N of sides; dielectric mounting means physically engaging said first and second metallic surfaces and operating to mount said radiating member at a fixed position on said ground plane member with said second metallic surface generally centered over said first metallic surface; said fixed position providing that corresponding sides of said first and second metallic surfaces are in general alignment; said mounting means operating to mount said radiating member out of physical engagement with said ground plane member, so as to define a dielectric space between said radiating member and said ground plane member; said mounting means operating to mount said radiating member at an incline relative to said ground plane member; and antenna signal feed means extending into said dielectric space, said signal feed means including a metallic electrical conductor that is fixed to a feed point on said bottom surface of said radiating member. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A microstrip antenna, comprising:
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a ground member having a top metallic surface with a plurality N of sides; a radiating member having a bottom metallic surface with said plurality N of sides; dielectric mounting means physically engaging said first and second metallic surfaces and operating to mount said radiating member at a fixed position on said ground member with said second metallic surface generally centered over said first metallic surface; said fixed position providing that corresponding sides of said first and second metallic surfaces are in general alignment; said mounting means operating to mount said radiating member out of physical engagement with said ground member, so as to define a dielectric space between said radiating member and said ground member; said mounting means operating to mount said radiating member at an incline relative to said ground member; and antenna signal feed means extending into said dielectric space, said signal feed means including a metallic electrical conductor that is fixed to a feed point on said bottom surface of said radiating member. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. A microstrip antenna, comprising:
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a generally planar ground plane element in the shape of a first quadrilateral having a first physical size, said ground plane element having an upper metal surface; a generally planar radiating element in the shape of a second quadrilateral that is generally identical to said first quadrilateral, said second quadrilateral being of a second physical size that is equal to or smaller than said first physical size, said radiating element having a lower metal surface; mounting means positioning said radiating element at a fixed position and so as to be generally centered over said ground plane element; said mounting means operating to physically mount said radiating element away from said ground plane element so as to define a dielectric space between said radiating element and said ground plane element; said mounting means operating to mount said planar radiating element at an incline relative to said planar ground plane element in such a manner that all points on said top metal surface are spaced at a different distance from a corresponding point on said bottom metal surface; and signal feed means extending into said dielectric space, said signal feed means including metallic electrical conductor means fixed to said bottom metal surface of said radiating element. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. An omni-directional/directional microstrip antenna, comprising:
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a ground plane element having a first physical size, said ground plane element having an upper metal surface; a radiating element having a second physical size, said radiating element having a lower metal surface; mounting means positioning said radiating element at a fixed position and so as to be generally centered over said ground plane element; said mounting means operating to physically mount said radiating element out of physical engagement with from said ground plane element so as to define a dielectric space between said radiating element and said ground plane element; said mounting means operating to mount said planar radiating element at an incline relative to said planar ground plane element; and signal feed means extending into said dielectric space, said signal feed means including metallic electrical conductor means fixed to said bottom metal surface of said radiating element; wherein when said first physical size is appreciably greater than said second physical size said antenna is directionally, and when said first physical size is generally equal to said second physical size said antenna is omni-directional.
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Specification