Transverse-folded scanning antennas
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A transverse-folded antenna, comprising:
- a radiator positioned to radiate electromagnetic radiation along an antenna radiation axis;
first and second twist reflectors spaced apart along an antenna transverse axis that is transverse to said radiation axis; and
a transreflector positioned across said radiation axis and said transverse axis;
electromagnetic radiation from said radiator thereby successively reflected along said transverse axis from said transreflector, reflected along said transverse axis with a first polarization twist from said first twist reflector, transmitted along said transverse axis and through said transreflector, reflected along said transverse axis with a second polarization twist from said second twist reflector and reflected along said radiation axis from said transreflector.
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Abstract
Transverse-folded antennas arrange a radiator, twist reflectors and a transreflector to generate a radar beam without blocking the beam with a feed element. The arrangement provides signal access at an antenna rear face which facilitates integration of the antenna into an automotive radar system. Different embodiments of the antenna collimate the radar beam with curved twist reflectors and with lenses. Scanning is effected with rotatable twist reflectors and with scanning radiators.
31 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A transverse-folded antenna, comprising:
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a radiator positioned to radiate electromagnetic radiation along an antenna radiation axis; first and second twist reflectors spaced apart along an antenna transverse axis that is transverse to said radiation axis; and a transreflector positioned across said radiation axis and said transverse axis; electromagnetic radiation from said radiator thereby successively reflected along said transverse axis from said transreflector, reflected along said transverse axis with a first polarization twist from said first twist reflector, transmitted along said transverse axis and through said transreflector, reflected along said transverse axis with a second polarization twist from said second twist reflector and reflected along said radiation axis from said transreflector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 16)
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5. A transverse-folded antenna, comprising:
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a radiator positioned to radiate electromagnetic radiation along an antenna radiation axis; an electromagnetic lens spaced from said radiator along said radiation axis; first and second twist reflectors spaced apart along an antenna transverse axis that is transverse to said radiation axis; and a transreflector positioned between said radiator and said lens and between said first and second twist reflectors; electromagnetic radiation from said radiator thereby successively reflected along said transverse axis from said transreflector, reflected along said transverse axis with a first polarization twist from said first twist reflector, transmitted along said transverse axis and through said transreflector, reflected along said transverse axis with a second polarization twist from said second twist reflector, reflected along said radiation axis from said transreflector and collimated by said lens. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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17. A transverse-folded antenna, comprising:
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a radiator positioned to radiate electromagnetic radiation along an antenna radiation axis; first and second twist reflectors spaced apart along an antenna transverse axis that is transverse to said radiation axis; and a transreflector positioned across said radiation axis and said transverse axis; wherein, to facilitate collimation of said radiation, one of said first and second twist reflectors is curved along said radiation axis and the other is curved along a third antenna axis that is transverse to said radiation and transverse axes; electromagnetic radiation from said radiator thereby successively reflected along said transverse axis from said transreflector, reflected along said transverse axis with a first polarization twist from said first twist reflector, transmitted along said transverse axis and through said transreflector, reflected along said transverse axis with a second polarization twist from said second twist reflector and reflected along said radiation axis from said transreflector. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A motor vehicle system, comprising:
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a motor vehicle; and a radar system carried by said motor vehicle wherein said radar system includes; a signal generating, receiving and processing unit; and a transverse-folded antenna directed ahead of said motor vehicle, said antenna including; a) a radiator coupled to said unit and positioned to radiate electromagnetic radiation along an antenna radiation axis; b) first and second twist reflectors spaced apart along an antenna transverse axis that is transverse to said radiation axis; and c) a transreflector positioned across said radiation axis and said transverse axis; electromagnetic radiation from said radiator thereby successively reflected along said transverse axis from said transreflector, reflected along said transverse axis with a first polarization twist from said first twist reflector, transmitted along said transverse axis and through said transreflector, reflected along said transverse axis with a second polarization twist from said second twist reflector and reflected along said radiation axis from said transreflector. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification