Dual polarized array antenna
First Claim
1. An antenna system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals having polarization diversity, comprising:
- a plurality of dual polarized radiators, characterized by dual simultaneous polarization states, for generating substantially rotationally symmetric radiation patterns defined by a co-polarized pattern response having pseudo-circular symmetry properties and E- and H-plane patterns that are different by no more than approximately 3.1 dB at any value of theta over the field of view for the antenna system;
a distribution network, connected to each of the dual polarized radiators, for communicating the electromagnetic signals from and to each of the dual polarized radiators;
a ground plane positioned generally parallel to and spaced apart from the dual polarized radiators by a predetermined distance; and
spaced-apart side walls, coupled to the ground plane, thereby forming a cavity surrounding the dual polarized radiators, each side wall placed a predetermined distance from each radiator and having a specified height.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A planar array antenna having radiating elements characterized by dual simultaneous polarization states and having substantially rotationally symmetric radiation patterns. A distribution network, which is connected to each dual polarized radiator, communicates the electromagnetic signals from and to each radiating element. A ground plane is positioned generally parallel to and spaced apart from the radiating elements by a predetermined distance. The conductive surface of the ground plane operates to image the radiating elements over a wide coverage area, thereby enabling a radiation pattern within an azimuth plane of the antenna to be independent of any quantity of radiating elements. Side walls, placed on each side of the array of radiators, can operate in tandem with the ground plane, to reduce the half-power beamwidth in the azimuth plane for a selected radiator design. A central polarization control network (PCN), which is connected to the distribution network, can control the polarization states of the received signals distributed via the distribution network by the radiating elements.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. An antenna system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals having polarization diversity, comprising:
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a plurality of dual polarized radiators, characterized by dual simultaneous polarization states, for generating substantially rotationally symmetric radiation patterns defined by a co-polarized pattern response having pseudo-circular symmetry properties and E- and H-plane patterns that are different by no more than approximately 3.1 dB at any value of theta over the field of view for the antenna system; a distribution network, connected to each of the dual polarized radiators, for communicating the electromagnetic signals from and to each of the dual polarized radiators; a ground plane positioned generally parallel to and spaced apart from the dual polarized radiators by a predetermined distance; and spaced-apart side walls, coupled to the ground plane, thereby forming a cavity surrounding the dual polarized radiators, each side wall placed a predetermined distance from each radiator and having a specified height. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A microstrip-implemented beam-forming network for an antenna having an array of radiating elements, comprising:
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a printed circuit board (PCB) having a top element and a bottom element; a distribution network, etched as a microstrip circuit along the top element and connected to each of the radiating elements, for communicating electromagnetic signals from and to each of the radiating elements; a ground plane, comprising a continuous conductive surface, extending substantially along the bottom element, a plurality of machined slots, each positioned along the PCB at appropriate spaced-apart locations to support the mounting of the radiating elements for connection to the beam forming network; and a plurality of plated-through holes, positioned along the PCB, for providing electrical connections from the top element to the bottom element of the PCB, whereby each plated-through hole boosts current carrying capability and reduce the RF impedance for the current path of the electrical connection. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for assembling a beam-forming network of an antenna having an array of radiating elements, the beam-forming network comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a top element and a bottom element, a distribution network, etched as a microstrip circuit along the top element and connected to each of the radiating elements, for communicating electromagnetic signals from and to each of the radiating elements, a ground plane, comprising a continuous conductive surface, extending substantially along the bottom element, a plurality of machined slots, each positioned along the PCB at appropriate spaced-apart locations to support the mounting of the radiating elements for connection to the beam-forming network, and a plurality of plated-through holes, positioned along the PCB, for providing electrical connections from the top element to the bottom element of the PCB, comprising the steps of:
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applying solder mask and paste at desired solder locations on the PCB; inserting the radiating elements within the machined slots; passing the assembled beamforming network through a reflow oven to achieve the solder connections at the desired solder locations. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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37. An antenna system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals, comprising:
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a plurality of dual polarized radiators, each comprising a crossed dipole pair having a first dipole element and a second dipole element positioned orthogonal to each other; a distribution network, connected to each of the radiators, for communicating the electromagnetic signals between an input port and each of the radiators; and a ground plane positioned generally parallel to and spaced apart from the radiators, wherein each radiator of the crossed dipole pair has a non-identical reflection coefficient, thereby terminating the distribution network to achieve a desired network input impedance by allowing phase and amplitude characteristics of the reflection coefficients of the first and second dipole elements to cancel reflected energy at the network input port. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification