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Conformal load-bearing antenna system that excites aircraft structure

  • US 6,097,343 A
  • Filed: 10/23/1998
  • Issued: 08/01/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An aircraft antenna system structurally integrated into a load-bearing structural member of an aircraft, the antenna comprising:

  • an antenna notch formed from non-conductive material and positioned between two adjacent conductive regions of an aircraft structural load-bearing member, wherein the notch and the two adjacent conductive regions are structurally integrated to perform mechanical functions of the load-bearing member, and wherein the notch extends from a narrow region to a flared wider region; and

    an antenna feed terminating at a feed point located in the narrow region of the notch, to couple transmitted energy into the notch and to couple received energy out of the notch;

    and wherein the adjacent conductive regions and other conductive regions of the entire aircraft structure function as a radiating and receiving component of the antenna system, which provides an omnidirectional radiation pattern supporting vertically and horizontally polarized communication functions.

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