Planar antenna module

• US 6,127,978 A
• Filed: 08/24/1999
• Issued: 10/03/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Uematsu, Hiroshi, Urabe, Masanobu, Kudoh, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HOANGANH T
• Application Number:
  US09/379,824
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700 MS, 343/853, 343/850, 343/777, 343/893, 342/368, 342/372, 342/373
• US Class Current: 343/700.0MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0025 Modular arrays

Abstract

A single dielectric substrate having formed thereon a plurality of planar antenna elements, and a ferrite substrate provided with a circulator are joined together to form a planar antenna module of an integral construction. The planar antenna elements are each composed of a patch formed by a thick or a thin film deposition technique. In one preferred form of joining, the dielectric substrate and the ferrite substrate are joined together at one side. In another preferred form of the joining, the ferrite substrate is fitted or assembled in an opening or window formed in the dielectric substrate.

Claims

1. A planar antenna module, comprising:

a single dielectric substrate having a plurality of planar antenna elements formed on one surface of said dielectric substrate;

a ferrite substrate provided with a circulator;

said dielectric substrate and said ferrite substrate being integrally joined together to form an integral unit;

said dielectric substrate has an opening, and said ferrite substrate is fitted in said opening to integrally join said dielectric substrate and said ferrite substrate.

2. A planar antenna module according to claim 1, wherein said planar antenna elements are each composed of a patch element of a conductive pattern formed on said dielectric substrate by a thick or a thin film deposition technique.

3. A planar antenna module according to claim 1, wherein said single dielectric substrate is provided with a plurality of sets of said planar antenna elements formed thereon, and a corresponding number of said circulators connected in series with the respective planar antenna element sets, each planar antenna element set including a plurality of patch elements connected in series with each other, said planar antenna element sets and said circulators being arranged in plural rows in a transverse direction of said dielectric substrate such that DC magnetic fields in mutually opposite directions are applied to each adjacent pair of the circulators.

4. A planar antenna module, comprising:

a dielectric substrate having a plurality of planar antenna elements formed on one surface of said dielectric substrate;

a ferrite substrate provided with a circulator; and

the dielectric substrate having an opening formed therein and said ferrite substrate being disposed in said opening, and said dielectric substrate and said ferromagnetic substrate being integrally joined together to form an integral unit.

5. A planar antenna module according to claim 4, wherein said planar antenna elements are each composed of a patch element of a conductive pattern formed on said dielectric substrate by a thick or a thin film deposition technique.

6. A planar antenna module according to claim 4, wherein said dielectric substrate is provided with a plurality of sets of said planar antenna elements formed thereon, and a corresponding number of said circulators connected in series with the respective planar antenna element sets, each planar antenna element set including a plurality of patch elements connected in series with each other, said planar antenna element sets and said circulators being arranged in plural rows in a transverse direction of said dielectric substrate such that DC magnetic fields in mutually opposite directions are applied to each adjacent pair of the circulators.

7. A planar antenna module, comprising:

a single metallic base plate;

a dielectric substrate formed on one surface of said metallic base plate, said dielectric substrate having a plurality of planar antenna elements formed on one surface thereof and an opening formed therein; and

a ferrite substrate disposed in said opening of said dielectric substrate, said dielectric substrate and said ferrite substrate being integrally joined together to form an integral unit.

8. A planar antenna module according to claim 7, wherein said planar antenna elements are each composed of a patch element of a conductive pattern formed on said dielectric substrate by a thick or a thin film deposition technique.

9. A planar antenna module according to claim 7, wherein said single dielectric substrate is provided with a plurality of sets of said planar antenna elements formed thereon, and a corresponding number of said circulators connected in series with the respective planar antenna elements sets, each planar antenna element set including a plurality of patch elements connected in series with each other, said planar antenna element sets and said circulators being arranged in plural rows in a transverse direction of said dielectric substrate such that DC magnetic fields in mutually opposite directions are applied to each adjacent pair of the circulators.

10. A planar antenna module, comprising:

a dielectric substrate having a plurality of planar antenna elements formed on one surface of said dielectric substrate;

a ferrite substrate provided with a circulator;

said dielectric substrate and said ferrite substrate being integrally joined together to form an integral unit; and

said dielectric substrate has an opening, and said ferrite substrate is fitted in said opening to integrally join said dielectric substrate and said ferrite substrate.

11. A planar antenna module according to claim 10, wherein said planar antenna elements are each composed of a patch element of a conductive pattern formed on said dielectric substrate by a thick or a think film deposition technique.

12. A planar antenna module according to claim 10, wherein said dielectric substrate is provided with a plurality of sets of said planar antenna elements formed thereon, and a corresponding number of said circulators connected in series with the respective planar antenna element sets, each planar antenna element set including a plurality of patch elements connected in series with each other, said planar antenna element sets and said circulators being arranged in plural rows in a transverse direction of said dielectric substrate such that DC magnetic fields in mutually opposite directions are applied to each adjacent pair of the circulators.