Broadband miniaturized slow-wave antenna
First Claim
1. A miniaturized, slow-wave antenna, comprising:
- a dielectric substrate having a first surface and a second surface;
a traveling wave structure disposed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate;
at least one feed line connected to the traveling wave structure;
a surface member having a finite conductivity disposed on the second surface of the dielectric substrate;
the dielectric substrate having an electrical thickness of less than or equal to 0.04λ
1, where λ
1 is an operating wavelength in free space for a slow-wave given by λ
1 =c/f1, where c is a speed of light and f1 is a lowest frequency of an operating frequency range of the slow-wave antenna; and
the traveling wave structure and the dielectric substrate having a circumference at least as great as a radiation zone of the slow-wave antenna, the radiation zone comprising a circular band with a circumference mλ
1, where m is an integer specifying a mode of operation of the traveling wave structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a broadband, miniaturized, slow-wave antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. The slow-wave antenna comprises a dielectric substrate with a traveling wave structure mounted on one surface, and a conductive surface member mounted on the opposite surface. The traveling wave structure, for example, is of the broadband planar type such as various types of spirals and includes conductive arms which are coupled to feed lines which are routed through the dielectric substrate and the conductive surface member for connection to a transmitter or receiver. The dielectric substrate is of a predetermined thickness which is, for example, less than 0.04λ1, where λ1 is the free space wavelength of the lowest frequency f1 of the operating frequency range of the slow-wave antenna. Also, the dielectric constant of the dielectric substrate and the conductivity of the surface member are specified, along with the thickness of the dielectric substrate to ensure that a slow-wave launched in the traveling wave structure is tightly bound to the traveling wave structure, but not so tightly bound as to hinder radiation at a radiation zone of the traveling wave structure, while minimizing any propagation loss. The slow-wave antenna has a reduced phase velocity, which reduces the diameter of the radiation zone and, consequently, reduces the diameter of the slow-wave antenna.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A miniaturized, slow-wave antenna, comprising:
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a dielectric substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a traveling wave structure disposed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate; at least one feed line connected to the traveling wave structure; a surface member having a finite conductivity disposed on the second surface of the dielectric substrate; the dielectric substrate having an electrical thickness of less than or equal to 0.04λ
1, where λ
1 is an operating wavelength in free space for a slow-wave given by λ
1 =c/f1, where c is a speed of light and f1 is a lowest frequency of an operating frequency range of the slow-wave antenna; andthe traveling wave structure and the dielectric substrate having a circumference at least as great as a radiation zone of the slow-wave antenna, the radiation zone comprising a circular band with a circumference mλ
1, where m is an integer specifying a mode of operation of the traveling wave structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification