Folded helix antenna design

• US 6,229,499 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sirius XM Radio Inc. (Liberty Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: XM Satellite Radio Incorporated (Liberty Media Corporation)
• Inventors: Chatzipetros, Argyrios A., Licul, Stanislav
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Tan
• Application Number:
  US09/434,236
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 343/895, 343/853
• US Class Current: 343/895
• 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 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/08 Helical antennas

Abstract

A folded helical antenna. Generally, the inventive antenna includes plural radiating elements of conductive material. In the preferred embodiment, the antenna is a quadrifilar helix antenna having four radiating elements. Each radiating element is constrained into a helical shape. In accordance with the present teachings, each radiating element extends in a first direction and has a portion thereof folded in a second direction, the second direction being substantially parallel to the first direction. The novel method of making a quadrifilar helix antenna of the invention includes the steps of: ascertaining desired antenna characteristics for a given application; ascertaining limitations on antenna height for the application; fabricating a helical antenna in accordance with the desired antenna characteristics; and adjusting the height of the antenna in accordance with the limitations by folding the radiating elements thereof.

Claims

1. A quadrifilar helix antenna comprising:

first, second, third, and fourth radiating elements of conductive material, each element extending in a first direction and having a portion thereof folded in a second direction, said second direction being substantially parallel to said first direction;

means for individually feeding at least two of said elements; and

means for maintaining said radiating elements in a helical or spiral shape.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said radiating elements has a portion folded into parallel relation with a longitudinal axis of said element.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said means for individually feeding at least two of said elements further includes a feed network electrically coupled to said radiating elements.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein at least two of said radiating elements have a portion at the distal end thereof folded into parallel relation with a longitudinal axis thereof.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said two said radiating elements are the first and third radiating elements.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said second and fourth radiating elements are not folded at respective distal ends thereof.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said first and second radiating elements are connected at proximal ends thereof to provide a first terminal and said third and fourth radiating elements are connected at proximal ends thereof to provide a second terminal.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said means for individually feeding at least two of said elements further includes a 180 degree combiner connected to said first and second terminals.

9. A quadrifilar helix antenna comprising:

first, second, third, and fourth radiating elements of conductive material extending, each radiating element having a portion thereof folded in a direction being substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said radiating element;

a dielectric tube for maintaining said radiating elements in a helical or spiral shape; and

means for coupling electrical energy to and/or from each of said radiating elements;

said means for coupling including means for individually feeding at least two of said elements.