Multi-pattern antenna having independently controllable antenna pattern characteristics
First Claim
1. A multi-pattern antenna for providing a first antenna pattern at a first frequency of operation and a second antenna pattern at a second frequency of operation from a single apparatus, the antenna adapted to receive a first RF signal at the first frequency and a second RF signal at the second frequency, the antenna composing:
- a horn having preselected dimensions configured to generate a first antenna pattern having first antenna pattern characteristics from the first RF signal;
a conduit located within the horn and configured to propagate the second RF signal in a waveguide mode; and
, a conductive corrugated rod having a first and a second portion, the first portion located inside the conduit, the second portion protruding from the conduit into the horn, the rod configured to be responsive to the second RF signal propagating in said waveguide mode and operative to transition the second RF signal from the waveguide mode to a surface wave mode and propagate the second RF signal in the surface wave mode along the rod, the rod configured to generate a second antenna pattern having second antenna pattern characteristics from the second RF signal propagating in the surface wave mode.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An antenna for providing a first antenna pattern at a first frequency of operation and a second antenna pattern at a second frequency of operation from first and second RF signals, respectively. The antenna included a horn which is dimensioned to generate the first antenna pattern from the first RF signal. A conduit is located within the horn and is configured to propagate the second RF signal in a waveguide mode. A corrugated rod having a first and a second portion is associated with the conduit. The first portion of the rod is located inside the conduit and the second portion of the rod protrudes from the conduit into the horn. The rod is configured to be responsive to the second RF signal and is operative to transition the second RF signal from a waveguide mode to a surface wave mode and propagate the second RF signal in a surface wave mode along the rod. The rod is configured to generate a second antenna from the second RF signal propagating in a surface wave mode. The first antenna pattern has first antenna pattern characteristics and the second antenna pattern has second antenna pattern characteristics. Changes in the dimensions of the horn will alter the pattern characteristics of the first antenna pattern but will have substantially no effect on the characteristics of the second antenna pattern. Changes in the length of the first portion of the rod will alter the pattern characteristics of the second antenna pattern but have substantially no effect on the pattern characteristics of the first antenna pattern generated by the horn.
171 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A multi-pattern antenna for providing a first antenna pattern at a first frequency of operation and a second antenna pattern at a second frequency of operation from a single apparatus, the antenna adapted to receive a first RF signal at the first frequency and a second RF signal at the second frequency, the antenna composing:
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a horn having preselected dimensions configured to generate a first antenna pattern having first antenna pattern characteristics from the first RF signal;
a conduit located within the horn and configured to propagate the second RF signal in a waveguide mode; and
,a conductive corrugated rod having a first and a second portion, the first portion located inside the conduit, the second portion protruding from the conduit into the horn, the rod configured to be responsive to the second RF signal propagating in said waveguide mode and operative to transition the second RF signal from the waveguide mode to a surface wave mode and propagate the second RF signal in the surface wave mode along the rod, the rod configured to generate a second antenna pattern having second antenna pattern characteristics from the second RF signal propagating in the surface wave mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An antenna for providing a plurality of antenna patterns at a plurality of frequencies from a single compact structure, the antenna adapted to receive a first RF signal at a first frequency of operation and a plurality of second RF signals, each at a different frequency of operation, the antenna comprising:
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a horn having preselected dimensions which are configured to generate a first antenna pattern having first antenna pattern characteristics from the first RF signal; and
a plurality of conduits and rods positioned within the horn, each rod having a first portion encompassed by one of the conduits and a second portion protruding from said conduit and into the horn, each of the conduits configured to propagate one of the second RF signals in a waveguide mode;
each rod configured to be responsive to the second RF signal propagating within the conduit which encompasses the rod, each rod being operative to transition one second RF signal from the waveguide mode to a surface wave mode and propagate the one second RF signal in the surface wave mode along the second portion of the rod, each of the rods configured to radiate one second RF signal and generate therefrom a second antenna pattern. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification