Dual frequency quadrifilar helix antenna

• US 6,421,028 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2000
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Saab Ericsson Space AB (Government of Switzerland)
• Original Assignee: Saab Ericsson Space AB (Government of Switzerland)
• Inventors: Johansson, Stefan, Öhgren, Mikael
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): Clinger, James
• Application Number:
  US09/581,080
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 343/895, 343/850, 343/702, 343/891
• US Class Current: 343/895
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/08 Helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/371 Branching current paths

Abstract

A mechanically simple dual-frequency (or wide band) quadrifilar helix antenna (1). It includes four helix shaped radiating elements (2-5) where each helix element consists of two or more parallel helices (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) of different lengths that are in galvanic contact at, or close to, the feeding point (2c, 3c, 4c, 5c). The four feeding points (2c, 3c, 4c, 5c) of the helix elements (2-5) are located at the bottom of the helix, meaning that the feedings of the helix elements are located at the end (6) of the helix pointing in the direction opposite to the direction of its main radiation.

Claims

1. An antenna device, comprising:

four antenna elements symmetrically arranged about and extending along a cylinder, each antenna element comprising a group of at least two parallel helices, each group of helices comprising a first radiative end and a second feed end opposite the first end, each member of each group of helices extending a different distance along the cylinder than other members of its group of helices and being galvanically connected close to the second end.

2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the helices are etched on a skin having a cylindrical or a conical shape.

3. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the helices are printed on a skin having a cylindrical or a conical shape.

4. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the helices are open circuited at the first end.

5. The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a feed network to which the antenna elements are each connected, the feed network comprising transmission lines operable to serve as a phase quadrature feeding of the antenna elements and to yield a single feed input feed point for the antenna device.

6. The antenna device according to claim 5, further comprising:

matching sections operable to connect the antenna elements to the feed network.

7. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the feed network, the matching sections, and the antenna elements are etched on one dielectric skin.

8. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the feed network, the matching sections, and the antenna elements are printed on one dielectric skin.

9. The antenna device according to claim 5, further comprising:

transmission lines operable to connect the antenna elements to the feed network.

10. The antenna device according to claim 5, wherein the feed network comprises a distributed feed network or a hybrid feed network.

11. The antenna device according to claim 5, wherein the feed network is realized in stripline technique or microstrip technique.

12. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna device comprises a dual frequency or wide band quadrifilar helix antenna.

13. An antenna device, comprising:

a plurality of antenna elements symmetrically arranged about and extending along a cylinder, each antenna element comprising a group of at least two parallel helices, each group of helices comprising a first radiative end and a second feed end opposite the first end, the first end of each helix if each group lying at a different point on the cylinder than the other helices of its group, and each group of helices extending along substantially an entire length of the antenna device and being galvanically connected close to the second end.

14. The antenna device according to claim 13, wherein the antenna device comprises a quadrifilar helix antenna comprising four antenna elements.

15. The antenna device according to claim 13, wherein the helices are etched on a skin having a cylindrical or a conical shape.

16. The antenna device according to claim 13, wherein the helices are printed on a skin having a cylindrical or a conical shape.

17. The antenna device according to claim 13, wherein the helices are open circuited at the first end.

18. The antenna device according to claim 13, further comprising:

a feed network to which the antenna elements are each connected, the feed network comprising transmission lines operable to serve as a phase quadrature feeding of the antenna elements and to yield a single feed input feed point for the antenna device.

19. The antenna device according to claim 18, further comprising:

matching sections operable to connect the antenna elements to the feed network.

20. The antenna device according to claim 18, further comprising:

transmission lines operable to connect the antenna elements to the feed network.

21. The antenna device according to claim 18, wherein the feed network is a distributed feed network or a hybrid feed network.

22. The antenna device according to claim 13, wherein the antenna device comprises a dual frequency or wide band quadrifilar helix antenna.