Antenna with periodic electromagnetic mode suppression structures and method for same

• US 6,724,345 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2002
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Tran, Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): VANNUCCI, JAMES
• Application Number:
  US10/128,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20030197646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/846, 343/767, 343/770, 343/895, 343/909, 343/910
• US Class Current: 343/700.0MS
• 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 19/021 Means for reducing undesirable effects

Abstract

A family of antennas, and a method for the same, are provided. The antennas include periodic electromagnetic structures to suppress non-radiating modes of propagation. Each antenna comprises a radiator resonant at a first frequency. A first dielectric is proximate to the radiator. Typically, a counterpoise is formed to the radiator. The periodic electromagnetic structures propagate a radiating mode, and suppress the propagation of a non-radiating mode. The periodic electromagnetic structures can be formed in the radiator, the counterpoise (when the counterpoise is distinctly distinguishable from the radiator), or in the first dielectric. The electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. For example, the shapes can be cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, or semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters.

Claims

1. A method for forming an antenna with periodic electromagnetic structures, the method comprising:

forming a radiator;

forming a first dielectric, with a first dielectric constant, proximate to the radiator;

at a first resonant frequency, propagating a radiating mode; and

,

using a predetermined periodic pattern in an antenna element, suppressing the propagation of a non-radiating mode at the first resonant frequency.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein forming a first dielectric proximate to the radiator includes forming the first dielectric in a predetermined periodic pattern;

and,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the first dielectric periodic pattern.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein forming the first dielectric in a periodic pattern includes forming a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the first dielectric having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein forming the first dielectric in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes forming blocks selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein forming the first dielectric in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes filling the blocks with a second dielectric, having a second dielectric constant.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein forming the first dielectric in a pattern of volumetric blocks filled with a second dielectric includes selecting the second dielectric from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

forming a third dielectric proximate to the first dielectric.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein forming a third dielectric proximate to the first dielectric includes forming the third dielectric in a predetermined periodic pattern;

and,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the first and third dielectric periodic patterns.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein forming a radiator includes forming the radiator in a predetermined periodic pattern;

and,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the radiator periodic pattern.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein forming the radiator in a periodic pattern includes forming a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the counterpoise having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein forming the radiator in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes forming blocks selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein forming the radiator in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes filling the blocks with a second dielectric, having a second dielectric constant.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein forming the radiator in a pattern of volumetric blocks filled with a second dielectric includes the second dielectric being the same as the first dielectric.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein forming the radiator in a pattern of volumetric blocks filled with a second dielectric includes selecting the second dielectric from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

forming a counterpoise to the radiator.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein forming a counterpoise includes forming the counterpoise in a predetermined periodic pattern;

and,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the counterpoise periodic pattern.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein forming the counterpoise in a periodic pattern includes forming a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the counterpoise having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein forming the counterpoise in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes forming blocks selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein forming the counterpoise in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes filling the blocks with a second dielectric, having a second dielectric constant.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein forming the counterpoise in a pattern of volumetric blocks filled with a second dielectric includes the second dielectric being the same as the first dielectric.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein forming the counterpoise in a pattern of volumetric blocks filled with a second dielectric includes selecting the second dielectric from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the first dielectric; and

,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the selected elements.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the first dielectric includes forming a periodic pattern in both the radiator and the first dielectric;

and,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the radiator and the first dielectric.

24. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

forming a counterpoise to the radiator;

forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the counterpoise; and

,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the selected elements.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the counterpoise includes forming a periodic pattern in both the radiator and the counterpoise;

and,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in both the radiator and the counterpoise.

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

forming a counterpoise to the radiator;

forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the first dielectric and the counterpoise; and

,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the selected elements.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the first dielectric and the counterpoise includes forming a periodic pattern in both the first dielectric and the counterpoise;

and,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in both the first dielectric and the counterpoise.

28. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

forming a counterpoise to the radiator;

forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator, the first dielectric and the counterpoise; and

,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the selected elements.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator, the first dielectric, and the counterpoise includes forming a periodic pattern in the radiator, the first dielectric, and the counterpoise;

and,

wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the radiator, first dielectric, and the counterpoise.

30. An antenna with periodic electromagnetic structures, the antenna comprising:

a radiator resonant at a first frequency;

a first dielectric, with a first dielectric constant, proximate to the radiator; and

,

a plurality of periodic electromagnetic structures propagating a radiating mode, and suppressing the propagation of a non-radiating modes where the periodic electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks.

31. The antenna of claim 30 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in the first dielectric.

32. The antenna of claim 31 wherein first dielectric periodic electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the first dielectric having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks.

33. The antenna of claim 32 wherein first dielectric volumetric blocks are selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters.

34. The antenna of claim 33 further comprising:

a second dielectric with a second dielectric constant; and

,

wherein the first dielectric volumetric blocks are filled with the second dielectric.

35. The antenna of claim 34 wherein the second dielectric is selected from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant.

36. The antenna of claim 31 further comprising:

a third dielectric proximate to the first dielectric.

37. The antenna of claim 36 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the first and third dielectrics having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks.

38. The antenna of claim 30 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in the radiator.

39. The antenna of claim 38 wherein radiator periodic electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the radiator having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks.

40. The antenna of claim 39 wherein radiator volumetric blocks are selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters.

41. The antenna of claim 40 further comprising:

a second dielectric with a second dielectric constant; and

,

wherein the radiator volumetric blocks are filled with the second dielectric.

42. The antenna of claim 41 wherein the second dielectric is the same as the first dielectric.

43. The antenna of claim 41 wherein the second dielectric is selected from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant.

44. The antenna of claim 30 further comprising:

a counterpoise to the radiator.

45. The antenna of claim 44 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in the counterpoise.

46. The antenna of claim 45 wherein counterpoise periodic electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the counterpoise having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks.

47. The antenna of claim 46 wherein counterpoise volumetric blocks are selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters.

48. The antenna of claim 47 further comprising:

a second dielectric with a second dielectric constant; and

,

wherein the counterpoise volumetric blocks are filled with the second dielectric.

49. The antenna of claim 48 wherein the second dielectric is the same as the first dielectric.

50. The antenna of claim 48 wherein the second dielectric is selected from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant.

51. The antenna of claim 30 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the first dielectric.

52. The antenna of claim 51 wherein periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in both the radiator and the first dielectric.

53. The antenna of claim 30 further comprising:

a counterpoise to the radiator;

wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the counterpoise.

54. The antenna of claim 53 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in both the radiator and the counterpoise.

55. The antenna of claim 30 further comprising:

a counterpoise to the radiator;

wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in an element selected from the group including the first dielectric and the counterpoise.

56. The antenna of claim 55 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in both the first dielectric and the counterpoise.

57. The antenna of claim 30 further comprising:

a counterpoise to the radiator;

wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in an element selected from the group including the radiator, the first dielectric, and the counterpoise.

58. The antenna of claim 57 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in the radiator, the first dielectric, and the counterpoise.

59. The antenna of claim 57 in which the antenna is a patch;

wherein the radiator is a first conductive panel;

wherein the counterpoise is a second conductive panel, parallel to the first panel;

wherein the first dielectric is a layer interposed between the first and second parallel panels.

60. The antenna of claim 57 in which the antenna is a slot antenna further comprising;

a slot having a length selected from the group including one-half and one-quarter the wavelength of the first frequency with respect to the first dielectric.

61. The antenna of claim 60 wherein the radiator, first dielectric, and counterpoise form a microstrip line;

and,

wherein the slot is formed in the counterpoise.

62. The antenna of claim 60 wherein the radiator and counterpoise form a waveguide having an interior area;

wherein the first dielectric fills the waveguide interior area; and

,

wherein the slot is formed in the waveguide.

63. The antenna of claim 60 wherein the radiator and counterpoise form a flare-notch structure resonant at a first frequency;

wherein the first dielectric includes a first layer and a second layer; and

,

wherein the flare-notch structure is interposed between the first and second layers of the first dielectric.

64. The antenna of claim 57 in which the antenna is a dipole antenna;

and,

wherein the radiator and counterpoise have matching lengths selected from the group including one-half and one-quarter the first frequency wavelength with respect to the first dielectric.

65. The antenna of claim 57 in which the antenna is a monopole antenna;

and,

wherein the radiator has a length selected from the group including one-half and one-quarter the first frequency wavelength with respect to the first dielectric.

66. The antenna of claim 30 in which the antenna is a loop antenna;

and,

wherein the radiator forms a closed loop structure with a gap.