Dielectric resonator antenna array with steerable elements
First Claim
1. An array of dielectric resonator antenna elements, each element having a longitudinal axis and being composed of at least one dielectric resonator and a plurality of feeds for transferring energy into and from the elements, wherein the feeds of each element are activatable either individually or in combination so as to produce at least one incrementally or continuously steerable element beam which is steered in azimuth through a predetermined angle about the longitudinal axis of the element, wherein the elements are disposed side-by-side such that their respective longitudinal axes are also disposed side-by-side, wherein during operation of the array, the feeds of the elements are activated such that the element beams from the different elements are steered in synchrony with each other, and wherein the element beams, when combined, interact so as to form at least one array beam which is steered in synchrony with the element beams.
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Abstract
An array of dielectric resonator antenna elements (1), each element (1) being composed of a dielectric resonator disposed on a grounded substrate (3), a plurality of feeds (2) for transferring energy into and from the dielectric resonator elements (1), wherein the feeds (2) of each element (1) are activatable either individually or in combination so as to produce at least one incrementally or continuously steerable beam which may be steered through a predetermined angle. Both the element beam patterns generated by the individual elements (1) and the array factor generated by the array as a whole may be independently steered. When these are steered in synchronism, it is possible to improve the overall gain of the array in any particular direction.
155 Citations
59 Claims
- 1. An array of dielectric resonator antenna elements, each element having a longitudinal axis and being composed of at least one dielectric resonator and a plurality of feeds for transferring energy into and from the elements, wherein the feeds of each element are activatable either individually or in combination so as to produce at least one incrementally or continuously steerable element beam which is steered in azimuth through a predetermined angle about the longitudinal axis of the element, wherein the elements are disposed side-by-side such that their respective longitudinal axes are also disposed side-by-side, wherein during operation of the array, the feeds of the elements are activated such that the element beams from the different elements are steered in synchrony with each other, and wherein the element beams, when combined, interact so as to form at least one array beam which is steered in synchrony with the element beams.
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57. A method of steering beams of an array of antenna elements, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an array of antenna elements arranged side-by-side and each having respective longitudinal axes also disposed side-by-side, each antenna element further including at least one dielectric resonator, and a plurality of feeds for transferring energy into and from each antenna element;
activating feeds of each antenna element individually, or in combination, to produce a corresponding steerable element beam from each antenna element; and
steering the element beams through a predetermined angle wherein each element beam moves in synchrony with the other element beams and about their respective longitudinal axes. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59)
each of the antenna elements are further disposed one above the other.
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59. A method, as claimed in claim 57, wherein:
each of the antenna elements are spaced no greater than a half-wavelength apart.
Specification