Wearable conformal antenna assembly

• US 7,193,573 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2005
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pacific Microwave Research, Inc. (Pebble Beach Systems Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Pacific Microwave Research, Inc. (Pebble Beach Systems Group Plc)
• Inventors: Dirdo, Alex David, Durso, Christopher M
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HOANGANH T
• Application Number:
  US11/172,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20060001584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 626 Days
• Field of Search: 343/718, 343/702, 343/700.MS, 343/725, 343/727
• US Class Current: 343/718
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/12 Supports; Mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• 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 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0407 Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna dipole H01Q9/285; monopole H01Q9/40

Abstract

A conformal antenna assembly includes a radome layer, an antenna layer, and an isolation layer. The radome layer includes a first surface which is conformable to outer surface of the article to be worn, and a second surface, the first surface of the radome layer providing a protective, signal transparent barrier. The antenna layer is generally conformal to the second surface of the radome layer, and includes at least one antenna element disposed thereon for transmitting a signal at a predefined frequency. The isolation layer includes a first surface generally conformal to the antenna layer and a second surface, the isolation layer being operable to provide isolation of the transmitted signal between the antenna layer and the second surface of the isolation layer.

Claims

1. A wearable conformal antenna assembly for integration into an article of clothing, comprising:

a radome layer having a first surface which is conformable to outer surface of the article to be worn and a second surface, the first surface of the radome layer operable to provide a protective, signal transparent barrier;

an antenna layer generally conformal to the second surface of the radome layer, the antenna layer having at least one antenna element disposed thereon for transmitting a signal at a predefined frequency; and

an isolation layer having a first surface generally conformal to the antenna layer, and a second surface, the isolation layer operable to provide isolation of the transmitted signal between the antenna layer and the second surface of the isolation layer,

wherein the antenna layer comprises a first antenna element for transmitting the signal at the predefined frequency, and a second antenna element operable at a second predefined frequency.

2. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the radome layer comprises a polypropylene- or polyurethane-impregnated cloth.

3. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the isolation layer comprises a Nickel/Copper polyester nonwoven material.

4. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the antenna layer comprises a first surface generally conformal to the second surface of the radome layer, and a second surface, the first surface of the antenna layer comprising the first and second antenna elements, and the second surface of the antenna layer comprising first and second feed lines, the antenna layer further comprising a first plated-through via coupled between the first antenna element and the first feed line, and a second plated-through via coupled between the second antenna element and the second feed line.

5. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the isolation layer is operable to provide at least 30 dB of isolation of the transmitted signal as measured from the first surface of the antenna layer to the second surface of the isolation layer.

6. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one intermediate layer positioned between the second surface of the antenna layer and the first surface of the isolation layer.

7. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one intermediate layer contributes to the total effective isolation provided between the first surface of the antenna layer and the second surface of the isolation layer.

8. A wearable conformal antenna assembly for integration into an article of clothing, comprising:

a radome layer having a first surface which is conformable to outer surface of the article to be worn and a second surface, the first surface of the radome layer operable to provide a protective, signal transparent barrier;

an antenna layer generally conformal to the second surface of the radome layer, the antenna layer having at least a first antenna element disposed thereon for transmitting a signal at a predefined frequency and a second antenna element disposed thereon for receiving a signal at a second frequency; and

an isolation layer having a first surface generally conformal to the antenna layer, and a second surface, the isolation layer operable to provide isolation of the transmitted signal between the antenna layer and the second surface of the isolation layer.

9. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein the radome layer comprises a polypropylene- or polyurethane-impregnated cloth.

10. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein the isolation layer comprises a Nickel/Copper polyester nonwoven material.

11. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein the antenna layer comprises a first surface generally conformal to the second surface of the radome layer, and a second surface, the first surface of the antenna layer comprising the first and second antenna elements, and the second surface of the antenna layer comprising first and second feed lines, the antenna layer further comprising a first plated-through via coupled between the first antenna element and the first feed line, and a second plated-through via coupled between the second antenna element and the second feed line.

12. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein the transmitted signal comprises a circularly polarized signal and wherein the second antenna element is operable to receive a circularly polarized signal.

13. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein the isolation layer is operable to provide at least 30 dB of isolation of the transmitted signal as measured from the first surface of the antenna layer to the second surface of the isolation layer.

14. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 8, further comprising at least one intermediate layer positioned between the second surface of the antenna layer and the first surface of the isolation layer.

15. The wearable conformal antenna assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one intermediate layer contributes to the total effective isolation provided between the first surface of the antenna layer and the second surface of the isolation layer.

16. A helmet-based antenna assembly, comprising:

a helmet having a recessed crown section and a non-recessed crown section; and

a conformal antenna assembly integrated into the recessed crown section of the helmet, the conformal antenna assembly comprising;

a radome layer having a first surface which is substantially conformal to outer surface of the non-recessed crown section of the helmet and a second surface, the first surface of the radome layer operable to provide a protective, signal transparent barrier;

an antenna layer generally conformal to the second surface of the radome layer, the antenna layer having at least one antenna element disposed thereon for transmitting a signal at a predefined frequency; and

an isolation layer having a first surface generally conformal to the antenna layer, and a second surface, the isolation layer operable to provide isolation of the transmitted signal between the antenna layer and the second surface of the isolation layer.

17. The helmet-based antenna assembly of claim 16, wherein the antenna layer comprises a first antenna element for transmitting the signal at the predefined frequency, and a second antenna element.

18. The helmet-based antenna assembly of claim 17, wherein the antenna layer comprises a first surface generally conformal to the second surface of the radome layer, and a second surface, the first surface of the antenna layer comprising the first and second antenna elements, and the second surface of the antenna layer comprising first and second feed lines, the antenna layer further comprising a first plated-through via coupled between the first antenna element and the first feed line, and a second plated-through via coupled between the second antenna element and the second feed line.

19. The helmet-based antenna assembly of claim 18, further comprising a first antenna cable coupled to the first feed line, and a second antenna cable coupled to the second feed line.