Metamaterial scanning lens antenna systems and methods

• US 7,218,285 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2004
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Tanielian, Minas H., Greegor, Robert B., Parazzoli, Claudio G., Nielsen, Jean A., Davis, Mark R., Li, Kin
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US10/913,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20060028385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 343/753, 343/754, 343/909, 343/911.R
• US Class Current: 343/754
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/0086 said selective devices having materials with a synthesized negative refractive index, e.g. metamaterials or left-handed materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/062 for focusing

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for radiating radar signals, communication signals, or other similar signals. In one embodiment, a system includes a controller that generates a control signal and an antenna coupled to the controller. The antenna includes a first component that generates at least one wave based on the generated control signal and a metamaterial lens positioned at some predefined focal length from the first component. The metamaterial lens directs the generated at least one wave.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a controller configured to generate a control signal; and

an antenna coupled to the controller, the antenna including;

a first component configured to generate at least one wave based on the control signal; and

a metamaterial lens positioned and configured to direct the at least one wave.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface component coupled to the controller, the user interface component configured to allow a user to generate an instruction signal; and

wherein the controller is further configured to generate the control signal based on the instruction signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the antenna further includes:

a sensor configured to sense waves received by the metamaterial lens, the sensor being coupled to the controller.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a data storage device coupled to the controller and configured to store data received by the sensor via the controller.

5. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

an output device coupled to the controller and configured to output data received by the sensor.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the output device is a display device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the antenna includes one or more actuators configured to receive at least a portion of the control signal from the controller and position at least one of the first component or the metamaterial lens based on the received portion of the control signal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first component includes a plurality of wave source devices.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of wave source devices are separately controllable by the controller.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein two or more of the plurality of wave source devices are configured to simultaneously transmit waves.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the metamaterial lens is selected from a group consisting of a convex lens, a concave lens, and a gradient index lens.

12. An antenna system coupled to a controller that generates a control signal, the antenna system comprising:

a first component configured to generate at least one wave based on the control signal; and

a metamaterial lens substantially at a focal length and positioned to receive the wave from the first component, the metamaterial lens being configured to direct the at least one wave.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a sensor configured to sense waves received by the metamaterial lens, wherein the sensor is coupled to the controller.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

one or more actuators configured to receive at least a portion of the control signal from the controller and position at least one of the first component or the metamaterial lens based on the received portion of the control signal.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first component includes a plurality of wave source devices.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of wave source devices are separately controllable by the controller.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein at least two of the plurality of wave source devices are configured to simultaneously transmit waves.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the metamaterial lens is selected from a group consisting of a convex lens, a concave lens, and a gradient index lens.

19. A method comprising:

generating a control signal;

generating at least one wave based on the control signal;

sending the at least one wave through a metamaterial lens; and

sensing at least one wave received by the metamaterial lens.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

storing data associated with the sensed at least one wave.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

outputting data associated with the sensed at least one wave.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein outputting includes displaying.

23. A method comprising:

generating a control signal;

generating at least one wave based on the control signal;

sending the at least one wave through a metamaterial lens; and

scanning by positioning at least one of the first component or the metamaterial lens based on at least a portion of the control signal.

24. A method comprising:

generating a control signal;

generating at least one wave based on the control signal; and

sending the at least one wave through a metamaterial lens,

wherein the metamaterial lens is selected from a group consisting of a convex lens, a concave lens, and a gradient index lens.