Apparatus for steering an antenna system
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for adjusting the phase of signals supplied to a plurality of antenna elements of an antenna, the apparatus comprising:
- a) first supporting means;
b) a plurality of first transmission line parts disposed on the first supporting means;
c) second supporting means;
d) a plurality of second transmission line parts disposed on the second supporting means, each second transmission line part providing a respective capacitive coupling link for coupling together a respective pair of first transmission line parts to form a respective transmission line, the transmission lines being associated with respective antenna elements and having variable lengths to enable phase adjustment of antenna element signals;
e) means for moving the second supporting means relative to the first supporting means and providing a means for moving each coupling link along its respective pair of first transmission line parts to increase the length of a respective transmission line or to shorten the length of the respective transmission line to effect phase adjustment of antenna element signals, andf) a signal distribution network incorporating the transmission lines, the signal distribution network including splitting means and providing a means for connecting a single antenna port to each of the antenna elements.
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Abstract
An antenna system comprises an antenna assembly having an angle of electrical tilt and a plurality of antenna elements each arranged to receive signals through a respective transmission line. Each transmission line is shortened or lengthened by moving a coupling link along two transmission line parts which the link couples: this adjusts signal phase supplied to each antenna element individually, and controls the angle of electrical tilt of the antenna assembly.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. Apparatus for adjusting the phase of signals supplied to a plurality of antenna elements of an antenna, the apparatus comprising:
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a) first supporting means; b) a plurality of first transmission line parts disposed on the first supporting means; c) second supporting means; d) a plurality of second transmission line parts disposed on the second supporting means, each second transmission line part providing a respective capacitive coupling link for coupling together a respective pair of first transmission line parts to form a respective transmission line, the transmission lines being associated with respective antenna elements and having variable lengths to enable phase adjustment of antenna element signals; e) means for moving the second supporting means relative to the first supporting means and providing a means for moving each coupling link along its respective pair of first transmission line parts to increase the length of a respective transmission line or to shorten the length of the respective transmission line to effect phase adjustment of antenna element signals, and f) a signal distribution network incorporating the transmission lines, the signal distribution network including splitting means and providing a means for connecting a single antenna port to each of the antenna elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for adjusting the phase of signals supplied to a plurality of antenna elements of an antenna, the apparatus comprising:
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a) first supporting means; b) a plurality of first transmission line parts disposed on the first supporting means; c) second supporting means; d) a plurality of second transmission line parts disposed on the second supporting means, each second transmission line part providing a respective capacitive coupling link for coupling together a respective pair of first transmission line parts to form a respective transmission line, the transmission lines being associated with respective antenna elements and having variable lengths to enable phase adjustment of antenna element signals; e) means for moving the second supporting means relative to the first supporting means and providing a means for moving each coupling link along its respective pair of first transmission line parts to increase the length of a respective transmission line or to shorten the length of the respective transmission line to effect phase adjustment of antenna element signals; f) a signal distribution network incorporating the transmission lines, the signal distribution network including splitting means and providing a means for connecting a single antenna port to each of the antenna elements; and g) a dielectric substrate disposed on the first supporting means and comprising a means providing for movement of the second supporting means relative to the first supporting means to cause a greater or lesser portion of one or more of the coupling links to extend over the dielectric substrate and to alter signal phase in the transmission lines. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification